Baraqa Georgian Cuisine — Restaurant in Prague

In Georgia, there is a saying every child grows up with: “A guest is sent from God.” Yet, on this particular evening, the experience at the restaurant fell far from that spirit. Perhaps it was simply a bad day? poor timing?

My mother and I returned to Baraqa the day after my first visit. Out of courtesy, I called an hour and fifteen minutes before closing time (23:00 that evening) to ask whether it was still worth coming. The guy who answered reassured me: “Absolutely, our kitchen is open for another 45 minutes, you are so welcome.” Encouraged, we arrived about 10–15 min after the call and placed our order. The same young waiter who had treated us so kindly the day before greeted us again. This time, though, he seemed visibly more tired, struggling to keep a polite smile on his face, but he tried his best.

Already aware we were dining during the last hour of service, my mother and I ordered quickly, trying not to be a burden. Still, the atmosphere was heavy. Another waiter, named Goga, shot us cold, irritated glances throughout the meal. His expression, somewhere between exhaustion and annoyance, made it nearly impossible to relax. I felt like I had done some terrible crime coming. At times he even seemed to glare at us while we ate. Other guests, too, felt the unpleasant tension.

The unease seeped into the food as well. The Penovani was noticeably weaker than the day before. The Khinkali, which had impressed me day before with a strong 9/10, dropped down to a 4/10. The walnut salad was mediocre, around 5/10. Only the Acharuli Khachapuri and Badrijani managed to stand out that evening, both reaching a respectable 8/10. Overall, the decline in quality was obvious. I tried to reason with myself: “It must be because it’s so late.” But we all know time shouldn’t matter.

We sat in that restless, uncomfortable air for nearly an hour. The previously warm and attentive waiter was now clearly stressed, rushing, weighed down by the fatigue of a long shift. Understandable - but still unacceptable in hospitality. A true restaurateur gives their best until the very last guest leaves; no guest should ever feel unwelcome.

My mother felt so uncomfortable that she tried to pay in advance, just to avoid adding pressure on the staff. And then there was Goga: sighing, glaring, openly displaying his, what seemed to be - irritation. In all my experiences dining out, I’ve never encountered such behavior from a server. If this had been my first visit, I would never have considered coming back. This would nearly never happen in Sweden.

It is one thing for food to vary in quality from day to day, that is forgivable. But to treat guests poorly, especially when they’ve called ahead to confirm it was fine to come, is inexcusable. It saddened me all the more because these are my fellow countrymen.

That being said, I do want to end on a positive note: Your social media manager / content work is among the best I’ve seen. Please keep it up.

And so I return to where I began: სტუმარი ხვთისაა — “A guest is sent from God.”

I truly wish you success and better days ahead.

(UPDATE) I am replying, simply to clarify three points:

My two reviews were not “spam” but reflected two different visits, posted under my full name. One from my work account, one from my private account. First visit was good!

I never said the food was bad or questioned your background. I only noted that the quality was noticeably lower the second day, which can happen. That was not my main issue.

You say it was the same team both days, but we never saw “Goga” the first day. Our waiter was kind and helpful both times, though understandably a little more tired on the second day. He was never the issue; I have specified in my review what the real issue was. I kindly ask you to read it again.

It saddens me that instead of seeing respectful feedback as a chance to grow, you chose to dismiss it and accuse it to be a “blog entries". My family and I chose your restaurant among many in Prague, I'm proud to be Georgian - which makes your response all the more...

We recently visited Baraqa Georgian Cuisine and had a delightful dining experience overall.

To start, we ordered the "Eggplants with Walnuts," featuring slices of eggplant elegantly seasoned with coriander, onion, and crushed walnuts. This appetizer offered a distinctive blend of flavors and textures, standing out as unique—something you wouldn't typically find elsewhere in Prague. While it wasn't exceptional, it was certainly memorable and satisfying.

My wife chose the "Penovani Khachapuri." Although presented attractively, this dish didn't quite impress her. While there was nothing specifically wrong with it, she felt it lacked a certain special element—enjoyable enough but not especially notable in taste or texture.

Two of our friends opted for the "Lazian Khachapuri," and this dish was truly impressive. It featured carefully layered local cheeses, creating a rich and multi-dimensional taste experience. Its perfectly crisp exterior and deliciously melted cheeses inside made it stand out clearly as a well-prepared, traditional Georgian dish.

For my main, I selected the "Special Khachapuri." Visually, it was very appealing with a golden-brown crust overflowing with cheese and sour cream filling. The portion was exceptionally generous, more than enough to satisfy two adults comfortably. My only reservation was about its texture—the sour cream was rather liquid and didn’t integrate smoothly with the cheese, which remained partially unmelted. A slightly thicker sour cream and better-melted cheese would have elevated this dish from good to outstanding.

We accompanied our meal with a bottle of Kindzmarauli semi-dry red wine, which complemented our dishes wonderfully. It struck an ideal balance—not overly sweet but pleasantly fruity and soft, avoiding any harsh dryness, which made it an excellent pairing with the rich flavors of Georgian cuisine.

In general, portion sizes at Baraqa are remarkably generous; you’ll likely leave feeling very full and satisfied.

The ambiance of Baraqa was charming, complemented by attentive, friendly staff and comfortable seating that enhanced the overall dining experience. Though the prices seemed slightly elevated considering the ingredient types, the experience was enjoyable and authentic. Would we return? Certainly yes, but perhaps next time we'd venture beyond Khachapuri, exploring dishes like Khinkali and discovering more of their Georgian...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Baraqa, and I must say, it was an unforgettable experience. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warm smiles and a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. The staff were incredibly attentive, making us feel like we were being treated as family rather than just customers.

The food was simply outstanding! Every dish was a beautiful combination of authentic Georgian flavors and fresh ingredients. The khachapuri was perfectly cheesy, the khinkali were bursting with flavor, and the grilled meats were cooked to perfection. Each bite felt like a journey through the rich culinary traditions of Georgia.

Word to mention the live singer who sings the jazz-soul style Georgian and English songs and I loved it.

What truly sets Baraqa apart is the passion and love that goes into everything they do, from the service to the presentation of the food. It's clear that they care deeply about providing a top-notch dining experience.

If you're in Prague and looking for an authentic Georgian meal, and the place to spend a charming and calm evening by yourself, on a date or with friends, that will leave you both full and happy, Baraqa is the place to go. Highly...