Brian Senaratne
Heritage is an invaluable guide
Q: What drew you to Croatia – and what made you stay in Zagreb?
A: I moved to Zagreb in 2015 after falling in love with a Croatian woman. While that relationship didn’t last, my bond with the city did.
There was an sense of rhythm and warmth in Croatia that spoke to me. I felt at home in Zagreb and the charm of the city has kept me here ever since.
Q: As a Sri Lankan living in Zagreb, how do you stay connected to your roots – and how has your identity influenced your lifestyle and approach to business?
A: Although I live thousands of miles from Sri Lanka, technology ensures I’m never far from home.
Regular calls and video chats keep me close to family and friends. We recently hosted Sinhalese and Tamil New Year celebrations with my Zagreb friends and the Curry Bowl team. This brought our team together; and it was an opportunity to share our culture with our friends in Croatia. These traditions remind me who I am… and where I come from.
My Sri Lankan heritage also shapes how I approach business. Mentors back home instilled discipline and grit in me – qualities I’ve leaned on in challenging times.
Over the past decade, I’ve seen my Sri Lankan spirit – persistent and undeterred – make a real difference in our restaurant and hostels. It’s a reminder that heritage can guide your journey even when you’re far from home.
Q: What inspired you to launch Curry Bowl in Croatia – and how has the local response been to Sri Lankan cuisine?
A: In 2015, my brother and I were backpacking through Europe when we stumbled upon a live cooking station in Amsterdam. That moment sparked a question: what if we brought the vibrant energy of Sri Lankan street food – especially the rhythm of kottu – to cities across Europe?
That idea became Curry Bowl – and we opened our first restaurant later that year.
Our concept focussed on delivering an experience that’s lively, warm and rooted in Sri Lankan culture. Guests loved it! Today, Curry Bowl is the top rated restaurant in Zagreb on TripAdvisor.
What excites me most today is seeing how the brand is evolving beyond a single location. For someone who isn’t a restaurateur, Curry Bowl gave me a clear pathway to becoming my own boss, operating the number one restaurant in the city while proudly promoting Sri Lanka through its food and culture.
Q: What’s the biggest misconception Europeans have about Sri Lankan food?
A: Many assume that Sri Lankan food is all about extreme heat – that chilli is the only element that defines our spice. We’ve worked hard to change that perception.
Guests at Curry Bowl choose their preferred heat level before tasting the depth of our spice blends. From curry powders to Ceylon Cinnamon and freshly ground black pepper, all our spices are sourced directly from Sri Lankan farms, packaged and shipped exclusively to Curry Bowl.
This ensures quality and supports producers back home. And this flavour first approach invites people to discover Sri Lanka through their taste buds.
Q: What is a typical day in your life – between hostels, restaurants and the Zagreb Tourist Board?
A: My office sits directly above Curry Bowl. That keeps me close to the team and our guests – including some who travel from neighbouring countries to dine with us.
On Mondays, I review the previous week’s performance with Curry Bowl’s supervisors and hostel managers. Tuesdays are reserved for strategy sessions with marketing and finance. The rest of the week is devoted to expansion.
I call franchise partners across Europe every week, guiding them as they bring Curry Bowl to their cities. I also visit our hostels twice a month, supported by our onsite manager.
I’m honoured to be the first non-Croatian member of the Zagreb Tourist Board Assembly with a focus on hostel tourism. One of my first initiatives is securing Zagreb as the host of the world’s largest hostel conference – an initiative that bridges my hospitality work with broader city building efforts.
Q: What’s one thing about your journey that you wish more people knew or understood?
A: My deepest pride lies in what we do for our country. Many of our guests often tell us that their meal inspired their first visit to Sri Lanka.
Our work also supports the Sri Lankan economy – we encourage our team to support their families back home by sending funds through legitimate sources, by covering international bank fees.
Whether through flavour, celebration, or financial support, I believe every effort counts.