Guide for Genatsvale: The Best Georgian Restaurants

Located in Mega Silk Way, Daredzhani impresses with its grace, grandeur, and intimacy despite its bustling mall setting. Vaulted ceilings, zodiac frescoes, and warm oil-lamp lighting transport you somewhere between a modern tavern in an ancient monastery and a Georgian temple designed by Italian artisans.

Though part of Almaty’s abr group (which also runs Del Papa and Cafeteria), the Mega branch stands out — restaurateur Askar Baytasov boldly calls it the most beautiful Georgian restaurant he’s seen worldwide. The traditions, spices, and wine are pure Sakartvelo, while the tableware and presentation bring fresh aesthetics. The menu features khachapuri in all shapes, shkmeruli (both as a main and khinkali filling), classic and mini khinkali, chakhokhbili, and chikhirtma. Surprises abound: breakfast might be a gourmet composition of meatballs with pkhali, ajapsandali, and poached eggs; dolma gets a smoked yogurt twist; and dessert — a white chocolate and jelly pomegranate replica — looks strikingly real. The bar focuses on authentic distillates: grape chacha, infusions with pear, cranberry, and grapefruit, while the wine list highlights Georgian varieties.

This two-story project by the teams behind Nasha Dacha, The Kitchen, and Saksaul bridges tradition and creativity. Familiar dishes get inventive twists: pkhali is made with roasted pumpkin and cranberries, satsivi features shrimp and adjika butter, and khachapuri comes stuffed with mushroom julienne and truffle. The star? Mini khinkali with chicken in cheese sauce — worth a trip on their own.

Even desserts have a philosophy here: no pre-made displays, everything made to order: blueberry khachapuri with ice cream, or a Napoleon layered with peaches and berries just before serving. For aperitifs, try white sangria with tvishi, raspberry, and rhubarb, a chacha-based Negroni, or signature spritzes with Georgian flair.

The name means simply «guest„ — and that says it all. At Stumari, you’re welcomed like family, fed generously, and immersed in holiday vibes even on weekdays. Case in point: guests are greeted with chacha served straight from what’s touted as Central Asia’s only fountain of caha.

The menu leans classic but isn’t afraid to experiment: Four Cheese & Pear khachapuri, 38 cm spherical Stumareki-chebureki, vegetarian ojakhuri, and chocolate khinkali for dessert. The bar boasts 200 wines, from nostalgic Kindzmarauli to trendy orange, plus homemade infusions (apricot, cherry, barberry) and wine/chacha cocktails.

After a riverside stroll, don’t miss this cozy family-run spot embodying Georgian hospitality. Inside feels like a visit to relatives in Svaneti: flags on walls, dolls in chokhas, colorful tablecloths, shelves of wine jugs, ceramics, and dried herbs.

The menu is unpretentious and hearty: khinkali with meat and greens, spicy abkhazura, juicy kubdari, and crisp-edged khachapuri — all following family recipes. The bar matches the kitchen’s ethos: homemade chacha, fragrant fruit wines, and pours straight from clay jugs — because here, it’s about soul, not labels.

The most recognizable brand in our list (with eight Astana locations), Gruzin Kuzin proves how traditions adapt to city life. The decor is minimalist with ethnic touches, prices are mid-range, and the vibe is casual — because khinkali needs no special occasion.

The menu offers Georgian classics: cheese-laden khachapuri, intricately pleated khinkali, chakapuli, chashushuli, and chakhokhbili. Standouts include horse-meat khinkali, salmon shkmeruli, salmon dolma, and a strawberry-glazed khachapuri dessert. The bar keeps the feast going with pear/cranberry infusions and honeyed grape chacha.

Photos: restaurant websites and social media; Yandex Maps