George Restaurant & Bar — Restaurant in Goa Island

George Restaurant & Bar in Panaji is a beloved institution since 1956, nestled next to the Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church. It has earned a reputation for serving authentic, home-style Goan cuisine in an unpretentious, warm setting. 

🌟 Ambience & Setting • Old‑world charm: A modest interior with simple wooden furnishings, a full bar, and cozy indoor seating—it feels more like a Goa Catholic family kitchen than a polished eatery. • Prime location: Situated opposite the municipal gardens and the iconic church, it’s popular with both locals (even students!) and tourists. 

🍽️ Culinary Highlights

George’s menu predominantly features Goan classics with a strong focus on beef and pork dishes: • Beef rolado: Tender beef rolled with vegetables and pork fat; now served daily due to high demand—“a dish only a Goan will appreciate.”  • Beef tongue (salted or roast): Lauded for its smooth texture and nuanced flavor.  • Sorpotel, pork cutlets, roast pigling, sausage pulao: Celebrated as nostalgic Goan village feast staples.  • Seafood & other starters: Items like butter garlic prawns, bombil fry, and fish thali receive occasional praise—but meat dishes typically outshine. 

Many reviews describe a “fantastic blend of history and delicious food,” with standout dishes like beef, crab, chicken, sausage pao, and caramel pudding. 

👍 What Works • Authenticity & flavour: Deeply rooted in Goan culinary traditions with robust, satisfying flavours.  • Generous portions & fair price: Around ₹1,000 for two (excluding alcohol) – ample and affordable.  • Friendly, familial service: Staff known for being warm and personable—though a few reports note inconsistent warmth.

👎 What to Keep in Mind • Service speed: Can get slow during peak hours. “Packed full… the wait was worth it,” but patience helps.  • Basic amenities: Some diners noted issues like restroom access being denied—a rare but disappointing occurrence.  • Ambience is no-frills: Charming but simple; interior is snug and can feel noisy due to nearby traffic. 

📝 Verdict

George Restaurant & Bar is a must‑visit for Goan food purists seeking genuine, richly spiced beef and pork dishes served in a time-honoured setting. If you savour hearty, flavourful meals and don’t mind a casual, bustling atmosphere—or occasional slow service—it’s a true gem. However, those expecting polished service or upscale ambience may find it lacks sophistication.

💡 Tips for Visitors • Arrive early or during weekdays to beat the crowd and avoid waits. • Order the signature meats: Don’t miss beef rolado, salted tongue, sausage pulao, sorpotel, and pork cutlets. • Seafood lovers: Try the prawns or fish thali—but let the meat dishes remain the star. • Cash/Card: Both accepted; average cost approximately ₹1,000 for two.   

In Summary

If you’re after authentic Goan cuisine, deep-rooted culinary culture, and hearty meat dishes served up with sincerity, George delivers. It’s an enduring legacy deserving a spot on every foodie’s Panaji...

Disappointing Experience: Overcooked, Dry Chicken at George Hotel I recently had the misfortune of dining at George Hotel, and the chicken dish I ordered was an unmitigated disaster. The culinary catastrophe that arrived at my table was an insult to the very concept of cooking.

Overcooked and Dry The chicken breast was cooked to an unholy crisp, rendering it as dry as the Sahara desert. Each bite was a chore, like chewing on a piece of leather. The texture was unpleasantly rubbery, making me wonder if it had been sitting under the heat lamp for hours.

Lackluster Presentation The presentation was lackluster, with the chicken slapped onto the plate like an afterthought. The accompanying vegetables were limp and flavorless, adding nothing to the dish.

Uninspired Seasoning The seasoning was uninspired, with a generic sprinkling of salt and pepper that failed to elevate the dish in any way. It was clear that the chef had phoned it in, relying on the most basic of seasoning techniques.

Disappointing Value Considering the exorbitant price tag, I expected a dish that would at least meet the basic standards of culinary competence. Instead, I was served a subpar meal that left me feeling disappointed and ripped off.

Final Verdict In conclusion, my experience with the chicken dish at George Hotel was a resounding disappointment. With its overcooked, dry texture, lackluster presentation, uninspired seasoning, and disappointing value, this dish is a must-avoid. Unless the hotel takes drastic measures to revamp their culinary offerings, I would advise diners to steer clear of this...

My visit to George Bar & Restaurant in Panjim, Goa, left me with mixed feelings. While the location was convenient and easily accessible, the overall dining experience fell short of my expectations, earning an average rating of 6 out of 10.

I decided to try their Prawn Curry Rice, which turned out to be quite disappointing. The taste didn't justify the hefty price tag of Rs. 250, making it feel like a lackluster meal. Surprisingly, just a couple of blocks away, I found an entire fish Thali for only Rs. 100, which seemed like a much better deal in comparison.

Hygiene and service were decent, receiving a rating of 6 out of 10. However, I couldn't help but notice that the service seemed to prioritize foreign patrons, which led to delays in attending to local customers like myself.

The restaurant's ambiance left much to be desired, with a somewhat dingy atmosphere and regular drinkers frequenting the place. Even the AC section wasn't as pleasant as I had hoped, which affected the overall comfort of my dining experience.

Taking everything into account, George Bar & Restaurant didn't live up to my expectations in terms of value for money and overall satisfaction. Unfortunately, I won't be including it in my list of recommended dining spots in Panjim.

In conclusion, while the location was convenient and the staff were courteous, the lackluster food, ambiance, and pricing left much to be desired. As a result, I personally won't be returning to George Bar & Restaurant for future dining...