Georgian food is one of the great discoveries of a trip to Tbilisi, and a food tour is the fastest way to work out what to order for the rest of your stay. This private walk, one of the highest-rated food experiences in the city on Viator, explores Sololaki, the elegant old district of art nouveau mansions, painted entrance halls and wine bars just below the fortress hill. Over about four hours your guide leads you to old taverns and local eateries for nine tastings, typically taking in khachapuri, the cheese-filled bread in its many regional forms; khinkali, the twisted soup dumplings that you eat by hand; walnut-rich pkhali and badrijani; churchkhela, the walnut sweets dipped in grape must; and glasses of Georgian wine, with a story behind every dish. Because the tour is private, it adapts to your pace and diet, and vegetarians are easy to cater for in a cuisine rich in beans, walnuts and vegetables.
How to visit: the tour is private, so you choose the start time when you book, and the price per person drops with group size. It lasts about four hours on foot, with enough food to count as a full meal, so book it for lunch or early evening and skip the meal before. Mention dietary needs when booking. Free cancellation applies up to the usual cutoff.
What to expect: Sololaki is hilly in places and many of the best stops are in old buildings with steps, so wear comfortable shoes. Expect a mix of sit-down tastings and quick stops, a walk through some of the district’s grand old entrance halls, and plenty of tips for restaurants, bakeries and wine bars to try on your own. Exact stops change with the season and the guide.
Making the most of it: do the tour early in your trip so you know your adjaruli from your imeruli khachapuri, ask your guide where locals go for khinkali, and keep notes on the wines you like to look for later. Pair it with a sulfur bath or a slow evening walk through the old town.
What to expect
The experience
A private guided walk through Sololaki with nine food and drink tastings at taverns and local eateries.
Best time
Lunchtime or early evening, early in your trip, on an empty stomach.
How long
About four hours.
Tips
Skip the previous meal, mention dietary needs when booking and ask the guide for restaurant tips.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Food lovers and first-time visitors who want to know what to order.
- Families
- A private tour adapts to children’s tastes, and khachapuri is a guaranteed hit.
- Couples
- A relaxed, delicious way to explore one of Tbilisi’s most beautiful districts together.
- Pair with
- The Kakheti wine day trip to see where the wine comes from.
- Time needed
- Half a day.
Good questions
How many tastings are on the Tbilisi food tour?+
This private tour includes nine food and drink tastings. Together they add up to a full meal.
Where does the Tbilisi food tour go?+
It walks through Sololaki, the historic district below Narikala, stopping at old taverns and local eateries. Exact stops vary with the guide and season.
Is the food tour suitable for vegetarians?+
Usually yes, as Georgian cuisine has many dishes based on cheese, beans, walnuts and vegetables. Mention your diet when booking.
Is the food tour private?+
Yes, it is a private tour, so only your group takes part. The price per person depends on the group size.
What Georgian dishes should I try?+
Khachapuri, the cheese bread, and khinkali, the soup dumplings, are the essentials. Add pkhali, badrijani with walnuts and churchkhela for dessert.
