Best Food Options in Goa

Goa is one of the most exciting areas of India for food options. Goan food is delightful with its spicy, coconut and seafood flavors. But besides Goan food, there are many other cuisines available in Goa at all budgets. Here is a list below of the best places to eat near Goa Casitas properties for different tastes:

Goan Seafood Options

It is available both at Hindu (not serving pork and beef usually) and Catholic restaurants (not much vegetarian food usually). However,  you must try the famous staple of Goa which is fish curry and rice. The best way to try this is in a thali (platter). This is usually only available for lunch because it’s a heavy meal that is healthier to have during the day. You will also like rava fry (a kind of batter) or masala (spicy) preparations of seafood like squid, fish, mussels, etc. Some of the popular fish are chonak, Kingfish, Modso, etc. But you should try and check which fish are widely available at the time of year when you are visiting because some months have a fishing ban in the monsoon to allow time for the fish to reproduce. Some famous Goan restaurants are Peep Kitchen (Taleigao, Panjim) and Bhatti Village (Nerul), but there are numerous others.

 

Options for Vegetarian Food in Goa 

Goan vegetarian food is mostly available only at Hindu restaurants. One popular option available at Catholic restaurants also is the Veg Xacuti, which is a coconut curry. However, there are also Udipi and Jain restaurants dotting the coastal belt. One has to  just ask around for the closest one. Among the international cuisines, there are many vegetarian and even vegan restaurants. Artjuna in Anjuna and Bean Me Up in Vagator are well known for their Mediterranean veg and vegan options.

 

Street Food Options in Goa 

Noronha’s truck at the junction of Arpora near Tito’s White House and Anjuna has delicious cutlet pao, beef fry and pork chorizo specialties. Near Saligao junction where there is a fountain, there are small trucks and rickshaws parked along the street as well as a permanent street side restaurant for snack food like batter fried chilis, samosas, shawarma, etc. In Panjim, near Miramar Beach, and near the entrances to the beach, you can find chaat and Indian street food as well.

 

Fine Dining in Goa 

There are many fantastic fine dining restaurants for special occasions, celebrations or just a night out. Some recommendations include Amavi (Calangute), Olive (Vagator), Sublime (Assagao), La Plage (Ashvem Beach open during the season), Thalassa (Siolim), Ciao Bella (Vagator / Assagao), Bomra’s (Candolim), The Black Sheep Bistro (Panjim), Bottlejack Bistro (Porvorim), Fernando’s Nostalgia (Raia near Margao), Martin’s Corner (Betalbatim), etc.

 

Cafes of Goa

Goa has a unique café culture with healthy options and a laidback ambience. Some of the well known ones that you should try that have excellent coffee include Mojigao (Assagao), Baba au Rhum (French café), Eva Café (overlooking the beach in Anjuna), Caravela (Fontainhas, Panjim) and Blue Tokai (Panjim and Assagao at Project Café). In Margao, Chickoo Tree Project is also very nice.

 

Goa Beach Shacks

There are many different kinds of beach shacks from very simple to large clubs. Different beaches also have different personalities or cater to different tastes. The quietest shacks are along Morjim to Mandrem and Dunes in Mandrem is especially nice. The beaches get more crowded as you head south towards Candolim. Anjuna and Vagator are more alternative in style with Goa trance music playing at many places since this genre of music originated in Goa. Baga and part of Calangute is a party zone and the beach shacks play loud Bollywood music so that people can dance but there are also many shacks. Candolim and Calangute have some upscale shacks as well like Calamari and Pousada by the Beach.