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Chama Mama Upper West Side

4.5

(917) 261-7430

New York City, 373 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10024

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Chama Mama: The Soul of Georgia on the Upper West Side

Step into Chama Mama UWS, located at 373 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024, where the vibrant traditions of the Caucasus meet the elevated energy of Manhattan’s Upper West Side. We believe that a meal is more than just food; it is a gathering of souls. Our space—characterized by soaring ceilings, rustic exposed brick, and soulful artistic touches—provides an atmosphere that is as nourishing as the authentic Georgian dishes we serve. At Chama Mama, we are not just a restaurant; we are a celebration of Georgian hospitality, refined for the modern New Yorker.

Quick Answers

What is Chama Mama UWS?

Chama Mama is a celebrated Georgian eatery on the Upper West Side, known for its "positivity-first" philosophy, authentic clay-oven baking, and a beautiful, airy dining room that perfectly balances tradition with modern design.

Why are we unique?

We are defined by our signature blend of old-world techniques and creative, fresh presentation. Our "Chama Mama" spirit creates a welcoming, uplifting environment that makes every guest feel like a part of the family.

Where are we located?

We are conveniently situated at 373 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024, offering a warm escape in one of Manhattan's most iconic neighborhoods.

The Chama Mama Experience
Our Mission and Story

Our name, "Chama Mama," embodies our mission: to create a space where positivity naturally gathers. We aim to share the genuine heart of Georgia through our culinary heritage. By honoring the deep history of Georgian cooking—specifically the way food brings people together—we have created an UWS sanctuary where the aroma of fresh-baked khachapuri and the warmth of our hospitality transform a simple dinner into a memorable occasion.

Culinary Craftsmanship

We view our kitchen as a stage for culinary tradition:

The Heart of the Kitchen: Our menu is anchored by our authentic, hand-crafted khachapuri. We believe that the bread is the soul of the table, and we bake it to perfection using traditional methods.

Artisanal Georgian Plates: From vibrant pkhali (vegetable pâtés with walnuts) to savory khinkali (dumplings) and slow-cooked meat delicacies, our recipes are authentic, bold, and flavor-forward.

Fresh & Creative: While we stay true to our Georgian roots, we embrace modern culinary creativity, ensuring every dish features fresh, high-quality ingredients that cater to the sophisticated UWS palate.

Georgian Wine Heritage: We feature an exclusive list of Georgian wines, honoring an 8,000-year-old tradition that pairs beautifully with our rich, nuanced flavor profiles.

The Insider’s Edge

What makes Chama Mama UWS truly special is the "vibe." Whether it’s the way the light hits our exposed brick walls or the genuine warmth of our staff, the restaurant feels both expansive and intimate. It is the ultimate "go-to" for locals who want a place that feels high-end yet unpretentious, making it equally perfect for a quick weekday lunch, a lively brunch, or a lingering dinner celebration.

Pricing & Investment

We offer a premium dining experience that emphasizes value through quality, ensuring every guest leaves satisfied with both the meal and the atmosphere.

Category
Estimated Price Range

Traditional Appetizers & Pkhali
$14 – $20

Signature Khachapuri & Dumplings
$18 – $26

Hearty Main Entrées
$24 – $42

Curated Georgian Wine (Glass/Bottle)
$15 – $90+

Note: We highly recommend booking a table in advance, as our UWS location is a popular gathering spot for the local neighborhood.

Quick Reference Guide

Feature
Details

Primary Services
Georgian Dining, Brunch, Dinner, Wine Bar

Price Range
$$$ (Upscale-Casual)

Operating Hours
Mon–Thu: 12 PM–10 PM, Fri: 12 PM–11 PM, Sat: 10 AM–11 PM, Sun: 10 AM–10 PM

Why Choose Us
Uplifting atmosphere, iconic khachapuri, UWS neighborhood staple

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you take reservations? Yes, we highly recommend making a reservation, as our dining room fills up quickly, especially on weekends.

Is Chama Mama good for groups? Yes, our open, airy space is designed to accommodate groups, making it ideal for special occasions and celebrations.

Are there vegetarian options? Absolutely. Much of Georgian cuisine is naturally centered around vegetables, nuts, and cheeses, providing a vast selection for vegetarians.

Do you offer brunch? Yes, we offer a popular weekend brunch that brings a Georgian twist to your favorite morning meals.

What is the "must-try" item? Our signature Adjaruli Khachapuri is the item that puts us on the map—it’s an experience you shouldn’t miss.

Multilingual Summary

Spanish: Chama Mama en el Upper West Side es el lugar donde la hospitalidad georgiana cobra vida. Disfrute de nuestra auténtica cocina en un ambiente vibrante y acogedor, perfecto para cualquier ocasión.

Russian: Chama Mama на Аппер-Вест-Сайде — это ресторан аутентичной грузинской кухни с невероятной атмосферой. Мы предлагаем свежую выпечку, традиционные блюда и отличное вино для всей семьи.

