Journey Insights

When travelling through Sri Lanka, there are places that leave an impression on you long after you’ve moved on. For me, Ella is one of those places. Perched high in the misty hills, with tea plantations tumbling down the slopes and train tracks winding through valleys, it already feels like something out of a dream. But what truly added colour to my time there was a Sunday evening spent at Cafe One Love.

This is not just another café where you drop in for a quick coffee. It’s a place where food, music, and atmosphere come together to create a memory you’ll want to carry with you. Sundays at Cafe One Love are not to be missed, and here’s why.

The First Glimpse of Ella’s Sunday Spirit

As the sun dipped behind the mountains, the air in Ella started to change. The quiet, green afternoons made way for lively chatter, laughter, and the sound of music drifting through the streets. That’s how I found myself walking towards Cafe One Love, guided by the hum of conversation and the inviting glow of lights spilling onto the road.

The café sits in the heart of Ella, perfectly placed for travellers who want to blend good food with a good time. From the outside, it looks relaxed and unpretentious, but once you step in, you immediately feel the buzz. It’s warm, welcoming, and full of energy without ever feeling overwhelming.

Pizza Nights Done Right

Let’s talk about the star of the evening—pizza. Sundays at Cafe One Love revolve around wood-fired pizzas, and I can honestly say they rival some of the best I’ve had outside of Italy.

The first bite was everything you want a pizza to be: a crisp base with just the right amount of char from the wood oven, topped with fresh, gooey cheese that stretched delightfully. The toppings were generous without being overdone, keeping the flavours clean and satisfying. From classic Margheritas to spicier options with a Sri Lankan twist, there was something for every mood.

What made it even better was the setting. Eating pizza under soft, glowing lights while listening to live music felt far removed from the usual tourist dining experience. It was more like sharing food at a gathering of friends, even though most of us were strangers at different stages of our travels.

Cocktails that Match the Mood

Of course, pizza needs a good partner, and the bar at Cafe One Love certainly knows what it’s doing. Cocktails here aren’t just about getting a drink; they’re crafted to set the tone for the night.

I went for a mojito first—refreshing, light, and perfectly balanced with fresh mint. Later in the evening, I tried a local-inspired cocktail with a splash of arrack (Sri Lanka’s famous coconut spirit), which carried a tropical kick that matched the vibe of the place. Each glass came with a little flair, and the bartenders seemed to enjoy their craft as much as the guests enjoyed sipping their creations.

The beauty of the cocktails was how they paired seamlessly with the atmosphere. Some were bright and zesty, perfect for early evening conversations, while others carried a mellow richness that worked well as the music turned up and people started dancing.

Music That Brings Everyone Together

No Sunday at Cafe One Love is complete without music. The café has built a reputation for hosting talented local and travelling musicians, and the night I was there was no exception. A small band set up in the corner, and before long, the place was alive with reggae beats and soulful rhythms.

What I loved most was the way the music brought people together. Tables merged as travellers from different corners of the world joined in, clapping along, swaying to the rhythm, and even getting up to dance. It wasn’t staged or forced—it felt spontaneous, like a festival spirit that belonged to the whole room.

Ella is a place that attracts a certain kind of traveller—the curious, the open-minded, the ones who enjoy sharing stories over food and drinks. Cafe One Love manages to capture that energy and amplify it through its Sunday nights.

A Gathering of Cultures

One of the highlights of the evening wasn’t just the food or the music, but the people. In just a few hours, I found myself chatting with a backpacker from Spain, a couple from Australia, and a Sri Lankan family on holiday from Colombo. Conversations flowed as easily as the cocktails, and before long, strangers felt like friends.

That’s the magic of places like Cafe One Love. They don’t just serve food; they create an atmosphere where connections can happen naturally. When you travel, those connections are often what you remember the most, and this café provides the perfect stage for them.

Why Sundays at Cafe One Love Stand Out

There are plenty of great places to eat and drink in Ella, but Sundays at Cafe One Love feel different. It’s not just about grabbing a pizza or enjoying a cocktail—it’s about the whole experience. The café understands that travellers are looking for more than just a meal; they’re seeking moments that will stand out when they look back at their journey.

The combination of wood-fired pizza, creative cocktails, live music, and a welcoming crowd creates a recipe for a night that feels both exciting and comforting. It’s the kind of evening where you can lose track of time, where laughter blends with the sound of guitar strings, and where the taste of melted cheese lingers long after you’ve finished your slice.

A Little Escape in the Hills

Ella itself is already a retreat, but Cafe One Love offers an extra layer of escape. For a few hours, you’re not just a visitor passing through; you’re part of a gathering, a shared moment that exists only in that space and time.

As I walked back through the quiet streets later that night, the echoes of the music and the warmth of the evening still clung to me. It wasn’t just another dinner—it was a memory carved into the heart of my travels.

Make Your Sunday Count

Travelling teaches you that the best memories are often the unplanned ones, the moments when you let go and simply join in. Cafe One Love’s Sunday nights are a perfect example of this. They don’t try too hard; they simply create the right ingredients and let the magic unfold.

So, if you ever find yourself in Ella on a Sunday, don’t waste the evening wondering where to go. Head straight to Cafe One Love. Order a pizza, grab a cocktail, listen to the music, and let the night carry you.

Sundays are for making memories, and there’s no better place in Ella to do that.