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8 places to eat authentic Goan food on your Goa holiday
Wondering where to eat authentic Goan food on your Goa holiday? Read on!
Wining and dining are significant parts of Goan lifestyle, so don’t miss out on some great Goan food favourites during your holiday in Goa. The most popular local drinks, besides beer, are Port wine and spirits like Urrac and Feni. Goa may be a place for meat-lovers with an endless selection of non-veg favourites like Chicken Cafreal, Mutton Xacuti and Pork Vindaloo on offer, but don’t be surprised to find that it has great food to suit all palates. Popular among locals but lesser known to tourists are the Goan-Hindu vegetarian preparations that will keep you addicted, like Vegetable Caldinha and Prawn and Ladyfingers curry. Order pao bread, local poi or steamed sanna to go with your meals. Of course, no Goa trip is complete without trying the seafood. recommendations for all the best places where you can get these dishes. Read on!
1. Joe’s River Cove
Spread out in the cool shade along the banks of the River Sal is
charming Joe’s River Cove family restaurant. It has the idyllic setting
to enjoy your lunch or dinner when you’re in the mood for an escape from
hectic city life and want to be surrounded by Mother Nature instead.
This eatery’s environs bring back memories of a touch of village life
interrupted only by the call of the kingfisher. The restaurant boasts a
multi-cuisine menu but stick to Goan starters and check out the Goan
food section in search of your favourites. Try the Chicken Chilli fry,
Stuffed Mushrooms, Prawn and Vegetable papad rolls and Butter Garlic
squid. For mains, you can’t go wrong with Masala fried Modso or Kingfish
or for a vegetarian option try the Vegetable Caldinha with local
bread.
Price range: Rs 1500 for two
Address: Near the Ferry, Pasos Ward, Cavelossim, Salcette
Open from: 11am to 3pm, 7pm to 11pm daily
Commune with Mother Nature while you enjoy a gorgeous meal at Joe's River Cove. Photo credit: Roger Rebelo / Panoramio
Photo credit: Roger Rebelo / Panoramio
2. Peppers Gourmet Cuisine
Tucked away in one
corner of the Margao suburb of Pajifond lies Peppers, serving Margao
residents for decades with their local favourites. Evenings are lively
with music or other events. Order the Cheese and Spinach stuffed
mushrooms and Squid Chilly fry for starters. For mains, you can’t go
wrong with any of the Goan dishes on offer or fresh seafood cooked the
way you like it. The sizzlers and steaks are pretty good too. They even
have a rare diet menu of succulent meat and fish preparations, grilled
or steamed to perfection, with olive oil as an added option and served
with tasty vegetables. This is a great place to take children to,
especially on ‘Magic nights’ when Clifford the Illusionist goes from
table to table performing for customers.
Price range: Rs 1200 for two
Address: Opposite Child Care school, Gold Road, Pajifond, Margao
Open from: 11.30am to 3pm, 6.30pm to 11pm
Order lip-smacking Crab at Peppers. Photo credit: Planet Goa
Photo credit: Planet Goa online
3. Britto's
When Britto’s
first started in 1961 it had only four tables. Five decades later,
Britto’s reputation for using fresh, excellent quality ingredients has
spread far and wide. Tourists and celebrities alike flock to eat
sumptuously at this restaurant. Try the Vindaloo or the Crab curry, for
something different. The seafood platter, which includes fresh crab,
mussels and shrimp, is a specialty here and make sure you leave some
space in your tummy for dessert. The restaurant has live entertainment,
karaoke nights and BBQ evenings so call ahead to plan your perfect night
out. The restaurant is well located on the beach, so after a great
dinner you can head out to hit the popular bars and clubs that Calangute
and Baga are known for.
Price range: Rs 1500 for two
Address: Baga Beach, Santo Vaddo, Calangute
Open from: 8.30am to 11.30pm
Have dinner at Britto's before a great night out! Photo credit: Select My Restaurant
4.Viva Panjim
This little Indo-Portuguese house has been converted into an eatery that is completely booked out during lunch and dinner. Viva Panjim is tucked away in a by-lane of Fountainhas veering off 31st January road. The restaurant is decked with nostalgic items like vintage mirrors and antique Portuguese furniture and there’s a small clutch of tables set out in the balcony. If you have a hankering for Prawn Curry and rice then you’ve hit the jackpot because this joint ladles up a mouth-watering curry concoction that will haunt your dreams long after you’ve mopped up the last morsel with pao. Head here after a hard day’s shopping in Panjim.
