Cuisines of Daman

Due to its proximity to Gujarat, native Gujarati food forms a major part of the cuisine of Daman. Once under the possession of Portuguese, the traditional Portuguese food is also quite popular here. There are a number of restaurants serving delicious sea food as well as authentic Parsi food, another favourite of the locals of Daman.

Chicken bullet is a unique and popular dish of Daman. Papri, boiled sweet and salty peas is one of the favourite evening snack of the people of Daman. Crabs and lobsters form the major delicacies during the month of October. Fish Koliwada, a spicy fried prawns dish, is said to have its origin in Daman and tingles the taste buds with its mild and subtle flavour.

‘Cozido’, a dish made of meat and vegetables during Christmas and Val nascido made on the feast of St John de Baptis are quite popular among the Catholic community in Daman. Christmas is a time for joy and celebration with plenty of cakes. Gujarati sweets like laddu, basundi, jalebi, barfi, lapsee are also quite popular here. All kinds of alcohol is available in abundance in Daman

Pav Bhaji, bhel, chaat, vada pav are popular street foods in Daman. Jetty Roll, a local version of Kathi kebab rolls, is a specialty of Daman. There are a number of bars, selling beer, scotch, wine, feni etc. Toddy and Tari Palm Wine, a popular drink sold in earthenware pots are found in abundance here. The Jampore beach has a number of beach shacks that sell a variety of mouth-watering dishes including pani puri, egg parathas and sea food like chicken xacuti, butter-garlic tiger prawns, pomfret, dharafish fry, fish squid, steamed sweet corns, gola, coconut water with vodka etc. The Damao Pequeno Jetty is a popular fast food centre, ever crowded with tourists as well as the locals.