Georgian Food: the Dishes You Have to Try
- Khachapuri (cheese bread) comes in over 40 regional versions – the best known is Adjarian with egg.
- Eat khinkali by hand: hold the knot, bite, sip the broth, leave the knot.
- Many starters are vegetarian: badrijani, pkhali, lobio.
- A supra is a feast with toasts, led by the tamada.
- Khachapuri at a bakery from approx. 3 GEL, at a restaurant 12–18 GEL (guide value).
Many come to Georgia for the mountains – and come back for the food. Walnuts, herbs, pomegranate, fresh cheese and wine from the clay jar: Georgian cuisine is hearty, fresh and surprisingly vegetarian-friendly.
10 dishes to try
| Dish | What it is |
|---|---|
| Khachapuri | cheese bread – Adjarian style as a boat with egg and butter |
| Khinkali | dumplings with meat and hot broth |
| Badrijani | aubergine rolls with walnut paste |
| Pkhali | spinach or beetroot with walnuts, garlic and herbs |
| Lobio | bean stew, often in a clay pot |
| Mtsvadi | grilled skewers over a wood fire |
| Shkmeruli | chicken in garlic cream sauce |
| Sulguni | mild cheese, often grilled |
| Churchkhela | nuts in grape-juice jelly – the snack for the road |
| Qvevri wine | wine from the clay jar, also amber wine |
How to eat khinkali
Hold the knot, take a small bite, sip the broth, eat the rest – and leave the knot. Toast in Georgian: “Gaumarjos!”
Famous traditional restaurants in Tbilisi are on our home page. Wine and supra: Kakheti wine region · Travel costs
Frequently asked questions
How do you eat khinkali?
By hand: hold the thick knot, bite a small hole, sip the hot broth, then eat the rest. Leave the knot on the plate. A knife and fork let the broth run out.
Is Georgia good for vegetarians?
Yes: badrijani (aubergine with walnut paste), pkhali (vegetable and walnut balls), lobio (beans in a clay pot) and many cheese dishes. During Orthodox fasting periods many places have fasting menus.
What is a supra?
A traditional feast with lots of dishes. The tamada (toastmaster) proposes one toast after another. As a guest you will always get more than you can eat.
Sources: Will Fly for Food: Food in Georgia · My Custard Pie: Georgia – a guide to food and feasting · Wander-Lush: Best Georgian restaurants in Tbilisi. All information without guarantee; rules can change at short notice.