Here’s who is making the news in Goa’s hospitality industry, this off-season.
It’s a rare week when we don’t hear of another new opening in everyone’s favourite pandemic destination. Goa’s hospitality industry isn’t slowing down and summer months have seen many new contenders vying for the spot of being people’s new favourite diner. In addition, there are cafés offering warmth and respite from the weather, and surprisingly, some places with exclusive Goan food.
Here’s a list of some of the newest restaurants in Goa.
Autumn Leaf Bistro
The Hyderabad import opened in Goa in March. Chef Krishna Reddy C. has created a comfort menu of Indian, Tandoori, and Indo-Chinese food with dishes like mutton biryani, spaghetti with lamb bolognese, green Thai curry and mushroom bruschetta. Their signature drinks include Spiked Maple Whiskey, Gin Basil Smash, and Goa on My Mind. The outdoor space — there’s even a pool — hosts music nights, and collaborations with artists.
At Assagao. Instagram
Avo’s Kitchen
The newest restaurant in Assagao is an expansive outdoor space promising Goan food. Avo’s Kitchen comes from the people behind the popular Peep Kitchen in Taleigao. Here, the menu is completely Goan with a heavy emphasis on fish preparations and thalis in the afternoon. At night, sip on fruity cocktails with fried fish, stuffed crab or even that rare dessert, dhonas.
At Assagao. Instagram
Café Meu Lar by Barista
A 300-year-old home in Fontainhas is now a café serving European fare with some Goan touches. Surrounded by paintings and antique furniture, you can sip on teas, coffees, sandwiches, and even dishes like bacalhau. As a special treat, expect a musician to come by and serenade you as you dine.
At Panjim. Instagram
Candy Bar
Bright neon lights welcome you to this dedicated shot bar. Coming from the people behind Raasta, Candy Bar has Mr Bartender and the Crew making pretty-looking candy flavoured shots (you can choose from 75 different kinds from a menu designed by Countertop India) like Skittle Bomb, Deconstructed B52, Jello Kamikaze, the Tom Yum, and Irish Car Bomb. They do classic cocktails too. Pair these with finger foods.
At Anjuna. Instagram
Cantare by Day
Cantare is known for its Monday jazz nights and jive nights. Now, they are open in the day, too. The just-launched café, Cantare by the Day, serves Goan food like rissois, chops and poi sandwiches, besides sourdough, salads and rice bowls. Pair these with a coffee selection that includes cappuccino, cold brew, iced coffee, Vietnamese cold brew and south Indian filter coffee; there’s also chai, fresh juices, coolers, and beers.
At Siolim. Instagram
Joy Bar & Kitchen
Formerly Jester 509, the space now sports a new look and name, and aspires to be an artisanal cocktail bar and kitchen.
At Vagator. Instagram
KAHVI Café & Bistro
This new café in Saligao is open air and offers comfort food like sandwiches, rolls, salad bowls and more. They serve breakfast all day and are pet-friendly, too.
At Saligao. Instagram
Masak
The new restaurant from the home that has given us Café Tato, Vida and Petisco, Masak is a casual multi-cuisine restaurant located above Café Tato’s in Patto. Launched last week, the menu includes Indian, Chinese and some Goan fare too (from thalis to cafreal).
At Panjim. Instagram
Patto Canteen
Rasa Café in Panjim has a new sibling that’s dedicated to serving good breakfasts — idlis and dosas with hot cups of tea, and filling lunches — thalis and fried fish.
At Panjim. Instagram
Rabbit Hole
The all-day breakfast bistro and bar opened in Siolim in June. Smoked salmon on croissant, shrimp tostada, green shakshouka, Turkish eggs and for that sweet touch, Liquid Cheesecake.
At Siolim. Instagram
The ASSA House
The new French-inspired bistro is located in an old house, with a private dining area and outdoor seating. Manning the kitchen is French chef Alexis Gielbaum (ex-Slink & Bardot, Mumbai) serving classics such as French onion soup, Blue & Goat Cheese Eclair, and desserts like Paris-Brest and crème brûleé. Coming soon will be a café selling breads and croissants, and a tequila bar.
At Assagao. Instagram
TKYO & TKYO Bakehouse
TKYO is a pan-Asian restaurant, bar and bakery situated in a restored 200-year-old house. The restaurant’s focus is on food from different parts of Asia like Cambodia, Vietnam, Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore apart from Japan and China. TKYO Bakehouse aims to be an all-day breakfast spot with snacks, ice creams, shakes, juices, pastries and breads. Launching this month.
At Anjuna. Instagram
Tea Trunk
At Tea Trunk’s Tea Experience Centre situated in an old house in Fontainhas, pair Rose Oolong Macarons with their Rose Oolong Tea. The space offers two experiences: Signature High Tea with dainty sandwiches and canapes and unlimited servings of hot and iced tea; and Portuguese High tea with snacks like rissois and serradurra. They host workshops too.
At Panjim. Instagram
Unddo
Opened in June, this casual eatery is a family run affair serving wholesome Goan food. Think choris pao, xacuti, sorpotel, chicken cafreal, sannas and more. They make their own bread (unndo).
At Benaulim. Instagram
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