What to eat, see, do in Galle

Once a sleepy beach town on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, Galle today now bursting with new ideas and designs. The cobbled streets within the walls of its Dutch Fort are now lined by boutiques, cafes and hotels that blend the local aesthetic with modern sensibilities. There's enough to keep you busy for two days—or maybe three, if you take it easy, so here's a guide to the best food, shopping and accommodation in Galle:

Best restaurants in Galle

Hoppa, Galle Fort

One of the hottest new eateries in Galle Fort also happens to be one of its smallest and most nondescript. With no more than five tables, this restaurant specialises in—no surprise—the ubiquitous Sri Lankan hopper. Your table overlooks the live kitchen where the staff work the hopper pans effortlessly. Favourites on the menu include the egg hopper with the prawn curry and an array of piquant sambals. The ambience is relaxed and homely, and gives you a taste of unique home-style Sri Lankan food.

Tequila Mockingbird, Dutch Hospital

The first thing that strikes you about this curiously named joint is just how quirky its decor is. Homegrown design firm a-designstudio has created this piece of work on an upper storey of the Dutch Hospital precinct, with sweeping ocean views and a chic but relaxed ambience. Tequila Mockingbird serves a host of delicious cocktails on a menu that offers café fare like tortilla wraps and burgers, but also the trusty Sri Lankan curry rice combos. Try to swing a table along the verandah to enjoy the sea breeze as you tuck into a portion of homemade waffles.

A Minute By Tuk Tuk, Dutch Hospital

A quirky, contemporary take on Sri Lankan food, A Minute by Tuk Tuk enjoys pride of place in the Dutch Hospital area, overlooking the sweeping bay off Galle. The place is so popular, it took us three attempts to get a table here. The menu, which begins with desserts, ranges from Italian mains and burgers to curry-rice combos. Don't forget to try out the tuna burger, using locally sourced tuna, or the traditional Sri Lankan lamprais (a Dutch-influenced dish) with accompanying condiments.

Sugar Bistro, Galle Fort

A veritable institution in Galle, Sugar Bistro's hipster-chic decor features an open kitchen and daily specials scribbled on blackboards. Colombo-based restaurateurs Gehan Fernando and Dinesh Wijesinghe have designed the bistro to reflect refined Sri Lankan aesthetics. Must-try items on the menu include local favourites hot butter cuttlefish and crab kotthu. The Classic Sugar Burger with chicken or beef is also a hot favourite. Wine aficionados will rave over the massive selection of fine wine and champagne.

The Tuna & The Crab, Dutch Hospital

Chef Dharshan Munidasa's Galle restaurant The Tuna & The Crab incorporates the two star ingredients from his other creations: the crab from Ministry of Crab and tuna from Nihonbashi. Sri Lanka produces some of the world's best tuna and crab and these are showcased with gusto in the menu though Western, Asian and Sri Lankan specialities. Try the olive oil and soy Sauce sashimi, and the bento box meals.

Crêpe-ology, Galle Fort

Restaurateurs Seema and Murray Moceri moved to Sri Lanka from London to set up Crêpe-ology on Leyn Baan Street. This eatery boasts beautiful indoor and outdoor eating spaces. Crêpe options range from eggs benedict and classic crêpe madame to crêpe Ceylon and Champignon. To drink pick from the range of frappes and coffees. It helps that Crêpe-ology is open all day, so you can saunter in for breakfast or even for a quick evening snack.

Best hotels in Galle

The Bartizan

The latest addition to Galle's long list of chic boutique hotels, The Bartizan has already become the most sought-after address in the Fort. Situated in a heritage building along the old ramparts, across the sea, The Bartizan's stunning Mediterranean-inspired courtyard is a perfect spot to enjoy a breakfast or afternoon tea. The best rooms in the house are the sprawling super balcony room with a private verandah, and direct access to the rooftop terrace of the property. Evenings are best enjoyed on the terrace, or posing for a photo against the hotel's bartizan (turret) which is a replica of the ones in the Fort. Discreet luxury at its very best. Doubles from Rs6,515

No. 1A Court Square

If you want to go off the beaten path and experience Galle Fort like a true local, rent out this luxurious apartment on Court Square. From your private balcony, watch locals go about their lives as you soak in the Dutch heritage of this mansion, which once was the chamber of a well-known family of lawyers. Renowned Sri Lankan architect Channa Daswatte has restored the space and created a one-bedroom apartment across two levels, with antique furniture and understated objets d'art. The living room, kitchenette and verandah are on the upper level of the apartment. Doubles from Rs16,288

