Goa, Jan 09: Set against the sun-kissed, verdant landscape of Bambolim, located shortly before the quaint village of Siridao, Goa, Sabores makes its debut as a contemporary destination where the soulful flavours of Goa’s Portuguese heritage meet the elegance and refinement of modern design. Nestled within Clube de Palma, the intimate 60-seater restaurant evokes the serene charm of a Goan-Portuguese architecture, offering a culinary journey that is both warm and sophisticated, a celebration of nostalgia, craft, and the rich coastal cuisine of Goa.
Inspired by Mandovi’s Rio Rico, Sabores is the brainchild of Akshay Quenim from the owning family of this Goa landmark as well as founder of the much sought after dining destination in Goa : Tataki and Shoyu as well as Co-Chapter Head of NRAI Goa, and the founder of Banaba Kolhapur, a premium lifestyle and f&b dining destination for the HNIs of tier 2 and tier 3 cities. Drawing on his family’s deep hospitality heritage, Akshay brings together generational wisdom with contemporary sensibilities, crafting a space that honours tradition while embracing modernity.
A globally trained hospitality visionary, Akshay (Les Roches, Switzerland) infuses Sabores with a refined, narrative-driven philosophy where every element from cuisine to design, music, and storytelling is deliberately curated to create an emotionally resonant experience. The restaurant invites guests to savour a sophisticated interpretation of Goan-Portuguese cuisine, where heritage flavours are elevated through modern techniques and presented in a setting that balances intimacy, elegance, and timeless charm.
The culinary program at Sabores pays homage to Goa’s diverse Hindu and Christian traditions while drawing from Portuguese influences. – Goan Favourites showcasing dishes from both community traditions and Portuguese Signatures like Bacalhau (salted cod), a Portuguese classic; Bulhão Pato (clam), clams in garlic, coriander, olive oil and Lourenço Marques prawns, spicy, coastal, vibrant, named after the former name of Mozambique while it was a Portuguese colony. Guests can expect thoughtful plates such as a hot prawn balchão, a sweet-spicy tender coconut carpaccio (A house special), rissóis de camarão (a popular goan snack done the original Goan-portuguese way), chicken cafreal, traditional Goan curries in multiple styles, wood-fired seafood, Choriso pulao, and classics like the Portuguese Bacalhau. A dedicated Bread Program offering Poie, Onde, Pao and celebratory dinner rolls served with an array house-made butters that include a Goan choriso flavour to a classic Café de Paris.
Complementing the food is a beverage menu crafted in collaboration with Pankaj Balachandran of Countertop India, one of the country’s most influential beverage design teams. Guided by Akshay Quenim’s vision, the cocktail list draws on Goa’s seasonal produce, flavour memories and global techniques. Highlights include – Toasted Banana Bread toasted poie, whiskey banana, coffee liqueur, chocolate, espresso, Mango Verde tart, vibrant mango meets tequila in a crisp refreshing highball, Flor De Palma frangipani flower infused vodka and many more.
Sabores Goa: A Cinematic Fusion of Heritage and Contemporary Design
Designed as a serene architectural retreat, Sabores is a masterful interplay of heritage textures and modern sophistication, highlighting a Goan Portuguese architecture inspired structure. Traditional red semi-cylindrical tiled roofs, textured laterite walls, and vaulted ceilings harmonize with lush tropical greenery, creating a cinematic dialogue between Goa’s architectural legacy and contemporary design sensibilities. A rare symbol of wealth since the Portuguese era, terrazzo flooring at Sabores captures the essence of Goa’s most refined and affluent households. The journey begins at a tranquil poolside courtyard, where mirrored waterlines reflect the –inspired structure, setting a tone of quiet elegance. Inside, the dining room exudes understated luxury: warm cove lighting caresses sculptural metal installations, exposed brick, and polished stone, forming a restrained yet inviting palette that emphasizes mood, texture, and atmosphere over excess.
Deep teal seating, marble-topped tables, and rhythmically arranged lighting carve intimate enclaves across the space, while expansive glazing frames verdant views of the surroundings. As the sun dips toward the horizon, reflections in the glass amplify the ambient glow, crafting a warm, immersive vignette that transforms the restaurant into a living, breathing tableau of elegance and serenity.
At Sabores Goa, every meal becomes a celebration of legacy, craftsmanship, and the coastal spirit, offering discerning diners a rare opportunity to experience Goa’s rich culinary and cultural history reimagined for today’s sophisticated palate. Adding to the heritage experience will be postcard-style comment cards that allow guests to write to the kitchen highlighting a nod to Goa’s tradition of sending postcards home to regular Portuguese Fado Nights that honour musical culture.
Sabores and Akshay Quenim reimagine heritage as something interactive and alive in a modern day perspective.
Sabores, Goa Fact Sheet:
Address: Clube de Palma, Phase 2, Aldeia de Goa, Bambolim, Goa
Footprint: Approximately 200 sq. meters
Seating Capacity: Around 60 covers, indoors