From laid-back cafes to seaside shacks and cozy restaurants, Goa truly has a vibrant dining scene. The food is a mix of Portugese flavours and Indian spices with coconut milk and vinegar as traditional ingredients and a glass of port wine to accompany. Goa really does have something for everyone. And no better example of that than the smorgasbord of food you can find there. We've put together a list of 10 great places for dining, so that you can eat your heart out in Goa.
A grand dining experience on a mega platter not to be missed when in Goa by a foodie. Serving Bohra cuisine in traditional fashion, this restaurant is the first of its kind in Goa. The idea of the place is to remind people of the way Bohri meals are supposed to be had — together with the family, from a gigantic thaali. You must try the ‘Chana Batata Salad’ which is a yummy medley of sweet and sour chutneys and ‘Bohra Cutlets’ that were soft and delectable. If you’re a vegetarian, get yourself the ‘Gulab Jamun ki Sabzi’. The menus also got ‘Roghan Josh’, ‘Bohra Dum Biryani’, ‘Masoor Pulao Sarki’, ‘Kokum ke Aloo’ and other intriguing dishes that you wouldn't find everywhere. You should be able to have a lot of interesting drinks from their signature menu such as ‘Cinnamon Appletini’ and ‘Feni Caprioska’. So, if you're all about experimentation and big, lovingly served portions, you've got to head here.
A Reverie is a fine-dining restaurant serving molecular gastronomy food that is perfect for most occasions, like a date or even just a relaxed evening. The decor and ambience are top notch, though as it’s open air, it leaves you to the whims of mother nature, so that could be improved up on. A Reverie is best known for their contemporary cuisine that is localized using flavours and ingredients that are more native to Goa. The tapas and small plates are highly recommended here- dig into their tacos and chorizo baos. Their cocktail menu is spectacular as well- try their ‘Chai-Prioska’ and ‘Goan Pina Colada’. You must not miss the ‘Wasabi and ‘Guac Tacos’ that come in a miniature taco truck, delicious churros, neuros with a lip-smacking dip and ‘Thai Bento Rice and Noodles’. A Reverie breaks the monotony of Goa by breathing a new life into tried-and-tested preparations.
There’s no dearth of restaurants serving Italian fare in Goa, but Ciao Bella raises the bar for the cuisine in so many ways. The regular menu comprises of pastas, pizzas, salads and mains. However, it is on the daily specials menu that you will find the hidden treasures such as ‘Cocoa Ravioli stuffed with Gorgonzola’, ‘Black Ink Taglioni with salmon sauce’ and ‘Ravioli Stuffed with Mascarpone served with classic Bolognese sauce’. Do not miss their specials, which are the ‘Linguine’ and the ‘Pizza Andrea’, which is a three-cheese white pizza, minus tomato purée. The wine selection is an amazing too though you can stick to the ‘Big Banyan Merlot’. Ask for the dessert of the day - 'The Panna Cotta' is great and the 'Crème Brule' will leave you asking for more. All in all, a perfect place to relax and unwind with great company. One is sure to go back for more.
If you are in the South part of Goa, then Zeebop’s By The Sea is a great place to grab some yummy seafood, watch an awesome sunset or occasionally enjoy their live band performances. Sergio and his team are all about ensuring the Goan experience the whole way. And now they also have a branch in the North, on Mandrem beach that is open through the monsoons. The food at Zeebop by the Sea showcases the freshest Goan catch in various ‘Fish Curries’, ‘Batter-Fried Calamari’, ‘Grilled Tiger Prawns’, ‘Fish Fillets’ and ‘Crispy Crab stuffed Pappadams’. Also, their cocktails and wine list is impressive. It wouldn’t be Goa without a dance floor, the sand under your feet and live music though, and Zeebop by the Sea ticks off all three boxes.
Beach shacks are synonymous to Goan lifestyle. Sitting on the beach and watching the sun go down as you sip on some chilled beer and feast on some yummy seafood is sure an amazing option to spend an evening in Goa. The next time you crave for an experience of this sort, you need to head to Simply Grills - it's just a fine dine version of a beach shack, complete with great food and amazing hospitality. Simply Grills at Goa Marriott Resort & Spa claims to serve the freshest and tastiest seafood, exclusively sourced premium meats, organically grown local vegetables and homemade oven-fresh bread. As the clock strikes 6, the chefs take their position at the grill promising the guests tantalizing treats. One can pick from a range of fresh seafood including ‘Pomfret’, ‘Snapper’ and ‘Lobster’, premium meats like ‘Pork’, ‘Tenderloin’ and ‘German Sausages’ along ‘Seasonal Vegetables’ for that exclusive local fix; mix and match with your favourite marinades like ‘BBQ’, ‘Pepper Sauce’, ‘Cajun Spices’ or ‘Goan Masalas’ and tastefully accessorize them with sides like ‘Grilled Exotic Veggies’, ‘Mashed Potatoes’ and ‘Tomato-Arugula Salad’. Pair it with their cocktails such as flamboyant ‘Peach Bellini’ served in a test tube.
