El Origen

Set off on a captivating gastronomic journey at El Origen. This Chilean hotspot showcases the incredible cuisine of its head chef, Rafael, in an effortlessly cool setting, nestled in Takapuna's bustling dining scene. Having grown up in Chile, Rafael's childhood memories, traditions and recipes surface on every plate, treating diners to a range of tempting South American dishes.

Incorporating signature flavours from Chile, El Origen's menu is a symphony of vibrant spices and piquant salsas. Begin your evening with crispy sopaipillas, a Chilean wedge made from a sticky flour dough, best paired with dollops of Pebre, a zesty salsa made with tomatoes, onions and chilli. For seafood lovers, the ceviche bursts into life when blanketed with zesty lemon and acidic onions.

Representing Chile's rich food history, traditional dishes are given fresh life with a contemporary twist. The Chorillana, a plate bursting with meats, fries and a fried egg, it's a real crowd-pleaser. For a taste of El Origen, go for the house table which combines todos los sabores - all the flavours. Featuring grilled meats, crispy prawns, goat cheese and mini ceviche, you'll be saying 'más por favor' before you know it.

Crazy for completos (hot dogs) and sandwiches, Chile's vibrant street food scene is represented by the Choripan Chileno. A whopping grilled chorizo sausage crammed into a bread roll will do the trick, adding extra spice to the Cholula Mayo-Tomato salsa combo.