First Time in Tbilisi: A Practical Guide | Georgia Business Registry

Understanding Tbilisi's Neighborhoods

Tbilisi is organized around the Mtkvari (Kura) River, with distinct neighborhoods on each bank. The Old Town (Kala) and Sololaki are the historic core -- sulfur baths, Narikala Fortress, Shardeni Street, and most tourist attractions are here. Vera is immediately northwest of the Old Town and has become the city's dining and creative hub, with many of Tbilisi's best restaurants, wine bars, and independent shops concentrated along Ilia Chavchavadze and side streets. Vake extends further west and is the upscale residential and commercial district with international dining, boutiques, and professional services. Saburtalo is north of Vake, more residential and affordable, with a growing number of coworking spaces and everyday services. Marjanishvili and Chughureti on the left bank are the emerging creative districts -- less polished, more local, with good cafes and street art. Avlabari, across the river from the Old Town, is the traditionally Armenian neighborhood with the Holy Trinity Cathedral and a growing restaurant scene.

Tips

Vera and Vake are the best neighborhoods for a first visit -- central, walkable, well-served by restaurants and cafes, and close to the Old Town
Saburtalo is better value for longer stays, especially for remote workers with coworking commutes
The Old Town is best visited on foot during the day; it gets crowded in the evenings but has great atmosphere

Getting Around

Tbilisi has a metro system with two lines that cover the main corridors (Saburtalo-Vake-Rustaveli and Didube-Samgori). A metro ride costs 1 GEL (about $0.40 USD) using a rechargeable Metromoney card, which also works on buses and cable cars. Taxis are the most common way to get around -- Bolt and Yandex Go are the standard ride-hailing apps, and rides within the city center rarely exceed 5-10 GEL ($2-4 USD). Standard taxis without apps should be avoided or the fare negotiated in advance. Walking is the best way to experience the central neighborhoods: Vera, Old Town, and Sololaki are all within a 20-30 minute walk of each other. Car rental is unnecessary within Tbilisi itself and the city's driving style is aggressive enough that most visitors find it stressful. Save car rental for day trips to Kakheti, Kazbegi, or longer road trips.

Tips

Buy a Metromoney card at any metro station -- it works on metro, buses, and the Rike-Narikala cable car
Bolt is the most reliable ride-hailing app; Yandex Go is the alternative
Walking from Rustaveli metro to the Old Town takes about 15 minutes and passes through the most interesting streets

Money and Payments

The Georgian Lari (GEL) is the local currency. As of early 2026, 1 USD is approximately 2.6 GEL. ATMs are widespread in central Tbilisi -- TBC Bank and Bank of Georgia ATMs dispense GEL and sometimes USD. Most restaurants, hotels, and larger shops in tourist areas accept Visa and Mastercard. Smaller shops, markets, and some traditional restaurants are cash-only. Apple Pay and Google Pay work at many terminals. Tipping is not traditionally expected in Georgia but has become common in tourist-oriented restaurants (10% is standard where it's expected). Currency exchange offices are common on Rustaveli Avenue and in the Old Town; rates are competitive but compare a few before exchanging large amounts.

Tips

TBC Bank and Bank of Georgia ATMs have the most reliable international card acceptance
Carry some cash for the Dezerter Bazaar, taxi drivers, small bakeries, and street vendors
Georgian Lari comes in denominations from 1 to 200; 50 and 100 GEL notes can be hard to break at small shops

Eating and Drinking

Georgian cuisine is one of the strongest reasons to visit Tbilisi. The city offers everything from family-run traditional restaurants serving khinkali and khachapuri to contemporary Georgian dining rooms that have earned international recognition. For a first visit, prioritize trying khinkali (soup dumplings -- eaten by hand), Imeretian or Adjarian khachapuri (cheese bread), pkhali (walnut-paste vegetable spreads), and a grilled meat dish like mtsvadi or chakapuli. Wine is integral to Georgian dining culture -- most restaurants serve house wine by the carafe that is often better than bottled wine at comparable prices elsewhere. Tbilisi also has dedicated wine shops where you can explore qvevri (amber) wines, natural wines, and rare regional varieties not exported outside Georgia. The coffee scene has grown rapidly, with quality specialty cafes concentrated in Vera and Vake.

Tips

Lunch is the main meal in Georgian culture -- restaurants have their freshest food and best atmosphere at midday
Order dishes for the table, not per person -- Georgian food is designed for sharing
Visit a dedicated wine shop for qvevri and natural wines you cannot find outside Georgia

Connectivity and SIM Cards

Getting online in Tbilisi is straightforward. Magti, Silknet, and Beeline are the three mobile operators. Prepaid SIM cards are available at airport kiosks and mobile shops throughout the city for 5-10 GEL, with unlimited data plans ranging from 20-30 GEL per month. 4G/LTE coverage in Tbilisi is excellent. Wi-Fi is widely available at restaurants, cafes, and hotels. For remote workers, Tbilisi has a growing network of coworking spaces with reliable high-speed internet (100-500 Mbps), primarily in the Vake, Vera, and Saburtalo neighborhoods.

Tips

Buy a SIM at the airport Magti or Silknet counter -- it takes 5 minutes with just your passport
Residential fiber internet (50-100 Mbps) costs about 30-50 GEL/month for longer-stay visitors
Most cafes in Vera have free Wi-Fi and are informally used as workspaces

Safety and Practical Considerations

Vino Underground is a natural wine bar and shop in central Tbilisi, owned by a collective of Georgian artisan winemakers.

Tbilisi|Wine Shop

Written and maintained by the Georgia Business Registry editorial team based in Tbilisi. Based on daily experience living and working in the city. Last reviewed March 2026.

Last updated Mar 15, 2026