27 Must-Try Vegan Restaurants & Cafes in Goa

As a foodie, I’m at all times looking out for vegan, wholesome, natural, ethically-sourced, ideally gluten free, world-inspired meals. Goa is maybe the one place in India the place that’s not an excessive amount of to ask for!

Over the previous 10 years of visiting, and the previous 2 years of dwelling right here, I’ve delightfully witnessed an explosion of vegan eating places in Goa.

I’ve additionally learnt that Goa’s personal Saraswat delicacies has historically been vegan-friendly – and incorporates a scrumptious vary of native dishes and flavors.

Best vegan eating places in Goa – My present prime 4

Since I started frequenting Goa within the monsoon means again in 2013, I’ve fallen in love with many cozy cafes, hole-in-the-wall thali joints, and nice(r) eating spots. Perhaps the largest problem for a vegan in Goa is that there’s an ever-growing alternative of locations to strive.

Cantine Indienne – Palolem, South Goa (all vegan)

Cantine Indienne is a country, completely vegan, farm-to-table, values-oriented cafe in Palolem. The meals is so scrumptious that we *nearly* moved to South Goa simply to have the ability to eat there on a regular basis!

The French-Tamil house owners, Manon and Satish, develop natural oyster mushrooms of their yard (sure!), and serve up scrumptious, selfmade thalis that includes an eclectic tackle the flavors of Tanjore. Think pesserattu (inexperienced mung dosa), beetroot curry, oyster mushroom pickles, wild spinach and horsegram stir fry, and even crunchy oyster mushroom ‘wings!’ My mouth’s watering simply typing this.

Instagram: Cantine Indienne

Tien – Vagator, North Goa

Sushi spots are popping up throughout Goa, however none can compete with Tien – the second outlet by sushi chef Abhishek Thakkar.

He lately revamped the sushi menu to experiment with salad sushis – and OMFG, they’re unimaginable! I by no means imagined I’d like rocket leaves in my sushi, however I might return each week to devour the Magic Mushroom maki roll.

There are solely 2 vegan sushis on the menu, and a 3rd one – an avocado, edamame roll could be made vegan on request.

Instagram: Tien

The Alternative – Mandrem, North Goa (all vegan)

In a superbly restored Goan home and backyard, The Alternative is a plant-based cafe with a variety of consolation meals – selfmade kombucha, Middle Eastern and Mexican bowls, beetroot hummus salad, open sandwiches on selfmade bread, a poi toastie with vegan cheese, and essentially the most unimaginable darkish chocolate ice cream comprised of candy potatoes! Owner Jasneet is equally passionate concerning the backyard out entrance, rising recent mint, basil and salad leaves for a farm-to-table indulgence.

Chef Arev additionally gives a uncooked vegan menu on the cafe, with hardly ever discovered delights like sun-dried coconut tacos, cauliflower wraps and uncooked muffins.

[Temporarily closed for the monsoon season]

Chef Fernando’s Nostalgia – Raia, South Goa

The extraordinary Goan chef Fernando dug out a few of Goa’s oldest recipes and secrets and techniques for his kitchen. Unfortunately, he handed away however his legacy lives on on this previous Portuguese home, largely frequented by locals. The enormous vegan / vegetarian Goan choice reassures me that conventional Goan meals isn’t solely about seafood or meat.

My favourite is the ambade curry (made with hog plum or mango if in season), with a facet of the sweetish sanna bread. Oh so good.

Website: Chef Fernando’s Nostalgia

Vegan Restaurants in North Goa

Besides my evolving prime ones, listed below are some vegan eating places in North Goa (or vegan-friendly ones) that I really like:

Bodhi Greens – Ashwem (all vegan)

Chef Varun, the founding father of Bodhi Greens, began out as an animal rights activist however quickly felt that among the best methods to introduce individuals to veganism is to create entry to unimaginable vegan meals. I’m glad he did, as a result of with shops in Ladakh, Dharamsala and Goa, he’s undoubtedly busting the parable that vegan meals is boring.

Bodhi Greens in Ashwem is the chef’s cozy residence terrace, with an elaborate vegan kitchen. The Buddha bowl – with panko-crusted tofu, avocado tahini dip, and veggies in a cashew-peanut sauce – is likely one of the finest I’ve had! I additionally love their thin-crust teriyaki tempeh pizza, and baked beetroot and kidney bean burger burrito.

With so many modern choices on the menu and such hearty parts, I’ve by no means made it to dessert. Their uncooked muffins are undoubtedly calling out to me although.

