This Goa restaurant celebrates bounty of land & sea

Panjim’s Caranzalem Circle has become the home of Oito, a new gastronomic venture from the visionary duo, Chef Viraf Patel and Prakriti Lama Patel. More than just a restaurant, Oito represents the intersection of fire, water, and boundless creativity, embodied in its name, which symbolises infinity through the figure eight.

The space itself is a masterpiece. With its double-height ceilings and expansive French windows, the 100-seat dining area bathes in natural light, creating a constantly evolving atmosphere that blends warmth and shadow. Anchored by a magnificent wrap-around bar seating of 20, the space transforms into a raw bar on select evenings, offering an interactive dining experience that shifts like the tides.

At the heart of Oito lies the ‘Irori Hearth’, where fire and hot sand come together in an ancient dance of transformation. Chef Patel’s menu is a love letter to the ocean, combining sophisticated European culinary techniques with Goa’s freshest seafood. Signature dishes like Singapore Chili Crab Ravioli, Whole Charcoal Grilled Chonak with oranges and herbs, and Crab Rockefeller re-imagines classic flavours through a contemporary lens.

"Oito represents the convergence of sophisticated European culinary techniques with the freshest seafood that Goa has to offer," said Chef Viraf. "We've created a menu that honours both the ocean's abundance and the comfort of familiar classics, re-imagined through a contemporary lens," he added.

The mezzanine level of Oito offers an elevated dining experience, with 40 additional seats that transition seamlessly from intimate dinners to private events. The space also serves as a venue for guest chefs and mixologists, pushing the boundaries of culinary artistry. A stage near the entrance hosts live performances, enhancing the sensory journey of dining at Oito.

Oito also takes a bold approach to vegetarian cuisine, drawing inspiration from ocean vegetation to reinvent beloved classics. Dishes like Mushroom Bourguignon and Meatless Wellington challenge expectations, showing how vegetarian food can be both innovative and deeply satisfying.

As day turns to night, Oito’s energy shifts, mirroring the changing light. Its bar evolves alongside, offering everything from crafted classic cocktails to innovative signatures that embody the essence of land and sea. On select evenings, the wrap-around bar transforms into a showcase of the freshest ocean offerings, further amplifying the restaurant’s dynamic experience.

With its innovative approach to both food and atmosphere, Oito is set to become a defining culinary destination in Goa.