Food plays a huge role in Armenia. And Yerevan is the mecca of food. In fact, in 2017, National Geographic named Yerevan one of six unexpected cities for foodies. And not much has changed since then. That’s why we wanted to share the best restaurants in Yerevan with you, including some of the capital’s best breakfast restaurants, vegan-friendly restaurants, cheap places to eat and more!
Food is at the center of life for Armenians. When people get together, the action happens in the kitchen or dining room. Guests can be found helping hosts prepare their dishes. Dinner parties become huge events where everyone sits and talks for hours on end while all enjoy their meal. Although you may not have the chance to experience this first-hand (unless you get invited into someone’s home, which is likely to happen if you make friends with locals or if you try Couchsurfing). There are a ton of amazing restaurants where you can taste the best food Armenia has to offer.
If you’re visiting Armenia, or Yerevan specifically, we have a ton of articles for you:
– The best things to do in Yerevan
– The ultimate 2-week itinerary in Armenia
– Amazing day trips from Yerevan
– The best churches in Armenia
– 20 things to do in Armenia that are not churches
– How to get around and travel in Armenia
This article may contain affiliate/compensated links. For more information, please see our disclaimer here. We take all the efforts necessary to ensure the information included in this post is accurate, correct and current, sometimes, things just change! Travel information like opening hours, business operations and prices may change. If you find anything in this post that is incorrect or outdated, please let me know in the comments so I can update it for other readers. Cheers!
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What is Armenian food?
There are actually two different types of Armenian food, Eastern and Western. And although there are quite a few similarities between the two, they’re also very distinct.
Eastern Armenian food
Eastern Armenian refers to dishes and flavors that are local to Armenia today. Typical dishes include khash, a slow-cooked cow’s hoof, eaten with lavash (a paper-thin Armenian bread), garlic, lemon and many shots of vodka (yes, it’s a winter meal to help you warm up). There’s also khorovats, an Eastern Armenian staple, basically BBQ, but next-level delicious. Finally, there’s khachapuri, which is actually Georgian, and so SO good!
Western Armenian food
Western Armenian food refers to cuisine that was passed down by descendants of Armenians who lived in Western Armenia back in the day (now located in Turkey). These dishes are typically enjoyed by diasporan Armenians all around the globe. Actually, Western Armenian cuisine is now making a comeback in Armenia because of all diasporans repatriating back to their homeland.
3 things to know about eating in restaurants in Yerevan
1. Smoking in restaurants is now banned in Yerevan
March 2022 update. As of now, smoking has been banned in restaurants in Yerevan. This is great news, as smoking is still a big (and bad) habit in Armenia. They start smoking young and keep doing it for a long time. For the longest time, you would have 2 sections in all restaurants, smoking and non-smoking. While certain restaurants didn’t even have separate sections.
Fortunately, there was a big movement to ban smoking in restaurants, and after many years, the new law has finally been implemented! This is a great win, and a huge stride to get the people of Armenia on a healthier track.
2. You can find great vegan and vegetarian restaurants and meals in Armenia
This is a big preoccupation for us, and we couldn’t be better served than in Armenia. Although there is a lot of meat and cheese in typical Armenian dishes, there are still a lot of options that are either vegan or vegetarian. From mains to side dishes, you will find delicious and nutritious options for every dietary restriction you may have.
We do have to warn you, however, that ‘being vegetarian’ or ‘being vegan’ isn’t actually a thing in Armenia. Like many other places, they don’t know what that means. They don’t consider chicken or fish to be ‘meats’, so you have to be really clear about what you can and cannot eat. And don’t be offended if they don’t quite understand why you would choose not to eat these things.
3. Food and wine culture are huge in Yerevan
You will find a ton of restaurants for every different type of cuisine in Yerevan. And chances are, the food is quite delicious! The ingredients used are fresh, and usually local.
The wine is also next-level. Wine culture has grown so much over the last few years in Armenia. It’s no surprise since the very first wineries, dating back to c. 4100 BC, was found in Armenia a few years back, in 2007. If you’re looking for amazing wine restaurants, head over to Saryan street, and you can’t go wrong!
