When you think about visiting Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, one of the most enticing parts of the experience is undoubtedly the food. Georgian cuisine is rich, flavorful, and deeply rooted in history and tradition. If you’re wondering what dishes you must try when visiting Tbilisi, you’re in for a treat. From hearty breads and cheese-filled pastries to succulent grilled meats and fresh vegetable dishes, Tbilisi offers a variety of culinary delights that reflect the country’s diverse culture and geography. Let’s embark on a flavorful journey through Tbilisi’s iconic dishes, learning not just what to eat but also the stories and traditions behind them.
Exploring the Foundations of Georgian Cuisine
Before diving into specific dishes, it’s helpful to understand what makes Georgian food unique. Georgian cuisine blends influences from the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and the Caucasus region. It’s known for its bold spices, fresh herbs, walnuts, and distinctive cheeses. Meals are often communal, emphasizing sharing and hospitality, with wine playing an essential role.
In Tbilisi, you can find everything from street food stalls to high-end restaurants serving traditional recipes. Each dish combines flavors in ways that may feel new yet comforting, allowing visitors to experience the heart of Georgian culture through food.
What Dishes You Must Try When Visiting Tbilisi: The Essentials
When planning your culinary adventure in Tbilisi, these are some of the core dishes that offer a comprehensive taste of Georgian flavor.
Khachapuri: The Georgian Cheese Bread
Khachapuri is one of the most iconic Georgian dishes and rightly belongs at the top of the list for what dishes you must try when visiting Tbilisi. It’s a bread stuffed or topped with cheese, often described as a Georgian pizza, but it’s very much its own dish with unique variations across regions.
- Adjaruli Khachapuri: Shaped like a boat and filled with molten cheese, topped with a raw egg and butter. The egg cooks slightly when mixed into the hot cheese, creating a creamy texture perfect for dipping bread.
- Imeruli Khachapuri: A simpler, round bread stuffed with cheese inside, more like a stuffed flatbread.
- Mingrelian Khachapuri: Similar to Imeruli but topped with extra cheese on the outside.
Khachapuri is available everywhere in Tbilisi—from street vendors to traditional eateries—and serves as an excellent introduction to Georgian ingredients and flavors.
Khinkali: Georgian Dumplings
If you’re exploring what dishes you must try when visiting Tbilisi, khinkali should not be missed. These juicy dumplings are filled with a mixture of minced meat (usually beef and pork) combined with herbs and spices, sometimes mushrooms or cheese. What sets khinkali apart is the broth inside—the dumplings are shaped to hold the savory juice, making every bite a burst of flavor.
When you eat khinkali, the traditional method is to bite into the skin, slurp the broth, and then enjoy the filling. The top knot, called the “kudi,” is meant to be held and left uneaten, which is part of the fun etiquette attached to this dish.
Pkhali: Flavorful Vegetable Pastes
Pkhali offers a glimpse into the vegetable-forward side of Georgian cuisine. These pastes or spreads combine finely minced vegetables such as spinach, beets, or eggplants with walnuts, garlic, and herbs like coriander and fenugreek. The result is a creamy, flavorful dish often served as an appetizer or side.
In Tbilisi, pkhali dishes are colorful and visually appealing, typically garnished with pomegranate seeds for a burst of sweetness and crunch. These are perfect for those wanting a lighter but still authentic taste of Georgian flavors.
Mtsvadi: Georgian Shish Kebab
For meat lovers asking what dishes you must try when visiting Tbilisi, mtsvadi offers a classic experience. These are skewers of marinated grilled pork, beef, or lamb cooked over an open flame. The marinade usually consists of onion, salt, pepper, and wine vinegar or tkemali (a Georgian sour plum sauce), giving the meat a tangy and aromatic flavor.
Mtsvadi is often enjoyed with fresh bread and raw onions and embodies the straightforward yet rich taste of Georgian barbecue culture.
Chakapuli: Spring Lamb Stew
Chakapuli is a unique Georgian stew traditionally made with lamb or sometimes beef. It’s cooked with tarragon, cherry plums (tkemali), onions, and herbs. The stew is notable for its balance of sour and herbal notes, making it a refreshing contrast to richer dishes.
Available in many traditional restaurants across Tbilisi, chakapuli represents the complexity of Georgian cooking, which often balances multiple flavor profiles in a single dish.
Badzhi: Eggplant with Walnuts and Garlic
Eggplant features heavily in Georgian cuisine, and badzhi is one delicious way it’s prepared. This dish involves roasted or fried eggplant mixed with a paste of walnuts, garlic, vinegar, and spices. It’s typically served cold and acts as a flavorful appetizer or side dish.
Given the pervasiveness of walnut in Georgian cooking, badzhi encapsulates the nutty, garlicky flavors that run through many dishes.
Churchkhela: Georgian Natural Candy
While exploring what dishes you must try when visiting Tbilisi, don’t forget about Georgian sweets, especially churchkhela. This traditional candy is made by threading nuts (usually walnuts or hazelnuts) onto a string, then repeatedly dipping them into thickened grape juice called tatara, creating layers around the nuts. After drying, they create a chewy, sweet treat that’s natural and packed with antioxidants.
Churchkhela can be found in markets and shops throughout Tbilisi, making for a perfect souvenir or post-meal snack.
