
Viva Panjim
A family-run gem in a heritage home, offering authentic Goan-Portuguese cuisine with a side of nostalgic charm. A true taste of old Goa.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Viva Panjim

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A family-run gem in a heritage home, offering authentic Goan-Portuguese cuisine with a side of nostalgic charm. A true taste of old Goa.
Best Time to Visit
Visit between 7 PM and 10 PM for the best dining experience.
Sauce Caution
Ask about sauce variations as some dishes can be overly saucy or sweet.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Goan, Portuguese, Seafood, Indian
Price
Mid-range
Phone
+91 832 242 2405
Address
H, 178, Rua 31 de Janeiro, behind Mary Immaculate High School, near St Sebastian chapel, Fontainhas (quarter), Altinho, Panaji, Goa 403001, India
Website
panjimrestaurants.com/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Authentic Goan-Portuguese Cuisine
Savor the rich, traditional flavors of Goan and Portuguese heritage in a charming, family-run setting.

Historic Indo-Portuguese Ambiance
Dine in a beautifully preserved heritage home filled with antique furniture and nostalgic charm.

Award-Winning Chef Linda De Souza's Creations
Experience expertly prepared Goan classics from a renowned chef in a convivial atmosphere.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Best Time to Visit
Visit between 7 PM and 10 PM for the best dining experience.
Sauce Caution
Ask about sauce variations as some dishes can be overly saucy or sweet.
Dry Dish Option
Try the chicken chilly fry if you prefer dishes that are not saucy.
Authentic Pairings
Pair your meal with lime soda or feni for a true taste of Goa.
Tips
from all over the internet
Best Time to Visit
Visit between 7 PM and 10 PM for the best dining experience.
Sauce Caution
Ask about sauce variations as some dishes can be overly saucy or sweet.
Dry Dish Option
Try the chicken chilly fry if you prefer dishes that are not saucy.
Authentic Pairings
Pair your meal with lime soda or feni for a true taste of Goa.
Off-Peak Delights
Visit off-peak for a chance to chat with staff and sample homemade feni and urak.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Viva Panjim is celebrated for its authentic Goan-Portuguese cuisine and the charming, heritage ambiance of its old Indo-Portuguese house setting. Diners rave about the flavorful seafood and traditional dishes, complemented by warm hospitality. However, some visitors have found the experience to be overpriced and noted instances of indifferent staff.
"Viva Panjim is a lovely spot tucked inside the colorful streets of Fontainhas.
The vibe is homely and peaceful, and the staff is super friendly.
The food is full of authentic Goan flavours – don’t miss the seafood!
If you're in Panjim and craving something local, this place is a must-try."
sovna subhadarsini behera
"Everything about this place is five star. Very old restaurant run by the family is situated in a heritage building and has furniture to match the status.
Food at Viva is simply superb and you can try anything from their vast menu. For us it was more of seafood since it is Goa and we did just that.
Service is prompt and old Goa vibe gives you enough reason to savour your food. Serradura, a local sweet dish is a must try. Try their crabs too."
sharad bishnoi
"A true Goan gem nestled in the heart of Fontainhas!
Viva Panjim is a beautiful blend of history and flavour, set in a 150-year-old Goan-Portuguese home. The heritage ambiance instantly transports you, and the food is nothing short of spectacular! We tried the Seafood Platter, Pomfret Racheado, Prawn Biryani, and Chicken Cheese Lollipops — every dish was packed with authentic Goan flavours. Their cocktails, especially Lady in Pink and Blue Lagoon, were refreshing and well-balanced.
The service was warm and welcoming, true to its family-run roots, and the live music on Sunday added the perfect touch to our experience. It’s no surprise this place is award-winning and has hosted big names like Chef Sanjeev Kapoor and the US Ambassador. Highly recommend if you're looking to explore Goa’s rich culinary heritage in a cozy, charming setting!"
GoaFoodJournal
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Viva Panjim is renowned for its authentic Goan-Portuguese cuisine, served in a charming heritage home with a nostalgic ambiance.
Popular dishes include seafood specialties, Chicken Cafreal, Prawn Balchao, and traditional Goan curries. Don't miss the Serradura for dessert.
The restaurant is set in a 150-year-old Indo-Portuguese house, featuring antique furniture, vintage mirrors, and hand-painted tiles, creating a cozy and historic atmosphere.
Yes, Viva Panjim offers several vegetarian dishes, including vegetable vindaloo and caldinha.
Feni is a traditional Goan spiritous liquor made from cashews or coconut, often recommended as a perfect pairing with Goan meals.
The restaurant is located in a narrow alley in Fontainhas, which can make it a bit tricky to find, but it is well worth the effort.
