Snapshots
The best restaurants in Georgia are waiting to be discovered! Blending a unique combination of European palates, Middle Eastern spice and truly Georgian flavours, this cuisine is unlike anything you’ve ever tasted. Don’t believe us? Well, surprise your tastebuds with delicious dishes from the best restaurants in Georgia!
Asi Khinkali
The famous Georgian joke that inspired the term Asi Khinkali (meaning "One Hundred Khinkali") is: When the server questions why he didn't order 100 khinkali, instead of 99, the guy says, "Because I'm not a pig!" to illustrate his point. People who have a voracious appetite will love it here: The saucer-sized dumplings are so delicious that you will always find yourself ordering more than you need. Our favourites are the beef and tarragon-stuffed Chef's Khinkali and the Tianeti special edition dambalkhacho khinkali. Not only are the dumplings and khachapuri (Georgian fondue) at Asi Khinkali mouthwatering, but the original Georgian salad is just wonderful. It's boosted with radish slivers, sesame oil, mint, and pomegranate jewels. Truly one of the best restaurants in Georgia!
Barbarestan
A typical Georgian eatery serving traditional dishes inspired by the recipes found in the original cookbook of the renowned chef and writer Barbare Jorjadze, published in the 19th century. A genuine opportunity to rediscover long-lost, genuine Georgian cuisine in an atmosphere befitting the era: a mishmash of delicate lamp shades, lace tablecloths and antique silverware. Try some locally sourced dishes like ham-wrapped rabbit, pumpkin patties, and mint-spiked cherry soup. An exceptional experience is rounded up with an extensive assortment of Qvevri, traditional Georgian wines, matured on the premises. This is one of the must-try restaurants in Tbilisi!
Shemomecha
"I inadvertently ate the whole thing" is the meaning of the Georgian phrase shemomechama. With some of the greatest Georgian cuisine in Tbilisi, this restaurant makes it simple to overindulge, whether intentionally or not. As a great all-arounder for traditional Georgian cuisine, Shemomechama might have fit in with no problem in the following category. You may see your meal being made at any of our three locations since the kitchen is open. But the most essential thing is that the cooks can see the joy on your face as you devour a tray of boiling khinkali dumplings that have been hand-pinned just for you. Funky titles for some of the meals (like "Uneducated Khinkali") and an ambience that calls to mind the milk bar from A Clockwork Orange are all there. Though their main store on Samghebro Street, adjacent to the sulphur springs, is now temporarily closed, Shemomechama does have three more locations, one of which is a restaurant close to Marjanishvili Metro Station. You have to try this, as this is one of the best restaurants in Tbilisi!
Cafe Daphna
We think Wes Anderson would agree that the coral-coloured Daphna, which also specialises in khinkali, is the most beautiful restaurant in Tbilisi. Also becoming pink is the new Batumi branch. The tenderness and flavour of Daphna's dumplings will make you gasp for air. I think their kalakuri is the best of all time: Delicately flavoured with a myriad of exotic herbs and spices, succulent and bursting with flavour. If you like your potatoes with cheese and a little butter, you should try the version with melted butter. Indulge in a dumpling degustation with seven distinct tastes and no minimum order required. On weekends, the kitchen is open late, so you can get your midnight dose whenever you choose. You can't go wrong with the classic salad topped with a crispy sulguni wafer, and the desserts are sure to please. Make sure you reserve in advance.
Amo Rame
This 'district' restaurant is an outgrowth of the famous Sololaki khinkali bar and is known for Amo Rame's hand-pinched khinkali dumplings. To our knowledge, Tbilisi's finest vegetarian options are the plaited nadughi with soft cheese dumplings and the creamy, beautifully seasoned potato variation. You may sample either one—thankfully, there is no minimum purchase required! Amo Rame is in a prime location, just off Aghmashenebeli Avenue and the Marjanishvili Metro Station, where pedestrians may easily go. Two inviting dining rooms, one with charming painted ceilings, and a summer patio are available.
Cafe Littera
A picturesque garden adorned with a majestic pine tree can be found in the heart of ancient Tbilisi, just behind the Writers' House of Georgia, a structure that dates back 120 years. Tekuna Gachechiladze, who combines traditional ingredients with modern foreign influences, pioneered the 'new Georgian' cuisine, which is shown in this shaded sanctuary. Beef tartare seasoned with adjika (coriander-chili paste), pickled bladderwort buds, and gooey sulguni cheese croquettes are a modern take on the traditional Elarji dish. Enjoy some local biodynamic wines or brandies from Georgia to wash it all down.
Keto and Kote
The restaurant, which takes its name from a Georgian opera by composer Victor Dolidze, Keto & Kote, is also quite artistically gifted. Enjoy your meal on a verdant patio or in a candlelit room with vibrantly coloured walls; either way, the environment is stunning. The cuisine is a masterful reimagining of traditional Georgian dishes, such khachapuri (a cheese-filled boat-shaped bread) and lobiana (a red bean-filled pastry). You may find a variety of robust meat and fish dishes, some of which are completed over the grill, as well as lighter options like salads that make the most of local, seasonal fruit. For example, there's cucumber and tomato salad, which can be enjoyed with or without Georgian sulguni cheese. Do not leave without trying the cherry pie for dessert.