3 hour cooking experience
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 10 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is 3 hour cooking experience worth booking?
3 hour cooking experience is a 3-hour experience in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from $120 per person. It scores 60 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 10 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 60 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (10)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $120 per person
With the help of Chef Mohara Dole, you will learn about many different types of traditional Sri Lankan foods. You will learn many different curries (loofah, eggplant, lotus root, chicken, seafood, beetroot, etc.), rices
What you get
About this experience
With the help of Chef Mohara Dole, you will learn about many different types of traditional Sri Lankan foods. You will learn many different curries (loofah, eggplant, lotus root, chicken, seafood, beetroot, etc.), rices (basmati, red raw rice, samba), and sambols. You will receive the recipes of the foods you cook so that you can recreate it in your own home. They will have a very personal insight to the island’s culture of cooking.
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 10 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Food and drink
5 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
10 verified traveler reviews for 3 hour cooking experience. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Wonderful experience !!
Cooking with Mohara was a wonderful experience for us. Everything was beautifully prepared and arranged, and in a small group we were able to prepare different curries on ourselves. Mohara explained to us (very easy to understand, even for us who do not have English as our mother tongue) what you have to pay attention to when preparing the typical dishes. On a particularly positive note, the place was also well suited for my wife in a wheelchair, there was a small ramp, and everyone was very helpful and friendly. We will keep this special day in our best memories.
via Tripadvisor
Fabulous hands on cooking class plus enjoyable meal after
This is an amazing experience and certainly enhances your stay in Sri Lanka Mohara cooks with enthusiasm, passion and a general love of life . Her generosity inviting us into her home , sharing amazing stories of her life and many of her family recipes was truly wonderful- the flavours and smells in the room were incredible - would certainly return to do this again - fabulous thank you to mohara and her team working with her
via Tripadvisor
A gourmet experience
For a true gourmet experience sign up for Cooking by Color. We were welcomed into Mohara's beautiful home where she and her staff provided us with one on one instruction for cooking Sri Lankan food. We were involved in every aspect of preparing the ingredients and cooking. Mohara explained when and why to add spices as we cooked. We made 10 different curries and all were exceptional in flavor, color, and texture. It was a delightful 3 hours.
Response from the operator: It was wonderful having both of you cooking up a feast with me guiding you. Glad you had a good time experiencing Sri Lankan cuisine and hope you will be able to recreate the food you cooked with me using my recipes and spices. I have photos and video clips which I can share with you. It was very nice meeting both of you. Take great care. Mohara.
via Tripadvisor
Unforgettable Sri Lankan cooking experience
What an unforgettable experience my husband and I had yesterday cooking with Mohara. She welcomed us into her home and sat and chatted with us before taking us into her demonstration kitchen and dining area. We were introduced to all the ingredients we would use and then it was down to work. We made 7 dishes plus sambals, Mohara made it so easy and enthused us with her passion for the flavours and colours of Sri Lankan cuisine. She and her staff were an absolute delight to be with. And the best part was sitting down to eat the delicious food with her. The best cooking experience I have ever had. I would highly recommend spending time with Mohara at her class. You will leave with a sense of delight and joy from experiencing some real Sri Lankan hospitality.
Response from the operator: Dear Jenny & Bruce, It was entirely my pleasure to have you both join me in Cooking by Colour, Sri Lanka cuisine! Thank you so much for the beautiful review you posted of your cooking experience with me at home and your compliment, to quote "the best cooking experience I have ever had. ...and recommending my class". unquote. It was delightful having you and Bruce cook with me, enjoyed sharing my skills, with such participation in every stage - chopping, tempering, tasting, stirring, checking flavours, adding a bit of this and a bit that, to get that perfect blend! Hope you have used the recipe leaflets I gave you and tried cooking a few of the curries. You can reach me on in case you need any information on the recipes - email cookingbycolour@gmail.com or moharadole@yahoo.com. So glad you enjoyed the Sri Lankan rice, curries and sambols. Come visit us again! Take care and stay safe, Mohara
via Tripadvisor
Cooking by Colour
Mohara graciously welcomed us into her home and cooking studio. Her enthusiasm for sharing her knowledge and tips was infections. Over the next three hours, we enjoyed a hands-on cooking class where we cooked numerous types of meals (meat, fish and vegetable curries, two different rices and a sambal). We were also lucky to try our hand at grating coconut in the traditional way, to make the coconut sambal. It was wonderful to be able to cook some of the foods that we had been eating whilst on our travels around Sri Lanka. The recipe book that she gave us will be used when we arrive back home. Thanks also to her team of assistants who had worked behind the scenes before we arrived to prep the kitchen and ingredients for our class as well as cleaning our mess along the way and at the end. We highly recommend Cooking by Colour. It was a wonderful way to end our visit to Sri Lanka.
Response from the operator: Dear Kate & David, Thank you for your beautiful review on your cooking experience with me. It was so nice cooking with both of you too! We had a great day and I have good memories. Glad you are using my recipies and call me if you need my guidance. Take care and maybe we will meet again. Warm regards, Mohara
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Booked in 30 days
- 4
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 60
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
3 hour cooking experience: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Colombo.
How much does 3 hour cooking experience cost?
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Prices start at $120 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Colombo usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does 3 hour cooking experience take?
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Plan for about 3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Colombo is not rushed.
Is 3 hour cooking experience worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 60 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 10 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Colombo, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule 3 hour cooking experience?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is 3 hour cooking experience suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book 3 hour cooking experience?
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Around 4 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Colombo can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Colombo and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does 3 hour cooking experience start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Colombo within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Colombo?
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On Outty we rank every Colombo experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Flexi dates on all 5 to 7 days packages for car and English speaking driver, Sri Lanka Personal Tour Driver in private vehicle, 08 Nights in Magical Sri Lanka. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Colombo?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Colombo?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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