Chinese Dragon Café (CDC), one of Sri Lanka’s longstanding names in Chinese cuisine, has further strengthened its presence in the country with the opening of its newest restaurant in Kandy, marking another important milestone in the brand’s expansion journey. The new outlet brings the brand’s much-loved Chinese cuisine to one of Sri Lanka’s most celebrated cities, extending a legacy that began more than eight decades ago. Located at No. 454 Piachaud Garden, Kandy, approximately 230 meters from Peradeniya Road towards Piachaud Garden, near Lighthouse Church, the restaurant becomes Chinese Dragon Café’s 14th outlet in Sri Lanka and 15th outlet worldwide. Renowned for its rich cultural heritage, historical significance and scenic surroundings, Kandy is also one of the country's leading tourism and commercial destinations, making it a strategic location for the brand to reach a wider customer base comprising local residents, business communities and visitors from across Sri Lanka and overseas.
The opening in Kandy builds on a remarkable journey that began in 1942, when a Chinese couple established the first Chinese Dragon Café outlet in Bambalapitiya. What started as a small neighbourhood restaurant has since developed into a recognized restaurant brand, earning a loyal following through generations of customers. Over the past 84 years, the company has steadily expanded its operations across the island, establishing outlets in Bambalapitiya, Mount Lavinia, Nugegoda, Rajagiriya, Pelawatta, Wattala, Kandana, Kaduwela, Jaffna, Galle, Gothatuwa, Orion City and Negombo. Beyond the local market, the brand also ventured into international expansion in 2021 with the opening of its first overseas outlet in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, taking its distinctive Sri Lankan Chinese flavours to a wider international audience. As Chinese Dragon Café continues to expand its footprint, the Kandy opening represents a strategic step towards strengthening its presence in key regional markets. With its combination of tourism, business activity and a diverse community, the city offers considerable potential for the brand to introduce its established culinary offerings to new customers while becoming part of Kandy’s evolving restaurant landscape. Throughout its history, Chinese Dragon Café has built its reputation around familiar flavours, consistent food quality and a diverse menu of Chinese favourites. Among its most recognised signature offerings are Hot Butter Cuttlefish and Seafood Fried Rice served in a Banana Leaf, complemented by an extensive selection of rice, noodles, seafood and other popular Chinese dishes. These customer favourites, together with the brand’s commitment to maintaining its established food standards, have contributed to its enduring popularity among Sri Lankan customers. The newly opened Kandy restaurant brings together spacious surroundings and thoughtfully designed facilities to cater to a variety of customer needs. In addition to its welcoming seating arrangements, the outlet features private dining rooms and a specially designed glasshouse seating area offering beautiful scenic views, creating an inviting setting for families, groups and visitors. The facilities are also suitable for special occasions, family celebrations, corporate meetings and private gatherings. Complementing its restaurant services, Chinese Dragon Café continues to offer free delivery, indoor & outdoor catering, corporate meal solutions and online ordering, providing customers with convenient ways to enjoy its food on different occasions.
Commenting on the opening, Chinese Dragon Café Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Lahiruwan Lakmal, said: “Kandy is a city with a distinctive identity, bringing together a rich cultural heritage, a thriving tourism sector, business activity and a diverse community. We recognize the potential of this market and see this expansion as an important opportunity for Chinese Dragon Café to reach new customers. We are delighted to bring our brand and much-loved Chinese cuisine to Kandy. We look forward to welcoming the community and establishing long-term relationships with our customers in the city.” The opening of the Kandy restaurant reflects Chinese Dragon Café’s continued commitment to expanding its presence in strategically important locations while preserving the food quality, familiar flavours and service standards that have shaped its reputation over the years. By combining its longstanding culinary heritage with modern restaurant facilities and convenient customer services, the brand continues to evolve in response to changing customer expectations and market opportunities. From its beginnings in Bambalapitiya in 1942 to its growing presence across Sri Lanka and overseas, Chinese Dragon Café’s journey represents more than eight decades of dedication to the restaurant industry. The addition of Kandy to its growing network marks another chapter in this journey, bringing its established culinary heritage to a new community while reinforcing its ambitions for continued growth in the years ahead.
