I’m not sure what the popular age to start drinking coffee is, but I get that feeling that, at 19, I was a late-comer to the scene. Slow and steady wins the race, they say, and to be honest it was worth the wait. I discovered the wonders of coffee during my university years on the French Riviera, setting the bar quite high. Before long, I became one of those guys, actively seeking out the hipster coffeeshops, refusing to settle for any of this awful instant stuff — judge all you want, but the start of my day is worth every penny. Anyhow, my coffee-snobbery got to the point where, years before coming to Georgia, Santa Claus gifted me a Nespresso machine one Christmas, in preparation for my move to a part of the world where quality southern European was few and far between.

When I first moved to Tbilisi, I really regretted having gifting said machine to a friend, as my bourgeois tastebuds struggled to stomach Turkish coffee. On days where tea just wouldn’t suffice, I went out of my way to find the nearest Entrée or cafe of acceptable quality, spending a small fortune on cappuccinos. I eventually learned to make-do with Turkish coffee, but only after committing blasphemy and drinking it with milk. Whenever cravings take over, be it in the mornings or on commutes to other districts, I normally end up back at Entrée. 

But the other day I decided to try something different. I’d been told that the Rustaveli Avenue is surrounded by artisan cafés but I’d never gotten around to paying any of them a visit.

Enter Skola Coffee & Wine bar. It’s a blessing for my wallet that I don’t live close to them because you can bet I’d be there every day. A coffee sanctuary where your caffeine fix is made with love and affection and almost scientist-like obsession with detail and quality. A comfortable and welcoming atmosphere, together with its delicious natural wine and food, make this a lovely little open space to get your mornings started, grab a drink and a bite to eat and meet new people. Definitely worth your time and money.

by Máté Földi 

17 Shota Rustaveli Ave., Tbilisi

TEL (+995) 551 53 33 35

https://www.facebook.com/skolacoffeewine/

OPEN: 8 AM - Midnight