Chama Mama

Chama Mama is a fantastic Georgian restaurant in NYC — not just for the food, but for the people. While I did run into a small issue during my visit, what truly stood out was how the situation was handled. The owner is one of the kindest people you could ever meet in New York, and I say that with full confidence. Their genuine hospitality and care completely turned the experience around and left a lasting impression. It's rare to feel this level of personal warmth and attentiveness in a city as fast-paced as New York, and it honestly made my day. The food itself is flavorful and unique — a wonderful introduction to Georgian cuisine, from the warm khachapuri to the delicious grilled meats and vibrant salads. The setting is cozy and inviting, perfect for a casual dinner or special outing. I will definitely be returning — not only for the food, but because kindness like this is unforgettable. Thank you again to the owner and the team at Chama Mama for turning a small hiccup into a heartfelt experience. Highly recommend!

Georgian food cooked and served by Georgians. Don’t miss the sample platter or the lamb-stuffed grape leaves. The salads are fresh and can easily be shared with two or three in your party. Entrees are small and it is helpful to think of the variety of dishes served family style. The meats were delicious— especially the lamb chops. The potato dishes were a great accompaniment. The breads were delicious and cheesy. I service was top notch in every way. Looking forward to returning.

We finally tried the Chama Mama on the Upper West Side. It was our first time eating a full Georgian meal together, and the food was as great as we expected. The service and atmosphere were fantastic as well. This is an excellent little spot to visit on the UWS, especially if you're looking to try some unique cuisine. Highly recommended!

We went there on an early afternoon and we were a party of four and we were served dinner menu. The food was amazing it’s our first trying this cuisine and it blew our minds chicken was cooked to perfection in each dish we ordered especially the one with plum sauce and the crispy potato’s were unique and delicious. I highly recommend this place if you’re visiting New York!

I had the most delicious experience at Chama Mama on the Upper West Side! The food was amazing, the atmosphere so cozy — but what truly made our Sunday special was Ia, our wonderful server. She was so thoughtful and intuitive, recommending exactly the right wine and dishes for us. Everything she suggested was spot on, and thanks to her, we had such a beautiful and memorable Sunday afternoon. Thank you again, Ia — you truly made our visit feel personal and unforgettable. Can’t wait to come back! 💛

First time experiencing Georgian cuisine. Everything was interesting and flavorful. The only lacking element was that the deserts were underwhelming. The staff were delightful, charming and helpful. Finding out that it was a birthday dinner, not only did the staff put a candle in the dessert we ordered, but they gave us a second on "on the house". Thank you!

Super busy, recommend making a reservation! Otherwise you’re awkwardly standing in a space that has no designated spot for it, so you’re kinda just standing in diners personal space for a while. But anyway, their wines and cocktails are no joke, I got the Ambe and my husband got a full bodied amber wine. It was SO GOOD. That alone had me so excited. Anyway, food wise, it was okay. The Mtsvadi was a tad salty, I wish there was rice to offset it, she did offer potatoes with it which was a 14 dollar up charge which was fine but they sort of did nothing against the strong flavor of the main dish. The Khinkali was AMAZING. The server taught us how to eat them (upside down with a dash of black pepper!) and to slurp the soup out because these were VERY soupy (I didn’t know a dumpling could hold this much soup, even a Xiao Long Bao would’ve stared with wide eyes) the Khachapuri was good, one note but its cheese and bread, good. The potatoes were not great, it was mostly potato skins rather than actual potato itself. Next time I’ll just go for the wine and the Khingkali.

We stopped by the restaurant as it was empty and seemed quiet, but quickly became loud within the hour. The Taste of Georgia was the best dish following the shot of tomato juice. Each of these have strong and distinct flavors that left us guessing what's next. The pomegranate added minor twists along the way The other two dishes were bland potatoes and salty pork which didn't live up to the expectations

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.

Chama Mama was overall enjoyable. The outdoor seating felt a bit cramped but the ambiance inside was nice enough. Our server was helpful and had a lot of info on the menu. The food itself was good, though it all felt very heavy. There was a fun bit of theatric to the cheese-filled bread having an egg yolk mixed in in front of you, but the cheese itself felt too heavy, even shared. The appetizer dip spread was nice which each spread being unique, and the cheese that came with this plate was much more enjoyable. It felt like it needed more bread for the spread volume. The lamb soup dumplings were also very good and sizable. We also got some Georgian beer flights and the Georgian beers were all very good. The clay aged ones were the best of the bunch. Prices overall felt fair. Overall, Chama Mama is worth checking out, though maybe not a repeat visit.

