"Galle Fort's most assured all-day table — book Church Street Social for a relaxed dinner inside a restored 17th-century bazaar."
About Church Street Social
The Sri Lankan black pork curry arrives dark with island pepper, the plate regulars order before they have sat down. Church Street Social is the all-day bar and restaurant of Galle Fort's Fort Bazaar, the Teardrop Hotels boutique property at 26 Church Street, and it has been the Fort's dependable table since January 2016. The room runs off a restored 17th-century courtyard — Moorish floor tiles, arched doorways, high fan-cooled ceilings and a low jazz soundtrack — and the menu crosses Sri Lankan, Asian and international cooking without losing the thread.
The Kitchen
The kitchen is led by Teardrop group executive chef Sumudu Kadawata, with Sashika Wickramatunga as Fort Bazaar's executive chef, and it cooks across registers with a steady hand. The Sri Lankan black pork curry is the signature, around LKR 2,200, its pork cubes dark with black pepper and island spice. The spicy lagoon prawn curry at LKR 2,700 is the seafood benchmark, and the Moorish lamb tagine and Asian Malay chilli crab give the menu its range. Lighter plates — the seared kingfish carpaccio at LKR 950, the jumbo crumbed fish cake at LKR 1,350 and the much-praised burgers — make it work for lunch as well as dinner.
Mains sit roughly between LKR 1,850 and LKR 2,700, which keeps the room well below Galle's resort-restaurant pricing while delivering hotel-grade cooking and service. The bar is a destination in its own right, with a proper cocktail list and Sri Lankan and imported wines. Fort Bazaar is listed in the MICHELIN Guide for its hotel selection, and Church Street Social is the reason many non-guests walk through the door.
The Room
The setting is the draw: a covered colonial courtyard at the centre of UNESCO-listed Galle Fort, with Moorish tiling underfoot, tall arched openings and slow ceiling fans overhead. The noise level holds at a conversational hum that lifts when the bar gets going on a weekend; lighting is low and warm after dark. Tables are spaced generously, dress is smart-casual with no jacket required, and the courtyard seats a comfortable crowd. It is a two-minute walk from the ramparts and the Galle lighthouse.
Best for an Anniversary
Book the courtyard for an anniversary or a first date because Church Street Social does three things at once: a romantic heritage setting that needs no decoration, a kitchen that crosses Sri Lankan and international cooking so neither of you has to compromise, and a bar good enough to make a long evening of it. Ask for a courtyard table after dark, order the black pork curry, and walk the ramparts afterwards. Compare it with The Arch or, for seafood, The Tuna and The Crab, and plan the trip with our Galle dining guide.
Not for
Skip it if you want a hushed, white-tablecloth fine-dining room or a tasting-menu occasion — Church Street Social is a relaxed, jazz-tracked bar-restaurant that hums on a busy night rather than a formal dining hall.
Frequently Asked
Is Church Street Social in Galle worth it?
Yes. Church Street Social is the all-day restaurant of the Fort Bazaar boutique hotel, and it is one of Galle Fort's most reliable tables for Sri Lankan, Asian and international cooking. The black pork curry and lagoon prawn curry are the dishes regulars return for, and the heritage-courtyard setting on Church Street makes it an easy choice for a relaxed dinner.
What should I order at Church Street Social?
Order the Sri Lankan black pork curry, the house favourite at around LKR 2,200, with island pepper and dark spice. The spicy lagoon prawn curry at LKR 2,700 is the seafood pick, and the Moorish lamb tagine and Asian Malay chilli crab round out the menu. The bar's cocktails and the much-praised burgers are worth a look too.
Where is Church Street Social?
Church Street Social sits at 26 Church Street inside Fort Bazaar, in the centre of UNESCO-listed Galle Fort. The dining room runs off a restored 17th-century courtyard with Moorish floor tiles, arched doorways and high fan-cooled ceilings. It is an easy walk from the ramparts and the lighthouse, and reservations are recommended in the high season.
When did Church Street Social open?
Church Street Social opened in January 2016 as the restaurant of Fort Bazaar, the Teardrop Hotels boutique property in Galle Fort. The kitchen is led by group executive chef Sumudu Kadawata with Fort Bazaar executive chef Sashika Wickramatunga, and Fort Bazaar is listed in the MICHELIN Guide for its hotel selection.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at Church Street Social
Bookings via Fort Bazaar · open all day, dinner nightly.
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Practical Information
Address26 Church Street, Fort Bazaar, Galle Fort 80000
NeighbourhoodGalle Fort (UNESCO)
CuisineSri Lankan / Asian / International
PriceMains LKR 1,850–2,700; black pork curry LKR 2,200
Dress CodeSmart-casual
ChefsSumudu Kadawata; Sashika Wickramatunga
ReservationVia Fort Bazaar
