Bombil

Review and recommendations

Conceived for those craving home-style Goan meals in a no-frills setting, Bombil dishes out quintessential Goan fish thalis among other classic dishes. The owner, Joseph Dias, felt nostalgic for the tiny haunts that used to dot Goa – places where his father and him could pop into for some lepo and a pint. With this in mind, he has created a vibe that is decidedly old-school – yellow walls, basic wooden interiors, music, and art that are throwbacks to an older Goa. The focus remains on executing delicious, authentic Goan home food.

Large portions at an affordable price point draw in long queues at lunch time. Office workers, students, tourists, and locals line up for the fish or chicken thalis that serve 8-9 dishes. Regulars laud the homemade bangda, green mango and bimbli pickles and the use of a variety of local fishes. Bombil has put their own twist on the standard fish curry – rice thali as theirs unusually, comes with vegetable soup, a mixture of meat and fish, as well as a decadent brownie. Vegetarians can order a veg thali but by all accounts, this is an establishment with more options for carnivores. Select Goan beef and pork classics can be ordered ala carte.

Seating is limited despite a recent expansion, so expect to wait 15-20 minutes for a table. Customers do not feel harried and service copes well with the crowds. Bombil is unlicensed but does allow you to BYOB. In this case, they mean BYOB quite literally – beer and no hard liquor.