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.
Vera · Experience date Jan 19, 2026
Georgian (Kartuli) is a unique language unrelated to any other language family, with its own distinctive script (Mkhedruli). It's genuinely difficult — most expats don't learn beyond basics. Essential phrases: 'Gamarjoba' (Hello), 'Madloba' (Thank you), 'Ara' (No), 'Diakh' (Yes), 'Ra ghirs?' (How much?), 'Sadaa...?' (Where is...?), 'Gaachemet' (Stop here — for marshrutka). Georgians are pleased by any attempt to speak Georgian — even one word earns warm smiles. Most practical communication in Tbilisi tourist/expat areas: English works fine. Older Georgian: Russian is the second language for the 40+ generation.
Old Town · Experience date Feb 21, 2026
Most international personal care brands are available in Tbilisi. Carrefour hypermarket (Saburtalo and malls): stocks Gillette, Oral-B, Dove, L'Oréal, Pampers and most international FMCG brands. Electronic and tech products: re:Store (Apple premium reseller, Galleria Mall), Samsung store (Rustaveli), multiple mobile phone shops on Rustaveli Avenue. Clothing: Tbilisi has Zara, H&M, LC Waikiki, and many local Georgian fashion boutiques. Books in English: limited — order via Amazon with a freight forwarder or bring your own. Dry Bridge Sunday market: excellent for vintage items, antiques, Soviet-era collectibles, and affordable art.
Chugureti · Experience date May 2, 2026
Tbilisi electricity is generally reliable — major power cuts are uncommon in central neighbourhoods. However: brief flickers and momentary cuts do occur during storms (1–3 times/year). Outer districts: slightly less reliable. Voltage: 220V, 50Hz, EU standard Type C/F sockets. If you have equipment that can't handle brief power interruptions (recording studio, medical equipment): use a UPS (uninterruptible power supply). Power is significantly more reliable than 10–15 years ago — Georgia has upgraded its grid substantially. Summer: no issues. Winter: very rare disruptions during heavy snowfall in the mountains affecting hydropower supply.
Rustaveli · Experience date Mar 12, 2026
The Georgian Orthodox Church is deeply embedded in Georgian identity and culture. Over 80% of Georgians identify as Orthodox. Churches are open to visitors — dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered; women cover hair inside). Major religious holidays affect opening hours and city atmosphere: Orthodox Christmas (January 7), Tbilisoba (city festival, October), Svetitskhovloba (October 14). The Patriarchate and Church are powerful social institutions — conservative attitudes in rural Georgia contrast with Tbilisi's liberal urban culture. Understanding this context helps explain some social norms expats encounter.
Chugureti · Experience date Feb 26, 2026
Georgian is genuinely difficult for speakers of European languages — different alphabet, very different grammar, complex consonant clusters. Most expats don't learn Georgian beyond basic phrases. If you want to learn: Georgian National University and Tbilisi State University offer Georgian language courses for foreigners (around $100–200/term). Private tutors: found via Facebook groups and tutoring apps ($10–20/hour). Online: Georgianlessons.com and YouTube Georgian courses. Duolingo: no Georgian course yet. Pimsleur: basic Georgian audio course. Practical reality: English and Russian together cover almost all expat communication needs in Tbilisi. Learning even 20–30 phrases earns enormous goodwill.