Set on the banks of the picturesque Baga river, the Royal Enfield Garage Café is a port of
call for travellers and tourists alike. The atmosphere is laid-back,
unpretentious and relaxed, much like the idling rhythm of a stationary Royal
Enfield. Besides being a full-service restaurant with a well-stocked bar, the
Royal Enfield Garage Café is also a celebration of all things Royal Enfield.
Elements of motorcycles and exploration are woven into obvious and inconspicuous
spaces and ways. One could spend hours here and still have a little left
undiscovered. The museum area has a fascinating collection of Royal Enfield
motorcycles, from pre-war days to the glory of the ‘60s and well into the ‘00s.
There are custom bays, a motorcycle and gear store, and a selection of Royal
Enfield motorcycles available on hire.
Their menu features specialty coffees and
teas and a well-travelled menu that has been curated to give you a delicious
selection of local and international cuisine. They use locally sourced and
sustainably grown ingredients, fresh and worthy of being on a table anywhere
across the world. Tuck in while you listen to a great selection of music,
including curated live acts. Should you wish to wander, however, their staff
will be happy to put together a ride that lets you experience Goa’s unique
charm.
The café, that was conceptualised two
years ago, was inaugurated recently. The Royal Enfield Garage Café, in short,
is a place that appeals to motorcyclists, explorers and foodies alike. You get
a taste of what happens when hospitality meets pure motorcycling.
According to Royal Enfield, the Garage Café is “a catalyst to
deepen personal associations with Royal Enfield enthusiasts and customers.”
However, it is designed to be an inclusive and engaging space that is open to
riders, non-riders, travellers and explorers, and their families.
“The ambience of the
café is inspired by the Royal Enfield motorcycling way of life. The Garage Café
is a celebration of exploration in a Royal Enfield way through food, beverage,
music, entertainment, and personal expression,” a statement from Royal Enfield
adds.
The Garage Café is inspired by the central traditional
Portuguese style structure that is reflected in the interiors of the café. In
addition to that, the Café is built around the core values of Royal Enfield
that are an expression of timelessness and craftsmanship and an unadulterated
love for motorcycling.
The café is set up on a half-acre plot of land as a series of
independent yet interconnected structures, each of them having its own story.
The industrially crafted Gear store building with its zinc roof, laterite
infill walls and the now distinctive ‘Royal Enfield’ charcoal grey metal and
glass facade effortlessly bridges its Goan setting with industrial
craftsmanship. The facade of the main building has been treated with specially
commissioned locally executed artworks inspired from a Royal Enfield
iconography based Azulejos-inspired installation – hand painted on tiles by
Goan artisans. The bar area and the first floor dining space has incredible
views of the Baga creek. The double height bar wall has a hand painted backdrop
by Monde Art, which takes the viewer through a meandering Goan road trip. The
first floor lounge wall has an exciting book art installation by Hanif Qureshi.
The main building houses a multifunctional gallery and a mini
museum that visibly speaks of the past and present of Royal Enfield – from the
1939 Flying Flea motorcycle to the original 1963 Continental GT café racer and
1965 MK-2 750cc Interceptor among other replicas from the brand’s rich history.
Flanking this structure at the rear is a state-of- the-art Service Centre with
a motorcycle customisation zone. Some of the most famous custom built Royal
Enfield motorcycles are also on display at the café.
Also,
if successful, this café is likely to be replicated in other parts of India.
