GoaCity » Entertainment » Restaurants

Goan cuisine

With Beach shacks in plenty selling anything and everything from Goan sausages to udipi dishes, getting your hands on authentic Goan cuisine can be quite a difficult task. For vegans adapting to Goan cuisine is not feasible as it mainly caters to seafood lovers with limited options for vegetarians. Shrimps, prawns, crabs, pomfret, mussels, coconut milk, rice and spice paste typically concatenate up a Goan dish.

Hindu Goan dishes are less oily and are cooked in coconut oil. Most Goan Hindus/Konkani’s are seafood lovers with Fish Curry and Rice being their staple diet. However, beef is a complete no-no in any Hindu cuisine as the cow is considered a God in their religion.

Catholic Goan dishes have been inspired by Portuguese cuisine and include recipes like Ambot tik, Vindaloo (lamb, wine and garlic), Chourico (pork sausage) and Gaye Roast Maas (roast beef). Xacuti prepared from any kind of meat is a typical Portuguese-Goan dish.

Beer and alcohol are available in plenty in Goa, but if you wish to try, something local & traditional then Feni made from fermented cashew fruit or sap of toddy trees is a popular local alcoholic beverage.

Following are some of the best-reviewed restaurants by tourists in Goa.

Best Restaurants in Goa

Brittos Restaurant

Brittos was born when Chef Dominic Britto launched it in 1965 as a treat for seafood lovers. Now run by his son Cajetan and other chefs, this lovely shack with an advantageous location on Baga beach, springs some tasty surprises like pork vindaloo, seafood platter, large steak servings, Yorkshire pudding and chocolate mouse. Beer bottles and traditional Goan liquor to go with the main course and a live band to entertain you makes your dining experience memorable. Thursday and Saturday are karaoke nights if you want to test your vocal cords.

Address: House No.7, 171, Calangute - Baga Rd, Saunta Vaddo, Baga, Goa 403516.

After-7-Seven

Supposed to be the best Steak House in Goa according to tourist reviews, After Seven is owned by Leo D'Souza along with Chef Soumen Chakraborty. An outdoor dining restaurant at Leo’s house, you get to have a view of how your dish is being cooked before being served. Report your reviews to the Chef as he visits every table. This personalized service is at its best with servings of Camembert souffle, Ocean’s fantasy seafood platter, and char-grilled filet steak with blue cheese sauce. Do not forget to finish it all off with the Orange souffle.

Address: Calangute Candolim Sinquerim Rd, Gauravaddo, Calangute, Goa 403516.

Over The Flames

Serving both local and international tourists, Over the Flames is a high profile restaurant that serves multi-cuisine cuisine from the Chinese to Modern British. It consists of its own 110 PAX seating and a Lounge Bar and offers banqueting services for parties specially arranged by their team. Live Entertainment is played on most nights with Karaoke.

Address: Gauravaddo, next to Tarcar Ice Factory, Gauravaddo, Calangute, Goa 403516.

Bean Me Up - Soya Station-Salad Bar

Bean Me Up makes its presence felt amongst all the restaurants in Goa for its one of rare vegetarian Californian styled salad bars that serve only vegetarian food. If you really into Organic or Vegan cuisine then try out Tofu, Tempeh, Seitan served with brown rice or brown pitta bread. Zenergy juice bar, Kids corner, customized Pizza toppings and cultural events earn it points as a family eat-out.

Address: Bean Me Up, 1639/2 Devulvaddo, Ozran Beach Rd, Vagator, Goa 403509.

Copper Bowl

Part of the Pousada Tauma hotel, Copper Bowl is an alfresco restaurant that stylizes some authentic Goan cuisine in copper pots. If you are ready to experiment then try coconut-flavoured chicken xacuti or balchao. A non-spicy version of a seafood platter would include dishes cooked in coconut milk or various types of fish assortments served on a banana leaf. The restaurant even has its own Copper Bar.

Address: Chogm Rd, SBI Colony, Porvorim, Alto Porvorim, Pilerne, Goa 403521

Magic Italy

Located on Paolem beach, Magic Italy serves some amazing Italian cuisine for the past decade. Care has been taken to preserve the authenticity with brick ovens and fresh ingredients. You could try their Ravioli, Lasagne, Tagliatelle and of course the Pizzas.

Address: 260, Main Road, Palolem Beach, Canacona, Goa 403702.

A reverie

This evening time restaurant is located near Calangute near Panjim. Serving typical Goan food, they also offer a fully stocked up bar to go with the fish and meat dishes. Other than Goa, A reverie also has branches in other states of India and on the international podium.

Address: Holiday Street, Gauravaddo, Calangute, Goa 403516.

Tibetan Kitchen

Maybe an odd choice for many, Tibetan Kitchen serves mainly Tibetan cuisine which is worthily savouring if you are a true foodie at heart. Not a very expensive restaurant, you always have customers returning backing due to its location away from the busy street of Calangute.

Address: tibetan kitchen 5-129 Umta Wado calangute Beach north goa, Calangute, Goa 403516.

Sher-E-Punjab

Boasting of serving the best Tandoori in the city, Sher-E-Punjab also specializes in North Indian, Goan, Mughlai and Punjabi cuisine. The restaurant has a fully stocked up bar and services include a takeaway facility, outdoor catering, home delivery, and ice cream parlour.

Address: KULDIP PLAZA, 12/84, 18th June Rd, Panaji, Goa 403001.

Some other restaurants in Goa worth a mention:

Delhi Darbar at Panjim for North Indian & Mughlai cuisine

Pentagon Restaurant near Majorda Beach Resort for Goan cuisine

Cavala Seaside restaurant at Cavala Hotels, Calangute for North Indian & Goan cuisine

Palm Shade Bar & restaurant at Sinquerim Beach for North Indian, Tandoori & Goan cuisine

Banjara Restaurant & Bar at Margao for North Indian & Goan cuisine

Waves Restaurant at Calangute Beach for Traditional Goan cuisine

Le Bluebird Restaurant at Vagator and Chapora Beach for French cuisine