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]

Great spot, I enjoy introducing people to this cuisine. Good location uptown and the one on 14th St has a great outdoor patio. However, the dumplings are so much smaller than they were previously. In fact, all of the portions have shrunk. No longer my favorite Georgian restaurant.

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!

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.

OMG this place is phenomenal!! A quaint Georgian restaurant on the UWE. I have never had Georgian food so this was a real treat. We told our waiter it was our first time and he did a great job of putting together a tasting menu for our table of 7. He explained what everything was and we appreciated his opinion on what we should try. We ended up with the Taste of Georgia, Georgian Salad, Grape Leaves, 2 Khachapuri (Adjaruli and Imeruli... dough with cheese), Khinkali (dumplings... all 3 flavors), Lobio (mashed beans), Megruli Kharcho (chicken in walnut sauce), cornbread, and the mixed grill with crispy smashed potatoes. There was not one thing we didn't love! It was fun to watch them mixing the Adjarli Khachapuri. The wine was also very good- they had Amber wine which is rare and so good!!!

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.

Amazing, authentic Georgian food! Great service, very nicely decorated restaurant. The restaurant I would definitely return to.

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!

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.

We celebrated Mother's Day at Chama Mama this year and I definitely felt the love. It was the best service we experienced on our NYC trip and the food was well cooked, presented, and interesting. Georgian cuisine felt both familiar and new, so a pleasant overall experience. We ordered dishes to share from all over the menu with a little guidance from our server. Highlights were the Adjaruli khatchapuri (hot lava cheese mixed with an egg on a bread boat), crispy smashed potatoes in Tarragon Tkemali, and Khinkali (Georgian dumplings). The chicken mtsvadi (marinated chicken skewers) were beautifully cooked and tasty. It felt lovely to be in a bustling restaurant where we were immediately whisked to our reserved table and had a leisurely shared meal. The center piece of the cuisine is clay oven cooking and wine stored in clay vessels called Qvevri. We skipped the wine on this visit, so nice to know I have something else to explore on our next visit.

We had brunch at Chama Mama before our show at Lincoln Center and it was lovely. There was a bit of a hiccup at the beginning, where I think the hostess that sat us did not tell the waitstaff that we were sitting outside, so we waited about 15 minutes before X went to get someone from the inside. Not a huge deal, but definitely a bit annoying. We opted to share a khachapuri and the chicken kebab. The khachapuri was fantastic and so yummy. I really need to figure out how to make this at home because I want it all the time. The chicken kebab was a large portion and very juicy and well flavored. We ended the meal with a honey cake, which tasted so much like the honey cakes we had in Greece. Georgian food isn't super common, even in NYC, so I'm glad that Chama Mama can give us our fix.

We walked in on a random Friday evening around 530 and were able to snag a table outside. The host and servers were all very pleasant. We ordered the lamb stuffed grape leaves, Adjaruli Khachapuri, and lobio. Deceptively simple dishes, but boy do they fill you up before you realize it. I've had the khachapuri before and it's still divine. You really can't go wrong with bread, cheese, and egg. The lamb stuffed grape leaves came with a delicious garlic sour cream that balanced out the lobio really nicely, which was a very hearty bean soup. Really appreciated that they never rushed us and we were able to savor our meals even with the dinner rush starting to trickle in. An overall very easygoing vibe with simple and solid dishes.

Whenever there's a Georgian restaurant, I have to try out their khatchapuri (cheeseboat). And Chama Mama did not disappoint. My friend and I got the Adjaruli Khatchapuri, and it was absolutely delicious. We also got a few excellent cheese pulls haha. The other food was amazing - we got the roasted wild mushrooms and the pork mtsvadi (marinated pork skewers). The mushrooms were so yummy, and the pork was just so tender and flavorful. And the cocktails were so good and refreshing as well. The restaurant itself was so cute - just loving the little tree decorations with fairy lights. And great service overall! Generally definitely a new favorite spot - will be back again to try the other offerings soon!

The food here was really good. I went there for the first time with a friend to try the Georgian dumplings. It was AMAZING. Then when I had friends in town, I had to take them back there. And the cheese bread was perfect!

