The Kond House
BBQ, wine and old Yerevan vibes on a rooftop terrace
Hidden in the narrow streets of Kond, one of the oldest neighborhoods of Yerevan, The Kond House feels more like visiting a friend’s backyard than going to a formal restaurant. A few steps up and you are already on a rooftop terrace with views over crooked roofs, hanging laundry and the city lights in the distance – a perfect mix of “old Yerevan” texture and modern comfort.
The kitchen is all about hearty grill and home-style Armenian food: pork khorovats with a proper smoky crust, homemade sausages, trout or sterlet on skewers, big plates of village potatoes with herbs, and fresh salads like Greek or Caesar to share in the middle of the table. This is the kind of place where you order a set of mixed meats, a bottle of Armenian red wine or a Negroni from the cocktail list, and the evening naturally turns into a long, loud dinner with friends.
Inside, a cozy bar serves coffee, classic cocktails and house drinks, while in the evenings the music and soft lights make the terrace feel almost like a small party hidden above the streets. It is easy to imagine starting with sunset photos over Kond, then slowly moving into grilled ribs, wine, a dessert and a strong nightcap – and leaving with the feeling that you have discovered one of Yerevan’s most atmospheric corners rather than “just another restaurant”.
Ulikhanyan Club
Jazz, wine and late-night sets on Sayat-Nova Avenue
Tucked in the basement at 7 Sayat-Nova Avenue, Ulikhanyan Club is one of those places where you go “just for one drink” and end up staying until the last encore. The room is small, brick-walled and intimate, with the stage almost within arm’s reach, so when the band starts playing jazz, fusion or ethno-jazz, you feel more like part of a private jam session than a big concert.
The bar takes its drinks seriously: there is a solid wine list with Armenian reds and whites, classic cocktails from Old Fashioned and Negroni to dry Martinis, and a good selection of Armenian brandy for a slow late-night sip. It is the perfect combination with a jazz quartet on stage – a glass of reserve red wine, a plate of simple bar food and that moment when the saxophone solo fills the whole room.
Live music is on almost every evening, from jam sessions on Mondays to ticketed concerts and festival-style lineups, and the crowd is a mix of musicians, locals and curious visitors who found the club by word of mouth. If you want to feel Yerevan’s night side without going to a noisy club, Ulikhanyan is exactly that sweet spot: dim lights, great sound, strong drinks and the feeling that you have discovered a small underground heart of the city’s music scene.
Corpous Gastrobar
“Taste the paradise” – from premium breakfast to late-night cocktails
Sitting right on Northern Avenue, Corpous Gastrobar is the kind of place you can visit both for a slow morning coffee and breakfast, and for cocktails and music late at night. Inside, it feels bright and modern, with large windows, soft armchairs and an open bar, so the atmosphere is both urban and warm – equally good for a group of friends or a more intimate date.
The menu slides smoothly from breakfast to dinner: in the morning you can go for Eggs Benedict with salmon or an “Armenian Breakfast” with fresh bread, cheese and herbs, then switch to Mediterranean‑style plates like crispy calamari, fresh tuna tartare, truffle pasta or a nicely prepared beef carpaccio. Dessert is taken seriously too – syrniki with mango sauce, a proper cheesecake and other sweet plates that pair perfectly with a cappuccino or a glass of dessert wine.
The bar has a full wine list and its own cocktail culture: elegant prosecco, carefully chosen reds and whites, plus signature cocktails that often appear on social media as “fresh drops” from the new menu. In the evening, when the lights of Northern Avenue come on, the soft music and clinking glasses turn the space into a cozy city lounge – the kind of night where you suddenly realize that this was not just a random stop, but a place you will want to come back to.
Tsaghkadzor Ski Resort & Ropeway
Winter sports, summer views and a mountain day that always runs long
Tsaghkadzor is the kind of place where “we’ll just take the ropeway once and head back” almost never happens. In winter the town turns into a compact ski resort: soft snow, long runs and a ropeway that lifts you high above the valley, opening up wide panoramas of the surrounding mountains. Even if you have never skied before, simply sitting on the chairlift and watching the town slowly disappear below is enough to feel that this is not a regular day trip, but a small mountain adventure.
