Is tipping expected in Georgia
Short answer: tipping in Georgia is not mandatory, but the custom is growing fast. A decade ago tips were optional; today, in tourist-area Tbilisi, 10% in cafés and restaurants is almost the norm. No one will chase you if you leave nothing, but good service is genuinely appreciated here.
The one rule I always give travelers: always check the bill. More and more venues add a "service charge" of 10-18%, and in that case you don't need to tip separately — otherwise you pay twice.
Cafés and restaurants: 10% and service charge
The standard for a sit-down restaurant is 10% of the bill. If the receipt already shows a "Service" line (or "მომსახურება"), the tip is included — don't add on top. At quick coffee shops and food courts tips aren't expected; people just round up or drop change in the jar by the till.
| Place | Customary tip | How to leave it |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant with a waiter | 10% (if no service charge) | cash or on the card terminal |
| Coffee shop, bakery | optional, round up | change in the jar |
| Bar, nightclub | 10% or ₾1-2 per cocktail | cash to the bartender |
| Wine cellar, tasting | 5-10% | cash |
Want a feel for café prices in Tbilisi so you can gauge the tip? See our guide to restaurants in Tbilisi →.
Taxis, Bolt and Yandex
In apps (Bolt, Yandex Go) tipping is not customary — the price is fixed and the driver sees it in advance. You can round up for a pleasant ride, but it's optional. In street taxis, where you agree the price beforehand, no tip is expected either. How it all works is in our Tbilisi taxi guide →.
Hotel, guide, tour, delivery
Here a tip is a personal thank-you for the work, not an obligation.
| Who | Customary tip | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Tour guide | 10-15% or ₾20-50 | for a great day — a gesture of respect |
| Hotel porter | ₾2-5 | for luggage |
| Housekeeper | ₾5 per day | optional, leave on the nightstand |
| Delivery courier | ₾2-3 | optional |
With a guide it's simple: if you enjoyed the day, a thank-you is always welcome, but never assumed. Our tour prices already include the guide's work, so a tip is entirely up to you. Not sure whether you need a guide? There's a separate breakdown.
Cheat sheet: how much and to whom
- Restaurant — 10%, but check the "service charge" line first.
- Coffee shop / fast food — optional, round up.
- Taxi app — not needed, price is fixed.
- Guide — optional, 10-15% for a great day.
- Hotel — ₾2-5 to a porter, ₾5 a day to housekeeping.
- Keep some cash: tip terminals aren't everywhere.
And a small bonus: one word — "madloba" (thank you in Georgian) — to a waiter or driver is sometimes valued as much as the tip itself.
Want a day in Tbilisi with no worries about prices or tips?
A city tour — fixed price, guide's work included, no hidden extras. Groups up to 7, hotel pickup.