This is one of favorite places to eat in New York City. Very friendly service. Very attentive, service Delicious fresh food. Great menu with many vegetarian and vegan options. Seating in or out (covered in winter) Beautiful ambiance Service is not rushed- I usually have to ask for my check as they leave me alone to digest and relax after eating Will be back every time I visit

I was very excited to try the food here and it did not disappoint. The food was made fresh and you feel like you got the authentic experience here. The only thing that could've improved was the wait staff - I ordered the khinkali and they completely forgot I placed the order, making us wait an extra 20 minutes after we finished the other two items for the dumplings. The waiter was very apologetic and warm, so there's that. I was overall very satisfied with my experience here and will return soon!

We had a very enjoyable meal here. Lots of vegetarian options. The Georgian style of seasoning is unique and delicious - for example, I really enjoyed the fresh herbs in the mushroom appetizer. It was also my first time eating pickled jonjoli flower (part of the assorted pickle appetizer). And of course, they have an excellent wine list with several amber wines. Edit: I can't believe I forgot to recommend the honey cake! Paired really well with coffee.

A cool, trendy Georgian restaurant with great service and food. My friend and I checked this place out without a reservation on a Monday around 7:30pm, and we were able to immediately get seats at the bar. Even so, I'd recommend you to make a reservation to be safe since the people who walked in after us had to wait for a while. We tried their "taste of georgia" and their famous adjaruli khachapuri (the cheese boat!). Normally I would order more food, but neither of us were that hungry at the time so we were satisfied with just the two dishes. I'd recommend taste of Georgia so you can try different selections of dishes all in one. The cheese boat was pretty good as well, and one of the servers was kind enough to explain to us how they usually go about eating it. This place is definitely worth checking out!

Food The seasonal khachapuri was good, but I've had better versions at other Georgian restaurants. The herbs should have been more finely chopped. The taste of Georgia was decent - beer and eggplant phkali's were very tasty. The accompanying bread rolls felt more American than Georgian. Crispy potatoes - cooked well but the pieces were too big. Definitely would have been better with more sauce. Drinks My husband and I both got a flight. We enjoyed the amber flight more than the reds. Service Our waitress was slow to come to our table to check in throughout the course of our meal Ambiance Bustling UWS restaurant

Went here just to see what Georgian food was like and was blown away. Even the vegetarian dishes were delicious. Highly recommend this place as it's so authentic and the service excellent. Thank you for a wonderful evening.

YUM! The food here was both new and like the best reminder of good comfort food. I loved the kiwi and green apple lemonade, and you could see and taste the amount of attention it was given. The Adjaruli Khachapuri is worth the entire flight to nyc, and had the perfect cheese pull. I would recommend getting this over the Kvari if you are torn between the dishes of cheesy goodness. The quality of service was excellent and we got the perfect amount of attention. (I will say, we did visit at an off hour so I cannot speak to if this service hold up during peak hours, but the staff was great!) The ambiance was nothing too special, but there were small touches that really gave the restaurant an identity-- and make for a good instagram post

I needed last minute brunch on a Saturday at 11AM for a bunch of adults and kids and a puppy and by some miracle they were able to accommodate. Their cheese boat is one of the best things I have ever eaten in my life. All their other food was also good as well as drinks and a good wine selection, great space, a patio and awesome service. I've been another time since and I love it there.

Food is awful!! This place is no longer automatic Georgian cuisine. So disappointed as its use to be one of the greatest restaurants in upper west side.

I came here with my family and family friends. We ordered so much food, and I got to try the pear lemonade, which was delicious! We ordered the Georgian Salad, the Taste of Georgia, Adjaruli Khachapuri, Imeruli Khachapuri, Khinkali, Kebab Beef and Pork, and other delicious food on the menu. I didn't know what to expect from the menu, but I was beyond happy. Everything came out quickly, the spices used on everything were really good, and it was great that we got to try so many items on the menu so we could really try the full experience. Outdoor seating is available, so you can bring your dog with you. I saw the cutest Doberman sitting by our table, and he was so cute! They give you water for your dog, so they aren't thirsty in the hot sun. It's a cute trendy restaurant on the Upper West Side. It's worth the visit.

Service, serving, staff, food - perfect place to eat and enjoy your evening. Ate canonical adjary hachapuri and almost best khinkali I've ever had in my life. Thank you.

On a Saturday around brunch, I was surprised to see this restaurant as empty as it was, but was very excited to give it a try as it's been forever since I've had Georgian food. I loved the decor and overall vibe of this place - it feels warm and cozy, perfect for couples or groups of friends alike. For food, we ordered the adjaruli khachapuri and khinkali beef and pork, both which seemed highly recommended. When our waiter brought out our dishes, she offered to mix the egg into the bread's cheesy sauce, which we agreed to. The end product was divine - cheesy and gooey, paired perfectly with the sweet, soft bread. My only complaint is that I wish there was more of a 1:1 bread and cheese ratio.. there was a bit too much cheese for us. We also really enjoyed the dumplings, and I'd love to try their other flavors as they all sounded great. Overall, we enjoyed our quick dining experience here and loved its proximity to Central Park, the Museum of Natural History, and other spots in the city.

