Ministry of Crab

Seafood restaurant · Colombo

Ministry of Crab

Seafood restaurant · Colombo

Old Dutch Hospital Complex, 04 Hospital St, Colombo 00100, Sri Lanka

Highlights

Celebrated Sri Lankan mud crab, famous crab pate, prawn dishes

Old Dutch Hospital Complex, 04 Hospital St, Colombo 00100, Sri Lanka Get directions

ministryofcrab.com

@ministryofcrab

Rs 10,000+ · Menu

Reserve

@theworlds50best

"Rank: #29 "Set in a preserved 400-year-old Dutch Hospital in Colombo with a minimalist but huge open kitchen, Ministry of Crab is a haven for crustacean fans, celebrating the Sri Lankan crab in everything from the food to the crab-claw plants that serve as the restaurant’s only décor. The restaurant was set up by the country’s leading chef-restaurateur Dharshan Munidasa together with Sri Lankan cricket legends Mahela Jayawardena and Kumar Sangakkara."

https://www.theworlds50best.com/asia/en/the-list/21-30/ministry-of-crab.html

Asia's 50 Best Restaurants 2021: Southeast Asia, India & Subcontinent

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@cntraveler

The Best Bars and Restaurants in the World: The 2021 Gold List

"I ordered Sri Lankan crab and prawns that were almost the size of my arm at Ministry of Crab, a seafood-focused restaurant in Colombo’s 400-year old Dutch Hospital Shopping precinct. The preparation was so spicy, so tasty, that I shed tears of heat and happiness. It really was that good. -P.K." - CNT Editors

https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-bars-and-restaurants-in-the-world-gold-list

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@cntraveler

3 Days Around Colombo, Sri Lanka

"Browse the Ayurvedic skincare balms at the cult favorite Spa Ceylon before heading a few doors down to the city’s hardest-to-book reservation: Ministry of Crab, a temple to seafood opened by Sri Lankan cricket icons Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara. Wrap yourself tightly in a bib and get your hands dirty as you dig into the sloppy, delicious garlic chili crab."

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/3-days-around-colombo-sri-lanka

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Hushra

Google

Absolutely incredible experience at Ministry of Crab! The food was outstanding – fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. We had the signature garlic chili crab and it was hands down one of the best seafood dishes I've ever had. Also, the prawn curry was superb with bread. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable, and the atmosphere was vibrant and welcoming. Tip: If you're planning to go for dinner, make sure to book in advance. It gets busy quickly and walk-ins are rarely available during peak hours. Totally worth the hype – a must-visit if you're in Colombo!

A D

Google

A must visit if you love seafood. The place looks grand in the historic Dutch hospital precinct. We were hosted to our reserved table with reservation displayed as a note from the owners, Sri Lanka cricket legends, it was great. The menu format was unique like a constitution with rules. Crab & prawns are the feature items, priced by their weight with a variety of curry options to choose form. Price is in USD. We had the prawn curry pot with kade bread & rice. We were given aprons too. The staffs were very friendly & always attentive, especially Madhushankar giving us all the background info. The biggest live crab was displayed around. The bill came as a letter in an envelope. There is attention to details in every aspect, decor, food, behaviour - gem of a place, extremely well managed. Both indoor & outside seating available. Reservation recommended for peak times as very popular place.

Zahidur Reza

Google

Finally visited the highly recommended Ministry of Crab, and it did not disappoint. I’ve had crabs in many different styles before, but this was on another level — like the Wagyu of crabs. We ordered the medium size, and the meat content far exceeded expectations. Every bite was sumptuous, with every piece packed full of rich, flavourful crab meat. We also tried the butter prawn, which was equally impressive — if not even more so. Meaty, perfectly cooked, and bursting with flavour. The bonus surprise was their iced tea, easily one of the best I’ve ever had. Yes, the price point is on the higher side and might deter some. But my philosophy is: where else will I get this again, and when will I next be back in Colombo? For me personally, it was absolutely worth it. An unmissable experience for any seafood lover.

Di Ferrara

Google

It's worth a visit but felt the crabs were way overpriced. You can get bigger ones in Australia for half the price! Recommended to make a reservation and it is selected times with 2 hour windows. The decor is wonderful..

V77

Google

Visited in second week of July while we were in Colombo. Booked online the day before, as it was a Monday many bookings were available. Service was excellent, I guess the restaurant wasn't full so we got very good service. Found the waiter a bit on pushy side, trying to get us to order the larger than we needed sized crab. We were also ordering prawns so knew the two of us can't eat too much. Food arrived quickly, the crab was fresh but I guess I expected more from the taste which didn't quite hit the mark for me, thought it was a bit catered for the non Indian palate. The prawns dish was nice. Being on the high end expensive side compared to other restaurants I had expected more flavours. Ambience is very nice, location and decor all works very well. Was disappointed there is no A/c inside the restaurant so got a bit sweaty which wasn't nice.

Mar Bro

Google

Very delicious seafood! Definitely worth a visit! But prepare to pay more than the average dinner in Colombo. The only thing that pulls down my score is that two rats ran through the seating area during our meal, which was a bit disgusting.

Tharuka Hiran

Google

Fanciest place to have mud crab in the city. Best shrimp ever had in my life yet which we chose the chillie & Garlic. Crab was cooked perfectly but the sauce was disappointing though, the server recommended the black pepper sauce but, the taste was something else. Had no idea it is the usual flavor or just something else. I seen on photos it was the black pepper sauce, barely noticed pepper flavor, definitely not the sauce ideal nor recommend, should have gone for an another sauce. Overall you paying the top dollar, menu is in US dollars. Just disappointed on the crab sauce we had. Truly not black pepper sauce flavor. Hope this will be helpful for someone

Nicholas Paul Ting

Google

Delicious meat crabs. Ordered the Garlic Olive Oil and Chili Crab, both did not disappoint. Crab fried rice and Garlic fried rice were delightful too, and the clams were wonderful. Garlic bread could do with thicker spread, can skip the Olive Soy chicken, best to focus on the seafood selections.