Georgian cuisine is excellent, if not a bit heavy. For winter, Georgian dishes are ideal, for summer, well… For us foreigners, well at least for me and my mother, they can be quite overwhelming to eat during summertime. That is why, we regularly opted to eat at more international eateries during our time in Batumi (and later on in Kutaisi) as well. Though my love for a well baked khachapuri or a mushroom filled khinkali is boundless, my stomach does have its limits and a craving that can only often be fixed by some Italian or Asian fare. Let us now go ahead and see what Batumi offers to those who want something a bit different than what the Georgians seem to eat every day.
Red Panda – https://goo.gl/maps/tVJbrc4Buy2cMACH6
Local cuisine is tasty, but it surely lacks in vegetables, at least in its staples that are widely available in the restaurants. Red Panda allowed us to circumvent this issue slightly by offering noodles packed with a ton of fresh veggies. Both their vegetarian and shrimp noodles tasted just right, and their peanut sauce was certainly on point. They can tailor the flavour profile to your liking as well. In all honesty, this was likely my favourite spot to eat in all of Batumi, though I know this will make many locals quite sad (or even mad) to hear…
N’occo Pasta – https://goo.gl/maps/vow45BHVG4mwsTuA6
If Asian noodles are too much to handle for you, why not go for Italian ones? Much like Red Panda, this joint mostly works with delivery and take aways, and that worked fine for us. They make their own pasta, so it is well worth a try. Also, though it is not as big or as rich as a Red Panda noodle, I should note that the pasta boxes here are quite cheap compared to what that noodle joint sells a few streets down the line.
Maestro Pizza – https://goo.gl/maps/75ojJhDcmgZdycRX8
Though noodles (of any type) are awesome, pizzas are where it is truly at if the temperature rises to exceptional heights outside. After all, what can possibly go wrong with some tomato sauce and cheese on a bread? Thankfully, Batumi has a few places to go for this Italian delicacy, all with their own twists to this classic dish. The one in Maestro had the best tomato sauce in the town, and their pasta too was exceptionally delicious. The service was legendary, almost on par with the food, so it is a must go for lovers of Italian food in Batumi.
Momento Pizza – https://goo.gl/maps/2w3pMWg67CwmYYQ19
If you do not want the whole “dining experience” and just want to binge on some delicious pizzas, then Momento Pizza is the place for you. The folks that run it are extremely friendly, and the interior is nice so you can technically sit down, but I realized that almost everyone including us just resorted to do a takeaway and ate their pizzas at home. This one had an amazing crispy crust and a perfect creamy garlic sauce that went with it. I can see why it has its own devout customers, as we too contemplated enjoying their pizzas twice, only to give into the temptation of trying a different type of noodle from Red Panda.
Khushi Indian Restaurant – https://goo.gl/maps/bErfdsaVkTuzw4a3A
Indian food has always been up on my list, but after becoming a pescetarian, it started to top it from time to time. A well-cooked, properly spiced curry with a fresh naan on the side is hard to compete against, no matter what you cook. Thankfully, the folks at Khushi knew what they were doing, and they did that fish curry a justice, as well as to the wonderful garlic naan on the side. Everything tasted divine in this establishment, it is a must go for sure.
Popeye Craft Bar – https://goo.gl/maps/U5kwWEzQrJXEPhjF6
If you want a simple dish in a pub with a beer to wash it all down with, and you want to do it for cheap, go to Popeye Craft Bar. You can get a falafel wrap (or chicken) with beer or wine on the side for just 10 GEL from 3pm to 7pm, and that combo hits quite hard. I did not expect them to actually have a decent falafel wrap, but they did, so kudos for that. Their selection of craft beer is quite good as well.
Dona – https://goo.gl/maps/UwXgwVmwBGaiN67a6
All this lovely but “salty” food may leave you thinking about desserts. Thankfully, Batumi has a lot to offer on that regard too. Now admittedly, neither I nor my mother are very much into sweets, so take this with a pinch of salt, but the cakes you can get at Dona are simply too delicious, and fresh! They work hard, and there is often a queue inside both of their joints. You should give them a go, though the choices may seem overwhelming at first.
ONE Lari – https://goo.gl/maps/UrqhoVN8rZEvui986
Just as its name suggests, ONE Lari is the place for the budget conscious traveller who just wants a cheap coffee or dessert. You can get a scoop of ice cream, or a pancake for one GEL, though for anything “fancy” like having the said scoop of ice cream inside the pancake with some chocolate sauce and nuts, you can expect to pay around 3 GEL instead, which is still an excellent deal. It can cure your sweet tooth in a hurry, and it is relatively centrally located, so you might as well visit this cute little joint during your travels in Batumi.
