Though vindaloos popularised on the Western big screen, to cutlet bread in the streets of Fontainhas, Goan cuisine has made a place for itself. It boasts diverse flavors catering to all kinds of palates. There’s the tang of the sol kadhi, the spiciness of the chorizo or the ambotik, and the mild sweetness of the mangane. While Goans love their rice and bread,authentic Goan food is well-balanced with equal portions of protein and veggies. 

So if you are, searching for the best restaurants in Goa’, Soul Travelling has put together a list of the state’s best, from the north to the south. Whether it’s a night of drinking, a lazy afternoon brunch or a tea-time snack, Goan cuisine offers it all.

A Brief Intro to Goan Food

Fish thali, cafreal, vindaloo and bebinca don’t define Goan cuisine. They are a part of it. Largely, authentic Goan food can be divided into four parts – Luso-Goan, Saraswat Brahmin, Goan Muslim and Goan Tribal. Each of these cuisines has distinct stories about how they came to Goa and adapted to the local customs. The Goan tribals are the original inhabitants of Goa, living in sync with the forests and sourcing fresh produce to make delectable dishes. The Goan Holle – dumplings made of rice batter, stuffed with coconut and jaggery, and steamed in jackfruit leaves are a popular dish.

Goan Saraswat Brahim cuisine comes from the valley of the River Saraswati. It is believed that when the river was drying up, these people migrated to other parts of India seeking more hospitable conditions. Goud Saraswat Brahmins eat pesco-vegetarian cuisine, hence even their Goan spread includes all kinds of fish dishes and vegetarian fare. The Goan hooman (coconut-based fish curry), ambotik (a tangy-spicy tomato-based fish curry), mangane (coconut-based pudding), xacuti (a mild coconut-based curry), patoli (rice dumplings, steamed in turmeric leaves and stuffed with coconut and jaggery), khatkhatem (a monsoon special curry with 20+ vegetables), modak (sweet dumplings), saansav (coconut-mustard-based preparation with hog plums or mangoes), tonak, kismoor and kaapa make it to most Goan Saraswat homes.

Luso-Goan cuisine includes Portuguese-inspired dishes that evolved with the local culinary practices. The dishes are spicier with stronger flavours and use locally sourced seafood and meat.

A few popular dishes to try are rissois (pastry stuffed with creamy prawns), feijoada (a curry made with beans and meat), chorizo (spicy pork preparation), vindaloo (a spicy curry), balchao (tomato-based prawn pickle), cafreal (a coriander based preparation), bebinca (layered dessert) and serradura (dairy-based dessert)

Muslim cuisine in Goa, is one of the lesser-explored part of the state. This is mostly because there aren’t any restaurants that serve it. That said, some dishes like mutton sukha, have made it to local bars and restaurants in Goa. Apart from that, you’ll find popular Mughal delicacies being served around mosques during the month of Ramadan. Everyone flocks to try these unique specialties. 

Now that you know, what’s what, here are some authentic Goan restaurants in Goa to try.

Best Restaurants in Goa

1. Horseshoe, Panjim

Horseshoe Goa, is one of the state’s most iconic establishments. The chef, Jose Vasco Silveira built this to introduce the world to Luso-Goan food, as it is. For years, people have been queuing up to experience the unique flavours that sizzle in Silveira’s kitchens. The restaurant sits along the creek in Fontainhas, decking up an Indo-Portuguese home. The ambience and the food will transport you to a different time.

Pricing: INR 1200 for 2

Timing: 12 noon – 2:30pm; 7pm – 10:30pm

Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/yAVUG2dDH9aCSHKR8

Menu: https://www.zomato.com/goa/horse-shoe-panaji/menu

2. Kokni Kanteen, Panjim

Kokni Kanteen has become a popular tourist favourite, with long waiting queues to its name. And for good reason. The restaurant serves impeccable dishes from the Saraswat Cuisine that includes both vegetarian and non-vegetarian Goan food. Its interiors add to the charm with traditional showpieces stacked everywhere. You can try their vegetarian Goan thali. If you want to taste a little bit of everything their Sunday special thali is one of the best Goan fish thali you will find. They also serve fresh fish preparations and locally inspired cocktails. Be sure to go by 12-12:30 or you’ll have to wait for your turn.

Pricing: INR 900 for 2 with alcohol

Timing: 12:30–3 pm; 7:30–11:30 pm

Location:https://maps.app.goo.gl/jzUrL6rd297MHCVY6

Menu: https://www.zomato.com/goa/kokni-kanteen-panaji/menu

3. Kismoor, Sangolda

This Goan Restaurant in Sangolda is a modern space with an open-air dining area surrounded by nature. They serve delectable authentic Goan food including thalis and desserts. Dive into their Goan fish thali and vegetarian adaptations of non-vegetarian Goan preparations.

