From traditional Georgian dukanis to world-class fine dining — our curated list of the best restaurants in Kutaisi, hand-picked by the GT Tours team. Each venue has been selected for quality, atmosphere, and authentic Georgian flavors.
8 Restaurants in Kutaisi
UpscaleCity Center
Doli
Communal Hotel's restaurant serves the finest seasonal Imeretian cuisine on a beautiful river terrace. Doli's menu highlights the region's distinct flavors — Imeretian cheese, locally foraged herbs, and clay-pot cooking — in an elegant setting.
imeretianseasonalriver-terracefine-dininglocal
Finest seasonal Imeretian cuisine in Kutaisi
Beautiful Rioni River terrace
Local ingredients and clay-pot cooking
Must try: Seasonal Imeretian tasting menu
Best for: Best fine dining in Kutaisi
UpscaleHilltop
Sormoni
Perched on a hilltop overlooking Kutaisi, Sormoni offers panoramic sunset views alongside traditional Georgian cuisine. The setting is the star — dine under the open sky as the city lights twinkle below.
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Panoramic hilltop sunset views over Kutaisi
Traditional Georgian and Imeretian cuisine
Open-air dining with city lights below
Must try: Sunset dinner with panoramic views
Best for: Romantic sunset dining above Kutaisi
Mid-RangeCity Center
Palaty
Live piano music accompanies meals of pelmeni served in clay pots and the best Imeretian lobiani in Kutaisi. Palaty's warm, cultured atmosphere feels like dining in a Georgian salon from another era.
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Live piano music during dinner
Best Imeretian lobiani in Kutaisi
Pelmeni served in clay pots
Must try: Imeretian lobiani and clay-pot pelmeni
Best for: Dinner with live piano in a cultural setting
Mid-RangeRiverside
Story
A modern European-Georgian fusion restaurant with a lovely Rioni River terrace. Story blends Italian and Georgian influences in a sleek, contemporary space that feels both international and distinctly Kutaisian.
fusioneuropeangeorgianriver-terracemodern
Modern European-Georgian fusion cuisine
Lovely Rioni River terrace
Sleek, contemporary design
Must try: Fusion tasting plate
Best for: Contemporary fusion dining by the river
Mid-RangeCity Center
Papavero
Italian-European cuisine with a Georgian accent, served in a charming courtyard with regular live music. Papavero's wood-fired pizzas and homemade pastas draw a loyal local following.
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Italian-European cuisine in a courtyard
Regular live music performances
Wood-fired pizzas and homemade pasta
Must try: Wood-fired pizza and house wine
Best for: Italian courtyard dining with live music
Mid-RangeCity Center
Paolo
Named after the chef, Paolo serves Georgian-European fusion inspired by Barbare Jorjadze's 19th-century recipes. The menu bridges Kutaisi's culinary heritage with European techniques in a stylish setting.
fusiongeorgianeuropeanhistoricalstylish
Georgian-European fusion with historical recipes
Inspired by Barbare Jorjadze's 19th-century cookbook
Stylish, contemporary setting
Must try: Historical recipe tasting plate
Best for: Historical Georgian-European fusion
BudgetCity Center
ElDepo
The undisputed king of khinkali in Kutaisi, open 24/7. ElDepo serves massive, juicy dumplings at budget-friendly prices in a no-frills setting. The go-to spot for a late-night feast or a quick, satisfying meal any time of day.
khinkali24-7budget-friendlylocalcasual
Best khinkali in Kutaisi — open 24/7
Massive, juicy dumplings at budget prices
No-frills local institution
Must try: Khinkali — as many as you can eat
Best for: Best khinkali in Kutaisi, anytime
Mid-RangeCity Center
Café Newport
The Newport Hotel's restaurant serves reliable European comfort food — schnitzel, club sandwiches, and salads — in a polished setting. A solid choice for a break from Georgian cuisine or a business lunch.
europeanhotelcomfort-foodschnitzelreliable
Reliable European comfort food
Polished hotel restaurant setting
Excellent schnitzel and club sandwiches
Must try: Schnitzel and club sandwich
Best for: Reliable European comfort food
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of food can I expect in Kutaisi?
Georgian cuisine is one of the world's oldest and most diverse. Expect khachapuri (cheese-filled bread), khinkali (dumplings), grilled meats, walnut-based sauces, and fresh local vegetables. Kutaisi also has a growing international dining scene.
Do restaurants in Kutaisi accept credit cards?
Most mid-range and upscale restaurants in Kutaisi accept credit cards. Smaller, traditional dukanis may be cash-only, so it's good to carry some Georgian Lari.
Should I make reservations at restaurants in Kutaisi?
For upscale restaurants like Barbarestan or Café Littera, reservations are strongly recommended, especially on weekends. Mid-range and casual spots usually have walk-in availability.