Food Guide: Where to Eat in Tbilisi, Georgia

What is the best way to get to know a certain country? For many people, it is through food – local dishes, unique products, must-try drinks, eating traditions, and so on.

So I am here to help you discover Tbilisi through food and share my favorite places where to eat in Tbilisi.

I had 2 months in Tbilisi, so I did my research and consulted with locals and now I want to share the best restaurants in Tbilisi with you. Everything you must try including khinkali, khachapuri, Georgian barbecue, local products, hot dishes, salad options and best wine.

Below you will find a complete food guide and the best places where to eat in Tbilisi for every taste and every budget.

Things to know about restaurant culture in Georgia

Before we talk about where to eat in Tbilisi, I want to share restaurant etiquette in Georgia.

Most of the restaurants in Georgia are open from midday until midnight. This means that you can find food any time, however, locals tend to eat late – lunch after 2PM and dinner after 8PM.

Tbilisi is not for seafood lovers, so let’s talk meat. While barbecue is boneless, hot dishes come with bones. Hot dishes often mean oven cooked meat covered with special sauce, so might be awkward to eat.

What about khinkali? This is a dish that you must eat with your hands, but be careful because it is filled with broth that you need to suck. Georgians say that you should be very loud when eating khinkali – this should be a good sign.

Keep in mind that here dishes don’t arrive at the same time. Cold dishes always come first, but after that it is Russian roulette, you never know what comes next. Can be awkward that you get your dish first while others still wait for their orders, so the best is to share food as you wait for your next dish. High end restaurants are different.

A lot of restaurants don’t include VAT or Service fee, but this is usually written on the bottom of the many. Percentage varies, so make sure you check it in advance. This also means that you are not obligated to tip, but you are always welcome to do that.

Where to eat in Tbilisi? Best Tbilisi restaurants

Rigi 

At Rigi you will be served the Tbilisi-style and traditional Georgian dishes created in a simple but peculiar way. We shared many different dishes with friends, so I got to try a lot of things and honestly everything was delicious, but my personal favourite was shkmeruli – it is chicken in creamy garlic sauce. It is one of fanciest places where to eat in Tbilisi.

Location: Saarbrucken Square, 2/7 Tbilisi, 0102
Price: €€€
Speciality: hot Georgian dishes, khachapuri, cheese plate

Pasanauri

Pasanauri is one of the best rated restaurants on TripAdvisor and I can understand why. It has multiple locations around the city and it has all the essential dishes that you have to try in Georgia. We visited this location many times and tried almost everything from the menu and I have to say that here is the best Kebab in Tbilisi – I normally don’t even eat Kebab, so trust me, it is unforgettable.

Location: 7/2 Giorgi Leonidze St, Tbilisi + other locations in the city, but this one had the best service
Price: €€
Speciality: khinkali, kebab with sulguni and other hot dishes

Grafika

I was staying nearby this restaurant and the atmosphere caught my attention. For a while I thought that is just another modern place with average food, but then I decided to give it a try and I’m so sad I didn’t do it sooner. They have many uniques dishes on the menu yet they still stick to traditional values. Serving is beautiful as well, don’t miss this place! 

Location: 5 Mikheil Lermontovi St, Tbilisi 0105
Price: €€€
Speciality: mushroom soup, mini kebabs, chicken with blackberry sauce

Kakhelebi

I did a lot of research online before visiting Tbilisi, but this place was suggested by local friends. Two, not one.. so I had to see what is so special about it. Turns out that most of their products come from their own farm and garden.. in case you like simple yet high quality food, this option is for you. I come from a country where barbecue is very popular, yet here I tried the best shashlik of my life.

Location: 41 Beliashvili St, Tbilisi, Georgia
Price: €€€
Speciality: veal barbecue, Georgian salad, wine

Old City Wall

It is a beautiful medieval restaurant located in the heart of Tbilisi. They have very unique dishes with traditional ingredients, so make sure you try something that you haven’t seen in other restaurants. They also have live music sometimes, but contact them via Facebook for more details.

Location: 2 Shota Nishnianidze St, Tbilisi, Georgia
Price: €€€€
Speciality: unique meat dishes, wine

Veliaminov

I passed by this restaurant many times and every single time there was a line outside. This is the only place where I had to wait to get a table and I can understand why. Seems like they are known for great khinkali and unlike other modern places, you can’t order less than 10 pieces. Don’t let it scare you and go for it. Prices are very affordable, so don’t expect fancy restaurant or exceptional serving, but the staff is welcoming and you can see that Georgians love this location.

Location: 8 Shalva Dadiani St, Tbilisi, Georgia
Price: €
Speciality: khinkali

Marani

First of all, it is a popular restaurant according to trip advisor. Second, the views are absolutely fantastic. And third, they have live music in the evenings. Now let’s talk food – traditional Georgian cuisine, very delicious products and finally some good desserts. I almost gave up on desserts in Georgia, but I’m happy I decided to try their honey cake, it was amazing!

Location: 11 I.grishashvili St, T’bilisi
Price: €€€
Speciality: potatoes with parmesan, khinkali, Georgian barbecue, cakes

Cafe Littera

In case you are looking for a fine dining, start with Cafe Littera in the garden of Writers house. Not so many Georgian dishes available, but quality of food is great, serving is exquisite and the staff is very professional.

