Goa Beyond Its Beaches – 18 Exciting Ways To Explore The Place

In the past few years, Goa has evolved from a cliché tourist destination frequented by Indian kids after their 12th grade board exams to a cultural and artistic hotspot. From brand new concept stores bringing together the best of independent designers to interesting themed cafes and restaurants to flea markets for the season’s best deals, Goa is full of new experiences for anyone who goes looking for them– especially those looking forward to sample new and interesting food. Be it cruising through works of enigmatic artists in a gallery, going for a theatre performance, or just leisurely people-watching on the beach –– Goa never disappoints.

A new addition to everyone’s favorite getaway is Hyatt Centric Candolim, Goa. Located in the heart of North Goa, the hotel is the perfect launch pad to explore Goa’s balmy beaches, shopping markets, nightlife, historical monuments and trendy restaurants. Designed with a modern vibe and playful local touches, the hotel has 167 guestrooms that offer beautiful views of the garden, pool or hillside.

Casual and eclectic, Grok, the hotel’s restaurant, serves casual and eclectic local and international fare, craft cocktails, and speciality kebabies.

Hyatt Centric Candolim also offers a modern fitness studio, outdoor swimming pool, a kids’ play area, and a host of off-site experiences that allow guests to truly immerse in the locale and discover North Goa’s hidden gems.

So for all those tired of frequenting tourist spots and those looking to dive deeper into the potpourri of sounds, tastes and exciting experiences that make Goa, Homegrown, along with Hyatt Centric Candolim brings you a comprehensive guide that will take you through the city like never before.

Places To Eat At (New Restaurants)

I. Matcha

Where: Opposite Nelson’s Bar, Anjuna.

A cute little Japanese food joint in Goa, Matcha is almost like a hole-in-the-wall and you’re most likely to miss it, so try not to. A small place with an equally small menu that is often sold out by the time Matcha shuts every day, this place serves six types of sushi, rice bowls and udon - all of which will be scribbled on the board right outside it. The food here is priced affordably and the season specials are what you should be looking out for!

II. Tierra y Mar

Where: House 248, Chogm Road, Sangolda, Bardez.

With white furniture under a thatched roof, Tierra y Mar sits in the midst of fresh Goan air and sunshine with a menu full of “Spanish and Latin American inspired food.” From Baja fish tacos and Beef Chimichuri to Porcini Parfait Brulee and Garbanzo Beans with Spinach, this joint has something for both, meat eaters and vegetarians. Tierra y Mar even hosts Ramen Nights, serves drinks like The Frozen Watermelon Margarita in a beaker, and has an adorable, black and white cat named Jack as its mascot! Cost: Approximately 750 INR for two people.

III. La Cucina

Where: 749, Morjim, Ashwem.

Known for its wood fired pizza and cute interiors that transport you to a quaint European cafe probably in Italy or France, La Cucina is only a few months old but has successfully managed to garner loyalists from across Goa. With a focus on food and minimalistic decor, La Cucina’s pizzas are fresh and the owners are extremely welcoming to any kind of feedback from their customers. Try the Mexican pizza for its smoky flavours. Moving on to dessert (if you still have the appetite for it), pick between the panna cotta and the homemade brownies. While the former goes with the overall experience of the place, the latter has a unique homely feel to it and absolutely nothing beats the goeiness of melting chocolate brownies in your mouth. Cost: Approximately 600 INR for two people.

IV. Darvish Bar And Restaurant

Where: Near Vagator Petrol Station, Opposite to Hacienda Resort, Panchayat Road, Anjuna, Vagator.

One of the most recent additions to Goa’s diverse and flourishing gastronomy scene, Darvish in Vagator is a little outdoor joint serving delicious Persian and Spanish cuisine. Run by Hussain who brings the flavours all the way from his hometown in Iran, the chef might be a north Indian woman but she gets the taste just right. We’d recommend beginning your meal with mirza ghassemi - an authentic Persian appetiser that will adjust your palette for the rest of the Persian meal to follow. Also try their Koobideh and Chenjen Kebobs. They also have a variety of Spanish tapas on the menu. Darvish also does special weekend lunches that pair perfectly with Hussain’s sangria - look out for the same on their Facebook page. Cost: Approximately 700 INR for two.

