16 Best Khinkali in Tbilisi That Georgians Swear By in 2024

Let’s face it – there are hundreds of places to try Khinkali in Tbilisi, but which are the best? That’s the question! So, I made it my mission to find places that offer the best Khinkali in Tbilisi.

If you don’t know, Khinkali is a meat dumpling and a national meal of Georgia. It’s the first thing any traveler or a local who gets foreign visitors eats when they step on Georgian soil. And if you are a vegetarian, don’t worry; we have plant and diary-based dumblings, too.

Initially from Pshavi, Mtiuleti, Tusheti, and Khevsureti mountain regions, Khinkali later spread across Georgia, resulting in different sorts.

In the past, Khinkali was made by hand, mixing the dough and wrapping the meat. Many restaurants now use special machines and equipment for kneading dough and wrapping Khinkali. Handwrapped Khinkali is more delicious and authentic. 

There are two Khinkali types. The authentic recipe, khevsuruli or mtiuluri, requires minced meat, a mixture of pork and beef or lamb, chili pepper, onions, cumin, and salt. Therefore, if you don’t eat pork, look for the beef Khinkali on the menu or ask the waiter what meat mixture they serve. 

In the past, mountain regions would make authentic Khinkali from lamb meat, but since Georgians overgrew eating lamb, there are only a few restaurants serving lamb Khinkali nowadays. 

The second version, Khinkali kalakuri, translated in English as “the city version,” adds fresh herbs such as parsley and cilantro to the meat mixture. 

Vegetarians can find mushrooms, spinach, cheese, potato, cottage cheese, and even seafood Khinkali in many Tbilisi restaurants. I have a separate post for more broad vegetarian restaurants in Tbilisi. 

Khinkali Essentials

The technique of making Khinkali

Khinkali has a preparation technique that is very different from Asian dumplings. 

After kneading the dough and cutting it into thin circular shapes, cooks place uncooked meat in the center of the circle-shaped thin dough, taking the edges to the center and pressing it to create a top for holding Khinkali. 

Then, the raw pieces boil in a big saucepan for a few minutes until they surface. During boiling, meat releases juice inside the dough, creating a broth-like liquid.

Khinkali eating etiquette

Khinkali has its way and etiquette of eating – bare hands, with or without black pepper topped after serving. Khinkali comes scorching hot, so give it one minute to cool down and not burn your hands and mouth. 

Take a small bite and slurp the broth to prevent it from spilling on the plate. Then, continue eating as a usual dumpling without a knife and fork. A good Khinkali eater doesn’t spill one single drop of broth on a plate.  

When finished, disregard the hard top locals call kuchi (stomach in English). It’s used for counting how many a person ate. 

If you feel uncomfortable eating it with your hands, you can use a fork to pierce the hard top and hold it with the other hand. However, never use utensils in mountainous regions; it’s considered impolite.

Portions and pairing

Typically, Georgians order Khinkali by multiples of five, for example, 5, 10, 15, 20, etc. 

The minimum amount is 5, even if you eat alone in the restaurant. However, it’s okay to order an odd number after the minimum amount, for example, 6, 8, 12, etc.  

And if you want to try different types of Khinkali, you’ll still need to order at least five pieces. 

Note that some restaurants offer Khinkali by portion and not by the piece. This is most common for restaurants that provide modernized Georgian cuisine. 

Also, when considering what to drink with Khinkali, we Georgians order a beer or lemonade. We don’t pair it with wine.

Where to Eat Best Khinkali in Tbilisi according to Georgians

I have a few favorites where I usually go when craving some Georgian dumplings. To make this post fair and square, I asked my friends and posted the question in one of the respectful foodie groups on Facebook with over 13k Georgian members. 

So, to answer the ultimate question of where to eat Khinkali in Tbilisi? Here are some of my absolute favorites and a few that got more votes within my so-called’ research.’ 

Pictograma

Pictograma, serving the best Khinkali in Tbilisi, is still a hidden gem for many. They do the juiciest and most meat-filled Khevsuruli-type Khinkali in Tbilisi. Note that they make it very typical and close to the original mountain-type Khinkali, and the distinctive taste is not for everyone, including many locals I’ve talked to. 

That said, if you still want to try the most authentic Khinkali, Pictograma is the place to go. Their dumplings are hand-wrapped; the size might seem small, but very filling. The dough is of the right thickness, and the meat is perfectly seasoned and quite fatty. We could hardly finish five Khinkali each. 

The menu is small and only has a handful of meals. We haven’t tried anything except for Khinkali, so I can’t say much about the other offered items.

Tip: Although its official address is Atoneli 31, the entrance is from 16 Zurab Gamsakurdia Named Right Bank.  

→ Neighborhood: under the Dry Bridge.

Cafe Daphna

Cafe Daphna has one of the best Khinkali in Tbilisi that many Georgians swear by, including me. This minimalist and pastel-colored restaurant offers a few types of Khinkali, appetizers, salads, various Khachapuri, soups, and main dishes. 