We came here for brunch because I was absolutely mesmerized by this video of cheese being mixed in some bread. This place did not disappoint at all. We did get the dish, which is called Adjaruli Khachapuri. How can you go wrong with delicious cheese, butter and egg mixed in beautifully baked bread. You break off pieces of warm bread and dip it in the cheese to eat. Absolutely delicious! I highly recommend ordering this for the table. It might be a bit too decadent for one person to eat. We also got the chili-piji which is like shakshouka. A+ We got the Imeruli Khachapuri which had a similar cheese blend to the Adjaruli A+ Our friend enjoyed the omelet with kebab A We ordered the mushroom dumplings as well which were probably our least favorite item even though they are beautifully made B+ For sweet, we got the pancake with berries which was almost like bread filled with pastry cream. It reminded me a bit of pastis de nata. It wasn't too sweet and we really enjoyed it. A All the food was served nice and warm, right out of the oven. I requested my latte to be very warm and it was perfect. The service was great, and the ambiance is cute.

Mushroom khinkali are a must!! Only have ever had them traditionally with meat but was blown out of the water by these. Khachapuri was very good too, not the best I've had in New York but very solid. Super fast service and reasonably priced.

I had a lovely lunch with my cousin at Chama Mama on a Sunday afternoon. I had the chicken soup, she had an egg and potato dish, and we shared lamb khinkali. Everything was super tasty and the vibes in the restaurant were happy and bright. I also ordered a coffee which came in a very nice clay mug and a little clay carafe of steamed milk, which was such a nice touch. My only critique is of the pear lemonade drink that we ordered. It is labeled as Pear Lemonade on the menu but it's actually a very sugary carbonated soda that tasted like a mix between cream soda and bubble gum. No biggie but I would suggest that Chama Mama consider adding a descriptor to the menu for their lemonades, even if they just indicate that they're sodas. Overall, it was a great meal and I am excited to come back sometime soon for dinner!

Had an incredibly charming evening here, was completely unfamiliar with Georgian cuisine and fabulous waitress Tika helped my friend and I put together a delicious and entertaining selection of dishes. My personal favorite was the taste of Georgia sampler, definitely will come back for that dish alone!

Had Georgian food for the first time at Chama Mama and I had a great experience. The spot is hip but still feels authentic and the service was friendly. I got the adjaruli khachapuri and a flatbread with arugula and pomegranate on top. They were both delicious, the khachapuri being rich and warm and the flatbread being a bit tangy and fresh. The waitress helped demonstrate how to mix the egg and cheese in the khachapuri and eat it. I initially thought the khachapuri was a bit pricy since I'm from out of state but during my visit I looked at other Georgian restaurants in Brooklyn and they're priced about the same. I also got a postcard and bag for leftovers with the Chama Mama logo which were cute.

Our absolute favorite restaurant in NYC! One wonders when Divinity created earthly cuisines, did they play favorites for some regions? Like Georgia? Or endowed Chama Mama with magical powers to make their food (and service) so unforgettable? Reservation is a must, coz this place is busy all the time, and there is a choice of dining room or patio (outdoor-ish seating). We always order "Taste of Georgia" - it's vegetarian and full of flavors. Other must tries include Jonjoli Salad, Khinkali, Roasted Wild Mushrooms, Megruli (or any of their specialty bead), etc. For carnivores, the Mtsvadi is earth shattering; for herbivores, the Lobio (bean stew) comes with 5 vegetables fermented in different ways that will leave you wanting more. You must save stomach space for dessert - don't finish dinner without Korkoti! If you are interested, I'd recommend that you study the unique Georgian script on their walls and waiting staff's T-shirts. This beautiful language is unrelated to any other language families in the world - it's THAT unique, just like its food.

