REVIEW

It abuts one of the busiest squares in Tbilisi – Liberty (Freedom) Square. Hordes of workers, diplomats, and locals rush by, too busy to notice this cozy place; missing out while heading to their important meetings. Many places around the Square are typical tourist traps, whilst simultaneously offering the cultural heart of Georgia to passersby. Adjacent to a Georgian cheese artisan shop, three teenagers take it upon themselves to diffuse their music renditions. The bustling street is filled with artists, street vendors and restaurant barkers hoping to get their message across to the paying tourists.

The chaos is almost unnoticed by a place in midst of all the sales points. The tranquility in the café recalls the calm family member always patiently relaxing while the others fight at the dinner table. The staff is friendly and young, welcoming the clients with smiles and a greeting. The chairs and tables are individually designed, allowing an atmosphere of inspiration instead of minimalistic boredom. Sipping the white foam of an Italian cappuccino creates a feeling estranged to Tbilisi, but yet so important to understanding the momentum through which the city is going. Usually, art cafes are hidden spots for locals, nestled in calmer neighborhoods, making it all the more bewildering to find such a cafe amidst the tourist hordes.

Coffee is marketed as an art itself; a craft reserved for experts alone. Pure coffee creations or simple global bestsellers, such as an espresso, are served with the same delicacy and care. The menu offers a variety of tastes beyond the Georgian cuisine perfectly exemplifying the food awareness, which penetrates young Georgians. Being a tourist or a simple local, stop by Art Café Tbilisi Branch and take a break in the middle of disarray.

ADDRESS: 4-6 Kote Afkhazi St, Tbilisi

By Benjamin Music