The 5 best breakfast restaurants in Yerevan
We love breakfast! All the time! In fact, one of Derek’s favorite things is having breakfast for supper. So it’s no surprise that we would wake up every morning during our time in Armenia and try a different breakfast place in Yerevan. We discovered a bunch of amazing restaurants and these are the 5 best breakfast restaurants we found.
1. Abovyan 12 (aka Dalan): Best breakfast restaurant with a beautiful setting
Don’t be fooled by the entrance of Dalan. As soon as you step into the gift shop, you’ll be mesmerized by everything you see around you. But when you make your way toward the back of the shop, the scent of Armenian Jazzve coffee will take a hold of you. You’ll be taken to the cutest garden, with an old truck attached to a piano at the center of it. Vine leaves will create a perfect little roof for you, letting the sun rays dance through on the tables below.
We loved stopping here for coffee, fresh fruits, bread, spreads, and cheeses. A typical Armenian breakfast to get you started for a day of exploring.
- Location: Abovyan 12 is located on Abovyan street, near the Charles Aznavour Square.
- Check out their website or Facebook page
- Budget: $$
- Smoking is permitted here because the restaurant is located outside.
2. The Green Bean coffee shop: where to eat an organic breakfast in Yerevan
We were lucky enough to live a block away from this café when we were in Yerevan, and we loved it. They offer a great variety of coffees, teas, and drinks (homemade compote, as they call it). They roast their coffee in-house and serve quality organic food. The owners are really keen on promoting green and health-conscious living practices in the community, and we love them for it!
The Green bean is a great breakfast place in Yerevan. They have tons of classic western breakfast foods and some Armenian typical meals as well. Plus, the atmosphere is really chill if you need to get some work done or catch up with friends.
A few of the other perks they offer are the socially-responsible souvenirs they sell. And best of all, this is one of the non-smoking restaurants in Yerevan.
Derek’s favorite thing to eat here was their cloud egg. Light, fluffy and delicious, you can’t ask for more for breakfast. While I always went in for their mint lemonade to-go (in my reusable bottle, of course!)
- Location: There are 3 Green Bean locations in Yerevan: one on Amiryan street, another at the foot of Cascade and a third location near the American University of Armenia.
- Check out their Facebook page
- Budget: $
3. Crumbs Bread Factory: Best place to eat homemade bread and pastries
Crumbs Bread Factory has 3 locations in Yerevan, but our favorite is the one on Mashtots, right near Yerevan’s Opera House and in front of Saryan Park (where artists sell their works of art). This bakery and cafe has everything you need for breakfast or lunch, from fresh-baked bread, pastries, delicious salads, healthy sandwiches and more!
The atmosphere here is really chill, making it another great place to hang out with friends or get some work done. There are also a ton of vegetarian and vegan options to choose from on their menu. Plus, it’s another non-smoking restaurant in Yerevan, which is always great to find!
Our favorite meals here were the mushroom and vegetable sandwiches, and their salads (pick one, they’re all awesome). For breakfast, pick anything fresh out of the oven, from the croissants to the many breads. Derek’s favorite here was the BELT sandwich… are you even surprised?!
- Location: There are 3 Crumbs locations in Yerevan: one on Byron street, another on Mashtots and a third location near the Glendale Hills Residency.
- Check out their website or Facebook page
- Budget: $$
4. Gouroo Club & Garden: Best breakfast spot with a beautiful garden
We, unfortunately, discovered Gouroo late in our trip, because had we gone here earlier, we may have only eaten here during our 2 months in Armenia! Their cute garden makes you feel like you’re miles away from the city. Their food is beyond delicious, and don’t even get us started on their cocktails!
This amazing restaurant in Yerevan features some of the best local and international wines, cocktails and even has a juice bar. They also have a club program that includes live concerts, movie viewings and a variety of cooking masterclasses at their cooking studio.
Gouroo is a gourmet cuisine restaurant based on slow food and health-conscious cooking principles. They try to source only local, organic and natural ingredients and have a vast offering of vegetarian and vegan meal options. We love any restaurant that takes so many steps to be eco-friendly.
Our favorite dish there was a cauliflower steak. It was a flavorful, filling and well-balanced meal, plus the portion was massive!
