Whilst there are plenty of restaurants within Galle Fort’s ramparts, IMHO there are only three places offering a ‘fine dining’ experience.  One was in our hotel, Amangalla, but I wasn’t that impressed with it on our first night.  Another good spot is the Galle Fort Hotel, but that was closed for refurbishment (after changing hands) during our stay over Christmas 2021.  On the second evening of our holiday we went on the search for a good dinner, and one place we stopped at (for cocktails) looked good, but they were only serving food for their resident guests. But they kindly suggested we check out Aqua Forte, an Italian restaurant just a few hundred metres away, down a very quiet side street.  As soon as we arrived we knew it was for us because it was the only place we’d so far seen with white table cloths and sparkling wine glasses laid out.  Although it looked great inside, we chose to occupy the only table outside on a small verandah.

We enjoyed a delicious and well balanced tasting menu, as well as the warmth of the staff, including chef/proprietor Roberto Vicario (a real Italian making genuinely Italian food – they make all their own pasta).  We asked if they had any space left for Christmas Day lunch, which they did, and which we keenly reserved.

We were among the first guests to arrive, around 1pm, and this time we had a table inside.  To kick off our celebratory day Mr A ordered us a bottle of Ferrari sparkling wine.  Although a la carte was available, we chose to have their special Christmas tasting menu at just LKR12,500 (c£46).  Because the Ferrari would see us through the first few courses we didn’t go for the wine flight, though it was only LKR9,500 (c£35).

Luncheon began with an amuse bouche of white bean puree with spinach and pan fried squid.  I thought it was “OK”, but IMHO under-seasoned. 6/10

Our starter, or anti pasta dish, “cannoli di baccala” was a beautifully festive looking plate featuring three crispy polenta tubes filled with creamy salt cod. Small pieces of pickled vegetables and dots of basil puree and tomato puree provided colour and welcome acidity. 8/10

Our pasta dish was “Tortellini Emiliana” and was totally delicious. The house-made tortellini contained prosciutto and mortadella and was dressed in a parmesan sauce.  Very simple, but delicious. 10/10

Our main course was titled “Carre di agnello e pave di patate”. We had two huge Australian lamb chops with a pistachio crust, caramelised apple, pave potatoes and a wine reduction.  Lamb and beef sold in Sri Lanka usually comes from Australia, but this was tasty and tender, like it was very local.  We had a glass of Barolo with this course.  7.5/10

Next up came a palate cleanser in the form of a Campari and Watermelon sorbet, which we enjoyed for its taste and its novelty. 8/10

Our dessert was called “Il trio di Panettone”.  Panettone, the traditional Milanese Christmas cake, was presented in three ways: a traditional slice topped by a ball of Panettone ice cream and covered with a Panettone crumb. 7.5/10

It was a real joy to find good authentic Italian food in Galle Fort, and it was easily the best restaurant there.  All of my scores are based on the same criteria I use in my other reviews of lauded London restaurants, so my overall score of 8/10 is pretty impressive for a small venue in a Sri Lankan backstreet!  It’s prices represent incredibly good value (but I can’t tell you the total bill because Mr. A paid) and its staff are all very warm. Chef Roberto toured the tables to talk to his guests, and sometimes brought the plates to the table himself.

BTW the restaurant is actually owned by three Italians, and they also have a pizza restaurant along the same street.