Location: 13 Ivane Machabeli St, Tbilisi
Price: €€€€
Speciality: sea bass, pork belly

Machakhela

Wonderful restaurant located in the old town of Tbilisi. We went there to have breakfast, but ended up with Adjarian Khachapuri and it was the best one that we tried in Tbilisi. A lot of other interesting options and very affordable prices. Make sure you go upstairs and choose the seat on the balcony – the view is so pleasant.

Location: 23 Ovanes Tumaniani St, T’bilisi
Price: €
Speciality: Adjarian khachapuri

Kafe Leila

Wondering where to eat vegetarian in Tbilisi? Vegetarian restaurant with local traditions – that is something that you won’t find easily in Tbilisi. There are vegan/vegetarian restaurants, but they don’t have anything Georgian dishes on the menu. On top of that, the place is wonderful inside and certainly deserves a visit.

Location: 8 Ioane Shavteli St, Tbilisi
Price: €€
Speciality: vegetarian options, beans

Churi (ჭური)

Another place that we found by accident, because we can to see the local market and noticed many locals inside. Far from touristic area, this restaurant is very authentic and I’m sure that you won’t see it on other guides. I can honestly say that I tried my best khinkali in this place – full of broth, just like it should be. And for 2 people we paid 8 EUR for lunch, it doesn’t get more budget friendly that this. Certainly one of my favourite places where to eat in Tbilisi.

Location: 196-200, 0112 Mikheili Tsinamdzghvrishvili St, Tbilisi
Price: €
Speciality: khinkali, khachapuri

Stamba

I will be honest and say that I have mixed feelings about this place, mostly because it was so well rated online. The hotel and the restaurant area is wonderful, but very messy and noisy. Georgian dishes that we tried were below average, however, they have great international dishes like Ramen. Also it is worth a visit, so maybe come here for cocktails or coffee.

Location:  14 Merab Kostava St, Tbilisi 0108
Price: €€€
Speciality:  international food, cocktails

Linville

Authentic vintage interior in a cozy old Georgian home with live jazz music and delicious Georgian traditional kitchen and European menu. Make sure you come here for hot wine at least simply to enjoy this quirky atmosphere.

Location: 11 Kote Afkhazi St, Tbilisi
Price: €€
Speciality: let the waiter guide you, but make sure you try hot wine

Old Metekhi

This restaurant offers wonderful view on old Tbilisi, so make sure you choose the table near the window. The food is spectacular as well! Typical Georgian dishes and great service.

Location: 3 Metekhi slope, Tbilisi
Price: €€
Speciality: barbecue dishes

Mapshalia

Mapshalia is a choice of locals and is considered local gem. A bit outside of city centre but very budget friendly. Make sure you choose simple dishes, that’s what they do the best.. portions are quite small, so make sure you order more than one dish. For 2 people we paid 8EUR. Probably even cheaper than cooking at home.

Location: 137 Davit Aghmashenebeli Ave, Tbilisi
Price: €
Speciality: kharcho, khachapuri, salad

Bread and Wine

Travel back in time and discover old Georgia. Beautiful design, tasty food, great serving and affordable prices. Make sure you try their home made wine – that is the speciality.

Location: 3 Merab Kostava St, Tbilisi 0108, Georgia
Price: €€
Speciality: barbecue, home made wine

Hotel Checkpoint

This place became Instagram famous because of their cool design, but we decided to try their food as well. They offer only pancakes, but these were the best pancakes that I have tried in a long time, so I decided to include it in this list.

Location:  #9 Gomi St, Tbilisi 0144
Price: €€
Speciality: pancakes

Entreè

Let me tell you that breakfast is going to be a problem in Georgia. Everything opens at 10am and it is very hard to find good coffee in the morning, so I decided to include Entree for breakfast option. They are all around Tbilisi, so make sure you check which cafe is closer to your location.

Location:  multiple locations around Tbilisi
Price: €
Speciality: coffee, pastries, sweets and other breakfast options

Karalashvili wine cellar

What is Georgia without the wine? Most of the people visit Kakheti for unforgettable wine experience, but in case you are only staying in Tbilisi, make sure you book wine tasting with Karalashvili wine cellar. This was not my first wine tasting in Georgia, yet I still learnt something new and finally tried their famous Kisi wine. Family owned business, so they take a good care of you.. don’t miss it!

BOOK HERE

Location:  19 Vertskhli St, Tbilisi, Georgia
Price: 9€ per person
Speciality: wine

Cooking Class

At this point we all know khinkali and Khachapuri, but do you think you can cook it? I challenge you to try in a cooking class.. I am not a great cook but I managed to make tasty khinkali, so I believe even you can do it. This cooking class comes with wine, local cheeses and salad, so make sure you skip the lunch or dinner. No one ever left this cooking class hungry!

BOOK HERE

Location:  Hookah Place Tbilisi
Price: 18€ per person
Speciality: khinkali and khachapuri 

Further reading for Georgia

Or read more about: Tbilisi | Batumi | Georgia

In conclusion…

I think by now you already know that I have a passion for food and I like to explore it the local way. I really hope that after reading this article you have a list of places where to eat in Tbilisi and I cannot wait to hear your feedback once you actually get to try these restaurants.

I would love to hear your thoughts, so if you have any feedback or additional tips, leave a comment below. Also, check out my Instagram for regular travel videos and travel inspiration. Or explore other destinations on this travel blog.

Pin it for later and make sure you know where to eat in Tbilisi!