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There is the idea of a meal that lingers past its indulgence, a memory that stays with you which evokes feelings of warmth and nostalgia. In Goa, these meals have always centred around the aroma and savoury tastes associated with seafood: our crabs, our prawns, kingfish, pomfret and more are prepared in all sorts of sizzling and mouth-watering options. Among the best seafood restaurants in Goa, Southern Deck has built a reputation that goes well beyond its view, and much of that comes down to what lands on your table.

Fresh Catch of the Day: Where Every Meal Starts

This is where we recommend you start your culinary adventure. The Southern Deck’s Catch of the Day section is the heart of its seafood offering, and for good reason. Jumbo crab, tiger prawns, lobster, pomfret, chonak, Indian salmon, kingfish, oysters, mussels, and calamari, the list changes with the tide and the season, and that is exactly the point.

What sets this apart from most seafood restaurants in Goa is how the kitchen handles it. You choose your catch and see it right before your eyes and then discuss with your server how you want it prepared. Recheado, Rawa Fry, Masala Rawa Fry, Burnt Butter Garlic, Tandoori, Thai Chilli Basil, Honey Mustard, Basil Burnt Butter, or Crispy Sweet Chilli Tamarind. A cornucopia of flavours and gustatory experiences awaits you with each offering. The list of preparations is as considered as the catch itself. If your favourite is unavailable, you can pre-order for the following day. If you request your food the night before, we can marinate the catch and give you richer flavours.

Seafood Appetisers Worth Ordering Before Your Main

The starters at The Southern Deck deserve far more attention than they typically get. These are not filler dishes designed to keep you occupied while your main arrives. They are carefully constructed plates, several of them Chef’s Specials, that hold their own against the mains.

The Stuffed Crab with Mornay, White Wine and Truffle Oil is a standout. Shredded crab folded into a cheesy Mornay sauce with white wine and truffle oil, served back in the shell, is the kind of thing you order and immediately wish you had ordered two. The Prawn and Caviar Cracker Roll with Kewpie Mayo and Tobiko (fish roe) is another, a light and precise bite that works well with a cocktail in hand. The TSD Bang Bang Wasabi Prawn brings heat and crunch in equal measure, and the Smoked Salmon Mango Crudo is one of those clean, bright dishes that reminds you why fresh ingredients need very little interference.

For something more classic, the Goan Fish Fingers with Garlic Mayo, coated in green masala and panko, then fried, are a crowd favourite for good reason. The Stuffed Calamari with Chorizo and Capers is another Chef’s Special that earns its place on the table.

The Seafood Mains That Define the Experience

Among seafood restaurants in South Goa, few put as much thought into the main course spread as The Southern Deck. The Pan Grilled Snapper Steak with roasted garlic, smoked vegetables, potato mash, and truffle cream is one of the most polished plates on the menu. It is the kind of seafood dish that proves the kitchen is thinking beyond simple grilling.

The Arabic Fish, with sesame and sumac grilled fish, served with Jewel Rice, herbed feta, olives, and Toum (Lebanese garlic sauce) is another dish that rewards those willing to move beyond the familiar. The TSD Special Curry, Chef Flavy’s signature prawn preparation in a sweet and spicy coconut base, is a house favourite that regulars come back for repeatedly. It sits alongside a broader Goan section that covers Fish Ambotik, Prawn Balchao, Xacuti, Green Masala Curry, and Vindaloo, all the classics, made with the kind of confidence that comes from cooking them properly over time.

For something lighter and more contemporary, the seasonal Thai Butter Garlic Prawns and Chili Miso Butter Calamari are worth asking your server about. They appear on the menu as seasonal preparations and are best caught when available.

A Setting That Makes the Meal

The food at The Southern Deck is only half the story. Sitting on Benaulim Beach with an uninterrupted sea view, a cocktail from the bar, and a plate of fresh catch prepared exactly how you asked is a combination that is hard to find even among the best seafood restaurants in Goa. The restaurant is open Monday to Sunday from noon to 1am, with music and events on special days throughout the week.

Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends. Call at least 24 hours ahead on +91 8668742826 to secure your table, and if you have a specific seafood in mind, that same call is the right time to pre-order it.

Some meals are worth planning for. This is one of them.