Across Sri Lanka and around the world, interest in plant based food is expanding as more people look for sustainable, healthy, and climate friendly choices. Restaurants and cafes play an important role in shaping these shifts, influencing how accessible and appealing plant based options become for everyday consumers. Colombo’s dining scene has evolved rapidly in recent years, but the extent to which plant based dishes have kept pace with this change has not been fully clear.

Food systems are a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, and plant based diets are increasingly recognised as a simple and effective way to reduce environmental impact. At the same time, health conscious consumers, global culinary trends, and sustainability movements are creating new momentum for plant based eating.

This case study examines how plant based dining in Colombo has changed between 2022 and 2025. It reviews the availability and visibility of plant based dishes, how restaurants present and promote these options, and the degree of flexibility offered to customers seeking plant based alternatives. The findings aim to inform efforts that make sustainable dining more accessible, more visible, and more closely connected to Sri Lanka’s rich plant based culinary heritage.