• How Barista Sri Lanka is giving back this Christmas 

Food has always played a large part in festivals and ceremonies. It speaks of cultures, traditions and time spent together, and a Christmas feast is no exception.

To honour the traditions of Christmas, Barista Sri Lanka has introduced a new Christmas menu featuring traditional Christmas classics such as turkey, roast beef and festive gingerbread.

“We would like to capture the very essence of Christmas while also focusing on giving back to the community,” Barista Brand Executive Kanitha Gunarathne told The Daily Morning Brunch. “We always strive to be a brand that is conscious not only about our customers but the community at large, especially in the aftermath of cyclone Ditwah.”

Besides giving a unique festive experience to customers all over the country, Barista will also donate 10% of their total revenue from the Christmas menu to support children at the SOS Children’s villages as a part of its ‘Share a Meal Campaign’. 

A festive ambiance 

When we entered, we were instantly greeted with the scent of gingerbread and goodies. Barista has always been noted for their welcoming hospitality as well as their affordable options, so it was a real pleasure to see such a familiar cafe decked up for the season.

The cafe was a display of festive homeliness with Christmas lights, decor and of course the ever present Christmas tree. We were instantly greeted by friendly staff who were very polite and attentive to every need.

The welcoming atmosphere and the festive ambiance definitely made us smile and want to try out their much talked about Christmas menu. 

A Christmas feast

Barista has long been known for their sandwiches, coffee and desserts. This season, they took their familiar approach and gave it a Christmas twist.

“We have food and drink such as peppermint hot chocolate and turkey sandwiches, mixing traditional Christmas specialities with cafe classics,” Gunarathne said.

We tried the Gingerbread mocha which took a traditional mocha and infused a Christmassy flavor. The combination of ginger and coffee has already been seen in the Sri Lankan market with local brands creating a market for bold and unique flavours.

The drink was topped with a generous amount of whipped cream and was chilled to perfection, making it a tempting treat amidst the scorching heat in Colombo.

The mocha would definitely appeal to those who are fans of gingerbread, Christmassy flavours and spicy and creative coffees.

We later moved on to the smoked beef and herb croissant. The smoked beef was cooked to perfection and was bursting with flavour, tempting us to come back for more. The croissant was flaky and buttery and transported us to an aesthetic cafe in Europe where one can relax and take in the atmosphere of the season.

No meal would be complete without dessert. We were able to sample the Golden Apple cold cheesecake and the custard fruit forest.

The Golden Apple cold cheesecake was definitely unique and refreshing, balancing out the spice of our mains with each mouthful. 

“We wanted to do something unique and Christmas themed,” Gunarathne said. “When most people in Sri Lanka think of a cheesecake, they think of a traditional cheesecake with blueberries. We wanted to change this and show that we can indeed do something new, unique and delicious.”

Gunarathne said that Barista hopes to incorporate traditional Christmas ingredients such as cherries, candied peels and peppermint into their menu to give their customers a festive experience.

Meanwhile, the Custard Fruit Forest was flaky and filled with traditional Christmas fruit. It would be perfect for those of us with a love for fruit, custard and a creative take on deserts. 

Catering for a good cause 

Christmas is often described as the season of giving, and this year, Barista Sri Lanka is making that idea feel a little more real with its annual Share A Meal campaign.

What makes Share A Meal special is how seamlessly it fits into the spirit of Christmas. It’s not about grand gestures or one-off donations, but about kindness woven into daily routines. A toffee nut latte, a gingerbread mocha, or a festive dessert becomes more than just a seasonal indulgence; it becomes a small act of generosity that supports children who need it the most.

Through its long-standing partnership with SOS Children’s Villages Sri Lanka, Barista helps provide care, stability, and opportunities for children who are growing up without parental support. The campaign reflects Barista’s belief that giving back doesn’t have to be complicated.

At its heart, Share A Meal captures what Christmas is really about: connection, compassion, and community. This festive season, Barista invites customers to celebrate with purpose, knowing that every sip helps spread warmth far beyond the café.