Yerevan is the capital and largest city of Armenia, a rose-tuff city of about 1.1 million people set at roughly 900-1,300 m above sea level on the Hrazdan River, with snow-capped Mount Ararat visible across the Turkish border on clear days. Founded as the fortress of Erebuni in 782 BC, it combines Soviet-era neoclassical planning around Republic Square, the Cascade arts complex, the Matenadaran manuscript library, the Tsitsernakaberd Genocide Memorial, outdoor cafes, brandy cellars and a growing wine-bar scene. Visitors come for Armenian food and hospitality, very low prices by European standards, and easy day trips to Garni, Geghard, Khor Virap, Echmiadzin and Lake Sevan.
Armenian cuisine is built on lavash flatbread baked in a clay tonir, grilled meat (khorovats), stuffed vine leaves and vegetables (dolma/tolma), dried fruit, herbs and dairy such as matsun yogurt. Yerevan's tables also reflect the Western Armenian cooking of Aleppo, Beirut and Aintab (lahmajun, manti, kufta, hummus) and Caucasian grill culture. Meals are shared and start with herbs, cheese, pickles and bread. Armenian wine (Areni grape) and brandy close most dinners. Prices are modest: a budget meal costs about 2,000-3,500 AMD (approx USD 5.5-9.6) and a mid-range dinner with drinks about 10,000-18,000 AMD (approx USD 28-50). Exchange rate assumed: 1 USD = about 363 AMD (October 2026).
Must-try dishes
Iconic dishes that define Yerevan.
Khorovats
Armenian barbecue: pork, lamb or beef grilled on skewers over open coals, served with lavash, onion and herbs
Dolma (tolma)
Minced meat and rice wrapped in grape or cabbage leaves; vegetarian versions exist
Lahmajun
Thin flatbread topped with spiced minced meat, rolled up with herbs and lemon; the standard Armenian quick lunch
Khash
Slow-cooked beef-foot broth eaten in cold months with garlic, radish and lavash
Ghapama
Pumpkin baked with rice, dried fruit and nuts; a winter dish
Zhengyalov hats
Flatbread stuffed with chopped herbs and greens, an Artsakh specialty
Gata
Sweet buttery pastry; Gata Pandok bakes it on site
Nraneh
Pomegranate soup
Manti
Small baked meat dumplings, Western Armenian style
Ishkhan (Sevan trout)
Grilled trout from Lake Sevan
Sujukh
Walnut strings dipped in thickened grape juice, sold as a snack
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Armenian And Caucasian
Traditional Armenian
Armenian
Caucasian
Mediterranean
Middle Eastern
National And Regional Armenian
Food tours & tastings in Yerevan
Eat your way through Yerevan with a guide.
Browse food experiences in YerevanWe may earn a commission from bookings made through these links.
Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Lahmajun from a bakery window
Hot meat flatbread sold individually, roughly 400-1,500 AMD (approx USD 1.1-4.1)
Find it at: Bakeries and kiosks around Republic Square and Kentron
Late-night kebab and lule stands
Grilled kebab wraps sold after the bars close
Find it at: Mashtots Avenue
Fresh lavash, dried fruit and sujukh
Hand-made lavash sheets, candied apricots, nuts and sujukh sold by weight with free samples
Find it at: GUM Market, 35 Movses Khorenatsi St
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
GUM Market
Central covered market behind St Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral: dried and candied fruit, nuts, spices and sujukh in front; fresh produce, herbs, pickles and lavash in the back. Everything is sold by weight and vendors offer free samples. Nearest metro: Zoravar Andranik (fare 100 AMD, approx USD 0.28); about 300 m on foot.
Hours: Daily 11AM-5PM (official hours)
Malatia Market
Large general-goods bazaar in the Malatia-Sebastia district with produce, clothing, footwear and household items
Hours: Daily about 8AM-6:15PM (sources differ; one lists 9AM-7PM)
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Reserve by phone 1-2 days ahead for dinner at popular places such as Lavash (+374 10 608800) and Sherep (+374 10 600880); weekday lunch usually needs no booking.
Dinner service runs late: most central restaurants listed open until midnight, and Caucasus Tavern (82 Hanrapetutyan St) is listed as open around the clock.
Dishes are shared; order herbs, cheese and lavash first, then khorovats by portion.
Check the bill for a service charge before adding a tip.
Carry cash dram for markets, bakeries and small taverns; larger restaurants take cards.
A simple meal averages about 4,000 AMD (approx USD 11) in the centre versus about 2,800 AMD (approx USD 7.7) outside it.
- Vegetarian
- Good: Charentsi 28 lists vegetarian and vegan dishes; Anteb has a strong vegetarian selection; herb-stuffed zhengyalov hats, cheese and rice dolma are widely available
- Vegan
- Possible: Charentsi 28 lists vegan options; ask for dishes without matsun (yogurt) and cheese
- Halal
- Babylon (91 Pavstos Buzand St) is listed as halal Iraqi cuisine; most Armenian taverns serve pork
- Gluten free
- Difficult: lavash and dumplings dominate; plain khorovats with salad and herbs is the safest order
- Kosher
- Very limited; no kosher restaurant was confirmed in the sources checked
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | 2,000-3,500 AMD (approx USD 5.5-9.6) per meal | Lahmajun, shawarma, cafeteria tolma and market snacks |
| Mid-range | 10,000-18,000 AMD (approx USD 28-50) per person | Tavern or modern Armenian restaurant dinner with drinks, such as Lavash, Tavern Yerevan, Kamancha or Charentsi 28 |
| Upscale | 30,000-60,000 AMD (approx USD 83-165) per person | Fine dining with wine; exchange rate assumed 1 USD = about 363 AMD |