Tucked away in the midst of the Scandinavian quarter, between culinary household names Estelle, Omoni and Terese, a new addition was welcomed in October 2025: Daia. Sisters Tamuna and Tatia, along with Demna, set out to create a warm, hospitable atmosphere and a sense of family to share with their guests, along with authentic Georgian cuisine. Family is, after all, what comes first for the three. In their homeland of Georgia, cooking and sharing meals around the kitchen table is an expression of love and connection. And that’s exactly what they hope to pass on to their guests. Embracing this results in an atmosphere blending tradition and clarity. Soft, cave-like tones and cozy lighting contrast with a bright bar, a luminous island whose glass blocks radiate towards heavy wooden tables that have definitely witnessed quite a bit of life. The pièce de résistance is the open oven built by the team, which admittedly is highly Instagrammable, its neon signage announcing its purpose — in Georgian, of course. Transliterated into Latin script, it reads approximately “Sazkchobi”, “bakery”. Here, the Khachapuris are baked to perfection, buttery-soft from just four ingredients. Here you are cared for by people who truly know what they’re talking about.

Listing the full range of dishes would be a monumental task, but let it be known to the attentive guest that you can travel, often eating vegetarian or vegan, from east to west, north to south, through the culinary landscape of Georgia. The dishes are concise, deeply rooted in family tradition, and so distinctive in flavor that you simply have to try them all. A standout for me is Kharcho: a creation from the sisters’ grandmother, hailing from western Georgia. Historically, it was inspired by a roast in times of scarce meat. At Daia, it arrives on the plate as a crispy cauliflower dish. Served on a Georgian plate with a variety of walnuts. Walnuts are practically Georgia’s national snack, though they are less often eaten whole than turned into pastes and other preparations. Quality is evident in every choice, from ingredients to service. There is so much to discover and learn at Daia. Questions are welcomed with genuine enthusiasm. After all, who knew that Georgia has its own alphabet, has preserved its language and identity against countless invaders for centuries, and even invented wine? Indeed. From Pet Nat to orange wine, from traditionally buried amphora-aged vintages to the Tbilisi Sour, everything speaks one language: home, in the here and now. And so Tamuna and Tatia named their restaurant accordingly: Daia, “sister”. Because family is at the heart of everything they do. It is the core of the restaurant, the reason it exists. Daia is an invitation, offered sincerely and joyfully. And you feel it the moment you step inside.

Text: Nicole Ernst / Photos: Daia

Nicole Ernst has lived in the city for over 20 years. She is an actress who loves Berlin’s skies and everything that embodies style, beauty, and a certain sense of speed.

Daia, Kopenhagener Str.69, 10437 Berlin–Prenzlauer Berg; map

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