Where to Eat the Best Khinkali in Tbilisi: 10 Local Restaurants

Update Disclosure: This post has been refreshed to include restaurants and establishments that are open as of August 2024.

Khinkali - the fist-sized soup dumplings of the Caucasus that easily rivals Taiwan's xiao long bao. They are similar to mini water balloons, but made of dough. Inside you'll find a hot, soupy filling of minced spicy meat. Georgia's capital, Tbilisi, is obviously home to the best khinkali restaurants in the world, and this list helps you narrow-down where to eat some of them in the city.

Jump to:

• Background & Culture
• Different Types of Khinkali
• How to Eat Khinkali
• Khinkali Restaurants Map
• Where to Eat the Best & Tastiest Khinkali in Tbilisi
• BONUS: For Adventurous Palates
• Try Them at Home!
• Frequently Asked Questions

I've eaten my fair share of khinkali over the three years and counting of living in Tbilisi. The restaurants on this list are ones I visit again and again due to the consistency of their dumplings and quality of filling.

Background & Culture

The soup dumpling arrived in the Caucasus highlands in the 13th century, thanks to the expansion of the Mongolian empire. As khinkali was adapted in the mountain regions, lamb meat was originally the choice for its filling. Later on, a combination of pork and beef became the more sustainable option. Other fillings also emerged from the mountains while others were developed in the cities.

Khinkali has long made its way to Tbilisi and has since established itself as one of the nation's renowned dishes. For a local Tbilisi restaurant experience, order a large plate of them as your entire meal and request a pint of draft beer to mirror the ales brewed in the mountains in place of wine.

Different Types of Khinkali

The most traditional khinkali filling is a mixture of different types of meat with a blend of spices. Water is added to achieve the soup dumpling effect. Restaurants add or tweak a recipe to create types of khinkali that distinguish themselves from each other.

City vs. Mountain Style

1. Kalakuri: Also known as "city-style" khinkali, the filling of these dumplings includes chopped herbs such as parsley or cilantro.
2. Mtiuluri | Mokhevuri: Mtiuluri is a conjugated word of "mountain" in the Georgian language. These are commonly known as "mountain-style" khinkali. In menus, it signifies that it doesn't contain herbs. Just meat, spices, and broth. But the best ones will have some heat from crushed chili flakes!

Regional Types 

1. Telavuri: Mixed meat with cumin as the main seasoning and made similarly to the Mtiuluri type with no herbs. 
2. Tushuri: This could describe any khinkali from Tusheti. One example can be a lamb and beef blend with Tushetian spices. Another Tushuri filling is a mix of Tushetian cheese and mashed potatoes.

Other Fillings

1. Lamb: Some mountain regions use ground lamb meat instead of beef or pork. This filling comes from the traditional style of making khinkali, but they are harder to find in the city.
2. Garlic: A classical filling from the mountains. A simple spread of garlic and sour cream on enclosed dough is all it takes to make this style.
3. Cheese: There are a variety of cheeses that can go in khinkali, the common one being nadughi, a cross between cottage and ricotta cheese.
4. Potato: Sometimes you'll find a filling made with lightly seasoned potatoes, but other times potatoes mashed with melted cheese.
5. Dambalkhacho: This type of moldy cheese has notes between brie and blue cheese; a special product that hails from the mountain villages. Inside the dumpling, it takes on its melted, gooey form so when you take a bite, the cheese fills your mouth with its pungent taste. 
6. Mushroom: You'll notice that mushroom ones have an elongated shape different from others. That's because this filling is heavier so their bottoms tend to stretch. Inside you'll discover minced mushrooms and fresh herbs stuffed in the dough casing.

How to Eat Khinkali

First of all, khinkali will come out piping hot. One rule for eating them is to eat with your hands. Let it cool for a few minutes so you can handle the dumplings. Another thing to consider is whether to add black pepper powder prior to eating.

1. Hold it upside down by the tail (called kuchi, which means "stomach" in Georgian)
2. Bite a small hole along the fold 
3. Suck out the soup slowly and carefully
4. Eat the khinkali until only the kuchi remains
5. Leave the kuchi on your plate right side up 
6. Keep track of how many you've eaten by counting the kuchis

Khinkali Restaurants Map

You can skip the rest of the article and go here to see a map of some of the best khinkali restaurants in Tbilisi mentioned in this article.

