One of the most happening areas in the coastal state of Goa, the sands and shores of Vagator are known for bustling flea markets and night parties. However, if you are one of those who like to relax, watch the sunset on the horizon with a sundowner and experience the ‘susegad’ way of life, Vagator also has numerous cosy restaurants that you could head to. Scattered across the length and breadth of the area, these offer you infinite views of the ocean as well as delectable Indian and international cuisines. Here’s our pick:
Spice Traders, Vagator Beach Road
A plush property in W Goa serving Pan Asian cuisine, Spice Traders has an al-fresco terrace overlooking the sparkling waters of the Arabian Sea. With robust flavours and elegant presentation, the menu here has something for all Asian food lovers and gives you a culinary experience like none other. One can choose from the choicest vegetarian dishes to meat and seafood delicacies like tom yum spicy and sour soup, veg crystal dim sums, sushi, pad Thai and Sichuan braised beef. End the meal with a decadent petit antoine or tiramisu.
Address: W Goa, 515, Vagator Beach Road, Vagator, Goa
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Timings: 1 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Antares Restaurant & Beach Club, Ozran Beach
The brainchild of Sarah Todd of MasterChef Australia fame and leading hospitality entrepreneur Ashish Kapur, Antares Restaurant & Beach Club is an avant-garde dining space situated on top of a cliff overlooking the sea. Known for the earthy wood-fired pizzas and refreshing cocktails at its beach club and the modern Australian fare at its sophisticated restaurant curated by Sarah Todd, Antares is a slice of Australia on the shores of Goa and promises casual dining at its best to its guests.
Address: Small Vagator, Ozran Beach, Vagator, Goa
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Timings: 12 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Olive Bar & Kitchen, Big Vagator
An extremely popular spot across the country, the Olive Bar & Kitchen in Goa, like its counterparts, promises the best of Mediterranean and local fare in a magnificent Greek setting. As you soak in the gorgeous Indian sun, enjoy an unforgettable gourmet meal – seared salmon fillet or succulent pork chops with honey and cashew feni or the comforting sun-dried tomato risotto. Seafood lovers can dig into the colossal seafood platter consisting of lobster, tiger prawns, king prawns, calamari, snapper fillet, mussels, and clams. End the meal with their jaggery cheesecake and take a siesta under the sun overlooking the blue waters.
Address: Unit 1, Vagator Helipad Big Vagator, Anjuna, Goa
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Timings: 12 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Ida – Boutique Bar & Kitchen, Anjuna
A watering hole cum boutique space, Ida – Boutique Bar & Kitchen gives you the true taste of Goa with its delectable local fare and handcrafted cocktails. Order the mammoth Goa on a plate, consisting of chicken cafreal, pork vindaloo, Goan chorizo chilli fry, Goan poi and Goan rice. Vegetarians can savour the local Goan veg caldin. Wash it all down with their refreshing drinks like plum fool, a rose-tinted feni-based cocktail or atta matcha with kaffir lime, coconut rum, and lychee juice.
Address: 562/1, Vagator, Anjuna, Goa
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Timings: 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., closed on Wednesdays
Half Pint, Little Vagator
A taproom launched by Great State Aleworks and Arbor Brewing Company India in Little Vagator, Half Pint has beers and food that reflect the joy of tropical living. The spacious pub is spread over 1100 sq ft and offers exciting new ales like persimmon wheat, kokum sherbet, and tamarind wheat. The lip-smacking food here, like seafood stew, pan-fried prawns, red pepper and almond pâté or slow-cooked beef stew simmered in a Half Pint ale, will take you on a trip down memory lane.
Address: Rudy’s, House No 639, Little Vagator, Vagator, Goa
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Timings: 5 p.m. to 1 a.m., closed on Tuesdays
Romeo Lane, Ozran Beach
A rustic wooden bar and restaurant where the waves almost touch your feet, Romeo Lane has an open party setting with breath-taking views of the ocean. From falafel to tandoori pomfret, baos to paneer tikka pizza, the place specializes in numerous cuisines including Indian, Continental, Asian, Mexican. Relax on the earthy decks by the shore as you sip on a range of refreshing beers, whiskeys and local crafted spirits, and groove to the catchy music played by a DJ as you take in the beauty of the sun-kissed waves of Goa.
