Panaji Restaurants

Sher-E-Punjab is a popular restaurant with good food and service in central Panaji. I had passed earlier, during lunch time, and then saw it was full of costumers. So I thought it was a good place to return to later. I had Malai Kofta with Butter Naan and a bottle of water (1 litre). With tax added it was Rs 128 (June 2010). The Malai Kofta was a bit spicy, but the sauce was rich and it was more filling than the meal I had had earlier that day. For every table there was also a plate with onions, tomatoes and mint sauce.

Viva Panjim is a small restaurant on a side street in Fontainhas, just a block from Afonso Guest House where I stayed. According to my guidebook they have tasty food and the woman at the guest house recommended the restaurant as well. So I went there for lunch and sat at one of the tables outside on the street. I told the waiter I didn’t want to have anything hot and spicy and asked if the prawns in coconut milk was good for me. He said it was. I got a lot of basmati rice, but the prawns were very few in a thin sause. Several of the prawns were only empty shells. And it was very spicy. It did not fill my stomach. The “prawns” with rice was Rs 100 and a coca-cola was Rs 20 (June 2010).

The restaurant is open between 11.30 - 15.00 and 19.00 - 23.00 Mondays - Saturdays and on Sundays it is open between 19 - 23.

It is full of character, with tiny balconies hanging over the street. One room has it's walls, ceiling covered in insightfull thoughts and pictures from the travellers that have passed through over the years. Food is pleasant and the beer is cold.

Favorite Dish: No particular favourite, worth a visit even if it's just for a drink.

I ate here all the time when I was in Panaji. The food was good and cheap.
A lot of locals come here.