If there’s one thing other than wine that Georgians are insanely good at making, that’s food. Are you planning a vacation to Tbilisi? Well, you’ve come to the right place! Knowing where to eat in Tbilisi is the third essential thing you need to get right after your passport and plane ticket!
We know how confusing it can get to decide on a Tbilisi restaurant for dinner. This city has many restaurants, and all of them are fantastic to try. We, too, didn’t have an easy time picking our top 10 restaurants in Tbilisi. However, we’ve done the tricky part for you. Let us move to our 2024 detailed (explicitly aimed to make the food-lovers day) guide on Tbilisi restaurants.
What Are the Criteria to Choose a Restaurant
Before we get into our list of top 10 restaurants in Tbilisi, let’s review some criteria to consider before choosing a restaurant. You might already be familiar with them. But it’s good to keep a checkbox list here to make the process more convenient.
First, you need to check their location. In major cities like Tbilisi, it might be tough or time-consuming to get to the other side of the town for an evening course.
Then, you might want to check their menu before going to a restaurant. Try to think of the type of cuisine you want to have. If you want Georgian meals, you can remove Italian or Chinese restaurants.
Moreover, checking a place’s menu will help you decide which restaurant suits your budget best. If you have a limited amount of money, aim for more budget-friendly options.
Lastly, we highly suggest you look for pictures of a restaurant. Preferably some unbiased pictures taken by its regular customers. It will help to get a sense of what to expect there. Or help you decide if the ambiance or the “vibe” matches your spirit. The occasion for what you’re eating out is also crucial. For instance, a casual restaurant won’t be a good fit if you’re celebrating a milestone in your relationship.
Wondering Where to Eat? Check These Best Restaurants in Tbilisi
Now, let’s get to the part where this article is all about! Here is a list of the top 10 restaurants in Tbilisi. We tried to come up with the best options suitable for a variety of preferences. So take some time to compare and decide which one is the ideal spot in Tbilisi for you.
Barbarestan
Located in an old apartment, Barbarestan is a small and cozy restaurant. This place is surrounded by brick walls, old decorations, and furniture. This atmosphere adds to the experience of eating traditional Georgian Dishes.
Speaking of traditional cuisine, Barbarestan has an interesting backstory. The name comes from the 19th-century duchess Barbara Jorjadze. Barbarestan recipes are borrowed from her recipe book. However, they have a modern twist to better adapt to the 21st century. Besides, this restaurant offers vegan and healthy options as well.
Lastly, Barbarestan is a pricey place for those of you looking for more budget-friendly options.
Keto and Kote
It is an interesting place in the central part of Tbilisi. Keto and Kote offers a charming interior design. Besides, it provides exciting views of downtown Tbilisi.
What makes this place one of the best restaurants in Tbilisi is how they improvise on Georgian cuisine. They serve these dishes with a modern twist that almost gives them a new identity. Besides, they combine local ingredients to give them a fresh and Georgian flavor.
Keto and Kote isn’t considered an expensive restaurant. Many of their dishes have a moderate price range.
Klike’s Khinkali
Have you fallen in love with Khinkali since the first bite? If you’re among many fans of this Georgian dumpling, this place is made for you! This underground Khinkali house is a hidden gem among Tbilisi restaurants. The place is small but well-decorated.
Klike offers a wide range of khinkali. Each menu item is filled with different meat, cheese, or vegetable items. Visit this place to have a special khinkali at a fair price.
Cafe Daphna
This is another Tbilisi Restaurant that serves finger-licking dumplings and other Georgian traditional foods. Apart from its exciting menu items, Daphna is one of the prettiest restaurants in Tbilisi. It uses a modern interior design combined with vibrant and pastel colors. As many have compared, eating here is like having dinner in a Wes Anderson movie set.
Daphne has 24-hour service during weekends. Besides, it has a mid-level price range.
Sormoni
Located in the Saburtalo district, Sormoni is a beautiful restaurant. It has a calm and relaxing ambiance. Vegan-friendly options are another interesting characteristic of Sormoni. However, you can still get delicious BBQ items.
You can get special Georgian dishes and a vast wine list with good value prices.
Craft Wine Restaurant
No Tbilisi restaurants list would be complete without mentioning a place specialized in wine. Many argue that Georgia is the birthplace of wine, so why don’t you visit a restaurant that celebrates this fact?
Craft Wine combines different wines with Georgian dishes. Delve into Georgian culture by visiting this place in the Chugureti neighborhood. They also offer some other European dishes at a mid-level price range.
OtsY
Traditional Georgian food reimagined by contemporary European techniques defines the menu of OtsY. Located in Old Tbilisi, OtsY is one of the best restaurants in Tbilisi. Apart from the quality food, this place has a charming environment. Its delicate design makes it a great fit for special occasions or a romantic dinner out. However, note that OtsY’s food items are more expensive than other similar restaurants.
Mapshalia
We picked this item for those of you who are looking for an affordable yet tasty place. Mapshalia is the place where you’ll find both and even more! Here, you’ll enjoy the taste of authentic Georgian home cooking. Dishes are simple and don’t have any “twists” to offer. However, Mapshalia has remained a popular spot for both tourists and locals through the years.
