15 Best Restaurants in Goa with Delectable Food and Drinks

Each trip to Goa of ours has been focused on something different, and this time it was about offbeat locations and mind-blowing food. We spent a month and a half in Goa and ended up trying over 60 restaurants all over the state, mostly centred around North Goa. Here is a list of the best restaurants in Goa, while also mentioning some eateries in North Goa we wanted to visit but couldn’t, and the best restaurants in South Goa.

Few Things to Know Before We Start

1. I (Trisha) am non-vegetarian, and Modi is vegetarian (has eggs). So, all restaurants we visited cater to both dietary preferences unless specifically mentioned that they don’t.
   
2. We have visited restaurants in South Goa as well (since we usually stay in the South), though all our recommendations are in the North because these made it to the list. However, we will give South Goa recommendations at the end for whenever you visit South Goa and want some good options.
   
3. There are some popular restaurants in North and South Goa that we didn’t have a chance to visit and look forward to someday. Since, these haven’t been considered in the below mentioned list of the best restaurants in Goa, I will be mentioning them separately so you can make your own decision whether to visit them or not.
   
4. Food is a very personal choice, so take these recommendations with a pinch of salt. We loved these places and are therefore recommending them on our blog and social media.
   

Top 15 Places to eat in Goa

1. Felix Bar and Restaurant, Anjuna

Felix is a bar, a restaurant, an artisanal coffee shop, a coworking space, and even an art gallery. This is where we ordered our first breakfast in Goa and fell in love. Since then, we have had countless breakfasts and brunches here.

We have even come to work here often as the place isn’t very crowded during the daytime, the music is mellow, the tables are big enough for working, plug points are plentiful, and the WiFi is fantastic. The place is also dog-friendly, so it was perfect for us. They always gave Floyd a water bowl and even played with him. Such star treatment

Great ambiance, lip-smacking food and drinks, delicious coffee, and awesome service. Everything is perfect.

Best For: Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch

Must-Try: You have to try the smoked eggplant bao here even if you dislike eggplant. I have such an aversion to brinjal, yet I loved the dish each time I ate it.

Other foods we loved here: French Toast (we ordered this every time), Beans on Toast (it’s not the regular beans on toast), Jerk Chicken, Rib Eye Steak, and Mudcrab Cake, Eggs Choriz Benedict, Eggs Florentine.

Address: Anjuna Mapusa Road, Mazal Waddo, Anjuna, Goa – 403509

Phone:+91-9804305911

Timings:
Restaurant : 9 AM – 10 PM
Bar : 12 PM – 10 PM
Coffee Shop: 8 AM – 8 PM
Cowork: 8 AM – 10 PM

Pet-Friendly: Yes

2. Luna’s Ristorante, Anjuna

Luna’s Ristorante is an Italian restaurant that serves the best pizzas we have had in India. So much so, we went here four times just for the Neapolitan-style pizzas. The cocktails were always delicious, and the ambiance was warm.

For entertainment, they have a pool table, match screenings, Salsa and Sangria Nights on Wednesdays ( buy 1 get 1 free on Sangria), Blues and Funk Night on Fridays, and Jazz on Saturdays. Though we have only ever had dinner here, we have heard it’s great for breakfast too!

Praises aside, the restaurant does have slow service. Food comes fast, mind you, but just getting a waiter to attend to you can be a task.

Before you go here, remember that this restaurant serves only authentic Italian, so you won’t get creamy pasta with veggies or Indianized pizzas. Since we like our pasta creamy, we never enjoyed the ones here except the Aglio Olio.

Must-Try: Do order a pizza that comes with a burratta—it’s a cheese ball that is solid on the outside and soft on the inside! My favourite pizza is the Crudo, Rucola, and Grana (non-veg) but honestly, we liked all pizzas we had.

Tip: Do not simply type Luna’s on Google maps because there is a Luna’s Bar and Restaurant that is not the same as this one. Type Lunas Ristorante to reach the correct place.

Address: Shortcut to Poonam, Dmello Vaddo, Anjuna, Goa -403509

Phone: +91-9112056665

Timings: 10 AM – 3 PM and  7 PM – 11 PM, Closed on Mondays

Pet-Friendly: Yes

3. The Lazy Goose, Nerul

The Lazy Goose is a nautical-themed riverside restaurant serving delicious fresh seafood, Goan cuisine, and continental staples.

