In the centre of the lively Konstantin Marjinishville Street, you will find a small but fine Restro Café in a hidden side street. Anyone who wants to get to know Georgian hospitality better and appreciates authentic home-made cuisine will love Cafe Therapy. This is a real insider tip and a top-class recommendation for an absolutely adorable café in Tbilisi that nobody should miss.
Best authentic home made Wine and Food in Marjanishvili
Thomas Cisar
Cafe Therapy in Tbilisi
- Authentic Georgian Cuisine
- Homemade specialities, authentic wine
- Price level: 1 out of 5
- Overall rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Best Chicken Ojakhuri in Tbilisi
28 Kote Marjanishvili Street
Open 3 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Reservation: +995571713434
A super Budget Friendly Restaurant Marjanishvili
Anyone who knows and loves Marjanishvilli unfortunately also knows how incredibly expensive good food is, with a few exceptions such as Ghebi Mapsala and Shemoikhede Marjanishvilze. Cafe Therapy may not have as much space as the “big classic restaurants” in Marjanishvilli, but it is in no way inferior in terms of quality. The restaurant is a real family business and is run by the well-known psychotherapist Alexander Amashukeli (a.k.a. Sandro) and his wonderful wife. Together with their charming staff, they serve the finest culinary delights in a lovingly designed location. The venue has many regular guests and enchants expats and locals alike with its flair.
Homemade Food at Cafe Therapy
This is a real soul kitchen where Georgian food is celebrated at the highest level. Stressed-out people will find peace and quiet here and can slow down – as everything is freshly prepared, you may have to wait 20-30 minutes at Cafe Therapy, depending on how busy it is. The wait is definitely worth it. Many of the guests love the homemade “Ojakhuri light” (15 GEL) with lots of garlic, after which you no longer have a problem with vampires. Don’t worry about the smell of garlic, you can wash it down with a glass of wine afterwards. For newcomers who don’t know Ojakhuri, it’s grilled chicken fillet with homemade potatoes – despite the temptation, you should avoid ketchup or sauces, the dish is convincing in its pure form (thanks Sandro for the tip!).
Personally, I recommend the Georgian salad with chicken (15 GEL), many of my companions love the vegetable aubergine salad (11 GEL) with walnuts. I don’t know what the likeable shrink was thinking with the “Chicken Sadist” dish, but it always makes me laugh. For a quick snack in between meals, you can get breaded chicken sticks on salad, lavash and chips.
Be sure to try the Georgian Wine here!
Of course, every meal in Tbilisi should be accompanied by a glass of wine, or would you prefer the whole bottle? If you love authentic wine, you’ll find a great selection here! The amber-coloured “Rkatsiteli” is available here in its home-made pure form. While other places sell the boring supermarket version for too much money for a glass, here you can get the unfiltered and delicious Qveri wine for an absolutely fair 15 GEL per litre – not per glass! Of course, a decent red Saperavi (25 GEL / litre) and a Kindzmarauli (35 GEL / litre) are not to be missed. Of course, there is no question that there is also great chacha here!
Bores who are afraid of the brilliant Georgian wine can of course reach for the beer (you losers!)… Various spirits round off the offer. Those who prefer to stay sober will find soft drinks as well as my favourite holy mineral water, Nabeghlavi.
Service and ambience at CafeTherapy Tbilisi
As already mentioned, anyone expecting unhealthy fast food here is wrong, the authentic dishes of Georgian cuisine take their time – and that’s a good thing. All the staff and the family really go out of their way to make sure guests have a great time.
I have known the restaurant since it opened and am fascinated by its burlesque and magnificent development. In the beginning 2022, there was only a basic interior. With great attention to detail, the interior has been extremely upgraded. They have a heart for nature and the trees were not chopped down but lovingly considered when the restaurant was roofed over. Many stylish decorations, works of art and a piano provide plenty of charm to make you feel at home. “Experience the timelessness” is the motto!
Our honest verdict on Cafe Therapy in Tbilisi
The relaxed and positive atmosphere makes the location an excellent choice for a late lunch, brunch or dinner in an excellent atmosphere. It’s great to see that the restaurant is constantly evolving to offer guests even more comfort.
Fun fact: the restaurant is unfortunately closed on Mondays. However, it is not a day of rest, as Sandro uses his restaurant for group therapy – so the location has truly earned the name “Cafe Therapy”.
To summarize, this charming venue is simply extremely cool and uncomplicated. The pricing is more than fair without compromising on quality. If you’re really short on time, you can order your food in advance by calling +995571713434. Newcomers to Tbilisi in particular should definitely stop by here for the homemade wine. Gaumarjos and enjoy your meal!
