Food Prices in Georgia in 2024 – What You Can Expect

Georgia has become quite the foodie destination and recent times with Georgian cuisine being recognised for its diverse and flavorful dishes that are rich in taste and cultural significance. 

If you are planning to travel to Georgia, then make sure you leave room in your itinerary for trying all the amazing food Georgia has to offer! As a traveler its not always easy to know what are food prices like in Georgia and hence budget for eating out meals as well as grocery shopping.

After having spending a week traveling across Georgia and getting to try some amazing food across Tbilisi, Kutaisi and Kakheti in Georgian, I have put together a guide on food prices in Georgia, covering how much you can expect to spend on food in Georgia.

So if you are planning to travel to Georgia and want to get some idea of restaurant and supermarket prices as well as what sort of iconic Georgian dishes to try then this post has you covered!

Traditional Georgian Dishes and Their Cost

So what are traditional Georgian dishes and how much do these typically cost? Food prices in Georgia can vary significantly between cities and tourist areas, however the below are approximate averages based on prices you will typically find in more tourist friendly areas.

Khachapuri (Cheese Bread)

A cheese-filled bread that varies by region; typically found for around $2 to $5 at local bakeries or casual restaurants. I personally found this to be the most richest of all the Georgian dishes, but also absolutely delectable and a must-try!

Given this dish can be quite heavy I would recommend ordering this dish to share along with a few others as a meal.

Khinkali (Dumplings)

An absolute must in my opinion, these juicy dumplings are filled with spiced red meat or mushrooms, priced individually at $0.30 to $1 per piece. 

At most restaurants I found these were typcially sold with a minimum order of three to five per order.

These are typically made with red meat, however there are vegetarian options too. I personally actually found the potato Khinkali (often served with a spicy sour cream sauce) to be my favourite of all the flavors.

Lobio (Bean Stew)

A comforting, budget-friendly dish often served with cornbread or pickled vegetables; priced at $2 to $4 at local eateries.

Highly recommend trying this at Pasanauri, a reknowned restaurant in Georgia, known for serving quality traditional food at very reasonable prices. They have several branches across Tblisi including some that do live Georgian music in the evenings.

Mtsvadi (Grilled Meat)

Georgian-style shish kebab, available at street vendors and restaurants, ranging from $5 to $10 based on portion size and meat type.

Badrijani Nigvzit (Eggplant Rolls)

Eggplant slices rolled with walnut paste, a popular appetizer priced at $3 to $5 in most restaurants.

As a (mostly) vegetarian traveler, I was honestly suprised how much great vegetarian food there is in Georgia, with so many great options to choose from. I never felt limited for choice. In fact, you will find some of the most iconic and stand out dishes in Georgian cuisine happen to be vegetarian.. just like these eggplant rolls!

Churchkhela (Georgian Candy)

A traditional sweet made from nuts and grape juice, typically costing $1 to $2 per piece in markets and street stalls. These are often also great gifts to take home as given their made of dried fruit and not they also tend to keep for a little longer.

Lobiani (Bean-Filled Bread)

Similar to khachapuri but filled with spiced bean paste, priced at around $1 to $3 at bakeries. These are a great snack and perfect to pick up at the bakery if you have a busy day of sightseeing ahead and need a good feeling snack or meal on the go.

Pkhali (Vegetable and Nut Mix)

A cold dish made of vegetables like spinach or beetroot blended with walnuts and spices, generally costing $2 to $4 per portion.

As a vegetarian I would call this the vegetarian version of pate. This is often served layered on Georgian cornbread as an appetizer. I never tried anything like this before and was honestly amazed the variety and freshness of phkali. It is really hard to choose but I would say this was probably my favorite thing to eat in Georgia.

Satsivi (Chicken in Walnut Sauce)

A rich dish often served during special occasions; restaurant prices range from $6 to $12.

Food Prices in Georgia at Restaurants and Cafés

One of the best things about visiting Georgia was eating out and trying the diverse Georgian cuisine. It was also one of the best ways to be immersed and learn about Georgian culture. Georgian people are known to be extremely hospital and food plays a pivotal role in expressing their hospitality. 

The great thing about dining out in Georgia is that it is extremely affordable and there a range of options that cater to different budgets.

Trying quality Georgian food and wine is by no means an experience that require spending that much money. This is especially considering Georgia is a country with a lower cost of living index, with both lower price index and lower living costs (rent, utilities, transport) per month compared to other Eastern European countries, which have a lot higher monthly living costs. 

