Where to eat in Tbilisi: the best restaurants & food

Last Updated on April 21, 2026 by Ioana

If you’re wondering where to eat in Tbilisi, you’re in for a treat. The city has an incredible food scene that blends traditional Georgian dishes with modern restaurants, cozy cafes, and local spots that feel truly authentic.

When I visited Tbilisi, food ended up being one of the highlights of my trip. From cheesy khachapuri to perfectly folded khinkali and flavorful eggplant with walnuts, every meal felt like a new experience. And the best part is that you don’t need a big budget to eat really well here.

In this guide, I’ll share the best places to eat in Tbilisi, including traditional restaurants, casual spots, and a few places I personally tried and loved, so you can make the most of your trip.

If you’re planning your itinerary, I recommend pairing this with my Tbilisi 2 day itinerary, where I map out exactly what to see, do, and eat each day. This post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase I may get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Find out more here.

What to eat in Tbilisi: must-try dishes

If it’s your first time visiting, here are a few dishes from the traditional Georgian cuisine you should definitely try:

• Khachapuri: cheese-filled bread, often served with egg and butter
• Khinkali: dumplings filled with meat or vegetables
• Eggplant with walnuts: one of the most flavorful dishes I tried
• Lobio: a traditional bean stew
• Sulguni cheese dishes: used in many Georgian recipes

Traditional Georgian restaurants you should try

If you want to experience traditional Georgian food, these are the places you shouldn’t miss. Georgian food is rich, flavorful, and very different from what you’ll find in most of Europe.

Ode

This was one of my favorite restaurants in Tbilisi. It has a slightly more modern feel while still serving very traditional dishes.

I tried several classics here, including meat khinkali (dumplings), khachapuri (boat-shaped bread), eggplant with walnuts, and mushrooms with sulguni cheese. Everything was incredibly good.

If you’re not sure what to order, this is a great place to try a bit of everything. Your taste buds will thank you for that. The flavors felt very authentic, but the overall experience was a bit more elevated than a typical local spot.

I don’t drink, but you can also try some Georgian wine here. 

Pasanauri

If you’re looking for a more casual traditional Georgian restaurant, Pasanauri is a great option. It’s a local chain, but don’t let that put you off. The food is still very traditional and good, and the locations are super convenient.

I only tried their soups, but they were hearty, flavorful, and perfect after a long day of walking around the city.

It’s the perfect place if you want something reliable, quick, and centrally located.

Fine dining in Tbilisi

One thing that surprised me about Tbilisi is how affordable fine dining is compared to other European cities.

Barbarestan

If you want a more special dining experience, Barbarestan is absolutely worth it. This was one of the most memorable meals I had in Tbilisi. It’s also one of the best Georgian restaurants and my favorite restaurant in Tbilisi.

This cozy restaurant is based on a 19th-century cookbook written by a Georgian woman. And the entire menu is inspired by those historical recipes.

But they serve some unique dishes from modern Georgian cuisine inspired by those recipes from back in the day. 

I loved that there’s a story behind every dish, which makes the experience feel more meaningful.

I tried several dishes here, including a cauliflower appetizer, soup, turkey, pork, and a smoked sulguni dessert. Everything was delicious.

The soup was one of the best things I tried lately. It had noodles, cheese balls, and lots of flavor. I would go back to Barbarestan just for this soup.

The service was excellent, the atmosphere felt refined but still relaxed, and overall it felt like a true fine dining experience.

But at a much more affordable price than you’d expect in other European cities. It’s a great spot to try some incredible Georgian cooking.

Local bakeries and quick bites

Not every meal needs to be a full restaurant experience. Some of the most delicious food I had in Tbilisi was quick, simple, and incredibly satisfying.

Georgian Bakery

On the way to the Holy Trinity Cathedral from my hotel (Boutique Hotel Manufactura), I stopped at a small corner spot called Georgian Bakery, and it ended up being one of my favourite places in Tbilisi.

It’s a simple, local place with a traditional oven, where Georgian grandmothers make fresh bread and savory pastries throughout the day.

I tried the cheese pie, and it was absolutely perfect. Warm, fresh, and incredibly cheap.

