Gastronomic tourism in Georgia: a guide to tastes and traditions

Let's start with the cuisine

Georgian cuisine is a mix of many cultural influences, from Persia and Turkey to Russia and Europe, yet it maintains its uniqueness and authenticity. Here are a few dishes that you must try in Georgia:

• Khachapuri — one of the most famous Georgian dishes. It is a cheese pie where the dough can vary by region, and the filling is traditional sulguni or a blend of cheeses. Khachapuri comes in different shapes: round, square, or boat-shaped (Adjaruli khachapuri).

• Khinkali — these are dumplings that differ from the usual ones: they are large, with plenty of filling and a broth inside that bursts when you take a bite. You can find khinkali in any restaurant and even from local street vendors.

• Mtsvadi (Shashlik) — in Georgia, every region has its own way of preparing barbecue. Locals love grilling meat over coals with vegetables, creating the perfect flavor combination.

• Kharcho soup — a Georgian soup with rice, meat, and plenty of spices, known for its rich flavor. It is especially delicious in winter!

• Wine — Georgia is the homeland of winemaking. Wine has been made here for over 8,000 years, and it is rightfully considered among the best in the world. In Georgia, you should try wine made from local grape varieties such as Saperavi, Rkatsiteli, and Mtsvane.

Where to try Georgian dishes?

• Tbilisi: The capital of Georgia is a place where you can find both traditional restaurants and more modern gastronomic establishments. In Tbilisi, be sure to visit restaurants with live music and an atmosphere where classic Georgian dishes are served.

• Kakheti: This region is famous for its wineries. Here, you can not only taste local wines but also participate in tours where you will learn about the winemaking process and be invited to a tasting. Kakheti is also known for its khinkali and khachapuri made according to local recipes.

• Svaneti: In this mountainous region, special attention should be paid to local cheeses and meat. The sely (Georgian sausages) and meat baked in stone ovens with local herbs are particularly delicious.

• Imereti: In this region of Georgia, you will encounter true culinary masterpieces. The dumplings and flatbreads baked in ovens are especially tasty here. It is also worth trying the local wine, as the region is famous for its winemaking traditions.

Discover Georgian culture through its cuisine, wine, and hospitality

Georgia is the ideal country for gastronomic tourism. If you want to get a full gastronomic experience, our Fahu Travel team organizes signature gastronomic journeys through the regions of Georgia. Such tours include:

• Wine tastings. Georgian cuisine is inseparable from wine, and every winemaking region offers diverse tours where you can taste wines, learn the secrets of their production, and try traditional snacks. In Kakheti, we visit family wineries where the owners personally open the qvevri and tell the story of wine that is decades old.

• Khinkali making masterclasses. In some places, you will be invited to cook traditional Georgian dishes yourself. Masterclasses on khachapuri, khinkali, and other local treats are an interesting and engaging way to learn about Georgian cuisine from the inside.

• Farm visits. There are many farms in Georgia that produce traditional products: cheeses, honey, wine, and other gastronomic delicacies. Excursions to such farms allow you to see how these products are made and try them right on the spot.

Festivals in Georgia 2026

If you want to get true gastronomic pleasure, the best time to visit Georgia is during local gastronomic festivals. At these times, the whole country turns into a vast space of flavors where ancient traditions come to life, and guests become part of a real Georgian feast.

• Tbilisi Wine Festival — the country's main wine festival. Every spring on May 10, one of the most famous wine festivals takes place in the center of Tbilisi. More than 100 wineries from all over the country gather here, and guests can try hundreds of wines — from classic varieties like saperavi and rkatsiteli to rare qvevri wines created by small family estates. The highlight of the festival is the chance to meet the winemakers in person.

• Rtveli — the grape harvest holiday in Kakheti. In autumn, from September to October, Kakheti hosts Rtveli — the traditional grape harvest celebration. This is not just an agricultural process, but a real gastronomic and cultural ritual. Guests can take part in the harvest, see how grapes are pressed by foot according to ancient tradition, and try fresh grape juice and young wine.

• Cheese Festival in Tbilisi on September 15. Georgia is not just about wine, but also hundreds of types of cheese. At the Cheese Festival, you can try rare regional cheeses, including aged, smoked, and even wine-aged cheeses. Farmers bring their products from all over the country and share cheesemaking traditions.

• Khachapuri and Khinkali festivals. Various regions of Georgia regularly hold festivals dedicated to the main national dishes — khachapuri and khinkali. Here you can try dozens of varieties of these dishes and see how local masters prepare them.