Iconic Barista Lavazza locations celebrate local and global culture

Friday, 4 October 2013 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Big decisions influence the location of even the tiniest cafe. Traditionally decision makers would consider elements such as the environment, traffic, space and visibility, but for Barista Lavazza, another all important factor enters the equation – the story. Behind every Barista Lavazza café lies a story to be told over a freshly brewed cappuccino.

The coffee chain’s most recent acquisition is a serene spot at the Colombo National Museum overlooking a vast expanse of greenery. The location marks the culmination of Sri Lankan heritage and culture tracing back to pre-historic times. This café is housed together with the Laksala Museum Gallery whose authentic Sri Lankan artefacts provide culturally significant souvenirs and excellent window shopping opportunities for diners.

Barista Lavazza’s Gandhara outlet on Stratford Avenue is the perfect blend of art and an Italian style café experience. The popular antique store melds seamlessly with the café which is furnished with rare antique pieces, vintage flyers of Rock ‘n Roll shows and Muhammed Ali in action as well as inspired images by prestigious photographers, taken for Lavazza calendar shoots. Every work of art provokes thought and emotion, adding to the ambience of the café. In October last year, Barista Lavazza conquered the Galle Fort with its first outlet along Sri Lanka’s Southern coast. This coffee house is located at the heart of the legendary Galle Fort whose colonial charm has recently attracted global as well as local interest. International literary fairs and film fairs have successfully added to its cultural offering. The Barista Lavazza Galle outlet adapts to its environment, offering a very different experience to the city cafés. Barista Lavazza’s relationship with art and Sri Lankan handicrafts began long before the Museum Gallery opening. It originated with the café at

Thummulla which is located alongside a Laksala arts and crafts store, a central location for both. Although this outlet has turned into a landmark in the area, it was not the first Barista Lavazza outlet to open in Sri Lanka. The international franchise took off in Sri Lanka with a space at the World Trade Centre, the pinnacle of Colombo’s corporate world. The outlet remains a popular spot for the city’s business elite to indulge in premium coffee in the convenience of their workplace. Barista Lavazza outlets are distributed across the city at high traffic areas including the Bandaranaike International Airport, Horton Place, Bambalapitiya, R. A. de Mel Mawatha and Kotte stretching southwards out of the city to Hikkaduwa.