One of the better niche restaurants on the UWS . Very cosy place with fantastic service . Excellent food , the trout was fantastic and obviously the Georgian staples . You want to try their very unique and delicious grape pudding . Highly recommended!!! read more

I love bringing people here, whether it's to introduce them to Georgian food, for a special occasion like Mother's Day or taking out-of-towners to -- they're always impressed. A few must orders: cheese boat (ask them to mix it for you!!!) and mushroom soup dumplings. Every time! The entree portions are nice, I had the egg and spinach sandwich for the first time with crispy potatoes, which were excellent. It was packed with spinach with pomegranate seeds for some juice. Everything just looks and tastes like it was made with love. Another new thing I tried is the eggplant phkali, which was smoky and full of flavor. Be sure to get a side of the warm bread for this. Also, they make excellent masala chai! For Mother's Day, they had a nice gift for my partner's mother, which was a nice touch. They're also running a contest to win a trip to Georgia!? read more

Chama Mama - Georgian Near Me - New York, New York

We had our celebratory engagement lunch here. It's always great to celebrate with a cheese boat. I love those things. Those are a five star for sure. The pork mtsvadi was just ok. Didn't need it honestly. The mint tea is fun to sip on. We were starving but shockingly this little food filled us! Nice patient servers with us. Great booth seat. read more

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Came back for some of the dumplings and the bread. Still so good. The service was attentive. It did get pretty loud at one point so we had to scream at each other to talk, but I think there was just a large party. read more

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Service was wonderful and the food was all delicious. We ordered way too much but favorites included the pickled veggies, the Adjara kachipuri, and the braised beef. Service was lovely and the ambiance was lively. read more

This review is for their café/bakery next door-- Let's Chama! I have been incredibly touched by their cafe despite the small interior. I really hope to try their restaurant soon. I love to try new things! I walked by and was already half a block past, but their signage intrigued me and made me walk all the way back! Lol. I went in and asked about what some of the pastries were since they're not American, they're Georgian! The cashier was very welcoming and patient while explaining the different items they had in the display! I was in a savory mood. I tried their Lobiani (pastry with a green pepper in the middle and mashed beans inside the pastry) and the Khachapuri (their signature cheese bread). They even warm it up for you if you'd like! I also got an Americano (hot) with their Rosehip syrup and oat milk. Very good. I'm still thinking about the Lobiani to this day lol. The cashier, Kate, was wonderful and even gave me a slice of their marble cake for free, her kindness will always stick with me. By the way, it was also the best marble cake I ever had, no kidding. 10/10 definitely recommend. Will be back soon, I'll be bringing my boyfriend with me to the restaurant so I can also review them as well! read more

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I like Georgian food, so I decided to try Chama Mama for dinner. The atmosphere was nice and cozy, and our server was friendly and attentive. We started with fresh bread served with sunflower oil and ajika, which was warm and tasty. We also ordered the Georgian salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, herbs, lemon juice, and pomegranate. It was fresh and light. For the main dishes we had lamb khinkali, crispy smashed potatoes with house tkemali, lamb chops, and chicken mtsvadi. The lamb chops and chicken were decent, but nothing special and a bit small for the price. The khinkali were a bit mediocre -- I've definitely had better ones at other Georgian places. We also ordered a Kindzmarauli Georgian wine, which paired nicely with the meat dishes. For dessert we had the Napoleon, which was actually very good. the food was somewhat mediocre. It wasn't bad, but it didn't really stand out. The service was good and the atmosphere was pleasant. By the end of the evening the restaurant became very busy. read more

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Great spot, very close to the museum of natural history. We were able to get a table for 2 immediately on Tuesday right before 6pm. We were seated closer to the kitchen. The waiter was patient in explaining the menu to us, including all the kinds of different breads. We decided to go with the molten cheese boat with egg and butter, and it was delicious. Everything was seasoned perfectly! We rarely get the dessert but was convinced to get the honey cake. The cake very good as well, but perhaps the version with ice cream would have been the better choice. read more

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This was my first time having Georgian food and it was so tasty! The taste of Georgia dips were the highlight of the meal. Each dip was unique, fresh, and flavorful. The bread was very fluffy and warm. I got the khachapuri because I've always wanted to try it, and it was exactly what I wanted. It was super cheesy and rich, so I'm not sure I'd ever get it again, but it was great to try! read more

