Tbilisi Private Food and Wine Tour with Lunch and Tastings

Taste Tbilisi one plate at a time. I like the mix of traditional Georgian food and natural wine, and I like having a private vehicle with hotel pickup and drop-off. The main consideration is the long seven-hour schedule, especially if you add extra wine or linger over meals.

This tour works well for first-time visitors who want food, city views, and local drinks without planning each stop themselves. You may also be hungry by the end, since the portions are tasting-sized rather than a single large lunch, though the day can stretch close to nine hours if conversation and wine take over.

Key things to know before booking

• Four named food and wine stops: Try chikhirtma near Old Town, Acharuli khachapuri at Mtatsminda, natural wines near Liberty Square, and khinkali at the final stop.
• The funicular is part of the day: You ride up to Mtatsminda Park instead of simply driving between restaurants.
• A truly private outing: Your group travels alone with a professional guide in a private vehicle.
• Hotel or apartment pickup: The guide collects you anywhere in Tbilisi at about noon and returns you afterward.
• Food and alcohol are included: The price covers tastings, lunch, beverages, and alcoholic drinks, including Georgian wine.
• The pace can be flexible: The planned duration is about seven hours, but a relaxed group may spend considerably longer at the table.

A food tour that also shows you Tbilisi

The smart idea here is variety. You are not parked in one restaurant for a long lunch, then sent back to your hotel. Instead, the tour uses several parts of Tbilisi as a dining room, with the ride between stops giving you a look at the city.

You begin at noon with pickup from your hotel or apartment. That timing is useful after a late arrival or a lively night out. One guest account describes starting with soup and chacha after a pub crawl, which tells you something about the tour’s informal character. The guide can set a friendly tone quickly, and you do not need to figure out taxis, restaurant locations, or which dishes to order.

The route includes Old Town, Mtatsminda Park, and Liberty Square. These are not random restaurant addresses. They give the day a rough shape, moving from the older center to a high viewpoint and back toward a central square.

You travel in a private vehicle, which matters in Tbilisi. The stops are spread out, and one part of the route takes considerably longer to reach. A private car keeps the day comfortable and lets the guide handle the transfers while you concentrate on food, wine, and the changing views.

Chikhirtma near the Old Town sulfur baths

The first stop is in or near Tbilisi’s Old Town, close to the sulfur bath district. Here you taste chikhirtma, a Georgian chicken soup often treated as a hangover remedy. It is a fitting opening dish: warm, savory, and gentler than beginning the day with a heavy pastry or a plate of dumplings.

The restaurant is described as upscale, so this is not simply a quick bowl grabbed on the street. You get time to settle in, ask questions, and hear how Georgian cooking uses familiar ingredients in its own way. The stop lasts about an hour, and the admission and tasting are included.

Chacha may also appear here. It is a strong Georgian spirit, often compared with grappa or a powerful fruit brandy. The tour includes alcoholic beverages, and a small shot can be a fun cultural introduction. It can also catch you off guard, particularly before a full meal, so you should feel no pressure to accept a second pour.

I like this first stop because it gives you a clear taste of Georgian hospitality without demanding too much from your appetite. If you arrive tired, the soup helps. If you are already hungry, it prepares you for the larger dishes ahead.

Riding the funicular to Mtatsminda Park

After Old Town, you ride the funicular up to Mtatsminda Park, one of Tbilisi’s best elevated viewpoints. The ride itself is part of the experience. It breaks up the eating and gives the day a memorable bit of transport rather than another ordinary car transfer.

At the top, you taste Acharuli khachapuri, the boat-shaped Georgian cheese bread associated with Adjara. It usually arrives with cheese and a soft egg in the center, though the exact presentation can vary. The important point is that this is a rich dish, and it is one of the foods you will likely remember long after the tour.

The setting adds value. Mtatsminda gives you a different view of Tbilisi than the narrow lanes and balconies of Old Town. You get a sense of how the city spreads along the hills and river valley, while still having a practical reason to be there: lunch.

The planned stop is about an hour. One account describes a longer sequence around the khachapuri stop, with the trip to and from the location taking roughly two and a half hours. That is worth keeping in mind. The tour is not a sprint from table to table. You should allow room for traffic, the funicular ride, and time spent talking with your guide.

A local soft drink may also be offered. One guest described trying a licorice-flavored Georgian soda and finding it interesting, if not a new favorite. That is exactly the kind of small, slightly odd taste that makes a food tour more useful than a standard restaurant meal.

Natural wine near Liberty Square

The route then returns toward Liberty Square for a stop devoted to Georgian natural wine. This is one of the strongest parts of the tour for anyone curious about the country’s wine culture.

Georgia has a long winemaking tradition, and natural wine is a major part of the modern tasting scene. You may try white and red wines in a dedicated wine bar or cellar setting, with your guide explaining what you are drinking and how to approach the tasting.

The experience is not limited to wine alone. One account describes Georgian white wine served with walnut-based appetizers and eggplant. Those small dishes matter because Georgian food often relies on walnuts, herbs, vegetables, and sharp seasoning as much as meat and cheese. They give your palate a break from the heavier khachapuri and prepare you for the final meal.

The wine stop is scheduled for about an hour, but it can run longer. One particularly relaxed outing included two bottles of wine and about an hour and a half in an old wine cellar. That sort of pace will appeal to you if you enjoy conversation and want to buy bottles to take home.

The practical warning is simple: wine tastings add up. Chacha at the first stop, wine with food, and more wine at the cellar can make the final stop feel very different from the first. Pace yourself, drink water when it is offered, and remember that the tour is seven hours long.

Khinkali at the final stop

The final food stop is for khinkali, Georgia’s famous soup dumplings. They are usually filled with meat or another savory mixture, and you eat them carefully so the broth stays inside until the first bite. Your guide can show you the local technique if this is your first time.

