Food & Drink
11 Best Khinkali Spots in Tbilisi [Local's Favorites]
Looking for the best khinkali in Tbilisi? This local's guide covers 11 top-rated spots for Georgia's famous soup dumplings - from fried khinkali to hidden basement gems.
Khinkali are Georgia's answer to soup dumplings - fist-sized parcels of spiced meat swimming in hot broth, wrapped in twisted dough.
I've eaten my way through dozens of khinkali spots across Tbilisi, and finding the right one makes all the difference between a forgettable meal and something you'll crave for weeks.
This list covers the 11 spots that keep me coming back, from local institutions to hidden basement bars where Georgians pack in for plates of 20+ dumplings at a time.
11 Best Khinkali Restaurants in Tbilisi
1. Zodiaqo
Zodiaqo is where locals will send you when you ask for the best khinkali in Tbilisi - and walking tours consistently recommend it for good reason. Originally a Telavi restaurant that expanded to the capital, this spot has built its reputation on two things: their Telavuri khinkali seasoned with cumin from the Kakheti region, and their famous deep-fried khinkali that somehow holds all the soup inside despite the crispy exterior.
The dining room feels like an art gallery with paintings covering the walls, and every table seems to have a mountain of dumplings piled high. The fried khinkali are off-menu and require a minimum order of 10 pieces, but locals order them by the dozen. Come during peak hours and expect to wait - no reservations accepted, and it stays packed. The beef khinkali are pure and simple with no added spices, letting the meat quality speak for itself.
Address: 6 Gia Chanturia Street, Tbilisi
Hours: Daily 11:00 AM - 9:30 PM
Phone: +995 599 58 00 77
2. Klike's Khinkali
You could walk right past Klike's without noticing it - just a narrow stairway leading down to a basement on the Mtatsminda hillside. But once you're inside this brick-lined underground space, you'll understand why khinkali lovers treat it like a pilgrimage site. The dough here is some of the silkiest I've found in Georgia, and every order is made fresh, which means waiting 20-30 minutes. Worth it.
The menu lists seven varieties: beef and pork special, urban-style with herbs, sulguni cheese, mushroom (famously spicy - the waiter will warn you), potato, potato and cheese, and seasonal beef with apokhti dried meat. There's also an extensive drinks list featuring Lagidze Waters - the famous Georgian sodas in flavors like chocolate, cherry, and tarragon that have been produced in Tbilisi since the late 19th century.
Address: 1 Shio Chitadze Street, Tbilisi
Hours: Daily 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Phone: +995 555 41 19 91
3. Shemomechama
The name translates to something like "I accidentally ate the whole thing because it was so good" - and that's exactly what happens here. Shemomechama has three locations around Tbilisi, each with an open kitchen where you can watch the women hand-pinching dumplings as your order comes together. The flagship spot on Samghebro Street near the sulfur baths is the most convenient for Old Town exploration.
The interior gives off Soviet-era milk bar vibes - minimalist, no-frills, with some standing tables and a quirky menu that uses Georgian slang. They call their meat khinkali "Uneducated Khinkali" with tongue-in-cheek descriptions throughout. One of the few places where you can order just one khinkali if you want to sample without committing to the usual five-piece minimum. The chvishtari cornbread is also excellent here.
Address: 9 Samghebro Street, Tbilisi (Old Town) / 8 Mtskheta Street / 16 Vazha-Pshavela Avenue
Hours: Daily 11:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Phone: +995 500 50 15 14
4. Cafe Daphna
If Wes Anderson designed a khinkali restaurant, it would look like Cafe Daphna. The coral-pink walls, black and white illustrations, and minimalist aesthetic make this the most Instagram-worthy spot on the list - but the dumplings back up the style. Daphna is one of the rare places in Tbilisi where you can mix and match your khinkali fillings rather than ordering five of the same type.
The dambalkhacho khinkali deserves special mention - it's filled with a funky, aged mold-ripened cheese that tastes similar to Stilton. Not for everyone, but adventurous eaters should try it at least once. The cheese and potato version comes drizzled with melted butter and reminds me of Polish pierogi. Located near Dry Bridge Market, it's an easy stop while antique shopping.
Address: 29 Giorgi Atoneli Street, Tbilisi
Hours: Daily 11:00 AM - 2:00 AM (Fri-Sat until 6:00 AM)
Phone: +995 595 69 00 11
5. Asi Khinkali
The name means "One Hundred Khinkali" - a reference to a Georgian joke where a man orders 99 khinkali, and when the waitress asks why not 100, he replies "Because I'm not a pig!" Ambitious eaters can test their limits here with saucer-sized dumplings that make over-ordering dangerously tempting.
