A delightful shopper’s guide to Goa
Editor’s note: The always popular Goa offers a little something for everyone. Although we have done a wonderful travel guide to the other Goa, this time Noor Anand Chawla takes us on a shopping spree across its many villages. Homegrown wellness brands, pixie-like shoes, and pottery too beautiful to eat out of—there’s a lot to explore and buy on your next visit!
Written by: Noor Anand Chawla is an independent lifestyle journalist who writes on travel, fashion, art, culture, food, health and technology. Her work has appeared in Mint Lounge, Reader’s Digest, HT Brunch, Firstpost and more. You can follow her on Instagram.
When I tell people about the excellent indie designer shopping in Goa, I receive very surprised looks because no one pictures this relaxed beach state as a shopping hub. But my wallet will attest otherwise!
Before booking your next trip to this popular destination, take note of the best shops to visit for everything from fashion to home goods, art, craft, wellness and more. Here’s a nifty guide to the best shopping spots in Goa, divided into categories for your convenience.
Where to shop in Goa…
Elevate your style
O.M.O (map): O.M.O, short for ‘On My Own, ’ was founded by Arti Shantakumar. It opened in the Latin Quarter of Panaji in 2014 to address the lack of affordable, attractive clothing and accessories in Goa. Shantakumar was keen to promote the concept of ‘Mix n Match’ to allow a certain fashion freedom to the customer. One can choose from a variety of comfortable clothing in pure cotton and quirky accessories for both women and men. There is also a special section for children, with books, toys, and clothing. A selection of silk and wool garments is also available in the colder months.
Bestsellers include long dresses and kaftans, men’s printed shirts and trousers, stoles and shawls, children’s clothes, books, and toys made by non-profits. There is also studio pottery by various artists and fun footwear to choose from. Jewellery made in metal, paper, fabric and silver is very popular. To provide an all-round shopping experience, there are also candles, handmade soaps, and decorative items. Prices begin at Rs 1,500 and go up to Rs 10,000.
No Nasties (map Assagao; map Panaji): Want to do good for the planet? Shop at No Nasties. Founded by Apurva Kothari in 2011, No Nasties is among India’s premier planet-positive clothing labels. They focus on creating vegan clothes with 100 percent organic cotton sourced from small-scale Indian farmers and using fair trade practices. Even their packaging is recycled and compostable, with no poly-bags and plastic tapes, which add to landfill waste.
Choose from evergreen classics like T-shirts, casual and formal shirts, fun and ocassion wear dresses, unique skirts and bottoms, as well as comfy sleepwear. Prices range from Rs 800 for the T-shirts and go up to Rs 10,000 for premium dresses.
Paper Boat Collective (map): Housed in a 100-year-old Portuguese villa, this beautiful concept store showcases the works of small-scale artists, designers, and craftspeople with a focus on India’s traditional craft knowledge. The products are handcrafted, organic and elegant, encouraging slow living and simplicity. Founder Bhagyashree, an alum of the National Institute of Design (NID), was keen to promote handmade products created by aspiring Indian talent with a focus on premium quality and sustainable practices.
On offer is breezy women’s clothing, printed shirts for men, statement jewellery and home décor items. A cute loft upstairs is dedicated to children’s clothes, toys and books, where one is welcome to settle in and read. When one needs a break from shopping, the in-house café serves a variety of teas, coffees and cakes. The organic food store is another option to explore.
The Flame Store (map Anjuna, Assagao): Martino Caramia opened the brand’s flagship store in Candolim almost a decade ago. Soon, branches followed in Sangolda and Assagao, each with its distinctive identity. According to joint creative director Jagvir Matharoo, the purpose was to present a curated selection that highlighted modern India by celebrating its young talent and textile anthropology.
Womenswear, menswear, accessories, and home décor are available here in addition to wellness items. Each product has been picked to fit the vision and mood of the space. The prices are on the premium side. Popular offerings include voluminous maxi frilled dresses in mulmul fabric, botanical printed kaftans and statement jewellery. Their men’s collection has always garnered a lot of attention, as has their selection of incense.
Janota (map): Goa’s most famous shoe brand boasts quite a history. It was started by Edwin Pinto, who, instead of living up to his family’s expectations of practicing medicine, became a tailor of clothes, and eventually shoes. Janota became famous when the late fashion designer, Wendell Rodricks, requested Pinto to create an exclusive line of shoes for his eponymous store. Many years on, Janota has its own store, a significant online presence, and a place of pride in many stores around Goa.
Each design is bespoke and handcrafted, comfortable yet makes a statement. With unusual curlicues, playful accents and bold colours (often in a metallic finish), Janota’s pieces truly stand out. The pricing ranges from Rs 3000 to Rs 10,000, reflecting the bespoke and luxurious nature of the product.