Traditional Georgian Spices and Accompaniments
It’s essential to mention the spice blends and sides that accompany many dishes in Tbilisi since they greatly influence the flavor experience.
| Spice/Ingredient | Description | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Khmeli-Suneli | A blend of dried herbs including coriander, blue fenugreek, marigold, and basil | Used in stews, soups, and meat dishes for depth of flavor |
| Tkemali | Sour plum sauce | Condiment for grilled meats and snacks |
| Nigella Seeds (Black Cumin) | Little black seeds with mild onion and black pepper flavor | Often sprinkled on bread and pastries including khachapuri |
| Walnuts | Used ground or whole | Integral in many vegetable dishes and sauces |
Alongside these ingredients, Georgian bread (puri), typically baked in a deep circular clay oven called a tone, complements every meal. Having fresh warm bread with any dish profoundly enhances the experience and is a tradition in Tbilisi dining.
Where to Try These Dishes in Tbilisi
Knowing what dishes you must try when visiting Tbilisi is one part of the journey; finding the right places to eat them is just as important. Tbilisi has many venues where you can enjoy authentic Georgian cuisine, ranging from old-town family-run eateries to more contemporary restaurants.
Here’s a list of popular spots with different vibes to explore:
- Meama – A cozy restaurant known for traditional dishes, especially khinkali and mtsvadi.
- Shavi Lomi – A trendy spot combining traditional recipes with a modern twist.
- Machakhela – Casual and affordable, famous for khachapuri and locals’ favorite dumplings.
- Barbarestan – Offers historical cuisine based on old family recipes from the 19th century.
- Fabrika Food Court – An urban hub where multiple pop-up stands offer a variety of Georgian dishes, a great place for tasting multiple favorites in one spot.
Trying dishes at a variety of venues will give you insight into how the same dishes can vary slightly depending on preparation style, region, and the chef’s touch.
The Role of Georgian Wine in the Culinary Experience
No discussion about what dishes you must try when visiting Tbilisi is complete without mentioning Georgian wine. Georgia is often called the “cradle of wine” because it has one of the oldest wine-making traditions in the world. The country produces unique wines using traditional qvevri methods, fermenting grapes in large clay pots buried underground.
Throughout your meal in Tbilisi, you’ll notice wine as a central accompaniment that enhances the flavors of food. Dry, semi-sweet, and amber wines are commonly served. When paired well, Georgian wine elevates dishes like mtsvadi, khachapuri, or pkhali to another level.
Seasonal and Festive Foods to Explore
Depending on when you visit Tbilisi, you might encounter special dishes tied to seasons and festivals. Here are some examples:
- Satsivi: A creamy walnut sauce usually served cold on turkey or chicken, popular during winter holidays.
- Chakhokhbili: A chicken stew with herbs and tomatoes, typically enjoyed in colder months.
- Pirozhki and Lobiani: Small pastries filled with meat or mashed beans, common street snacks year-round.
Exploring seasonal dishes offers another way to immerse yourself in Georgian food culture, reflecting the agricultural cycles and celebrations of the region.
Tips for Enjoying Georgian Dining Culture in Tbilisi
To fully enjoy what dishes you must try when visiting Tbilisi, consider these tips:
- Share your food. Georgian meals are traditionally communal, so order multiple dishes to sample and share with your group.
- Try drinking toasts. Toasting is an art in Georgia, with the “Tamada” (toastmaster) leading the group. Wine flows freely alongside heartfelt stories and blessings.
- Eat khinkali the right way. Slurp the broth first, don’t eat the top knot, and prepare for hands to get messy—it’s all part of the experience.
- Ask locals for recommendations. Whether in a wine bar or a market, locals will have hidden gems to share that go beyond the typical restaurants.
Summary Table: What Dishes You Must Try When Visiting Tbilisi
| Dish | Description | Dining Setting | Typical Ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|
| Khachapuri | Cheese-filled bread, various regional styles | Casual eateries, street vendors | Flour, cheese (sulguni), eggs, butter |
| Khinkali | Juicy meat dumplings with broth inside | Traditional restaurants, street stands | Meat, flour dough, herbs, spices |
| Pkhali | Vegetable and walnut paste | Restaurants, family dinners | Spinach/beets/eggplant, walnuts, garlic |
| Mtsvadi | Grilled meat skewers | Outdoor grills, traditional taverns | Pork/lamb/beef, onion, spices |
| Chakapuli | Lamb stew with tarragon and sour plums | Traditional restaurants | Lamb, tarragon, cherry plums, onions |
| Badzhi | Eggplant with walnuts and garlic | Appetizer dishes in restaurants | Eggplant, walnuts, garlic, vinegar |
| Churchkhela | Nut-stuffed grape juice candy | Markets, souvenir shops | Walnuts/hazelnuts, grape juice |
Visiting Tbilisi offers more than just historical and architectural wonders; it provides an unforgettable encounter with Georgian cuisine—a cuisine that’s warm, welcoming, and deeply satisfying. Whether you find yourself savoring khachapuri hot from the oven, carefully biting into a juicy khinkali, or sipping locally made wine while surrounded by the lively chatter of a Georgian feast, these dishes form a culinary narrative that reflects the heart of Tbilisi itself. Through them, the city’s culture, history, and hospitality come alive, making your trip truly memorable. If you ever find yourself wondering what dishes you must try when visiting Tbilisi, this list will guide you through some of the most essential and enjoyable flavors Georgian cuisine has to offer.