Based in Tortola British Virgin Islands Tel: Currently Unavailable
Please select your charter dates

Start:
End:

Origin Restaurant in Road Town on Tortola

Origin Restaurant Origin Restaurant
Cuisine: Japanese
For reservations phone: 284-494-8295

Located in the heart of Road Town, this little gem is hiding in plain site. It's a little confusing to the passerby because the sign is on the front of the building with a window to an empty room at street level ... but the restaurant entrance is actually on the side of the building facing the plaza and up a flight of stairs.

I am told by several of my friends that they make the best sushi on the island. I am not generally a sushi fan as I don't eat fish (cooked or raw) ... but I've not had the opportunity to try many of their non-fishy offerings yet.

I loved their appetizers which ranged in price from $8.00 to $17.00. I have sampled their spring rolls, beef terriyaki and shrimp tempura and they were all very nice. I would have preferred a little more "oomph" to the beef teriyaki ... but all in all, I quite liked it. The spring rolls were exactly as I like them. They had bamboo shoots in them too ... a welcome change from the typically blasé cabbage with not much else spring rolls found elsewhere. I like my spring rolls to crunch and the bamboo shoots add to the "crunchy" experience ... plus a lovely savory/earthy flavour. I like them a lot.

Among the various offerings are:

Maki from $10.00 to $18.00 per dish

This is the most popular type of sushi in North America. Think "California roll". Maki is made with a sheet of very thin, pressed and dried seaweed called Nori. You spread a thin layer of cold rice over the Nori and then added whatever ingredients you wish. Shrimp, salmon, cooked (or raw) fish or shellfish, roll it, cut it into 6 to 8 bight sized pieces and you're done.

Nigiri from $8.00 to $10.00 per dish

This is made with very thinly sliced raw but sometimes lightly seared fish (of many varieties), crab, shrimp, squid, sea urchin, eel, roe, etc. which is hand pressed into a bight sized oblong or half moon shape over cold, vinegared rice.

The artistry to making truly excellent Nigiri is all in the ability of the chef to cut the fish without tearing the flesh. Presentation is everything.

Sashimi from $13.00 to $18.00 per dish

Basically this is very fresh, raw fish or meat served with soy sauce and wasabi.

Tempura from $9.00 to $12.00 per dish

Tempura batter is used to coat and then deep fry seafood (fish, shrimps, prawn, squid, crab, etc) or vegetables. This is my absolute favourite thing when it comes to Japanese cooking. The batter is everything and is generally a much lighter batter than that which is used in Chinese or North American cooking. Making tempura batter is an art I have never quite mastered at home ... but I keep trying. I love tempura shrimp and veggies!

I even had tempura ice cream in Toronto a few years back. It was amazing!

Service is friendly and quick and depending upon what you and your group have ordered, the length of time for your meal to be delivered to the table is also pretty quick by BVI standards.

The last time I visited Origin was mid-November, 2015 and they had a limited dinner and bar menu. The manager and bartender, Jen Dore, told me they were just about to launch a whole new menu in the coming weeks. I look forward to going back and trying a few more of their dishes and finding out what new and exciting things they have to offer!

The rooftop has been re-opened and dinner guests will enjoy one of the best views of Road Harbour around. The hours for the rooftop will be Wednesday to Saturday from 5:00 pm until ...


Photos of Origin Restaurant

6553-To_Origin_Restaurant_Inside.jpg
Inside Origin Restaurant
18-To_Origin_Restaurant_Spring_Rolls.jpg
Spring Rolls
8353-To_Origin_Restaurant_Seaweed_Salad.jpg
Seaweed Salad
549-To_Origin_Restaurant_Shrimp_Tempura.jpg
Shrimp Tempura
7667-To_Origin_Restaurant_Calamari.jpg
Calamari
2460-To_Origin_Restaurant_Beef_Teriyaki.jpg
Beef Teriyaki

Location and general information

  • Island: Tortola
  • Location: Sir Olva Georges Plaza
  • Take-away service: Yes
  • Air Conditioned: No


Map for Origin Restaurant

Directions

The restaurant is located on Waterfront Drive directly across from the Road Town Ferry Dock.


GPS Coordinates
Latitude: 18° 25' 8.8716'' N (18.419131)
Longitude: 64° 37' 6.2724'' W (-64.618409)

Opening hours of Origin Restaurant

  • The kitchen is open Tuesday to Saturday from 6:00 to 10:30 pm in season and 9:30 pm in off season.
  • Closed Sunday and Monday.
  • The roof top is open Wednesday to Saturday from 5:00 pm until ... with $2.00 beers all night.
  • Closed for all BVI holidays except Festival Monday.


Dress code

Tidy Casual