Old meets new in our capital city of Goa, Panjim… or Panaji, as they call it nowadays. It is here where you’ll find traces of our Portuguese-dominated past alongside glittering casinos, lush parks, world cuisine, quaint coffee shops and vintage-looking storefronts. Panjim is the ideal hang-out area- offering something for everyone while bridging the distance between friends in North and South Goa. And the area always has something going on!
P.S. If you’re new to my blog, please know that I only write about things I’ve tried, love, and would recommend. While there are thousands of things to do in Panjim, these are my picks on what to do in the capital city.
PLACES TO VISIT IN PANJIM
Visit the Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church
If a visit to Calangute and Baga is on top of a tourists’ itinerary in Goa, a selfie outside this picturesque Panjim church, the icon of the capital, will be right there under it. Originally a chapel built in 1541, what makes this one of the prettiest churches in Goa is the symmetrical staircase leading lacing the exteriors, the palm trees that fringe its sides, and the fact that it rises majestically over the usually congested street in front of it.
Wander around Fontainhas, Goa’s Latin Quarters
One of Panjim’s main attractions and Goa’s most Instagrammable spots, Latin Quarters or Fontainhas is a charming neighbourhood that bursts with colour and remnants of the Portuguese influence – Mediterranean houses with street-facing balconies and large gardens full of blooms. You’ll also find quite a lot of graffiti in Goa and cute coffee shops tucked in its lanes. If you’re looking for that perfect picture for the ‘gram, consider a heritage walk in the area.
Visit Goa’s famous off-shore casinos
I’ve never had great experiences at Goa’s casinos (they’re so drastically different from the ones in Canada and Singapore that offer an exhilarating way to spend an evening). If you’ve never been to a casino in Goa, you could spend a couple of hours at Big Daddy Goa, Majestic Pride, or Deltin. If you have, I’d suggest skipping it.
Maruti Temple
Located atop Altinho Hill and offering pleasant views of Panjim, the Maruti Temple is dedicated to the monkey god, Hanuman (like the Jakhu Temple in Shimla). Known for its bright orange façade, this tranquil place of worship is a great spot for architecture and photography enthusiasts.
Museums for history buffs
The Goa State Museum showcases the heritage of Goa with interesting antiques and more. The Goa State Excise Museum focuses mostly on drug trafficking and smuggling, while Goa Science Centre is most enjoyed by school-going kids. You can also visit the Gitanjali Art Gallery if you’re an art enthusiast.
WHERE TO EAT IN PANJIM
Visit Sandeep Ros Omelette Stall
Located near the BJP office, a km or so away from Panjim Church, this small store is the best place to try Goa’s most loved street food item – Ros Omelette – which is an omelette soaked with chicken curry, served with a toasty pav on the side. It’s one of my favourite places for Goan street food – I’m drooling just thinking about it!
Cutlet Bread at D’Silvas
Speaking of street food in Goa, D’silva’s, right opposite Miramar Beach is famed for its delicious cutlet bread – a slice of crumbed and fried beef in a poee. It’s a snack that’s not found anywhere else in India. While I find their cutlet bread to be decent, I enjoy the ones at Texeiras in Ribandar, a few km away from Panjim, to be much better!
Get a blast from the past at Hotel Venite
One of Goa’s oldest restaurants, this small, quaint eatery has a charm of its own. A rickety staircase leads up to a landing that opens out to two rooms – the walls of which are covered with graffiti by patrons over the years. Tiny little balconies that can seat two each overlook the street below. And the food is a mix of fantastic Continental and Goan options… no wonder it’s a hit among foreign tourists.
Buy Goan Snacks, because who can resist?
If you haven’t tried the beef patties from Perfect Bakery in Panjim, you don’t know what you’re missing! Flaky, melt-in-your-mouth pastry with your choice of filling – beef, chicken, veg – this place is definitely a local secret! Next stop, Café Central, one of Goa’s oldest cafes, serves up all kinds of snacks and baked goods. Take home one of their delicious cakes and do try out their innovative mushroom samosas! You may also love the biscuits at Geeta Bakery or Confeitaria 31 January, both very old bakeries in Panjim.
Experience the best Goan food
Panjim has some of the best Goan restaurants and if you’re looking to relish some authentic Goan cuisine, pop over to some of my favourites – Mum’s Kitchen, Peep Kitchen, Goan Stories, Ritz Classic, Fisherman’s Wharf or Kokni Kanteen. Pick from among soulful fish thalis at Bombil to luscious curries and irresistible fried fish, you’ll leave feeling happy and satisfied!
I also love Fisherman’s Wharf in Panjim – it’s a fail-safe place to take people from out of town. Another unmissable place is Mummai (near Hotel Fidalgo.) This hole-in-the-wall eatery that seats no more than a dozen people, serves the most soul-satisfying, homemade Goan food, using recipes passed down through the generations. I’d recommend their Cutlet Bread, Tongue Sandwich, Pork Sorpotel, Chicken Jire Mire, and Vonn.
