Gorgeous views at The Pier seaside restaurant in Vasco, Goa, October 2023

The Pier Seaside Bistro at Goa’s Cruise Terminal in Mormugao Harbour, Vasco da Gama, where the large cruise ships drop anchor when they visit Goa, has a very special claim to fame. It has stunning views which encompasses the mouth of the Zuari River, Arabian Sea and beyond to the north Bardez coast

The Pier Seaside Bistro
Google Maps location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/hWJKX2cBzaMCu...
Cruise Terminal, Mormugao Harbour, opposite Custom House, Alto Desterro, Vasco da Gama, Goa 403803
Contact: 8208916456

Costs we paid: Kunbi Kunbi fried prawns Rs 610, Mix Vegetable Au Gratin Rs 510, Breaded Cheesy Stick Rs 220, Vindaloo Rs 360, Mutton Sukka Rs 440, Pulao Rice Rs 230, Butter Garlic Naan Rs 110, Mormugao Sunset mocktail Rs 200, Choco Fruit Blast Rs 180

The Pier Seaside Bistro is located at the Cruise Terminal of Vasco Harbour. It’s a less than 10 minute drive from Vasco da Gama railway station via Alto Desterro. Whether arriving from Vasco station or Baina side, you will reach the Murgaocho Raja pandal in Sada. Spot the signboard for The Pier restaurant and take that road going towards Mormugao Harbour, just a few minutes drive away. When you spot the Harbour Coastal Security police station sign and that handsome banyan tree, you have reached Vasco’s Cruise Terminal. And The Pier Seaside Bistro is the most striking landmark.

The Pier’s spectacular view makes it popular with everyone. Cruise ship passengers, tourists, Vascocars and all Goemcars. When we arrived, Delhi girl Jaya was immediately mesmerised by the view of the shimmering ocean, but for the Goans, the biggest attraction of course was to see what the fishermen were catching. We must have spotted a dozen squids being caught in just the two hours we were there. Clearly this bay at the Zuari river mouth is a very rich spot for squids.

There are quite a few tables along the windows facing the sea. But these tables fill up quickly, so get here slightly early if you want one of these. But the large windows all around ensure a sea view from the other tables too, besides great light for selfies. On the other side, the tables near the door have a view of the forested hill below Mormugao Fort (not visible).

The decor here is not subtle. Everything evokes the splendid seaside location of The Pier. But in the end, you’ll barely notice all this, as the sea view demands all the attention.

For starters, we chose Breaded Cheesy Sticks (Rs 220) from the continental menu, which has non spicy fare. We also tried the Kunbi Kunbi breaded rechead prawns (Rs 610), fried and served with a special house dip from the ‘Tarvoti’ menu. Tarvoti means sailor in Konkani and this initial part of The Pier’s menu has Goan and North Indian fare.

If the sea view wasn’t magical enough already, we got a big thrill when the Coast Guard helicopter flew right above us. The views are so stunning that Maria spent half the afternoon recording on her phone. The blue of the sea, the green of the coast, and the lovely starters put us all in a really good mood. We spent much of the afternoon laughing.

But finally we managed to order our main course. For mains, Jaya enjoyed a vegetable au gratin. And the view between every bite. Though perhaps Viola, Maria and I should have opted for seafood in a seaside bistro, the specials menu at the entrance announcing Belgaum mutton special caught our eye. We were also struck by the sign announcing Tarvoti chillies, which apparently the Portuguese introduced to Goa, so Viola opted for chicken vindaloo with pulao, as the menu mentioned that the vindaloo masala was prepared with Tarvoti chillies.

With lunch, Viola had a bright mocktail of orange juice, pineapple juice and grenadine (pomegranate molasses) which was appropriately named Mormugao Sunset as aesthetically it totally lived up to the fiery skies over the Arabian Sea at sunset that Goa is so famous for.

Though Jaya enjoyed her main course, we could not say the same about ours. The chicken ‘vindaloo’ was more like a poor butter chicken. The mutton special was very bony. What we enjoyed was the pulao and garlic naan.

As we ate, The Pier was filling up, seaside tables first.

One last gaze at the sea over dessert, and it’s time to tear ourselves away from the view. This view does come with a price. We paid Rs 900 a head for that meal. Even so, The Pier is where you should take someone you want to impress, be it for business, for love, or just to enjoy a good laugh

Music:
Lope / There You Have It / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Caro Luna / Para Mi Amiga (Instrumental Version), Tu Voz, Guajira a la Esperanza (Instrumental Version) / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

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