The best new restaurants in Goa in 2026

What is it: A Goan chef makes her way home, with a beach-side shack (a branch of her popular restaurant in Mumbai) in Utorda with colourful, breezy cocktails, and food that is Goan in soul. 

Why go: Sarita Pereira made waves in Mumbai when she opened The Lovefools in a heritage bungalow in Bandra. It’s tenth year felt apt for the chance to bring the concept to her new home, Goa. Pereira learned much of her Goan cooking from her father, while her love for all things vegetarian comes from her Gujarati mother’s side of the family. Both find a home at Lovefools by the Sea, the beach-side shack-like space. The food, by her and executive chef Aniket Sawant, dishes up food that is Goan in soul and memories but has a more universal “Lovefools twist”. Imagine a layered mushroom bebinca, recheado chonak sous vide in balchao butter, raw prawns with caldin, and the ros omelette reimagined as chawanmunshi. The bar keeps things light and breezy with colourful, fizzy drinks named after journeys and trips (Window Seat, Boarding Pass, Golden Hour).

Timeout tip: If you miss your Goan thali, try the Goa on a Plate (mackerel cutlet, prawn balchão pickle mousse, kismur) and get an add on: rice & fish curry.

Recommended dish: Mushroom Bebinca, chilled layers of oyster and button mushrooms with white miso, layered with smoked mushrooms, cashew and smoked paprika.

Getting there: On NH 66, take the turn onto Utorda Beach Road, and keep going till the end. You will see the sign for Royal Orchi Beach Resort & Spa. Park at the cross a little away from the beach, Entry to the restaurant is from the beach. 

Address: Utorda Beach Rd, behind Royal Orchid Beach Resort & Spa, Utorda, Goa 403713

Timings: 4pm-11pm, Wednesday to Monday; timings will change in November.

Price: ₹2,000 for two

What is it: A new art-and-cocktail bar in Goa built on phobias, from the founders of Drop Dead Sexy and Room One.

Why go: It’s an actual speakeasy, hidden away on the top floor and accessed by a passageway lit up with over 3,000 red lamps. The space is built on phobias and invites you to face them, through the art and through their selection of drinks. As with the other two bars, the art by co-founder Siddharth Kerkar, covers the whole space. You are encouraged to observe and admire the beating heart suspended in the centre, a corpse, tiny baby doll arms reaching out from the walls, and the tooth-shaped stools. The drinks, curated by Dali & Gala’s Arnold Hou are quite the treat (make sure to hydrate in between!). Definitely try the Dirty Dick, a piquant Bloody 1986, and their signature Ten Toes, with its frozen grapes. This bar also takes its food seriously, with Asian American plates built by Priyanka Sardessai (or Larder & Folk). Go for the Dirty Chips-Duck, Grilled Chicken with mango hot sauce, Beef Tartare with kimchi jam and Tina Crudo. 

Timeout tip: The place gets crowded on weekends and late at night. Go just when they open for a more relaxed time, and to chat with the bartenders.

Recommended drink: Baby Face, a whiskey drink with banana, coffee, Fernet Branca and nutmeg. Like banana bread in a cocktail.

Getting there: The bar sits on the main Assagao-Mapusa road. If heading from Mapusa, keep a lookout for the neon signs to the right. Once you enter Sopo, head to the door in the centre that leads to the first floor. There is limited parking, but a valet on hand.

Address: Bloody Dangerous, 544/2, Mapusa Rd, opposite Sublime Goa, Bouta Waddo, Chapora, Assagao, Goa 403507.

Timings: Mon-Sun, 9pm-3am.

Price: ₹4,000 for two

What is it: A cosy new café occupying the outhouse of an old, restored Goan home in Parra. It’s a café with a record room on site, run by India Record Co.

Why go: It has the potential to be your new favourite café. It’s a simple space, minimally decorated. It’s also a listening room – sit inside if you want to enjoy the music, grab a seat in their al-fresco sections if you want to focus on conversation and skip the music. The coffee is on point, and they also play on the current love of matcha with carrot milk, vanilla, and tiramisu options. The food is comforting, with satiating bowls of handmade pasta (made by chef Jay), sourdough sandwiches and a signature Fried Chicken Burger.

Time Out tip: If chef Jay is around, speak to him and discuss your allergens (especially lactose, as almost everything has dairy). He toned down the butter in the Garlic Shrimp Linguini, and it still tasted fabulous.

Recommended drink: NYC Matcha, inspired by New York cheesecake – a dessert in a drink.

