O Templo — Restaurant in Évora

A true "Alentejana" experience. First: Let me just say that this restaurant may not be for everyone, it is not your "average" dinning experience and for some it might not be what you're looking for.

"O Templo" is not just a restaurante is Vasco's house, anything but pretentious where you can feel the warmth of someone who just wants you to sit back and enjoy. There is fado and other Portuguese songs in the background, guitars and pictures all over the walls.

Vasco is the owner, the host, the waiter, the cook and he's there to make you feel welcome at his place. A people person, cheerful, simple and someone you can definitely tell that is insanely happy and passionate about his work. Vasco takes you to your sit and makes sure you have olives, bread, torresmos and house wine (which is extraordinary, by the way) while getting you ready for the awesomeness that is about to come.

Vasco doesn't hold back and explains everything about what he's serving for the day, an explanation that goes beyond food and goes through the "Alentejana" culture as well as his origins giving you even more suspense and building up your apetite - If you weren't hungry until then, now your mouth is watering...

We went for the slow cooked Iberian pork cheeks in red wine - which as he told us "it melts in your mouth, takes you to heaven high above the clouds, then brings you back down slowly", and I can tell you, it delivered! - and the traditional lamb roast, which for someone as myself who was seeking my family "Alentejana"'s origins, it just tasted like my Grandma used to make it. The food was outstanding, traditional and humble. The flavours of Alentejo fill your mouth and warm soul - I may have done the "food dance" a little, as I was feeling a peak of excitement.

As the meal gets close to an end (we skipped the traditional deserts because we were full and I'm more of a main dish person), Vasco comes to you and kindly serves you an outstanding red fruits licor to gently coat your palate and close down this authentic experience. Vasco sat down with us, exchanged a few words and tried to learn more about us while also sharing some of his stories.

As we say goodbye and reach for a handshake Vasco looks me in the eyes and says "In my house, I say goodbye to my friends with a hug!" leaving me speechless and with a strong desire to come back - which I will! - completely happy and blown away from this authentic experience.

Totally recommend if you're looking for a truly authentic experience and to bring a little piece of Portugal and Alentejo in your heart.

I'll be coming back and will see you soon...

Update: After three years, I came back and I was so happy to see the friendly and funny Vasco again. Delicious food and the warmth of a true Portuguese household. The restaurant became more famous so go early to get a table because it can be hard to get one. But if you have the chance, keep on trying to get a table because you won't regret it. It will be one of the most memorable meals that you will have in Portugal. Still highly recommend, and five stars are still not enough for the Vasco's house!!!

First review: Évora is one of my favourite cities in Alentejo but after some years without visiting I was quite shocked by the touristic transformation. The city used to be a place where honest and delicious food, at affordable prices for Portuguese people, was something easy to find. I was already in despair when I found "O Templo" in a narrow street. We were welcomed by Vasco, the owner, with a big thank you for choosing his place. The decoration on the walls had several elements of the typical life of Alentejo and, on the background, Portuguese music from contemporary fado to canto Alentejano took us to the roots of this land. We ordered torresmos, migas de espargos with fried pork and migas a Alentejana with grilled pork, the most typical dishes you can order in the area. The doses were big, affordable and soooo rich and delicious. To finish the lunch we had some sericaia, my favourite dessert from Alentejo that I simply can't resist although the other options looked amazing as well. By the end of the meal, Vasco offered us a homemade forest fruits licour and said goodbye to us with a big smile and a big hug calling us his new friends. This place took me to the Portugal of my childhood where food is a delicious and honest bond between people and culture. I can't recommend enough this place if one's looking for a true experience about the flavours and generosity which are so characteristic of this area of the country, Alentejo. The restaurant is quite small so go for a meal early, or try to book a table or don't demoralise if there is a bit of waiting because what you get in this restaurant is getting harder and harder to find. Five stars are not enough for this place, highly...

This place is amazing. Once you enter you feel you're invited into Vasco's house (the owner). He's uber nice and polite and makes you immediately feel like you're old friends. He explains everything on the menu and take good care of all his guests. The entrées were marvellous and the food was even better. The meats were tender and delicious, the accompaniments were also cooked to perfection. The wine selection was very good and we tried the house wine which was good, but then tried the red Penedo Gordo and it was banging. The freshly made dessert was amazing as well. You have got to try this place if you're near Évora. We've tried quite a few of them but this place wins them all. And at a very fair price. If it wasn't for the wine (we chose the expensive one) it would probably be the cheapest we tried. When I step into a restaurant I don't look only at the food but also at how I'm treated. And Vasco won our hearts in both departments. I do recommend making a reservation, as this is quite a small restaurant and it fills up very quickly. Please do try it for yourselves, you will not regret it. And thank you Vasco for your warm welcoming and service. You rock! We will visit next time we're...