Goa is not only a haven of unending sea and sand, it’s also a foodie’s paradise. Goa’s myriad food scene ranges from the humblest beach shacks serving the delectable Goan thalis to the high-end restaurants plating up diverse cuisines from all around the world. Not to forget the pretty cafes with their postcard like set ups and diverse choices of breakfast and snacks.
So, here we have listed 10 places from all over Goa, which not only serves finger-licking foods, but also provides cozy, laid-back ‘oh-so-Goa’ feel:
Table of Contents
1. Artjuna:
Located near the Anjuna beach, Artjuna is a charming open air garden café and lifestyle shop. Established in an old Portuguese house, it is spread across a large shaded garden of mango trees and Frangipani flowers, decorated quirkily with tables that have sand art inside them. Here, the focus is on fresh and healthy food. The menu offers a wide range of choices with a variety of pancakes, fresh salads, delicious sandwiches, wholesome waffles, decadent desserts and Mediterranean specialties like Humshuka and Shakshouka. The beverage section was also diverse with fresh smoothies, fruit and vegetable juices
What we loved: Humshuka, Shakshouka, Breakfast Smoothy and Lemon Tart.
2. Caravela Café & Bistro:
Tucked inside a lane in Fontainhas of Panjim, this cozy and quaint café is a perfect place to have a hearty breakfast before starting beach hopping. The USP of this café is its friendly owner, who not only takes orders and serves food to guests by himself, but also gives suggestions about exploring Goa. The café serves various breakfast options like pancakes, sandwiches, cornflakes and different types of omlettes.
What we loved: Scrambled Egg with Goan Sausages, Ross Omlette and homely hospitality.
3. Tin Tin:
A Tin Tin themed grub pub near Vagator beach, it has an earthy vibe with rustic thatched roof and low seating, along with a touch of Goan influence to the continental section of world cuisine
What we loved: Cajun Chicken Pizza, Chicken Chilli Fry and the menu card which has snippets from Tin Tin comics.
4. Route 66:
A smoke house specializing in American food, this is one of the best places in Goa to enjoy burgers. The menu offers different types of burgers at reasonable price, which will leave you spoiled for choice. The burgers served here are mouth-watering flavor bombs, served with juicy bacon, sausages and loads of cheese. It also has a nice selection of pastas, wood-fired pizzas and lovely salads.
What we loved: Pesto Fussili Gambari and Roxette.
5. Viva Panjim:
A sprightly restaurant located in a small corner of Fontainhas, Panjim, which has been converted from a 150- year old ancestral home and where traditional flavours meet colonial charm to provide a memorable Goan experience. This iconic place specializes in serving classic Goan and Portuguese delicacies. Head to this place if you want to enjoy old world charm.
What we loved: Chicken Xacuti, Pork Vindalho and the colorful outdoor seating.
6. The Black Sheep Bistro:
A modern bistro situated on the ground floor of a lemon colored heritage home in Panjim, this is regarded as one of the best restaurants in Goa. This chic fine dining place offers global cuisine using Goan ingredients. Along with an impressive food menu, it also offers an excellent selection of wines.
What we loved: Spice Roasted Chicken with Penne Alfredo, Hainanese Style Chicken Rice and Blackened Creole Chicken.
7. The Fisherman’s Wharf:
A trip to Goa remains incomplete without a visit to this iconic restaurant. Located near the Mobor beach in south Goa, this place offers modern fusion dishes infused with Goan influences along with a view of shimmery water of the Sal river and colorful boats harbored on its shore. Be prepared to get dazzled by the food menu as it offers a wide and diverse range of cuisines.
What we loved: Stuffed Chicken Breast with Ratatouille, Carbonara Pasta with Bacon, Egg Yolk and Parmesan and the lovely riverside sitting arrangement.
8. Martin’s Corner:
Another pioneering restaurant of Goa, which has been fascinating celebrities and common people alike since three decades. Started as a corner shop in Betalbatim, today it has grown into one of the most visited and most talked about restaurants of Goa. Get ready to enjoy the feelings of yesteryear sitting in its warm and cozy ambiance.
What we loved: Chicken Cafreal, Kingfish Balchao and the live music.
9. Mish Mar Shack:
A starlit sky, endless waves crashing on the beach, a candle lit table and a hearty plate of freshly caught King crabs cooked in butter and herbs- dreamy dinner like this makes memories for a lifetime. And this shack on the beautiful Majorda beach delivers this with an impeccable hospitality.
What we loved: King Crab prepared in two ways, candle lit tables and the beach setting.
10. Magic Italy:
Nestled inside the crowded street leading towards the Palolem beach, this cozy restaurant serves authentic Italian cuisine, right from pizza to ravioli to tiramisu. It’s run by an Italian couple, who claims of importing the exotic ingredients right from Italy! Nonetheless, the pizzas here, which are cooked in wood fired oven, are scrumptious and nothing like those served by Dominos or Pizza Hut. Plus point for the cordial ambiance too.
What we loved: Pizza Diavola and Tiramisu.
So, here’s our guide for every foodie visiting Goa. We hope you will visit some of these on your next trip to Goa. Stay tuned for our next update!
