Login
Facebook
YouTube
WhatsApp
Twitter
The Union Territory of Daman and Diu offers a picturesque coastal landscape, away from the hustle and bustle of the cities. It’s also popular for its mouth-watering cuisine. So, if you’re in search of the best food in Daman, we will provide you with the top names. Besides that, Daman is a city known for the architectural brilliance of its Portuguese forts which take one back to the territory’s colonial past. Its quaint and serene beaches provide tourists with an opportunity to make the best out of their holiday. So, get along and explore Daman’s cuisine.
10 Best Food In Daman To Try
With a blend of Maharashtrian, Gujarati, Portuguese and Goan cuisines along with seafood, here is a curated list of dishes that constitute the best food in Daman:
1. The Bombil Fry
Photo: Durvankur Patil / Wikimedia Commons
The Bombay Duck, as the name suggests, is not indeed a duck, but a fish found in the waters of the Arabian Sea, especially around Mumbai. This dish is popular in Goa and Maharashtra and has also become a famous food in Daman. It is said that when Lord Rama was in the process of erecting the bridge to Lanka, all the fish in the sea readily helped him except the Bombil. Lord Rama had then thrown it away into the seas around Mumbai. The myth explains the softness of the fish’s bones, which makes it suitable to eat. The fish is first coated with Malvani spices and then deep-fried to create a delicious snack.
Where To Eat: Local eateries by the beach, Daman Delite, Raviyas Kitchen, etc.
Cost: ₹200 – ₹400
2. Vegetable Xacuti
Photo: Navdeep Ammla / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
This quintessential Goan dish is for those who wish to avoid seafood at beaches. There is a plethora of vegetables that can be added along with mushrooms, chickpeas, potatoes and coriander. The main sauce of this dish comprises tamarind paste and coconut milk. It is usually eaten with rice by the locals. Lemon may or may not be added as a final seasoning to the dish, concerning your preferences. This dish is also popular in Maharashtra and is eaten widely by vegetarians and vegans. ‘Xacuti’ is essentially the curry comprising poppy seeds, roasted coconuts, sliced chillies and onions. A non-vegetarian version of the dish can also be made by incorporating crabs, chicken, mutton or beef in the mixture.
Where To Eat: O’Coqueiro Restaurant
Cost: ₹250 – ₹450
3. Papri
Photo: Jnuite / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
This dish is the most commonly available in Daman. This dish comprises boiled peas which are salted to be ready as an evening snack. Papri is often accompanied by several condiments, yoghurt and tamarind sauce, and is the best street food in Daman to try. Papri is often eaten during the winter season since peas become more commonly available to the locals. Occasionally, Papri can also be mixed with other spices to produce a distinct taste. This dish is also served in bars along with alcoholic beverages as a complementary snack.
Where To Eat: Dominican Monastery, stalls at the Nani Daman Sea Face Road, etc.
Cost: ₹50 – ₹100
4. Dhansak
Photo: Miansari66 / Wikimedia Commons
This dish can incorporate any kind of meat in a tangy and spicy curry full of lentils. It is popular in the Parsi cafes of Mumbai and is also a widely eaten snack in Daman. The rice served with this dish is caramelised to create an interesting texture and aroma. Dhansak stands as a quintessential amalgamation of Parsi and Gujarati cultures. Sometimes, pineapple is also incorporated into the dish to impart a sweetness in contrast to its spice. It is a speciality that is cooked in Parsi homes on Sundays and as the first non-vegetarian meal after four days of a relative’s death. However, Dhansak is never prepared for weddings and festivities. In Daman, there are a number of Parsi restaurants serving this speciality.
Where To Eat: Café Farohar, Foto de Duke Hotel, etc.
Cost: ₹450 onwards
5. Jetty Roll
Photo: Satyajit Dhawale (Satyajit888) / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
This roll is inspired by the famous kathi roll. A number of vegetables, mixed with spicy sauces are added to a fluffy roti or Paratha. There is a burst of flavour as you bite into the chewy goodness that this role offers. The people of Daman think that this cuisine was originally brought to the city by a Bengali chef, and many versions were created over time. Egg rolls and fish rolls are also available in Daman as well. The dish is so versatile that any filling can be wrapped in a well-greased flatbread.
