Tbilisi, the soulful capital of Georgia, is a city where every cobbled street leads to an open table and every meal is a celebration.
The Tbilisi Wine & Food Walking Tour offers an unforgettable journey through the city’s Old Town, where ancient winemaking traditions meet modern culinary creativity.
This tour isn’t just about eating and drinking—it’s about understanding the cultural fabric of Georgia, where hospitality is a sacred duty and a glass of wine always comes with a story.
From underground wine cellars hidden beneath centuries-old homes to family-run bakeries wafting with the scent of fresh khachapuri, this immersive tour gives you an insider’s look at what makes Georgian cuisine and wine so unique.
As you stroll past historic churches, art galleries, and hillside balconies, your guide will share tales of feasting traditions, regional flavors, and why Georgians believe that every guest is a gift from God.
This isn’t a generic tasting—it’s an experience that weaves together ancient recipes, organic qvevri wines, and the vibrant street life of Tbilisi.
With each sip and bite, you’ll uncover a piece of the country’s soul—one that’s warm, bold, and always shared.
What is a Food Tour?
A food tour is a guided cultural and culinary experience that introduces you to a destination through its local cuisine, wine, and stories.
In Tbilisi, Georgia, food tours are an invitation to discover the country’s famous hospitality, diverse regional dishes, and 8,000-year-old winemaking heritage.
What’s typically included:
- A guided walking tour through the historic Old Town.
- 6–10 tastings, including appetizers, mains, desserts, and multiple wine samplings.
- Visits to local restaurants, family-run bakeries, underground wine bars, and hidden street food spots.
- Storytelling about Georgian traditions, Supra feasts, winemaking, and regional dishes.
- Optional chacha (Georgian brandy) or homemade soda tastings.
Types of food tours in Tbilisi:
- Traditional wine and food pairings in Old Town.
- Progressive dinner-style tastings with multi-course meals.
- Market-to-table tours with ingredient education.
- Private chef-led walks with hands-on prep.
- Specialized tours focusing on vegan, vegetarian, or halal options.
What Makes This Food Tour Special?
Georgia is one of the oldest winemaking regions in the world, and Tbilisi is its cultural heart.
This tour introduces you to qvevri wines, artisan cheeses, and ancient bread-baking techniques, all within the backdrop of historic neighborhoods, hospitable families, and incredible food.
The blend of flavors and tradition makes it a feast for both your palate and your curiosity.
🍷 What you may taste:
- Khinkali – Georgian dumplings filled with spiced meat or mushrooms.
- Khachapuri – gooey cheese-filled bread, often served hot from the oven.
- Badrijani Nigvzit – eggplant rolls with walnut and garlic paste.
- Lobio – slow-cooked beans served in a clay pot with pickled vegetables.
- Churchkhela – Georgian sweet made from grape juice and nuts.
- Artisanal cheeses like sulguni or tenili.
- Qvevri wines (amber wines made in clay vessels), saperavi reds, and crisp rkatsiteli whites.
- Chacha (optional) – fiery grape brandy served after meals.
📍 Neighborhoods explored:
- Old Tbilisi (Dzveli Tbilisi) – winding lanes with hidden wine bars and bakeries.
- Abanotubani (Sulfur Bath District) – historic spa area with legendary eateries.
- Sololaki – early 20th-century architecture, cafes, and stylish restaurants.
- Shardeni Street & Erekle II – famous for wine bars and open-air dining.
- Dry Bridge & Dedaena Park – for markets and modern takes on traditional dishes.
⭐ Unique highlights:
- Taste wines fermented in qvevris, a UNESCO-listed method.
- Watch khinkali being made by hand in a local kitchen.
- Meet winemakers and bakers who’ve preserved traditions for generations.
- Visit a family-run wine cellar hidden beneath a 19th-century house.
- Learn how food and toasts are woven into the Georgian Supra feast tradition.
👉 Explore Tbilisi food tours on Tripadvisor
How Much Do Food Tours Cost?
💲 Average price range:
- $35–$60 USD for group walking tours with wine and food tastings.