Amavi is the new avatar of I-95, another popular restaurant in Goa over the last six to seven years. Back at its original location but with a new décor and a whole new menu, this restaurant is all about food and desserts. Be it their heavenly 'Warm Danish Blue Cheese Cloud', their Risottos or the Cheesecake, they are all served with a warm smile and aromas that make you want to dig in right there and then. They even serve lunch with a light tapas-style menu for those that don’t want to snooze away the day. If meat is not an option, try the 'Tiger Prawn Masala' with 'Malabar Parathas'. The 'Berry Pavlova' for dessert is a dream with assorted berries and cream.
Salute means health in Italian, is all things fresh and delicious. Nestled overlooking the sprawling lawns by the seaside of the Kenilworth Resort & Spa, it not only provides you with a gorgeous view and setting, but also the most delicious Italian food experience in Goa. Everything in this restaurant is made fresh in-house, even their delicious Tuscany bread and the Focaccia which come as part of the bread basket. Kickstart your meal with an ‘Antipasti Platter’ that comes with a lovely selection of cold cuts, cheeses including a delish goat cheese, roasted aubergine, salad and warm bread. For the main course, you must-try the ‘Norwegian Salmon and lasagna’ followed by the most delicious ‘Gnocchi in Gorgonzola cheese sauce’. And then for dessert the amazing ‘Tiramisu’ and the ‘Pear and Almond Tart with Cherry ice-cream’.
Do not just savor food, cherish the experience of taking a bite of deliciousness in the alluring ambience of Poseidon's Cove Goa. They serve Seafood and BBQ dishes which you will savour with a mouth-watering dollop. As a wide variety of spices, blended together to serve your seafood cravings and are presented flawlessly at this restaurant. Start off with appetizers such as ‘Chicken Tikka’, ‘Kinwa Tikki’, ‘From Poseidon’s Garden’ and ‘Pizza Emmilia Romagne’. Then move onto ‘Chicken Char Sui Bun’ followed by ‘Poseidon Roll’ and ‘Vegetable Shabu Shabu’. Their ‘Baked Yoghurt’ is to die for from the desserts section.
Perched on a cliff overlooking the Vagator beach, this one is definitely making a statement in Goa. All done up in white, with trims of blue which is the traditional Olive décor, but this is the only one that actually comes with a beach view. Sitting on a cliff overlooking the beach, you can munch on their signature Mediterranean and European dishes along with delicious seafood that infuses the Goan culture into the menu. And, there’s always the thin crust pizza! They also serve some of the most innovative & fabulous cocktails such as ‘two-month-old aged Sangria’ and the ‘Chorizo Mary’ are definite must tries, along with their range of ‘Day After Series’. Start off with a ‘Mezze Platter’ that comes with a delicious Romesco dip and a warm poi. The ‘Prawns Pil Pil’ which is a great combination of flavours made with prawns & chorizo sausages. The ‘Beef Carpaccio’, their pizzas, house-made pastas and more will keep you busy at all times. Finish it all off with the delicious ‘Caramelized White Chocolate Mousse’ or their ‘Jaggery Cheesecake’.
Discover old Goan charm and hospitality at A Tricana Seaside Bar & Grill with a palette-teasing menu that serves up authentic Indo-Portuguese and local flavours. Awaken your senses to the difference of market fresh seafood, including ingredients from their on-site organic vegetable garden. Their bar also offers the quintessential ‘Cashew Feni’ experience to complete your escape to paradise. Do not miss the ‘Goan Prawn Curry’ – this Goan delicacy is made with coconut milk, prawns and a potpourri of spices - keeping alive the legacy of Dona Palmira's famous recipe. Dive into this smooth and creamy textured curry that pairs wonderfully with white rice or warm Goan Pao. The ‘Chicken Cafreal’ is another signature dish which is marinade blends cilantro, tamarind and other fresh herbs and spices to deliver a spicy, sweet and tart flavour.
Kruthika Dixit Kandpal, is an in-house creative writer for EazyDiner Pvt Ltd. She is a food enthusiast, social worker and blogger. She has contributed to the Safari India Magazine, The Statesman Newspaper, Wedding Vows Magazine, Sanchar Times and several other publications. Nothing is dearer to her than the joy of writing with her passion for food as the connection of food is not just with your tummy, but with your heart. In addition to writing a lot, Kruthika likes to eat and experiment with her cooking and gallivanting. And, if not inside the kitchen or at work, one can find her volunteering for NGO’s, exploring places, partying, travelling and shopping. She dreams of owning a restaurant one day and provide some notable contributions to the world of food.
