Here’s everything you need to know about nightlife in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, including coffee shops, bars, and restaurants suggestions.
Throughout this article, you’ll discover why so many travelers fall in love with Tbilisi’s nightlife, which not only has a vibrant atmosphere but is also safe even for solo travelers.
During my ten days in Georgia, I noticed that it’s perfectly normal for people to go out any day of the week, whether it’s for dinner or a drink at a bar.
So, I’ve gathered a set of tips that I believe will be quite useful for first-time visitors to Tbilisi.
But if you can’t visit all the places I mention, I want to draw your attention to a special place in Tbilisi that you really must visit: the Chveni restaurant.
Nightlife in Tbilisi: a special highlight for the Chveni restaurant
“Chveni” means “ours,” conveying the idea of a place to which they belong, where people feel at home and welcomed. A goal completely achieved!
I was welcomed at Chveni by Chef Guram and Pedro Carvalho, the souls behind this wonderful project. It was a mutual friend who told me about the chef when I mentioned that I was heading to Georgia.
They opened the first Chveni restaurant in 2018, and today they already have five restaurants.
In this restaurant, which was once a family home, the rooms succeed one another, each with unique details and nooks.
The decor of the spaces may change, but the atmosphere of happiness from those who enjoy the space leaves no room for doubt: Chveni welcomes us very well!
In my memory, there are etched images of a crackling fireplace, carpets on the floor, and funny stuff on the ceiling. Also, a friendly terrace for the warm days, music for dancing, and cozy nooks that invite moments of romance.
To access the upper floors of the restaurant, you need to climb a few steps. As I walked up this short staircase, with the lively chatter of diners at the tables, I recalled the festive days at my grandmother’s house. Sweet memories that warm my soul.
Speaking of flavors and aromas, the food is simply delicious. Georgian dishes, of course, well-prepared and with fresh flavors. To accompany them, the Georgian red wine, which matures in clay amphorae for nine months.
I was so immersed in the gastronomic experience that I forgot to note down the names of the dishes, but here are the photos for future reference.
Cafés, bars, and restaurants to explore in Tbilisi
Let’s dive into some suggestions of places to eat in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia.
As mentioned, I spent a total of ten days in the country, giving me the opportunity to visit different restaurants, cafes, and bars.
To make the information easy to navigate, I’ve categorized the places by type of experience.
So, we have laid-back lunches, typical Georgian restaurants, Georgian cooking classes with dinner, cafes with personality, and bars for a night out in Tbilisi. Enjoy!
Laid-back lunches in Tbilisi
For a laid-back lunch, I recommend a visit to Amo Rame. Calm atmosphere and tasty food, not far from the city center.
Another suggestion is to join a wine tour, combining a light lunch with tasting different types of Georgian wine.
Overall, I assure you that the rest of the day is likely to go well!
Traditional Georgian Restaurants
If your idea is to experience traditional Georgian cuisine, then I recommend the Pirosmani’s dukani restaurant.
I can say that both the badriani, as well as the adjarian khachapuri, khinkali, and mtsvadi (kebabs) were very good!
Additionally, another suggestion is the Shavi Lomi restaurant, which locals love and tourists almost overlook.
In fact, it doesn’t even have a sign at the door because it’s not necessary; everyone knows the restaurant.
One of the most typical dishes at Shavi Lomi is Bazhe, a typically Georgian sauce whose main ingredient is walnut. It’s served with ghomi, a kind of cornmeal porridge.
By the way, Shavi Lomi means “black lion,” and the restaurant operates in a traditional Georgian house, with original wooden floors and ceilings painted as they were in the past.
In addition to the delicious food, going to Shavi Lomi is quite an experience! What a celebration!
And to wrap up this gastronomic journey, it was at the Ethnographer restaurant where I participated in a Supra, a typical Georgian banquet.
Music, food, and toasts of chacha to eternalize new friendships.
Georgian restaurant and cooking class
What do you think of combining a restaurant visit with a cooking class? Well, then, the Georgian House is just for you!
I loved every minute of this unmissable experience! I’m talking about a traditional Georgian cooking class, focusing on khinkali, khachapuri, and churchkhela.
In the end, we had a hearty feast, with more food than would be advisable to consume.
Quirky cafés to check out in Tbilisi
At a time when cafes seem to have come out of a factory, as they are all the same or very similar, I was excitedly told about Linville.
The best way I have to describe this place to you is to say that Linville has an antique shop feel to it. Or, like the home of a wealthy great aunt!
In a good sense, which is like saying that we can find treasures at any moment.
In this case, the relics take the form of slices of apple strudel and steaming coffee in cups decorated with little flowers.
It was no surprise to me that I realized Linville hasn’t changed, at least, in the last 10 years. After all, why change something so unique and special?
Going out at night in Tbilisi
Here are some suggestions of places I visited at night in Tbilisi and recommend.
Firstly, Chveni, which I mentioned at the beginning of the article.
Then, Fabrika Tiblíssi, a popular hostel located in an old factory, hence the name.
The bar is quite popular among groups who, with a drink in hand, chat throughout the night.
The wooden pallets scattered around the terrace serve as improvised benches when the tables are full, but everyone refuses to leave that space.
The Black Dog Bar is another lively spot for a night out with friends, to grab a beer, and have a bite to eat.
The long wooden tables are conducive to conversations with strangers, and the only inconvenience I found was that it gets noisy when it’s crowded.
However, the Black Dog Bar is located in an area with several other bars, which means you can easily hop over to the next bar if you feel like it.
Is it safe to go out alone at night in Tbilisi?
Georgia is a relatively safe country, so if you take basic precautions, I believe you won’t have any problems.
I traveled alone to Tbilisi and never felt unsafe. I also went out at night for dinner and drinks with friends, and everything went smoothly.
However, I must say that after sunset, I didn’t walk alone on the streets for long distances.
This doesn’t mean it’s unsafe, just that personally, I preferred to call a Bolt. The good news is that using Bolt in Tbilisi is quite affordable.
Check out how Uber and Bolt work in Georgia.
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*I had the opportunity to explore some of the restaurants I mentioned before during tours organized by the Georgian Tourism Board and as part of the Traverse Events, while others I visited on my own.
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