29 Best Restaurants in Tbilisi For Georgian Food By a Local

Georgian cuisine is very diverse, much like its landscape. Every region here has a special meal that is authentic to that area. And when it comes to the capital, you can find some of these regional meals in some of the best restaurants in Tbilisi without leaving the city.

While there are plenty of suggestions on the internet, I decided to share my favorite Tbilisi restaurants I like to go as a local when craving contemporary or traditional Georgian food. 

The staples of Georgian food are Khinkali (meat dumplings), Khachapuri (cheese pie), Pkhali (vegetable appetizers with walnut paste), and Mtsvadi (grilled meat or a skewer), which you can find in pretty much every eatery.

However, Georgian cuisine has much more to offer than that. This post will help you identify some of the best places to eat in Tbilisi for famous and unknown Georgian dishes. And if you want to see the whole list of meals, check out my best Georgian food guide

Top tips when choosing where to eat in Tbilisi

This section provides all the essential tips when choosing Tbilisi restaurants, including meal times, tipping, service charges, reservations, Georgian eating etiquette, and much more. 

Opening hours vary depending on the venue; however, most restaurants in Tbilisi are open from 11 am until midnight. Typical Georgian breakfast doesn’t really exist – we either eat a simple meal at home or skip it. However, if you are looking for spots for the best breakfast in Tbilisi, cafes offer more European-style meals to start your day and are open from 8 or 9 in the morning. 

Also, sometimes, the management of these restaurants in Tbilisi doesn’t pay attention to social media or Google Maps to update their opening hours, so I recommend double-checking by sending a private message or having a backup plan.

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Reservations are only necessary if you plan on dining at quite popular eateries, such as Shavi Lomi, Daphna, or Cafe Stamba, for example. The budget-friendly restaurant Mapshalia is also getting trendy, so I’d recommend booking it in advance if you want lunch or dinner there. 

Ordering food in Tbilisi restaurants is easy since most offer menus in Georgian and English. Some even have accompanying pictures to visualize what the meal looks like. Typical Georgian restaurants have extensive menus spread across several pages and divided into groups of cold and hot appetizers, soups, salads, main courses, side dishes, pastries, desserts, drinks, etc. 

Sharing a meal is the central aspect of Georgian Supra (a dinner setting where all the meals are in the middle for everyone at the table to share). Therefore, most of the meals in Georgian cuisine are designed to be shared and are of significant portions. The only exception regarding the portion size would be Mtsvadi (grilled meat on a skewer), which includes 4-6 pieces, depending on the venue. 

Wait time after ordering the meal can vary depending on the restaurant. Ordering a cold appetizer or a salad is a good idea before your main course arrives. If any item requires a much longer time due to having lots of orders, the waiter will notify you ahead of time. 

Generally, the longer it takes for them to bring you food is a good sign as they prepare it on the spot and do not heat it up. 

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Smoking has not been allowed in indoor venues since 2019 unless they pay for permission to allow guests to smoke indoors. Outdoor seating areas are typically smoking-allowed zones. 

Over-ordering is common in Georgian culture. Since portions are large, we sometimes can’t measure how much food we’d like and often over-order. Usually, the leftovers are fed to animals, but you can also ask the server to pack them for takeaway if you can’t finish. 

When ordering Khinkali, remember that the minimum order is 5 for most restaurants in Tbilisi. We typically eat Khinkali as a stand-alone meal and order multiples of 5 ( i.e., 10-15-20-30).

You’ll most likely be ordering other food, so I advise you to order 5 or 10 and then increase the number according to what you can eat in one sitting. I have a separate post on the best Khinkali restaurants, which explains their preparation, types, and eating techniques. 

Should you order bread? Generally, we Georgians love our puri (Georgian bread). If you are ordering stews, note that no side dish comes with them, and we typically eat these Georgian dishes by dipping bread in the stew. The majority of restaurants charge extra for the basket of bread. So, if you don’t want it, tell the waitress not to bring it by default.  

