Page 38 - MASALA Magazine Vol.15 Issue 8 | December - January 2025

Khachapuri, similar to the Turkish Pide, is a cheese-filled flatbread
with an egg on top. It’s a popular street food, and has been around
since the 12th century. It’s also been called a cousin of the pizza.
It’s bread and cheese, I mean, what’s not to love?
Try this delicacy at Mapshalia, which felt like walking into a
Georgian nani’s house, where food was on the table in seconds. It
was incredibly cosy, and I am sure the aunties that run the place
will want to keep feeding you. To truly get a feel of Georgian
culture, I would recommend going here. Head to
• Bassiana – a cornerstone of Tbilisi’s nightlife, and incredibly
Lobio is a hearty hug in a bowl, made with beans and served with popular with international and local DJs.
a local corn bread called mchadi or pita bread. If you are in need • Khidi – situated under the Vakhushti Bagrationi Bridge, it spans
of something simple, that is reminiscent of your dadi’s rajma chawl, three floors and can accommodate up to 1,200 people.
definitely order this dish. • Mtkvarze – a former soviet printing house turned club for you
Go to Cafe Leila, located in old Tbilisi, a stone’s throw away from to boogie your heart out.
the Clock Tower. I highly recommend going in the evening and
snatching a seat outside. This quaint restaurant is also vegetarian- Pre-drink at:
friendly and has an excellent selection of local cuisine for you to • Fabrika Tbilisi – an industrial soviet sewing factory converted
enjoy. into a courtyard housing bars, live music, restaurants, hostels and a

WINE coworking spot. While I visited, they even had a photo-van, which
worked much like a traditional photo booth.
When I first stepped out to explore Tbilisi, one of the first things
that caught my eye was a deep purple-coloured ice cream that every ARCHITECTURE
second person seemed to be enjoying. It took me a few minutes to The buildings of Tbilisi are where its history takes centre stage.
find the source, but once I did, I instantly understood how integral Just four days were enough to showcase how its past has influenced
wine was because it was a wine-flavoured ice cream. Thus began the way the city has been built, blending architectural elements
a personal challenge of trying as many different local wines in from East and West. And most recently, from the Soviet Union.
the birthplace of wine. Yes, you read that correctly. Georgia is the If you’re a history geek, this is the country to visit!
birthplace of wine, dating back to 6,000-4,000 BCE. • The Clock Tower (and much of old town Tbilisi) – by far, my
favourite part of the city. I was enchanted by the colourful joint
Traditionally, wine was made in clay pots, known as the Qvevri (or houses and historical architecture.
Kvevri) method. Delicious grapes are crushed and put into clay pots, • Bridge of Peace – a symbol of Georgian innovation and future
before burying them underground for a duration of 5-6 months. prosperity.
• Opera and Ballet Theatre of Tbilisi – right opposite Kvarts Coffee,
Where to enjoy a glass or two of nectar in Tbilisi: this striking building pulls you in with its vibrant colours!
• 8,000 Vintages – as they house more than 1,000 labels for you
to try from.
• Wine Library – for the wine tastings held every Friday and
Saturday.
• Karalashvili Wine Cellar – a traditional marani offering a taste
of wine from a 600-year-old cellar.
Hot tip: a lot of bars or wine merchants will let you taste a range with
generous pours! Helpful for those who were on a budget like I was!
During my next visit, I would make the trek to Khaketi Wine
region, home to 70% of Georgia’s wine. Wineries I would visit:
• Shumi Winery – to pay my respects at the birthplace of wine.
• Vakho Oqruashvili Wine Cellar – to taste wine straight from
a qvevri.
• TEMI Community Winery – for its award-winning organic qvevri
wines that double as a social enterprise, supporting 70 people from
different backgrounds and abilities.
• Winery Khareba – to sample wine from the largest wine exporters
in Georgia.

Realistically, I would go on a wine tour to visit as many as I can!
In other words, drink as much Georgian wine as humanly possible
in a short span of time.

MUSIC & NIGHTLIFE
While researching places to go, I was not expecting to find a thriving
underground music scene, especially for techno heads.

38 | MASALA MAGAZINE DEC 2024-JAN 2025