Barbarestan is a small restaurant with 70 seats on Agmashenebeli street. Its size and interior design make it very homey and cozy. The last time I was there, a Georgian family was singing in choir, which was just beautiful. This is a custom in Georgia: when families get together, they start singing in choir polyphonic Georgian folklore songs. I knew about this tradition, but I’d never been to any Georgian parties, so I had never seen it before, but that night it was so overwhelming to see that family sing together, since I never thought I would see this great tradition in public at a restaurant in Tbilisi.
Barbarestan, in my opinion, is one of the most intriguing restaurants in Tbilisi. Their recipes are borrowed from the recipe book of the 19th century duchess Barbare Jorjadze, and was later adapted and modernized by the famous Georgian chef Levan Kobiashvili. So undeniably the food is sublime and wonderful. I love the roast beef in red wine sauce stewed with vegetables. They also have a great variety of Georgian wine, and if you’re not sure which one to choose, you can always ask the waiter for recommendation.
At Barbarestan the service is exceptional. I think they have the most professional staff I have ever seen in any Georgian restaurant. This is very important, because in Tbilisi you don’t often see a professional, friendly waiter who enjoys doing his job.
I recommend you always book a table before going there.