They have an extensive menu, of which we tried a sorpotel (a Goan dish) and a veg burger. Both were scrumptious. The drinks were excellent, the river view was splendid, and the live music was the cherry on the cake.

The location, food, ambiance, and overall experience were excellent. I have to say this is one of the best restaurants in North Goa.

Tip: Do visit here for lunch between Friday-Sunday and reserve the river view seats much earlier for the best afternoon. There is live music on all these days in the afternoon.

Best for: Lunch

Address: Bridge, Nerul, Goa 403114

Phone: +91-7775958419

Timings: 12 PM to 11:30 PM

Pet-Friendly: Yes

4. Frida Cantina

Frida Cantina is Goa’s finest Mexican restaurant, as they say. However, you’ll not only find Mexican food but also Latin American food. No Mexican food we have eaten before here in India has been this good.

Our experience here was top-notch. Drinks were superb, and service was excellent—quick and responsive. The waiters knew what they were talking about and were super enthusiastic about their food. It definitely rubbed off on us too!

Must-Try: Charred Corn Salad/Burrito Bowl (just wow), Loaded Nachos, Steak, Churros (we know you could get churros anywhere, but you must try them here). We’d say skip the Tamales, it’s an acquired taste.

Address: New Horizon Building, Dayanand Bandodkar Marg, next to Fastrack – Time Factory, Miramar, Panaji, Goa 403001

Phone:(+91) 9309 992 086

Timings: 12 PM-3 PM & 7 PM-11 PM

Pet-Friendly: No. But you can call and ask if you can get your dog!

5. Bomras, Anjuna

Bomras serves Burmese food, but the food has influences from China, India, Laos, and Thailand. The restaurant has a reputation for being one of the best restaurants in Goa and one of the best Burmese restaurants in India. We tried the Raw Papaya Salad (crab on the side) and Mild Vegetarian Coconut Curry. Both were excellent. We tasted lychee in a savoury dish for the first time and were surprised by how well it went with the food. If you’re a vegetarian, you’ll love these dishes. We’ve heard that the non-vegetarian food here is even better!

The drinks we had here were superb, the service was okay, and the ambiance was warm and romantic.

The restaurant is however, on the pricier side with small portions, so do keep that in mind before going here.

Tip: Reservations are needed at least a day or two in advance.

Address: 1152, opp. Our Lady Of Health Chapel, Mazal Waddo, Anjuna, Goa 403509

Phone:+91-9767591056

Timings: 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM and 7 PM – 11 PM

Pet-Friendly: Yes (but your dog should be very well-behaved and feeding the dog inside the restaurant is not allowed)

6. Gunpowder, Assagao

Gunpowder is an outstanding restaurant in Goa serving South Indian cuisine, mainly Kerala-style dishes with a Goan twist. You’ll get delicious seafood and meat here. Though the menu is limited to vegetarians, the vegetarian food is mouth-watering. In fact, this is Modi’s favourite restaurant in Goa and he is vegetarian 🙂

Must-Try: For vegetarians: soondal, appam, spicy potatoes, and kainakairy vegetable curry. In non-veg, I’ve tried the pomfret fry and found it to be delectable.

Address: No. 6, Anjuna Mapusa Rd., Saunto Vaddo, Assagao, Goa 403507

Phone: +91-8468867594, 0832-2268091 / 0832-2268083

Timings: 12:00 PM–3:30 PM and 7:00 PM–11:00 PM, Breakfast: 8:00 AM–11:00 AM, Closed on Mondays

Pet-Friendly: Yes

7. Ida Boutique Bar and Kitchen, Vagator

Ida is a wonderful family-built and run restaurant in Vagator that serves Goan and Portuguese food. Keeping sustainability in mind, the setup is a lovely open garden with interiors made of old materials like boats, fallen tree trunks, etc. The music played during our visit was mellow, the lights dim, and the overall vibe was calming – all the ingredients for a wonderful, laid-back evening.

I have to mention that the food was great, but the cocktails were out of this world. I literally wanted to have everything on their insanely interesting menu. The waiter had to come to my rescue and suggest something that was to my taste. I wasn’t disappointed, must always trust their judgement.