My daughter and I have been craving for kachupuri for quite a long time. Today, after a Sunday run/walk around Central Park, we decided to try out Chama Mama. The food was so good we didn't leave a crumb nor sauce on the plates. We shamelessly wiped it up clean with the last tiny piece of bread. We started out with an eggplant app mixed with walnut paste, onion, garlic, coriander, pomegranates molasses which we scooped up with their cute round chama mamma bread. Of course we had to have what we came for - the kachapuri! They had several versions of kachapuri from different regions of Georgia but we had the Adjaruli from the Adjara region - traditional open-faced khachapuri with blended cheese, topped with raw egg that only further enriched that hot cheesy heavenly goodness!!!! Something we never tried before was the Pork Mtsvadi - marinated oh so tender and juicy grilled pork skewers served on a flatbread with tkemali, a cherry plum sauce. After devouring everything on the table we were so full but couldn't pass up the Honey Cake - multilayer dulce de leche cake. If they opened up in Westchester, I'd eat there everyday .... Ohhhh okaaaay maybe weekly! Will definitely be back!

Great little Georgian restaurant on the upper west side. Nice modern ambiance and excellent food. We had a late friday night dinner after a show - they were very accommodating even though we arrived 10 minutes before closing. We had Megruli Kharcho - chicken in walnut sauce, Chicken Kebab and Imeruli Khachapuri - a flat bread stuffed with cheese. We shared the three dishes and I have to say they were all delicious and went very well together. Service was good and the staff were gracious, even given the late hour. We will certainly eat there again and highly recommend it.

All the food was excellent. We started with the appetizer of several spreads, all of which were good. The eggplant plate and the cheese on bread were both good. Service was attentive. Outdoor seating was pleasant.

First time - sooo good. Food and service was great! Portions for brunch were perfect. Definitely would recommend and return ourselves ! Great job.

I want to really like this spot, it's right next door to me and I love ethnic restaurants that contribute to extending the diversity of NYers' palate. Perhaps I ordered the wrong item, but there was a raw piece of pork in my Pork Mtsvadi take out order (pork skewer on flatbread). It might have been the way they grilled it, but most of the other cooked chunks were overcooked, dry, and not tender at all. Overall a very disappointing take out order.

Wish I could give it 6 Stars! What a wonderful dining experience: Marita our waitress was informative, thoughtful and delightful. David, our bartender was friendly and accomplished. Kasey, the manager was incredibly interactive, warm and appreciative. The Khinkali's were interesting and delicious while the Lobio in the Clay Pot's taste was one of the most uniquely flavorful ones I've ever experienced. The prices were very reasonable and every member of the staff we met, even those not waiting on our table, were kind, pleasant and friendly. We'll be back every time we visit New York! Can't express enough how good of a time we had. MADLOBA!!!!!

You will not regret going there!!! Trust me, I was born in Georgia!!! This place will make you happy!

Food was solid but service was trash. We had called ahead of time and they told us that a group of 10 for a birthday was no problem and that we could order from the regular menu instead of the fixed price menu they usually give to big groups... but when we got there they said we'd have to order from the fixed price menu (which was very expensive per person). We brought up how they said otherwise on the phone and they wouldn't budge and instead told us to separate our group into two tables. But then after we talked to them even more, said they would put the two tables super close together but would need to maintain a small gap in between if we wanted to order from the regular menu... so we were like ok then? We ordered khinkali (looks like xiao long bao haha), adjaruli khachapuri, megruli kharsho with chicken (see photo), and several other dishes I forgot the name of. My favorite by far was adjaruli khachapuri which was like a bread with egg/cheese in it although honestly that kind of dish will always be fire. I was not a fan of the khinkali personally but enjoyed the megruli which had a lot of great flavor.