Instagram: Bodhi Greens

Vanakkam – Morjim

Finally a spot for foodies to hunt an genuine style of South Indian meals in Goa! After a night of figuring out, we regularly feast on ragi puttu with kadala curry (millets and black chickpeas), crispy dosa with selfmade chutneys, and mushy masala idlis. Such pleasure.

The native desk – Candolim

This small, rustic, easy-to-miss joint in Candolim lives as much as its title. We dropped by for an early breakfast of patal bhaji (sometimes white or black chickpeas in a spicy coconut-based gravy) and pao. I hope to strive their veg thali quickly!

Website: The native desk

Izumi – Assagao

A sister outlet of the one in Mumbai and the newest Japanese hang-out in Assagao, Izumi’s partially outside location in a Goan-Portuguese home is breathtaking. And so is the meals, with clearly labelled vegan choices. I really like their miso soup and seaweed salad, although for sushi, I’d choose Tien anyday.

The Rice Mill – Morjim

Jazz with a facet of Goan-style kidney beans or a grilled eggplant poi is why I really like The Rice Mill, a neighborhood cafe and bar set in an previous rice mill in Morjim.

Instagram: The Rice Mill

Ankita’s Classic – Pernem

Some of my favourite thali joints in Goa have both shut down (Wood’s Inn) or misplaced their authenticity (Vinayak’s). But Ankita’s Classic, regardless of its random, faraway location in Pernem, stays a basic. It is filled with locals at mealtimes, so be ready to attend round a bit.

Their veg thali is generally vegan (ask for it with out curd or the dessert), and comes with seasonal veggies, curries, rice and kokum. Mighty satisfying.

Website: Ankita’s Classic

Sakana – Anjuna

Sakana gives a relaxing, semi-outdoor, diner-style vibe with an genuine Japanese menu. My go-to order is a wakame seaweed salad, with a veg set consisting of a miso soup, teriyaki tofu (examine which tofu dish could be ready with out honey), rice and salad. Pair it with a Japanese whiskey from their distinctive bar choice!

Sappadu – Assagao

An eclectic mixture of Tamil and Gujarati meals, served up on banana leaves on a flooring seating! I’ve solely been for his or her pop-up meal again when it wasn’t a full-fledged restaurant, however can’t wait to strive it once more.

Voltaire – Closed ????

I used to be shattered to listen to that Voltaire, one in all my favourite Goan meals joints off the Reis Margos Fort, shut down in the course of the pandemic. And determined to incorporate it on this record simply as an ode to the most effective uddamethi I’ve had in Goa, served up with an area bread une, and seasonal urakh (an area cashew brew, extra flavorful and fewer potent than fenny).

Vegan eating places in Panjim

Mum’s Kitchen

Mum’s Kitchen is one in all my favourite vegan eats in Goa, with conventional Saraswat dishes that may in any other case be laborious to seek out. I extremely advocate attempting their uddamethi (a candy and bitter curry made with lentils, fenugreek and seasonal mango or plums), tamde bhaji (a flavorful amaranth preparation) with sanna. Avoid their Assagao outlet – it looks as if a franchise and isn’t half nearly as good as the unique in Panjim.

Website: Mum’s kitchen

Gourmestan (a good selection for gluten free eating places in Goa)

Panjim doesn’t have a ton of vegan-friendly locations, however Gourmestan, a brand new addition to the town’s meals scene, is price a strive. Vegan dishes are well-marked. I loved their smoothies, tofu akuri on sourdough, and hummus and roasted bell peppers sandwich. It’s additionally one of many few locations (someplace between a restaurant and a restaurant) to seize vegan and gluten free focaccia and burger buns in Goa!

Instagram: Gourmestan

Vegan eating places in South Goa

Cantine Indienne – Palolem (all vegan)

As talked about above, Catine Indienne stays one in all my favourite locations to eat, not simply in South Goa however all of Goa!

Chef Fernando’s Nostalgia – Raia

For genuine Goan meals in South Goa, look no additional. There’s often dwell music on weekends and a nostalgic Goan vibe that may solely be present in just a few locations now.

Best Vegan Cafes in Goa

Earth Mama – Anjuna (all vegan)

I really like my every day inexperienced and fruit smoothies, however Earth Mama’s smoothies are one thing else! Indulgent, creamy, decadent, well-worth placing up with the Anjuna crowds for. I really like their cacao and berry smoothies, and their open-face chickpea mayo and two-bean hummus toast.

