Georgian Restaurant Phrases: Order Food Like a Local (Not a Tourist)

Here’s the thing about eating in Georgian restaurants: you’ll get fed regardless of how much Georgian you speak. Point at a menu, smile, nod — food will appear. Georgia is hospitable like that.

But there’s a massive difference between “tourist who gets the English menu” and “person who orders in Georgian and suddenly gets the off-menu recommendations, the extra plate of churchkhela the kitchen just made, and the server calling you ‘ძმაო’ (dzmao — bro).”

I spent my first month in Tbilisi pointing at pictures on menus. Then I learned about 20 restaurant phrases and everything changed. The food got better (because servers started recommending dishes they actually liked), the prices occasionally got friendlier, and dining became genuinely social instead of transactional.

Here’s everything you need.

Quick Reference: 10 Must-Know Restaurant Phrases

Photograph this for your phone:

Situation	Georgian	Pronunciation	English
Getting attention	მაპატიეთ	ma-pa-ti-et	Excuse me
I want…	მინდა…	min-da…	I want…
Please bring	მოიტანეთ, თუ შეიძლება	mo-i-ta-net, tu sheidz-le-ba	Please bring
This one	ეს	es	This
What do you recommend?	რას მირჩევთ?	ras mir-chevt?	What do you recommend?
Check please	ანგარიში, თუ შეიძლება	an-ga-ri-shi, tu sheidz-le-ba	Check, please
Delicious!	გემრიელია!	gem-ri-e-li-a!	It’s delicious!
No meat	ხორცი არ მინდა	khor-tsi ar min-da	I don’t want meat
How much?	რა ღირს?	ra ghirs?	How much is it?
Water	წყალი	ts’qa-li	Water

Entering and Getting Seated

When you walk in, staff will greet you with გამარჯობა (ga-mar-jo-ba) or the formal გამარჯობათ (ga-mar-jo-bat). Respond with the same.

Asking for a table

მაგიდა გაქვთ? (ma-gi-da gak-vt?) — Do you have a table?

Then specify how many people:

• ორი კაცისთვის (o-ri ka-tsis-tvis) — For two people
• სამი კაცისთვის (sa-mi ka-tsis-tvis) — For three people
• ოთხი კაცისთვის (ot-khi ka-tsis-tvis) — For four people

Want to sit outside? გარეთ შეიძლება? (ga-ret sheidz-le-ba?) — Can we sit outside?

Have a reservation? დაჯავშნილი მაქვს (da-jav-shni-li mak-vs) — I have a reservation.

For numbers beyond four, check our Georgian numbers guide.

Reading the Menu

Georgian menus are less intimidating than they look once you recognize the section headers:

Georgian	Pronunciation	Meaning
სალათები	sa-la-te-bi	Salads
წვნიანები	tsv-ni-a-ne-bi	Soups
ცხელი კერძები	tskhe-li ker-dze-bi	Hot dishes
ხორცი	khor-tsi	Meat
ფრინველი	prin-ve-li	Poultry
თევზი	tev-zi	Fish
გარნირი	gar-ni-ri	Side dishes
დესერტი	de-ser-ti	Dessert
სასმელები	sas-me-le-bi	Drinks
ღვინო	ghvi-no	Wine

Cooking method words you’ll see constantly

Georgian	Pronunciation	Meaning
შემწვარი	shem-tsva-ri	Grilled/Fried
მოხარშული	mo-khar-shu-li	Boiled
გამომცხვარი	ga-mom-tskhva-ri	Baked
ბოსტნეული	bost-ne-u-li	Vegetables
ნიორი	ni-o-ri	Garlic
ყველი	qve-li	Cheese
კვერცხი	kver-tskhi	Egg
პური	pu-ri	Bread

Reading the Georgian alphabet makes menus ten times easier. If you haven’t learned it yet, our alphabet guide will get you there in an hour or two.

Ordering Food

This is where most tourists freeze up. Don’t. Georgian servers are famously patient with language learners, and even your worst attempt will be met with encouragement.

The magic formula

მინდა (min-da — I want) + food item. That’s it.

• მინდა ხინკალი (min-da khin-ka-li) — I want khinkali
• მინდა ხაჭაპური (min-da kha-cha-pu-ri) — I want khachapuri
• მინდა ლობიო (min-da lo-bi-o) — I want lobio (bean stew)

Adding “please”

Tack on თუ შეიძლება (tu sheidz-le-ba) to sound polite:

ხინკალი, თუ შეიძლება — Khinkali, please.

Specifying quantity

For items ordered by piece (khinkali, kababi):

• ხუთი ხინკალი (khu-ti khin-ka-li) — Five khinkali
• ათი ხინკალი (a-ti khin-ka-li) — Ten khinkali
• თხუთმეტი ხინკალი (tkhut-me-ti khin-ka-li) — Fifteen khinkali

Standard khinkali portion is 5-10 per person. Ordering fewer than 5 will get you a look.