- Location: Gouroo is located at 13 Martiros Saryan Street in Yerevan
- Check out their Facebook page
- Budget: $$
5. Eat & Fit: Best vegan and vegetarian breakfast in Yerevan
We’re not sure we love the name of the restaurant, but we sure love their food! Whenever we told people in Armenia we were plant-based, they always recommended Eat & Fit, and we totally understood why as soon as we checked their menu out!
Not only do they have a ton of vegan and vegetarian options, but everything was simply delicious! Derek would always grab a protein shake after his workouts, and we would go in for a hearty breakfast when we were around!
Although the meals here are a bit on the pricey side, we didn’t mind, because everything we had was delicious! Plus, we always want to encourage restaurants that are non-smoking, and that promote a more plant-based menu!
- Location: The only Eat & Fit in Yerevan is at 80 Aram street
- Check out their Facebook page
- Budget: $$
The 6 best restaurants for dinner & drinks in Yerevan
We mentioned it before, and we’ll say it again because we don’t want you to miss out on one of the best things about Armenia. The food is one thing, but wine and drinks are huge here. And they are only growing further. So make sure you try as many great Armenian wines as possible. And these are the best places to enjoy them!
1. Dargett: Best craft beer – Where to drink in Yerevan
Although the wine scene is huge in Armenia, the beer scene is slowly growing. Dargett has beat its competitors, being the first craft brewery in Yerevan, serving over 15 types of craft beer, expertly created with high-quality ingredients. We wouldn’t be surprised if more microbreweries popped up around the city soon! Best of all, you can find their beer in many Yerevan restaurants.
We loved coming to Dargett for a tall glass of beer and some snacks. We would always try a different beer from this microbrewery to try and find our perfect fit. And with seasonal brews always being added, we had to constantly go back! So the verdict is still out on what our favorite is, though the Apricot Ale is for sure up on the list!
On top of delicious brews, their menu was really fun too. Derek loved the pulled pork sandwich. And although there aren’t a ton of vegan or vegetarian options, we always found something to snack on.
When the weather permits, we recommend you take a seat on their beautiful terrasse. The street isn’t that busy and the vibe is just perfect! You should note that Dargett can get very crowded, especially on the weekends. If you’re a big group, be sure to reserve a table in advance.
- Location: Located right by Eat & Fit, Dargett is at 72 Aram Street.
- Check out their Website or Facebook page
- Budget: $$
2. Wine Republic: Best restaurant for amazing wine and food pairings
Wine Republic started out as a wine restaurant, but it got so popular that they opened an Asian restaurant to fulfill the demand (the punny ThaiWine).
You can now enjoy either Italian or South-East Asian food, both paired beautifully with a nice glass of Armenian wine. What more could you ask for?!
Because we didn’t have enough of it in Thailand, we would highly recommend their Pad Thai with a glass of white Koor. Their truffle tagliatelle is also out of this world if you love truffles as we do!
- Location: Just at the foot of Cascade, Wine Republic is at 2 Tamanyan Street
- Check out their Facebook page
- Budget: $$$
3. Tapastan: Where to eat in Yerevan if you want to share a meal with friends
We had such a good time at Tapastan every single time we went. With outdoor seating, delicious food to share and a great drink menu, how could we not!?
Located on the hip Sarayan street where you find all the cool bars and restaurants, Tapastan has quickly become a staple for groups of friends who want to go enjoy delicious meals they can share in a fun atmosphere.
We’d love to tell you what to order here, but we can’t decide on one dish. Everything we shared here was delicious. The best thing about this restaurant is that they have plenty of vegan and vegetarian options to choose from. And if you ask nicely, they will even make a traditional dish veg-friendly for you!
- Location: 6 Martiros Saryan street in Yerevan
- Check out their Facebook page
- Budget: $$
- Smoking is not permitted inside but is on their outdoor tables.
4. In Vino: The first wine bar in the city – where to eat and drink in Yerevan
This is the perfect spot for anyone who loves wine, cheese, and people-watching… basically, this place was made for you (and us!).
In Vino is the first wine bar to open in Yerevan, and since, many have followed suit. Don’t be surprised then, that you often have to reserve a table before going. This Yerevan restaurant is often full!
We can totally understand why – the staff is always so friendly and accommodating. This will always help you find the right wine for your palette and wallet! As for food, their cheese platter is delish, with tons of local cheeses.
They have seating inside and outside, but as always, we recommend you grab a seat on the sidewalk, to enjoy the beautiful weather and to people-watch.
