North Goa’s 50 best food and drink list to screenshot, save, and share

It’s not as tiny as it once was, and parties don’t spill out onto the street as they once did, but Gundu, the barman at Joseph’s, continues to serve up good times and better kokum fenis at this iconic Panjim bar. Great spot to spend an evening—if you can get a table.

Pankaj Balachandran, one of India’s top mixologists, is taking a little journey through Goa. After the success of Bar Tesouro (now shuttered) in the south and Boilermaker in the north, the next logical spot was Panjim, bang in the middle. Quinta Cantina is his attempt to put feni in the spotlight via smashable cocktails made with a spirit that has always been dismissed with a familiar refrain: “I can’t stand the smell.”

A regular hangout spot for Panjim’s finest, this vinyl bar features a cosy listening room, regular music performances, easy-drinking cocktails, and an inventive yet comforting food menu headlined by sourdough pizzas.

MTW is a bar that takes its post-work drinks seriously. The office of Nao Spirits (Greater Than, Hapusa, Pipa Rum) turns into a popular office-themed bar by night serving top-quality gin and rum cocktails. They love experimenting—which works well for the faithful regulars, who get to sample a new cocktail every week to go with bottomless chips and cheesy toasties.

Tucked away in the heart of Panjim, Petisco has been a consistent favourite in a part of town that sees new spots opening up with great fanfare every few weeks. They’ve been getting something right for five years straight!

A nautical-themed bar that serves rum-based cocktails, set right by the sea, in a tiny fishing village in Dona Paula—Bar Outrigger is as OTT as it sounds. There’s a treasure-hunt-style map, solid tiki cocktails, and great vibe (stay till the end of the night to join the Titanic singalong).

Powered by chef Madhav’s super-inventive food and Mr Tootsie’s cocktail experiments, a trip to Miguel’s always feels rewarding. Their deconstructed Goan fish curry is a new favourite on a menu that features heroes like The Jackson Pollock Steak and Vista Sul.

Mum’s Kitchen has been serving delicious Goan food on the tree-lined Miramar stretch for nearly three decades now. Definitely worth a stop, especially if you’re in the mood for a bit of a splurge.

Launched just in time for party season, Arijit Bose’s latest pet project also happens to be a pet-friendly project. The Wineyard may be just two kilometres from the bustle of Panjim (yes, that’s a real thing), but it feels worlds away.

A popular cafe and bakery known for serving excellent sandwiches (both vegetarian and very meaty) and good coffee in a cosy, homely ambiance. Drop by if you’re tired and hungry from walking around Fontainhas.

A much-loved Italian restaurant located in an 80-year-old villa in Fontainhas, Casa Noni is known for its handmade pasta and Neapolitan-style pizzas. Try and get a table on the extremely charming balcony and watch people take photos on the streets below.

Fish thalis in Goa come in all shapes, sizes and price points, but the one at Ritz Classic has always stood out for its wide variety and very generous portions. And their spot in Panjim Gymkhana, surrounded by a river, a cricket field, and a tree-lined street, provides the perfect setting for a very satisfying afternoon.

Over the last couple of years, Panjim has turned into the ultimate party-hopping spot, with a bunch of bars within walking distance from each other. And every good party needs an after-party. Say hello to Down the Road.

A buzzing cafe and bakery set less than 100 metres from Caranzalem beach, Padaria Prazeres is an all-day breakfast spot that serves the most delicious sandwiches and decadent desserts. The Pasties de Nata—a Portuguese dessert—is the biggest crowd-pleaser, but try the cheese Berliner if you feel like treating yourself to something sinful

A remarkable restaurant with top shape-shifting qualities, The Second House somehow manages to be a great spot for lazy brunches, evening cocktails, family dinners, and mad late-night parties. Some joints are great because they do one thing really well. The Second House is what it is because it does everything really well.

The only thing The Second House didn’t do was breakfast. Seemingly having noticed that gap in their own menu, they opened Cafe Lento right next door. Lento means ‘slowly’ in Portuguese, but this place has found its way into north Goa’s hearts and stomachs pretty quickly. The crab omelette and French toast are the biggest hits on chef Jyoti’s eclectic menu.