The pointing method (no shame)

When all else fails:

• ეს მინდა (es min-da) — I want this one (pointing)
• ეს რა არის? (es ra a-ris?) — What is this?
• რას მირჩევთ? (ras mir-chevt?) — What do you recommend?

That last phrase is magic. Servers love giving recommendations, and you’ll discover dishes that aren’t on any English menu.

Ordering drinks

• წყალი, თუ შეიძლება (ts’qa-li, tu sheidz-le-ba) — Water, please
• ლუდი მაქვთ? (lu-di mak-vt?) — Do you have beer?
• ღვინის სია გაქვთ? (ghvi-nis si-a gak-vt?) — Do you have a wine list?
• ლიმონათი (li-mo-na-ti) — Georgian-style lemonade (try tarkhuna — tarragon flavor!)
• ჩაი (cha-i) — Tea
• ყავა (qa-va) — Coffee

Khachapuri variations you should know

Khachapuri isn’t just one dish — each region has its own style:

• იმერული (i-me-ru-li) — Imeretian: round, closed, filled with cheese
• აჭარული (a-cha-ru-li) — Adjaran: boat-shaped with egg and butter (the famous one)
• მეგრული (meg-ru-li) — Megrelian: cheese on top AND inside
• ფხალიანი (pkha-li-a-ni) — With greens
• ლობიანი (lo-bi-a-ni) — Not technically khachapuri, but similar — filled with beans

During the Meal

Getting the server’s attention

მაპატიეთ (ma-pa-ti-et) — Excuse me. This is polite. Don’t snap fingers or wave — that’s rude in Georgia.

Making requests

• კიდევ პური, თუ შეიძლება (ki-dev pu-ri, tu sheidz-le-ba) — More bread, please
• წყალი კიდევ (ts’qa-li ki-dev) — More water
• დანა და ჩანგალი (da-na da chan-ga-li) — Knife and fork
• ხელსახოცი (khel-sa-kho-tsi) — Napkin

Compliments (use them!)

Georgians take deep pride in their food. Complimenting it makes everyone’s day:

• ძალიან გემრიელია! (dza-li-an gem-ri-e-li-a!) — It’s very delicious!
• საუკეთესო ხინკალი! (sa-u-ke-te-so khin-ka-li!) — The best khinkali!
• ძალიან მომეწონა! (dza-li-an mo-me-ts’o-na!) — I liked it very much!

Say any of these and watch your server beam.

If something’s wrong

• ცივია (tsi-vi-a) — It’s cold
• ცხელია (tskhe-li-a) — It’s (too) hot
• ეს არ დამიკვეთავს (es ar da-mik-ve-tavs) — I didn’t order this

Dietary Restrictions

Georgia isn’t always vegetarian-friendly by default (meat is central to traditional cooking), but restaurants will accommodate if you communicate clearly.

Vegetarian & Vegan

• ვეგეტარიანელი ვარ (ve-ge-ta-ri-a-ne-li var) — I’m vegetarian
• ხორცს არ ვჭამ (khor-tss ar v-cham) — I don’t eat meat
• ხორცის გარეშე, თუ შეიძლება (khor-tsis ga-re-she, tu sheidz-le-ba) — Without meat, please
• ვეგანი ვარ (ve-ga-ni var) — I’m vegan
• რძის პროდუქტებს არ ვჭამ (rdz-is pro-duq-tebs ar v-cham) — I don’t eat dairy

Vegetarian-friendly Georgian dishes: lobio (bean stew), pkhali (walnut-vegetable pâté), ajapsandali (ratatouille-like stew), badrijani (walnut-stuffed eggplant), lobiani (bean-filled bread), and most salads.

Allergies

• ალერგია მაქვს (a-ler-gi-a mak-vs) — I have an allergy
• თხილის ალერგია მაქვს (tkhi-lis a-ler-gi-a mak-vs) — I have a nut allergy (important — Georgian cooking uses walnuts heavily)
• გლუტენს არ ვჭამ (glu-tens ar v-cham) — I don’t eat gluten

Spice level

Georgian food isn’t typically spicy-hot (it’s aromatic, not fiery), but you can ask:

• ცხარეა? (tskha-re-a?) — Is it spicy?
• ნაკლებად ცხარე, თუ შეიძლება (nak-le-bad tskha-re, tu sheidz-le-ba) — Less spicy, please

Khinkali Etiquette: The Rules

If you’re ordering ხინკალი (khinkali — Georgian soup dumplings), there’s etiquette every Georgian knows:

You do NOT use a knife and fork.

The correct method:

1. Pick up the khinkali by the top knob (the twisted dough piece)
2. Flip it upside-down slightly
3. Take a small bite from the side
4. Suck out the hot broth (this is the best part — don’t let it drip!)
5. Eat the dumpling, but leave the knob on your plate — it’s tough dough
6. The pile of knobs counts your portions — it’s a badge of honor

Eating the knob isn’t a crime, but Georgians will notice. And gently judge.

