When you’re in Goa, it would be wise to skip regular food at beach shacks and indulge in Goan food or traditional thalis instead. Fish thalis allow you to sample a range of flavours and textures, from crunchy fish fry to tangy curries served with soft rice. Most Goan restaurants worth their salt serve fish thalis, and it can be difficult to choose the best ones. We’ve made the task easier by compiling a list of the best places that serve fish thali in Goa:
Fat fish
Fat fish is known for its eclectic menu, which features a tasty fish thali. It includes the curry of the day, crab xacuti, fish fry, tisro, tarle sukha, vegetables, rice, kismur, pickle, salad, and papad. Thalis at Fat Fish are served only during lunch hours. The prices are humble and all of these attributes combined make Fat Fish a popular spot. Enjoy your thali looking over the paddy fields of Baga.
Location: Calangute-Arpora Road, Agar Vaddo, Khobra Waddo, Arpora, Goa.
Timings: Daily, noon-midnight.
Cost for two: ₹1,000
Ritz Classic
With multiple outlets in Panjim, Ritz Classic serves its fish thali only for lunch. The place is quite a favourite with both locals and tourists and long queues can often be spotted outside. There’s usually a lunch rush and patrons are sometimes asked to share tables. The fish thali is reasonably priced and includes dry prawns, fish fry, curry and crab.
Location: 1st Floor, Wagle Vision, 18th June Road, Ozari, Panaji, Goa and other outlets.
Timings: Daily, 11am-4pm; 7-11pm.
Cost for two: ₹800
Vinayak Family Restaurant
A family-run restaurant with homestyle food, Vinayak sees both tourists and locals. The thalis here are a sort of secret—they aren’t listed on the menu but the place serves them to those who ask. There are multiple types of fish thalis here, and the signature one comes with fried fish and fried fish flakes, fish curry, kokum curry, white rice, mussels and pickle. There’s also a lengthy fish section on the menu.
Location: House No 278, Socol Vaddo, Assagao, Goa.
Timings: Daily, noon-3.30pm; 7-10.30pm
Cost for two: ₹600
The Goan Room
While some people feel that The Goan Room is too commercial, others swear by it. The fish thali here includes fish fry, prawn curry, kismur, kokum curry, rice, tisryo sukha, Goan bhaji, fish ambotik, crab sukha, prawns, kappa, salad and dessert. It’s delicious and at ₹285, won’t burn a hole in your pocket.
Location: Primerio Jetty Road Near Dona Paula Police Station, Dona Paula, Goa.
Timings: Daily, 11.30am-3.30pm; 7-10.30pm.
Cost for two: ₹600
