May 7, 2025

Shua Kalaki Tbilisi

The best Khinkali in Tbilisi

"Shua Kalaki, is definitely one of the best places for the authentic Georgian Khinkali experience. I usually order the beef kind, the lamer one..."

One of the perks of being a person of Georgian descent, living in Georgia, is the ability to judge the national cuisine. The capital is full of renowned restaurants that offer the basic (meaning huge) variety of Georgian dishes with meat, vegetarian or even vegan meals, however, a certain percentage of those restaurants stand out as the favourites for the locals.

Shua Kalaki, coincidently sharing the name of the Georgian version of the iconic sitcom Friends, is definitely one of the best places for the authentic Georgian Khinkali experience. The authenticity of the Khinkali experience starts with the simple colourless design of the interior, don’t flinch if you hear a bird churning, there is an actual pet bird in a cage and I have no idea why.

I usually order the beef kind, the lamer one (the typical Khinkali is made with mixed ground pork and beef), which is supposed to lack the flavour and juice that you’re supposed to sip and savour and here is what amazes me: even with the lamest version of meat Khinkali, the restaurant Shua Kalaki pulls it off just perfectly.

If you’re a football fan, the TV is usually on inside, as well as outside so that you can enjoy the ultimate Georgian football tradition: beer and Khinkali under a TV screen. And, if you’ve marvelled at the Vazha-Pshavela monument and observed the Spain-Georgia Diplomatic Relations monument, then you definitely deserve to relax and have a nice dinner at Shua Kalaki.

Amsterdam
Antwerp
002-building
Art & culture
002-building
Art & culture
002-building
Art & culture

About this spot

90 Vazha Pshavela Ave

Beef Khinkali:

GEL

2

597392727

Find your way with 113 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Tbilisi guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Tbilisi

Canudos

Cornerstone of Tbilisi

"Canudos" is a cornerstone nightlife of Tbilisi. It was one of the city's pioneer clubs and played a huge role in its regeneration...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
029-guitar-instrument-1
Music

by

Levan

Gogotishvili

Jun 29, 2025

Le Gâteau

A Rocket Ride to Italy

The menu is drenched with all kinds of Italian delights, such as pasta, pizza, breakfasts, coffee, and pastry, taking you on a quick rocket ride to Italy. 

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Maia

Koberidze

Jun 27, 2025

Kura Kura

Funky all the way

What is Kura Kura? You might ask. It's a place where you can find anything for any kind of entertainment starting with a range of well-known board games...

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Maia

Koberidze

Jun 27, 2025

Bluetabla

The Ultimate Georgian Designs

Bluetabla is an ultimate Georgian brand that offers items for home and accessories with Georgian traditional ornaments. Tablecloths, watches, scarves...

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Maia

Koberidze

Jun 27, 2025

Georgia-Spain Monument

Spanish Craft

Created by a Spanish artist back in 2017, dedicated to the 25th anniversary of Georgia-Spain diplomatic relations, it reflects modern artistic trends...

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Maia

Koberidze

Jun 27, 2025

Left Bank Beer

Real Georgian experience

"Left Bank Beer" in Tbilisi provides a truly Georgian experience. Have a cold beer with a variety of fish next to the fishermen, just like I do!

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

Nini

Giunashvili

Jun 22, 2025

Tbilisi Sea

A sea in the city

"Tbilisi Sea" is a big artifical lake, a fun place for youngsters to do summery things! Also, find the contact zoo and dendrological park here...

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Nini

Giunashvili

Jun 22, 2025

Pho Asian Food

A taste of true wok

I think it is the real fire that gives the wok dishes, especially fried noodles, the kind of flavor that reminds me of Georgian national barbecue, Mtsvadi!

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Maia

Koberidze

Jun 20, 2025

''Apple of Love''

Great place for art lovers

"Apple of Love" in Tbilisi is a 9-meter-high building comprising 145 sculptures created by the great Georgian artist, Zurab Tsereteli!

002-building
Art & culture

by

Mariam

Chichua

Jun 19, 2025

Alubali

Another hidden gem

"Alubali" is another hidden cafe in Tbilisi, it is perfect outdoors but it's an indoor place with some of the best Georgian menus around.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Mariam

Chichua

Jun 19, 2025

Sololaki

Oldest and dearest

"Sololaki" in Tbilisi is one of its oldest and most cultural parts. Here you'll find magical old houses with beautiful doors & balconies...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Mariam

Chichua

Jun 19, 2025

Soviet Border

Historical brutalism

Tbilisi's center has all the nice places but the soviet parts surround it like a fence. To me, this part is the more unique and interesting...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Mariam

Chichua

Jun 19, 2025

Heading to Tbilisi?

113 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

Heading to Tbilisi?

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

113 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

App Download Download our app

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Restaurants

Our team loves Tbilisi

Get to know our other Spotters from Tbilisi

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
false
0
false
7312
Filters