Restaurante Origens

Small, simple, but unbelievably good restaurant. Service was amazing, food was delicious. We didn’t try tasting, we just shared a few starters and a few main dishes. All the things we chose were amazing and interesting. The chef was on site and explained all the details about some dishes, sommelier was knowledgeable and helped us choose a great local wine. The server was so welcoming and caring, it was hard to leave the restaurant.

Stumbled across this little gem on a side street and it was absolutely fabulous. Local foods, with a twist. Everything done perfectly. Attentive service. Leave room for the "Chef's Surprise" dessert.

Perfect in every way! Beautiful and delicious food, excellent service, and a charming, comfortable atmosphere! We chose the 5 course tasting menu, and it was awesome! Every dish was unique, and delivered! Wine pairings were thoughtful and matched perfectly! A nice a la carte menu is available, as are excellent wines for every palate. A great restaurant that should not be missed!

We had the 3-course tasting menu which they change constantly since it's farm-to-table. The food was really good, savory, and home-cooked flavor but great presentation. The place is nice and cozy, small with an open kitchen, service was friendly and the wine recommendations were on point. It was our second visit and the chef passed to the table to say hello and they gave sweet wine on the house.

This chef owned restaurant is absolutely incredible. The food is wonderful, the wine pairing spot one and the staff are brilliant. Very highly recommend this restaurant

Everything we had was exceptional. Flavors were just delightful. Our server Mercy was wonderful. The chef was very helpful and the entire experience was a pleasure.

I hope for you this place is in your future ! We shared two beginning dishes and one main entrée. Perfect amount of food. Red wine was delightful and tasted nice. The black pork cheek and the mushroom were the best foods I’ve had since Porto. Also maybe best food ever. Our server was very good.

We were walking frozen through the evening streets of Evora and quite by chance went to warm up and dine in this wonderful place💓 we were incredibly lucky to get the last unreserved table! The food was amazingly delicious with a beautiful presentation and unusual sauces👌❤️‍🔥 The waitress helped with the selection of suitable wines for each dish, and the chef personally came out at the end of the evening to chat and treat us with amazing wine. All ingredients of dishes and wine are strictly local according to the principle of "zero kilometer". I strongly advise you to go to this restaurant - you will definitely get a new experience and new impressions👌

We decided to do a day-trip from Lisboa to the city of Évora, and after a few hours of exploration of the Old Town city-center and its wonderful ancient sites/sights, it was time for some grub and vinho!! (I was dramatically parched and famished! Lol!!) Anyway, we were using another popular plant-based app (sacrilege!) that kept leading us to eateries that either weren't open, were no longer in existence, or (in one instance) was simply atrocious in service (that review will be forthcoming!). Alas, through winding alleyways, we happened upon Origens Restaurante. What a find, indeed!!! (We had actually passed the restaurant earlier; but, at first glance, we presumed it was for carnivores only.) Its outset appearance is fairly nondescript. Once inside, however, we went from Plain-Jane to Pageant Queen! :D It's cavernous and chic decor befits its Michelin recognitions, with some homey Évora accoutrements to anchor its origins from being too highfalutin. A host greeted us, and we inquired if there were any vegan options available. Ecstatically, as it turned out--especially after our eatery disappointments earlier--Origens did, indeed, have several options that were either straight-out vegan or could easily be made vegan. YAY!!! We took a table pronto and did a couple of "namastes" to get into a leisurely frame of mind. Our waitperson, Mercy Muiru (English-speaking originally from Kenya), was an absolute sweetheart, with a superior knowledge of the drinks and foods that were to come. (I cannot exclaim enough what a joy she was!! Fantastic service like her's needs to be praised!!) Glasses of vinhos were ordered and served--very impressed the way the different wines we ordered were served in appropriate glasses to suit their individual flavors--and our orders were placed. [I'm only reviewing my dishes; although, I've attached my better-half's dishes heretofore, as well, since I did have a taste of each--Woah!!] I started with an order of the vegetable (vegan) empada, which, unexpectedly, also came with a fresh side salad splashed with a honey/vinaigrette dressing. (We're plant-based and are OK with honey--which, by the way, Mercy informed me of its presence in the vinaigrette to ensure I would be OK. Wonderfully attentive and thoughtful!) The empada was smallish in appearance, but packed a splendid flavor; the side salad with pomegranate seeds was a light and perfect accompaniment. My main dish of a marinated and braised tofu (served with a cauliflower purée with small florets of broccoli) was awesome!!! The density of the garlicky tofu paired perfectly with the cauliflower purée and crunch of the florets. The goodness was overflowing! At the end of our mains, Mercy persuaded--although, the word is probably incorrect as we didn't require much persuasion after our marvelous meals!--us for a specially chef-concocted dessert to suit our dietary restrictions, which we shared. What arrived from the chef was as beautiful to behold, as it was to eat; the gelato was superb! The sips of strong espresso worked wonders, as well. I have to admit that we're not usually "leisurely" eaters; however, when you're fine-dining, you shift into low-gear and enjoy the views. ;) (We spent a little over an hour enjoying presentation after presentation, as well as good conversation with Mercy.) The bottom line is that we left both completely satiated; and, like our pillowy sobremesa, felt as if walking on clouds leaving Origens Restaurante, it was that Heavenly!!! Cheers to Mercy, and our highest compliments to the chef and his sous-chef!!! I truly hope we can make it back before we return to the States.... :D

