Tbilisi - Georgia

Tbilisi in Georgia is a melting pot of music, food, cocktails, wine, and inspiring architecture.

This European city sings all day and night. You have pianos scattered throughout the old town, with pianists entertaining nearby restaurants, street bands passionately playing and singing to locals and visitors passing by. Most bars and restaurants also feature talented artists' performances each evening. You are full of life and joyful energy.

Our days were filled with indulging in the local cuisine in Tbilisi, Georgia's capital, which is home to just over 1 million people. Georgian food is full of surprises, and it's unlike anything we've tasted. Think cheese toasties, but in a whole new format: Khachapuri, a cornbread baked full of cheese. We couldn’t get enough. OtsY was full of charm, a welcoming energy from the owner-chef, and the food was exceptional. We also received a few tips on how to pronounce thank you in Georgian.

Another favourite dish for the Georgians is Khinkali, dumplings filled with meat, fish, vegetables or cheese; yes, cheese is everywhere! They were an experience, and one that required an empty belly, as the portions were enormous, unlike the Chinese dumplings we are accustomed to! Barbecue grills are another typical dish of all meats, often covered in red onion, but a delight.

Tbilisi - Georgia

Tbilisi soon became a favourite for trying new dishes, the Georgian food was delicous, and the dining experiences were very memorable. After researching the best places to dine, we came across Barbaresta, a truly traditional family restaurant offering a dining experience inspired by the legendary 19th-century Georgian writer and chef, Barbare Jorjadze. Here, you can explore authentic and timeless Georgian cuisine. The restaurant's décor transports you back to another era, with a charming blend of soft lampshades, delicate lace tablecloths, and vintage crockery.

The architecture in Tbilisi was stunning as we explored our 74th country, Georgia, and the beautiful Georgian homes and buildings were a sensory overload, especially with the Autumn hues decorating the city.

We stayed in the old town, and it was full of charm. Our hotel, called The Blue Fox Hotel, was a 100-year-old mansion that had been recently restored; it was beautifully designed and was the perfect base.

The safety of the city was comforting; we found ourselves getting lost in the steep little alleys at times and were always greeted with smiles and warmth as we walked on by.

The cocktail bars were plentiful and kept us entertained; we soon made friends and were super impressed by the quality of cocktails and the selection of drinks. We soon became barflies at Gastrobar Barbar`a, The Gin Corner, enjoying conversations and swapping life and travel stories with the staff.

We would often find ourselves in neighbourhood bars, where we loved the local ambience and atmosphere. The staff were all full of warmth and positive energy; we couldn’t just stay for one!

Five nights were only a taster of this beautiful city, and we look forward to closing our Georgian travels in a few weeks, back in Tbilisi to continue discovering more gems.

Date visited: 5 November 2023