Tucked away in quaint lane of Anjuna, is Goa’s hottest new opening this season — Mahé — in a gorgeously restored century-old Portuguese mansion. This restaurant-cum-bar celebrates India’s coastal cuisines — its name Mahé alluding to the coastal town in Kerala. A collaboration between restauranteur Parth Timbadia and Chef Sandeep Sreedharan (who hails from Mahé, interestingly enough).
Guests can choose to dine in the mansion, in the dining room or bar, or, like we did, enjoy an al fresco dining experience in the beautiful courtyard. Down to the brass tacks, the food is unpretentious, bathed in nostalgia and celebrates Indian produce. Familiar coastal staples are used with gusto — coconut, tapioca, chettinad masala, moong, hoppers among many others.
We did end up gorging the menu, which blends old and new — Mahé prawn curry, flavoured to perfection, served with a side of string hoppers (a Kerala staple, but also an allusion to Sri Lankan cuisine), chicken stew with hoppers, chicken chettinad served with ghee rice, Kerala beef fry and fish with Goan rechaad spices. While the classics stood tall, we also tried some of Chef Sandeep’s more avant-garde intepretations like stuffed morels in potato jus, slow-cooked mackerel with fresh plums and even a delicate red snapper ceviche.
Book a table here if you fancy a chic Goan experience in a restored heritage setting, with comfort food and nostalgic ingredients!
Mahé Timings: Lunch: 1200pm to 0330pm and Dinner: 0630pm to 1130pm
Contact No.: +91 97658 74858
Address: House 1111, Anjuna Arpora Road, Mazal Waddo, Anjuna, Goa