Restaurants in The South
- Sort by:
- Popular
-
Rampart Hotel
This ancient place has an ornately carved wooden staircase that would make redevelopers drool. But you won't drool over the long menu of dull Chinese, local and Western fare served in the cavernous dining room on the 2nd floor. Rather, come here for a drink and the amazing sunset views.
reviewed
-
Dream House
Eat alfresco while being serenaded by classical music at this authentic and truly memorable Italian restaurant. Unusually for an Italian restaurant in Asia, the chef is actually of true-blue Latin stock, which ensures the tomatoes have been placed in just the right spot and the perfect amount of fresh basil has been added. Anywhere else in Unawatuna positively fades in comparison to here, but what’s most surprising is the price – it’s an undisputed bargain.
reviewed
-
Serendipity Arts Cafe
This photo-crammed hole-in-the-wall cafe has a fusion menu that includes Western sandwiches and Eastern curries, brilliant juices and shakes, bacon-and-egg hoppers and proper filter coffee. They claim that some of the recipes are generation’s old family secrets – though we’re assured that the ingredients aren’t as old! It’s an ideal place for lunch or breakfast. The cafe is owned and run by Juliet Coombe and her husband.
reviewed
-
Galle Fort Hotel
The restaurant at this hotel serves superb, though very pricey, Asian fusion cuisine at tables set along the deep inner veranda. The dinner menu changes nightly. At other times there are baked goods, classic breakfast dishes, salads and sandwiches. The bar, overlooking Church St, feels like a colonial retreat, and is popular with the expat community.
reviewed
-
One Love Restaurant
This small and friendly place literally hangs above the water and the creaky wooden floorboards further enhance the sensation of being on a boat sailing across the seven seas. It’s unusual in that its good range of curries allows you to eat like a local (a rarity in Unawatuna). Pumpkin curry is the house special.
reviewed
-
Shekira Restaurant
With boats bobbing like ducks on the water just a few metres away, this romantic wooden fishermen’s shack, with just a couple of candle-lit tables, is perfect for a cold sunset beer and an ultra-cheap fried fish dinner washed down with the owner’s friendly banter.
reviewed
-
Mama’s Galle Fort Roof Café & Guest House
Eat under the twinkling star-lit sky with views of a spinning lighthouse at this guest house, which conjures up some of the most sensational curries in Galle – all at dirt-cheap prices. If the food really grabs you, ask about joining one of their cookery courses.
reviewed
-
King Fisher’s Restaurant
If beach erosion hasn’t swept it away by the time you read this (more likely than it sounds), then this tasty Thai restaurant will be a treat. The kitchen is housed inside an old shipping crate, but you eat on a wooden platform floating above the waves.
reviewed
-
Jayasingha Tea Room
Remind yourself of what Sri Lanka is supposed to taste like with one of the superb rice and curries up for grabs at the back of this grocery shop. Locals can’t get enough of the food here, but foreign tourists are as rare as a mild chilli.
reviewed
-
Anura's Restaurant
This tiny, bright-orange, hole-in-the-wall place serves fantastic light curries, various pastas and even what are reputed to be Galle’s best pizzas. The paintings on the wall give it a trendy cafe-gallery feel.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Young Men's Buddhist Association
Housed in another mouldering colonial gem of a building, the YMBA is a local social club that has a wonderful café hidden away on the main floor. The superb curries are served at communal tables.
reviewed
-
South Ceylon Bakery
Opposite the bus station, this highly popular lunch spot, with its impossible-to-resist sweet and savoury short eats, and gut-bursting curries, is the most convenient place to eat in the new town.
reviewed
-
Nescafe Shop
There’s no sign, but you can’t really miss the rotti-slapping going on at this dark little cave of a cafe opposite the lighthouse. By far the cheapest place in the Fort to stuff your face.
reviewed
-
Pedlar's Inn Cafe
A groovy little place in an old colonial house. Shakes, coffees and sandwiches can be enjoyed at long tables that are good for lounging. As well as a cafe, it doubles as a jewellery shop.
reviewed
-
Jinas Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurant
This enjoyable garden restaurant offers a wide array of European vegetarian dishes, including vegie burgers, lasagne and the not very vegie-sounding peacock pie.
reviewed
-
A
Galle Oriental Bakery Restaurant
The best central option is a classic old place with a wooden interior and display cases bulging with baked and savoury treats. The soups and curries are good.
reviewed
-
Hot Rock
A classic beachside seafood restaurant with delightful owners and such vivid colours, it looks like a Joseph and his amazing technicolour dream cafe.
reviewed
-
Janahitha Teashop
A world away from all the posh restaurants and arty cafes, this solidly locals-only teashop brews the best cuppa in the Fort.
reviewed
-
Royal Dutch Cafe
Mixing cinnamon cake with biryani and ginger tea with a shop full of batiks, this is a chilled spot for a light lunch.
reviewed
-
New Chinese
A budget stand-by by the train tracks, this has very reasonable and filling Western, Chinese and Sri Lankan food.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Roti Shop
Dozens of sweet and savoury rottis rammed full of cheeses, fruits and more make for a quick and easy lunch.
reviewed
-
Ruhunupura Pastry Shop
Despite the name, this place specialises in ice cream. It’s hot. Indulge.
reviewed
-
Sanka Restaurant
A simple, open-sided restaurant with well-priced Chinese and Sri Lankan dishes and a tasty nasi goreng (fried rice).
reviewed
-
Royal Restaurant
You get a right royal welcome here and a right royal feast, with cheap and tasty curries that will leave you stuffed and happy. Lot’s of local families like to stop by for a big, noisy family lunch.
reviewed
-
Refresh Hotel
It seems that every tourist eats here and as one of the only restaurants in the neighbourhood that’s hardly a surprise, but the food is tamed down to suit Western taste buds and is both bland in the extreme and highly overpriced.
reviewed
