Location: Kutaisi
Top Restaurants in Kutaisi
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Kutaisi Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Kutaisi
Kutaisi (Georgian: ქუთაისი [kʰutʰɑisi]; ancient names: Aea/Aia, Kotais, Kutatisi, Kutaïsi) is the legislative capital of Georgia, and its 3rd most populous city. Situated 221 kilometres (137 miles) west of Tbilisi, on the Rioni River, it is the capital of the western region of Imereti. Historically one of the major cities of Georgia, it served as the capital of the Kingdom of Georgia in the Middle Ages, and later as the capital of the Kingdom of Imereti. The Parliament of Georgia moved to Kutaisi in 2012, in an effort to both acknowledge the status of the city, and to decentralise the Georgian government.
Things to do in Kutaisi
1. Bar-Restaurant Palaty
Overall Ratings
4 based on 400 reviews
Reviewed By slpb - Cambridge, United Kingdom
Really cute place, with a friendly and homely atmosphere. Staff speak English. I ordered the wrong thing at dinner the first night (beef fajitas were very chewy and under seasoned) but we then returned for 2 lovely lunches over the next 2 days of katchapuri, soup and salads which were delicious. Service not so speedy, but great homemade apple juice is worth the wait!
2. Baraqa
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 141 reviews
Reviewed By Mike K - London, United Kingdom
We three British middle aged guys are on our first few days back in Georgia (fourth time) starting in Kutaisi, courtesy of cheap flights from Luton via Whizzair.
We arrived v v late Thursday/Friday 14/15th September emerging from Hotel Brothers at 14:00 to look for 'breakfast'. We were recommended this place by our patronne Mizeu but could not find it as her vague 'go that way' got us to House 11 as we gave up looking.
We left H11 and wandered further into town to find this basic restaurant overlooking the fancy goatee Fountain with tables outside on the pavement Terrace for smokers.
We decided to have another sample of Georgian food on our first day with coffee and a beer.
The menu was presented and had photos of each dish thankfully as we were still getting used to the whacky alphabet!
We chose the aubergine and walnut as it seeks to be a staple. It arrived as four pieces which we happily devoured as it was quite tasty. The coffees and beer went down well too; Americano and Turkish stylee!
We paid up and left happy promising ourselves to return. The bill was 17.05 after tax and service and we left an extra 1 for the waitress service.
We did indeed return after wandering the town, central square, cable car, Cathedral, Our Garden cafe bar for sunset and back to Baraqa at 20:45. The Fountain parade seemed busier with Il Paso having a queue outside and Dagebi being quite empty. We resisted the beer bar.
We planted ourselves outside on the narrow pavement Terrace again by the main door as it was a bit noisy and clattery inside.
Music was at a moderate volume outside but invariable poppy western.
We had already had a bottle of wine at Our Garden and the selection here was half the price, the cheapest Georgian wine being GEL10 (£3!). We ordered that and an atcharuli khatchapuri (egg and cheese in bread boat), ojakhuri (veal on a very hotclay pan/skillet) and a borano (described as a Georgian fondue in some reviews).
The wine came in good time, opened already as usual (also in Our Garden) and poured into the cheap small glasses without a tasting. This proved a problem as the white semi dry wine was quite sweet and warm! Ok it was only £3 before extras but it was like drinking syrup. My friends did not want to make a fuss but I grabbed a waiter and asked him to stick it in the freezer till our food came, which he did, then I ordered myself a cold beer! This turned out to be the more pricey (at gel4 - £1.33) Karva brand as they had run out of the cheaper Natakhtari (£1). It turned out fine as was an unusual rose petal/jasmine flavour!
The Dishes then came at irregular intervals, Atcharuli first, huge vegetable salad, borano and eventually mine by that time I gestured to the waiter to bring back the cooler wine! It was cooler but not cold. He said he could not replace it as it was opened already (they need to work on their etiquette/presentation as I said). I explained the etiquette and he talked about Russians liking it opened before it arrives, oh well. It was only £3 after all!
The food! The Atcharuli was big! My friend struggled and shared it out to us as our dishes had not arrived yet. The vinaigrette on the huge salad was tasty and salty, reminding me of my mum's German 'aromat' that had msg in it. The salad itself was a mound of fresh lettuce, cucumbers and tomatoes and capsicums, all good.
There was no salt and pepper supplied so I asked for some but it never arrived. We all agreed that the food did not need it in the end.
My friend's borano looked great but he is not into omelettes and it was quite ommletty on the outside but got cheesier into the middle which cheered him up! We shared bits and finished it at the end as he could not as it was not quite his style. He admitted it was his mistake and others would be fine with it (as we were, especially me as I awaited my dish!).
