What a great experience! The food is amazing, super fresh ingredients, explosive flavors! The Tartar de Atun is a must try! The place is beautifully decorated, with a laid back but chic atmosphere, perfect for a night out with friends. Thank you Franco and Alexis for a wonderful and memorable experience, I'll definitely be back! read more

What a refreshing addition to this part of town! I love so much about this restaurant and have only one complaint. But that complaint doesn't warrant the removal of a star. Just hoping management takes the feedback and perhaps makes a change. The food is amazing--so fresh, delicious and beautiful. The ambiance is is equally as beautiful and chic. And the service is warm and knowledgeable. My only complaint is that I don't drink alcohol and asked for a mocktail (the margarita without the liquor) and I was charged full price--$16. It even listed "mocktail" on the receipt, so it wasn't an error. Feels like the removal of the most expensive ingredient warrants at least 1/3 less in cost. Just a suggestion! But overall, a lovely experience! read more

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Amazing food, amazing service. Beautiful ambience. I'm in love with the flavors. Can't wait to come back read more

Origen - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - San Diego, California

Service & ambiance were excellent! We made reservations and went on a Tuesday night. It was a quiet evening. The restaurant is inviting for small and larger groups, a great pick for a date spot. The menu changes often & food is fresh. I really appreciated the large variety of gluten free items & seafood choices. We ordered the octopus, ceviche, salmon, and flautas. Food is good, not great. I wish the flavors were more bold & flavorful. The flavors tasted safe, satisfactory. read more

The wife and I went here on a Friday night. We made reservations in advance and got seated closest to the kitchen entrance. Not the ideal table for a couple on a date, but there was also no where else to sit. The owner/manager (seemed like he was) that was on duty took our order, super friendly guy and very charismatic. When interacting with him he has this deep voice he likes to use to make us laugh. The bar is very unique to Mexican beer and liquor. No Makers Mark here, just bottles from down south with a special Tequila bar menu. Food is very different from your normal Mexican food. The Tapas all have a nice presentation and the flavors are very decadent. If I had anything to complain about it would be that the music they were playing at the time had heavy bass that drown out the mids and treble. Kinda felt like you were listening to a club that was next door. Also the main entrance door and glass windows was opened so everytime a bus would stop at the light you would hear the brakes squeal. Its like that uncomforable sound when 100 silverware falls to the ground and makes that klinking noise. Over all I'd say you have to experience this place atleast once, but in my opinion the food is pretty pricey for what it is and I left the place still hungry. read more

Had a great experience overall. Bartender and server were really nice (bartender had a great sense of humor and had us laughing pretty hard a couple times). Service at the table was a little slow at times but we weren't in a hurry so it didn't phase us too much. Food was really good. There were 7 of us and we ordered a bunch of things to share and everything was great. Personally loved the aguachile and Cesar salad. Some dishes felt a little pricey for what we got on the plate but quality was high so we didn't feel jipped. We sat in the big cave booth which was comfortable but a bit loud at times since we're a loud group the sound really bounces around in there. It was pretty quiet when we arrived at 6:30 but by 7:30 the place was full and had a vibrant atmosphere. I look forward to going back. read more

WOW WOW WOW! This restaurant is bursting with heart and incredible flavor. If you're considering a visit, stop here--don't even glance at the menu. Just go there and enjoy the surprise of flavors and the warm, welcoming, and cool ambiance. The best way to describe Origen is "authentic." It's not one of those tourist trap pop-up spots you hear about on a reel just to be met with influencers and lack of flavor--Origen has the vibe of a hidden gem you'd discover while traveling. I highly recommend it to anyone eager to experience a fresh take on flavor, beautifully presented dishes, and a passionate, welcoming team of young, bright owners. Hearing the excitement and passion in their voices about life and their favorite dishes was truly heartwarming. The flavors? Absolutely mouth-watering. We were caught off guard by how amazing everything tasted and the great spice/heat! Anyone who rates this place less than five stars is crazy and missing the point of this incredible new spot. The restaurant just opened a month ago, and the chef and team are already killing it!! I'm already dreaming about our next visit to relive these amazing flavors. Please support this fantastic new spot--we need more heart-and-soul restaurants like this to thrive! We ordered (in order of our favorites): - Tartar de Atún - Flautitas de Atún Ahumado - Ceviche con Salmón - Tiradito de Res - Platano Flameado All of them were exceptional, and we can't wait to try more! Amazing job by this team to excite our palette and love for finding a new spot while traveling. read more

