Saligao, a treasure trove that holds onto its Goan heritage, resembles the villages of old. In the nostalgic days of my childhood, Saligao remained untouched, devoid of any restaurants except for the humble China Highway stall nestled in the football field. If you were driving down CHOGM Road between the crossroads and the Mae De Deus church, you would be tempted by the smells of tandoori chicken and butter naan wafting from the fields – an aroma I can still call to mind.
Until recently, our village boasted only two modest, locally-run eateries – Florentine and Mirabai. Yet, in recent times, Saligao has witnessed the emergence of several small restaurants, bringing new flavors to our community. While I, being an avid food enthusiast, embrace the arrival of quality establishments, a small worry lingers – I hope our quaint village retains its charm and doesn’t transform into another Assagao. *shudder*
Restaurants in Saligao
The Second House
The Second House is the new kid on the block, but it has quickly become the talk of the town. We recently celebrated Mum’s birthday there, and we were captivated by the beautiful interiors and the food that took us to Cloud Nine! The memories of that extraordinary meal still lingered in our conversations for 2 weeks, which led us to go again.
Out of all the dishes we savored (some even twice), our absolute obsession was the Dobara Fried Chicken. Oh boy, it was a sensational symphony of perfect seasoning, impeccable cooking, and a divine, light-as-air crispy crust that had us swooning with every bite. The PT&G salad, suggested by the courteous staff, was a flavor and texture bomb, combining peanuts, granola, and tomato in a marvelous medley. Not to be forgotten were the House Grilled Chicken, the Charred Pork Ribs and the Pepperoni Pizza – they were all out of the ordinary.
While the ‘not-so-Balchao’ and Eggplant Hummus didn’t quite steal the show, it was only because they were overpowered by the greatness of the other dishes we tried. As for the drinks, I must confess that the first visit surpassed the second visit. In a nutshell, if you find yourself in Saligao, there is no question about where you should dine. I should warn you though, the menu is on the pricier side.
Florentine
For over 3 decades, Florentine has been a mainstay in Saligao, and there was a time when the village itself was synonymous with Florentine and its famous Chicken Cafreal. I have fond memories of dining there occasionally after school with my Dad and brother, and I can still remember the first piece of fried ‘chonak,’ a fish I ate there. Yum! Cut to today, and the restaurant still sees a lot of loyal patrons. While some say the quality has remained consistent, others say it’s not what it used to be. To its credit, the restaurant is still in the hands of the original owners. You may also like to read my blog post on the oldest restaurants in Goa.
Colors
This restaurant in Saligao is your typical multi-cuisine restaurant and there are a dime a dozen restaurants exactly like it in every village. Serving thalis for lunch and having a menu of Indian, Goan, and Chinese food, it is a fail-safe, easy-on-the-wallet place to go to or order from. The seating is comfortable, the staff is pleasant and in terms of food, one knows exactly what to expect.
Other Restaurants in Saligao
Saligao may be small, but these restaurants are doing big things. Other honorable mentions include Cantare, where I haven’t dined in many years, so I’ll avoid getting into the details. We also have a couple of smaller establishments – namely Samrat, known for its great ros omelet; Saligao Deck, a popular spot for tea time snacks and Mirabai, a local place for fish thalis.
For those willing to venture out a bit, Pings Bia Hoi, Mezmiz, Kismoor, Jungle Cafe and Yaki Zushi, located in Sangolda, are also worth trying. Or you can head in the opposite direction to Candolim, where options are aplenty.
With these delicious restaurants in and around Saligao, the land of foxes, you’ll never have to worry about finding your next meal. And here’s your favourite Saligaokar signing off for now!