5 Must Visit Goa Restaurants for Goan Food
Recently I made my 6th trip to Goa, thanks to Goa Tourism for this time! Goa, the little green state of India has charmed tourists for years for its exotic beaches. The culture and heritage of this Portuguese ruled state is unique. Add to that their gourmet meals, I find them equally alluring. I have highlighted the 5 must visit Goa restaurants from different pockets of the state for their authentic goan food spread. If you are sight seeing anywhere in these towns of Goa do visit them to get a taste of authentic goan spread.
5 Must Visit Goa Restaurants
1. Ritz Classic Panaji, Goa
This is located in the heart of Panaji city of Goa. Ritz Classic Goa can be defined as a ‘restaurant for sea food lovers’! Seeing their menu I had full mind to avoid roti (Indian bread) and rice and hog on just the fish. Later when the King Fish in thick Goan curry arrived I changed my mind. Goan flavor can be relished completely only when the gravy mixes well with soft boiled rice, the juice seeped well in each grain and kind of marinates it. Even a well cooked biryani will fail in terms of taste to this. Yes, that is a bong’s (Bangali’s) verdict!
The waiter to our table was very helpful guiding us correctly about the amount we need to order. The fish platter he showed left us a bit dizzy about which preparation to order. We were there as a team. Even though we were free to order whatever we wished we were clueless how to go about it. The waiter suggested the gravy dishes and the Goan fish masala fries.
If you want to enjoy your meal here, the trick is to get to the place a little early and you get the undivided attention of the waiters. The place tends to get filled up fast.
Address: 234 Ground Floor, Gera Imperium II, Patto Plaza, Panaji, Goa.
Phone:0832 242 6417
Wallet Factor: Rs. 700 for two (approx.)
2. Earthen Pots Garden, Valpoi, Goa
We halted here at Earthen Pot Garden to refuel and boost our energy for the white water rafting planned later in the day. I will mention this as one of the must visit Goa restaurants if you have any plans to be around Valpoi for rafting activities. This is one of the best around the place.
What charmed me most was the warm rustic ambience. Some antique stuff was on display there, the owner does have a taste for interior decoration I figured. Cane table chairs lined up neatly. Table covers were of eye-catching color in check pattern which reminded me of childhood days when similar checks were in fashion.
Food was served on earthen plates and bowls… so that is how the name I concluded. They too present a dish of catch of the day to make a choice of fish dishes. I went in for a non veg platter which had tiger prawn rava masala fry and prawns in gravy. The rice disappeared in no time and I preferred to have the veggies just by themselves all washed down with a yummm drink made of cocum juice.
Address: Valpoi, Goa.
Wallet Factor: Rs. 500 approx.
3. Spice Plantation, Ponda, Goa
Ideal place to halt for food if you are anywhere in Ponda sight seeing. The memorable part was the scenic drive we had to this place. There is a cute little bridge up to the restaurant. The seating area is huge under a tin shed which is under a canopy of trees. It was like having food in a jungle, so different from the concrete restaurants or seaside shacks of Goa. There seemed to be separate enclosures for group tourists, one can easily have a mini party there. Looks like a good private place.
We were welcomed with strings of jasmine garlands, a glass of cocum juice and platter of cashew nuts. The buffet spread for lunch was local konkani (goan) home style in clay pots. The food was warm and they kept refilling the urns with freshly cooked food from he kitchen closeby. That day’s menu had goan chicken curry which was extremely flavorful. They use the spices grown in their plantation I was told. Very friendly and helpful staff around and you get the feel of being personally looked after.
The specialty of this place is that the charges include a 15mins tour of their spice plantation. It is a good learning experience.
Address: H. No. A-14, Arla Bazar Keri, Ponda, Ponda, Goa 403401.
Wallet factor: Rs. 450 per person inclusive of spice plantation tour.
4. Casa Bhonsle, Panaji, Goa
We went to the restaurant for dinner which is above the Casa Bhonsle café. Seeing the trip advisor ratings my expectations for a good meal soared. The actual experience was way beyond a mere good. It doesn’t have a very luxurious kind of atmosphere yet felt quite comfortable.
The waiters had a friendly attitude with helpful tips to choose the best they had on their menu. The service was quick and yet no loss of taste… some of the reasons why I included it in list of must visit Goa restaurants whether for lunch or for tea/breakfast. I had my favorite butter garlic squid fry here. It was so well made… just thinking of it while writing this makes my mouth water.
One more special dish I had here was of dry shrimp fry, Galmyachi Kismoor. Authentic Goan style dried baby prawns stir fry, such crisp and crunchy preparation. This was a wonderful side dish with rice and fish curry. If you love Goa for food then this is the place. The Café below has terrific breakfast menu I was told, that is to be experienced in another visit to Goa.
