Tbilisi

Brave the madness of Holloway Road &, a short skip from Highbury & Islington tube, you’ll get a rare opportunity to experience Georgian cuisine. Named after the country’s capital, Tbilisi has a somewhat stately air, with rich red walls & high-backed chairs in dark-brown leather. Staff are generally agreeable, & filling your tummy with generous platefuls of hearty cooking is unlikely to empty your wallet. Khachapuri, the doughy, cheesy Georgian bread, has many fans, & chikhirtma chicken soup arrives loaded with fresh dill. Starters of salads & mezze are good for sharing, while meat-heavy mains include a spicy beef stew & satsivi (chicken & walnuts with ghomi, a rice & cornflour purée). Georgia has a long history of wine production, & there are expensive bottles on display, but the wine list also includes more-affordable, & highly drinkable, options.