Chama Mama - Adjaruli Khachapuri - Georgian Near Me - New York, New York

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Really solid restaurant on the UWS with good Georgian food and some great standouts. The Katchapouri is the #1 thing you need to get, and if you have a big enough group, get them all. Cheese, bread, cream, butter, that's what you're here for and that's going to make you feel great inside. Come in the winter and devour that! The dumplings are good, I like the lamb ones. They're not life changing, but if you come at brunch they'll fry them for you. Honestly a real tasty option and while not light, much lighter than more cheese. The Pork Mtsvadi are so much better than the regular kebabs, and something you should definitely get. They were honestly one of the stnadouts for me. And on the brunch menu there were these cheesy pancakes...oooh soooo good, do it! Service is efficient-ish and nice. It's not over the top in any way. The drinks are good, you should definitely do a cocktail. read more

Gorgeous restaurant that focuses on Georgia (the country) and the traditions. Service was friendly but a little slow. They definitely seemed overwhelmed and understaffed. However it's a great date spot. As for the food, it was good but definitely not to my taste. They focus more on herbs than actual spices. The spicy sauce was the saving grace. The cauliflower dish was okay with no tastes in the roasted walnut sauce which was disappointing. The mushroom khinkali was okay and focused on herbs again rather than spices. The khachapuri bread was fresh and sort of like a pizza but needed the sauce. Overall I would recommend to others to try out but personally I don't think I'm a fan of the cuisine and need something more spicier. read more

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I have never had Georgian food. This was great. This is the kind of uniqueness that you can only find in NYC, that is worth driving into Manhattan for. They should really open up a NJ location. The inside of the restaurant felt rustic and cozy. There was barely anyone there at noon on a Wednesday. The Georgian sampler was a bread plate with several unique vegetable mixes (phkali) to use as dipping sauces. The eggplant one was definitely the best one. I usually hate eggplant, but we finished this one. Adjaruli Khachapuri is basically a cheese fondue bread bowl with a runny egg mixed into it. Probably very bad for your health. But absolutely delicious - wow. The Khinkali (dumplings) were juicy and full of flavor, similar to Chinese xiao long bao. Definitely could use some more of that Khachapuri right now. read more

I was not sure what to expect but I really enjoyed my meal at Chama mama. It was different- I loved the spreads on the taste of Georgia platter. Our waitress was attentive and [revised us some recommendations. We got the kebab which reminded me more of a hot dog- but it was tasty. The ambiance is nice and intimate, casual but good for a date at the same time. read more

Chama Mama - Crispy Potato with House Tkemali - Georgian Near Me - New York, New York

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Georgian cuisine is starting to get a little more common in Manhattan and Chama Mama does it well. We stopped in for brunch on a Sunday morning and got a seat right away in the air dining room. The expansive menu, even at brunch, covers a range of dishes from khachapuri (cheese bread) and stews to brunch-ier dishes like eggs shqmeruli (a Benedict like dish with fried eggs + oyster mushrooms over a broche bun with a garlic sauce). We split an order of the eggs and the Chama Mama salad (fermented sprouts + arugula + cucumber + oil + vinegar), and a side of fresh Georgian bread with ghognasho adjika (a spiced plum sauce) The eggs were cooked nicely and paired well with the meaty char of the mushroom, while the salad was bright and crisp. The star of the meal, though, was that bread: right from the oven and just chewy enough, matching with the tang of the adjika Luckily: Chama Mama has a location down on 14th, so I won't have to trek uptown to get my next fix read more

Chama Mama - Bread + adjika + Chama Mama salad - Georgian Near Me - New York, New York

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Absolutely loved this spot! We walked in on a Thursday night and had to sit at the bar, but it was fine. The bartender was so kind and helpful and the food was beyond delicious. Would absolutely recommend the classic dishes (which names I don't remember) - the beef + pork dumplings, the egg and cheese bread, and the beef + pork kebab. Soooo good! Will be back. read more