Getting there: Ninety7 sits on the main Calangute-Betim road, at the next junction after the Parra Tinto. Don’t take the left going to Emerald Lawns, instead, go around the roundabout, and carefully (if in a car) mosey your way into their gate. Parking for cars is limited.  

Address: H no. 89, Calangute-Mapusa Road, Opposite Parra Towers, Lobo Vaddo, Bardez, Parra, Goa 403510

Timings: Thurs-Tue, 9am-10 pm.

Price: ₹1,000 for two

What is it: An old restored Goan home converted into a restaurant serving some of the best kebabs to be found in the state.

Why go: Azaan is the third generation of the famous Qureshi family, known for showcasing the rich depth of Awadhi cuisine. Expect a fine example of dum cooking, refined over decades. The restaurant is a restored Goan house with different dining areas: in the corridors and balconies, in the courtyard under trees, and in different rooms with comfortable sofas and monogrammed tableware. There are two bars, serving up drinks that are simple and emphasise Indian ingredients like gulkhand, betel leaf, curry leaf and saffron. But go here for the food, which is soulful, slow cooked, and dripping with flavour, from the so-soft-it-melts Kesar Bagh Kakori, to classics like Shahi Nehari and the black Dal Ma Qureshi.

Time Out tip: Your meal doesn’t end with dessert. Make your way to the paan counter outside, it’s worth it.

Recommended dish: Samundari Rattan, slow-cooked crabmeat balls in a light sauce.  

Getting there: The restaurant sits on the Anjun Mapusa Road on the popular Assagao stretch containing Avo’s Kitchen and Izumi. There’s dedicated parking a little ahead and to the left of the restaurant, and valet services too.

Address: House No.5, Saunto Waddo, Anjuna Mapusa Road, Assagao, Goa 403510.

Timings: Mon-Sun, 12 noon-12am.

Price: ₹3,000 for two

What is it: A bar within a bar at the popular sundowner spot, Slow Tide, serving exciting drinks and small plates.

Why go: Slow Tide has earned a reputation for itself for serving delicious coastal food and drinks inspired by Anjuna’s hippie commune. Stoned Pig is their new baby – a 24-seater glass-walled room overlooking the beach. The inspiration here too is hippies that once populated Anjuna and the magazine they brought out called Stoned Pig. In fact, the menu has snippets from those magazines. Mixologists Sujan Shetty, Calvis Rodrigues and their team have curated 24 drinks. Expect spirit forward riffs on the classics like highballs, martinis, negronis and some they call ‘errors’. Highlights are a Tomato Tirphal (Gibson), Holy Nog, Bloody Batanga, and a Banana Pandan highball that will keep you returning for more. The food menu here is actual bar food, small plates that are big on flavour like Mackerel Para Olives, Inji Puli Pork Bun, Shrimp Nuggets and Coorg Chilli Pork. Yes, it’s a meat-heavy menu. Eat before coming – ideally at Slow Tide – and come to Stoned Pig for a nightcap, or two.

Time Out tip: If you love dogs, carry treats because you will be faced with a little pack outside Stoned Pig. The team looks after them and they are friendly.

Recommended dish/drink: Banana Pandan, a highball with Japanese whiskey, banana na pandan cream soda.

Getting there: Your destination needs to be St Anthony’s Chapel, Anjuna. In front of it is the parking lot (paid) for Slow Tide and Stoned Pig. If you have a bike, you can go all the way in and park outside the restaurant. Else, get off and take the tuk tuk to the place.

Address: Stoned Pig (Inside of Slow Tide), Demello Vaddo, Anjuna, Goa 403509

Timings: Thurs-Tues, 7pm-1am.

Price: ₹3,000 for two

What is it: A rooftop restaurant and bar in Panjim, themed on astronomy and space, ideal for relaxed sundowners.

Why go: Vivanta Miramar’s new dining destination has one of the nicest rooftop views in the capital city: the shimmering expanse of the Mandovi River, thankfully without casinos in sight. The drinks are refreshing and colourful and highlight some strong ingredients like miso, and black garlic. Verre shines when it comes to food, especially the big plates focussing on big protein: Acapulco ceviche, Sticky Smoked Pork Belly, and the Crispy Crab. Go for a sundowner because the view is good, and you can watch the space (and the vibe) transform as the evening progresses, moving from an intimate date spot into a high energy lounge.

Time Out tip: The space welcomes you into a universe populated with sky motifs, and imaginary characters meant to depict the many kinds of people who visit the restaurant. These characters – you can access them via a QR code on the menu – also populate the upholstery in the space.

