I am going on holiday to Goa next month, and I am someone who loves food especially when it comes to trying it out in the different parts of India. My stay in Goa will be for three weeks, and I would be covering both North and South Goa. I would like some help in knowing what the best places to eat in Goa are, please also mention the specialty places as well, as I love trying the local food wherever I go.
Hello, @Fanaa! Welcome to the forum! From beach shacks, restaurants and cafes, you have a throng of dining options in Goa. You can even choose from the variety of cuisines in the state, whether you're in the mood for Goan, Continental, Indian, Mediterranean or American, there's a particular restaurant that can suit your taste. Seafood dishes are also abundant in the region, only the freshest of its kind as well. So let's begin listing which of these restaurants are worth trying out when you're in Goa: 1. Thalassa - With its Greek-themed interiors, pure white facade and delightful Mediterranean dishes, Thalassa has captured the heart of many travellers in Goa. It also does help that you have the view of the Vagator Beach while eating. However, being very popular in the area, it's best to reserve a table before reaching the place. The restaurant's menu is very extensive, touching on a range of dishes, meats, seafoods and vegetables as well. With the use of olive oil, grape and wheat, the dishes here are very flavourful but unique in their own way. Whichever meal you choose, expect it to be good as that is the trademark of Thalassa. Best sellers - Greek-style chicken salad, vegetable moussaka, risotto chicken and grilled king prawns. Address - Small Vagator, Vagator, Goa. Contact number - +91 9850033537. 2. A Reverie - Nipa-laden huts yet very elegant and aesthetically pleasing, these are what will greet you once you enter A Reverie. The separate huts provide ample privacy to couples and families alike. This is one of the best fine dining restaurants in the state. With a variety of Continental dishes to choose from, the restaurant delivers when it comes to food, ambience and service. Thus, you get full value for your money when you dine here. Their menu is vast, with options for seafoods, soups, salads, meats, pastas and desserts. Meals are tasty here but not overbearing on the taste buds. Best sellers - Tunisian bento box, chorizo pao bao, reverie fried chicken and Thai rice plate. Address - Holiday Street, Gaura Waddo, Calangute, Goa. Contact number - +91 8380095732. 3. Gunpowder - This is yet another open-dining restaurant, set amidst lush greenery and dim lighting, it makes for a perfect romantic candlelight dinner for couples. But even foodies would delight relishing the delectable dishes in Gunpowder. When we think of South Indian cuisine, we immediately think of idlis and dosas but this restaurant gives us the opportunity to try out other South Indian regional dishes that might be new to us. That is Gunpowder, giving us the best of South Indian cuisine in their little place on Earth. Exquisite and proudly local, the trademarks of Gunpowder! Best sellers - Malabar paratha, Madras chicken curry, Andhra prawns masala and chicken and curry leaf-tossed potatoes. Address - Anjuna Mapusa Road, Assagao, Vagator, Goa. Contact number - 0832 2268083. 4. The Black Sheep Bistro - From the outside and from the inside, the Black Sheep Bistro exudes a modern vibe. Serving Continental, European and German cuisines, located right at the capital of Goa in Panjim, its varying dishes have received praises from tourists in and out of the region. Also, the restaurant became popular for they collection handcrafted cocktails. Yet another great aspect of this restaurant is that the meals served here are presented quite beautifully. Of course, their tastes don't disappoint as well, made with the freshest ingredients and spiced just right. Best sellers - Seafood pasta in red sauce, Hainanese style chicken and churros with chocolate sauce. Address - Swami Vivekanand Road, Near ICICI Bank, Panaji, Goa. Contact number - 0832 2222901. 5. Viva Panjim - For authentic Goan and Portuguese dishes, Viva Panjim is the place to be. Set amidst a 150-year old ancestral home, the restaurant has gained the respect and loyalty of many travellers around Goa. For the freshest and juiciest seafood dishes, Viva Panjim won't disappoint. The fishes, squids and other seafood items here are tasty and flavourful. Even the meat dishes are worth trying out especially the pork vindaloo and pork chilli fry. The place is fairly small though and the ambience is not that elegant. It's more like a home away from home and the dishes are your comfort foods. Best sellers - Goan rawa fish, prawn papad, pork vindaloo and pork chilli fry. Address - No. 178, 31st January Road, Behind Mary Immaculate High School, Fontainhas, Panaji, Goa. Contact number - 0832 2422405. 