Asi Khinkali — Restaurant in Tbilisi

I wish I could write something nice about their food and about my dining there but my review is actually not even 1 star, as I was not able to dine there at all! I was with 2 days visit in Tbilisi and randomly googled their place to have a dinner. As it had good reviews for khinkali I decided to go there. I WALKED for about 25 minutes in a very windy cold weather LOOKING for their restaurant (bcos my 4G roaming data finished and I got lost in between the streets), but was cheering myself with the thoughts of tasty dinner. When I finally found the place and came in, at first, the staff hadn't even said hi or welcomed me. There were 2 or 3 staff at the cash machine, they just glanced at me with kind of annoyed faces (especially the girl with dark hair) and continued being busy with their own thing and ignoring me. And I was just standing there. I looked around and the place was SUPER TINY with just few tables, all being occupied with males mostly, and 2 tables were marked as "reserved". Then another guy came out, greeted me with smile at least, and..... was like standing waiting for me to tell what I wanted as if it was not clear that I came there to eat! So I said I wanted to hv smth for dinner and if they could accommodate me. The guy said that inside they were full and other tables were reserved. I said but I am ALREADY here and will eat quickly and go. He said yes, but the people who booked will come any time as well. And said that I could sit outside as they had vacant table there (it was around +6 degrees outside at that time at night with super cold wind!). I was frustrated! I told them that it was not mentioned anywhere that the reservation was required, so how people (random tourists, visitors) are supposed to know that??? The guy said with a smile "Well, you could call to check if we had vacant tables", I was like "But is not saying anywhere that the place is so tiny and that bookings or checking for tables is required! So people assume that you HAVE space and tables! So mention it online at least so people will not be just coming here for nothing and wasting their time." That light hair guy was polite at least but other staff were looking at me like as if I came to their home and was demanding smth! ZERO sense or understanding of hospitality and ZERO problem solving skills! Working as a supervisor in a service related industry myself, I saw at least 3 solutions there to make a customer who was specifically looking for THAT place happy and provide food. But anyway, just for y'all, CALL AND MAKE BOOKING WITH THEM BEFORE GOING THERE. And if you are just a tourist with no local sim and can't call, sorry, no chance for you to eat there, at least not for...

A Must-Try for Khinkali Lovers in Tbilisi

Asi Khinkali is a hidden gem in Tbilisi's Marjanishvili district, offering an authentic Georgian dining experience. This cozy cellar restaurant is known for its exceptional khinkali, the iconic Georgian dumplings.

Here are some highlights that make Asi Khinkali a great choice:

Unique Khinkali: They specialize in "dambalkhacho" khinkali, featuring a distinctive and strong-flavored cheese filling. This unique option is perfect for adventurous foodies seeking something beyond the usual meat fillings.

Homemade Quality: The restaurant takes pride in its homemade approach, sourcing fresh ingredients and preparing dishes with care. You can truly taste the difference in the quality and flavor.

Warm Atmosphere: The cellar setting creates a charming and intimate ambiance, perfect for a relaxed and enjoyable meal.

Friendly Service: The staff is known for their warm hospitality and attentive service, ensuring a pleasant dining experience.

Overall, Asi Khinkali is a fantastic option for anyone seeking delicious and authentic Georgian cuisine in Tbilisi. If you're a fan of khinkali, especially looking for something beyond the ordinary, this restaurant is definitely worth a visit.

Here are some additional points to consider:

It's a good idea to check the opening hours beforehand, as they might be limited.

The space is relatively small, so reservations might be recommended, especially during peak hours.

While the dambalkhacho khinkali is a highlight, they also offer other traditional fillings if you prefer a milder option.

I highly recommend Asi Khinkali for anyone looking for a memorable and delicious Georgian dining...

Very promising place with such an awful service. We were reading menu for a while choosing the food, the waiter came to the table 2 times to hear that we were not ready yet. When we were ready we order bunch of food only to realize that every single position from the menu that we originally wanted was not available including khinkali (and the place is called ASI Khinkali). This is so ridiculous, out of 7 main dishes they had available 3. What I don’t understand is why the waiter who came to the table few times before we placed an order didn’t mention that they don’t have 70% of menu available to order while he saw our struggle with choose something. The food however was fine, pretty good beetroot salad with Cream cheese, pork sausages were fine, I’ve had better in Tbilisi. Overall I’m not sure if this place deserves your attention considering that there in incredible khinkali place not far from...