If you’ve had your fill of sitting by the beach with a beer in one hand and a fork in the other dipping into some butter garlic prawns or Calamari, then check out ARTINFO India’s guide to the best places to eat in Bardez, Goa.  Keep in mind that most establishments in Panjim city are closed on Sunday afternoon, so plan accordingly.

George Restaurant and Bar

Situated in the church square bang opposite the Our Lady of Immaculate Conception church in Panjim, this cozy restaurant will not disappoint. Try the pork chops, fish curry rice, chicken cafreal, chicken xacuti, pork sorpotel, roast beef pao, and the prawn-stuffed papad. Also dig into a homely beef soup (beef boiled with bone marrow and an assortment of finely chopped carrots, potatoes, beef pieces and macaroni). If you’re having feni, always ask for the local feni, there are two kinds cashew and palm feni. The locals prefer the former.

Corina Restaurant and Bar

Find Corina restaurant and bar just below the new Patto Bridge, on your left as you enter Panjim. If you’re there for lunch, make sure to get a Goan Fish Curry Thali – fish curry, rice, one vegetable, a side dish of shellfish, chapatti, papad and salad. Their Goa sausage chili fry is brilliant as is the pork assad and beef roladinho. We suggest you begin your meal with a chilled beer and a helping of beef tongue roast.

Avanti Bar & Restaurant

Make your way through Fontainhas, the old Latin quarter of Panjim, to Avanti bar and restaurant. Soak in the old world charm as you choose between a range of Goan delicacies including prawn balchao, shark ambotik, Fejoida, squid masala, pork chilli fry, five types of fish curries and 18 varieties of seafood. Wash it all down with a chilled beer.

Ritz Classic

For the best Goan Thali and seafood platter in all of North Goa, head to Ritz Classic on 18^thJune Road. You should also try the squid masala fry, crab dry fry and baby Chonak tandoori. The Ritz Classic will crush all of your ideas of a susegad Goa, the service here is as quick-footed and efficient as an Udipi restaurant.

Venite Bar & Restaurant

This restaurant is a bit tricky to find, but your efforts will be well rewarded once you walk through the seashell-studded entrance to the first floor which is built out of wooden boards from old Portuguese ships. If you walk in on a hot afternoon, be assured your Kings beer will be served to you in a frosted beer mug. If the place is empty, it’s the perfect opportunity to park yourself at a table by the few tiny balconies and feast on a plate of pork chops, either grilled or cooked in a typical Goan assad masala.  

Ernesto’s

For a more contemporary Goan flavor, one that is inspired by a more continental menu, wander around Fontainhas until you stumble upon Ernesto’s near the Maruti Temple. Run by brothers Ernesto and Vasquito Alvares, this restaurant is located in an old Goan house with a small courtyard with outdoor seating. Start off your meal with a Bimbli Vodka cocktail made from fruits that grow in their garden. Must-haves include Goan sausage lasagna, Fejoida and the barbecue baby back ribs. Sera Dura, a heavenly dessert, is the house specialty.

The Joint

Drive on past the smaller Panjim Bridge and take the sharp left turn down through Betim and make your way to Quegdevelim beach in the village of Reis Magos. A large signboard will let you know that you’re at The Joint, which, contrary to what you may imagine, is actually named after the shack’s location at the point where the river Mandovi meets the Arabian Sea. The sound of the waves and the many dogs will greet you as you enter. Ask for Melwyn, who will tell you the specials of the day. We recommend the prawns butter garlic, fish curry and the chicken cafreal. If you’re here early enough in the day, you can soak in the sunrise and watch dolphins frolicking in the water. Sunsets are breathtaking.

FAST FOOD

If you thought Goa was only famous for its seafood, think again. Chances are every food cart you stumble upon as you drive through Goa has a beautiful sampling of home-cooked pork and beef.

Texeira’s

Post 6pm, ride down the road from Panjim along the river Mandovi until you reach a little chapel at the junction of the road in Ribandar. Walk to the side of the chapel where you will find a little room with newspaper cutouts of body builders glued to the walls and two men frying Pork chops behind a counter. These magnificent pork chops are doused in Goan palm vinegar and served to you with or without bread. Next, try the steak pao – a slice of beef coated in rawa and fried, served in a pao along with “junglee” salad (cabbage and onions crushed in Goan vinegar). The chicken cafreal or the beef chilly fry are also excellent. This joint is very popular with the locals, so be there early, as the food doesn’t last very long and Texeira’s usually shuts by 8pm.

Mr. D’Silva’s

Mr. D’Silva’s is famous for its steak pao and fish cutlets. Find him opposite Dayanand Bandodkar's Samadhi, just before Sharada Mandir school gate in Miramar, between 6pm and 9pm. 

King Kane Goan Fast Food Cart

King Kane is one of the most popular food carts in North Goa. Located near Candolim Market, this cart serves only home-cooked food. For a quick snack, try the beef cutlet pao. There’s also pork sorpotel, roast beef, roast pork, adh maas (bone meat soup), chicken cafreal and goan sausage-stuffed bread.

A GOAN NIGHT ON THE TOWN

If you’re trying to get away from the city clubbing scene, then we suggest you have a Goan night out. Ride down the road from Candolim towards Baga. Music and the smell of freshly cooked food will beckon. Here’s our pick of the best places to visit.

Down the road

Situated right in front of the 300-year-old Patto Bridge, overlooking the Rua de Ourem in Panjim, Down the Road boasts the biggest Chinese-Oriental menu in Goa. Get yourself a drink and soak in the live music every night of the week.

The Stone House, Candolim

Take the road to Fort Aguada and look for a large, life-sized saxophone to your left. Just before the saxophone you’ll find The Stone house. Expect live music every night of the week. When the musicians take their timely breaks, Christopher, the owner, fills the air with blues music from his personal collection. The best seat in the house is by the bar where you can chat with Chris about the blues as you sip your feni. The Goan cuisine is the most recommended on the menu as well as the Tzaziki with popadam. If you’re a musician, don’t be afraid to go jam with the band.

Cavala, Baga

One of the best places to spend an evening in Goa, walking into Cavala feels like walking into a party in an old Goan house. Live music will entertain you every night of the week and there’s always one point in the evening when everybody attempts to fit into the inside area to dance to the beat of the live band. The flavored feni is a must-try at Cavala along with the wide range of dishes from the Goan and continental kitchens. Don’t forget to say hello to the patrao (owner) Mareus, who is instantly recognizable (look for the man with the signature handle bar mustachio).