6. La Plage - Located just adjacent to the Aswem Beach, La Plague has repeatedly won many awards for the quality of food and services of their restaurant. They mainly serve French cuisine but their menu is not fixed and they change it from season to season. If the terms at the menu confuse you, there's the helpful manager of the restaurant that can guide you into the right meals for you. The trademark of the restaurant is their spare use of spices and their reliance of the natural flavours of the ingredients for the meals. Thus, for the health enthusiasts, this is the restaurant to be. The food here is not bland though especially as your taste buds get used to the natural flavours of the vegetables and meats. Best sellers - Tuna fillet with wasabi mashed potatoes, calamari a la carbonara and chocolate platter. Address - Aswem Beach, Near Papa Jolly Hotel, Aswem Road, Morjim, Arambol, Goa. Contact number - +91 9822121712. 7. Cafe Sussegado - A very laid-back cafe to spend your morning, afternoon or evening in is Cafe Sussegado. With their Indian, Goan and Continental dishes, you're sure to feel right at home here. Their menu is not that extensive but has a good variety of sandwiches, pastas, seafoods, steaks, snacks and desserts. The Goan seafood dishes here are lip-smackingly delicious too. Their prawns, fishes and calamaris are all fresh, juicy and succulent. They also have an in-house bar with some cocktails and mocktails to accompany your meals. Best sellers - Butter garlic prawns, beer batter fried calamari and fish curry. Address - Jack Sequira Junction, Calangute, Goa. Contact number - 0832 2279892. 8. Martin's Corner - With its appropriate bamboo-themed interiors, Martin's Corner in Betalbatim has been gathering the attention of the South Goan travellers. With a variety of cuisines such as Chinese, Goan and Indian, you can soothe your weary taste buds in this restaurant. The restaurant is often dubbed as the seafood heaven of South Goa, with its variety of seafood dishes that would tickle your taste buds in the right way. Their calamari dishes are chewy and soft. Their fish dishes are very flavourful and fresh. Their prawns have this melt in your mouth experience. Yup, this seafood heaven is located right on Goa and it's a sin not to sample their scrumptious dishes! Best sellers - King fish with balchao, prawns Thai tom yum soup, fish curry and pork ribs. Address - Ranvaddo, Salcete, Betalbatim, Goa. Contact number - 0832 2880765. 9. Spice Goa - Best known for their fish thali, Spice Goa in Mapusa is one of top-rated restaurants in the region. Their fish thali is a winner, with the perfectly fried fish and curry spiced just right. It's no wonder why the restaurant has gained the heart of many Goans and tourists. Their other signature dishes are also worth trying out like the prawns banana and chicken xacutti. Oh, a meal here won't be complete without their signature dessert, seradura, pudding made with condensed milk and biscuits. Best sellers - Fish thali, prawns banana, chicken xacutti and seradura. Address - C2, Sattadhar Complex, Karaswada, NH 17, Mapusa, Goa. Contact number - 0832 6511333. 10. Da Tita's - Homey and cozy, that is Da Tita's, which specialised in Italian dishes. Their pizzas and pastas are one of the best in Goa. Their pizzas are crunchy yet tasty, so much that you'd eat every last crumb of it. With the multitude of toppings to choose from, you're bound to get crazy for pizza. Their pastas are very delicious too, saucy and delightful until the last spoonful. For desserts, they only have a few options but they're the best of their kind, the pannacotta and tiramisu. So after a tiring swim, why not indulge and have a great meal at Da Tita's? You only deserve it!;p Best sellers - Marinara pizza, mushroom cream pasta, pannacotta and tiramisu. Address - Majorda Nuvem Road, Majorda, Goa. Contact number - 0832 2791885. There you go, I hope this helps you. Have fun eating!
If you are not into much of ambiance but keen on tasting homemade Goan food then Papa Joe's is the place for you. There are many restaurants lined up in Salcette, South Goa and this place has received good reviews. Nothing like tasting homemade food which could be pure Goan.
