Maqatubani

On the main road towards Kutaisi, coming from the east, just a short distance past Zaliko Bozhadze’s qvevri pottery is a steep, sharp left turn with several large signs. One points down a narrow road to Zgapari River Restaurant (you can’t miss it as the road leads to the restaurant’s car park by the Dzirula River). The dining rooms are raised up a storey, with several outdoor terraces for warm-weather meals.

This family-run restaurant specializes in the 10 to 15 varieties of mushrooms that are found in the surrounding woods, as well as many wild greens, berries, vegetables and fruits. Fermented plants here can include borage, bladdernut blossoms (jonjoli), nettle, wild leeks and garlic.