A Vegan’s Guide To Goa: Explore 5 Restaurants & Cafes For Plant-Based Goodness

Eschewing the psychedelia of raves and shambolic music festivals for a change, a 10 per cent rise in Goa's footfalls this year hints at wellness explorers pursuant to a slew of alternative lifestyles cropping up on our west coast — so needless to say their breakfast of champions will not include Ros omelette or chicken cutlet pao. In 2020, among the resurgence of Ashtanga yoga and Ayurvedic therapy, Goa also became known as the 'Most Vegan Friendly State' in our country with nothing less than PETA's seal of honour. While we issue a spirited shoutout to Bean Me Up and Bibhītaki Healthfood Café that have remained enduring legends for those who eat their veggies without lip service, Homegrown has catalogued 5 such exclusive restaurants and cafés gaining slow recognition this World Vegan Month for outwitting the carnivorous supremacy.

I. Shantaram Raw, Arambol

Emblematic of the raw foodism influencing tourist dining culture in Goa, this rooftop haven sans WiFi has garnered notoriety for its household special zucchini noodles and superfood smoothies with spirulina, karate chopping hangovers since 2013. Whether it's their Moringa Avocado Bowl, Beetroot Bread with raisins or the Raw Thali that boasts 6 different dips made from locally sourced ingredients, the experimental kitchen is known for plating charcoal activated perfection for those on dietary detox.

Explore their delicacies here.

II. Okapi Vegan Kitchen, Moira

Volunteering with animal shelters and much-sought after at culinary pop-ups in Goa, founder Aarti Sinha conceived her plant-based philosophy in a bid to lose the 'boring' label that the vegan diet seems to be stuck with. You won't be shooting off your mouth about how meat makes everything better after trying their sinful Jackfruit Poppers, Buckwheat Pancakes improved with a side of fresh fruits and the iconic Kung Pao Chickpeas. Their revolving lunch menu, homemade kombucha and gluten-free bread baking workshops have earned righteous acclaim with the gourmands.

Check out their menu here.

III. Gratitude Café, Anjuna

An offshoot from Bean Me Up, the oldest vegan restaurant in Goa, this tempeh and tofu informed pavilion hosts a wide variety of cross cultural courses from falafel salad to Malaysian turmeric curry. Nestled in the retiring back alleys of bustling Anjuna, their conscious living practices, shlokas at breakfast and gluten free waffles will baptise your day with restful languor. The Chia Berry Smoothie Bowl and Roasted Red Pepper Pasta prove to be perfect candidates for an unforgettable luncheon.

You should browse their offerings here.

IV. The Mill, Palolem

Restoring a rice mill to stage an atypical, gastronomical affair that comes alive with its earthy ambience and turquoise windows, you must permit their mean Basil & Cashew Fettuccine to be your initiation into the fan club of almond feta cheese. The Zanzibar Burger with its indulgently soft sesame buns, the Tropical Pancake Stack and beguiling frozen banana Nice Cream don't need a song and dance to claim their pre-eminence. The Mill's farm-to-table freshness, value-oriented ethos and the vegan chai will offer a much needed respite from our mindless, hyper-consumerist lifestyles.

Have a look at their specials here.

V. Zest, Palolem

With two outlets in Palolem and Agonda, their nostalgic cane furniture and egg shakshuka has admirers crawling out from the woodwork, eager to share a cuppa over their Cacao Pistachio Cheesecake rich in avocado cream. What few people will tell you is how the zucchini & lime ceviche laid upon a bed of coconut bacon or the cashew cheese and spiced mushroom burrito are living testament that a change of diet does not necessarily compromise on the hedonism of satiating your own taste buds.

You can find more selections here.

If you liked reading this, here's more from Homegrown:

A Homegrown Guide To Bengaluru's Best Vegan Cafes

Changing The Culture Of Food: Five Vegan & Plant-Based Restaurants Across Delhi

Bring In World Vegan Day With These Homegrown Plant-Based Alternatives