India boasts of as many cuisines as the number of communities. Being so diverse geographically, each region has its own cuisine and style of preparation. The Mughlai cuisine of North differs sharply from the preparations of the south. The Wazwan style of Kashmir is luxurious but the same can be said about Bengal's Macher Jhol, Rajasthan's Dal Bati, Uttar Pradesh's Kebabs and Punjab's Sarson Ka Saag and Makki di Roti. In India, recipes are handed down from generation to generation.
The unique and strong flavours in Indian cuisine are derived from spices, seasonings and nutritious ingredients such as leafy vegetables, grains, fruits, and legumes. Most of the spices used in Indian cooking were originally chosen thousands of years ago for their medicinal qualities. Spices such as turmeric, cloves and cardamoms have antiseptic properties while others like ginger are good for digestion. All curries are made using a wide variety of spices. Most
popular Goan dishes are Vindaloo, Xacuti ( Zacuti), Cafreal, and the stable diet of the common man Fish curry and rice accompanied with some freshly fried fish.
In addition to the main dishes, the side dishes and condiments like chutneys, curries, daals and Indian pickles contribute to and add to the overall flavour and texture of a meal. Characterized by a variety of flavours, one more fascinating than the other, India is indeed the gourmand's delight.
Sublime – Make a table reservation to dine here, this restaurant serves excellent western cuisine. Tel :
Basilico – An Italian restaurant with a nicely enclosed eating area. Tel : 2273721
Blue Tao – A leader in the healthy lifestyle culture serving mainly Italian dishes that include some lovely pizzas, all with organic produce. Tel : 2273977
Dhum Biryani and Kebabs – Loved by Visitors and locals alike, makes great Kebabs.
Tel : 9326124699
German Bakery – A chill out place that serves some lovely fried apple pancake and real coffee.
Shiva’ s café – Offers a good range of lightly spiced Indian cuisine. Tel : 2270586
Xaviers – Has a reputation for being the best seafood restaurant around here, it prepared distinctive Goan style with the catch of the day. Located just behind the Anjuna flea market.
Zoori’s – This restaurant has a great view and had a fairly varied menu for all pallets.
Tel : 227 3476
Baga
Britto’s – A popular beachside multi cuisine restaurant with a lot of grill options, the tables leads right towards the beach where you can dig your feet in the sand watch the ocean and savour your meal.
St. Anthonys – An old time favorite now upgraded its ambience and serves mainly Indian food and snacks.
Cavala – A very thoughtfully created menu for all, this restaurant has a great multi cuisine, has live music on Wednesday and Saturday, a popular hangout with a friendly owner and staff. Tel: 2276090.
Kamasutra – Does a fusion cuisine run by three enterprising young lads, offers dishes like Lusty Lobster, Tantric Tikka. Tel : 9890517969.
Fiesta – Next to Club Mambo you will find this beach side restaurant that serves some great Mediterranean and Italian cuisine. Tel :
Indian Spice – Certainly as the name suggest has it offers a wide variety of well cooked Indian food.
Pagoda – Serves good Chinese food. Located at the entrance to CSM resort.
Jay Jay’s – Serves Goan and Indian cuisine.
J and A’s Little Italy – A stylish and expensive Italian restaurant. Located on the Baga river road.
Poco Loco – Serves good Mexican food, attached to the Royal Goan Beach Club.
Lila Café – Siting on the banks of the Baga river, this pretty café is very inviting with its white curtains and purple cushions, serves delicious pastries baked on site and a good menu.
Calangute
Souza Lobo – The locals delight, popular for its Goan cuisine but also serves a wide variety of Indian, Chinese and continental fare. Tel: 2766463.
Infantaria – Serves a wide variety of snacks and food, has a bakery attached to it for easy takeaway too. Located at the beginning of the baga road.
Rock Café – Popular with the English for its steaks with jacket potatoes.
Tibetan Kitchen – this place has a menu that’s eclectic and reasonably priced. The guys here take pride in their food. Tel: 2275744
Waves – is a celebration of creativity with artistic attention to detail, the dishes are creative interpretations of traditional fare. Tel: 2276017
Candolim
After Seven – Serves decadent seafood dishes. Tel : 2297957
Oriental Thai Restaurant – Has wonderful Thai dishes and also conducts a Thai cooking class on Wednesdays from 2-5 pm (Rs.1200 including dinner) Tel 3092809
Cuckoo Zen Garden – is one of Candolims leaders in Asian authenticity. Tel: 2489570
Chocolatti – A delightful place for cakes and chocolates. Tel 2479340.
Santa Lucia – Primarily Italian with some European style concoctions thrown in.
Tel : 9822104134.
Banyan Tree - A high end restaurant at the entrance of the Taj Holiday Village that serves delicious Thai cuisine in a very romantic setting. Tel: 276201 Sinquerim.
Stone House – The food here is great, lots of grilled steaks and seafood and a great choice of jazz and blues music is played. Located at Sinquerim
Mapusa
Hotel Vrundavan – Get together with the local people for some authentic local food.
Tel :2253879
Heera Snacks and Ice Cream – A decent place for a drink or ice cream in a garden setting.
Ruchira – Locals consider this fine dining. Serves Indian cuisine. Tel :2263869
Golden Oven – For a quick snack duck into this bakery.
Tequila Restaurant – This is a low key roof top restaurant serving Goan and other Indian dishes. Tel :2263115.
Morgim
Montego bay– A great place to spend your day lounging, having a drink and take a dip in the ocean, serves Goan, Indian food in a nice setting. Also great for a romantic candle dinner.
Porvorim
O’ Coqueiro - Become famous after the arrest of the wanted Charles Sobraj, it serves mainly Goan and Indian food.
Angels – A nice hangout that serves multi cuisine food. Patronized by the local populace.
