Fresh Bites, Bold Flavours: New Restaurants Lighting Up Goa

No matter how many times you visit Goa, the taste of freshly caught seafood mixed with complex Goan spices just lingers on! While we love to revisit our old Goan favourites, the new restaurants in Goa are seriously, and may we add, deliciously, upping the Goan food scene! Planning a trip soon? Here are our favourite new restaurants in Goa that are utterly unmissable!

Best new restaurants in South Goa

Amaraanth Kitchen 

Located inside the namesake twelve-suite boutique hotel on the seaside, the charming thirty-seater The Amaraanth Kitchen takes its cues from the natural environment. It gives the impression of being more expansive than it actually is because of the sprawling grounds that surround it. Located in Fartade, South Goa, this 850-square-foot restaurant was designed by George Seemon. It features abundant natural light and typical Kota stone flooring, which contributes to the rustic appeal. However, the most striking feature is a stunning painting named Under The Sea, crafted by renowned local artist Thomas Louis. Truly one of the best new restaurants in Goa!

What to try? The seasoned chef Ritu Dalmia has put together an exquisite meal blending Indian and Global flavours and you should stop by to sample some of.

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Jolene

One of the best new restaurants in South Goa, this place has a Bollywood connection! The shimmering water is the first thing that greets you as you step foot at Jolene. The restaurant boasts a glamorous interior yet a warm and inviting environment thanks to the efforts of Amrita Arora Ladak and Shakeel Ladak, as well as seasoned restaurateurs Gaurav Batra and Ankit Tayal, and Chef Suvir Saran. Intentional quality time together is clearly what Ladak had in mind when she designed her product for families like hers.

What to try? The first Indian chef to earn a Michelin star in the Americas, Chef Suvir Saran, developed the cuisine, which features classic comfort dishes with an international twist. Some options include the Forbidden Yet Yours, a healthier take on fried rice prepared with black rice; the TB&C, a medley of tomatoes, burrata, and cornflakes; and the fermented rice burritos, a mashup of Mexican cuisine with uttapams. Ladak loves the spicy misal ramen the most.

Best new restaurants in North Goa

After Dinner

A must-try new restaurant in North Goa conceived by Twinkle Keswani and Daniel Lobo, and Chef Rohan D'Souza, After Dinner is inviting and simply relaxing. And the interiors reflect that beautifully. Sheldon Pereira and Rahul Thakkar of Right Brain Design created the beach house cocktail bar After Dinner in Anjuna with the express intention of allowing patrons to relax with eccentric beverages in hand. 

Dig deeper and you'll find the finer nuances, but at first glance, the 750 square foot room appears to be a stylish living room at a friend's elegant house. Local crafters and artisans co-wrote the intentional design story, which is evident in the use of natural linen and cotton textiles, locally made pottery, and extensive exquisite woodwork accented with vintage pieces.

What to try? Mini chonak fish cutlets seasoned with a Goan green paste, spoon-served Chicken, Lemongrass, and Chilli Gyoza, and irresistibly snackable charcoal smoked cashew nuts are all examples of popular dishes.

Boilermaker

One of the best new restaurants in Goa, this is both an aesthetic and culinary marvel! Studio Praia's Rochelle Santimano opted for a raw, grungy look with metal elements and mismatched furniture for Boilermaker, in contrast to Goa's expansive venues. A historic water well, which is crucial during dry months, is preserved intact by the bar, which incorporates the local community into its design. Additionally, the bar intends to close for the São João festival so that the community may enjoy it.

 Boilermaker, started by Pankaj Balachandran and Nakul Bhonsle, is a cocktail bar that provides three types of drinks: Smashables, which are good for a fast drink; Sessionables, which are good for a slow drink; and Say Hello to My Little Friend, which are good for a short drink.

What to try and drink? Notable cocktails include the time-limited Midnight Brekkie and others inspired by Goa, such as Siolim Salsa and Biso-Manana Karamel. Great State Aleworks' offerings, such as Hard Sun Kokum Sour and Even Flow Scotch Ale, are available on 12 taps, satisfying the thirst of craft beer fans.

Under the direction of Gayatri Desai and Rajat Mendhi, the kitchen reimagines Goan bar snacks with creations like traditional prawn toast, pork belly rice cake, and prawn and chorizo in chilli oil. The Cookie Salad and Pistachio Moustachio cocktails are the perfect sweet ending to a delicious dinner, and Boilermaker is a must-visit for craft beer and cocktail enthusiasts!

The Jaffna Jump 

One of the best new restaurants in Goa called The Jaffna Jump serves Goan cuisine with aromas straight from Sri Lanka's shore. The two-story, brightly coloured eatery is overseen by chef Lisa Sadanah, who previously introduced residents of Mumbai and Goa to Sri Lankan cuisine at her pop-up restaurant, Bentota Box. Posters of old Sri Lankan cinema stars cover the inside walls, along with Tamil calligraphy and a map of the island showing important towns and areas. The Jaffna curry powder, made by Sadanah using eleven native spices and processed on a mirisgala, a traditional grinding stone, is one of her many famous homemade curry powders, both roasted and unroasted.