First time having Georgian Food! We arrived at appx. 2pm on a Sunday, no reservation, but were seated immediately at a two-top and there was available seating at the bar and in their enclosed outside area as well. The Black Current Lemonade was fantastic and the chicken Kebab was a large portion, delicious smokey flavor and very juicy. Friendly staff, great interior design - will definitely go back to try more dishes! read more

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I tried Chama Mama on 14th Street last year for my first experience with Georgian food, and it was fantastic! Since then, I've been hitting up the UWS location more often, since it's closer to me. Let's start with the adjaruli khachapuri (aka the iconic cheese boat) -- it definitely lives up to the hype. It's insanely cheesy and just so comforting. The Georgian salad is also a great choice; it's fresh with a nice pop of sweetness from the pomegranate seeds (it taste very Mediteranean-esque). Only thing I'd say is that the portion is a bit small for the price, but it's still delicious. The pkhali sampler (which lets you try a few different spreads) is another winner--my favorite is the beet dip, but they're all good. Kinkali (Georgian dumplings) are a must-try as well. They're juicy and doughy. For the main, the half chicken is huge--plenty for two people to share--and it's juicy and well-seasoned. The vibe is chill and comfortable, and I've always had great service here. It's quickly become a go-to spot! read more

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I came here on a rainy weekday meeting a couple longtime friends for lunch. Booked a reservation for 1pm, but truthfully didn't actually need it. First thing that pops up is that this menu is VERY vegetarian friendly. So many great options to choose from. As a vegetarian myself alongside with one of my friends, this was very delightful to see. Service was fast, so we ended up ordering several items: 1) Adjaruli Khachapuri: This is a signature item and a must try. For a party of 4, we split 2 and it was more than plenty. You also get the added benefit of watching your waiter/waitress stir the egg in front of you. This is the iconic item. 2) Boiled Mushroom Khinkali: We chose the traditional over the pan fried and this was pretty good. The mushroom also had a nice little kick to it. You get 3 dumplings per dish so we ordered 2 to split between 4. 3) Lobiani: I split this with my vegetarian friend. The other two people ordered a chicken wrap to split. Solid serving for two. This was a great compliment to the heavier Khachapuri and the Khinkali as you get a salad too. The spiced beans were quite tasty. Overall, we had a quick service. We were going to order the Georgian wine, but passed due to the lunch hour amongst other reasons. Great place to grab a relatively quick lunch if you like. Also plenty of seating between the indoor area and the "outdoor" enclosed area of sorts. The bathroom is also nice and clean for those interested in using it. read more

Chama Mama - Adjaruli Khachapuri.... already stirred - Georgian Near Me - New York, New York

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What a great spot for perhaps one of the best but least known cuisines. Chama Mama's UWS location has a relaxed and fun vibe, and the staff is attentive while friendly. Their cocktails are superb and many involve new twists on traditional Georgian spirits. The food is superb, and as is the case with Georgian cuisine, there is a string focus on fresh herbs and quality ingredients. The Georgian Salad is very simple yet exquisite. And the various stews (especially the lamb stew) and the kebabs (we loved the pork)are perfectly seasoned and are elevated through the use of fresh Paragon and other traditional Georgian herbs. But the real star is their Khatchepuri, the perfect marriage of bread, cheese, eff, and butter. It is served scorching hot, monents after emerging from the oven. It is truly the perfect food. read more

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This was my first time having Georgian food and wow it was fantastic! We shared 4 dishes between the two of us-- the dishes were on the smaller side, but I was extremely full by the end of our meal! - Adjaruli Khachapuri: 10/10 (this was my favorite dish that we got. Super yummy creamy cheese with hot bread. It reminded me of fondue) - Beef and pork khinakli: 8/10 (this was like a massive xiaolongbao. Good, but I think I prefer smaller dumplings with steaming hot filling and thinner dumpling skin) - Lamb stuffed grape leaves 10/10 (super flavorful lamb with a lot of spices. Worked well with the sour cream on the side!) - Beef stew: 9/10 (loveddd the mash potato side-- it was silky smooth and buttery. The beef was ok.) - Amber wine flight: 8/10 (first time amber wine and it was good to try a variety!) Service was slow but still fantastic and vibes were super cozy and nice! read more

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Pretty nice restaurant! Surprisingly we were the only people there during the lunch time. My husband and I ordered lamb khinkali, adjaruli khinkali and two different lemonades. Their tkemali sauce seemed to be homemade - we liked it! read more

