Wales’ First Georgian Restaurant Opens in Cardiff

Cardiff has just welcomed a brand new and unique addition to its food scene – Genatsvale the first-ever Georgian restaurant in Wales, now open beneath the Sandringham Hotel on St Mary Street.

Taking over the former Jazz Bar space, this family-run venture is a passion project years in the making. Headed up by dad and chef Alex, who has spent over 15 years cooking in kitchens across Wales, the new restaurant brings the bold, rich Eastern flavours of Georgia – the country, not the US state – right into the city centre.

While Georgian cuisine has taken off in foodie circles across London, it has remained largely undiscovered in Wales – until now.

A Taste of Georgia in the Welsh Capital

The menu is packed with authentic Georgian dishes, bursting with herbs, spices and heartwarming flavours. Diners can tuck into:

• Pkhali – a vibrant platter of vegetable pâtés made from steamed spinach, beetroot, carrot and green beans, all blended with a rich walnut paste.
• Ojakhuri – pan-fried pork or lamb with roasted baby potatoes, onions, red peppers and garlic, finished with fresh coriander and bursts of pomegranate.
• Khachapuri – Georgia’s iconic dish: a boat-shaped bread filled with gooey cheese, topped with an egg yolk and a dollop of butter. Perfect for tearing, dipping, and devouring.

Wine That Tells a Story

Georgia isn’t just famous for food – it’s also known as the birthplace of wine, with a winemaking tradition that goes back over 8,000 years. The restaurant sources rare bottles directly from Georgia, even travelling to London to secure specialist imports.

One of the standouts is Usakhelauri, which means “no name” in Georgian – a unique wine with only around 900 bottles produced per year worldwide.

The restaurant is now open on St Mary Street, just underneath the Sandringham Hotel, and is welcoming guests from Tuesday to Sunday, 12pm to 11pm.

If you’ve never tried Georgian food before, now is your chance. With its rich, soulful dishes and a warm family welcome, this new spot is set to become one of Cardiff’s hidden gems.