With Goa transitioning from being merely a weekend destination to a place for slow travel (courtesy of the pandemic), it has become increasingly common for travellers to bring their pets along on holiday. Even among Goans living in the state, the trend of taking one’s pet along for a meal, a staycation or a day at the beach is picking up pace. I, for one, am glad! I mean, who isn’t thrilled to have those adorable four-legged cuties around in a pet-friendly restaurant or hotel, even if it is someone else’s? Instant mood lifter, amirite?
Goa has a fair number of pet cafes and restaurants, but there are a few that I’ve personally visited with my dog, Bailey. Here is a quick list of some pet-friendly cafes/restaurants in Goa:
Pet-Friendly Restaurants in Goa
Beno, Benaulim
Beno is a quaint and quiet little garden restaurant wedged into a quiet corner of Benaulim. It is open-air and spacious, and its aesthetic vibes seamlessly compete with the beautifully plated, yummy food that is served there. The cafe dishes out a delectable spread of some of the most mouth-watering breakfast options. What’s more, it’s perfect to spend a workday in, along with your pet. They are pet-friendly and also allow free use of wifi for diners. I’d highly recommend getting ordering the burgers and the poee-wiches here – and the desserts! While Beno has cabana-style sit-outs and floor-seating, both of which are perfect for diners with pets, they prefer having pets in the regular, restaurant-style seating area. So make sure to call and ask if you can sit in the cabana/outdoor space before you go. Additionally, If you ask, Beno will provide food and water for pets at an additional charge, so you can order your pet a meal of chicken (or veggies) with plain white rice, and a bowl of water. They also allow outdoor food for dogs, and this is great if you’d like to bring your pet’s kibble or wet food along with you.
Prana Cafe, Anjuna
Prana Cafe is another outdoorsy alfresco joint in Anjuna that loves having people and their pets over. The cafe sports a very chic, contemporary and casual ambience with wooded furniture and art displays that are very eye-catching. The space is also very nature-infused and opens up to a view of lush green sprawling fields until they touch the horizon. Prana cafe is well-loved for its clean recipes and smoothies/juices that work well for post-hangover detox. This breezy space is comfortable for pets, and they offer dogs a bowl of water.
Baba au Rhum, Anjuna
Close to Prana Cafe in Anjuna, Baba au Rhum, one of Goa’s most popular restaurants, is also pet-friendly. Famous for its thin-crust pizzas, top-quality bread, croissants, bakes, and all-day breakfast, this restaurant is a must-visit whether or not you have pets. Baba au Rhum is almost always full to the brim, and given the crowd, I wouldn’t be comfortable taking my dog here for fear of her getting in people’s way, or being stressed out by the activity. But if you have an easy-going pupper, go right ahead and take them here.
Toro Toro, Baga
If you are looking for fresh, modern Santorini vibes, Toro Toro is where you should be. The spacious alfresco is a breath of fresh air with its bright white and blue theme and wooden furniture. Your pet will love to hang out at this restaurant where it can even munch on a whole bunch of tidbits served there. However, the space organises music events during the evening so it might not be the best for your furry babies to be there during those hours. While I have dined at Toro Toro, I haven’t taken Bailey along yet, and hopefully, I will, soon.
Kefi, Assagao
Kefi is a cosy and happening little restaurant on the Assagao-Anjuna road. It sits on a quiet little stretch and plates up a variety of authentic Lebanese dishes. It can be a wonderful place to take your pet to, especially if they love walks. The road is devoid of too much traffic and can make for a really serene walk. Don’t forget to try their desserts and Levantine platter for an authentic Lebanese food experience. Their fabulous Arabian Pilaf is a still a topic of conversation in my family, even though we relished it four months ago.
Rudy’s, Vagator
Rudy’s in Vagator is a big, beautiful garden restaurant with plenty of space for walks, both inside and out. Pick a table in the shade of one of their large trees and enjoy the peace and great music. The nights there are even cosier with warm lights and a laidback environment. It’s really comfortable and so spacious that your pet won’t even be a hindrance to the other diners there. What’s more? The staff is extremely warm and goes out of their way to make your experience memorable. I’d definitely recommend the spinach chaat, the Mutton Ghee Roast Tacos, Peri-Peri Cauliflower Steak and Lamb Lasagne.
