Goa - The land of sparkling beaches and swaying palms, where Indian culture intertwines with Portuguese influences left over from a 500-year occupation. The beaches have long served as a magnet for serene hedonists. The north is where the tourist-centric scene is prevalent, and the south for stretches of unspoiled sand and an escape from large resorts. A haven for foodies the Goan cuisine, with its manifold combinations of coconut, chillies, vinegar, rice and spice, is one of the world’s original fusion foods, rich in Portuguese and South Indian heritage. Goans take the satiating of their appetites extremely seriously: ‘Prodham bhookt, magi mookt’, say the locals in Konkani – ‘You can’t think until you’ve eaten well’! In addition to the local cuisine there are a host of restaurants from fine dining to beach shacks, from 5 star properties to hole-in-the-wall cafe's with cuisines catering to the well heeled traveller and the hedonistic hippy - Japanese, Italian, French, Brazilian - you name it and it's there! Since Goa has become the most popular destination for vacationing, chilling, and a home away from home for many of us Dilliwalas [ Oops Gurgaon wallas now!] this is a sketchy compilation of places to eat. 

Disclaimer - Compiled from recommendations by Nitin Jain, Jivi Sethi and foodies across various facebook groups, Tripadvisor etc. I have not visited all the places listed here therefore all the recommendations are not out of personal experience, only 70 percent are! 

Several of the places are shut during off season and such details are not mentioned in all the places so best to do your recce before going! Happy Holidays and please add to the list so we can make it bigger and better! [ Source - Lonely Planet, Tripadvisor amongst others]

BAGA

Places for Breakfast / Early Evening Eating / All Day light eating

• Lila’s Café- Run by Elisabeth, a German- open between Oct 15th - April 15th- has excellent german bread/ baguettes/ milk shakes/ smoothies/ roesti / croissant etc - Ideal for Breakfast- located at the baga river- near J& A restaurant. Must do in your visit there. Open between 8.30 till 6 pm- Tuesday closed
• Infantaria at the start of Baga Road starting from Calangute towards   Baga- has excellent breakfast/ all day options- primarily a breakfast place
• Another south Indian place for Idli’s- at the start of Baga road right opp Infantaria

Beach Shacks

• Lucky Star: Quite hectic also has an active Tuesday night
• Zanzibar: Quiet / Nice music and a more sophisticated shack. Owned by Tito’s
• Britto’s – almost a must tick off place at the end of Baga- can go there at least once- desserts are good. A lot of seafood is supposed to be good- decent place

Restaurants

• Poco Locco – The restaurant of Royal Goan Beach Club at Monterrio- at the Baga river @ 0832-2277178. Great Burrito / Enchilida.
• Go with the Flow – Highly Recommended Brazilian restaurant with great ambience and rooftop,indoor and outdoor seating
• Tito’s Courtyard- just before Tito’s club: Good for Pizza’s
• Fiesta for Italian/ Continental- right opposite titos at tito lane baga beach - MUST go for Italian- excellent thin pizza. Phone no : 0832-2279894. Very good ambience- Tuesday’s closed
• Italian Food apart from fiesta at baga river- J&A- number is 09823139488 . Great Food and good ambience

Shopping

Baga for old textiles opp. Baskin Robbins and Chapel, Paperboat Collective: CHOGM Rd. Sangolda: Ph: +918326521248

 

CANDOLIM

Places for Breakfast / Early Evening Eating / All Day light eating

• Cafe Chocolatti : Very good-0832-2479340-Closed on Sunday
• South Indian options- Anand Sagar at Candolim- on the main road- while driving from Baga towards candolim would appear on your right hand. Great Idlis, Pav Bhaji et al- sometimes if you must eat this type- also get Meetha and Sada Pan opposite this place

Beach Shacks

• Calamari- perhaps the best shack in Candolim- very lively and good food- should be top of the list to go. Live music in evenings & weekends.

