🍽 Food & Drink

A long-running French bakery and all-day cafe tucked into greenery off the back Baga-Anjuna road, best known for buttery viennoiserie, wood-fired pizza and lazy breakfasts.

A sprawling, permanently-built shack on the sand at the north end of Baga, Britto's has been feeding tourists and locals platters of Goan seafood and cold beer for well over half a century.

A historic South Anjuna beach shack and psytrance institution whose future is in serious legal doubt after an upheld demolition order; status is uncertain and it should be approached with caution.

A popular, long-running seafood restaurant known for Goan fish thalis and a huge range of seafood. Note: despite a Sinquerim tag in some lists, its verified address is on the Calangute-Arpora road, not Sinquerim.

An all-day bakery-cafe on the Calangute-Baga road, famous for its pastries, breakfasts and easygoing multi-cuisine menu.

A legendary South Anjuna beach shack that turns into a psytrance dance floor on the sand at night, best known for its long-running Tuesday parties that run to sunrise.

A long-running beach shack right beside Britto's at the north end of Baga, St. Anthony's pairs fresh seafood and all-day dining with lively evenings of karaoke, shisha and DJs.

A long-established garden cafe near the flea market, known for home-style Israeli and Mediterranean plates, a lifestyle shop, and a relaxed all-day community feel.

A stylish, colourful fine-casual restaurant set in a restored Portuguese house by the Baga creek, known for its riverside garden setting and a globe-trotting, Brazilian-influenced menu.

An unpretentious Goan kitchen in Assagao serving home-style, grandmother's-recipe coastal food — thalis, seafood and Luso-Goan classics.

A chef-led destination restaurant where heirloom recipes from across India are cooked on open flame in a gas-free kitchen, around a water feature.

A long-running Assagao institution serving regional South Indian food, slow and unfussy, under the trees of a heritage Goan villa.

A buzzy newer destination in a heritage Portuguese house — bold modern-Indian plates by chef Ajay Chopra, craft cocktails, gardens and a waterfall.

A design-led cafe and lifestyle store inside a 130-year-old Assagao mansion — all-day dining, good coffee, a pool and a retail space under a landmark Bismarckia palm.

A blue-walled heritage villa on the Badem edge of Assagao, loved for its breakfast, bakes and Sunday brunch — but seasonal, so check it's open.

An established Goan cafe and restaurant in Siolim village, the sort of steady, local fixture that pre-dates the area's fashionable wave and still does honest food.

A well-regarded beach shack on Ozran (Little Vagator) beach, Fishtail is known for fresh seafood, friendly service and a mellow, waves-in-view spot to spend the day.

A relaxed, budget-friendly cafe popular for hearty breakfasts, bakes and continental all-day dining.

A design-led modern South Indian restaurant set in a high-ceilinged restored Portuguese villa opposite St. Anthony's Church, reinventing regional classics with technique and flair.

An Alpine-lodge-meets-bistro in Siolim championing 'global comfort food', with a genuine focus on Tibetan and Nepali cooking, momos, ramen, baos and butter tea in Himalayan-cosy surroundings.

Widely rated as North Goa's best Japanese restaurant — authentic sushi, ramen and gyoza in a calm garden setting near the Vagator–Chapora edge.

A modest, well-liked pure-vegetarian restaurant near the Vagator petrol pump, Sita serves budget-friendly South Indian, North Indian and Chinese food to travellers and locals alike.

A family-run Calangute landmark on the sand, serving Goan seafood classics for nearly a century.

A laid-back Morjim cafe with a beach-shack feel, serving affordable Italian, Chinese and seafood on the famous Olive Ridley turtle nesting beach.

An upscale, atmospheric restaurant on Gaura Vaddo's Holiday Street, known for modern European cooking and a theatrical setting.

A Portuguese-styled, terracotta-roofed restaurant serving reliable Goan, seafood and continental food, part of a trusted Goa chain.

A laid-back beachfront garden restaurant and bar in Gaura Vaddo, loved for Goan food, sunbeds and a peaceful sunset.

A relaxed beachfront restaurant on Morjim beach named after the Olive Ridley turtles that nest here — fresh seafood, Goan and Italian plates, and one of the quieter sunset spots in the north.