Adding service charges and taxes is common in many eateries across the country. Some restaurants and cafes add one or the other. You can find the service or tax charge written at the bottom of the menu. VAT tax is 18% flat, while service charges range from 10% to 20% depending on the restaurant. It is rare to find both charges on the bill, and many restaurants don’t add them at all. 

Tipping in Tbilisi restaurants or generally in Georgia is optional. However, it’s always appreciated as the wages in most of these venues are pretty low. If you liked the service and the food, leaving 10-15% as a tip is a standard.  

The service charge I explained above doesn’t go to the staff, so tipping them is highly encouraged. 

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Payment options in Tbilisi restaurants have become extremely easy as most now accept credit cards, so you don’t need to carry cash. Unless you go to a very local restaurant, such as Mapshalia.

Vegetarian or Vegan? Georgian food is vegetarian-friendly, as some of our meals are primarily plant-based. Moreover, since the country is Orthodox Christian, with many fasting periods during the year, some eateries offer fasting sections on their menus that are free from meat. Besides Georgian restaurants, there are other vegan or vegetarian restaurants in Tbilisi you’d want to check out.

Important: All these venues have vegetarian and vegan options, even if I am not explicitly highlighting them.

Tbilisi best Restaurants map

For more convenience, I have created a Google Maps list of all the best places to eat in Tbilisi for you to save and use whenever you need it. If you download the area for offline use, you will not need the data to access the spots

Best restaurants in Tbilisi for Georgian breakfast

Georgian cuisine sadly lacks breakfast meals. The typical Georgian breakfast for locals is eggs (boiled, scumble, omelet, sun-side up) and bread with butter and/or thick jam spread. French toast and a Georgian version of Shakshouka are also popular among locals. 

Chaduna

Chaduna is one of my favorite breakfast spots in Tbilisi, offering a Georgian version of Shakshouka called Chizhi Bizhi. Therefore, it’s the closest Georgian breakfast item you can eat in the country. 

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Compared to Shakshouka, where eggs are poached in a sauce of tomatoes generally seasoned with paprika, garlic, cumin, and cayenne pepper, Chizhi Bizhi is slightly different, with either scumbled or poached eggs with almost the same ingredients (onion, tomatoes, and bell pepper) flavored with fresh herbs (coriander, purple basil, or parsley). 

Neighborhood: Sololaki/Freedom Square

Kikliko

One thing that needs to be added to the Georgian food platter is the breakfast items. However, our version of the Frenc

h toast, Kikliko, is the closest you can get. The word ‘kikliko’ also refers to the crowing of a roaster in the local language.

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This small cafe with a tiny garden slightly tucked away from the main street mainly offers egg-related meals, but they also serve oatmeal, muesli, salads, pancakes, and soups.   

The menu lists classic French toast, some with various toppings and some sweet ones. 

Usually, the dish comes with two french toast. For instance, Triple Cheese Kikliko has three kinds of melted cheeses and a good portion of sour cream.

Neighborhood: Vake



Best restaurants in Tbilisi for Khinkali 

With dozens, if not hundreds, of places offering Khinkali on their menu, it can be challenging for a tourist to choose. So I set myself a challenge to find the best Tbilisi restaurants for Khinkali that not only I but also other locals swear by. 

best restaurants in tbilisi

Cafe Daphna and Pictograma have the best Khinkali in Tbilisi and are the top two favorites for many, followed by Amo Rame Bani and Zodiaqo. Cafe Daphna and Zodiaqo are trendy, so I recommend booking a table at Cafe Daphna; Zodiaqo doesn’t take reservations.

Pictograma has the most authentic, mountain-type Khevsuruli Khinkali, which is the best for me. However, due to the specific spice that gives it a very distinctive taste, it is not for everyone, including many locals. 