Sly Granny, Nerul
If it’s not the midst of a torrid summer afternoon, Sly Granny in Nerul is a good beach-front restaurant to head to. Last I checked, they were pet-friendly and even had a little brown puppy of their own. This restaurant in Nerul beautifully balances casual dining with a touch of class.
The food? Where to begin? How does wolfing down grilled figs and coat cheese sound? Perhaps a vibrant mezze platter or Memphis-style smoke pork ribs with mustard BBQ sauce – both among the top dishes I tried. To be honest, it was hard to pick items with dishes like Lamb Ragout Pappardelle, Truffle Chicken Liver Pate and Pumpkin Borani. The Gnocchi, with parmesan and goat milk ricotta dumplings, peas, asparagus and white cream was sublime, but if you prefer to stick to Indian food, try the Pandi Fry Kulcha comes stuffed Coorgi style spicy pork, placed atop yummy raw mango chutney. From among the desserts, definitely try the Machhiato Brulee – a real work of art in both flavour and texture. The Classic Lemon Meringue Cake was interesting, and I’d suggest skipping the Biscoff Cheesecake as there are better options to choose from. P.S. I’ve visited twice so far, and the latter experience was not as good as the first one in terms of service.
Kahvi, Saligao
Found an absolute gem of a place in Saligao and can’t tell you how happy I am to have a fantastic catch-up spot in my neighbourhood. Kahvi is located at Casa Tipri in Grand Morod and has a small menu comprising of Poee Sandwiches, Salads, All-day Breakfast, and a few small and large plates. If you like your coffee strong, you’ll find it hard to find a place that does it as they do. I’d highly recommend the Roast Pork Poee Sandwich and Chicken and Avocado Salad. Their location, which is on a relatively quiet road, by the fields, makes it an unfussy place to take your pooch.
Three Kisses, Benaulim
I discovered Three Kisses in Benaulim quite by accident. I was in the area past 3 PM and hadn’t had lunch yet. After I found 2-3 restaurants shut, I chanced upon this one and was met by 5-6 dogs sleeping around the restaurant, plus a very warm host called Tino. Since the restaurant was empty, Tino had time to talk and revealed that he had 8 dogs at the restaurant. He further went on to tell us that he took in 35+ dogs during covid, fed them and got them adopted. Today, he feeds over 3 dozen of them on Benaulim Beach. Anyone who is into animal welfare, in my opinion, should be supported, so that they thrive and can do more to help the voiceless.
Even if he hadn’t revealed the good work he did, I would have loved the restaurant just the same. It had personality! Humorous quotes hung on boards all over, lots of greenery, a thoughtful message about being grateful for what you have, good Goan food and homemade feni! While the restaurant has been passed down to Tino by his father, he does everything he can to keep up the great quality of food. They also have continental food on the menu catering to tourists. I’ll definitely head back to try that! Tino loves his pets so much that he turns away people who have a problem with them being at the restaurant. Take your pet only if they are ok with a pack of other dogs being around.
Rosé, Assagao
The French are famous for ‘la belle vie,’ a languid and indulgent way of life that focuses on the finer things. Experience it for yourself at Rosé, located at Mademoiselle, a new hotel in Assagao. Visit for an unhurried brunch affair comprising of Frosé (or frozen rosé wine) and Mezze. The potent drinks, mellow live music, great food and exceptional desserts are good reasons to visit. But also, look at all the picturesque corners that make for great Insta-worthy pictures. They have a great a la carte menu comprising of Mediterranean and Italian staples, and their desserts are heavenly!
Makani, Anjuna
The breeze at this seaside restaurant – blissful! If a beachy escape to North Goa is on the cards, check out Makani On The Beach n Anjuna. This newly opened seaside restaurant is stunning! The restaurant interiors are done up in all shades of sandy beige, and with the endless ocean right in front of you, it has such a calming effect from the moment you walk in. The food was good but a little on the pricey side, which is what you would expect at a location like this. Out of the dishes I tried, I found the starters to surpass the mains. In fact, I’d suggest you avoid the mains altogether. The restaurant is a quiet, calm place for pets and humans alike – and both have ample space to themselves, plus a stellar view to enjoy.
Big plus – there’s no Hindi music playing, which is not typical of beachside restaurants and it is just as soothing to the ears as the scenery is to the eye.
If you know of any pet-friendly restaurants in Goa that you think should make it on the list, drop me a comment and I’ll be happy to include them once I make a trip with Bailey.