What to eat and drink in Borjomi, from signature dishes and local drinks to markets, dietary needs and restaurant etiquette.
Food & drink
Borjomi sits in Samtskhe-Javakheti, so travelers who look beyond standard resort menus can explore one of Georgia’s most distinctive regional cuisines. Meskhetian cooking is rich in preserved meats, wheat-based breads, unusual cheeses, mulberry products and dishes that are rarely found elsewhere in Georgia.
A technically demanding layered form of khachapuri made with very thin dough, fat and Meskhetian cheeses. It is also known as chalma khachapuri because of its turban-like form and is recognized as part of Georgia’s intangible cultural heritage.
Look for it: Traditional Meskhetian restaurants and family kitchens in the wider Samtskhe-Javakheti region.
A highly distinctive Meskhetian khinkali made with salted, dried goose meat. Unlike standard Georgian khinkali, the dough pieces are rectangular and the dish is cooked in a rich broth.
Look for it: More likely in specialized Meskhetian restaurants or villages than on generic Borjomi tourist menus.
A labor-intensive Meskhetian string cheese made from cow or sheep milk, stretched into fine strands, dried and packed tightly with cream into clay vessels. Its traditional production method is recognized as intangible cultural heritage.
Look for it: Regional food producers and restaurants specializing in Meskhetian cuisine.
Concentrated mulberry juice sometimes called Meskhetian honey, used historically in sweets and festive preparations.
Look for it: Specialty food producers and traditional households in Samtskhe-Javakheti.
A rich filled pastry with deep roots in Meskhetian festive cooking.
Look for it: Traditional bakeries and regional restaurants.
Street food
Sweet-spiced bread is widely associated with central and southern Georgia and makes a convenient road-trip snack when found fresh.
Standard Georgian cheese breads are widely available in Borjomi, even when the more elaborate Meskhetian version is not.
Desserts & sweets
Food markets
Useful for local cheese, bread, preserves, fruit, churchkhela and picnic supplies before national-park trips.
Local drinks
The town’s signature mineral water is available directly from the spring and as bottled carbonated water. The spring version tastes noticeably different from the bottled product.
A strong fruit spirit associated with southern Georgian food traditions and sometimes served with Meskhetian meals.
Wine is common throughout the region, although Borjomi itself is better known for mineral water than viticulture.
Vegetarian travelers can usually find khachapuri, lobio, salads, breads and vegetable dishes, but the most distinctive Meskhetian specialties often rely on meat, dairy or animal fat.
Vegan choices require more care because butter, cheese and animal fats appear frequently in traditional dishes. Ask explicitly about preparation.
Dedicated halal-certified options are limited. Travelers requiring strict halal preparation should confirm directly with the restaurant or accommodation.
Dedicated kosher food is very limited in Borjomi. Strictly observant travelers should plan ahead.
Dairy, wheat and walnuts are common in Georgian cuisine. Meskhetian pastries may also contain animal fats that are not obvious from the name.
Borjomi restaurants range from resort hotels to simple family-run dining rooms. Georgian dishes are often shared across the table, and service charges may already be included. In family settings, expect generous hospitality and possible offers of alcohol.
Food mistakes to avoid
Continue planning
Experiences & attractions
What there is to do in Borjomi: the major sights, local experiences and the practical detail you need to plan around them.
Know before it happens
Common scams, tourist traps and avoidable problems in Borjomi, with practical advice on how travelers can recognize and avoid them.
Bring home the right things
What to buy in Borjomi, where to shop, typical prices, authenticity advice and which souvenirs are genuinely connected to the destination.
When to go
A month-by-month guide to weather, crowds and seasonal conditions in Borjomi, and how to choose when to go.
Family travel
Visiting Borjomi with babies, toddlers, children and teenagers, including strollers, car seats and changing facilities.
Travel for more people
Accessibility information for Borjomi, including walking difficulty, wheelchair access, transport, stairs, seating and sensory considerations.
After dark
A practical introduction to nightlife in Borjomi, including nightlife areas, atmosphere, late-night considerations and safety.
Money & budgeting
What a trip to Borjomi costs, including typical daily budgets, transport, food, attractions, payments and common money mistakes.
Complete destination guide
