Traveling to Tbilisi, Georgia and wondering what the best Georgian dishes are that you should try? Here are the 11 best Georgian dishes that will make you fall completely in love with this cuisine.
Georgian cuisine isn’t just about the food; it’s about gathering, sharing, and celebrating with loved ones. The flavors, the aromas, and the whole experience make it something truly special and unforgettable.
Georgian cuisine isn’t just about the food – it’s about the entire experience.
To be honest, we had never tried Georgian food before visiting the country. We quickly realized that Georgian cuisine is criminally underrated in the broader spectrum of world cuisines.
There are many delicious dishes that haven’t seemed to receive as much global attention as other well-known cuisines, despite its incredible flavors and diverse dishes.
Georgian cuisine is a hidden gem that we think is underrated in the broader spectrum of world cuisines. It hasn’t received as much global attention as some other well-known cuisines, despite its incredible flavors and diverse dishes.
Best Georgian Dishes That You MUST Try
There are many dishes to try in Georgia and you really can’t go wrong with any selection. Here are 11 of the best Georgian dishes to make sure to add to your Georgian food bucket list.
Looking for the best restaurants in Tbilisi to try these dishes? Check out our post on the Best Georgian Restaurants in Tbilisi.
1. Khinkali
No trip to Georgia would be complete without eating your weight (or more) in khinkali.
Khinkali is Georgian dumplings typically filled with spiced meat (often beef or pork) and sometimes mixed with herbs. The vegetarian versions with potatoes or mushrooms are equally as delicious.
Georgian khinkali and Chinese soup dumplings, such as the popular Chinese xiaolongbao, share some similarities but also have distinct differences.
Both khinkali and soup dumplings are types of dumplings, but their preparation, fillings, and cooking methods set them apart.
Khinkali dough is typically thicker and more substantial, and the dough encases the filling, which creates a plump dumpling with a twisted knob at the top.
Khinkali is eaten by hand. To eat it, hold it by the twisted knob at the top, while being careful not to let the delicious broth spill out.
Our tour guide in Tbilisi told us that if you are able to eat it without any broth spilling out that this means you are a good kisser…
2. Khachapuri Adjaruli
You’ll quickly learn that there are MANY types of khachapuri in Georgia, including imeruli, megruli, guruli, and our personal favorite, adjaruli.
Each version of khachapuri is a variation of cheese-filled bread.
Khachapuri adjaruli, named for Adjara, a region of Georgia on the Black Sea, is a boat-shaped bread, filled with cheese, butter, and an egg yolk in the middle.
The center is usually hollow. This allows for the egg and butter to be mixed in just before eating, creating a rich and savory dish.
3. Lobio
A simple, but satisfying comfort food.
Lobio is a traditional Georgian dish that’s a flavorful and hearty bean stew. It’s a staple in Georgian cuisine and is often prepared in various ways across different regions of the country.
The primary ingredient of lobio is kidney beans, specifically red kidney beans. The beans are cooked and then mixed with a variety of aromatic herbs, spices, and other ingredients.
It is often served hot and is usually accompanied by traditional side dishes, such as mchadi (Georgian cornbread), pickles, or fresh herbs.
4. Georgian Salad
If you’re looking for something light and refreshing to pair with all of the hearty dumplings and bread you will most certainly eat in Georgia, the Georgian cucumber and tomato salad is a must-try.
This simple yet delicious salad typically consists of fresh, ripe tomatoes and crisp cucumbers. It is sliced and mixed with red onion, fresh herbs like parsley and cilantro, and sometimes flavored with a drizzle of sunflower or olive oil and a touch of vinegar.
We ate this salad almost every single day in Tbilisi. We did get food poisoning from it in Kazbegi though, so just be careful when eating raw vegetables in more rural areas.
Want to make sure you avoid the terrible fate of food poisoning while visiting Georgia? Read our post about our experience with food poisoning here and our tips for avoiding it.
5. Shkmeruli
Is it too dramatic if we say this dish is life changing?
We aren’t lying though.
This simple dish consists of just a few basic ingredients: chicken, milk, garlic, and sometimes butter.
The dish consists of chicken cooked in milk and garlic until the sauce thickens and the chicken becomes tender. It’s typically served with crispy skin and drowning in the creamy, garlicky sauce.