- Location: Right next to Tapastan, at 6 Martiros Saryan street in Yerevan
- Check out their Facebook page
- Budget: $$
5. Sherep: The best restaurant with live music in Yerevan
If you’re looking for an amazing restaurant and dance-all-night live music, Sherep is the place for you. Although it is a bit more expensive than its sister restaurant Lavash, it’s well worth it, especially if you’re looking to celebrate a special evening. Just make sure you reserve ahead of time as they are often full.
The restaurant has two sections, smoking and non-smoking, though, to be honest, you do smell the smoke everywhere, which wasn’t our favorite. However, the delicious food makes up for it. Plus, the live band creates such a fun atmosphere, so don’t be surprised to see couples get up and dance every once in a while.
The service is always top-notch, and the food is up there too! All their salads and breads are out of this world. And if you want to try Derek’s favorite dish, go for the pear and blue cheese risotto. Go ahead and give any of their dishes a try – the presentation will blow you away and so will the taste!
- Location: Located right at Republic Square, Sherep is at 1 Amiryan street.
- Check out their Facebook page (or their website which may still be under construction)
- Budget: $$$
6. Katsin, a new must-try restaurant for drinks and dinner
Despite a raging global pandemic, Katsin opened its doors in 2020 and it’s quickly become one of the coolest places in town for dinner, drinks, and dancing! Not only is the place beautifully decorated, but it also has a fantastic menu, especially for those who love their surf and turf. It’s the perfect place for a date night, to celebrate a special occasion, or to have amazing food in a fun atmosphere!
Katsin’s space is huge and absolutely beautiful. There are two floors to the restaurant, an extensive menu, wine selection, and a very well-manned DJ booth. Expect to party on most Friday and Saturday nights, but hey. This is Yerevan, so expect a party any night of the week! But be warned, the music is quite loud, so it’s not the best place for intimate conversations.
As for the menu, it’s hard to go wrong. The staff can point you in the right direction based on what is fresh that evening. They’re also quite accommodating and turned some of their vegetarian dishes vegan for Carine. As for the rest of the party, they raved about their filet mignon, the tartars, and everything else. Honestly, there were no complaints that night!
Reservations are encouraged. Katsin does tend to get quite busy. And we don’t blame them! This will be one of your favorite restaurants for dinner and drinks in Yerevan.
- Location: Located right off Amiryan street, at 4/6 Amiryan, next to Mayrig.
- Check out their Facebook page
- Budget: $$$
The 5 best cheap restaurants in Yerevan
Armenia and Yerevan are really great budget destinations for travelers. Basically, look for anywhere you can find lahmajoun (Armenian pizza), or zaatar bread. They will offer a satisfying meal at a fraction of the price. So if you’re looking to pinch pennies a little bit more, here are the 5 best cheap restaurants in Yerevan.
1. Elie’s Lahmajun: Best restaurant for the delicious wraps in town
Not far from Za’atar Pizza, you will find Elie’s Lahmajun. Often, when one is too busy, we’ll head to the other. Though to be very honest, we much prefer the service at Elie’s. The staff is always super nice and courteous.
We love Elie’s for their lahmajoun, but also, for their spinach pie, and their many vegan options. For example, even if it’s not on the menu, they were nice enough to whip up a vegan mushroom lahmajoun for us. And they can customize pretty much any order to your liking.
Sure, the place is a no-frills restaurant. Don’t expect fancy tables and chairs. But the food is cheap, the service is fast and courteous and the location is convenient.
- Location: Located at 25 Movses Khorenatsi 1/1
- Check out their Facebook page
- Budget: $
2. Ost: Best place to eat affordable khachapuri
Another hole-in-the-wall restaurant that was around the corner from our Yerevan apartment, Ost is a local’s hangout. The food is quick and cheap, but really good, considering.
To be honest, we would always order the same thing from this cheap restaurant in Yerevan. We’d go for a Georgian classic, Adjarian Khachapuri, which is basically cheese and egg cooked in a dough pocket.
This was our favorite dish to have in the morning for breakfast, or as an afternoon snack.