Pricing: INR 1400 for 2 with alcohol

Timing: 12:30-11:30 pm

Location:https://maps.app.goo.gl/mbP1QxJdfjEVZp4D8

Menu: https://www.zomato.com/goa/kismoor-sangolda-penha-de-franca/men

4. The Goan Kitchen, Margao

A local space serving authentic Goan food, the Goan Kitchen is a treasure-trove of some of Goa’s lost recipes. Orchatas, brindaos, fofos, molhos and tausalems are some dishes you won’t find anywhere else. So, if you want to go back in time in Goa, check out this authentic Goan restaurant in Goa.

Pricing: INR 700-1200 for 2

Timing: 10 am to 7 pm; closed on Wed

Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/UeRT3nKtgMqRZKk17

Menu: https://www.zomato.com/goa/the-goan-kitchen-margao/menu

5. Segundo Bairro, Panjim

Segundo Bairro is one of the best restaurant in Goa in the heart of Panjim, serving Goan snacks and main courses. They have limited vegetarian options but the non-vegetarian spread will have you spoilt for choice. The restaurant feels like a traditional Goan home, where the owners intermingle with the guests and make sure you’re having a great time.

Pricing: INR 1000 for 2

Timing: 11:30am – 3:30pm, 6:30pm – 10:45pm

Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/BwGD4vBuic5kcN6v8

Menu: https://www.zomato.com/goa/segundo-bairro-goan-restaurant-panaji/menu

6. Bombil, Panjim

Bombil is a modern take on traditional Goan dining. The Goan restaurant boasts of a very upbeat theme and paperless, chalkboard menus that change every day. The space is a frequent haunt for locals, to indulge in one of the best Goan fish thalis found here. The restaurant also has a range of homemade pickles that they serve as free samplers. If you like one, you can buy a jar to take home. On most days, there is a small waiting queue, but it’s worth it!

Pricing: INR 500-700 for 2

Timing: 12 to 5Location:https://maps.app.goo.gl/NA75RDfw35nd4YdBA

Menu: https://www.zomato.com/goa/bombil-restaurant-panaji/menu

7. Claudi’s Corner, Dabolim

If you’re looking for one of the best Goan restaurants in South Goa, look no further than Claudi’s Corner. You’ll find this local favourite just 15 minutes away from the Dabolim Airport. So, add this to your list of ‘places to eat near Goa Airport’. They offer a wide range of non-vegetarian and vegetarian local Goan delicacies, but their chorizo naan stands out. If you like pork dishes, definitely try this one. Apart from that get their seafood platter to share with your friends. To make things better, the restaurant is a 2-minute walk from the beach, so you can always go catch some ways after eating.

Pricing: INR 1000 – 1500 for 2

Timing: 11:30 am – 4 pm; 6:30 pm – 12 am

Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/4fbAN3kBL3f1tMLD6

Menu: https://www.zomato.com/goa/claudis-corner-bogmalo/menu

8. La Barraca, Benaulim

Live music, innovative cocktails and plates of Goan food – la Barraca subtly merges modern dining with traditional Goan cuisine. Along with the usual Goan fares such as rissois, recheado, sorpotel and more, the restaurant has continental and north Indian dishes on the menu as well. It’s one of the best authentic Goan restaurants in South Goa to explore Goan cuisine while enjoying some live performances as well.

Pricing: INR 1000 for 2

Timing: 12 PM to 12 AM

Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/y5HA5LgZvBWxYAMQ8

Menu: NA

9. House No 2, Loutolim

A restaurant set in a 100-year-old Indo-Portuguese Goan house, House No. 2 caters for everyone who loves a good Goan meal. Their lip-smacking Goan starters and fish thali in South Goa have earned them loyal customers who come back for more. They also host live events in the evening including karaoke and artist performances.

Pricing: INR 950 for 2

Timing: 11 am – 3 pm; 7 pm to 12 am

Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/46urboN2arHUnYNWA

Menu: https://www.zomato.com/goa/house-no-2-2-benaulim/menu

10. Martin’s Corner, Betalbatim

Another authentic Goan restaurant, Martin’s Corner promises not just fresh catches of the day prepared in sizzling local flavours, but live music and your favourite spirits as well. This Goan restaurant has been a local and tourist favourite for decades making it one of the best Goan restaurants to try out. The interiors draped in Mario Miranda’s works add to the ambience of this Goan restaurant.

Pricing: INR 1800 for 2

Timing: 11:30-4; 6:30-11:30

Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/dn7wLXxfhndpH8ot5

Menu: https://www.zomato.com/goa/martins-corner-betalbatim/menu

For those looking up, ‘authentic Goan restaurants near me’, this is your list. We’ve tried and tested them all to bring you only the best Goan restaurants in Goa. Most of these places serve Luso-Goan and Goan Saraswat Cuisine, but if you’re looking to try some authentic Goan tribal food, you should head to Valpoi with us on this Tribal Trail.