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Seating was a bit tight but the service was decent and they introduced you to the food. Had multiple dishes and some of the dishes had flavor profiles that were very unique. And the cheesy bread was absolutely delicious the bread had a crunch but was soft on the instead and the melted cheese on top was delicious. read more

Chama Mama - Adjaruli Khachapuri - Georgian Near Me - New York, New York

Wonderful food! We ordered the Turkey Mtsvadi (a holiday special), the beef & pork dumplings, lamb dumplings, and the Adjaruli Khachapuri. My favorite was the Adjaruli Khachapuri- cheese, bread, butter, egg yolk- how can you go wrong? Delicious. The dumplings are also perhaps some of the best I have had. I love how thick the tops are- wonderfully chewy and al dente. I like the cilantro that is in the beef & pork, and the lamb was also delicious! The seasonal turkey dish was also very tasty. The turkey was flavorful and cooked very well. It was tender and juicy- the seasonings were reminiscent of a smoky BBQ. Service was great! Our waiter was very friendly and helpful when deciding what to order. We also tried the Amber wine flight. I liked the introductory amber and the full-on amber. However, I'm not the biggest fan of tannins, so I was less partial to the amber combo. I also love how the drawings on the plates match the food. Our dumpling plates had little dumplings on them and the cheese boat egg dish came on a plate with a drawing that resembles the cheese boat. Such a fun surprise! Food is well priced and quite filling. Though Georgian food sounds like it may be for more refined palates or have certain acquired tastes, Chama Mama's cheese boat and dumplings are foods I am quite sure everyone would enjoy! I will definitely be returning! read more

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I was so happy to find a Georgian restaurant nearby! Chama Mama is a modern Georgian restaurant that offers an extensive menu! I ordered the COUNTRY STYLE BEAN STEW WITH HOUSE FERMENTS and it was pretty good! My complaint is that it was a bit too salty. Other than that, the dish was tasty. I really liked the pomegranate topping and the side of house ferments!! The chama mama bread was also super fluffy and delicious! My table also ordered the ADJARULI KHACHAPURI, which they found to be amazing!! The staff also mixes the egg and cheese for you, so you get a little experience when you order this dish! I really like how this menu is clearly labeled as vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free. I was surprised and happy to see how Georgian food can be accommodating for many dietary needs! Although I'm not crazy about the bean stew, I would definitely return and would love to try the other veg options :) read more

Chama Mama - Country Style Bean Stew with House Ferments with Side of Chama Mama Bread - Georgian Near Me - New York, New York

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Haven't really had Georgian food so I was excited to try this place out. We got a reservation in advance but I would say that getting a table here is not too hard of a feat so you can just walk in. - Chicken Mtsvadi - This was definitely the winner of brunch. I think this is one of the best chicken kebabs I've ever had as the outside was extremely crunchy, while the inside was very juicy and tender. I wish the portion sizes were bigger as I could have eaten 1.5 servings of this no problem. - Adjaruli Khachapuri - I know this is the thing to get, but why do I feel like you could also skip this. This is exactly what it looks like, fluffy bread with egg, cheese, and butter. I wish there were slightly more dimensions to this dish as it was very heavy but I did appreciate the light bread. - Crispy smashed potatoes in Tarragon Tkemali - I don't know why, but this potato dish kind of had an Asian flavor profile to me as it was both sweet and sour. I did love the textures in this dish as it was both crispy and mushy at the same time. Overall, not a bad brunch place in UWS. Also, special shout-out to the free postcard that they gave out with the reciept which was so cute! read more

My first time have Georgian food, why did I wait so long. Totally delicious ! We shared the beet salad ( interesting ) than we had a melted cheese egg butter that they whipped in front of you in a bread bowl ( amazing ). We followed that up with Lamb Dumplings that were juicy. We ended with sausage wrapped in grilled flatbread. Service was attentive and constant. My only negative was the drink menu., yet again someone trying to take a simple Negroni and make it into something extra fancy. It's a cute small room with a nice vibe, just loud enough but not too loud where you can't hear conversation. It''s a definite add to my list when I return to the Beacon or the West side read more