A long-running French beachfront restaurant on the quiet Ashwem-Morjim stretch — deck chairs on the sand, a thoughtful Franco-Mediterranean menu, and a reservations-only buzz in high season.

A tranquil, upscale Southeast Asian restaurant at Lemon Tree Amarante Beach Resort, serving street-food-inspired dishes from across Asia.

The terrace cafe and bar of the Vaayu watersports village on the Ashwem-Mandrem beachfront, blending healthy plates and smoothies with a surf-school, artist-residency vibe.

One of the prettiest tables on the Ashwem-Mandrem road: a labour-of-love restaurant, pizzeria, bakery and gin joint built around an organic kitchen garden and soundtracked by soft jazz.

A tranquil garden cafe in a Candolim villa, known for artisanal chocolate, desserts, breakfasts and a book-friendly calm.

A friendly, well-priced multi-cuisine restaurant a short walk from Mandrem beach, doing Indian, continental, pizza, pasta and fresh seafood without fuss.

A Mandrem fixture for over a decade, Cafe Nu pairs a charming setting just off the beach with fresh, carefully cooked global food and full bar service.

A quaint, all-wood beach shack and terrace restaurant on Mandrem sand, part of the Dunes Holiday Village, with casual food, sundowners and a slow, off-the-radar mood.

A lively on-the-sand shack at Dando, Candolim, known for butter-garlic calamari, grilled seafood and live music.

The signature all-day, sea-facing restaurant at Taj Fort Aguada Resort & Spa — bright, breezy, with a live kitchen, world cuisines and Goan seafood overlooking Sinquerim beach.

A small, casual Sinquerim eatery for grills, pasta and beer in a relaxed terrace setting. Lightly reviewed with an uncertain current status, so verify before you go.

A cosy, plant-filled specialty-coffee and dessert bar associated with Siolim, known for cortados, cappuccinos and a much-loved chocolate cheesecake, though listings place it inconsistently across the Siolim-Assagao area.

COYA at the Four Seasons is a well-known Peruvian spot with innovative, flavourful food, a cozy, classy atmosphere and, for many, standout attentive service. It is not unanimous: some diners found it fell short of the premium-hotel billing, and service experiences vary. A strong choice for the food and the room, if you go in knowing service can be inconsistent.

Zuma in DIFC is, for many, one of Dubai's best restaurants: outstanding contemporary Japanese food in a stylish, quiet-luxury room. A few regulars of the global brand found the Dubai branch a notch below its siblings, and service can run slow, but the consensus is a refined, high-quality experience.

Gaia in DIFC is a beautiful, elegant Greek-Mediterranean restaurant with refined food, fresh seafood and a charming, quiet-luxury atmosphere. A la carte meals and business lunches draw warm reviews; the note of caution is that some set or Restaurant Week menus fell short of the a la carte experience. A strong choice for the room and the cooking.

Pierchic sits at the end of a long pier off Jumeirah Al Qasr, suspended over the Gulf, and the overwater setting is unforgettable: reviewers describe walking the boardwalk as stepping into a dream, with sweeping sea and skyline views. The food and service mostly live up to it, though one or two found the welcome flat. A special-occasion spot you go to for the setting first.

Nobu by the Beach at Atlantis pairs the famous Japanese-Peruvian name with a beautiful beach-and-pool setting and a luxury atmosphere reviewers love. The food and service, though, genuinely divide: some call it precise and outstanding, others found the food mixed and the service lacking for the price. Go for the setting and the brand, and manage expectations on consistency.

At.mosphere sits high in the Burj Khalifa, and the view is the headline: breathtaking from the moment you arrive. Reviewers rate the food highly, one calls the afternoon tea the best they have had, and single out warm, named service. A few found the experience slightly inconsistent for such a prestigious setting, but most leave delighted.

Izumi in Assagao is one of North Goa's most-talked-about Japanese restaurants, with a beautiful, premium-feeling room and a cocktail program reviewers rate highly. Opinions on the food and service, though, split sharply: some call it authentic and exceptional (small plates, ramen, miso beef), while others found it overhyped, inconsistent or let down by service. Go for the room and the drinks, and order carefully.

