Our first taste of Georgian khinkali

1136 Reviews

Star Travel Rating

4/5

Review type

Things to do

Location

Date of travel

June, 2023

Product name

Café Kala

Product country

Georgia

Product city

Tbilisi

Travelled with

Couple

Reasons for trip

Culture/Sightseeing

On our first night in Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi, our guide Sergi introduced us to Café Kala in Erekle Street, a pedestrianised area lined with eateries. Only a 10-minute walk from our hotel, it became our go to place.

We sat on the large terrace and as we’d not been in the country long, Sergi took charge of ordering from the extensive menu beginning with khinkali – dumplings filled with brothy seasoned beef mince. A Georgian staple, they’re said to go so well with beer, Khinkali Houses serve literally beer and dumplings. They’re always ordered in quantity and the minimum order at Café Kala was 10. The knack to eating the mushroom shaped dumpling by hand was to hold it by the stem, take a small bite from the side so you could suck and slurp out the hot broth before chewing your way into the filling. Needless to say, it’s messy and an acquired skill. The dough stems are discarded and left on your plate to demonstrate how many you’ve eaten. Fortunately, the next dish was easier to eat: thin slices of Sulguni, Georgia’s most famous cheese, rolled into a horn shape and stuffed with Nadughi, a soft cheese mixed with mint. Ajapsandali, a spicy eggplant stew followed, and our meal ended with Matsoni, a fermented yoghurt said to be an elixir of long life. We also shared a bottle of Tsinandali white wine, in honour of our earlier visit to their estate.

The second time we were flying solo and began with a G&T before moving on to a litre of house white. We were discovering that white wine is usually served at room temperature, so asked for it to be chilled. Fortunately, the menu was in English, with a picture board at the entrance if you were really doubtful. We shared Mtsvadi or chicken grilled on a skewer, and a salad of rocket, sun dried and cherry tomatoes with parmesan shavings. It went beautifully together and was lovely and light as we’d had a relatively large lunch. During dinner, the heavens opened and uncovered terrace tables were taken out of commission which resulted in a very quiet night. Whilst waiting for the rain to ease we finished with coffee, shots of honey vodka and Chacha, a strong Georgian brandy a little like schnapps. Fortunately, by the time we paid our bill of just over £40, the rain had stopped, and we arrived back at the hotel unscathed.

We also stopped during the day for drinks and hummus which came with thin crisps, and crudites which was so generous there was plenty for two to share.

Having returned to Tbilisi for a final night before flying home, we felt a return to Café Kala was a must. During our tour, we’d become very familiar with khacapuri, a popular dish of cheese-filled bread with regional variations, and I felt it appropriate to have a final meal of khachapuri made with Imeretian soft cheese which we shared with a Georgian salad with walnuts. It was a fitting finale and as we left at 10pm due to an early morning flight, people were vying for tables.

Helen Jackson

Join the club

Become a member to receive exclusive benefits

Our community is the heart of Silver Travel Advisor, we love nothing more than sharing ideas, inspiration, hints and tips between us.

Come feel the love on a Princess cruise. You’ll enjoy the MedallionClass experience others simply can’t, and it’s exclusively for everyone. Visit incredible destinations and be involved in the best experiences around each one of them.

Experience more with Princess and connect effortlessly with the world around you, spend time away with loved ones, take a moment for yourself, and fall in love with your holiday of a lifetime, every time.

With over 20 years of experience, Wendy Wu Tours has mastered the art of creating exceptional, fully inclusive tours which showcase the very best of each destination.

Each tour is led by a world-class guide, who will highlight the very best of their homeland, and includes authentic cultural experiences so you are not just seeing the sights, but truly immersing yourself in local life.

Say hello to ease at sea. Ambassador’s purpose is simple: they want to inspire every guest to experience authentic cruising, effortlessly and sustainably. Passionate about protecting our oceans and destinations, their ships comply with the highest industry emission standards and there is no single-use plastic on board.

On your voyage, you will receive the warmest of welcomes from the Ambassador community as you sail upon the friendliest ships afloat.

This is a global co-operative co-owned by local partners using real local experts and guides, which supports local communities, environments and wildlife. It offers travellers quirky places to stay, activity holidays and learning experiences. Not In The Guidebooks gets travellers off the beaten track into local culture with day experiences and longer, immersive adventures.

From wild wellness breaks in Wales to painting in Portugal, sustainable adventures in Mauritius to food safaris in Brazil, this is immersive, exciting travel.

Seabourn’s five intimate ships carry guests to the heart of great cities, exclusive yacht harbours and secluded coves around the world, while two new purpose-built expedition ships will combine exhilarating adventures in remote destinations with the sophisticated amenities of the world’s finest resorts at sea.

From the luxury of all suite accommodations to complimentary fine wines and spirits, and a no tipping policy, Seabourn exemplifies the definition of travelling well.