Georgian Cuisine Takes Over London: Where to Eat Near Big Ben
A Culinary Gem Spreading Across London’s Neighbourhoods
For years, Georgian cuisine remained one of London’s best-kept secrets, but that’s changing fast. Residents across the capital are discovering what travellers have long known: the food from this South Caucasian nation is absolutely extraordinary. From the trendy streets of Soho, where Aba-Ra! recently expanded its second location, to the leafy avenues of East Dulwich and the bohemian charm of Stoke Newington, Georgian restaurants are popping up in neighbourhoods where locals are hungry for something different. What makes this culinary movement particularly exciting is how it’s transforming diverse communities. In areas like Brick Lane, which has long celebrated multicultural dining, Georgian restaurants sit comfortably alongside established favourites. Meanwhile, affluent postcodes like Mayfair and Kensington are embracing the cuisine with polished establishments serving traditional dishes in sophisticated settings. Even St John’s Wood and Pimlico—traditionally quieter dining destinations—now offer Georgian hospitality. This isn’t just about new restaurants opening; it’s about London’s food culture becoming more adventurous and inclusive, reflecting our city’s evolving palate.
Meet the Restaurateurs Bringing Georgia to Your Table
Behind London’s Georgian dining revolution are passionate individuals and families with deep connections to their homeland. Giorgi Mindiashvili and Mitz Vora brought their Tbilisi expertise to Mayfair’s DakaDaka, while the family-run Aba-Ra! team built a loyal following on Brick Lane before expanding into Soho’s vibrant restaurant district. Anna Shanidze opened Ikhaltos Valley on Stoke Newington High Street earlier this year, naming it after her native region and handcrafting every khinkali dumpling. Meanwhile, husband-and-wife team Anna and Zaza Pulariani at St John’s Wood’s Geamos combine family recipes with Zaza’s carefully curated Georgian wine selection. At Kartuli in East Dulwich, the community has found not just a restaurant but a cultural hub—the attached wine shop stocks one of the UK’s most extensive Georgian wine collections. These aren’t corporate chains but deeply personal ventures. Saperavi Social’s founders specifically chose to centre wine culture, hosting regular tastings that educate London diners about Georgia’s 8,000-year winemaking heritage. Each restaurateur is essentially an ambassador, introducing neighbours and colleagues to their culinary traditions while building thriving businesses.
What You Need to Know: Georgian Food, Wine and Getting Involved
If you’re new to Georgian cuisine, here’s what to expect: it’s flavour-packed, generous, and designed for sharing. Khachapuri—crispy boat-shaped bread oozing with cheese and topped with an egg yolk—is the signature starter that has converted countless Londoners. Khinkali dumplings, twisted parcels filled with meat or vegetables, require a specific eating technique (using your hands to bite into the top and sip the hot broth inside), making dining inherently social and fun. Beyond these icons, expect spiced kebabs, herby broths, walnut-filled aubergine rolls, and fragrant lamb shanks that showcase the region’s diverse ingredient palette. Georgian wines deserve special attention. These aren’t your typical supermarket bottles but natural, low-intervention amber wines aged in traditional qvevri clay vessels—a method that predates modern winemaking by millennia. London wine bars now regularly feature Georgian selections, and Peckham Cellars is dedicating an entire month to exploring them. For local residents, the action items are straightforward: visit a Georgian restaurant this month, ask servers about wines and preparation methods, and support these independent establishments. Many host special tasting events—check Saperavi Social’s calendar. Whether you’re near Trafalgar Square or in quieter neighbourhoods, Georgian dining is now genuinely accessible across London.
Source: Georgia On Our Mind | Our Favourite Georgian Restaurants In London