Grind Bar is a North Goa coffee destination, and the coffee is the star: reviewers rave about the block brew, cold brew, flat white and matcha, in a cozy, laid-back, green space full of vinyls and magazines, with warm, knowledgeable staff. Breakfast is good too. Two practical notes: it closes around 6pm, and the menu can run limited at times, especially in monsoon.

Kokni Kanteen in Panaji is a long-running institution (since 1972) for authentic Konkani and Goan seafood, set in an old laterite-walled Goan bungalow with rustic, nostalgic charm. Its fish thali and rawa fries (kingfish, pomfret, chonak) are the draw and it is often packed. Honest caveats: expect long waits (an hour is common) with loosely-managed queues, and reviews split on consistency, some found the thali overhyped or the food cold, and one flagged a hygiene issue.

Cafe Orange Boom in Anjuna is, by near-unanimous review, one of Goa's best breakfast and brunch spots: fresh, generous, no-frills morning food served until mid-afternoon in a calm, green, spotless space. Reviewers rave about the English breakfast, eggs benedict, pancakes, shakshuka and fresh juices, and about the owner-run hospitality (Windsor and family are named repeatedly). A relaxed, family-friendly start to the day.

Martin's Corner is one of South Goa's most celebrated restaurants, packed with locals and tourists alike. The seafood is genuinely excellent and the atmosphere warm, if occasionally loud.

Flavourful, well-plated fusion food in beautiful interiors, with a strong drinks list and excellent desserts. Diners single out the garlic bread, fish burger and spaghetti 'beetballs'. It's on the pricey side, but the quality earns it.

A Goan restaurant with great food, a good drinks range and a mesmerising riverfront setting, lifted by pleasant live music and friendly, attentive service. Portions can feel small for the price.

Zeebop sits right on Utorda beach with direct beach access and a relaxing, well-lit sea-facing setting that fans love, a popular spot for sunsets, functions and a dip-then-lunch. Food reviews are genuinely split: many praise the fresh seafood, while a notable share find it overpriced or average, so go for the setting first and reserve ahead.

Pisco by the Beach draws praise mostly for its setting, comfortable shoreline seating, sunset views and warmly named staff who go out of their way for families and couples alike. Food and drinks are consistently called fresh and well presented, though reviewers rarely name specific dishes, and at least one guest felt a staff member hovered and pressured them to finish eating.

Neighbors is a cosy Assagao cafe praised for its generous brunch, warm setting and prompt service. Reviewers single out a satisfying Saturday breakfast and the floor manager's warmth, and note the venue's night time alter ego, Guilte.

Tamil Table wins consistent, near unanimous praise for the authenticity of its South Indian food, served in a peaceful, garden set converted Goan house with a small curated shop while you wait. Named staff and hosts are called out repeatedly for attentive, well informed service, and reviewers say vegetarian and non vegetarian eaters are both well catered for.

Big Fat Sandwich in Anjuna is consistently well reviewed for its smash burgers, loaded sandwiches, pizzas and international coffee menu, with a cozy, photogenic indoor and outdoor setup that reviewers call good for work sessions. The only real dissent is over specific execution details, like an overly saucy pizza and a sandwich felt to be too oily.

Goenchin near the Mahalaxmi temple in Panaji has been serving Chinese food for around 40 years and remains, by recent reviews, a reliably loved local favourite with only minor quibbles about seating space and spice level. Reviewers describe it as a household name among old Goan families, worth reserving ahead for during peak evening hours.

Sai Krupa in Porvorim is repeatedly named a favourite for its fish thalis and seafood sides at reasonable prices, with reviewers calling it a place they return to on every Goa trip. One recurring complaint is that management can rush diners to finish during busy periods, and one guest felt a specific thali fell short despite good sweets.

Bombil in Panjim is praised as one of the best local seafood spots for authentic Goan thalis, especially the chonak thali, with clean facilities and friendly, efficient staff despite frequent waiting lines. The main dissent is one reviewer who felt rising popularity has turned it into a tourist heavy spot that has drifted from what made it good.