The restaurant recently moved from Chugureti to a new location, but the food remains excellent. My picks are the Chef's Khinkali with beef and tarragon (reminiscent of the Easter dish chaqapuli) and the special edition dambalkhacho stuffed with aged cheese from Tianeti. They also make their own Georgian craft beer - two lagers, one filtered and one unfiltered - that pairs perfectly with a mountain of dumplings. The classic Georgian salad here is supercharged with radish, sesame oil, mint, and pomegranate.
Address: 19 Ushangi Chkheidze Street, Tbilisi
Hours: Daily 12:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Phone: +995 555 55 57 20
6. Amo Rame Bani
An offshoot of the popular Amo Rame Art Cafe in Sololaki, this location near Marjanishvili Metro specializes in hand-pinched dumplings with what I consider the best vegetarian khinkali in the city. The nadughi soft cheese dumplings are beautifully plaited, and the potato version is creamy and perfectly seasoned.
The real advantage here: no minimum order. You can try one of each variety without committing to five pieces of something you might not love. The interior features cute painted ceilings, and there's a summer terrace for warm weather dining. The cooks come from Pasanauri - the mountain village considered the birthplace of khinkali - which shows in the quality.
Address: 68 Davit Aghmashenebeli Avenue, Tbilisi
Hours: Daily 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Phone: +995 595 99 99 44
7. Pasanauri
Named after the village credited with inventing khinkali, Pasanauri is a chain with multiple locations around Tbilisi - but don't let the chain status fool you. This is where Georgians go for reliable, traditional khinkali at fair prices. The branch on Meidan Square operates 24 hours, making it the only option for late-night dumpling cravings.
The interior features wooden tables and old Tbilisi photographs, creating that cozy village-house atmosphere Georgians love. Their signature Pasanauri khinkali - named after the restaurant and the village - is the one to order. The branch on Baratashvili Avenue features live Georgian folk music from the trio "Varazi" between 8 PM and 11 PM nightly. No separate service charge here, which is rare in Georgia.
Address: 37 Griboedov Street / 1 Vakhtang Gorgasali Street (Meidan - 24hrs) / 17 Nikoloz Baratashvili Street
Hours: Varies by location (Meidan is 24/7)
Phone: +995 322 98 87 15
8. Chemo Kargo Nadzaladevi
This one requires commitment - it's in the Nadzaladevi neighborhood, about a 5-minute walk from Nadzaladevi Metro station, well outside the tourist zones. But the suburban location is part of the appeal. Coming here gives you a glimpse into modern Georgian life away from the Old Town crowds.
Chemo Kargo doubles as a sports bar and craft beer house, staying open late and serving a loaded menu that goes far beyond dumplings. But locals know to come here specifically for khinkali and beer. Their mokhevuri (mountain-style) khinkali is spicy and well-blended with the most tender meat I've found. The prices are lower than central Tbilisi spots, and the vibe is authentically local.
Address: 108 Tsotne Dadiani Street, Nadzaladevi
Hours: Daily 10:00 AM - 2:00 AM
Phone: +995 322 30 30 30
9. Hinkali Factory
For those who want to get creative, Hinkali Factory lets you build your own khinkali. Choose your dough (regular or whole grain), your filling, and your cooking method (boiled, boiled then fried, or deep-fried). They even offer sweet khinkali with Nutella and sour cherry for dessert.
Multiple locations around the city, including spots on Pkhovi Street near Orbeliani Square and on Kostava Street in Saburtalo. The cheese khinkali pan-fried with truffle butter is outstanding. Prices run slightly higher than traditional spots - around 1.8-2.8 GEL per piece - but the customization justifies it. Great option if you're traveling with picky eaters or dietary restrictions.
Address: 2 Pkhovi Street / 77 Merab Kostava Street / 11 Ilo Mosashvili Street
Hours: Daily 10:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Phone: +995 577 33 03 07
10. Veliaminov's Dukhan
A dukhan is a uniquely Georgian institution - somewhere between a tavern and a canteen where locals gathered for cheap food and drinks. The painter Niko Pirosmani, who was famously poor during his lifetime, used to eat at places like this and pay with tablecloth sketches. Veliaminov's preserves that old-school energy in a basement just steps from Freedom Square.
The interior feels like a medieval castle with carved wooden stairs and stone walls. The menu is intentionally small - just two types of khinkali (city-style with greens and beef without) - but executed well. Important note: khinkali must be ordered in batches of 10 of the same type. At 1.5-1.7 GEL per piece, these are the cheapest quality khinkali in central Tbilisi. The broth is generous, the meat is juicy, and the dough is always fresh.
