Diya PadiyarYou know that feeling when you discover a hidden shortcut in your own city, and suddenly you feel like Sherlock Holmes? Well, that’s exactly what this trail with Soul Traveling is—except instead of uncovering crime scenes, we’re uncovering centuries-old Goan flavors, secret drinking holes, and stories that make you go “Wait… seriously?”
This is not just another food tour. This is a hush-hush, password-protected, don’t-tell-your-dietician kind of experience where you get to sip, snack, and stumble (gracefully) through Goa’s capital while discovering how the Portuguese, the locals, and time itself shaped Goan cuisine. And, of course, there’s alcohol. Lots of it. Let’s learn some fun facts about these secret spots – in no particular order!
Stop 1: A Feni Awakening
This trail has six stops—three taverns and three food joints—to make sure you stay fueled and balanced (well, at least somewhat). We kick things off with feni—the soul of Goan spirits, boasting a bold 40% alcohol content. But if you want a gentler start, urrak, its younger sibling with 15-20% alcohol, is a great warm-up act before feni’s grand performance.
The real magic happens when you taste three unique flavors of feni that you’ve probably never encountered before:
- Jeera Feni – Because why limit cumin to your curries?
- Masala Feni – Best paired with Coke and the secrets of your ex.
- Garlic Feni – (Yes! Garlic!) The only one of its kind in Goa. A vampire’s worst nightmare.
This stuff is pure Goa in a bottle—fermented naturally, no chemicals, no hangover (allegedly). And if you’re wondering how feni came to be, let’s just say cashews are the only fruit where the nut grows first. If that’s not a life metaphor, I don’t know what is.
Oh, and fun fact: the spot we’re drinking at is over 95 years old, which means it’s been around longer than your great-grandfather’s bedtime stories.
Stop 2: The OG Indian Soft Drinks (No, Not Thumbs Up)
Spot 2 is named after India’s OG soft drink. (Take a guess!) Before Fanta and Mirinda took over, Goa had its own fizzy legends—refreshing, tangy, and totally underrated.
Alongside this nostalgic sip, we dig into xacuti pav, a spiced coconut curry paired with the humble but mighty Goan bread. If comfort food had a Goan passport, this would be it. A sip of kokum sharbat balances the heat with its sweet-sour magic, making this stop the perfect pre-game meal before we dive deeper into Goa’s culinary treasures.
Stop 3: Bread That Rose Before You Did
Next up is pão—the Portuguese gift that keeps on giving. This isn’t your average store-bought loaf. This is handmade, wood-fired, fluffy perfection that makes you question every sandwich you’ve ever had.
And because we love to keep things deliciously surprising, we’re trying Alsande Cutlet Pav—a crispy, spiced red kidney bean patty stuffed into pillowy bread. Goa’s seafood might get all the fame, but this vegetarian treat proves the plant-based side of Goan cuisine is just as legendary.
Stop 4: The Sweet Secrets of Nuns & Bakers
Time to satisfy that sweet tooth! Goa’s bakeries are where history, sugar, and why didn’t I wear looser pants? come together. We get our hands on:
- Bolinhas – Think of these as coconut macaroons with a Goan-Portuguese twist. The name comes from bolu (cake) and inha (a feminine suffix), making them the “mini cakes” of Goa.
- Bebinca – The queen of Goan desserts. This layered beauty has an origin story straight out of a historical drama: Nuns used egg whites to starch their robes but didn’t want to waste the yolks, so they invented this masterpiece. Originally made with just three ingredients, today every place has its own version—but you’re about to taste one of the best.
Fun fact: The bakery we visit has been running for 95 years and still uses a wood-fired oven. That’s older than most of our life problems.
Stop 5: The Drink That’s Basically a Medicine (We Swear)
Now that we’ve eaten enough to justify another round of drinks, it’s time to mix our own feni cocktail. Ever wanted to play bartender but didn’t trust yourself? This is your moment.
Cashew feni, a few surprise ingredients, a little shake, and suddenly you’ve got a drink that’s equal parts history lesson and party starter.
And here’s the thing—Goans swear by feni as a medicine. Got a cold? Feni. Stomach ache? Feni. Heartbreak? Definitely feni. Even the word Patrão (meaning “boss” in Portuguese) has roots in tavern culture because back in the day, the guy buying drinks was automatically the leader of the squad.
Stop 6: Dodol, The Dessert That Sounds Like a Drum Beat
We end on a sweet note with dodol—a sticky, coconut-jaggery pudding that proves Goan desserts are in a league of their own. Made with coconut milk, jaggery, and warming spices like cloves and cinnamon, it’s a warm hug in food form.
But there’s a twist! We don’t just have the good old dodol—we’ve got a special version with a surprise ingredient. Want to know what it is? You’ll have to join the trail to find out.
More Than Just a Food Trail
This trail isn’t just about eating and drinking (though we do plenty of that). It’s about time-traveling through taste, laughing over local legends, and discovering hidden gems that even some Goans don’t know about.
You’ll leave with:
- A happy stomach
- A slightly tipsy mind
- A whole new appreciation for Goan culture
So, if you’re ready to walk, eat, sip, and laugh your way through Goa’s best-kept secrets—book your spot now. Just don’t tell too many people. After all, it’s a secret for a reason.
