This post is about those places whose names will mean little to people who have not been to Tbilisi. However, they are the ones who can safely claim the title of restaurants, which are definitely worth a look when you are a guest of the Georgian capital. This is not just a list of restaurants where I have eaten. This is a list of restaurants that, in comparison with other establishments, turned out to be somehow better than their competitors. The list is constantly updated/corrected as new experiences and new establishments emerge. Bookmark this post.

Important to know

• Now, if you want to try real Georgian cuisine and not be disappointed, you will have to go further from the center. And pay more;
• First they bring an empty plate with cutlery, and then the dishes themselves;
• Tips here are called a “service fee,” which is already included in the bill almost everywhere (i.e., we add it additionally to the prices on the menu). Typically this is 10%. In Samikitno, popular among tourists, on Meydan Square 15%;
• Many fashionable establishments (Cafe Stamba, Shavi Lomi) have gone even further by introducing the practice of adding the so-called. “VAT” of 18%, which visitors learn about only at the payment stage;
• Bills are presented exclusively in Georgian. Are you afraid of being shortchanged? Then it’s better to take a picture on your phone of the prices of what was ordered, so that there are no questions later;
• Accepted everywhere.

Account from Shavi Lomi

Have breakfast or a snack

“Waters of Lagidze” on Rustaveli

“Lagidze Waters” is a real Georgian brand, which at one time made both American presidents and Soviet general secretaries admire it. The best place to touch the history of the drink is here, on Rustaveli. Legendary drinks (or rather, syrups for them) were invented by Mitrofan Lagidze in 1887 and have been an integral part of Georgian history since then. Moreover, at the Yalta conference in 1945, there were bottles of Lagidze Waters on the tables, and Franklin Roosevelt, who tasted the Georgian miracle soda, took with him as many as two thousand bottles. In turn, Harry Truman wondered whether it was possible to arrange supplies of lemonade directly to the USA? Ironically, many years later, M. Lagidze’s great-grandson Vakhtang became the chief technologist and vice president at one of the lemonade factories in Tbilisi, where Coca-Cola production was established.

I advise you to order the creamy one - it’s the most delicious! Khachapuri in Adjarian or Imeretian style should be fine too. The visitors are mostly local, the interior is Soviet.

The prices are very reasonable: large Imeretian-style khachapuri 7.5 GEL, small Adjarian-style khachapuri - 7.9 GEL, a glass of Lagidze water (300 ml) - 1.5 GEL. Opening hours are from 10:00 to 22:00. Bank cards are also accepted for payment. It seems like there is Wi-Fi, but I couldn’t connect.

Entrance to the Lagidze Waters cafe on Rustaveli Avenue

The order is made at the checkout

After placing an order, you can sit at any free table and wait for your food to be brought to you while drinking creamy lemonade. Number on the table for the waiter.

Georgians like to drink Lagidze by mixing both lemonades into one glass. If you're here, take a closer look. Many (if not all) locals do just that. A local resident I found on Tripster once told me about this.

“Waters of Lagidze” at the Holy Trinity Cathedral

It is located on the territory of the Holy Trinity Cathedral, and therefore it makes sense to come here after visiting the cathedral. The food here is delicious. The legendary drink, to my taste, is somewhat different from what is poured in Lagidze on Rustaveli. It tastes better here. It's best to order creamy. You can order it to take away - it will be poured into a plastic liter bottle. It's pretty cool to walk around and drink lemonade while hiking. Children should especially like it. It is in the new Lagidze that you should definitely try Adjarian-style khachapuri. Here it is one of the best that I tried in Tbilisi.

Prices are higher than in Lagidze on Rustaveli, but I wouldn’t call them outrageous either. Small Imeretian khachapuri 4 GEL, small Adjarian khachapuri 8.5 GEL (pictured), glass of Lagidze water (250 ml) 2 GEL, liter bottle 5 GEL. Opening hours are from 10:00 to 22:00. Bank cards are also accepted for payment. There is normal Wi-Fi. Delivery costs 5 GEL, call tel. 2-47-77-57.

"Waters of Lagidze" in front of the Holy Trinity Cathedral

Perfect khachapuri in Adjarian style

Creamy and chocolate lemonades

Eat a full meal

RadioCafe

Stylish cafe with an online radio station. Specializes in gastro-khachapuri and modern Georgian cuisine. Twenty types (!) of khachapuri, including the largest with a triple portion, which is important, exactly Georgian cheese. I strongly recommend adjaruli-chashashuli from veal in wine with herbs and suluguni. For dessert, two balls of the so-called. "craft ice cream": one with chocolate and adjika, the other - vanilla with tea and brownie. The space inside is divided into 4 zones. Ground floor with fireplace, terrace, eastern hall and cozy loft. All this is located in a tourist place near the Dry Bridge on Atoneli, 29 (in the same place as the Flea Market), and therefore it will not be difficult to taxi here. A bonus is the new residence of the President of Georgia, which is nearby.

Prices are below the city average. The average price of classic khachapuri is about 7 lari. My account: 22 lari including 10 percent service charge. Payment by card is possible.