What to try? Indulge in the devilled prawns tossed in a spicy-tangy sauce, the triple-cooked plantain chips tossed in a chilli-cheese sauce, the kothu parotta traditional to Tamil cuisine, miniature hoppers topped with beetroot in an acharu masala, Sinhala mustard gambas, tamarind chicken wings, chilli pork sausages, and mini versions of Sri Lanka's hoppers.

Ourém

This is a brand-new restaurant in Goa, set in a magnificent Indo-Portuguese villa, and is the ideal complement to the Latin Quarter ambiance of Ourem Fontainhas. In this evocative relic of bygone opulence, you may step back in time and see heritage-patterned cement tiles, magnificent chandeliers, and intricately carved mirrors. The design of the room was also conceptualised by Studio Praia. 

The historic doors and windows, which have been repaired and preserved, include traditional tinted glass. Featuring native laterite stone and a traditional sopo, the ground level of the bar extends into a tranquil courtyard. Upstairs, a more rustic bar serves those who enjoy feni and agave. The ancient balcaos and Pierre Jeanneret chairs infuse the space with Goan heritage, bringing together a heady combination of history and elegance.

What to try? Traditional feni cocktails and Goan delights like xacuti and vindaloo are must-tries here!

Bar Outrigger

One of the best new restaurants in North Goa, this bar is themed with a nautical motif and is the perfect representation of susegad. Nestled in the centre of Dona Paula, Bar Outrigger is a rum-forward sanctuary that deftly blends nautical heritage with a touch of modern style. This bar, which was co-founded by Arijit Bose and Francis Coelho and imagined by Ayaz and Zameer Basrai of The Busride Design Studio, turns a drab fishing boat docking area into a lively third place—a welcoming haven for daring foreigners and locals alike.

What to try? With a focus on both traditional cocktails and innovative creations like the "Walking Dead" and the "Tiki Negroni," each drink at Bar Outrigger showcases an unwavering dedication to the art form. Rum tastings take guests on a gastronomic adventure through the spirit's many tastes, elevating the experience even further. The comforting embrace of a beloved farmstead is evoked by Chef Adrial's menu, which features a variety of fresh fish and traditional Goan cuisine.

Tikitii

Embrace the coastal beauty that is Goa at this new restaurant in North Goa! From a more polished embracing of island living to a more kitschy escapism, the romanticisation of Polynesian culture and tiki bars is developing. Tikitii Beachfront, opened by Saeed Khan of Tikitii Hospitality and Suved Lohia of SLH Hospitality, allows this philosophy full expression on the picture-perfect Morjim Beach, with its shack-style decor inspired by Tulum. 

Yogesh Patil, an independent designer, envisioned the interiors, which exude an elegantly casual air that is both genuine and comfortable. Underneath the floating roofs of fabric and wooden beams, the natural light and sea wind are framed by woven rattan furniture and driftwood decorations, creating an atmosphere of rustic bohemianism.

What to try? Signature beverages such as 'Aam Cha Love,' a mango picante delight, and 'Love in the Coco,' a piña colada-margarita fusion,' compliment the main course of tacos, quesadillas, and burrito rolls. Madhav of Gastronaut and Senior Barman Vishwesh curated a cocktail menu that embodies the carefree attitude of coastal epicureanism, merging robust tastes with the ethos of la buena vida.

LouLou

Looking for a place to party and have the best food? This new restaurant in North Goa offers everything you're looking for! Loulou, a lounge bar with 18 seats that is both mysterious and alluring, is located inside The ASSA House. Curiously, co-founder Nitin Wagh used plenty of velvet and brocade to give the 700 square foot bar an air of old charm in his design. The centrepiece of the bar is a 110-year-old John Broadwood piano, and the menu offers dishes made with hyperlocal ingredients and enhanced with global techniques, along with delicious drinks.

What to try? Priyanka, the head mixologist, works in partnership with Vikram Achanta and the rest of the Tulleeho crew to create unique drinks like the Truffle Reverie, which skilfully combines elements from different cultures. Innovative dishes from Chef Kalpesh, such as the Kozhi Kari Sandwich, which combines tastes from coastal India with Shokupan from Japan, highlight this.

Issa

Located on the banks of the Chapora River, ISSA Goa has an air that is reminiscent of the Mediterranean. The two-story property unfurls like a magnificent yet personal retreat, as imagined by Ashish Wadhwani, Ankoor Pasari, and Rishi Kajaria. A towering tree, representing peace and oneness with nature, anchors the middle courtyard.

What to try? Indulge in mouthwatering options including "Chonak Ceviche," "Chicken Shawarma Burger," and a variety of fresh seafood, such as lobster and tiger prawns. Designed by a master mixology duo, the cocktail menu highlights light, tropical tastes that go well with the mellow vibe.