The Grillers Goa

In the colourful lanes of Fontainhas, Panjim, The Grillers Goa brings together American fast food, international street-food favourites and familiar Goan flavours in a casual, welcoming setting. Founded by Mikhil Morajkar and Luiton Fernandes, the café is the result of a friendship that began during their hospitality studies and gradually grew into a shared ambition to build something of their own. With freshly prepared food, generous portions and affordable prices at its core, the venture reflects their commitment to flavour, sincerity and perseverance.

A Friendship That Grew Into a Business

Mikhil and Luiton first met in 2012 while studying Hospitality Management at IIAS, Panjim. Although their culinary specialisations differed, their shared love for street food brought their ideas together. Mikhil developed his expertise in continental cuisine and pizzas, gaining professional experience at Russo’s in Dubai, while Luiton explored pastry, desserts and cakes, with work opportunities in the USA and Dubai.

The idea of starting their own venture took shape through conversations after long working shifts. Inspired by a smash burger they tried at Five Guys, the duo began discussing how simple food could deliver remarkable flavour without unnecessary complexity. They would sit together with a notebook, exchange ideas and imagine the kind of place they wanted to create. What started as informal conversations eventually became a business built on friendship, trust and a shared willingness to learn.

From a Food Truck to a Café in Panjim

In 2018, the duo brought their vision to life with a food truck called The Serial Grillers in Anjuna. The venture gave them an opportunity to introduce their food to customers and develop their concept through practical experience. One of their distinctive initiatives was converting a shawarma truck into a self-powered food truck using solar panels, demonstrating their resourcefulness in finding solutions with the means available to them.

Running the venture alongside their regular jobs demanded considerable effort. Their days were divided between professional commitments and the responsibilities of the food truck, with evenings spent serving customers and days off devoted to shopping, preparation and events. Although the routine was exhausting, their belief in the idea encouraged them to keep going.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced them to close the food truck and reconsider their plans. A trademark dispute also meant they could no longer use their original business name, leading to the transition to The Grillers Goa. Rather than abandon their dream, they adapted to the circumstances and eventually established a permanent café in Panjim. This transition marked an important turning point, teaching them resilience and the importance of rebuilding with patience and determination.

A Menu Rooted in Flavour and Familiarity

At The Grillers Goa, the philosophy is straightforward: good food should be flavourful, satisfying and accessible. The menu brings together American-style burgers, pizzas, grilled dishes and international street-food favourites, alongside offerings that reflect Goa’s culinary identity. Rather than complicating familiar dishes, the founders focus on fresh ingredients, careful preparation and consistency.

The team prepares food fresh to order and makes its sauces in-house, paying attention to the small details that influence taste. For Mikhil and Luiton, a dish does not need to be elaborate to be memorable; it needs the right balance of flavours and thoughtful execution. This approach allows them to offer comforting food while maintaining the quality and value they want customers to associate with the café.

The founders also enjoy bringing international influences together with familiar local flavours rather than simply replicating dishes from elsewhere. Their Chicken Cafreal Pizza illustrates this approach, combining the Goan-inspired flavour of cafreal with a globally loved favourite. Alongside it, customers can find classics such as Margherita pizza and a variety of burgers, creating a menu that balances familiarity with experimentation.

Customer Favourites and Signature Sauces

Among the café’s most popular choices is the Grilled Chicken Burger, served with homemade curly fries. Prepared with patties and sauces made from scratch, it reflects the founders’ emphasis on thoughtful preparation. Cheesy Garlic Bread and Chicken Loaded Fries are also favourites, while the Tandoori Chicken and Mushroom Peperonata pizzas appeal to those who enjoy bold flavours and generous portions. The cold coffee has developed its own following, too, offering a refreshing accompaniment to the menu.

Sauces play an important role in the café’s identity. The Fiery Sauce, burger sauce and pizza sauce are prepared in-house using the founders’ own recipes, developed through repeated experimentation. Their pizza sauce, made daily with fresh tomatoes, receives particular attention. By following their preparation methods carefully, they aim to maintain consistency and ensure that customers can enjoy the flavours they have come to appreciate on every visit.

New recipes are developed through experimentation and honest feedback from friends who enjoy food. Customer preferences and changing trends also inform the process, but every addition must fit the café’s identity. Ingredient quality, portion sizes, preparation methods and pricing are considered together to ensure customers receive good value without compromising on flavour. The goal is to make satisfying meals accessible while continuing to introduce dishes that keep the menu interesting.

Something for Every Appetite

Variety is central to the menu, with options for both vegetarian and non-vegetarian diners. Vegetarian choices include more than ten varieties of pizza, paneer burgers, chilli cheese toast and vegetarian sandwiches. Non-vegetarian offerings range from grilled chicken and burgers to wings and other favourites, ensuring there is something to suit different tastes.

This variety allows people with different preferences to enjoy a meal together without having to compromise on choice. Whether customers are looking for a quick bite, a casual catch-up over coffee or a filling meal, the aim is to offer satisfying options at accessible prices. For the founders, affordability is not about cutting corners but about making thoughtful choices that balance quality, portion sizes and cost.

A Relaxed Space for People and Their Pets

Beyond the food, The Grillers Goa aims to provide a welcoming space where people can spend quality time with friends, family and their pets. The founders wanted the café to be more than a place to eat; they envisioned a relaxed setting where customers could unwind, enjoy a meal and feel comfortable spending time together.

Recognising that pets are part of the family for many people, they chose to make the café pet-friendly while striving to maintain a pleasant environment for all guests. This approach reflects their broader understanding of hospitality, where the experience extends beyond what is served at the table. Friendly service, a comfortable atmosphere and the freedom to enjoy an unhurried meal are all part of what they hope customers remember.

Building Through Challenges and Change

The journey has involved sacrifices, uncertainty and continuous adjustment. Balancing full-time jobs with a food truck, rebuilding after the pandemic and establishing a café in the competitive Fontainhas neighbourhood have all presented challenges. Rising operating costs, fluctuating ingredient prices and unpredictable weather continue to demand careful planning and adaptability.

Despite these difficulties, the founders consider the transition from a food truck in Anjuna to a permanent café in Panjim one of their most rewarding achievements. Having experienced the effort required to build the business from the ground up, they value every returning customer, recommendation and word of encouragement. The support they receive serves as a reminder of why they began and motivates them to keep improving.

Their longstanding friendship remains central to the business. Outside work, Mikhil and Luiton enjoy playing 8-ball pool, travelling and hiking, activities that allow them to unwind and explore beyond their professional commitments. The trust they have developed over the years continues to support their partnership as they navigate the responsibilities of running a growing venture.

Looking Ahead With Gratitude

The focus at The Grillers Goa remains on learning, improving the menu, exploring new dishes and maintaining the standards that have shaped the business. The founders want to grow at a pace that allows them to preserve their original values while continuing to offer food they can be proud of. Their plans centre on steady progress, with quality and customer satisfaction remaining important considerations.

For Mikhil Morajkar and Luiton Fernandes, the café represents more than a business. It is the outcome of a friendship, a shared love for food and a dream pursued through years of hard work. From their early days serving customers from a food truck in Anjuna to welcoming guests at their café in Fontainhas, their journey has been shaped by experimentation, setbacks and the determination to keep moving forward.

As they look to the future, the founders remain grateful to everyone who has supported them along the way. With its combination of international street-food influences, Goan flavours, freshly prepared dishes and a relaxed atmosphere, The Grillers Goa continues to build its story one meal at a time, guided by the belief that good food, honest effort and genuine hospitality can create lasting connections.