The FARA family split their lives between Goa… and the world – London, Ibiza, Koh
Phangan – but the heart of the family is here in Goa. The inspiration from our
collection most often arises from the Goa vibes and of course Rachel and Fumie met
here… Over the years, a gathering of creatives, dancers, designers and musicians
have laid down their hats here and we are inspired by our community.
This is our love letter to North Goa… we’ll send you a postcard from South Goa
soon…
Where to Stay
Vaayu Kula Mandrem @vaayukula
Stunning rooms with peaked thatch roofs and amazing views of the beach. Perched
above a fantastic restaurant, with amazing sundowners, yoga on the beach, surf
rentals. This is the ultimate in beach chic lovingly designed with awareness of its
impact on the local environment. They also have a sister property
with one/ two bed apartments in Mandrem Town with beautiful design features and
tropical views – Vaayu Home.
Frangipani House Siolim @the_rose_nomad
One of four beautiful villa properties dotted around north Goa care of The Rose
Nomad. We love this villa – it’s a restored Goan house set in a
tropical garden with it’s own pool. Their other properties are inland in Moira and
Assagao and on the beach in Ashwem. Each place offers a unique view of Goa.
Mateus Panjim @mateusgoa
In the heart of Panjim’s Latin quarter Fontainhas, Mateus is a
lovingly restored property with simple but chic rooms. It’s a hop, skip and a jump
away from Antonio@31, Josephs Bar and the lovely traditional bakery Confeitaria 31.
Wigwam Mandrem @wigwamgoa
How about a few nights away in a tipi? Only ten minutes inland from the beach and
yet a secluded spot surrounded by palms, jungle and birds- opt for a luxury tipi, chic
wooden cottage or if you prefer bricks, they have beautiful light rooms, lots of
hanging chairs and a gorgeous garden and restaurant with pizza nights and
traditional Sunday roasts
Fort Tiracol Keri @forttiracolheritagehotel
*BEST HIDEAWAY – Book a room at Fort Tiracol – Four-poster beds with
spectacular views of the sunset.
Dining out
La Plage Ashwem
Our absolute favourite beach day revolves around lunch at La Plage; we even
named a kaftan after it! Of course they are open for candlelit dinners too. Barefoot beach chic in a beautiful FARA dress – toes in the sand. We all love the sesame
tuna, the Bloody Mary’s and fusion food from all over the globe. And save room for
the epic chocolate thali.
Izumi Assagao @izumiassagao
And our new favourite – it’s hard to pick favourites in Goa – Izumi in Mumbai has
been voted one of the best restaurants in India and has now opened a stunning
space in Goa – try the watercress and mushroom gyoza or the amazing sashimi don.
ANTONIO@31 – Fontainhas Panjim @antonio@31
In a beautiful old Goan house in the heart of Panjim’s old town, Antonio@31 offers
up Goan inspired tapas – little tastes of Goan classics like prawn balchao, tender
coconut bhaji and lotus root sukkah. Sip the Feni Mule, the Guava Chili or the
Fontainhas G&T.
Tamil Table – Assagao @tamil_table
In a beautifully restored Goan house with a courtyard garden, you’ll find banana leaf
filled with delicious tastes from Tamil Nadu – dosas, chili prawns, South Indian
paratha, amazing chutneys and our favourite kuzhipaniyaram (dough balls from
anywhere in the world are amazing!). Try the TT Negroni or the turmeric infused gin
n’ juice.
*Best Vindahlo and Goan Fish Curry – We love the food at Change Your Mind –
a family run beach shack in Ashwem
Bomras – Anjuna @bomrasgoa
We first read about Bomras in Vogue back around 2007 – it has consistently been in
the Top 5 restaurants in India. It is delicious Burmese fusion cuisine with amazing
spicing – we love the unusual pickled tea leaf salad, “beer can” chicken and you
cannot miss Khow Suey Sunday! Or the lemongrass cocktails. All served up in a
beautiful tropical garden.
*Best Dosa – Try a Masala Dosa at Café Corner in the middle of Mapusa Market
(opposite Ramakrishna incense stall – kiosk 13/322 Or The Podi Ragi Dosa at
Sappadua in Assagao.
Garden of Dreams – Arambol @gardenofdreamsgoa
Go through the magical doors to this garden oasis serving up delicious healthy bites,
comfort foods, juices and their new amazing breakfast bagels. There are jam
sessions and inspirations – there’s a cute little shop too.
Susie’s – Assagao @suziesgoa
Trip to Susie’s for a special occasion for their five-course ever-changing ever
evolving dinners – inspired by the catch of the day, what is seasonal and what is
available in the market today.
Sakana – Vagator @sakanagoa
Delicious chicken ramen, white snapper teriyaki, wakame salad – take your pick. It’s
been a chic staple for us for many years.
*Best Cocktail – Try the Smoked Negroni Sour at Amber Cocktail Bar on Ashwem Beach
IMMERSION
Mandrem Beach… we love the long wide beach at Mandrem for long beach days.
There’s a quiet spot to the south end of Mandrem beach and as you walk further
north to Arambol it gets livelier (head all the way to Arambol one sunset for fire
dancers, beach market and festival vibes).
Head to Vaayu Kula in Mandrem for surf rentals, SUP, yoga or simply to lounge.
Redi Fort is magical – either for an early morning adventure or around sunset.
Banyan trees wind their way through old fort ruins. There’s great views of nearby
beaches – so you can drop down to Paradise Beach or pop to the heritage hotel at
Fort Tiracol for food or a spectacular sundowner. If you are biking, you can always
get the ferry direct to Tiracol.
If you want to practice Yoga head to the laterite rock shala in Mojigao to practice with the lovely Sharanya , for traditional practice head to AUM Yoga in Assagao or for a beautiful place closer to the beach head to Ashiyana in Mandrem. For Dance and Silks head to Omaggio in Anjuna.
Olaulim Backyards – beautiful inland place if you are bringing your family – get
kayaking, sailing and exploring. You can also stay in pretty cottages.
Make it Happen Goa – Sample craft gins or local feni on the local tavern tour, find
out more about Goan architecture, take a kayak trip on the Chapora river or a
mangrove tour just outside Panjim.
Contemporary Art close to Panjim at Museum of Goa or head
inland to Moira to find the beautiful Cube Gallery
Vibes
When it’s time to dance, we head to Jungle Stories at Prana Anjuna (@prana.goa)
for a friendly dancefloor vibe and amazing music from both homegrown and
international DJs for Afro House, techno and other delights. Naturally Goa is
renowned for it’s psytrance – if you fancy stepping back in time head to Hilltop in
Vagator for a Sunday stomp. House of Chapora is another place to be seen and let loose.
Fancy a more shanti experience? Head to Shunya in Arambol for ecstatic dance.
There’s also live music regularly at Mojigao in Assagao for their Friday tapas and regular full moon events – you’ll find sitar fusion,jazz and DJ vibes.
We also love Friday nights at Verandah in Mandrem for live music and their lovely Gin Joint.
*Best Sundowner Spot – Head to Vaayu Kula for their Ocean Swell Cocktail
Find FARA
Head to the lovely new KOA in Ashwem – you’ll find our silk and hemp hanging with other designers that call Goa home. You’ll find Koa at the new Thalassa Beach resort .
And for more fun and eclectic shopping head to the Goa Collective Bazaar which is
every Friday at Hilltop in Vagator.