Experiment with modern world cuisine
The capital city pushes the envelope when it comes to experimentative cuisine. Visit Mamagoto or Tataki, both vibrant, unique restaurants in their own right. One of my new favourites, Frida Cantina serves up “the best* Mexican food in town! If you’re willing to spend on a memorable dining experience, Antonio at 31, is a place you should head to. Expect small portions and a hefty bill, but trust me, you won’t complain about the food. I’d recommend the bone marrow.
Dine at an off-shore restaurant
While Panjim’s Mandovi River boasts glitzy off-shore casinos, there is also an off-shore restaurant called Watermark, where you can dine on eclectic fusion food with a view of the lit-up Atal Setu bridge. I’d suggest visiting just before sunset so you can watch the lights of Panjim slowly turn on.
Confeitaria 31st January
One of Goa’s oldest and most well-known bakery, Confeitaria 31st January is a tiny store with azulejo-tiled tables in the lane outside. Pick up a pack of fresh bebinca, dodol or baath (a Goan coconut cake), some wine biscuits, and even puff pastries, croquettes, and maybe even a plum cake or date and walnut cake – their items are traditionally made and legendary! Service-wise, it is just about average.
Craving Pan-Asian Food?
I’ve got your back – Because those cravings are too damn real, am I right? You’ll find the best sushi in Goa and top-notch Pan-Asian Food at Wan Hao, Goa Marriott as well as Tamari at Taj Vivanta! For something a bit easier on the pocket, visit The Red Ginger or stop in at Goenchin, a place that my family has been going to for decades. From moody Tataki to the eclectic Mamagoto the list is ever-growing! I recently visited Thai and Wok and was blown away by the flavours and freshness of good Thai Food – highly recommended.
Keep an eye out for Fortune Miramar’s fun food festivals
At most times of the year, Fortune Miramar has something that’s bound to delight a foodie. The #MiramarBurger festival lets you customize your own burger, but you’ll also find a Ramen Festival, Thali festival, and more.
Bar-hop
From old-school watering holes to swanky pubs, Panjim boasts of the best bars in Goa. Joseph Bar, a tiny, hole-in-the-wall joint is high on the list of things to do here. Some modern pubs include The Outpost (this place is a vibe! Fantastic food and tastefully done vintage-looking interiors), Down The Road, and SoHo, there’s a pub for drinking with friends, drinking alone and even wining and dining with your business clients. Also check out Petisco, a lovely gastro bar serving some top-notch food, cheeky drinks, and unforgettable desserts.
Fontainhas Never Sleeps
Fontainhas is not just full of camera-happy tourists during the day, it is also full of discerning diners at night. Vedro, an upscale restaurant serves travel-inspired regional and world cuisine. Joseph Bar, Makutsu, and more are all located a stone’s throw away from each other in the ever-popular Latin Quarters.
Check out some Food Trucks – Looking for a no-frills dining experience? Antojitos is one of the most popular food trucks in Panjim, and is usually parked close to the Taleigao circle.
Check out some Taleigao Eateries – Grillz in Taleigao serves up some lip-smacking grilled chicken and has several stellar North Indian dishes on the menu. Charlie Changs (arguably the best among the Charlie Changs outlets in Goa) is located very close by. Brewed Blak is a little cafe in Taleigao that has a menu of crowd-pleasing dishes – from cheesy pasta to burgers and waffles to nachos. You will also find a Marc Brown Cafe outlet located here, from where you can pick up some yummy cakes and croissants.
BEST CAFES IN PANJIM
Breakfast at Café Caravela
This blink-and-you-miss-it café offers an excellent selection of American and Continental breakfasts, a variety of freshly brewed coffees, yummy rissois, and more. Pleasant staff and a warm ambiance make Caravela Cafe a winner, although finding parking may be a problem.
Indulge at Café Bodega
One of Panjim’s most well-known cafes, Café Bodega in the Sunaparanta Centre, Altinho has a pretty, open-air café adjoining the art gallery. Their Miso Brownies, Cheesecakes, and Red Velvet cupcakes are worth trying, and they have excellent breakfasts, sandwiches, and coffee, too!
Desserts and great bakes at Aunty Maria
Located in the city center at Fidalgos on 18 June Road, this is probably the most conveniently located café in Panjim and it’s open round-the-clock! Stop in for items like doughnuts, croissants, sandwiches, fresh bread, cheesecakes, smoothies, coffees, and more.
Catch up with friends at Cremeux
Be warned, there are quite a few Cremeux outlets in Panjim and if you’re meeting friends at a Cremeux, you need to explicitly tell them which one, to avoid going around in circles (it’s happened more often than I’d care to admit), but the best one (ambiance-wise) is opposite Café Coffee Day on MG Road. It’s spacious, has great service, okay-ish coffee, and has a nice outdoor section overlooking the street below.
