Food & Drink
15 Best Street Food Spots in Tbilisi [Local's Short-List]
Discover 15 local-approved street food spots in Tbilisi - from legendary shawarma stands to underground bakeries, chimney cakes, and crispy chebureki.
Tbilisi's street food scene runs deeper than khachapuri and khinkali. After living here and eating my way through the city's hidden stalls, basement bakeries, and food halls, I've pulled together my personal short-list of 15 street food spots that locals swear by. From a shawarma stand in Gldani that draws crowds at midnight to a 130-year-old soda fountain serving technicolored drinks, these are the places worth hunting down.
15 Best Street Food Spots in Tbilisi
1. MacShaurma
This is the shawarma spot that Tbilisi locals argue about - and the lines speak for themselves. MacShaurma started in Gldani and has earned cult status for their pork shawarma, which comes stuffed with juicy meat, fresh vegetables, and their signature sauces. The original Gldani location is where you'll find the most dedicated fans, often queuing late into the night. They've since expanded to multiple locations across the city, including Saburtalo and Didube, but the Gldani original maintains that chaotic, no-frills energy that made them famous.
Address: Ilia Vekua Street 6, Gldani, Tbilisi
Hours: Daily 10:00 AM - 3:00 AM
Phone: +995 568 23 23 23
2. Dezerter Bazaar
Tbilisi's sprawling farmers market dates back to the 1920s, when deserting soldiers from the Russo-Georgian War came here to sell their weapons - hence the name. Today, it's a wild, chaotic maze of vendors selling everything from fresh tomatoes and mountains of spices to whole pigs and strings of churchkhela. The ready-to-eat street food is the highlight: grab fresh lobiani (bean bread) from one of the bakeries, sample homemade cheese, and pick up tklapi (fruit leather) for the road. The market spreads across several buildings and streets near Station Square, so give yourself time to get lost.
Address: 5 Abastumani Street, Tbilisi (main entrance on Tsinamdzgvrishvili Street)
Hours: Daily 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM (busiest in the morning)
3. Bazari Orbeliani
This modern food hall breathed new life into a market that's existed on Orbeliani Square since 1886. The restored building now houses over 50 food stalls across multiple floors, serving everything from traditional Georgian dishes to international street food. The ground floor has a fresh produce market and a Carrefour supermarket, while the upper floors are where the action is - food corners, bars, and restaurants with a rooftop terrace offering some of the best views in Tbilisi. It's the cleanest, most organized food hall experience in the city, and a great option if you want variety in one place.
Address: 3a Vekua Street, Tbilisi
Hours: Market floors 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM; Food Hall 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM (until midnight on weekends)
4. Ashkara Falafel
Run by Danny Licht, a Swiss-Israeli entrepreneur who moved to Tbilisi from Jerusalem, Ashkara brings proper Middle Eastern street food to the heart of Tbilisi's tourist district. A complete falafel meal runs about 19 GEL (around $7), and you're getting fresh falafel, creamy hummus, and shakshuka made the way it should be. The small shop on Lermontov Street has become a favorite among locals and expats who miss good falafel. Danny wanted to offer real street food, not restaurant food - and that's exactly what you get here.
Address: 9 Mikhail Lermontov Street, Tbilisi
Hours: Daily 9:30 AM - 12:00 AM
Phone: +995 599 01 44 83
5. Lumier's Chimney Cake
Lumier's introduced Georgia to trdelnik - the Czech chimney cake that's become a street food staple across Europe. The warm, spiraled pastry is baked to golden perfection, coated in cinnamon sugar, and can be filled with ice cream, Nutella, fresh fruit, or whatever combination you dream up. The original location near Freedom Square usually has a line (especially at night), but it moves fast. They've since opened additional spots in Vake and on Kote Abkhazi Street. Pro tip: the mini portion is available only until 6 PM, and it's enough for one person.
Address: 25 Pushkin Street, Tbilisi (main location)
Hours: Daily 11:00 AM - 1:00 AM
Phone: +995 599 07 52 58
6. Tamtaki
Chef Tamta Kikaleishvili and her mother Katya created something completely new for Georgia: traditional supra flavors wrapped in soft, freshly-baked flatbread. The result is a "tamtaki" - their invented Georgian word for these substantial wraps. Try the chicken with blackberry tkemali sauce, the slow-cooked beef with caramelized onions, or the gebzhalia for vegetarians. Everything uses fresh ingredients sourced daily from the Dezerter Bazaar. Tamta won Gault&Millau's award for best female chef in Georgia in 2023, and the tiny restaurant in the Vera neighborhood has since been featured on Netflix's "Somebody Feed Phil."