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I liked the ambiance here and the food tasted fresh. I went on a Wednesday night and they were busy but they seated us within 10 minutes. Our waitress was very attentive and super helpful when making the recommendations. The portion sizes were a little on the small side for me. If I was hungrier, I would have needed more to eat but this was just the right amount that night. I would come again. read more

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I went on an anniversary date, the service was amazing they make you feel welcome, the waitress are super helpful with everything. The food has a unique flavor super good, we had the salmon ceviche, the quesadillitas and the pulpo a la salsa macha. The drinks in my opinion can be a little bit better other than that everything is amazing. Jaron was my waitress super helpful he explained everything super good. read more

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I was so excited to find my new favorite restaurant but that was not what happened unfortunately. Had to pay $25 per person for the Valentine's Day reservation (not a big deal at all) but upon arriving on time, they were not prepared. We had to wait outside in the cold for 45 minutes to be seated which if we were 15 minutes late, our reservation would've been forfeited. Tried to stay positive, the workers were very kind and the inside was pretty. Next issue was there wasn't a single non alcoholic beverage option on the prefixed menu luckily they had a very delicious mocktail. But to my surprise, when the bill came, I had to pay extra for the mocktail? The audacity to not have a single NA option on the prefixed menu and then charge me for getting something I can actually drink is insane. Making it more expensive to not drink alcohol is hilarious. The food is good, but not anything to write home about whatsoever (chocolate dessert was good though) but looking at the prices of what we got on the regular menu, there's no reason to go back. Countless other places that you can get a much better meal and better customer service within a 5-10 minute drive. Had very high hopes but fell very, very short. read more

Origen - Pesca del día a la veracruzana Quesadillitas de short rib - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - San Diego, California

Had an excellent meal at Origen tonight. The sun daisy margarita and short rib quesadilla were both outstanding, and the service was impeccable. read more

First visit based on my daughter's recommendation and it was fantastic. The service was excellent and every dish had original, memorable flavors that made the meal special. read more

Food, service and vibes were amazing! Everything we tried was really good! Can't wait to go back. read more

Origen - Aguachiles and leche de tigre - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - San Diego, California

The service and the food were both incredible. Apparently one of our waiters was part owner of the restaurant which shows the commitment they have to make this a good experience for their customers. I definitely recommend and the quesadillas is a must try! read more

Origen - The vibes - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - San Diego, California

Absolutely blown away by this place. Origen feels like a little trip to Mexico City and Oaxaca -- elevated, creative, and full of soul. Every dish is layered with flavor and beautifully presented, but still feels comforting and real. The cocktails are incredible -- mezcal-based, fresh, and perfectly balanced -- and the service is warm and attentive without being over the top. You can tell there's a real passion behind what they do. I especially loved the tlayuda and the mole negro, both rich and full of depth, and the tuna tostada was perfection. The space is elegant but cozy, with great music and lighting that make it feel special without being pretentious. Definitely one of the best modern Mexican restaurants in San Diego -- authentic, artistic, and memorable. read more

The service here is exceptional. They are currently in a soft opening stage and will open next week with an expanded menu. I came yesterday and had the green ceviche/aguachiles, shrimp cocktail, and the tuna tostada. My favorite was definitely the aguachiles. Second was the tuna tostada. I didn't really care for the shrimp cocktail. I thought the shrimp was too overcooked and firm, and the sauce it was in lacked flavor. I also didn't really love the seasoning on the tuna tostada. Despite all this the aguachiles was the best I've had. The best part of my dining experience was definitely the nice, laid-back and elegant ambiance coupled with the exceptional service provided by Miguel and Eduardo. They made me want to make this a spot I continue returning to and I hope that I will soon. read more

