We all love trying something new that excites us. And, when it comes to travel, it's almost the perfect excuse to dive into new experiences, especially the culinary treasures of a destination.
Amidst the wide variety of cuisines that Goa offers, what remains close to the heart and is one of the most sought-after options is the authentic Goan platter. If you're looking for that, what luck, new in town, the Goldspot Canteen is offering sumptuous Goan flavours.
About two years ago, Iram along with her friend, Sameera, took their friendship to the next level by opening their first venture together - Goldspot Café.
Just a month ago, they followed up with their second collaboration, Goldspot Canteen.
Speaking about the latest venture, Iram excitedly shares, “Goldspot Canteen opened in December and focuses on authentic Goan food. We serve thalis and Goan dishes and stuff like that.” It’s a breakfast, lunch and snacks place.
Set in a striking yellow, old Indo-Portuguese house, the canteen is tucked away in the charming bylanes of Fontainhas, just a few minutes’ walk from the Goldspot Café.
You enter the space to a neat setup of chairs and tables, paintings and pretty windows, but what instantly grabs your attention is an entire wall of neatly stacked books.
“We wanted to be more like a community canteen kind of space where people not only come and enjoy their food, but can also read a book. That again, is because we’ve seen people engrossed in their phones. So, we want them to enjoy a book instead,” says Iram.
Before you pick a book, you can also check out their menu that lists thalis, rice, xacuti, Ros Omelette, Fish Fry (like chonak, kingfish), vegetable curry, the traditional prawn curry and all kinds of biryanis (available on pre-order).
“The food is inspired by the chef,” shares Iram, as the chef herself soon joins us.
Rarely do we get the chance to start over, but when that opportunity arrives, we must seize it with both hands. That’s something Saira Khan, the chef at Goldspot Canteen, did pursuing something that she’d love doing as a kid.
“It’s like a dream come true,” Saira smiles. At age 55, she joined the culinary college at Cidade de Goa, and during Covid, when her daughter and her friend decided to open a café, it was almost like everything had suddenly clicked.
“I got the opportunity to work with this team and I took it,” she says, adding how she is well-versed with different kinds of cuisines having learnt from friends, families and neighbours, too.
“I learnt to make Christmas sweets from my Catholic neighbours, when I used to go and help make neureos, kormolam, dodol, bebinca, doce, everything. Similarly during Diwali, making modak was a huge thing. Biryani is something I learnt from my mother-in-law and sister-in-law,” Saira mentions.
When asked to pick her favourite dishes from the menu, she lists biryanis, prawn curry and also kismoor. “Only one thing, O my God, whatever I make I make with love, positivity and happily," she smiles and giggles.
While her love for cooking is clearly seen in the way she speaks so fondly about the food, she also loves experimenting.
“The aim is to highlight the versatility of Goan cuisine. We offer a vegetarian thali, a unique twist on traditional Goan cuisine, where dishes typically made with fish are prepared in a vegetarian version."
"Another example is our Spicy Bean Pao, a patty made from alsande beans, served in a traditional Goan pao, showcasing the best of local flavours,” Iram says, quickly adding that local ingredients are sourced directly from around Goa.
The team has plans of hosting community events, engaging more home-grown chefs, especially women, and have opened up the space for the working crowd.
“We are trying to understand the market, and eventually, we will,” shares Iram.
Whether you're craving a traditional Goan curry or a comforting Fish Fry, every bite promises a burst of authentic taste. Unfortunately, you can’t get their food on Swiggy, but until then, you can walk into their little space and taste the hearty meals and Goan flavours.
DETAILS
LOCATION: Goldspot Canteen, Rua de Natal, Fontainhas, Panjim
SPECIALITY: Breakfast and lunch place; Goan thali, vegetarian thali and bulk orders (1 kg) of biryani
PRICING: Approx Rs 300, depending on fish
TIMINGS: 9 am to 6 pm (closed on Tuesdays)
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/goldspotgoa
PHONE: +91 9923875380