Tbilisi and Yerevan
March 2025
Solo Through the Caucasus: Exploring the Capital Cities of Georgia and Armenia
Tbilisi Overview & Recommendations
Food to Try
Lobiani (bean-filled bread)
Nigvziani Badrijani (eggplant rolls with walnut paste)
Adjaruli Khachapuri (boat-shaped cheese bread with egg)
Pkhali (minced vegetable balls with walnuts)
Ajapsandali (eggplant and vegetable stew)
Khinkali (soup dumplings)
Megruli Khachapuri (cheese bread topped with extra cheese)
Lobio (stewed beans) served with jonjoli and mchadi (cornbread)
Cafes & Shops
Shavi Coffee Roasters, Slink Cafe, and Cafe Daphna
Puri Guliani (good for breakfast) and Mapshalia (budget-friendly walnut dishes)
Prosperos Books
Vintage shopping at Le Chic Radical, Zero Effect, Why Not, Refound Dome, and Vintage Hub
Badagi (for authentic churchkhela)
Things to Do & See
Explore the Old Town, Freedom Square, and Ivane Machabeli Street
Visit the Clock Tower and Gallery 27 on Asatiani Street
Walk through the Botanical Gardens to the waterfall and up to the Mother of Georgia statue
Visit the Abanotubani sulfur baths and Rike Park
Browse the lively Deserter Bazar
Visit the Georgian National Museum and take a Georgian cooking class
Catch a performance at the Armirani Theater
Yerevan Overview & Recommendations
Food to Try
Zatar Pizza
Zhengyalov Hats (flatbread stuffed with fresh herbs)
Aveluk (wild sorrel soup)
Places
Lavash Restaurant
Afro Lab Roastery
Things to Do & See
Walk around Republic Square and the creative Art Kvartel, and check out the National Museum right in the middle of the square—it is incredibly interesting and worth a visit.
Climb the Yerevan Cascades Complex for city views.
Browse the Vernissage open-air market for crafts and souvenirs.
Visit the historic Blue Mosque and the Tsitsernakaberd Genocide Memorial to understand modern Armenian identity and the ongoing geopolitical divide regarding how the 1915 history is viewed internationally.
Catch a movie at the Moscow Cinema. If you have a late-night flight to catch, passing the time by watching a local film—like an Armenian love story—is a great way to experience the culture.
Explore the wine bars and cafes along Saryan Street.
Local grocery store in downtown tbilisi
Berber (barber) shop on the main strip in tiblisi
The Cascade Complex in Yerevan offers a lovely view of Mount Ararat on the horizon. Walk up to the top to soak in the view or watch the sunset. There is also an Olympic-standard park behind the complex at the top if you have time to explore.
Khachapuri: A Georgian staple. Take a cooking class to learn how to make one and decide which type of khachapuri is your favorite. Mine is Megruli!