Top Georgian restaurants in Tbilisi

Ethnographer

Ethnographer Restaurant offers traditional food and a Georgian dance show every evening. Located on Beliashvili Street, in the outskirts, the restaurant’s setting is quite beautiful, adorned with ethnographic items to showcase the country’s culture and folk.

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Their diverse and extensive menu offers various Georgian dishes, including meat and vegetarian meals, several types of Khachapuri, fish, etc. I was invited to a dinner here with many different meals on the tables. Everything I tried was delicious, and the service was exceptional.

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Therefore, if you are looking for the best restaurants in Tbilisi with live music and traditional Georgian dances, Ethnographer is the place to go.

Neighborhood: Dighomi/outskirts of Tbilisi

Salobie Bia

This Georgian restaurant on Shota Rustaveli Avenue is known for the black bean dish called Lobio. Lodged in the basement of the Rustaveli Theater, Salobie Bia’s menu is not extensive but offers a good choice of Georgian cuisine. 

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Come here to try their main course, Lobio in a clay pot with various pickles and a cornbread mchadi. Other items on the menu are pickled mushrooms, proso millet and quinoa ghomi with Sulguni cheese, Kubdari (meat pie typical from Svaneti), and Lobiani (black bean pie). 

Besides being one of the top 10 restaurants in Tbilisi, it is also like a museum, displaying a private collection of vintage items, movie postcards, various signs, traditional clothes, contemporary art, mosaics, and toys.

Neighborhood: Center/Rustaveli Ave

Shoti

Shoti offers Georgian-themed sandwiches made from shoti bread baked in a tone oven. Their small menu consists of appetizers made from half as lice of shoti bread and whole sandwiches. 

Now located on the second floor of Orbeliani Bazzar, Shoti started as a street food joint during food festivals. They serve sandwiches with exciting flavors and ingredients.  

There are many controversial talks among locals regarding Shoti – some don’t like the portions, some think it’s overpriced, and some complain about the wait time. I won’t lie – they need to better their cooking and serving time, as it takes 30-40 minutes to prepare a sandwich. On the other hand, you can take this time and explore the Orbeliani Bazaar itself.

At first glance, portions seem small for their price, but they are incredibly filling. The Meskhetian oyster mushroom Shoti sandwich comes with Tenili cheese, typical to the Meskheti region of Georgia. The flavors are well balanced with micro herbs, pomegranate seeds, and tarragon.

Neighborhood: Center/Orbeliani Square

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Tamtaki

If you’ve been to Georgia for quite some time now, you’ll know that Georgian cuisine lacks street food items. However, a local female chef, Tamta Kikaleishvili, came up with a genius idea that I genuinely believe more people should know of.

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Tamtaki is Georgian street food made with local traditional flavors, ingredients, and methods combined with a modern twist. Their menu is not extensive, but you can find something you’d like. 

Wrapped in very soft, airy, and fluffy pita-like bread, Tamtaki can be meat or vegetarian-based. I first tried their buffalo Tamtaki (buffalo is a rare find in Tbilisi) at one of the street food festivals. However, I recommend going to their joint in the Vera neighborhood for the freshest taste and softness of the bread. 

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The venue is small, with only three tables and a few chairs at the bar, but the design is absolutely charming and cute. 

Besides the buffalo one, I have tried oyster mushroom Tamtaki at the venue, and it was super delicious and full of flavors. I’ll be going back to try other versions too. The main reason why they are so good is that they grill the main ingredients to give a distinguished taste.

Neighborhood: Vera.

Sormoni

Sormoni is another of the best Georgian restaurants in Tbilisi to try somewhat typical meals with a slight twist in the presentation. Nestled behind a busy highway in the Saburtalo area next to City Mall Saburtalo, Sormoni has indoor and outdoor sitting areas with charming Georgian wooden-carved balcony-inspired terraces. 

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The menu is extensive, with many appetizers and main meals. They also have unique Georgian dishes that you can’t find elsewhere. 