I came to Chama Mama with a friend for dinner on a Friday night. We had a reservation at 6:30pm and ended up getting there a bit earlier than expected but we were kindly accommodated to sit at that time instead. The restaurant was not super crowded then which was a nice start to our dinner (later on it became pretty full!). This place has very cute vibes and a modern, fresh feel to it while still carrying what seems to be a very varied and traditional Georgian food menu. Our waiter was extremely nice, he gave us great suggestions on what to order and seemed genuinely excited about the dishes which was very refreshing and made our interaction with him very positive. He also helped us learn how to properly pronounce some of them which I appreciated! There are so many delicious choices on the menu we really struggled deciding what to get but ultimately we chose to order: Adjapsandali: delicious medley of roasted eggplant, zucchini, and red bell peppers with some type of oil and delicious smoky spices. I cannot even describe how good this was but the flavor was just out of this world. We ate it plain and it was delicious but then later our server suggested next time we should try it with their cornbread as the mix apparently is divine. A dish that truly highlights the beauty of the vegetables used and feels healthy yet satisfying. Mushroom khinkali: really liked these! They are basically soup dumplings so have a lot of liquid inside of them (learned this the hard way). The filling is very interesting and has a hint of mint in them? They also had a decent amount of pepper. I really loved how thick the dumpling dough was. Next time I would love to try the lamb or beef/pork since these seem to be their staple. Freshly baked bread: this was recommended to us by our waiter as well so we could pair it with the chicken dish. This was a wonderful suggestion. This bread was so amazing and tasted a bit sweeter than other breads I have had but very very mildly. It came with a little side of sunflower seed oil and adjika which is a traditional Georgian spice that just complemented the bread incredibly well. It was a bit spicy but I definitely recommend trying even a small quantity. It was also the perfect addition to really soak up the sauce from our chicken main dish. More below. Megruli Karsho w/ chicken: this is literally one of the most satisfying and delicious foods I have had in the recent months. The dark meat chicken was incredibly tender and flavorful. The sauce it came in was rich, thick, and full of delicious spices that came together beautifully. The walnuts also give this dish an extra richness and creaminess that is just truly special. 11/10 would recommend. It also came with three small bits of grilled grits that were actually very good and had a firm exterior but crumbly consistency with a mild corn flavor. The grit quantity is definitely not enough quantity to soak up all the sauce so I suggest getting a bread on the side for it. It is worth scooping up every bit of it! Really loved coming here! I had been eyeing this place for a very long time and I am super happy my time to try it finally came. Very amazing, flavorful food with options that accommodate the tastes and dietary restrictions of many. Super incredible service and clean, nice space. Will be coming back again in the near future to try more of their dishes and their brunch menu!

I visited for brunch with a few friends. The staff was incredible and the ambiance was really nice. The sunny side-up egg dish I got was dry and rather disappointing, but the khachapuri was very tasty. Pretty average experience overall, wouldn't necessarily go back.

Wonderful service, wonderful people, delicious food! Khinkali is a must I had mushroom ones, my friends had meat ones all were delicious. Happy 3rd birthday to the restaurant!

This was my first time trying Georgian food, and Chama Mama was highly acclaimed by a friend. As a cheese and bread lover, I was really excited to try the Khachapuri. The waiter swirled the egg around to blend it in the bread boat, which we then literally tore apart and dipped in the buttery goodness. The egg was barely noticeable flavorwise. We also ordered the Lobio. This stew was really comforting, and I appreciated how it kept hot thanks to the cute clay pot. I do wish this portion was slightly bigger for the price. Pomegranate seeds were sprinkled on top and added the perfect bite of sweetness. If you're a fan of pickled veggies, you'll love the assortment of fermented pickle, green tomatoes, peppers, and garlic on the side. The Georgian cornbread truly paired well with the bean stew. Chama Mama is a great option for vegans and vegetarians alike! Our server was really kind, and we were seated right away after having made a reservation in advance.

I've never had Georgian food before but this place was really good. The flavoring and spices of everything worked so well and it was unlike anything I've ever had before. We ordered the chicken, the adjaruli, mushrooms and cucumber/ tomato salad. Plus a few wine flights. If you're looking for something new, don't sleep on this spot.

Good food and service authentic and fresh. Recommend soup and grilled meats .Would come back

Wonderful experience here, ordered way too much food, didn't regret a single order. I've been to Georgia and it was, culinarily, one of the biggest surprises of a globe-spanning trip. I was expecting the food to be kind of Russian; instead it was closer to Persian or Armenian, but with twists all its own. But the food is hard to find in the US. I certainly can't get it where I live. I've had it at a few different places in NYC, but it was the best here. Even though all the khachapuris look kind of meh on the picture menu, you really have to try one. It's their national dish, after all! We chose the imeruli, and it was a wonder. I'm not sure how what is essentially cheesy bread can be so much better than other types of cheesy bread, but whatever they put in their cheese blend (I'm guessing sheep's cheese is involved) is really bright-tasting. If you're cool with very fermented things, try the jonjoli - it's not something you'll be finding at any markets (except maybe Tashkent Supermarket in Brighton Beach). The megruli kharsho honestly didn't need the chicken or the grilled grits (which were cold and kinda weird) to make the dish - you could put that sauce/soup on ANYTHING. Vegetables. Tortilla chips. Whatever. Finally, you NEED to order the khinkali, and you should order it with lamb. Bite a hole in the side and suck the juice out before you eat the rest of it, or you'll get meat juice all over your face. There is no way of doing this gracefully. It doesn't matter. We finished our meal off with pelamushi, an incredibly grapey jello-like custard. If you've had churchkhela, this dish is like if they took churchkhela off the hanging strings before it had fully dried out.