One of Tbilisi’s most beautiful facades can be found in the pedestrianized, renovated Agmashenebeli Avenue.I find the cafes and restaurants along this street a bit too touristy.I recommend that you avoid this area of the city, or the nearby Dry Bridge Market, and instead go down Chveni Street. Chveni is a small hostel that also has a restaurant at the bottom.The hostel is small but beautiful, featuring sun-drenched tables and an open bar. There’s also an outdoor wood-fired oven.Award-winning chef interprets traditional Georgian flavours in a completely unique way.You can choose from chicken balls with Shkmeruli, Ghomi (walnut) balls, Lobio balls, Jonjoli sauce or Elarji and Kuchmachi (yogurt) balls.It would be a great dessert!

At the beginning of the pedestrian area of the historic and ever-more-trendy Marjianishvili Quarter is celebrity-Chef Guram Baghdoshvili’s latest venture – Chveni. Meaning ‘ours’ in Georgian, everything in this whimsical restaurant is as welcoming as the name suggests, with subtle details from Georgia’s past and present cleverly arranged throughout the garden and interior. Bringing a modern take on contemporary Georgian dishes, Chef Guram (who prepared food for three Georgian presidents and presents a popular cooking show on Georgian TV) infuses everything – from the decor to the zesty culinary creations – with a healthy dose of his upbeat and charismatic personality.

A gem hidden in plain sight, Chveni is located on an internal street right next to Radisson Red Tbilisi, and one that is worth tracking down. Across its floors, you’ll find an eclectic range of decor from digital paintings to musical instruments, and statues. The menu deals in Georgian (with a unique spin) and Asian cuisine put together by Chef Guram Bagdoshvili who has prepared meals for three Georgian presidents.

The Georgian kitchen and cozy atmosphere of the multi-functional openspace hints at a Japanese style. Enjoy a choice of Georgian uniquehome-made dishes and wine in a cozy atmosphere as Chef GuramBagdoshvili, a renowned television personality, boasting over 30 years’experience of international gaonomy, shows you just how he wasnominated for Gault&Millau’s “Best Chef 2019, Georgia” award.

If you’re looking for something special, make sure to check out restaurants such as Café Stamba (best acharuli khachapuri), Keto & Kote (beautiful setting with amazing views), Café Littera (nouveau Georgian cuisine in a beautiful mansion with garden), Shavi Lomi (Georgian fusion), Ezo (young restaurant that also organises food tours) or Chveni (try their Georgian croquettes!).

Chveni is a relatively new addition to the food and restaurant scene in Tbilisi but its chef Guram Baghdoshvili is not. He hosted a culinary show that discovered the best home cooks in Georgia and has developed the menus for other establishments in Tbilisi, including the wine-themed Vinotel (see below). He has opened a Georgian restaurant in Dubai.

The renovated and pedestrianised part of Aghmashenebeli Avenue boasts some of Tbilisi’s most handsome facades. But the cafes and restaurants on this street are far too touristy for my taste. If you find yourself in this part of the city (or at the nearby Dry Bridge Market), I suggest ducking down the side street to Chveni.

Our first stop was Chveni, which was near our Airbnb and recommended by our host. Settled in the relaxing garden, we ordered small plates as a starter and some grilled meat for our carnivore friends, whose stomach wasn’t quite ready for foreign food. The foods were nicely presented, twisted with international influences.

Chveni is an exciting little bar that attracts a mid-20s crowd and is a proper slice of fun. It’s LGBTQ-friendly, warm and welcoming, and they play an entertaining selection of retro tunes and fun pop music. If you’re looking to avoid Tbilisi’s ubiquitous techno, Chveni is an excellent option.

One of the best restaurants in Tbilisi if you’re looking for classy and high-end, Chveni offers some interesting, elegant and unusual flavors, and it’s all excellently executed.