The ‘Goan bubble’ for the sunshine state exists for a good reason. For starters, perched on a picturesque coastline, it offers plenty – from sand, palm trees, coconuts, and adventure sports to a brilliant drinking and dining scene. Embracing the susegad life is the only way to be and what better way to do that than exploring its boisterous repertoire of cafes? Cafés are to Goa what avocado is to toast – you can’t turn a corner without stumbling upon a snug one. But with the new normal, we believe that choosing a cafe has a lot more to do with aesthetics than anything else, giving us every reason to satisfy that need to snap a pic for the gram. And so to help, we’ve created an ultimate guide of cute Goan cafes to bookmark for all you discerning foodies on your next trip to the sunshine state. Pretty much like Goa itself, the menus here are versatile and all-encompassing – from rustic to refined and vegan to carnism to everything in between. So whether you’re looking to fuel up before beach hopping, or looking for clean eating, these cafés have you more than covered.
Let’s jump right in!
Bloom and Brew, Assagao
A cafe so soothing, you’re going to feel at ease at Bloom instantly. A pet-friendly cafe with a resident golden retriever, Asi, indulges not just in delicious food but also in good old heart-to-hearts as well. With beautiful corners where you can both chill and work, their meticulously curated menu features flavors from all around the globe – from salad to smoothies, pancakes to pastas, toasts to tacos, and apple pies to Alaskan fritters that are all healthy, gut-friendly, and refined sugar-free.
Sopo, Assagao
Their mantra says it all–soak in art, savor Burmese cuisine and sip refreshing cocktails. Drop in for some punchy khow suey, shan tofu, kya basun kin, lahpet thoke and kachin aubergine steak, and pair them with their signature cocktails to make the most of a visit to this one-of-a-kind cafe.
O’Aido, Anjuna
Literally translating to ‘courtyard’, this boho chic rooftop cafe nestled in lush greenery on a bustling Anjuna street offers Portuguese-inspired Goan and Mediterranean cuisine. If a laid-back brunch or a fuss-free dinner is what you seek then head over to this place. Their signature cocktails and Serradura are a must-try.
Lollo Rosso, Anjuna
Nestled amidst a grove of coconut trees, this quaint cafe is inspired by the landscape, oasis & stunning expanse of Ubud, Bali, and overlooks paddy fields. With a guaranteed chill vibe, scrumptious bowl meals & gourmet cocktails accompany this lush view. Their extensive food menu features both veg and non-veg delicacies focusing on South Asian fare such as sushi and dim sums, along with bowl meals from over 15 different cuisines around the world.
Elaa, Anjuna
This café and bar by a stream within The Hammock by Chef Sandeep Sreedharan of Mahé fame serves a thoughtfully curated, ingredient-driven, earth-based menu. About 70 percent of the menu here is vegan –paying an ode to local and sustainable fare sourced from a farm. The few pescatarian offerings on the menu feature seafood from the lower rung of the food chain. Gorge on some of the most unheard combinations like alsande beans sorghum millet taco, sweet potato on rechiedo and cashew cream, scrambled egg, avo and kasundi on toast, grilled idli with pumpkin puree. Also, the garden area doubles up as the perfect space to work out of and the beach is just close by for you to catch the sunset while sipping on a cup of joe.
Maai, Assagao
A century-old 5-bedroom Portuguese mansion in Assagao has been restored into Maai which is eclectic and quaint, all at once. The rustic bungalow-style restaurant features a vast dining area, a patio garden, indoor seating, and an open bar as well. An imaginative menu curated by chef Balaji has its culinary ethos rooted in Goan and Portuguese homestyle flavors and cuisine. Also, indulge in the casa de maai featuring cashew feni as its base, and other drinks featuring coffee flavors and more
Bo Tai, Vagator
Situated atop the Ozran beach hill, Bo-Tai offers a 270-degree view of the Arabian sea. Revv up your Goan eat-iterinary by indulging in some contemporary Thai and Italian cuisines all whilst catching a spectacular sunset against the backdrop of the Goan coastline and sipping on exotic cocktails, especially the famed full moon festival one. Give your dining experience a sweet ending with their desserts highlighting tropical flavors.