Veal adjaruli-chashashuli with wine

Interior with a twist

Restaurant Samikitno

It’s not in my rules to openly scold an establishment. Anything can happen, and this “stuff” does not always depend on the establishment itself. But Samikitno is a complete failure. And full. But it was once a good restaurant. The time on the phone is the time I spent waiting for my tasteless khinkali. And this despite the fact that it was daytime, the restaurant was about 60% filled, and khinkali in such establishments have not been made by hand for a long time. Draw conclusions.

Why is it on my list? It's simple. This is the largest chain of restaurants in Tbilisi, which every now and then will come across on the way and where, ultimately, every traveler will go. Well, or almost everyone. It’s just that now your expectations won’t be too high.

Prices are among the lowest in the city. The average price for one khinkali is 0.7-0.8 lari. Payment by card is possible. A tip of 10% (and on Meydan Square 15%) will be included in the bill in addition to the order amount.

Tasteless khinkali

Exactly opposite in price and quality to the above-mentioned Samikitno is the Keto & Kote restaurant. A very cozy place, the entrance to which will be found every time. For readers of my blog, everything is much simpler - on the map at the end of the article, there is a route that will take you directly to the place. If it's a nice day, feel free to sit on summer veranda, where it is so nice to admire the view of the city and the magnolias blooming here. I would venture to recommend cheese khinkali. I liked it.

Prices are above average. For a serving of khinkali (pictured) you will have to pay 17 lari. Tipping is at the discretion of visitors. "Fashionable" tax, so-called. "VAT" is not here yet.

Cheese khinkali

Pasanauri

I would call this a kind of golden mean. Firstly, it is located in the very center, a stone's throw from Meydan Square. Secondly, they still cook well. Thirdly, the prices are quite reasonable. Fourthly, the staff is normal and quite friendly. And finally, fifthly, I came here on the advice of one of the coolest - Aishat. As you understand, my expectations were met.

Prices are average. They accept cards. The main thing is that it works around the clock.

Entrance to Pasanauri

With guide Aishat at the entrance to Pasanauri

If you walk along the street. Agmashenebeli, then Shavi lomi is the first place you should look in search of a place where you can properly eat. Shavi lomi means "black lion" in Georgian. Many people already know about it, but the flow of tourists is not yet enough to turn the black lion from a cozy family cafe into a mangy cat. Try ordering chikhiritma. It seemed delicious to me.

Prices are average. Tipping is at the discretion of visitors. However, it is here that the same notorious 18% is added to the cost of dishes, about which I don’t even say a word on the menu.

Entrance to Shavi lomi

Delicious chihirtma

Drink coffee or eat dessert

Cafe "Old Generation"

This is an authentic place, imbued with the love of its creators, which you will definitely encounter while walking along the Wine Descent. Not coming here is simply a crime! A small room with stone walls hung with various ancient Georgian attributes of life, dating back almost to the times of Vakhtang Gorgasali. The owner managed to transform her brainchild from an inconspicuous family cafe into a real cult place. Although you can still meet only very experienced and sophisticated travelers there. The coffee is brewed according to some “secret” recipe and looks like Irish coffee. I was here with my Iranian friends and everyone was absolutely delighted.

To be honest, I don’t remember the prices. I was treated to Iranians who flatly refused to take money from me. In my opinion, the coffee cost something like 6 lari. We definitely paid in cash.

Entrance to the "Old Generation" cafe

Coffee with a "secret" recipe

Ice cream parlour Luca Polare

This is the place to go for desserts. I want to traditional coffee? - also in Luca Polare. My favorite set: espresso, a scoop of Coffee ice cream (this is one of the types of ice cream to choose from) and some water (not everywhere espresso is served with water, although that is how it should be served).

Prices: espresso 3.5 GEL, cappuccino 4.9 GEL, Americano 4.3 GEL. Ice cream scoop 3 GEL. Opening hours: from 08:00 to 02:00. Cards are also accepted for payment.

Luca Polare on st. Kote Abkhazi

Good selection of ice cream

Ice cream Coffee

"Correct" set

PurPur

Many people know and quite rightly write laudatory reviews about this establishment. It's called PurPur. But not many people know what exactly is worth ordering here. It is in this place that you should try a cool and not trivial dessert - baked quince.

Baked quince

The city of Tbilisi is one of my favorite places; I feel comfortable and calm in it. Apparently that’s why, when traveling around Georgia, we stay the longest in the capital. We walked it far and wide, met nice people and noted for ourselves the best places to which we return again and again.

This article will be useful for those who are traveling to Georgia for the first time. In it I tell you what prices are in 2019, what to see in Tbilisi, as well as which establishments serve the best food (in our subjective opinion!).

The first step to an unforgettable vacation is to buy airline tickets. One of the sites where I find flights at the best price is Momondo. He scans dozens of agencies and finds the best options. The average cost of a flight from Moscow, Kyiv and St. Petersburg is $250-300 in both directions. The price depends on the season and current promotions. The minimum I've seen is $150 round trip from Moscow.