Here’s a beautifully restored Goan house, an Asian-inspired menu that always hits the spot, and a happy vibe that’s at odds with the name on the signboard. The Grumps story stands out because it’s found its place on tourist maps by winning the hearts of those who’ve made Goa their home.

George Jacob has brewed award-winning beers across the UK, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune, but seems to have saved the best for his pet project, The Lizard King in Arpora. An exceptional lineup of beers led by an Irish stout and a pale ale, solid pub grub (the steak-and-onion pie is a standout), and a not-so-subtle obsession with motorbikes and rock ’n’ roll —Lizard King has all the makings of a cult favourite.

This is one of Priyanka Chopra Jonas’s favourite spots in Goa, and that’s good enough for us. Located on a quiet stretch between Candolim and Calangute, this is an oasis on what is arguably Goa’s busiest beach stretch. From beef chilli to pork vindaloo, fish caldin to pork feijoada, Pousada by the Sea has been serving authentic, homestyle Catholic food since 2009 and remains one of the few beachfront places that can still claim to do so.

Situated right by the riverside under a bridge overlooking mangroves, this Nerul restaurant screams Goa. They’re known for their seafood, specifically their mud crabs and lobsters prepared in three different styles (butter-chilli-garlic, rechado, and pepper).

A family-run restaurant hidden away in a corner of Nerul, Bhatti Village is a must-visit for meat and seafood lovers looking for a special Goan meal. They serve several traditional dishes you rarely see on menus today, including pork vindasol cooked with kokum and garlic, and prawn gizzard gently steamed in a light broth. The serradurra, a dessert that tastes a lot like Milkmaid mixed with crushed Marie biscuit, is to die for.

This is as much a labour of love as it is a restaurant for chef Rohit Gorowala and his wife, Puloma. Chapter Two is an apt name because Chapter One looked very different, with Gorowala selling dal makhani from the back of his SUV on weekends while working a corporate job in Delhi. Today, the couple run one of Goa’s best-known north Indian restaurants.

The “coffee shop syndrome” refers to how cafes around the world have begun to look the same. If there’s a restaurant equivalent, The Foundry neatly avoids it. Situated in a large converted warehouse, The Foundry is known for serving very good breakfast alongside a refreshingly different vibe.

When the Mysore pak is shipped all the way from the Tamil heartland, you know this is a restaurant that takes its flavours seriously. Moving beyond the idli-vada-dosa trope, Tanjore Tiffin serves up hearty curries that you can mix and match from their tasting sampler.

The Anjuna beach shack got a fine upgrade with this multi-level restaurant with ocean views and a menu that pays homage to the original hippie culture of its locality. If you’re not careful, brunch can easily turn into sunset cocktails, which can turn into a moonlit dinner.

One of Goa’s most iconic restaurants, Bomras offers a modern take on Burmese cuisine. From their signature tea leaf salad to the beef chili with mango ginger, get ready for a whole new world beyond khao suey.

A beautifully designed spot overlooking Anjuna beach, Jolene’s warm-wood finish and earthy colour palette do enough to transport you straight to Tulum. With Madrid-to-Mapusa prawns and Seoul chicken, the menu takes you on a journey as well.

There are few things more satisfying than traditional Italian soul food done right. And Al Pomodoro in Anjuna gets a lot right on their limited menu featuring hand-rolled gnocchi in sage butter as well as authentic wood-fired pizzas. And the tiramisu—just don’t leave without trying it.

Goa’s chill meets Pune’s charm to create a fun cocktail at Elephant & Co, which has slowly and steadily established itself as one of the consistent big hitters in Anjuna’s crowded bar scene.

Hideaway is a rare gem on the Goa F&B scene—it’s equally loved by people who grew up in Goa, people who’ve moved to Goa and people who are visiting Goa. The sweetest of sweet spots (much like their Primavera).

Run by the same team as Hideaway, Juna does for the DJ-driven after-party what Hideaway does for the indie music scenesters. Wear your dancing shoes if you’re dropping in late.

A charming restobar set on top of a hill, Verandah’s menu is all about small plates, wood-fired pizzas, pastas and seafood served in a relaxed, jazz-soaked ambience. There’s also a cosy speakeasy-style gin joint upstairs if you feel like changing the vibe.

