If you are looking for a place to enjoy the best Goan food in Goa, you cannot miss Vinayak Family Restaurant in Assagao. This restaurant has been serving delicious and finger-licking Goan dishes for over 40 years, and has earned a reputation as one of the most popular and iconic restaurants in Goa. Whether you are a local or a tourist, a vegetarian or a non-vegetarian, a solo traveller or a family, you will find something to suit your taste and budget at Vinayak Family Restaurant.
In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about this restaurant, including the five must-have dishes, the location and contact details, the tips and tricks, and the testimonials and ratings from happy customers. Read on to discover why Vinayak Family Restaurant is the ultimate destination for Goan food lovers.
5 Must-Have Dishes at Vinayak Family Restaurant
One of the reasons why Vinayak Family Restaurant is so famous and loved is because of its amazing menu, which offers a variety of authentic and homely Goan dishes. You will find everything from seafood to chicken, from rice to bread, from curry to pickle, from spicy to sour, from coconut to cashew, and more. However, if you want to experience the true essence and diversity of Goan cuisine, you must try these five dishes that are the best and most popular choices at the restaurant:
Chicken Xacuti:
This is a classic Goan dish that consists of chicken pieces cooked in a rich and aromatic gravy made with roasted spices, coconut, and poppy seeds. The gravy has a deep brown colour and a complex flavour that will tantalize your taste buds. The chicken is tender and juicy, and goes well with rice or bread. This dish is a must for spice lovers, as it has a fiery and smoky taste that will make you sweat and smile.
Prawn Curry:
This is another signature dish of Goan cuisine that features fresh and succulent prawns cooked in a creamy and tangy curry made with coconut milk, tamarind, and red chillies. The curry has a yellow-orange colour and a smooth and silky texture that will coat your mouth with a burst of flavours. The prawns are soft and plump, and melt in your mouth. This dish is a must for seafood lovers, as it has a sweet and sour taste that will make you crave for more.
Fish Thali:
This is a complete and satisfying meal that consists of a plate of rice, a piece of fried fish, a bowl of fish curry, a side dish of vegetable or salad, a pickle, and a glass of sol kadi. The fish is fresh and crispy, the curry is spicy and tangy, the vegetable or salad is crunchy and refreshing, the pickle is sour and pungent, and the sol kadi is cool and soothing. This dish is a must for rice lovers, as it has a balanced and wholesome taste that will make you feel full and happy.
Crab Masala:
This is a special and exotic dish that consists of whole crabs cooked in a thick and flavourful masala made with onions, tomatoes, garlic, ginger, and spices. The masala has a red colour and a chunky and sticky texture that will cling to the crab shells and meat. The crabs are fresh and meaty, and require some effort and skill to crack and eat. This dish is a must for adventure lovers, as it has a rich and robust taste that will make you work and enjoy.
Sol Kadi:
This is a refreshing and digestive drink that consists of coconut milk, kokum (a sour fruit), and spices. The drink has a pink colour and a thin and watery texture that will quench your thirst and cleanse your palate. The drink is served chilled, and has a sweet and sour taste that will make you feel relaxed and refreshed.
These are the five dishes that you must try at Vinayak Family Restaurant, as they will give you a memorable and authentic Goan food experience. However, these are not the only dishes that the restaurant offers, as there are many more options to choose from, such as veg thali, mushroom xacuti, fish fry, chicken cafreal, and more. You can also order some drinks and desserts to complement your meal, such as feni (a local liquor), bebinca (a layered cake), and dodol (a sticky sweet).
How to Reach and Contact Vinayak Family Restaurant
Vinayak Family Restaurant is located in Assagao, a quiet and scenic village in North Goa, about 10 km from Mapusa and 15 km from Panaji. The restaurant is situated on the main road that connects Anjuna and Mapusa, and is easily accessible by car, bike, bus, or taxi.
The restaurant has a simple and rustic look, with a thatched roof, wooden furniture, and colourful curtains. The restaurant has a spacious and airy dining area, with a capacity of about 100 people. The restaurant also has a parking lot, a garden, and a playground for children. Here are the contact details of the restaurant:
Address: Vinayak Family Restaurant, Assagao Badem Road, Near DMC College, Assagao, Goa 403507
Phone: +91 832 2268091 / +91 9822168628
Website: www.vinayakfamilyrestaurant.com
Email: vinayakfamilyrestaurant@gmail.com
The restaurant is open from 11 am to 11 pm, every day of the week. The restaurant accepts reservations, walk-ins, takeaways, and deliveries. The restaurant accepts cash, cards, and online payments.
Tips and Tricks to Make the Most of Your Visit to Vinayak Family Restaurant
If you want to enjoy your visit to Vinayak Family Restaurant to the fullest, here are some insider and expert tips and tricks that you should know:
- The best time to visit the restaurant is during the lunch or dinner hours, as the restaurant is less crowded and more peaceful. However, if you want to avoid the rush and the wait, you can also visit the restaurant during the off-peak hours, such as the afternoon or the late night.
- The best way to order at the restaurant is to ask the staff for their recommendations, as they are friendly and knowledgeable, and will suggest you the best dishes according to your preferences and mood. However, if you want to order on your own, you can also check the menu, which is written on a blackboard, or browse the website, which has a detailed and updated menu with prices and images.
- The best way to eat at the restaurant is to share the dishes with your companions, as the portions are generous and filling, and the variety is tempting. However, if you want to eat on your own, you can also order a thali, which is a complete and satisfying meal with a single dish.
- The best way to pair the dishes at the restaurant is to mix and match the different flavours and textures, such as the spicy and the sour, the creamy and the crunchy, the hot and the cold, etc. However, if you want to pair the dishes on your own, you can also follow the traditional and regional combinations, such as the chicken xacuti and the rice, the prawn curry and the bread, the fish thali and the sol kadi, etc.
- The best way to save money at the restaurant is to take advantage of the offers and discounts that the restaurant provides, such as the happy hours, the combo deals, the loyalty programs, etc. However, if you want to save money on your own, you can also opt for the cheaper and equally tasty dishes, such as the veg thali, the mushroom xacuti, the fish fry, etc.
- These are some of the tips and tricks that will help you make the most of your visit to Vinayak Family Restaurant. However, these are not the only tips and tricks that you can use, as there are many more hidden gems, specials, secrets, stories, and hacks that you can discover and enjoy at the restaurant.
Vinayak Family Restaurant is the ultimate destination for Goan food lovers, as it offers a variety of authentic and homely Goan dishes that will satisfy your taste and appetite. Whether you want to try the classic chicken xacuti, the creamy prawn curry, the wholesome fish thali, the exotic crab masala, or the refreshing sol kadi, you will find them all at Vinayak Family Restaurant. Moreover, you will also enjoy the friendly and fast service, the cozy and rustic ambiance, and the reasonable and value-for-money prices at the restaurant.
So, what are you waiting for? Visit Vinayak Family Restaurant today and treat yourself to the best Goan food in Assagao. And don’t forget to share this article with your friends and family, and leave a comment below with your feedback and experience. Thank you for reading and happy eating!
