11 Best Georgian Food and Drinks You Must Try in Georgia
As a foodie and keen traveler having booked my tickets to Georgia, I knew my #1 priority was finding the best Georgian food and drinks to try. I had heard the typical stereotype of Georgian food being cheesy and heavy, however after having eaten across Georgia for 7 days I can honestly say traditional Georgian food is hearty, fresh and full of flavor. The cuisine itself is diverse, blending different influences at the crossroads of Europe and Asia.
Georgia is a truly underrated destination when it comes to food, with much to offer at a very affordable price point. Georgians don’t just eat their food, they celebrate it. Food and drinks being the heart of Georgia’s famed supra (feast), which was an absolute highlight of my trip, and one experience I highly recommend seeking out.
So rounded up below are the 11 best food and drinks in Georgia you must try!
1. Khachapuri (Cheese Bread)
If there’s one dish you absolutely have to try in Georgia, it’s khachapuri. The name literally translates in Georgian to cheesy bread, Khacha meaning fresh cheese and Puri meaning bread.
As a cheese love,I just knew I has to try the Khachpuri while in Georgia. The best way to describe it is freshly baked bread filled with molten cheese in the middle.
There are two versions of this – Adjarian Khachapuri and Imeretian Khachapuri.
The Imeretian Khachapuri which hails from the charming city of Kutaisi, is a more traditional and simpler version it’s round flatbread which is stuffed with cheese and baked. The cheeses usually inside the bread. Whereas the Adjarian Khachapuri is probably the one that you’ve seen photos of, shaped like a boat and filled with melted cheese it’s also topped a egg yolk in the middle and butter, making it look just as rich as it tastes.
I personally really liked the Adjarian Khachapuri but would highly recommend ordering this to share as it’s heavy and filling and you definitely want to leave space for trying other dishes.
Where to try in Tbilisi: Machakhela (23 Kote Afkhazi St., Tbilisi | 10 AM – 11 PM)
2. Khinkali (Georgian Dumplings)
Khinkali are iconic Georgian dumplings. They’re unique in their own way not like the Asian dumplings and not like the polish dumplings.
There are pouch of juicy, spiced meat or mushrooms typically with a burst of broth inside.
I was told there’s a correct way to eat them, grab it by the top, take a small bite to slurp the broth (without spilling!) and then eat the rest. This is how you’re meant to eat them but now not Huawei actually ate them. Did I spill the broth yes but was 100% delicious also yes.
These originated in the mountains as a hearty, no-fuss meal for shepherds, but now you’ll find them everywhere!
Where to try in Tbilisi: Pasanauri (1/2 Griboedov St., Tbilisi | 11 AM – 11 PM)
3. Lobio (Stewed Beans)
Lobio is a Georgian bean stew that is rich in texture and slow-cooked with garlic, herbs, and spices. It is typically served with mchadi (cornbread) or pickled veggies on the side.
It’s one of the simpler dishes which I honestly didn’t have high expectations of but was blown away by the flavor and goodness of these. Depending on the region, you might get a mild version or one with a spicy kick. Either way, it’s always delicious.
- Where to try in Tbilisi: Shavi Lomi (28 Zurab Kvlividze St., Tbilisi | 12 PM – 11 PM)
4. Badrijani Nigvzit (Eggplant with Walnut Paste)
This dish is a flavor bomb that you’ll find on almost every Georgian menu. Unlike some of the other more famous Georgian dishes this one flies under the radar, but is hugely underrated in my opinion. As a mostly veg eater this was one of my all-time favorite dishes in Georgia!
Badrijani Nigvzit consists of thin slices of fried or grilled eggplant, rolled up and stuffed with a creamy walnut paste and spiced with garlic, herbs. The rolls are usually topped with fresh pomegranate seeds for a crunch. This is one dish that I think would even turn the eggplant skeptics.
Where to try in Tbilisi: Cafe Littera (13 Ivane Machabeli St., Tbilisi | 1 PM – 11 PM)
5. Pkhali (Vegetable and Walnut Spread)
If you love colorful and flavorful appetizers, pkhali has to be on your list of foods to try in Georgia.
Phkali is a spread made from vegetables like spinach, beets, or cabbage, blended with—you guessed it—walnut paste, garlic, and spices. The mixture is molded into little balls or patties and topped with pomegranate seeds
Sitting in a restaurant on our second day in Georgia, we saw someone on the table next to us order this plate of big bright colorful bite sized appetizers – having major food envy /intrigue we decided to go ahead and order a plate for ourselves. As mostly plant-based person, I love that Georgian does many primarily vegetarian dishes like this so well.
