Cafe Leila Tbilisi

Cafe Leila is a colourful, vegetarian-focused restaurant in the heart of Old Tbilisi. Located on Ioane Shavteli Street, almost beside the Rezo Gabriadze Marionette Theater and Clock Tower, it is a convenient place for lunch or dinner while exploring the historic centre.

The menu gives Georgian ingredients and familiar regional flavours a creative vegetarian interpretation. Vegan choices are also available, while several fish dishes mean that Cafe Leila should not be described as a completely vegetarian or vegan restaurant.

Why Visit Cafe Leila?

Cafe Leila is best known for combining food with an unusually decorative setting. Its painted ceilings, patterned walls, colourful furniture and Eastern-inspired details create one of the most recognisable café interiors in central Tbilisi.

Visitors commonly choose Cafe Leila for:

• Vegetarian interpretations of Georgian dishes;
• Vegan options;
• A distinctive and highly photogenic interior;
• A small outdoor seating area;
• A central Old Tbilisi location;
• Easy access to the Clock Tower, Anchiskhati Basilica and the Bridge of Peace.

The café is relatively small and can become busy during the main tourist season. If the interior is an important part of your visit, lunchtime or early evening may be more comfortable than peak dinner hours.

Food and Menu

Cafe Leila’s menu focuses mainly on vegetables, walnuts, beans, mushrooms, herbs, cheese and other ingredients commonly used in Georgian cuisine.

The exact selection may change, but visitors can normally expect a mixture of Georgian-inspired starters, salads, soups, bean and vegetable dishes, bread, desserts and drinks. Fish dishes may also be available.

Check the current online menu before visiting if you are looking for a particular dish.

Is Cafe Leila Vegetarian or Vegan?

Cafe Leila is best described as vegetarian-focused, rather than exclusively vegetarian.

Most of the menu is designed around meat-free dishes, and several vegan choices are normally available. However, the restaurant also serves fish and may use dairy products, eggs, walnuts or other allergens in some recipes.

If you are vegan, gluten-free or have a serious food allergy, explain your requirements clearly to the staff before ordering. Do not assume that every vegetable-based Georgian dish is automatically vegan or free from cross-contact with allergens.

Atmosphere and Interior

The interior is one of the main reasons to visit Cafe Leila. Decorative ceilings, painted patterns, vintage-style objects and colourful tableware give the room a warm, artistic character.

There is also limited outdoor seating along the street. Sitting outside can be pleasant in mild weather, while the interior is usually the better choice for visitors who want to see the café’s design.

The restaurant is popular for photography, but visitors should avoid blocking tables or disturbing other guests while taking pictures.

Location in Old Tbilisi

Cafe Leila is located at 18 Ioane Shavteli Street, directly in the historic centre.

The Gabriadze Clock Tower is only a few steps away. The Bridge of Peace, Rike Park and Freedom Square can also be reached comfortably on foot.

This makes the café easy to include between sightseeing stops without making a separate journey across the city.

Start a Georgian Food Tour at Cafe Leila

Cafe Leila is the first stop on the Georgian Food Tasting Tour operated by Tbilisi Free Walking Tours.

The experience begins here with a vegetarian appetiser before continuing to other selected local restaurants for a broader introduction to Georgian cuisine and food culture.

Advance booking is required. Guests with dietary requirements should contact the tour team before booking.

Prices and Payment

Cafe Leila’s central Old Tbilisi location means that prices may be higher than at simple neighbourhood cafés outside the tourist centre.

Prices, portions and available dishes can change, so checking the live menu is more reliable than depending on older online reviews. It is also sensible to confirm available payment methods before ordering if you do not have Georgian lari with you.

How to Get to Cafe Leila

From Freedom Square

Cafe Leila is approximately a 10–15-minute walk from Freedom Square.

Walk towards Baratashvili Street and continue into the historic centre towards Anchiskhati Basilica and the Gabriadze Clock Tower. The café is located on the same short street, immediately beyond the theatre area.

From the Bridge of Peace

Walk from the Bridge of Peace through Erekle II Street towards Anchiskhati Basilica. The journey normally takes around 5–10 minutes.

By Metro

The nearest metro station is Liberty Square. From the station, continue on foot through the historic centre.

By Taxi

Enter “Cafe Leila” or “18 Ioane Shavteli Street” in your navigation application. Vehicle access on and around Shavteli Street can occasionally be restricted, so the driver may leave you a short walk from the entrance.

Accessibility

Shavteli Street is mostly pedestrian-friendly, but parts of Old Tbilisi have uneven paving and narrow sidewalks.

The café has a relatively small interior, and the arrangement of tables may limit space for wheelchairs or larger mobility equipment. Visitors who require step-free access or specific seating arrangements should contact the café before travelling.

What to See Nearby

Cafe Leila can easily be combined with several Old Tbilisi attractions:

• Gabriadze Clock Tower: The café is almost beside this famous leaning tower and marionette theatre.
• Anchiskhati Basilica: One of Tbilisi’s oldest surviving churches.
• Bridge of Peace: A modern pedestrian bridge across the Mtkvari River.
• Rike Park: A riverside park and the lower station of the Rike–Narikala Cable Car.
• Freedom Square: The main orientation point for central Tbilisi.
• Dry Bridge Flea Market: An open-air market for antiques, artwork and unusual souvenirs.

Is Cafe Leila Worth Visiting?

Cafe Leila is worth considering if you want vegetarian Georgian flavours in a memorable Old Tbilisi setting.

Its strongest advantages are the distinctive interior, vegetarian-focused menu and convenient location beside the Clock Tower. It is particularly suitable for vegetarians, couples, photographers and travellers who want a relaxed meal between nearby sightseeing stops.

Visitors looking for a completely vegan restaurant should check the menu carefully, while budget-conscious travellers may want to compare current prices before ordering.

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FAQ

Is Cafe Leila completely vegetarian?

No. The menu is predominantly vegetarian and includes vegan options, but fish dishes may also be served.

Does Cafe Leila have vegan food?

Yes, vegan choices are normally available. Ask the staff to confirm ingredients because some dishes may contain dairy, eggs, honey or other non-vegan ingredients.

Does Cafe Leila serve traditional Georgian food?

The menu uses Georgian ingredients and culinary ideas, often presented through vegetarian or creative interpretations rather than as a strictly traditional meat-based menu.

Is Cafe Leila included in a Tbilisi food tour?

Yes. Cafe Leila is the first tasting stop on the Georgian Food Tasting Tour operated by Tbilisi Free Walking Tours. Guests begin with a vegetarian Georgian appetiser before continuing to other local restaurants and tasting locations.

Where is Cafe Leila located?

Cafe Leila is located at 18 Ioane Shavteli Street in Old Tbilisi, almost beside the Gabriadze Clock Tower and Anchiskhati Basilica.

How far is Cafe Leila from Freedom Square?

The café is approximately a 10–15-minute walk from Freedom Square and Liberty Square Metro Station.

Is Cafe Leila near the Bridge of Peace?

Yes. The Bridge of Peace is approximately 5–10 minutes away on foot.

Does Cafe Leila have outdoor seating?

A small outdoor seating area is normally available, although the number of tables and seasonal availability may vary.

Do I need a reservation?

A reservation may be useful during busy evenings, weekends and the main tourist season because the café is relatively small. Check the official Instagram page for current contact information.

What are Cafe Leila’s opening hours?

Cafe Leila is currently listed as open daily from 12:00 PM until 11:00 PM. Restaurant hours can change during holidays or for operational reasons, so confirm the current schedule before making a special journey.

Information last checked: August 2026.