Housing cost

Housing prices in Tbilisi are very chaotic and the pricing algorithm is completely incomprehensible. You can find good housing for $10 a day, or you can live very modestly for $60. Therefore, when booking, first of all, pay attention to the reviews of other travelers. The average cost is:

• Night in a hostel - from $7, highly rated hostel from $12
• Hotel room - from $16, hotel with good reviews from 34$
• Room on airbnb – from $16
• Apartment on airbnb – from $25

Where to eat deliciously

Dima and I have two favorite cafes that we definitely go to when we’re in Tbilisi. They are rather budget-friendly and do not qualify for the high title of “restaurant”, but they are really good and cook with soul.

1. Cafe Veliaminov is located 2 minutes from Freedom Square, in a semi-basement. We've been here 10 times and always left full and happy. True, once they brought us an over-salted salad, but this is the only negative I encountered. The average bill is ≈ 50 GEL, this is 3-4 dishes + wine and lemonade. Most of all in Veliaminov I liked khinkali, Adjarian khachapuri and tongue salad. Address: st. Sh. Dadiani, 8
2. We chose Akhali Gemo based on reviews on Tripadvisor and were not disappointed. It has fast service, affordable prices and large portions. In addition, Akhali Gemo has a pleasant interior and live music in the evenings. The average bill, as in Veliaminov, is ≈ 50 lari. But there is a small minus - the cafe is not located in the center, but within walking distance from it. Address: st. Khetagurov 5/7, near the Dry Bridge, entrance from the main road.

Popular excursions in Tbilisi

If you want to bypass standard tourist routes and get to know the city better, you can order an author’s excursion in Russian from local residents. Offers for every taste - from sightseeing tours of historical places to an evening walk and a culinary master class.

If you want to see Tbilisi on your own, without being tied to a guide, you can buy a ticket for the Hop On Hop Off sightseeing bus. Tickets are valid 24 hours. or 48 hours, sold on the official website, or in the office on Meydan Square, at 11, Rkinis Rigi St.

But in my opinion, such an excursion is a pointless waste of money:

1. Almost all the sights of Tbilisi are located in the center and can be explored on foot. The bus makes a full circle along the route in 60-70 minutes. It’s unlikely that there will be anyone willing to do 2-3 laps in order to assimilate the material as much as possible, and the ticket is valid for 24 hours, what’s the point?
2. In New York, we bought an excursion from this company, but there was not one route, but three. It took us a day to travel to all directions. In this case, the purchase is justified!
3. $20 for a sightseeing tour is expensive for Georgia, but you can find a cheaper option. For example, in old Tbilisi, not far from Metekhi, there are excursion trains that take tourists around the center on excursions. The fare is $6 for 40 minutes.

Sights of Tbilisi on the map

Let's start with the most important place, which determined the name of the city. Translated into Russian, Tbilisi means warm, and it was nicknamed so because of the sulfur springs on which it is located. The baths are a popular place for both tourists and local residents. According to experienced people, steam rooms have a healing effect and are simply a panacea for people with problem skin.

The sulfur baths are located in the Abanotubani district and occupy an entire block, which has eight complexes. We were in bathhouse No. 5.

• The bathhouse is divided into 2 parts - two common rooms (3 GEL/hour) and private rooms (40-100 GEL/hour), where men and women can be together.
• General rooms are open from 7:00 to 21:00, rooms are open 24 hours a day.
• The women's room only has a shower with sulfur water, while the men's room also has a swimming pool. The private rooms have both a shower and a swimming pool.
• In the complex you can rent sheets, slippers, go for a massage or get a peeling.

These are not exactly the baths we are used to at home. The temperature in the steam room is low, no one will spank with a broom, and it smells not of pine wood, but of sulfur. One hour, or two at most, will be enough.

Mtatsminda Park and Ferris Wheel

Park Mtatsminda is one of the most visited places in Tbilisi. The park has:

• Attractions. Opening hours: 11:00 to 21:00;
• Ferris wheel;
• Restaurants;
• Cafe with panoramic views;
• Observation platforms;
• In the summer, cool parties are held here;

As befits an amusement park, Mtatsminda sells cotton candy, popcorn, waffles, juices, smoothies and other goodies.

The best way to get to Mtatsminda is by funicular, cost 2.5 GEL one way. Location coordinates: 41.695144, 44.78964.

I would recommend visiting the park in the late afternoon, when the sun begins to go below the horizon. Mtatsminda has one of the best viewpoints in Tbilisi; in the rays of sunset the city looks even more beautiful.

Tsminda Sameba, also known as Trinity Church, is the tallest cathedral in the country, its height is 75.5 meters. The church is new, it was built in 2002, it does not have a rich history, and I did not feel any strong energy there. There are a lot of tourists and even more beggars. If in the fall it is more or less calm, then in the summer it will not be crowded. I recommend leaving the cathedral for a snack after you have already seen the more interesting sights of the capital.

It received this name because of the river that once flowed under it. The bridge served for crossing, and when the river dried up, it was called dry. Today, a flea market is comfortably located here, where you can buy various unnecessary things: coins, dinnerware, daggers, lamps, plates and other dust collectors.

They also sell souvenirs here, which are cheaper than in souvenir shops. For example, dry magnets can be bought for 2.5 GEL. Exactly the same, but in the souvenir shop it will cost 3.5 GEL.

