If you’re wondering where to eat in Goa, this is our honest, local-approved food guide. We’re big foodies, and we also have a friend who moved to Goa a year back and she knew all the good food places only a local could find – so you know this is truly ‘local approved’ :P.

We went to Goa for 5 days and 4 nights, expecting beaches and sunsets, and came back talking about the food. The cafe and bakery scene here has quietly become one of the best in the country, blending old Portuguese-Goan bakeries with new-age European patisseries and serious fine dining. So we put together this dedicated guide to where we ate, what to order, and the vibe at each place, sorted by meal.

📍 See all these spots on our Goa food map →

A quick tip before you start: Goa’s food spots are spread across North (Anjuna, Assagao, Siolim, Panjim) and South (Benaulim, Majorda). Cluster your meals by area to save yourself long drives. Renting a scooter (North) or hiring a cab for the day (South) is the easiest way to get around.

Breakfast/ Brunch Spots in Goa

Babka – Anjuna, North Goa (₹₹)

A cosy European-style coffee bar and patisserie tucked away near Assagao. Calm, light-filled, and great for a slow morning.
Order: Chocolate Babka, cinnamon rolls, eclairs and coffee (Chikmagalur beans). Closed Mondays.

Cafe Bhonsle – Panjim & Porvorim (₹)

A 100+ year-old vegetarian institution and our pick for an authentic Goan breakfast. Buzzy, no-frills, packed with locals catching up over chai.
Order: Puri/Buns with Bhaji – the sukhi and salad bhaji combo is the best.

Larder + Folk – Fontainhas, Panjim (₹₹)

A charming bakery-café in the heritage lanes of Old Fontainhas. Continental plates, great bakes and an easy neighbourhood feel.
Order: The Bomboloni (Italian doughnuts).

Padaria Prazeres – Miramar, Panjim (₹₹)

An artisanal Portuguese-style bakery run by a husband-wife duo, everything baked in-house in small batches. Warm, intimate and worth the detour.
Order: Pastéis de nata (the best you can find – must try!), Garlic Knots, Cream cheese bagel.

Baba Au Rhum – Anjuna, North Goa (₹₹)

A Goa veteran that’s been around for years and still delivers some of the finest food in the north. French-inspired bakery with indoor and outdoor seating overlooking paddy fields – dreamy in the morning.
Order: Shakshuka, eggs benedict, croissants.

The Blue Wagon Kitchen – Siolim, North Goa (₹₹)

Not many people know about this one – tucked into a basement on a quiet road, but with one of the best vibes of any indoor cafe in Goa. Run by former corporate professionals-turned-entrepreneurs Hitesh and Ipsa.
Order: Iced coconut cappuccino, Mushroom. Closed Tuesdays.

Lunch & Dinner in Goa

Goodfellas – Benaulim, South Goa (₹₹₹)

An authentic Italian spot started by three Italians, offering some of the best handmade pasta and wood-fired pizzas with imported cheeses. Golden-hour tables here are special. The live music scene here is also worth checking out.
Order: Bruschetta, Aglio e olio, wood-fired pizzas, Tiramisu.

Black Sheep Bistro – Panjim (₹₹₹)

A local favourite with a chic, cosy room, groovy music and inventive small plates. Continental-European-Thai with real creativity.
Order: 5-spiced lotus stem, Mushroom stroganoff, and the Burnt Basque cheesecake.

Casanoni Trattoria – Fontainhas, Panjim (₹₹₹)

Like stepping into an Italian nonna’s kitchen, set in a beautifully restored 80-year-old Fontainhas bungalow. Warm, rustic and romantic – perfect for a dinner date.
Order: Ravioli, Neapolitan-style pizza, and tiramisu.

Da Tita – Majorda, South Goa (₹₹)

An “if you know, you know” rustic Italian spot with open-air seating, lots of greenery and live music most nights.
Order: Four Cheese Pizza and Ravioli.

Cavatina by Avinash Martins – Benaulim, South Goa (₹₹₹₹)

Fine-dining contemporary Goan from one of India’s top-ranked chefs, spotlighting Saraswat, Catholic and indigenous tribal cuisines. A special-occasion meal – every item is really good.

Prana – Mandrem, North Goa (₹₹₹)

A two-tier, beach-facing restaurant – sofas up top, feet-in-the-sand below. The menu has some great options, but what beats the food is the sunset. Preferably, book a table if you plan to go during the golden hour.

Caravela Café – Calangute, Panjim, Benaulim (₹₹)

A family-run cafe famous for its in-house roasted coffee, with a great all-day menu.
Order: Coffee (beans roasted in Goa), pizza and pasta.

Burger Factory – Anjuna, Morjim & Nerul (₹₹)

Some of the best burgers in Goa, going since 2012, with patties made from scratch by an owner who’s a true slow-food believer. Each outlet has its own vibe – quick roadside spot in Anjuna, a magical garden-by-the-creek in Nerul, and beachfront sunsets in Morjim.

Old-School Goan Bakeries (Don’t Skip These)

These are where you taste real Goan heritage – Bebinca, Serradura, Ros Omelette – often at century-old counters.

Mr Baker 1922 – Panjim (₹)

A near-100-year-old bakery by the municipal garden, now run by the humble third-generation owner Nenette Fernandes – and still going strong. While the bakes are a delight, Nenette makes the experience even more delightful!
Order: Bebinca and Serradura.

Cafe Aram – Panjim (₹)

An old-Iranian-cafe-style spot on 18th June Road (est. 1945), oozing Susegad calm – and usually so full of locals you’ll wait for a seat. Very easy to miss and unassuming, but worth it. It is one of the best Chais we’ve ever had.
Order: The special Chai (thick and milky) and the Goan samosa.

Cafe Central – Panjim (₹)

Another Panjim legend since the 1930s, a bustling takeaway bakery beloved for one thing above all. Tucked away in a corner on a quiet street, this one’s easy to miss, but a must-try.
Order: The legendary Mushroom Samosa and the eggless chocolate cake.

Relax Inn Cafe – Panjim (₹)

A simple, homely stop for classic Goan plates, run by a sweet couple, Antonieta and Allwyn Jorge.
Order: Ros Omelette, Bebinca and Serradura.

North Goa vs South Goa: Where Should You Eat?

North Goa (Anjuna, Assagao, Siolim, Panjim) has the densest cafe and bakery scene – best for breakfast crawls and buzzy dinners. Plus, if you want to experience the traditional Goa (both the Konkan side and the Portuguese side), North Goa is your go-to.

South Goa (Benaulim, Majorda) is quieter and leans toward standout Italian and fine dining. If you’re short on time, base your food days by region rather than zig-zagging across the state.

FAQs: Eating in Goa

What is the best area in Goa for food?

North Goa – especially Panjim, Anjuna, Assagao and Siolim – has the highest concentration of great cafes, bakeries and restaurants. South Goa (Benaulim, Majorda) is excellent for Italian and fine dining.

Which are the best old Goan bakeries in Panjim?

Mr Baker 1922, Cafe Central and Cafe Aram are century-old favourites for bebinca, serradura, mushroom samosas and special chai.

What is the best breakfast in North Goa?

For an authentic Goan breakfast, Cafe Bhonsle (puri bhaji) is our top pick. For a European-style brunch, try Babka or Baba Au Rhum.

How many days do you need to explore Goa’s food scene?

A 5-day/4-night trip is enough to cover the highlights across both North and South Goa if you cluster your meals by area.