Lines in Sand: July 2010

Eating out in Goa can give somebody who has trouble making choices a head-ache. There are tens of thousands of restaurants, and standard of food varies widely. Considering the fact that an average vacation of 10 days would give you just about 20 restaurants to try – you have to be prepared to work hard and choose.

I generally look up Tripadvisor restaurant reviews, Lonely Planet and Times food guide – in addition to word of mouth. This is often a project in itself that has to be meticulously planned if you are a foodie like me.

Last time we were in Goa – we had the MapMyIndia GPS, Addresses from Restaurant websites and maps from Travel books to find our way to the restaurants. It felt like a tedious task considering we were always on a bike. So I made a note to self to make a Goa restaurants map. Here’s the first version for Candolim, Calangute and Baga.

Here are my favorites on a map –

Local Flavor

Souza Lobo, with its awesome sea food, right on Calangute beach is a local favorite. Be prepared to wait or go a little late or early. This is the place you want to try your Goan specialities like Xacuti, Cafreal and Vindaloo. Reviews

Britto’s on Baga beach for its atmosphere and sea food platters. There’s always a live band or Karaoke to keep you entertained while you wait for the food.

After Seven and East Meets West both have a wide variety of options in their main course

World Food

Tibetian Kitchen for its spicy as hell sauces. If you get a long waiting at Souza Lobo, this is an excellent alternative a few steps away. Try the momos.

Banyan Tree – This is a fantastic Thai restaurant inside the Taj Holiday Village Campus. The green curries and the salads were fantastic.

Fine Dining

A Reverie for atmosphere and options on the menu that I always have trouble reading out loud.

Republic of Noodles – One of the top 100 restaurants of Asia.

View North Goa Restaurants - 1 (Baga, Calangute, Candolim) in a larger map

Afternoon Snacks

You will find both these places open when all other restaurants are closed in the afternoons or early evening.

Infantaria is a great option with good food and Bebinca to die for. I have seen the locals get their cakes and pastries packed from here.

Cinnabar is right beside the Acron Arcade, has a variety of options from Burgers to Biryanis and Goan bread.

Deserts

There’s the irresistible Cafe Chocolatti with its chocolate strawberry mousse and other fine pastries. Natural’s Ice- cream near the Calangute beach is awesome, as it is anywhere else in India. I can never have enough of Natural’s Coconut ice-cream. East Meets West and A Reverie have great deserts to follow the meals.

Coffee

There are a couple of Cafe Coffee Day outlets, a Barista outlet in Calangute. There’s a Subway on the Baga road.

Vegetarian

There are lots of options for vegetarians, but I’ve only tried one.

Sharanam Green – This restaurant has more options for Vegetarians than I have seen anywhere in India. Worth checking out.

Here are some useful links if you are looking for more Vegetarian options

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g306995-i9760-k3307448-Vegetarian_Food-Calangute_Goa.html

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g297604-i9241-k2306928-Vegetarian_Resturant_Calgunate_Area_Goa-Goa.html

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g297604-i6045-k2413535-Help_Vegetarian_Healthy_Eating_North_Goa-Goa.html

Others

I have never been disappointed with any Shack I have eaten at – Pete’s Shack, St Anthony’s Shack, Shining Star Beach Shack. It is impossible not to love the food with a gentle breeze, looking out at the sea. There are other north Indian restaurants like – Indian Spice and Indian Kitchen which are good as well, if you want to go to a North Indian restaurant in Goa . We once tried the tandoori prawn at Indian Spice and loved it.

I have never had a chance to go to J & A’s Little Italy and Le Poisson Rouge, though I have read good things about them. They open only in the evening, and we were always at the beach in the evenings.

Did I miss any big ones ?