Metekhi Castle was built on the rock of the same name, on the banks of the Kura River. The castle itself is an ancient citadel and residence of the Georgian kings, after whom the area was named. The main feature of Metekhi is the observation deck of old Tbilisi. Dima and I even specially arrived early in the morning to admire the beautiful panorama in silence. I recommend Metekhi as a must-see attraction, you won’t regret it!

I've seen a lot of cities at night, but even New York and Singapore didn't impress me as much as Tbilisi at night. The cabins are beautifully illuminated at night, you feel like you are in a movie about the future, where small cars fly. Perhaps just because you don’t expect anything special from the cable car, in the end the impressions are much stronger. The lift costs 2 lari.

The top of the mountain, where the cable car takes you, is our favorite place in the city. Sometimes we take a bottle of wine and churchkhela, go up to the observation deck and admire old Tbilisi.

In Georgia, no one will be surprised by ancient churches, but Narikala has a huge advantage - its territory offers a stunning panorama of old Tbilisi. What I especially like (and at the same time causes bewilderment!) is that you can climb the walls of the fortress and explore its different corners.

The best way to get to Narikala is by cable car, and walk a few hundred meters from it. Admission is free.

Peace Bridge and Rike Park

The Glass Bridge of Peace has generated a lot of buzz around it. Some admired the architectural masterpiece, others complained that it violated the unified integrity of architecture. You can't please everyone!

Crossing the bridge, you will enter the territory of Rike Park. It is not very big and its construction is still ongoing, but, in my opinion, it is one of best places Tbilisi. It’s pleasant to walk in it, it’s bright and extraordinary, as if you’re not in Georgia at all, but somewhere in Europe or the USA (according to my feelings!)

A huge green oasis with waterfalls and a bamboo grove in the heart of the city. The Botanical Garden is an excellent place for those who have already had enough of the sights of Tbilisi and want to relax in the shade of the trees. It’s clean here, there are benches, gazebos, playgrounds and very few people, or so it seems.

There are two ways to get to the botanical garden:

• Near the sulfur baths there is the main entrance, address: 1 Botanikuri St.
• On the mountain, opposite the entrance to the cable car, there is an observation deck. A staircase leads down from it, you go there.

Entrance ticket: 2 GEL.

From April to September the botanical garden is open from 9:00 to 20:00, at other times of the year from 9:00 to 18:00. Closed on Mondays.

The zoo was badly damaged due to floods in 2015. Some things have been restored, but many repairs continue to this day. The zoo itself is not large, but many animals live in it: hippos, lions, monkeys, rhinoceroses, elephants and others. A visit for an adult is 2 GEL, for children from 3 to 12 years old - 1 GEL, under 3 years old is free.

To truly feel Georgia, you need to go grocery shopping where the locals buy their food. Here is the genuine flavor for which most tourists come. Here you go fresh vegetables, and fruits, herbs, spices, cheeses, the famous Georgian churchkhela and much more. In addition, tasting is not only encouraged, but also practically obligatory.

One of the largest markets in Tbilisi is Desertirsky, also known as Desertirka. True, it seemed to me that it was dirtier than, for example, in Kutaisi or, and this spoiled the impression a little.

Of all the described attractions of Tbilisi, I would not go to the Trinity Church again. I think the hype around her is a bit exaggerated. Yes, it’s beautiful, no doubt about it, but not wow-wow!

Public transport

The Georgian capital has a good transport interchange; getting from point A to point B is not difficult. The main mode of transport: metro, buses and taxis. Prices in Tbilisi for transport in 2019 are as follows:

1. Metro - 1 lari.
2. Bus or minibus - 50 tetri.
3. Ropeway - 2 GEL.
4. Funicular - 2 GEL.
5. (3-6 km.) - 4-6 GEL.
6. Taxi (5-8 km) - 5-8 GEL.

Still have questions? Ask in the comments!

I found some of these places on my own, others through the advice of local friends, and still others I came across by chance while walking around Tbilisi. I am happy to share information that will not be superfluous.

Assorted pkhali and chakapuli with mushrooms at Ezo restaurant

Ezo is Georgian for “yard”, the place is difficult to find if you don’t know. Located at: st. GerontiKikodze, house 16 (in the courtyard). The peculiarity of the place is that the restaurant owners make all the products themselves or buy them from small private farms. The best Georgian snacks are served here - pkhali and incredibly tasty mushroom chakapuli - mushrooms stewed with spices and tarragon. In spring, be sure to try chakapuli made from young lamb.

Address: st. GerontiKikodze, house 16 (in the courtyard)

Matsoni and mchadi at Gabriadze's Cafe

Matsoni is Georgian yogurt, and mchadi is flatbread from corn flour which are served in Cafe Gabriadze in the form of bagels with pkhali stuffed with spinach. I also recommend ice cream with condensed milk. A real delight, prices are average Tbilisi, 40-70 GEL for two.

Gabriadze is a cult Georgian screenwriter, director, author of many films, in particular Mimino and Kin Dza Dza, founder of the theater in Tbilisi. Cafe Gabriadze is located right in the theater building, and besides the food, you will definitely like the interior.

Address: 12 Shavteli Street, adjacent to the theater building

Georgian breakfast in Tbilisi Hilltop

In Georgia, people like to sleep, so you can have breakfast even before noon. Fresh matsoni with fruits and chocolate cake - best option in a cafe Tbilisi Hilltop. It is located not far from the Narikala fortress.

