Goa is a foodie paradise, especially with the an overwhelming number of cafes, restaurants, home chefs and even food pop-ups that open every day here. But some of these places have stood the test of time, so we’d suggest beginning your Goa culinary adventure at these restaurants. 

Cantare, Saligao
Tucked in the interiors of Saligao, Cantare has been a favourite amongst locals and tourists for years now. This family-run restaurant has a lovely old-world vintage charm that lends a unique identity to this place. Great Goan and Thai cuisine make this restaurant a hot favourite. If you visit, don’t forget to order the Thai red curry, beefsteak, seafood noodles and pork chops. For those who love music, Cantare comes highly recommended for live acts. Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays are reserved for jazz nights, while Thursdays and Sundays are for rock and roll. Wednesdays are dedicated to quiz nights

The Black Sheep Bistro
This casual dining restaurant in Panjim has been famous for its farm to fork dining concept and has been dishing mouth-watering dishes that are enjoyed by both locals and tourists alike. A restaurant whose sole purpose is to serve great food, The Black Sheep Bistro is famous for its chorizo pav, ceviche and ghee roasted pork ribs among other equally outstanding dishes. Lunch is served from 12 pm-4 pm, while dinner time is between 7 pm-1 am. You can totally hop over between 4 pm-7 pm to enjoy their handcrafted cocktails and happy hours.

The Lazy Goose
Nestled by the riverside in Nerul, The Lazy Goose is a lovely restaurant to enjoy a meal at, especially during sunset. The views are totally worth your Instagram feed, and the local cuisine completes this picture perfect scene. Old-timers will remember this as Amigos, a restaurant that was popular for its home cooked meals. Good news is that the local style of cooking has been maintained. The menu might be limited, but definitely has some of the best seafood in Goa. The pepper crab, butter garlic prawns and red snapper studded with racheado masala come highly recommended. On some days, they host live music gigs and we think that’s a great time to plan your meal around. 

The Fisherman’s Wharf
An expansive space that is gorgeous, The Fisherman’s Wharf has been a legendary restaurant for years now, attracting crowds to its Panjim, Salcette and Calangute outlets, from all over. The ship-deck like décor, great service and delectable local cuisine make this hotspot for foodies. The view of the backwaters at Salcette and lovely breeze all throughout the year make a meal here, memorable in every sense and it’s no surprise that it’s packed even during Goa’s lean season. The tandoori pomfret, fish ambotik, masala fried prawns and fish curry rice come highly recommended. They also have live music performances every night, so if you’re planning a romantic dinner, The Fisherman’s Wharf is a great idea.

On Sundays, live music is performed by artists at lunch as well as dinner.