Dishes worth trying
- Khinkali — large dumplings, usually eaten by hand
- Khachapuri — cheese bread, in several regional styles
- Kharcho — a rich beef and rice soup
- Mtsvadi — grilled meat, often pork or veal
- Pkhali — a vegetable and walnut paste
- Lobio — beans, often served in a clay pot
How a Georgian meal runs
Food usually arrives as shared plates in the middle of the table rather than as individual courses, and the pace is unhurried. Bread and fresh herbs come alongside.
- Order a few dishes to share rather than one per person.
- Expect a long, relaxed meal rather than a quick stop.
Dinner tends to start later than in much of Western Europe. Confirm the kitchen hours on the day, as they vary.
Ordering for different diets
Vegetarian eating is easy here, and asking directly is the simplest way to confirm what a dish contains.
- Vegetarian: pkhali, lobio, ajapsandali, fresh salads
- Ask whether a soup or pastry contains meat or stock.
- Nuts are common in sauces, so mention allergies before ordering.