The beautiful state of Goa, also known as the land of the sun, sand, and the sea, is very famous for its cuisine. Goan recipes have a mixture of Indian and Portuguese influences. Thousands of tourists who come down to Goa for a much-needed vacation eagerly search for places to get a taste of authentic Goan flavours. Here’s a list of the best Goan seafood restaurants in North Goa which offer authentic Goan food.
Vinayak Family Restaurant, Assagao
Starting the list of top Goan seafood restaurants in North Goa is Vinayak. This family-run restaurant is very simple and basic in terms of decor but the food is outstanding. The decor is simple with lovely open fields to one side and nothing fancy. Their Fish thali – severed only during lunch hours- is awesome. The dishes are authentic in taste and very well priced. Apart from the thali, you can try the Rava Fried Prawns, Crab Xacuti -with delicious gravy with some phulkas and a Red Snapper Thali served with a mackerel gravy, crab curry, potato bhaji, tisreo (shellfish), a huge heap of rice and some sol kadi. The pricing is quite reasonable and the food is very tasty.
The Goan Room, Dona Paula
Next on the list of best Goan seafood restaurants in North Goa is Goan Room. This is a nice restaurant in the heart of Dona Paula. It is very close to the Dona Paula beach and Dona Paula jetty. This is a feel-good restaurant with Mario Miranda type wall coverings. The Restaurant is quite spacious with ample tables and has seating on the ground floor as well as an airconditioned section on the mezzanine floor. It is noted for serving mouth-watering Goan cuisine. Their fish thalis are the most popular dishes among diners during lunch hours. They serve the famous Patrao Thali–which is quite substantial and tasty, having a mix of seafood like kingfish, prawn curry and cutlet, fish curry, crab curry etc. They also have a well-stocked bar which offers a variety of cocktails, mocktails, liquor and gins. Their service is quick and their staff is friendly. Overall a good place to have a Goan meal when in Dona Paula.
Anand Seafood Restaurant, Anjuna
Anand Seafood Bar and Restaurant is one of the best places in Anjuna you can go to if you are on a quest for authentic Goan seafood! Situated in the countryside near Anjuna beach, this quaint little place is filled with tourists and locals all the time. The place has a very simple ambience. They have a beautiful open-air seating area as well as an airconditioned section indoors. Their food tastes good and the portions served are decent in size. Their prices are also quite reasonable.
One can go for their seafood thali with Chonak masala Rawa fry as an appetiser or the normal veg thali. The seafood thali consists of white rice, cabbage fry, clams masala, kingfish Tawa fry and Goan prawn curry. Their kingfish Tawa fry is very succulent and ravishing. The prawn curry is hauntingly delicious and will have your taste buds craving for more! The chonak masala Rawa fry is equally appetising. Vegetarians can try their veg thali consisting of cabbage fry, dal rice and papad. The place is a must-visit when in Anjuna.
Kokni Kanteen, Panaji
Lastly, on the list of top Goan seafood restaurants in North Goa is Kokni Kanteen. Kokni Kanteen, which is decorated in the style of a 1970’s canteen, is known for its thalis and is always busy for lunch and dinner. The décor of the canteen—chilli clusters on the walls and porcelain vessels adorning the shelves—transports you back to a time when purumenth (provisioning for the monsoon season) was required. Every meal over here is freshly prepared.
A short menu of main course items provides a wonderful taste of Goa’s green culinary heritage. Semolina-coated breadfruit fritters, home-style toi dal, and ambadyache uddamethi, a dish with fenugreek, split black grams, coconut, and hog plum, are among the vegetarian thali’s highlights. Ghotache sasav, sweet mango curry, and maskachi bhaji which is made with stir-fried moringa leaves and jackfruit seeds are all worth trying.
So, when you are in North Goa, head down to one of these amazing restaurants and treat yourself and your family to a feast of mouthwatering Goan delicacies. Bon Appetit!
