As the sky turns from bubble-gum pink to mauve and deep-velvety purple, tall coconut palms lean over the sea to take heed to the waves. A cello participant strings up melodies as the echoing bass beats throb, and wicker lightshades bob away in the sea breeze. We are on Goa’s Ozran Beach in Vagator, at Zeno by the Sea.
The expansive terrace at Zeno by the Sea offers a scenic setting for sundown cocktails
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As I off-road in direction of the seashore from Vagator, I encounter a large concrete institution, an experiential handle unfold across 10,000 sq. toes abutting the shoreline. Ozran, also called Little Vagator Beach, is a serene retreat, identified for coconut palms framing beautiful sunsets. The seashore is separated from Anjuna and Vagator by rocks on both facet, lending an unique really feel to Zeno.
View from the prime
As one enters this personal club-like handle, it’s exhausting to overlook the throngs of vacationers clad in branded resort put on, jiving to the tunes performed by an in-house DJ.
Designed by Delhi-based Tenzin Design Studio, Zeno by the Sea is about in opposition to the backdrop of the ocean
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Designed by Delhi-based Tenzin Design Studio, Zeno by the Sea is about in opposition to the backdrop of the ocean, its expansive terrace providing a scenic setting for sundown cocktails. The well-stocked bar at the lowest degree is diagonally reverse the DJ console, with a row of elaborate wicker lightshades.
The well-stocked bar at the lowest degree is lined by a row of elaborate wicker lightshades hanging down
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A flight of stairs results in a lounge, above which is the prime flooring with a pool and one other bar. A lookout terrace on the facet, and one other small terrace beneath, with seating, provides layers and dimensions and drama to the venue The mild trickle of the basalt fountain melds with the distant sounds of waves crashing on the shore. Milky white, Roman-style statues and mirrors current extra settings for picture ops. Looking round one can see a number of unfinished buildings close by…..probably, extra such sunset-viewing golf equipment with lookouts in occasions to come back!
A lookout terrace on the facet, and one other small terrace beneath, with seating, provides layers and dimensions to the venue
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Food information
The globally inspired tapas-style menu, curated by chef Nishant Chaubey, options a wide range of signature dishes, together with mini koobideh or calmly spiced lamb skewers, truffle mushroom cream cheese and Korean hen wings. Comforting classics, like galouti kebabs and nihari vie for area alongside modern creations, like a surprisingly umami miso cheesecake we completed the meal with. The truffle mushroom galouti served on child parathas is mushy, succulent and cleverly camouflaged to seem like the kebab’s mutton model.
Korean Chicken Wings
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Inspired by Nishant’s travels across Europe, Southeast Asia and India, the menu ensures there’s something for everybody. Think sushi, dimsums, tacos, pizzas and curries from each a part of the globe. Another dessert price attempting is the dense and decadent vegan orange and chocolate pave. The tiramisu, on the different hand, is gentle, ethereal and redolent with espresso.
Orange & Saffron Salad at Zeno by the Sea
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Heady concoctions
I did discover the cocktails a bit wanting by way of flavour, although their presentation and colors definitely certified for the sundown frames on visitors’ Instagram accounts. As at all times, an excellent picante by no means misses my eye, and that made me give the Paan Picante a go. Vegetal and grassy in style, it definitely couldn’t stand as much as the traditional.
Sunset Boulevard
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The gin cocktails, like Black Gold, with recent grapefruit, thyme, activated charcoal ice and citrus honey is refreshing and balanced, with a number of notes vying for consideration. Whiskey Sour lovers can rejoice in a Blue Pea Whiskey Sour with blue pea and rhubarb foam, whereas Old Fashioned followers get to dive proper into the adventurous Chilli Choco Old Fashioned, replete with the depraved hotness of chicken’s eye chillies.
Blue Pea Whiskey Sour
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This cavernous handle, with all the trimmings of a swanky social gathering place bursts at the seams on weekends. Sequined and feathered dancers strut in at intervals doing their customary pirouettes.
Cocktail by the pool positioned on Zeno’s second flooring
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If, like me, you’re dreaming of simplicity, you would be forgiven for being a bit overwhelmed by the scene. But, then once more, on this stretch of Vagator, the place out of towners come to get their ‘Goa fix’, Zeno by the Sea ticks all the bins.
Located at Survey No 224/2, close to Olive, Vagator, Goa, Zeno by the Sea is open from Monday to Sunday 1pm to 1am. A meal for 2 is priced at ₹3,000.
Published – April 09, 2025 12:49 pm IST
