Where to grill shashlik near Tbilisi: mangal and barbecue spots, and what the law says

Grilling shashlik in the great outdoors is almost a must on a Georgian weekend. But near Tbilisi, “the great outdoors” means a state forest, a national park or a city green space, and each has its own rules. We've looked into where you can grill, what the law says, what a mistake will cost you, and which mangal (a charcoal grill for skewers) or grill suits each kind of place.

Our article “Mtsvadi outdoors” covers in detail what to pack in the trunk for mtsvadi. This one is about where to take it all.

What the law says

In short: in Georgia's forests and national parks, you can only light a fire in designated places. Here are the details.

State forest

The rules for forests are set out in two Government Resolutions.

• Fires in a forest are allowed only in specially designated places, and such a place must have an information sign. This rule is in Article 6 of the Regulation on Forest Use (Government Resolution No. 221). The same article says that, to prevent fires, the forest owner or the forestry authority may temporarily restrict lighting fires even in these places.
• Fires are prohibited under tree crowns, in young conifer stands, on old burnt areas, in damaged forest, at logging sites not cleared of felling debris, on peat ground and in areas with dry grass. This list is in Article 12 of the Regulation on the Rules of Forest Protection, Restoration and Care (Government Resolution No. 383).
• Where fires are allowed, the spot has to be prepared: anything that catches fire easily is cleared from a 1.5 m radius around the fire pit, and/or the pit is edged with a strip of bare mineral soil at least 0.25 m wide.
• You must not leave a fire burning unattended, throw away lit matches or cigarette butts, or burn grass.
• During the fire-hazard period, the forestry authority, in agreement with the municipality, may temporarily ban the use of the forest, access to it and vehicle entry.

The takeaway is simple: you can't grill wherever you like in a forest, even if the spot looks safe. You need an equipped site with a sign.

Fines

Liability is set out in Article 76 of the Code of Administrative Offences of Georgia.

• Breaking the rules on lighting fires in a state forest, or the fire safety requirements in a forest — a fine of 300 GEL.
• If this destroys or damages the forest and a fire starts or spreads — a fine of 500 GEL.

Since late May 2025, an officer of the Department of Environmental Supervision may decide a case involving fire in a state forest on the spot if the offender does not dispute the facts and confirms this by signing.

If the fire turns out to be serious, you face criminal liability, up to and including imprisonment, as the National Forestry Agency points out.

National parks

In protected areas, the rule is even simpler: fires only in specially designated places. That's what the visitor rules of Tbilisi and Algeti National Parks say.

Tbilisi

The city has its own rules for the protection of green spaces, adopted by Tbilisi City Council (Sakrebulo) Resolution No. 11-58 in June 2022. Article 14 bans lighting fires under tree crowns, in young conifer stands, on old burnt areas, among damaged plantings and on dry grass.

The rules don't mention mangals specifically, but in a park almost any spot falls into one of these categories. We found no official barbecue areas in the city parks: Vake Park, Mtatsminda, Turtle Lake, Lisi Lake or Krtsanisi. There are picnic sites, but they're meant for a blanket and sandwiches, not a fire.

Where you can grill

Tbilisi National Park

The park lies right on the edge of Tbilisi, and fires are officially allowed here in designated places. Picnic sites with fire pits have been set up in the Sabaduri beech forest, reached via the Tbilisi–Tianeti highway.

In August 2026, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture reported that more than 30 gazebos (picnic shelters), outdoor fireplaces and benches had been installed in the park, and a visitor center and parking for about 200 cars had been built.

The picnic sites aren't free: the fee depends on the size of the gazebo. Before you go, call the visitor specialist: the number listed on the national parks website is 577 640 474. Ask which areas are open, whether you need to book a spot in advance, and whether you can set up your own mangal or may only grill in the park's fireplace.

If you're grilling in the park's fireplace, you don't need a mangal. Bring a grill grate, skewers, charcoal and a fire starter. Don't gather firewood in the forest or break off branches: bring your own fuel.

Algeti National Park

The park is about an hour's drive (around 70 km) from Tbilisi, and its visitor center is in Manglisi. The national parks website lists paid picnic sites and a campsite, and here too fires are allowed only in designated places. Check availability and fees with the visitor center.

Tbilisi Sea

The Georgian National Tourism Administration says there are picnic and barbecue areas at the Tbilisi Sea. We couldn't find maps of these areas, so our rule of thumb is: only grill where a fire spot is already set up, and not under trees or on dry grass. The shore is within the Tbilisi city limits, so the city rules apply here too.

Your own plot, a country house or a cottage

This is the most hassle-free option. You only need the owner's permission, though it's best to let the neighbors know in advance. The same common sense applies as in the forest: set the mangal on level ground, away from the house, trees and dry grass, and keep a bucket of water nearby.

