Journey Insights

Most people associate Mondays with the sound of an alarm clock and the start of a repetitive work week. But you aren’t "most people" you’re a traveller, a dreamer, and an explorer currently navigating the lush, winding paths of Ella, Sri Lanka. In this mountain town, the days of the week don't dictate your energy; the mountains do.

If you’ve spent your Monday morning trekking to the top of Ella Rock or standing in awe under the arches of the Nine Arch Bridge, you might think the day is meant to wind down with the sunset. You might think the mist rolling over the tea bushes is a signal to retreat to your guesthouse.

You would be wrong.

Welcome to Cafe One Love Ella, where we prove every week that the "Monday Blues" don't exist in the highlands. Here, we trade the quiet for the rhythmic, the mist for the music, and the ordinary for the extraordinary. This is the story of how to find the heartbeat of the mountains through the ultimate Monday ritual: One Love, One Monday.

The Morning After the Ascent: A Brunch to Remember

In Ella, a Monday night party is only as good as the brunch that precedes it. Before the bass drops and the cocktails are shaken, you need to nourish the body that carried you through the tea trails. At Cafe One Love, our Monday starts with the scent of fresh coffee and the cool breeze of the terrace.

For the hiker who needs a serious reset, the English Breakfast is our gold standard. Imagine a plate overflowing with grilled sausage, savoury bacon, mushrooms, and tomatoes, served with eggs cooked exactly how you like them and thick slices of bread. To keep it balanced, we include a small tropical fruit plate or your choice of fresh fruit juice. Whether you pair it with Sri Lankan Tea or a strong Sri Lankan Coffee, it’s the fuel you need to conquer the day before you conquer the dance floor.

If you’re looking for a vibrant, plant-powered boost, our Wholesome Bowl is a visual and culinary masterpiece. It’s a colourful mosaic of protein-rich chickpeas, crunchy green beans, fresh cucumber, earthy beetroot, and the tropical sweetness of mango chunks. Beautifully garnished with seeds and edible flowers, it’s a dish that looks as good as the surrounding mountain views.

The Transition: From Scenic Views to Social Hub

As the clock ticks toward the afternoon, Cafe One Love transforms. The digital nomads close their laptops, and the backpackers start to gather. The transition from a quiet cafe to a social hub is seamless. This is the time for the Club Sandwich, a tower of satisfaction featuring tender chicken breast, chicken bacon, sliced cheese, and a boiled egg, all layered with fresh tomato and lettuce on our signature homemade bread. Served with golden French fries or potato wedges, it’s the perfect social meal to share while swapping travel stories.

As the sun begins its descent behind the jagged peaks, the atmosphere shifts. The light turns amber, the mist begins to swirl around the open-air levels of the cafe, and the "One Love" philosophy truly takes root. You aren't just a guest; you are part of a global tribe of explorers who have all found their way to this specific corner of the world.

The Feast Before the Fire: Woodfired Pizza and Towering Burgers

A Monday night at Cafe One Love is a marathon, not a sprint. To survive the "Monday Seduction," you need a dinner that provides a solid foundation. Our kitchen is built around the authentic Woodfired Pizza oven, where the flames create a crust that is perfectly charred and smoky.

If you aren't in the mood for pizza, the One Love Special Double Burger stands ready to challenge your appetite. This legendary burger features two chicken patties, a fried egg, savoury chicken bacon, melted cheese, and onion, all held together by a soft, toasted homemade burger bun. It’s a mountain of a meal for a mountain of a night.

The Liquid Alchemy: Cocktails, Brews, and Spirits

By 8:00 PM, the cutlery clatter is replaced by the rhythmic sound of a cocktail shaker. The "Pulse of the Mountains" is now audible. Our bar is the heart of the Monday night experience, mixing local flavours with international classics.

To start the night with elegance, we recommend a glass of La Jara Prosecco DOC Rosé Brut. This Italian sparkling wine, with its delicate floral scents, is the perfect way to toast to the beauty of Ella. If you prefer a still wine, the Salisbury Cabernet Sauvignon offers a rich fruit flavour with spicy, oaky notes that complement the cool mountain air. For something lighter, the Saltbush Chardonnay provides hints of tropical fruit that remind you you’re in paradise.

However, the real Monday night fuel comes in the form of our signature drinks:

• The Arrack Attack: You haven't truly experienced Sri Lanka until you’ve tried Arrack. This cocktail blends the local spirit with lime, honey, and spicy ginger beer for a warm, zesty buzz.
• The Espresso Martini: When the energy needs a boost, our Espresso Martini made with Vodka and cold espresso—is the ultimate "upper" to get you moving.
• Ice-Cold Beers: If you prefer the classics, we keep the Lion Draft, Lion Ice, Heineken, and Carlsberg frosty and ready to pour. For a fruity alternative, grab a Somersby Apple or Blackberry cider.

Shisha Haze and Social Grace

While the music begins to build, many find their way to our cozy Shisha corners. In the cool evening air, sharing a pipe is a communal experience that slows down time. The sweet scent of the smoke curls through the rafters of the multi-level terrace, mixing with the mountain mist. It’s here, in the "Haze," that some of the best travel connections are made. You lean in close to hear a story over the bassline, share a laugh, and feel the friction of the crowd beginning to pulse in unison.

The Monday Climax: Music, Dance, and Pure Energy

Then comes the "Techno Craze." Our DJs understand that a Monday night in 2025 requires a specific kind of magic. The music starts with deep, melodic grooves that respect the mountain setting, but as the night deepens, the beats become more insistent, more primal.

The dance floor at Cafe One Love is a judgment-free zone. It’s where the "One Love" name earns its reputation. You’ll see hikers dancing alongside digital nomads, locals sharing a rhythm with tourists, and a total dissolution of the "Monday" mindset. The bass vibrates through the wooden floors, the lights cast long, dancing shadows against the mist, and for a few hours, the only thing that exists is the beat.

This is the "Pulse of the Mountains." It’s an energy that is both ancient and modern, a celebration of the fact that you are here, you are alive, and you are surrounded by beauty.

Why Monday?

You might wonder why we put so much energy into a Monday. The answer is simple: because travellers don't live by a 9-to-5 schedule. For the explorer, every day is a gift, and every night is an opportunity to connect. By creating a high-energy party on a Monday, we offer a sanctuary for those who aren't ready for the weekend to end and for those whose weekend is just beginning.

Monday nights at Cafe One Love are intimate yet electric. They are a secret shared among those who know that the best parties aren't found on a calendar, but in the places where the tea trails end and the music begins.

Join the Evolution

The mist is rolling in over the Wellawaya road, the wood-fired oven is roaring, and the first Arrack Attack has just been poured. If you are in Ella tonight, don't let the day of the week dictate your story.

Come to Cafe One Love Ella. Eat a Woodfired Pizza that tastes like home. Sip a Prosecco that feels like a celebration. And lose yourself in a Monday night that you will be talking about for the rest of your trip.

The mountains have a pulse. Tonight, come and find it.