Nuts About Georgia: Where to Find the Best Georgian Food in Atlanta

If you hear “Georgia” in Atlanta, your mind probably jumps to peaches, pecans, and the Bulldogs. But there’s another Georgia worth knowing: the country of Georgia, a crossroads of Europe and Asia with a rich, hearty food culture.

If you’re curious about Georgian cuisine in Atlanta—or you saw “Nuts About Georgia” and wondered where to try khachapuri, khinkali, or Georgian wine—this guide walks you through what’s available locally, what to expect, and how to explore it without leaving metro Atlanta.

What Is Georgian Cuisine?

Georgian cuisine (from the Republic of Georgia) is known for:

• Bread and cheese: especially khachapuri (cheese-filled bread)
• Dumplings: juicy, hand-shaped khinkali
• Walnut-based sauces: like satsivi and pkhali
• Fresh herbs: cilantro, dill, parsley, tarragon
• Spices: but not usually very spicy-hot—more aromatic and savory
• Wine culture: some of the world’s oldest winemaking traditions

If you like Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, or Eastern European food, Georgian dishes often feel familiar yet distinct—comforting but with their own twist.

Does Atlanta Have Georgian Restaurants?

Atlanta’s international food scene is strong, especially for Korean, Vietnamese, Indian, and Latin American food. Georgian food is much more niche, so you won’t find it on every corner.

In and around Atlanta, you’re most likely to encounter Georgian food in three ways:

1. Dedicated or partial Georgian restaurants
2. Eastern European / Russian / Caucasian restaurants and bakeries that include Georgian dishes
3. Specialty markets where you can buy Georgian ingredients, wine, or packaged foods

Because openings and closings change over time, it’s smart to call ahead or check current menus to confirm Georgian options are still offered.

Signature Georgian Dishes to Look For in Atlanta

When you’re scanning menus or talking with restaurant staff, these are the classic Georgian dishes worth asking about.

Khachapuri: Georgia’s Iconic Cheese Bread

Khachapuri is often the gateway dish for people trying Georgian food for the first time.

Two common styles you might see:

• Adjarian (Acharuli) khachapuri
  Boat-shaped bread filled with melted cheese, topped with a raw egg yolk and a pat of butter. You swirl it together and tear off pieces of bread to dip.
  Great for sharing, especially if it’s your first time.

• Imeretian khachapuri
  Round, stuffed bread that looks more like a cheese-filled flatbread or pie.

Some Atlanta restaurants label khachapuri simply as “Georgian cheese bread” or group it with flatbreads, so check descriptions rather than just dish names.

Khinkali: Georgian Soup Dumplings

Khinkali are large, pleated dumplings typically filled with:

• Ground beef and/or lamb
• Onions and spices
• Sometimes herbs

They’re usually boiled and served hot. Traditionally, you hold the top “handle” of dough, bite a small hole, carefully sip the broth inside, then eat the rest (and often leave the thick top on the plate).

If you see “Georgian dumplings” or khinkali listed under appetizers or mains at an Eastern European restaurant around Atlanta, that’s your cue.

Pkhali and Walnut-Based Dishes

Walnuts are a big deal in Georgian cooking. Look for:

• Pkhali: finely chopped spinach, beets, eggplant, or other vegetables mixed with ground walnuts, herbs, and garlic, often shaped into small patties and garnished with pomegranate seeds
• Badrijani nigvzit: eggplant rolls filled with walnut-garlic paste
• Satsivi: walnut sauce, often served cold over chicken or vegetables

These dishes tend to be rich, savory, and often vegetarian-friendly.

Shashlik / Mtsvadi: Georgian-Style Grilled Meat

You might see:

• Mtsvadi (Georgian name)
• Shashlik (a more widely known term in Eastern European and Russian menus)

Both refer to skewered, marinated grilled meat—often pork, lamb, or chicken—served with onions, bread, or sometimes fresh herbs.

Georgian-Style Salads and Sides

Look for:

• “Georgian salad”: typically fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, sometimes peppers, herbs, and a light dressing or walnut-based sauce
• Pickled vegetables and marinated items
• Tarragon-flavored drinks or dishes (tarragon is commonly used in Georgian cuisine)

Where to Look for Georgian Food in Atlanta

Because options shift, think in terms of types of places and neighborhoods where Georgian cuisine is most likely to show up.

1. Eastern European & Russian Restaurants and Bakeries

Many Georgian immigrants and dishes are part of the broader post-Soviet culinary world. In metro Atlanta, that means you’ll often find Georgian items in:

• Russian or Eastern European restaurants
• Euro-style bakeries and delis
• Caucasian-themed spots (Caucasus region includes Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan)

These may be located in areas with more Eastern European communities, such as:

• Norcross
• Duluth
• Parts of North Fulton and Gwinnett County

When you visit or call, ask specifically about:

• Khachapuri
• Khinkali
• Georgian salads or walnut dishes
• Georgian wines

Even if the place doesn’t advertise itself as “Georgian,” they may have several Georgian specialties on the menu.

2. Specialty International Markets

If you’re comfortable cooking at home, you can often recreate Georgian flavors using ingredients from Atlanta’s many international markets.

