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Hours
Sun
11:00 - 23:00
Mon
11:00 - 23:00
Tue
11:00 - 23:00
Wed
11:00 - 23:00
Thu
11:00 - 23:00
Fri
11:00 - 23:00
Sat
11:00 - 23:00
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
4.0
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Details
Someone from this business manages this listing.
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PRICE RANGE
€7.00 – €19.00
CUISINES
Italian
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options
meals, features
Can a gluten free person get a good meal at this restaurant?
Details
About
Situated in a grand colonial mansion in Gregory's Road, in the heart of Colombo 7, The Bay leaf serves authentic Italian Cuisine from home made pastas to thin crust authentic Italian pizza. With roadside parking space by its gates and a driveway up to its portico the restaurant is fronted by a large lawn ideal for cocktail parties on balmy evenings.The Bay Leaf also features a Retro Bar that serves delectable wines and a range of beverages.
PRICE RANGE
€7.00 – €19.00
CUISINES
Italian
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Drinks
FEATURES
Delivery, Takeout, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Private Dining, Seating, Parking Available, Street Parking, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, American Express, Mastercard, Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service
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4.0
304 reviews
Excellent
107
Very good
124
Average
35
Poor
19
Terrible
19
The_Lankan
Rochester1113 contributions
Jan 2023 • friends
My wife and I were in the area and received a call from an old friend who asked if we wanted to meet here for lunch. We are so glad we decided to meet, because the food here is delicious. It’s an Italian restaurant that looks like it’s in an old Colonial house in Colombo. When the waiter gave us the menus, there was an extensive pizza menu and a another menu with pastas. I was in the mood for pizza, but when we tried to place the order he said there was a 1.5 hour wait for each pizza. When I asked why since there were hardly any people there, he told me there was a party upstairs and they were ordering a lot of pizza so that’s the reason for the delay. I was a bit disappointed at that point but decided to try a pasta dish and ordered Tagliatelle Verdi con Prosciutto which is a homemade spinach pasta tossed with honey glazed ham, mushroom, bacon, & parmesan cheese. When I tried it, I was so happy the pizza was not ordered because it was probably one of the tastiest pastas I’ve had in Sri Lanka, it was excellent. In addition the Cream of Chicken soup and Bruschetta was also really good. It was a cloudy day and not too hot so we sat outside and enjoyed the meal with a friend. The wait staff is helpful and friendly and I highly recommend this place, in fact I’ll be going back to try other items on their menu the next time we are in Sri Lanka.
Written 21 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul and Emma's Food Journey
Razgrad18 contributions
Jan 2023 • couples
This restaurant is set in a beautiful old building and is very atmospheric. The service was excellent. On our first visit, the food was amazing. We shared the antipasti which was rich and opulent. The Crab pasta was full of crabby flavour. The turmeric pasta lacked turmeric but was excellent nevertheless. On our second visit I was disappointed by my sirloin steak which was ordered rare and served medium.
Written 1 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Quilton
30 contributions
Dec 2023 • couples
Recently dined here from Sydney Australia and the experience was divine. Couldn’t believe the breadth of the menu and hand made pasta. The prawn ravioli, seafood pasta and Lankan chicken curry pizza was outstanding (the latter being a fabulous unique fusion!).
We have had a lot of quality Italian food in our lives and our minds were blown with the excellent quality and flavor. Sri Lankan service and hospitality as usual was exceptional. Thanks and can’t wait to be back.
Written 26 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Prageeth J
Colombo10 contributions
Feb 2022 • family
Last minute decision to have dinner out ,thanks to the power cuts, led us to the Bay leaf on a Saturday night. We were craving for some good pasta so tried our luck just turning up without a reservation. All tables were reserved except the ones in a private room upstairs which we gladly took as our 7 year old son was really hungry by then. Apart from the blue lotus flower on the table,there was nothing appealing in that room which was full of mosquitoes as well.
After ordering our food we waited a while for our drinks to be served and then it was another long wait till our food arrived. It would have been better if we had just given up our battle with the mosquitoes and gone home . The food was terrible. My husband ordered a dish which had mussels and a variety of seafood which arrived at the table minus the mussels. When we inquired, the server said he forgot to mention that mussels are not available. My chicken lasagne and my son's pasta was barely warm. Even the cheese had started to harden on the top...I have honestly had better lasagne from the frozen food section heat and eat meals! They were full and a private function was going on , however since all are paying customers they should make sure the service is provided to everyone who clearly comes in with an expectation of a decent meal.
To be honest I shall not be making another visit as there are far better options available in Colombo for similar cuisine. So very disappointing with food, service and ambiance.
Written 19 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vachintha Piyadasa
Colombo1816 contributions
Dec 2020 • none
The Bayleaf offers a wide range of Italian cuisine that includes some signature pastas and pizzas. They have both indoor and outdoor seating facilities with private dining areas for groups. Their food is absolutely delicious and cooked to perfection. They also serve alcohol beverages with some great cocktails. Staff is attentive and efficient. Prices seems moderate, however its certainly worth the experience.