Houses with a mangal are available to rent in Tskneti, Kojori, Okrokana, Saguramo, Orbeti and Manglisi, and there are also glamping sites with grill areas. On Airbnb and Booking.com, turn on the “BBQ grill” filter. When booking, ask the host whether you can grill and whether there's a mangal and charcoal on site. If not, bring your own.

Where you can't make a fire

• In the forests near Kojori, Udzo, Tskneti, Kiketi and Betania, and in any other forest, unless there's an equipped site with a sign.
• In city parks and public gardens: at Lisi Lake, Turtle Lake, Mtatsminda and in Vake Park.
• Under trees and on dry grass, wherever you are.

Mangal or grill: what to bring for each spot

A mangal is for skewers: classic mtsvadi and lula kebab. A grill with a grate is for vegetables, fish, sausages and anything that's awkward to put on a skewer.

If you're bringing your own mangal

• “Sunny” portable charcoal mangal or “Sunny” S grill-mangal — both fold up and fit in the trunk.
• ECE EPK-633 charcoal mangal — another option for a country house or a picnic.
• Set of 6 HI KING skewers with wooden handles — wooden handles don't get as hot as metal ones.
• Lula kebab skewer — it's wide, so the minced meat stays on and doesn't slide into the coals.

If you'd rather have a grill

• “Sunny” charcoal grill — round, for a yard or a country house.
• HI KING charcoal grill with a wooden handle — portable and easy to take along.
• Compact grill — small and light, for a picnic with two or three people.

If you're using an existing fireplace

In a national park or at your hosts' gazebo, you don't need a mangal, just a grate.

• Large grill grate with a wooden handle — food doesn't fall through into the coals.
• Non-stick grill grate — for fish and vegetables that tend to stick.

Lighting the fire and turning the food

• Top Soil wood charcoal, 2 kg or wood charcoal, 3 kg.
• Marao fire starter and a fan for the coals.
• HI KING barbecue tool set: tongs, spatula, knife, fork and basting brush in a case. For something simpler, there's a three-piece set: tongs, fork and basting brush.

If the item is in stock at our warehouse, we'll deliver it within Tbilisi in 2 hours, so you can order charcoal in the morning and head out after lunch.

What to put on the table

• Tkemali CH’VENTAN — a sour plum sauce and the classic partner for mtsvadi.
• Megrelian adjika — spicy; spread a thin layer on the hot meat.
• Svan salt — for meat, grilled vegetables and potatoes baked in the embers.

Sulguni cheese goes well with the meat. We sell cheese by pre-order only: we don't keep it at our warehouse, but collect it from the producer specifically for your order. So order it in advance in the “Market” section, not on the morning of your trip.

For more ways to use these spices, see our article on Svan salt, adjika and tkemali.

Before you leave

• Douse the coals with water and stir them, then douse them again.
• Hold your palm over the ashes: you shouldn't feel any heat. Wind can fan the embers back to life even an hour later.
• Take your trash with you.
• If you see a fire, call 112. The National Forestry Agency hotline is 153.

In short

• In Georgia's forests and national parks, you can only light a fire in designated places, and in a forest the place must have a sign.
• Fires are prohibited under tree crowns, in young conifer stands and on dry grass, both in forests and in Tbilisi's green spaces; in forests, they're also banned on peat ground.
• The fine for breaking the fire rules in a state forest is 300 GEL, or 500 GEL if a fire starts.
• The official spots near Tbilisi are the picnic areas of Tbilisi National Park in Sabaduri and Algeti National Park near Manglisi. Both charge a fee, so call the park before you go.
• The simplest option is your own plot or a rented house with a mangal.
• You'll find mangals, grills, grates, charcoal and skewers in our “Outdoor gear” section.

Legal framework and sources

• Code of Administrative Offences of Georgia, Article 76 — fines for breaking the fire rules in forests. The fine amounts come from Law No. 1100 of 15.12.2021, and on-the-spot proceedings from Law No. 566 of 13.05.2025.
• Government Resolution No. 383 of 27.07.2021 — Regulation on the Rules of Forest Protection, Restoration and Care, Article 12: where fires are prohibited in forests, the 1.5 m radius and the 0.25 m strip.
• Government Resolution No. 221 of 18.05.2021 — Regulation on Forest Use, Article 6: fires in forests only in designated places with a sign.
• Tbilisi City Council (Sakrebulo) Resolution No. 11-58, June 2022, Article 14 — ban on fires under tree crowns and on dry grass in Tbilisi.
• Tbilisi National Park visitor rules, the park's page with contacts, plus the Algeti National Park page and its visitor rules.
• Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, 12.08.2026 — new facilities in Tbilisi National Park.
• National Forestry Agency, 22.07.2026 — fire rules in forests and liability.
• Georgian National Tourism Administration — picnic and barbecue areas at the Tbilisi Sea.

We're not lawyers, and laws change. Before your trip, check the current version on matsne.gov.ge or call the park administration.