The short answer
Dunes Restaurant and Huts: what visitors should know first
Try it if you want a straightforward shack lunch on the sand rather than a polished café. Shacks here are seasonal and change hands, so confirm that it is open and what the current set-up is. Reviews on service are mixed.
History and context
The story behind Dunes Restaurant and Huts
Goa's beach shacks operate under seasonal licences, generally from about October to May, and are dismantled before the monsoon. I could not verify when Dunes itself started.
Useful facts
Dunes Restaurant and Huts facts at a glance
- Location
- Beachfront at Mandrem, close to the Lazy Dog
- Dining style
- Beach shack with huts and yoga behind
- Price signal
- Moderate for a shack; ask before ordering
- Signature order
- Try: fresh fish or prawns, if on the day's list
- Season
- Roughly October to May; confirm
- Good for
- Simple lunch on the sand
Why it matters
Why Dunes Restaurant and Huts is worth your time
Beach shacks in Goa are temporary, seasonal structures, licensed each year and taken down before the monsoon. On a quieter beach such as Mandrem there are fewer of them than at Baga or Calangute, and many of the eating places sit near the creek and behind the beach rather than on open sand.
That makes a shack that actually faces the water a bit of a find. Dunes is one of the few named options on the sand itself, which is why guides keep listing it. It is worth treating as a simple, honest lunch stop, not a destination.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Sand-side seat
One of the few places that sit right on the sand.
- 02
Day's catch
Ask what fish and prawns came in that day.
- 03
Yoga behind
Yoga classes or retreats are offered at the huts behind the shack.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Dunes is the shack end of Mandrem dining. A guide to Ashwem and Mandrem describes it as a beach-facing shack close to the Lazy Dog, serving typical shack food, with wooden huts and yoga classes or retreats behind it. In practice that means a menu of seafood, rice and noodle dishes, sandwiches, cold drinks and beer, at a pace that suits a long afternoon.
Order simply, and ask what the kitchen has that day. Fish and prawns come in on the local boats during the season, but menus vary and prices are rarely fixed in advance, so ask before ordering anything priced by weight. Check that the water you are given is sealed, and keep your own supplies in a bag, since there is not much shade between the shack and the water.
Review sites for Dunes are mixed. Some praise the staff and the position on the beach, while others criticise the service. Treat that as a reason to visit at a quiet hour, be clear about your order and check the bill, rather than a reason to avoid shacks altogether. A shack is a seasonal business, so a place that was open last year may have a different operator or none this year.
Plan with confidence
Small checks that make a better meal.
- Confirm that it is open this season
- Ask prices before ordering fish by weight
- Carry your own shade and sun protection
- Visit at a quiet hour if you want better service
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Beachfront, close to the Lazy Dog, on Mandrem Beach
- Time needed
- 1 to 2 hours
- Best time
- Lunch or early evening, November to March
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- Tables are on or just above the sand, so expect a short sandy walk and plastic or wooden furniture rather than a ramp. Choose a shaded seat, and note that facilities such as toilets may be basic.
- Tickets and access
- No entry fee. Walk in and check the menu prices before ordering. Shack licences run roughly October to May and may change from year to year, so do not rely on old listings for opening.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Dunes Restaurant and Huts
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?
Tables are on or just above the sand, so expect a short sandy walk and plastic or wooden furniture rather than a ramp. Choose a shaded seat, and note that facilities such as toilets may be basic.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Is Dunes open all year?
No. Beach shacks usually run from about October to May and are taken down for the monsoon.
Does Dunes offer rooms?
Guides describe wooden huts behind the shack, with yoga classes or retreats. Check availability and rates directly.
Is Dunes a good choice for older travellers?
It is simple and level, but the seating is on sand and facilities are basic. Ask for a shaded table and keep the stay short.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