If you do ski or snowboard, Tsaghkadzor becomes your playground. You rent the gear on the spot, ride up, and after the first descent you stop counting hours. There are sleds and tubing, gentle slopes for kids and beginners, and steeper lines for those who want speed. After each run you can hide inside a small café for a hot chocolate or mulled wine, warm your hands and go back out again. What starts as “let’s just try one slope” usually turns into a full-on winter day.
In summer Tsaghkadzor looks completely different. The same ropeway takes you over green hills and forests, into clear, cool mountain air where silence replaces the winter noise. At the top you can walk along the ridges, take photos of the mountain chain, have a small picnic or simply sit and watch the light move across the slopes. By the time you come back down in the evening, you feel like you have managed to ski, hike and recharge all in one day, without ever being too far from Yerevan.
Lake Sevan Beach & Sunset Chill
A warm day of swimming, cold drinks and absolutely no rush
Lake Sevan is where the sentence “the water might be a bit cold” usually ends with a splash. At the beach clubs your day starts with rows of sunbeds, comfy beanbags or wooden decks right by the water – everyone here has come for the same thing: to switch off from the city, feel the mountain sun on their skin and dive into the sharp, refreshing lake. On one side you have the bar and kitchen, on the other side the endless blue, and you move between them so naturally that “we’ll just swim a bit and leave” turns into something completely different.
You can order light snacks – grilled Sevan trout, fish & chips, salads, veggie plates or simple pasta – the kind of food that inevitably gets shared around the whole table. The bar is in full summer mode with cold beer, chilled white wine, Aperol Spritz, frozen cocktails and non-alcoholic lemonades loaded with berries, lime or mint. This is one of those places where there is almost always a glass in your hand, but the real highlight is still the lake itself, shimmering just a few steps away.
In the evening, as the sun starts to drop, the beach club turns into a small sunset venue. Lights come on, the music softens, and the water turns a deeper shade of blue. At that point it is hard to say whether you had “a beach day” or “a very long dinner by the lake”. What’s certain is that Sevan stops being just a blue spot on the map and becomes a place where you can swim, eat, drink and genuinely recharge – and promise yourself that next summer you’ll be back on this same shore.
Van Ardi Winery
Wine, sunsets and vineyards just a short drive from Yerevan
Van Ardi is the kind of winery where you don’t just remember “we had a tour”, you remember a very specific evening – the sun already low, wind moving through the leaves, and a glass of deep red wine in your hand. Everything here is built to show that Armenian wine is not only history but a living craft, where each step from grape to bottle is intentional. You start by walking through the vineyards, hearing about the soil, climate and grape varieties, and then move into the cellar where the smell of oak barrels quietly takes over.
On the tasting table you’ll find several wines – from lighter whites to deeper reds – paired with cheese, dried fruits, nuts and small plates that are there not to fill you up but to open up new layers in each sip. It is the kind of place where it feels natural to sit with friends, compare how a wine “opens up” on the second or third taste, and completely forget that just an hour earlier you were in city traffic.
As the sun sets, Van Ardi turns almost cinematic. The vineyards fall into soft shadow, the stone buildings take on a golden glow, and every glass feels less like “the next one” and more like a small celebration. If you are looking for an evening where entertainment is not loud music but quality wine, fresh air and good company, Van Ardi is exactly the kind of place that makes Armenian wine feel personal rather than abstract.
Poloz Mukuch – Gyumri’s Humor on a Plate
A classic tavern of black and red tuff, big portions and even bigger jokes
If you have ever wondered what a “real Gyumri tavern” looks like, Poloz Mukuch comes very close to that mental picture. A historic black and red tuff building, thick stone walls, heavy wooden doors and inside – staff who feed you and joke with you in equal measure. You don’t really come here for “a quick bite”, you come for the full package of hearty food, Gyumri humor and that slightly chaotic, warm atmosphere that feels more like a big family gathering than a restaurant.