Their mushroom salad with chicken comes with black fungus and is very interesting to try. As for the appetizer, I recommend trying Ekala (smilex) with walnut paste accompanied by worm chvishtari (cornbread with cheese) balls and dambalkhacho (aged mountain cheese) sauce. 

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For an interesting take on Khinkali, try their typical Khinkali in mushroom, cream, chicken, classic, and smoked Sulguni cheese cream that comes in a clay pot. It might seem like a mess of flavors, but trust me, it’s unique. 

Neighborhood: Saburtalo

Amra

This Georgian restaurant concentrates on Abkhazian cuisine, the region Russia has occupied for over two decades. Abkhazian food is very similar to the cuisine from the Samegrelo region; however, they have their own twist on those comparable dishes.

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One of the staples of Abkhazian cuisine is Abkhazura – spicy meatballs made from a mixture of pork, beef, dill, parsley, pepper, onion, coriander, and Georgian thyme or summer savory. 

I recommend trying Elarji (cheesy version of cornmeal dish ghomi) with Abkhazian ham and meat patties (katleti) done in Sokhumi-style (capital of Abkhazia) with melted cheese on top and french fries as a side. 

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Amra is also the best place to try Abkhazian Khachapuri, similar to Imeruli but has slightly sweet dough and an egg glaze to make the top crispy.

Neighborhood: Saburtalo

Dadiani

Dadiani is the royal family surname that ruled in the Samegrelo Region. Therefore, the restaurant focuses on providing regional specialties in its extensive menu. 

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This sophisticated restaurant is a local favorite when craving Megrelian food, making it one of the 10 best restaurants in Tbilisi. While many choices exist, we loved their Elarji with Kharcho and Gebzhalia – a softened cheese appetizer. 

They also have Megrelian Khachapuri, ghomi, kupati, and kverebi (Megrelian version of cheese Khinkali), to name just a few. 

Neighborhood: Saburtalo

Vakhtanguri’s Chebureki

Vakhtanguri’s Chebureki, located in Avlabari, is an eatery adjoining the owner’s private house. It is one of the best restaurants in Tbilisi to try Chebureki – a popular street food in post-Soviet countries. The exact origin of Chebureki is unclear, but it is believed to have originated in the Crimean Tatar cuisine and then spread throughout the region.

restaurants in tbilisi

Chebureki, also spelled Cheburek or Chiburekki, is a savory pastry with a mixture of ground meat (usually beef, lamb, or pork), onions, and spices as its filling. This semi-circularly shaped food is then deep-fried and looks like an empanada. 

Besides meat, Chebureki can be vegetarian-friendly, made from mushrooms, cheese, and potatoes, for example. Usually, the dough of Chebureki is thick, and deep-frying makes it quite greasy. However, I was pleasantly surprised to see it quite crispy and wrapped in a very thin dough. The meat Chebureki is particularly juicy inside, so be careful when taking a bite. 

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Their menu also includes other typical Georgian meals, including Khinkali, Khachapuri, Mtsvadi, and Lobiani, to name just a few.

→ Neighborhood: Avlabari

Cafe Theorema

Cafe Theorema is another Georgian restaurant in Tbilisi in Ilia’s Garden near the Marjanishvili metro. 

With a bright and colorful interior adorned with Georgian decor, it offers a plethora of typical local cuisine in its cozy setting with the added charm of outdoor seating.

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The menu features an array of dishes from tasty Khinkali to mouthwatering Tolma (meat wraps in grape leaves) and well-seasoned cucumber and tomato salad, to name just a few. 

Whether you’re seeking a hearty lunch or a romantic dinner with occasionally hosted live music in the evenings, Cafe Theorema is an excellent choice among other restaurants in Tbilisi.

Neighborhood: Chughureti/Marjanishvili metro

Maspindzelo Express

Maspindzelo Express is a product of M | group, a well-established restaurant and hotel management group with many venues in the country, including a restaurant Maspindzelo near Abanotubani. 

