The short answer
Bombay Sweets: what visitors should know first
A good short stop for Indian sweets and faluda while walking through Pettah. Chicken samosas are mentioned, so the shop is not vegetarian; vegetarians should stick to the sweets and ask about everything else. Check hours.
Useful facts
Bombay Sweets facts at a glance
- Location
- Second Cross Street, opposite the Red Mosque
- Dining style
- Counter service, mostly takeaway
- Price signal
- Budget snack stop
- Signature order
- Try: barfi, jelebi, Bombay mittai, faluda
- Good for
- Sweets, a short break in Pettah
Why it matters
Why Bombay Sweets is worth your time
Bombay Sweets is a reminder that Pettah's food is not only Sri Lankan. Indian and Iranian sweets have a long place in this neighbourhood's trade, and the shop sits among the Muslim and Tamil businesses of the area.
For families, the practical value is simple. You can buy a small box of familiar sweets, sit briefly out of the street noise, and carry on. Treat it as a treat stop, not a main meal.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Sweets counter
Muscat, Bombay mittai, barfi and jelebi are named by the guide.
- 02
Faluda
A cold dessert drink the guide describes as strong.
- 03
Red Mosque neighbour
The shop faces the red-and-white mosque, a landmark for finding it.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Start at the counter and look at the sweets. The walking guide names muscat, Bombay mittai, barfi and jelebi, and it also mentions faluda, juices and small bites. Ask for a small mixed box if you want to taste several kinds, and check with staff which are made with dairy if that matters to you.
The interior is narrow and runs deep, with a few seats at the back. Most customers take their order away, but a short sit-down is possible if you want a faluda, which the guide calls strong. The shop faces the Red Mosque, so it combines well with a walk past Pettah's most photographed building.
The guide praises the chicken samosas, so the menu is not meat-free. If anyone in your group is vegetarian, order sweets or a drink and avoid savoury snacks unless staff can confirm what is in them.
Plan with confidence
Small checks that make a better meal.
- Ask which sweets contain dairy or nuts
- Avoid savoury items if vegetarian
- Check current opening hours
- Carry small change for takeaway
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Second Cross Street, Pettah, opposite the Red Mosque, Colombo 11
- Time needed
- 30 to 45 minutes
- Best time
- Mid-afternoon, away from the shopping rush
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- Most business is takeaway and the entrance is narrow, but there is a small dine-in space at the back. We could not verify steps or toilets, so older visitors may prefer to buy sweets and eat them somewhere calmer.
- Tickets and access
- No booking is needed. The walking guide gives daily hours of about 9am to 7pm; confirm hours before you travel. Sweets are sold to take away, so ask staff what is vegetarian.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Bombay Sweets
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
Most business is takeaway and the entrance is narrow, but there is a small dine-in space at the back. We could not verify steps or toilets, so older visitors may prefer to buy sweets and eat them somewhere calmer.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Is Bombay Sweets vegetarian?
Not entirely. The walking guide mentions chicken samosas, so ask before ordering anything savoury; the sweets are the safer choice.
Can I sit down?
There is a small dine-in space at the back, though most trade is takeaway.
Where is it?
On Second Cross Street in Pettah, opposite the Red Mosque.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
