Black Tomato Kutaisi: Best, Cozy & Unique Hostel in Kutaisi

Snuggled between the cobblestone streets of Kutaisi’s historic Jewish quarter, the Black Tomato Kutaisi Hostel has finally opened after a considerable renovation. It offers cozy comfort, more private rooms than before, and a vibrant restaurant. 

On my way from Kutaisi to Poland, I stopped to spend a night at one of the best hostels in Kutaisi. I wanted to experience its lovely vibe and update this review with its new offerings.

A story of Black Tomato Kutaisi hostel

Black Tomato Kutaisi hostel opened its doors to visitors in April 2019 and quickly became one of the beloved backpacker hostels in Kutaisi, with an 80% occupancy rate at the time. 

This Kutaisi hostel is the work of two inspiring Georgian female entrepreneurs, Elene Zamdaradze and Mariam Ramishvili. Their main aim was to create an accommodation option in the city center with a friendly atmosphere, attractive interior design, high-standard service, and tasty food. 

In 2018, after traveling to Kutaisi several times and having difficulty finding a good place to stay, they got the idea of starting a business there. 

The opening of Kutaisi International Airport in 2012 and its popularity over the years, bringing international travelers from Europe, played an integral role in developing Kutaisi tourism. 

And then, quite unexpectedly, Elene and Mariam met a person in Kutaisi who was renting a townhouse. That was a moment when they decided to think more seriously about the business and create a plan. 

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Why name a hostel Black Tomato? 

The creative approach of the name is that the hostel uses blue, red, and yellow in its design and brand colors, and blending them makes up black. However, there’s a humorous local approach to it – back in the 90s, Kutaisi was known for its “mafia” history, and Georgians joked that Kutaisians don’t eat red tomatoes and the produce in Kutaisi is actually black. 

The new Black Tomato Kutaisi hostel 

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world in March 2020, similar to everything, Black Tomato Kutaisi had to close its doors. And instead of waiting for everything to settle down, Elene and Mariam decided to take this crisis period and turn it into a benefit for their business. 

They bought the four-story building at Jakob Gogebashvili Street in Kutaisi’s Jewish quarter of Sapichkhia and started renovating. 

Back in 2019, Black Tomato Kutaisi had a total of five private and dorm rooms. With the opening of the new venue, it has increased its occupancy by providing seven private and two dorm rooms, making it an affordable hostel with private bathroom in Kutaisi. 

You’ll be greeted by a warm and welcoming atmosphere when you enter the doors. The friendly staff will make you feel right at home. The hostel’s minimalist design in the red-brick townhouse is both elegant and vintage, with a mix of colors, second-hand décor items, and remodeled furniture.

The colorful furniture and the mural painting on the ground floor make this place special and lively. Seeing a unique design from the typical hostel aesthetic is refreshing, creating a cozy and inviting ambiance.

Location of Black Tomato Kutaisi hostel 

Black Tomato Hostel has an excellent location; it is just a short stroll from the Kutaisi attractions and a 9-minute walk from Colchis Fountain. The address is 24 Jacob Gogebashvili Street. 

Getting to the hostel is easy. If you arrive in Kutaisi by minibus, hop on circuit blue bus number 1 from the Kutaisi bus station and hop off at the Colchis Fountain Square. 

If you’re traveling from Tbilisi to Kutaisi by train to the Kutaisi I train station, Black Tomato Hostel is about a 20-minute walk from there. I have a detailed Kutaisi to Tbilisi transport guide that can also be used for the opposite route – Tbilisi to Kutaisi. 

You’ll need to take a taxi from Kutaisi International Airport or its train station (located 5 minutes from the airport), as no public transportation serves either the airport or the train station. I recommend booking a private transfer via GoTrip from Kutaisi Airport to the city center for a smooth journey. 

Being a hostel near Kutaisi Central Park makes it easy to explore and enjoy some of the best things to do in Kutaisi. For instance, Bagrati Cathedral, a stunning landmark overlooking the city, is within a 30-minute distance. 

You can also effortlessly catch transportation to Gelati Monastery and Tskaltubo resort town to make day trips from Kutaisi. 

