Great hospitality, like gemology, is about seeing what others overlook – the details, the history, the light. That belief guided Puru, a Delhi-born gemologist whose unexpected journey from precision craftsmanship to soulful cooking has led to the launch of Ourém, one of Goa’s most anticipated new dining spaces.
Housed in a 150-year-old Portuguese-era home in Panjim, Ourém is a celebration of Goa’s culinary heritage. Puru’s approach is deeply personal: inspired by childhood memories of family feasts and his pandemic-era creative project Rolexnbooze, he envisioned a space where food becomes a vehicle for nostalgia and discovery.
“Ourém isn’t about reinventing the wheel it’s about remembering why we loved it in the first place,” says Puru. “I wanted to revive recipes people don’t make anymore and create a space where everyone, from locals to wanderers, feels at home.”
The restaurant’s menu is dedicated to Luso-Goan cuisine, offering reimagined versions of traditional dishes prepared exclusively with locally sourced ingredients. Beyond the food, Ourém champions sustainability eliminating single-use plastics, minimizing waste, and supporting neighbouring producers.
For Puru, Ourém is more than a restaurant; it’s a community hub, a culinary time machine, and a heartfelt tribute to Goa’s layered history served one nostalgic bite at a time.