One of my favorite things about being an expat in Goa are all the food options here. I have made many lists, including my favorite restaurants in Goa but sadly most of these are all closed.

I’ve already explained a lot about what it’s like in Goa in monsoon, so please do check out that post first.

Don’t forget to pick up my Insider Guide to Goa and my Guide to India

General Goa Travel Tips

goa restaurants open monsoon

goa restaurants open monsoon

This is the time of year that most Indian families take their summer holiday to Goa; prices are cheaper and most of the party crowd has left. There are less backpackers and more Indian couples on their honeymoons in monsoon Goa.  It’s all a bit more family friendly and laid-back, but the negative is there aren’t many places to eat and party.

I’ve made a list of places Ben, my friends, and I eat at in monsoon, as well as a few places to party. The trance scene is basically gone, but some clubs stay open. I am not mentioning ALL the places open in monsoon, just the ones I eat at for your reference. There are many more in Baga, Candolim, and Calangute, that are okay but we never go to. If you want more places and to know if there are any extra parties going on you can check out What’s Up Goa.

For more tips on Goa check out my 170-page e-book, Insider’s Guide to Goa. After five years of living in Goa, I am confident this book is the most comprehensive, up-to-date guide to Goa plus it has all my secrets inside. Click here to buy it now.

Food in Goa during Monsoon

Anjuna

  • Artjuna // Great lunch food, there is a shop here as well, love salads and sandwiches
  • Zorba // owned by Mariketty of Thalassa, great food, live music – try the latin burger
  • Guru bar // a tourist hang out in Anjuna, decent food at low prices, overlooks sea, shops nearby
  • Curlies // beach shack, popular with locals and backpackers, cheap, decent food at the sea
  • Eatopia // intercontinental and Indian, not the best but we grab parcels sometimes
  • Tamarind Hotel // good Indian, they deliver, has live music
  • Bellisima // inside Laguna Anjuna – good affordable Italian food (music on Fridays)

new restaurants in north goa belilissima laguna anjuna

Baga/ Calangute / Candolim area

  • Wok n Roll // S.E. Asia restaurant in Candolim, one of our favorites
  • Travel Bar // Fusion food in Calangute, has great steak, pork chops, and seafood soup (closed for renovation)
  • Cantare // All kinds of delicious food in Saligao, love the salads
  • Lloyd’s BBQ // famous BBQ place in Candolim
  • Riverhouse // Baga, awesome international food, in the Thalassa fam
  • Republic of Noodles // Chinese & more in Calangute, another one of our favorites
  • The Sofala // Nerul is a hotel with restuarant and bar, serves Sunday brunch from 12-4 for Rs. 1,000 including alcohol
  • Kapriz // Fusion restaurant in Baga also has a brunch on Sundays
  • Café De Goa // German in Calangute, great sandwich, quiche, bakery, and waffles! Sunday buffet is amazing.
  • Cavala // great starters in Baga, live music on Friday’s, love the lamb lasagna
  • Britto’s // Indian and seafood in Baga, a hugely popular restaurants tourist frequent, nice schnitzel too
  • Fiesta Beach Shack // delicious steak, appetizers, and pizza. Closed in July only
  • La Brise // inside the Novotel Hotel (also at the night market during season)
  • Koi // Candolim, very good Asian food from all over (duck rolls are amazing)
  • Chicken Man // rotisserie chicken with sides, American style, very tasty, delivers

Arpora

  • Pink Chili // yummy affordable Indian food, across race car track
  • Nattis Naturals // healthy food which is closed only July
  • Lotus Blossom // yummy Thai food, should start delivering this monsoon

Assagao

  • Ciao Bella // awesome Italian place, closes the month of July usually
  • Soro // pub style, live music, pretty cool
  • Ruta’s //cafe with great quesadillas and hummus
  • Gunpowder // South Indian food

Panjim

  • Mainland China //  there is a buffet on Sundays
  • Black Sheep Bistro // European, great for drinks
  • Baba’s Wood Café // Italian just outside Panjim (on maps)
  • Taj Vivanta // part of the Taj hotel, they have sushi
  • Mum’s Kitchen // Goan food
  • Pizza Mia // delivers – NYC style pizza

Vagator / Chapora

  • Sri // a place with everything on the menu in Vagator, frequented by tourists and locals, plus is inexpensive
  • Waters // a restaurant and club in Vagator, a little pricier
  • Roma Pizza // Chapora, they deliver and we love them
  • My Place // Italian in Chapora

Others

  • Mustard // Sangolda, you can find on Google maps, Bengali mixed with French
  • Grand Hyatt // intercontinental in Bambolim, have a champagne Sunday brunch
  • At the roundabout on the way to Anjuna or Arpora is a guy who sells delicious beef sandwiches
  • Worse case scenario you can order Dominos, pick up KFC (they deliver nearby), and Baskin Robbins is open or pick up meat from Ajay’s market in Mapusa and cook something at home!

Where to Sleep and Shop in Monsoon

When it comes to food, we often have to leave our side of town and head  into Candolim / Calangute / and Baga. Anjuna and Vagator kind of die in monsoon. When people want to know where to stay, only in monsoon do I say maybe stay near Candolim because it will save you money on taxis. If you are renting a scooter, then I still think you should stay in Anjuna / Vagator side and just ride into the busy areas for food and nightlife. Probably best not to try Mandrem or Arambol as they really die out in the monsoon.

For me, I would stay in Siolim, Saligao, or Parra and hire a car to get around.

Favorite places to stay in Goa

cheapest places to stay in Goa

Best 5 stars in Goa

goa restaurants open monsoonWildflower villa

For shopping, as mentioned Artjuna has a shop as well as Cafe de Goa. Rust is open. There are shops up and down the road in Candolim and Calangute, like Queen Bee, Malini Ramani, Rangeela, and Private Collection.

The markets are all closed but some designers stick around. I’ve told you about them in my International Boho-chic series, so the best thing to do is contact them to go see their showrooms at home.

goa restaurants open monsoonvia Dadablui Fb page

Parties in Goa during Monsoon

Check whatsupgoa.com to see what is happening each night. I’m only listing a few here.

  • Waters // a club in Vagator has parties on Friday and Saturday
  • Kapzensuppe and Bubble Brunch // are in Chapora have off and on nights so you have to check WUG as linked above
  • Cape Town Cafe // Baga
  • Mambos // Baga
  • Sinq // Candolim
  • Cavala // Friday night live music in Baga
  • Cohiba // next to Wok n Roll, Sinquerim
  • Club Cubana // Arpora, has ladies’ nights (check their website – not sure in monsoon)

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