Goa is one of the most popular destinations of India and is thronged by tourist from all over the world almost throughout the year. The best part about the place is not only the beaches and hospitality but also the food. From the sumptuous variety of Goan dishes to the world cuisine, Goa caters to the taste buds of all its visitors.
If visiting the beach state of Goa is on the cards, here’s a list of 22 best places to eat in Goa that should on the to-do list of every foodie.
Thalassa
Club the experience of a majestic sunset view along with exotic food and drinks, that’s what it’s like to dine at Thalassa. Going by the word of many visitors, it’s more of an experience dining here. Serving exotic Greek food with an ambience that takes you back into the early Greek era, Thalassa offers a perfect blend of music, ambience, food and view, thus conquering the hearts of visitors. The Greek Village sausages on the grill with an exquisite range of spirits is a must try there.
A Reverie
A place to pamper yourself to the extent that you get spoiled, ‘A Reverie’ offers the perfect ambience to relax and an ideal place to eat your choice from a creative, different than usual and a thoughtful menu. A fine dining experience worth trying, ‘A Reverie’ is famous for its cocktails and steak. Exceptional service by the staff adds to the overall experience. When at ‘A Reverie’ don’t forget to try out the unique deserts from the menu, they are all immaculate.
Salt & Pepper
Started by a local entrepreneur and his daughters, Salt and Pepper is famous for its peppered steak, chicken escalope, and the veg and beef burgers. Located amidst lush green coconut grove, this restaurant also serves mouthwatering strawberry cheesecake and chocolate cake. Situated within 10 minutes from the magnificent Vagator beach, Salt & Pepper serves you fresh food with utmost cleanliness.
Martin’s corner
This lovely restaurant offers some exotic and traditional Goan cuisine. Built by Mrs. Carafina Pereira, this lovely food castle, which was once a small joint with just four tables has now grown into a big restaurant with food lovers pouring in every hour of its operation. The subtle ambience and the amazing beauty of this place leave you with mouth watering taste. Martin’s has also received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the International cuisine, conference held at Fidalgo, Goa in 2007 and also Times Food Award in 2012.
La Plage
A renowned open beachfront French shack, this restaurant serves lip smacking French-Mediterranean food. Amazing seafood, excellent salads, and fabulous desserts are the specialties of La Plage. Some great stock of wines, delicious Tuna, Appetizing cold apple soup, chocolate Thali, and the signature dishes prepared by the chef are amazing. Have some amazing food while watching the blissful sunset view at this restaurant.
Café Chocolatti
Be it breakfast, snacks or desserts, Café Chocolatti is a place for perfect refreshment. Try it out after a day of shopping or after being at the beach and you’ll find rejuvenating fruit drinks and spoiling deserts to lift your spirits back up. Coffees are strong, tea is great, brownies are yum and strawberry ice creams are lip smacking, the best part about the place is whatever they serve, its great in taste and wholesome in quantity.
Elevar
Make your own drink as per your taste; enjoy sumptuous food altered as per your taste and requirement and relish the magical sunset, at Elevar. “Elevar” which means to elevate literally does that with your spirits. The live music, the food preparations, personal care taken by the chef, coupled with drinks make your dining experience exquisite. Visit Elevar on Sundays for Sunday brunch and enjoy a relaxing day at the beach with great food and ambience.
Baxter’s
Enjoy a relaxed day on the manicured lawns and tall coconut trees of the amazing beach shack restaurant- Baxter’s. You can eat under the thatched roof or enjoy at the sea bed on the beach. The hospitable staff makes your stay extremely pleasant and enjoyable. From pizzas and pastas to cocktails, martinis and Mojitos; Baxter’s has a comprehensive snack menu that is filling and caters surprisingly well to your taste buds.
Sakana
If authentic Japanese food is what you crave for, visit Sakana. With ingredients imported from South Korea, every dish, especially the Sushi is the highlight of this subtle place. The ambience is ideal for savoring a quiet dinner. The authentic taste transports you to Japan and leaves you wanting for more. If you are there with kids, don’t forget to order the Philadelphia roll (Kids love it) as for you, Saki shots clubbed with Salmon and Sushi. It’s hard to find a restaurant that specializes in single cuisine and is so good at that
Plantain leaf
Located right in the heart of Calangute, this restaurant is located within 5 minutes of walk from Calangute beach. Established in 1997, this restaurant is a pure vegetarian eating place. Serving authentic south-Indian cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this restaurant also serves north-Indian, Chinese, tandoori, and a special dish of the day during lunch and dinner. This restaurant serves beverages too.
Greenland bar and restaurant
Located in Majorda’s Cabana beach, across a little bamboo bridge, this restaurant is run by a British couple. Serving some exquisite Goan specialties, Greenland is famous for its Sunday roast dinners. Lit up like an old fair ground in the evening, the yards of lights adds to the ambience of this restaurant. Though the dishes you order take some time to arrive, they are delicious as anything that you order is freshly cooked. Have some outstanding chicken and King prawns in this restaurant satiate your tongue.
