Food Prices in Georgia in 2024 – What You Can Expect
Georgia has become an increasingly popular destination in recent times with Georgian food being renowned for its rich flavours combing Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and Eastern Europen influences. Moreover, food prices in Georgia are some of the lowest you will find in Europe when it comes to eating out in a restaurants as well as shopping in supermarkets. This makes Georgia one of the best destinations for those who love food and travel, given Georgia’s diversity of cuisine as well as affordability and value for money when dining out.
Below is guide to food prices in Georgia based on my own recent travels and as a foodie eating some amazing Georgian food across Tbilisi, Kutaisi and the Kakheti wine region.
What are food Prices in Georgia like?
Food prices in Georgia are affordable with budget friendly meals costing $5-$10 per person and mid range meals costing about $15-$25 per person including drinks. Street food and snacks are even cheaper, costing as little as $1-2 for an item. Supermarkets in Georgia also relatively cheap compared to prices you would pay in the rest of Europe. Essentials such as bread, milk and vegetables are reasonably cheap, while imported food items like cheeseor specialty snacks tend to cost more. The average cost of basic weekly groceries in Georgia is about $30 – $50 per person.
Food Prices in Georgia
Eating out a budget meal in Georgia costs about $5–$10 per person, this includes hearty meals like khachapuri and khinkali at casual local restaurants. Eating at a mid-range restaurants can cost about ($10–$25), with shareable dishes and drinks. High-end dining costs ($30+) typically at more upscale restaurants or experiences like winery dinners with multiple courses and wine. Meanwhile a casual street food lunch from a bakery can cost as little as $1-$2 for a filing Georgian pastry to go.
Beer and Wine Prices
In Georgia, a glass of house wine with dinner typically costs around $2–$4, while a bottle of local Georgian wine in restaurants ranges from $10–$25. Beer is also generally very affordable, with local beer costing $1.50–$3 and imported or bottled options costing slightly higher.
Coffee Prices
Coffee prices at local cafes are very reasonable, with a cappuccino or latte around $2–$4, and specialty drinks slightly higher. The trendy or more touristy cafes tend to charge more.
Cost of a Meal in Georgia when Eating Out
In fact one of the best things about visiting Georgia for me 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.
9 Traditional Georgian Foods to try
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.
You will typcially find food prices in Tbilisi to be slighlty higher than smaller, more rural cities like Kutaisi and Sighnaghi.
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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!
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
Supermarket Food Prices in Georgia
Supermarket food prices in Georgia are generally very affordable, especially for locally produced items like bread, dairy, fruits, vegetables, and meat. However imported products like some cheeses, speciality snacks, and beverages can be more expensive due to taxes and transport costs. The average cost of basic weekly groceries in Georgia is about $30 – $50 per person.
At local food markets you will find fresh produce is often very cheap, especially for in season fruits and vegetables.
Some common supermarkets in Georgia are – Carrefour, Goodwill, MyMarket, SPAR and Fresco. I found most 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.
Food Prices in Supermarkets in Georgia
Food prices in supermarkets:
- Bread: $0.50–$1 per loaf
- Local cheese: $2–$5 per pound
- Tomatoes and cucumbers: $0.50–$1 per pound
- Exotic fruits: $1–$3 per pound
- Chicken: $2–$3 per pound
- Beef or pork: $3–$5 per pound
These are average costs for common grocery store items in Georgia.
Breakdown of Supermarket Food Prices in Georgia
Below is a more detailed breakdown of grocery items and costs in Georgian supermarkets.
| Category | Items | Price (GEL) | Price (USD) |
| Bread & Bakery | Georgian bread (Tonis Puri, 1 piece) | 1.50 – 2.50 | $0.55 – $0.90 |
| Flour (1 kg) | 2.50 – 4.00 | $0.90 – $1.50 | |
| Dairy & Eggs | Milk (1 liter) | 3.50 – 5.00 | $1.25 – $1.80 |
| Eggs (12 count) | 6.00 – 8.00 | $2.15 – $2.85 | |
| Matsoni (Georgian yogurt, 500g) | 3.50 – 5.50 | $1.25 – $2.00 | |
| Sulguni cheese (1 kg) | 18.00 – 30.00 | $6.50 – $10.80 | |
| Meat & Poultry | Chicken fillet (1 kg) | 12.00 – 18.00 | $4.30 – $6.50 |
| Minced beef (1 kg) | 22.00 – 30.00 | $8.00 – $10.80 | |
| Pork (1 kg) | 20.00 – 30.00 | $7.20 – $10.80 | |
| Fruits & Vegetables | Tomatoes (1 kg) | 4.00 – 7.00 | $1.45 – $2.50 |
| Potatoes (1 kg) | 1.50 – 2.50 | $0.55 – $0.90 | |
| Apples (1 kg) | 3.00 – 5.00 | $1.10 – $1.80 | |
| Cucumbers (1 kg) | 4.00 – 6.00 | $1.45 – $2.15 | |
| Onions (1 kg) | 1.80 – 2.50 | $0.65 – $0.90 | |
| Grains & Pantry | Rice (1 kg) | 5.00 – 8.00 | $1.80 – $2.90 |
| Buckwheat (1 kg) | 6.00 – 9.00 | $2.15 – $3.25 | |
| Pasta (500g) | 3.00 – 5.00 | $1.10 – $1.80 | |
| Cooking oil (1 liter) | 8.00 – 12.00 | $2.90 – $4.30 | |
| Snacks & Sweets | Chocolate bar (100g) | 3.00 – 6.00 | $1.10 – $2.15 |
| Packaged biscuits (300g) | 3.50 – 7.00 | $1.25 – $2.50 | |
| Beverages | Local beer (0.5L) | 3.00 – 5.00 | $1.10 – $1.80 |
| Georgian wine (750ml bottle) | 12.00 – 30.00 | $4.30 – $10.80 | |
| Coca-Cola (2L) | 4.00 – 6.00 | $1.45 – $2.15 | |
| Instant coffee (100g) | 8.00 – 15.00 | $2.90 – $5.40 |
Inflation and Food Prices in Georgia
Inflation in Georgia has been relatively moderate compared to the rest of Europe, but food prices have risen nonetheless, in line with global trends according to Georgian National Statistics. However, food in Georgia remains more affordable than in most European countries and the US, especially for local Georgian produce and locally made products. Whereas, prices for imported goods tend to be higher and similiar to average supermarket prices in Europe. Generally speaking, supermarket food in Georgia costs about 30-50% less on average than other Western European countries and the U.S.
Food Prices across different regions in Georgia.
Tbilisi can have a higher cost of food than the smaller cities in Georgia such as Kutaisi and Sighnaghi, however relative to the rest of Europe, Tbilisi is considered very affordable for eating out.
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.
Kutaisi has some excellent budget-friendly dining options. I was only here for a day and yet was spoilt for choice with great restaurants to dine out. Even basic groceries seemed cheaper in comparison to Tbilisi. Despite being a small city, there is plenty of choice and some really good hidden gemsi. My personal favourite was Sapere – wine bar and live music venue, 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.
Are you heading to Georgia? Check out our useful guides below
