Living in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, I discovered an unexpected delight: Georgian cuisine. There is a presence of Georgian restaurants in the capital city where you can savor the hearty, bold, rich and flavorful cuisine. Whether you're in the mood for trying something different or a simple, comforting meal, Bishkek's Georgian dining scene has something to offer.
Continue reading as I share some of my favorite Georgian restaurants and highly recommend you to visit them.
If you'd like to explore other great eats in Bishkek, check out my other blog posts:
CLASSIC GEORGIAN DISHES
Here are some must-try Georgian dishes you should look out for:
Khachapuri: A staple Georgian dish featuring bread filled with melted cheese and often topped with an egg. If you love cheese like me, you'll probably not want to share this with anyone :)
Khinkali: Georgian dumplings that are typically filled with meat and herbs. Kyrgyzstan also has its own version of dumplings called manti but the appearance and dough is completely different. I enjoy khinkali but I find the dough to be too thick for my liking.
Mtsvadi: succulent skewers of marinated meat, grilled to perfection.
Badrijani: rolled eggplant slices stuffed with a walnut and garlic paste.
BEST GEORGIAN RESTAURANTS IN BISHKEK, KYRGYZSTAN
1. Papuri
Papuri is my favorite Georgian restaurant in Bishkek and it serves classic Georgian fare such as kachapuri (cheese-filled bread), khinkali (Georgian dumplings), and a variety of traditional stews and grilled meats. I enjoyed a nice dinner here and the ambiance and welcoming atmosphere makes it a popular choice for locals and tourists, with live music on specific dates. I recommend getting a nice glass of Georgian wine to compliment your meal. A huge plus is that they have an English menu.
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take photos but I recommend the following:
Kharcho: Out of all the dishes I had at Papuri, this deserves a gold medal. I'm the type of person who would never order soup at a restaurant, but this classic Georgian soup filled with large pieces of veal, rice, hot pepper, tomatoes, garlic, and various spices topped with fresh coriander was delicious. I plan on recreating this dish at home because I still think about it to this day.
Khachapuri with Spinach: The cheese and spinach mixture melts seamlessly on the thin layer of freshly baked bread, and is such a harmonious balance of taste and texture.
Chicken Chakhokhbili: The tomato-based sauce contrasts beautifully with the golden-brown chicken. Garnished with fresh cilantro and pomegranate seeds, this dish was so tender and savory.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/papuri.rest/?hl=en
2. Zaandukki
Zaandukki is the most-rated Georgian restaurant on Google Maps and a popular choice for tourists. However, locals tell me they prefer Papuri and I couldn't agree more. Zaandukki is nestled in the heart of the city, and its ambiance is warm, and inviting, featuring rustic decor. They feature a wide array of classic Georgian dishes and one of the highlights of dining at Zaandukki is the extensive selection of Georgian wines.
I highly recommend you make reservations here because the restaurant gets busy on the weekends. We walked in on a Saturday night and they turned us away, but they were nice to offer us a table for an hour.
What I ordered:
Unfortunately, I don't remember the dish's name but it was braised beef on the bone with peppers, and potatoes in a thick sauce. The beef was falling off the bone and was incredibly tender.
This was my first time trying khinkali, Georgian dumplings. These were massive but I was quite disappointed because the dough was so thick compared to manti. However, the filling was incredibly juicy and reminded me of soup dumplings.
Khachapuri with Spinach: I devoured half of this because I love cheese. The golden-brown bread is crisp on the outside, while the inside is filled with a slightly salty cheese and the spinach cuts out on the greasiness.
Badrijani offers a unique combination of textures. The eggplant is tender and slightly smoky and complimented by the walnut paste, which is smooth yet slightly grainy. This was delicious but too salty for my liking.
So next time you crave something comforting but different, remember that the delightful world of Georgian cuisine awaits you right here in Bishkek. Find a local Georgian restaurant, and let this culinary gem become a part of your food journey. If you have any other restaurants I should add to this list, comment below.