It's hard to come to Georgia and not turn your trip into an endless tasting. We share our fresh observations on what and how much it costs, where to eat the most delicious food and how not to overpay.
Actual formalities
Entry is free, no covid restrictions. Exchange rate: 1 GEL ≈ 1.22 Br.
What to eat and average prices
- Hinkali. The classic is kalakuri with meat, but I advise you to try cheese ones: they are creamy and melt in your mouth. In local eateries - from 0.8 GEL per piece, in the center of Tbilisi - 1.5-2.5 GEL (vegetarian from 1.1). You don't order less than five.
- Khachapuri. Adjarian "boat" with egg and butter or flat imeruli - from 10 to 24 GEL.
- Shashlik. Pork - 13-22 GEL, veal - 19-25, chicken - 12-17, lamb - 22-30.
- Ojahuri - meat and potatoes, 12-18 GEL.
- Chihirtma is a hearty soup, 7-14 GEL.
- Hashi is a flavorful broth, from 10 GEL.
- Chkmeruli - chicken in garlic sauce, 16-29 GEL.
- Pkhali - assorted vegetable appetizers with nuts, 15-20 GEL per set, individually 7-10.
- Ajapsandali - vegetable stew, from 15 GEL.
- Chakapuli - sour meat stew, 20-25 GEL.
- Tapak chicken - 22-24 GEL.
- Mushrooms with suluguni on keci - 12-18 GEL.
- Ostry - beef in tomatoes, 18-22 GEL.
- "Lagidze" lemonades (cream and chocolate) - about 4 GEL.
- Don't pass by the pies - kubdari, lobiani, habizgina, penovani, and fresh churchkhela (without white coating!).
Want to master the recipes? Sign up for a master class in Tbilisi or Batumi and make khinkali with your own hands.
How much to spend on food
The portions are huge, often one dish is enough. For two people we usually have an appetizer and two main courses - the bill rarely exceeds 45 GEL. Tourists on average spend 50-60 GEL per couple in a medium-sized cafe. A glass of wine - plus 7-12 GEL, a bottle - 25-70 GEL (homemade is cheaper by half). Restaurants with white tablecloths in Tbilisi ask from 120 GEL for a dinner for two people. Take into account the service charge of 10-18%.
Alcohol and wines
We took Kindzmarauli at the wine bar - 35-45 GEL per bottle. Homemade wine - 16-45 GEL per liter. Fans of strong wine will like chacha (0,5 liters from 25 GEL). Don't miss the trend - amber wine aged in kvevri.
From white dry ones try Tsinandali and Manavi, from red ones - Mukuzani. The semi-sweet hits are Khvanchkara and Kindzmarauli. Fizzy Atenuri and Aisi are also in the top.
Where we had a delicious meal
Tbilisi
- Utskho, Vakhtang Orbeliani 20/4 - experimental design and cheesy coffee.
- Dukhan Racha - noisy, colorful, delicious.
- "Lahidze Waters" at Sameba Temple is the perfect lemonade.
- Dunkin at Freedom Square - quick breakfasts.
- For "insta" - Pur-Pur, Linville, Seed.
Other cities
- Telavi: Zodiac restaurant is famous for its khinkali.
- Kazbegi: Cozy Corner - excellent shashlik and pkhali.
- Gori: "Chinebuli" opposite the Stalin Museum.
- Kutaisi: small Tiflisi - everything is delicious, the owner treats with wine.
- Tskaltubo: Cafe "Chveni Kalaki" - even neighbors come there.
Supermarkets and markets
In big cities, the assortment is comparable to that in Moscow. Carrefour helps: matsoni - 2 GEL, bread - 1.5, a dozen eggs - 5, sausages - 12-13 GEL/kg. Borjomi is cheap, Natakhtari lemonade is also cheap. Take vegetables either at the market or in a supermarket - the trays on the street are overpriced. An excursion to Tbilisi bazaars will give you color and churchkhela.
Useful links for the traveler
- Hot tours are for those who decide everything at the last minute.
- Planning an independent voyage? Here's a service for cheap airline tickets.
- Need a hotel? You can book a hotel immediately at a favorable price.
- For business travelers, there is a business travel service.
- If you need a visa, see visa processing online.
All that remains is to choose a date, and Madera Travel will tell you how to make your trip even more delicious!
