Georgian Restaurant in Tbilisi: How to Choose?
Undoubtedly, every tourist wants to find the best Georgian restaurant in Tbilisi. There are plenty of them here, but it’s impossible to visit them all at once. If you want to fully enjoy the Georgian atmosphere and learn about local traditions, choose restaurants in Tbilisi with a folklore program.
The main highlight of Georgian feasts is not only delicious food but also, of course, national songs and dances. Therefore, I believe that the best Georgian restaurant is the one where you can experience both divine treats and an amazing musical program with folk performances. This Top 7 includes the best restaurants in Tbilisi with live music and dances.
Important: All establishments in the article are very popular places. I strongly recommend booking in advance, preferably in the first half of the day. Even in winter, during the low season, I have repeatedly faced the situation where, by 6 p.m., there were no available seats when trying to make a reservation.
Top 7 among “Best Cafes and Restaurants in Tbilisi with Live Music and Dances”:
- In The Shadow Of Metekhi
- Khinkali House
- Mravalzhamieri
- Tabla Saloon
- Tsiskvili
- Phaeton
- Georgian House (Kartuli Sakhli)
In The Shadow Of Metekhi
Located near the Metekhi Church, above the Kura River, the national restaurant “In the Shadow of Metekhi” is very convenient due to its proximity to the center of the old city. Choose it if you want to have a snack after exploring historical sites.
The terrace offers a breathtaking view of old Tbilisi, and the interior resembles the mansion of a prosperous urban dweller from the 19th century. Chandeliers with lampshades, asymmetrical columns, lanterns, and the most unusual feature—a live sprawling tree under a glass ceiling, creating the impression that you are dining in a summer garden.
Generous portions will delight you, and the national bread (shoti) will be brought fresh and very tasty, prepared right in the hall. Prices are quite high, but the service, food, and service justify the cost.
And, finally, the folklore program of live music! The performance starts at 8:00 p.m. and continues until the establishment closes. The male choir with songs and dances mesmerizes all guests. If you want to watch the show, it’s better to come at 7:30 p.m. to have time to order dishes and already enjoy the program with a glass of wine.
Address: Tsamebuli Passage, 29-a
Opening Hours: 12:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Phone: 0322303030
Khinkali House
Khinkali House is a whole network of Georgian cuisine restaurants in Tbilisi. The most popular and largest one is located on Rustaveli Avenue, but I prefer to visit the branch in Avlabari (as I often stay in this area).
A huge hall with tables and comfortable sofas, aquariums with fish, and air conditioning that works well in summer. There are both round sofas (not very comfortable) and regular ones; it’s better to choose the latter. Going up the stairs, you’ll notice cute decorations in the form of wrought iron figures in frames. Each table has a call button for the waiter, so you can quickly order something or ask for assistance. By the way, the service here is top-notch—friendly, smiling, and polite staff.
In the best Caucasian traditions, the waiter will easily and warmly chat with you, lift your spirits, and inquire if you enjoyed the evening. Guests highly praise the trout, salads, and khinkali (served the way they should be—unboiled and juicy). There’s a good selection of wines, beer, and other alcoholic beverages—all at moderate prices. At 8:00 p.m., a concert begins on the stage of the hall.
Singers perform Georgian and English hits. The music is pleasant, moderately quiet; it harmoniously blends into the evening and helps visitors relax. Dances are less frequent, but singing happens every day. The only drawback is that by evening, there are many visitors, and you might have to wait a bit longer for your order (the place is popular not only among tourists but also among locals). Dinner at Khinkali House will leave you with exceptionally pleasant memories of Georgia.
Another plus of this network for many will be the affordable prices.
Address: Rustaveli Avenue 37 (restaurant on Rustaveli)
Opening Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 01:00 a.m.
Phone: 557424259
Other Branches: Meskhishvili Street 2, Moskovsky Avenue 12, Atskuri Street 72, Beliashvili Street 40.
Mravaljamieri
When talking about cafes and restaurants in Tbilisi with folklore, Mravaljamieri cannot go unmentioned. It is located far from the city center, but the establishment is definitely worth a visit. The restaurant combines Georgian and European styles, creating a cozy and comfortable atmosphere for any visitor. The interior is designed so that you will feel like a guest of an old good friend: walls lined with wood, warm light, cabinets in the corners filled with all sorts of things. The hall is huge, so if you want privacy, it’s better to go to the terrace (but there won’t be any dancing or live music there). There are also tables outside, where it’s especially nice to sit on a warm evening and enjoy the illuminated courtyard.
As for the dishes, visitors most enjoy dolma, khachapuri, grilled dishes, and homemade wine—all at quite affordable prices. But the main highlight is undoubtedly the songs and dances of Georgian guys. The dancers will add a bright spark to a beautiful evening at this establishment.
Important: I can’t claim 100%, but from memory, this is the most budget-friendly restaurant of all presented in the article.
Address: Baratashvili Embankment 55, left bank of the Kura River
Opening Hours: 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Phone: 570200300
Tabla Saloon
The Tabla restaurant in Tbilisi embodies authentic Georgian traditions. It is unique in that dishes and, accordingly, the sectors where they are served are divided into two floors. The first, “morning” floor is designed in the style of a traditional Georgian house, with elements of antique furniture, carved windows, and softly glowing lamps. Here, you can try dolma, Adjarian khachapuri, kebabs, stuffed eggplants, and other national dishes.