The table fills up quickly with khashlama, dolma, kebab, cold and hot salads, stacks of lavash and plates with sour-cream-and-garlic everything, plus glasses of red wine or beer to keep the conversation flowing. This is one of those places where the phrase “let’s order a little” disappears after the second plate, because every dish feels like something you absolutely need to try “just this once”. It is generous, unpretentious and designed for sharing.
In the evening Poloz Mukuch turns into a small slice of Gyumri’s everyday life. Locals and visitors sit side by side, stories and jokes fly across the room and sometimes there is live music to tie it all together. If you want to understand why people call Gyumri the soulful, witty heart of Armenia, starting your evening at Poloz Mukuch is a very good idea – you walk out not only full, but also feeling a little more like a local than when you walked in.
Forest Café/Bar in Dilijan
Warm lights, wooden walls and an evening that slowly grows from tea to wine
In Dilijan there is always at least one place that feels designed for rainy days – a wooden house tucked between trees, big windows, soft lights inside and wooden tables waiting for you. You walk in with the feeling of entering a hidden corner of the forest, take off your jacket and immediately sense that this is not a “quick coffee” spot but somewhere you can stay without watching the clock. It is less about rushing and more about unwinding.
The menu treats both tea drinkers and wine lovers equally well. Big teapots with herbs, freshly baked cakes or tarts, local wines paired with small plates of cheese, dried fruits, nuts, olives and dips. There is always something on the table to share, while the background music – or sometimes the complete absence of it – leaves space for quiet reading or long, slow conversations. It is the kind of place where one cup easily turns into an entire evening.
As it gets dark outside, the silhouettes of the trees line up behind the windows and the light inside becomes even warmer. That is when you realise that Dilijan is not only about daytime hikes and green forests, but also about evening spots where you can sit down, have a glass of wine or a pot of tea and let time slow down. If you are looking to escape the city not just by day but also in mood, this forest café/bar is exactly the stop you need.
Jermuk Spa Resort
Hot waters, cool mountain air and an evening built for slowing down
In Jermuk the first impression is all about contrasts: cold mountain air outside, the smell of warm water and steam inside, and a quiet murmur of voices echoing through the spa halls. The resort hotels here immediately make it clear that this is not “just a quick trip out of town” but a small reset built around thermal pools and mineral springs. A short walk from your room to the pool is often enough to feel your muscles remember what relaxation is supposed to feel like.
The warm indoor pool, hydromassage corners and sometimes even outdoor hot tubs on a terrace create a day where the only thing missing is a sense of rush. You can spend hours moving between water, rest areas and the bar for a glass of mineral water or herbal tea. Many places also offer massages, simple body treatments and face masks – nothing overly complicated, just enough to make you feel like you are being taken care of rather than entertaining yourself.
In the evening, when the mountains outside fade into the dark, the hotel lobby or lounge turns into a quiet social space. Armchairs, soft lighting, a pot of tea or a glass of wine, maybe a board game or a book – and no loud music to talk over. If your idea of “going out” includes resting your mind as much as your body, a Jermuk spa evening is exactly the kind of gentle entertainment that stays with you long after you leave the resort.
Calumet Ethnic Lounge Bar
A small room that somehow fits half of Yerevan’s nightlife
Calumet is one of those places where the room feels small but the atmosphere feels huge. Brick walls, flags, posters and tiny details make it feel like part living room, part secret club. You climb up a narrow staircase and suddenly step into a space where people are standing, sitting, laughing and talking – and even before the music starts you already know you are not leaving anytime soon.
Most evenings there is either live music or at least carefully chosen tracks. Rock, folk, jazz and sometimes more ethnic sounds fill the room without creating a “big stage” distance – everything is up close, the musicians are almost within arm’s reach. At the bar you can get beer, wine or simple mixed drinks that feel like part of a friendly night out rather than a show. This is the kind of place you go to for an evening, not just for a quick round.
Calumet often feels larger than its physical size because of the people who gather there. Strangers start talking, chairs and tables move around, new groups form. If you want a spot in Yerevan where you can hear good music, meet interesting people and still not feel lost in a crowd, this small bar is exactly that kind of place.
