- Shawn Basey
- May 26
- 9 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Wondering where to get a proper cup of coffee in the Caucasian capital? Wonder no more.
Years ago, getting a decent coffee in Tbilisi was a task only for Tom Cruise’s mission impossible team. Ordering a “cappuccino” when I first came to Georgia would get you a cup of instant coffee with hot milk instead of water. The scene started to change as Lavazza and Illy (basically the Italian Folgers in your cup) entered the market, first with a wave of small little corner shops and finally, general market acceptance in restaurants everywhere, so that no matter where you go now you can at least get something decent. Starbucks awareness began to grow when in the haute neighborhood of Vake opened up a “Starbucks” (eventually people realized it wasn’t an actual Starbucks and they stopped going).
But what about for the coffee snobs—and basically any Berlin-worshipping hipster nob—who requires something at least 5 dollars a cup and served at an exact temperature in a glass test tube? I’m happy to say that Tbilisi has fully embraced the coffee revolution, from corner shops serving aeropress (or whatever the next big thing is) to even a homegrown coffee chain that looks astonishingly like that of the degenerate mermaid grinds.
Which I should mention, for a proper espresso, americano, or cappucino these days, expect to pay 9 - 12 GEL. That's inflation for you. For fancy aeropress stuff, probably more. Of course, in dollars that's just three to four dollars, but on the local dole that's quite a bit of something.
If you’re visiting or living in Tbilisi and looking for your next caffeine fix, you’d do well to try these places. They're in no particular order, as coffee is highly subjective. And do note that most of the more hipster drinks tend to be lighter than what you're used to in Europe or the States.
The first I worked on this list was back in 2019, but now that I'm back in Tbilisi, I'm trying my best to update it for you. The cafe scene has absolutely exploded, so I find myself updating this blog (and the map at the end) almost every other day now. The cafes listed below I've personally verified and have sipped from their mugs, while the ones on the map include those I've only found out about and have yet to check out.
If you find a worthy temple to coffee and culture, send me an email and let me know, or comment wherever you found a link to this blog. Same goes if one of these was no longer around.
1. Prospero’s Books and Caliban’s Coffee
Prospero’s deserves the honorable place at the top of the list for being the first real indy coffee shop to enter the Tbilisi market. It was the primary place of gathering for expats through those dark ages of the coffee bean when instant coffee ruled the land supreme. In 1999, they started roasting their own beans and had one of Tbilisi’s only espresso machines for probably about 10 years. It started as a place to sit and read your latest literary purchase from the bookstore that it shares a beautiful little courtyard with. Incidentally, I’ve never heard of the coffee house being called “Caliban’s” except on their official marketing material, as most locals tend to refer to both the bookstore and cafe as "Prospero's".
The interior is spacious, having both places for laptop soldiers and those who want to sit back, relax, and chat with friends. The patio is unbeatable in terms of coffee shops in Tbilisi, so it makes for an especially great spot in the spring or summer. They've also managed to open a similar place in the National Archives on Pekini.
2. Daily Grind
Leaning on the new wave style, Daily Grind serves a great cuppa as well as all your other coffee shop mainstays. They have a very chic and modern interior, friendly staff, and they didn't bother me while I was writing a blog. All pluses, so I'll definitely be back. The seating is limited though, and the croissants look delicious, but they're 12 GEL and I have a 10 lari limit for pastries.
3. No More Mondays
Located on Rustaveli just across from the old Soviet Printing House cum upscale hotel and dining halls and covered in EU/Ukraine/US graffiti, we've got No More Mondays. The coffee is on point there, though the dishes are a bit tad high in price. That said, I tried a lavender brownie there and the thing literally melted in my mouth. Had to eat it with a fork, but it was possibly the best brownie I've ever had. Worth the 12 lari or whatever I paid (seriously though, for tourists that's just 4 euros).
The place is small, but the walls open up in good weather and it spills onto the sidewalk. The staff leave you alone if you want to get some work done on your laptop, and it's a generally friendly, if hipster-y, atmosphere. I'll be going back for another one of those brownies myself.
4. Moulin Electrique
Back in the day when your only choice was Prospero’s, these wonderful proprietors on Leselidze (now Kote Aphkhazi St.) made an investment in an espresso machine, thereby kicking off the Lavazza movement. Moulin Electrique has such a great old-fashioned feel to it, and with the hidden little courtyard tucked away in the old town it makes for a perfect escape from the tourist crowds and touts. They have a fantastic kitchen as well, so don’t be afraid to grab a meal here either. They also have a location in Fabrika, so enjoy a fresh brew while you're there.
But because they have a kitchen, keep in mind you shouldn't set up camp with a laptop around meal hours. At off hours, their more than fine with any laptop surfing/remote work you've got to do.
5. Coffee LAB
27 Kazbegi Ave, Saburtalo
The unofficial American coffee embassy, I imagine this place met many cheers after opening its location near the Peace Corps office. If only it were there back in my volunteering days. That said, it’s almost always packed with people eager to get their hands on modern mugs, V60s, and aeropresses. They also serve pretty amazing brownies. The interior has a lot of space to get work done (but the tables are often all full) and as the coffee shop is literally in a garden, the outdoor seating area is beautiful to boot. There’s a playground in the garden as well, so for those with kids you can let them roam about while catering to your legal addiction.