                                                  Calamari Shack

Restaurants

• Republic of Noodles- Chinese/ Thai at Lemon Tree Hotel in Candolim - good Pan-Asian food but expensive. Tel- 0832-3912006
• Tuscany Gardens at Candolim- near Taj Village- 099229-14663 / 0832-6454026 : open during off season- outdoor sitting- near Kingfisher Villa- nominated for Top Italian restaurants worldwide!. Lot of vegetarian options. www.tuscanygardens.in
• Little Italy - Pure Vegetarian Italian - claimed to be excellent - Inside Holiday Street . Very close to Hotel Shruti( Oriental Thai)
• LE Jardin- right next to A Reverrie at Candolim in the Holiday Street- one of the lanes leading to Candolim Beach - Great Ambience
• Wok & Roll - Aguada Vaddo, Near Fort Aguada - Absolutely delicious Asian food and great cocktails too. Reasonably priced and nice ambience, but the place is bit isolated with no buzz around, still worth a visit for the food.

                                 Wok & roll

• Cafe Chocolatti, Candolim: Located on the Fort Aguada road, Cafe Chocolatti has been around for a while. Run by a very interesting couple “Ricardo and Naz”, Cafe Chocolatti is quaint and nicely done up. Great brownies, sandwiches, English breakfast and of course home-made chocolates.

                                       Cake Counter - Cafe Chocolatti

• A Reverie – Located at the famous Holiday Street of Candolim: started by two Ex Taj People- highly eclectic menu: must try their wasabi flaoured guacomole- Call Virender / Artee at 09823174927 / 9823505550
• Burmese Cuisine - Bomras - Rated as the best Burmese restaurant - Number 09767591056. Located adjoining Stone House at Candolim almost opposite Taj Holiday Village.

                                    Crackling Pork Salad - Bomras

Shopping

Go to Rangeela: Naika Vaddo +918322276123 for clothes, Sotohaus:+918322489983 for furniture, lights and other home things.

 

ANJUNA

Places for Breakfast / Early Evening Eating / All Day light eating

• German Bakery at Anjuna - Pankaj @ 9096058775 (www.german-bakery.in) very quaint and basic setting- offers a mix of Indian + European options- pizzas also. Can visit any time of the day not dinner- Location- interiors a bit- when you are going from Anjuna’s flea market location towards Anjuna beach- it comes on your left in a residential area. Look out for signs- great place.

Beach Shacks

• Curlies @ 9822168628- This is the only place to go to in Anjuna. Try and grab a seat at their upper deck- Service is quite bad. Right next to the sea. Good food also. The place is also quite busy. Open throughout the year
• Shiva Valley- next to Curlies- both Curlies and Shiva Valley good on Tuesday evenings.

Restaurants

• Bean Me Up : Located between Anjuna and Vagator Beach- near Anjuna petrol pump - basically a vegetarian place- offers perhaps what we thought the best food in Goa. Call at 0832-2273479. Great option for Dinner. Lunch is usually a truncated Menu. A lot of variety available. Should go for sure. Open between November to mid march.
• Kennes’ A Fusion Affair- @ Granpas inn Anjuna- 9922203723 / 0832-2273270- Indian Fusion- tripadvisor raves about it- still to visit
• Baba Au Rhum- near Arpora- fantastic pizza’s, salads, bakery, smoothies-  Contact - 9822078759- Wednesday’s closed-
• Sakana (Japanese) -  The ambience is no great but the food makes up for it. For japanese cuisine lovers - a must visit ! Call @ 09890135502
• Basilico- Italian @ 09822104817
• Zoori’s: Italian. Great location. Right on the cliff. Famous for its Chocolate souffle. Also Great Milk shakes and juices.

Dont miss the Anjuna Flea market on every Wednesday (closed in Monsoons) !!           

MORJIM

Beach Shacks

• Bardo

Restaurants

• Sublime : Easily one of the best options in Goa- Fusion Food- Run by Chris- who spent years at culinary schools all over the world- Location- Moved to Morjim in Dec 2012. Take Directions @ 9822484051/ 9011277281. Recommended : Organic Salad with a lot of seeds/ Veg Medley with Fried Rice( off Menu), Tofu dish- A Must go place !!
• La Plage : French cum a few other eclectic options. Located at the far end of Morjim Beach. Absolutely stunning place. Phone number is 09822121712. Again a must do. Spend a lazy day at Morjim – for it’s a good beach also and then eat / hang around at La Plage.

                                       Beef Carpaccio at La Plage

• I’ll Capriccio - Near Morjim Beach. Great Italian, good salads, nice quaint place, not much vegetarian options @  7350711882.
• KU, Morjim: The menu is limited. The food is nice. And the location & ambience is outstanding. Made in a typical Bali hut style and run by French couple. Better to book your reservations.