After 8:00 p.m., guests and staff move to the second floor. It is here, on the stage, that the main celebration takes place. The national dance ensemble and the Georgian choir will perform and demonstrate their skills at the highest level. The interior of the upper floor is significantly different: 19th-century-style decor, fireplaces, black and white paintings, lampshades, and a pleasant atmosphere of luxury.
The waiters are dressed in traditional Georgian clothing, so you will fully immerse yourself in the historical ambiance of the establishment. In the evening sector, more sophisticated dishes are served, for gourmets and those who simply love to eat deliciously: salads with walnuts, rolls with cheese and mint, various types of shashlik to suit every taste, dishes with nut sauces, and an impressive selection of wine.
The only drawback is that all portions on the second floor are small, and khinkali can only be ordered in a mini version; for full-sized ones, come earlier to the first floor. Visit during the day if you want a hearty and tasty meal; in the evening, you’ll have a light dinner, an excellent show, and a journey to 19th-century Georgia.
Address: Ilya Chavchavadze Avenue 33
Opening Hours: 12:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Phone: 595858846
Tsiskvili (Mill)
Tsiskvili can rightfully be called a museum, as it houses interesting artifacts of Georgian culture: wine barrels, “qvevri” jugs for wine storage, and a mill, after which the restaurant is named. Currently, there are already 6 branches open, but the largest and most popular one is located on Beliashvili Street. In the restaurant’s territory, they bake the most delicious Georgian bread, so you can not only taste it but also witness the production process. Tsiskvili is particularly convenient for organizing weddings, birthdays, and other grand celebrations since the restaurant offers a banquet package of services, as well as wine tastings, master classes, and other entertainments.
This establishment is especially pleasing with its cuisine: it features both national Georgian dishes and familiar European ones. The local pork shashlik, kharcho soup, assorted cheeses, and tiramisu are particularly renowned.
To add variety to the dining experience, a performance by the national choir, multi-voiced singing, and Georgian romances starts at 7:30 p.m. The only thing is that guests complain about the music being too loud, so if you happen to visit during the evening performance, it’s better to sit a bit further from the stage. At Tsiskvili, everything is delicious, interesting, and, most importantly, Georgian hospitality is felt.
From personal experience: It’s challenging to get through here. The phone is shared among all branches, and you have to go through a whole quest to reach the operator of the desired establishment.
Address: Beliashvili Street 99 (main branch)
Opening Hours: 4:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Phone: +995 0322 00 55 55
Phaeton
This restaurant is associated with the song of the legendary Vakhtang Kikabizde “My Phaeton,” and there are even rumors that it belonged to this singer. The territory consists of the building of the establishment and a sprawling garden. In the garden, there are separate covered tables where you can escape the hustle and bustle, enjoy the silence, and, of course, savor delicious food. Right in the center of the courtyard stands a solid device for distilling chacha.
The main difference of Phaeton from other restaurants in Tbilisi is that the “Asian Hall,” “Fireplace Hall,” and 4 private rooms are each located in separate spaces. Therefore, they are an ideal place for those who want to spend time without outsiders and relax. If you are more interested in fun, songs, and dances, then welcome to the “Main Hall”—a gathering place for all lovers of spectacles.
Performances are held here every day, but keep in mind that each evening has its own program. You can come for Georgian songs, as well as European or Russian ones. Before coming, check what performance program will be on that day (+995 577 660 020—contact phone of the establishment). Alcohol here is a bit expensive, but all other dishes are prepared in the best way and served in large portions. Guests praise eggplants with walnuts, trout, shashliks, and strawberry cake.
Address: Beliashvili Street
Opening Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Georgian House (Kartuli Sakhli)
Georgian House justifies its name—here it is extremely hospitable, cozy, and delicious. This high-class restaurant has a corresponding interior—several halls and a courtyard.
The establishment serves masterpieces of national cuisine, rightfully boasting dishes that the capital of Georgia can offer: spicy meat, eggplants with walnuts, juicy khinkali, and crispy khachapuri will not leave anyone indifferent! The wine list is rich, mainly serving wines from the Kakheti region. I had the draught Kisi – quite a tart and rich wine. Not everyone will like it.
In addition, the menu includes European dishes such as pizza, pasta, cherry strudel, and French fries. I really liked the Svanetian-style sausages. I recommend, but keep in mind that they are slightly spicy.
In the main hall, the musical program runs from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. But exclusively songs.
In the second hall, from 8:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m., there are songs and folk dances.
Important: On Mondays, there is no musical program. The second hall is often closed for banquets and weddings. Therefore, inquire in advance about the music show and the availability of seats.
Come to the address: Tsabadze Street 2
Opening Hours: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.
Contact Phone: 591930012
In Georgian restaurants, there is joy, comfort, the delicious aroma of shashlik, and eastern spices. Choose an establishment and immerse yourself in the national culture, complemented by the singing of the choir and lively lezginka dance.
Hello!
I am Victor, the founder of this site and its main, but not the only author.
Traveler and photographer. Visited more than 40 countries.
Born and raised in Batumi. I love to travel in Georgia.
More about me here.