Slow Tide is unanimously well reviewed recently for its creative, well balanced menu and curated cocktails, with a sunset view over Anjuna that reviewers call incredible. Multiple guests flag it as pricey with smaller than usual portions, but say the quality justifies it, comparing it favourably to fine dining rooms in Mumbai.

Kefi is a small, greenery filled Lebanese cafe where owner Tony and named staff earn repeat, years long loyalty from reviewers, with the hummus platter, jumjum rice and French toast singled out. Set against that warmth is one serious complaint alleging a waiter pocketed change after undercounting a cash payment, alongside a claim of cold food and understaffing on that visit.

Yazu in Candolim is well reviewed for its Pan Asian food, ambience and view, with named staff repeatedly credited for good drink and dish recommendations. Set against that, one guest with severe gluten and lactose allergies found it poorly equipped to handle dietary needs, and another noted service was just okay with some staff attitude.

The Cape Goa is consistently praised for its stunning views, live music and dance performances, with a balcony table called worth paying extra for. But recent reviews also carries a serious allegation of bias against South Indian guests, frustration with a cover charge system that reserves tables, and complaints tied to its room stay side, including extra charges for room food delivery.

Tataki in Panaji is described as some of the best Asian food and dining experience in Goa, with a classy ambience and a host, Preetham, who remembers repeat guests and steers them toward strong recommendations. Every review in recent reviews is positive, spanning sushi, baos, momos and cocktails.

Sea Pebble sits at the bottom of the hill toward Dona Paula jetty, offering seafood and non vegetarian starters with an Arabian Sea view, soothing music and generally good service. Reviewers are split on the Asian style dishes specifically, with a manchow soup and noodles called below average even as chicken starters and the overall setting are praised.

Larder & Folk in Panaji's Sao Tome area draws consistently glowing reviews for its sandwiches, doughnuts and baked goods, with regulars saying they keep coming back despite dozens of prior visits. The one real caution is pricing, with one reviewer feeling the cost is steep given a lack of sides with the burgers.

Kiki by the Sea sits where the Chapora River meets the Arabian Sea and can deliver genuinely great food and sunset views on a good day, but recent reviews skews heavily negative: guests describe understaffing, missing basics like cutlery, long waits for water, a non functioning AC section despite a cover charge, and one reviewer explicitly says the experience has gotten progressively worse across visits. A parking dispute with security is also reported.

Mamagoto's Panaji branch, set in an old Portuguese Goan house, gets strong reviews for its vibrant decor, attentive service and Pan Asian menu, with guests who knew the brand from Mumbai seeking it out specifically. One reviewer had a notably different experience, describing a poorly balanced dish and stale, overly spicy complimentary crackers.

Sopo in Assagao is well liked for its authentic Burmese cooking, curated cocktails and warm hospitality from hosts Bonita and Saloni, with vegetarians specifically calling out how well they are catered for. The most liked review in recent reviews, however, describes a confirmed reservation for seven, including elderly parents, being given away with only what the reviewer calls a fake apology.

Sukkha in Assagao earns uniformly positive reviews for authentic North Indian cooking in a charming garden setting, with owners described as personally welcoming every guest. Sourced ingredients, from Andhra prawns to Rajasthan mutton, are called out specifically, and no significant complaints surface in recent reviews.

Alag became the talk of the town within days of opening, with reviewers praising its curated, limited menu of sandos, cold brews and baked goods, including a widely loved cloud cheesecake. Being new shows in places, though, with reports of slow or missed orders, cleanliness slipping, an order customisation dispute, and one reviewer who found the signature cheesecake overhyped.

Barefoot in Parra is loved as a work friendly cafe with good wifi, coffee infused cocktails and a nutrition minded menu, with several reviewers describing it as a home away from home they return to for over a year. The one clearly negative review is tied to a specific ticketed event night, with complaints about parking and inconsistent entry decisions rather than the regular cafe experience.

Cafe LaDiDa is a small, cozy spot behind a Sangolda clothing store known for its single-serve cakes, brownies, tarts, and fresh coffee. Reviewers call it a favorite for a quiet read or a quick dessert grab, though a few flag it as pricey and one had a billing dispute.