Redecorate your home
Freedom Tree (map): The Goa store of this popular home furnishings brand, founded by Latika Khosla, was set up in Sangolda in 2014 in an old Portuguese bungalow. Products range from designer furniture to home furnishings, hand-painted dinnerware to printed, woven, and solid fabrics. There are also options for indoor lighting, cushion covers, curtains, bedcovers, rugs, blankets and pillows. Every piece is designed in-house and crafted by local artisans. The collection is bold and graphic. Hand-painted ceramics and screen-printed textiles, as well as teak wood furniture, are the most popular picks.
Apart from its products, the store offers the beauty of an outdoor ambiance replete with lush gardens and the recreation of a historic setting. The price range of products is wide enough to cater to budget-conscious middle-class customers as well as those seeking premium, high-end items. You can check out their Rakhi gift hampers below.
The Good Life (map): Launched in 2023, the Good Life Goa refers to itself as the premier one-stop lifestyle shopping destination in Goa, featuring numerous brands. Spread across a 4,000 sq ft area in the heart of Fontainhas in Panaji, with a lovely view of the Mala Creek, the store curates products for consumers from all walks of life, ages, and budgets.
All the brands included here are homegrown and span across categories like fashion, wellness, home decor, accessories, footwear, art, and artefacts. Fashion and jewellery items are, however, the bestsellers. The price range is vast, with small products starting from as low as Rs 100 and going up to Rs 25,000.
Rangeela (map): Arguably one of the most popular concept stores in Goa, Rangeela offers luxury clothing, home decor, gifts and furniture collections which are inspired by a laidback life by the sea. Also located in an ancestral Goan villa, the store’s oversized verandah is tastefully incorporated to display bric-a-brac from across the globe. This family-run store was set up over 20 years ago.
Clothing, jewellery and home décor are the most popular offerings. Prices range from Rs 375 for rings and go up to Rs 12,000 for artworks and other decorative pieces. The accessibility of the prices and quirkiness of the designs make Rangeela a popular choice for shoppers.
Buy some art
Studio Citron Art Café (Map): An artist studio cum art café, Citron is known for hosting unique workshops, performance art, live music, and events showcasing the work of noteworthy contemporary artists, art collectives and brands in India. Founded by photographer Shivani Gupta, the space promises unique and immersive experiences.
Apart from regular art exhibitions, fun activities like mask-making (below), zine-making, needle felting workshops, and mixed tape nights are also regularly organised. The in-house art café focuses on coffee and kombucha with a sweet serving of brownies.
Museum of Goa (MOG) Shop (map): The Museum of Goa (MOG) was conceived in 2015 by artist Dr Subodh Kerkar. He envisioned an institution that would democratise art and make it accessible to a larger audience. Apart from taking contemporary art to the larger public, the museum is described as an experiment in preserving history. In Konkani, the word MOG means love, referring to the passion for highlighting local narratives.
The museum hosts artworks by over 25 artists from across Goa and India. The MOG Shop offers a curated collection of products that highlight Goa’s culture and history. A diverse range of products is on offer, including souvenirs, sculptures, clothing, stationery, books, ceramic jewellery, illustrated postcards, and a selection of toys. Prices range from Rs 200 to Rs 50,000. A popular product is the handmade and hand-painted wall sculpture of the Goan Window because it portrays Goa’s unique architectural design and the Portuguese influence on the visual landscape of Goa.
Goa Décor (map): Founded by architect and interior designer Roopa Kunkolienkar, Goa Decor is an artisanal boutique focused on traditional and historic artefacts from Goa. Choose from handcrafted wooden kitchenware, a variety of Goan windows, the Aadoli (coconut scraper with vegetable or fish cutter), the Rotesao weaved stools, and locally made art, among other items. There are also wall mounts, tableware, paintings and furniture available.
The team insists on the use of sustainable natural materials like wood, metal and plant fibre. Many items are made in the in-house workshop by female artisans, craftsmen and woodworkers. The products are well-priced and range from Rs 199 to Rs 15,000 depending on their size and scale.
Thomas the Potter (map): Thomas Louis is the potter behind Thomas the Potter, a lovely store in Fontainhas, Panaji. Having studied Ceramics Design at the National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad, Louis has been creating ceramic art for over 25 years. The store houses the fruits of his prolific practice.
Apart from showcasing art, Louis regularly conducts teaching workshops at NID and the studio in Goa. His works are commissioned for museums, restaurants, hotels, and homes. At the store, prices range from Rs 1,500 for the smaller sculptures and go up to Rs 80,000 for the larger ones.
Embrace clean living
Kuva Tropical Botanicals (stocked at various locations): When Ayesha Madgavkar’s mother was diagnosed with cancer in 2010, she pivoted to a healthy lifestyle by eating cleaner foods and favouring clean beauty products. The lack of these on the Indian market led to her launching Kùva in 2018. Kùva is an ancient name for Goa, which reflects the heavy influence that her Goan heritage has on her products.
One can choose from face and body care items, natural deodorant balms, soaps (below), candles and notebooks. Each one is made with high-quality, premium ingredients sourced locally, and the pricing is affordable. The recipes are formulated, created, and tested in-house on willing family members and friends.