With phkali you’ll find that each place does its own variations of flavour, so you’ll always likely to try something slightly different.
Where to try in Tbilisi: Poliphonia (14 Giorgi Akhvlediani St., Tbilisi | 12 PM – 10 PM)
6. Shkmeruli (Garlic Chicken in Milk Sauce)
Shkmeeuli is considered a Georgian comfort food the dish. It is a traditional dish from the Racha region of Georgia famous for its stunning mountain landscapes. The dish consists of tender roasted chicken which is drowned in a rich garlicky sauce. The sauce is creamy and packed with flavor. The best way to have it is to have some bread on the side and then use the leftover garlic he sauce for dipping bread. I
Where to try in Tbilisi: Racha (12 Lermontov St., Tbilisi | 11 AM – 9 PM)
7. Churchkhela (Georgian Candy)
If you’re anything like me and came across churchkelas without knowing what they were I’m pretty sure you would have thought these were candle wax (which I 100% did)!
These dried fruit treats are made by dipping a string of nuts (usually walnuts or hazelnuts) into some sort of thickened grape juice mixture called tatara, and then hung out to dry.
You will typically find these olorful strings hanging in food markets across Georgia.
Back of the day they were used by warriors on long journeys to retain energy. Today they are locally known as the “Georgian Snickers,”
These are chewy and slightly sweet, but not as sweet as I expected. Please make perfect take home souvenirs as well, and can last typically 6 months to one year if they are unopened or around two to three weeks if exposed to air.
Where to try in Tbilisi: Dry Bridge Market (Dedaena Park, Tbilisi | 10 AM – 6 PM)
8. Satsivi (Chicken in Walnut Sauce)
Satsivi consists of tender chicken smothered in a cold, creamy walnut saucen which is rich and earthy. It is typically spiced with garlic, coriander, and fenugreek.
In Georgia he will often find this dish served at festive gatherings or during the holidays, so eating it feels like a little celebratory.
Where to try in Tbilisi: Barbarestan (132 David Aghmashenebeli Ave., Tbilisi | 12 PM – 10 PM)
9. Soko Ketsze (Clay Pot Mushrooms)
Soko Ketsze is another Georgian comfort food comfort. The Soko was a dish recommended to us at a traditional Georgian restaurant by our waiter, when we ask for something hearty but vegetarian friendly.
The dish consists of mushrooms baked in a traditional Georgian clay pot (ketsi) with butter, garlic, and sometimes topped with melted sulguni cheese. When the waiter brought out the dish the mushrooms were still sizzling hot in the claypot.
Eating this you would not miss meat, the mushrooms are made tender and packed with flavor, with gooey cheese on top. I’m a huge fan of mushrooms, this was a 10/10!
Where to try in Tbilisi: Cafe Daphna (4 Merab Kostava St., Tbilisi | 12 PM – 11 PM) – A cozy spot that serves up some of the best sizzling Soko Ketsze in town.
10. Chacha (Georgian Grape Brandy)
Chacha is often referred to as “Georgian vodka. The classic Chacha is a potent grape brandy (usually around 40-60% alcohol) and packs a serious punch.
You will typically find most restaurants serve a homemade version of this.
Drinking chacha has been an integral part of Georgian culture for centuries, and is typically toasted to during traditional feasts called Supra.
It’s said to have medicinal properties, and according to our Tbilisi walking tour guide, local often swear it can cure anything from a cold to a bad mood!
Where to try in Tbilisi: Chacha Time (10 Erekle II St., Tbilisi | 2 PM – 1 AM)
11. Georgian Wine
Georgians are immensely proud of their wine as they should be, given that Georgia is the birthplace of wine.
Qveri is the 8,000 year old traditional winemaking method in Georgia, and involves large clay pots which are buried underground to ferment and age the wine. The use of the clay pots gives Georgian wine it’s unique and bold taste.
Red varieties like Saperavi are rich and earthy, and white wines like Rkatsiteli have a beautiful amber hue and complex flavors.
I personally like the red varieties better although Georgian is also famous for it dry white wines, being some of the best in the world.
Where to try in Tbilisi: 8000 Vintages (60 Irakli Abashidze St., Tbilisi | 12 PM – 12 AM) – A wine bar and shop where you can taste some of Georgia’s best wines and learn about the ancient winemaking process.
Are you heading to Georgia? Check out our useful guides below