V. Beetle Pub

Where: 777/1-6, Casa Bela, Off NH 66, Aradi Socorro, Porvorim.

With its Beetle-inspired retro interiors and live music nights, this cute little pub is a new addition to the already charming streets of Porvorim. This place opens at 3 pm in the afternoon and is functional till midnight, serving a wide variety of finger food, pizzas, pastas, salads etc. The wooden floors, posters of Beetle & The Beatles only add to the venue’s grunge vibe which is complemented by a mouth-watering menu - which is full of unlikely food experiments like chocolate pani puri. Try their Chicken Roulade or the Classic Lamb Burger - both are more than filling and affordable as well! Cost: Approximately 1000 INR for two people.

Stores: ( Where to Shop )

VI. Rangeela

Where: 13, Near Gunpowder Restaurant, Anjuna - Mapusa Road, Saunta Vaddo, Assagao.

A lifestyle boutique and concept store in Assagao - Goa’s very own creative centre - Rangeela is not exactly new. It’s unique collection of contemporary Indian textiles, home decor and pastel fabrics has been the talk of the town for quite some time. Which is exactly why Rangeela has very recently moved to a bigger space, allowing it to house more gifts, clothes and homeware from designers across the country. The new location is not too far from the original store, and comes with ample parking space (phew!). Moreover, it’s right next to Gunpowder restaurant - the ultimate fix for those mid-shopping hunger pangs.

VII. Vaishnavipratima

Where: Villa no. 190-268(1) Vadem Village, Soccorro.

An extraordinary collection of bespoke furniture and home decor designed exclusively for Indian homes, Vaishnavipratima is an interior decoration store situated in a 105-year-old Goan villa. From pop art to sculptures, each room is adorned with stuff you’re going to want to take home the minute you lay eyes on it. With its unique rustic charm and a warm blend of Indian and western ethos, Vaishnavipratima is much bigger and improved as compared to its flagship store in Mumbai.

VIII. And So

Where: AND SO Store, H. No. 850, F.C. Goa House Off, NH 66, Porvorim.

Goa has always been known for all things quirky and this new furniture store in Porvorim is only a testament to that. Brainchild of Anjali Mody, AND SO’s philosophy is to house the best of independent designers from across the country. Every article here will leave you in awe - not just because of how it looks, but also because of how affordably it is priced. From beautiful paper stools to a test tube vase set, AND SO stocks the best of what’s in season and regularly brings in new designers. Some of the brands that are stocked here include A Wooden Story, Botl, Art & Found etc.

IX. Indian Story

Where: Aldeia Serenia, Bounta Vaddo, Mapusa - Anjuna main road, Assagao.

Unique handmade jewellery, exclusive textiles, clothes, and traditional weaves are all available under one roof at Indian Story - a quirky boutique store that sells clothes for both men and women located on the main road of Assagao. Run by Pooja Swaika who moved to Goa from Kolkata in 2009 and set up Indian Story in an attempt to bring the best of fashion to Goa’s mushrooming creative community. Whether contemporary or traditional, everything at the Indian Story has a story to tell. Some are handmade by traditional artisans, while others are sourced from independent designers including Pooja and her sister. Indian Story also sells accessories, men’s wear, paintings etc. A lesser-known part of the story is a tiny cafe that is often used by the Swaika sisters to organise community talks and other engaging activities.

X. Cheshire Cat Gallery

Where: Hs 136, Biaro Alto 403507, Assagao.

According to Kees, the co-owner of a high-end fashion boutique Cheshire Cat, Assagao is naturally reminiscent of older times which makes it a perfect home for Cheshire Cat’s quaint jewellery collection. Designed personally and made by hand, the jewellery at Cheshire Cat stands out for it’s unusual designs and good quality. The owners Karen and Kees also accept customised orders. Moreover, they’ve taken their initiative a notch higher and involved the local community in their endeavour. Their team comprises goldsmith artisans and young women from Assagao who help them by making beaded jewellery. Additionally, the gallery also sells paintings and other artistic items.

XI. People Tree Design Studio & Store

Where: House No. 6, Cursino Villa, Calangute - Anjuna Rd, Saunta Vaddo, Bardez, Assagao.