Address: Ozran Beach, Vagator, near Shiva face, Goa
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Timings: 1 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Fusion Restaurant and Wood Oven Pizzeria, Ozran Beach Road
As you breathe in the salty air, enjoy warm, wood-fired pizzas and delicious seafood at the relaxing garden café - Fusion Restaurant and Wood Oven Pizzeria. Divided into upper and lower levels, one can relax on top with a gorgeous garden view or at the bottom amidst warm rugs and cushions. Homely and laidback, the restaurant is a hidden gem in the heart of Vagator. As it opens early, one can have a hearty breakfast here with options like Israeli breakfast, English breakfast, and healthy breakfast in addition to several varieties of pancakes, waffles, toasts and eggs. Also check out the ‘Fusion Thali’, a platter of mouth-watering Mediterranean starters.
Address: Vagator Beach Road, Above Small, Ozran Beach Road, Dmello Vaddo, Vagator, Goa
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Timings: 9 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Fish Tail Bar & Restaurant, Small Vagator Beach Road
This modest looking restaurant is one of the most popular beach shacks in Goa. After a swim in the ocean, you can lie down on the cosy lounge chairs and sun beds of Fish Tail Bar & Restaurant and eat to your heart’s content from an array of North Indian, Mexican and Continental delights in addition to a wholesome breakfast menu. However, as the name suggests, Fish Tail is known for its reasonably-priced seafood delicacies and Goan delights like prawn curry, fish curry, fried fish, and batter-fried squid.
Address: Small Vagator Beach Road, Near Nine Bar, Vagator, Goa
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Timings: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Kasa ‘N’ Koox, Ozran Beach
Craving for some authentic Japanese food in Goa? Head over to the newest kid on the block – Kasa ‘N’ Koox, a modern Japanese restaurant and lounge nestled between palm trees. Koox’s food spells sophistication and one can relish gourmet fare with dishes like black cod miso, New Zealand lamb chops, tuna sashimi, and burnt garlic edamame. Cocktail-lovers can head upstairs to Kasa, which is inspired by the sundowners on the Japanese island of Ishigaki and serves refreshing spirits as well as Japanese small plates, spritzers, and tipples for a memorable dining experience.
Address: Casa Waters, House Number 588, Ozran Beach, Vagator, Goa
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Timings: 12:30 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Thalassa, Siolim
Meaning sea in Greek, Thalassa is rightfully named so as it is perched on the rocky cliffs of Little Vagator Beach and has a classic Greek-Mediterranean ambience consisting of a white setting against the backdrop of the blue ocean. A beautiful outdoor waterfront space that offers spectacular views of the Vagator waters, Thalassa’s food is a slice of Greece in the heart of Goa. Feta cheese mini pies, small Greek chicken pizzas, Thalassa lobster platter, Greek style spaghetti, cheesecakes, and the Greek yoghurt are some of the dishes that you must try from the menu.
Address: 301/1, Vaddy, Siolim, Goa
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Timings: 9 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Casa Playa, Ozran Beach Road
Enjoy the panoramic coastline of Goa at Casa Playa, an elegant beach house, bar and grill. The food here is the perfect blend of comfort and sophistication with Indian and Continental dishes like tandoori prawns, chicken tikka masala, dal tadka, Goan chorizo arancini and wild mushroom risotto being some of the top picks. Not to mention the award-wining seafood! Also, the exotic cocktails handcrafted by experienced mixologists are just the icing you need on the cake. As one of their Instagram posts says, “When the sky turns pink, it’s time for a drink.”
Address: Small Vagator, Ozran Beach Road, Vagator, Goa
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Timings: 12 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Piccola Roma, Chapora Road
With a wooden theme and dim lighting, this cosy and quaint cafe has a relaxing vibe and offers reasonably priced Italian food to its customers. Other than the usual Italian staples of wood-fired pizzas, home-made pastas, steaks, salads and Italian wines, the café offers a hearty breakfast consisting of a variety of eggs, paninis, toasts, cereals, hash browns and of course, coffee, to help you kickstart your Goan holiday with a bang!
Address: Chapora Road, Near Bharat Petrol Pump, Vagator, Goa
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Timings: 9 a.m. to 11.30 p.m.
Deepa Natarajan Lobo
An independent journalist and content writer with 15 years of experience, I am also a full-time mommy to two little princesses. I love music, reading, yoga and travel in addition to writing. My articles have been published in publications like Times of India, Deccan Herald, Bangalore Mirror, The Week and The National News.