The Express branch is based on fast and casual service, serving guests traditional Georgian cuisine prepared using locally sourced ingredients.

The restaurant’s interior is charming, with paintings showcasing various famous Georgian slang and phrases every local uses in the conversation. 

Maspindzelo Express’s menu features classic food with its own twist to it. Here you can find eggplant with walnuts in an almond sauce, cucumber, and tomato salad with Gurian adjika (Guria is a western region of Georgia, while adjika is a spicy sauce), traditional Kebab and Mtsvadi (grilled meat on a skewer), and various regional pastries, to name a few. 

The meals are very delicious and well-seasoned. The only dish we found slightly ordinary was the eggplant roll with walnuts in an almond sauce because almonds needed to be more distinguished and noticeable to taste.

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Maspindzelo Express’s menu features traditional Georgian food with its own twist to it. Here you can find eggplant with walnuts in an almond sauce, cucumber, and tomato salad with Gurian adjika (Guria is a western region of Georgia, while adjika is a spicy sauce), classic Kebab and Mtsvadi (grilled meat on a skewer), and various regional pastries, to name a few. 

The meals are very delicious and well-seasoned. The only dish we found slightly ordinary was the eggplant roll with walnuts in an almond sauce because almonds needed to be more distinguished and noticeable to taste. 

Neighborhood: Vera

Best cheap restaurants in Tbilisi

Ghebi

This local favorite Tbilisi restaurant has been on my list for a while, and I finally tried it. Located on Davit Aghmashenebeli Street, a few minutes’ walk from the Marjanishvili metro, Ghebi is a simple restaurant offering typical Georgian cuisine.

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Come here to try dishes that are very affordable with ample portion sizes. Their Chvishtari (the cornmeal bread with cheese) is one of the biggest I’ve seen served in other venues. The Megrelian Kupati (sausage) is quite big and very flavorful.

They have a good choice of vegetarian Georgian meals, as well as meat-based ones. We also tried Khinkali, but for me, it was an okay one and nothing special I’d return here for.

Neighborhood: Chughureti/Marjanishvili

Mapshalia 

Mapshalia focuses on the Megrelian cuisine of the Samegrelo region in western Georgia. It’s my favorite eatery because of its tasty food, average meal sizes, and highly affordable prices, making it one of the best cheap restaurants in Tbilisi.

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Elarji

The menu is not extensive and offers some of the best staples of their regional cuisine. I recommend trying Elarji (grits with cheese) accompanied either with Bazhe (cold walnut sauce) or Kharcho (hot meat stew with walnuts), Megrelian Khachapuri that typically has extra cheese on top, and Kupati (Georgian sausage made from pork intestines).

Neighborhood: Chughureti/Marjanishvili

Best restaurants in Tbilisi for Khachapuri

Puri Guliani 

Puri Guliani primarily focuses on dough-based meals, serving some of the best Khachapuri in Tbilisi. The menu has Adjarian, Pkhlovana (leeks and tarragon), Georgian four cheese, Lobiani with Jonjoli (pickled bladdernut/capers), and Guliani Khachapuri “Kachma”.

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Apart from the Khachapuri, my favorite is the colorful tomato salad topped with Nadughi (ricotta-like cheese) wrapped in Sulguni (salty mozzarella-like) cheese paper. The salad is flavored with Jonjoli sauce and balsamic vinegar. Their deep-fried Sulghini cheese sticks with Imeretian tomato sauce are absolutely delicious too.

Make sure you order Laghidze water, a local lemonade of different flavors. My favorite is the vanilla and chocolate mixture.

Neighborhood: Chugureti/Near Dry Bridge

Gunda

Since February 2024, Gunda Restaurant has sadly closed down. I was a big supporter of their mission of reviving more than 15 different Khachapuris.

