Must-Try Foods
- Khinkali: Juicy Georgian dumplings filled with beef-pork or lamb; bite the edge, drink the broth, then leave the doughy top on the plate.
- Khachapuri (Adjarian style): A boat-shaped bread holding melted cheese, an egg and butter; the closed Imeretian version is just as common.
- Kharcho: A thick beef soup with walnuts and spices; in western Georgia it comes with ghomi, a cornmeal porridge.
- Shkmeruli: Crisp chicken finished in a garlic and milk-cream sauce; save bread for the sauce.
- Lobio: Kidney beans cooked with walnuts and coriander, served with mchadi cornbread.
- Pkhali: Cold spreads of spinach, beetroot or aubergine ground with walnuts; the usual start to a meal.
- Chakapuli: Lamb stewed with white wine, green plums and tarragon; a spring dish at its best in season.
Where to Eat
The lanes of the Old Town (Kala) and the bathhouse quarter Abanotubani, Dezerter Bazaar near the railway station, the pedestrian food strip of David Agmashenebeli Avenue, and the local cafes of Vake and Vera.
Quick Info
A Georgian meal is shared: dishes arrive together rather than in courses, and lunch can run well into the afternoon. Many restaurants add a service charge to the bill, so check the receipt and round up with a small tip if you like. Dezerter Bazaar is busiest in the morning and is the place for cheese, churchkhela and spices. Spring brings chakapuli to menus; autumn is harvest and new-wine season.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tbilisi’s most famous food?
Khinkali and khachapuri. Both are national symbols of Georgia and appear on almost every menu in the city.
How do you eat khinkali?
Pick one up by the top knot, bite a small hole, sip the broth, then eat the rest. Leave the knot on the plate; using a knife and fork marks you as a first-timer.
Is eating out in Tbilisi expensive?
No. A meal costs noticeably less than in Western European cities, though prices change, so check current menus on arrival.
Sources
- Intrepid Travel — Georgian food in Tbilisi — https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/georgian-food-tbilisi/ — accessed 2026-11-01
- Georgia Travel (official tourism portal) — Khevsureti — https://georgia.travel/khevsureti — accessed 2026-11-01
- Ryanair travel guides — 8 must-try dishes in Tbilisi — https://www.ryanair.com/try-somewhere-new/gb/en/travel-guides/8-must-try-dishes-in-Tbilisi/ — accessed 2026-11-01