Tip: It isn’t easy to get reservations here. Reserve your table much in advance – perhaps a week!

Address: No. 562/1, Vagator, Anjuna, Vagator, Goa 403509

Phone: +919326746848

Timings:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 7 PM to 12 AM;
Wednesdays: Closed
Friday-Sunday: 1 PM to 3:30 PM and 1 PM to 12 AM

Pet Friendly: No

8. Mustard Cafe, Assagao

Mustard Cafe serves Bengali and French Cuisine. Weird combination right? But it’s actually not. Both cultures use mustard in its purest form to prepare dishes so the name and cuisine selections fit perfectly!

Mustard serves the most delicious Bengali food we have tried outside of Bengal. Mind-blowing. Unfortunately, we didn’t try any French items and are now regretting it.

Funny thing, we have never actually been here. Yet, this restaurant features on our top Goa restaurants list because we ordered food from here nearly every dinner. Each dish we ordered was excellent – no complaints. And that is a tough feat for home-delivered food to achieve.

Must-Try: Palong Channar Kofta, Cocktail Luchi Bites, Radhaballavi

Address: Astoria Hotel, Anjuna Mapusa Rd, Bardez, Mapusa, Assagao, Goa 403507

Phone: +919284981141

Timings: 9 AM – 11 PM

Pet Friendly: Yes

9. Antonio, Panaji

Anotonio @ 31 is a beautiful local tavern that serves mind-blowing cocktails and unbelievable Goan tapas (small plates). What do I mean by this?

We had gone to this place on a food tour by Make It Happen, so we ate whatever the food tour organizers thought was good. A simple Recheado Bhindi (okra), Bingtakar (boiled whole peanuts), and Butta (chargrilled ribs on corn) tasted beyond awesome. We would probably not have ordered these dishes if not on a tour and would have missed out.

Also, if the simple veg food tasted so good, just imagine what the non-veg would taste like. Our friends say it is superb. I’m looking at the menu while writing this and gosh there is so much I want to try. Surely returning here on our next Goa trip!

The bar has an ambiance worth experiencing and the whole place is very very instagrammable.

Tip: It gets pretty crowded at night. So get here early or reserve a table.

Must-Try: For vegetarians – Recheado bindi and Bingtakar, Alcohol- Kokum/Urrak House Drink

Address: Rua 31 de Janeiro, Altinho, Panaji, Goa 403001

Phone: +91-8380057888

Timings: 1 PM to 11 PM

Pet Friendly: No

10. Padaria Prazeres, Panaji

Love European baked goods? Padaria Prazeres is the place to go. This padaria (meaning bakery in Portuguese) is started by a Goan couple – Ralph Prazeres, who is trained at Le Cordon Bleu and has worked in world-renowned restaurants in Europe, and his wife Stacy Gracias, who runs marketing, inventory, accounts, and operations.

This cafe in Goa is perfect for a conversation with a friend or reading a book. They play amazing music too, especially if you’re a fan of the 90s. It is a must-visit whether you have a sweet tooth or not. We loved everything we had here on both our visits and highly recommend it.

Must-Try: Foccacia Bread with Cream Cheese, Pasteis De Nata (Portuguese Custard Tart)

Address: Celeste Plaza, Ground floor, opposite Models Celebrity, Caranzalem, Panaji, Goa 403002

Phone: +91-9322806130

Timings: 10 AM – 6 PM, Closed on Mondays

Pet Friendly: Yes, only at the porch of the cafe – outdoor seating

11. Babka, Anjuna

Babka is a cute little patisserie meets coffee shop which was recently expanded to provide more seating space owing to its popularity – a well-deserved one at that. It is tough to find a good cup of coffee in Goa and Babka ensures you get one. It provides all-day breakfast, sandwiches, babka (a European bread that we personally did not enjoy), desserts, cakes and freshly-baked bread loaves. It is definitely one of the best cafes in Goa.

Must-Try: Coffee (personal favourite is the Cafe Mocha), Bagels (love the salmon one), Hot Chocolate

Address: 1282, Gaunwadi, Anjuna- Mapusa Road, Near Anjuna, Goa

Phone: +918262041326

Timings: 9:30 AM to 10P M, on Tuesdays they open at 4 pm. 