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Converted from a 150-year-old Indo-Portuguese house, Viva Panjim is a quaint restaurant and reminiscent of a bygone era, thanks to its antique Portuguese furniture and several vintage items adorning the walls. The restaurant is located on the ground floor of the heritage house, plus a small patio allows for outside seating, which is perfect for people-watching. The restaurant serves authentic Goan fare, Indian, Portuguese, Asian, Seafood, as well as vegan options.
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A walk down a narrow alley in the Fontainhas district brings you to one of the city's best-value restaurants, where reliable Goan classics, conviviality, and bargain prices are the rule. Featuring the award-winning cuisine of chef Linda De Souza, this cheery hideaway is crowded with locals and tourists---indoor seating can get cramped, but tables are also available outside.
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The breezy 1st-floor restaurant at Panjim Inn is indeed on the balcony, with just a handful of finely carved tables, Fontainhas street views and snappy…
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Besides Viva Panjim and Horseshoe, you can enjoy an atmospheric evening at Luiz D'Souza's Hospedaria Venite (31st January Rd., Fontainhas; tel. 0832/242-5537; daily 8:30am-10:30pm), a tiny upstairs restaurant in a 200-year-old building where you can sit on the balcony and order wonderful Goan specialties (or try the delicious shrimp salsa and stuffed crab). The restaurant, which has been going for over 50 years now, features a floor made from wood salvaged from a wrecked Portuguese ship, and in one room the walls are thickly covered with decades of graffiti, amateur artworks and assorted paraphernalia, making this feel like a seriously boho hangout. You can also head across the Mandovi Bridge to Povorim where O'Coquiero's (near Water Tank; tel. 0832/241-7271) has been churning out traditional Goan food for decades (try the squid masala or chicken cafreal).
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Located in a narrow alley in Fontainhas, Viva Panjim is a small, family-run restaurant serving Goan staples like prawn curry, vindaloo, and xacuti. We tried the Prawn Koliwada, a spicy, deep-fried preparation that works wonders to your taste-buds with some feni or a chilled beer.If you are a lover of all things old, their heirloom furniture, vintage mirrors, hand-painted tiles, and chandeliers will win your heart. It is the perfect place for a lazy brunch with your family!
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Viva Panjim is an old-fashioned eatery where you can see traditional Portuguese furnishings and a number of classic items beautifying the walls. Placed on the ground floor in a fifteen-decade old Indo-Portuguese building, this restaurant also comes with a little veranda where you can sit to enjoy open area dining. And the good thing about this eatery is that it serves genuine Goan food, Portuguese, and Seafood, together with vegetarian choices.
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Set in an old Indo-Portuguese home, Viva Panjim describes itself as a “family restaurant in a heritage home”. Vintage Portuguese furniture makes up the place, which has both indoor and outdoor seating. The menu includes Goan as well as Chinese food, but we recommend visiting for the former, which includes classics like seafood with recheado masala, prawn curry, chicken cafreal, xacuti, vindaloo, prawn balchao and pork sorpotel.
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The rich legacy of the seafaring Portuguese community on the state of Goa is still intact within the food being served at Viva Panjim. The restaurant serves dishes that are a perfect fusion of Portuguese influence and local flavours and that is the restaurant’s USP. The restaurant is run by food enthusiasts Linda and Michael de Sousa and is one of the best places to be at, if you want a slice of the past on your plate.
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A 150-yr old ancestral home that was later transformed into beautiful eating joint, the hospitality at the Viva Panjim is really commendable. From humble owners to professional and cooperative staff, and vibrant ambience to a variety of food options, this place is sheer bliss. And, the preserved old interiors of such best restaurants in Goa are definitely going to give some great pictures for your Instagram account.
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Set in an old heritage house in the bylanes of Fountainhas, Viva Panjim offers rare local specialities like stuffed karela, feijoida, piexe, torradine and arroz com chouris along with old favourites like balchao, cafreal and caldin. Order your drink, ask what’s the catch of the day, and order it rava fried for a mouth watering meal. Definitely a must-visit for those on a quest to sample the authentic local cuisine.
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Pao com Chouriço is a beloved Goan snack, where spicy, flavorful Goan sausages (chorizo) are stuffed inside freshly baked, soft pao bread. The chorizo, packed with local spices and a tangy vinegar kick, creates a hearty and savoury sandwich that is perfect for a quick bite. This grab-and-go snack is popular among locals and travellers alike, offering a delicious introduction to Goan street food.
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A walk around Fontainhas, the old Latin Quarter in Panjim will lead you to a quaint restaurant, Viva Panjim, located in an old Indo-Portuguese house. Serving some of the best seafood, their most famous (and the tastiest) dish has to be the prawn curry served with rice or the pao. Of course, there is a lot more on the menu with their awesome batter friend squid or the mussels rawa fried.
