updated 29 September 2026

What's on in Batumi this week

Monday: [send us your event]
Tuesday: Board Games at Poddon Bar from 7:30pm
Wednesday: [send us your event]
Thursday: Black Ball Billiards and Bar at 7pm;
Friday: Zharko Bar from 10pm.
Saturday: Games at Mahzen fropm 7pm; Board Games at Shelter Bar from 10pm.
Sunday: [send us your event]

Batumi Expat Guide: This guide is created and regularly updated by Dito, who has been living in Tbilisi for the last six years as an expat and recently moved to Batumi. It is based on day-to-day experience living, working and running businesses from Georgia, supplemented with information checked against official sources.
This is the guide I wish existed when I arrived: where to live, how to rent a flat, which banks actually work for foreigners, where to eat, where expats hang out, where to party and all the other things you normally discover through six months of Facebook groups.

Just arrived in Batumi? Start with these:Eat Georgian food properly at least once: you know, khikali, khachapuri, lobiani, mtsvadi... and try local fish from the Black Sea in Batumi.
Try Georgian wine beyond supermarket Saperavi - I insist on proper natural wines.
Spend an evening around Batumi's Old Town.
Explore New Boulevard.
Find one recurring event you like. I find it essential because that's how you build your new social circle.
Download Bolt for taxis and Wolt for food.
Learn 5 Georgian words to be polite.
Don't spend every evening in Ponto club, they sound quite horrible 😄 I would even say, avoid it at all costs!

Georgian Food Cheat SheetKhinkali are those traditional dumplings every Georgian is proud of. Try mixed meat khinkali; don't miss out on mushroom khinkali, and when you're full, ask them to get your khinkali fried and wrapped to go. Truly delicious!
Adjaruli khachapuri - boat-shaped pastry with cheese and egg on top.
Imeruli khachapuri - round pastry with fresh cheese inside.
Mtsvadi - traditionally, pork BBQ.
Lobio + mchadi - cooked beans and a corn bread.
Adjapsandali - veggie stew normally with aubergines, bell peppers, onions, tomatoes and local spice mix.
Badrijani nigvzit - aubergine rolls filled with walnut paste.
Pkhali - a set of veggie snacks.
Ojakhuri - village-style potatoes with meat.
Shkmeruli - chicken cooked in a creamy and garlicky sauce.

Best of Batumi for Expats

Best Georgian Restaurants:
Local cuisine is highly regarded and varied; here are some that I've personally tried and loved.
Lurji Sufra: I went to this place 7 years ago. My friend recommended it, and they also have plenty of veggie options. It was delicious. I don't think they are good with fish, sadly, but the traditional Georgian dishes are well cooked.
Fishlandia: Large venue next to the fish market, right on the coast, great for large groups; very well managed, so everything comes quickly. Tasty classic Georgian dishes and a huge variety of fish, including Black Sea specilties that are freshly grilled.
Gourmand: Close to Grand Mall, this venue is popular for its affordable traditional Georgian food.
Tanini: Good traditional restaurant next to Orbi City towers offers a typical selection of dishes.
Adjarian House: With the addition of some of the region's specialties, this is a spot to try. They are large, and the service is patchy.

Where do expats actually go for drinks in Batumi?Best for beers and an English-speaking crowd: Guinness Bar by Sonori.
Best for tequilas: Montana Cantina.
Best wine bar: Bu da Khari natural wine bar.
Best late-night option: Sonori pub is open until late.

Various Batumi Restaurants:
Thai: Seven Wan, I frequent this one for its punchy Thai cuisine; located in Old Town.
Ukrainian: I recommend 'At Sisters' for their traditional borscht and golubtsy. 'Ukrainochka' isn't bad either but I wasn't amazed. I also recommend 'Bez Mezh' on the New Boulevard for its cuisine (a mix between Ukrainian, grill and International), service, and an amazing view.

Groceries:
Local shops like Ori Nabiji, Nikora, Spar, Eco Market, Billioni.
Larger supermarkets: Goodwill, Carrefour.
Local supermarket: Agrohub (expensive, but they carry a lot of local artisanal products).