A relatively new addition to the Tbilisi restaurant scene, Gunda is an artisanal Khachapuri bakery, a byproduct of a multidisciplinary study of the Khachapuri tradition conducted by the founders of Gunda (Levan Kokiashvili and Lali Papiashvili – food and beverage consultants) together with the Georgian Gastronomic Association all across Georgia.

Cafe Stamba

This chick, sophisticated, stylish cafe of Stamba Hotel is one of the favorite places for many locals and foreigners, offering both Georgian and international meals. 

best tbilisi restaurants

They do make one of the best Adjarian Khachapuri in Tbilisi that is perfect in size to finish it all and not feel overstuffed. The dough is crispy and thin, while the filling is cheesy! Moreover, they remove the extra dough from its sides by default, making it much lighter. 

They also serve Imeruli, Lobiani, and Puff Pastry Khachapuri if you want other types. 

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

Neighborhood: Vera

Radio Cafe

Radio Cafe is another place to try several different types of Khachapuri, especially Adjarian Khachapuri, which comes in various fillings and is very distinguishable from the classic one.

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They got very creative on their stuffings, and besides the classic one, Radio Cafe offers Chkmeruli (a Georgian chicken dish with garlic sauce), spinach, seafood, four cheese, and Capricciosa. And if you want to try a few different ones, they have a set of three mini Adjarian Khachapuri of your choice.

Their four-cheese Khachapuri is tasty and made with a mixture of four Georgian kinds of cheese. The size was perfect, with the right amount of filling.

Neighborhood: Chugureti/Near Dry Bridge

Traditional Georgian food with a modern twist

Funicular Restaurant

This three-story complex, located on the hilltop of Mtatsminda mountain, is one of the best restaurants in Tbilisi with view. Constructed in 1938, it is a historic eatery that now has three venues: the Funicular Restaurant, Georgian Bistro, and pastry-cafe Funicular, each having a different concept and food offerings.

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The restaurant on the second floor offers Georgian meals with a slightly modern touch and a wide choice of vegetarian and meat-based dishes. I’ve tried several of their meals, including appetizers and main courses, which were very delicious.

I especially loved the Guda (Georgian goat cheese) chips that came with several appetizers, Imeretian Khachapuri that was extremely thin (not to overstuff you), beef Kharcho with fried Elarji (cornmeal porridge with cheese), and turkey with Svanetian salt with walnut and pumpkin puree.

Neighborhood: Mtatsminda

Elene Dariani

This slightly new restaurant in the Sololaki neighborhood is a creation of Dimu Menabde, a finalist in Georgian Masterchef. Like many cafes and restaurants in Tbilisi (e.g., Chaduna, Coffee Place), Elene Dariani is housed in a typical Sololaki apartment turned into a minimalist yet chick dining venue. 

Located on Paolo Iashvili Street, the restaurant tributes Elene Bakradze, a prominent 20th-century Georgian writer and poet known for her significant contributions to Georgia’s cultural and literary landscape. 

She used Elene Dariani as her pen name to publish a collection of poems titled The Dariani Cycle, which openly depicted female erotic fantasies deemed unconventional for a woman during that period.

Many mysteries surround her story. For many years, she was considered a literary mystification of Paolo Iashvili, another significant figure in Georgian literature and one of the leaders of the Georgian symbolist movement, to which the poet attributed 14 poems. However, many archival sources discovered in the 1990s proved that Elene Dariani and Elene Bakradze were the same people. 

The restaurant is very spacious, with plenty of tables, a well-designed minimalist interior, and a touch of neon-color lighting. 

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Dimu has created a menu showcasing regional Georgian specialties. One must-try is the Meskhetian tatarberaki, often called Georgian pasta, served with Racha ham, baked pumpkin, and spicy oil. And don’t worry; there’s a vegetarian version with beetroot leaves. 

We also tried Chvishtari (cheese-filled cornbread) with hazelnut butter and leek sauce, fried sulguni (salty mozzarella cheese) salad with orange dressing, and pomegranate. All of them are very, very delicious!