Come here to try mtiuluri (mountain) and kalakuri (city) versions and some vegetarian made with potatoes, mushrooms, potato with cheese, and my absolute favorite dambalkhacho. Dambalkhacho is a traditional aged cottage cheese from Georgia’s mountainous region and has a Cultural Heritage Status.  

Compared to many other Khinkali restaurants in Tbilisi, Cafe Daphna also hand-wraps them, making them even more delicious. 

If you want to try something else, I recommend ordering a Georgian snack platter with three different dips made from beans, eggplant with walnuts, and baked pumpkin with goat cheese. Bean dip was my least favorite, but I loved the pumpkin and goat cheese sauce.

Tip: Book in advance, as it gets pretty crowded. 

→ Neighborhood: Chugureti/near the Dry Bridge.

Khash-Khash

If you haven’t noticed, I love restaurants that make hand-wrapped Khinkali, and Khash-Khash is one more that also makes a very tasty Khinkali in Tbilisi. 

We came here specifically for Khinkali, but this simple and slightly fancy venue offers a wide range of Georgian food, including appetizers, salads, main dishes, soups, and desserts. 

The Khinkali here was of great size, slightly juicy with well-seasoned meat, and easy to hold in your hands. The dough was thick enough to hold the juice, so there was no spillage! We also ordered a simple tomato and cucumber salad, which was loaded with veggies and a good amount of sunflower oil. 

One of the facts I loved about Khash-Khash is that they use napkins for the table, and there are no tissues. A massive vintage map of Tbilisi on its wall is fun to look at while you wait for your food. 

→ Neighborhood: Chugureti/near Fabrika Tbilisi

Amo Rame Bani

Amo Rame Bani is another excellent choice that many locals rave about. Unlike other restaurants, Amo Rame Bani makes handmade Khinkali and uses authentic mountain recipes. 

They used to be on Ingorokva Street near Freedom Square, divided into an Amo Rame Cafe and Amo Rame Khinkali. Recently, they combined the concept at the new location on Aghmashenebeli Ave. 

Besides pshauri type, they have potato and cottage cheese Khinkali, along with other Georgian and European meals. Their Pshauri is juicy, with the right amount of meat filling and soft dough. Their cottage cheese Khinkali has the cutest shape that resembles a fish and tastes quite good. The potato one is basic but tasty. 

→ Neighborhood: Chugureti/near Marjanishvili Metro.

Klike’s Khinkali 

Klike’s Khinkali is one of my favorites for meat and vegetarian Khinkali in Tbilisi. Their dumplings might not be hand-wrapped, but they are delicious! 

If you like more broth inside Khinkali and a moderate portion of meat, then this one is perfect for you. You might not like it if you prefer more meat and less juice. I suggest giving it a try. 

Their menu is small, so don’t expect to eat other staples of Georgian cuisine. The restaurant offers a few types of Khinkali, including typical meat dumplings, mushrooms, potatoes, and a cheese-potato or nadughi (ricotta-like)-cheese mixture. 

I have tried several of them, and all are incredibly delicious. I especially love nadughi-cheese Khinkali, which comes with melted butter you can pour inside when you bite. It’s cheesy and delicious! 

Also, pair your Khinkali with Alkhanaidze beer, a local craft beer brewed in Telavi.

→ Neighborhood: Center/behind the parliament.

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100 Khinkali

100 Khinkali is another place Georgians swear by. This small restaurant offers seven types, both meat and vegetable-based. One of the most distinguished ones is their special Khinkali, called Chef’s Recipe on the menu, seasoned with tarragon and resembles the Georgian Easter meal Chaqapuli. 

I also loved the Dambalkhacho (moldy aged cottage cheese) Khinkali. However, because of its distinctive musty taste, it might not be for everyone. They also serve mushroom, potato, and cheese Khinkali if that’s what you prefer. 

They also serve some Georgian staples such as Megrelian pork sausage with Tashmijab (mashed potatoes with cheese native to Svaneti), Ojakuri (fried meat and potatoes), Shkmeruli (chicken in garlic sauce typical to Racha mountain region), and various Khachapuris to name a few. 

→ Neighborhood: Chughureti/near Marjanishvili Metro.

Shemomechama

Shemomechama is another restaurant chain in the capital, mainly concentrating on serving Khinkali. The word shemomechama translates in English as ‘[it was so good] I accidentally ate the whole thing.’ 

The concept of Shemomachama is simple – you come here for only several meals, eat well, and leave satisfied. With its open kitchen, you can watch ladies preparing and hand-wrapping Khinkali. 

A few of its branches feel nostalgic with its minimalist interior, standing tables, and simple menu. It resembles the milk bars I’ve seen in Poland. The most fancy-looking of them all is the one in Abanotubani (pictured). 

