The 18 Must-Visit Mytouries in Tbilisi, Georgia

Among all the traditional Georgian Mytouries, Kakhelebi is a favorite among locals, known especially for its delightful khinkali. These delicate soup dumplings feature a skin that is just thin enough to reveal the meaty filling while being thick enough to contain the flavorful juices. The khinkali here strike that perfect balance, making the short journey outside the city center well worth it. It’s also an ideal stop if you're heading east toward the Kakheti region, conveniently located just off the highway.

This hidden gem of a bakery is celebrated for its classic offerings like lobiani, a Georgian bread stuffed with beans, khachapuri cheese bread, and the rare chubureki, a deep-fried pastry filled with succulent minced meat. These make for a delightful breakfast, or you can grab some goodies to take with you for a scenic lunch by Lisi Lake.

Amra focuses on Abkhazian cuisine and offers delicious dishes like shkmeruli, a traditional chicken delicacy cooked in milk and garlic; cheesy, grits-like elarji; kharcho, a beef and rice soup; and smoked ham typical of the Racha highlands.

A perfectly crafted khachapuri ajaruli is a culinary delight, and the boat-shaped, cheese-filled pastry topped with a fried egg at Retro is considered the finest in the city. This golden treat is made with sourdough ajaruli and enjoyed in a relaxed, diner-style atmosphere.

Opened in 1980 by Elsa Kalandia, this restaurant focuses solely on dishes from her native Samegrelo region. In 2001, Mapshalia moved to its iconic spot beneath the historic Apollo, where it has continued to serve consistently excellent food. An art nouveau relief of old Tbilisi decorates two of the four walls, with Elsa overseeing the dining experience daily to ensure every guest's needs are met. Don’t miss the elarji, best enjoyed with kharcho, which features a rich walnut-tomato sauce. Pair your meal with a pitcher of the house wine.

Fabrika is a versatile complex featuring a variety of restaurants, cafes, bars, shops, a ceramics studio, and a hotel. You can enjoy comforting ramen bowls at Shio, freshly baked bread and local cheeses at Tone, and frothy beers from Georgia’s first microbrewery, Shavi Lomi, at Dive. This open-air venue is bustling with both tourists and locals most nights, making it a unique spot in Tbilisi. It’s a must-visit destination.

This charming cafe in the upscale Vake neighborhood is known for its exceptional coffee and ample quiet outdoor seating. The beans, sourced responsibly by London’s Climpson & Sons, are available for purchase to-go. Be sure to try one of their signature blends, a refreshing cold brew, or a delightful house-made dessert.

The first floor of this converted publishing house-turned-hotel features three unique food and beverage experiences: a cafe focusing on single-origin coffee roasted on-site and bean-to-bar chocolate; a restaurant offering European-inspired dishes made with local produce; and a bar crafting modern cocktails using homemade syrups and local herbs. Each of these venues has quickly become a popular spot for both locals and visitors alike.

The casual dining spot, Keto and Kote, brilliantly reimagines traditional dishes while maintaining their authentic flavors. Their dolmas served with sour cream and tarragon are exceptional, and the pesto cottage cheese khinkali offer a unique Eurasian twist. Be sure to reserve a table for dinner on the balcony, shaded by fig trees and offering a view of the city.

Nestled away, this garden Mytoury becomes a summer favorite. The extensive menu features various khinkali, salads, and traditional stews, but don’t miss their incredible pelmeni, delicate dumplings served in a warm yogurt sauce. Be sure to try the pkhali, a rich vegetable dip with walnuts, and one of the finest Kakhetian salads in the city. Locating the restaurant can be tricky — when you reach the corner wine shop on Revaz Tabukashvili Street, turn into the winding alley and walk until you spot the restaurant’s bright yellow door.

Racha is a well-loved tavern known for its affordable traditional dishes, drawing a lively crowd of locals and tourists alike. From the dining area, you can catch a glimpse of the kitchen where your khinkali are skillfully crafted before arriving at your table, puffed and steaming. The menu boasts a wide variety of starters, and the mtsvadi, or pork skewers, are particularly delightful. To fully embrace the tavern atmosphere, don't forget to order some local grape spirit, chacha. (You can spot it in the plastic water bottles behind the counter.) Your meal wouldn’t be complete without it.

As the city's first natural-wine bar, Vino Underground was established by seven prominent Georgian producers. Much of the current excitement surrounding Georgian natural wines can be attributed to these pioneers and the dedicated team working here. The bartenders are experienced winemakers eager to guide you through a tasting experience showcasing the country's unique varietals and regions. You’ll also find an excellent assortment of local cheeses, house-made charcuterie, and other shareable bites. True to its name, the bar is located underground. For a sunlit daytime experience, grab a bottle to-go and follow the stone staircase off nearby Beltemi Street, which leads to one of the city's most breathtaking views, complete with vine-covered benches.

Salobie, derived from the Georgian word for bean stew, lobio, roughly translates to “the bean place.” Its rendition of lobio is often celebrated as one of the finest in the city, and the entire menu is equally impressive. The atmosphere is relaxed enough for a casual lunch, yet special enough to make for a memorable dinner outing. Make sure you visit this gem while in Georgia.

This unmarked, softly lit bar features Russian-born mixologist Roman Milostivy, who crafts imaginative cocktails inspired by local flavors. Most infusions, syrups, and spirits are made in-house using local ingredients, and the weekly cocktail menu is handwritten in a small black notebook. Patrons can explore current and past creations or request a custom drink tailored just for them.

Tekuna Gachechiladze is a pioneer of international-style fine dining in Tbilisi, continuing to influence the city's upscale culinary scene. At her second establishment, Cafe Littera, she artfully incorporates traditional Georgian ingredients like adjika, wild mushrooms, and sunflower seed oil into dishes such as seared duck breast, fried sulguni cheese, and wild trout tartare. Housed in a historic residence surrounded by a lovely garden, the restaurant is a former home of notable Georgian writers from the previous century.

The term poliphonia pays homage to Georgia’s traditional style of polyphonic overtone singing, reflecting this restaurant’s mission to honor local customs. With its cave-like ambiance, woolen carpets, classic qvevri wines, and a seasonal menu, Poliphonia embodies the fusion of tradition and modernity. The dishes, many of which are plant-based, offer innovative takes on Georgian classics, focusing on fermentation techniques.

At Samgori metro station, you’ll find all the small marshrutka buses heading to various destinations in the eastern regions of Georgia, along with Tbilisi’s finest market conveniently located nearby. Most of the produce here comes from local farms, and vendors are eager to let you taste their impressive array of spices, nuts, and preserves. Stroll through several small bakeries and Mytouries for a relaxed lunch, and don't forget to pick up some edible souvenirs to take home.

One of Georgia’s prominent ethnic groups, the Mingrelians, are celebrated for their culinary traditions, and Alubali is a prime example of this excellence. Here, you can savor Megrelian cuisine at its best, featuring house-made sulguni cheese paired with basil, tomatoes, and fresh bread, as well as various off-menu specials (just ask to see what’s available). The restaurant boasts an impressive selection of natural qvevri wines, perfect for an afternoon of leisurely sipping alongside some small bites.