BysairaFOOD & DRINKSSeptember, 2023

A DELECTABLE INTRODUCTION TO GEORGIAN CUISINE IN DUBAI

Experience hearty food and warm hospitality at Shvili, a Georgian restaurant in Dubai.

Shvili at Dubai Hills Mall is an authentic Georgian restaurant that we recently tried. This lesser known cuisine is finally gaining popularity in Dubai because of the close proximity and the number of residents flocking to the gorgeous country for their holidays.

The cosy interiors are adorned with live plants and dark wood, akin to a Georgian home where Head Chef Lea Mardaleishvili serves years-old family recipes made with fresh ingredients, making the experience like a journey to the heart of Georgia.

The menu is filled with aromatic dishes from across the country. We started with with a salad of crispy eggplant served with cheese and tomatoes. Although a familiar dish, the flavors were far more refreshing and the slightly sweet dressing made it especially delicious.

Khachapuri is one of Georgia’s most well-known dishes. The cheese bread came piping hot and we tore off the slices and enjoyed the warm, gooey flavors.

Another hearty dish is the roast chicken simmered in a tomato-based sauce that goes perfectly with the pillowy homemade bread.

The star of the restaurant is of course the Mama Khinkali. an innovative take on one of Georgia’s most favoured dishes. Khinakali is their local version of dumplings made with dough stuffed with different fillings. This showstopper arrives with a lot of grandeur to the table. The traditional music is played as the chef brings the dish out. It is then set on a tray with ice smoke around it. Presented as a giant Khinkali, it is expertly crafted to house ten mini meat khinkali within a large version of the juicy dumpling filled with soup and meat. Each Mama Khinkali can be savoured individually with a side of green, red and cream sauce.

Kids will also love these dumplings and of course the show that comes with it. Shvili also has a dedicated activity hub, made from eco-friendly materials, where they can get stuck into daily cooking classes and nature-based activity sessions to educate and entertain whilst parents enjoy their meal.

Shvili offers a taste of the rich and diverse Georgian cuisine in a cozy atmosphere with warm hospitality.