Ethno Tsiskvili
This place is one of the oldest Tbilisi restaurants. It serves traditional Georgian cuisine in a special ambiance. If you visit this place, you’ll be surrounded by Georgian live music and national dances.
Another notable characteristic of this restaurant is that it is located in an old museum. Prices aren’t as high as some restaurants, and it offers a diverse experience of Georgian food, history, and culture.
Shemomechama
We saved one of the best for last. The word Shemomechama literally translates to overeating. We think the name says enough about how tasty the dishes are. Along with high-quality food, Shemomechama has an open kitchen style that allows you to watch how chefs cook your food.
Shemomechama has three branches in Old Tbilisi, Vera, and Saburtalo neighborhoods. Besides, Foods have moderate prices. All in all, Shemomechama is a casual and trustworthy place to experience Georgian dishes.
Sasadilo Zeche (Bonus Item)
We added an extra item to our list of top 10 restaurants in Tbilisi. Sasadilo Zeche is a new restaurant in the Didube neighborhood of Tbilisi. Opened in early 2024, it offers classic Georgian dishes at a mid-range price. It also has a retro-Soviet interior design.
We mentioned Sasadilo Zeche because we believe it deserves more recognition among new Tbilisi restaurants.
What to Expect in Tbilisi Restaurants
What makes Tbilisi restaurants different? What does Georgian cuisine taste like? The taste of Georgia is as unique as its geographical location. It takes the best from neighboring regions like Russia, Turkey, Armenia, and the Middle East. But at the same time, it perfectly manages to be unique. It still tastes like Georgia.
Let me give you a little tour of a Georgian kitchen. As you step inside the kitchen, you can smell fresh garlic used in many Georgian recipes. After that sinks in, you’ll start to notice the aromatic scents of organic herbs. If you look to your right, you’ll see some like purple basil, coriander, dill, tarragon, and parsley. They are a signature part of every Georgian cuisine.
Moving on to the next part, you can see a wide range of dried herbs in the corner of the kitchen. They are used as spices in many foods. Below that, if you open the cabinet, you’ll find walnuts. They are also another key ingredient in many Georgian dishes.
On your left, right on the countertop, you can see a dough resting. Bread is a core feature of Georgian dishes. If you want to run your own Georgian kitchen, you must learn how to properly bake one. Next to the countertop, open the fridge. Come close to see some Georgian cheese like Sulguni, Imeruli, and Narchvi. They are nowhere else to be found in the world. Georgia is home to more than 60 types of cheese, all with a unique taste. Every kitchen must contain at least some of them.
And lastly, you’ll see the sight of chopped pork and lamb in front of you. They are seasoned and ready to be grilled or used in stews. Meaty dishes are inseparable from Georgian cuisine. Even if you’re not a fan of red meat, give them a chance in Georgia. Mixed with unique spices, Georgian dishes offer a fresh and distinctive version of meat.
Famous Georgian Dishes to Try in Tbilisi Restaurants
I hope that a little tour of our small kitchen was helpful to give you a general idea of Georgian cuisine. Now, let’s mention some popular dishes in Georgia. If you come across any of these foods in Tbilisi Restaurants, you won’t regret trying them.
- Khinkali: This dish has come a long way from China to the heart of Georgia years ago. It is made of twisted dough filled with meat, vegetables, and spices. They can also be made using cheese or mushrooms.
- Khachapuri: A traditional Georgian cuisine made of bread that is filled with cheese. Besides, egg and butter are added to its ingredients.
- Churchkhela: You can distinguish them from their candle or sausage-like shapes and colors. Hanging in many storefronts in Georgia, Churchkhela is mainly made of grape must and walnut.
- Kharcho: It’s a beef soup mainly made of tomato broth along with chopped walnuts, rice, and spices.
- Chakapuli: A popular stew in Georgia made of lamb or veal, tarragon leaves, onions, and cherry plum. It is cooked in white wine and includes a range of fresh herbs.
- Pkhali: This can be an excellent choice if you’re looking for vegetarian dishes. It is made of chopped-off vegetables and adds other ingredients such as ground walnuts, vinegar, onions, garlic, and herbs. It is usually served over bread.
- Ajapsandali: A spicy dish popular in Armenia and Georgia. It’s similar to ratatouille and is made of eggplant, onion, tomato, and bell pepper. They are usually grilled or stewed and are mixed with garlic and other seasonings.
Last Word
Exploring Georgia’s culinary world is as exciting as the country itself. The taste of Georgian dishes is as diverse and delightful as watching the sunset over Batumi’s beach or Caucasus mountains.
We hope our Tbilisi restaurant’s quick tour was successful in showcasing the mysteries of Georgian cuisine. If you happen to visit the city for the first time, spare some time for Georgian dishes. Having a khinkali or a bowl of Kharcho in the streets of Tbilisi is such an experience everyone should have.
FAQ
Which restaurants in Tbilisi are best for traditional Georgian dishes?
Places like Barbarestan, Keto and Kote, and Klike’s Khinkali are some of the best restaurants in Tbilisi for traditional Georgian dishes. Other places like OtsY offer Georgian cuisine but at a higher price. On the other hand, Mapshalia is more affordable.
What are some must-try dishes in Tbilisi?
Khinkali, Khachapuri, Churchkhela, and Kharcho are among the best Georgian dishes everyone must try at least once.