We went here with a party of 7 for Sunday brunch to celebrate a birthday. The interior was very cute with the mini flower arrangements at the table. We have never tried Georgian food before so we didn't know what to expect. We ordered 8 dishes for us to share. They accommodated all of our dietary needs. The wait staff were great at answering all of our questions; even questions about the art piece that was on the wall. I thought all the dishes were full of flavor & colorful!! Everything was amazing! We would definitely come back here! read more

Don't get this confused with the state of Georgia, this is Georgia the country man. Beautifully delicious wines and even better food. Chama

It was our first time trying Georgian food -- all dishes impressed us and left us craving for more. We ordered everything we wanted from the menu and below are my brief thoughts on the dishes: BREAD: ＊Adjaruli Khachapuri *** -- Apparently I came here for this signature cheese boat. Absolutely amazing. Better to eat it fresh and share with more people as it is very cheesy. ＊Chama Mama's Seasonal Khachapuri -- Very herby, but not impressive. Totally skippable. ＊Freshly Baked Bread -- The chili oil is so good. STARTERS: ＊Taste of Georgia*** -- Got to try a bit of Pkhali and vegetable spread with this colorful starter. ＊Adjapsandali** -- A must get for roasted eggplant lovers. Can't stop myself from scooping in! ＊Beets in Tkemali with Farmers Cheese -- Healthy and flavorful. Not bad but skippable unless you really like beets. ＊Khinkali (beef and pork, mushroom)* -- Another famous Georgian dish. We were told to use fingers to grip the tip of the dumpling. The fillings are unbelievably juicy. MAINS: ＊Megruli Kharcho Chicken** -- 100% recommend this main plus a side of bread! It's like a creamy curry chicken. The sauce is addictive and the meat is perfectly tender. ＊Roasted Cabbage in Baje -- Nice choice if you want some veggies lol. DESSERT & DRINKS: ＊Honey Cake -- Too sweet for my liking. Better share. ＊Tarragon Lemonade, Strawberry Lemonade -- Refreshing. The tarragon lemonade is more unique in flavor. read more

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The name Chama mama means something like the nourishing mother and I was so happy to discover its Georgian cuisine! Delicious light clear broth soups loaded with fresh herbs like tarragon and dill. The staple is bread--not rice or potatoes-- and they bake it fresh here, often served loaded with melted cheeses and mushrooms. Dumplings are also a lovely choice--ours was filled with lamb; they remind me of soup dumplings from more eastern Asian countries. Make sure to order some of their homemade dips which are substantial and very diverse in flavors, colors, heat and texture. Super friendly staff who helped with recommendations. A wonderful discovery! read more

Chama Mama - Try the dips- I dare you to leave much behind - Georgian Near Me - New York, New York

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Delicious food! We have come here many times and have always left on a high note. Food is great, drinks are delicious, service is incredible. Ambiance is great as well. read more

AMAZING! Came here with a friend who is originally from Georgia and ordered for all of us. Food is fantastic. The cheese bread is amazing. The "taste of Georgia" was superb. Can't recommend it enough. Khingsli (dumplings) are really good too. Adjaruli khachapuri is a cheese boat. It's fresh baked bread with the vat of melted cheese, mixed with egg. Tear off bread and have the cheese pull of your dreams. Great Georgian wine. Lovely service. Highly, highly recommend. read more

Vibe: 7/10 Service: 7/10 Value: 5/10 Roasted wild mushrooms: 8/10 Adjaruli Khachapuri: 9/10 Pork Mtsvadi: 7.5/10 Honey cake: 6/10 Overall: 7.07/10 (3.54/5) [To clarify our review system: 10 = we'll never have anything else as good as this in our lives (we use 10 very sparingly!) 9 = extraordinary 8 = great 7 = above average 6 = average Anything below 6 is being critical] read more

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Absolutely the best Georgian food in NYC! Their kharcho soup is to die for, and the Georgia salad was amazing

