Chama Mama, New York City’s buzzy Georgian restaurant concept founded by owner Tamara Chubinidze in 2019, is celebrating its seventh anniversary with a major new chapter: the opening of a Bushwick location and the debut of Let’s Chama in both Bushwick and Chelsea, an artisanal Georgian bakery showcasing the country’s traditional pastries and baked goods.
Chama Mama has grown into a hub for Georgian life and culture in New York City with this expansion underscoring that very impact and success. The new Bushwick corner space at 81 Morgan Avenue is 6,300 square feet and thoughtfully designed as three distinct, yet connected experiences: a 64-seat main dining room with an open kitchen and counter seating inviting guests into the heart of the action at the tone, an oven that is a cornerstone of Georgian cuisine; a bar and lounge; and the Let’s Chama bakery, all bringing the warmth and soul of Georgian hospitality to one of New York’s most spirited neighborhoods.
The culinary program is led by group-wide Executive Chef Nino Chiokadze, and continues to spotlight the flavors that have defined the other New York City locations. With a menu rooted in regional Georgian traditions and a focus on seasonal, high-quality ingredients, diners can expect staples such as Adjaruli Khachapuri (a traditional open-faced bread and filled with Chama Mama cheese blend, topped with raw egg yolk and butter), Shoti Lobiani (Chama Mama signature dough with spiced mashed beans), Saperavi and Pomegranate Beef Stew (made with Budeshuri Saperavi wine and pomegranate molasses), assorted Pkhali (walnut-based vegetable pâtés), Kebabs, and Khinkali Dumplings.
The bar area seating 25 includes a communal table ideal for groups exploring cocktails, all reflecting traditional Georgian flavors, and wines from Georgia, the oldest wine producing country in the world, all curated by Beverage Director Lasha Tsatava. Beverage highlights include the Georgia 1991 (Malamo Georgian craft gin, lillet rose, fresh raspberry puree, lemon juice, and aquafaba) and the Balanchine (Kirke Grape vodka, cap corse, lime-tarragon-tkemali cordial, almond milk, and orange blossom water).
Anchoring the new Bushwick space is the new Let’s Chama bakery concept, also helmed by Chef Chiokadze, which offers seating for 14 and serves as one of New York’s only dedicated Georgian bakery destinations for authentic pastries, sandwiches, and beverages). Let’s Chama deepens Chama Mama’s commitment to sharing the breadth of Georgian cuisine and culture by highlighting the bakery traditions that are central to daily life across the region. Whether guests stop in for a quick grab-and-go Khachapuri, savory Mushroom Pie, a sweet and crumbly Chocolate Cigaretti, to linger over a Fig-Vanilla Latte or Cinnamon-Walnut Latte, or transition into dinner and drinks in the adjoining space, Chama Mama Bushwick and Let’s Chama offer a seamless expression of Georgian hospitality. Let’s Chama is also available in a grab-and-go capacity next door to the Chelsea location at 149 West 14 Street.
Chama Mama Bushwick serves dinner 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM Sunday through Thursday, 4:00 PM – 11:00 PM (Friday and Saturday) with lunch and brunch to be added at a later date.
Let’s Chama serves pastries and beverages Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM at both its Bushwick and Chelsea locations.
