Communal Dining

Ever heard of communal dining? As a fairly novel concept in Sri Lanka, communal dining involves a public or private establishment that encourages the concept of sharing a table with unknown faces and people. 

One might wonder why or how a concept like this would and could be encouraged. It’s simple really; a communal table proves not only to be an economical bonus solution to a dining space, but is also a way of encouraging conversations with people you’ve never met before, while enjoying a meal. 

Café Kumbuk down Horton Place was one of the first spaces to have a communal dining table. Their reasons also being utilizing the centre space is a more economical manner, and also a way of connecting people unknown to one another. Whilst some might not love or appreciate the idea, it has proven to be a successful and a fun way of striking up a conversation with a stranger. 

Overseas, the concept has proven to also pave the way and create a trendy platform for chefs to curate unique menus for particular dining events in public and private establishments. Some dining spaces have taken it a step further and have specific themes on certain days of the week, which encourage chefs to showcase their creativity and skills.

The same ideology is catching up however in some parts of Sri Lanka as well. Ceylon Sliders in Weligama hosts monthly yoga mornings and in turn the entire yoga participants sit down to a hearty breakfast at their restaurant, with all their dining tables lined up together, to create one large communal space, where conversation and food are shared. 

Communal dining is not for those who dislike sitting next to someone unknown. It is certainly not for those who are looking for some quiet or intimate dining time. Communal dining is for those who have a deeper appreciation for a meal and do not mind an unknown face next to one another, and who loves to strike up random conversations (even if its not about food!). Families stepping out for a dining experience together would also find this to be an ideal and likable setting. 

Black Cat Colombo is home to a repurposed door that now serves as a communal dining table, at the centre of their homey interior. Sustainable pieces as such as conversation starters which could also lead to new friendships and opportunities. It’s easy to criticize something that is unknown and unusual, but if you take the time to actually invest and be a part of it, you’d learn to appreciate the benefits of it.