Galle Fort Hotel

Situated on Church Street, the 14-suite Galle Fort Hotel celebrates Sri Lankan design through its different spaces. Note the porcelain installation on the walls of the dining rooms, like the louvered gallery, the living room, the restaurant, which finally opens up into one of Galle's most breathtaking frangipani-lined courtyards. The pièce de résistance here is the 1900 sq ft. Grand Apartment spread across the top floor of the hotel, featuring two bedrooms, a central living area and a verandah, designed by Count de Mauny-Talvande of Taprobane Island fame. Trivia: the hotel is housed in structure that dates back three centuries and was once a Dutch warehouse. Doubles from Rs17,591

Fort Bazaar

While its in-house restaurant, Church Street Social, already attracts the who's who of Galle, the Fort Bazaar is another example of Sri Lankan's design aesthetic. The hotel features no more than 18 rooms, housed within what was once a sprawling townhouse in colonial times. Today, the rooms, restaurant and bar are situated along massive courtyards. The hotel opened following a massive nine-year renovation, transforming the space from ruins to one of the Fort's trendiest addresses. Doubles from Rs11,467

Where to shop in Galle

Stick No Bills, Church Street

This store is an institution for its role in the post-war art revolution in Sri Lanka. This store is a treasure trove of kitsch, retro-inspired poster art dating back to a time when the country was known as Ceylon. Founder Meg Baber has created a destination for some of the rarest posters you can find, from postcard sized ones to oversized version. A special mention for the aviation-themed posters depicting Air Ceylon's vintage posters. Stick No Bills is located within the premises of a restored Dutch mansion.

Barefoot, Pedlar Street

The Galle outpost of one of Colombo's most iconic shopping destinations, Barefoot is the best place to stock up on chic souvenirs from Sri Lanka ranging from sarongs and spices to tea, design books and touristy bric-à-brac. Brainchild of the grand dame of Sri Lankan design, Barbara Sansoni, Barefoot's unique aesthetic of bright colours is decidedly tropical. The boutique prides itself on its handcrafted “Made in Sri Lanka” products. Textiles are huge talking point at Barefoot, and can be bought by the metre, for both clothes and household linen.

KK by George, Pedlar Street

Founded by British interior designer George Cooper, who runs a bunch of luxury hotels near Galle, KK by George is a nifty boutique that stocks curated collections of clothes and jewellery for women. Situated in Galle Fort, KK by George is extremely popular among local models and fashionistas.

The Three by TPV, Layn Baan Street

European trio Thomas, Patrick and Vadim started a design and fashion revolution of sorts with their trendy boutique The Three by TPV, which is a proud showcase of their Scandinavian roots and aesthetics, blended with Asian influences. Scout around the boutique for their chic resortwear creations.

Exotic Roots, Lighthouse Street

Arguably one of the most beautifully designed spaces in the Fort, Exotic Roots is not all about shopping for souvenirs but also features a beautiful cafe at the far end of its premises. The gallery stocks up exquisite Sri Lankan objets d'art, gifts, clothes, jewellery and souvenirs from a whole range of trendy artists and designers. Run by French artist Catherine Hillion and her daughter Asia, who live in Sri Lanka, Exotic Roots is definitely worth checking out. There is also an apartment above the gallery, in case you're looking for a place to stay.

Things to do in Galle:

Sign up for a heritage walk

Heritage, history and fascinating anecdotes are peeking from every corner of the Galle Fort, so going on a heritage walk with an insider is a good idea. Professional “walker” and former adman Shanjei Perumal runs Galle Fort Walks. He proposes itineraries depending on your interest, ranging from architecture to food, all on foot. The standard walking tour takes you ambling through Galle's lanes, followed by a walk along the old ramparts.

Dig in at Isle of Gelato

The latest in a string of trendy openings in Galle, Isle of Gelato, a startup by Sri Lankan gelato enthusiasts Suranjan and Shalini Perera, who left their jobs in finance to start a quirky gelateria serving up artisanal gelato. The Galle outlet sees a steady stream of tourists queuing up for quirky flavours like jackfruit, tamarind-coconut milk sorbet and even the lemon curd. Australian celebrity chef Peter Kuruvita was spotted here recently, curating a few new locally-inspired flavours for Isle of Gelato.

Spend the morning at Galle Fish Market

You need to be an early riser for this authentic Galle experience. A short drive outside the walls of the Galle Fort is the beach and the adjoining fish market. At mid-morning, when the fishing boats come in with the catch, fishmongers, chefs and locals all converge on the beach to haggle over tuna, crabs and prawns and other creatures of the sea. You could even buy some to take back to your villa for lunch.