Price range: Rs 800 for two.
Address: House no. 178, 31st January Road, Fontainhas, Panjim
Open from: 11.30am to 3.30pm, 7pm to 11pm
Grab lunch on the balcony after shopping in Panjim. Photo credit: Select My Restaurant
Photo credit: www.selectmyrestaurant.com
5. Nostalgia
A feeling of cosy warmth envelops you as you enter Nostalgia, and the odd knick-knacks on the wall just add to that feeling that you’ve entered a home rather than a well-established restaurant. Nostalgia is redolent of Goan hospitality and the food is a great testament to that fact. This is where you can order the harder-to-get-a-hold-of Goan dishes like Rissois and Apa-de-Camarao, local vegetarian favourites like Ambadeanchem (hog plum) and Veg pulao as well as home-made Alle-Belle and hard to find Sans Rival. Don’t miss the musical evenings from Thursday to Sunday. There’s an excellent winelist. The welcoming, homely atmosphere makes this a great place for group gatherings. If you’re on a girls holiday, book a table at Nostalgia for a great night out!
Price range: Rs 1200 for two
Address: 608 Margarida’s Haunt, No Bairo Ozro, Raia
Open from: 11am to 3pm and 7pm to 11pm
Take a trip back and kick your heels up at Nostalgia. Photo credit: Nostalgia
6. Zeebop
Calling all
seafood lovers! This elegant beach-side structure is like a large shack
by the sea but with plenty of shade and open enough to let the sea
breeze run through your hair. You can listen to the waves lap against
the shore while you sip an Urrak cocktail and enjoy your choice of
seafood, Zeebop’s specialty. This is the place for crab, prawns,
lobster, oysters, mussels and other seasonal shellfish that you might be
craving. The chicken steaks are juicy, tender and wonderfully prepared.
Choose from a variety of desserts including the layered coconut dessert
Bebinca and Creme caramel, two Goan favourites. Zeebop is also a
popular wedding venue, so check it out if you’re planning a destination
wedding!
Price range: Rs 1500 for two
Address: Near Cooperation bank, Uttorda beach, Salcette
Open from: 11.30am to 11pm
Plan a group meal at Zeebop by the sea. Photo credit: Zeebop website
Photo credit: www.zeeboprestaurantgoa.com
7. Mum’s Kitchen
Goans head here if they’re in the mood to reminisce about their
grandmother’s cooking. This is the definitive place in Panjim for food
fresh from a Goan kitchen. The soothing, refined ambience will distract
you for only a moment before you get tempted by the menu of Goan
favourites from both the Hindu and Christian kitchens, blended with
Portuguese style items. Vegetarians will enjoy sampling local vegetarian
cuisine – order the Tambde bhaji (red spinach) or Bimbli Udamethi made
with roasted coconut and spices. The non-veg and seafood options are
fantastic too. For something really rich and special try the Lobster
Recheiado which is lobster stuffed with hot, red local masala ground
with tamarind and vinegar.
Price range: Rs 1800 for two
Address: Near the Times of Indian office, 854 Martin’s building, DB Marg, Miramar
Open from: 11am to 11pm
Stuff yourself silly on Goan goodies at Mum's Kitchen. Photo credit: Plan Luxury Trip
Photo credit: www.planluxurytrip.com
Stuff yourself silly on Goan goodies at Mum's Kitchen. Photo credit: Plan Luxury Trip
8. Furtado's
People flock to Furtado’s for the seafood and stay for the laid-back ambience and the irresistible sea view. There’s not much else around so you can enjoy a lovely uninterrupted lunch or dinner while sipping a cold beer after your dip in the sea. Key recommendations are the Kingfish Rawa masala fry, the Beef steak and the Butter Garlic calamari. Furtado’s also run a small, no-frills attached guest house – perfect for beach-bum wannabes. That’s one way to enjoy breakfast on the beach!
Price range: Rs 1000 for two
Address: Furtado’s beach house, Sernabatim beach, Colva
Open from: 8am to midnight
Have a laid-back meal and a beer at Furtado's. Photo credit: In Goa
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