Neighborhood: Sololaki/Freedom Square

Unfound Door Gastro Bar

One of the unique things Tbilisi hides in its grand buildings of Sololaki, Chughureti, and Mtatsminda neighborhoods are the hand-painted and intricately decorated entryways. A few years ago, one of such 19th-century residential buildings of Baroque architecture became home to a charming boutique hotel Unfound Door.

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The building that now houses the hotel was part of a residential complex constructed in the 1890s-1900s and owned by Nikita Adamov, a merchant from Baku, Azerbaijan. The entrance hallways are painted in Pseudo-Baroque style.

The team has carefully restored the building, ensuring every authentic detail is painstakingly preserved while tastefully incorporating modern elements into the design yet keeping it simple and sophisticated. 

In 2022, they added a gastro bar on the ground floor of the building with a culinary concept that weaves together European and Georgian cuisines and harmoniously blends regional traditions with French techniques.

Stepping into the dim, hand-painted entryway with a marble staircase, you immediately feel the grandeur of this building, telling the stories of the bourgeois elite of the bygone era. 

The large restaurant windows bring ample daylight into the area, creating an inviting and warm atmosphere. Upon closer look, you can notice the faint traces of wall art lost to time. The hand-painted ceiling of the adjacent bar room is a true treasure of that time building.  

The menu offers a few choices of starters, salads, soups, main dishes, and desserts. Some of the meals also cater to vegetarian and vegan lifestyles.

On our visit, we tried Chvishtari, a traditional cornbread with cheese, complemented by a velvety crème d’échalote and topped with delicate pieces of pear pickled in white wine. The presence of pears lent a pleasing and refreshing twist to this appetizer.

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For our main courses, Oto opted for the chicken liver accompanied by pumpkin puree and a plum sauce. Meanwhile, I indulged in the flavorsome Nerchvi, a local cheese from the Svaneti region, which bears a texture akin to cottage cheese.

The savory cheesecake, made from slightly salty cheese, is served alongside sautéed beetroot and a refreshing green salad. The tart was exceptionally soft with well-balanced flavors. Even though I am not a big fan of beetroot, I liked the pairing of these two. 

As for the drink, they have a good selection of signature cocktails crafted with a blend of botanicals, fruits, and vegetables to create delicious subtle tastes. It also makes one of the best bars in Tbilisi for a romantic evening.

Beyond the delightful cuisine, dining here offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in Tbilisi’s rich 19th and 20th centuries history, with a particular focus on the city’s magnificent yet often overlooked architectural gems.

Neighborhood: Chughureti

Shavi Lomi 

Translated as Black Lion in English, it is one of the top 10 Georgian restaurants in Tbilisi that many locals and foreigners love to dine. Their modern twist on local traditional Georgian cuisine is the key to their success and popularity.

I have been here several times, and they always maintain their standards and service. It is one of my favorite places to eat some of the best food in Tbilisi. 

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One of my favorite Georgian dishes is the Gobi, a wooden bowl filled with seasonal vegetable appetizers such as spinach, eggplant, beans, carrot, beetroot, cornbread, and cheese. You won’t find it on the menu, so order directly with the server. 

Other my favorite Georgian food to order here are Khachapuri with aged cottage cheese (Dambalkhacho), which has quite an interesting and unusual taste, and green grits with mint cheeseballs – their version of Ghomi – a famous Georgian dish from the Samegrelo region.

Neighborhood: Chugureti/Marjanishvili

Veriko

Veriko is one of the best restaurants in Tbilisi to try Georgian dishes with a modern twist. Located within the premises of an old wine factory, Wine Factory N1, Veriko offers a wide choice of meals, starting from appetizers to desserts.

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I have been there multiple times, and the meals and service never disappoint me. I recommend trying their eggplant appetizer with yogurt and toasted shoti bread or bean and pumpkin falafel with walnut sauce.

