Enjoying a sip of coffee while binging on delicious pancakes with a picturesque beach backdrop is the definition of a perfect holiday. Fortunately, this is possible in Goa. Despite being India’s smallest state, Goa has many cafes that provide a gastronomic great time. Here are our recommendations for some of the best cafes in Goa.
Tucked between lush paddy fields and dense forested hills, the Blue Planet Cafe is one of the best open-fronted cafes in Goa. Its wooden furniture on the balcony overlooks the valley. Catering to vegans and vegetarians, this cafe’s menu is refreshingly innovative, super delicious and healthy. Vegan milkshakes, power juice, spinach salad, red rice chapatti, tofu pumpkin pie and coconut cake are some of the must-try items for sale here.
Cafe Tato is touted as one of the oldest vegetarian cafes in Goa, and serves up light, lip-smacking North and South Indian snacks. Indulge in popular delicacies like the dahi wada, masala dosa, potato sukhi bhaji, patal bhaji with puri, and a variety of milkshakes and fruit juices.
Situated in the courtyard of Sunaparanta Centre for the Arts, the Cafe Bodega is an unpretentious and an artsy looking cafe serving lip-smacking fresh-baked cakes, pancakes, waffles, sandwiches, fresh salad, pizza and other comfort food. Top it all off with a cup of Joe or fresh juice. Cafe Bodega has a serene atmosphere, plus there’s free WiFi.
This place prides itself on its masala chai. It’s a tiny cafe with a hand-painted sign and a beautiful and colourful backyard. The breakfast items are delicious, and this is indeed a trusted cafe in Goa for chai and a quick-bite.
Tucked between a maroon tower and tree-lined Orchard Villa, Cafe de Goa perfectly captures the laid-back, warm feel of the party capital of India. The breezy atmosphere, earthy colours and beautiful photos of Goan landscapes on the walls add to the warmth of this cafe. It specializes in confectionary, sandwiches and fresh salads, as well as a variety of juices, tea and coffee. Cafe de Goa receives full marks from us for itshealthy and delicious food!
Located close to the German Bakery and the Roadhouse Hostel in Anjuna, backpackers are no strangers to the Mango Shade Cafe. It is an amazing spot to meet other travellers and swap stories over a delicious breakfast of omelettes, sandwiches, burgers, juices and fresh fruit milkshakes. Some say that the avocado toast and mango shake here are the best in town.
Run by a German couple, Lila Cafe has carved a niche for itself in Goa’s culinary circuit with its delish American, European and Continental cuisines. The fresh breads, hand-rolled pasta, sausages, omelettes and croissants here are relish-worthy, and the apple-pie served with fresh whipped cream is your ticket to heaven. The view from this charming cafe is amazing, too.
Cafe Chocolatti serves everything chocolate, all lip-smackingly good. Nestled in a lush walled garden on Fort Aguada Road, Cafe Chocolatti serves up English breakfasts and home-made chocolate treats in a serene and beautiful setting. The English Cream Tea spread, yummy chocolate brownie, orange marmalade, and baked scones with homemade strawberry jam are all must tries here. They have plenty of other food items to please you too, like salty and sweet French-style crepes, Thai salads, paninis, quiches and a variety of refreshers, including tea, freshly brewed aromatic coffees, ginger lime concoctions and fresh juices. No wonder it boasts a very loyal clientele.
This cafe is closed during the off-season.
If you were wondering what tranquillity looked like, this is it. Saraya Cafe is a quaint space filled with beautiful art, and the surrounding nature is sure to inspire you. You could easily spend hours here nibbling on the wide range of delicious home-cooked vegetarian food infused with international flavours. The wood-fired pizza is especially good.
Baba Au Rhum’s natural, friendly ambiance steals the show, but the food is also excellent. Their fresh salads, baked delicacies, sandwiches, pizzas, hamburgers, pastries and fresh juices are superb, to say the least. Must-try dishes include the wood-fired pizza, lemon tart, mille feuilles pastry, French bread and croissants.