Georgian food · · 3 min read
Georgian food for beginners: what to order at your first Georgian feast
Georgian food is one of those cuisines people try once and then can't stop talking about. If you've never had it, you're not alone — but you're in for a treat. Here's everything you need to know before your first Georgian meal.
First, where is Georgia?
Not the US state. Georgia is a small country in the Caucasus, between Europe and Asia, with the Black Sea on one side and the Caucasus mountains on the other. Its food sits somewhere between Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cooking, with a character all of its own.
What does Georgian food taste like?
Four things you'll notice right away:
- Cheese and bread. Georgians are serious about both — the most famous dish in the country is a bread baked around melted cheese.
- Walnuts. Ground walnuts are blended with garlic and spices into sauces and spreads.
- Fresh herbs. Coriander, dill, parsley, basil and, of course, tarragon — often in generous handfuls, not just a sprinkle.
- Fire. Meat and vegetables grilled over an open fire are at the heart of every celebration.
It's hearty and full of flavour, but mostly not spicy. Heat comes on the side, with adjika, a hot pepper paste.
How Georgians eat: share everything
A Georgian meal isn't "one plate each". Dishes go in the middle of the table and everyone tries a bit of everything.
The traditional Georgian feast is called a supra — literally "tablecloth" — and it's about long tables, many dishes and toasts. The best way to order: choose a few dishes for the table and share.
The dishes to order first
Khachapuri 
Khinkali 
Shashlik 
Pkhali 
Eggplant rolls 
Satsivi 
Chakapuli 
Kharcho 
Matsoni
Khachapuri — cheese bread
Georgia's national dish. The famous Adjarian khachapuri is a bread boat filled with melted cheese, topped with an egg yolk and butter: stir it all together, tear off the crust and dip. More about khachapuri
Khinkali — dumplings with broth
Hand-twisted dumplings filled with meat and hot, juicy broth. Hold one by the knot, bite a small hole, sip the broth, then eat the rest. Leave the knot on your plate. How to eat khinkali
Shashlik — from the fire
Marinated meat grilled over an open fire until golden and juicy. In Georgian it's called mtsvadi, and a feast without it is hard to imagine. Our grill
Pkhali — vegetable and walnut pâtés
Vegetables like beetroot or spinach, finely chopped and mixed with walnuts, garlic and herbs. Scoop them up with warm bread.
Eggplant rolls
Thin slices of fried eggplant rolled around a walnut and garlic paste. One of the most loved Georgian starters.
Satsivi
Chicken in a creamy walnut sauce with Georgian spices. The name comes from the Georgian word for "cold" — it's traditionally served chilled.
Chakapuli
Lamb stewed with tarragon and fresh herbs — the dish that shows why Georgians love the herb we're named after.
Kharcho
A rich Georgian beef soup with rice, walnuts and spices.
For dessert: matsoni
Georgian fermented yogurt, thick and tangy.
A simple order for two
One khachapuri to share, a portion of khinkali, a shashlik from the grill and a salad. That's a real Georgian dinner — and a great first one.
Fun facts
- Georgians love tarragon so much that there's even a bright green tarragon-flavoured soda.
- Khachapuri is so important in Georgia that economists there track a "Khachapuri Index" — the cost of making one in different cities.
Try it in Uluwatu
Tarragon is the only Georgian restaurant in Uluwatu, a minute from Padang Padang beach. Everything above is on our menu, and our team is happy to help you build your first Georgian table.
FAQ
What is Georgian food like?
Hearty, fresh and full of herbs: cheese breads, dumplings with broth, meat grilled over fire, walnut sauces and stews. It sits between Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cooking.
Is Georgian food spicy?
Mostly not. Flavour comes from herbs, walnuts, garlic and spices. Adjika, a hot pepper paste, is served on the side.
What is the most famous Georgian dish?
Khachapuri, the cheese bread — especially the Adjarian boat with egg and butter. Khinkali are a close second.
How should I order at a Georgian restaurant?
Choose several dishes for the table and share them. That's how Georgians eat.
