Dolmama

Dolmama is an Armenian restaurant at 10 Pushkin Street in the Kentron district of Yerevan, open since 1998 and long established as one of the capital's best-known places to eat dolma. Dolma, the Armenian dish of vine leaves or vegetables wrapped around a spiced filling, is the organising idea of the menu, and the kitchen serves it in many styles, including meat versions, fish and vegetarian variations, as well as tolma in modern presentations. A plate of six dolma is priced at roughly 1,800 to 2,800 AMD, which gives a guide to the cost of the specialities. Beyond dolma, the menu covers the wider Armenian repertoire of grilled meats, soups, salads and desserts. The restaurant is classed in the upper-middle price band, shown as three dollar signs, so a full dinner with drinks costs more than at an everyday tavern, though it remains moderate by international standards. The dining room is known for its decorative character, with the sort of curated, gallery-like interior that makes it a favourite for visitors who want an evening meal with some atmosphere, and the clientele mixes tourists with locals marking an occasion. Smart-casual clothing is typical, and the mood is more polished than the taverns around Republic Square. Armenian wines and brandy are the natural accompaniment, and the staff can help match them with the dolma varieties. The restaurant opens daily from 11 AM to 11:30 PM, so it can serve both lunch and dinner. Because it is popular and compact, reserving a dinner table is wise, and the restaurant takes bookings by phone on +374 10 561354. Booking a day or more ahead is sensible for Friday and Saturday evenings, while lunch is easier to arrange at short notice. Pushkin Street is close to the main central sights, which makes Dolmama simple to fit into a day of walking through the city centre.