At just 21 years old, Nitara Fernando has already carved a niche in Colombo’s bustling café scene with The Daily Bread by Nitara, a cosy spot on 5th Lane known for its heartwarming comfort food. What began as a humble online venture during the pandemic in 2020 has blossomed into a thriving café, where signature dishes like her family’s beloved beef lasagna and decadent double chocolate brownies keep customers coming back for more.

A former Bishop’s College student, Nitara’s culinary journey started early—whipping up homemade dishes at the age of eight. With professional training from the Australasian Academy and hands-on experience at prestigious venues like Water’s Edge and Shangri-La Colombo, she turned her lifelong passion into a full-fledged business. But it was a spontaneous stroll with her father that transformed her dream into reality. “If I get you this place, would you start a café?” he asked. Her playful response—“I’ll start tomorrow!”—set the wheels in motion, and by December 2024, The Daily Bread opened its doors.

Beyond the inviting aroma of freshly baked lasagna, Nitara’s café reflects her commitment to quality, speed, and a welcoming atmosphere. Each dish carries a personal touch, from her uncle’s lasagna recipe to new creations she’s constantly experimenting with. Now, with a second location set to open at her alma mater, Bishop’s College, Nitara is bringing her culinary journey full circle.

1. What inspired you to start The Daily Bread by Nitara, and how did you choose the cosy location on 5th Lane?
Cooking has always been a passion of mine ever since I was about 8 or 9 years old. I started making dishes at home, and seeing my family enjoy them just made me want to do more. After leaving school, I worked at places like Water’s Edge Battaramulla and Shangri-La Colombo, where I was lucky enough to be selected to represent the hotel at the Culinary Arts Food Expo 2023, where I won a gold medal. That experience just fueled my desire to start my own cafe!

We actually started The Daily Bread by Nitara as an online business on the 18th of June, 2020, with just a handful of orders from friends and family. Slowly, word spread and the orders grew for office treats, tea parties, and small gatherings. One day, while walking down 5th Lane with my “Thaththi” (father), we saw this beautiful location, and without hesitation, he asked, “If I get you this place, would you start a cafe?” I smirked and said, “Yes, I’ll start tomorrow!” The next thing we knew, we were meeting the owner, and it all came together so quickly – it felt like a miracle, honestly. We officially opened the physical location on the 8th of December, 2024, and I’m so grateful that it all fell into place.

The name "The Daily Bread" actually comes from the Lord’s Prayer. It symbolizes nourishment and sustenance, which perfectly represents the love and care we pour into every meal we make.

2. Your beef lasagna has become a signature dish – what makes it so special, and why do you think customers keep coming back for it?
The beef lasagna is super special to me because it’s a family recipe passed down from my uncle. We use fresh herbs, top-quality ground beef, mozzarella, and lasagna sheets from Italy. The smell of it baking in the oven is absolutely amazing! I think people keep coming back because it’s so comforting and familiar, and it really feels like home. It’s the kind of dish that makes you feel warm and happy inside, just like family dinners did when I was growing up.

3. Beyond lasagna, what other menu items have become crowd favourites, and do you have any personal favourites?
Other than the lasagna, our double chocolate brownies, coffee cake, and creamy penne pasta with prawns are big hits. I have to admit, my personal favourite is the creamy penne pasta with prawn – it’s just so rich and comforting. But every dish on the menu is special to me, each made with love and care.

4. Since you specialize in grab-and-go comfort food, how do you balance speed and maintaining that homemade quality in every dish?
It’s all about preparation and organisation. We keep everything ready at the start of the day so we can serve our customers quickly, but we never compromise on quality. It’s important to me that every dish we serve is made with the same love and care I’d put into a meal for my own family. The goal is to make comfort food that’s fast but still feels like something homemade.

5. Your café also caters for office treats, tea parties, and family gatherings—what inspired you to extend your offerings beyond the café setting?
I’ve always loved the idea of bringing people together over food, so when I saw the opportunity to offer catering for office treats, tea parties, and family gatherings, I jumped at it. Not everyone can come into the café, so I wanted to share the love and the experience with those who couldn’t make it. It’s been amazing to see how people are enjoying our food at these special events!

6. Walk us through a typical day at The Daily Bread—what’s the morning rush like, and how do you keep everything running smoothly?
I wake up at 5 AM every day to get the ovens started and prep everything for the day ahead. We open at 8 AM, and the rush typically comes between 10-12 PM and again at 3 PM for tea time. It can get crazy, but we always keep backup stock and stay calm under pressure. I think the key is staying organized and making sure my team is on the same page. We all work together to keep everything running smoothly, and the team really makes all the difference.

7. The café’s atmosphere feels warm and welcoming—was creating a homely vibe a deliberate part of your vision?
Absolutely! From the very beginning, I knew I wanted The Daily Bread to feel like a second home. I wanted customers to come in, feel comfortable, and just relax – as if they were visiting someone’s home. That homely, cosy vibe has been such an important part of the vision, and it’s been amazing to see how people connect with it. It’s truly become a place where people can enjoy not just good food, but a good experience.

8. As a small business in Colombo’s bustling café scene, what challenges have you faced, and how have you overcome them?
The biggest challenge has been sourcing fresh ingredients, especially herbs. But I’ve learned to be creative and adapt to the challenges that come my way. Another challenge is managing customer orders during busy times, but I’ve built a solid system and always have backup stock to keep things running smoothly. Honestly, the support from my family has been invaluable. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them – especially my incredible mom, Ammi, who is my rock.

9. Do you have any plans to expand the menu or introduce new services, and what can your loyal customers look forward to next?
Yes! We’re already experimenting with some new recipes, and I’m beyond excited to share them with our loyal customers soon. Also, we’re opening a second location at Bishop’s College Colombo! It feels so surreal to be opening a café at my old school, where I spent 14 years of my life. It’s a full-circle moment, and I can’t wait to serve the Bishopians there! I’m also considering adding a few new items to the menu, but you’ll have to wait and see!

10. If someone is visiting The Daily Bread by Nitara for the first time, what would you recommend they try, and why?
If it’s your first time at The Daily Bread, I’d definitely recommend trying our signature beef or chicken lasagna. It’s a customer favourite and the perfect example of what we’re all about – comfort food made with love. Or, if you’re in the mood for something sweet, our double chocolate brownie is a must-try. I always say these dishes are what will make you feel like part of the family!
 
A Final Note: I’m so incredibly grateful to God, my family, and especially my mom (Ammi), who is the wonder woman in my life. Without her belief in me, I wouldn’t be where I am today. She’s always been my biggest supporter, and I owe so much of this dream to her. It’s because of God’s grace and my family’s support that The Daily Bread by Nitara has become a reality, and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes us! It’s been a long road since starting five years ago, and I’m so thankful for every step along the way.