Vihar Restaurant
A pure veg restaurant, Vihar Restaurant offers Dosas, a variety of fresh juices, and great big Thali to its guests. Primarily serving south-Indian dishes, this restaurant also offers selective north-Indian dishes. The sweet called Sheera is the one to die for. Reasonable on your pocket, you can enjoy fresh fruit juices and food at this restaurant.
Blue Whale
A world away from the five stars that dominates the beach, this beach shack serves you fresh seafood. Recommended by Lonely planet, this restaurant serves you the choicest north-Indian and Goan cuisine. A lovely no frills beach shack with bamboo furniture and some excellent prawn’s preparation-What else do you need to relax?
Amigo’s
Located in Calangute, this is a family owned guesthouse situated within 5 minutes to Baga beach. This guest house serves you homely cooked Goan food freshly cooked in front of you. The ambience looks as if it is straight from a postcard. A no frills eating joint which looks even beautiful at night. This place is a must try for people who love seafood. This restaurant is famous for its crab dishes. So enjoy mouthwatering crab along with Poi- local bread in this guest house.
Ku Morjim
A wonderful restaurant set on a lovely property with great staff and awesome food. Music all throughout the day with lovely ambience makes you feel relaxed and rejuvenated. A totally beautiful and serene place, Ku serves you breakfast that consists of fresh fruits with eggs- cooked to order. This place serves only thalis (both veg and non-veg) for lunch and dinner as they don’t have a very big kitchen. This lovely restaurant is owned by Sula Vineyard, which ensures you have an excellent selection of wines to drink.
Zoori’s
With a beautiful sunset view from Anjuna beach, Zoori’s is a multi-cuisine restaurant that serves Goan, North-Indian, South-Indian, and Asian food. Famous for chocolate soufflé this restaurant serves some lip smacking lasagna, hummus and pita bread, juices, a variety of pastas and fruit juice based cocktails. With beautiful rustic look during the day and a Grecian look by the night this restaurant somehow manages to camouflage itself making it less crowded. The salads at this restaurant are a must try.
Bomra’s
Hidden in the bustling neon lit Fort Aguada road, Bomra’s is a Burmese restaurant which provides some authentic Burmese cuisine. Bomra’s is also known for the mouthwatering and authentic dishes that has its inspiration from regional cuisines of Laos, Thailand, India, and China. This restaurant is an eclectic mix of beautiful ambience and an oasis of taste. The lip smacking delicacies include dishes made from beef, chicken, seafood, and unique desserts. Also, wines and cocktails are served in this restaurant.
Cantare
Nested in the narrow lanes of Saligao, this restaurant is away from the busy beach belt. Good music accompanied with wonderful food, this restaurant is a good place to dine. Though a bit heavy on your pockets, this place serves you a good selection of wines. With Live music and wonderful food, this restaurant is sure to lift your spirits.
Villa Blanche
A cozy tree-lined avenue in Asangaon, Villa Blanche Bistro is a restaurant set in the tropical garden of a renovated Portuguese house. With amazing home-cooked food prepared with fresh fruits and vegetables, this place will satiate your taste buds while providing you utmost relaxation. The specialty of this restaurant is that it uses organic produce to the maximum possible level. Fresh syrups used in the food are prepared in-house. The mouthwatering delicacies include assorted sandwiches, freshly prepared quiche, pasta dishes, German meatballs, beef lasagna, as well as freshly prepared exotic salads. Villa Blanche Bistro is especially known for its choice of salads since special care is taken to clean the vegetables and special sauces are prepared for each type of salad.
Upper House
Situated in the heart of Panjim, this restaurant serves authentic Goan cuisine with a large dollop of Goan hospitality. Spread across three different halls, this restaurant offers you three different ambiences- a casual one, a pub style, and a lavish one to suit your mood. Ensuring freshness in every morsel, all dishes are freshly prepared to retain the natural juices in the food. You can also book this venue for family events and parties.
Hotel Venite
A quaint little restaurant located in one of the many bylanes of Panaji, this is an old-school restaurant with small balcony tables. This restaurant serves mouth watering Goan delights such as fish curry rice, spicy sausages, and pepper steak. Also the beverages served are unique and quite different from the one’s served in other restaurants. Also, to finish off the food with homemade bebinca for dessert is a treat in itself.
Tuscany Gardens
Specialized in Italian cuisine, Tuscany is the winner of the prestigious OspitalitaItaliana quality seal, which stands as the highest standard in the Italian hospitality industry. Serving authentic Italian cuisine, this restaurant takes you to the bylanes of Italy with some soothing Italian music. Lip smacking food of the highest quality teamed up with delicious wine will surely lift your spirits.
With so many options to eat ranging from street food to fine dining, Goa offers a perfect bouquet of fun, frolic and food for all tourists.