PANJIM

• The Black Sheep Bistro - A quaint street and Art Deco building a scrumptious décor. Excellent global cuisine, fantastic cocktails. The clientele appeared exclusive and mindfull of others. Must go!     Call @  0832 222 2901, Highlights Fine Dining - Fusion Cuisine
• Cafe Bodega: +918322421315 at Sunapranta Centre for the Arts at Altinho and Baba, great italian restaurant with shop in Mala, Panjim
• Café Bhonsle, dating back to 1920, near National Theatre, Panjim. Phone: +91 (0) 832 242 6000. Good Fish Thali.
• Godinho's, which is diagonally opposite Casa Bhonsle, serves up good sausages and other dishes from the Goan Catholic menu - Vindalho, Xacuti etc. 
• Café Real, in existence from 1946, M.G. Rd. Panjim (near Azad Maidan, opp. Delhi Darbar restaurant) for breakfast sukhi bhaji, delicious served with piping hot puris or try patal bhaji or tomato bhaji.
• Tato's in Patto for a great fish thali.
• Rio Rico - Portuguese Goan. An old fashioned restaurant, reminiscent of a 60’s Hindi film set, where waiters are still in bow ties, at Hotel Mandovi, one of the oldest hotels with views of the river on D.B. Marg, Panjim. Phone: +91(0) 832 222 4405.
• Kudos- @ Porvorim between Calangute & Panjim- Run by Shaun @ 9371370615 / 0832 6510565- Opp Sapana Habitat, Porvorim
• Mum’s Kitchen – Touristy but very popular and open throughout the year
• End the day with sundowners at Casa Xetio, opp. Café Bhonsle and below Arte e’ Mobilia. A bar,  liquor and an antique bric a brac store too with oodles of charm.

Shopping:

• Gauri Handicrafts specializing in all things from shells big and small. Hotel Marwa, near Vysya bank, M.G. Rd., Panjim. Phone: +91 (0) 832 5644657. Owner Raya Karekar : +91 9326103351.
• Paperworks: Irresistable hand made paper and paper products, F-2, Pinto Arcade, first floor, D.B. Marg, Campal, (opp. Kala Academy & the football ground) Panjim, Phone: +91 (0) 832 242 5841.
• Sacha's: Casa Mendes, Swami Vivekananda Rd. next to ICICI Bank for clothes.

           

ARAMBOL BEACH

Beach Shacks

Cheeky Monkey- very good pizza’s and quite a happening place

 

CALANGUTE

• The Oriental – Royal Thai @ Calangute in Hotel Shruti @ Holiday Street- should be visited. Poolside excellent setting. Was earlier at Mira Hotel @ 9822121549 / 0832-3292809- Henry is the guy.- Pure Thai and a bit of European food too.
• Chef Soumyen’s Kitchen- @ Calangute 0832-2276160 / 09226481417. Authentic European Cusine. Extremely friendly owner. Give my reference in case you looking for vegetarian food. Great food- vegetarian selections limited but try the Sizzler / Fettucini in mustard sauce.
• Kudos- @ Porvorim between Calangute & Panjim- Run by Shaun @ 9371370615 / 0832 6510565- Opp Sapana Habitat, Porvorim
• Cafe Literati, Calangute: Located in the bye-lanes of Calangute, Cafe Literati is different from the others on this list. It’s primarily a charming book store that also doubles up as an Italian Cafe during the tourist season. If you are a book lover, looking for a cup of coffee or snack and a nice quiet time then this is the place. Closed on Sundays or any day the owner wants to go out fishing.

Beach Shacks

• Souza Lobo - Good Food, Live Music, Child Friendly and great for group outings

                                      Prawn Recheido at Souza Lobo

 

VAGATOR BEACH

• Thallasa : GREEK food, Must go !!! Vagator beach- Small Vagator- near Alcove Beach Resort on top of the cliff. Owner name markeretty 09850033537.   Take a right turn from Anjuna Police Station and then follow the road. Try their Cucumber based Dip/ Vegetarian Wraps/ Risotto. More importantly- enjoy the amazing view. Ambience is the best in Goa. Please book your place before going.

