Last year (2019) whilst on a press trip to Goa, India for GITM, I was invited to a tasting session at Goa’s newest restaurant The Awadh House in Panjim and I have to say this was one of my favourite and the tastiest experiences during the whole press trip.
What is Awadh Cuisine and Where is it from?
Awadh is one of the most famous and sought-after cuisines in India. As well as having a very distinctive tasty mixture of spices blended with both its meat and vegetarian dishes. It also has a very interesting history for its origins.
This cuisine is from Awadh, (Oudh), this was a historical region of northern India, which is now considered the northeastern part of Uttar Pradesh. This was once the home of the Nawabs of Awadh. The Nawabs were the royal family of the region, who had a taste for the finer things such as; the arts, culture and culinary delights. It was in the royal kitchens that the Awadh cuisine was created and perfected, with an inspirational blend of Mughal, Persian and local Indian influences. Its recipes are now passed down from generation to generation.
Inside The Awadh House
The Awardh House is an old three-storey house in Goa that has been converted into the restaurant it is today. With the main restaurant area and the private rooms, each location tells a story. As you walk through the venue, you can see various Indo-Persian paintings on all the walls, beautiful chandeliers, interesting fixtures and artefacts that create a rich and aristocratic vintage atmosphere, which is the perfect setting for dining on royal cuisine.
What I tried on the Awadh House Menu
Because it was a press taster session during GITM (Goa International Travel Mart 2019) instead of having lots of main courses we were given a variety of little bits to try from their menu, which I will include below with descriptions. But, I don’t think that I could just pick one thing from the menu as my favourite, as all the items in the list below were just as tasty as the next.
Starters
- Tomato Dhaniya Shorba – A tomato and basil soup (Vegetarian)
- Mixed Pickles and Papad – A Dip and assorted crackers
- Angara Paneer Tikka – An Indian cottage cheese curry coated in spices and smoked (Vegetarian)
- Dahi Ka Tikka – Is a kebab/cake made using a mix of boiled potatoes, thick yoghurt, Indian spice mix and some chickpea flour (Vegetarian)
- Gelawati Kebab – Minced Lamb Kebabs
- Tangri Kulfi – Chicken drumsticks cooked in yoghurt, wrapped in a plantain leaf
- Murgh Angara Kebab – Boneless chicken cooked on coal
- Awadhi Barrah Chops – Lamb Chops
Main Course
- Dal Awadh – Black lentils, gingers, tomato and garlic cooked for 24 hours
- Assorted Bread Basket – Containing paratha, naan and Lachha paratha
- Murgh Musallam – A whole chicken marinated in ginger and garlic paste, stuffed with boiled eggs and seasoned with spices like saffron, cinnamon, cloves, poppy seeds, cardamom and chilli.
- Sabz Diwani Handi– A mixed vegetable curry
- Gosht Matka Biryani – Lamb Biryani
- Gosht Rogan Josh – Lamb cooked in tomato gravy
- Raita – A spiced yoghurt
Dessert
- Shahi Tukda – This is made with ghee-fried bread, thickened sweetened milk, nuts and saffron
- Gulab Jamun – Spongy milky balls soaked in sugar syrup
Because it is Goa, there is a bar so you can get a variety of hot and cold soft and alcoholic beverages.
Final Thoughts About The Awadh House
I recommend this restaurant with a full 5-star rating. The staff are friendly and welcoming, the food is tasty authentic Awadh recipes, that have a little something to entice everyone’s taste buds because of the decor of the venue, the restaurant itself has character and class.
Honestly, this was one of the highlights of my whole press trip and I will 100% be coming back to visit The Awadh House for a meal on my next trip to India for an up-and-coming project I will be working on.
Where is The Restaurant?
House No 9/98 Boca de Vaca,
Near Talaulikar Hospital
403001 Panjim, Goa, India
The Awadh House Social Media
Other Blog Posts You Might Like
- Goa International Travel Mart 2019 – (This is a Guest Post I wrote on The World In My Pocket Blog)
- Indian Street Food (Great post from Intentional Detours)
Disclaimer: In the interest of clarity, I was invited to attend this restaurant whilst on a press trip. Please note, that all views are entirely my own. You can read more in my disclaimer sections.
This looks like an interesting place to eat. And to learn more about history as you move through the rooms. Love that they have a mix of meat and vegetarian options. I am sure the mix of recipes provides a tasty menu.
I’ve never heard of Awadh Cuisine. It sounds delicious! I would like to try everything. Thanks so much for the descriptions.
I’ve never tried Awadh Cuisine but it looks delicious. The Murgh Musallam sounds especially tasty. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this restaurant!
I’ve never heard about Awadh Cuisine. It’s good that they offer option for vegetarian, too. I think I will like to explore the history of the house as well, from the paintings and the pictures on the wall.
The Awadh House Restaurant looks lovely! I am a vegetarian, so I can appreciate all of the vegetarian options listed. The Tomato Dhaniya Shorba, Dahi Ka Tikka, and Dal Awadh all sounds like great options! I would love to be able to visit India and try some of this unique cuisine. I will definetly keep Awadh House Restaurant in mind if I am ever able to visit the area.
Oh my God! I am now craving for some Indian food. The pictures of the food look absolutely delicious. I have been to Panjim but never to this restaurant and I have never tried Awadh cuisine. I will make a note of this.
Hey Lisa, thanks for sharing this post. No doubt you enjoyed reviewing this restaurant, I will definitely put this on my list for my next India trip! Question: is awadh cuisine usually spicy? I know that most Indian food are spicy but I don’t think you mentioned that here? I love spicy food but in my experience in India and Thailand, they never say how spicy the food is until it is burning in your mouth! LOL. Thanks for your tips!
The Awadh House is indeed a very good place. One of my favorites in Goa. Thank you for writing about this place.
Loved Goa on my visit to India in 2016. So many beautiful beaches, hills, and restaurants. Sorry to have missed this place. We stayed at Anjuna.