The words ‘Goa’ and ‘vegetarian’ don’t sound right together, no? It’s always Goa’s glorious seafood scene and obviously, we can’t blame our vegetarian friends for feeling unloved and ignored. But this shall stop now.
We’ve put together a list of restaurants that should be in every vegetarian’s, well, Little Black Book for Goa finds.
One of Panjim’s most loved restaurants, The Black Sheep Bistro does ‘farm to table’ fare. They are known to experiment with flavours and are constantly introducing new dishes to celebrate seasonal produce.
So, while their bestsellers like the Pork Chop and Barley and the Red Kismur Fish Fillet, might hog all the limelight but we can tell you that that their Risotto made without rice, featuring akur bhaji {that’s a lot like asparagus} and crisp slices of Goan bread are really awesome.
There’s also Spicy Chocolate Spaghetti and Chocolate Salami, both of which are crazy.
It’s all about healthy eating at this vegan restaurant. We love that they don’t mess around with the ingredients to a point where they lose their individuality. So, everything on the menu is healthy and tasty.
Drop by in the mornings to sample their popular smoothies {try the chocolate avocado} and as the day goes by, you can sink your teeth into bowls of salads {their Goat’s Cheese Salad is a huge hit} and sandwiches. After food, leave some room for a slice of their chocolate cake – y0u can’t leave without this.
Housed in a stunning Portuguese bungalow {that also has a gallery}, Bodega is another Panjim highlight. Their cafe-style menu is not the regular fare {yay!}. Our advice: Take a look at the day’s specials before ordering.
Their Creamy Beet Soup, Jalapeno Cheese Toasties, and Ragi Black Bean Wraps are our personal favourites here, and the cupcakes are awesome too!
Having tied up with local farmers, this restaurant sources the best organic ingredients that Goa has to offer. Their breakfast menu is pretty popular and you can gorge on treats such as Scrambled Tofu with Mushrooms and Cherry Tomatoes along with omelettes. For lunch, they have Mediterranean Tarts and Veggie Burgers.
Their Asian fare is popular with locals and tourists. When you settle in, you can start by sampling their delicious range of condiments that are paired with fresh spinach leaves {so much good health}. You can then move on to their thinly-wrapped rolls, following up with Thai Curry with mushrooms.
Tucked away in a quiet corner in Anjuna, Baba Au Rhum has a huge fan following. The food’s got a touch of French to it and you won’t be short of veggie options. Try the flaky croissants, the Spinach and Feta quiche and most importantly, the freshly baked pizzas – we promise you’ll go home happy.
A hole-in-the-wall cafe, Little World is best known for its masala chai. Pair it with plates of waffles, sandwiches or pancakes and you won’t have a reason to complain. Brownie points for their top-notch service too.
Craving some good-old north Indian khaana in Goa? Don’t look beyond Earthern Oven in Candolim. They’ve got all the tandoori classics sorted. Go ahead and pile your plate high with delicacies like doodhiya {pumpkin} kebab, Palak Aur Anjeer Kebab, and creamy gravies for maximum satisfaction.
Tucked in one of the many bylanes of Anjuna, this is our best find from the many German bakeries that dot Goa. Surrounded by ample greens, this place is perfect when you want a quiet afternoon with your book. In between turning pages, make it a point to sample their vegan and vegetarian delicacies that have won rave reviews from customers.
Begin with Spinach and Tofu Burgers, sandwiches, and pizzas and cater to the sweet tooth with the warm Apple and Cinnamon crepe. In fact, if you’re a sweet fiend, know that everything from their Black Forest Cake to their Lemon Cake is awesomesauce.
