Hidden Food Gems of Goa

Foodies, tourists and countrymen; welcome.
Welcome to this revelation.
We’re unearthing hidden food spots of Goa that only locals know about.

But before we dare go where only local foodies have gone before, we have some rules. The rules are as follows:
You’ll need to bookmark this page so you have the list handy when you visit Goa.
You’ll have to promise us not to act like a tourist when you visit these places. Pretend you’re a local, stay in character, no fanny packs, no big floppy hats, act like you belong, bite like you belong.

You may be thinking we’re being a little extra. Guilty, as charged, we most definitely are, but it’s because we like our local joints to retain our local vibe. When you visit these hidden food gems of Goa, we want you to visit like a local, imbibe the Goan feel before you imbibe the Goan feasts. It’s the only way to truly experience a slice of Goa.

Now that, we’ve prepared you, let’s dive in and uncover the food gems of Goa:

Lo and behold! Sweet and savoury, crispy, flakey, buttery authentic Goan bakes. Chef Namrata Pai knows her baked bites! Lemon tarts, chocolate profiteroles, croissants and portuguese custard tarts, and the list goes on, be still my foodie heart! If you’re drooling right now, wait till you visit and experience the magic of her baked treats. We recommend you try the delicious french choux pastries and the Char Siu Roast Pork Puffs too!

Ladies and gentlemen, get ready to crepe diem! This tres chic standalone cute cottage has vintage french vibes. And the crepes they serve are perfection! This is a great hidden spot for brunch with the locals, they have a variety of coffees, teas, crepes and paninis. Punctuate your day with sweet banana crepes with chocolate drizzle or try their delicious cupcakes and eclairs for a quick-pick me up anytime of the day. Whatever you try, we promise you won’t be disappointed.

Start your day with vegan, gluten free, plant based goodness. Head over to Earth Mama and to smoothie or not smoothie, will never be a question you ponder over, again. These smoothie bowls look so beautiful you can’t possibly have a bad day after seeing these pretties in the morning. Do try the acai bowl, cacao and pina, they’re topped with fresh, seasonal fruits and edible flowers. It’s the brightest, healthiest, most colourful start to the day you could ask for!

One fine day, Aarti Sinha, a former music teacher, asked herself “Why should non-vegans have all the fun?” And we’re so glad she did! Her love for experimenting with vegan recipes led to the birth of Okapi Vegan Kitchen, a homey joint that serves gluten free breads, tarts, puddings, cupcakes, cakes and pies. Non-vegans, we recommend you try this place too for fear of missing out. Okapi dishes out wholesome vegan goodness that you mustn't go without.

Sitting on a uniquely Goan Balcao, dig into an authentically Tamil lunch, spread over a beautiful wide banana leaf. Doesn’t that sound like a great Sunday? Sappadu serves OG south indian cuisine the way it’s meant to be served. Savour vada, sambhar, rasam, payasam and all your favourite south indian fare in a quintessentially goan home, transformed into a gateway to south india’s gastronomical palette.

We hope this local listicle satisfies your foodie soul. And if it doesn’t, well there’s more where this came from. Our Villa Experiences Manager is immersed in the Goan foodie scene and has the best recommendations on places to go and eat. We’ll plan a culinary journey for you, Goan style and make sure every hidden food gem on this side of paradise is covered while you stay with us, at Villa In Palms.

Click here, to know more about our curated experiences. What’s more? We offer our guests luxury cars with locally savvy chauffeurs who know their way around the nooks and crannies of Goa, making it even easier for you to find these hidden food gems.

If you prefer staying in and having the deliciousness come to you, we can arrange for that as well. Villa In Palms offers indoors as well as al fresco dining with 2 in house chefs as well as special dining experiences like Chef’s Tables by celebrated guests chefs from the city. Learn more about our dining experiences here.

For bookings and enquiries feel free to call or WhatsApp us at +91 93 7232 3328.