Perfect Cup
Located near the Miramar Circle, Perfect Cup has absolutely delish hot chocolate, sizzlers, bakes, and more. A wonderful place to catch up with friends or stop by for a solo lunch and do some people-watching.
New Kids on The Block
Leu Mar and Casa Fontainhas in… well, Fontainhas, are two more places to try. You will love the vibe at Leu Mar – a cafe located in a 300-year-old house, but the food here is forgettable. They also have English Breakfast, but in my opinion, there are far better English Brekkies in town.
Padaria Prazeres
Goa’s hottest new bakery-cum-cafe, Paderia Prazeres is making waves for their top quality bakes! Stop by and pick up some bagels, focaccia bread, Berliners, Palmier cookies, Pasteis de Nata and so much more! Trust me, you’ll be hooked!
PANJIM NIGHTLIFE
Stop at Joseph Bar for a drink
A local Goan tavern, Joseph Bar looks like it was pulled straight out of the archives! Located on a dusty little street in Fontainhas, you’ll find it by following the sounds of laughter, clinking glasses and the whiff of liquor. From top-notch beer to country-style Urrack, take your pick and grab a plate of finger food to admire its nostalgia-inducing interiors from the 70s.
Pop into a club or two
The beach belt is better known for its nightlife, but Panjim does have a handful of clubs to boast about. Check out Soho, a club located near the Patto bridge, or pop into Down The Road, right opposite it to find your kind of scene.
THINGS TO DO IN PANJIM
Sunset at Miramar Beach
You won’t miss the beaches when you’re in Panjim. Miramar Beach is quite popular among tourists and while it isn’t as busy as other North Goa beaches, it has quite a large selection of street-food options from chaat to D’silva’s famous cutlet bread.
Shop till you drop on 18 June Road and MG Road
If you’re looking to pick up souvenirs from Goa or simply to shop for anything from apparel to groceries, Panjim is where you’d find it. 18 June Road which runs down the center of Panjim has options like Bombay Bazaar and other smaller establishments selling Goan handicrafts and mementos.
Watch a play at Kala Academy
The Kala Academy often plays host to all sorts of festivals, plays, musicals, concerts, art exhibitions, choir group events, and more. Keep an eye out online or on newspaper listings, buy a ticket and dabble in the arts.
Go on a Cycle Tour
B:Live organizes a couple of cycle tours in Panjim, but what makes them special is that they are electric bikes. Rev the accelerator (or pedal, if you wish to) and enjoy a fun-filled culture trail in Panjim. Explore heritage buildings, chapels, and little-known gems in the capital.
Go Graffiti Spotting
It’s no secret that I love graffiti and Panjim is the place where you’d find the most creative, larger-than-life street art in Goa. From famous personalities to rainbow-painted walls and store shutters that offer life advice (like ‘YOLO’), you can spend an entire day stumbling upon Panjim’s graffiti – some by the world-famous artist of Goan heritage, Solomon Souza
Visit St. Sebastian Chapel
A tiny chapel in Fontainhas (why is this area so cool!?), this chapel, built in the early 1800s is one of the only few relics of the Goan Inquisition. The crucifix here is unusual for it has Christ’s eyes open – and it is said that it has been made to strike fear into non-conformists. The chapel was built to pray for deliverance during the years of plague in Old Goa.
Spend an Evening at a Park
In a city with plenty of green cover, spending a quiet evening at a park will ensure you have a relaxed time without having to spend money. Campal Gardens, Gracia de Orta Garden, and Azad Maidan are some of the best parks to visit. Many of these have activities organized on weekends or on special days for kids and adults alike.
Get Street Food
Panjim is a wonderful place to spend an evening. You’ll find plenty of ‘gados’ selling chaat along Miramar Beach, but for those for whom hygiene is just as important as taste, visit Sweet Nation for tantalizing chaat and a selection of mithai.
Watch a Movie
If you’re lucky, you’ll find a great movie playing at Inox Panjim! Goa’s favourite movie theatre has recently been renovated, offering movie-goers a brilliant entertainment experience.
Go on a Boat Ride
If you’re a tourist who loves dancing to tacky Bollywood music, hop aboard one of the Mandovi River Cruises. There’s entertainment such as Goan traditional dances and simple snacks and drinks available.
Indulge in Sunday Brunch
One of the best Sunday Brunches in Panjim is at Marriott Goa Expect food tapping music, a massive buffet selection, and a day of fun.
Pamper Yourself
The massage and spa sesh I had at Marriott Goa remains high on my list of best spas in Goa. Definitely a must-do if you want to melt that stress away and loosen up the knots. But if you’re looking for a bit of self-care, check out Bina Punjani in Panjim or The Black Palette in Taleigao.
I hope that with this blog post, you won’t be short of things to do in Panjim. As always, I’ll keep updating this list – deleting the irrelevant items and adding newer, more exciting activities. Let me know if you’d like me to write a guide on another place in Goa! You can catch me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! Bye!