Best Restaurants in Goa

Goa has a vibrant food scene, thanks to its geographical location and rich heritage. Traditional Goan spices, continental influences, and flavors from the nearby regions makes Goa’s food scene anywhere, which you won’t find anywhere else in India. From Europe, there is French food, Italian food, Russian food, and Greek food. Especially in North Goa, you will find many Russians and other Europeans who stay for the long-term and run their own restaurants. You will find authentic European cuisine in these places as they themselves cook the food. And, of course, there is Portuguese food too as Goa used to a colony of Portugal for a long time. In many places, you will still find the Portuguese influence, in Goa’s culture, festivals, churches, architecture, dress, music, and food.

Goa is on the Konkan Coast of India. Konkani cuisine is unique because of the use of coconut, tamarind, kokum, and raw mango. Goa’s neighboring states, Maharashtra and Karnataka, have their own unique cuisines too. You will find these influences in the cuisine as well. And, of course, there are plenty of places in Goa where you will find food from the northern and eastern parts of the country.

There is also street food, which is unique. Try the Chorizo Pav, Missal Pav, Poi, Bondas, Shawarma, Frankies, Samosas, and Goan sweets. Try the feni, which is an alcoholic drink made from cashew or coconut, which you won’t find anywhere else in the world. Traditionally served in huts, the feni is now available in bottled format, so you can get one for your home too.

Top 10 Restaurants In Goa

Goa has many good restaurants, cafes, and bars where you can get great food, drinks, and even live music. From the freshest lobsters to chicken, yummy seafood, to cheap alcohol, there is everything. Many popular eateries from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune have also opened their shops in Goa. Plus, you will also get many famous Indian and international brands like KFC, Pizza Hut, McDonald’s, Domino’s, Subway, Banana Leaf, Kanha, Anand, German Café, and others.

Here are the top 10 cafes and restaurants in Goa –

Thalassa

It is an authentic open-air Greek tavern on top of a hill beside the Chapora River. You will get spectacular views of the river’s mouth and the Vagator and Morjim beach. The décor is charming. Outdoor tables are arranged under the shade of palm trees. The atmosphere is laid back. Catch the sunset from here. Try the pork chops, shrimps, Greek lamb, and salads here.

• Location: Beside the Chapora River, North Goa
• Open Times: 9 AM to 12 AM

Bomra’s

Sophisticated and chic, Bomra’s is a Burmese restaurant in Candolim. But there are influences from Thailand, Laos, India, and China in the cuisine. Located on a lush garden, it is right on the Fort Aguada Road that goes to Calangute. On offer are both a la carte and three-course meals. The best foods to try here include dried shrimp with fish sauce, black pomfret, red snapper, mussels, and know suey, which is a traditional Burmese food of chicken, curried beef, noodles, lemon juice, and coconut milk.

• Location: Candolim, North Goa
• Open Times: 12- 3 PM, 7-11 PM

Palácio Do Deão

This is an Indo-Portuguese restaurant in a historic 18^th century mansion of South Goa’s Quepem neighborhood. There are many antiques in the house. Serene gardens surround this restaurant in Goa. The food is colonial Goan with distinct Latin influences. Try the bebinca, prawn fritters, stuffed crab, and coconut curry.

• Location: Quepem, South Goa
• Open Times: 10 AM to 5 PM

Marbella Beach Restaurant

For the experience of dining on the beach. But the food is fantastic too and so is the ambiance. There are cabana beds, sunset cocktails, and live music. The food includes both North Indian and Italian cuisine. Seafood is the specialty. Try the dal makhani, pizzas, pastas, dal tadka, and the paneer tikka.

• Location: Ashwem, North Goa
• Open Times: 7 AM to 11 PM

A Reverie

Centrally located in Calangute, A Reverie serves global cuisine in a casual atmosphere. The menu is diverse with porcini mushroom soup, wasabi prawns, pad thai, chicken wings, tiramisu, teriyaki boneless chicken, Goan sausage, and more. Along with this, you get both European and Indian wines. The ambiance is contemporary.