Pet Friendly: Yes, only at the porch of the cafe – outdoor seating

12. Black Sheep Bistro, Panaji

Black Sheep Bistro is a casual fine dining restaurant serving globally inspired cuisine with a modern or local twist.

This restaurant has been my all-time favourite since 2018 when I visited on my first solo trip. They’ve recently moved to a new location with a swanky ambiance. The food here has always been delicious and the drinks even more so.

It would have featured in the top 10 had it not been for the attitude of management on our recent visit. That said, we wouldn’t want to keep you away from the delicious food you get here just because of our bad experience.

Address: The Black Seep Bistro 1st Floor, Villa Braganca, Dr. Braganza Pereira Rd, above Fab India Store, Panaji, Goa 403001

Phone: +91-8322465901, +91-9881731901

Timings: 12 PM – 10:30 PM

Pet Friendly: Yes, though it’s better for small pets only as it is an indoor space on the first floor.

13. Antares Restaurant & Beach Club, Little Vagator

Antares is a restaurant and beach club in Goa that is situated on the top of a small hill overlooking the sea beyond Ozran Beach and as such is perfect for sundowners. Started by Le Cordon Bleu trained MasterChef Australia Chef Sarah Todd, Antares is a popular spot because of the gorgeous view and the scrumptious food and cocktails. I have to say that the Vegetable Xacuti we ate here was the best we have ever had and the sweet potato chips were excellent too.

This restaurant is on the expensive side and therefore frequented by a more affluent crowd. Reservations are tough to get and dining time may be limited (we didn’t have a prior reservation so were asked to vacate the table by a certain time). We honestly didn’t mind the limited time at all since we got to experience the place and head down to the beach for sunset at the perfect time.

Address: Small Vagator, Ozran Beach, Vagator, Goa 403509

Phone: +91 9112212231/32

Timings: 12 Noon – 2 AM

Pet Friendly: Not Sure

14. Toro Toro, Arpora

Toro Toro is a multi-level restaurant located in a very pretty spot- beside the Baga River. Designed to look like a caravan the restaurant is pretty quirky. Looking at the menu I felt it was quite similar to Lazy Goose, and guess what? Turns out it is owned by the same company that owns Lazy Goose.

At first, I wasn’t sure if I should put Toro Toro on this list at all given that the place didn’t move me in any one particular aspect. That said, I cannot deny that the food and drinks were absolutely delicious, and the ambiance was fantastic, the servers knew what to recommend, the manager was very hospitable, and we did wonder why we hadn’t come here till the second last week of our 6 weeks in Goa. Since this place was all-rounder with value-for-money food, I couldn’t not put it on the list.

We have heard the breakfast is absolutely divine and the live music on weekends (afternoon and night) is awesome. You might consider visiting at these times too.

Address: Off Calangute – Anjuna Rd, Arpora, Goa 403516

Phone: +919920539790, +917738871532

Timings:10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and 7:00PM to 11:30 PM

Pet Friendly: Yes

15. Vinayak Family Restaurant, Assagao

Vinayak, known for its legendary Goan Fish Thali and seafood, is an unassuming restaurant located beside paddy fields. It’s got all the Dhaba feels. You might think twice before entering but the hoards of cars outside will convince you that this one of the best places to eat in Goa. I had assumed it would be a small restaurant given the insane crowd and waiting it has, but I was baffled to note that it is huge inside and yet the crowd outside is immense.

You cannot miss eating a typical fish thali in Goa. Most locals I know swear to buy it. It is inexpensive and filling.

You’ll get vegetarian food here too but Modi thought that the food was just okay.

Tip: Visit right at the opening time else you will find it tough to get a seat. We went there at 12:30 PM and it was empty so we got a seat immediately. You can alternatively try fish Thali at Kokni Canteen and Ritz Classic which are legendary restaurants in Panjim.