6. Chikhirtma
Voted as one of the top 10 chicken soups in the world, chikhirtma is one of the best Georgian dishes to try.
Chikhirtma is a traditional Georgian soup known for its rich flavors and unique ingredients. The soup is made from chicken (or occasionally other meats), eggs, flour, and a tangy ingredient like lemon juice or vinegar. It’s seasoned with various spices like coriander and is known for its rich, creamy texture.
It’s a popular dish in Georgian cuisine and is often enjoyed during special occasions or celebrations.
7. Kharcho
Kharcho has variations in its recipes, with different regions and households having their own particular way of preparing this beloved soup.
It’s a warm and comforting dish, popular not only in Georgia but also in other countries in the Caucasus region.
A flavorful Georgian soup usually made with beef, rice, and a sour plum sauce called tkemali, along with spices like cinnamon, and cloves.
It’s known for its rich taste. Sometimes, it’s served with a dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of fresh herbs on top.
We tried a variation of kharcho (image below) that was beef kharcho with no rice. Usually kharcho has a soupier-y appearance, but this variation was also delicious to try.
8. Nigvziani Badrijani (Eggplant Rolls with Walnuts)
You will find this on almost every menu in Georgia serving traditional food.
Nigvziani Badrijani, or eggplant rolls with walnuts, is a traditional Georgian dish that features fried eggplant filled with a walnut paste. The eggplant is often sliced, fried until tender, and then stuffed or topped with a flavorful walnut-based paste.
This dish is known for its combination of savory, nutty, and sometimes slightly tangy flavors. It’s a popular appetizer in Georgian cuisine and is enjoyed for its rich taste and texture.
The rolls are typically served cold as an appetizer.
Looking for more inspiration for your Tbilisi trip? Here are 25 photos to inspire you to visit Tbilisi, Georgia.
9. Chvishtari
This was one of the dishes we were most excited to try. Who doesn’t love crispy, cheesy bread?
Chvishtari is a traditional Georgian dish that can be described as a type of cornbread or corn cake.
The typical ingredients used in Chvishtari include cornmeal, cheese (often sulguni), salt, and water. Sometimes, it might also contain butter or oil for frying. The mixture is formed into patties or round shapes and then cooked until golden brown, creating a crust on the outside while maintaining a soft and cheesy interior.
10. Shotis Puri
While walking down the street in Tbilisi, we noticed locals lined up at a little shop. There was one thing for sale that they were all purchasing – freshly baked shotis puri.
Shotis Puri, also known as “Shoti” or “Shoti Bread,” is a traditional Georgian bread that holds cultural significance and is an integral part of Georgian cuisine. The bread gets its name from the traditional clay oven, called a “tone” or “tandoor,” in which it is baked.
Shotis Puri is typically round and characterized by its distinct shape and markings. It’s made from simple ingredients—usually white wheat flour, water, salt, and yeast—and has a unique, slightly chewy texture with a golden-brown crust. The dough is leavened and formed into a circular shape, then slapped onto the walls of the extremely hot clay oven where it bakes.
Georgians consider the Shotis Puri an essential part of their meals. It is often torn by hand and shared among diners, emphasizing its cultural significance and the communal aspect of Georgian dining traditions.
We found it rare to see locals eating and not have bread on the table. You can order this at a restaurant, or at one of the many street shops or even roadside stands.
11. Lobiani
Lobiani is a traditional Georgian dish that consists of bread filled with a spiced mashed bean (usually red kidney beans) filling.
To prepare lobiani, the yeast dough is rolled out, filled with a seasoned paste made from cooked and mashed red kidney beans. The beans are typically flavored with ingredients such as onions, garlic, coriander, and sometimes a hint of chili or other spices.
Lobiani is a popular comfort food in Georgia and is commonly enjoyed as a snack or part of a meal. It can be found in bakeries or made at home. Its delicious flavors and satisfying, hearty nature make it a favorite among locals.
How Many of these best georgian dishes do you want to try?
Now you’ve discovered the best dishes to try in Georgia, which of these incredible foods are on your must-try list? We hope this guide helps you have memorable food experiences in Georgia!
Want to know where to try these traditional dishes in Tbilisi? Here are the Best Georgian Restaurants in Tbilisi.
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