A daring new culinary endeavor is creating a stir in the heart of Ahangama’s bustling surfing district. Renowned restaurateur Dom Fernando’s three-month pop-up restaurant, FRIDA, is introducing the robust, smokey flavors of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula to Sri Lanka. FRIDA is a modern taqueria influenced by Mexico City’s street food culture, including flame-grilled tacos, inventive cocktails, and a fresh approach to bold, zesty flavors. It is situated in the breezy, laid-back surroundings of Sundays Café.
Fernando, the founder and creative director behind London’s Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded Sri Lankan restaurant Paradise, is no stranger to pushing culinary boundaries. He combines his passion for fire-driven cooking methods with his profound understanding of international flavors with FRIDA. Frida Kahlo, the famous Mexican artist renowned for her unafraid expression, is the inspiration behind the pop-up’s name. She is a perfect fit for a concept that embraces strong, daring flavors.
A Taste of Mexico in Sri Lanka
With a menu that combines locally sourced Sri Lankan produce, carefully chosen Mexican ingredients, and essential imports from London, FRIDA’s specialty is antojitos, Mexico’s favorite little bites, which are expertly balanced in terms of smoky, sweet, and citrusy flavors. This ensures authenticity while embracing the best of what’s available locally.
Among the menu highlights:
- Smoked mutton barbacoa with chocolate & peanut mole, pico de gallo, and lime curd.
- Yucatán pulled chicken with papaya jam, cashew salsa, and pickled onions.
- Catch of the day with Lion lager, smoked roe & calamansi emulsion, and Weligama slaw.
- Fried cauliflower with habanero mayo, citrus crema, and peanut & cabbage sauerkraut.
The milk with burnt meringue and whisky and arrack give an inventive, indulgent finish for sweet-toothed people.
Elevating the Cocktail Experience
FRIDA’s drinks menu is concise but powerful, including a creative blend of Sri Lankan and Mexican spirits. Among the signature drinks are:
- Grapefruit & coriander seed Paloma
- Coriander & clarified cola Batanga
- Frida Michelada
Every drink has been thoughtfully crafted to enhance the food’s strong, citrusy flavors, resulting in a flawless pairing experience.
More Than Just a Pop-Up
Even if Sundays Café is now home to FRIDA, this is only the beginning. Later this year, a permanent location will open, and the pop-up is a prelude to that. Under Fernando’s recently established concept studio, Night_Day, which seeks to provide innovative dining experiences that highlight the beauty of cultural intersections, this is one of two new Sri Lankan endeavors.
From Tuesday through Sunday, FRIDA welcomes walk-in customers to enjoy a new, fresh twist on Mexico City’s popular taco culture, embracing Sri Lankan ingredients while remaining loyal to its Mexican heritage.
For more information, visit fridasl.com or follow @frida__sl on Instagram.
FRIDA at Sundays Café
Location: Eramudugha Watta, Ahangama 80650, Sri Lanka
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 5:15 PM – 10 PM