Must-Try: Chonak Fish Thali

Address: House No 278, Socol Vaddo, Assagao, Goa 403507

Phone: +919049380518

Timings: 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM and 7 PM to 10:30 PM, Closed on Thursdays

Pet Friendly: Not Sure

We loved many more restaurants but obviously couldn’t feature them all on this list. Some worth a special mention are Mojigao in Assagao, Caravela Cafe in Candolim/Panaji, and Hospedaria Venite in Panaji. We do plan on making some reels on our Instagram with more options. So do follow us there.

restaurants and Bars in North Goa that we missed

Here are some restaurants in North Goa that we didn’t get tried because of reasons like table unavailability, unable to get a reservation, lack of time, didn’t allow our pet, wasn’t open while we were there, etc.

1. Baba Au Ruhm, Anjuna: This cafe is extremely popular. So much so, that we went twice and didn’t get a seat. The waiting goes up to hours. When we asked the receptionist about the best time to come, she said – none. People apparently line up at 8:30 AM when the restuarant opens at 9 AM. For us, it was a complete waste of time but if you have more patience and are lucky, you might just get a seat! Reviews we have gotten about this place have been mixed!
   
   
2. Eva Cafe, Anjuna Beach: Eva Cafe opened only in our last week in Goa so we couldn’t go. But everyone I know recommends the place highly for its ocean views, ambiance and food. Best for breakfast and lunch.
   
   
3. Purple Martini, Anjuna: Located on a cliffside, this place looks like a slice out of Mykonos and is perfect for sundowners. From a laidback cafe in the day, it turns into a party place post sunset. Again, it is very tough to get a place here.
   
   
4. Olive Bar and Kitchen, Vagator: Perched on a cliff overlooking Vagator Beach, Olive Bar is another bar great for sundowers and Greek vibes.
   
   
5. Suzie’s, Assagao: Suzie’s is known for its inviting ambience, eclectic food and drink options, and a global cuisine five-course meal experience. Only open for dinner, reservations must be made atleast 24 hours in advance.
   
   
6. La Plage, Ashwem Beach: La Plage is located in a corner of Ashwem Beach. It is known to have lip-smacking French cuisine, spectacular beach views and a lovely ambience. It did not open while we were there unfortunately.
   
   
7. Garden of Dreams, Arambol: A vegeterian friendly garden cafe with a hippie laid-back vibe. Perfect for spending a lazy afternoon. You may witness impromptu jamming sessions as well.
   
   
   More on our list – Pousada by the beach in Calangute, Suzie’s in Assagao, Mahe in Anjuna, Tuscany Gardens in Candolim, Roboto in Calangute and Tulum Beach Bar in Baga which is located on a private beach and requires a 5 minute hike.
   
   

Best restaurants in South Goa you must try

1. Martin’s Corner, Beltalbatim: Martin’s corner is a legendary outlet known to be one of the best restaurants in Goa. Though it is known for its delicous Goan staples and seafood, their menu is vast! So, you will also find continental options and vegertarian friendly ones too.
   
   
2. Fisherman’s Wharf, Cavelossim: Another well known eatery loacted by a waterfront that has lip-smacking food, a stunning view of the sea and the nice ambience.
   
   
3. Goodfellas, Benaulim: Our friends loved the Italian food here and highly recommended it.
   
   
4. Palacio do Deao, Quepem: Want to dine in a 213 year old Portugese mansion that once belonged to a nobleman and head of the town church? Then this is it. You will get a set Indo-Portugese cuisine meal here and it is only open for lunch. Call them before you go.
   
   
5. Cape Goa, Cabo De Rama: Head here for a meal with a breathtaking view of the sea. The restuarant is perched on the side of a cliff near Cabo De Rama Viewpoint. We didn’t get to dine here as they wouldn’t allow our dog in.
   
   
6. Zest, Agonda: Zest is a vegan and vegeterian restaurant serving absolutely delicious food. We ate breakfast here nearly everyday when staying at Agonda Beach and the pizzas were delicious as well.
   

Other places to try: Kopi Desa Agonda, Treetop Tava Agonda, Sundowner Bar Palolem, Magic Italy Palolem, Draupadi Palolem, Zeebop Utorda

Goa seriously has way too many restaurants with great food and we can’t wait to go back to Goa and try all those that we missed. Now your turn! Which restaurant, cafe, or bar is your favourite in Goa and why?

Never been to Goa? Read our travel guide to Goa for first timers.