As the season comes around, Goa gets exciting with a flurry of new cafés, restaurants and bars. Sifting through to find the good ones takes time and it’s usually further afield, in places like Vagator and Morjim in north Goa, that I find gems most often. Recently, I was pleasantly surprised to discover a new hotspot right here in Calangute.
Divo Café & Bar lies on the main trunk of the Calangute-Baga stretch, offering easy connectivity with all the hotels and resorts in the area, and a short walk from the beach. Its ambiance and décor is chic, laid-back and presents the venture with a smooth transition from day-time café to lounge and bar.
The interiors by Rhea Kumar and illustrator Manuela Mendonca Gomes are minimalist but very well thought out – clean lines, carefully chosen colour palette and warm hues for furniture. The design concept has beautifully moulded a contemporary space that still manages to represent the charming heritage of Goa with art inspired by the renowned Mario Miranda.
This venture by the young and dynamic Trivesh Ajgaonkar and Shikar Kumar focuses on global fusion food, delectable café bites and excellent cocktails that pair perfectly with the melodic strains of live music and sophisticated evening shisha experience.
The duo have chosen well, as this style of café-bar that aims at high quality food and beverage, as well as entertainment, is exactly what tourists are looking for in the area. Even locals are keen on premium hotspots that consistently offer good quality ambience through the year.
We were warmly welcomed by Chef Manas Patra who took us through the menu which he painstakingly curated based on his in-depth knowledge of fare that is expected to be popular. The bar menu itself is a well thought out list, offering just the right amount of choice for guests. It has everything from Champagne to premium gins and tequilas, while expert mixologists are on hand to whip up cocktails according to your mood.
Divo Café & Bar has an interesting shots deal – which gets guests six shots for the price of five, a pretty enticing offer for groups of young people starting a night on the town. Smoothies, decadent shakes and a variety of teas and coffees bring the beverage menu to a close.
The kitchen brings out a tempting range of global fusion food that offers guests everything from healthy options to full-scale comfort food. Through our delightful evening meal we were presented with a taste of delicious cocktails, particularly the outstanding Feel The Jalapeno and its lovely spice hit, and the Berry Berry Mojito.
Our palates were teased with a roasted tomato and basil soup, followed by a watermelon and feta cheese salad, and the chef’s special seafood salad featuring squids, prawns and fish tossed in a vinaigrette dressing.
To keep us going while they prepared our mains, the staff brought us Divo’s already popular cheese balls – crunchy, crumb-fried globs stuffed with melted cheese and pesto, and breaded mushrooms stuffed with cheese served with a delightful tartare sauce.
Mains included a cottage cheese steak – a grilled slab of fresh cottage cheese served with house salad and sautéed vegetables, and grilled chicken marinated in mustard sauce and served with sautéed vegetables.
A beautiful surprise arrived at the end – Oreo Madness, a decadent chocolate-filled dessert that took me straight back to my childhood. This alone was enough to make me ensure I return for more.
Divo Café & Bar promises an exciting food and beverage experience within a beautiful space, with flair and style, more than enough to keep patrons sweeping through their doors.
For Reservations Contact – 7447400831
Sinéad McManus 