7 Best Restaurants in Panaji, Goa

Smack-dab in the middle of Panjim, this Goan institution is indisputably the best place in town for home-style Goan food---and as most of the regulars are locals, the kitchen doesn't hold back on the spice. The menu is vast and enticing, so either visit as part of a large group, or when absolutely ravenous (but yet able to wait for a table; the service is brisk so the wait shouldn't be too long).

The Goa Marriott's café and lounge, pronounced "As You Are," may be worth a visit for the bay views alone—fortunately, the quality of its limited yet choice menu won't disappoint, either. After dark, the coffee shop morphs into a relaxed evening lounge bar.

Housed inside the Hotel Mandovi, this beautifully decorated restaurant offers formal tables with floral upholstered chairs and tablecloths and intricate ceilings embellished with curlicue designs plus a handful of terrace tables. The menu here is extensive and varied, and features an array of Portuguese-influenced seafood dishes along with Chinese and Western fare at lunch and dinner.

Popular with locals and foreigners alike, this casual spot serves butter-laden dishes inspired by the cuisine of North India's Punjab region. It's situated within the Hotel Aroma, and is a great place to take an air-conditioned break from the intense shopping of 18th June Road.

Located up a flight of stairs at the historic Panjim Inn, with indoor and outdoor seating, Verandah has an atmospheric location for those seeking a casual spot to sample tasty, fairly priced Goan cuisine or continental food. Check the daily specials, particularly for seasonal seafood items.

A walk down a narrow alley in the Fontainhas district brings you to one of the city's best-value restaurants, where reliable Goan classics, conviviality, and bargain prices are the rule. Featuring the award-winning cuisine of chef Linda De Souza, this cheery hideaway is crowded with locals and tourists---indoor seating can get cramped, but tables are also available outside.