Dargett Brewpub
Craft beer, big tables and a place made for long conversations
Dargett is not just a place that “serves beer” – it is where beer feels like the main story. Large tanks, visible pipes, long wooden tables and benches set the tone for evenings that are meant to be shared. The atmosphere is lively but not overwhelming: there is always a comfortable level of noise, enough to feel the energy, yet still possible to hear the person sitting across from you.
The fun part is exploring the beers themselves. You can order a tasting board with several small glasses and move from pale to dark, from light and fruity to deep and bitter. It is the kind of place where friends end up comparing notes on every sip, rediscovering which style they actually like. Food keeps pace with the glasses – burgers, fries, pizza and other plates designed for sharing and for pairing with what is in your glass.
In the evenings Dargett fills up with groups of friends, colleagues and travellers who all want roughly the same thing: to relax without making a big production out of it. If you are looking for a spot in Yerevan where beer is taken seriously but the mood stays relaxed and friendly, Dargett is exactly that kind of brewpub. You leave not only satisfied with what you drank and ate, but also with the feeling that the city is a bit warmer and more familiar.
Simona Home Bar
A small, dim cocktail bar where the night slows down
While many Yerevan bars are loud and open, Simona feels more like stepping into a secret living room. You walk down a narrow staircase, pass through a rather unassuming entrance and suddenly end up in a low-lit room with wooden tables, vintage details and a long bar that seems to hold the whole place together. It is intimate without being pretentious, the kind of bar where you quickly stop checking your phone and simply let the evening unfold.
Cocktails are the main reason to come here. The bartenders are skilled and patient, happy to guide you through the menu or improvise something based on what you like. Drinks are often on the smaller, stronger side, with layered flavors and playful combinations rather than just sweet crowd-pleasers. This is the place to sit at the bar, watch the whole process and treat each drink as part of the experience rather than just a way to pass time.
Simona also has its own soundtrack. Expect vinyl, eclectic selections and a mood that can gently drift from background listening to subtle dance moments as the night grows later. You may find designers, musicians, locals and visitors all sharing the same space without it ever feeling like a typical tourist bar. If you want to understand Yerevan’s quieter, more cinematic nightlife, Simona is an excellent place to start.
Stop Club
A small rock club where the night is always loud
Stop Club is not the place to go for quiet cocktails and slow conversations. It is a compact rock venue with a low stage, focused lights and a room that fills up quickly once the band starts playing. The interior is simple and a bit rough around the edges, but that is exactly the point: this is a bar built around music first, everything else second.
On most nights you will find a live band on stage – local rock and metal, blues, indie, covers and the occasional experimental project. The drinks list is straightforward, with beer and classic bar staples doing most of the heavy lifting, while the real action is happening a few meters away under the stage lights. It is easy to end up talking to regulars, musicians and visitors between sets, especially if you drift toward the bar area.
Stop Club has the feel of an old-school rock bar that somehow survived into the present. It attracts students, long-time rock fans and anyone who prefers guitars and live vocals over DJ sets and polished interiors. If you want to experience Yerevan’s louder, sweatier and more unfiltered side of nightlife, an evening at Stop Club is a very good starting point.
Garage Club (Gyumri)
The place where Gyumri’s nights turn into concerts
Garage Club is one of the main reasons Gyumri has a nightlife at all. It is a compact, slightly rough-around-the-edges club where the focus is firmly on live music and the people who come to listen to it. By day Gyumri is all stone buildings and dry humor; by night a big part of that energy gathers here in front of the stage.
The program usually includes rock bands, blues, covers, local projects and occasional guests from Yerevan or abroad. Drinks are straightforward and unpretentious – beer, simple cocktails and a few snacks – because the main attraction is what happens under the lights, not what is written on the menu. It is easy to end up staying longer than planned, drifting between the bar, the crowd and the stage.
Garage Club is also a good place to meet Gyumri itself. Students, artists, IT people, locals and visitors end up together in the same small room, creating a mood that feels different from Yerevan’s polished bars. If you want to experience a more raw, local version of Armenian nightlife outside the capital, an evening at Garage Club in Gyumri is a strong choice.
