Kiki - By the sea — Restaurant in Goa

A restaurant or cafe must be first known by its food but this restaurant follows looks. Rich Bohemian style decor and furnishings, natural lighting with great panoramic views of the sea and an open bar with great staff, seems all nice. People can choose to either sit in a naturally ventilated area or dine in the confines of an air-conditioned dining room with live music and special kudos to the singers who were just brilliant with their songs. The cutlery and comfort were all great. The menu is also quite vast and detailed enough. Everything looks good and I made a visit to this place by chance with my friends on a rather hot day in December. We decided to situate ourselves at a corner table facing the panoramic view of the sea. The staff were quite attentive and serviceable. We went ahead and ordered Spring Rolls, Charcoal Dahi Kebab, Peri-Peri Paneer Shawarma, Pan-Fried Noodles and Milk Chocolate Orange. The Spring Rolls just looked fantastic along with Honey Chili Sauce. We were six people and we were served Five spring rolls, each roughly the size of a cigar. And the taste, was rather underwhelming. Insufficient and Bland filling only saved by the heat of the sauce and the crunch of the roll. The Charcoal Dahi Kebab looked very ingenious and special but again, it was just four pieces for 6 people with a side of mint curd chutney. The taste was rather lovely. It was very moreish, accentuated with the aromatic spices incorporated in its making and I certainly liked the delicate crunch of the Charcoal-black outside of the kebab and I only wished there was more of it. The Shawarma, probably was the first and the only thing that was served in six pieces after we requested to cut it into six pieces. The filling was quite satisfying and full of flavour and it certainly did contain enough Cottage Cheese enrobed in sauces of Tzatziki, Tahini, Peri-Peri flavouring, Hummus and the incorporation of chopped tomatoes and onions. It certainly was a filling very much to my liking and I liked it better with the Chili dip. The Pan-Fried Noodles looked saucy with enough fried noodles on top and cooked noodles immersed in the sauce with lots of vegetables on the top however, it wasn't amusing and it certainly wasn't something any of my friends would remember especially for its ordinary taste. It was missing the much needed oomph and elevation to make the dish brilliant. And coming to the desserts, it was sad to see that there was only one eggless dish which was quite classic and none of the other desserts can be made eggless which is seriously a big setback and disappointment to the vegetarian crowd. It almost felt like that The Milk Chocolate Orange only existed just for the sake of Vegetarians and assumed that they needn't require fancy desserts after putting ample vegetarian options in the rest of the menu. Anyway, coming to the dessert that was ordered, It was a classic and was well-prepared. The layering of the milk chocolate mousse over a think layer of chocolate cake all doused in the flavouring of Orange and citrus was quite decadent, moreish-ly sweet, not ambrosial but still worth a try. The Grilled orange on top looked pretty but was nothing out of the ordinary to elevate the dish. Now, with all food done and dusted, the bill soared to an unexpected total and I was surprised that I still found myself like my friends, half full. The taste was rather just about average and the generosity was too poor. it surprises me that there wasn't even one appetiser that comes with at least six full pieces unlike most restaurants. This luxurious looking fine dine looked and only looked the business but nothing more and it was severely disappointing that there wasn't even one dish which I could crown as the dish of the day. They were just too many flaws that cannot be overlooked with every dish and it was just too pricey and not worth what it served. It just seemed as if they took the fact that being luxurious means being very minimalistic to the plate and glass. 2.5...

While the place looks amazing, the behaviour and staff attitude just kills the essence of hospitality.

At the onset I informed them that my wife is pregnant and asked for a comfortable seat. They demanded a 4000/- cover charge which I gave instantly They took me to an absolute corner of the restaurant with hardly any air circulation and at that point the lady casually informs us that the table can be used by us only for 2 hours. At that point I asked her why was this not informed earlier - she said, I am informing you now and this is the management’s rule My wife then told me that we will renew the cover charge at the end of the time period if need be. She requested that we be moved to a better table in the same line. There were many empty tables but they refused- they were 4 people tables and can’t be given to 2 people. When my wife pointed out that all the 4 member tables were occupied by 2 people - all we got to hear was sorry sir A manager wearing sunglasses walks up to us with an air of arrogance as if owns the state - says are you taking this or should you go for a refund? We said we are thinking. He calmly walks out of the discussion. While we are still contemplating, manager points to us from afar - like you would call a proverbial “Chhotu” and asks us to come stand near the podium at entrance - I informed him again that my wife is pregnant and now also tired (she’s been standing even since we reached the restaurant because these guys haven’t offered her a seat or water or even a kind word). I told Mr Manager that my wife is standing in the shade and deciding if we want to stay. He again just points his fingers to us and then the podium - and that’s where my decision was made to leave the place. He also informed us that I am selling your table to the next party. The staff informed us - sir please put in a review on Google so that our management sees this.

Having been in hospitality all my life, this continues to prove again and again that if someone comes into a little money, the general first step is to open a pretty restaurant - but the essence of hospitality comes more from behaviour, company culture and guest care than only instagrammable sites. That is why a lot of restaurants open every year and shut down after a season or two. In hospitality we invite guests. But for these guys we were just another customer. The Kiki management should really look at a lot of staff sensitisation...

Kiki by the Sea gave us a dinner that hit every note—immaculate seafood, polished service, and a sundowner vibe that felt cinematic from first toast to last bite. The fish dish was the star—silky-fresh, perfectly seasoned, and arguably the best we’ve ever tasted, the kind of plate that goes quiet at the table because everyone is too happy to talk. Food we loved • The standout fish was pristine and cooked with that just-set tenderness, lifted by a clean, coastal spice profile that let the freshness sing without heavy sauces. • Small plates and seafood sides matched the standard—consistent seasoning, balanced acidity, and plating that felt refined without being fussy. • Cocktails were bright and beach-forward, built for sunsets—balanced, not syrupy, and easy to pair with seafood through the evening. Atmosphere and vibe • Beachfront seating with open sky, breeze, and that golden-hour glow that makes everything feel a little unreal—this is a true sundowner spot where the setting is half the experience. • The energy builds into the night with music and performances, but never drowns the conversation—the sweet spot between lively and laid-back. • Design cues—cane, coastal textures, and warm lighting—create an intimate yet celebratory feel, ideal for date nights or a friends’ feast by the water. Service and pacing • Warm, switched-on staff and smooth pacing across courses kept the evening effortless, with thoughtful suggestions that fit the seaside menu. • Reservations recommended at sunset; the place is a magnet at golden hour and after-dark, as the water glistened. There is a cover charge which you can redeem with your final bill obviously. • The overall experience leans premium, but the quality of produce, execution, and setting make it feel well worth it for a special night. Final take • This was easily one of our best dinners to date in Goa—top-tier fish, a sunset that lingers in memory, and a rhythm to the night that made the whole meal feel like a celebration by design. • If you’re planning one big dinner in North Goa, make it here, time it for sunset, and say yes to the seafood—this is where the coast tastes...