The idea of stretching out on a deck bed, in a beach shack, and letting the sound of the waves crashing lulling you to dreamland sounds appealing? Then head straight to Goa where 12 iconic and popular beach shacks are waiting just for you.
Image: Shutterstock/Pranay Chandra Singh.
Shacks in Goa are a seasonal delight, functional only between September 1 and May 31. According to Goa’s Tourism Shack Policy (2022-2023), the number of temporary seasonal structures (beach shacks, deck beds, umbrellas, huts) allotted is 259 in North Goa and 105 in South Goa (the highest being 108 in Calangute, 88 in Candolim). All shacks are geotagged and their size determined at 18×8 metres with a 5.5 metre height.
That being said, many of the iconic shacks in Goa are now restaurants and bars in their own right, but are still identified by their original name and purpose. Here’s a look at the most iconic shacks in Goa.
1. Britto’s (Baga)
One of the oldest shacks in Goa, Britto’s — north of Baga beach — was founded in 1965 by Chef Dominic Britto. What started out with five tables by the father has been transformed into a 350-cover restaurant/shack by his son, Cajetan Britto. Today, it is a haven for Goan food, specially seafood, that is slathered with Goan spice mix still home-created by the matriarchs of the family. Try Mr Britto Cashew Feni (passion fruit syrup, guava juice, sweet & sour, topped with cherry orange, fig, and basil seeds).
2. Souza Lobo (Calangute)
In 1932, Joao and Valentina Lobo opened Pavilhao Souza Lobo, a hotel with few rooms sitting smugly by the Calangute beach. The hotel was functional until the 1960s, and then their son Joao Martires Lobo and his wife Maria Santana took over. Maria’s family recipes gave the hotel’s restaurant unprecedented fame. In 1994, when Jude Lobo, their son, took the reins, he tore down the rooms and turned Souza Lobo into a restaurant and bar.
Now, Souza Lobo can seat nearly 300 with the covered and open space. The menu has been faithful to the recipes of Maria Santana, but new items have been added. The Souza Lobo specials include Seafood Mix Grill, Seafood Tower, Lobster Thermidor. Since the beginning, the Souza seafood has been the crowd favourite. If you are in mood for quirky, try the Sol Kadi Gol Gappa.
3. Mish-mar Beach Shack (Majorda)
Located at the heart of Majorda village, this beach shack has a cuisine for every palate: Goan, Chinese, Continental, Russian. You’d want to leave the stilettos home because the ground under your feet will be sandy. Choose your lunch from the fresh catch by fishermen. Tandoori Red Snapper, Prawn Vindaloo, Bianca Martini, and non-alcoholic fruit punch are the crowd favourites. Mish-mar also has a guest house barely five minutes from the beach.
4. Vespucci Beach Shack (Colva)
Located in aslightly secluded area of Colva beach, this shack offers a wide range of reasonably-priced cocktails, mocktails, beers, and other Indian and foreign spirits. The setting is modern, complete with changing rooms. An added attraction is the makeshift loft that offers a stunning view of the sea. You can also enjoy a candlelight dinner here.
5. Pousada by the Beach (Calangute)
On its social media, Pousada describes itself as a beach-front bar and restaurant owned and managed by the most susegaad Biscuit & Chai. That’s the name of their in-house dogs. It has a very large menu with a long list of seafood options. Try the Assorted Pousada Starter (an assortment of tasting portions of prawn, calamari, chicken, bruschetta, and sev) and their traditional Goan curries served with rice (Xacutti, Caldin, Sungtanche Kodi, and Vindaloo). Cover charges are always applicable for dining.
6. Bobby’s Shack (Candolim)
Established in 1993, Bobby’s Shack is an ideal spot for a laidback evening and a spectacular sunset. Famous for its fresh seafood from the Arabian Sea (that’s what the menu says) served with potato chips, boiled potatoes, or vinegar salad. A shark dish is easily available, but you will have to order the lobster in advance. Try the fish curry meal and Bobby’s Special Indian Gravy (mushroom, bamboo shoot, chicken). Take your pick from their huge collection of spirits.
7. St Anthony’s Shack (Baga)
Sitting proudly at the north end of Baga, overlooking the beach in front and the pristine Baga River to the right, this shack was established in the ’70s. Open every day from noon onwards, this is an all-day dining shack with a DJ every night and karaoke 8 pm onwards. Seafood and barbecue are their specialty. You can dine by candlelight; the last food order is at 4 am. A plethora of beach-side activities and water sports is also available.
8. Martin’s Corner (Betalbatim)
It all started in 1989 when Martin retired and started a corner shop that later became a favourite meeting ground for locals. Martin was serving Goan dishes like sorportel, Goan sausages, pork chilli with bread made by Carafina Pereira. The corner store then extended into a small eatery where taxi-drivers often waited while their clients ate at more upbeat restaurants. Later, Carafina Pereira and her sons Pobre, Jose, and Bonny turned that small eatery into the famous restaurant/shack that is known for its seafood and impressive bar menu. It can seat 300 and has parking for nearly 60 cars.
9. Sublime Beach Shack (Morjim)
If you have watched Hindi films of the ’60s and the ’70s, you’d remember the much-loved actor/director Jalal Agha who featured in the oft-hummed Mehbooba Mehbooba in the blockbuster Sholay. Sublime is owned by his son Saleem Christopher Agha Bee. There’s Goan chorizo, mussels in signature broth in which you sink the poiee, beef carpaccio, chicken roulade, fillet of beef Asian style with five spices, and freshly-caught prawns.
10. Tantra Café & Huts (Anjuna)
Located barely 50 metres from the sea, Tantra Beach Shack and Huts has tantric decor, art, statues, colourful fabrics, and a lot of greenery. The menu features Indian and Chinese dishes. They also have tree houses suitable for budget tourists and backpackers. Order their cocktails.
11. Calamari Bathe & Binge (Candolim)
Known for its location and music, Calamari combines the best of fine dining and beach vibes. It serves Indian, Chinese, and Goan dishes, with the crowd favourites being Gobi Manchurian, Pepper chicken, Pork ribs, prawns, and Rawa-fried Chonak fish. And, of course, the Calamari.
12. Dream Catcher (Palolem)
Tucked away on the edge of the estuary from the Arabian Sea, with spectacular views of the beautiful green hillside and exotic birds, Dream Catcher is less than a kilometre from the Palolem Beach. It is slightly more expensive than the regular shacks, but people still come here for their salad with hummus and tandoori dishes. It also has over 50 individually designed cottages as well as a Yoga retreat centre.
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