Picnic – A local joint with an extensive menu serving both Chinese and Indian food with a touch of spice to it.
NH 17 – Serves hindu Goan food and Indian Cuisine.
Inspirations – A tiny clean place that serves traditional home cooked Goan food like Vindaloo, Sorpotal, Potato Chops and don’t miss out on their cakes if you get there.
Saligao
Florentine - A basic set up famous amongst the local for its Chicken Cafreal.
Vagator and Chapora
Le Bluebird – French fine dining in an outdoor atmosphere, has a good selection of imported wines and a good vegetarian choice. Tel :2273695
Garden Villa – An airy restaurant that serves Indian, Continental and Chinese cuisine.
Bamboo Palace – Serves a mixed fare and is a comfortable place to dine.
Bean Me Up – This popular vegetarian place is great for healthy Wraps, Pizzas, Pastas
and miscellaneous fare. They also organize various cultural musical nights and
spontaneous parties. Tel: 2273479.
Leena’s place - One of the more polished places in Chaopra that serves Thai, Chinese, Indian and Western cuisine.
Hotel Venite – A versatile menu ranging from Pepper Steak to Fish Portuguese and
Spagetti Napolitaine. Tel : 2426637
Vihar – Serves South Indian, North India and Chinese ( Veg only ), and has a great juice Bars.
Viva Panjim – This is a long standing favorite that serves some delicious Goan cuisine and also dishes some Indian and Chinese food. Tel : 2422405
Horse Shoe – This is a stylish Portuguese – Goan restaurant that takes pride in its food. Tel : 2431788
Goenchin – Serves excellent Chinese cuisine ( Highly recommended ).
Sher e Punjab – A locals delight for Indian food with a reasonably priced menu. Tel : 2425657.
Satkar – This is a pleasant place to dine offering cheap and tasty food and a wide rane of Faloodas.
Pakwaan – Has all the classic Indian fare plus sandwiches, salads and Pizzas. Tel : 2421442
Quarterdeck – This multi cuisine restaurant has a laid backfeel to it, has nice food not to highly priced, you can sit back and watch the party boats pass by on the river Mandovi. Tel : 2432904 / 2432905
Waterfront Terrace Bars – This multi cuisine coffee shop at the Goa Marriott is perfect for those who want to indulge in some luxury and dine. The Sunday brunch is awesome. Tel : 2463333
Café Coffee Day – Enjoy some fresh coffee, a Capuccino or an Espresso with a Chocolate cake here in an ambient environment.
Gujarat Sweet Mart – Educate yourself in the world of Indian sweets. Taste freshly made sweets on the premises, also available are Sweet Lassi, Thick milk shakes with a variety of flavours. Tel : 2224367.
Moti Mahal – This is the place to savour some authentic delicious North Indian cuisine at reasonable prices. ( Highly recommended )
Mums Kitchen – Proudly serves authentic Goan cuisine. Highly recommended.
Delhi DarBars – One of the most popular Indian Mughalai restaurants
Martins Corner – A must do if you are in the area, renouned for its Goan cuisine. Tel : 2880061
Benaulim
Johncy’s – is a popular place to meet and socialize over the years. Serves Indian, Chinese and Goan cuisine. Tel: 2771390
Malibu Restaurant – The eating area is very green, a pleasant place for al fresco dining. Popular for breakfast.
Palm Garden Restaurant – A clean and sociable place to dine. Tel : 2770059
Taj Exoctica – If you are looking at some up market fine dining options this is undoubtedly the best place for you. Tel :2771234
Bogmalo
Joets – Right on the beach elevated above the sands this restaurants serves multi cuisine fare and also have some very lively evenings with entertaining music . Great view and an ideal place to go to if you have to while your time away around the airport.
Cavelossim and Mobor
Goan Village – A garden restaurant serving Goan cuisine backed by some Indian and continental fare. Live music on Tuesday and Saturday and a beach party on Wednesday. Tel 2871629
Mikes Place – A popular place for evening drinks and meals, has live music nights and a beach Bars be que on Wednesdays. Tel :2871248
Colva
Sea Pearl – This place comes to life at night and the lighting here makes the seafood look all the more appealing.
Delhi Express – A good choice of tasty food is available here. Try the Dal Tarka!
Papillion – Secluded and therefore popular perhaps, this beach shack has some good choices to offer. Tel 2789257
Majorda
Skie Grille – Imaginatively created grilled dishes like Chicken citrus kebabs with Orange sauce and exquisite deserts. The setting is fabulous and worth a visit. Tel:3953053.
Pentagon – Retro and Jazz nights here with a multi cuisine menu. Tel:2881402.
Margao
Venice– A garden restaurant with excellent service serving Indian, Chinese and Goan cuisine. Tel :2710505
Bombay Café – A vegetarian place serving cheap snacks like samosas etc, very busy during luchtime.
Tato – A veg place that does the local bhaji and a lunch thali for a good price.
Banjara – is Margao’s best North Indian and seafood restaurant with good quality service. Tel 2714837
Gaylin – has an extensive range of Soups, Noodles and Cantonese dishes. Tel:2733348
Dalima Fast Food Centre – Sells a decent Fish-Curry Rice for just Rs.20.
Raia
Nostalgia – Chef Fernando here takes pride in preparing some fantastic Goan cuisine for you. Tel
Utorda
Zee Bop by the sea – One of the finest beach shacks in Goa that promises a great day at the beach and serves a mixed fare.
Vasco
Karma Zone – Pre-dominantly Chinese and Indian food in an air conditioned setting. Tel: 2511028
Nanking Chinese Restaurant – Reasonably good Chinese food but dark feel to it.
Regency – at the La Paz hotel is one of the better restaurants in Vasco, specializing in Indian and Goan food.
