Galle | Food and drink

Galle Food

Snapshot

Galle offers a range of cafes, bars and restaurants within the ancient Dutch Fort and also in its delightful beach village of Unawatuna. Choice ranges from simple fresh seafood and Sri Lankan rice and curries to five-star fusion cuisine. Galle Fort Hotel, Amangalla and Fort Printers are all exquisite boutique hotels situated within the Galle Fort and offers alluring fine dining. A few miles along the coast, Unawatuna has a selection of characterful beach bars and restaurants serving fresh seafood in a relaxed atmosphere where you can also take a dip in the sea to cool off. If you want livelier still, head 25 minutes north to Hikkaduwa, Galle’s bohemian beach satellite.

Cafes & Restaurants

Dick’s Bar, 18 Upper Dickson Road, Galle. Tel: 091 438 0275 Located within the central courtyard of the Sun House. Dick’s bar was voted by Conde Nast Traveller as one of the Top 25 new bars of the world in 2007. Tapas, shepherds pie, fish and chicken dishes are served here along with alcoholic beverages.

Mama’s Roof Café, 76 Leyn Baan Street, Galle Fort. Tel: 091 2226419 Situated on the third floor of Mama’s, the Roof Café is an open-sided roof terrace restaurant with panoramic views of the Indian Ocean and the Fort with its clay tiled roofs, lighthouse, Dutch period churches, mosque, and Buddhist temples. Mama’s is famous for Sri Lankan meals at great value.

Pedlar’s Inn, 92 Pedlar Street, Galle Fort. Tel: 077 3141477Serves tasty toasted sandwiches, chocolate brownies, and milk shakes.

Pilgrim’s Lounge, 31B Rampart Street, Galle Fort. Tel: 091 2245454 This is a nice place to relax and enjoy a cup of organic tea.

Serendipity Arts Café, 100 Pedlar Street, Galle Fort. Tel: 077 9525602 A family owned café which is famous for its hoppers, fish curry, home made soups and desserts. For those interested in Galle Fort’s heritage, inquire within regarding walking tours of the Fort led by Juliet Coombe, author of `Around the Fort in 80 Lives’.

Galle Fort Hotel, 28 Church Street, Galle Fort. Tel: 091 2232870 The small bar-cum-verandah cafe at Galle Fort Hotel is a social hub and popular for light snacks, brownies, Lavazza coffee and cocktails. Galle Fort Hotel was the winner of the 2007 UNESCO award of distinction for heritage conservation.

Royal Dutch Café, 72 Leyn Baan Street, Galle Fort. Tel: 077 1774949 Owned by Fazal who has plenty of interesting stories to tell of his life within the Galle Fort, Royal Dutch Café serves home baked cakes and tea.

Rampart Hotel, 31 Rampart Street, Galle Fort. Tel: 091 4380103 Has magnificent sea views over the Fort’s ramparts. Serves freshly cooked seafood, tasty rice and curries, snacks and chilled beer.

Closenberg Hotel, Closenberg Road Galle. Tel: 091 2224313 An old Colonial building with magnificent views of the Galle harbour. Serves good rice and curries and western dishes in a brooding atmosphere. Situated about 15 minutes away from Galle Fort.

Fusion Cuisine / Fine dining

Amangalla, 10 Church Street, Galle Fort. Tel: 091 2233388 The most expensive five-star in the Fort, Amangalla’s dining room provides an intimate setting for dining with a colonial accent including Dutch period antiques, crisp white linen and antique silverware. Indulge in a three-course lunch or a leisurely dinner from a menu of international fusion dishes. A wide range of wines are served here.

Galle Fort Hotel, 28, Church Street, Galle Fort. Tel: 091 2232870 Fusion food with Asian influences in a seductive setting makes Galle Fort Hotel a sought-after venue for dining. Renowned for their four-course dinners served in the courtyard amidst Frangipani Trees and overlooking the swimming pool. Described by Gourmet Traveller as the `the best food on the island.’

Fort Printers, 39 Pedlar Street, Galle Fort. Tel: 091 2247977 An 18th century colonial property, now a luxurious boutique hotel, serves up sumptuous fusion cuisine at its poolside restaurant. An imaginative menu with Sri Lankan, eastern and Mediterranean inspired specialties. Advance booking required.

Lighthouse Hotel, Dadella, Galle Tel: 091 2224017 TheAnchor bar and grill (lounge and outdoor terrace) serves good-quality western snacks, with children’s menu; the Cinnamon Room is a fine dining restaurant with a good reputation; Cardamom Café, which is the main dining area, offers a range of Sri Lankan and western dishes from their a la carte menu and daily buffets.

Sun House, 18 Upper Dickson Road, Galle. Tel: 091 4380275 Dine on the verandah in the shade of flowering Frangipani trees. Sun House is popular for its good food, fine wines and stylish and relaxed ambience.

Tamarind Hill, Dadella, Galle. Tel: 091 2226568/9 Situated down a narrow road opposite the Lighthouse Hotel, Tamarind Hill is a magnificent 200 year old southern home - now an exquisite boutique hotel. Traditional Sri Lankan rice and curries and international cuisine is served. There are two bars – one indoors and the other overlooking the swimming pool serving refreshing cocktails and a range of wines. Cusine includes Sri Lankan, Thai, Japanese and western dishes.

Fortress, Matara Road, Koggala. Tel: 091 4380909 A stylish luxury hotel with a fine-dining restaurant serving fusion cuisine and bar overlooking star-lit pool. Dining is also possible in their well stocked winery. There is a Tea Lounge located on the upper floor where guests can sample numerous varieties of world renowned Sri Lankan teas.

Kahanda Kanda, Angulugaha, Galle. Tel: 091 2286717; 091 5622517 An exquisite private villa set on a 10 acre working tea estate, just 30 minutes from Galle Fort. Kahanda Kanda’s open-sided dining pavillion is situated amidst lotus filled ponds and has sweeping views over the tea estate and Koggala Lake. Sumptuous fusion cuisine, Sri Lankan rice and curries, Thai and Western dishes are served here. Advance booking required.

Beachside Restaurants

Kingfisher Restaurant & Lounge, Yaddehimulla Road, Unawatuna. Tel: 091 2248210 Right on the Unawatuna beach. Serves up fresh lobster and mixed seafood platters, Turkish kebabs from the grill and a range of wraps.

Wijaya Beach Cottage, Dalawalla, Unawatuna. Tel: 0777 903431 A popular beach bar that serves up fresh seafood and fusion dishes. Wijaya Beach has a great ambience and perfect sea views. Swimming is possible here during the season and is a great spot for relaxing with a drink.

Why Beach, 1050 Galle-Matara Road, Thalpe. Tel: 077 6980000 Overlooking the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Serves fusion dishes and light snack, fresh juices and cocktails are served here. Spend the morning here relaxing on a sun bed or stroll down the beach and take a dip in the sea.

Sun N’ Sea, 324 Matara Road, Ganahena, Unawatuna. Tel: 091 4380103 The restaurant at this small guest house overlooks the beautiful Unawatuna Bay. Fresh seafood and Sri Lankan rice and curries are served here.

Galle Food Sri Lanka