Address: st. Betlemi, 27

The best khinkali in Tbilisi

The list of khinkal dishes is far from complete, I will name the most the best khinkali in Tbilisi which I visited on the advice of local friends:

• "Zakhar Zakharych", Sanapiro st., 3a– the best traditional khinkal according to many locals.
• “The Fantastic Spirit of Sofia Melnikova”(Sofia Melnikova's Fantastic Douqan), Tabukashvili St., 9. Hidden in the courtyard of the Literary Museum. A must-visit place because of the stunningly cozy courtyard and delicious khinkali with mushrooms.
• "Pasanauri", Griboedovi str., 37/46, open from 10:00 to 02:00 (nights)
• "At Velyaminov's", Dadiani St., 8 - Svoboda Square metro station - the most inexpensive of those offered, very tasty

Dogwood soup and lamb ribs at the Barberestan restaurant

Barberstan Restaurant– it’s intimate, cozy and tasty. In addition to traditional and incredible ribs and chicken with spinach, they serve unusual dishes, for example, dogwood soup according to old noble recipes of the 19th century. This restaurant began with a recipe book once found by a noble family.

Address: st. D. Aghmashenebeli, 132

Ukrainian and Georgian cuisine at Famous restaurant

Borscht, cutlet Kiev, potato pancakes in sour cream, dumplings with meat, cheesecakes with caramel sauce, chashoshuli, chakhokhbili, chicken tabaka, chicken soup-kharcho, shkmeruli - you can try all this in Tbilisi Famous restaurant, st. Abo Tbileli, 1 – Gudiashvili Square.

A good way to combine two cuisines, and favorites include Ukrainian potato pancakes and Georgian shkmeruli - chicken in garlic sauce..

Address: st. Abo Tbileli, 1

Car rental in Georgia

Now in Georgia you can rent a car in all major cities and airports. We rented a car upon arrival in the city of Kutaisi on this site. Prices for car rental in Georgia are slightly higher than in Europe, 50-70 dollars per day, but significantly lower than 5 years ago - then they were around 100 dollars. In most cases, an ordinary passenger car is sufficient; where an SUV is needed, you can always use the services of local residents - it’s inexpensive, from 10 to 50 dollars, depending on time and distance. You can read more about car rental in Georgia.

How to buy a flight to Tbilisi

IN Tbilisi from Ukraine Several airlines fly, including UIA, Georgian Airlines, YanAir, SkyUp. You can buy a ticket on the airline website or use an aggregator aviasales.ru– it’s often cheaper here than directly on the website.

Budget hotels in Tbilisi

Choose suitable hotel in Tbilisi , better in advance, on the website HotelsCombined (Room Guru)– a kind of “Skyscanner”, but for hotels. Choose a hotel, the site offers the best price among all popular booking systems.

Updated 04/07/2019

The cult of food in Georgia is incredibly developed, so 99 out of 100 tourists who come to the capital of this hospitable country wonder where the best restaurants in Tbilisi are located? I’ll answer honestly: there are so many people, so many opinions, and probably almost every traveler who has been here has his own rating of restaurants. Therefore, the list of Tbilisi restaurants given below is my subjective assessment, based primarily on my impressions of the dishes and drinks served. I will also focus on the very best food establishments, which are most often noted by both ordinary tourists and professional critics.

Briefly about Tbilisi restaurants

First, some important information about Georgian and, in particular, Tbilisi cuisine.

1. The difference in prices in the city’s restaurants is very insignificant and is due to the presence of tourists (if there were no visitors, the dishes would generally cost the same, because in Georgia society is very weakly stratified economically and socially).
2. There are no uniform rules and standards for cooking in Georgia. If you are looking for where to eat in Tbilisi for the first time, then with equal probability you can end up in a restaurant with delicious cuisine, and to a rather mediocre establishment. But most often there are intermediate types with satisfactory food quality.
3. You can find both establishments with a show program and classic restaurants. The first is more expensive.
4. Regional Georgian dishes are best prepared in regional restaurants in Tbilisi.
5. The check almost always includes a 10% service charge (i.e. tip). Sometimes it's 15%, sometimes it's 20%.

Well, now let's see where to eat deliciously in Tbilisi.

Actually, the restaurant “In the Shadow of Metekhi” (Tbilisi) is located not by chance - the area and the Metekhi rock are really nearby. But the stunning views of Tbilisi and the neighborhood with the historical center are where the bright features of the establishment end. The restaurant positions itself as a classic national restaurant, and this is true, but there are many similar colorful establishments scattered throughout the capital of Georgia. And to be included in the “Best Restaurants in Tbilisi” rating, color alone (and there is, however, enough of it here - just the thing for tourists who want to get to know the culture of Georgia better) is not enough. The main advantage of the restaurant “In the Shadow of Metekhi” is its cuisine. The chefs’ dishes are truly amazingly tasty, the portions are quite large, but the prices are consistent - it’s a little more expensive here than the city average (60-70 GEL will be the average bill for dinner with wine).

