Georgian food has evolved drastically over the years and, along the way, has picked up many influences. From an agricultural diet mainly consisting of plants and grains, Georgian food has changed and adapted just as much as Georgian culture has. We explore a range of popular Georgian dishes and find out more about them. Some have specific cultural significance, while others are borne out of necessity.
If you’ve ever enjoyed a cob loaf at your local pub, you might be surprised to find that one of Georgia’s most popular local foods is very similar. In very simple terms, Khachapuri is bread that’s leavened and allowed to rise, forming any variety of shapes. Typically, the bread will be moulded so that the centre is like a large empty dish.
This part sounds simple enough, but what differentiates one khachapuri from another is what goes in the centre. All khachapuris are filled with some kind of cheese and egg mixture, but many different varieties include various local ingredients to give it a special touch.
If this sounds delicious, you’ll fit right in when you travel Georgia. Khachapuri is the country’s national dish, and although the specific origins are unknown, most experts date its existence back to the 12th century. Some forms of the dish resemble pizza, leading to some referring to khachapuri as a ‘cousin of pizza’.
If you’re on a foodie’s journey through Georgia, you’ll be able to try all different types of khachapuri, served as street food or in restaurants.
In Georgian, the word ‘lobio’ simply means beans. Everywhere you go while travelling Georgia, you can expect to see a lot of bean-based dishes on the menu. One of the more popular methods involves mashing dark red kidney beans with garlic, onion, coriander, vinegar, walnuts, marigold petals and chilli pepper. The dish marinates overnight and is served cold. This version is known as lobio nigozit.
There are many other variants, and Georgians love using beans in their recipes. The most traditional versions of lobio are cooked in a clay pot. For many years, clay pots were used widely in Georgian cooking, and the process is still popular today.
Khinkali is another of Georgia’s favourite dishes. It is a type of dumpling made from twisting pieces of dough stuffed with various meats, fish or vegetables. Much like a lot of Georgian staples, Khinkali is different depending on its region of origin, with most of them favouring local fillings that were easily accessible.
One of the more interesting variations is meshkuri khinkali, which comes from the Samtskhe-Javakheti region, where goose is a popular local dish. As such, meshkuri khinkali is filled with goose meat, just like soups and other popular dishes in the region.
For a local tip, don’t be tempted to use your usual dining utensils with khinkali. Georgians consider the juice inside to be an important part of the taste, so eating this dish with bare hands is preferred. Cutting or piercing the dough can spill the juice inside, wasting many of the delicious flavours.
Another popular dish all over Georgia is chakapuli. It’s a Georgian soup with a selection of meats and herbs, with a common version using plums as an abundant natural resource. You typically prepare this dish by combining plums or a plum sauce with lamb, onions and a mixture of herbs and spices. Plenty of variations use beef or mushrooms as an alternative.
It may sound like a simple dish, but each regional version includes slightly different ingredients. Those ingredients reflect Georgia’s agricultural history, because most local chakapuli dishes feature whatever could be grown or sourced easily back in farming times.
So, as you journey through the rich countryside of Georgia, you can expect to try many different types of chakapuli. Each dish gives you an insight into the region’s background, and you’ll probably notice that certain ingredients feature in other local cuisine.
There are many popular wine regions throughout Georgia, but one specific winemaking technique stands out from the rest. The ancient Kvevri wine making technique has been added to the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage.
Kvevri is the name that refers to large earthenware pots, usually egg-shaped and featuring no handles. In this traditional method, the pots are either buried below ground or set into the floor of a cellar. The wine is left to ferment and age in kvevri pots, and a specific technique must be followed to adhere to the ancient kvevri process. It is thought that the wine is generally ready in around 5-6 months.
If you’d like to try wine so good that its manufacturing method is on a world heritage list, then it’s time to book yourself an unforgettable adventure in Georgia. Crooked Compass has a selection of Georgian experiences available, and we’d love to share them with you. Contact us today to find out more.
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This category of tours involves light trekking, walking, cycling, rafting or kayaking for a few hours each day with a small amount of inclines and declines. You will require a reasonable level of fitness and good health to participate. It is important to note that due to the nature of some of our trips, they may take place in remote areas (with basic facilities) and can involve long travelling days on various modes of transport.
Suggested preparation : At least 3 months prior to departure, it is recommended that you undertake aerobic exercise (this may include jogging, cycling or fast walking) for 30 minutes, three times a week. It is also advised to walk on variable terrain and in variable weather conditions. For a cycling adventure, road cycling twice a week is recommended and for adventures which involve paddling and kayaking, it is important to gain confidence and rhythm rather than speed prior to departure.
This category of tours involve trekking, kayaking and cycling for period of 6 to 8 hours a day at a fairly consistent pace. Ideal for people looking to slightly increase the heart rate. For our moderately rated tours, you must have a good level of fitness and also be in good health. It is also important to be prepared for variable weather conditions. Altitude may also come into play. This category of tours may involve visiting remote areas where facilities can be quite basic. Accommodation may also involve camping, homestays or basic accommodation where facilities may not be considered of western standards. To enjoy this style of travel, it is suggested for travellers to have a reasonable level of fitness and health, a positive attitude, as well as a fairly active lifestyle. An open mind is also required.
Suggested preparation: At least 3 months prior to departure, it is recommended that you undertake 45mins – 1 hour of aerobic exercise, three to four times a week. Some potential exercises that could be beneficial include hill walking with a backpack on over variable terrain and weather conditions, as well as running and cycling dependent on the activity you plan on undertaking.