- Location: 20 Mesrop Mashtots Ave, not too far from the Amiryan street Green Bean Café
- Budget: $
3. Lahmajun Gaidz: Best restaurant for cheap and delicious lahmajoun
Lahmajun Gaidz is a classic with locals and repats alike. Run by a mother-son duo, this Syrian-Armenian restaurant is as good as any lahmajoun place can get!
They have a ton of variations of lahmajoun, known as Armenian pizza in most of the world. Though to be honest, no one can be sure where this dish is actually from as it’s found in most of the middle-East.
You can get the classic lahmajoun, Derek’s favorite, or you can opt for a vegan delight, za’atar pizza. Either way, everything is delicious here, so go nuts and try all their variations of this Armenian pizza! Enjoy!
- Location: Located between Vernissage and Republic Square, Gaidz is at 5 Nalbandyan St
- Here’s their Facebook page
- Budget: $
4. Zatar Pizza: The best za’atar pizza and salads
Another hole-in-the-wall restaurant with a large terrasse on the sidewalk where you can eat super well, for a few dollars.
When it comes to these types of restaurants, you can’t really go wrong. The food is delicious, cheap and perfect for sharing. Grab yourself a few lahmajoun pizzas if you want meat or a za’atar pizza if you’re looking for a vegan treat. Make sure you fill them with hummus or labneh, tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, and spicy peppers if you can handle the heat. Then, grab some hummus, salads and share it all with your friends. This is the best way to enjoy any meal in Armenia.
At Zatar Pizza, our favorite cheap meal was a zatar pizza with the fatoush salad. We know we said it for a few places, but when the ingredients are so fresh, locally grown and tasty, everything made with them is just as delicious.
- Location: Located on the corner of Hanrapetutyan 24 and Mher Mkrtchyan Street
- Check out their Facebook page
- Budget: $
5. Lebanon Shawarma/Chez Vicken: Best cheap food to go
Another tiny restaurant with delicious food. We recommend Lebanon Shawarma / Chez Vicken for a quick and cheap meal on the go. Although seating is limited here, they do have a few booths inside and a few tables outside, if you want to enjoy your wrap at the restaurant.
For a few weeks, we lived right across the street from Chez Vicken. We would always grab a few wraps before setting out on one of our many day trips around Yerevan.
Derek loved the Mexican wrap that had a bit more kick to it, while Carine’s favorite was the za’atar pizza wrap filled with all sorts of veggies. And as we mentioned, we loved getting some salads to share as well.
Best of all, Chez Vicken is open 24hr a day, which means you can enjoy it at all hours of the morning if you decide to test out the nightlife in Yerevan, which we highly suggest you do!
- Location: 19 Tumanyan Street in Yerevan
- Check out their Facebook page
- Budget: $
6 must-try restaurants in Yerevan
These restaurants didn’t make the list but we would eat here on the regs. We highly recommend you give them a try as well.
1. Lavash: Best restaurant for amazing food and a great atmosphere
There’s a reason Lavash is constantly the #1 best-rated restaurant on Tripadvisor. From the outside, it may seem like a touristy restaurant, everything we ever ordered here was always delicious.
In true Armenian fashion, we would share our appetizers and mains; pumpkin soup, salads, dolma with cabbage, the meat and cheese platter, the homemade bread, and basically whatever the staff would recommend for us.
The waiters were always super friendly, and another added bonus is that they all understood English! The prices are a bit higher than in other restaurants, but the portions are large, and the food is amazing. Lavash is a sister restaurant of Sherep, so you can expect to eat similar foods, but for less.
- Location: 21 Tumanyan Street in Yerevan
- Check out their Facebook page
- Budget: $$
2. Dolmama: Best classic Eastern Armenian food in Yerevan
We took Carine’s parents here one of the first nights they joined us in Armenia. If you want to have a fancy night out with delicious food and wine, be sure to make a reservation at Dolmama.
Just looking at the roster of celebrities who have eaten at Dolmama will confirm that you’re in for a treat. It has such a warm and homey atmosphere, especially in their back terrasse. It’s the type of place you could eat, talk and sip wine for hours.
We ordered and shared the salads, dolmas, Ishkhan trout carpaccio, the rolled eggplant with cheese, the mulberry khorovats, and whatever the waiter recommended.