- $70–$120 USD for private or chef-led culinary experiences.
- $25–$40 USD for shorter wine walks or lunch tours.
✅ What’s included:
- 6–10 tastings of traditional dishes, sweets, and wines.
- Professional English-speaking guide.
- Visits to wineries, bakeries, and eateries.
- Cultural insight and local storytelling.
✨ Optional upgrades:
- Hotel pickup and drop-off.
- Chacha or extra wine pairing.
- Recipe handout or souvenir food pack.
- Live folk music or Supra-style add-on meal.
How Long is the Tour?
🕒 Tours typically last 3 to 4 hours, depending on the number of food stops and wine tastings.
🚶♂️ You’ll walk about 1 to 1.5 miles, with frequent stops, seated tastings, and shaded breaks.
📣 Notify your guide in advance about dietary needs, allergies, mobility issues, or alcohol restrictions.
Do You Need to Book in Advance?
Yes—Tbilisi’s best food and wine tours fill up quickly, especially during spring, summer, and harvest season (September–October).
✅ Why book ahead:
- Small group sizes (6–10 guests) mean limited availability.
- Some family-run stops require advance coordination.
- Private/customized routes need prep time.
- Tours may include seasonal dishes or rare wine pours.
🔁 Cancellation policies: Most tours offer 24–48 hour refund windows—check with the provider.
What Should You Bring?
🧳 Recommended essentials:
- 🥿 Comfortable walking shoes—cobblestones are beautiful but uneven.
- 🧥 Jacket or umbrella, especially in spring and autumn.
- 📸 Camera or phone for food and wine shots.
- 💵 Cash (GEL) for tips or extra wine purchases.
- 🍷 Room in your luggage—you may want to buy a bottle or two!
How to Choose the Best Food Tour
✅ Choose tours led by local food experts or sommeliers.
✅ Look for tours that include wineries and lesser-known family-run spots.
✅ Read reviews about the variety of tastings and quality of storytelling.
✅ Opt for tours with flexible routes or dietary accommodations.
✅ Verify whether the tour includes Qvevri wines, Supra culture, and hands-on elements.
Local Tips & Hidden Gems
- Don’t miss Shoti bread fresh from a tone oven—it’s smoky, chewy, and unforgettable.
- Qvevri wines are stronger and more tannic—ask for pairing tips from your guide.
- If you’re offered a toast, listen carefully—Georgian toasts are poetic and heartfelt.
- Some of the best sweets come from unmarked stalls or elderly vendors—your guide knows where.
- Want to return? Ask your guide about Supra-style dinners or home-hosted cooking classes.
What to Expect on a Food Tour
- Meet your guide in Tbilisi’s Old Town and start with a light appetizer.
- Explore winding streets while learning about Georgian cuisine and history.
- Sample savory and sweet dishes, and taste wine at multiple venues.
- Enjoy the relaxed pace—Georgians never rush a good meal.
- End with a toast and recommendations for more food stops to explore on your own.
How to Prepare for a Food Tour
- Skip lunch—this is a multi-course food and wine experience.
- Dress comfortably, and check the weather.
- Ask questions—guides love sharing stories behind the dishes.
- Pace yourself—especially with qvevri wine and chacha.
- Bring a notepad or phone to jot down names of wines, dishes, and locations.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Tbilisi Wine & Food Walking Tour
✅ Is the wine strong?
Yes—qvevri wines are unfiltered and naturally fermented, often with high alcohol content.
✅ Are non-alcoholic options available?
Yes—grape juice, mineral water, or soda can be provided.
✅ Can vegetarians join?
Absolutely—vegetarian khinkali, salads, and walnut-based dishes are plentiful.
✅ Is the walking difficult?
Not typically, but there may be steps or cobblestones—let your guide know if mobility is a concern.
✅ Where can I book?
👉 Tripadvisor – Tbilisi Food Tours
For food lovers, wine enthusiasts, and culture seekers alike, the Tbilisi Wine & Food Walking Tour delivers a warm, flavorful journey through Georgia’s rich culinary landscape—one toast, one dumpling, and one qvevri at a time.