Recommended dish: Goan recheado butter prawns with garlic poi.

Getting there: On your way to Miramar, skip the Padaria Prazeres turn, and keep going straight until you see the towering Vivanta building. There’s parking inside. Enter, and take the elevator straight to the rooftop.  

Address: Verre at Vivanta Goa, Miramar, Near Audi Showroom, Dr. Jack de Sequeira Road, Caranzalem, Panaji, Goa 403002

Timings: Mon-Sun, 5pm-2am.

Price: ₹4,000 for two

What is it: An old tavern (watering hole) converted into a bar, and a lab, doing urrak and feni cocktails and straight pours. 

Why go: It’s feni but presented in a way you haven’t seen before. Sudeep Nair spent three years experimenting with feni and urrak through infusions till he was satisfied enough to start Gracias Carlos – a small-batch indigenous spirits project. In a bid to showcase feni in contemporary forms, he started Feni Taverna to showcase his creations – served on their own or in fun cocktails. He also retails guava chilli, pineapple, and banana infused feni. The food is bar snacks, meaty Goan fare and thus, expect beef in green curry, a beef kheema with smoked choris, sorpotel, pork curry and fried prawns.

Time Out tip: Ask nicely and Sudeep will do a quick tour of the space, his ‘lab’ and a brief tasting of some of the 24 infusions in them.

Recommended drink:  Banana infused cashew feni.

Getting there: Get on the Anjuna Mapusa Road, heading towards Anjuna beach. At the Holy Cross Chapel junction, take the left and you will find Feni House a few metres away on the right. Parking is an issue so go ahead and park on the road. Better yet, go on a bike.

Address: House no 1120, Bardez, Mazal Waddo, Anjuna, Goa, 403509

Timings: Mon-Sun. 5pm-11.30pm.

Price: ₹1,000 for two

What is it: An all-day eatery promoting plant-based food, and full moon events with communal tables.

Why go: Prana Palate resides within an old Goan home in the beautiful village of Aldona; it was born from a shared vision along with Aldona Arts Foundation. Co-founder Pranaya Gidwani has curated the menu and besides focussing on flavour, it is plant-based food that is meant to be grounding, nourishing, and uplifting. And yet, the dishes aren’t boring vegetarian fare. Instead there’s dishes like PP Toast that is actually a multi-seeded cracker topped with white pea hummus, rosemary-infused ghee, and charred pumpkin; and a Petha & Almond Cold Soup.

Time Out tip: The best way to get a sense of the space, and its philosophy is by attending their full moon communal tables, a sensory experience usually held under the shade of a majestic banyan tree.

Recommended dish: The Konkan Curry Bowl, a tribute to local flavours featuring Goan shirvolyo (rice noodles) in a coconut-simmered curry with seasonal root vegetables. 

Getting there: In Aldona’s Quitila, drive past Mudskippers Studio to the end of Edlen Road till you see the dark grey compound wall with Menezes and Tavares name plates on the front. There’s parking available too.

Address: Mabel House, House No, 331, Quitula, Aldona, Goa 403508.

Timings: Tues-Sun. 10am-5.30pm, 6pm-8pm.

Price: ₹1,600 for two

What is it: The legendary Mumbai microbrewery debuting in Goa, serving its famous beers on tap, Indian small plates and fries, and a rotating list of events.

Why go: It’s the place that started the microbrewery trend in India, way back in 2009. It may have taken its sweet time to enter Goa but loyalists can note it looks and feels exactly the same. The light wooden seating, that sign proclaiming ‘Giving great head since 2009’, the stack of games, and the free round of 6 tasters. And yes, they are pet-friendly (you can order a round of pet food – chicken and rice – for free) and also organise pub quizzes, and events. On tap are over 12 of their brews, mead and ciders (all at 5% ABV) including the standouts like Alphonso Mead, and Oatmeal Stout. Even the menu is the same, with the House Fries with Five Dips, Mangalorean Chicken Ghee Roast, Vegetable Ishtew and Kerala Pepper Prawns. While the beer may be lighter than you are now used to, especially in Goa, go for the nostalgia and to pay homage to a place that popularised ‘on tap’.

Time Out tip: Doolally has a ‘secret menu’ that is a mix of old menu favourites, typical post-drinking food like Chilli Oil Noodles, Bratwurst Sausages and other dishes. Keywords to use with the chef are ‘not hungry’ or ‘want something chatpata’.

