Yerevan is the capital of Armenia with a huge number of different cafes and restaurants where you can try traditional dishes. Due to the fact that Armenian communities are spread across different parts of the world, the culinary culture of this country is very multinational. We tell you where in Yerevan you can taste dishes of Lebanese, Pan-Asian and European cuisine, and what bars and coffee shops are worth checking out.
How to get there
You can fly non-stop to Yerevan from Moscow for 11,000 rubles* (FlyOne Armenia) or 14,000 rubles* (Azimuth and Armenian Airlines) one way. It is not possible to fly directly from St. Petersburg; prices for a one-way ticket with a transfer in Moscow start from 14,000 rubles*.
Another way to get to the capital of Armenia is to fly from Sochi. Travel time will be 1 hour 15 minutes, ticket prices start from 6,000 rubles* one way (FlyOne Armenia or Red Wings).
Where to stay
Holel Bass Boutique (rating 8.6) is an ascetic hotel for those who prefer to combine comfort and practicality. Within walking distance of the metro, cascade staircase and opera house. Prices for an economy room start from 6,000 rubles per night*.
Hotel Paris (rating 9.3) is a four-star hotel with bright interiors not far from Place de la République. Guests can enjoy a panoramic rooftop terrace, a bar, a restaurant and a spa. The cost of a standard room is from 11,000 rubles per night*.
Hotel National (rating 8.9) is a luxurious five-star hotel in the center of Yerevan. In between excursions, you can relax in the pool, sauna or spend time in the bar. Prices for a standard room start from 15,000 rubles per night*.
Traditional cuisine
Cafe Jengyalov Hac
Address: Komitas Avenue, 36
That rare case when a queue in a cafe forms for one dish. Here they serve zhengyalov hats – flatbread with fresh chopped herbs. Every season the taste changes: it all depends on the herbs that are collected at that time. It is recommended to wash down such a snack with Armenian tan (a drink based on goat or cow milk).
Dolmama Restaurant
Address: st. Pushkina, 10
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, actor George Clooney and rapper Kanye West have already been here – the only thing missing for the complete set is you. The restaurant opened its doors in 1998, largely thanks to local residents: some tables donated by townspeople can still be seen in the halls. Two signature dishes of the establishment are dolma and khashlama. The first one resembles cabbage rolls in its cooking method, only grape leaves are used instead of cabbage leaves. The second is stew. Usually water is used for stewing, but the Dolmama chef replaced it with a mixture of fortified wine and cream.
Yerevan Tavern
Address: st. Amiryan, 5
In this place you can quickly and inexpensively have a meal of Armenian cuisine. Get ready for huge portions – the place is designed for large groups. On the menu, pay attention to kebabs, charcoal fish and khachapuri. A table must be reserved a few days before your visit.
Kamancha Restaurant
Address: st. Hovhannes Tumanyan, 23
In winter people come here to warm up with traditional bone broth soup (called khash), and in summer they come here for grilled dishes, khachapuri and salads made from fresh vegetables and herbs. In the evenings, musicians often perform in the restaurant, and if you want to dine in silence, you will be taken to another room.
European cuisine
Gastrobar Corpous
Address: Northern Avenue, 5
An excellent option for those who want to have lunch on the veranda in the city center and not be distracted by the noise of the crowd. This establishment is hidden under an arch on Northern Avenue. The menu includes vegetable and meat variations of appetizers, homemade pasta, steaks and ribs. Pay attention to the cocktail menu with many signature drinks.
Steakhouse Steakarar
Address: st. Martiros Saryan, 6
At this establishment, the focus is on steaks and appetizers. Regular visitors especially praise the meat cooked on the stone: the dish will appeal to lovers of varying degrees of roasting. There is also a wide wine list – it’s best to ask the waiter for recommendations. Reservations on weekends are required.
Gastropub Shame
Address: st. Movses Khorenatsi, 2
This basement room has its own atmosphere: some visitors play billiards and drink craft beer, others dance to live music. The menu has many hearty items – burgers, fries and other snacks. The location is not suitable for a quiet evening: the music here does not stop until the morning.
Cafe Buzand
Address: st. Agasi Khanjyan, 13/1
The place is ideal for a family lunch: there is a large space and the names of the dishes are familiar to everyone. The main menu is modest – salads, cream soups, pasta and risotto, and in the morning there are breakfast sets. The heated veranda is open all year round. It is better to book a table on weekends.
Bars and pubs
Cognac bar Phoenix
Address: st. Khachatur Abovyan, 10
The flagship bar of the famous Ararat cognac factory. The menu includes 12 cocktails based on the drink of the same name; we recommend trying them all. To commemorate your visit, you can purchase branded cognac glasses and liqueur glasses. It is better to reserve tables a week before your visit.
Dargett Beer Bar
Address: st. Arama, 72
The first craft brewery in Armenia. Here you will be offered more than 20 types of foamy beer and classic snacks to go with them – onion rings, French fries and crispy-breaded chicken nuggets. Beers with fruity notes are especially popular among visitors – pay attention to peach ale.
Bar The Bird Cage
Address: st. Khachatur Abovyan, 10
Hidden above the Phoenix cognac bar is this small establishment with French-Polynesian cuisine and an interior in the style of the film “The Neon Demon”.
