9 new restaurants and menus to try on your next visit to Goa 

Goa is no stranger to good food, be it at its iconic beach shacks, family-style seafood restaurants, health cafes, or happening bars. And with a new eating spot popping up in the state every few weeks, its offerings only seem to grow day by day. It's safe to say that Goa is one of the most interesting culinary destinations in India currently, with cuisines ranging from authentic Thai, fusion Goan, and inventive European to pan-Asian. 

The popular holiday destination is brimming with new restaurants offering ingeniously crafted dishes and cocktails, unique interiors, and an unmatched vibe. Since there is no dearth of options to choose from, Cosmo India has made your planning a little bit easier with a curated list of the hottest spots and newest menus. Dive right in!

Juna 

Bold, unabashed flavours are the mainstay of Goa’s latest culinary offering—JUNA. Like many restaurants and cafes that have opened up in the state in the past few years, it calls a traditional Goan house its home. Complete with a little courtyard framed by lush banyan and mango trees, it is a perfect setting for al fresco meals. Drop in for a quick bite and a round of cocktails with friends. We recommend getting the fried basil chicken popcorn and bite-sized tacos. If you go on Mondays, make the most of their burgers and sandwiches, which are a weekly special. 

Issa 

In a state where beach-facing spots are touted as the ultimate destinations, Issa offers a refreshing reprieve by overlooking the Chapora River instead. Susegad finds a new meaning here with a space spread across two floors that is homely, chic, yet completely chill. Rattan furniture, cane lamps, and azulejo tiles all mix together for a laid-back vibe that is reflected in the fuss-free food and drinks as well. Be it overloaded tacos, cheesy skewers, or seafood mains and classics like wood-fired pizzas and indulgent pasta, you’ll be spoilt for choice. 

Nami 

Assagao is Goa’s culinary hotbed, buzzing with cafes, bakeries, and restaurants at every corner. Nami, an izakaya and sake bar is the latest addition. The small but mighty menu features a balanced mix of non-vegetarian and vegetarian fare across dishes like sushi, ramen, salads, robatayaki (grilled meat and veggies), and sharing platters. While you can pick a classic cocktail to go with your meal, you’d be remiss to not try one of their sake cocktails, given it’s a sake bar. 

São By The Shore 

It’s all in the name. Located smack dab on the Ashwem beach in North Goa,  the restaurant provides an unobstructed view of the beach coupled with a serene vibe. Macrame furniture lines its open area on the sands that also features reclining beach beds. It’s the perfect spot for a sundowner accompanied by a cocktail of your choice and the Goan-European bar nibbles like the burrata with cherry tomatoes and lamb kebabs or the shareable Mediterranean platters.

Praça Prazeres 

From the couple behind one of Goa’s favourite (and most viral) bakeries Padaria Prazeres comes a new restaurant dishing out simple, flavourful European food. Chef Ralph Prazeres and Stacy Gracias’s newest venture Praça Prazeres is located in an old warehouse in the Fontainhas district and lures passersby with its dusty pink facade. If you want your meal to come with a side of delectable interiors and a warm, inviting ambience, then it will become your new go-to in the state. Either get a table on the ground floor, which has a live kitchen or head upstairs to sit by the lively attic bar. Tuck into dishes like the impossibly crispy beef rib croquettes, pan-seared fish, a refreshing beet salad, and more. 

Amour 

If dining in a restored 119-year-old villa in the bylanes of Assagao is your vibe, then head to Amour, which opened its doors in December last year. Prepare to fall in love with the soothing interiors complete with lime-washed walls, grand chandeliers, breezy curtains, and interesting décor. The food will be love at first bite too – think stuffed shrimp, fresh mussels paired with linguine, beef carpaccio, and more. Those craving curry shouldn’t miss the chef’s special sea bass moilee. An extensive wine list, plenty of fun cocktails, and an exciting dessert menu round off the experience. Drop by in the mornings to get a taste of their breakfast specials and to sample their hot-off-the-oven bakes.  

Yazu 

There has been an uptick in the number of city restaurants opening up outposts in Goa, and Yazu is an addition to the growing list. The popular pan-Asian restaurant in North Goa is located right at the beach, meaning you’re sure to get delicious sunset views along with the food. If you drop by before April 18, you can experience the ongoing Yazu Nikkei food festival that shines a spotlight on the unique cuisine, which is a blend of Peruvian ingredients and Japanese techniques. Seafood lovers will love the ceviche and tiraditos (both are raw fish preparations), and there are other small and big plates to savour as well, like robatayaki grills, comforting curries, and more. Sip on their limited-edition tipples as you admire the waves and the setting sun—a quintessential Goan experience, if we might say so!

Casanoni Trattoria 

Does your idea of the perfect date night involve endless plates of pasta topped with a mountain of parmesan, slightly charred pizzas brought straight from the oven to the table, and thick slices of bruschetta to cut through all that richness? If yes, then the next time you’re in Goa, make your way to Casanoni Trattoria, which is serving up traditional Italian fare with its own flair. Tucked in the picturesque Fontainhas district of Panjim, its menu is inspired by hearty, wholesome food that an Italian nonna might whip up. Dig into a variety of sandwiches, salads, mains, and of course pizzas and pastas. You could stick to wine or order a fun cocktail from the bar. Whatever you do, don’t forget to order their tiramisu, which is the talk of town. 

Elephant & Co 

One of Pune’s hottest bars, Elephant & Co is now regaling the Goan crowd with its excellent cocktails and some of the best tasting food. Located in the north part of the state in tourist-favourite Anjuna, it will make for a great addition to your Goan pub crawl. Enjoy their new menu that features creative concoctions like Gin FOMO and Dukshiri Negroni and dig into their lunch specials including the classic prawn curry, pork belly, caramelised goat cheese, and more. 

Lead image: Elephant & Co 

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