Palolem Beach: Steaks In Goa

Between the auto rickshaws, the crowds and all the noise, India can be a pretty hectic place. I love it. But after a month, I was starting to miss some necessities like the latest Modern Family episodes, motel hot tubs, and steak. Mostly steak. Delicious medium rare grass-fed, 2” thick, even marbling, the cow goes “moo” bovine. Since Hindus worship cows in their religion, the act of grilling, smoking, broiling, braising, and yes, even roasting a wonderful cut of beef steak is considered a no-no.

I understood and respected this. That was until I heard a rumor that you can get steak in Goa, India? I was curious.

Cosmic Intervention

But where to start without rudely going around asking if a restaurant was serving a delicious cut of their sacred animal. That was an easy enough idea to dismiss.

Turns out, I didn’t have to do anything. The first restaurant my friends and I sat down in after our train ride from Mumbai to Palolem Beach had it on their menu.

I had to ask if the waiter if it was really beef from a cow and if it was ok. He did the usual head bob with a smile and told me it was fine. That answer was good enough for me and I was delighted to order it with an egg on top.

Though I desperately needed to shave off my long overdue for a shave mustache, lunch took priority.

It’s A Beach, Relax

Having resolved my steak dilemma, what was a weary traveler to do on a beach filled with soft cushions, hammocks and swinging beds?

Top 5 Things To Do on Palolem Beach

1. Get Your Tan On: There’s 2 km of beach. Pick a spot and relax. When you’re done, make a beeline to any of the restaurants behind you and grab a lime soda. Take it with sugar.

2. Rent A Bike And Check Out Cola Beach: You can rent a bike for about $2 a day. That’s just ridiculous. Fuel up and ask for directions to one of the other beaches. It’s a bumpy ride to Cola Beach, but it’s a great way to get away from crowd.

There’s a nice river to cool off and swim if you don’t want to go to the spot with the death warning.

3. Choose Your Catch Of The Day: After a day on the beach, grab a seat, well, right back on the beach and choose from the catch of the day. Do the sniff test to make sure it’s actually a catch from that day.

4. Go To A Silent Disco: Why dance to the same music as everyone else. Ask around for the next silent disco and rock away with one of the wireless headsets pumping 3 different tracks so you can do the swing while someone else is doing the air guitar.

5. Get Your Yoga On: There are number of schools and instructors advertising on the beach. Pick one and work on your downward dog.

Enjoy and if none of these things appeal to you, just do nothing. It’s the perfect place for that.

If you’re itching for a travel escape and need some motivation or inspiration, check out my bucket list and get lost down that rabbit hole.

Updated on October 24, 2023