Top Spots In Goa To Relish A Christmas Meal

Updated:Dec 20, 2024

India’s sunshine state, Goa gets even prettier towards the end of the year. Its streets glitter with festive trimmings and the sound of carols fill the air. The aroma of freshly baked Christmas goodies and invitations to festive brunches, sundowners, and year-end parties means that the beginning of a new year is right around the corner. If you’re in Goa, here are some spots you should check out with family and friends.

Top Spots In Goa To Relish A Christmas Meal

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While tourists flock to Goa all year round because of its scenic beauty and relaxed vibe, the State transforms into a festive paradise during Christmas and New Year. Goa, known for its Portuguese heritage and thriving Christian community, celebrates these occasions with unmatched enthusiasm and grandeur.

During Christmas, Goa comes alive with the spirit of joy and togetherness. Churches and homes are beautifully decorated with lights, stars, and nativity scenes. Midnight Mass is a significant event, with churches like Basilica of Bom Jesus and Se Cathedral hosting large congregations. Streets buzz with festivities as locals and tourists join in. Feasts featuring Goan delicacies and desserts are an integral part of the celebration, while vibrant markets brim with Christmas goodies. Christmas and New Year in Goa blend tradition, spirituality, and festivity, making it a magical destination to end the year and welcome the new one.

Also Read: Christmas Sweets From Goa: Explore The Regional Festive Flavours And Traditions

As the year ends, Goa gears up for spectacular New Year’s Eve celebrations. Beach parties, music festivals, and grand events attract visitors from around the globe. Iconic beaches like Baga, Anjuna, and Palolem host extravagant parties with live music, DJs, and fireworks lighting up the night sky. The revelry extends to heritage hotels and beachside shacks, offering diverse experiences for everyone. While you will be spoilt for choice, if you’re looking for a place to grab a good festive meal in Goa, this might be overwhelming and confusing too. Here are our picks to help solve that problem.

Hosa, Goa

The Syrian Christian community has inspired Hosa Goa's special Christmas menu, which brings the flavours of Kerala to your table. Brand Chef Harish Rao of Hosa has put together a menu that pays homage to the Christian heritage of Syria. The festive spread includes Tharavu Roast, a duck preparation, Kappa Meen Curry, a tapioca dish with fish curry, cutlets, stews, and Madakappam, a rice loaf. The rich culinary heritage of Kerala is showcased in every dish. There will be Hosa's speciality cocktails, which draw inspiration from South Indian ingredients as well as a Pistachio Pine dessert to end on a sweet note.

Address: Hosa Goa, Vaddy, Siolim, Bardez, Goa

Price For One: ₹

Colva Kitchen, Courtyard by Marriott, Goa

On Christmas Day from 2 pm to 4 pm head to Colva Kitchen to savour an amazing festive experience with your loved ones. Expect a lavish meal, live entertainment, and the best beverages to let yourself be fully isoak in the festive spirit of the season. Take your pick from live counters that will serve Tawa Keema Gosht with Parota, Goan Seafood specialties, Chicken Shawarma, Pasta, Popcorn—Cotton Floss and Chaat Counter, a large festive spread of mains and delicious cocktails. A live band will add to the festive cheer.

Address: Ward No. 02, Colva Beach Rd, opp. Queeny castle, near Golden Crown Resort, Fatona, Colva, Goa 403708

Price For One: ₹3,567 (with alcohol, inclusive of taxes)

Miri, The St. Regis Goa Resort

Indulge in a festive dining experience that combines the vivid cuisines of Goa with the rich traditions of Christmas. Try classic holiday specials with the flavours of glazed gammon, stuffing, roast turkey and creamy gravies with mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce as side dishes or enjoy the best of Goan cuisine with a seafood curry, spicy chorizo, vindaloo, and the famous Goan dessert, bebinca. You can also pick from your favourite breakfast dishes including eggs benedict, artisanal bread, fresh fruit platters, and fluffy pancakes, all served with a selection of cheeses and cold cuts. Don’t miss the speciality cocktails and the warm spiced tea.

Address: The St. Regis Goa Resort, Mobor, Cavelossim, Goa, 403731

Price For One: ₹3749++ (with alcohol)

Novotel Goa Panjim

The recently opened Novotel Goa Panjim is the perfect place to ring in the holiday season with a sumptuous Christmas Eve dinner or a Christmas brunch. The dinner menu features holiday classics like Roasted Turkey with Cranberry Sauce, delicious Balsamic Glazed Chicken, Moroccan couscous salad, Salmon gravlax with maple syrup, Smoked tuna, homemade smoked kingfish, royal Scottish smoked salmon, and a variety of indulgent Goan delicacies. For the Christmas brunch expect Roast sucking pig, lavish Asian carvings, and traditional Goan Christmas cooked at live counters. A Japanese Sushi Bar, Terrines & Ballotines, will be made to order to round out the buffet. And of course, there’ll be plum cake, classic Christmas pudding with orange and brandy butter, orange mousse with candied oranges, and biscotti and pumpkin pie.

Address: EDC Complex, Plot No 36, Patto Centre, Panaji, Goa 403001

Price For One: ₹1995++

Tipsy Tiger Shayari Bar, Goa

At Tipsy Tiger Shayari Bar, the Christmas season comes alive with cheerful celebration, charming appeal, and a mood as energetic as Goa itself. The bar greets you with exquisite Christmas-themed décor, glittering lights, graceful wreaths, and celebratory elements radiating warmth and holiday enthusiasm. Skilled mixologists create mocktails and specialty cocktails inspired by the holiday vibe. From savoury delicacies to luscious desserts that capture the tastes of the season, indulge in a great range of festive meals created to capture the essence of the season.