Commons Coffee House Marks 20 years of brewing memories

Colombo’s first homegrown coffee house and one of the city’s most beloved hangout spots ‘Commons Coffee House’ (CCH) celebrated its 20th anniversary last week. Popularly known as ‘Commons’, the café has been a cornerstone of Colombo’s coffee culture since it first opened its doors in 2005.

The brainchild of entrepreneur Harpo Gooneratne, ‘Commons’ quickly became a favourite meeting spot for all ages, from students and young professionals to families and long-time regulars. With its warm, inviting atmosphere, the café helped set the stage for Colombo’s now-thriving coffee houses.

Over the years, ‘Commons’ has built a loyal following by serving not only exceptional coffee but also an impressive selection of dishes to suit a wide range of tastes specially to Sri Lankan culture. Its evolving menu has consistently blended innovation with comfort, introducing fresh flavours, creative twists and a few cult favourites that regulars pledge by.

To mark the milestone, the coffee house has undergone a stylish makeover. Serving great coffees and an awesome array of dishes to excite any palette, ‘Commons’ added not only new culinary features to its menu but to its interior too.

‘To celebrate two decades of serving our loyal customers, we’ve given ourselves a bold new look and expanded our menu with fresh flavours, reimagined favourites and all-new dishes crafted just for them’ said Harpo, Managing Director of The Commons Coffee House.

The refreshed interiors feature cane fittings, custom-designed furniture, and a vibrant new colour palette, creating a lively yet cozy ambience. In support of young and emerging artists, the refurbishment also includes art thoughtfully curated in collaboration with qualified architects, showcasing the work of aspiring talents. Adding an innovative layer to the visual experience, decorative mobile displays designed by art students bring movement and fresh perspectives to the restaurant interior.

As part of the celebrations, Commons has also introduced a new range of coffees to its menu, featuring hot favourites such as Crème Brule Cappuccino, Chocolate Mint Cappuccino, Café Mocha, Spiced Latte, Piccolo Latte and Affogato. 

‘The cold coffees are just as impressive, featuring favourites like the Ice Milo Latte, loved by all, as well as the Iced Café Mocha, Iced Spiced Latte and Iced Caramel Latte, perfect for cooling down on a hot day’ said Dharshani Sumanasekera, Group Admin and PR Manager for Harpo’s Restaurants and Cafes.

Guests can now also enjoy the aroma of freshly baked bread at the new Bread and Sandwich Counter, from Baguette and Ciabatta to Focaccia, Brown and more. You can pick your  favourite loaf to take away, or make your own sandwich just the way you like it. Staying true to its community spirit, Commons continues to be part of Colombo’s celebrations with its iconic Rotti Cart and diverse catering menus.

Kids are always welcome and they have a special place at ‘Commons’, with a special menu of tasty bites designed just for them. 

As they honour the past and taste the future, whether you’re a longtime regular or a first-time guest, there’s never been a better time to visit as they celebrate the 20th anniversary of Commons. "I take this opportunity to thank our regular and long-standing guests who have made memories here, as well as our dedicated staff who have been part of the journey. This is the coffee house that has raised generations. We have always enjoyed strong local support, whether in serving delicious food and drinks or in extending a helping hand to local charities, and we will continue to do so’ Harpo added.

With two decades of brewing, serving and creating memories, Commons is not just a coffee house, it’s part of Colombo’s social fabric, a place where friendships are forged, ideas are exchanged and moments are savoured one cup at a time.

For more details, log onto www.thecommonscolombo.com

Harpo Gooneratne

Popularly known as one of Sri Lanka’s first DJs and entertainers, Harpo Lalith Gooneratne has worked his way up through the hospitality industry to become one of the island’s great success stories. His passion has always been to create spaces where people can unwind and enjoy experiences that are refreshingly different.

Harpo’s vision of providing efficient and courteous service within a homely environment was realised when ‘The Bay Leaf restaurant’ was started in 2004. This success was followed by The Commons Coffee House in 2005, the Harpo’s Pizza brand in 2007, Park Street Mews in 2009 and Colombo Fort Café in 2011 and Curve – Tapas Bar & Music in 2013.

Commons popular Rotti Platter