The entertainment and evening program in the restaurant are similar and familiar. From 18:00 live music starts playing and does not stop until the last client. You can listen to the performances of Georgians from the glassed-in veranda, but for those who want to relax without loud music, I advise you to sit at the farthest end of this hall. From approximately 20:00 to 22:00, visitors are delighted with their programs by dancers, bright and lively, ready to take any willing (preferably sober) restaurant guest into their dance. The restaurant's cuisine is predominantly Georgian, but there are also classic European dishes. The staff speaks three languages, and waiters serve 6 halls: from the main hall for 160 people to the intimate “Asian” hall for only 6 visitors.

Restaurant "Taglaura" in Tbilisi

This is a whole chain of restaurants in the capital of Georgia, which includes four food outlets:

• Gulia Street, 1, near the Ortachala bus station. Routes No. 19, 50, 55, 71, 101 go here, and there is the Isani metro stop relatively close.
• Kostava Street, 77, next to the Vakhushti Bridge. A few blocks to the west is the Technical University metro stop, and across the bridge is the Tsereteli metro station.
• Beliashvili Street, next to the Morphological Institute. Bus route No. 121 goes to the stop “Beliashvili Street, 14”.
• Okrokana road, at the southwestern exit from the city. Either intercity minibuses or personal transport come here ().

Restaurant "Taglaura" (Tbilisi) is a rare case of synthesis of Western and Eastern culture. Firstly, this is a chain restaurant, that is, it no longer positions itself as a unique and only building. Secondly, “Taglaura”, like the two previous restaurants, is distinguished by a high concentration of Georgian flavor in the exterior, interior, cuisine and service. The halls are decorated in folk style, the main dishes are national (khinkali, shish kebab, khachapuri). Thirdly, the restaurant chain approaches visitors in a Western way; this restaurant best shows the influence of American and European cultures on Georgia.

Among the restaurant dishes, you should definitely try cheap and tasty khinkali of different types and with different fillings (from 50 tetri per piece), fresh local bread and lemonade, classic meat shish kebab, which is brought from the villages daily! Considering these facts and the large (for Georgia) number of chain establishments, you now know exactly where to eat in Tbilisi :).

In “Taglaur” the culture of wine is less developed, but you can try it here too. But brewing and drinking beer in the chain of these restaurants is incredibly popular. Thus, two whole points are equipped with their own small brewery, which allows you to create a fresh and high-quality product right on the spot. The most famous brewery is in the restaurant near the Ortachala station, which serves both light and dark beer. The average cost of a check for lunch or dinner is significantly lower than in popular and pretentious restaurants - 20-30 lari.

Other restaurants in Tbilisi

Here I will list some establishments worth visiting, including interesting restaurants Tbilisi with live music:

“Racha Dukhan” is a semi-basement folk restaurant located at the intersection of Lermontov and Dadiani streets. It is famous for the only abkhazuri in Tbilisi (spicy veal or pork sausages in pork net).

“Zakhar Zakharych” is one of the few restaurants where native city residents also go. Here are the best khinkali in Tbilisi 10 different types(meat ones cost from 80 tetri per piece). It is located almost under the Dry Bridge.

"Phaeton" - the main competitor of "Melnitsa" is also located on Beliashvili Street, a little further than the already mentioned restaurant. Pretentious and exclusive, focusing on the flavor of Georgia. But it’s delicious here, although a little expensive.

“Samikitno-Machakhela” is the best (in my opinion) restaurant in Tbilisi in a chain format (only “Taglaura” can compete with it). Although in fact, these two networks (three, if we highlight Machakhela separately, which is positioned as a khachapur network) belong to the same company. Regional Adjarian restaurants are located throughout the city, and the main one is located in the heart of the Old City - on Maidan or Meydan (Vakhtang Gorgasala Square). They make real Adjarian khachapuri and delicious khinkali here. The average bill for a hearty snack is 15 GEL.

“Samikitno - Machakhela” - there are several restaurants of this chain in Tbilisi, most often visited are those located on Freedom Square and Vakhtang Gorgasala Square. It is noteworthy that reviews about them (in comparison with each other) can be found diametrically opposed. Someone claims that best restaurant chain is located on Freedom Square, but on Meydan the establishment is mediocre. Others, on the contrary, claim that there is nothing to do in the Samikitno restaurant on Freedom Square. Personally, I liked it better in Machakhela on Vakhtang Gorgasal Square. There are often no places there, and the waiters may not seem very smiling or polite, but remember that you are in Georgia.


By the way, over the past year you can often find negative reviews about the network. They say they started working without a soul, everything was put on stream. Please share your review after visiting the restaurant.

Review of Tbilisi restaurants - revealing passwords and appearances

4.7 (93.43%) VOTED 67

Tbilisi enchants from the first crispy piece of hot shoti bread. In this “gastronomic Mecca” of Georgia, tradition and renewal with an eye to the West collide. Georgians themselves increasingly prefer European dishes in restaurants, and the classics of the genre are becoming entertainment for guests.

