Mojigao – Bask in Nature’s Bliss at this Assagao Cafe

Hey there!

Longing for a sweet summer holiday, are you?

I know what it feels like to be surrounded by more skyscrapers than lush foliage. And at times like those, some soothing views while you press the pause button on life and slow down at a darling little cafe in Goa, are often well deserved.

Mojigao – Goa’s best garden restaurant

Set under a canopy of trees, Mojigao is a beautifully rustic café in Assagao, that gives off a distinctly carefree vibe, much like the cafes in Kasol and Tosh in Himachal Pradesh. Being located on a slightly elevated hillside, the various levels of Mojigao add to the ‘middle-of-nowhere feeling,’ just like the cafes along the Parvati Valley.

When you park on the top level and walk down a few steps, you will be greeted by a large, intricate idol of Lord Ganesha, with a board on the other side, having posters of interesting things to do in Goa. And as you walk into the café and take a seat, you’ll have a lovely top-view of villas for rent (still under construction), below. Trust me, you’ll have no regrets about skipping work and other responsibilities, when you find yourself enveloped in nature, with the sounds of crickets and birds, and a view of a lush garden and villas below.

What’s good?

The limited menu at Mojigao spans fresh juices, smoothies packed with goodness, Middle-Eastern staples, sandwiches and lots of tropical superfoods – all quite affordable. You’ll find the fare offered at Mojigao more suited for a breakfast, brunch or early-evening visit, more than for lunch. And while they offer mostly vegetarian and vegan food options, with some egg dishes for balance, the fare is definitely interesting enough to attract carnivorous people like me.

Grab a book off the bookshelf in the corner or simply open up your laptop and get some work done as you sip on delicious coffee and nibble on something sweet from the glass display case. From chocolate croissants to brown loaves of bread and from cheesecake to tarts, those who love indulging in baked goodies will have a tough time narrowing down on what to try first.

I sampled their Power Smoothie – made with coconut milk, cacao, banana and dates, alongside Shakshouka, a dish of eggs poached in a spiced tomato sauce. The bread that came along with it was absolutely divine –complete with a nice toasty crust on top (we Goans do love our bread!). The cappuccino was great too – nice and strong to kick-start my morning with. Another winner was the egg sandwich, again in a bread that totally sealed the deal for me. I’m seriously considering heading back to get myself a loaf of bread!

While I’d have loved to check out their croissants, I ordered a piece of their Chocolate Ganache cake. The crumbly top layer over the gooey center looked too good to resist. I mean, look at how perfect it was!

So I’m saying

Go ahead and treat yourself to a leisurely morning breakfast or healthy lunch. Spend some time with yourself or catch up with a friend. Maybe even have a business meeting here at Mojigao, but do it early as they close by 5:30 PM! You’ll find that it’s peaceful un-hurried vibe can be quite refreshing and it’s not long before you find yourself slowing down to Mojigao’s natural rhythm.

There’s really no reason to bypass this rustic café that brims with healthy food and smiling faces. I can’t help but give it two green thumbs up!

For more great places to visit in Goa, check out my blog post on The Village Studio in Parra and Yaki Zushi in Sangolda. 

Lots more on Goa coming up! You’ll find a sneak peek on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Bye!