16 Best Restaurants in North Goa, Goa

An institution among expats and regular visitors, this health-conscious garden restaurant offers a huge menu of Indian and international dishes that eschew meat, eggs, and dairy without compromising on taste. While the food is the big draw for many, vegan or not, the ambience is equally enchanting, with a mix of shaded and uncovered seating in an enchanting plant-filled courtyard.

At this popular fine-dining restaurant, dishes are "re-visited, re-interpreted, and re-invented" with infused flavors, and all the food is beautifully plated. As the name suggests, A Reverie has a dreamlike, elegant ambience: the space is painted in warm earthy tones, but there are stylish overtones of bling; it's accented by dimmed lounge areas and wrought-iron decorative furniture.

Rugged Vagator Beach is the seductive backdrop for Mariketty Grana's popular whitewashed Greek restaurant, which is on top of a low cliff overlooking the rocky shores of Little Vagator. Thalassa's vibrant chef re-creates authentic food from her native Corfu, often served against a backdrop of live music and beautiful sunset views. 

This charming little French pizzeria and bakery, in a sleepy residential lane off the busy Anjuna road, is open all day and well into the evening, but it's best for breakfast. The ambience here is laid-back, the views are noteworthy, and there are regular live music performances.

Tucked away in the bustling lanes of Anjuna, this restaurant is popular with locals and in-the-know tourists for its modern Burmese fare with a fusion twist. The atmosphere is both cozy and welcoming, with well-spaced tables bathed in the soft light from ceiling-hung lamps. They use herbs grown right in their own kitchen garden, adding a fresh touch to every bite.

Firmly established as the definitive destination for pizza (and giant calzones) in North Goa, Fellini is tucked away in the busy lanes of Arambol; it takes some finding, but it's worth the hunt. The interior is no-nonsense, with shack-style tables and seating.

Most Indian towns that are popular with overseas travelers have at least one “German bakery,” which in local parlance indicates a casual (and usually not German-run) eatery with a solid selection of baked goods. Anjuna’s German Bakery may very well be the best known such institution in the country, with its huge selection of cakes and pastries and delicious European-style dishes, with some Indian options. There are frequent live music performance with all types of music. 

Hearty dishes from India's southern coast are the specialty at this restaurant housed within a cozy Indo-Portuguese villa. Dine indoors or in the delightful garden area. As one of Goa's most popular restaurants with a loyal local following, tables fill up quickly, so it's best to book ahead---but if you find yourself waiting, the bar's standout cocktails offers a refreshing diversion.

This local hot spot, also popular with in-the-know tourists, serves some of Goa's finest grilled steaks in a casual setting with attentive service. The menu also features a superb selection of cocktails to complement your meal, along with a diverse range of vegetarian and Indian dishes.

Don't let the casual air of the palm trees and simple tables of this down-to-earth shack fool you. Conceived in 2003 by three old friends, the restaurant has become a must-visit destination for any food lover passing through Goa, serving excellent French food as well as comforting burgers and grills. Dinner reservations are essential in the months of December and January.

Situated within the Taj Fort Aguada Resort & Spa, Morisco offers elegantly presented seafood, Indian, and continental cuisine and great views of Fort Aguada. While the food is upscale, with prices to match, the ambience is casual.

Slightly more expensive than is the norm in Goa, this Pan-Asian chain eatery inside the Lemon Tree Amarante Beach Resort features lovely interiors dominated by dark bamboo and sandstone with Indonesian accents. Diners can choose to sit at teppanyaki counters (with a built-in hot plate where the chef cooks and serves the food straight onto your plate) or at regular tables.

Located near the dramatic red cliffs of Vagator Beach, this restaurant has been the go-to spot for sushi and other Japanese fare in Goa for nearly 15 years. Its menu features teriyaki, katsu, yakiniku, udon and ramen, gyoza, and tofu dishes. There are options for vegetarians too, that goes well beyond just salads. The decor is simple with no excessive theatrics.

Fronting Morjim Beach, this restaurant features a chic taupe-and-white color scheme and comfy sofas under canopies. The menu is an enticing array of seafood, continental fare, pastas, and steaks. With DJ sets and innovative cocktails, Saz is an ideal spot for sundowner shots and a memorable evening by the sea. 

Established in 1932, and now managed by the third generation of the Lobo family, this large, airy, no-frills restaurant on hectic Calangute Beach catches the exuberant sea breeze. The seafood is excellent, with a good selection of Goan and Western dishes, so it's no surprise that this place is almost always busy.

This seaside restaurant, a bit above Baga's many beach shacks, serves an astonishing variety of dishes in a casual setting that draws big crowds due to its location at the mouth of the river. It hosts very popular karaoke nights; if you're keen to watch or participate, it's worth calling ahead to see when they're on.