Address: 22 Dimitri Bakradze Street, Tbilisi
Hours: Daily 12:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Phone: +995 599 46 53 64
7. Shoti (at Bazari Orbeliani)
This vendor at Bazari Orbeliani takes traditional shoti bread - the canoe-shaped Georgian bread baked in a clay tone oven - and turns it into proper sandwiches. The bread is baked fresh, then stuffed with fillings like stewed veal, chicken in sulguni cheese sauce, or pork ribs with mulberry sauce. Prices range from 18-24 GEL depending on the filling. It's street food that feels substantial and uniquely Georgian, perfect for grabbing before exploring the rooftop terrace views.
Address: Bazari Orbeliani, 9b Kipshidze Street, Tbilisi
Hours: Daily during Bazari hours
8. Lagidze Water
Since 1887, Lagidze has been serving what might be Tbilisi's most nostalgic drink: flavored sodas mixed from technicolored syrups and carbonated water, poured from a vintage soda fountain. The syrups are made from natural fruits and herbs - try tarragon, chocolate, cream, or pear. The cafe near Sameba Cathedral also serves some of the city's best khachapuri, so order a pitcher of mixed Lagidze water and an Adjarian khachapuri and experience a proper Tbilisi tradition. There are a few locations around the city, including one on Zakaria Paliashvili Street.
Address: 24-26 Samreklo Street (Sameba location); 7/30 Zakaria Paliashvili Street
Hours: Daily 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
9. Vakhtanguri's Chebureki
This Avlabari institution has been serving chebureki - crispy, deep-fried turnovers filled with meat, cheese, or mushrooms - since 1995. The restaurant operates from a family home near Sameba Cathedral, giving it a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere far from the tourist crowds. Beyond chebureki, their khinkali are worth ordering, especially the beef variety with its thin, delicate dough. The family has been perfecting these recipes for over 30 years, and locals make the trek to Avlabari specifically for this place. It's not close to the main attractions, but a Bolt ride from Avlabari metro station costs next to nothing.
Address: 28 Zhoneti Street, Tbilisi
Hours: Daily (hours vary)
Phone: +995 574 80 48 04
10. Karavanserai Bakery
Finding this underground bakery near the Dry Bridge is half the adventure - there's no signage outside, just a non-descript door that leads down into a cellar. Inside, women serve fresh-from-the-tone khachapuri, lobiani, and an array of Georgian pastries baked in a traditional dome-shaped oven. The bakery is named after the caravanserai (ancient inn) across the street, which now houses the Tbilisi History Museum. Prices start around 1 GEL, and the pastries sell out fast. Cash only.
Address: 13/40 Sioni Street, Tbilisi
Hours: Daily 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
11. CheburekMe & Tbili Donuts (at Bazari Orbeliani)
These two vendors share space inside Bazari Orbeliani and make a perfect combination. CheburekMe does crispy, golden chebureki in various fillings, while Tbili Donuts serves fluffy ponchiki - Georgian-style cream-filled donuts that are lighter and less sweet than American versions. It's a quick stop for a cheap, satisfying snack while exploring the food hall.
Address: Bazari Orbeliani, 3a Vekua Street, Tbilisi
Hours: Daily during Bazari hours
12. PonPonchiki
This tiny pink-and-white cafe in Vake is famous for one thing: ponchiki. These cream-filled donuts have a thin, crispy exterior and warm, luscious fillings like vanilla, chocolate, caramel, or strawberry. The dough is light, not overpowering, which sets them apart from typical donuts. The cafe is small - mostly takeaway - but the friendly service and consistent quality have made it a family favorite. Orders come out in 2-5 minutes, and they're best eaten immediately while still warm.
Address: 80 Zakaria Paliashvili Avenue, Vake, Tbilisi
Hours: Daily 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Phone: +995 555 22 39 43
13. Surf'n'Fries
This international franchise has found a loyal following in Tbilisi. Their specialty is premium-cut fries served in creative packaging with 15 different sauces to choose from. They also do loaded fries, chicken products, and hot dogs. It's comfort food done well - quick, friendly service, clean restaurant, and portions that satisfy. The Abashidze Street location is convenient if you're exploring the Vake district, and the staff speaks English well.
Address: 11 Irakli Abashidze Street, Vake, Tbilisi
Hours: Daily from 9:00 AM
Phone: +995 568 80 00 80
14. Liel Chimney Cake & Coffee
An alternative to Lumier's if you prefer less cinnamon and more fruit options. This chimney cake spot near Marjanishvili metro offers similar treats - warm spiraled pastries with various toppings and ice cream - but with a slightly different approach to flavors. It's less crowded than the Freedom Square locations and convenient if you're exploring the Aghmashenebeli Avenue area.
