A Southside Market Morning, Through Galle

Early mornings in the south of Sri Lanka begin at the market. Before the heat settles in, Galle’s fruit, vegetable, and spice markets come alive with quiet movement baskets being unpacked, produce laid out, familiar greetings exchanged. It was here that we spent a morning with the Mr Lyan Studio team, walking through the everyday spaces where flavour begins.

The markets offer a direct connection to seasonality. Jackfruit stacked in generous segments, pineapples heavy with sweetness, bundles of curry leaves still carrying the scent of the tree. Stalls of dried spices cinnamon, clove, coriander, pepper fill the air with warmth, each one tied closely to land, labour, and daily life rather than labels or trends.

From the markets, the rhythm of the morning carries naturally toward Galle Fort. Built along historic trade routes and shaped by centuries of exchange, the fort remains a living part of the city rather than a preserved relic. Narrow streets, old merchant houses, mosques, and courtyards reflect a place formed by movement of people, goods, and ideas. Its ocean-facing ramparts continue to shape the pace of life, offering moments of pause and perspective.

For the Mr Lyan Studio team, moving between the markets and the fort was central to the development of the bar programme. Understanding ingredients at their source allows flavours to be handled with restraint and intention once they reach the glass. Sri Lankan produce is balanced, encouraging clarity over complexity. The markets make this approach tangible nothing is overworked, and everything has a purpose.

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The cocktail programme draws directly from these encounters. Fresh fruit informs natural sweetness and texture, while spices are used sparingly to build warmth and depth rather than dominance. Elements such as cinnamon, citrus, and tropical botanicals are treated as quiet accents, designed to sit comfortably within the setting rather than compete with it.

Market visits like these ground creative work in reality. They remind us that behind every cocktail is a network of people, places, and small daily rituals. Walking through Galle between market lanes and stone ramparts is not about chasing inspiration, but about listening, observing, and allowing place to guide the final expression.

By the time the morning draws to a close, the baskets are lighter, the streets warmer, and the city settles into its familiar rhythm. What remains is a deeper understanding of the south carried forward in flavour, memory, and intent, and reflected quietly in the bar programme itself.