Have you decided to go on vacation to Georgia? Then you should find out about the best places where you can eat delicious national cuisine, find out the prices for menus in cafes and restaurants, for food in shops and markets, where you can buy food cheaper. In general, let's consider all the secrets of a gastronomic journey.
Georgia is an amazing country, it is rich not only in its centuries-old culture, but also in traditional cuisine. However, it should be borne in mind that 80% of local cuisine is prepared from meat and with the addition of a huge amount of spices and herbs and the use of wine. Therefore, for those who are not yet familiar with the local cuisine, but wish to visit the country, we offer a small overview of the peculiarities of Georgian cuisine, institutions and some information on what to try in Georgia on vacation.
Prices for food in cafes and restaurants in Tbilisi
When visiting local establishments, it is worth checking the size of the dishes so as not to order too much. Very often, one portion can be suitable for a whole company, and the cost will be much lower than in the tourist's homeland. The thing is that Georgians are very hospitable people and love to eat deliciously.
Average bill in a cafe
The menu of an average restaurant in Tbilisi will offer its guests very tasty food at reasonable prices. Being very hungry, you can leave only about 545-660 rubles in a cafe. for two:
- kharcho 102 rubles;
- chicken soup 160 rubles;
- 5 khinkali 57 rubles;
- ojakhuri (pork and potatoes) 227 rubles;
- lemonade - 2 bottles RUB 68
If we take into account the service (10%), the amount will come out in the region of 658 rubles in the Russian currency.
And since the portion size in Georgia is quite overpriced, we advise you to try the traditional cuisine in several stages.
Average bill in city restaurants
As for the restaurants in Tbilisi, a dinner for a couple of tourists can cost on average about 1000 rubles, given that during the meal you will be entertained by a local colorful program, and will be received as guests of honor.
Average menu in a restaurant:
- Side dish (potatoes, rice) 45-114 rubles;
- Hot dish from 182-341 rubles;
- Caesar salad 227 rubles;
- Vegetable salad 113 rubles;
- Khinkali 5 pieces 56-90 rubles;
- Khachapuri 91-227 rubles;
- Barbecue 136-182 rubles (depending on the restaurant);
- Wine 341-909 rubles. bottle;
- Lemonade, bottle 57 rubles;
- Tea 45-182 rubles.
However, local sites offer coupons that help you save money by getting up to 50% off your restaurant check.
Where to go to eat?
When choosing a place for food, you should carefully look at where the majority of Georgians are, since the local population knows very well where to eat deliciously in Georgia. For example, in Tbilisi, the best khinkali is served in such establishments as:
- «Pasanauri»,
- «Zakhar Zakharych»,
- «At Velyaminov's" or "Fantastic Dukhan Sofia Melnikova».
You can also visit the restaurant Ezo («yard ") to try Georgian mushroom and spice snacks (chakapuli) and stuffed spinach (phali).
Taste lamb ribs, chicken with spinach and dogwood soup according to old recipes of the 19th century in the restaurant «Barberestan».
And for dessert (chocolate cake and Georgian yogurt with matsoni fruit) you can go to the restaurant Tbilisi Hilltop located near the Narikala fortress or in the cafe "Gabriadze " owned by the Georgian director and screenwriter of the films "Kin-Dza-Dza" and "Mimino" - Georgy Danelia. Here you will be treated to ice cream with condensed milk, corn cakes (mchadi) or no less tasty kharcho.
And of course, it's worth a visit to the place where they sell sweet soda. "Lagidze Water", renowned for its amazing quality of production, which has not changed since 1887. Chocolate and creamy, tarragon, feijoa and many other flavors, which are made here only from natural products, will perfectly quench your thirst in the summer heat.
All establishments are indicated based on personal experience of visiting and reviews of experienced tourists, so you can safely choose any of them and go on a gastronomic tour in Georgia, we will find out about the prices for such trips a little later.
Food prices in shops and markets in Georgia
You should also check out local markets or supermarkets. Food prices in Georgia are lower than in the CIS countries. The only thing that can be more expensive is dairy products and beef due to the small number of cows. Therefore, the milk on the shelves is more often Russian.
Below we give quite acceptable prices for food in Tbilisi for an ordinary person:
- Rice from 84 rubles. for 800 gr.
- Buckwheat 45-62 rubles.
