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Telegraph

The 21 best restaurants in Goa

My favourite memory of Goa is waking up to the sound of the bread makers on their cycles every morning as they sold freshly baked pao (local bread) to families and restaurants. While this tradition continues, Goa's neighbourhoods, like Assagao, have shot to fame in recent years for their humble family-run eateries and a string of new bars and fine dining restaurants. As for what to order, Goan fish thali is also a must-try and there are many options across the state. This meal is unlike the rest of the country, thanks to the influence of Hindu Saraswat communities interspersed with Portuguese-influenced Catholic cuisine. Both use spices, seasonal produce and rely on rice as a staple, but mainly differ in their cooking styles. All our recommendations below have been hand-selected and tested by our resident destination expert to help you discover the best restaurants in Goa. Find out more below, or for more Goa inspiration, see our guides to the region's best hotels, bars, beaches and things to do. Find a restaurant by type: Best all-rounders Best for families Best for cheap eats Best for fine dining Best for walk-ins Best for light bites Best all-rounders Avo's Kitchen Brothers Amey and Gaurish Naik present their mother Vidya's recipes on the menu at Avo's Kitchen. The thalis are the highlight and a must-order. There are the usual xacuti and vindaloo curries, but request a traditional Saraswat thali and it is guaranteed to win you over. Expect plenty of local greens, hearty stews made with seasonal produce and coastal delicacies such as fried neerphanas (breadfruit) and wash it down with a glass of cool sol kadhi (kokum and coconut milk). Bomras One of the old timers in Goa's food scene, Bomras ranks high in the state's list of coveted restaurants with its numerous awards and accolades. Although Burmese restaurants have become popular across India in recent years, Bomras has been around since the Noughties, thanks to chef Bawmra Jap, who brought dishes from his home country, Myanmar. The tamarind pork, kachin chicken, and raw papaya salad are a must-order, as is the Bastenga (fermented bamboo shoot) Bloody Mary. Padaria Prazeres Take a break from Goan staples for one day and head to Padaria Prazeres, which is in a quiet residential part of Panjim. It is hard to miss thanks to its bright mustard-hued façade. Inside, you're greeted by the waft of freshly baked bread and pastries. They take pride in their brunch dishes but particularly their pastel de nata (Portuguese custard tarts) and palmiers, which are the brainchild of owner Ralph Prazares, whose credentials include working in renowned London establishments such as Bao, St. John, Clos Maggiore and The Rosewood. Vinayak Family Restaurant Assagao is now celebrated as Goa's ultimate food neighbourhood, but before the string of fine-dining establishments came about, every local and visitor headed to Vinayak, a humble, family-run spot with striking views of paddy fields. Expect a short wait over the weekends, but it's worth it if you're looking for a satisfying Goan fish thali lunch or light bites, like the famous semolina-coated, marinated fried prawns and chicken xacuti. Back to index Best for families Copperleaf Porvorim If there were one restaurant that could please various members of the family, it would be Copperleaf. The award-winning outlet in Porvorim has been around for many years and is still a crowd pleaser. You'll find north Indian classics, like naan and paneer, but the prawn kismoor (a mix of roasted prawns with grated coconut, spices and tamarind) in the seafood thali has won praise. Another reason why diners love coming here is for the staff and service Area: Porvorim Website: Price: ££ Reservations: Recommended during peak season Spice Goa Fish thali restaurants are peppered across the state. Spice Goa has wowed many travellers on the Goa-Mumbai Highway, but still has a quiet village feel inside. There's plenty of fresh, seasonal fish here and it can be cooked as you'd like it – fried or in a curry. What you must not leave without trying are the prawns that are marinated in a special masala and steamed in banana leaves. The Tanjore Tiffin Room Taking a break from Goan fare, here you'll be treated to cuisine from India's east coast, particularly the state of Tamil Nadu. Though the menu in this bistro can seem meat-heavy, with lamb biryani, attukal paya (lamb trotters), mutton stew and slow-cooked pork curry, there's a plethora of vegetarian choices, like beetroot fritters and jackfruit ghee roast. The drinks are delightfully southern, too. Order a sweet rum, tamarind and coconut cocktail to accompany your fiery meal. The Second House One for multi-generational families to look out for. In a restored, 108-year-old mansion spread across two levels, The Second House still manages to offer intimate dining. Wander through its many rooms, where you'll find plants in every nook, quirky art installations, a conservatory and a traditional Goan balcão (porch). Grab a table with the plush couches and enjoy chef Jyoti's take on global cooking – try the sea bass ceviche garnished with raw mango or some Goan-Egyptian bread. Cavatina Imagine Santorini meets Goa, which sounds odd, but it works at Cavatina, where chef Avinash Martins says his menu has a 'local heart but a global soul'. Each dish is inspired by his travels and some pay a tribute to the tribes of Goa. The star dish is the 'prawns who drank feni', served in a whole coconut and inspired by his travels in Kolkata, where a similar dish is served with prawns and mustard in coconut. Back to index Best for cheap eats Bhatti Village The beauty of Goa is that, unlike its Indian touristy counterparts, you can actually dine at someone's home, and Bhatti Village is one such gem. Patrick and Merciana D'Souza operate this canteen out of their home and will happily guide you through their Goan Catholic menu. Go for the hot and sour pork stew called sorportel (where the vinegar is made in-house) and cool off with a traditional Portuguese