I have also had their dried beetroot aged in grape juice with cheese, but since I am not a big fan of beetroot, I was just curious to try it. 

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Their Pkhlovana, another type of Khachapuri with either spinach or beetroot leaves and cheese, is one of the best to try in Tbilisi. As for the main meals, you can’t go wrong here either. I have had their Abkhazura with tashmijab (cheesy mashed potato native to Svaneti).

Neighborhood: Vera

King and the Bird

One more Georgian restaurant where tradition meets novelty – King and the Bird won’t disappoint you if you are looking for a unique approach to Khinkali. 

Although they have other Georgian dishes on the menu, I recommend trying their different types of Khinkali. 

Fried black bean Khinkali with smoked ham was distinct, unlike other Khinkali variations I have tried. It came in a clay pot with cauliflower pickle, jalapeno, and coriander sauce. 

29 Best Restaurants in Tbilisi For Georgian Food By a Local 41

Cheese and Curd Khinkali with pesto sauce was also pretty unique. 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. 

I’ve also tried their oyster mushroom salad with raspberry sauce, which came with one or two big slices of mushroom, and raspberry vinegar was very overpowering other tastes and vegetables in the salad. 

Neighborhood: Center/near Opera House

Restaurant Kneina

A few meters from renovated Gudiashvili Square, this newly opened restaurant offers Georgian food with a slightly modernized touch. The word ‘Kneina’ in Georgian refers to the prince’s wife used in feudal times.

29 Best Restaurants in Tbilisi For Georgian Food By a Local 42

The restaurant is housed in a traditional Georgian family house with beautiful brick walls adorned with vintage furniture to create an extremely cozy and cute environment. 

On our visit, we tried their special Kneina salad, made out of various lettuce types, grilled pumpkin cubes, a sprinkle of shredded salty cheese, and grilled chicken slices. We also ordered mchadi bagels with spinach phali and nadughi (ricotta-like diary). The flavors in both meals were very well balanced, while the mchadi was not oily.

Neighborhood: Old Town towards Sololaki

Veris Duqani

Veris Duqani offers a delightful fusion of traditional and modern Georgian cuisine in an ambient environment.

29 Best Restaurants in Tbilisi For Georgian Food By a Local 43

This sophisticated restaurant set on two floors also has quite a big garden for outdoor seating during warmer months in Tbilisi, while a tastefully decorated interior creates a romantic and inviting setting. 

Veris Duqani’s menu is quite extensive, with plenty of choices among appetizers, platters, salads, main dishes, pastries, and desserts, to name a few. 

29 Best Restaurants in Tbilisi For Georgian Food By a Local 44

We’ve tried several of their salads, including warm steak, warm oyster mushroom with tarragon, and tomato with burrata. We’ve also tried their special Saperavi Khinkali with nadughi (ricotta-like cheese) and goat cheese filling. 

While the flavors were very well-balanced and delicious, portions were small for sharing and even for one person as a stand-alone meal. We especially loved the Saperavi Khinkali, and I’ve even included it in my best Khinkali in Tbilisi post. 

Neighborhood: Vera


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6 Comments

  1. Okay, this post made me hungry. On another note, lovely post…it will be really helpful when I am planning for Tbilisi

  2. Awesome post! I definitely want to visit Tbilisi now try all of these foods.

  3. This guide is so detailed! Wish I read it before I went to Tbilisi this past June, I just realized I didn’t try so many dishes but i’ll be back soon and I’ve pinned it for future reference

  4. Oohhh food in Georgia looks immense. I know almost nothing about this part of the world but you are totally selling me on the destination with the great eats.

  5. This is a phenomenal restaurant list, Baia! So many good favorites and the way you describe the creativity at Sormoni is spot on. I miss khinkali! I found khachapuri in Buenos Aires last week and it made me so happy. Thanks for making this guide!

    1. Thank you, Jenny for your comment! Glad you found Khachapuri in Buenos Aires. Was it good? :))

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