You can easily understand the restaurant’s character when looking at the menu – adjectives that many locals used back in the day or are slang accompany the food names. Even menu sections have funny names such as ‘to get full’ or ‘fake drinks’ for the soft drinks section. 

→ Neighborhood: Abanotubani, Vake & Saburtalo.

Zodiaqo 

Zodiaqo is a Tbilisi branch of a famous joint in Telavi, making it another place to eat one of the best Khinkali in Tbilisi. The restaurant has several rooms, and the extensive menu offers other Georgian meals besides Khinkali. 

Their kalakuri type is quite tasty, but I love their nadughi-cheese Khinkali more than the meat one. They have vegetarian Khinkali made from mushrooms.

→ Neighborhood: Center/below Marriott Tbilisi hotel.

Modernized Khinkali in Tbilisi

King and the Bird

I have listed this one in my best restaurants in Tbilisi for the Georgian food guide, where you can try traditional meals with a modern touch. Their Khinkali is one of the unique ones I’ve tried thus far.  

Fried black bean Khinkali with smoked ham was very different and came in a clay pot with jalapeno, cauliflower pickle, and coriander sauce. 

Cheese and Curd Khinkali with pesto sauce was also pretty distinctive. It makes a great combination with well-balanced flavors of pesto sauce, a good amount of cheese inside, and a spicy kick from the jalapeno. It’s the best cheese Khinkali I have eaten in Tbilisi!

→ Neighborhood: Center/near Opera House.

Veris Duqani

Have you tried Saperavi Khinkali? If not, you can try one at Veris Duqani. The restaurant is located on Petriashvili Street and boasts modernized Georgian cuisine in its blue-themed interior. 

Saperavi is a Georgian grape type and a famous red wine name. Inspired by it, the chef has made one-of-a-kind red Khinkali stuffed with nadughi (ricotta-like cheese) and goat cheese. It is delicious, with balanced flavors and plenty of filling. The portion comes with five small-sized Khinkali. 

→ Neighborhood: Vera

Honorable mentions:

Maspindzelo Express

Located a few minutes walk from Rustaveli Ave, Maspindzelo Express is another choice for good Khinkali, especially late at night on Fridays and Saturdays when they are open 24 hours. 

I have included it in my best places to eat in Tbilisi, and I believe their Khinkali deserves an honorable mention, too. I especially love how they serve it in clay bowls with holes on the sides – five pieces go in one bowl, and if you order more, the bowls stack on top of each other to keep Khinkali warm while holes let the steam out simultaneously. 

Vakhtanguri’s Chebureki

Vakhtanguri’s Chebureki in Avlabari is a house restaurant in Tbilisi mainly famous for its delicious Chebureki – street food popular during the Soviet era. Their menu also includes other typical Georgian meals, including Khinkali, Khachapuri, Mtsvadi, and Lobiani, to name just a few. 

→ Neighborhood: Avlabari

Cafe Theorema

Tucked away from busy Aghmashenebeli Avenue in Ilia’s Garden, this restaurant is another excellent place to try Khinkali in Tbilisi. They offer kalakuri, mtiuluri, beef, cheese, and mushroom. Their extensive menu also offers various Georgian food. 

→ Neighborhood: Chughureti/near Marjanishvili Metro.

Restaurant Pasanauri

Pasanauri is a popular restaurant chain for Georgian cuisine. Their ‘Pasanauri’ type, which is very close to the original recipe, is the one I always eat. Despite having a few branches across the city, a few of my friends and I believe that the Griboedov Street branch offers one of the best Khinkali in Tbilisi. 

The interior is simple, with wooden tables and chairs, with black-and-white images of old Tbilisi hanging on the walls. 

→ Neighborhood: Center/near Rustaveli Metro

Sofia Melnikova’s Fantastic Douqan

I know many Georgians will cringe at seeing this place mentioned as one of the best khinkali in Tbilisi. A few years ago, their Khinkali was one of the terrible in the capital. Over the years, the management changed, and so did the chefs and the menu. 

This courtyard restaurant covered with grapevine trellis is a charming place for lunch or dinner in the summer evening. However, they do have indoor seating for colder months. 

The menu combines Georgian and international dishes. Khinkali here is both meat and vegetable-based. The kalakuri-type is well seasoned, with the proper broth and meat filling. The only thing I didn’t like was the slightly thicker dough, which needed to boil better in some parts. 

→ Neighborhood: Center/near 9 April Park on Rustaveli Ave.

2 Tona on Tabidze Street

Many locals advised me to check out 2 Tona Craft Brewery and a Restaurant. They have different branches, but we went to the one on Tabidze Street.

While Khinkali was tasty, they brought it cold TWICE after sending it back the first time. This says everything about the experience and the service. However, the craft beer is quite delicious; I’ll give them that! 

→ Neighborhood: Center/near Freedom Square.

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