There comes a moment in every Goan’s regular life when the usual haunts begin to feel… well, too usual. The same faces. The same menus. The same cocktail that somehow still isn’t quite strong enough. And so, on a Saturday night, in the spirit of adventure (and a deep need for a place that wouldn’t drown us in beach shack nostalgia), we made our way to Alila Diwa, a resort in South Goa.
Now, Alila offers options. There’s Spice Studio, sophisticated and promising serving Coastal Cuisine and Vivo, which seemed lovely but wasn’t calling our name. And then there was Edge—a pool-facing, bar-cum-diner that immediately gave off the vibe of somewhere you could sip a drink, feel vaguely important, and pretend to have life figured out. Decision made.
Edge is stylish but relaxed, a careful balance between “casual” and “you should’ve worn something slightly nicer.” It’s open, airy, and decked out in chic green hues.
More importantly, it isn’t one of those places where you spend dinner elbow-dueling strangers. Plenty of space. Good lighting. A pool view. If nothing else, Edge is a place where you’ll feel like you made a good choice.
We started with a Bira Beer—cold, refreshing, the kind of tap beer that instantly convinces you that yes, this night was an excellent idea. Then came the food.
First up: burrata salad, which was creamy, delicate, and made me briefly consider whether I should move to Italy and dedicate my life to cheese.
Next, cafreal poi sliders, which were small but mighty—spiced, juicy, and tucked into a cloud of poi bread.
And then, guacamole and flatbread, which arrived perfectly crisp, the guac just the right level of fresh and zesty.
Then came dessert. Now, I wanted to love the banoffee pie. But somehow it was a bit too creamy for my liking. I could give it a miss. Not one of my favourites of the evening.
One highlight, however: the poi bread with garlic butter. An unexpected delight. The sort of thing that makes you want to abandon all pretense and just ask for another plate of only that.
Would I go back? In a heartbeat. The food was excellent, the vibe was spot on, and honestly, I’d like another go at that beer-and-bread combination.
If you’re ready to trade routine for a night that’s as refreshingly cool as it is subtly subversive, Edge is waiting with open arms and a wry smile.
Honest Reviews 