The short answer
Infantaria: what visitors should know first
Good for breakfast or a pastry stop at the Calangute junction. Go early for the baked goods, keep expectations modest for service, and carry cash in case cards are not accepted.
History and context
The story behind Infantaria
Gomantak Times reports that Infantaria began as a pastry shop and was very popular in the 1980s, then expanded into a full restaurant. It describes the owners as the family of the Souza Lobo beach restaurant, with Maria Goretti Lobo e Fernandes and her husband Joel Fernandes running it. No founding year was stated in the article.
Useful facts
Infantaria facts at a glance
- Location
- Calangute junction, 5/181 Calangute-Baga road
- Dining style
- Bakery, cafe and restaurant
- Price signal
- Around ₹1,300 for two on one listing
- Signature order
- Try: bebinca, croissants or a full breakfast
- Good for
- Breakfast, cake, meeting point
Why it matters
Why Infantaria is worth your time
Infantaria belongs to the pre-package-tourism era. Published accounts say it began as a pastry shop that was already popular in the 1980s, and that it is run by the family behind Souza Lobo, with the current form of the restaurant credited to a family member.
It is one of the few places in Calangute where breakfast, tea and dinner come from the same kitchen, and where Goan bakery items like bebinca and sausage bread are within reach of the main junction. That makes it a useful landmark and meeting point, even if the service is uneven.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Bebinca
The layered Goan dessert; a slice makes a good beach-day snack.
- 02
Pastry counter origin
The bakery roots are visible in croissants, bolo sans rival and sausage bread.
- 03
All-day menu
Breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner from one kitchen, helpful when plans shift.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Come for breakfast. The shop began as a pastry counter and still sells baked goods; reviewers mention croissants, sausage bread, bolo sans rival and bebinca, the layered Goan dessert. A full breakfast with eggs, sausages and toast is the other staple.
Order a few baked items to share rather than a full meal, and take the bebinca away if you are heading to the beach. Inside, the room has a retro 1980s feel, and one listing says the first-floor live-band space has been closed since the pandemic, so do not plan around live music.
Opinion is split: some reviewers praise pasta and service, others report cold food and brusque staff. It is best as a quick, central breakfast or cake stop at the junction, before a day around Calangute.
Plan with confidence
Small checks that make a better meal.
- Arrive before 10 am for the best baked goods
- Carry cash in case cards are declined
- Do not plan around live music, which a listing says has stopped
- Taxis can drop at the junction, which is busy
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Calangute junction, Calangute-Baga road, where the road splits towards Baga
- Time needed
- 45 minutes to 1 hour
- Best time
- Breakfast, or mid-morning
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- A ground-floor cafe at a busy road junction, with plenty of seating but traffic noise outside. Easy to reach by taxi; step access was not verifiable, so ask if needed.
- Tickets and access
- No entry fee. Walk-in service; reviewers note cash may be preferred, so carry some. Confirm opening hours, listed by one source as early morning to 11 pm.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Infantaria
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices are live on the partner site.
Travelling with parents?
A ground-floor cafe at a busy road junction, with plenty of seating but traffic noise outside. Easy to reach by taxi; step access was not verifiable, so ask if needed.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Is Infantaria open all day?
One listing gives roughly 7 am to 11 pm. Confirm current hours.
What should I order?
Reviewers mention bebinca, croissants, sausage bread and a full English-style breakfast.
Is it worth it given mixed reviews?
For a quick breakfast or pastry stop, yes. For a special dinner, you may prefer other places.
Sources and further reading
- Gomantak Times: a story of Goa in this restaurant
- District: Infantaria, Calangute
- LBB: restaurants in Calangute
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