Cafe Chocolatti, Candolim
This one’s a garden cafe housed inside an age-old Goan villa nestled in a beautiful relaxing ambiance with lots of greenery and yet close to the beachside and a bustling street. Its laidback vibe instantly charms followed by its exceptional dessert repertoire featuring classics like coffee walnut cake, chocolate walnut brownies, seasonal homemade strawberry jam, and orange marmalade. Also known for their scrumptious breakfast fares like grilled mushrooms, eggs, sausage, bacon, baked beans, crepes, juice, and coffee.
Caravela cafe, Candolim and Panjim
This local family-owned cafe has two outlets in Panjim and Candolim serving an extensive all-day breakfast menu. Additionally, they also serve authentic Goan staples like ros omelette, chourico, pork vindaloo, serradura, and fresh bakes – both sweet and savory. A cozy vibe, minimal decor and quirky walls make this cafe a perfect spot for families looking for a quaint dining experience to friends to catch up with, and tourists looking to get a taste of Goa.
Larder and Folk, Panjim
This cute cozy little bakery is a brainchild of a cute couple named Priyanka Sardessai, a trained chef from the Culinary Institute of America, and Siddarth Sumitran, her husband and business partner, also a photographer. It metamorphosized from a cloud kitchen to a walk-in to a sit-down cafe and is redefining sourdoughs, sandwiches, sauces, and snacks along with regaling with lavish treats at private parties. The menu is handwritten on a blackboard nailed on the wall featuring some of their specialties like fried chicken sandwiches, dan dan noodles, braided, milk chocolate, vanilla bombolini, tiramisu, limon, dark chocolate buns, gooey chocolate tart, banana cream pie and cookies.
Padaria Prazeres, Panjim
This artisanal bakery-cafe located in a residential neighborhood in Miramar serves up a heavenly slice of Europe on the sunkissed sandy shores of Goa. Run by husband-wife duo Ralph Prazeres and Stacy Gracias, the name literally translates to ‘bakery pleasures’ in Portuguese. And they do live up to the hype. Minimally modern with indoor and outdoor seating, the cafe has a perpetual aroma of freshly baked goodies. They serve sandwiches, bagels, Berliners, pastéis de nata, doughnuts, madeleines, cakes, French palmier, and financier, guaranteeing foodgasm in every bite.
Felix Goa, Anjuna
Situated in the heart of Anjuna, Felix is set in a Goan Portuguese-style villa amid a lush tropical garden, an indoor space and is equipped with an artisanal coffee shop, a traditional cocktail bar, a co-working space, an art gallery and an event space. They whip up American and European delights like young coconut buko salad, roasted chicken, braised mutton chops, mushroom & spinach filled empanadas with roasted aubergine and chickpea pilaf, yam samosas from locally sourced ingredients coupled with experimental cocktails like the white rum soul kadi. This cafe is postcard perfect with food moments to boot.
Toro Toro, Baga-Arpora
A drive down the Baga river road with pretty blue Goan skies will lead you to Toro Toro – a quirky tropical caravan bar replete with all the right spirits. The vibe is unique as brunch offers Insta-worthy moments aplenty being a tropical delight while the night offers a more energetic setting with its dim lights and live music on weekends. An extensive menu of tapas featuring delights like Mediterranean grilled prawns, pulled pork bruschetta, sushi rolls, and mud crabs is complemented by the usual fare of pizzas, pasta, and even Goan food. Hop on their breakfast menu for mutton keema with pao, spinach on toast and English breakfast.
Pro-tip: Pick the high table with bar chairs to soak up the sun and tuck into their feted French Toast laden with maple syrup and caramelized apples.
