What to eat in Georgia

Georgian cuisine relies heavily on meat, bread, cheese and root vegetables. However in spite of this rather simplistic description you will find a wide variety of flavours that create sumptuous dishes. Knowing what to eat in Georgia can be the difference between a good trip and great trip. Do be aware than many of these dishes change from region to region but the vast majority can be found almost anywhere. 

Where to get restaurant recommendations 

Good restaurants are easy to find. Every guesthouse or airbnb we stayed at was able to recommend a couple of fantastic eateries. Alternatively, if a place is full of locals and doesn’t have a huge sign outside saying “we have English menu” there is a good chance you’re onto a winner.

English menus, whilst being reasonably common are certainly not always a given. For more information on potential language barriers in the region check out our guide on the value of Russian in the Caucasus.

Some of the best things to eat in Georgia

Khachapuri

One of Georgia’s most famous dishes, khachapuri is available everywhere. Cheap and delicious, it is a favourite of many visitors. There are a number of varieties of khachapuri, but at its most basic it’s a mixture of a cheese pie and pizza. This dish can be found everywhere and as a result it is eaten as both a snack, main meal, or a side dish. It competes with khinkali as the number 1 dish you have to eat in Georgia 

Although there are a wide variety of khachapuri there are two that are particularly common; Imeruli and Adjaruli. 

Imeruli: The most common type of khachapuri. Made from imeruli it can be served hot or cold. Usually shaped like a pizza with the middle filled with thick, slightly salty cheese giving a rich flavour. 

Adjaruli: Possibly the most distinctive because of its shaped and the raw egg in the middle of it. The correct way to eat this is to rip bread off from the sides, mix the raw egg and cheese together and dip. 

Mtsvardi (shashliks)

Meat kebabs are reasonably common all over Georgia. They can either come still on the stick or alternatively, as is common in many restaurants, they will be served as big chunks of meat on a plate. Usually they are garnished with raw onions and pomegranate seeds. You will find shashliks of beef, pork, chicken and lamb at most restaurants. Delicious and simple.

Most of the time we were chowing down on pork kebabs for two reasons. Firstly they were delicious, and secondly we were heading to Azerbaijan and Central Asia, so pork would be off the menu for a couple of months.

Ojakhuri

The dish combines meat and potatoes pan fried with garlic, onions and other herbs. Most of the time you will have a choice of pork or chicken. As a warning, sometimes this dish can be rather salty. Nevertheless it is delicious.

Shkmeruli

Another signature Georgian dish, that is very easy to find. The main ingredients are chicken and garlic, lots and lots of garlic. If you are not a fan of garlic then this may not be the dish for you, however if so then you will love this creamy garlic chicken, packed full of flavour.  

Chicken Tabaka

This pan-fried chicken dish is also common throughout the region Central Asia and an number of other former Soviet states. The chicken is pressed flat by a weight to allow it to be fried thoroughly. 

Soups

A staple of Georgian cuisine, every restaurant will have a variety of thick warm soups. Unless they include chicken a lot of them are tomato based. Expect to find plenty of kharcho and borscht as evidence of Russian penetration into Georgian cuisine.

Salads

Like the rest of the region, salads and fresh vegetables don’t make up a large part of the diet. More often than not, when you order a “salad” it will be a plate of cucumbers and tomatoes. Most restaurants will have a reasonable variety of salads, although the foundation is always likely to cucumber and tomato. There is a local favourite of eggplants and walnuts that should not be missed.

Pikhali

This appetiser is found in almost every Georgian restaurant. The two most common pikhalis are made from spinach or beetroot. In each case they are mashed together with crushed walnuts and served with pomegranate seeds and thick bread. Best of all this delicious appetiser can be found in most grocery stores meaning you can eat it and enjoy it anywhere Georgia. It goes rather well with a stunning mountain view.

Eggplants and Walnuts

Another common appetiser occasionally served together with Pikhali, this dish is made from thin slices of eggplant served with crushed walnuts and drizzled with olive oil. 

Khinkali

One of Georgia’s signature dishes. For many locals this is THE thing to eat in Georgia. These giant dumplings filled with meat, usually lamb and beef, potato or cheese. The vast majority of restaurants serve khinkali, with servings being a minimum of 5 dumplings. Bite a hole, suck out the juice and enjoy. The thick top parts are discarded to the side of the plate as a record of how many you’ve managed to eat.

Stews

Most restaurants will have a few stews on offer. These are often reasonably similar to Russian dishes and are a great warmer in the cold mountain regions.

Breakfast

A number of guesthouses will include breakfast and almost all of them will have them available to pay for if not. Georgian breakfasts are generally on the large side. Expect eggs and sausages or ham, in addition to bread, cheese, jams and fresh yoghurt. A number of places will also serve cheese wrapped in pastry and fried. All of this is washed down with lashings of tea. A perfect way to start the day.