About
Welcome to Georgian Cheese Boat, a hidden gem in the heart of San Francisco's vibrant North Beach neighborhood located at 1224 Grant Ave. This casual dining spot specializes in authentic Georgian cuisine, bringing a taste of Eastern Europe right to your plate. With a warm and inviting atmosphere, Georgian Cheese Boat is perfect for those eager to explore unique flavors or simply enjoy a cozy meal.
What truly stands out at Georgian Cheese Boat is their signature dish: the Acharuli Khachapuri. This boat-shaped bread, oozing with melted cheese and topped with an egg yolk and a pat of butter, is a cheese lover's dream. Customers rave about its rich, umami flavor, with one enthusiastic diner describing it as "gooey, flavorful, and absolutely delicious." You can also indulge in variations like the Acharuli Bacon Classic or the Acharuli Spinach for a delightful twist on this classic.
Another gem on the menu is the Beef Khinkali, traditional dumplings that boast a perfect ratio of tender meat to dough. Diners have praised the seasoning, highlighting its authenticity and satisfying nature. And don’t forget to pair your meal with a selection of carefully curated Georgian wines, like the Kisi, Askaneli 2017 or the Rkatsiteli Qvevri, Askaneli 2016, ensuring an unforgettable dining experience.
While the atmosphere has pleasant elements, a few diners have noted room for improvement, particularly regarding lighting and music, which could enhance the overall ambiance. However, the service is generally friendly and accommodating, providing a welcoming vibe that invites you to linger over your meal.
At Georgian Cheese Boat, culinary adventure awaits you. With a menu filled with rich flavors and culinary tradition, it’s a fantastic spot to relish the essence of Georgian food while creating delightful memories in San Francisco. Whether you are celebrating a special occasion or simply enjoying a casual meal, this is a place you don’t want to miss!
“ Really cool spot to try Georgian food! My first experience with Georgian cuisine, seemed to have a good overlap with Czech and Polish cuisine which was great for me. Ordered their Original cheese boat (cheese and bread, how can you go wrong!) and their garlic chicken dish, I found it tasty, but it is very garlicky, so buyer beware! Service was good, space was perfect for a casual dinner and this place will definitely enter into my list of standing locations for food in the north beach. ”
“ Delicious food and great service. I was so happy to see a Georgian cuisine in San Francisco. ”
“ this food is PHENOMENAL. the classic cheese boat rocked my world, a cheese lovers absolute DREAM - gooey, umami, rich, flavorful, salty. to my surprise, not many people were there. i think some improvements to the ambiance would make this place a hit. #1: adding some music! it was dead quiet. music would help set the energy of the restaurant and fill the silence. #2: fixing the lighting. there is a large aggressive overhead lamp at the end that makes the place feel like a doctors office in the one corner. adding some interesting lamps would make the restaurant feel more sexy and ease the overall tone. the store front is already so cute so fixing the lighting to match that energy would help make customers feel more excited to hang out and eat there ! ”
“ For our anniversary, I had been dreaming of eating khachapuri for almost a year, so we decided to celebrate at a Georgian restaurant. I highly recommend trying the Georgian beer--it was a surprise favorite for me! I usually don't enjoy beer, but this one was so good that I wanted to have it at home. Every dish we tried was delicious, and we left feeling happy and satisfied. The service was pleasantly polite. We'll definitely be back! P.S. If I had to mention a downside, it would be the lighting, which felt a bit dim. ”
“ I'd been wanting to try this spot for a while and it was nice to finally visit. Georgian food is not always easy to find, so I'm glad this spot is in a central neighborhood in San Francisco. The first thing I tried was the Beef Khinkali, which ended up being very good dumplings. The ratio of beef to dough was ideal. The meat was tender and seasoned very well. The next item I had was the Acharuli Khachapuri, which was just okay. I've had this dish many times (in the US and in Georgia) and this was not as good as other versions I've tried. I still appreciated the cheese and butter, the bread just seemed a little thin. We also had the Georgian Salad and that was nice - bright, fresh and flavorful. During our meal we also enjoyed a nice bottle of the Kindzmarauli, Teliani Valley and that went well with the entire meal. The place is very casual and cozy. The service was a bit hit-or-miss, but overall was fine. On my next visit, I'd definitely try different items from their extensive menu. ”
“ I loved trying different types of authentic eats and drinks from around the world. Trying what's new from certain countries that gained least amount of attention was one of my specialties that broaden my horizons. But there are times when I choose the food that looks good and taste good. Though I was out of the comfort zone, I'm still careful into what I eat and drink. Georgian Cheese Boat was one restaurant that still need more attention. Authenticity is what I expected the most in a whole new different restaurant. Phkali Beets was one of the best appetizers when it comes to amazing presentation and good quality. The heart shaped beet loaf was savory and satisfying. Spinach Khachapuri was like pizza, but in a different form. While the dough was crispy and on point, the creamy spinach with the butter in the center was delectable. Saving the best for last was the organic red pear with vanilla and chocolate cream. Looked like ice cream before they melted but it's not, this one definitely surprised me. I almost cracked the plate when I tried to split the pear in half (lol). What really tasted the difference was the Georgian wine syrup. That's what I call adventure! I highly recommend Georgian Cheese Boat for everyone who's always out of the comfort zone. There could be another Georgian restaurant somewhere throughout the Bay Area. Here in North Beach is one of the unique places you can bookmark in advance. ”
“ My friend and I came here recently during Fleet Week. After walking around North Beach we decided to pop into Georgian Cheese Boat for dinner. The first thing we noticed, very Pink interior. We decided to sit by the window and people watch. My friend was interested in trying the Rkatsiteli Qeveri, a type of amber wine buried underground in an earthenware pot, some for up to 50 years. So we ordered that. Next I wanted to try their Khinkali (dumplings), but they were sold out that day. Bummer. So we got an order of the Chicken Kebab instead. Next, we got the Khachapuri which is a traditional Georgian dish of cheese-filled bread and what this restaurant is named after. Loved the cheesy khachapuri and the wine. The chicken kebab was okay, not that memorable. Would come back to try the dumplings tho. Service was okay. Located on Grant Ave between Columbus and the small Fresno Street. ”
“ One of my favorite restaurants in SF!! Has such a home-y feel and the owner/waiter/cashier is just the best person - my friend was visiting from out of town and he connected her with his daughter that happens to live in the same city! We had a blast chatting with him. On top of that, the food is INCREDIBLE. So fresh and authentic, tastes like someone's grandma made it specifically for you. Definitely get one of the cheese boats - it's so simple, yet not like anything I've ever tasted before. We also had the Minced Kebab and Georgian Salad as recommended - what a delicious, comforting meal!! Also try the Rkatsiteli Qvevri amber wine! An affordable bottle, but so delicious. I can't wait to come back here and bring more people!! ”
“ First time trying Georgian food and it did not disappoint. This place is a small mom and pop shop and I almost missed it, but I saw the cheese boat as a menu outside and had to try it. To my surprise- it's better than you're thinking :) my party and I ordered a couple things - Georgian dumplings, sausage and potatoes, and a variety of the cheese boats. The waiter was kind to show us how to eat the dumplings the right way. Everything was so delicious and breaks my heart I'm too far away to come back regularly. If you are in the area, definitely check the place out- I recommend the dumplings and the cheese boat! 10/10 ”