Eventually my dish appeared and it was the most expensive between us being meaty as I pushed the boat out on our first proper meal in Georgia! I shared my rosti style fried potatoes with my disappointed borano friend and he loved the, they were piping hot (hence the wait?) and amongst them were seven chunks of veal, although they were very fatty and a bit grisly I wonder which cut they were! Oooops. Not quite their best dish. Maybe it was just too peasanty and cheaply made (for that 12 price!). I was not too happy. It was like a kebab amongst the potatoes.
Overall we finished reasonably happy, given the ordering of wrong dishes in the end.
The total bill was 53.90 including service for the kitchen. We left a separate tip, 1.10 rounded up, for the waitress & waiter as is the custom apparently.
3. Cafe White Stones
Overall Ratings
4 based on 69 reviews
Reviewed By DutchTourist1829 - Brussels, Belgium
Nice place. My guidebook says that the bar was already frequented by famous Georgian poets in the 19th century. They probably redid the bar completely since. No old charm is left. But the location is great, overlooking the white bridge and the stones. Food is good. I had a gazpacho and a green been salad. The staff doesn't like its job. They are hanging at the bar and seem totally bored serving you.
4. Bungalow Zedazeni
Overall Ratings
4 based on 43 reviews
Reviewed By Pavel_Marmalyuk - Moscow, Russia
First of all, the location of the place is displayed incorrectly! Be careful, the true location is about 300 meters from the spot indicated on the TripAdvisor map!
The food was delicious, from bread and fries to Phali assortie (it's a Georgian salad) and trout. Young and smily waitress was very polite, helped us to select dishes and answered some questions about local wine. The service was very fast and in the right order (soft drinks and salad first, then main course and wine). Atmosphere was not very exciting: loud music and karaoke singer, but we liked the village design and overall impression from Georgian style.
5. Cafe Rennes
Overall Ratings
4 based on 36 reviews
The Cafe Renne is a small full service restaurant located in the heart of Kutaisi. We have established ourselves as a popular local eatery by offering hearty and healthy Local and International style entrees, always providing the best customer service. We are known for the best live music. We are serving famous Georgian wine and big variety of drinks. You are all invited!
Reviewed By eilonglen - Ashkelon, Israel
Having eaten a mediocre meal at our hotel, we needed something light and tasty as compensation, so strolled in the direction of Agmashenbeli Square, which dominates the center of the town and displays the most amazing Fountain embellished with replicas of archaeological antiquities.
We happened upon Cafe Rennes and after swallowing our antipathy towards eateries that permit smoking on the premises, enjoyed one of the tastiest Apple pie dishes ever! Slathered in fine ice-cream, accompanied by two glasses of excellent Georgian white wine and the mandatory espresso, this snack really hit the spot and easily made up for the desultory hotel meal. Pity we were unable to try their other choices...
6. Caffe El Paso
Overall Ratings
4 based on 87 reviews
Reviewed By Ana L - Boliden, Sweden
Simple place, with good food, and quite some options to choose from. Staff is friendly and English is spoken.
7. Bar-Restaurant Kaiser
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 65 reviews
Reviewed By maka k
I am frequent guest of this restaurant, and I can freely say that they have the most delicious dishes in Kutaisi. If you want fresh and healthy food, it is the best place to visit. Staff is friendly and atmosphere is pleasant in every season of the year.❤️
8. Bar-Restaurant Almano
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
Reviewed By jopparocks - Edinburgh
Food was excellent and service on the first night we went was great. However on returning service was very slow. The first night we went a guitarist and pianist were playing - really fantastic. Lulled into a sense of security, on our return there was really loud music and the most awful singers which spoiled our night as the food was very good.
9. Tea House Foe-Foe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 45 reviews
Reviewed By 70ava - Beijing, China
We loved the place. This is a great teahouse to relax at the end of the day. Do not expect super quick service - but their selection of teas and the presentation of tastes are amazing. The place itself is very inviting and rustic and prices are amazingly cheap. We also enjoyed the crowd and the music.
10. Papavero Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 110 reviews
You'll enjoy the excellent Georgian-European kitchen, very big choice of drinks and especially wines, really comfortable situation and live music. seats are placed in a main hall, in Terrace and in the garden.
Reviewed By Rozafa - Cetinje, Montenegro
Good location, looks very nice with a nice garden but service is very slow and average food. I will come back but only for beer because I like the garden. Shame that the food is just not that good.