This category of tours involves trekking, kayaking, cycling or other adventure activities in remote areas for up to 8 to 10 hours a day. It is important to note that with the remoteness of some regions comes a variety of other challenges such as variable weather conditions, accommodation as well as facilities. You must have an excellent level of fitness and good health to be able to partake in this category of tour. You must have confidence in your own ability and be in good physical condition. Includes extended periods of endurance.
Suggested preparation: At least 3 to 4 months of strenuous exercise, four times a week. When preparing for treks it would be beneficial to participate in hill walks with a weighted day pack (approximately 5-8 kg) once a week for aerobic fitness and strengthening of leg muscles. It is also important to do this on variable terrain to prepare for challenging adventures. When preparing for cycling adventures, regular bike riding (at least 4 to 5 times a week for 1-4 hours is essential). It is also important to cycle on uneven surfaces or even participate in other aerobic exercises such as running or swimming to build up strength and stamina. Altitude may also be a factor in these tours.
This category of tour often involves extreme trekking, cycling or other extreme adventure activities. It is important to expect remote and poorly defined tracks and to be prepared for variable weather conditions for 10 to 12 hours per day (may sometimes be more depending on weather and altitude). These adventures are suitable for travellers who have prior experience in strenuous travel and activities, are extremely fit and have excellent health. It is also important to note that some of the terrain on these adventures will involve trekking in snow, at high attitude levels and may require technical equipment.
Suggested preparation: It is important to note that physical fitness should be an ongoing activity, commencing around 5-6 months prior to departure, or even before if you have no prior fitness. Exercise should focus on building maximum endurance and stamina. Four to five hard sessions of 40-60 mins per week should be completed and can include exercises such as going to the gym, running, swimming or cycling to focus on building aerobic stamina. It could also be beneficial to prepare by hiking on rough terrain, in extreme weather conditions or partake in altitude training.
Our Signature Tours are the cornerstone of the Crooked Compass journey: meticulously designed small-group itineraries that balance authenticity, comfort, and ease. These are destinations where travel can be complex—from navigating evolving logistics to reaching places far from the usual tourist path—yet our expertise ensures your experience feels smooth, effortless, and deeply rewarding.
From the moment you arrive, every detail is handled with care. You’re welcomed personally on arrival and met for a private transfer to your accommodation, where you’ll join the rest of your group. Your guide will walk you through an orientation, helping you understand the rhythm of the journey ahead and settling you in with clear, practical insights from the very start.
Accommodation is selected for both comfort and character, reflecting the richness of its locality through thoughtful design, creative ingenuity, and a genuine sense of place. Whether it’s a boutique property, a sustainable lodge or a homestay, each choice is made to connect you meaningfully with the destination.
Cultural integration sits at the heart of our approach. Every itinerary is crafted with respect for local communities, aligning sensitively with their values and protecting the authenticity of their culture. Through this, travellers experience a deeper connection —stories shared firsthand, traditions encountered in their true context, and moments that shift perspectives long after returning home.
With a maximum of 12 travellers and our most trusted local partners, you explore with confidence, guided by teams who combine deep regional knowledge with an intuitive understanding of Western traveller expectations. Through the powerful medium of storytelling, our journeys inspire personal reflection and spark genuine emotion, turning travel into something transformative.
For travellers seeking even more flexibility or personalisation, our Tours By Design journeys are crafted with the same care — mindfully designed around your interests for a more tailored experience.
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Our Founders Tours are rare, one-of-a-kind journeys personally hosted by Crooked Compass founder, Lisa Pagotto. Designed for the traveller who seeks more than just adventure, these exclusive small-group expeditions uncover places few have ever seen – experiences not featured in our regular collection, chosen for their depth, beauty, and story.
Each itinerary is hand-crafted by Lisa to offer meaningful connection and unique access built through years of trust and collaboration with local communities. Travelling alongside her gives you an unparalleled perspective into the world of ethical exploration – from the behind-the-scenes partnerships that shape our journeys, to the human stories that inspire them.
With an intimate group size and seamless support from our expert team, a Founders Tour is less a trip, and more a masterclass in discovery.
Why travellers love Founders Tours:
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Set sail on a rare journey across remote islands, wild coastlines, and untouched ecosystems aboard a small, luxury expedition vessel. Travelling by sea unlocks access to places few travellers ever reach – from isolated villages and pristine reefs to dramatic landscapes that can’t be accessed by land – while each evening, you return to the comfort of your beautifully appointed cabin.
These voyages blend adventure with refinement. Expert-led excursions bring you face-to-face with raw nature and vibrant cultures, while exceptional onboard dining, service, and comfort allow time to unwind and reflect.
To complete your experience, Crooked Compass can seamlessly craft pre- or post-cruise land extensions, ensuring your journey flows effortlessly from sea to shore.
Why travellers love our Expedition Cruises:
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Our Tours by Design experiences are private journeys curated exclusively for you by the Crooked Compass team. Whether you’re drawn to one of our existing itineraries, wish to adapt a small-group tour for private travel, or want to design something entirely new, we’ll craft a journey that reflects your pace, passions, and sense of discovery.
Why pay for inclusions that don’t fit? With Tours by Design, every detail is intentional – from the destinations and experiences to your style of travel and choice of accommodation. Each itinerary is hand-built through our deep local partnerships and expertise, ensuring authenticity, comfort, and connection in every moment.
Why travellers love Tours by Design:
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Our Partner Tours are carefully chosen group journeys operated by our long-standing, in-country partners — experts who share our values of authenticity, cultural respect, and meaningful connection. These departures, averaging between 17 and 22 travellers, are designed and delivered by our partners, while Crooked Compass manages your booking and provides full support from start to finish.
Enjoy the reassurance of booking through an Australian-based company, delivering our same personalised service and attention to detail you expect from Crooked Compass. We take care of the logistics, so you can focus on what matters most – the journey itself.
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