Review of the "Tortiko" Pastry Shop in Kutaisi

The small "Tortiko" pastry shop is located in the heart of Kutaisi and stays open until 9:00 PM. We visited this place several times for desserts and were generally satisfied. The quality of baked goods is consistent, and the staff is friendly, even though they don’t speak Russian. However, this is completely normal for Georgia, where the official language is Georgian, and the willingness to assist is always felt. Nevertheless, there are a few areas for improvement.

What We Liked About "Tortiko"?

✅ Tasty and Fresh Desserts
We tried several cakes and pastries, and they were consistently good. On a 10-point scale, the quality ranged from 7 to 9 points. The honey cake was particularly delicious and worth recommending.

✅ Friendly Staff
Despite the language barrier, the employees do their best to help and suggest available options. This creates a welcoming atmosphere, encouraging return visits.

✅ Convenient Location
The pastry shop is centrally located in Kutaisi, making it easy to reach on foot or by car. It stays open until late evening (9:00 PM), which is convenient for those craving sweets after dinner.

✅ Availability of Coffee
You can not only buy desserts here but also grab a cup of coffee. The drink is decent, making it a good spot for a quick refreshment on the go.

What Can Be Improved in "Tortiko"?

⚠️ No Option to Sample Desserts Before Buying
When a whole cake costs 60 GEL, it would be great to try at least a small piece beforehand. At the moment, buying desserts feels like a lottery if you haven’t tried them before.

⚠️ Weak Customer Engagement
The staff is friendly, but they don’t actively promote or engage with customers. If a group of visitors arrives, there’s a great opportunity to suggest pastry sets, introduce new flavors, or recommend popular options. However, the cashier behaves more like a simple salesperson rather than a brand ambassador.

⚠️ Relatively High Prices
Prices here are among the highest in Kutaisi. While quality and freshness justify most of the cost, the lack of sampling options makes the pricing feel even more noticeable.

Recommendations for Visitors and Owners

For Visitors:

💡 Ask about sample portions – You may be allowed to try a mini-piece or be offered a pastry similar to the cake you’re considering.
💡 Be prepared for a language barrier – The staff does not speak Russian, but they do their best to help. A few words in Georgian or English can make communication easier.
💡 Try the honey cake – Among all the desserts, it receives the highest ratings.

For Owners:

⚙️ Introduce tasting sets or at least allow customers to buy a mini-slice of cakes so they don’t have to risk 60 GEL on a whole cake.
⚙️ Engage more with customers – Talk about flavors, recommend new items, and create sets for groups. This will boost sales and make the service feel warmer.
⚙️ Consider a more flexible pricing strategy – Since the prices are among the highest, offering special deals or discounts would encourage guests to try more desserts.