                                            Sunset at Thallasa

 

                                             Chicken Gyros at Thallasa

• Antares : Next to Thallasa at Small Vagator. Modern Australian Cuisine run by Sarah Todd of Masterchef Australia fame. The restaurant's ambience is beautiful, views are gorgeous but the food just doesnt match up to it !

                                                         Antares

• Salt & Pepper, Little Vagator: Run by father and daughters. Small and simple place. Famous for its Burgers.
• Bean Me Up, Vagator: Go Green. For people who believe in Organic food, this is the place to go. Located in an old villa in Vagator.

CHAPORA

Ganesh Fruit Juice, Chapora:  Going back to the flower power era. The old hippie place is a legend in certain circles. People from various Nationalities mix here. Great juices and very affordable too. The banyan tree next to it is a great place to sit and take some passive smoke of the other kind.

SALIGAO

• Cantare, Saligoa: A real gem located in a quieter part of North Goa. Cantare is what you can best describe as a remarkable Village Tavern. Great food and ambience.
• I-95- in a newly redone avatar- opened in Nagoa- near where earlier Sublime used to be. Very different menu- perhaps mores suited for N-Veg. Call them at 9881301184

           

ASSAGAON

• Villa Blanche, Assagaon: A bistro and a bakery, located in a nice old villa in Assagaon, one of Goa’s most charming villages. If you want to eat authentic European food, this could be your choice.
• Gunpowder in Assagaon - The name says it all - it's coastal cuisine focuses on kerela. Both indoor and outdoor seating. Call @ 0832 2268091 , 0832 2268083

           

NERUL

• Amigo’s: Under the Nerul bridge. Straight from a picture postcard. Quaint, family run, no frills, but what a location! It looks even better at night. Splendid sea food.
• You can also try Alex Bar, which is just before Brittos on the right, above a line of shops. This is an example of good homestyled food. 
• Babazinho's -Not too far away from the Nerul fort. Another great place for seafood. Try the tisyro (clams) bowl.

           

BETALBATIM BEACH

Martin's corner next to Hotel Alila Diva

           

Places to Party / Hang around

1          Club Cubana-– Good for Wednesday nights / Saturday nights

2          Cavala on a Friday / Saturday night- best for Friday night – They have a live band playing there on Friday nights. Kids allowed, make reservations before you go @ 0832-2276090

3          Cape Town Cafe for general drinking and hanging around – Nows been very busy and hectic- great crowd- Its located in the Tito lane- free entry till 12 pm – can start the evening here before heading out.- Best Bar in town

4          Shiva Valley next to Curlies @ Anjuna for a rave party every Tuesday evening

5          Bardos @ Morjim- very good specially for Thursday Sundowners—very well made- owned by the same guys as Aurus , Bombay- Must do

6          Love Passion Karma (LKP Waterfront)- Nerul Goa- just near the Nerul Bridge 09822193410- beautifully done – new place opened in Dec, 2012 – not sure if too crowded.

7          Getting wasted- Paradiso- Anjuna – looks more like a rave place- normally have a 'drink as much as you can' type of deal- if in a large group can go there

8          Mambo's- Tito's( personally dont like them much) but quite a few people wanna register their visit there . Very punj crowd- First timers can go there to get a party feel

9          Club Fresh Candolim- @ morjim- excellent party option for Saturday’s . Call at 98700-15007

10        Club 9 at small Vagator( for early partying between 6-10 pm)- quite happening at that time. Great to watch Sunset and party there till 10- eat Dinner at Thallasa and then head out to party later

11        Hill Top @ Vagator- have a crazy party on Sunday evening between 5-10 pm- too many people there and quite wild trance music

12        An Excellent Karoake Bar- like a small place called TeamA- located next to Inferno @ candolim- in the same lane as Club Fresh- has active Monday and Thursday night goin on till 1 pm. Great stuff but nothing fancy

13        Anthony’s – a shack on Baga beach next to Britto’s- have a karaoke every day. Best on Saturday night- but a place one can visit any day as it quite lively

14        Hype- a club opened by DJ Akeel next to Cape Town Café @ Tito lane. Good only on Saturday after 11 pm

15        24 Hour partying- a place at the heart of Calangute called 24 by 7 Boomerang– literally open all night long- place average but what do you do if you wanna party after 3 am

16        Marabella Resort at Morjim Beach has a beach party every weekend- in the evening- call and check before landing up there as Morjim is far

17        SPORTS BAR : Best place is J-29 Bar & Restaurant @ Candolim Beach Road : Large Screens : Jerry @ 9765169009 / 9370864429 . Place is basic but on big games

18        Cirrus Bar @ Anjuna is also good. Open many a times on non season time also- new club- the party area is completely glass enclosed

19        Arpora Night Bazaar - Happens every Saturday (except for monsoons), carnival atmosphere, clothes & knick-knack stalls. wonderful food, live rock shows, a must visit !!