City market "Deserter"

Address: Station Square station

The Tbilisi city market welcomes you with a scattering of spices, towers of cheese and stalactites of churchkhela hanging from the rungs or neatly collected in bundles that look more like dynamite. Smiling sellers sing praises of their goods, juggling prices and descriptions. Here is Saperavi, here is Rkatseteli, pomegranate juice, sweet honey. Whole nut, chopped nut or round hazelnut. Fresh churchkhela should be viscous and soft, and the nut should remain hard. Over time, it hardens and sugar begins to be released in the form of a white coating. An old churchkhela is a delicacy for everyone with a spare jaw in your pocket. Ask to cut it as a sample so as not to throw it away later. Take a few sticks from the kind, talkative old man at the beginning of the market and get another glass homemade wine as a gift. And a harmful granny can force you to buy a hard stick for 1 lari, because she cut it for testing. Mimosa makes the most delicious churchkhela. Her stall is located in the back hall of the Deserter Market and immediately attracts attention with its beauty and variety of tastes.

Traders offer dozens of types of homemade young cheeses. At first glance they are all the same, but in reality they are completely different in texture and degree of salinity. They add a lot of salt, this way the cheese is stored better. At home you need to soak it in water, the excess salt will go away. Traders do not have refrigerators; by evening, many cheeses already spoil and become sour.

Deserter has the lowest prices in the city. They weigh and deceive with ease, but without fanaticism. You can even try to bargain for fun, although no one makes significant discounts. You need to choose the products yourself, otherwise there is a high chance of getting unripe or rotten fruits. Sellers reserve the best for regular customers.

Kakhelebi

Address: Saknavtobi #2 Kakheti Hwy

A 30-minute ride in a tin can minibus, and the car stopped at a nondescript building right on the side of the road. There was a long line at the take-out window for fresh baked goods: traditional pies, breads, cookies and unexpected chocolate muffins lay appetizingly on the display case. For many years there was a grocery store here, and then a small cafe Kakhelebi opened. There were only a couple of tables in the cramped room. Guests were offered three dishes: shish kebab, khashlama (stewed parts of veal. - Note author) and tatariakhni (beef soup. - Note author). The food was cooked deliciously and with soul. Over the course of 10 years of operation, the restaurant grew to eight tables and became known throughout the world thanks to its fair food. Politicians and artists come here, as well as drivers and passengers of any passing transport. No pomposity or “inflated” price tags. The owner's hospitality is evident in everything.

The owner, the famous businessman Chichiko Goletiani, can often be found here. The restaurant is a hobby for him, or rather a beloved child. He comes up with and tastes dishes himself, knows all the kitchen staff and their stories. There are no professional chefs here, they are entirely self-taught enthusiasts who have brought their daily work to perfection. The baker, for example, is a professional flutist. Sometimes he plays for guests, but in everyday life he bakes delicious bread with intoxicated sourdough with an appetizing crispy crust.

The restaurant provides products from its own farm a couple of hours drive from Tbilisi. Vegetables, fruits, and even nuts are grown on a vast territory of 60 hectares. Endless rows of perfectly groomed vineyards in the fall produce a rich harvest of Georgian and European varieties, from which wine is made especially for Kakhelebi: refreshing Chardonnay, heady ruby ​​Saperavi or pink Mary - an original blend of Merlot and Rkatsiteli.

Kakhelebi is translated as “Kakhetians” - after the name of the region whose dishes are prepared here, and with clear seasonality rules. The menu is constantly updated. As they say, what grows, grows. This is not a tribute to a trend, but reality. Georgian cuisine is based on fresh products, nothing is stored or frozen here.

They offer a lot of meat. Depending on the season, for example, veal, goat, turkey or quail may appear. First of all, when ordering, you need to decide on the method of preparing the main dish: either fried, or stewed, or boiled. You can't mix them. This can lead to heaviness in the stomach after a pleasant meal. Next, the waiters will help you choose suitable appetizers and salads. At the height of summer they brought us an enchanting green salad with strawberry marshmallow, tomato salad and young cheeses. Stewed kid in tomato sauce By traditional recipe It was so tender that you didn't even need to chew it.

It’s better to eat the signature khachapuri next time: this dish doesn’t go well with anything else. And it’s unrealistic to eat it with lunch: 400 grams of three types of cheese, a thin layer of golden brown dough and 30 centimeters in diameter - a portion for a whole company.

Try to live until afternoon tea with refreshing mountain thyme and be sure to try the sweets: jam made from watermelon rinds and whole walnuts in syrup.

The dishes at Kakhelebi are simple, even peasant, but so tasty that the gourmet cuisine of Michelin-starred restaurants will seem like stupid child's play. This is a celebration of the belly, here you just want to enjoy the food.

Cafe Littera

Address: 13 Ivane Machabeli St

An inconspicuous, dim flag near the Writers' House contained some letters. Only after several reading attempts did my brain put them together: Littera. Through the arch you find yourself in a huge fabulous courtyard with a winding path and an abundance of greenery. Tall trees hide cozy tables, and stone walls protect them from the outside world.

Littera - cafe with restaurant prices. In other words, very fashionable. Tekuna Gachechiladze, chef No. 1 in Georgia, is in charge here. This title was awarded not along with the prestigious award, but by the visitors themselves.

The menu fits on one sheet of paper. It is different for lunch and dinner. The waiting time for main courses should be brightened up with appetizers. An assortment of dips is perfect: baked eggplant with a subtle smoky aroma, beetroot with nuts and yogurt. Take a piece of pita bread, spread it with a thick paste and forget about time, this action can be repeated endlessly.

