The story
Essência began with a question: “Are you lost?” When Portuguese chef Tiago Sabarigo and Hungarian Éva met in May 2015, they soon discovered that despite different mother tongues, they shared the same love language – an obsession with delicious food. That chance encounter grew into a shared dream: a restaurant that would unite the tastes of their Portuguese and Hungarian childhoods with the precision of modern cuisine.
Tiago Sabarigo, born in Évora, Portugal, honed his craft at prestigious kitchens including the Ritz Four Seasons in Lisbon, Petrus by Gordon Ramsay, Texture Restaurant & Champagne Bar, and Costes Downtown in Budapest. His cooking is defined by harmony, balance, and unexpected combinations of flavours and textures. Éva, whose passion for hospitality began in childhood, spent a decade in front-of-house roles at international luxury hotels before leaving that world to build Essência with Tiago. Today she ensures every guest receives a flawless, high-class dining experience.
The restaurant’s à la carte and tasting menus evolve with the seasons, always respecting the essence (essência) of each ingredient. A carefully curated wine list complements the food, and the atmosphere strikes an elegant yet informal note – a space where memories are both recalled and created. Whether you choose the Chef’s Table, a private dining room, or an outdoor table in warmer months, the focus remains on the plate and the story it tells.
In 2026, essência was awarded a Michelin star, a recognition of the high-quality cooking that Tiago and Éva deliver nightly. The star validates what the couple set out to prove: that the flavours of Portugal and Hungary, when handled with skill and heart, can produce something genuinely new. The restaurant’s name says it all – this is the essence of two cultures, a shared path, and the joy of a meal made with conviction.
Recognition
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