Some restaurants feel like home because they are filled with love and warmth. Goa is filled with such little nooks, and individuals across India and abroad constantly find themselves gravitating towards Goan food, beaches, and restaurants simply because this town has so much to offer. The Hai’s are one such couple that found themselves so drawn to Goa that they shifted roots to the quaint Arpora about two years back to establish Villa Nova, which, in their own words, is “a cosy cafe, a speciality pizzeria, and a ‘happy food’ destination, all rolled into one.”
Villa Nova is based out of a beautifully restored old Portuguese house. Imran Hai, a former realtor from Mumbai, is a connoisseur of all things good and wanted to translate his love for food into a restaurant that would house his and Aliya’s experiences and memories. Aliya and Imran love hosting and consider themselves to be social people. With Villa Nova, they want to curate an experience that is filled with the warmth and affection they feel when they host their loved ones.
Their menu is a melange of offerings that have been picked up by the couple over their years of travel and experimentation with food and hospitality. Nestled in Arpora, the restaurant almost feels like walking through the doors of a cosy Goan house. The ambience envelopes the guests and the food and drinks keep them lifted and smiling. The Hais describe the experience of the guests in the following words:
“The guest is enveloped in a sense of calm as they enter into a hidden courtyard of an old, restored Portuguese house. They take their seat under the shade of an ancient almond tree, surrounded by freshly whitewashed walls, tropical palms, colourful bougainvillaea and the smell of gently burning wood, reaching that perfect temperature to cook the perfect crust in the pizza oven.”
Villa Nova is a physical embodiment of a space that feels like a home-cooked meal or like walking barefoot feet in the sand. The walls tell the story of love, light, and culinary finesse — all accentuated by Goan hues.
Founder Aliya who hails from a family of hoteliers in Bhopal talks to us about how Goa had always been a second home to her and her husband. As it is known, Goa is filled with beautiful spaces. While on one end of the spectrum, there are night clubs that offer a fast-paced night and on the other end, there are little cafés and restaurants splattered over Goan bylanes and beaches. Over time, they came to realize that the two ends of this spectrum have actually created a gap that’s longing to be filled. Their response to this chasm was Villa Nova.
Villa Nova is an answer to Goa’s need for bar spaces where one can enjoy a quiet evening with friends. It is a space where conversations can float in the midst of fine culinary experiences and artisanal cocktails. Their menu serves up what they like to call “happy food”, which is a selection of their favourite dishes handpicked from around the world. Imran has worked with the chefs in combining flavours and sourcing fresh produce to create our own versions of these dishes. Recipes from the couple’s own families and travels find themselves on the menu.
The pizzas are wood-fired and the flour sourced from Italy lends just the right fluff and airiness to the base. Most of the meats are imported and local cheese is used to create a mix of global and local products to create the perfect blend and taste. A cosy bar promises to become a regular local hangout, with super friendly prices, and some top music to match. Everything, in Villa Nova, from the art on the walls made by a local Mapusa artist, to the choice of cocktails on the menu, represents the things that Aliya and Imran love. The vibe of the place invites you to come in, spend time with your book or have long conversations with your friends and forget the world outside as time passes by. Villa Nova induces feelings of comfort and joy and responds to a need for such curations in Goa.
One of the rooms in the villa is now the flagship store of the brand Stories from India. Stories is a Homegrown brand by designer Neha Khetan Singh with its headquarters in Bhopal. Incredible jewellery at great prices can be shopped here. The designs are contemporary and easy to wear. Singh’s wildlife and insect series are super unique and compliment Goa (IG) in a very special way.
All their light fixtures are made by Klove Design Studio, a business run by Delhi-based duo, Prateek Jain and Gautam Seth. Their hand-blown glass is amongst the world’s most exquisite and some of their most amazing pieces can be found in the villa.
Villa Nova is going to be open all year long and they plan to extend their current bar into the villa. It will be called the Nova Social Club and will be their main indoor space for eating and drinking through the summer and monsoon.
You can find more about them here.
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