Homesick North Indians, Get Epic Kebabs & A Gorgeous Beach At This Resort

ITC Grand Goa Resort & Spa in Cansaulim, South Goa, is a 45 acre property that’s right on Arossim beach. It has 252 rooms and a courtyard-dining set-up that includes 5 restaurants, each doing a specific cuisine. We had a meal at Kebab & Kurries and the North Indian in us came back satiated, happy and mighty full thanks to the many courses between kebabs, biryani and shahi tukda.

The signature ITC hospitality is a given anywhere you go and Goa is no different. From the moment you’re inside this resort, you’re made to feel utterly welcome and thoroughly pampered. If you’re staying here, their cottages, the pools, the beautiful lighthouse bar, the outdoor spa and the pristine beach are going to make your holiday. If not, making a trip just for a meal is also a good idea – the resort is a sight with its sprawling gardens and picturesque water bodies.

We, however, are here to talk of our experience at Kebabs & Kurries. The first course was a vegetarian and a meat platter and we polished them off like nobody’s business because if it’s anyone who knows their tikkas and kebabs in Goa, it’s the folks behind Bukhara and Dum Pukht. Labgeer (a melt-in-the-mouth beetroot kebab) and Dudhiya Kebab (paneer and potatoes together in bite-sized helpings) were our favourites. The carnivore has a soft corner for the tender shammi kebab and the fish tikka that came perfectly grilled, with a hint of ajwain.

Paneer Khurchan with the warqi parantha was a match made in heaven — the tanginess of the paneer gravy complimented the buttery soft, flaky bread. The prawns in ‘hara masala’ was ripe with the flavour of coriander, chillies and garlic, really bringing out the taste of the jhingas. The biryani, both veggie and one with lamb was a runway star with the galic-y raita and baigan ka salan. The rice was lightly scented and perfect for a ravenously hungry stomach.

To finish, you must get their shahi tukda which is so fiercely loved for a reason.

Aren’t missing North Indian just yet? There’s also an Italian restaurant, a Goan diner and an all-day coffee shop. If you must absolutely be on the beach, try their beach-side BBQ restaurant, The Royal Afghan that's open till the monsoons strike.

There isn’t much to do around the property, unless you intend on joining one of the in-house activities like movie screenings, yoga classes, archery, water sports and more. On the bright side, they do organise local trips to wildlife sanctuaries, spice plantations and more. If you’d like some alone time at their adults-only pool, don’t worry, they also have a daycare that’ll keep the children engaged.

They have an open food court system, so you could be sitting in any restaurant (they all have amazing views and stunning ambience in line with the cuisine they’re serving) and ordering any cuisine.