You should come to the Littera cafe for tartare with adjika or carpaccio from river trout in an Asian dressing. Previously, eating raw fish was wild for a Georgian, but daredevils are slowly getting involved. The trout here is cooked impeccably: almost transparent pieces tender fish melt in your mouth, and the slightly sweet-spicy sauce adds piquancy. The pride of the restaurant - warm salad from Kakhetian greens. The stems are stewed in sauce, fresh watercress and pumpkin seeds are added. They taste like Asian pak choy, only harder.

For your main course, order a cover version of the famous chakapuli stew; here it is prepared with mussels. Another interesting twist: kharcho with shrimp and polenta instead of rice.

Waiters will insist on offering buffalo yogurt panna cotta for dessert. Tell them a resounding no: she's pretty boring. Naduga cheese cheesecake is another matter.

Gardenia

Address: Khudadovi Street, Dead-end

A visit to Gardenia is an event primarily of an entertainment and aesthetic rather than a gastronomic nature. The cafe should be included in the list of must-see attractions before or instead of visiting the Botanical Garden. The place is located outside the city, a taxi ride will take 15-20 minutes from the center of Tbilisi and will cost about 5 GEL.

Only after crossing the threshold do you enter the plant kingdom. The gravel path goes down through a dense, lush blanket of dozens of fluffy bushes, pots with perfect succulents and small colorful flowers. The idyllic veranda of the white house is covered with curtains fluttering in the wind. The path from the gate to the cafe would take a matter of seconds, but it is impossible to pass by pomegranate bushes or hanging antique utensils.

When the first test of the splendor of the kindergarten has been passed and full of delight you finally get into the cafe, order a carafe of seasonal compote, snacks and “Lunch from Zura” of Gurian mchadi, cheese, eggplant salad or other seasonal dishes. The menu is short and simple, featuring only owner Zura Shevardnadze’s favorite foods.

Drink a glass of compote and go for a walk: you have free time while lunch is being prepared.

Actually, Gardenia is a nursery that sells hundreds of types of flowers and plants, seeds and seedlings. Pragmatics is hidden behind absolutely pastoral pictures of the Garden of Eden, surrounded by greenery, antiques, and towers of vintage plates that can cause waves of emotion. Zura Shevardnadze lived in Europe for a long time and brought home the German love of order combined with French village charm.

The cafe was opened just a few years ago as a recreational area for the nursery's clients. The bright veranda with Provençal flowered armchairs alone has already won the love of local residents. People come here to take a break from the bustle of the city and enjoy a mug of tea - linden, chamomile or mint - with a piece of walnut muffin or pie.

Vino / Vino Underground

Address: 6 Erekle II St. / 15 Galaktion Tabidze St.

Please forget about Soviet khvanchkara and kindzmarauli. Firstly, in Georgia they drink only dry wines. Secondly, the trend is natural wines made using the traditional qvevri method, when grape juice is placed in ceramic containers and stored in the ground for at least a couple of months. With this treatment, the true taste of the grapes and the terroir, that is, the land, is preserved. Differences in soil and temperatures, amount of sun and even plants growing nearby create unique flavors, so no two natural wines are the same. They are rarely exported. Take the opportunity to try them in Tbilisi without factory compromises.

Places for fans of natural winemaking have already become cult favorites and are included in dozens of guidebooks. Vino Underground - the main thing in Tbilisi a gathering place for wine enthusiasts from all over the world. The wine list and menu are hastily written with a felt-tip pen on a piece of paper. The assortment changes by leaps and bounds.

Here you can get acquainted not only with the wines, but also with their creators. Those who are simply interested and novices will most likely feel uncomfortable under the brick vaults, surrounded by people discussing the dependence of tannin on the amount of pulp. Choose an alternative option.

Bar G. Vino on the tourist street Erekle is living, breathing and modern. It is deprived of both the academic lecture and educational function and the consumer-grade meaninglessness of the surrounding institutions. G. Vino was made by wine lovers for wine lovers. Outside there are always busy tables, inside there is an open kitchen and two cozy rooms decorated with cute wine paraphernalia.

The menu includes only natural wines, the menu includes snacks and even hot dishes. Be prepared to grab a bottle right away: side items are much more expensive, and there is less choice. Be sure to try amber wines, also known as orange ones, which have almost become the hallmark of modern Georgian winemaking. For them, white grapes are aged on pulp (skin, seeds, twigs), the wine acquires a rich, unique taste and a dense body. The sommelier will lead you on a fascinating short tour through several pages of the map. To avoid confusion, remember just a couple of names: Nika Bakhia and Bek Gotsadze. These are the ones you should pay attention to first.

Pair your wines with appetizers or mains, because G. Vino really tastes good. Even the presentation is pleasing to the eye. The board of three or five types of local signature cheeses is narcotically original, and by far the most beautiful in the city. The manufacturer of these cheeses is developing both own recipes, and is looking for ancient Georgian technologies. We were lucky enough to try suluguni aged in saperavi, viscous young tenili cheese and a la Georgian Camembert. And their cheese, aged in chacha, is already legendary.