Last Updated on September 26, 2026 by Sleepless
Updated September 2026: Scroll to the end for 2026 prices at Tomatoes and Cafe Tato, plus Goa airport taxis, getting around and the best season.
So after a lovely afternoon of Kayaking which you can read about here, we visited 2 restaurants that day that we really liked.
For dinner, we visited Tomatoes Garden Kitchen And Bar in Candolim, known to most visitors simply as Tomatoes Goa.
Tomatoes Garden Kitchen And Bar: A Flavorful Escape in Candolim
Tucked along Fort Aguada Road in Candolim, Tomatoes Garden Kitchen And Bar offers a stylish dining experience just minutes from the beach. This contemporary restaurant serves up an eclectic menu spanning North Indian, Chinese, Italian, and Continental cuisines—from butter chicken and kadhai paneer to seafood pizza and crushed tomato pasta.
The modern, relaxed interior makes it ideal for both casual lunches and evening gatherings. Open from noon until nearly midnight, Tomatoes transitions seamlessly from lazy afternoon meals to lively nights with a well-stocked bar serving cocktails and mocktails. Whether you’re refueling after a beach day or seeking a reliable dinner spot, this Candolim favorite delivers variety and comfort in equal measure.
Since we were not very hungry, we ordered only a few starters and drinks but everything was very delicious and it came quickly and the drinks were great too. This is a must visit place if you are in the area.
Five things to order at Tomatoes Goa
- Butter chicken — a rich, familiar North Indian main and a dependable crowd-pleaser.
- Kadhai paneer — a spiced vegetarian classic with peppers and onions.
- Seafood pizza — a fun Goa-meets-Italian choice that suits the coastal setting.
- Crushed tomato pasta — an easy Italian-style plate if you prefer pasta to curry.
- A house cocktail or mocktail — a good way to round off an evening meal after the beach.
Five restaurants to try near Candolim, Calangute and Baga
Looking for more places to eat around North Goa’s beach belt? These five spots offer a mix of coastal Goan flavors and relaxed resort dining. Menu prices can change, so check directly before you visit.
- Azura The Grill Fish, Candolim — a good pick for seafood and grilled dishes near Candolim Beach; its menu lists Margherita pizza at ₹320.
- GROK, Candolim — a contemporary dining room with Goan-inspired plates; try the calamari, listed at ₹495, or kingfish at ₹895.
- Zing at Hyatt Place Goa, Candolim — for a polished menu with local dishes such as Goan masala tawa-fried kingfish, listed at ₹799.
- Ronil Bistro, Calangute–Baga Road — a handy all-day option close to Baga; its menu includes chicken biryani at ₹729.
- The Hub at Ronil, Calangute–Baga Road — another casual choice in the same lively stretch, with a broad menu for groups and varied appetites.
The other place we went to was Cafe Tato, Panjim Goa.
Cafe Tato: A Century-Old Goan Institution in Panjim
Since 1913, Cafe Tato has been serving authentic Goan breakfast and snacks near Panjim’s Municipal Garden. Originally called Hindu Uphar Graha, it took the name Tato—Konkani for “Uncle”—after locals’ affectionate nickname for its owner. Over a century later, it remains one of Panjim’s oldest cafes, beloved for its consistent taste that keeps families returning generation after generation.
This is no-frills Goan dining at its finest. The signature dishes—sukhi puri bhaji, alsande bhaji, and the legendary patal bhaji—are served quickly by friendly staff. Arrive early for the patal bhaji, as it sells out fast. The menu also features mirchi pakoras, samosas, dosas, and traditional vegetarian thalis, all at budget-friendly prices.
With locations in Panjim, Margao, and Vasco da Gama, Cafe Tato has grown beyond its humble roots while maintaining its essence: simple, delicious Goan vegetarian food. For travelers seeking authentic local flavors beyond the beach shacks, this century-old institution delivers a genuine taste of everyday Goa.
Five things to order at Cafe Tato
- Patal bhaji — the signature chickpea-and-gravy breakfast dish; arrive early because it can sell out.
- Sukhi puri bhaji — a classic dry vegetable preparation served with puris.
- Alsande bhaji — a comforting Goan black-eyed-bean curry.
- Mirchi pakora — a quick, spicy snack that pairs well with tea.
- Samosa — a simple, reliable snack if you want something fast alongside the bhaji.
Five restaurants to try in Panjim
Panjim is a great place to sample Goan staples, from seafood curry rice to creative European-inspired plates. Here are five options to add to your food list; check current menus and opening hours before heading out.
- Viva Panjim, Fontainhas — a heritage-home restaurant known for Goan and Indian favorites; prawn curry rice is listed at ₹300 on its menu.
- Sher-e-Punjab — a long-running Panjim restaurant for Punjabi classics, with Goan seafood and Indo-Chinese dishes also on the menu.
- The Verandah at Panjim Inn, Fontainhas — a relaxed heritage setting for Goan and Portuguese-influenced dishes; its published menu lists calamari at ₹450.
- Mynt at Vivanta Goa, Panaji — an all-day, multi-cuisine dining room with both local and international choices.
- The Black Sheep Bistro — a popular contemporary spot for inventive European and fusion plates; its menu lists soup of the day at ₹320.
Here are some of the pics we took that day, do let me know what you think in the comments below.
Prices and Practical Info – September 2026
Here are approximate prices as of September 2026 for the restaurants in this post. Menus and prices change, so check before you go.
- Tomatoes Garden Kitchen and Bar, Candolim: About ₹1,500–2,500 for two (mains about ₹400–800). Book a garden table for dinner in peak season.
- Cafe Tato, Panjim: One of Goa’s cheapest classic breakfasts. The famous bhaji-pav and puri-bhaji cost about ₹60–150, and it’s pure vegetarian. It opens early and gets packed, so go before 9 am.
- Other Panjim favourites nearby: Goan and Konkani thalis at about ₹200–400, and café breakfasts in Fontainhas at about ₹300–600 per person.
- Getting there: Goa has two airports. Mopa (Manohar International, GOX) in the north is best for North Goa, and a taxi to Calangute, Anjuna or Vagator costs about ₹800–1,200. From Dabolim (GOI) in the south, North Goa is about ₹1,200–1,800 by taxi. Trains go to Madgaon, Karmali or Thivim.
- Getting around: Book taxis on the GoaMiles app for fair, metered-style fares. Scooters rent for about ₹300–500 a day; carry your licence and wear a helmet.
- Best time: Late November to mid-February is peak season, with pleasant weather and peak prices. The monsoon (June to September) is lush, quiet and cheap (my favourite!), but the sea is off-limits for swimming and some beach shacks close.
