Best restaurants in Tbilisi: Georgian food worth a detour

By Mariam Lomidze, Culture & Events Reporter · 16/10/2026

Selected by the GTour desk from the national register of licensed places. Updated October 2026; reviewed yearly. No place pays to appear.

Tbilisi’s restaurant scene stretches from steamed-up khinkali houses tucked into Soviet-era courtyards to glass-walled rooftops looking out over the Mtkvari river. The capital’s dining map is anchored by a handful of recognisable centres — the First Republic Square cluster near Rose Revolution Square, the riverside hotel strip, and residential streets like Beliashvili and Polikarpe Kakabadze where longstanding family-run spots have operated for years. For a visitor, the appeal is not just khachapuri and pkhali but the range on offer: traditional Georgian kitchens sitting alongside Italian-Georgian fusion menus, hotel rooftops and multi-functional terraces built for both a quiet lunch and a larger event.

This selection was compiled by the GTour desk from the national register of licensed gastronomy venues in Tbilisi. Entries were chosen for location (easy to find and reach as a visitor), established presence (a working address, contact details and a track record in the register), and what each place actually offers someone travelling through — a sit-down Georgian meal, a central square terrace, a rooftop view, or a long-running neighbourhood kitchen. No venue has paid for inclusion and no ratings are implied; this is a guide to where to look, not a verdict on which is best. For plant-based options specifically, see our separate guide to vegetarian and vegan food in Georgia, and for wider coverage of the country’s kitchens and cellars, browse Food and Wine.

1. ATI Rooftop Restaurant

ATI sits on the 10th floor of the Sheraton Grand on Telavi Street, combining a restaurant, bar and lounge in one rooftop space. It suits travellers who want an elevated view over the city to go with their meal rather than a street-level dining room, making it a natural stop for an evening out in the Telavi Street hotel area.

2. Ethno Tsiskvili

Located on Beliashvili Street, Ethno Tsiskvili has been serving guests for two decades, built around traditional Georgian dishes. Its longevity and residential setting make it a good choice for visitors who want an established, neighbourhood-style Georgian kitchen away from the main square clusters.

3. Filini

Filini is listed at First Republic Square, placing it within the square’s dense restaurant and café strip in central Tbilisi. It is a convenient option for travellers already exploring the First Republic Square area and looking for a nearby place to eat.

4. Georgian Kalata

Georgian Kalata, on Cotton Row, was founded in 2015 and focuses on producing and selling traditional and innovative Georgian food. It suits visitors interested in Georgian culinary craft beyond the standard restaurant format, with an emphasis on the preparation and sale of Georgian dishes and products.

5. Iveria Cafe

Iveria Cafe sits at 1, First Republic Square, in the heart of Tbilisi, and is positioned as an ideal venue for breakfast or lunch. Its central location makes it a practical stop for travellers wanting a daytime meal without straying from the main square area.

6. Melograno

Melograno, on Taras Shevchenko Street, offers a wide choice of fresh, local food inspired by both Georgian and Italian cuisine. It suits visitors looking for a menu that bridges Georgian ingredients with Italian cooking traditions in one sitting.

7. Republic 24

Republic 24 is located at 6, First Republic Square, placing it directly within the square’s cluster of registered restaurants. Travellers already based around First Republic Square for sightseeing or other dining can add it to a short list of nearby options.

8. Republic Restaurant & Terrace

Also at 6, First Republic Square, Republic Restaurant & Terrace is a multi-functional space in the centre of the city that combines an events venue with a dining area. It suits visitors wanting a central terrace setting, whether for a casual meal or as part of a larger gathering.

9. Restaurant Ginger

Restaurant Ginger, on Polikarpe Kakabadze Street, offers a cozy and elegant atmosphere with a selection of Georgian and international dishes. It suits travellers wanting a sit-down meal that mixes local Georgian cooking with broader international choices in a more intimate setting.

How to use this list

Treat this as a starting map rather than a ranking: use the First Republic Square entries together if staying central and wanting several options within walking distance, head to Beliashvili Street or Polikarpe Kakabadze for a more neighbourhood-style Georgian meal, and consider the rooftop or hotel-strip option if an evening view matters more than proximity to the old town. Always confirm current opening hours and menu details directly with the venue before visiting, since register listings describe what a place offers rather than its day-to-day schedule.

Quick answers

Is this list ranked by quality? No. Entries are numbered for reference only; selection was based on location, established presence in the register, and what each venue offers a traveller, not on ratings or reviews.

Where are most of these restaurants located? Several are clustered around First Republic Square in central Tbilisi, with others on residential streets such as Beliashvili and Polikarpe Kakabadze, and one on a hotel rooftop on Telavi Street.

Which of these serve traditional Georgian food specifically? Ethno Tsiskvili and Georgian Kalata are built around traditional Georgian dishes, while Melograno and Restaurant Ginger combine Georgian cooking with Italian or international menus respectively.

Where can I find vegetarian or vegan options in Georgia? See the dedicated guide to vegetarian and vegan food in Georgia linked above for plant-based coverage beyond this list.