We won’t hide it, this restaurant is more upscale and expensive than most restaurants in Yerevan. Anthony Bourdain ate here and so did the Kardashians, so you know what to expect! But if you’re looking to celebrate something special, this is the place for you!
- Location: 10 Pushkin Street in Yerevan
- Check out their Facebook page
- Budget: $$$
3. Mer Taghe: Best restaurant for local and Western Armenian food
Mer Taghe, or Our Neighborhood in Armenian, is a bit more of an expensive place, but well worth every penny!
The place gets so busy, especially on hot summer nights when their sidewalk seating is full to the brim. Although they are known for their lahmajoun, we really can’t recommend their vegetarian manti enough!
Manti is a typical Armenian meal – it’s a dumpling usually filled with meat, and served with broth, yogurt and tomato sauce, and spices. Their vegetarian version here is made from mushrooms and it’s out of this world!
- Location: 21/1 Tumanyan St, in Yerevan
- Check out their Facebook page
- Budget: $$$
4. Derian restaurant: Best restaurant for Near Eastern cuisine in Yerevan
Not too long ago, it was quite hard to find good authentic Western Armenian and Near Eastern food in Yerevan. Derian was one of the first restaurants to offer this in the city.
On weekends, expect to enjoy a delicious meal with live music playing (we’d say in the background, but it does get a little loud and rowdy, but what party doesn’t).
We love to promote vegan and vegetarian eating, but if you want to have the city’s best chee kufta, this is the place to do it! Chee kufta is an Armenian staple. It’s like beef tartare, but not as chunky, and a bit spicier. It’s beef that’s minced and mixed with bulghur, topped with parsley, tomatoes, and cucumber.
- Location: 1/3 Buzand Street in Yerevan
- Check out their Facebook page
- Budget: $$
5. Chez Gayane: Best restaurant for a delicious home-cooked Eastern Armenian meal
This is literally one of the city’s hidden gems. It’s a hard door to find, but when you do, you’ll be over-joyed with the food they serve! Open since 1997, this family restaurant is on everyone’s list!
Another spot that Anthony Bourdain visited during his trip to Armenia, Gayanei Mot (the Armenian way of saying Chez Gayane) is where you can expect to enjoy some of the city’s best Eastern Armenian food, in a very homey atmosphere. In fact, it feels like you’re eating in Gayane’s living room! You can either sit on her patio, or in the dining room where you’ll surely be treated to a piano performance.
Derek loved the khorovats with the roasted potatoes here. Khorovats is a typical Armenian BBQ. It’s a mix of meats (chicken, beef or lamb) that are spiced and marinated to perfection and barbecued, usually by an old man.
- Location: 7/2 Tumanyan street, but to make things helpful, here is how to get to Gayane’s. Go through the arch on 33 Tumanyan street, which is right across the Brusov Linguistic University and between the Jazzve shop and Jazzve cafe, and then keep going until you reach green gates on your left. If you get lost, you can call 530320 and they will come to rescue you!
- Check out their Facebook page
- Budget: $$
6. Kong, a must for drinks and dinner in Yerevan
Kong opened last year and has made quite a name for itself in a very short period. It’s no surprise as the restaurant and bar has so much going for it. It intentionally stands out from the offering available in Yerevan and Armenia.
Located on Aboyan, on the second floor, Kong is beautifully decorated. It almost feels like a mix of Bali boho and Miami Vice. On top of the exceptional decor, the music is amazing, on weekends or weekdays.
Their drinks are all delicious, original, and unique. We were three people visiting this restaurant in the heart of Yerevan, and we all loved our choices. Same goes for the food. They have a great variety of meals, quite a few from South-East Asia, and we loved each meal as well.
Although they do have quite a few vegetarian options on the menu, their vegan selection is limited to one dish. Unfortunately, they were not able to make their vegetarian dishes vegan either.
We’ll let them off the hook however because they have made two amazing choices. First, the entire restaurant is non-smoking, which is a great relief from what you find in Yerevan. The city is trying to make the shift, but it’s a slow transition. The restaurant also doesn’t use any plastic, which is pretty awesome!
Kong is the perfect place to hang out with friends on a Friday or Saturday night. A great restaurant for drinks and a nice meal before heading out to dance the night away.
