Goan Insider’s Restaurants of the Month in Goa: May 2021

How can you make your restaurant stand out? Every day a new restaurant pops up in the market. For a restaurant to stand out from the crowd, it’s imperative to have not only a unique menu but also the best customer service. The restaurateur has to keep hustling and showcase creativity to be successful. The restaurant industry can either make it break you with guests now having an ample amount of options to choose from. Here are Goan Insider’s “Restaurants of the Month” for May 2021 who have been hustling the right way in North and South Goa. What made us consider them for the list was their benevolent contribution during the uncertain Covid19 situation in Goa by providing free meals to the needy.

Antares

North Goa District

What makes Antares worth the visit is not only its exquisite food but also the jaw-dropping view one can experience of Ozran beach while dining. This restaurant located in Vagator in all its culinary genius has a handcrafted menu by the famed Masterchef Australia contestant, Sarah Todd herself, and Ashish Kapur. Each dish has a perfect blend of Australian flavors and local ingredients as Sarah sources the ingredients from some of India’s most sustainable and ethical growers, giving each item the organic touch. Their hummus with za’atar bread is a vegetarian option to die for. Delight your taste buds with some South Indian Seafood Chowder with Goan Poi, Vodka Prawns, or even Pizza; I mean who doesn’t love Pizza right? If you want to try out the local Goan cuisine, Antares serves Goan Pork Choris Risotto, Chicken Xacuti, Whole Crab Xec Xec, and many with the obvious Australian twist.

If you fancy a nice drink, Antares’s winning bartender prepares some of the best cocktails to appetize your taste buds. You can blindly try the Bartenders specially curated Tamarind and chili-infused Margarita or if you fancy some refreshing Martinis, got for either Pear Chilli Martini or the Apple Plum Martini among the others. If you aren’t a cocktail person, nothing to worry about as the bar at Antares is also stoked with a variety of beers, spirits, and wines. Enjoy your lazy afternoon or evening in Goa sipping on some delicious cocktails, tasting some brilliant food, and just simply soaking up the sun at Antares.

Due to its delightful ambiance and delectable food and beverages, Antares does get really busy during the tourist season and hence we recommend getting reservations. Antares entertains its customers with a lot of live music artists and DJs throughout the week. Antares does have its own resort, beach club, and swimming pool, meaning you can spend your whole day in this paradise. Antares restaurant should definitely be on your list of places to eat in Goa because sometimes it’s not always about the food, it’s also about the experience and vibe.

What caught our attention about this restaurant for the month of May was their benevolent management. They offered complimentary nutritious meals every day to Covid patients and senior citizens in North Goa who needed them. These meals were home delivered to their homes for free as well.

Cuisine: Australian, Goan, Italian, Seafood

Recommended Foods: Cheese Croquettes, The Crab Pani Puri, Whole Grilled Snapper, Churrasco Style Pineapple, Vodka Prawns, Sarahs Special Pavlova

Recommended Drinks: Strangers Kiss, Antares Sour, Tamarind Chilli Margarita, Apple Plum Martini

Price Range: 2000 INR for two people (approx). Without alcohol

Address: Small Vagator, Ozran Beach, Vagator, Goa 403509

Ph: 073500 11528

Nearby Hotels: Antares Beach Resort, W Goa, Aria Beach Resort, Okean Resort

Nearby Beaches: Vagator Beach, Anjuna Beach , Ozran Beach

The Kitchen on Top

South Goa District

If you are looking for food with quirky names that taste as delicious, then The Kitchen on Top in Margao is your go-to place. They serve a wide variety of mouth-watering fusion food and we highly recommend trying out their Tandoori Momos. The Kitchen on Top proudly stands by their unique menu as they call it for Goa. Choose from Mughal Khansama, Lapeta Chicken, Mutton Ghee Roast, Green Garlic Squids, Peri Peri Chicken Biryani, each of these are the perfect match to kill those food cravings. The delicious taste of their food will leave you wanting more. Beat the Goa heat with their addictive drinks such as Cuddles on the Beach and Blue Lagoon.

You not only get a wonderful view overlooking Margao from the top but also a cosy and elegant setting to enjoy the view, making this one of the perfect date settings in the south. The balcony seating is adorned by swings, colourful flower pots and an overall bright décor trend. This makes it a fun chill out place with your friends or maybe even a nice evening with your family. If you are a person who cannot stand the Goan heat and humidity, Kitchen on Top has got you covered with a comfortable indoor AC seating which has a slightly modern and classy style. Their warm and hospitable staff is the reason why people keep going back to the place.

There is also another reason why The Kitchen on Top is ‘top’ in our list in My for South Goa. They have generously donated free meals during the month of May to the needy. They received a lot of support from locals who also contributed to the same cause.   

Cuisine: North Indian, Chinese, Tibetan, Continental

Recommended Foods: Tandoori Momos, Moong Dal Halwa, Five Eshtar Chicken Tikka, Mexican Bhel

Recommended Drinks: Cuddles on the Beach, Blue lagoon

Price Range: 1,100 INR for two people (approx)

Address: Court by Crossroads, Third Floor, Next to Varun Beverages Ltd, Near Arlem Bypass, Fatorda, Margao, Goa 403602

Ph: 091754 12013

Nearby Hotels: Seasons Hotel and Spa, C’Roque Beach Resort, Nanutel, Baywatch Resort Goa

Nearby Beaches: Colva Beach (8kms), Betalbatim Beach (10km), Benaulim Beach (10km)

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