Amazing breakfasts, great coffee, delicious food coupled with an old world charm is what this café is all about
People in and around the coastal belt in North Goa have much to rejoice about. Panjim’s beloved café, Caravela Café & Bistro have opened up a branch in Candolim. From its rustic ambience to simple architecture, the Portuguese influences of Goa reflect at this quaint little café.
Run entirely by Cyrus Noronha, this newly opened branch is his baby, which he managed to set up in eighteen days, albeit with some help from his father, Carlos Noronha.
Since most of their customers were from the coastal area they decided to set up a branch this side of town. Cyrus states that the vegetarian food is more popular with the crowd here. “The Bombay sandwich is quite famous while our cold coffee is a best seller when it comes to beverages.”
Caravela is popular for its in-house coffee. “The green beans are sourced from Coorg and roasted in Panjim. We also stock them at Delfino’s in Porvorim, Magsons and one can also order them online.”
Further, Cyrus states that their desserts are made in-house thanks to their little bakery which they have set up. Regarding future plans, he says they are looking at South Goa next, either in Colva or Benaulim.
Lastly Cyrus says, “If you love what you do and put your heart into it, you’re bound to become a success.”
Caravela is a small café and has a beautiful old-world charm to it. With quirky quotes on coffee framed on the wall, and soft music playing in the background, one can sit back and enjoy a leisurely meal.
Their breakfast menu is extensive, which offers all day breakfast options. The All Day Caravela Breakfast Premium Cold Meats has options of Chicken or Pork, while the All Day Wholesome Healthy Breakfast has muesli with fresh fruit served with either yogurt or milk, accompanied by an omelette of egg whites, brown bread and a small glass of fresh juice.
The All Day Vegetarian Breakfast consists of Cornflakes with milk, bhaaji, hash browns, braised tomato, tea or coffee, poie, butter and jam along with fresh juice.
They have a special section for bread, which is baked in-house and one has a choice of opting for baked beans on toast, cheese croissant, pain au chocolat, butter croissants, French toast, Ham-Cheese-Egg Croissant and Goan Chorizo Rolls.
The Eggs & Omelettes sections has exotic options like Eggs Benedict, Eggs Florentine, Scrambled Eggs served with Goan Chorizo and Goa’s most loved street food, the Ross Omelette which is served with a vegetarian gravy.
When it comes to Omelettes, one can choose between Three Egg white omelette, Mushroom, Cheese and Chilly, Masala or one can just opt for plain scrambled, fried or boiled eggs.
Pancakes are served in a stack of three with options like Nuteela & Banana, Ice Cream, Fresh fruits, Chocolate Sauce, Butter and Jam, Pancake syrup and honey.
The more health conscious folks can go for muesli with Yogurt & Fruit, Honey, Milk or good old cornflakes with milk.
If one is really hungry then your best bet would be the All Day Caravela Breakfast Premium Cold Cuts with an option of Pork or Chicken. One can choose between fried or scrambled eggs, two frankfurters, bacon, baked beans, hash browns, sautéed mushrooms, braised tomato, tea/coffee, toast, butter and jam along with fresh juice. The eggs are scrambled to perfection which melts in one’s mouth, while the baked beans are tangy and pairs perfectly with the sautéed mushrooms. The hash browns were crunchy and the braised tomato grilled to perfection. Want to have breakfast like a king or queen? Then this is your go to choice.
Feeling a little more adventurous? Then try the Eggs Benedict. It consists of two halves of a Goan poie each topped with Chicken ham, poached eggs and hollandaise sauce. The dish itself was presented beautifully and the eggs poached just right which went beautifully with the hollandaise sauce and ham, which make for a perfect threesome.
Caravela has a small beverage apart from their coffees. Hot chocolate, fresh fruit juice, milkshakes, cold coffee and iced tea feature here. Their cold coffee is a coffee lover’s dream. Created by Cyrus himself, the drink is exclusively made by blending coffee with ice cream and every sip is enough to leave one craving for more. The iced tea served in a tall glass is delightfully refreshing and perfect for a hot summer day.
Caravela also has different kind of pastas with vegetarian and non vegetarian options. They have a wide selection of sandwiches which is served along with a portion of fries and lists names like Pesto Veg Sandwich, Cheese & Olive, Club Sandwich, the BLT (Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato), Tuna and Cheese to name a few. They also offer a few pizzas like the Margarita, Pepperoni and Cheese Smoked Chicken and Burgers with options of vegetarian, chicken and beef.
Caravela has a special Goan section which boasts of Khatkhatem, Xacuti, Caldeen, Vindalho, Pulau, Balchao, Goan Chorizo, Roulade, Kheema Pao and of course the steamed rice. Craving for Goan food in this little café? Then yes, your prayers have been answered.
For those who’d just like to have some snacks, they have veg croquettes, spinach and cheese rissois, bacon and chicken rissois, potato chops and two kinds of salads. Thanks to their in-house bakery, this café has cheesecake, tarts, orange bundt cake, carrot cake, brownies, bebinca, caramel custard, and cupcakes, Serradura and fruit salad under its desserts section. The Apple Tart is a pretty looking tart with a lattice pattern and dusted with icing sugar. The pastry is flaky, buttery and the apple filling with a hint of cinnamon is enough to make one’s taste buds sing. The Caramel Custard is a huge slice with its customary topping of caramel and every spoonful sends one into raptures of delight.
Do take a look at their coffee menu which is roasted in-house. They have a wide choice of premium, regular, classic, Robusta and the specials; if one is a coffee addict, this is your go to place.
This is a perfect place for those who believe that one should breakfast like a king. Want to stay back for their snacks and lunch go ahead, you won’t be disappointed. Plus the desserts will make a perfect ending to any meal, be it breakfast, brunch or lunch.
The one element that adds charm to this place is the owner, Cyrus who attends to every customer, is soft spoken and the ever gracious host.
Go for the ambience and the great food, it’s definitely worth it
