While tea is one of the major exports of Sri Lanka, coffee houses are what initially came into being in the late 1990s. The Commons in Colombo is where it all began and youngsters made such establishments a frequently visited hangout spot. After The Commons became popular, many more coffee houses were established around town. Today’s popular coffee houses are – Barista, Java Lounge, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and Coco Veranda. Some of the key success facilities were: a comfortable and relaxed ambience, free Wi-Fi, and a variety of items on the menu. The tea industry on the other hand was a little laid back to catch up on this cultural trend and only recently, a few competitors have caught on. Dilmah Tea Centre, Heladiv Tea Club and Tea Avenue are some of the establishments that offer facilities similar to a coffee house. It should be noted normal tea is often called “milk tea” (ask for “milk and sugar separate” if you want to add your own). “Bed tea” is just ordinary tea brought to your room for breakfast.