TOP SEAFOOD RESTAURANTS IN GEORGIA

Located on the far edge of the relatively small Black Sea, Georgia is not best known for its seafood, with the native river fish (kalmakhi, for example) the best they could offer prior to the recent food revolution in the capital, which happened mostly thanks to foreign investors eager to grab a niche in the market with imports from Europe.

Check out our top choices below for the best seafood with a Georgian view.


QALAQI RESTAURANT, TBILISI

This is a new Georgian-European restaurant that opened in a purpose-built elegant three-floor building on Kostava, near Vera Park, with a stunning ‘European courtyard’ interior that has to be seen to be believed.

The Head Chef, David Tavernier, is French and is very good at what he does- especially in consultation with Michelin-star owner, Nicolas Isnard.

In his words: "First, we serve traditional Georgian food prepared by my chefs. Some dishes I don’t touch at all because they are really good, and some I put a little twist on in texture or taste, or in the design and plating, for example. Second, we have European, which I’m in charge of. These two occupy the first two floors in a high-quality brasserie format. Then, there’s the fine dining. The third floor is a one Michelin star standard fine dining French restaurant, ‘Bronze by Nicolas Isnard,’ all dishes signed off by him. It is completely different from anything else in Georgia; the way of service, the style of cooking: everything is revolutionary; a Michelin star quality ‘top of the top’ establishment.” 

45b Kostava Str., Tbilisi

TEL (+995) 322 55 10 30

OPEN 11 AM - 11 PM

 

ANDROPOV’S EARS, TBILISI

The vision behind this restaurant, with décor by French designers Gilles et Boissier, was to bring European gastronomy to Georgia and combine it with the best Georgian traditions. Its team, headed by Georgian chef Irakli Todadze, have done so and more!

Many of the ingredients, as standard, are brought into Georgia from Europe.

“We have two flights per week flying in fresh products for us- oysters from Britannia, lobsters, crab. When the shellfish arrive, they are still alive,” the GM Jordi Kuijt tells us.  “This is something unique to Tbilisi, and an investment for us. We checked out the fish markets in Dubai, Batumi, Istanbul and Italy. But the best quality and best delivery came from Rotterdam in The Netherlands. Once a week, our ingredients come on a direct flight with Air Zena, and once with Baltic Air.”

WHERE: Top floor of the Republic building, Rose Revolution Sq., Tbilisi

TEL (+995) 591 08 71 72

OPEN 12:00 PM - 11:45 PM


BATUMI FISH MARKET

The Fish Market is the perfect place if you love to eat fish and seafood, as it is good, cheap and fresh. The local favorite fish is Barabulka. Your selection will be cooked for you right next door to the stall in only a few minutes. Just hand your catch to the chef and let him do the rest. A simple pan-fried dish is 6 GEL. They will also serve beer and vodka as well as bread, tasty tkemali [sour plum] sauce and salad.

WHERE: From the city center, take bus# 10 towards Makhinajauri (where the train station for Batumi is located) and get off on the next bus stop after the Revenue Service. The Fish Market is on the left side of the road.

OPEN 7 AM – 8 PM


BLACK SEA RESTAURANT, BATUMI

If you’d rather not get scales on your shoes, head straight to this ‘best of the best’ fish restaurant for your seafood feast. Find the restaurant in a grand open hall on the 2nd floor of a large building next to the Fish Market (behind the SOCAR fuel station). There are other, smaller cafes, nearby where they can cook fish as you like it, but Black Sea is by far the best, not just for the food but for the terrace overlooking the bay.

Service here is fast and though the selection of fish is limited to what the Black Sea offers local fishermen, there are plenty to satiate your cravings. Try the horse mackerel/saurel (stavrida), lufar or sargan (if available), red mullet or flounder.

WHERE: Gogebashvili Str., Batumi (next to the SOCAR fuel station and fish market, Batumi)