This is one of the most underrated places in San Diego. Food is delicious, creative, solid ingredients. Vibe and atmosphere is energetic and fun. They put a lot of work into the menu. It's easy to want to just keep eating. Tequila selection is thought through...not too many choices but enough good ones you don't need more. Juan Pablo is fun and always takes good care of guests. Hosts are always friendly and don't have that weird snobby hostess vibe that is always confusing. Good food, quality ingredients, well thought out menu and great atmosphere. Now, I've ruined the secret but it's worth it if this place stays around! read more

The food is different from any other place , well mixed flavors with the right amount of spice but without taking main flavors out . This is the delicatessen of Mexican dishes with outstanding design on every object of the restaurant , Superb service from young elegant gals and guys . read more

Origen - Inside main room - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - San Diego, California

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We had a reservation at Origen to celebrate our 15-year wedding anniversary--a special night for my pregnant wife and me. We just needed to push it by an hour. There were later time slots available, but incredibly, there's no way to contact the restaurant to ask for a change. There's no phone number, no email, and not even a messaging option through the reservation platform (Tock). Our only choice would've been to double-book and risk a no-show charge. For a modern restaurant with such a strong reputation, this felt surprisingly thoughtless. We never got to eat here, which is frustrating and disappointing. I hope the team reconsiders how they support guests, especially for meaningful occasions like this. A little flexibility and a way to communicate would go a long way. read more

Edgar hosted us for my wife's birthday and he made the dinner so special! He was kind and ensured we were well taken care of every minute. He even got us a sweet birthday dessert. The food was curated well and the ambiance was awesome. read more

This is San Diego's best hidden secret. This place is INSANE! The food is fresh and the prices are excellent. Every single thing we ordered was incredible. The wine, drinks and tequila were all top notch. I have already set up my next dinner with a group here and we cannot wait to come back. 10/10 read more

Origen was beautiful and super cozy! My husband and I went for a date night, and it was even better than we expected. As someone who loves seafood, I have to say the food and drinks were amazing. We ordered a Paloma and a whiskey--both were delicious and definitely on the stronger side . For food, we had the aguachile verde and ceviche de salmón--both packed with flavor and so fresh. Highly recommend if you're looking for a chill, romantic spot with incredible seafood and cocktails! Franco provided excellent customer service and made sure to answer all of our questions. The restaurant was clean and minimalistic--reminding me of Valle de Guadalupe, where the food and vibes are effortlessly elegant. read more

Origen - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - San Diego, California

Place is really lovely. Mezcalina for cocktail. Very yummy- and so were the 3 free ones a charming staff member gave to us. Speaking of staff, I would be curious if they require headshots to apply here. I would recommend designating someone in your group to be "celebrating a birthday". It will result in a musical performance from both front and back of house. Food was goood- but fr id leave ur man at home if u come here. read more

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Esta es auténtica comida Mexicana. Es de alta gama. El servicio fue excelente y el ambiente, muy bien pensado. Tanis, nuestra mesera, fue fantástica. Juan Pablo también estuvo allí, ofreciéndose su apoyo. Él y su hermano, Emmanuel, son geniales. Comimos: Agua de Chile, Flautitas de Marlín, Croquetas de Jaiba, Quesadilla de Costilla, Camones de Ajo con Chile. ¡Todos estos platillos estaban increíbles y no puedo decir que uno fuera mejor que el otro! Mi nuevo lugar favorito. ¡Quizás se convierta en un hábito! read more

Tried this place on a quiet night alone at the bar. It has unbelievable food. Went off the bar tenders recommendation and it didn't disappoint. I had the lobster taco and the carnitas. Incredible. Sebastian and Cesar were great hosts, thank you! read more

The food and service at Origen were excellent. The dishes were flavorful and perfect for sharing, and the staff was attentive, friendly, and able to answer all of our questions. I would definitely recommend it. read more

