Can you order in Russian at cafes and restaurants in Tbilisi, or should you use English?

If the waiter does not understand Russian, install a Russian-to-English translation app before your trip and use it to communicate.

Some Tbilisi café staff may not understand Russian, even if guests are speaking it among themselves. Start in English or point to the item you want on the menu.

Russian is particularly unreliable in small independent coffee shops, where younger staff may never have studied it. A basic “gamarjoba” plus an English order is usually the practical approach.

If English is difficult, order directly from the menu: point to the drink or dish, then indicate quantity and size. This avoids misunderstandings without needing Russian.