Goa’s Legendary Food Brands Felicitated at NRAI Summit 2025

Goa’s Legendary Food Brands Felicitated at NRAI Summit 2025

~ Café Tato, Sher-E-Punjab, Mr Baker 1922, Jila Bakery, Longuinhos and Café Central recognised for their role in shaping the state’s culinary identity.

Panaji, September 2025: Goa’s legendary food brands were in the spotlight at the three-day NRAI Indian Restaurant Summit 2025, held near Panaji, where iconic names linked to the food and beverage sector, namely Café Tato, Sher-E-Punjab, Mr Baker 1922, Jila Bakery, Longuinhos Bar, Restaurant & Confectioners and Café Central, were honoured for their role in shaping the state’s culinary and cultural identity.

The fourth edition of the summit, organised by the National Restaurant Association of India, which was inaugurated on Tuesday by Goa Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte in the presence of NRAI president Sagar Daryani and NRAI’s Goa chapter head Pralhad Sukhtankar, brought together industry leaders to discuss the future of Indian dining, with sessions on sustainability, innovation and the role of regional cuisines.

In Panaji, Café Tato has been part of the city since 1913, with generations of families relishing their trademark puri bhaji, batata wadas and samosas. “Puri Bhaji is our main and most loved product. The business has been taken over by the fourth generation of the family and similarly, the legacy of generations coming to Tato’s has been followed by the customers as well. We cook every half an hour, and every single time we taste the food ourselves before serving it to the customers,” said owner Pradip Dhuri.

Sher-E-Punjab, established in 1969, brought Punjabi dishes into the Goan mainstream. Its kebabs and naan have since become a staple for locals and visitors. Nearby, Mr Baker has operated for more than a century from its location near the Municipal Garden. Its rissois and bebinca have long been tied to the city’s festive and everyday life. “Our forte has been the connectivity with the people. I am the third generation, my son is the fourth generation who is bringing innovations,” said owner Nenette Fernandes.

Far away from Panaji, Jila Bakery in Loutolim has kept its éclairs at the centre of its reputation. “Éclair is the most loved product of our bakery. It is people’s trust in us that has kept Jila Bakery so close to the heart of each of our customers,” said owner Reginaldo Antao. In Margao, Longuinhos Bar, Restaurant & Confectioners continues to serve Goan-Portuguese fare alongside sweets, while Café Central, founded in 1932, is still known for its mushroom samosas and cakes.

The recognition of these establishments at the summit was not only on account of their sustained business success, but also how such restaurants and brands are central to Goa’s identity and economy, as Khaunte said during the summit’s inaugural session: “We can clearly see that restaurants are not just about food, they are the economic backbone of Goa’s global story.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS : (L to R) Next generation restaurateur Pranav Dhuri, with his father Pradip Dhuri, owner of the iconic Tato Restaurant in Panaji, who was felicitated recently as part of the ‘Legendary Brands of Goa’ category at the NRAI Indian Restaurant Summit 2025 by Goa’s Tourism Minister, Rohan Khaunte.

PHOTO CAPTIONS: (L to R) Nenette Fernandes, owner of Mr. Baker in Panaji, was felicitated recently as part of the ‘Legendary Brands of Goa’ category at the NRAI Indian Restaurant Summit 2025 by Goa’s Tourism Minister, Rohan Khaunte.