The Bird Cage’s cocktail menu is as intricate as the bar’s appearance. The items are named after endemic birds and are prepared with ingredients specific to the region where they live. Snacks are also not simple: try shrimp popcorn or signature guacamole. On weekend evenings there are noisy DJ sets, but you can sit at a table on the cozy balcony.
Bar DABOO
Address: st. Avetik Isahakyan, 38
It’s convenient to stop by here after a walk around the city – the establishment is located next to the Cascade. Drink options are classic: cocktails, wine, spirits and lemonades. If you can’t decide, tell the bartender about your preferences and ask him to come up with a cocktail – this is the specialty of the establishment.
Falafel and hummus
Baron Restaurant
Address: st. Yeznika Koghbatsi, 28
Many Armenians live in Lebanon to this day, and the connection between these peoples is reflected in the local cuisine. This restaurant offers falafel, hummus, tahini, and a variety of appetizers and pickles. Feel free to ask the waiter questions, but keep in mind that the staff only speaks English.
Restaurant Taboule
Address: st. Zakyan, 8
The outwardly ascetic place attracts fans of juicy and varied kebabs. If you want to experiment, choose a sweet cherry filling. The portions here are large, there are always a lot of visitors, and in the center of the hall there is a piano – you can play something from the music school program while you wait for your order.
Falafel Al Darwandy Restaurant
Address: Marshal Baghramyan Avenue, 1/6
The flagship dish of this restaurant is clear from the name. Grated chickpea balls are served here with fluffy pita bread, vegetables and traditional sauces. If you plan to have a snack on the go, take a shawarma with meat or chicken filling. According to Syrian and Lebanese recipes, slices of fried potatoes are added to shawarma – it turns out to be a two-in-one dish, immediately with a side dish.
Coffee and breakfasts
Lumen Coffee
Address: st. Vahana Teryan, 3A
A small specialty coffee shop in the center of Yerevan is especially appreciated among the locals: it is located in the courtyard, so there are few casual passers-by. At Lumen you can try locally roasted beans, and also listen to music on vinyl – the owners have a rich collection. When you have breakfast with coffee and croissants, pay attention to the assortment of the mini-store. You can take with you not only locally roasted beans, but also home brewing gadgets.
Cafe Patrick’s Pastry
Address: st. Arama, 64
People come to the Italian cafe for pasta and set breakfasts. Choose from English with grilled sausages and red beans, French with croissant and fruit salad, or a simple omelette with toppings. Drink options do not change seasonally, so even in winter you can order a Frappuccino with cream. After breakfast, it’s a great place to explore the city – the Opera House, the Museum of Modern Art and the historic district of Cond are all within walking distance.
Ground Zero Coffee Shop
Address: st. Martiros Saryan, 1
There are always a lot of freelancers and visitors with pets here – the coffee shop is dog-friendly and convenient for working with a laptop. The menu has many options for a hearty breakfast: oatmeal with fruit toppings, bowls, bagels and croissants. For dessert, order the signature mango-lime cheesecake. For those in a hurry, there is an option to take food with you – all items can be found in the refrigerator in convenient containers.
Coffee shop Haldi.co
Address: st. Gevorg Kochar, 23
Look for the red street tables of this specialty coffee shop next to the Drama Theater. More than 15 types of Colombian Arabica are prepared here. The barista will ask you to listen to each of the coffee aromas and then choose a brewing method. Those who are not familiar with the intricacies of the art of coffee brewing should not worry – the staff will friendly explain the taste qualities of each type of bean. You won’t be able to grab a bite to eat here, but the assortment includes experimental items, such as coffee wine. You can only pay in cash.
Rolls, bowls and baos
Yang Izakaya Restaurant
Address: st. Pushkina, 42
For designer sushi and rolls, go here. You won’t find the familiar “California” and “Philadelphia” on the menu, but you can try rolls with salmon slices and orange topping, spring roll with shrimp and mint and other unusual combinations. Pair your chosen dish with a glass of sake, cocktail or wine. The location is perfect for lunch or dinner in a large company – there is a wide selection of snacks on the table. The veranda is open in summer.
Cafe Prepa
Address: st. Amiryan, 4/6
The motto of the creators of Prepa is to make healthy food tasty and multifaceted. They serve four types of bowls: tuna, chicken, trout and salmon. The convenience is that no one mixes the ingredients in the dish for you – a small thing, but nice. In addition to standard coffee and tea, the menu offers a wide selection of freshly squeezed juices. Bartenders mix them at their own discretion, so be prepared for unusual combinations – for example, fresh lemon, pineapple and ginger.
Cafe Ramen Ten
Address: st. Khachatur Abovyan, 2/5
The flagship dish in this cafe is easy to determine: on the menu you will find eight ramen options. If you want variety, pay attention to the section with poke or rolls – the assortment includes all the classic items. For dessert, you can take another Asian specialty – mochi cake. This is a traditional Japanese rice dough pie with a signature filling: white chocolate with a layer of strawberry puree.
Cafe-bar Kong
Address: st. Khachatur Abovyan, 3/1
The location is ideal for a weekend dinner: Pan-Asian cuisine is combined here with a wide cocktail menu. Try a green salad with avocado, bao buns with pulled pork, and for an appetizer, take shrimp in spicy sauce. It’s best to ask the staff for drink recommendations: the cocktail menu is updated several times a season. You can continue the evening on the dance floor – local DJs play music at Kong on weekends. If you want to sit on the picturesque balcony, book a table a week before your visit.
*Prices are current at the time of publication
