The Georgian restaurant Rusiko in Poland has received a Michelin recommendation, a prestigious recognition from one of the world’s most influential culinary guides. Restaurateur and owner Davit Turkestanishvili announced the achievement on the BMGTV program Business Morning.
The Michelin recommendation signals that Georgian cuisine has gained international acclaim for its quality and taste. According to Turkestanishvili, Rusiko has been ranked among the top 108 restaurants in Poland, selected from hundreds or even thousands of establishments across the country. Inclusion in the Michelin Red Guide is a significant victory not only for Rusiko but for Georgian culinary heritage as a whole.
“I have always said that Georgian cuisine is very traditional and classic, and the Michelin star has very strict and narrow criteria,” said Turkestanishvili. “That’s why I believed it would be difficult for a restaurant with traditional dishes like ours to receive such recognition. You can’t just put feathers on khinkali and change the fundamentals. That’s why being included among the 108 restaurants in the Michelin Red Guide is such an honor.”
He added that the recommendation has raised both customer expectations and operational standards. “After receiving the title, inspectors conduct regular monitoring. The recommendation can be withdrawn, which would be even more damaging than not receiving it in the first place. But we were recognized for who we are. The restaurant hasn’t deviated from its traditional roots, and our biggest achievement is that we can now confidently say Georgian cuisine has a respected place in global gastronomy. This success belongs not just to us, but to Georgian cuisine and Georgian wine,” he said.
Rusiko opened in Warsaw in 2015, named in honor of Turkestanishvili’s mother. The restaurant’s concept is built entirely around Georgian traditions, offering guests an authentic experience of Georgian food and wine in the heart of Europe.
