Georgia, until recently, was a relatively unknown country. However, it is now becoming a favoured travel destination, and its underrated cuisine is fast emerging as one of the best. The country’s location made it an ideal location on the famous Silk Route, bringing culinary influences from Asia, the Mediterranean, Iran, and Türkiye.
Thought to be one of the healthiest cuisines, Georgia’s food consists of walnuts, pomegranates, cheese, honey, and kidney beans. Georgia is also among the world’s oldest and most significant wine producers. It still uses methods established 8,000 years ago. There are relatively few Georgian restaurants in the UK, so to help out, here are five of the best Georgian restaurants in London.
The Best Georgian Restaurants in London – Map
To experience Georgian cuisine, check out our guide to some gastronomical treasures of the best Georgian restaurants in London.
1. Samaia – Cosy and Authentic
Samaia, a Georgian restaurant in London, is a cosy restaurant with a relaxed atmosphere, serving authentic Georgian food and an impressive selection of Georgian wines. The staff is friendly and efficient, although service can be slow at busier times. However, as everything else is good, they would not be put off and would visit again.
Authentic highlights on the menu include:
A traditional Georgian starter of Pkhali at £10.00 is a cold platter of vegetable pates, steamed and made into balls with walnuts.
Beef and Pork Khinkali are dumplings delicately folded and traditionally eaten with your fingers. They are worth the wait, as they require a prep time of 45 mins. Five are £15.00.
Spinach Acharuli at £16.50. The dish is a Khachapuri, a national dish of Georgia. It consists of a boat-shaped bread filled with spinach and cheese and topped with an egg yolk and butter. Preparation takes 45 minutes.
For an authentic experience, Samaia is the best Georgian restaurant in London. The service is excellent, and many servers speak English and Russian. It is an ideal venue for solo diners, couples, families, or small groups. The restaurant’s interior is stylish, with Georgian folk music playing quietly in the background, complementing the ambience.
Address: 195 Castelnau, Barnes, London SW13 9ER
Telephone: 0208 703 0858
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2. Kartuli – Classic Georgia
Kartuli, which means Georgian, was an idea of friends from Georgia and the UK who wanted to showcase the classic dishes of Georgia in South East London. They share the Georgian philosophy that guests are a gift from God. Kartuli also has an online wine shop selling Georgian wines.
Kartuli offers a seasonal menu, and currently on the menu are the following:
A cold starter favourite is Badrijani Aubergine Walnut Rolls for £9.95, consisting of fried aubergine slices rolled and filled with a spiced ground walnut filling.
A famous dish from the eastern region of Kakheti, Pork Mtsvadi, is a main course at £16.95. Chargrilled pork is covered with fresh herbs and pomegranate seeds and served with Tkemali, a plum sauce.
Shkmeruli is a roast poussin with creamy garlic sauce and baby potatoes for £18.95. Originally from the mountainous region of Racha, and traditionally served with stone-baked Shoti bread for £3.50.
Finish with Pelamushi at £7.50 a set dessert using Kindzmarauli, a semi-sweet Georgian wine, and a roasted walnut topping.
Kartuli is a Georgian restaurant in East Dulwich, a cosy, authentic diner with an exciting and informative menu describing the dishes’ origins and ingredients. The hospitality is excellent, and the food and wine are great.
Address: 65 Lordship Lane, East Dulwich, London, SE22 8EP
Telephone: 0208 299 4989
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3. The Georgian – Home-Cooked Georgian Food
The Georgian has two restaurants, one in Clapham and the other in Balham. The Georgian restaurant in Clapham is the newest and largest, opening in November 2021. The diner has a relaxed vibe and a stylish interior.
With over ten years of experience serving authentic Georgian cuisine at their first restaurant in Balham, the menu at The Georgian Clapham also provides an opportunity to taste traditional, home-cooked Georgian food.
Ispanakhi, a spinach and walnut paté for £8.95
From the bakery section, try a Lobiani for two or four people at £10.00 or £12.50. A Georgian flatbread filled with red beans.
Or, Georgia’s famous Khachapuri, available in servings for two or four people, at £11.95 and £14.95.
Ajabsandali is a hotpot of aubergine, red peppers, and onion with a mozzarella topping for £14.50.
Other main courses include Chaqaqpuli for £19.95, a slow-cooked lamb stew with herbs.