This is the kind of place where locals actually eat, which makes it even more special.

Street food and sweet treats

Churchkhela (traditional Georgian snack)

One of the most traditional snacks you’ll see all over Tbilisi is churchkhela, those long, colorful strings of nuts that look a bit like candles hanging in shop windows.

They’re made from walnuts or hazelnuts threaded on a string and coated in thickened grape juice, then left to dry. The result is a chewy, slightly sweet snack that’s very different from anything you’ve probably tried before.

I first saw them at small market stalls and local shops, and they immediately caught my attention.

If you want to try them, I recommend buying from local stalls rather than fancy souvenir shops. That’s because they’re usually cheaper and feel more authentic.

It’s an easy snack to carry around and a great way to try something truly Georgian.

Chimney Cake Shop

If you’re craving something sweet while in Old Tbilisi, stop by the chimney cake shop located across from the “I Love Tbilisi” sign. It’s a very popular spot, and for good reason.

Chimney cake isn’t originally Georgian (it’s from Transylvania), but it’s widely available in the Caucasus region, especially around tourist areas.

It’s a warm, slightly crispy pastry rolled in toppings like nuts, cinnamon, or pistachio. Here they also add Nutella or white chocolate and fruits inside the chimney cake. I tried it with Nutella and bananas and it was the perfect sweet treat.

They have a few tables outside so you can sit down and enjoy your treat. You can stop here after you relax at the Tbilisi sulfur baths.

Take a Georgian cooking class (highly recommended)

If you want to go beyond just eating and actually learn how to make traditional dishes, I highly recommend taking a Georgian cooking class while in Tbilisi.

I did a cooking class focused on khinkali and khachapuri, and it ended up being one of my favorite food experiences in the city. It’s a great way to understand the cuisine on a deeper level, not just taste it.

The class was very hands-on, but one detail I really appreciated is that they gave us gloves to work the dough with. So your hands don’t get messy while preparing everything.

We made a lot of food during the class, around 10 khinkali and 1 khachapuri per two people, so you definitely won’t leave hungry.

Before starting, they also served a glass of wine, salad, and cheese, which made the whole experience feel even more enjoyable and relaxed.

The instructors guided us step by step, so even if you’ve never cooked before, it’s very easy to follow along.

Where to eat in Tbilisi FAQ

Where should you stay for easy access to restaurants?

Location makes a big difference when it comes to food. Staying in the Old Town or other central areas means you’ll have the best restaurants within walking distance.

If you’re still deciding where to stay, you can read my guide on the best areas to stay in Tbilisi to find the most convenient base.

Is food in Tbilisi expensive?

No, food in Tbilisi is very affordable compared to most European cities.

You can have a full meal at a traditional restaurant for a reasonable price, and even fine dining experiences, like Barbarestan, are much more affordable than similar restaurants in Western Europe.

Are there vegetarian options in Tbilisi?

Yes, there are plenty of vegetarian options in Tbilisi. Georgian cuisine includes many vegetable-based dishes like eggplant with walnuts, mushroom dishes, salads, and bean stews.

I personally tried several vegetarian dishes, like the eggplant with walnuts and mushrooms with sulguni cheese, and they were some of my favorites.

Is it safe to eat street food in Tbilisi?

Yes, street food and casual spots in Tbilisi are generally safe to eat.

I had pastries from a small local bakery and chimney cake from a street-style shop, and both were fresh and delicious. Just use common sense and choose places that look busy and well-maintained.

Do restaurants in Tbilisi accept cards?

Most restaurants in Tbilisi accept card payments, especially in central areas.

However, it’s still a good idea to carry some cash for smaller places, bakeries, or quick bites.

Do you need to tip in Tbilisi?

Tipping is not mandatory, but it is appreciated.

Some restaurants may already include a service charge in the bill, so it’s worth checking before adding extra. If service is not included, leaving around 10% is a nice gesture.

How many days do you need to try the food in Tbilisi?

You can try many of the main dishes in 2 to 3 days, especially if you plan your meals well.

If you’re organizing your trip, you can follow my Tbilisi 2 day itinerary to combine sightseeing with some of the best food spots in the city.