Best Cafes & Restaurants in North Goa Honest Reviews
“The best memories from our Goa trip weren’t just made on the beach—they were made around the table.”
One of my favourite things about travelling is discovering new places to eat. So today, I thought I’d take you along to a few cafés and restaurants we visited during our North Goa trip. Some were popular recommendations, while others we stumbled upon along the way—but each one became a small part of our travel memories.
Along the way, we also found a few small, family-run places serving authentic Goan thalis. There was something incredibly comforting about those meals—they didn’t feel like restaurant food at all. It felt as if someone had cooked a fresh meal in their home kitchen and served it straight to our table. Those simple lunches turned out to be just as memorable as the cafes we had previously bookmarked for the trip.
This isn’t a list of the best places in Goa. It’s simply a collection of the cafés and restaurants that made our trip memorable and the ones we’d happily visit again.
Some mornings started with a homemade breakfast at our stay, some were made easy with a quick Zomato order, and during the last three days in Morjim, our resort’s complimentary breakfast became the perfect start to each day.
Now, let me take you through the cafés and restaurants that became a part of our North Goa memories. From unforgettable seafood and cosy cafés to comforting local Goan thalis, here’s everything we loved.
1. Kartik’s Kitchen
If I had to recommend just one place from our entire trip, it would be Kartik’s Kitchen.
We ordered the Pomfret Masala Fry, Chonak Rawa Fry, Prawns Curry, Prawns Biryani, and Crispy Chicken, and every single dish lived up to the hype. The seafood was incredibly fresh, the flavours were authentic, and nothing felt overly spicy or heavy. It was one of those meals where everyone at the table kept saying, “You have to try this!”
If there’s one restaurant I’d happily return to every time I visit North Goa, this would be it.
2. Pousada by the Beach
Pousada by the Beach had a completely different charm. It was one of those places where you naturally slow down, order a little more than planned, and simply enjoy the moment.
We tried the Shangrila Wine, Fried Okra, a delicious prawn dish, and ended the meal with their famous Serradura dessert. Every dish felt thoughtfully prepared, and the dessert was easily one of the best we had during the trip.
3. Fisherman’s Cove
Our first dinner in Goa was at Fisherman’s Cove, making it the perfect way to begin our holiday.
After a long day of travelling, sitting down for our first meal in Goa felt special. The place had a lively atmosphere, the service was warm, and it instantly put us into holiday mode. Looking back, I remember the feeling of that evening more than the menu itself—and somehow, that makes it memorable in its own way.
4. Mikey’s Place
Mikey’s Place was another restaurant we genuinely enjoyed.
Our table had Butter Garlic Prawns, White Sauce Penne Pasta, and Chilli Chicken, and everything was delicious. But what I still remember most were the mocktails. They were served in the most unique glasses, making them almost too pretty to drink. Naturally, we spent a few minutes taking photos before taking the first sip.
It’s little details like these that make a dining experience stay with you long after the trip is over.
5. Uma by the Sea
Uma by the Sea was another lovely stop on our food trail through North Goa.
We ordered Prawns Xacuti with Rice, Crispy Fish Balls, a Pizza, and Pasta, making it one of those meals where everyone ordered something different and ended up sharing everything around the table. The menu offered a nice balance of local flavours and comfort food, making it a great choice whether you’re craving seafood or something familiar.
Looking back, I don’t think what made these places memorable was just the food. It was the conversations over dinner, discovering new flavours together, the excitement of finding a place we’d want to recommend back home, and those simple family moments that quietly become your favourite travel memories.
If you’re planning a North Goa trip, I hope this little food diary helps you discover a few places worth adding to your list. And don’t forget to leave a little room for the small, family-run eateries too—sometimes, those are the places that serve the meals you’ll remember the longest.
This blog is just one chapter from our Goa trip. If you’d like to know where we stayed, how we planned our 8-day itinerary, what monsoon in Goa actually felt like, and the little moments that made the trip so special, I’d love for you to read my previous blog: Goa in Monsoon: Why July Might Be the Best Time to Fall in Love with Goa Again. I hope you enjoy it just as much.