A beloved garden-style restaurant set near the river and beach, Jardin is perfect for laid-back lunches and dinners. Make sure you don’t have anything to get to in a hurry—you’ll want to linger here.

In 2022, they moved from their popular, homely, field-view spot in Anjuna to the beach (first to Ashwem and now to Mandrem). Turns out that serving good food and cocktails at the beach was a masterstroke, and the cafe at Vaayu today is the go-to weekend beach spot for a whole community of people who’ve moved to Goa.

Amber Cocktail Bar in Ashwem is a small beachside bar focused on craft cocktails. The menu leans on clean, balanced drinks, and the setting is relaxed and low-key, making it an easy stop for a sunset drink or a quiet evening by the beach.

A charming cafe by morning and bar by night set in a lovingly restored old rice mill in Morjim, The Rice Mill comes alive on Saturday nights with jazz sessions that draw some interesting musicians from India and around the world, especially in peak season.

When Hosa first opened its doors in Siolim three years ago, it was known as “that South Indian restaurant opened by the Indian Accent guys”. It’s so firmly entrenched as a favourite that Hosa opened a branch in Delhi earlier this year!

This Assagao outpost of one of India’s best Japanese restaurants is, dare we say, even better than the OG Bandra spot with its pool view and French windows. Come for the sashimi, stay for the barbeque.

Neighbors is a popular all-day cafe and casual-dining spot known for a menu that very comfortably bridges breakfast, brunch, lunch, and evening drinks. They shut at 8 pm, so don’t land up for dinner.

Most restaurants and bars in Assagao have one thing in common: they’re all located in beautiful houses full of character. Where many have scrubbed the Goanness out of these old homes, Moody Mary leans into it. The result is a homely neighbourhood bar with a large outdoor space serving affordable drinks.

On an Assagao stretch serving everything from Japanese and Burmese to modern European cuisine, Avo’s Kitchen flies the flag for simple, homespun Goan food in an unhurried setting.

The name doesn’t suggest it, but Alag Cafe dishes out Japanese fare—from shokupan butter toast to a variety of sandos, including a crunchy chicken sando. A lovely all-day spot for coffee, brunch or a quiet catch-up.

A stylish French-European restaurant set in a restored Portuguese villa. Between the striking black-and-white chequered floors, outdoor garden, and elegant decor, Assa House strikes a great balance between classic and contemporary.

To get a seat at this true-blue neighbourhood watering hole you need to order your first craft beer before 7 pm, and not just because it’s a small space. Pablo’s is everyone’s first stop on a night out for some reasonably priced cocktails, good craft beer, and bar food to line the stomach.

Ranked 30 on the list of Asia’s Top 50 bars last year, Boilermaker describes itself as a five-star dive bar. The cocktails are inventive and the food is wholesome, but it’s the staff—both behind the bar and attentively serving tables—who are bringing the high-octane energy to this otherwise quiet neighbourhood.

Even before this neighbourhood bar opened, Pablo’s regulars had spread the word about the new kid in the village. By the same team, with the same easy breezy vibe, good service and drinks, in a bigger, airier space, this spot has been a hit with residents from day one. Tip: Go for the Sunday brunch specials of chhole-bhature and rajma-chawal

What happens at 7 Short stays at 7 Short—the ‘Belginda’ cocktails make sure of that, especially on Saturday karaoke nights. It’s family-run in the true sense: Belinda makes the drinks, her mother, Clara, curates the menu, and the restaurant sits in their family home.

When home-style hearty burgers meet beers on tap in an airy spot with a view of the creek and paddy fields, you know you’re in a part of Goa that most tourists are bypassing, lucky for you. If you time it well, you could complete your trip by staying at the rustic and serene Olaulim Backyards next door. Tip: Stay away from the resident donkey!

Mister Merchant’s is the open-to-all restaurant attached to Solene, the private members club in Moira. You get a quiet village, a luxurious house, and another hit menu from chef Picu, the creative force behind Jamun in Assagao and Pings Bai Hoi in Sangolda.

This is fashion designer Ritu Beri’s Goa project, so it’s no surprise that everything about this space is a little extra: bright red-and-white exteriors meet Baroque bar interiors, laterite pathways lead you up in a verdant garden. And with the Miguel’s team powering the food and drink, it certainly is an escape from the mundane and the regular.