Instagram: Earth Mama

Bibhitaki – Palolem (among the many finest vegan cafes in South Goa)

Meaning “fearless of disease” in its historic Ayurvedic translation, Bibhitaki is an all-vegan cafe that provides healthy-ish consolation meals with an Ayurvedic twist. The ice cream-like tropical smoothie bowl is ideal to keep at bay the afternoon warmth, the Mexican bhel is an indulgent tackle nachos, and the hearty Mexican and Japanese Buddha bowls are immensely satisfying.

Instagram: Bibhitaki

Hoop’s Coffee – Morjim

I suppose I used to be first drawn to Hoop’s Coffee by its charming, minimalist cafe vibe. And completely taken abruptly to see solely waffles on the menu – with a vegan possibility! Plus vegan desserts and the choice of coconut, almond and soy milk for espresso and scorching chocolate.

Over the months, I landed up at Hoops many occasions, searching for a quiet, inventive house to work from with a scorching cuppa, tucking into vegan waffles made with oats and wheat and topped with peanut butter and maple syrup, and simply to whereas away a breezy night with a ebook.

(These days, the street in entrance is dug up and a little bit of a large number although).

Instagram: Hoop’s Coffee

Bloom and Brew – Assagao

We drove previous it many occasions, till the board lastly caught our consideration! I instantly fell in love with their minimalist decor, with flooring cushions for seating, desks for co-working, and a menu with a ton of vegan choices. The parts are small however delish, particularly the Middle Eastern toast and ‘for the love of burrito.’ It’s one of many solely locations in Goa that serves up air-fried candy potato fries – and I’m eyeing their vegan black bean brownie!

Instagram: Bloom and Brew

The Mill – Palolem

Not to be confused with The Rice Mill in Morjim (featured above), The Mill in Palolem is a surprising cafe set inside a Goan home, with a number of areas to sit back, work from, and feast on some indulgent smoothies, smoothie bowls and burgers.

Website: The Mill

Gratitude cafe – Anjuna (all vegan)

I frequented Gratitude Cafe in the course of the pandemic, and cherished its courtyard vibe in a refurbished Portuguese home in a quiet a part of Anjuna. The founder Jeet give up his soft job in Canada, and moved to Goa in quest of a slower life. This is his try to supply consolation meals whereas bringing collectively Goa’s rising vegan group!

The menu feels impressed by Bean Me Up – Goa’s OG vegan hub – however the vibe is sort of totally different. I’ve spent breezy afternoons there with my laptop computer or ebook, indulging in all the things from vegan pancakes served with a berries compote and whipped cashew cream, to their tackle the Vietnamese Bahn Mi, to the flourless darkish chocolate mousse cake.

Website: Gratitude Cafe

Okapi Vegan Kitchen – Moira (all vegan)

Gone are the times when there was nothing and nowhere vegan to eat within the Aldona-Moira space. Okapi has revolutionized the vegan and social scene within the quiet village of Quitla, with its setting in a beautiful Goan home. Their homely thali with every day specials is price a strive!

Instagram: Okapi Vegan Kitchen

Saraya – Porvorim

I’ve been frequenting Saraya for years, and love their skinny crust, mud oven pizzas on gluten free or sourdough base. They make inhouse cashew and tahini cheeses for vegan pizzas (ask for these vegan choices, and ensure it’s not the stretchy dairy cheese), topped with vegan pesto, seasonal veggies and a few farm-to-table produce from their inhouse backyard.

Instagram: Saraya

Bean Me Up – Vagator (all vegan)

Bean Me Up isn’t just a vegan cafe in Goa, it’s an establishment – and one of many oldest, most profitable vegan spots in all of India. It gives a laidback ambiance beneath tree canopies, and an enormous choice of consolation vegan meals. It additionally stays open all day, on daily basis, with no traditional siesta hours!

Worth attempting are Bean Me Up’s acai berry smoothie bowl, tacky vegan nachos, succulent black bean burger (although its consistency can differ fairly a bit), tempeh tacos, Mexican Buddha bowl, and the melt-in-the-mouth darkish chocolate mousse.

Website: Bean Me Up

Bonus! The first completely vegan retailer in Goa: Gras – Assagao

Thanks to Instagram, I used to be excited to step into the newly opened Gras – Goa’s first all vegan retailer. Aparna, the passionate vegan founder, makes recent cashew-oat milk, vegan butter, and mushy and stretchy vegan cheeses (sans preservatives) on order, beneath the model title Saorsa.

She additionally shares a curated choice of vegan merchandise which can be in any other case laborious to seek out in Goa, just like the dates-sweetened Benalato ice cream!

What are your favourite vegan spots in Goa? What are you most excited to strive?