Chinese (Simplified): Chama Mama Upper West Side 致力于为您提供正宗的格鲁吉亚用餐体验。无论您是享用午餐还是庆祝特别时刻，我们温馨的餐厅和美味的格鲁吉亚佳肴都能让您流连忘返。

Visit us today: 373 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024

Reservations: Please visit our website or call to book your table.

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Reviews about Chama Mama Upper West Side

Review Checked

04.07.2026 01:11

I came in for lunch with a companion and we were well taken care of by the waitstaff, special mention to the tea, dumplings and soup, my companion loved their meal as well. The other Chama mama locations have my heart as well, but I’ll definitely be revisiting this one when I’m in the area!

Review Checked

04.07.2026 01:11

Never really tried Georgian food until tonight and it was DELISH. Everything was fabulous— our servers, the food, the ambiance and somewhat affordable for New York!

Review Checked

04.07.2026 01:11

Salome was a kind and accommodating server. She was very kind and knowledgeable about food allergies and I had a great experience eating here. Thank you Salome! You are killing it!

Review Checked

04.07.2026 01:11

What an amazing experience trying traditional food from the country of Georgia. It is delicious. The bread is wild. Try all of them!

Review Checked

04.07.2026 01:10

Georgian cuisine is divine; very approachable for American palates. Chama Mama prepares Georgian food so beautifully. Delicious!! Marvelous presentation. The service is warm and professional. Our server made excellent recommendations and answered questions thoughtfully. Our mocktails were excellent!!! Highly recommend.

Review Checked

04.07.2026 01:10

Chama Mama, situated at 373 Amsterdam Avenue, offers a dining experience that is at once refined, hospitable, and deeply rooted in a culinary tradition that deserves far wider recognition than it typically enjoys. From the moment of our arrival to our departure, the staff demonstrated a level of attentiveness and professionalism that one increasingly finds to be the exception rather than the rule in New York’s crowded restaurant scene.
Our selections provided a most agreeable introduction, or perhaps reintroduction, to the virtues of Georgian cuisine. The “Let’s Chama Sandwich” proved to be both hearty and thoughtfully composed, its flavors balanced in a manner that suggested restraint rather than excess. The charred eggplant wrap, faintly smoky and supple in texture, showed how even the humblest ingredient, when treated with care, can attain distinction. The Khinkali, those celebrated Georgian dumplings, were executed with notable precision, yielding a savory interior that rewarded proper appreciation. The lamb kebab, meanwhile, was tender and well-seasoned, its preparation reflecting a confident understanding of the ingredient rather than any need to disguise it.
To speak of Georgian cuisine more broadly is to acknowledge a tradition shaped by geography and history in equal measure. Positioned at the juncture of Europe and Asia, Georgia has absorbed influences from a variety of neighboring cultures while preserving an identity distinctly its own. The cuisine favors freshness, herbs, and a judicious use of spices, often bringing together walnuts, garlic, and pomegranate in combinations that are at once unfamiliar and entirely coherent. It is a cuisine that places a premium on conviviality, on the shared table, and on a sense of continuity with the past.
For me, the experience carries a somewhat personal resonance. Many years ago, in one of my earliest assignments as a writer for the Department of Defense, I was tasked with preparing a cultural orientation on the Republic of Georgia. In the course of that work, I first encountered the country’s culinary traditions, which left a lasting impression. It is no small matter, therefore, to encounter a restaurant that renders those traditions with both authenticity and evident respect.
Chama Mama does not strain for effect, nor does it indulge in theatrical excess. Instead, it offers something rather more valuable: a faithful presentation of a remarkable cuisine, accompanied by service that reflects genuine pride in what is being served. One leaves not merely satisfied, but quietly persuaded that Georgian food, in the right hands, can stand comfortably alongside more familiar culinary traditions.

Review Checked

4.0

04.07.2026 01:10

I think because we had small children with us, we were seated at a table right next to the kitchen. Throughout the meal, we had to listen to the sound of staff scraping leftovers from plates into the trash. There was also no light above our table, so we practically ate our meal in the dark.

Unfortunately, the service was also quite poor. Our main courses were served approximately 30 minutes after the fresh bread arrived, and by that time we were almost full because we had already eaten the bread. In addition, we were exposed to all the commotion and noise coming from the kitchen and service area.

Despite this, I may come back because I really like the Georgian bread and think they make it very well. However, I would not want to experience this kind of seating arrangement and service on my next reservation. I hope they will be more attentive about this in the future.

Review Checked

04.07.2026 01:10

We tried Georgian food for the first time. We all loved it.
Khachapuri was great
The service was exceptional

Review Checked

04.07.2026 01:09

We have been waiting to go here for so long.. and Chama Mama did not disappoint. We enjoyed our cocktails (old fashioned and spicy Cha Cha margarita) and tried the eggplant pkhali, the lobiani bread, the chicken kebab and the saperavi beef stew with a side of the crispy potatoes. Everything was laden with flavor and just felt hearty, earthy and fresh. We were very surprised with how vegetable forward the dishes were. Definitely missed out on the Khinkali, which looked awesome.. the honey cake was delicious!