Recommended drink/dish: Alphonso Mead, Alphonso mangoes melded with Kashmiri honey. It’s been a star from the beginning.

Getting there: Doolally sits on the main road heading to Miramar, right next to the legendary Cream Choc. Look for the all-white façade and two stately coconut trees out front. There is parking inside.

Address: Ground Floor, Dayanand Bandodkar Marg, Miramar, Panaji, Goa 403001

Timings: Mon-Sun. 11am-1.30 am.

Price: ₹1,500 for two

What is it: A craft coffee brand chain in Pune and Gurugram makes its way to Goa offering a cold brew programme and healthy treats.

Why go: It’s a coffee house built for connection. Their specialty coffee programme showcases some of India’s finest estates, through house blends and single-origin pours. There’s an extensive cold brew programme, which also includes some barrel-aged creations like whiskey barrel-aged, rum barrel-aged cold brew, and a guava lemon cold brew. The all-day food menu is diverse, with global influences and healthy fare. Japanese tamagoyaki, North African shakshuka, Vietnamese bánh mì, sit alongside Goan touches like prawn curry and the poi sandwich. As with any café, expect freshly baked breads, desserts and seasonal baked goods.

Timeout tip: Beyond just serving coffee, Spillhouse curates experiences and like their ‘Be a Barista’ workshop, Bake With Us sessions, coffee cuppings, tasting sessions and community-led events.

Recommended drink: Mont blanc cold brew

Getting there: At the main St Anthony Church in Siolim, take the left leading to the Chapora river. The café is just before Boilermaker.

Address: HNo: 68/1B, Vadi Road, near Silverwoods Apartment, Siolim, Goa 403517

Timings: Mon-Sun, 8am-8pm.

Price: ₹1,200 for two

What is it: A moving food truck that dishes up Mexican street food but dusted with Goan flavours. 

Why Go: Imagine if a Mexican traveller visited Goa and got inspired by the markets and started blending flavours. It’s a fictional narrative, but one that inspires Las Hermanas’ menu. Founders Kavya and Ramya Allaparthi call it the spirit of Goa wrapped in an accessible taco form. There’s a Chicken Cafreal taco, Vindaloo Chicken taco and Prawn Balchao one. Other dishes on the compact menu include lamb birria, slow braised chicken, and pulled jackfruit, among others. For sweet relief, there is the Mexican Horchata drink, and Churros with Goan Coconut-Jaggery Caramel. The food truck has been operational since April 2026, and its launch was preceded by some fun, cinematic style storytelling on social media.

Time Out Tip: Pre-order via the link on Instagram before you head to the truck. This helps minimise your wait time, especially when the tacos are in high demand.

Recommended dish: Lamb Birria Tacos 

Getting there: The easiest way to find them is to check Instagram stories or the location highlight, where they share their daily schedule and exact stop for the day. Each of our stops has a designated parking area where you can park, grab your food and stick around.

Address: Miramar, Kadamba Plateau, Margao, Anjuna. 

Timings: 6.30-9.30pm

Price: ₹1000 for two

What is it: A small café that occupies the balcony of a 200-year-old Goan home overlooking the Mandovi River. 

Why go: Cháfé Braz is named after the legendary Goa-based saxophonist, Braz Gonsalves, and is part of the Centre for Indo-Portuguese Arts or CIPA. The café was shut for a few years, and has reopened with new focus and new owners – Ian de Noronha, his wife Elisha, and sister, Ingrid (they also do the cooking). Expect some hearty, homely Indo-portuguese food, like Molho de camarão (prawn molho), Hamburguito de bife (beef sliders), Pão com queijo e pesto (cheese and pesto aioli in toasted local bread). There is coffee and tea, a refreshing xarope de brindão (kokum cooler), and homemade gelatos. Their newest signature dish, which releases this month, is the Chouriço à Bombeiro which is literally Portuguese sausage that’s cooked at your table on a ceramic pigling. 

Time Out tip: There’s a small room next to the cafe, reserved for jazz concerts (side note: you may even get to see the legend in action). CIPA is also a great place to pick up some azulejos (blue patterned tiles). 

Recommended dish: Almofadas de Carne or beef pockets

Getting there: On the main Dayanand Bandodkar Road in Panjim, just before the stretch of casinos begins, you will find it to the left. There’s no easy parking around, so you may have to walk a bit. 

Address: 7/2, Dayanand Bandodkar Marg, opp. Captain of Ports Jetty, Altinho, Panaji, Goa 403001 

Timings: Mon-Sat, 10am-7pm

Price: ₹600 for two