Restaurants and cafes in Yerevan

Yerevan is a city where there is no prohibition of public drinking. Some of the many delights of living in Yerevan are, indeed, the many cafes, bars, clubs and restaurants where you can unwind and grab a cup of coffee and a pastry, or else enjoy live music in pleasant surroundings.

Cafes in Yerevan are usually open from early in the morning until late at night, especially during summer. They are usually being crowded, but you will eventually be able to find a free seat there. You need not book a seat in the cafe beforehand. The cafes usually have separate smoking and non-smoking areas, and this is great for those people who hate smoke and would not like to feel its presence while trying to have good time with their friends.

Cafes come with a rather long menu offering various sandwiches, foods, and salads. There is no any set cuisine in cafes, except for if the café is Italian by nature or Spanish. The rest offer anything that’s tasty. Several cafes have their bands, which start playing usually after 7 pm. In some cafés you will be required to pay more for the band.

• Some of the best indoor cafes worth a visit are the 5th Element, Arevelyan Khohanots, La Boheme, La Piazza, Jose, Lavazza, Moscafe, Tea House Forte, Lavazza and The Club.
• Some of the best outdoor cafes worth a visit are La Piazza Summer Terrace, Meeting Point, Santa Fe and Shokoladnitsa.

Things are different with the restaurants, because if you are planning to organize there something, even a small party, then it should be pre-arranged. If you just want to dine out there, then no pre-arrangements are needed. Restaurants in Yerevan usually come with both traditional Armenian and International cuisines, but if you are visiting a restaurant with a local, then be sure to have whatever he orders for you and he will order everything Armenian.

Two very important parts of visiting an Armenian restaurant are the barbecue, which Armenians simply adore and perhaps that’s why the barbecue serving process is almost always a real fun and even a ceremony, and the Armenian songs and dances. The music you will hear in restaurants is the music you will hear only there and only very rarely on the streets, while years ago it’s this restaurant music that dominated the city. As the artists start playing the music and the singer starts singing, everyone runs to the dance area and starts self-forgetfully dancing. Such a thing you will see only in an army where the soldiers stand still as the general or a high official appears. The restaurant rates will start at around $40 for each person.

• Some of the best restaurants worth a visit are Ai Leoni (it’s an Italian restaurant), Baobab Steak House, Cucina Marriott, Dolmama, Florence, Lebanon, Raffaello, Tumanyan Khinkali, Genatsvale, Sherock Holmes and Taco-Maco (serves Mexican cuisine).

On the whole, Armenians love eating, so once in Yerevan be prepared to gain extra fats, because even if you say you are not hungry, there will always appear a skillful convincer who will talk you into eating it. You will hardly regret because the foods are really delicious, but you will still long work on burning the fats you acquired during, say, a week stay.

Bon appetit and have a great time!