Feb 23: In a restored 160-year-old Goan home tucked away in Sangolda, a new restaurant is quietly changing the way Indian street food is experienced. Vaarta, a fine-dine yet deeply approachable concept, opens its doors with a simple but powerful idea: food is never just about flavour it’s about memory, conversation, and belonging.
Unlike conventional street food destinations, Vaarta is not a chaat counter or a nostalgia-themed café. It is a carefully thought-through dining experience that gives Indian street food the time, dignity, and emotion it deserves, set within a heritage Goan home that already carries stories of its own.
What makes Vaarta first-of-its-kind in Goa is how interactive nostalgia is woven into the experience. Guests are welcomed by a live Puchka counter that anchors the experience, where each puchka is assembled fresh . They can choose from fillings like Aloo Masala, Aloo Dum, Dahi Aloo and Churmur, before selecting from the house-made waters from Sharp Jaljira and Tangy Tetul to sweet Saunth and cooling Pudina recreating the anticipation of a bustling street-side ritual, now reimagined in an intimate heritage setting.
Adding to the theatre is a ‘Make Your Own Barf Ka Gola’ cart, brought directly to the table, allowing diners to personalise flavours, textures, and spice levels turning a familiar childhood treat into a shared, conversational moment.
The space itself sets the tone long before the menu arrives. The 160-year-old home has been thoughtfully restored, with its original arches, aged flooring, and vintage windows preserved . The lighting is interconnected across the space, and the use of vintage round bakelite power switches has been intentionally retained to bring in an old-world, nostalgic feel. Rather than redesigning the house to fit a concept, Vaarta lets the home lead creating an atmosphere that feels intimate, unhurried, and deeply rooted in Goa.
“Vaarta was born from a simple longing, the kind of food that carries memory and invites conversation. I didn’t want to recreate street food; I wanted to give it the space and respect it deserves.” says Neha Mehta, Founder of Vaarta
The menu is rooted in Indian street food traditions from across cities and states, approached with care, restraint and deep respect for their origins. Each dish is thoughtfully composed to evoke memory while preserving the warmth, spontaneity and comfort that lie at the heart of street food.
It flows seamlessly from chaat favourites such as Palak Patta Chaat, Jhal Muri and Tokri Chaat to familiar, comforting snacks like Chelo Kebab, Suz Ke Seekh and Aloo Ki Taheri. The bar bites features flavour-forward plates including Spinach Chop, Tujj Tikka and Chicken Roast Kulcha, while the main courses celebrate regional depth with dishes like Dalcha Gosht, Gavran Chicken, Bharwaan Karela, Moti Pulao and Cholar Dal amongst others. Desserts bring the experience to a nostalgic close, with classics such as Bhapa Doi, Patishapta, Payasam, Shahi Tukda and Basundi offering a quiet sense of indulgence.
The bar menu mirrors the spirit of the kitchen, offering a playful yet thoughtful selection of drinks inspired by familiar Indian flavours. From the Pani Puri Popper and Kala Khatta Kamikaze to the Masala Chai Martini, Nimbu Mirch Margarita and Aam Panna Sour, each cocktail reimagines everyday tastes in unexpected ways. Lighter, refreshing options like the Shikanji Sparkler and Rose & Cardamom Lassi add a nostalgic finish, making the bar experience both inventive and comfortingly familiar.
Vaarta speaks equally to Goans, long-term settlers, and travellers. For locals, it recalls familiar flavours tied to markets, seaside evenings, and everyday indulgences. For those who have moved to Goa, it offers an emotional anchor, a reminder of flavours that once shaped home. And for travellers, it becomes an unexpected discovery: a place where Indian street food feels both refined and deeply personal.
In a state known for beach shacks and global cuisine, Vaarta offers something different: an intimate return to Indian flavours that shaped childhoods and cities alike. Here, street food slows down, conversations linger, and every bite carries a story.