Many people go to Goa for weddings. You will know all the popular clubs and cafes, with queues of rich people waiting to have a good time. Then there are the hidden gems of Goa, which are located in places that tourists don’t know about, and are often visited by locals who live in Goa for the authentic vibe. Are you looking for that place too? Then look no further! Check out some of the most authentic and beautiful places in Goa that none of your friends have ever seen.
Here’s Your Guide To Hidden Gems With Authentic Vibes In Goa:
North Goa
Fatima’s place
Fatima’s Place is a small and nice place to go out with family or friends. Ambience is simple and homely. They serve super fresh and delicious food. Some of the delicious dishes on the menu include pasta and chicken salad, Goan dishes like chicken xacuti, prawn curry, chicken cafreal and Goan fish curry. If you are looking for authentic and genuine Goan ambiance, this place is a must try.
- Where: Ozran Beach Road, Vagator, Goa
- When: 9 am-10 pm
Ankita’s Classic
Ankita’s Classic is packed with locals and offers authentic Goan cuisine, delicious seafood, hearty fish thali, and Indo-Chinese dishes. This place also serves a hearty vegetable thali with a spread of Goan-style vegetables, curries, rice, and kokum. The dishes are also reasonably priced.
- Where: Railway Over Bridge, Warkhand Road Junction, Tambaram, Near Arambol, Goa
- When: 11 am-11 pm
Cantare
A local village tavern with a twist, Cantare is a hidden gem in Saligao, Goa where you will be treated to soft, live jazz music. The restaurant serves a mouth-watering variety of Thai, Goan, and Continental dishes. The bar serves a variety of cold drinks. The bistro has Portuguese-style architecture with a spacious veranda and comfortable seating. A Must Try Seafood Glass Noodle!
- Where: 7/73, B Cruz Waddo, Saligao, Goa
- When: 5:30 pm-1 am
That’s it
If you are looking for an authentic and delicious Japanese food experience in Goa, check out Sakana. They serve delicious and delicately wrapped salmon rolls, roast beef, a variety of sushi, chicken teriyaki, and udon noodles. The place has elaborate Japanese decorations with small cherry blossom plants and small bamboo trees. The staff is customer-friendly.
- Location: House No. 187, Mapusa – Anjuna – Chapora Rd, Vagator, Goa
- When: 12-3 pm, 6-11:30 pm
The Mesar Bar & Restaurant
Mesar is located just a short 15 minute drive away from the new MOPA Goa Airport. The place serves real Goan food and authentic Goan seafood. The Goan fish thali is a must try. Other delicacies on the menu include bang bang chicken, kingfish thali, chonak thali, prawn thali, mutton sukha, prawn crumb fry, and garlic butter squid.
- Location: St Anthony Waddo, near Car Wash, Kolval, Bardez, Goa 403513
- When: 12-4 pm, 5:30-11:30 pm (closed on Mondays)
Bean Me Up
If you follow a vegan diet, Bean Me Up is for you. This cafe has spacious outdoor seating, serves vegan dishes, and has live music and an open bar. This place serves delicious tofu, tempeh, and seitan (wheat meat) dishes from Mediterranean, American, and European cuisines. Some great items on the menu include Citrus Soba Noodle Salad, homemade style ravioli, and chocolate flavored almond milk.
- Where: 1639/2, Deulvaddo, Near Anjuna Petrol Pump, Vagator, Goa
- When: 9 am-11 pm
Also Read: Bar Crawls In Goa: From Beachside Beats to the Party Scene and Everything in Between
South Goa
Anoshka Family Restaurant
Need a great place to enjoy authentic Goan food in South Goa? Go to Anoshka’s Family Restaurant. This place is away from the hustle and bustle of the city, giving it a relaxed Goan vibe, located on the side of the Margao-Ponda road. The food items are reasonably priced and the service is quick. Some of the must-try dishes on the menu include Rawa fried prawns and fish and rice curry. A perfect place for a Goan lunch, it also serves North Indian and Indo-Chinese dishes.
- Where: Survey 32/5, Sonafator, Camurlim, Ponda, Goa
- When: 11am-3:30pm, 7-11:30pm
The Mill
The Mill is a cozy cafe serving New Zealand inspired food, coffee, tea and food. This cute hidden gem is the perfect place to start your day with breakfast or brunch while in South Goa. The vibe and deliciousness of the food is on point. Some of the tasty treats include Chia seed smoothies, Vietnamese Iced Coffee, Zanzibar burgers and Carrot Cake.
- Where: Dr Pundlik Gaitonde Rd, Palolem, Canacona, Goa
- When: 9am-6pm (Closed on Wednesdays)
Goodfellas Italian Restaurant
Goodfellas is a unique restaurant, located in a quiet corner. If you’re looking for authentic Italian food, Goodfellas is your place. This place has a relaxed atmosphere with live music, perfect to relax and enjoy a delicious evening with a delicious pizza. There are many vegetarian and non-vegetarian pizza options to choose from. Fresh food and fast service.
- Where: Near Kadar Supermarket, Benaulim Beach Road, Vasvaddo, Benaulim, Goa
- When: 1-3:30pm, 7-11pm (Mon, Fri, Sat, Min)
- 7-11pm (Tue, Wed, Thu)
Sunny Bar and Restaurant
If you are looking for a fuss-free place where you can feast on fresh, delicious and authentic Goan food, then Sunny Bar and Restaurant is a great place for lunch. The food is reasonably priced and you can eat delicious and tasty food in this simple restaurant. Explore the variety of thalis such as Goan Fish Thali, Kingfish Thali and Chonak Thali. Other must-try items include Crumb Fried Chicken, chicken leg pieces, and Goan Crab Sukka.
- Where: Near Govt. High School, Talewada, Bethoda, Ponda, Goa
- When: 11:30-15:15, 6:30-10:30 (Closed on Mondays)
Also Read: 15 Best Goan Recipes | Popular Goan Recipes
Panjim/Panaji
Hospedaria Venite Restaurant & Bar
This Goan joint has been around since 1955. Housed in an old Portuguese house, Venite has a lovely decor with small balconies lit by dim lights. Delicious dishes on the menu include mushroom pepper fritters, finely cut fries, and spiced vegetable vindaloo curry. A drink to try is the coconut coffee liqueur with a kick of cinnamon. For dessert, enjoy the sinful combination of banana-caramel ice cream.
- Where: Rua 31 de Janeiro, Near Head Post Office, Altinho, Panaji, Goa
- When: 9 am-10:30 pm (Closed on Tuesdays)
Grandma’s kitchen
Mum’s Kitchen is a bright and homely restaurant with an emphasis on traditional Goan offerings at home. It serves delicious Goan seafood and the menu is prepared using traditional recipes from mothers around Goa. Popular dishes include prawn peri peri, pork sorpotel, prawn balchao, and Goan prawn curry. The unique atmosphere and decoration with lit lanterns, perfect for the evening. They also serve a variety of fresh cocktails with unique flavors.
- Where: 854, Martins Building, Dayanand Bandodkar Street, Near Panaji, Goa
- When: 12 pm-10 pm
Bhatti Village Family Bar & Restaurant
A Goan family restaurant, this gem is a cozy place hidden away in a narrow lane in Nerul village, near Panjim. The seafood here is delicious and the place also serves delicious vegetarian food – mixed vegetable xacuti, tender coconut fritters, mushroom swamp fritters, kidney bean curry, and baby corn curry.
- Where: Bhatti Waddo, Nerul, Goa
- When: 12-3 pm, 7-11 pm
Next time you go to Goa, don’t forget to explore this beautiful hidden gem!
