Visiting Galle is a journey into a charming coastal town rich in history and culture. This UNESCO World Heritage Site boasts colonial-era architecture, vibrant local markets, and picturesque beaches. Whether you’re exploring the ancient fort or savouring fresh seafood, visiting Galle offers a unique blend of the old and the new, making it a must-see destination in Sri Lanka.
If Sri Lanka is on your holiday hit list for 2019 (which it should be as it’s ranked the no.1 destination for 2019 according to Lonely Planet) then make sure that a few days in the Unesco World Heritage Site, city of Galle, is part of your Sri Lankan vacay.
Its beautiful cobbled streets are lined with stylish cafes and boutiques with old hotels that have been restored to their former beauty by local writers and artists. Its European influence is notable throughout thanks to its stunning architecture as the main Galle Fort was originally built by the Dutch back in 1663 – the Sri Lankan and European twist is quite something and definitely worth seeing.
Here at HOC our main aim of the game is to explore, and explore what we did with Galle! We stumbled across a quirky cafe and bistro and the smell of strong coffee lured us in. The Heritage Cafe & Bistro sits on the old The National Bakery which was previously an institution as it featured the first wood-fired oven in Sri Lanka. The oven has been preserved all these years later (the oven dates back some 300 years!) and is a strong influence on The Heritage Cafe & Bistro menu.
The interior was exquisite and we popped our tired bums down in a comfy-looking corner with a colourful array of cushions and a view of the bistro. We ordered a fresh juice from their delectable brekkie menu and set about planning the rest of our day in our new cool and comfy surroundings. Our juice of choice was the Goji Emoji and its refreshing bursts of papaya, Mango and goji berries were just what we needed!
Their menu boasts some impressive dishes and is an eclectic mix of Asia, Australia, the Middle East and beyond. The seafood and vegetables are all sourced locally and the pastries, cakes and bread are made on-site in their wood fire oven. This sumptuous menu really does have something for everyone.
So whether you’re looking to cool off with fresh juice or devour a yummy brunch, The Heritage Cafe & Bistro is a must-do for travellers in Southern Sri Lanka.
Corner of Pedlar and Lighthouse Streets, Galle Fort, Galle, Sri Lanka
+94 01 420 0140
heritagecafeandbistro@gmail.com