After a day of exploring Evora, we stumbled upon a hidden gem: a beautifully decorated restaurant tucked away in a small alley. It was an intimate dining experience, even at lunchtime. Origens Restaurante has a few vegan options on the menu, but we asked the server, Mercy Muiru, to help us navigate the ordering process. Mercy was incredible! She was attentive, friendly, and warm. She showed us which dishes could be made vegan instead of vegetarian and even paired the perfect wine with our choices. To start, I had the daily soup (sopa), which was a delightful mix of collard greens, crispy tomato skins (instead of chorizo), and a creamy white bean soup. It was amazing! The main course was Pumpkin (abóbora) served over a bed of wilted spinach, pickled onions (balsamic), roasted pumpkin seeds (pepita), roasted pine nuts, and cilantro bread crumbs. It was absolutely incredible! And for dessert, we indulged in the Chef's choice of the day, which turned out to be pumpkin fritters with orange sorbet and peanuts. It was heavenly! The head chef, Gonçalo Queiroz, is a culinary mastermind! Origens is even recognized by the Michelin Guide, making it an absolute must-visit for foodies. If you ever find yourself in the area or even in Lisbon, make sure to make time for a meal at Origens. Trust me, it's worth it!

Amazing service! Food was outstanding in a beautiful setting. A lovely find on our recent trip to Évora.

everything from the greeting, to the advice on pairing the right wine, and then the food was outstanding! great ambience and attention to detail - would recommend this to anyone visiting the area

Glad we stumbled onto this Michelin rated find. Very nice menu with a delicate mix of local foods. There are sampling options and you really can't go wrong. For the lighter side, the salads with fig, walnut and citrus will appease. The scrambled egg with potato and sausage are the ticket for a heartier option. Very good over all.

A rare find of culinary talent in Evora. Selection of local produce, meat and delicacies elevated to a truly fine dining experience. The menu is designed for small bites to be shared so you can have several different courses. It is an intimate dining environment with an open kitchen in the back. The servers include the chef and sommelier who interact with the guests. Put this on your "must do"list if you visit Evora.

We came across this restaurant on our walk and we booked a table just purely by the feel of the place. The menu looked very interesting, although at the time, we thought it was expensive. We arrived at 7.30pm and was warmly greeted by the owner and very talented chef. We were offered a glass of the most exquisite red from this region and ordered two share plates for entree. Origens only serves local and seasonal produce. Whilst sipping my wine, I had the honour of watching this chef work, assembling with such care and passion, our starters. The chicken soup was like nothing I have ever tasted. Steaming hot and flavoursome, chicken moist and tender. Then we had smoked pork, pears glazed in port wine, walnuts, cows cheese and brick loaf. We could have licked the plate clean. THEN, our main! Trumpets playing, please! 8 hour, slow cooked lamb in a port jus, so moist and tender with seasonal vegetables. This restaurant should be rated number 1 in Evora and was worth every Euro we paid. It was an experience of a lifetime and will not be forgotten. Thank you Origens for a wonderful evening. Congratulations!

Fabulous restaurant! From the moment you enter until you force yourself to leave you will enjoy this special place. Michelin rated. We had superbly prepared fried cod and beautifully cooked duck breast, both delicious! A well done and reasonably priced wine list is a great feature. Truly a great experience!

Wonderful gem of a place. Slow food cooking the way it should be done. Great chef. Great service

We were greeted with great attention by the owner. The staff was very prompt and provided lots of explanation about the menu. The starter plate (shrimps) was exquisite. Followed by pork loins and lamb stew cooked to perfection. Thank you for THE real Alto Alentejo experience.