The Georgian in Clapham is a great place to escape the city’s noise and relax while enjoying excellent Georgian food, wine, and some of the best Khachapuri in London.
Address: 102-104 Clapham High Street, Clapham, London, SW4 7UL
Telephone: 0207 720 1551
4. Shoty – Georgian Cafe and Restaurant
Shoty in South Kensington, London, bases its ethos around the spirit of Georgian hospitality and supras, which are integral to Georgian culture. Supra means a feast with plenty of food and wine. There are a few rules, too. Once poured into your glass, the toastmaster, a Tamada, makes a toast, the rule is to drink up, and the wine flows freely. Another Georgian rule is to toast friends with wine and enemies with beer.
Shoty welcomes guests to enjoy a fine feast of food and wine from its menu.
Borsch is more likely to be recognised with Ukranian cuisine. However, the Georgian version has an extra spicy kick. The soup combines cabbage, beetroot, and spices for a tasty starter, priced at £9.50.
Follow with a Georgian barbecue, fries, a tomato and cucumber salad served with Satsebeli sauce, a tomato and Georgian spice sauce. Options are pork, lamb, and chicken or Lula kebabs from £17.00 – £19.00.
Shkmeruli is fried spring chicken with garlic and cream sauce for £17.50. The dish originates from the Racha region and is considered an indulgent favourite of Georgian cuisine.
Add a Mchadi for £9.00 to mop up all those sauces. It is a Georgian cornbread widely eaten across the country.
Shoty offers a family-type atmosphere, and the staff live up to the famous Georgian hospitality. The restaurant is small and popular, so it gets crowded at times. Booking ahead is advisable. However, it still maintains its relaxed vibe while serving some of the best Georgian food in London and some excellent Georgian wines.
Address: 30 Old Brompton Road, London, SW7 3DL
Telephone: 0207 584 7100
5. Geamos – Great Food and Unique Qvevri Wine
Founders and owners Anna and Zaza Pulariani opened Geamos to serve authentic Georgian food and Georgia’s excellent-quality wine. Anna uses recipes passed down through generations, while Zaza’s selection of wines includes some made from UNESCO-recognised Qvevri, a traditional wine-making method.
For an introduction to Georgian food and wine, the menu includes:
A signature starter dish of Sulguni Rolls is available for £11.00, rolled pancakes with Sulguni (stretchy Georgian cheese) and filled with minted Nadugi, a flavoured cottage cheese.
Another signature dish is Chakapuli, priced at £21.50 and regarded as Georgia’s most famous and popular stew. Tarragon and lamb are stewed together with white wine and wild plums.
For a vegetarian option, try Lobio at £15.00. A delicious mix of stewed red kidney beans flavoured with chilli, garlic and fresh coriander. Mchadi cornbread is a traditional accompaniment to the dish.
Wash the meal down with a bottle of Saperavi for £43.00. A popular Georgian red wine made using the traditional method of pouring the juice and all pulp of the crushed grapes into the qvevri, a receptacle in the ground and left buried underground to ferment for five to six months.
If you want to sample some of Georgia’s iconic dishes and wines, Geamos is in a great location in St John’s Wood, with easy parking. The atmosphere is friendly, and the staff is professional and passionate about the food. Geamos is a must-visit for one of the best Georgian restaurants in London.
Address: 122 Boundary Road, London, NW8 0RH
Telephone: 07540 477982
Tips for Enjoying Georgian Food
The 19th-century Russian poet Alexander Pushkin described Georgian food as ‘every Georgian dish is a poem.’ If you want to experience the under-appreciated cuisine, here are some tips for understanding Georgian food.
- What is the most popular Georgian food? Khinkali is a favourite dish in Georgia and is often considered a national dish. They are soup dumplings stuffed with meat and spices, traditionally eaten with your fingers. Holding the twisted tail, you bite into the dough ball and drink the broth from inside before eating the dumpling.
- Is Georgian food delicious? Georgian cuisine has many international influences, and each region has its variation, so there are plenty of options to suit all tastes.
- What are the best Georgian dishes? Highlights include Khachapuri, cheese-filled bread with an egg on top. Mtsvadi is another popular dish, and are skewers of grilled meat. Pkhali is balls of chopped vegetables, usually spinach, cabbage, and beetroot, mixed with walnuts, garlic, and spices.