What to Try in Georgia: 30 Dishes Recommended by Tourists

No one can deny that Georgian cuisine is rich in its diversity. This article presents 30 dishes native to Georgia that you absolutely must try.

Puri

Bread is the key. Georgian bread is truly special. It's unmistakable. Georgian cuisine begins with this simple-sounding, traditional treat. Its shape resembles a boat, a nod to tradition. Puri is also baked in a unique way: in Georgian clay ovens.

Khachapuri

Literally translated as bread with cheese. The main ingredients are cheese, sometimes cottage cheese, and egg. There are many types and variations of this delicacy.

You should try them all:

Imeretian Khachapuri

Khachapuri resembles a closed pie with cheese inside.

Megrelian khachapuri

Similar to Imeretian khachapuri, but the filling is not only inside, but also on the outside.

Adjarian Khachapuri

It's shaped like a boat. The filling is cheese, egg, and butter. Because of its shape, the dish is often called "The Boat."

Khachapuri on a skewer

Cheese and dough are cooked together on a barbecue spit.

Nazuki

A truly Georgian spiced bread, nazuki. The heady aroma of cloves and cinnamon… All this creates the unique flavor of Georgian streets. This delicacy is typical of the city of Surami, where nazuki can be enjoyed straight from the oven.

Chvishtari

Cornbread with a stringy cheese filling. Chvishtari is usually served with a sauce. This dish originates from Svaneti.

Suluguni

Suluguni is a unique Georgian cheese. Its consistency is somewhat reminiscent of mozzarella. This cheese is often added to various Georgian dishes, such as khachapuri.

Nadughi

A traditional Georgian appetizer. The main ingredients are fresh cottage cheese, a delicate creamy sauce that literally melts in your mouth, and a thin sheet of suluguni cheese, in which the nadughi is wrapped.

Jonjoli

An unassuming appetizer that's sure to impress you with its flavor. The main ingredient is pickled flowers. Sounds interesting? It tastes like salted olives and sauerkraut.

Salad

Cucumber and tomato salad. But the main feature of Georgian salads is that you can add any ingredients you want, whether it's walnuts or a traditional Georgian sauce. Kakhetian oil is a great complement to fresh vegetables.

Georgian Chicken Salad

Another excellent appetizer from Georgia. It's a chicken salad with local aromatic herbs, dressed with mayonnaise.

Olivier or Russian Potato Salad

In Georgia, this salad is considered a true Russian dish. It's often served in local cafes. This salad differs from the familiar Olivier. In Georgia, it's prepared without sausage.

Badrijani

This appetizer has long been a favorite among tourists. Eggplant rolls. Badrijani is usually filled with cheese and walnuts.

Pkhali

A Georgian vegetarian appetizer typically made with beets and spinach. Pkhali is often served with meat.

Dolma

A Georgian appetizer with rice and meat, wrapped in a grape leaf. Dolma is an Armenian dish, and is very popular in Georgia.

Khinkali

Khinkali is boiled meat wrapped in dough. This dish is eaten by hand in a distinctive way: first, you take a bite, drink the broth, and then eat it all. Khinkali are prepared differently in each region of Georgia.

Chikhirtma

A Georgian chicken soup with a harmonious flavor. The main ingredients are meat, vinegar, egg, and herbs. It's important to note that Chikhirtma is a surefire hangover cure.

Mtsvadi

A unique Georgian shashlik. It's usually served with traditional tkemali sauce. The meat is cooked without any marinade, but pomegranate seeds and fresh onions are added.

Fried potatoes

A fairly common and popular side dish in Georgia, often served with Georgian tkemali sauce.

Lobio

A vegetarian dish. The main ingredients are beans, greens, and onions. This delicacy is very common in Georgia. Serving may vary in different regions of Georgia. Lobio paired with mchadi is delicious.

Chashushuli

A traditional Georgian dish. Stewed veal with onions and peppers.

Chakapuli

A stew of meat (usually lamb) with sour plums. White wine, cilantro, and local aromatic herbs are also commonly added.

Kharcho

A traditional Georgian spicy beef soup. Kharcho is usually served with rice. Vegetarian versions of this dish exist. For example, eggplant or zucchini can be used instead of beef.

Trout in Pomegranate Sauce

Tender fish baked until crispy, then topped with a sweet or savory pomegranate sauce.

Matsoni

A traditional Georgian yogurt with a subtle and delicate flavor. This yogurt is often used as a dressing.

Churchkhela

A Georgian dessert. Nuts are strung on a string and covered in thick grape syrup. A proper, fresh churchkhela is very easy to recognize: it stretches like nougat.

Chiri

Dried persimmon is another incomparable Georgian dessert.

Borjomi

A mineral water popular not only in Georgia but also far beyond its borders. It is extracted from a spring of the same name.

Lemonade

Many varieties of this drink can be found in Georgia. They differ in taste and color.

Lagidze Waters

Carbonated water with syrup has long been a favorite among tourists, as it evokes nostalgia. This drink comes in many flavors.

Traditional Wine

Wine is a great complement to many treats. The drinks are made according to a traditional recipe. You definitely need to taste authentic Georgian wines!

Chacha

A traditional Georgian grape vodka. Lovers of strong drinks should definitely try chacha.

We can talk about Georgian dishes for a very long time; you should see it for yourself!

Read also

• Popular Georgian Dishes: What Tourists Try in Georgia