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Tucked in a quiet lane in the stunning Latin Quater, Viva Panjim is all about celebrating good food and Goa's colourful heritage. This restaurant which is housed in a 150 year old ancestral home has constantly kept up with the Goa's constantly evolving food and culture scene. Specialising in Portuguese cuisine, Linda the chef manages to put a fresh Goan twist in all her dishes.
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A heritage home turned into a vintage and atmospheric restaurant in the Latin Quarter, Viva Panjim is one of the best casual dining restaurants for Goan Portuguese cuisine. Being familiar with these top traditional Goan eateries in Goa now, a trip to that beach paradise soon would be ideal. Our luxury villas in Goa would make for commodious stay options for that visit!
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Nestled in a charming Portuguese-style house, Viva Panjim blends nostalgia with culinary artistry. The restaurant’s cozy and intimate ambiance, complete with vintage décor, makes you feel right at home. Known for its exceptional traditional Goan dishes like pork sorpotel and vegetable vindaloo, Viva Panjim captures the essence of the city’s cultural richness.
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This little eatery lies almost hidden in a side street of Panaji’s colourful Fonthinas district. Viva Panjim is in a narrow lane, which is lined with tables and chairs, while the inside features lots of beautiful antique furniture. Opened in an old Portuguese house by Linda and Michael de Sousa, it is known for serving classic Goan food at reasonable prices.
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H, 178, Rua 31 de Janeiro, behind Mary Immaculate High School, near St Sebastian chapel, Fontainhas (quarter), Altinho, Panaji, Goa 403001. DESCRIPTION: Viva Panjim is a popular family restaurant located in the heart of Panaji, Goa. This ethnic Goan restaurant offers a unique dining experience with its traditional Goan and seafood specialties.
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Martin’s Corner in Betalbatim, Chef Fernando’s Nostalgia in Raia, Viva Panjim in Panaji, Bhatti Village in Nerul, and Souza Lobo in Calangute are some of the best restaurants for authentic Goan dishes (£5-15 for two). The grungy Joseph’s Bar is a favourite for beers and cocktails, as is Taverna Panjim (both in Panaji).
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When you’re looking for a dessert that screams down home comfort, there’s nothing quite like some Bebinca. Of course, at Viva Panjim, you aren’t just getting a carton of the packed stuff. The Bebinca here is heavenly warm and can be enjoyed alone or alongside caramel and chocolate sauce for an added bit of indulgence.
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Situated in the Fontainhas Latin Quarter, Viva Panjim is inexpensive and atmospheric. It's also a consistent winner of the Times Food Award for the Best Goan Portuguese Casual Dining. This renowned restaurant is on the ground floor of the owner's family heritage home, and it also has a small outdoor area with tables.
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For authentic Goan flavours, try breakfast at the iconic Cafe Bhonsle; the popular Viva Panjim, Kokum Curry and Cafe Tato do excellent vegetarian, the legendary Anand Ashram, Kokni Kanteen for phenomenal fish thali, and the quaint Joseph Bar does fab feni drinks and straightforward Goan bar bites.
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This family-run eatery is located in the Fontainhas neighborhood offers a quintessential Goan dining experience. With its vintage mirrors, hand-painted tiles and heirloom furniture, the restaurant brings old-world charm. The menu is filled with pork vindaloo, fish thalis and prawn balchao.
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The restaurant exudes Goan warmth and offers an authentic Goan dining experience. You can savour traditional dishes like Fish Curry Rice, Goan Sausages, and Serradura. Don’t forget to pair your meal with a glass of Feni Limca – the Original Feni Cocktail of Goa.
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Another legacy restaurant in Panaji, Viva Panjim is known for a relaxed ambience and delectable food. Their Bebinca is the cherry on the cake and is a must-eat for dessert fans. Layered, coconutty and flavourful this dessert should be on every foodies list.
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Viva Panjim is one of the very few authentic Goan-Portuguese restaurants in Goa. While the breakfast is largely an English affair, during mealtime the Goan/Portuguese food reigns supreme. You can try Goan Prawn Curry Rice or the Pomfret Curry Rice.
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Where to eat: Visit Viva Panjim for an engaging thali experience or check out Hotel Gopal for their renowned seafood thali. Both places are celebrated among Panaji local restaurants for their flavorful offerings.
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Viva Panjim – This restaurant is down a little Portuguese-style walkway. It offers local Goan cuisine and wonderful customer service. It gets crowded by 1:30, so try to get there before!
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Viva Panjim in Panaji is a quaint little eatery located in a old Portuguese kind house. The food is tasty at a very reasonable price. This is one of the eateries that I visited twice.
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from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit