Tbilisi Private Food and Wine Tour with Lunch and Tastings

Tbilisi’s best introduction may be a bowl of chikhirtma, a warm chicken soup served after a late night, followed by chacha and a slow meal with a local guide. This private tour links the Old Town, Mtatsminda, and Liberty Square through food, wine, and a comfortable vehicle rather than a rushed checklist.

I like the private format, since your guide can adjust the pace and talk with your group instead of managing strangers. I also like the spread of Georgian flavors: soup, Acharuli khachapuri, natural wine, and khinkali give you a useful first taste of the country. The main consideration is the seven-hour length, plus alcohol at several stops, so this is not the right pick if you want a short tasting walk or a light lunch.

Key points at a glance

• Chikhirtma near Tbilisi’s Old Town: Start with a traditional chicken soup and, if you choose, a shot of chacha.
• Funicular to Mtatsminda: Ride above the city for Acharuli khachapuri at one of Tbilisi’s high points.
• Natural wine at Liberty Square: Taste Georgian wines in a setting focused on low-intervention local bottles.
• Khinkali to finish: End with Georgia’s famous dumplings, plus the option of beer and more chacha.
• Private transport included: Hotel or apartment pickup and drop-off cover any location in Tbilisi.
• A flexible day: The stated duration is about seven hours, but a highly social group may spend closer to nine.

Why this tour works as a first day in Tbilisi

Food in Georgia is not a side activity. It is the way people gather, celebrate, and explain their country. This tour gives you a useful introduction without asking you to decode a restaurant menu on your own.

You meet your English-speaking guide at noon, at your Tbilisi hotel or apartment. From there, you travel in a private vehicle between several parts of the city. That matters in Tbilisi, where restaurants and wine bars can be spread across steep streets, central squares, and older neighborhoods.

I especially like the opening stop because it sets the tone. You are not simply handed a plate of familiar food. You begin with chikhirtma, a Georgian chicken soup known for its restorative qualities, especially after a late arrival or an ambitious night out. One detailed account paired it with chacha, the local grape spirit. You can decline a second shot, as that group did, but the choice is there.

The experience is described as roughly seven hours, though the pace is not rigid. A group that keeps conversation brief could finish in about six hours. A group that enjoys long meals, wine discussions, and shopping for bottles may spend close to nine hours. Plan your evening accordingly.

Chikhirtma in the Old Town

The first meal takes place at an upscale restaurant in Tbilisi’s Old Town, near the sulphur baths. The setting gives you an early look at one of the city’s most atmospheric areas while you try a dish that is less famous abroad than khachapuri or khinkali.

Chikhirtma is a chicken soup, but it is not simply a bowl of clear broth. The tour presents it as a local remedy for a hangover, which makes it a particularly useful first course after a late night. The precise ingredients and seasoning may vary by restaurant, but the point is clear: this is comforting Georgian food with a practical purpose.

You spend about an hour here. That is enough time to eat without being pushed out for the next group. The meal may also include chacha, Georgia’s strong grape spirit. Since alcoholic drinks are included, you should keep the full day in mind before accepting every pour. The tour has several wine and spirit moments, not one isolated tasting.

The Old Town location also helps you get your bearings. You are near the sulphur baths and within one of Tbilisi’s central historic areas, so the first stop combines food with a sense of place. It is a better opening than beginning in a generic restaurant far from the center.

Riding the funicular to Mtatsminda

After the soup, the tour heads to the funicular. The ride takes you up to Mtatsminda Park, one of the highest points in Tbilisi, and gives the day a welcome change of pace.

The funicular is more than a way to reach lunch. It provides a view over the city and lets you see how Tbilisi spreads along the hills and valley. Since the tour includes the admission ticket, you do not need to handle that part separately.

At Mtatsminda, you taste Acharuli khachapuri, the boat-shaped Georgian bread filled with cheese, butter, and egg. It is one of the country’s signature dishes and a good example of Georgian food at its most filling. You break into the bread and mix the center before eating it, though your guide can show you the proper approach.

Acharuli khachapuri is not a delicate snack. Portions can be substantial, especially after soup and before later dumplings. I would arrive hungry, but not starving, because the tour is built around repeated tastings rather than one enormous meal.

A detailed day on this route also included Georgian white wine and small foods such as smashed walnuts and eggplant around this part of the experience. Exact pairings can vary, but the broader idea is consistent: you move from soup to bread, wine, and vegetable-based flavors rather than eating the same style of food all afternoon.

Natural wine around Liberty Square

The wine portion takes place at a natural wine bar near Liberty Square. Georgia is one of the world’s important old wine-making cultures, and natural wine is a useful way to understand how modern Tbilisi connects with traditional methods.

The experience includes alcoholic beverages and food tastings, so you are not expected to pay separately for each sample. One detailed account included an old wine cellar, two bottles shared among the group, and time to buy several Georgian wines to take home. That suggests the wine stop may be more generous than a quick sip at a counter.

You should ask questions here. The guide can help explain the styles you are tasting, and an English-speaking guide is especially useful if you want to understand unfamiliar grapes, methods, or serving customs. The tour is private, so you can spend more time on wine if that is your main interest, or move along if food is your priority.

There is one practical point to remember: Georgian wine can be stronger and more varied than the sweet wines many first-time visitors expect. Natural wine may also have unusual aromas or a cloudy appearance. That is part of the appeal, but it may not suit every palate.

If you buy bottles, the private vehicle makes the choice easier. You can return them to your accommodation before being dropped elsewhere in the city. One group was taken back to its apartment to leave purchased wine before continuing its evening. That kind of flexibility is one of the clearest benefits of a private tour.

Khinkali at the final table

The final food stop centers on khinkali, Georgia’s famous dumplings. These are usually filled with meat and broth, and eating them neatly takes a little practice. Hold the top knot, take a small bite, drink the broth, then eat the rest while leaving the handle behind if you wish.

The tour describes this as the best dumpling stop in the city, but the real value is the chance to try khinkali with guidance and in the context of the other dishes. You are not sampling an isolated dish. By this stage, you have tasted soup, cheese bread, wine, and perhaps vegetable appetizers, so the dumplings complete a broad introduction to Georgian table food.

The final stop lasts about an hour and a half in the stated plan. A detailed day included beer and another shot of chacha here. You can enjoy the social side of the meal, but keep your own limits in mind. The combination of wine, spirits, beer, and rich food adds up quickly over seven hours.

The published route names four main stages, while one completed day included five separate venues. This means the precise restaurant sequence can vary. You should expect the same food themes, but not assume every group receives the identical address, drink, or number of stops.

What the private vehicle changes

Tbilisi is walkable in parts, but this is not a simple four-stop stroll. The tour covers Old Town, Mtatsminda, Liberty Square, and other locations by private vehicle. That saves energy and keeps the day practical, especially when you are eating full portions and carrying wine.

Hotel and apartment pickup is offered anywhere in Tbilisi, with drop-off included. You start at noon, so you do not need to find a meeting point across town. That is helpful after a late flight or if you are still learning the city’s streets.

The vehicle also gives the guide room to respond to your group. If you need a slower pace, more time at a meal, or a return to your accommodation with purchases, a private arrangement is more useful than a fixed group bus. The experience is for your group alone, not a mixed party.

Guide names associated with this experience include Tso and Captain Z. One detailed account describes Tso arriving early and waiting for the group, then driving them back to their apartment and later to a casino. Another account identifies Captain Z as friendly, easygoing, and informative. The guide assigned to your date may differ, but the format is built around a personal host rather than a recorded commentary.

Is $120 per person good value?

At $120 per person, this is not a bargain food crawl by Georgian standards. It becomes easier to justify once you count what is included: private transportation, hotel pickup and drop-off, a professional guide, lunch, food tastings, wine, and other alcoholic drinks.

You are also paying for time. Seven hours of private guiding and driving is a large part of the value, especially if you are visiting Tbilisi for only a few days. A taxi-based version would require planning several restaurants, arranging transport, translating menus, and deciding how much to order at each place.

The value is strongest for first-time visitors, couples, families with older children, and small groups who want an easy introduction. It is less compelling for someone who already knows Tbilisi’s restaurants, avoids alcohol, or prefers to choose every dish independently.

The amount of food is designed to keep you satisfied without placing one huge meal at the center of the day. Still, the menu leans hearty: soup, cheese bread, dumplings, and alcohol. Tell the operator about dietary requirements or food restrictions when you book. That information is specifically requested in advance.

Timing, pace, and what to plan around

The start time is 12:00 pm, and the approximate duration is seven hours. You should not book an early evening activity that cannot move, since the day may run longer if your group enjoys talking with the guide or lingering over wine.

The tour is booked, on average, about 14 days in advance. That is a useful planning clue if your Tbilisi dates are fixed. The private format and small number of available departures can make advance booking sensible.

Wear shoes that are comfortable for short walks around restaurants, squares, and the funicular area. The tour is near public transportation, but you do not need to use it because private transport is provided. Most people can participate, though the long duration and heavy meals may not suit anyone looking for a low-key afternoon.

I would also avoid scheduling a demanding activity afterward. The final dumplings, beer, and chacha can make a quiet evening more attractive than another museum or long walk.

Who should book this Tbilisi food tour?

I would recommend it to you if you want a strong first taste of Georgian food but do not know which dishes or restaurants to choose. The guide handles the route, explains the meals, and keeps transportation simple.

It is also a good choice if you arrive after a late night. Chikhirtma near the sulphur baths gives you a gentle, local start, and the day gradually moves into more substantial foods and wine.

Wine lovers should find the natural wine stop particularly useful. The private setting gives you space to ask questions and possibly purchase bottles without worrying about carrying them through the rest of the day.

I would think twice if you do not drink alcohol. Food is a major part of the experience, but the tour includes wine, chacha, beer, and other alcoholic beverages. I would also hesitate if you want a tightly timed program, since the experience can stretch well beyond seven hours.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made later are not refunded or accepted, so check your plans before the deadline.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want Tbilisi explained through its table rather than through a string of monuments. The combination of chikhirtma, Mtatsminda khachapuri, natural wine, and khinkali gives you a memorable food map of the city, while private transport removes much of the usual friction.

The cost is fair when you value the included meals, drinks, driver, and guide time. I would choose it early in your visit, when local food names are still unfamiliar and you want practical advice for the rest of your stay. Skip it only if you prefer independent restaurant hunting, avoid alcohol, or need a short and predictable schedule.

FAQ

How long does the Tbilisi food and wine tour last?

The tour lasts approximately seven hours. Depending on how quickly your group moves between stops and how long you spend talking and eating, the day may be shorter or longer.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 12:00 pm.

Where can pickup take place?

Pickup is offered from any hotel or apartment location in Tbilisi. Hotel drop-off is also included.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private tour or activity.

What foods are included?

The planned tastings include chikhirtma, Acharuli khachapuri, and Georgian dumplings known as khinkali. Other food tastings may include items such as walnuts and eggplant.

Are wine and other alcoholic drinks included?

Yes. Beverages and alcoholic beverages are included. The experience includes Georgian wine, and detailed tour arrangements have also included chacha and beer.

Is the funicular ticket included?

Yes. The funicular ride to Mtatsminda Park is part of the experience, and admission tickets are included.

What happens if I need to cancel?

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