Address: Near Marjanishvili Metro, Tbilisi
Hours: Daily (hours vary)
15. Gldani Shawarma Row
The Gldani district is ground zero for Tbilisi's shawarma scene. Multiple stands compete along and around Ilia Vekua Street, each with their own loyal following. Beyond MacShaurma (listed above), you'll find Mtsvadis Shaurma and other vendors grilling meat on vertical spits late into the night. The prices are cheaper than central Tbilisi, the portions are generous, and the competition keeps the quality high. It's worth the trip if you're serious about shawarma.
Address: Ilia Vekua Street area, Gldani District, Tbilisi
Hours: Most stands open late, often until 3:00 AM or later
Frequently Asked Questions About Street Food in Tbilisi
Is street food safe to eat in Tbilisi?
Yes, street food in Tbilisi is generally safe for tourists. Unlike some other countries where street food carries risk, Georgian food stalls and bakeries maintain reasonable hygiene standards. Stick to busy stalls where food is cooked fresh, and you should have no issues. The Dezerter Bazaar and Bazari Orbeliani are both popular with locals and tourists alike.
What is the most popular street food in Tbilisi?
Khachapuri (cheese-filled bread) and khinkali (dumplings) are the most iconic Georgian street foods. You'll find khachapuri at bakeries on almost every corner, sold hot and fresh for a few GEL. Khinkali is typically eaten at sit-down restaurants rather than on the street, but chebureki (fried meat turnovers) and lobiani (bean bread) are common grab-and-go options.
How much does street food cost in Tbilisi?
Street food in Tbilisi is inexpensive. A khachapuri costs 3-8 GEL (about $1-3), chebureki runs 2-5 GEL, a shawarma wrap is 8-15 GEL, and chimney cakes start around 7-15 GEL depending on toppings. A full street food meal rarely exceeds 25 GEL ($9-10).
Where can I find vegetarian street food in Tbilisi?
Georgian cuisine has plenty of vegetarian options. Try lobiani (bean-filled bread), gebzhalia (cheese in mint sauce) at Tamtaki, khachapuri (cheese bread), badrijani (eggplant rolls with walnut paste), and pkhali (vegetable spreads). Ashkara Falafel offers Middle Eastern vegetarian options, and Bazari Orbeliani has multiple vegetarian-friendly vendors.
What is churchkhela and where can I buy it?
Churchkhela is a traditional Georgian candy made from nuts (usually walnuts or hazelnuts) threaded on a string and coated with thickened grape juice. It looks like a colorful sausage and tastes like a chewy, naturally sweet snack. Buy it at the Dezerter Bazaar for the best prices and selection - vendors there will let you sample before you buy.
Is Bazari Orbeliani worth visiting?
Bazari Orbeliani is worth visiting if you want variety, cleanliness, and convenience in one location. The rooftop views are a bonus. However, it's more of a modern food court than an authentic street food experience. For a grittier, more local experience, head to the Dezerter Bazaar instead.
What is the best shawarma in Tbilisi?
MacShaurma in Gldani is considered the best by many locals, particularly their pork shawarma. The original location on Ilia Vekua Street draws crowds late into the night. Other popular spots include the various shawarma vendors along the Gldani Shawarma Row.
Can I use credit cards at Tbilisi street food stalls?
Many smaller stalls and bakeries, including Karavanserai Bakery, are cash-only. Larger establishments like Bazari Orbeliani and modern cafes like Lumier's accept credit cards. Bring Georgian Lari (GEL) for street food and markets.
What time do street food stalls close in Tbilisi?
This varies widely. Markets like the Dezerter Bazaar close by 5-6 PM, while food halls and cafes stay open until 10 PM or later. Shawarma stands in Gldani often operate until 3 AM or beyond. Lumier's Chimney Cake stays open until 1 AM most nights.
How do I get to Gldani from central Tbilisi?
The easiest way is by Bolt (the local ride-hailing app) or taxi - a ride from central Tbilisi to Gldani costs around 10-15 GEL. You can also take the metro to Akhmeteli Theatre station, which is close to the shawarma spots on Ilia Vekua Street.
Final Thoughts
Tbilisi's street food scene rewards those who venture beyond the tourist center. The best bites often come from underground bakeries without signs, family-run spots in residential neighborhoods, and late-night shawarma stands in Gldani. Use this list as a starting point, but don't be afraid to follow your nose - some of my best food discoveries in this city have come from simply following the smell of baking bread down an unmarked staircase.