20         Anjuna Flea Market – Every Wednesday (except for monsoons) – hundreds of stalls of knick-knacks, clothes, food stalls. Worth a visit.

 

Miscellaneous

1          Car & Bike Rental :Sanjiv Kamat- Aquada Auto Rental- Next to Taj Village- very reliable – 9850047149 / 8856998179—extremely good service

2          Gambling- Casino Royale- Stunning- even if you don’t gamble- Open between 8 pm to 8 am. Have to take a boat ride from Panjim- Offer a great deal on Tuesdays. Food by China Garden. Call at 0832-6519471

3          Water Park- Excellent option for Young Children and adults- good water rides-located at the Baga River- right adjoining Royal Goan Beach Club- can spend 4-5 hrs here

4          A New Splash water Park Opened in Arpora- enroute from Baga to Anjuna on the main road also

5          Water sports- Tom- Shack- Pedro’s at Candolim- Really good- Give reference of the Jain Family- Tom @ 9822165815

6          Private Yacht Ride/ Speed Boat- off Panjim- to really get an Italian Riviera like experience. Charge about 15K to about 11K per hour for 9-10 PAX- You could call Kuntal Patnayak 88888 48063

7          Woof Woof Boat Ride from Morjim to the Chapora River- is also very good . Contact Rohit Bedi @ 08600-144443

8          Medical Care- 24 hr medical emergency- Govt Medical centre at Candolim- neat and clean and offers good first aid etc. A new one called Dublin ( or something similar sounding) has openend a large facility again on Candolim main road.

9          Shopping- Curves at Cape Town Café Baga recommended for Womens wear

10        Spa – Nothing better than SNIP on main Candolim- expensive but the best

11        Another new Spa- Called Cenvaree- Thai spa – 500 mtrs from Taj on the main road itself-0832-6650270 / 71

 

Bhavna Kakkar's restaurant recommendations :

• Alladin’s - Arambol/Pernem
• Fellini’s - Arambol/Pernemafe Cafe Nu - Arambol/Pernem
• Satt Purush - Morjim
• La Plage - Morjim - MUST GO GO
• Sublime - Morjim - MUST GO
• Pink Orange - Morjim
• Delicieux - Morjim/Ashwem
• Sur La Mer - Morjim/Ashwem
• Laxmi - Ashwem
• Gunpowder - Assagao - MUST GO
• Anand Bar - Assagao
• Bobby Bar - Assagao
• Villa Blanche - Assagao
• Teso - Siolim
• Trattoria Romano - Chapora
• Sakana - Chapora
• Scarlett Juice - Chapora
• Ganesh Juice - Chapora
• Parvati Shop - Chapora
• Alittia - Chapora
• Thallasa - Vagator - GO
• Chronicles - next door to Thallasa better food, similar view
• Sri - Vagator
• Joe Banana - Anjuna
• Orange Boom - Anjuna
• German Bakery - Anjuna - Go
• Shamba - Anjuna
• Trattoria Photonica - Anjuna
• Burger Factory - Anjuna
• Baba Au Ruhm - Anjuna
• Hendrix - Anjuna
• Infantaria - Baga - GO
• A Reverie - Calangute - GO
• Brittos - Calangute - usually a must go just to tick Mark
• Cantare - Saligao
• House of Lloyds - Candolim
• Republic of Noodle
• Bomras - Candolim - MUST GO
• O Fogo - Panjim
• Cafe Del Mar - South - MUST GO
• Cass Fiest for Mexican - South
• Magic Italy for ultimate Pizzas/pastas
• South Ciarans - For Sea Food
• Om Made Cafe - Anjuna Beach - Light, healthy food
• Go with the Flow - Brazillian - MUST GO
• Martins Corner - Fun but not such great food
• Black Sheep Bistro - Panjim - MUST GO
• Bhatti Village - if you like Sea food
• Zeebop - South Goa