Caravela café and bistro is now a name that is synonymous with great coffee and excellent food. It’s been my favorite for years now and it makes me immensely happy to see how they have grown from 1 to 3 outlets and hopefully many more in the time to come.
Although I have been to all the outlets of Caravela, the Fontainhas one, the Candolim one and the newly opened one on the 18th June Road, this new outlet has my heart. It has a different vibe altogether. It’s chicer, and vibrant and has a youthful appeal that cannot go unnoticed. I am sure it will soon be a hot spot for all youngsters who like to hang out at places that serve great food, and coffees and are easy on the pocket too.
From the moment you walk through the door, you feel a positive vibe everywhere. I find it very homey. While the decor is simple and nothing loud, you can’t fail to notice some eye-catching posters on the walls that add to the whole vibe of the cafe.
Its spread across 2 floors, where the lower floor offers limited seating, but lets you get tempted with its huge display of desserts that are freshly prepared in-house, every day and also the lower floor has a small shop-like setting from where you can buy some exclusive stuff from the hills of South India, like pickles, chocolates, organic soaps and much more.
Sharing more about the cafe, Cyrus Noronha, Executive Director, Caravela Cafe & Bistro said, “Our third outlet is our commitment to serving great food with great ambience to visitors in Goa. I believe in conversations over food as the best way to bond with people. In a traditional Goan home, food is the centrepiece for family gatherings where everyone comes together and shares. Our ‘No Work Cafe’ policy is not always loved by everyone, but we have limited seating and continue to have a very loyal user base who love coming to our outlets for the coffee, food and conversations and not work.”
This place is sure to satisfy your coffee cravings whether you prefer it hot or cold. Classic cold coffee and Vietnamese coffee from this cafe are my all-time favourites, as well as a cappuccino or latte that is unrivalled. There are some other beverages also available on the menu, but a true coffee lover can’t leave the cafe without tasting one of their signature coffees.
Speaking more about their coffees, Carlos Noronha Jr, Executive Director, Caravela Cafe & Bistro shares, “Our cafe roasts its own coffee known as Latin Quarter, we have 5 varieties of coffee suited for different palates. Two are dark roasts and two are medium roasts, we also have a light roast for people who prefer their coffee on the milder side.
We roast every alternate day so one can always get fresh coffee. Our coffee is also available for sale at all our three outlets as beans or in powder form.”
Caravela has some amazing options for food on their menu and their All Day Breakfast in particular is a delight to indulge in.
Rissois are Caravela’s speciality. Although the prawn ones are unbeatable, trust me, the veg version is equally delicious.
Also on the menu are Beef Samosas or Beef Potato Chops and Croquettes (Beef & Chicken), which are worth trying if you want something to munch on while you sip your cup of coffee.
The burgers and sandwiches are definitely worth digging for if you’re looking for something more filling. Among my personal recommendations are the Ham & Cheese Sandwich, the Chicken Club Sandwich, and the Tomato Cucumber Cheese Sandwich. Also, the juicy and delicious Beef Burger. They also have some pasta on the menu, and I loved the sea-food pasta I tried.
There is a lot of temptation in the dessert section. You can choose from delectable cake slices, apple pies, tarts, pancakes, and seradura. The warm apple pie and croissant with my coffee were delicious, but do not miss the cheesecake and the carrot cake, they were the best I had.
Overall, for me, Caravela is a place that I can always trust with good food, good coffee and good service as well. And I personally look forward to more of their outlets opening soon.
So if you haven’t been to the new outlet on the 18th June road, this is your sign. Go for it.
Restaurant Details
Address: Panaji, 18th June Road
Shop Number 3, Vagle Vision, Dr Pandurang Pissurlekar Rd, Panaji, Goa 403001.
Contact: +91 9529549200
Cost for two: Rs 800 approx