Address: Cunha Rivara Road, Above Cafe Bhonsle, Near National Theater, Panjim, Goa 403521
Phone:0832 222 2260
Wallet factor: Rs. 600 for 2 approx.
5. O’Coqueiro, Porvorim, Goa
For a long time O’Coqueiro was the only restaurant in Porvorim, Goa. They claim that the first chicken Cafreal in Goa was served at O’Coqueiro. In 1970s chef Gines Viegas returned from East Africa with a bellyful of catering experience. He made O’Coqueiro famous for authentic Goan Portuguese food and hospitality. O’Coqueiro means coconut tree in Portuguese! O’Coqueiro is famous for the sensational arrest of Charles Sobhraj who was having food in disguise in the restaurant. Inspector Madhukar Zende of the Mumbai police apprehended him in O’Coqueiro Restaurant in Goa in 1986.
After having food at all kinds of restaurants we experienced this too… lunch in a monument linked to sensational arrest of a criminal! One of the reasons why I included it in the list of must visit Goa restaurants.
Yumm Veg dishes
The restaurant is huge with 3 separate seating arrangements. The place is clean and good courteous staff. O’Coqueiro Restaurant is better known for its non-veg preparations particularly the Chicken Cafreal. For a change I had vegetarian dishes here. And the Goan Peas Kaju curry I had here is something I can die for again and again! I wondered why I didn’t try it out earlier in other restaurants! The veg pulao was perfect, non greasy, flavorful and not hot spicy. We had Solkadi (the kokum drink) here. They served it in coconut milk. It was tangy and tasty. O’coqueiro goa menu card has a good list of non veg dishes. I plan to visit again just to have their crab soup and chicken Xacuti. Definitely worth including in must visit Goa restaurants list.
Address: H. 17, Alto Porvorim, Bardez, Penha de França, Goa 403001 Phone:0832 241 7806
Wallet Factor: Rs. 1200 for two approx.
Great collection – something I am bookmarking for my next trip there. Unfortunately, I don’t eat fish anymore so will miss out on some local delicacies…
Another one I can recommend from my side is Thalassa. I had interviewed the owner a few years back for a story and it was so inspiring…
Wow your 6th trip to Goa! Speaks a lot to how incredible it must be if you’ve gone back time and time again! Thanks for this list of your favorite restaurants – I think I would start at the Ritz Classic Goa since I’m a diehard fan of seafood. Though the Spice Plantation in Ponda sounds like a fabulous experience too, and I love that you can tour the plantation. Thanks for the list!
The seafood looks amazing. But, I’m more intrigued by the konkani clay pots. How is the food heated? The food at O’Coqueiro does look very like dishes I’ve eaten in Portugal too
From all the above, I would definitely pick Spice Plantation, given that the atmosphere and the location seem to be really amazing! I would really enjoy the bonus tour as well!
I do love Goan food, especially because of all the fresh sea food! This is a great list, easy to refer to, should one be visiting Goa and looking for recommendations because it is not easy to choose the right place to eat at, the options are too many. I love the setting of the Spice Plantation!
Thanks for this list. It can be so difficult to know where to eat in places that are as touristy as Goa. Knowing where to look really helps- and when it comes to food, I always trust the opinion of a Bengali!
The Spice Plantation looks amazing. I don’t know what’s inside of each of those bowls but I am dying to find out. It looks so traditional and flavorful. That is exactly the food I would be looking for in an exotic destination like Goa. I, of course, would have to stop for a bridge picture or two.
The entire experience of the Spice Plantation sounds divine. It must be fun to have a scenic drive and then an even more scenic meal. I like that they use their own spices in their cooking. And the history of O’Coqueiro sounds fun. I hope Sobhraj enjoyed his last meal as a free man.
Interesting. I have been to all these places and Cafe Bhosle remains my favorite along with few other more local restaurants. An interesting compilation for fish lovers though.
Interesting. I have been to all these places and Cafe Bhosle remains by favorite along with few other more local restaurants. An
I always try to explore the places I visit through their traditional dishes and this tour would be absolutely yummy! I love how they present all the dishes at the Earthen Pots Garden! Maybe because I love the rustic places but in this case your tiger prawn rava masala fry and prawns with veggie looked delicious so I’ve noted it down for future reference!
Goan fish masala fries sound interesting. I would try 1 & 4 1st.
Goa is the place I would love to visit one day and then those restaurant recommendations might be very handy. Thanks for sharing.
Oh wow this is making so hungry! The fish on your pictures looks amazing! I’ve never had Goan food but now I’m going to have to book a flight just to try it!
Will pocket this for when I finally get to India! I will defs be using your posts- so informative!