What started out as a limited collection of hand-printed, artsy t-shirts has today evolved into a full-fledged boutique and restaurant in Assagao. The products here are ethically produced, fairly traded, and deeply inspired by the country’s traditions and culture. One of the few design collectives that took Goa by storm, People Tree sells a variety of eclectic accessories, attire and natural lifestyle products. Their restaurant, we’ve heard, serves some delicious delicacies that are made using fresh, organic ingredients. Originally from Delhi, the People Tree is situated in an airy and spacious Indo-Portuguese home in Goa.

Places to visit:

XII. Fontainhas Known popularly as Goa’s Latin Quarter, Fontainhas in Panjim (or, Panaji) is best explored on foot to fully take in the architecture, colours and ambience of the cobbled streets. This Heritage Zone is mostly a residential area of older homes but now also has boutique hotels, cafes and heritage homestays interspersed among them. Originally a plantation area, in the 1800s the Portuguese government shifted base to Panjim, converting this area into a residential zone. The name, as you may have guessed, is said to have been coined after the Fountain of Phoenix, a small natural spring that lies at the end of Fontainhas. The area is truly a work of art in itself and it’s worth taking a heritage walk among the winding lanes of Fontainhas.

XIII. Institute Menses Breganza The beautiful library is one of the oldest in the country, and in fact was the first public library inaugurated in 1832. Originally called the Institute Vasco Da Gama, it was rechristened after the famous Goan freedom fighter, Menses Breganza. It has a large collection of books in various languages like German, English, Portuguese and French. It even has a brilliant collection of antiques and contemporary art, including originals by Renoir, Cézanne and Pissarro. In today’s time, it stands to promote literature, art, culture and more by hosting events, seminars, exhibitions and workshops and supporting local Goan works and talent.

XIV. Gitanjali Gallery Situated within the historic Latin Quarter, the gallery has grown into a contemporary artistic and cultural space for locals and tourists alike. They display works by artists such as Sonia Rodrigues Sabharwhal, Francis D’Souza, Jayashree Patankar, Dietrich Kerky, Shri Shail , Rafael Arya and more. Gitanjali Gallery also has a cafe and workshop space, and hosts events like poetry readings, book launches, and environmental talks. As their website states, the space has been envisioned “for people to come by to browse through books, play board-games or enjoy an espresso amidst an inspirational world of art.” Click here to know about their exhibitions and here for upcoming events.

XV. Jardim Garcia De Orta This lovely municipal park named after a famous doctor and botanist contains a historical Ashokan pillar, which replaced the bust of Vasco Da Gama in 1961. It is an ideal place to sit and unwind, after a long day of tourist-ing. On Sunday evenings, it hosts musicians in the park bandstand, so it is a treat for those looking to get away for some culturally enriching down time.

XVI. Kala Academy The Kala Academy is an institute, and aims at “fostering and developing dance, drama, music, literature and other arts.” It offers courses in western and classical music, drama and more. There is a well-stocked art gallery on campus, and the institute holds events, shows, stage-plays and other cultural performances in their auditoriums. Their library is also well stocked with books on art, aesthetics, folk art, theatre, western and Indian music. So if you’re keen on spending a leisurely afternoon reading, Kala Academy is your go-to place. Stay updated through their website on upcoming events.

XVII. Audiophile A record and vinyl store with a retro-vibe, they have vintage turntables and an amazing collection of old records across genres like jazz, blues, rock and roll, and more. They also have the largest curated collection of unused vinyl records in the country. They even host screenings of movies and vinyl sessions, from Monday to Friday at 8 pm. So head on over for nostalgic, laid-back evenings of connecting with others with the same love for throwback movies and music. Stay updated on activities and events through their Facebook page.

XVIII. Fundação Oriente With headquarters in Lisbon, the Fundação Oriente is an organisation with delegations in various countries, its Indian branch established in 1995. By collaborating with other Indian organisations, they carry out cultural and artistic programs and events in Goa, such as artist exchange programs, exhibitions, conferences, and heritage management initiatives. Located in a beautiful heritage mansion in Fontainhas, it hosts a range of interesting concerts and events. For more information, see their website.