It all began with the dough—soft, well-rested and full of possibilities. The brainchild of Aliya and Imran Hai, the story goes back to when the couple moved to Goa nearly a decade ago. In 2019, they opened Villa Nova, a wood-fired pizzeria in Arpora that quickly became a neighbourhood favourite.
But somewhere along the way, between sourdough trials and oven-side experiments, a new idea started to take shape, wood-fired sandwiches. What began as a curious experiment on Villa Nova’s menu, refused to stay small.
Driven by their passion Aliya and Imran began to dream bigger. A dedicated space built around the magic of sandwiches, made with bread that’s baked fresh to order, not a minute before, felt like the next best step.
And so, Nova Sandwich Shop opened its doors on May 19, 2025, a new chapter all about crafting sandwiches that start with incredible bread, finished in a wood-fired oven and inspired by flavours from across the globe.
FLAVOUR LOADED
At Nova, the sandwich isn’t made on the bread. It’s made with bread. With over 14 options, the sandwiches on the menu are a mix of fresh veggie and delicious meat creations.
“While we currently offer one house bread, more versions are on the horizon,” reveals Monica Sancheti, part of the team behind Nova.
From every loaf to the stirred up sauce, to the fillings and pickles, everything is made in-house from scratch. Nova uses only imported cured meats and most sandwiches feature fresh buffalo mozzarella, made locally in Goa. The sandwiches range from Rs 500 to Rs 800, reflecting the care and craft that goes into every element.
Apart from sandwiches, they also serve in-house wood-fired baos, salads, thick hand-cut fries, and an addictive ‘nduja chilli cheese.
“Our wood-fired baos are a bit of a rarity, you’ll be hard-pressed to find them done this way elsewhere,” Monica claims. Guests can also enjoy chilled mocktails, brewed coffee and soon, a curated alcohol menu once the license is in place.
HANGOUT FAVOURITE
A sunlit, six-table café with a warm, window-lined charm, stepping in feels instantly personal. And there’s one whimsical detail that anchors Nova’s identity, the yellow ducks.
“The cosy interiors are brought to life by the playful spirit of Aliya and Imran—both obsessed with rubber ducks. From Lisbon to Amsterdam, they’ve scouted down duck shops and built a joyful collection now peeking out from every corner of the space,” Monica shares. The café also features a growing line of merch—from tees and hats to umbrellas—keeping the fun going long after the last bite.
With a goal to have guests experience what fresh-baked bread really tastes like and layer sandwiches with flavour, balance and a touch of playfulness, the team at Nova is constantly experimenting, with more breads, more soups (especially for Goa’s rainy season) and new ideas.
“We welcome anyone who loves good food and is curious about the craft. Our guests span across all age groups—from curious college kids to sandwich connoisseurs in their 50s and 60s. If you value quality, flavour and a little whimsy on your plate, Nova’s likely to feel like your kind of place,” Monica concludes.
DETAILS
WHERE: Nova Sandwich Shop, Anjuna
TIMINGS: Open from 12 to 4 pm and 7 to 10 pm
PRICINGS: Sandwiches range from Rs 500 to 800
DELIVERY: Available on Swiggy and Zomato