If there is any place in Goa that really encapsulates all that makes Goa the place that you yearn to return year on year, it is Cafe Infantaria. I make that really controversial statement for the following three reasons:1. Cafe Infantaria is renowned for its breakfast. Breakfast in usually the first meal that one has in Goa if one is travelling by rail, bus or air. Land in Goa, hit Cafe Infantaria and let Goa hit you with all of what it has to offer.
2. Cafe Infantaria is located in North Goa. There are takers of the 5 - stars of the South, there are lovers of the romance of Panjim, there are those who swear by the quaint Goan houses by the river in the interiors. I am sure all are very nice, but to me, because of the crowd, the drink and the food, North Goa is THE place to be and drink and eat.
3. 6 Pints of Beer for Rs 100 (the condition is that the food bill must be Rs 300/-). Ladies and Gentlemen! Welcome to Goa! Welcome to Cafe Infantaria!
Cafe Infantaria serves as an all day dining option and specialises in Breakfast. The breakfast options are a-la-carte and set meals. Among the set meal options they serve a Cafe Infantaria special and a Mini Breakfast. The menu described the Cafe Infantaria special to be a magnified version of the Mini Breakfast which options on what kind of egg preparations and some other options on meat. As I wanted to sample some of the a-la-carte options also I decided to go for the Mini Breakfast, the 'Mini' Breakfast serves buttered toast, two fried eggs sunny side up, some baked beans, around two decent sized bacon strips, one quite large fried sausage, tea/ coffee as per taste and orange juice. I managed to get through the 'Mini' breakfast and also found the energy to taste some Mushroom on Toast. It might have been the ambience and the fact that I was already a couple of beers down but I really though that the Mushroom on toast was the best that I have tasted in my life. Cooked with Garlic and a decent helping of oil, the Mushroom on toast was the highlight of the meal and given the competition it had to beat in the Mini Breakfast, that is quite an achievement. Welcome to Goa! Welcome to Cafe Infantaria!!
Of course our meal was washed down by the offer of 6 Pints or 3 Draft Cans for Rs 100/-. Apparently the offer is standard which makes Cafe Infantaria rise even higher in my eyes.
A meal for two at Cafe Infantaria without drinks should cost you approximately Rs 500/-
How to get there: Cafe Infantaria is on the main Calangute - Baga Beach Road. It is an institution in Goa and is impossible to miss.
