Tbilisi is Georgia’s culinary capital: from old khinkali houses and family marani to signature restaurants and wine bars. We’ve gathered vetted places by district and occasion.
In Tbilisi people eat everywhere and in all sorts of ways. In the Old Town and Sololaki — atmospheric Georgian restaurants and wine bars; in Vera and on Rustaveli — coffee shops and breakfasts; at the Dezerter Bazaar — grocery color and street food. Prices rise toward the center and the tourist streets, and they’re noticeably cheaper in simple canteens.
Below are our vetted places: Georgian classics, signature cuisine, wine, vegan, and coffee. What exactly to order — khinkali, khachapuri, mtsvadi, qvevri wine — is in the guide to the cuisine. We verify each venue and note the check date.
A wine bar and shop with one of the widest selections of Georgian wine in the city: bottles are chosen at blind tastings. Sommelier-led flights and a cheese board make it an easy place to get a feel for local wines in one sitting.
Opening hours: 11:00–01:00, Mon–Sat (please confirm)
A fine-dining restaurant in a historic house on Aghmashenebeli. The menu is built on the cookbook of a 19th-century Georgian aristocrat — forgotten recipes given a modern plating. One of the city's best-known dining destinations; book a table ahead for dinner.
Opening hours: roughly 13:00–23:30 (please confirm)
A vegetarian café in the Old Town with Eastern touches and painted interiors: meze, falafel and seasonal plant-based dishes. Calm and atmospheric — one of the oldest vegetarian spots in town.
Opening hours: 11:00–23:00 (please confirm)
A restaurant set in the leafy garden of the Writers' House, led by chef Tekuna Gachechiladze. A modern take on Georgian cuisine in an atmospheric courtyard — one of the city's favourite spots for an unhurried dinner.
Opening hours: 12:00–00:00 (please confirm)
A café inside the Stamba design hotel (a former printing house): a great breakfast and brunch, modern Georgian cooking and specialty coffee in a striking interior. A popular pick for a slow morning and photos.
Opening hours: 08:00–00:00 (please confirm)
A specialty coffee shop and roaster on Kazbegi: house roasts, good coffee and breakfasts, and a comfortable spot to work with a laptop. One of the city's standout coffee places.
Opening hours: 09:00–23:00 (please confirm)
A large food market near the railway station: spices, cheeses, churchkhela, tklapi, nuts, fruit and vegetables. People come here for edible souvenirs, lobiani and the atmosphere of a real market.
Opening hours: 07:00–17:00 (busiest in the morning; please confirm)
A restaurant in a mansion on the hill above Vera, tucked down a side lane: a terrace with a view, modern Georgian cooking and wine. People come for the atmosphere and the panorama — best booked ahead.
Opening hours: 14:00–00:00 (please confirm)
Georgia's first vegan café, just off Freedom Square: tofu shawarma, Mexican-style potatoes and homemade lemonades. A friendly place and a hub for the vegan community; prices are easy on the wallet.
Opening hours: 12:00–23:00 (Sun from 13:00; please confirm)
A popular chain of affordable Georgian restaurants with branches all over the city: khinkali, khachapuri, mtsvadi and other familiar dishes, with an English menu available. A handy choice for a first taste of Georgian food.
Opening hours: varies by location (some open 24/7); please confirm
A modern home-style Georgian café in the center: lobio in a clay pot, khachapuri and seasonal vegetable dishes at reasonable prices. Easy to drop into between walks along Rustaveli.
Opening hours: 12:00–22:30 (please confirm)
"Black Lion" is a trendy spot with a modern take on Georgian cuisine: unexpected pkhali, signature sauces and a seasonal menu in a cozy courtyard. Popular with locals and visitors alike.
Opening hours: 12:00–02:00 (please confirm)
A popular shawarma joint on Aghmashenebeli: filling, cheap and open late into the night. One of the city's favorite street-food spots for a quick bite on the go.
Opening hours: 12:00–05:00 (please confirm)
A cult natural-wine bar in an old cellar in the center: rare, often little-known bottles from experimental Georgian winemakers, plus light snacks. A favorite of natural-wine lovers.
Opening hours: 14:00–23:00 (please confirm)
