Cheap Abkhazia is now almost a myth. Let's see how much food costs in 2021! We have made a detailed review of prices in cafes, restaurants, shops and markets in the country's resorts.
What you need to know about prices in Abkhazia
Previously, Abkhazia was a paradise for budget travelers, now the situation has changed. Many tourists in their reviews complain about the increase in prices (they are compared with St. Petersburg, Moscow and Sochi), while the service remains at the same deplorable level. Nevertheless, in 2021, the Land of the Soul is only slightly inferior in popularity to the Russian south - vacationers are attracted by virgin nature, historical sights and, of course, delicious cuisine.
Why are many tourists interested in food prices in Abkhazia? Because mostly people settle in the private sector and prefer to cook on their own, only occasionally eating in cafes and restaurants in order to taste the national cuisine. It is for such tourists that we have collected food prices in Abkhazia in markets, shops, cafes and restaurants in 2021.
It should be noted that pricing in the republic is very peculiar and vague: for example, in the market today you may be given one price, tomorrow the same product will cost more from the same seller. To the fact that for tourists and local prices are different, you need to be prepared.
Food prices in shops in Abkhazia
You will hardly find large shopping centers in the republic (perhaps there are several in Sukhumi), there are large supermarkets in Gagra and Sukhumi. In Abkhazia, markets, general stores and small shops are still running the show, so food prices can differ by as much as 20-40 rubles.
Prices for imported goods are greatly inflated, in general, they are almost the same as in Russia, or slightly higher, therefore, we will give as an example only a few food products:
- bread (600 g) - 18 rubles
- milk (1 l) - from 60 rubles
- suluguni (kg) - from 400 rubles
- sausages (kg) - from 300 rubles
- boiled sausage (kg) - 300-350 rubles
- buckwheat (kg) - from 70 rubles
- sugar (kg) - from 65 rubles
- ice cream - from 12 rubles.
Prices in the markets of Abkhazia
The cost of vegetables and fruits in the markets of the republic depends on the season: When harvested, the fruit is significantly cheaper than off-season. True, some merchants seek to earn extra money and inflate the cost, so compare with several sellers. In general, prices in the markets of Abkhazia only slightly differ from city to city. The cost of fish and meat is stable all year round.
Advice: according to reviews, before the market closes (3-4 pm) or early in the morning (6-7 hours), food prices are lower - the same is true for Crimea. Haggle!
So, let's consider the prices on the markets in 2021 in the most popular cities of Abkhazia - Sukhum and Gagra.
Prices in Sukhumi for the following products in 2021 (per kg / per liter).
Vegetables and fruits:
- watermelons - 25-30 rubles
- melons - 50-65 rubles
- apples - from 50 rubles
- peaches - about 150 rubles
- medlar - from 50 rubles
- tangerines - from 10 to 100 rubles (from small to large), on average 20-50 rubles
- pomegranates - from 150 rubles
- bell pepper - from 50 rubles
- tomatoes - from 60 rubles
- cucumbers - from 35 rubles
- potatoes - from 30 rubles
- carrots - from 35 rubles
- eggplant - from 40 rubles
- onions - from 35 rubles.
Meat, fish, dairy products and groceries:
- adjika - from 100 rubles
- milk - from 45 rubles
- suluguni - from 300 rubles
- smoked cheese - from 400 rubles
- chicken - about 180 rubles
- pork and beef - from 350 rubles
- fish (trout) - from 300 rubles
- sugar - from 40 rubles
- eggs - from 70 rubles
- rice - from 60 rubles
- honey - from 500 rubles
- churchkhela (adjinjukh) - from 40 rubles apiece.
Wine in bottles costs from 150 rubles for 0.75 liters, but on average tourists buy it for 200-350 rubles. Homemade wine on tap - about 200 rubles for 1.5 liters. Chacha - 100-300 rubles per 0.5 liter. The range of prices depends on the place of purchase and the degree of greed of the seller. A variety of jams are on sale: from about 150 rubles per can (0.5 l). Tangerine, blackberry, pomegranate juice - 30-50 rubles per 0.5 liter.
Food prices in Gagra are the highest in the republic. According to tourists, the central market in Gagra rather focused on tourists - and the prices for food are appropriate here, higher than in Sukhumi. Some vacationers note that the cost of vegetables and fruits is approaching Moscow and St. Petersburg. It so happens that there are no price tags on the products, and the cost can be taken from the ceiling. The market is more likely to be visited as an attraction, and shopping is more convenient in the shops close to your hotel. However, it is better to go to the market for fresh cheese, fruits and vegetables, as well as casual communication.
Advice: very cheap local fruits can be found not in markets (where everything is mostly imported), but from private traders-farmers - it happens that they sell goods directly from their cars (for example, grapes, watermelons, figs during harvest) at very low prices ... If you are traveling by car, you can buy watermelons and melons right on the melons. Local tangerines can be bought cheaply.
Prices in cafes and restaurants of Abkhazia
The cost of dishes in cafes and restaurants in Abkhazia, as elsewhere, depends on the level of the institution and its location. Coastal restaurants in resort towns (especially in Gagra) are the most expensive.
Tourists recommend eating in the so-called apatskhakh (patskhakh) - traditional cafes serving national cuisine. The average bill is about 400-500 rubles for two. You can also eat inexpensively in local canteens. If the soul is drawn to the usual food, then there are many restaurants of European cuisine in Sukhumi and Gagra.
A budget breakfast costs 100-150 rubles per person, a business lunch - from 200 rubles for one person, lunch - from about 500 rubles for two, dinner - the same amount. Eating at a cafe by the sea costs about 300-500 rubles per person.
Approximate prices in cafes and restaurants in Abkhazia in 2021:
- porridge - 60-70 rubles
- kebab (100 gr) - about 100-200 rubles
- salads (200 gr) - from 50 rubles
- meat dishes (200 gr) - from 150 rubles
- side dishes (200 gr) - from 50 rubles
- soups and other first courses - from 100 rubles
- tea, coffee - from 20 rubles
- fish dishes (100 gr) - from 130 rubles
- khachapuri with egg - from 70 rubles.
Travel Tips
Many tourists like the restaurant of local cuisine "Nartaa" in Sukhumi - the prices are reasonable, they cook deliciously (you can eat from 350 rubles per person). The legendary Gagripsh restaurant in Gagra is also extremely popular. Prices there are above average even for this resort, the average check is 1,700 rubles. But some consider these establishments to be over-hyped.
In the reviews of vacationers, there are often complaints about cases of poisoning - we recommend drinking only bottled water and not buying products of dubious quality on the beach (pies, etc.), as well as taking a responsible approach to the choice of cafes and restaurants. It is better to buy homemade wine from friends, as tourists also report poisoning.
Look for places where locals eat, not tourists - this is an indicator that the food is delicious.
