"A big, easy Georgian-European room in central Batumi for the city's signature boat of khachapuri. Book it for a team dinner."
About Porto Franco
Porto Franco sits at 40 Konstantine Gamsakhurdia Street, a short walk from Zubalashvili Street and the cafe blocks of central Batumi, and it serves the dish the city is known for: Adjarian khachapuri, the boat-shaped, cheese-filled bread crowned with a raw egg yolk and a knob of butter. The kitchen runs Georgian and European plates side by side from 10:00 to 23:00, with English and Russian menus and a vegan section, and the room is large enough to swallow a tour group without losing the table next to it.
It is the everyday Georgian table in our Batumi dining guide, the bustling counterpart to the Soviet-era theatre of Retro and the supra spread at Shemoikhede Genatsvale.
The Kitchen
The signature is the Adjaruli khachapuri, baked to order and brought to the table while the yolk is still loose, ready to be stirred through the molten sulguni; reviewers single it out as the reason to come, and the Georgian food site Dolidoki ranked Porto Franco among Batumi's top five khachapuri kitchens, if at the pricier end of that list. Around it the kitchen works the Georgian canon — chicken tabaka pressed flat under a weight, badrijani (fried eggplant rolled around walnut paste), kebabs, mushroom soup and grilled vegetables — alongside a European carry list for guests who want something plainer.
A head spends roughly 50 to 60 lari over dinner, and two khachapuri with two chicken tabaka land near 30 euros, modest for a central tourist street. For Georgian home cooking and toasts instead, Shemoikhede Genatsvale keeps the supra tradition across town.
The Room
The format is a roomy, brightly lit Georgian restaurant rather than a romantic hideaway: long tables, quick and friendly waiters, and the steady churn of a place that locals and visitors share through the season. English and Russian menus make ordering simple, and the kitchen keeps the same hours, 10:00 to 23:00, every day, which makes it as workable for a late lunch as for a group dinner. It takes cards, and the central address means a five-minute taxi from most of the seafront hotels.
Best for a team dinner
Long tables, a card built for sharing and a bill that stays near 50 to 60 lari a head make Porto Franco an easy team dinner in Batumi, while the all-day hours and unfussy room carry a relaxed first date over a single boat of khachapuri.
Not for
Not for a hushed, candlelit anniversary or a tasting-menu pilgrimage. The room is large, bright and busy, the cooking is hearty Georgian standards, and the khachapuri runs pricier than the neighbourhood average.
Frequently Asked
What is Porto Franco in Batumi known for?
Adjarian khachapuri — the boat-shaped bread filled with melted sulguni cheese and topped with a raw egg yolk and butter. It is the dish central Batumi is famous for, and Porto Franco is one of the most cited places to eat it, ranked among the city's top five by the Georgian food site Dolidoki. The kitchen also serves chicken tabaka, badrijani and a European list.
How much does a meal at Porto Franco cost?
Modest for a central tourist street: a head spends roughly 50 to 60 lari over dinner, and two Adjarian khachapuri with two chicken tabaka run close to 30 euros. The khachapuri itself sits at the pricier end of Batumi's khachapuri houses, but the overall bill stays friendly compared with the seafront hotels.
Where is Porto Franco located?
At 40 Konstantine Gamsakhurdia Street in central Batumi, near Zubalashvili Street, about a five-minute taxi from most of the seafront hotels. The kitchen is open every day from 10:00 to 23:00, with English and Russian menus and a vegan section.
Do I need to book at Porto Franco?
Not usually — the room is large and turns over quickly — but a reservation is worth it for a group or in the peak summer weeks, when central Batumi fills with visitors. Call ahead at +995 422 27 62 22 for a larger table; walk-ins are normally fine for two.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at Porto Franco
Open daily 10:00–23:00; walk-ins fine for two, book ahead for groups in summer.
Affiliate disclosure: Restaurants for Kings may earn a commission when you book through our reservation links, at no cost to you. Our scores are editorial and never paid for.
Practical Information
Address40 Konstantine Gamsakhurdia Street, Batumi 6010
NeighbourhoodCentral Batumi, near Zubalashvili Street
CuisineGeorgian & European
PriceAround 50–60 lari a head; two khachapuri + two tabaka near €30
Dress CodeCasual
SeatingLarge all-day Georgian dining room
ReservationRecommended for groups