- Location: Located on Abovyan street, at 3/1 Abovyan Street
- Check out their Facebook page
- Budget: $$$
Where to eat in Yerevan – Top 3 vegan-friendly & vegan restaurants
We mentioned it before and we’ll say it again. Finding vegan and plant-based food is readily available in Armenia and all around Yerevan. Many Armenian and Middle Eastern meals are accidentally vegan, which is wonderful. However, don’t be surprised if the locals don’t understand your convictions – although plant-based meals are a staple in every Armenian home, the vegan mentality is far from being understood. But slowly and surely, more vegan meals and restaurants are popping up in Yerevan. Here are 3 of the best we found.
Looking to reduce the amount of meat you eat? Check out our articles on how to go vegetarian or vegan. We also have an article to help you travel while plant-based. They’re all full of great tips to help you out.
1. Life food, for a fully vegan menu in Yerevan
Opened recently, this restaurant quickly became one of our favorite places for vegan meals. This family-owned restaurant prides itself on making excellent raw plant-based food. Their philosophy is that food can heal, and they’re not wrong!
They have a ton of great options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, from smoothies to soups, to desserts, they have it all. Our favorite meals included the wrap rolls and their chocolate brownie. But honestly, with such healthy meals, you can’t go wrong.
- Location: Located at 24 Saryan
- Check out their website
- Budget: $$
2. Dr Veggie, your ultimate vegan restaurant in Yerevan
With a name like Dr Veggie, what more can you expect?! Located in the heart of Yerevan, on Pushkin Street, Dr Veggie is a fully vegan health-food restaurant.
This plant-based restaurant is a must-try if you’re looking to try local dishes that have been reinvented with a vegan twist. They have a ton of salads, soups and traditional dishes like dolma and blinchik. They also have vegan sushi, so go ahead and treat yourself. We highly recommend you give this place a try.
- Location: Located at 31 Moskovyan Street
- Check out their website
- Budget: $
3. Soul Kitchen – where to eat cheap vegan-friendly food in Yerevan
This restaurant was one of the best finds during our last visit to Armenia. Soul Kitchen is a small restaurant located on Mashtots street. It also features a little boutique selling goods from local artisans.
The menu offering is a mix of traditional Eastern and Western Armenian dishes. We came here several times, and we can guarantee that anything you try will be delicious! Our favorites were the appetizer dish for 2 or 4 people. It features favorites like grilled cauliflower, stuffed vine leaves, hummus, eetch, and more. From their soups and salads to their heartier dishes, there’s something for every taste. And best of all, everything is super affordable.
Another great thing about their menu is that they have so many ‘accidentally’ vegan dishes. Although, it’s not very accidental. Middle Eastern and Armenian food have a ton of vegan staples that are healthy, nutritious, and delicious.
The only complaint we have about the restaurant is that it still allows smoking inside. It’s a small space, and even if they have a ‘smoking section’, if one person lights up, the whole place smells like cigarettes.
- Location: Located at 25 Mashtots Avenue, on the second floor
- Check out their Facebook page
- Budget: $
Just a quick reminder to check out our Yerevan articles to make the best of your trip:
– Fun (and free) things to do in Yerevan
– Everything to know about Vernissage, the open-air market
– GUM market, a must for foodies
– Kond, the city’s oldest neighbourhood
– The best churches in Armenia
– What to do in Armenia if you’re tired of visiting churches
– The ultimate 2-week Armenia itinerary
The 25 best places to eat in Yerevan in 2022
Just a quick recap of the best places to eat in 2022:
- Abovyan 12
- The Green Bean coffee shop
- Crumbs bread factory
- Gouroo
- Eat & Fit
- Dargett
- Wine Republic
- Tapastan
- InVino
- Sherep
- Katsin
- Elie’s Lahmajoon
- Ost
- Lahmajoon Gaidz
- Zaatar Pizza
- Lebanon Shawarma-Chez Vicken
- Lavash
- Dolmama
- Mer Taghe
- Derian
- Chez Gayane
- Kong
- Life Food
- Dr Veggie
- Soul Kitchen
There you have it! These are the 25 best restaurants we loved going to over and over again while we lived in Yerevan. If you make it to this beautiful Pink City, we highly recommend you stop in at any of these spots and enjoy the delicious food. Pari akhorjag!
Let us know in the comments if you have any questions, or if you had a chance to try any of these places!
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