The New York Times released its annual list of the 100 best restaurants in New York City, and a Georgian cafe from Brighton Beach ranked 23rd!
Tone Cafe, which calls itself the oldest Georgian bakery in the United States, has been in business since 1997 and is famous for its fresh bread from a traditional clay oven. This is where the name comes from, as “Tone” in Georgian means a deep, cylindrical pit oven where bread is baked by pressing the dough against the hot walls.
Against the backdrop of the flourishing* Georgian fusion cuisine scene in Manhattan, it seems to me that Tone Café’s critics were captivated by the opposite: the authenticity and legendary heartiness of traditional Georgian cuisine. On the other hand, this only underscores the extraordinary interest in Georgian culture in general and Georgian cuisine in particular among New Yorkers of all stripes.
*Let me remind you that Laliko received the Michelin award in 2025, Chama Mama was in the Michelin Guide before that, and Ubani is one of my favorite restaurants in the City.
I’m really happy for the guys and am already planning a trip to visit them.
Save this address too:
📍Toné Café / 265 Neptune Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11235
Website: www.tone-cafe.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Toné Café?
265 Neptune Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11235, in Brighton Beach.
Why is Toné Café in the news?
The New York Times placed it 23rd on its annual list of the 100 best restaurants in New York City.
What is Toné Café known for?
Fresh bread from a traditional clay oven. "Tone" is the Georgian word for a deep, cylindrical pit oven in which dough is baked by pressing it against the hot walls.
How old is Toné Café?
It has been open since 1997 and calls itself the oldest Georgian bakery in the United States.
Where else can I eat Georgian food in New York?
Laliko received a Michelin award in 2025, Chama Mama has appeared in the Michelin Guide, and Ubani is another Manhattan option.
