INTRODUCING FRIDA: DOM FERNANDO’S THREE-MONTH POP-UP SERVING UP MODERN MEXICAN DISHES IN AHANGAMA.

A daring new culinary endeavor is creating a stir in the heart of Ahangama’s bustling surfing district. Renowned restaurateur Dom Fernando’s three-month pop-up restaurant, FRIDA, is introducing the robust, smokey flavors of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula to Sri Lanka. FRIDA is a modern taqueria influenced by Mexico City’s street food culture, including flame-grilled tacos, inventive cocktails, and a fresh approach to bold, zesty flavors. It is situated in the breezy, laid-back surroundings of Sundays Café.  

Fernando, the founder and creative director behind London’s Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded Sri Lankan restaurant Paradise, is no stranger to pushing culinary boundaries. He combines his passion for fire-driven cooking methods with his profound understanding of international flavors with FRIDA. Frida Kahlo, the famous Mexican artist renowned for her unafraid expression, is the inspiration behind the pop-up’s name. She is a perfect fit for a concept that embraces strong, daring flavors.

A Taste of Mexico in Sri Lanka

With a menu that combines locally sourced Sri Lankan produce, carefully chosen Mexican ingredients, and essential imports from London, FRIDA’s specialty is antojitos, Mexico’s favorite little bites, which are expertly balanced in terms of smoky, sweet, and citrusy flavors. This ensures authenticity while embracing the best of what’s available locally.

Among the menu highlights:

• Smoked mutton barbacoa with chocolate & peanut mole, pico de gallo, and lime curd.
• Yucatán pulled chicken with papaya jam, cashew salsa, and pickled onions.
• Catch of the day with Lion lager, smoked roe & calamansi emulsion, and Weligama slaw.
• Fried cauliflower with habanero mayo, citrus crema, and peanut & cabbage sauerkraut.

The milk with burnt meringue and whisky and arrack give an inventive, indulgent finish for sweet-toothed people.

Elevating the Cocktail Experience

FRIDA’s drinks menu is concise but powerful, including a creative blend of Sri Lankan and Mexican spirits. Among the signature drinks are:

• Grapefruit & coriander seed Paloma
• Coriander & clarified cola Batanga
• Frida Michelada

Every drink has been thoughtfully crafted to enhance the food’s strong, citrusy flavors, resulting in a flawless pairing experience.

More Than Just a Pop-Up

Even if Sundays Café is now home to FRIDA, this is only the beginning. Later this year, a permanent location will open, and the pop-up is a prelude to that. Under Fernando’s recently established concept studio, Night_Day, which seeks to provide innovative dining experiences that highlight the beauty of cultural intersections, this is one of two new Sri Lankan endeavors.

From Tuesday through Sunday, FRIDA welcomes walk-in customers to enjoy a new, fresh twist on Mexico City’s popular taco culture, embracing Sri Lankan ingredients while remaining loyal to its Mexican heritage.

About Dom Fernando

Dom Fernando was born to Sri Lankan parents in London and was raised surrounded by the country’s unique culinary customs, which later inspired his award-winning London restaurant, Paradise. Before starting his own businesses, he held senior positions at significant international hotel chains during his more than 14-year career in the hospitality industry. He founded Night_Day, a concept studio devoted to creating intricate, immersive dining experiences, in 2025. His goal of introducing strong, vibrant flavors to Sri Lanka’s dining scene will be further cemented this spring when he opens Open Door Policy in Colombo alongside FRIDA.