Rumba Cafe is a restaurant located in the central street of Palolem beach area.
This is my second visit to Rumba Cafe. Previously, I tried their pork ribs, which were a bit rubbery and not quite what I’m accustomed to from other countries, though the sauce was quite good.
Considering the price of less than 10 USD, they were decent, but don’t expect the same quality as you might find back home.
The internet speed is just OK, with around 20Mbps for downloads and 5Mbps for uploads.
Comfort-wise, there are two tables with normal, back-supporting chairs which are great for long periods of sitting. The restaurant is open and well-ventilated; I found a perfect spot between two fans, but the plugs are not close to the the comfy area.
Unfortunately, they didn’t have pork on this visit, so I went with the staff’s recommendation of chicken steak with mushroom & cheese sauce.
I also chose grilled vegetables and salad over fries or potatoes, as I prefer to avoid fried foods. The cafe wasn’t busy, just two other customers, so my meal was served quickly.
The chicken steak at Rumba Cafe looked plain in color but was cooked well. The sauce, more creamy than thick, adequately covered the two thin pieces of chicken steak.
Alongside, the grilled vegetables and salad were served in satisfying portions. I enjoyed it and would definitely recommend this dish.
For a drink, I was intrigued by their special milkshakes. Debating between the Oreo peanut butter and the banana chocolate, I eventually chose the Oreo peanut butter. It arrived quickly and initially looked promising.
However, the milkshake’s rich blend of Oreo and peanut butter was only on the top. Beneath that was just milk with small peanut butter pieces.
In India, milkshakes tend to be less thick than I prefer, leading to a bit of disappointment. The milkshake was quickly finished due to its thin consistency.
I decided to continue my tradition of trying Malai Kofta wherever I find it. I paired it with two butter chapatis. Overall, the dish was quite average. The gravy was notably white and runny, and the koftas themselves didn’t stand out in any special way.
To finish off my meal, I opted for ‘Hello to the Queen,’ hoping it would be a delightful sweet treat. It was served in a small glass containing biscuits, hot banana (which didn’t seem caramelized), a bit of ice cream, and just a slight hint of chocolate sauce.
While the ingredients generally complement each other well, the dessert was still just average, not elevating my overall experience at the cafe.
January 2nd, 2024 - Next Visit
On my next visit to Rumba Cafe, I was eager to try their pork chops. It was around 5:20 PM, when I decided to stop by and check if they had pork available that day. Fortunately, they did, so I decided to stay.
From my previous visit, before I started this blog, I remembered trying their pork ribs.
The honey garlic sauce was impressive, but the ribs themselves were either poorly prepared or just low-quality meat. I was hoping the grilled pork chops served with apple sauce would do better.
The sauce was quite enjoyable, and although the pork chops were a bit rubbery, I still liked them.
Considering the standard for pork chops in India, I’d say they were pretty good, and you can’t really find any other place that has them except Cow Corner who has it like 3 times a month on a good month.
As always, the waiters were professional and friendly, contributing to the good atmosphere at the cafe. It’s a place where the service and setting consistently add to the experience and the food is varied and pretty good overall.
Third Short Visit to Rumba Cafe
Date: January 18, Time: 10:30
I stopped by Rumba Cafe to meet a friend before her departure. She opted for her usual choice, the muesli, which she finds appealing for its simplicity. Unfortunately, I forgot to snap a picture of it.
My choice was the Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken, attracted by ingredients I enjoy like bacon, eggs, and a promising dressing.
At first glance, the salad appeared somewhat small, but to my surprise, it proved to be quite satisfying by the end.
While the bacon was served a bit cold, it was quite tasty for India bacon. The dressing was a highlight, adding a delightful touch to the meal. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
