Along most of Goa's coastline, a restaurant's ambition is to create a space with good music, interesting people, and great conversations. And, of course, a killer sunset from the deck. The six places gathered here were built to serve just that, and some fan-favourite dishes along with it. Most have been open for years, the cooking is consistent enough to hold a full dinner service, and several bring in a live band instead of running a playlist.
Pisco is Anjuna's best-known sunset table and the kitchen more than lives up to the reputation. It was among the first restaurants in Goa to build hammock seating into its dining deck with three cocoons strung low over the sand and facing the sea. The sea bass is perfectly seasoned while the spinach and ricotta cannelloni is generously filled. The steak sandwich has also earned a loyal following among regulars. A DJ plays on select evenings and any cover charge is deducted from your final bill. It's worth reserving a table in advance.
São sits beneath a grove of coconut palms in a space built from bamboo and palm thatch. It may look understated from the outside however the food is anything but. The prawn sol kadi ceviche is a standout alongside the Moroccan-spiced lamb kebabs and the mutton liver pâté that has become a favourite among regulars. The cocktail menu was created by celebrated bartender Fay Barretto and live music keeps the atmosphere going on most evenings.
Set inside Marbela Beach Resort on a private stretch of Morjim beach, Meso is made for long leisurely meals by the sea. The menu draws on Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavours with produce sourced from nearby farms and fresh seafood depending on the day's catch. Grilled meats are a highlight but there is plenty to choose from across the menu. As the evening unfolds the beach club takes over with house music and a crowd that usually stays put way past dinner and drinks.
Uma is one of Morjim's newer restaurants but it has already found a loyal following. The menu gives familiar Goan flavours a fresh spin with seafood platters brightened by citrus and pizzas made with dough that's fermented for two days. Most of the sauces are made in-house using locally sourced ingredients. Live music sets the tone most evenings and the beach is only a few steps away if you feel like taking a walk between courses.
Nazaré feels a world away from the beach clubs further north. Set inside Beleza by the Beach in Betalbatim it draws a crowd that prefers a slower pace. The menu brings together Goan European and Pan-Asian dishes with seafood sourced from local fishermen. Live music is a regular feature and the relaxed setting is a big part of why so many people keep coming back.
Set on Anjuna's rocky shoreline with uninterrupted views of the Arabian Sea, Slow Tide is a contemporary beach shack designed by award-winning Sri Lankan architect Palinda Kannangara as a tribute to the village's hippie legacy. The menu brings together Goan, Mangalorean and East Indian influences with dishes like Toddy Shop Pork Toasties, Karwari mussels and Military Canteen mutton curry, while the cocktail programme takes inspiration from some of Anjuna's most iconic local characters from the 1960s. Regular live music, art showcases and community events have made it one of the neighbourhood's cultural meeting points.