Little Georgia Islington

Tucked away on a corner in Islington, Little Georgia offers an authentic glimpse of everyday life and dining in the Eastern European country. 

The cosy Georgian restaurant is furnished with vintage pieces and mirrors, with Soviet-era posters and stained-glass windows adding splashes of colour to the pleasantly retro setting. Even if you've never been to Georgia, the friendly staff here will make you right at home, guiding you through everything this fascinating country has to offer when it comes to food and drinks.

You can start your meal here with one of the signature Georgian khachapuris, big, boat-shaped breads filled with a blend of melted cheeses, butter, and eggs – order the version with spicy ajika paste if you like your food to have a bit of a kick to it. If you'd rather ease into your meal with something lighter, you can try the aubergine rolls with a walnut filling or a nice borscht.

Mains at Little Georgia are a meat-lover's delight, with options including traditional khinkali dumplings filled with pork, beef, or lamb, a marinaded roast pork kebab, and a meaty version of kotnis lobio, a traditional Georgian bean dish with smoked pork and spices, served with pickled vegetables and homemade bread. Despite the carnivorous leanings, vegetarians won't go hungry either – there's a fragrant stew of aubergine, red pepper, tomato, and herbs available, to name just one of the options. Diners can also accompany their meal with a selection of wines from what is considered to be the birthplace of winemaking.

Daniel Sheppard