Some of the best restaurants in Panjim are forgotten because many expats and travelers stay in Anjuna or too far away, but they are so good, it’s a shame. While writing this I’m kicking myself for not driving the 35 minutes more often!
Best Restaurants in Panjim
Baba’s Wood Café
A bit hard to find in Fountainhas, this is my favorite Italian in Panjim and might even have better pizzas than Basilico and Baba Au Rhum! Make sure you’re Google Maps are working before you head here and bring a little extra money to spend because there is a shop inside. They sell mostly furniture and artwork.
Their homemade pasta is unreal. I love the bolognaise spaghetti and beef ravioli, as well as the creamy four cheese sauce on penne. The pizzas are baked in a wood fired oven and only once did we get one we didn’t like (it was a little too sloppy). The first time we went, we were in awe of how tasty it was. The prosciutto is a great option or you can ask for bolognaise sauce on the pizza. The huge chunks of fresh mozzarella are what make it better than it’s competitors though. Homemade gelato and tiramisu finish things off nicely.
Location: Mala 49 (Fontainhas)
Route 66
I freaking love this place. It’s kind of an American diner and it’s the same guy from Tin Tin’s in Vagator. The Nachos are the best I’ve had in Goa hands down. The beef burger was delicious and the homemade fries and onion rings were perfect. I can’t wait to go back! OH, and the milkshakes are Baskin Robbins deliciousness.
Location: Avanti, Opposite Patto Bridge, Rua de Ourem, Mala | Above Union Bank
Mainland China
One of the best Chinese restaurants in Goa. There are a lot of SE Asia restaurants, but this one is real Chinese and just perfect. It’s more fine dining and is located in the Caculo Mall in Panjim near Magson’s supermarket on the top floor. They have a brunch on Sundays but it’s not all that flash. The dimsum is my favorite. I love the sweet and sour pork and crispy lamb, as well as general Tso’s chicken.
Location: Caculo Mall | 4th Floor level 5
Tao and Pan Asian Bowl
Both are these are recommended all the time as great Chinese and SE Asia food, but if you’re going all the way to Panjim, my opinion is Mainland China is better. If you’re not going to Panjim and want SE Asia, just go to Wok and Roll in Candolim!
Location: Tao: A/1, Pinto Arcade | Campa. Pan Asian Bowl: Bella Goa Annexe | Next to Hotel Solmar, Near Bina Punjani Hair Studio, Miramar
Black Sheep Bistro
A newer restaurant which mixes fine French dining and Goan seafood specialties. If you follow along on their Facebook page you’ll see their special “Soma” nights and it’s a good place to go for cocktails and fusion food.
Location: Swami Vivekanand Road, Next to Icici Bank
Mum’s Kitchen
This might be the most famous Goan restaurant in Goa, but it’s definitely the most famous in Panjim. Expect delicious seafood and slow service… which really is the Goan way!
Location: 854, Martin’s Building, D B Street, Miramar, Near Times Of India Office
Café Delicieux
There are two locations for the bakery (the other is on the main road to Ashwem). Owned by a French woman, you can expect great desserts and pastries here. They cater to many local restaurants. They also have quiches and other European brunch or lunch food. They deliver cakes and cupcakes.
Location: Rivzi Tower, 18th June Road, next to Don Bosco Petrol pump, Campal | next to Browadway Library and Rock & Raga
Hotel Venite
A very famous place for backpackers and travelers. Known for Goan food but also selling international options and booze, this is a nice place to stop in to meet people.
Location: 31st January Road | Sao Tomé
a tiny mention for expats missing home:
KFC and Subway. The KFC is also in the mall on the bottom floor and the Subway is near the river on the road out to the INOX movie theatre near the petrol pump.
If you’re headed to Goa, check out my ebook the Insider’s Guide to Goa. After five years of living here, I’m sure this 170-page book is the most comprehensive guide to Goa on the market. Click here to buy it.
Everytime I visited Goa, I went there to party and booze. But this post leaves me with an inspiration to visit Goa for a food trip next! Rachel, I loved the places you listed. Plus, I also loved the title of this post; ‘FORGET TRIPADVISOR: THE REAL BEST RESTAURANTS IN PANJIM’! Good one;-) Cheers!
Goa has some de-lish food! and glad you liked the post :)
Ha, I love that you included a note about Subway and KFC. There are no Subways in Jakarta and I’m currently missing it dearly. I never thought I would say that…
yeah the subway in India is shit though, but at least the bread is the same.
Great list Rachel, I’m starving now! I love Tin Tins, it gave me a much needed burger fix, and the fries were great! :)
Oh good! I only went to Tin tin’s once & it was “goan” night so no burgers! Lol
Yum, I would kill to have an American diner where I am in China, or really, a decent burger. Also I totally miss Americanized Chinese food like General Tso’s….its funny.
I feel ya, I miss Americanized chinese too, but how funny since you’re in China!
Everywhere sounds absolutely delicious! Thinking of coming to Goa just to eat. I haven’t even visited India yet, but it is one of the countries at the top of my list so I’m sure I’ll become a regular blog reader. Funnily enough, one of my first food goals when visiting India is to go to a McDonalds, I have a weird fascination for seeing how McDonalds’ differ in various countries, and the McAloo Tikki is something I wish we had in New Zealand. I might still go to McDonalds if we did, though, so I’m not sure if it would be a good thing.
lol that’s very funny! After all this time in India I still haven’t had the mcaloo tikki! I always get the chicken nuggets
Mangii has been closed permanently since april 2014.
Delicieux in Panjim is closing tomorrow, permanently. :(
ah ha, so mangii really is shut! good to know. At least Delicieux has another spot in ashwem, i’ll msg them to see if it’s the only one or if they’re moving spots.
Indeed it is. Delicieux have a new place in Baga at Titos Lane.
Hey Rachel. Great compilation of great places to eat. You’re making my tummy jealous.
ha! thanks :)
Ah I’m in Goa right now, and I was looking for Venite the other day but couldn’t find it before it closed! It looks like a great place to hang!
Ah, bummer- maybe next time!
Despite spending a lot of time in Panaji I didn’t know most of the places on this terrific list, so now I am steadily working my way through them. Thanks :)
Notes:
-As of the end of November 2014, O Fogo is temporarily shut pending re-location.
-Route 66 has some decent options for vegetarians.
-If you are going to use Google Maps to get to Baba’s Wood Café, enter the name, not the address given above.
Great notes, yes I’d heard o fogo was having issues with the alcohol license and was closing – thank you for that I’ve editing the post.
Hello! Thanks so much for your great blog- mu family and I have been travelling in India for three months, spending about 5 weeks in Goa (mostly Palolem and Panjim).
Enjoyed your restaurant blog- you must try La Maison Fountainhas in old town Panjim when you get a chance, great little hotel and new restaurant coming. The chef gave us a preview of the food a few days ago- it is European fusion and very yummy. Also thanks for pointing out the beauty of Karnataka- we spent some time there and really loved it- very few western tourists go there and it is certainly worth it.
Keep up the great work!
PS I also got head butted by a cow, but in a village, not in Varanasi!
mm i will look for that restaurant! shame about the headbutting lol but happy to know i’m not the only one!