Anjuna: authentic Goan in Leicester

Open just a few months, Anjuna is one of the UK’s few Goan restaurants.

It has a beach bar-like feel, with white-sand-coloured ceramic floor and wall tiles, driftwood objets d’art, frosted glass tables and a relaxed vibe. Goa, an old Portuguese colony on the west coast of India, is known for its laid-back feel and Anjuna’s owners Amanda and Roy Fernandes have brought a little bit of that to Leicester city centre. They are passionate about their Goan heritage and cuisine.

Traditional Goan dishes enhance a menu that contains all the British Indian favourites. The Chicken Xarcuti has a wonderfully rich flavour. The pork curry has a lovely sweet and sour taste, which comes from palm vinegar. Roasted rather than raw spices are used, which gives the cuisine a distinct characteristic. Happily, the service at Anjuna is friendly and relaxed.

This new restaurant is well worth a visit. Just one word of warning: the Shot in the Dark – a measure of a traditional Goan spirit called cashew feni – is an acquired taste.

Anjuna