• Location: Calangute, North Goa
• Open Times: 7 to 11 PM

North Goa

Tuscany Gardens

This is a family-run Italian restaurant in Goa. The owners, however, are from Denmark and Goa. Try the al dente pasta or the thin crust pizzas in this eatery. Tuscany Gardens is often called the best place to have Italian food in Goa. Very nice garden dining experience in a central location.

• Location: Candolim, North Goa
• Open Times: 4 to 10:45 PM

Martin’s Corner

A casual dining destination and top choice in South Goa. It serves the best seafood, North Indian, Chinese, and Goan cuisines. Both indoor and outdoor dining along with live music and performances. The cocktails are also very good. It is very popular, so its best that you book a table in advance.

• Location: Betalbatim, South Goa
• Open Times: 11:30 AM — 3:30 PM, 6:30 PM — 11:30 PM

The Fisherman’s Wharf

This is a rustic riverside restaurant in the style of a shack. Beside the Sal River. Very close to the Cavelossim and Mobor beach. The food is a fusion of continental, Asian, North Indian, and Goa styles. Try the seafood, especially the lobsters and prawns. They offer very good cocktails and mocktails too. The desserts are also very good.

• Location: Cavelossim, Mobor, South Goa
• Open Times: 12 PM to 11 PM

The Black Sheep Bistro

Boutique restaurant in Panaji with a dining lounge and dark-wood bar. Artsy décor. This restaurant in Goa offers global cuisine with fresh produce that is locally sourced. Good choice of drinks too, particularly the unique cocktails on offer. Try the stuffed chicken breast, churros, lasagna, and the cocktails and mocktails.

• Location: Panaji
• Open Times: 12 PM to 1 AM

Bhatti Village

A no-frills small eatery in North Goa, Bhatti Village is a great place for local cuisine. You can try the authentic Goan homemade foods here. There is no menu here. The food keeps changing depending on the season. The best tries include the pickled mackerels, dried prawn curry, baby corn curry, kidney beans, prok ambot, pork amsol, and beef tomato.

• Location: Nerul, North Goa
• Open Times: 12 PM to 11 PM

South Goa

The food of Goa has over the years been enriched by many influences – the Portuguese, British, and then the hippies of the 1960s and the 1970s. It has also become a blended cuisine of the Goan Catholics and the Konkani Hindus. The Konkani’s have given fish and coconut, while the Christian influence can be seen in beef, pork, and the use of vinegar.

Must-Try Foods in Goa

• Goan Fish Curry – Also called Xitti Kodi, it is like the staple food of the locals. It comes with many spices, red chili, and a lot of coconut. Sometimes mango is also added to have a tangy flavor. The fish sis usually Kingfish, prawns, or pomfret. This dish is served with rice.
• Xacuti – Made with prawns, chicken or vegetables, which includes onions and potatoes. Influenced by the Portuguese, it consists of red chili from Kashmir and poppy seeds. The chili provides color and hot flavor.
• Goan Sausages – Chorizo pork sausages with a mixture of Goan spices.
• Vindaloo – Pork vindaloo is the most popular. It is a mild sour and sweet curry served traditionally in Goan homes during Easter, Christmas and New Year. however, over time, the curry has become spicy and hot. It contains pork, garlic, chili, ginger, and other spices.
• Sorpotel – ‘Soro’ in Konkani means liquor or alcohol. Also called Sarapatel, the main ingredients here are mutton, pork, or beef. The masala is prepared using garlic, onion, herbs, and spices. It is a popular breakfast.
• Chicken Cafreal – A green and spicy food made with green chili, spices, and herbs. The chicken is added to the mix and then fried. You don’t need to have anything on the side. It is sometimes served with salad.
• Fish Recheado – In Portuguese, ‘Recheado’ means ‘stuffed’. Influenced by the Portuguese, this is a stuffed fish, often pomfret, with onions and masala. It us usually served with Goan bread.
• Bebinca – A traditional dessert. Bebinca is a multi-layered cake made from egg yolk, flour, caramelized sugar, and coconut milk. This is Goa’s own version of the pancake. It has a rich flavor.