Tbilisi: Food & Drink Walking Tour with 9 Tastings

Summary

Georgian flavors on foot through Sololaki streets with a local

You’ll wander Tbilisi’s Sololaki neighborhood with a local guide, tasting khinkali dumplings, clay-pot beans, natural wine and fiery chacha along hidden backstreets. Expect laughter over lunch tables, stories behind ancient churches and nine authentic Georgian tastings that linger long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit, I didn’t expect to feel so at home in Tbilisi’s Old Town. Maybe it was the way our guide, Giorgi, greeted us like we were old friends — or maybe it was the smell of fresh bread drifting out from one of those tiny bakeries you’d miss if you blinked. We started our food tour in Sololaki, wandering cobbled lanes where balconies lean over your head and neighbors call out to each other from windows. It felt less like a tour and more like tagging along with someone who knew every shortcut and secret snack spot.

The first bite of khinkali — hot, peppery, juice dripping down my wrist (no napkins in sight) — set the tone. Giorgi showed us how to eat them without making a mess; I failed spectacularly and got a laugh from an old woman at the next table. At one point we stopped near the parliament building (I think it was built in the late ‘30s?) and he pointed out how Soviet architecture sits right next to art nouveau facades. The mix is wild. We ducked into a little café for beans cooked in clay pots and sips of chacha that burned just enough to make me grin. There’s something about that sharp grape smell — kind of earthy, kind of dangerous if you’re not careful.

By the time we reached the church with those faded frescoes inside, I was full but still curious. Giorgi explained some of the saints’ stories while sunlight slanted through stained glass onto the floor. I can’t remember all the details now, but I do remember how quiet it felt in there compared to the noisy street outside. Someone handed me a glass of natural wine (amber colored, slightly cloudy) and I thought: this is what travel should feel like — slow, surprising, full of small moments you couldn’t plan if you tried.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Tbilisi food and cultural walking tour

• Explore historic Sololaki neighborhood
• Visit locally-owned eateries
• Sample nine traditional Georgian dishes
• Learn about Georgian food culture
• Stop by parliament building
• Visit beautiful church and see frescoes

Top questions

How many tastings are included on this Tbilisi food tour?

The tour includes at least nine different food and drink tastings.

Is lunch provided during the walking tour?

Yes, lunch is included as part of the experience.

Are vegetarian options available on this Tbilisi food tour?

Yes, vegetarian options are available upon request.

Does this tour include alcoholic beverages?

Yes, alcoholic beverages such as chacha and natural wine are included.

Where does the Tbilisi food tour take place?

The tour takes place mainly in Tbilisi’s historic Sololaki neighborhood and Old Town area.

Is pickup included for this walking food tour?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; guests meet at the starting point in Old Town.

Can children join this food & drink walking tour?

Yes, children can join but must be accompanied by an adult; minimum drinking age is 18.

How long does this Tbilisi food & drink tour last?

The walking tour lasts approximately four hours.

What’s included

Your day covers at least nine Georgian tastings (think khinkali dumplings, beans in clay pots, chicken salad), plenty of snacks plus lunch with local wine or chacha. A professional guide leads you through Sololaki’s backstreets and shares stories at every stop—vegetarian options available if you let them know ahead of time.