Tbilisi
Affordable essentials, grocery options, and setup tips.
You'll find Western groceries most easily at Carrefour in Tbilisi Mall or the Goodwill chain, where imported items are plentiful and prices are reasonable; Goodwill also offers cheaper fresh produce at its many locations. For the best local fruits and vegetables, head to the Deserter Bazaar near Didube metro, where the stalls are abundant and prices are lower than the supermarkets. Most newcomers are surprised to learn that tap water is safe to drink straight from the faucet-it meets drinking-water standards from the Caucasus mountains, so you can skip bottled water unless you prefer it. Dental care is another pleasant surprise: private clinics provide European-quality treatment at 20-30% of EU prices, with routine cleanings costing just 40-80GEL. As a first step, visit Carrefour or the Deserter Bazaar today to stock up on groceries and try the tap water at a nearby caf.
Ranked by contributor trust level and quality score.
Gldani · Experience date Apr 9, 2026
Carrefour in Tbilisi Mall has the best selection of imported and Western products. Goodwill supermarket is well-stocked and cheaper. For fresh produce, the Deserter Bazaar near Didube metro is excellent and very cheap.
Old Town · Experience date Nov 11, 2025
Tbilisi has a strong dental care reputation among expats. Private dental clinics offer European-quality treatment at 20–30% of EU prices. Routine checkup and cleaning: 40–80 GEL. Filling: 60–120 GEL. Root canal: 150–300 GEL. Dental implant: $400–700 (versus $1,500–3,000 in EU). Recommended clinics: Dental Palace (Vake), Dentamedic (Saburtalo). Book directly — no referral needed. English-speaking dentists available at clinics in Vake and Rustaveli areas. Medical tourism for dental work is a growing industry in Georgia — many EU expats schedule dental work during their Tbilisi stay.
Vake · Experience date Jan 21, 2026
Tbilisi has a continental climate. Spring (March–May): best time to visit — mild 15–22°C, green, flowers. Summer (June–August): hot and dry, 30–38°C in July–August, low humidity makes it bearable. Autumn (September–November): beautiful, golden light, 15–25°C, harvest season — excellent time for wine country visits. Winter (December–February): cold, 0–8°C, some snow (1–3 snowfalls per year), grey and damp. Buildings are often poorly heated — bring warm layers. Air conditioning: present in most modern apartments. Heating: gas central heating in most apartments — check it works before signing a winter lease.
Rustaveli · Experience date Dec 30, 2025
Georgia has very relaxed pharmacy rules. I bought antibiotics and strong painkillers over the counter at Pharmadepot without a prescription. Prices are very low — about 1/5 of UK prices for equivalent medication.
Saburtalo · Experience date Jan 5, 2026
Tbilisi is generally very safe for expats. Violent crime targeting foreigners is rare. Petty theft: much lower rate than Western European capitals. Areas to be more aware at night: Gldani and outer Isani districts (after midnight). Tbilisi Old Town and Fabrika area late at night: busy, lively, safe. Street harassment: some expat women report occasional attention in more traditional areas. Dog situation: stray dogs are common in Tbilisi — most are neutered and tagged (city program), generally not aggressive, but don't approach strays. Overall: Tbilisi is safer than most European capitals for day-to-day expat life.
Rustaveli · Experience date Mar 23, 2026
Tbilisi tap water is safe to drink — it comes from the Caucasus mountains and meets drinking water standards. Most locals and experienced expats drink tap water without filtering. Bottled water (Borjomi mineral water, a Georgian institution — slightly sulphurous, an acquired taste; Nabeghlavi for still water): available everywhere for 1–2 GEL. If you have a sensitive stomach: use a filter for the first week while your body adjusts to slightly different mineral content. Cooking with tap water: fine. Sulfuric smell from hot water: normal in Tbilisi due to the natural sulfur springs — not harmful, just distinctive.
Chugureti · Experience date Apr 5, 2026
Georgia's two main pharmacy chains: GPC (Georgian Pharmaceutical Company, green logo — everywhere) and Aversi (associated with Aversi Clinic). Both are open late (10pm–midnight), some branches 24 hours. Prescription medications: many antibiotics and other controlled medications available over-the-counter in Georgia without a prescription — useful for expats who forgot to bring specific medications. Generic medications: extremely cheap (30–70% less than EU prices). Bring a list of your medications (generic names) — Georgian pharmacists can match them. English language ability: limited at pharmacies, use Google Translate or bring a bilingual friend.
Rustaveli · Experience date Nov 10, 2025
Georgia has a deeply embedded wine culture — wine has been produced here for 8,000 years. Legal drinking age: 18. Buying alcohol: 24 hours in supermarkets and convenience stores, no Sunday restrictions. Georgian wine bars (gvino ubani): natural Georgian wines, unpretentious atmosphere, 15–25 GEL per glass for quality wine. Famous Georgian nightclub: Bassiani (techno, LGBTQ+ inclusive, world-renowned underground club in a former swimming pool) — one of Europe's best clubs. Fabrika: more accessible, mixed crowd, food trucks and cafés. Tbilisi nightlife is excellent, affordable, and diverse. Georgians are genuinely hospitable — you will be invited to supras (traditional feasts) that you'll never forget.
Vake · Experience date Nov 28, 2025
Georgia's public healthcare (state hospitals) is significantly under-resourced — long waits, limited equipment, many doctors expect informal payments. Recommendation for expats: use private clinics for all non-emergency care. Good news: Georgian private healthcare is very affordable. GP consultation at a private clinic: 30–60 GEL ($11–22). Specialist: 50–100 GEL. Blood tests: 20–50 GEL. Private hospitals in Tbilisi: Aversi Clinic, Mediclub Georgia, American Medical Center, GeoHospitals. The quality at good private clinics is comparable to mid-range EU healthcare at 5–10% of the cost.
Chugureti · Experience date May 7, 2026
Mental health services in English are available but limited in Tbilisi. Options: Expat therapists (online via BetterHelp, Talkspace — most effective for English-language therapy with Georgian time zone), American Medical Center Tbilisi (some English-speaking counsellors), and a small number of private English-speaking psychologists found via expat Facebook groups. Stigma around mental health in Georgian society: still present but decreasing. Cost: English-speaking private therapy $50–80/hour. The Tbilisi expat community is generally supportive — Facebook groups and Discord servers for expats provide peer support networks.