Some places make you stop in your tracks; Olive Goa is one of them. There’s something undeniably magical about a garden path that greets you with electric blue flip flops, a hint that you’re not here to rush but to soak in every lazy detail. Perched high above Vagator’s sweeping sands, this much-loved Mediterranean haunt invites guests to sip, savour, and swoon on Christmas Eve under the embrace of Goan breezes. It’s Goa with a glossy but laidback shake of Santorini, it’s where romance catches fire just as the sun dips below the Arabian Sea.
SUNESETS, COCKTAILS, ROMANCE
Arrive just as the golden hour starts its glorious show, and Olive wraps you up in its barefoot glamour. Think sun kissed terracotta floors, whitewashed walls, and bohemian rattan furniture that could’ve sprung out of a Pinterest board. Add in a flowering garden and jute hammocks swaying to the wind’s easy rhythm, and it’s no wonder this spot feels like stepping into a daydream. The alfresco area, perched right at the edge of the cliff, is where the magic happens. It’s prime real estate for watching twilight drape Vagator beach in its glow, cocktails in hand. And what cocktails! From the refreshing zing of their gin and citrus spritzes to the punchy Vagator Rum Punch, the drinks menu is nothing short of excellent. The Day After Series, cheekily named ‘hangover cures’, promises to keep Christmas indulgence running smoothly into the next morning.
FLAVOURS AND MAGIC
And then there’s the food. Chef Dhruv Oberoi’s menu is a Mediterranean Goan symphony that makes sharing obligatory. Start with an artfully arranged mezze platter featuring a silky Romesco dip and warm ‘poi’, Goa’s soulful local bread. Lightly grilled calamari more than earns its seaside provenance, while the Tiger Prawns Peri Peri are a juicy nod to Goa’s fiery flavours. Slow wood fired pizzas, handmade pastas, and a standout Beef Carpaccio keep the mood easy and indulgent. Save space for dessert, where the ‘Tiramisu’ and the ‘Panacotta’ are sweet, sinful denouements. Paired with a tart raspberry sorbet, made in-house, it’s a finishing touch that’ll leave you lingering long after the last spoonful. But the secret sauce of Olive is that intoxicating mix of great vibes and good living. A rustic sandy path, a hammock swaying in the breeze, and those postcard perfect blue stripes turn what could’ve been just another spot for sundowners into an unforgettable Christmas Eve retreat. You might arrive for sunset, but don’t kid yourself, you’ll be staying long after the stars come out.
FACT BOX
OLIVE BAR AND KITCHEN
WHERE? Unit No. 1, Vagator Helipad, Big Vagator, Anjuna, Bardez, Goa
Tel: +91 78880 37772
(Awarded the ‘Best food writer in the country’ by the Indian culinary forum, WACS and the ministry of Tourism, Rupali Dean writes on food and travel.)
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