Look for:

• Eastern European markets and delis
  Often sell:

  • Georgian-style bread
  • Packaged sauces with walnut and herb bases
  • Georgian tkemali (sour plum sauce) or adjika (spicy paste), or similar condiments
  • Georgian wines in the wine aisle

• Large international markets in metro Atlanta
  Some big-format markets with Eastern European sections may carry:

  • Georgian wines
  • Borjomi or other mineral waters from the region
  • Canned or jarred pickles and spreads similar to Georgian favorites

When you browse, check labels for:

• “Product of Georgia”
• Georgian alphabet text (distinctive rounded script)
• Region names like Kakheti on wine bottles

3. Wine Shops With International Selections

Georgian wine is having a moment globally, and Atlanta’s better-stocked wine shops sometimes carry:

• Qvevri (kvevri) wines: fermented in clay vessels
• Amber / orange wines: white grapes given extended skin contact
• Red wines made from Saperavi and other Georgian grape varieties

If you’re a wine enthusiast in Atlanta, check wine shops in areas like:

• Midtown
• Virginia-Highland
• Inman Park
• Westside

Ask staff specifically for Georgian wine; they can often point you to a small but interesting selection.

What to Expect When You Try Georgian Food in Atlanta

Because Georgian restaurants are less common, offerings can vary. Here are some realistic expectations:

Menu Variety

• Some places may feature just a few Georgian dishes alongside Russian, Ukrainian, or general Eastern European food.
• Others may focus more on bread, pastries, and dumplings rather than full Georgian entrees.
• Menus may rotate, so that khachapuri or khinkali appears only on certain days.

👍 Tip: When calling ahead, mention specific dishes, for example:

• “Do you have khachapuri on your current menu?”
• “Do you serve Georgian-style dumplings or khinkali?”

Flavor Profile

Most Georgian dishes served around Atlanta will be:

• Savory rather than very spicy
• Heavy on herbs, garlic, and walnuts
• Often rich and filling, particularly breads and stews

If you enjoy comfort food with lots of bread and cheese, Georgian options are a good fit.

Dietary Considerations

If you have specific needs, it helps to ask directly:

• Vegetarian options:
  • Pkhali
  • Eggplant-walnut rolls
  • Some salads
  • Certain cheese breads
• Vegan options:
  • May be more limited, but walnut-based spreads and veggie salads can work
• Gluten-free:
  • Many iconic dishes center on wheat flour, so options will likely be limited

Because staff may be more familiar with traditional labeling than with formal dietary categories, asking about ingredients dish-by-dish is usually most effective.

Simple Comparison: Georgian Food vs. Other International Cuisines in Atlanta

To help you decide if Georgian food is worth seeking out for your tastes, here’s how it generally compares to a few cuisines you can easily find in Atlanta:

How to Explore Georgian Cuisine From Atlanta Step-by-Step

If you’re new to Georgian food and live in or are visiting Atlanta, here’s a practical path:

1. Start with a Georgian dish at an Eastern European restaurant

   • Look for khachapuri or khinkali if they’re available.
   • Share with friends so you can sample more than one item.

2. Visit an international or Eastern European market

   • Browse the wine section for Georgian wines.
   • Check for jarred sauces or spreads with walnuts, herbs, or sour plums.
   • Ask staff if they carry products from Georgia (the country).

3. Cook a simple Georgian-inspired meal at home

   • Make a basic cheese-filled flatbread as a khachapuri-style dish.
   • Serve with:
     • Fresh tomato-cucumber salad with herbs
     • Walnuts and garlic in the dressing to nod to Georgian flavors

4. Pair with a Georgian wine

   • If you enjoy exploring wine, choose:
     • A Saperavi red if you prefer fuller-bodied wines
     • An amber/“orange” wine if you like adventurous, food-friendly whites

5. Watch for food festivals or special events

   • Atlanta periodically hosts international food festivals or cultural events where Georgian vendors or performers may appear as part of a broader Eastern European or international lineup.
   • Checking community calendars for metro Atlanta can help you catch these limited-time opportunities.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Georgian Food in Atlanta

• Ask questions
  Staff at Eastern European restaurants and markets around Atlanta are often happy to explain dishes, especially if you mention you’re curious about Georgian cuisine specifically.

• Be flexible with expectations
  Since Georgian food is niche locally, menus may change and “authenticity” can vary. Focus on whether the flavors and experience work for you.

• Go with a group
  Many Georgian dishes (like khachapuri and grilled meats) are ideal for sharing, which lets you try more items in a single visit.

• Don’t overlook cold dishes
  Walnut-based salads and spreads may not look dramatic, but they carry a lot of the distinctive Georgian flavor you may not find elsewhere.

• Bring cash as a backup
  Some smaller markets and delis that carry Georgian or Eastern European goods in metro Atlanta may have preferred payment methods or card minimums.

If You’re “Nuts About Georgia” (the Country) While in Georgia (the State)

For an Atlanta-based diner or visitor, Georgian cuisine is still a bit of a hidden gem compared to other international options. You’re unlikely to find a Georgian restaurant on every block, but with a little searching:

• You can taste khachapuri and khinkali at select Eastern European restaurants.
• You can buy Georgian wine and pantry items at specialty markets and better-stocked wine shops.
• You can recreate key flavors at home with the right ingredients and a bit of curiosity.

If you’re in Atlanta, staying open to Eastern European and international spots—and asking directly about Georgian options—is the most reliable way to explore this unique and memorable cuisine without leaving metro Atlanta.