Address: 8 Shalva Dadiani Street, Tbilisi
Hours: Daily 10:00 AM - 9:30 PM
Phone: +995 322 92 02 95
11. Sofia Melnikova's Fantastic Douqan
This place is notoriously hard to find - tucked in a courtyard behind the Rustaveli Theatre, through a yellow door off Tabukashvili Street. The name comes from a 1919 Russian avant-garde book about a Georgian actress, and the restaurant was revived by enthusiasts who wanted to honor that history.
Once you find it, you're rewarded with a grape-vine-covered patio filled with sculptures of Georgian writers, friendly cats wandering between tables, and khinkali that Tony Bourdain featured on Parts Unknown - calling them "big, fat, juicy soup dumplings filled with spicy cumin-jacked minced beef in a hot, rich, potentially scalding broth." The eclectic menu also includes Thai noodles and a blue cheese burger, but stick with the Georgian classics. Reserve ahead if you want a table under the arbour.
Address: 22 Revaz Tabukashvili Street, Tbilisi (behind the Literature Museum)
Hours: Daily 12:00 PM - 2:00 AM
Phone: +995 592 68 11 66
FAQ
How do you eat khinkali properly?
Pick up the khinkali by the twisted dough knob (called the kudi), turn it upside down so the flat part faces your mouth, and bite a small hole in the side. Suck out the hot broth first, then eat the meat and dough. Leave the top knob on your plate - it's your handle, not meant to be eaten. Never use a knife and fork, and never bite directly into the center or you'll lose all the soup.
What is the difference between kalakuri and mtiuluri khinkali?
Kalakuri means "city-style" and includes fresh herbs like cilantro and parsley mixed with the meat filling. Mtiuluri (or mokhevuri) is the mountain-style original - just meat, onions, and spices like cumin and chili pepper without added herbs. Mountain-style tends to be spicier and more intensely flavored.
How many khinkali should I order per person?
Most Georgians eat 7-10 khinkali as a full meal. First-timers often find 5-7 pieces filling. Most restaurants require a minimum order of 5 khinkali per type, so plan accordingly if you want to try multiple varieties. Prices typically run 1.5-2.5 GEL per dumpling (roughly $0.50-0.90 USD).
Can vegetarians eat khinkali in Tbilisi?
Yes - most khinkali restaurants offer vegetarian fillings including potato, cheese, mushroom, and combinations like potato-cheese. Cafe Daphna and Amo Rame Bani are particularly good for vegetarian options, with Amo Rame offering no minimum order so you can sample different varieties.
What is dambalkhacho khinkali?
Dambalkhacho is a funky, mold-ripened cottage cheese from the Racha region that tastes similar to blue cheese or Stilton. Khinkali filled with dambalkhacho are an acquired taste - pungent and musty - but worth trying if you enjoy strong cheeses. Cafe Daphna and Asi Khinkali both serve this specialty.
Are khinkali and xiao long bao the same thing?
Both are soup dumplings, but khinkali are much larger (about the size of your fist) with thicker dough and different seasonings. The Mongolian empire likely brought the concept to the Caucasus in the 13th century, where Georgian mountain communities adapted it with local spices like cumin and chili pepper.
What time do khinkali restaurants close in Tbilisi?
Most close between 10 PM and midnight on weekdays. Pasanauri's Meidan Square location is open 24 hours. Cafe Daphna stays open until 2 AM (6 AM on weekends), and Chemo Kargo operates until 2 AM. For late-night cravings, these are your best options.
Should I tip at khinkali restaurants in Tbilisi?
Most Tbilisi restaurants add an 18% service charge to the bill automatically. If no service charge is included (Pasanauri is one example), leaving 10-15% cash on the table is appreciated. Always check your bill before adding extra.
What should I drink with khinkali?
Traditionally, khinkali pairs with draft beer rather than wine - mirroring the ales brewed in the mountain regions where the dish originated. Many restaurants offer local craft options. Georgian lemonade (especially tarragon-flavored Lagidze Waters) is the non-alcoholic choice. Some purists say chacha (grape brandy) is the proper accompaniment.
Why are khinkali served without sauce?
The broth inside the dumpling is the sauce - that's why proper eating technique matters so much. Adding external sauce would be redundant and is considered unnecessary. The spiced meat and rich broth provide all the flavor you need.
Wrapping Up
Tbilisi has khinkali restaurants on nearly every corner, but quality varies wildly. The spots on this list have earned their reputations through consistency - visit any of them and you'll understand why Georgians take their dumplings so seriously. Start with Zodiaqo for the fried khinkali experience, hit Klike's for the silkiest dough in town, and work your way through the rest. Your only regret will be not having more stomach space.
