Origini Cafe

My daughter keeps telling me how good this place is. Wow! Amazing food and service. The lamb was tender and tasteful, with a side of lightly toasted sourdough. Their coffee and hot chocolate are to die for.

I had been wanting to try this gorgeous restaurant for a while and finally did for lunch on Friday. What a wonderful experience! It really feels like you’re in Italy. The service from the first warm welcome was second to none. The food was absolutely exceptional. I had the pork and pine nut meatballs in a rich tomato based sauce, accompanied by bread and freshly shaved Parmesan, topped off with a lovely rose wine. The setting in the vine covered rear courtyard was beautiful. I can’t wait to go back!

Love Origini! The food is always spectacular. My favourites are the Tonno Salade and soup! Adore! You can’t go wrong. The staff are so sweet and personable too. Very well priced and generous portions.

OMG how amazing!
Totally authentic Italian Dining experience on Friday night - a full buzzing restaurant, loud, vibrant, the most beautiful food prepared with obvious care. Luca and team were incredible. Predominantly filled with locals, so proud to have this gem in our town which we will treasure. Bravo!!

What a delight Origini Cafe was. Traditional Italian menu, with a lovely courtyard and friendly service from all staff. We ordered the pork meatballs and lamb casserole for mains and the pannacotta with Pistachios, Sour Cherry sauce and meringue. The meals were exceptional and full of flavour. We were celebrating my husbands birthday and our anniversary. The owners then sang happy birthday in Italian to my husband. Was so beautiful and special. Totally made our day. The whole experience was warm, friendly and authentic. Will definitely be going back. Thank you so much Luca and Danielle

Gorgeous little venue, beautiful outdoor area and amazing polite and engaging hosts who even remembered my wife and I from pre-COVID. Pizza is to die for (I’m a pizza snob) and even has the perfect Italian beer to pair with it. Starters are beautiful and a lovely modest selection of wines. Going to visit Origini is always a treat for my wife and I. Venue is quite small, so do book ahead.

Love the comfort of romantic food
Feels like your in Italy 🇮🇹
My soul was fill with joyful memories

Bellissimo. One of the best and authentic Italian restaurants around the area. The setting of the cafe itself made you feel like you're in Italy. Food was amazing, absolutely nothing was left in our plates when we finished eating. My friends had a correcto after the meal, and it was good too!

Service was 110%. Grazie Luca and team.

My husband and I had the most beautiful lunch in their courtyard yesterday. Really flavoursome food, attentive service and we were given a lovely shaded table to enjoy our superb food and wine. We will be back and will tell all our friends visiting Castlemaine to try you as well!

My good friend Charles is regular and he recommended meeting here, what a great choice as there minestrone soup and sourdough bread was delicious both times I have enjoyed this traditional Italian Restaurant. Excellent service and friendly as well.

We very much enjoyed our lunch, great food great vibe & they had gluten free options, seemed to also be very popular with the locals, has limited seating inside plus a little alfresco area out the back, nice selection of wines by the glass
Would definitely visit again.

Italian cafe in the heart of Castlemaine with home made cakes to die for and authentic Italian pasta, soups and bruschetti. Hugely popular for coffee, but also a great spot for a cheeky glass of wine with lunch. Limited indoor seating and out the front, but there's a gorgeous courtyard out the back with trees providing ample natural shade from the sun.

Wonderful, warm and attentive service and the food and wine were delicious! Sitting at an outside front table, we enjoyed the spacious, relaxed main street feel. Our puppies sat with us too. We had the Assaggi tasting platter for 2 and the Bendigo Shiraz. A perfect way to end our afternoon exploring Castlemaine. We'll be back before our trip is over. Highly recommend.

This is a hidden gem! Absolutely loved the food and the service was great. If I could come back tomorrow I would!! I love Italian food and this is some of the best I have ever had

Pork meatball delicious, moist and full of herbs. Apple pie not too sweet and goes well with coffee. While most restaurant close on Monday, Origini is open on Monday. Excellent service.

What a fabulous find. I’ve been hoping to get here for ages and it was so worth the wait. The warmest welcome you could hope for and food that was absolutely delicious. We will be back. Often!

Food was divine! The tasting platter is a must try and an affogato to cap off the experience. Service was great with quick and friendy staff. Will glady give 6 stars if I can.

Superb food and really excellent, friendly service. Wish I could give 6 stars. Great coffee too. The guy that runs the place is a really enthusiastic Italian guy who is obviously passionate about what he does. The attention to detail in the food is amazing. I had the tomatoe and chili soup, which was just incredible. My wife had the frittata with pesto and she was very impressed. Nice cozy atmosphere too, and they also have an outdoor alfresco area that looked nice, but was too cold for us the day that we were there.

Outstanding, warm, wonderful. By far one of THE best cafes, and not just in Castlemaine, either! Origini is a gem—a favourite go-to of mine, to be sure—and a place that not only serves excellent, Melbourne-calibre coffee, but also absolutely scrumptious food. Their nosh is always delectable, without fail. Many a free morning or afternoon has been spent in their beautiful, leafy courtyard out the back. Here's to many more!

What an oasis in the Main Street of Castlemaine! We loved Origini and its green leafy courtyard and broad yellow market umbrellas. A simple fresh menu of piadini, salads and pasta. Delicious coffee and bakery treats. So much deliciousness coming out of such a little cafe!