Paz Goa, Vagator
If beachy bohemian is your thriving vibe then this quaint boutique cafe bar is just the place for you to unwind and rejuvenate. While artistically decorated in white and blue and a peaceful and cozy ambience pleases from the word go, this nifty place celebrates the susegad mood with great food like wholesome smoothie bowls, quinoa salad, handcrafted cocktails and live music on most nights. A perfect spot for a lazy brunch or snap those moments for the gram, this place is a must-visit.
Nata Goa, Anjuna
Right in the heart of Goa’s Anjuna, Nata with all its simplicity exudes European vibes that are not just limited to the minimal yet serene decor but extend to serving up scrumptious Portuguese cusine, from an authentic vegetarian thali and bolo rei to the unique pastel de nata. Pair these up with some quirky but healthy juices and smoothies like the metabolism booster and green dream smoothie. A hop, skip and jump to the Anjuna beach, don’t forget to try Poseidon’s steak – a tender fillet steak with prawns and mushrooms in a rich cream sauce served with chips.
Suha, Anjuna
If you’re a sucker for cozy corners & sunsets, then Suha with its boho aesthetic and neon lights is a perfect spot to unwind. They have a lot to offer, right from pizzas to salads to some thai peanut hummus in between–all of which is not only presented beautifully but taste even better. Their drinks menu is eclectic and a worthy accompaniment to the food and ambience.
Mamalouka, Anjuna
Ushering oodles of Santorini vibes, place should be at the top of your list for a sundowner. Touted to be the most instagrammable cafe in Anjuna, a pretty walkway will lead you to interiors with modern decor with a Greek theme and is brightly lit. The menu offers Mediterranean cuisine and boozy cocktails, especially the gin ones like athens garden, mamalouka paloma, piraeus liver that is not just flavourful but also eye-pleasing – a treat for your palate and eyes! Do gorge on the delicious bar bites like matthi canapes and wasabi sev puri.
Mama Miso, Majorda
Your sushi cravings just found a new address at Mama Miso – perfect for spending a lazy afternoon or a cozy candlelight dinner. Their casual seating with a chic modern decor is accompanied by a pan Asian fare and quirky cocktails. Dishes like avocado kimchi toast, crispy red snapper, wonton cups, chicken katsu bao, grilled chicken satay, sushi, and dumpling soup pack a punch while their desserts like the Japanese cheesecake and fried ice cream are a must-try. If you haven’t before, then their frozen margarita should also be on your list.
Totem, Ashvem
This experimental yet casual boutique restaurant and bar have been designed around the modern tribal theme. So popping tones, graphical lighting, textured seating and a cool 40-ft bar, distinctive wooden couches, benches and tall stools with an animal print say a big fat hello when you enter. Totem offers an extensive European food menu with some Mexican and Continental thrown into the mix, a zero percent alcohol menu, and crafted cocktails that are sugar-free and one-of-a-kind. With live African music and tribal-themed gigs every week, dining at Totem which is surrounded by bamboo trees is a perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Baba Au Rhum, Anjuna and Bardez
This renowned french cafe with its rustic interiors, and great music serves one of the best pizzas and desserts that are to be found in Goa. Always surrounded by art is just how the vibe of the place is and perfect for all the breakfast junkies out there. They have it all, from baguettes, quiches, crostinis, ciabatta, and croissants to a fabulous array of eggs, smoothies, and shakes. Do give their burgers and salads a try too – with ample choices for vegetarians and meat lovers. Boozy accompaniments and live music on the weekends make this place a must-visit.
The Rice Mill, Morjim
This quaint cafe bar is housed within an old rice mill dating all the way to 1955. Rustic yellow walls, a serene vibe, and minimal decor reflect the beauty of the slow village life of Morjim. Gorge on their signature dishes like patal bhaji and pao, a feni cocktail called morjimli, golden revival bowl, tropical wellness bowl, prawn curry rice, and dill pancakes.
Nothing feels quite so ‘holiday’ as a cafe in Goa, does it?
Banner image courtesy of Maai, Bo Tai and Felix.
