1. Khachapuri
A popular cheese-filled bread, often resembling a pizza or a boat, with variations like Imeruli (round, cheese-filled) and Adjaruli (boat-shaped with cheese, egg, and butter). It is a staple and can be found widely.
Top 7 Dishes to Try in Georgia
Georgian cuisine offers a rich and diverse culinary experience, shaped by its historical position at the crossroads of East and West. Flavors are often bold and savory, frequently incorporating fresh herbs, garlic, walnuts, and pomegranate.
Influences from Iranian, Asian, Turkish, and Mediterranean culinary traditions are evident, yet each Georgian region maintains its distinct contributions to the national culinary identity. Dishes commonly feature a harmonious blend of spices, fresh vegetables, and various cheeses, with meat playing a significant role, though many vegetarian options are also prominent.
Dining in Georgia caters to various preferences and budgets. For those on a budget, street food vendors, local bakeries, and small 'khinkali houses' offer affordable and hearty meals like khachapuri and khinkali, with prices often ranging from $1-10 per person. Markets like Dezerter Bazaar in Tbilisi also provide opportunities to sample ready-to-eat traditional dishes.
Mid-range restaurants are widely available, providing a balance of price and experience. These establishments typically feature extensive menus of traditional Georgian cuisine, with many dishes designed for sharing, costing approximately $10-25 per person.
For a more upscale experience, high-end or fine-dining restaurants offer modern interpretations of Georgian flavors, often in elegant settings with views or live music, where a meal can exceed $30 per person.
2. Khinkali
These iconic Georgian soup dumplings are artfully twisted knobs of dough, typically filled with spiced minced meat (pork, beef, or lamb), and their juices are trapped inside. Vegetarian versions with potato, mushroom, or cheese are also common.
3. Mtsvadi
Also known as Georgian shish kebab, this dish features chunks of pork, mutton, or veal marinated in pomegranate juice or seasoned with salt, then threaded onto skewers and roasted over an open fire, resulting in a distinct smoky flavor.
4. Badrijani Nigvzit
A popular appetizer, these are fried eggplant rolls filled with a seasoned walnut paste, often garnished with pomegranate seeds.
5. Lobio / Lobiani
Lobio refers to various bean dishes, often a mix of bean soup or stewed kidney beans. Lobiani is a traditional bread filled with mashed kidney beans, seasoned with onions, garlic, and spices.
6. Pkhali
Vegetable pâté dishes, typically made from chopped cooked vegetables like spinach, beets, or cabbage, mixed with ground walnuts, herbs, and spices, formed into balls, and sometimes topped with pomegranate seeds.
7. Churchkhela
Often called Georgian 'Snickers,' this traditional sweet is made by dipping strings of nuts (almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, or raisins) into thickened grape juice, then dried to form a chewy, candle-shaped candy.