Chama mama UWS is so nicely decorated for the holiday season. Between the lights and the garland it made for a very cozy dinner outing. I loved how colorful the dishes were. Between 2 of us we shared the taste of Georgia, pork Mtsivad, Georgian salad, and the beef and pork dumplings. I'd say that was the right amount of food, we actually had some pork leftover. Of the dips in the starter, the beet spread was my favorite but the spinach was also surprisingly good. The salad was fresh and filling, but probably a bit over priced for what you get. The dumplings were delicious, thicker and larger than a Chinese pork soup dumpling but of a similar taste. The pork entree was too chewy for me and I as very heavy. I believe it needed some sort of side to cut the heaviness, so I paired it with the dips and some of the salad but overall it was not my favorite. read more

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Was super excited to try Georgian food. We sat outside, unfortunately the hostess and waitresses banged into my chair 5x My friend and I shared the Georgian sampler, which included 5 different scoops of vegetarian dishes (beets, eggplant, etc ) and bread. The bread was not fresh and we had to ask for fresh bread. . The service was okay, but great. read more

Chama Mama - Georgian sampler - Georgian Near Me - New York, New York

This place has the necessary items for a great Georgian spot for sure. The biggest drawback is the service when they are busy (peak dinner hours). From our drinks not arriving well after our food to the check taking a good 10-15 minutes, it was not the experience I was hoping for. I would say their wine selection is fairly well as well as their option for wine flights to try red/white/amber wines. The flights overall don't have as much diversity. One is fairly similar to the next. It's a great way to try multiple wines from the region but falls short of letting you experience the wide range range for a given type you decide to pick. Food wise, it left a bit to be desired. By the time we finished, we really wished we got the typical classic Georgian cheese boat. The pkhali sampler was great but the accompanying bread felt very dry. DO NOT OVERLOOK THE CHEESE STRINGS. Super flavorful and smoky. The seasonal Kachapuri was somewhat underwhelming. I don't know if it's the time it took to reach our table or what but it just didn't fit. It felt more like they were trying to create a pizza to fit a square peg into a round hole. Sounds good but execution was lacking. The crust felt a bit chewy and the cheese was only good for the first 2 slices. Soon it became cold and congealed. The potatoes again were great idea but poor execution. I am not familiar with Georgian cuisine that much but smaller chunks would allow for more enjoyment as the crispy parts were the best texture wise and flavor wise. Overall I could have given less stars for how I described the experience but it is definitely a place worth checking out. I would maybe try for off peak and hope for better service. Definitely explore the menu but the classics are definitely where this place does better. read more

Chama Mama - Crispy Smashed Potatoes - Georgian Near Me - New York, New York

Chama Mama's UWS location was great! Just like their other locations, the food was fantastic. If you like cheese, bread, and/or eggs, you'll really enjoy Georgian cuisine. We had the holiday version of the khachapuri, very similar except the bread boat was closed at the top, so no tableside cheese mixing this time. The dumplings (khinkali) were good, and the kebab was well cooked, but maybe could have used a little more seasoning (though putting it in a wrap was a really nice touch). The honey cake dessert (pictured) was amazing - very decadent; sweet with a dense texture that made every bite chewy and rich. Defiantly recommend this dessert. Service was great, even during a Sunday evening dinner rush. Servers were very attentive and seemed excited to give menu recommendations. Chama Mama continues to bring great Georgian cuisine to all its locations! read more

Chama Mama - Honey Cake - Georgian Near Me - New York, New York

A total and wonderful surprise. Georgian food wasn't ever on my gastro-map, but it has firmly got a permanent pin in it now. If you have eaten Israeli, Russian or Polish food, you have skirted around Georgian cuisine. This takes fresh herbs, bold flavors and simple preparation to a whole new and very happy place. Their dumplings give more well known Chinese soup dumplings a run for their money. These are bigger and bolder bites, less subtle but slap about the mouth flavors. The mushroom ones were our favorite, although the lamb ones were only a tiny bit behind our rating. Let the friendly wait staff guide you. Ours specifically recommended a season bread dish, and it made me fall in love with Tarragon all over again. Or maybe for the first time. It was fantastic. Can't wait to go back. read more

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I don't really consider myself a connoisseur of Georgian food since it's not too common, but Chama Mama had dishes that reminded me a lot of Turkish, Italian, Nepalese, or Mediterranean foods. The star of the show was the cheese bread with egg; the cheese to bread ratio was kind of laughable since there was just so much cheese, but it was super good. While I definitely recommend checking out this place at least once, I personally wouldn't come back since nothing really wow'd me. read more

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