My best meal in Georgia cost me all up less than US$10 per person, including a glass of wine! That being said, there are options to suite all budgets.

Budget Dining (US$5 to $10 per person)

• You can  easily enjoy a hearty meals at local eateries for just $5 to $10 per person. This would typically cover 1-2 dishes, perhaps extra for drinks or wine. Many casual eateries do the iconic Geoorgian dishes of like khachapuri and khinkali at prices that won’t dent your wallet.

Mid Range Restaurant (US$10 to $25 per person):

• Mid-range restaurants are a great balance between price and experience. Most meals I had in Georgia, fell into this range. The meals would typically cover a few dishes to share with a drink.
• I found most dishes and menus in Georgia are designed to be shared, which I love, because it allows you to try much more variety of dishes. 

High-End Dining (US$30 + per person):

• If you’re looking to splurge, Georgia’s upscale dining is worth it. I can’t say I ate I ate too many such meals. 
• Instead of eating out at a high end restaurant we actually opted to spend more on doing an immersive wine tasting and dining experience at a local vineyard hosted by the owner of the winery – all up this was probably our most expensive meal and cost us just over $30. Our dinner hosted at the winery, included an astonishing variety of 10 plus homemade appetizers and dishes plus wine to share.
• Nonetheless if you are looking for some modern George and cuisine/  fine dining there are plenty of excellent options to try in Tbilisi.

Supermarket Food Prices in Georgia

Grocery shopping in Georgia has been a real treat and a smart way to save money while diving into local flavors. A loaf of fresh bread here can be as cheap as $0.50 to $1, and local cheese? Usually around $2 to $4 per pound, which is perfect for putting together a simple, budget-friendly meal, when you’re on the go.

Seasonal fruits and vegetables are even better priced – think tomatoes and cucumbers going for $0.50 to $1 per pound, while more exotic fruits like pomegranates are typically $2 to $3 per pound. 

• Bread: $0.50 to $1 per loaf
• Local cheese: $2 to $4 per pound
• Tomatoes and cucumbers: $0.50 to $1 per pound
• Exotic fruits (e.g., pomegranates): $2 to $3 per pound
• Chicken: $3 to $5 per pound
• Beef or pork: $5 to $7 per pound

Some common supermarkets in Georgia are – Carrefour, Goodwill, SPA and Fresco. I foundmost of these to take cards, even the ones in neighborhoods/   smaller towns like Kutaisi. Nonetheless, it doesn’t hurt to carry cash as this may be preferred if you are buying in a market/ street food stall. 

Supermarket Prices across different regions in Georgia.

Tbilisi

Tbilisi: Average cost ~27.50 GEL ($10) for an inexpensive meal.

When I traveled across Georgia, I found that food prices varied slightly between regions. In Tbilisi, being the bustling capital city, there were dining options for all budgets. While upscale dining is available, you can still find great budget-friendly meals, especially if you avoid the tourist-heavy spots.

Batumi

Batumi: Average cost ~22 to 33 GEL ($8 to $12) for an inexpensive meal

As a coastal with lots of charm, Batumi draws a lot of popularity among tourists especially in the summer months in Georgia. As such prices here can range a little bit higher, particularly during peak season. Dining near the beach or in well-trodden tourist areas is more expensive, but venturing a few streets away you can easily find more reasonable options.

Kutaisi

Kutaisi: Average cost ~16.50 to 22 GEL ($6 to $8) for an inexpensive meal

In my opinion, Kutaisi stood out for its budget-friendly dining options. I was only here for a day and yet was spoilt for choice with some excellent options to fine out. Even basic groceries seemed cheaper in comparison to Tbilisi. Despite being a small city, there is plenty of choice and some rally good hidden gems in Tiblisi. My personal favourite was Sapere – a live music venue and wine bar with the best phkali I’ve ever had! 

Smaller Towns/Rural Areas

Average cost ~ 11 to 16.50 GEL ($4 to $6) for an inexpensive meal

In smaller towns and rural areas, food was incredibly affordable. These places offered hearty, home-style meals at prices that felt like a steal. Plus, local markets were packed with fresh produce and hearty portion sizes.

Overall, if you’re mindful of where you eat—especially steering clear of main tourist hubs you’ll find great deals and affordable, delicilous food, no matter where you are in Georgia.