The Complete Guide to a Kosher Trip to Tbilisi

Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, hosts one of the oldest Jewish communities in the world — the Jews of Georgia, whose local tradition describes continuous settlement dating back to the Babylonian exile, over 2,600 years ago. The community, known for especially warm relations with its non-Jewish neighbors, centers around the Great Synagogue on Kote Afkhazi Street in the old city. Here's a short guide to planning your visit.

The Great Synagogue and the Ashkenazi Synagogue

The Great Synagogue of Tbilisi on Kote Afkhazi Street, serving the local Georgian-Jewish majority, with a mikveh alongside it. The Ashkenazi Synagogue (Beit Rachel), a short distance away, serves the smaller Ashkenazi community. Chabad Lubavitch of Georgia, on the same main street, serves both prayers and travelers.

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Where to eat

King David Restaurant in the courtyard of the Great Synagogue, Hummus Jerusalem Kosher on nearby Jerusalem Street, and Mendi's Tbilisi — three central kosher options, all within walking distance of each other in the old city. Kosher Point grocery rounds out the shopping.

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Narikala Fortress and Abanotubani — best with the cable car

The 4th-century Narikala Fortress, towering above the old city, offers the best panoramic view over Tbilisi and the Kura River. Practical tip: take the short, convenient cable car up from Rike Square in the old city — rather than hiking up — then walk back down through the Abanotubani district with its traditional sulfur bathhouses and characteristic domed roofs.

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Between the Great Synagogue and the 2,600-year-old Georgian-Jewish community, Narikala Fortress and Abanotubani, Tbilisi offers a rare encounter with one of the world's oldest and warmest Jewish communities — a destination increasingly being rediscovered by Israeli travelers.