Very elegant ambiance! Bartenders very nice and look like they are having fun. Service was too notch- polite, timely, great suggestions. Menu was so interesting!! And the food was delicious: 10/10 the croquettes, the tuna flautas, the salmon ceviche! read more

The food was delicious, amazing croquetas, the short ribs quesadillas with mole sauce were surreal, the ceviche with raspberry and hibiscus sauce was unique, and the flourless chocolate cake was a grande finale! The ambiance is super cool, and the best of all was the service. We arrived at 8:30pm on Sunday and they were almost closing, but the barman still welcomed us warmly and our waitress T. was immensely kind and gave us the BEST recommendations! Our best restaurant experience in San Diego!! read more

Food was incredible! Can't wait to come back. The elote old fashioned was a really unique drink that' I'd recommend to try!

Very Frustrating Experience. Went here on a Wednesday at 5:30, had a reservation but we were the first ones in that evening. Sat at the bar. Was not given menus until we asked, was not talked to about anything on the menu, bartender was between training on making espresso and texting on his phone. Had to get his attention to put in food order. Food all came out at the same time which was 3 dishes and too much at one time, food was okay at best. Tuna Tartar was overloaded with a super sweet jam and you couldn't taste anything else. Best thing of the night was the thin sliced seared beef but for how much they charge for each plate you would think you would get house made tortillas and tostadas but no. Store bought and not even good store bought. Tortillas were incredibly basic and disappointing. Drinks were just okay. Restaurant interior is okay but just mid, pictures of it looked better. All seems a little haphazard and massive lack of training of the staff for a higher end restaurant, or at least one that charges higher end prices. Don't think I'll ever go back. read more

So happy we tried Origen. Everything was wonderful: from the ambiance, service, drinks, to food. I don't like octopus, but this place had the best octopus I've ever had. Salmon ceviche is insane. And the flavors of every dish were incredible. Get a reservation. Do yourself a favor and try it! Go! read more

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For a new place I thought it was pretty good. And I love the concept of the menu changing daily. I went with a couple girlfriends and we ordered six different things from the menu which I only got a few pictures of because we got busy talking and eating! The clam chowder I thought was pretty amazing a little thick, but super good and tasty. We got these short rib quesadillas that was covered in a mole that wasn't too tasty. In fact, I love mole and this one just was underwhelming. We got this Ahi tuna cold dish with yogurt underneath, and it was probably the best thing that we had. The softshell crab croquettes were cooked really well and crispy, but the inside was fishy and needed a little more greens and sauce to balance it out. We also got this warm shrimp dish that had zucchini on the bottom and was just drenched in a cup of marinated oil. That dish came with bread I'm assuming for us to dip in it afterwards, but it was just too much oil. I did start with a Mescalita cocktail which was delicious and then later I ended with an orange wit beer from Mexico that was pretty tasty but just a bit heavy. The worst thing that we got was the hummus, which I just didn't feel like matched with anything on the menu. It was grainy and thick and coming from a Middle Eastern background. I guess I'm just really picky about hummus and it was topped with some salty beats and I think maybe they should've just blended the beats into the hummus to make it smoother and Give it more flavor. I did wanna try the lump crab tostadas, but the server told us that the crab was raw and I've never heard of raw crab and so we decided to not try that. The decor was really nice and it was cool to see that they used three constituted wine bottles as glasses, and the paintings on the walls were really nice too, but our table was right by the door and it was a cold night and the seats were definitely not made for us to sit For an hour and a half to two hours we ended up getting up because our butts we're hurting, and that I realized there was an episode of white Lotus that I could see. I might go back to sit at the bar and try maybe one or two things hoping that they could be different. Also service for our drinks was really slow. But the service was pretty good and food came out at perfect time read more

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Food was good! A bit pricier than it should be but ambiance was great. Drinks were fantastic and service was pretty good. Went on valentines day so they were churning through tables but didn't make us feel rushed at all. read more