Written 1 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JJ1701
Colombo84 contributions
Feb 2020 • friends
My friend and I walked in for a drink and bite. As we did not have a reservation we were asked if we would like to sit in the Bar area, which was fine. The service was shoddy and we had to keep asking for menus and the food took ages to come. The only saving grace was the olives, which was yummy.
Written 5 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dulani Warawewa
Colombo513 contributions
Apr 2021 • family
I love Italian food and there are very few choices in colombo. This restaurant used to be really good but now they are going downhill in terms of quality and taste. The service has always been good but the food is extremely bland. After few bad experiences, I thought of trying their food one more time and I ordered a Penne Quattro formaggi and another one from the same pasta with shredded chicken. However the sauce was more like skim milk and was of water like consistency and filled almost half of the container and the pasta had sunk to the bottom. It was more like a soup and tasted bland like water. I could not even use the fork which they had provided to eat as the liquid content was more. I will not be going back anytime soon.
Written 24 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Srinatha Malalasekera
Colombo28 contributions
Dec 2019 • none
We have had this Chicken Kochchi pizzas for the 3rd time today from Bayleaf cafe at Gregory's Road and has been overwhelmed with the unique taste of it. I love the taste and hot/spicyness of it. Anyone who is dicserning for pizzas should taste this unique pizza, which you will not find anywhere else. As of the restaurant it is a great place to dine, with great food and choices. However, as other guest has commented it has lots of room for improvement in service wise. The service takes a prolong time and water is not served unless you asked for it. Once served, waiters are not around and you have to go in search for them. However, the food (smack) the best I have tasted and high five for the kitchen staff and the executive chef for running the show.
Written 2 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ruan A
1 contribution
Feb 2022 • friends
Reserved & went for dinner with friends & kids. Service was delayed, had to remind them to give us plates & glasses for drinks & dinner - pizza. Plates came 1/2 hr after food arrived. 01 dish was delayed & arrived after we had almost finished the meal. Very disappointed
Written 14 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AdrianFonseka
Moratuwa184 contributions
Feb 2020 • family
We went to The Bayleaf, an Italian restaurant situated down Gregory’s Road in an heritage mansion. Though we’ve been to Harpo’s Pizza couple of times when they were in Mount Lavinia own by the same this was our first visit to The Bayleaf. Once we were to go there for dinner and called on our way and were informed that it was full. We ordered soup (carrot and orange and the soup of the day which happened to be cream of chicken), pizza and lasagna and all were delicious. This being our first visit the staff were helpful when ordering. It took a little while for the food to arrive but was fresh and tasty. It was value for money.
If you are going there on a weekend recommend you make a reservation few hours before.
Written 15 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Seevali D
Colombo8947 contributions
Dec 2019 • none
Four of us, two adults and two children had dinner at The Bay Leaf Italian Restaurant on 30th December 2019. Though we did not have a reservation, we were warmly greeted and seated at a table near the entrance. The pleasantly speaking waiter served our drinks quite quickly along with some breads with garlic sauce and balsamic vinegar. It was a very relaxing environment with subdued attractive lighting.
The restrooms were clean.
The kids ordered spaghetti Bolognese and a pizza while the others asked for soup, Chicken tagliatelle and a calamari salad. The tastefully presented meals arrived on the table quite quickly. All of us enjoyed our meals and agreed that it was delicious.
Written 30 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Critica l
London198 contributions
Jan 2020 • friends
Great venue in old style heritage house in the heart of Colombo . But what about the food I hear you say? My tagliatelle chicken and mushroom was so good I wiped my plate clean with the well made bread provided and washed down with a delicious bottle of Pinot gris .So what’s not to like -smiley face .
Written 23 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dinal P
3 contributions
Aug 2024 • family
I celebrated my 50th on the 18/8. The team at Bayleaf went out of their way to accommodate all my requests and made sure that we had a memorable evening. To Yoga, Vijay and Anura thank you for all you did despite the last minute changes which you guys obliged with. The food was excellent and the service was great. Please keep it up and no doubt we will be back again. Dinal from South Africa.
Written 11 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Supuni Kannangara
Colombo55 contributions
Feb 2020 • family
We went to have dinner last night,it was so good. Omg everything is perfect and tasty. Very worth the money. Special thank goes Manju and Yoga. Very good service. Can't wait to go and eat again.
Written 11 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
V V
9 contributions
Mar 2024 • friends
Ambience inside the place was just sad and way too gloomy… The sofas were damaged and unpleasant to sit on… seating was generally uncomfortable… Food was alright although it wasn’t worth the money 🙄 , Portion size was inadequate (pasta)…and 4 cheeses pasta barely had any cheese. The menu was confusing as toasts were also listed below the pasta, Had to keep asking for olive oil as it was kept with us only for few minutes… Overall was not a good experience 😕
Written 4 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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