Diya PadiyarGoa in the summer is hot—like melt-your-ice-cream-in-seconds hot. But if there’s one thing that makes up for the sweltering heat, it’s the food. Goan summer cuisine is all about beating the heat with refreshing drinks, seasonal fruits, and traditional dishes that have been keeping locals cool for generations. So, let’s get started on sipping glasses of sol kadhi after a spicy meal or biting into a juicy slice of mango. Truly, summer in Goa is a foodie’s dream!
So, grab a plate (and maybe a napkin for all that mango juice dribbling down your chin), because we’re going to hog into some of the best summer foods in Goa!
Here’s A List of Must-Try Summer Foods in Goa
1. Sol Kadhi – The OG Summer Cooler
If you’ve spent even a day in Goa, you know that sol kadhi isn’t just a drink—it’s a way of life. Made from kokum (a sour fruit that’s practically Goa’s best-kept secret) and coconut milk, this refreshing pink drink is the ultimate antidote to the summer heat. It’s tangy, mildly spicy, and cools you down faster than an afternoon nap.
Goans swear by sol kadhi not just as a drink but as a digestive after meals. Spent the day devouring a plate of fiery Goan curry? A chilled glass of sol kadhi is here to rescue your taste buds and your stomach.
Where to Try: Any local tavernas or beachside shacks will serve up a good sol kadhi, but for the best homemade version, you’ll need a Goan friend’s grandma.
2. Mangoes – Goa’s Golden Treasure
If summer had a mascot, it would be a mango. And in Goa, mango season is almost a festival. From the sweet and buttery Mankurad mangoes to the tart and fibrous Monserrate, Goans take their mangoes very seriously. You’ll find mangoes being eaten in every possible way—freshly sliced, blended into aamras, turned into mango pudding, or even in the traditional Mango Sasav, a sweet-sour-spicy curry made with ripe mangoes and mustard seeds and is a favourite summer food in Goa. Yes, mangoes in curry. It sounds odd, but one bite and you’ll be wondering why you ever doubted Goan grandmothers.
Where to Try: Hit up the Mapusa or Panjim markets for the freshest local mangoes, or stop by any Goan home in summer—chances are, they’ll force-feed you a mango or five.
3. Urrak – Goa’s Boozy Summer Secret
While feni gets all the fame, true Goans know that summer is all about urrak. This early distillate of cashew fruit is light, fragrant, and best enjoyed with soda, lime, and a hint of salt. It’s mildly alcoholic, making it the perfect drink for those long summer evenings when you want to relax without feeling like you’ve had one-too-many.
Urrak season is short, making it even more special. By monsoon, it’s gone—so if you’re in Goa between March and May, don’t miss your chance to sip on this seasonal Goan classic.
Where to Try: Local bars and taverns like Joseph’s Bar in Panjim or tiny roadside joints in South Goa. Or, if you have a local friend, beg them to introduce you to a bottle-sourcing expert (because every Goan knows a guy who knows a guy).
4. Goan Cucumber Cake (Tausali)
When the Goan heat gets unbearable, Tausali comes to the rescue! This light, steamed cucumber cake is a traditional Goan dessert made with grated cucumber, rava (semolina), jaggery, and coconut. The natural water content of cucumber keeps it moist and refreshing, making it the perfect guilt-free treat for hot days. Unlike heavy, baked sweets, Tausali is steamed, keeping it easy on the stomach. While it’s mostly a homemade delight, some local bakeries and traditional Goan eateries might serve it during peak cucumber season. If you ever get a chance, grab a slice—it’s summer in every bite!
5. Tival – The Unsung Hero of Summer
Tival is a refreshing Goan drink made from kokum (Garcinia indica), a fruit native to the Western Ghats. Similar to sol kadhi, this beverage is prepared by infusing dried kokum petals in water, often accompanied by green chilies, asafoetida (hing), and coriander leaves.
Tival is traditionally served at the end of a meal to aid digestion, especially after consuming spicy or heavy dishes. Its cooling properties make it particularly popular during the hot summer months in Goa.
6. Kokum Juice – Your Natural AC
While sol kadhi is kokum’s star moment, kokum juice is its cooler (pun intended) cousin. Made from sun-dried kokum skins and a hint of sugar, this ruby-red drink is Goa’s answer to the summer heat. It’s cooling, refreshing, and packed with antioxidants—so technically, it’s healthy too.
You’ll find kokum juice being sold in markets, served at restaurants, and even available as a syrup to mix at home. Whether you drink it straight or spike it with a bit of soda, one thing’s for sure—it’s Goa’s best non-alcoholic summer drink.
Where to Try: Any traditional Goan restaurant or, if you want the real deal, grab a bottle of homemade kokum concentrate from the local markets.
7. Goan Jackfruit-y Delights
Mangoes may be the golden child of summer, but jackfruit is the quirky cousin who deserves some love too. In Goa, jackfruit is eaten in various forms—ripe as a sweet treat, or raw in savory dishes.
Jackfruit patties and curries are a summer delicacy, while the sweet version finds its way into homemade jams, chips, and even Dodol, a sticky, coconut-based Goan dessert.
The best part is that if you’ve never had jackfruit before, tasting it is a wild experience. It’s sweet, fragrant, and has a texture somewhere between a banana and a pineapple—sounds confusing, but trust me, it works.
Where to Try: Look for jackfruit-based sweets at local markets or try a jackfruit tonak (spicy curry) in village homes.
Summer in Goa is a season of flavors, where every meal comes with a side of nostalgia and every drink cools you from the inside out. From the tangy kick of sol kadhi to the pure joy of biting into a ripe mango, these Goan summer delicacies aren’t just about food—they’re about tradition, family, and beating the heat in the most delicious way possible.
So, whether you’re in Goa or just dreaming about it, grab a glass of kokum juice, put your feet up, and let the taste of Goan summer transport you straight to paradise.