The ASSA House serves French cuisine in a dim, atmospheric setting with live music (jazz and French tunes), run with warm hospitality by partner Nitin Wagh and team. Reviewers call it one of the only French restaurants in Goa and consistently praise the food, though several flag it as expensive.

Whispering Cafe and Store sits in a green, tree-shaded old Portuguese villa and is known for a short, thoughtfully curated menu, warm hosting from Sonal and team, and a quiet, sussegad atmosphere. Reviewers highlight it as a favorite breakfast spot.

Peep Kitchen, called Peeps by regulars, is known for its Goan seafood thalis, chilled beer, and quick, attentive service. Most reviewers call the thalis among the best in Goa, though one visit found the Goan preparations generic.

Paper Moon serves Italian cuisine at the Taj Fort Aguada Resort & Spa, drawing repeat visits within a single stay. Reviewers, including self-described Italians, call the food authentic, with standout pastas, pizzas, and desserts.

Antonio@31 is a tiny, vibrant bar in Fontainhas serving Goan-inflected tapas and creative cocktails, drawing an upscale crowd. Reviewers are near-unanimous in praise of the food and drinks, with only price flagged as a minor drawback.

Bhatti Village recreates a traditional Goan village atmosphere and is known for standout seafood and meat dishes like pigling fry, prawn curry, and fresh fish fry. Most reviews are glowing, though one visitor had a serious complaint about the owner's behavior.

Café Mira, hosted by Radhika (Ra of MiRa), serves a mixed menu of chaats, Mumbai-style comfort food, and Goan breakfast dishes in an aesthetic, cozy setting. Reviewers love the food quality and ambience, with pricing and slower service the main gripes.

Caravela Cafe and Bistro serves Goan breakfast staples alongside continental cafe fare in a small two-floor space near the Fontainhas riverfront. Reviewers largely praise the Ros Omelette, Poi bread, and coffee, though a couple found the international dishes underwhelming.

The Lazy Goose sits beside the Nerul River with lush, calm surroundings, live music on some evenings, and a Goan-continental menu. Most reviews are strongly positive, though a few flag the food as pricey or inconsistent relative to the setting.

Makutsu is a small, roughly 10-seat spot near Fontainhas from chef Pablo Miranda (also behind Antonio@31), serving sushi, Korean-leaning dishes, and Asian bar food. Most reviews praise the food highly, though service speed and one bad dish stand out as real complaints.

MO's Cafe & Bistro is a cozy garden cafe in Panjim serving comforting, sometimes innovative dishes (like a miso sol kadi bento thali) alongside good coffee. Reviews are split: some call it their favorite cafe in Goa, others found the food merely average.

Pakiza (also known to regulars as Pakeeza or Pakizah) is a simple, women-run canteen-style spot in Fontainhas known for mutton biryani and homely seafood dishes. Reviews are mixed: most praise the biryani and taste, but there are real complaints about cleanliness, meat quality, and service on off visits.

7 Short 1 Long is a Goan family-run restaurant where guests sit on the porch of a traditional Goan house under live music. Reviewers are overwhelmingly positive about the food, cocktails, and hosts Belinda and Diana, with one visit raising a hygiene concern.

Prana Mandrem sits a short walk from Mandrem beach, with a distinctive shallow stream nearby for a relaxed swim before or after eating. Reviews are mostly glowing for the food and setting, with one visitor noting the property favors in-house guests over restaurant walk-ins.

Raki sits on the 11th floor with panoramic views over Miramar and Panjim, pairing elegant Middle Eastern/Mediterranean small plates with a lively evening bar scene. All recent reviews are strongly positive on food, views, and service.

Schandis, led by Irani chef Hossain, serves Persian dishes including koobideh, joojeh kebab, and shawarmas in an outdoor seating area with beach views. Reviews are sharply split: several call it the best Iranian food they've had, while others report cold, badly executed food and slow service.

The Village Bistro in Arpora pairs a warm, homely atmosphere with live Goan bands and a menu led by Chef Kenny, spanning East Indian brunch specials to Parsi Navroz dishes. Every review in recent reviews is glowing, with repeat visitors calling it their new favorite in Goa.