Rooms at Black Tomato Kutaisi

This former four-story Imeretian house with a spacious courtyard has been lovingly transformed into one of the best hostels in Kutaisi while retaining its rustic charm. 

The ground floor, with access to the courtyard, houses Black Tomato Kitchen (more below), making it an attractive Kutaisi hostel with a restaurant.

The hostel occupies the other floors, offering a range of comfortable accommodation options to suit every budget and preference. Two mixed dorm rooms with 12 and 8 beds provide ample space for those seeking a budget-friendly stay, while seven private rooms offer a more intimate retreat. 

Each dorm room has a spacious locker, a hanger, an armchair, and a privacy curtain at the bed, ensuring both comfort and personal space. The big update is that the dorms have private bathrooms inside the room, shared with the dorm guests. The previous building had one shared bathroom for private and dorm guests.

Depending on which dorm you book, Black Tomato Hostel prices for a bed range from 40 to 50 GEL per person, making it the best hostel for solo travelers in Kutaisi. Breakfast is optional; you can add it to your booking or pay later when you arrive. 

Since the renovation, the owners focused on providing more private rooms to the guests. Now, the hostel with a cozy atmosphere in Kutaisi offers a generous choice of double and twin rooms with private bathrooms. These rooms, equipped with an armchair, wardrobe or hangers, and nightstands, provide a relaxing retreat for solo travelers, couples, families, or friends. 

There is one room for those who still want a private room but are on a budget and are okay with having a shared bathroom. Another, more luxurious room on the top floor offers floor-to-ceiling panoramic views of the city, a bathroom with a bathtub, and a window for added vistas. 

Black Tomato Kutaisi prices for private rooms vary between 100 and 260 GEL, depending on the room size and occupancy. Like dorms, breakfast is optional and can be added right during the reservation or on the spot. 

All the private and dorm rooms have one thing in common – they all have access to the vast terrace overlooking the courtyard and the city. After a long day of sightseeing in Kutaisi, enjoy the beautiful sunset from the balcony and its outdoor furniture right outside your room.  

But don’t just take my word for it. Black Tomato Kutaisi consistently ranks among the top-rated hostels in Kutaisi hostels on Booking.com, with an impressive 9.2 average score based on customer reviews. That proves the exceptional service, peasant accommodations, and overall positive experience that Black Tomato Hostel delivers to its guests.

Black Tomato Kitchen restaurant

The most significant update from the previous hostel is incorporating a restaurant in its space. 

When considering the menu, it became evident from the hostel’s location in the Jewish quarter of Kutaisi that the food should have been a fusion of the rich traditions of Georgian-Jewish cuisine. 

In the quest for authenticity, owners and Chef Mashiko Zamtaradze researched extensively and talked to Kutaisian Jews, seasoned cooks, and ethnologists to revive this culinary heritage. 

The chef then delved into the depths of each recipe and the story of each dish. She has crafted an authentic and distinct menu with a hint of imagination, offering an exclusive culinary experience.

The Black Tomato Kitchen, located on the hostel’s ground floor, is now a delightful addition to the ever-growing scene of cafes and restaurants in Kutaisi, offering dining options for hostel guests and walk-ins. 

It has a few options for starters, salads, soups, main dishes, baked goods, and desserts. When looking at the menu, I was tempted to order everything, but since I travel to Kutaisi quite often, I decided to save some meals for my future visits. 

On our visit, we tried the Khenagi with crispy ghomi. Khenagi is Georgian-style matzo balls (a kind of walnut dumpling), but Chef Mashiko created it from chicken seasoned with walnuts topped on fried ghomi (the corn mill dish from Samegrelo). 

We also tried Cholent, a long-cooked beef Sabbath stew with plum confit. The beef was super tender, and the stew itself was extremely flavorful. And remember to order lafta, Georgian-style matzo made from cornflour that resembles Mchadi a lot.  

Even though the portions are of moderate size, they are pretty filling. Before the meals arrive, tiny pieces of toasted tone bread with seasoned butter are provided as an appetizer.

Therefore, we didn’t have much space to try the dessert, but there’s always a next time!

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