Goan cuisine is a blend of different influences, the manner is which food is cooked varies right from the south to the north, so say a shark ambotik will taste different in north Goa than it would in south Goa. Explore both the tastes, its different.

The staple food however is fish and rice, both among the Hindus and the Catholics. The delectable tastes and smell of the land can turn the most prudent eater into a shameless gorger.This belt being the tourist friendly ones, there are restaurants at every few feet, just follow your nose and head to where the food smells good.

In the north there's Brittos (Baga beach), a must go for its ambiance, it is on the beach. The desserts are awesome too. Then there's Sirocco for pizzas that's bang next to Cafe Coffee Day in Baga.

For fine dining O reverie is a good choice, the prices though are also extremely metro-ish. Should you want to dig into good stakes Bobs Inn is the place. After Seven (previously called After Eight) and Rustlers in the Calangute-Candolim belt are good. There's an entire street called Holiday street in Candolim, this is dotted with restaurants that serve Indian, Mughlai, Greek, Tibetan, Russian and Kashmiri food.

An awesome breakfast can be had at Lila Cafe here you can have smoked king fish for brunch! Visit Hotel Venite in Panjim for its food as much as its experience to dine in, its an old Portuguese home that's been converted into a restaurant and thus is complete with tiny balconies needless to say that the quality of the food is excellent here. If you are cost conscious, check out Navtara in Panjim market that that serve basic vegetarian fare and south Indian Thali If you want to taste rice and fish curry in true Goan style, visit Cafe Ritz Classic again in Panjim, the fish thali comes for as little as Rs 70 and is complete with fired fish two veggies, rice roti and fish curry. If you are in a mood to spend more and are looking for 'proper' ambiance, visit Little Italy (veg.) in Calangute, it has one of the best Italian food Goa has to offer.

Most beaches have shacks that serve surprisingly delicious meals, especially seafood and they'll usually consult you to see how you like your food. Don't miss the shack eating experience. You'll want to go back and eat again.

In the south there's Zeebop a shack on the beach which serves ok food but the ambiance is what gets it a full house, then there's the newly opened Skie Grille in Utorda that by far serves the best Tandoor and barbecues, Goa has seen, head here for the Cocktails too. Unlike other places where you will have loud music blaring you're your ear, this is one place where it is possible to have a quiet romantic meal. There's Martins in the south that has become an institution in itself, head here for the ambiance and Goan food.

Further south, on the Palolem stretch, is Cheeky Chapatti and the smugglers den, both awesome, one for its menu the other for its ambience. The various pickles served at cheeky chapatti are worth a bite!