Oh this is making me Hungry! India is on my list and especially Goa just because it seams so different. Do you have any recommendations for any Vegetarian options?
Some interesting looking dining options here. Great recommendations for visiting Goa. Not sure about the smoothie/coconut drink.
It was your 6th visit to Goa, wow! You must really enjoy visiting there. I would like to try cuisine from Goa.
I visited India for 6 months and actively avoided Goa because it is so famous as just being a beach town. As a ginger kid, I don’t do too well at the beach, so the idea was not an attractive one at the time. After reading this, though, I feel like I misjudged and will for sure have to add Goa to my next Indian adventure!
I’ve never had Goan food, but it all looks so tasty! The Spice Plantation seemed particularly appealing to me, but I’d like to try all of these.
I love Indian food but I have never tried the Goan specialties, as I have only traveled in the North of the country. The food looks delicious and it seems so cheap! In the North I would always spend at least 1000 rupees for a meal.
Love this! I went to India three years ago and regretted not heading south. I now have more inspiration to get to Goa. Thanks for sharing!
i like the list a lot. Have never been to Goa but would go to at least one of them when I visit.
This food all looks delicious! I love Indian food but I’ve never actually tried Indian seafood. I would especially like to try the stir fried prawns.
Earthen Pots Garden… that place looks inspiring and the picture with the food delicious. I was right this morning telling my husband our next “big trip” (“trippone” as we call it at home in Italy) needs to be India, I was shortlisted to see Kerala last year but then things got intense here with work and I had to sadly decline, and I am still regretting it. Goa looks amazing, at least from the gastronomic point of view. And from the pictures I’ve already seen, the place is amazing for a long Summer holiday too. Very nice post!
Love all these food options! I would love to hit up some of these places one day!
Those are very good suggestions! And when we talk about food I am always interested!! 😉
I have heard so much about the wonderful beaches of Goa that I have added it to our dream trip to India. It is great to know we will be enjoying some fantastic food while there as well. I will definitely keep these restaurants in mind when we visit.
I LOVE Indian food, I can’t wait to visit India so I can give it a try in there. I’m sure it’s a lot better than abroad. Thanks for all those tips with the restaurants!
Out of all these places I have just not been to Spice Plantations and didnt really like Earthen pot much due to the lack of variety. Rest totally agree with you 😀
Loved all the places, especially the Porvorim one. Lovely pictures and beautifully detailed.
This is highly required. I already bookmarked this post of yours, for our referral; whenever me n my husband will visit Goa… It’s gonna happen soon 🙂 Thank you Indrani.
Everything looks so tasty! Can’t wait to try all that food on my own!
Elena |
Wow! That’s awesome! I have been to Goa many times and there are just so many amazing choices for food.
Foods looks delicious and healthy, especially the foods your shared from Earthen Pots 🙂 Are they into spices and also serve Halal foods (for our halal conservative friends).
This one is a ready reckoner for anyone heading Goa. The places seem to be serving awesome food.
Very nice post, the foods made me hungry.
I love Indian food! These 5 restaurants sound like a good place to start for a visit.
As a foodie, this post had my heart singing! I can’t wait to try out the places one day, it truly looks incredible. Thanks for sharing!
Yum Yum ! everything looks totally delicious. Would love to do a foodie travel experience in Goa.
Wow….beautiful photos….fabulous food!
Had been to Ocoqueiro about 15 years back. Seemed over priced.
Looks all very good and tasty.
Missing Mandovi , Panaji….One of the best for food with the pulse of Goa….
MMmmm – delicious!
Now, this made me so hungry…had only coffee and sandwich for breakfast … 😀
A great set of restaurants with lip-smacking delicacies 🙂
Thanks for writing such a good article, I like your style of writing and knowledge. I also want to introduce one more travel blog know as travelwithrohit, a personal collection of my best experiences, favourite places in India and around the world, along with random thoughts and opinions.. Kindly give us your valuable feedback & Idea
Unfortunately, I have not tried Goan food yet. Most Indian restaurants in Los Angeles serve Northern Indian dishes. I have to check restaurants in Little India to see if they have a restaurant serving food from the state. Of course, it will not be as good as the source but it will suffice for the time being.
Whoa! I loved this post and want to pack my bags immediately. I love the look of all of this food and it is so affordable.
That thali just looks so delicious and beautiful! Never heard of these restaurants! So the next time anyone visits Goa I’ll share this list with them! 🙂
Thank you Chaitali for finding the list good and worth sharing. 🙂
Out of these, I had been to the O’Coqueiro at Porvorim.
Like you said the Peas Kaju curry is something no one should miss.
Thank you so much Joe for your visit and comment.