We had a lovely dinner on Friday night! The food was outstanding! Fresh, bursting with flavor, and impeccably timed for a delightful experience. We sampled many dishes; the soup was one of my favorites, along with the aguachile verde and salmon ceviche! The Paloma was the best I've ever had and complimented our meal perfectly! Our server, Juan Pablo, was amazing and took such good care of us. He explained the story behind Origen, and guided us through all the dishes for a perfect journey of Mexico City's finest flavors! Juan Pablo was so attentive to anything we needed! Can't wait to go back and try new things!! read more

Food was great, Paloma was smoky and well balanced to perfection. JP was a great server, he and the rest of the crew took great care of us and he will be one of the main reasons that I'll be coming back very soon. I live in the neighborhood and have been wanting to check out Origen since they opened earlier this year but I have a few great places close that provide great service, atmosphere and quality food. Saying that Origen is now going to be in consistent rotation. Great job guys, great to have you in the neighborhood. Can't wait to check out La Jolla soon!! read more

Origen was such a fun spot and a perfect date night. I absolutely loved this place, the vibes were amazing from start to finish. Our waiter, Cesar, was hilarious and made the whole experience even more enjoyable. The food was so good! I highly recommend the flautitas de atún and the ceviche de salmón. And don't skip the drinks! The Agua Santa and the Elote Old Fashion were both delicious. Can't wait to come back. read more

One of my favorites in San Diego!!! Not only is the food amazing but the service is perfection. The place has an amazing ambiance and staff makes it such a fun experience. I want to take everyone that comes to town now. Sad I don't have pictures to add. The food was too delicious I forgot read more

This place top all expectations! I knew it was going to be good but not this good! The food was amazing and staff was very insightful on the menu and super nice. The ambiance is very vibey, I'd like to come back later at night as we came early in the evening. From the menu to the decor everything was on vibe and aesthetic read more

Origen - New Mexican Cuisine Near Me - San Diego, California

I booked Origen around a month ago for Valentines Day and was pretty excited because I heard so many great things about it. I explicitly booked this restaurant because there was not a fixed Valentines Day menu advertized on open table (hard to find on Valentine's Day). We got to the restaurant 10 minutes before our reservation and there were 6-8 groups outside waiting for their tables as well, I checked in with the hostess, she said we would wait a couple minutes for our table, we waited for 35 minutes. 35 minutes after having a reservation was a damper on the night, but then we sat down, the restaurant was crowded it felt like we were packed in there, and, boom, fixed Valentines dinner menus, something that was not advertized when we booked Origen for dinner. At this point we are both very hungry, order, and eat (our server was extremely nice). The wines were okay they were just the house wines. The food was bland. I got the salmon ceviche and the only flavor I could taste was avocado, my boyfriend got the ceasar salad which had no dressing (mainly olive oil dressing and greens) and was a different take from a traditional Caesar. My main dish was the fish and it was dry, I liked the tomato sauce I just wish more was on it. My boyfriend got the quesadilla mole for his main and the portion was small with barely any meat. We did like the cakes at the end! The ambiance was pretty and our waitor was great I wish we had a better experience here. read more

Wanted to love but just not a clear concept or strong execution. Aesthetic is nice but honestly, that look is already a bit dated. Music counts when trying to create a consistent theme. Wasn't good just weird and all over the place. Some staff is great others need more training. Asking if our half eaten food is ready to be taken. SO much staff zooming around but not a lot of actual service with assessment/anticipation of customer needs. Apparently, one of the owners was our waiter... he had no clue. FYI your napkins leave lint all over the customers clothing. Food is mediocre at best. Quesadilla was cold. Pulpo was cold and over cooked while potatoes under salted and under cooked. Beet and hearts of palm salad was absolutely tasteless and so basic, like an afterthought. Drinks were just ok. Drink that said it's made with tequila was made with mezcal twice. The prices don't warrant the level of food or service. We probably won't be back. You should check out Wolf in the Woods here in SD and Great White in LA for some guidance on food, service and aesthetic. read more