Excursion An evening at ministry of crab tour at Colombo

Savour the exquisite flavours, legendary lagoon crabs and seafood of Sri Lanka in an historical setting during this palate-pleasing, half-day excursion to the Ministry of Crab.

Colombo, Pettah Bazaar, Old Parliament, Clock Tower, Temple, Mosque, Colonial Buildings, Park

Your tour begins with a scenic, approximately one-hour sightseeing drive through Colombo. Along the way, pass by the commercial district of the city, Pettah Bazaar area, Old Parliament, century-old clock tower, a temple, mosque, and Colonial buildings. The views are more peaceful when driving past Vihara Mahadevi Park; formerly known as 'Victoria Park', it has since been renamed for a Sinhalese queen. Across the street is the imposing, neo-Classical Town Hall.

Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct, Ministry of Crab Restaurant

Your sightseeing drive ends at the Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct, one of Colombo's oldest UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Built by the Dutch in 1677 as a hospital, the site formerly housed the Colombo Apothecaries and served as the Colombo Fort Police Station, among other things. Today, the newly-refurbished Dutch Hospital Shopping Complex serves as a high-end shopping complex. Your dinner this evening has been arranged at the renowned Ministry of Crab restaurant, which is housed in these historical surroundings.

Seafood Dinner, Lagoon Crabs, King Prawns, Clams, Oysters

Brainchild of Chef Dharshan Munidasa, host of the former 'Culinary Journeys' TV show, and in collaboration with foodies and former Sri Lankan cricketer friends Mahela Jayawardena and Kumar Sangakkara, this highly-acclaimed restaurant is a celebration of Sri Lankan heritage and cuisine that pays homage to fresh and diverse local produce. Created as a culinary homecoming of Sri Lanka's legendary lagoon crab, the Ministry of Crab also celebrates Sri Lanka's fine seafood, from amazing king prawns found in the rivers running across the island, to fresh clams and oysters from the lagoons. Forks and knives are optional, as specialised crab utensils help pry the succulent meat from its shell, and digging in with your hands is permissible. After dinner, your tour concludes with a short drive back to the pier.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Colombo, Pettah Bazaar, Old Parliament, Colonial Buildings, Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct, Ministry of Crab Restaurant, Lagoon Crabs and Seafood Dinner

Note

Please note: This tour involves a minimal amount of walking for approximately 33 yards (about 30 metres), at times over uneven surfaces, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach. This tour is suitable for guests with limited mobility, but is not wheelchair-accessible. Casual/smart-casual clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes and sun protection are recommended; suggestive, tight-fitting clothing, tank-tops, etc. for women are prohibited. Guests must be at least 18 years old to be served alcoholic beverages. The coaches utilised are the best-available in the area, but may not be up to the standards of those found on other excursions. Guests should be on time for the tour departure; due to its high popularity and a waiting list, the restaurant reserves the right to release the table/advance booking in the event guests arrive more than 15 minutes later than seating time. To cut down on the amount of plastic waste generated, mineral water is served in a carafe, as the restaurant is aiming at reducing its carbon footprint by using approximately 21-quart (about 20-litre) reusable containers for transporting water. The restaurant is air-cooled. The tour sequence may vary. Space on this tour is extremely limited; we suggest you book well in advance to avoid disappointment.