- Sour cream 200 gr. RUB 68
- Suluguni cheese 227-273 rubles
- Eggs (pcs.) 4 rubles
- Sausage 205-273 rubles.
- Pasta 45 rubles
- Borjomi 25 rubles per liter
- Peaches 56 rub.
- Grapes 45 rubles.
- Bananas (pcs.) 16 rubles.
- Pomegranates 136-182 rubles.
- Apples 23-68 rubles
- Eggplant 68 rubles
- Cucumbers 80 rubles
- Bulgarian pepper 113-160 rubles.
- Tomatoes 45-113 rubles
- Potatoes 13-27 rubles
- Beef 272-341 rubles
- Chickens 136-159 rubles.
- Pork 182-318 rubles
It is worth considering that a real Georgian loves to bargain. So, if you're lucky, you can count on a good discount when shopping in the market, and don't forget to smile.
- Prices in Georgia for private accommodation, tickets, excursions, etc.
What to try in Georgia?
Many Georgian dishes have been prepared all over the world for a long time and are loved by overseas gourmets. However, if you don’t know what to try for sweet food, which wines are homemade, we offer a list of local dishes that you should definitely try in their original preparation. So what to eat in Georgia:
- Khachapuri - a local flatbread with added cheese, for which the local authorities have signed a patent. They can be: on a skewer, round (Imeretian), covered with Suluguni cheese on top (Mingrelian), with beans and bacon (Rachin), or in the form of a boat with an egg (Adjarian). Cheese can be both inside and outside, but they are all delicious in their own way.
- Khinkali (Georgian dumplings) - the simplest and most satisfying food. Their difference lies in the addition of cilantro, onions with garlic and the presence of broth inside. They can be with cheese, mushrooms and other filling of your choice. The tail of the khinkali for which they are held with their hands is not eaten, but left on the plate.
- Satsivi - This is a sauce made from ground walnuts with spices.It is most often served with chicken or other poultry.
- Soup kharcho from beef or lamb. Thanks to the spices and tomatoes, the soup gets satiety and pungency.
- Lobiani (beans) - a pie with beans with the addition of tomatoes. The dish is suitable for vegetarians.
- Khashlama - beef on the bone boiled in a spicy broth with herbs and spices, served with garlic sauce.
- Ajapsandali - stewed vegetables in a cauldron with spices.
- Queri (Megrelian dumplings) with Suluguni cheese as a filling.
- Cheeses, which should be in the home of any Georgian, you should definitely try in Georgia. Here you will be served real Suluguni, as well as Chogi, Tenili and other cheeses.
- And where without of bread... Local bread looks like flat cakes (lavash). There is also dedaspuri (mother's bread) - a flat cake made in the form of an elongated boat.
- As a dessert, you should definitely try and bring a local churchkhely - "sausage" from condensed grape juice and whole nuts, strung on a thread.
- And of course the wine that flows like a river in Georgia: Tsinandali, Khvanchkara, Saperavi, Kindzmarauli and many other local wines are infused in kvevri (in clay vessels under the ground). It is this type of production that makes Georgian wine taste different from Italian. As you know, 525 grape varieties are grown in Georgia.
- Well, for children it is suitable sweet soda, which adults do not mind trying in hot weather.
All this and many other dishes, sauces, spices and drinks can be tried endlessly. Georgian cuisine is very diverse. In each of its regions, the same dishes will have their own characteristics. However, one thing in this country remains unchanged.This is a rich culture, sincerity of the population, delicious mountain food, colorful culture and Georgian feast with its traditional singing, dancing and horn of wine, which demonstrate all the generosity of the openness of the local "highlanders".
Gastronomic tours to Georgia
Such trips have become very popular in recent years, tourists love to try everything unknown and proven by the experience of others. We recommend that you consider two good proposals, during which you will discover new things in the world of culinary and get acquainted with the secrets of the national Georgian cuisine, visit all the cities where the tradition of cooking originated. And of course, a Russian guide will accompany you everywhere.
- Pick up a tour:
Georgian cuisine is not just about eating, it is age-old traditions that unite the people. Therefore, most of all, tourists remember food in Georgia, the prices of which not only surprise and delight, but also attract gourmets from all over the world. And the warm welcome of the owners of these lands remains for a long time in the heart of everyone who has visited this country at least once.
You will be interested to know:
- Where to buy tickets cheaper,
- Prices for rest in Tbilisi.
