The Best Places to Visit in Tbilisi - A Local’s Very Personal Guide

Food, coffee, views, late nights, and small details you won’t find in glossy lists I’m going to be honest from the start: Tbilisi is not a city you “do” in two days with a checklist. It’s a city you sink into. Slowly. You eat too much bread, drink wine on a random Tuesday, walk uphill without realizing it, and suddenly it’s midnight and you’re still sitting on a terrace. This guide is long on purpose. Because Tbilisi is layered — food, neighborhoods, moods, times of day. And I want you to feel all of it, not just see it.

One important thing: don’t overplan.

Distances look short on the map, but the city is vertical. What seems like a 10-minute walk can turn into a workout. This is normal. Accept it early.

Best rhythm: mornings → slow breakfasts + walking afternoons → neighborhoods, coffee, views evenings → long dinners nights → wine, Fabrika, or nowhere at all

Now let’s eat.

If you skip this part and go straight to fusion — you’re doing it wrong.

Pasanauri Several locations, Leselidze Street is the easiest. People love to hate tourist places. But locals still come here for one reason: the khinkali are reliable.

Order: khinkali (meat first, always) khachapuri tarragon lemonade

Is it fancy? No. Does it work? Yes.

Racha Sololaki.

This place feels like time stopped. Tiny, simple, family-run, with prices around 10–20 GEL per dish. No menu drama. Just eat. Perfect after walking old streets when you’re tired and hungry and don’t want decisions.

Rtveli Vake Park.

If you want Kakhetian flavors, this is where you go. Do not skip: - kebab - Georgian salad with Kakhetian oil. That oil changes everything. People underestimate it until they try it once.

Sabotono

Near Rustaveli metro. Quiet, local, slightly hidden. Good when the city feels loud and you just want normal food and a normal evening.

These places don’t chase trends. And that’s their power.

MasPindzelo

City center. Affordable, central, real. This is where I bring friends when they say “I want local, not fancy.” No performance. Just Georgian food the way it should be.

Dante

Old Town. Georgian-European mix, moody lighting, slow pace. Good place for conversations that last longer than dinner.

Beletage

Central area. Classic Georgian restaurant, slightly nostalgic. Feels like a place your parents would like — and that’s a compliment.

Yes, Tbilisi knows how to reinvent itself.

Shavi Lomi

28 Zurab Kvlividze St, Tbilisi.

Modern Georgian cuisine done right. Beautiful plates, interesting combinations, relaxed atmosphere. Still very Georgian — just rethought.

Honore

4 Constitution St, Tbilisi. Let’s be clear: this terrace alone is worth visiting.

Come here for:

-sunset -wine -photos -a long dinner that slowly turns into night

One of the prettiest places in the city.

If there’s a city that understands terraces, it’s this one.

144 Stairs

Hillside. Yes, it’s touristy. But the view is real. And sometimes that’s enough.

Kopala

Old Town. Good choice for your first night in Tbilisi when everything still feels new.

Khedi

Central Tbilisi. Quiet, not obvious, pleasant. Good break from louder places.

Nina’s Garden

City center. Cozy terrace, mixed cuisine, relaxed energy.

Mova Maisi

Central area. Closer to European food, calm and stylish.

Littera

Writers’ House. Historic interiors, beautiful garden, special atmosphere. This is not an everyday place — it’s for moments.

Tbilisi mornings are soft. Don’t rush them.

Shushabandi

Wine Factory. One of my favorite breakfast spots. Good coffee, no pressure to leave.

Release.Space

Center. Modern breakfasts, clean aesthetic, good if you work remotely.

They Said Books

Central Tbilisi. Coffee, books, calm mornings. Feels like a pause button.

Wine Factory N1

Wine Factory area.

Inside you’ll find:

-Veriko -Kikodze

Both great for late breakfasts or brunch.

More breakfast spots locals love: Bonny Bistro, Chiti Cafe, Sol, Shukura, Dadi, Redman, Hello Breakfast, Daisy Cafe, Chaduna, Stories, Chika Coffee

Georgia is wine. Period. Look for small wine bars, not loud places. Order local varieties, ask questions, don’t rush. Sulico (wine bar), Craft Wine Restaurant — both solid options when you just want wine and conversation.

Nightlife & creative spaces

Tbilisi doesn’t scream at night — it hums.

Fabrika

Marjanishvili.

Creative hub with bars, food, parties, people from everywhere. You can come alone and still feel part of something.

Zeche

Nearby. Another cluster — calmer, still social. Good for late dinners and wine.

Airport transfers If you land late or with luggage, private airport transfers save nerves. Fixed price, meet & greet, no explaining addresses. Car rental with a driver (when you want freedom without stress) If you’re planning to leave the city, Tbilisi opens up in a completely different way.

Think:

Mtskheta — for a half-day cultural escape Kakheti — wine, vineyards, slow roads Kazbegi — mountains, views, weather that changes every hour

Instead of driving yourself (local roads can be… chaotic), I honestly recommend car rental with a driver. With Kiwitaxi Chauffeur / Car Rental service, you get: a private car for the whole day, a local, professional driver who knows the routes, no navigation stress, no parking issues. The freedom to stop where you want — viewpoints, cafés, random villages

It’s perfect if you want to actually enjoy the road, not survive it. Especially for Kakheti and Kazbegi — this option changes the experience completely.