They've also expanded to two Vake locations, fancy them.
6. Shavi Roasters
With two stellar locations, Shavi has answered the call of undernourished hipster locations that were curiously without proper coffees. Both locations have room to work, though the Marjanishvili one is slightly larger and more comfortable. The Vera one is more suitable to chatting with a friend or two or taking a date to "have a cup of coffee". Like, an actual one. The one in Sololaki is a tiny hole in the wall with a nice little patio space, but it's always overflowing with people out onto the street, so just about impossible to order.
Clean, modern interiours, friendly service, and strong coffee—as well they shood, since "Shavi" means "Black" in Georgian. All good marks in my book.
8. Stories
Tabidze is lined with overpriced tourist dineries. The street itself was envisioned as a lovely pedestrian street, but the city gave up and now its basically a parking lot with speeding Glovo scooter drivers zipping around. But once upon a time, it was a kind of lovely spot to stroll, free from the touts that line the other pedestrian streets in town.
Almost to the end of the pedestrian section, Stories makes its home. There used to be another cafe here, but it's long gone, now in this newer, slightly cheaper formulation. So if you're on Tabidze looking for coffee, skip Paul and head to Stories. Good coffee with those old school over-sized cups and a cozy atmosphere. And, in my short experience, a waitress who really loves Dua Lipa.
10. Santino
Santino is one of those joints that have sprang up in post-renovation Orbeliani. After they renovated the area, I was really afraid that it was going to end up like Neu-Tiflis, with touts chasing everyone off and killing the scene. But thankfully, that has yet to happen, so these newly-cobbled roads are actually quite welcoming. There's an outdoor piano at one of the restaurants, so sitting outside at the broad patio space Santino boasts can be quite pleasant.
The place has a pretty extensive coffee list and also serves as an eatery, mostly breakfast offerings (another crazy thing since my return, breakfasts in Tbilisi!). The place has a much more upscale feel to it, lots of "stylish" lips poofed out here. And it's an atmo that you might find more at home in Vienna (despite the Italian name, heh), though I was not harassed when I pulled out my tablet to write a blog. My cappucino ran me for 12 lari.
11. ViceVersa
29 Abakshidze St., Vake
Really plush and cozy spot for your high-end coffee fans with an emphasis on the Italian styles of serving. Great customer service and with a small interior. It does feature a nice little outdoor streetside patio for those enjoying the summertime in Vake and wanting to get off Chav for a spell.
12. Kombinat
Kombinat is a sleek, underground (literally) lace in the winding streets of Gareubani just across from the Mushroom House. And I just found out it was a chain, after a friend of mine read this blog. And THEN, I realized I actually had been to another location, at Chugureti, which has quite a bit more upscale feel (with the same low prices). So if you find yourself at the Mushroom House or around Marjanishvili for any kind of official business, make sure to stop by for a cup of coffee. The places are weirdly inexpensive, as if they were caught in a time bubble from 2019. They also have some nice lunch plates and pastries.
13. Coffeesta
This list would be incomplete without Coffeesta. Coffeesta is the native Georgian answer to Starbucks, and serves almost as the righteous Georgian shield against that independent coffee-killing machine. They seemed to have modeled a lot off of the good things Starbucks has, like frappucinos, a good-enough americano, local cultural elements, and the color green. For those who can’t get by without Starbucks, then pop in to one of Coffeesta’s many locations around town. The pic below is from the old one on Rustaveli, which I myself stopped going to as they put a 1-hour time limit only for laptops. And they accosted me on it, though I always make it a duty to re-order or skidaddle if the place gets busy. But whatever, I get it, they preferred the place to be empty more often than not.
14. Entrée
Marjanishvili Square, Chugureti
For those preferring a bit of French café elegance, Entrée fills that gap nicely. With a selection of amazing pastries and baguettes, Entrée tends to be the best place to get a light breakfast in town. The coffee isn’t to die for—just your regular Lavazza-type stuff—but it’s usually a good option of seat-camping and reading. Like Luca Polare, they also serve some great ice cream and cakes.
I’ve only listed my favorite (and biggest) locations, but there are plenty more scattered on corners throughout town. The ones I’ve listed all have roomy interiors, enough so that you don’t feel guilty for hogging a seat while surfing the net or reading.
15. Luca Polare
I think I managed to cover all of the Luca Polare branches in that list, though just go to their page for a complete list. More Italian style, this local chain named for a polar bear pours out the more traditional brews of espressos and americanos along with the tastiest ice cream in Tbilisi. Really, it's an ice cream shop that serves coffee, but it counts anyway.
Oddly enough, they contract their roasting to a family in Germany who ships it back here. Whatever they do, it’s the right mix for your more traditional styles, with highly trained baristas ready to pour.
The Aghmashenebeli and Rustaveli locations have more than enough room to hang out and get some work done. The other locations are small and more about getting a to-go cup to enjoy the surroundings.
Am I missing anywhere? What’s your favorite place to grab a cup of coffee in Tbilisi?
Looking for something to read while having a cup? Check out my book of short stories (many taking place in Georgia) called Hunger, available here on Amazon. You can even read it on a free app from Kindle. I've also got an audiotour of Rustaveli here on VoiceMap.
And a handy coffee map for you:
