When you travel through Georgia, you’ll hear a word again and again: Supra. At first glance, it seems like a dinner party — a table overflowing with food, toasts, and laughter. But for Georgians, a supra is far more than a meal. It’s a cultural ritual, a living tradition, and one of the most powerful ways Georgians express friendship, love, and respect.
🍷 What Is a Supra?
The word “supra” literally means “tablecloth” in Georgian, but in spirit, it refers to a grand feast — one hosted for guests, friends, family, or even strangers. It’s not tied to restaurants or fancy venues. You’ll find supras in homes, in mountain villages, in vineyards, and even on the side of a road with just a few chairs and some bread.
At its core, the supra is about connection: between people, between past and present, between land and wine.
🗣️ The Role of the Tamada (Toastmaster)
Every supra has a tamada, the leader of the table. He (or sometimes she) is chosen for their eloquence, wisdom, and sense of humor. The tamada leads the toasts — and in Georgia, toasts are an art form. They’re not just “cheers”; they’re heartfelt reflections on life, family, peace, ancestors, or even the beauty of the moment.
Toasts can be emotional, funny, philosophical, or poetic — but always sincere. And once the tamada makes a toast, everyone drinks… usually homemade wine from a clay cup or a traditional horn (kantsi).
🍽️ The Food: A Celebration of Generosity
At a real supra, the table is full before the guests arrive. And somehow, dishes keep coming long after you’re full. From freshly baked puri (bread), to rich stews like chakapuli or ostrakhani, to creamy dips like pkhali and badrijani, every dish has a story — and every host takes pride in serving way more than enough.
If the meal is homemade (and it often is), it’s not just cooking — it’s hospitality turned into art.
🧭 Types of Supras
There are two main types:
- Keipi – A festive supra held for joy: birthdays, weddings, guests arriving, a new season, or even just a beautiful day.
- Kelekhi – A memorial supra, held in honor of someone who has passed away. Even in sorrow, Georgians gather around food, wine, and memory.
Both are rooted in respect — for life, for tradition, for each other.
🌿 Why It Matters for Travelers
If you’re invited to a supra, consider it an honor. You’re not just being fed — you’re being welcomed into something sacred. Listen to the toasts. Try every dish. Raise your glass with meaning.
Even if you don’t speak Georgian, your presence at the table means everything.
✅ Want to Experience a Supra?
At 11 Regions, we offer guests the chance to join real supras in local homes — not touristy shows, but genuine gatherings with homemade food, home-brewed wine, and heartfelt conversation. You’ll share a table with families who’ve kept these traditions alive for generations.
This isn’t just a meal — it’s a memory you’ll carry with you long after the tour ends.
📍 Contact us to add a Georgian supra to your private itinerary — available in Kakheti, Imereti, Samegrelo, and even in Tbilisi with advance notice.
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