Useful khinkali phrases:

• რამდენი ხინკალი შეჭამე? (ram-de-ni khin-ka-li she-cha-me?) — How many khinkali did you eat?
• ათი! (a-ti!) — Ten! (said with pride)

Paying the Bill

Asking for the check

ანგარიში, თუ შეიძლება (an-ga-ri-shi, tu sheidz-le-ba) — Check, please.

This might be the single most useful restaurant phrase after ordering. Memorize it.

More casual: რამდენია? (ram-de-ni-a?) — How much is it?

Payment

• ბარათით შეიძლება? (ba-ra-tit sheidz-le-ba?) — Can I pay by card?
• მხოლოდ ნაღდი? (mkho-lod nagh-di?) — Cash only?

Most Tbilisi restaurants accept cards. Smaller places and rural restaurants may be cash-only — always carry some lari.

Tipping

Tipping isn’t mandatory in Georgia but is appreciated:

• 10% is generous
• Rounding up is common (bill is 47 lari → leave 50)
• Some restaurants include a service charge — check before adding more

ხურდა არ მინდა (khur-da ar min-da) — Keep the change.

Complete Practice Dialogue

Here’s a realistic restaurant visit from start to finish:

Entering:

— გამარჯობა! მაგიდა გაქვთ ორისთვის? (Hello! Do you have a table for two?)

Server seats you:

— ბრძანდებოდეთ. აი მენიუ. (Please, sit down. Here’s the menu.)

Ordering:

— წყალი, თუ შეიძლება. და მეგრული ხაჭაპური. (Water, please. And Megrelian khachapuri.)

— კიდევ რა გსურთ? (What else would you like?)

— ათი ხინკალი და ერთი ლობიო. (Ten khinkali and one lobio.)

During the meal:

— ძალიან გემრიელია! (It’s very delicious!)

Paying:

— ანგარიში, თუ შეიძლება. (Check, please.)

— ბარათით შეიძლება? (Can I pay by card?)

Leaving:

— მადლობა! ძალიან გემრიელი იყო. ნახვამდის! (Thank you! It was very delicious. Goodbye!)

Regional Dining Tips

In Tbilisi

English menus are common in tourist areas (Rustaveli, Old Town, Vera). Card payments are widely accepted. But using Georgian still earns you better service and genuine warmth.

Outside Tbilisi

Georgian-only menus are normal. Cash is safer. Pointing works perfectly. Your attempts at Georgian will be celebrated — expect extra food as a reward.

In Kakheti (wine region)

Expect supra-style dining: food just arrives, multiple courses, lots of wine, many toasts. You may not get to order at all — the host decides. Don’t refuse the first toast (it’s traditionally to God). Want to learn the toasting vocabulary? გაუმარჯოს! (gau-mar-jos!) — Cheers! — is your essential word.

In the mountains (Svaneti, Tusheti)

Smaller menus, more traditional dishes. კუბდარი (kub-da-ri — Svanetian meat pie) is a must-try. Service is slower but warmer.

Street Food & Café Phrases

Street food ordering

• რამდენი ღირს? (ram-de-ni ghirs?) — How much does it cost?
• ერთი, თუ შეიძლება (er-ti, tu sheidz-le-ba) — One, please

Street foods to know: ქადა (qa-da — sweet bread), ლობიანი (lo-bi-a-ni — bean-filled bread), კუბდარი (kub-da-ri — meat pie from Svaneti), ჩურჩხელა (chur-chkhe-la — walnut-grape candy).

Café phrases

• მენიუ გაქვთ? (me-niu gak-vt?) — Do you have a menu?
• WiFi გაქვთ? (wifi gak-vt?) — Do you have WiFi?
• პაროლი რა არის? (pa-ro-li ra a-ris?) — What’s the password?
• ყავა, თუ შეიძლება (qa-va, tu sheidz-le-ba) — Coffee, please

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Ordering “one khinkali” — Minimum 5, ideally 10. One is not a real order
2. Cutting khinkali with a knife — Hands only. Locals will cringe
3. Forgetting “თუ შეიძლება” — This is the politeness marker. Use it
4. Not complimenting the food — Georgians take pride in cuisine. “გემრიელია!” goes a long way
5. Eating the khinkali knob — Technically edible, socially judged

What’s Next?

Ready to go beyond restaurant phrases? Here’s how to keep building:

• Drill this vocabulary — Our flashcard app has food and restaurant vocabulary with audio pronunciation
• Learn to count — Georgian Numbers 1-100 so you can understand prices
• Build conversation skills — Our audio course takes you from phrases to real conversation
• Practice listening — The podcast course features real Georgian speech at a comprehensible level

Now go find a restaurant, order in Georgian, and make someone’s day.

გემრიელად მიირთვით! (gem-ri-e-lad mi-irt-vit!) — Enjoy your meal!