City of Dreams Presents Chef Suresh Pillai’s Exclusive Takeover at Indiya

Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams Sri Lanka is set to host one of the region’s most anticipated culinary events this May as internationally acclaimed Indian chef Suresh Pillai takes over the kitchens of Indiya for an exclusive two-day gastronomic showcase on 8th and 9th May 2026.

Available for both lunch and dinner service, this premium experiential dining showcase has been thoughtfully designed to position Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams’ leading destination for world-class culinary encounters.

Bringing together Chef Pillai’s celebrated culinary philosophy with Sri Lanka’s rich coastal flavours, the collaboration offers guests a refined gastronomic journey inspired by the historic spice route connection between Kerala and Sri Lanka.

Crafted as an immersive exploration of regional authenticity, the tasting experience celebrates the bold flavours, coconut-rich traditions, and layered spice profiles that define Kerala cuisine, while seamlessly integrating Sri Lankan ingredients and culinary elegance.

The seven-course menu opens with Thene Elaneer, a refreshing welcome ritual of chilled tender coconut water infused with wild honey and fresh mint, followed by a Cassava and Kanthari Skewer, offering a refined interpretation of Kerala toddy shop flavours.

Guests will then journey through a series of thoughtfully composed courses including a chilled coconut milk moilee, Kongunadu lotus stem masala with mini ghee kal dosa and tomato chutney, coconut-forward seafood and vegetarian interpretations, and aromatic cutlets layered with regional herbs and spices.

The centrepiece of the tasting experience is Chef Pillai’s iconic Fish Nirvana, his celebrated signature dish.

A masterful expression of Kerala’s coastal flavours, it will be served alongside egg appam and pol sambol, creating a striking dialogue between Kerala’s backwater traditions and Sri Lanka’s coastal culinary heritage.

This signature presentation is complemented by traditional accompaniments including Malabar nool porotta, ulli theeyal, and gotukola sambol, before the experience transitions into a dessert finale inspired by Kerala’s sweet traditions.

A curated dessert finale featuring Unniyappam Thene Muttai Falooda and Black Cardamom Chocolate Brownie with Kithul Jaggery, followed by spiced Malabar black tea and handcrafted petit fours, brings the tasting journey to a memorable close.

A fully vegetarian version of the tasting menu will also be available, ensuring an equally indulgent and layered culinary experience through plant-forward interpretations rooted in the same coastal traditions.

With over 27 years of culinary excellence, Chef Pillai is widely recognised for redefining Kerala cuisine on the global stage.

His career includes extensive experience in Michelin-starred kitchens in London, and he currently leads a growing international hospitality portfolio as Founder.

“This menu is a celebration of two coastal cultures connected by history, spice, and shared culinary traditions.

It has been thoughtfully crafted to honour Kerala’s gastronomic heritage while embracing the vibrant flavours and elegance of Sri Lanka,” said Chef Suresh Pillai.

“At City of Dreams, our vision is to continually redefine Colombo’s culinary landscape through elevated, globally inspired dining experiences.

This collaboration reflects our commitment to curating exceptional culinary experiences that combine authenticity, innovation, and immersive storytelling for our guests,” said Kamal Munasinghe, Senior Vice President, Colombo Hotels, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts and General Manager, Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams.

Curated in collaboration with Powerhouse Ventures Pvt Ltd, this experience reflects a shared vision of bringing world-class culinary concepts to Sri Lanka.

Reservations are now open for this limited engagement.

For reservations and inquiries, call or WhatsApp +94 77 962 8132.