It’s a rare pleasure, dining in a place that manages to be unapologetically chic yet utterly unpretentious. Ye Catarina in Fontainhas, Panjim, is precisely that—a little European enclave that feels like it was plucked from a cobblestone street in Lisbon and gently deposited in the heart of Goa. Here, amidst the kaleidoscope of Fontainhas’ heritage homes, the restaurant whispers seductively: Stay awhile. Have another glass of wine. Maybe a dessert. Or two.
Inside, there’s a sort of rustic European romance at play. Wooden furniture that is charmingly mismatched, artful bric-a-brac on shelves, and a projector flashing Postmodern Jukebox jazz that feels like a private serenade. Admittedly, John, the ever-dapper manager, assures us that the inspiration for the interiors came from Lorna—Goa’s own evergreen nightingale. It’s all a bit meta but utterly effective.
And the food? Well, the food here doesn’t shout. It doesn’t strut. It doesn’t throw edible flowers at you for Instagram likes. Instead, it charms. We started with the Beetroot Carpaccio, which was a revelation—a delicate plate of beet so thin you could read poetry through it, lightly dressed in something citrusy and clever along with a pinch of goat cheese. It’s the kind of dish that makes you consider ordering two but also makes you feel smugly healthy, so you can justify the bottle of wine that follows.
The Calamari, Prawn, and Silver Bait Fried bowl was a golden, crispy triumph. This is the kind of dish where you just keep reaching for “one more,” until you’ve wolfed down a pile of seafood as though you’ve been lost at sea for weeks. It pairs beautifully with the wine—our choice of bottle was light, fruity, and dangerously drinkable.
The Chicken Tacos arrived like a small edible fiesta, stuffed to the gills and practically begging to be devoured in three greedy bites. Admittedly, they aren’t the daintiest of tacos, and you might need a second napkin or a bib if you’re feeling dainty. But let’s face it, we’re here to eat, not pose for Vogue.
Desserts here are not just an afterthought—they’re a love letter. The Chocolate cake with Baileys Ice Cream was smooth, creamy, and packed the kind of boozy punch that would have you texting your ex if you weren’t too busy licking the spoon.
But the real star was the Citrus Cake with Pistachio, which was a gentle slice of sunshine on a plate. The citrus tang and nutty pistachios played off each other like the perfect jazz duet, sweet and zesty, leaving you wondering why anyone bothers with chocolate anymore.
Ye Catarina isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a hug, a wink, a nightcap you didn’t know you needed. The music is spot-on, the food comforting yet clever, and the ambience cozy enough to make you cancel all plans just to linger a little longer. It’s one of the most charming places I’ve stumbled across in recent times.
Would I return? Absolutely. And this time, I’m ordering two desserts. And another bottle of wine.
Honest Reviews 