The stop lasts about an hour and a half, making it a proper finish rather than a quick sample. You may have beer or another drink with the dumplings, and chacha can appear again. The contrast with the opening soup is enjoyable: chikhirtma is served with a spoon, while khinkali requires a little hand skill and attention.

This is also where the tasting format pays off. You sample several signature Georgian dishes across the day instead of filling up on the first one. Still, the combination of soup, khachapuri, wine, appetizers, and dumplings is substantial. If you have dietary restrictions, tell the operator when booking, not when you sit down.

The final stop is near Liberty Square, a convenient central location. Afterward, your guide takes you back to your Tbilisi accommodation. One extended outing included an extra drive to an apartment so purchased wine could be dropped off, followed by a ride to a casino. That was a special courtesy rather than a guaranteed part of the plan, but it shows how a private tour can feel more personal than a fixed group excursion.

What the private vehicle adds

The vehicle is not just a comfort feature. It changes the way you use the day.

Tbilisi has hills, traffic, and stops that are not all next to one another. With private transport, you do not need to arrange a taxi after wine tasting or work out how to reach Mtatsminda. Pickup and drop-off are offered at any hotel or apartment in Tbilisi, which removes a fair amount of city logistics.

The private format also means only your group participates. You can ask more questions, slow down at a stop, or move along when everyone has had enough. One guide, identified in tour accounts as Tso, was praised for being easygoing and fitting the group well. Another account refers to Captain Z as an informative and friendly guide. The exact guide depends on assignment, but the personal style is part of the appeal.

There is a trade-off. A private vehicle gives you less independence during the day. You are following the guide’s restaurant choices rather than comparing menus on your own. If you already know Tbilisi well and want to hunt for specific wine bars, a self-guided food crawl may offer more freedom.

Is $120 a fair price?

At $120 per person, this is not the cheapest way to eat in Tbilisi. Georgia can be very affordable, and you could order several famous dishes on your own for less.

The value comes from what the price bundles together: approximately seven hours, private transport, hotel pickup and return, a professional English-speaking guide, the funicular ride, food tastings, lunch, beverages, and alcoholic drinks. You are paying for access and organization as much as for the plates themselves.

The price looks better for a small group that would otherwise pay for several taxis and separate tastings. It also makes sense if you want a single day devoted to Georgian food but do not want to research restaurants, explain dietary needs repeatedly, or decide how much wine is sensible before driving.

The value is weaker if your main goal is a large, leisurely lunch in one restaurant. It is also less attractive if you do not drink alcohol, since wine and spirits are a central part of the experience. You should compare the cost with what private transportation and a separate wine tasting would cost in your own plans.

How long the day really takes

The official duration is about seven hours, beginning at noon. That makes an expected finish around early evening, though exact timing will depend on traffic, restaurant service, and how long your group stays at each table.

The planned stops add up to about four and a half hours: one hour for chikhirtma, one hour at Mtatsminda, one hour for natural wine, and one and a half hours for khinkali. The rest is used for transfers and the funicular ride.

In practice, the day may be shorter or longer. One account described a tour lasting almost nine hours because the group enjoyed talking with the guide and lingering at the stops. Another suggested that a less talkative group could complete it in about six hours. Plan your evening with some flexibility.

The tour is generally suitable for most people, but it is not a quick tasting walk. You will spend much of the day seated, eating and drinking, with vehicle transfers between locations. Wear comfortable clothing and keep your schedule open after pickup.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it most strongly to first-time visitors, couples, families of adults, and small groups who want an easy introduction to Georgian cuisine. It is especially useful during a short Tbilisi stay, when you want to combine sightseeing and food without spending a day on planning.

It also suits people who enjoy a relaxed guide-led outing. The guide is not only there to drive you between restaurants. You can use the time to ask about dishes, wine, customs, and the city as you move around.

You may want a different plan if you prefer strict timing, quiet meals, or complete control over restaurant choice. Heavy drinkers should also think carefully about the length of the day. The tour can include chacha, white wine, red wine, beer, and more chacha, so moderation is part of making the experience enjoyable.

The tour is offered in English, and dietary requirements should be shared at booking. Confirmation arrives at the time of booking. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Should you book the Tbilisi food and wine tour?

Book it if you want a private, well-fed introduction to Tbilisi with classic dishes, Georgian wine, a funicular ride, and no transport worries. I especially like the route because it combines chikhirtma, Acharuli khachapuri, natural wine, and khinkali instead of repeating one style of meal.

Skip it if you are looking for the lowest-cost way to eat, do not drink, or prefer choosing every restaurant yourself. For most first-time visitors who value convenience and conversation, $120 is a reasonable price for a full day of food, wine, and city orientation.

FAQ

How long is the Tbilisi private food and wine tour?

The tour lasts approximately seven hours. The day can sometimes take closer to six hours or extend toward nine hours, depending on the pace of the group and time spent at the stops.

What time does the tour start?

Pickup begins at 12:00 pm.

Where can pickup take place?

Pickup is offered from any hotel or apartment in Tbilisi.

Is hotel drop-off included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Tbilisi are included.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

What food will I taste?

The planned food tastings include chikhirtma, Acharuli khachapuri, and khinkali. Other Georgian foods, such as walnut appetizers and eggplant, may also be served during the wine portion.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Beverages and alcoholic beverages are included. The experience includes Georgian wine, and chacha may also be served.

Is the funicular ride included?

Yes. The itinerary includes a funicular ride to Mtatsminda Park, and admission is included.

Can I provide dietary requirements?

Yes. You should advise the operator of specific dietary requirements or food restrictions when booking.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted.