About Us

Hawaya was born from a long-time dream — a dream to create something meaningful, filled with warmth, flavor, and love. My journey began in January 2015, when I started working as a kitchen helper in Sri Lanka. What began as a simple job soon became a deep passion. Over the next seven years, I learned everything I could about the restaurant world — the art of cooking, the rhythm of service, and the beauty of creating special moments for people. With a desire to grow and gain more experience, I moved to Qatar, where I continued to learn and refine my craft. Those nine years in the industry shaped who I am today — teaching me dedication, patience, and the true meaning of hospitality. The name Hawaya comes from the way we say “How are ya?” in Sri Lanka — a friendly, warm greeting we share with our beautiful friends. It’s more than just a word; it’s a feeling of welcome, peace, love, and respect. Café Hawaya offers affordable, easy-going signature dishes — from authentic Neapolitan-style sourdough pizzas and homemade fresh pasta to mouthwatering salads, signature cocktails, and delicious homemade desserts. Many of our ingredients are imported directly from Italy to bring real, authentic Italian flavors to our beautiful people, while still celebrating the best of local produce for freshness and healthy living.

 

Hawaya operates on three main principles:

1.Affordability – Great food should be accessible to everyone.

2.Freshness & Authenticity – We use only high-quality, locally sourced ingredients and say no to the bad stuff. Our Google reviews speak for themselves.

3.Customer Experience – We believe no one should ever leave Hawaya without a smile. Inside our café, you’re free to be yourself, to relax, and to feel at home.

 

Beyond food and service, design plays an important role at Hawaya. Inspired by Sri Lankan charm with a boho aesthetic, we’ve created a space filled with rustic wooden tables, tropical palms, concrete textures, succulents, vintage lights, and local art. The result is an inviting ambiance — full of culture, creativity, and home-like spirit. At Hawaya, everything we do comes from the heart. It’s a story of dreams, hard work, and a deep love for people — a place where peace, love, and good energy come together under one roof. We’re proud to welcome you to our beautiful two-floor space with breathtaking 360° sea views — the best view in the heart of Unawatuna. Every Wednesday, we host a rooftop sunset party with great tunes; on Fridays, we celebrate creativity with our open mic night; and on Sundays, we bring the rhythm of live music to fill your soul. And at Hawaya, we care deeply about our music — right after food, it’s the heartbeat of who we are. We believe that music brings people together, creates connection, and fills our space with energy. It’s what turns a meal into a memory and a restaurant into a community. Here at Hawaya, it’s all about good food, good vibes, and beautiful people.

 

Peace and love