Back in 2002 we opened our very first little gelato shop — Il Gelato — with a desire to share the true taste of Italian gelato with Sri Lanka.
What began as a single shop quickly grew into something loved by many. Today Il Gelato is known across Sri Lanka for its wide range of handcrafted flavours, made with care, tradition and the finest ingredients we can find. Beyond our own shops, you will now find our gelato in hotels, cafés and restaurants island-wide.
Over the years our story has taken us further. Along the way we introduced cosy Italian dining rooms where guests can enjoy Illy coffee, fresh pastries, street-style pizza and, of course, their favourite gelato. We also serve homes, cafés and restaurants through both retail and wholesale.
Ceccato ColomboFrom a single scoop of gelato to a full Italian dining experience, our journey has always been about passion, authenticity, and making every bite and sip unforgettable.
Scroll · the years keep up
2002
Chapter one
Our story began with Il Gelato and a simple idea: to bring the true taste of Italian gelato to Sri Lanka.
What started with one gelato shop soon became something much bigger. As Sri Lanka became our home, our passion for sharing authentic Italian food grew with it.
2013
CHAPTER TWO
Our next chapter took us beyond gelato with the opening of our first Italian restaurant, bringing more of the flavours we grew up with to the table: pizza, pasta and the simple pleasure of gathering around good Italian food.
2008
Chapter THREE
As our restaurants grew, so did the need for authentic Italian ingredients that were difficult to find locally.
This led to the creation of Ceccato, importing carefully selected products directly from Italy.
2015
Chapter FOUR
What initially supported our own kitchens evolved into a distribution business supplying restaurants, hotels, cafés, retailers and home cooks across Sri Lanka. Wholesale grew quietly, one chef at a time, from Colombo to the south coast and up into the hills.
CHAPTER FIVE
With Farina, we took another step forward.Using our experience in Italian cooking and baking, we began producing locally what we could make ourselves; from fresh pasta and pizza dough to breads, pastries and other bakery products.Made in Sri Lanka, with an Italian approach to quality and craftsmanship.
2021
Chapter SIX
Our latest chapter is Lago, our Italian restaurant in the heart of Colombo.
Lago brings everything we have built over the years around one table: Italian ingredients, handmade food, pizza, fresh pasta, desserts, gelato and, above all, the Italian tradition of sharing good food together.
Our love for Italian food did not stop there. We have opened restaurants in Colombo, including Lago Tropical Italian Bistro at Colombo City Centre, where modern dining meets traditional Italian flavours.
But our mission is not only about our own shops and restaurants. We are passionate about bringing the very best of Italy to Sri Lanka. That is why we carefully import and share the premium Italian products we love: Illy coffee and machines, San Pellegrino sparkling water, extra virgin olive oil, pasta, tomato-based products and specialty flours. Whether for your home, café or restaurant, we want you to experience the same quality that inspires us every day.