Delivery:
Apps like Wolt, Bolt Food and Glovo.
Mind you, they charge enormous commissions to restaurants and independent shops, so it's worth taking a short stroll and buying directly from a venue.
On top of commission and delivery charge, they started adding 'service fees' that make regular purchases quite expensive.
Tip: Grocery chains normally feature the same prices on the delivery apps, so if you are going to use them frequently, it's worth signing up for subscriptions like Wolt+, saving on delivery and getting groceries delivered. Wolt Market is an online-only outlet with lots of deals and promotions.

Batumi Expat FAQ

Is Batumi expensive for foreigners? I find the term 'expensive' to be very personal. We all have our own budgets. You can find the approximate costs on Numbeo. For me, after living in London for 8 years, it is significantly cheaper for most of my expenses. You will see that many niche imported products are expensive. Mind you, Georgia is a small country, so these ethnic products aren't that in demand and hence expensive.
Can I live in Batumi without speaking Georgian? I now know just a tiny bit, in order for me to be polite in the most common situations - in the shop, bar, restaurant, and so on. I won't be able to converse, I'm afraid, and I get by just OK. Batumi is a tourist spot, so many people will try to speak English and/or Russian (much less so in Tbilisi).
How much does an apartment cost in Batumi? Here the price varies depending on whether you are renting during peak season or not. Depending on your chosen area and the quality of the apartment, you can find 1-bedroom apartments in the centre from $400 (low season) and $700 (high season), slightly cheaper in more remote areas of Batumi and higher for more premium furnishings and amenities. I personally chose to live in the New Boulevard for the infrastructure and being slightly away from the hustle and bustle of tourists. Check online on ss.ge and myhome.ge.
What is the best neighbourhood for digital nomads? Again, depends. Many choose to be closer to the action, so Old Town is among the usual choices.
Can foreigners open bank accounts in Georgia? Yes, you do not need to be a resident. You will need to have a local mobile phone number and your ID to apply. I personally recommend Bank of Georgia.
Can foreigners buy property in Batumi? Yes, I personally bought and already sold an apartment. So you can even apply for a mortgage.
Is it true that Entrepreneurs can pay only 1% tax? Yes, it is true that individual entrepreneurs, provided their activity qualifies, are eligible for Small Business Status, which allows them to pay 1% tax on the turnover.
Is Batumi safe at night? I find it safer than London, but usual safety measures apply.
Does Uber work in Batumi? There is no Uber in Tbilisi as of yet, but you can use Bolt app for a taxi. It's convenient and affordable. They have raised their prices 12% recently, but it is still very cheap. Install the app and use it from the airport; you will save a lot!
Is Batumi good for vegans? Good question, and as a flexitarian myself, I eat a lot of vegan food, maybe like 90%. You can find a lot of veggie options in local Georgian restaurants, and other restaurants also cater for vegetarians and vegans with special dishes. I also buy quite a lot of vegan groceries online via the Wolt app. But overall, vegan options are very limited and specialised vegan venues are quite bad.
Do I need cash? Honestly, I recently haven't seen a place where you really need cash. Maybe just a small vendor at a market, really. Cards work everywhere just fine.
Can I pay with foreign cards? Yes.
Which Georgian SIM card is best? There are 3 major mobile phone operators: GeoCell, Magti and Cellfie. I choose Magti for the packages and coverage.
How good is Batumi internet? It really depends on your setup. Generally, it is OK, but worth asking your landlord what they have installed. Potentially, you can simply upgrade the package.
Can I order groceries online? I haven't seen major supermarkets offering their own delivery services, but you can use the Wolt app to deliver from Carrefour and major retailers. Glovo has an exclusivity agreement with Agrohub.
Can I drink tap water in Batumi? Do not treat it as medical advice, but I do drink tap water in Batumi a bit and feel just fine. Though I've heard some stories that people sometimes may feel a bit tender during the first few days. I guess there could be an adaptation period. I started buying large bottles of water myself.
What time do people eat dinner in Batumi? Peak times at restaurants are 7-8pm.
Do I need to book tables on Friday and Saturday nights? Again, it really depends on whether you're searching for a table during peak season; then yes, I'd recommend booking a table, especially if you're arriving with a group of fellow expats. During low season usually it is not a problem.