whipped cream and biscuit serradura pudding. Area: Nerul Contact: 0091 982 218 4103; Price: £ Reservations: Not essential. Confeitaria 31de Janeiro Through the labyrinth of Goa's Latin Quarter, Fontainhas, you'll pass local boutiques and languid stray dogs, but you'll also come across the quaint Confeitaria 31de Janeiro – one of Goa's oldest bakeries, dating back to 1930. Grab a table outside where you can enjoy a ros omelette (omelette served with xacuti gravy), cakes like a bebinca (a rich layered cake) or a rum ball, which is a local favourite. Amancio Classic For over four decades, Amancio has been a local favourite in the village of Siolim. It's also in a convenient location, between Chapora River and Siolim Fish Market, guaranteeing the seafood is fresh. The space is unpretentious and the bar is what greets you upon arrival, with a list of inexpensive cocktails. Though their traditional Goan food is fantastic, give the Indian-style lobster thermidor and the butter garlic calamari a try. Back to index Best for fine dining Hosa Hosa translates to 'new' in Kannada, the official language of Goa's neighbouring state, Karnataka. The team behind Indian Accent in Mumbai and Delhi opened Hosa by the river near Saint Anthony's Church. Tones of ebony and ivory in this refurbished Goan mansion create a lively warmth, with further character from the mosaic floor and tropical Indian flora. The food is a modern take on southern Indian classics, such as mutton pepper roast and vadacurry. Izumi Chef Noorseha Kably's brainchild, Izumi, was a welcoming change to Assagao's dining scene. She honed her culinary and sushi skills in Japan and, after finding success in Mumbai, her food has been a big hit among locals and visitors in Goa. There's a live sushi and sashimi station and a yakitori bar, along with crowd-pleasers like miso ramen and scallop katsu. The cocktails are a huge hit too, with various concoctions from yuzu and umeboshi. Jamun One of the most vibrant restaurants in Goa, with a long-standing well and a traditional Goan oven, Jamun serves Goan and Indian fare. Being a Delhi establishment, there's stellar butter chicken and kababs on the menu, but try modern Goan dishes like baked fish fillet with kokum and order a jamun sorbet to finish. Jamun is a seasonal Indian fruit with a distinct purplish-magenta hue, which is why you'll find the entire restaurant adorned with bursts of purple contrasted with deep terracotta. Back to index Best for walk-ins Kokni Kanteen The term Kokni refers to the region and culture of the west coast of India, particularly Goa, Maharashtra and Northern Karnataka. Owner Girish Desai converted an old inn into a no-frills eatery serving traditional Saraswat cuisine. There's antique paraphernalia from his home on the walls and the menu is handwritten on a blackboard. Expect a short wait, but you'll be given a token and can head back when your table is ready. The food lives up to the hype, particularly the hot and sour ambotik fish curry. Sai Family Restaurant and Bar Sai Family Restaurant and Bar is a friendly, laid-back seafood restaurant near Aldona ferry point, with an excellent seafood menu. It is one of those quintessential Goan spots where you head to with your friends when you're famished, as the portions are generous. The fish thali is one of the best in Goa, but don't miss the catch of the day, especially during lunch when it's relatively quiet. Ping's Bia Hoi There's al fresco dining and then there's Ping's – a leafy beer garden that serves superb Asian food, lagers and tiki cocktails, along with hosting live music and a flea market. Though their staples, like dim sum, Thai curries and khao suey are well-liked, their angry beef salad is unique, where sour, spicy and sweet notes confuse your taste buds. There are regular bar takeovers as well, so you may stumble upon some top-notch mixologists during their residency here. Cocoa Moga Bakehouse Away from the crowded streets in Parra, there's the delightful Cocoa Moga Bakehouse. In a relaxed garden space, enjoy their kombucha (brewed in-house), read a book or play board games. Owner Radhika Walke bakes outstanding Danish pastries, croissants and brioche buns every day and serves her bread with assorted dips. It is a great place to watch young Goan life unfold – you'll spot many of Goa's young entrepreneurs discussing ideas here. Back to index Best for light bites Grumps Over the years, many city-dwellers across India moved to Goa for a quieter life and better entrepreneurial opportunities. One such couple, who decided to give back to the community, are Agrini Satyarthi and Kartik Vasudeva – the duo opened Grumps by repurposing an old heritage property. The menu is an eclectic mix of Indian and South East Asian flavours. Pair the crowd favourite Stand By Me cocktail – tequila, guava, sumac and basil rum – with the juicy lamb krapao kebab. Juju A few minutes from Colva beach is Juju, a welcome addition to South Goa's dining scene, where an eccentric menu designed by chef Avinash Martins presents a contemporary twist on Indian food. The cocktail menu is designed by Evgenya Prazdnik and has all the classics, but you want to try the reimagined ones that are inspired by various parts of the country. Expect fun versions of familiar dishes, such as local Goan poi bread serving as a pizza base topped with bacon and onion jam and crème brûlée with apple jalebi for dessert. Back to index How we choose Every restaurant in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, who has visited to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets, from neighbourhood favourites to Michelin-starred restaurants – to best suit every type of traveller's taste – and consider the food, service, best tables, atmosphere and price in our recommendations. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up-to-date recommendations. About our expert Rashmi Narayan Having spent my childhood summers in India's famous seaside state – my father's birthplace – I am often escaping the chaos of London for some much-needed susegad, the Goan attitude towards leading a relaxed life.