Where To Eat: Daman Jetty Rolls, Dhamatne, etc.
Cost: ₹50 – ₹200
6. Butter Garlic Prawns
Photo: Dixitkedar / Wikimedia Commons
This dish is an extremely versatile one, available at beaches all around the world. Prawns are one of the most consumed constituents of seafood and this fundamental dish can never go wrong at any restaurant. Along with butter and garlic cloves, seasonal spices native to each place may be added, depending on preferences. In Daman, you will find Butter Garlic Prawns seasoned with lime, parsley and chilli flakes. One of the biggest reasons you should try this dish in a seaside town is that freshly caught prawns are more succulent and bigger in size than the ones under cold storage sourced to the cities.
Where To Eat: Fish and Barrel Restaurant, Nana’s Restaurant, etc.
Cost: ₹300 – ₹450
7. Pomfret Recheado
Photo: Kajori.p / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
If you’re looking for non-veg food in Daman, then try Pomfret Recheado. This dish involves stuffing a pomfret fish with a spicy sauce, thick in texture and then frying it on a low flame. This dish is popular among most Goan households and is prepared using the silver pomfret. What makes this dish the best food in Daman is its consistency and the recipe of the Recheado paste, which differs at every place. It can be eaten with rice-based dishes like pulao. Pomfret, by itself, is a tender fish that appeals to the taste buds of people all over the world.
Where To Eat: Near the Church of Bom Jesus in Daman
Cost: ₹250 – ₹350
8. Stuffed Crab
Photo: Jaradah Fish / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
This dish is similar to the one with pomfret, except that it involves stuffing a crab instead. This dish is very popular on the beaches of Daman since freshly sourced crabs are loved by visitors a lot. Malvani spices are stuffed into the crab and it is then fried along with condiments. Before preparing this dish, the crabs are boiled in salt water and the outer layer of the crab’s shell is removed meticulously. While this dish can make anyone’s mouth water, make sure you are not allergic to crustaceans before trying this dish. Stuffed King Crabs are bigger in size and more expensive.
Cost: ₹550 onwards
Where To Eat: Nana’s Restaurant, Gurukripa Restaurant, etc.
9. Vegetable Au Gratin
Photo: Lablascovegmenu / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
This dish, though international in origin, has been adopted by the local flavours of Daman. It involves tossing freshly cut vegetables on a pan and a bechamel sauce seasoning along with cheese. The dish is completely cooked after it is baked. The golden crust of the vegetable au gratin sizzles and a layer of creamy goodness is unfolded after one cuts through the thin layer of cheese. The dish gets its name from the special stoneware that is used to bake it. Squashes, broccolis, zucchini, bell peppers, tomatoes, potatoes and even mushrooms can be added to this versatile dish.
Where To Eat: Casa Tesoro
Cost: ₹350 – ₹550
10. Chicken Cafreal
Photo: Abhijeet Chandankhede / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Source
Photo: Abhijeet Chandankhede / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
This dish incorporates an amalgamation of Portuguese and Indian influences on food. In this dish, chicken is deboned and skinned and then marinated with coriander, lime and spices. It is often accompanied by pav or bread. This dish is sometimes also cooked with chicken legs, and the recipe often differs according to preferences. Whole red chillies are also added for an extra element of spice. When cooked with succulent pieces of chicken, this dish tastes the best. This dish is popular in Goa towns as well as places in Maharashtra. The colour of the dish is often green in colour, reflecting the mintiness of the gravy.
Where To Eat: The Backyard Café
Cost: ₹200 – ₹450
Daman is a vibrant city full of forts and churches, reflecting the architectural components dating back to Portuguese colonial rule. The best food in Daman is mostly found on the Nani Daman Sea Face Road peppered with cafés and restaurants, the Jetty Road as well as the road near the Church of Bom Jesus. Immerse yourself in the flavours of Daman and book your upcoming trip to Daman through TripXL.
Cover Photo: Amit Kumar Dubey / Wikimedia Commons