Where to Eat the Best & Tastiest Khinkali in Tbilisi

Shemomechama

Shemomechama means "I accidentally ate everything even though I'm full because it was so good," and they live up to their name. You can watch the Georgian women, experts of khinkali, through large bay windows crafting their dumplings. I enjoy this restaurant because it's a great introduction to hand-wrapped juicy khinkali with a tasty broth.

Zodiaqo

Zodiaqo is popular for its deep-fried khinkali that manages to maintain its structure despite being filled with soup. The restaurant also features Telavuri khinkali where they use a special blend of spices from Kakheti, namely cumin. They have locations both in Tbilisi and Telavi.

Pasanauri

Pasanauri, named after a village popular for their khinkali, is a Georgian chain restaurant and you'll find their eateries scattered throughout Tbilisi. Their menu boasts a wide variety of dumplings and other Georgian dishes. Try their house version or the other special, dubbed Pasanauri khinkali, with their own blend of spices.

Cafe Daphna

You can find Cafe Daphna, a modern-style Georgian restaurant, near the picturesque April Park and close to the Dry Bridge,. The dough here is thicker than most others on this list. Their mtiuluri khinkali is perfectly spicy with just a pop of heat. Be sure to try their well-blended cheese and potato filling. They also have a lightly pan-fried dambalkhacho as an option.

Chemo Kargo

This local Tbilisi restaurant is my personal favorite! Chemo Kargo has one location left within Tbilisi in Nadzaladevi. The suburban neighborhood alone is worth the Bolt or metro ride out of downtown just to get a glimpse of modern Georgian life outside the touristy areas. They offer a spicy, well-blended mokhevuri khinkali with the most tender meat in this list.

Bernard

This restaurant in Tbilisi serves as a sports bar and a draft beer house while staying open all day long. They have a loaded menu that accommodates all types of palettes and appetites, but locals know to come here for beer and khinkali. The kalakuri along with their house lager is a good option to start (or end!) a night with friends. Their loaded mushroom khinkali consists of chunky pieces ladened with minced herbs.

Panorama

You'll find this restaurant hidden in the trees between the Vake and Saburtalo neighborhood. On sunny days, you can sit outside in front of their restaurant. Try their unique "Bebo" style (a special recipe) and another type with sulguni cheese filling. They have an assortment of foreign draft beer to choose from.

Amo Rame Bani

If you enjoy plump dough, you may want to add Amo Rame Bani to your list. The menu will only have three options for you. But they are some of the prettiest to look at. Their fluffy, chewy dough is best paired with the lightness of their nadughi cheese filling.

Veraze Restaurant

Veraze is a small restaurant in the Vera neighborhood, and I recommend you visit during the day just after lunchtime so you can have plenty of seats to choose from. Here, you can try three types on their menu that you won't typically find in other restaurants in Tbilisi: Tushuri spices with a meat blend, tarragon flavored dough, and garlic cheese. 

HB

I was skeptical about trying this German beer hall's khinkali. But once I tried them, I realized why a local resident recommended it to me. Their dough is the thinnest on this list, and yet they do not fall apart. Once you bite into them, the skin melts in your mouth! The juicy filling is well-balanced, not too salty, and you can easily consume a lot. Their mtiuluri khinkali is tasty, filled with spices from the mountains and a healthy amount of red pepper.

BONUS: For Adventurous Palates

The best way to enjoy Georgian dumplings is with a large frosty mug of beer. But Megobrebi Brewery, a top-notch craft beer company in Georgia, has decided to combine the flavors of khinkali and beer in one glass! You can try their "Khinkalian" beer or their limited edition mushroom khinkali brew. Tsota Tsota Pub, the brewery's taproom, have cans readily available for you.

Try Them at Home!

You can easily make these Georgian dumplings even if you aren't going to Tbilisi any time soon or you don't have a Georgian restaurant near you. This meat khinkali recipe is straightforward and I give you easy steps to follow.

Tried Some of These Places?