Voltaire — Restaurant in Goa

We’d heard about Hotel Voltaire in Res Magos through my relative who mentioned that it served good quality authentic Goan food in a beautiful setting. That alone piqued our interest — and since it’s located quite close to our place, we decided to visit. But while the place has its own charm and uniqueness, it came with a fair share of delays and limitations.

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Ambience & Architecture:

Located along a narrow road leading to the iconic Res Magos fort area, the approach can be a bit tricky due to limited parking. We had to park a little away in an open patch, since all parking was full and street parking can cause congestions.

But once you step in, you’re met with a beautifully preserved Olden Goa-style house turned into a beautiful restaurant with great ambience. The good quality wooden interiors (you can listen to sweet tap woods do), arched windows, antique furnishings, and quirky décor like a ship-turned-light installation truly make it a photographer’s delight. There’s also a garden outside on 1st floor and several old utensils and tools on display, creating an authentic rustic vibe. Great use of hoarding disorder. Specially come with your parents and they will tell you stories of past.

On the nameboard, it says “Dungats Voltaire” — and “Dhungat” immediately struck a chord, as he is known to me in Bicholim. Coincidentally, many of the people dining there also seemed to familiar Divchalkars.

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Experience & Service:

We were a family of Six, including a child. The restaurant has great space upstairs, with AC and large shared wooden tables. But there was one glaring issue — very limited staff. From what we could see, only two people were handling everything — seating, taking orders, serving, and even billing.

While the Goan waiter attending us was warm and polite, and genuinely tried his best (a bit overacting too which is must when charging high), the slow pace of everything became frustrating. We had to wait quite a bit just to get the table arranged, place the order, and even get served.

We noticed a baby high chair near the reception when paying the bill, but no one ever offered it or asked if we needed one during our meal. Managing with regular chairs for the child wasn’t easy, and again — we couldn’t easily spot or call anyone from the first floor.

Even when we requested some simple baby food (like carrots) multiple times, it was never served. By then, it was clear the shortage of staff was severely affecting the customer experience.

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Timings:

We reached by 1:00 PM, and only finished around 3:00 PM — nearly two hours for a basic lunch. In contrast, our relative who recommended the place had reached earlier, by 12:00–12:15 PM, and was served quickly since the restaurant was empty then. So yes, timing matters a lot here.

Even asking for the bill took effort. No one came to check, and we had to go downstairs to the busy reception, where no one was available immediately. We had to wait there as well.

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Food Review:

Complimentary Starter: Mix of soi/katli (coconut shaving), onions, hing, and crumbled papad. Fresh, flavorful, and actually one of the best bites of the meal. Reminded me of my mother while cooking we used to eat it.

Sweet & Salty Lemon Soda (₹80): Refreshing, but a bit overpriced for what it was.

Fish Thali (₹250 - Plain Version): Prawns curry – excellent flavor, yellow curry with green chilies and halwa. Rice – slightly overcooked but okay. Bhaji – surprisingly sweet. No idea why sugar was put. Papad – dry, unevenly cooked (burnt on one side). Pickle, plain salad, and sol curry – standard. Chanak – one side overcooked, other side underdone; poor consistency.

Quantity overall was average.

Goan Chili Chicken: Marinated well, with a cafreal-type masala. Smelled spicy but tasted mild — nice flavor. But portion was very very very small, with lots of capsicum, not enough chicken.

Bharile Sungat (Stuffed Prawns): Only 6 small prawns, smothered in masala. Masala was overpowering, and not properly...

Recently on my trip to Goa, we came across an authentic Saraswat cuisine restaurant in Verem, Nerul, Goa. ( By the way, Goa also has a place named as Nerul for those who don't know 😉) The godown/warehouse turned out to a vintage themed restaurant named as 'Voltaire' serves the ultimate Saraswat cuisine. The old lady on the wall painting is the grandmother who used to make these authentic dishes and teach her family members. Due to her this tradition of special taste has been carried forward.

Initially we reached this place late almost beyond the lunch time due to confusion between the exact turns though we followed the Google map but still. In spite of this, the owner Mr. Shubham, welcomed us saying we never let go of guests. Overwhelmed with his kind gesture and hospitality. He himself attended us and explained all their specialities and preparations they follow. Earlier in other restaurants we have come across many such where they sell anything in the name of a particular cuisine or region. But I listened to this person and later on was satisfied with the food served as whatever he mentioned, exactly the same was served. No fake talks. Promising food was served. Expectations = Reality 100%

We tried many special dishes such as Dangar, Ude Methi, Churmo Sizzling brownie, crispy stuffed papad. Out of which we liked the Bharillyo Xinanyo, Papad Kismoor, the most. They also serve large varieties of the Urak cocktails

After having your stomach filled, you can also rest back on the resting chair ( my daughter took that opportunity 😄)

Special thanks to Sachin (who served us the best) Last but not the least, the manager gave us a memorable token - 'Kairi che Lonche' - Raw Mango Pickle made out of his own farm mangoes. 😋

A must visit place. 10/10 Address: Verem, Nerul, Goa 403109

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Went for lunch to this Saraswat Goan cuisine restaurant, which - in my humble opinion - is arguably amongst the best & most authentic in Goa. It is a yet to be fully discovered gem, & my hope is that it gets fully discovered by patrons seeking 'authentic Saraswat Goan cuisine'; in an old-world-charm Portuguese bunglow. Its situated at Reis Magos, bang opposite the Naval jetty. This traditional family-run restaurant is on 2 levels indoors, besides offering Alfresco seating outdoors facing the road. Totally ~ 95 covers. Its a hands-on owner run venture, by Sangam & spouse. The relaxed decor recreates Old Goan settings; infact the name "Voltaire " means a Portugese era 'relaxing chair'. Drinks: 'Mijashi Bhatkar' - an amazing must-must try cocktail - pl refer to the tent card cocktail menu attached. (Note: In Uraak off-season, white spirit of your choice is used. Gin base is recommended for this cocktail. It was Super duper!). Starters: They offered a super tasting appetizer cum starter - Dessicated coconut & crushed papad (comp). 'Gutlayille sungta' - prawn wrapped in chicken & deep fried - am amazing innovation. 'Tirsyanche dangar' - clam cutlets - nice. Entrée: Special fish thali (prawns included) - very tasty, sumptuous & satisfying fish thali@Rs 450. There are a vast choices (veg & non veg) Starters & main courses (all Saraswat) to try, so just one visit will only be a teaser for you. I would strongly advise my Followers & Foodie Viewers to please do try out this restaurant for an assured happy experience, if you are looking for authentic Saraswat Goan cuisine. Menu is crafted by the owner Sangam's mother. Sangam is always around, to guide you through the Goan labelled dishes. Service by multi-skilled Santosh (who doubled up as a Bartender) was 5...