Kami Music Club
Live music nights in the very center of Yerevan
Kami Music Club is tucked just behind Moscow Cinema on Abovyan Street, but once you step downstairs it feels like its own little world. A compact stage, focused lighting and a room full of tables and bar seats create a setting where live music is clearly the main event. It is central and easy to reach, yet separated enough from the street to let the evening take its time.
The program ranges from rock and pop covers to jazz, funk and vocal projects, with themed nights and guest musicians showing up regularly. The bar is part of the show: you can order wine, beer or cocktails and simply watch the bartenders work while the band plays a few meters away. It is a good place both for sitting with friends at a table and for slowly drifting closer to the stage as the night gets louder.
Kami is especially convenient if you are exploring Yerevan’s center and want to end the day with live music without leaving the area. Republic Square, Northern Avenue and the Cascade are all within walking distance, so it is easy to add Kami to an evening walk. If you want a mix of central location, a proper stage and a club that still feels personal, Kami Music Club fits that combination well.
Diamond Restaurant
A balcony view over Yerevan’s Republic Square
Diamond Restaurant sits just off Republic Square on Pavstos Buzand Street, a few floors above street level. Its main attraction is the terrace, which opens directly onto the square with full views of the buildings, fountains and the flow of people below. It feels less like being in a closed restaurant and more like having your own balcony above the city.
The menu combines familiar Armenian dishes with international restaurant staples – salads, grilled mains, wine and cocktails suitable for a slow evening. Still, the real highlight is the scene in front of you: the illuminated facades, the clock tower and, on some evenings, the dancing fountains if you time it right. It is an easy place to bring visitors when you want food and a classic postcard view in one spot.
Diamond works especially well at dusk and later into the night, when the square lights up but the air is still comfortable enough to sit outside. If you want to experience the center of Yerevan without standing in the middle of the square, this terrace gives you a slightly detached, panoramic version of it.
Tsirani Garden Restaurant
A large apricot orchard for long family-style lunches
Tsirani Garden Restaurant is located just outside Yerevan, in the village of Arinj, on Marshal Babajanyan 3/1. It is a spacious garden complex of around 4 hectares, filled with apricot trees, small ponds, paths and wooden pavilions scattered across the area.
Instead of a single dining hall, you get dozens of outdoor gazebos and several indoor halls, which makes it feel more like a countryside escape than a classic city restaurant. Locals often choose it for big celebrations such as weddings, birthdays and family gatherings, but it also works for a long weekend lunch with friends.
The menu focuses on traditional Armenian dishes – grilled meats, kebabs, roasted vegetables, fresh salads, pickles, lavash and rich desserts. Guests praise the green setting and generous portions, while also noting that service can slow down on very busy days, simply because of the size of the complex.
Dolmama – Armenia's Restaurant
Classic Armenian dishes in an intimate, living-room style space
Dolmama is one of Yerevan’s best-known Armenian restaurants, set in a small townhouse just off the city center. With its paintings, vintage details and compact rooms, it feels more like visiting someone’s home than sitting in a large formal dining hall.
The restaurant is named after its signature dish – dolma – and offers several variations alongside other Armenian classics presented with a slightly lighter, more contemporary touch. Presentation is careful, portions are thoughtfully sized and the wine list is curated to match the rich, home-style flavors.
Dolmama is popular with both locals and visitors, so reservations are usually a good idea, especially for dinner. If you are looking for a place to get a focused introduction to Armenian cuisine in a warm, intimate setting, this small restaurant is a very solid choice.
Yasaman Sevan’s Restaurant
Lake views, fresh fish and a calm, modern dining room
Yasaman Sevan is set right on the shore of Lake Sevan, in Tsovagyugh, so the lake is part of the experience from the moment you sit down. Large windows and an open terrace frame the water and mountains, making it feel more like a lakeside retreat than a stop on the highway.
The menu focuses on Sevan’s freshwater fish, prepared in different ways – grilled, baked, or served with light sauces that let the main ingredient stay in the foreground. Alongside the fish you will find Armenian and Mediterranean-style starters, salads and sides that keep the overall feeling fresh rather than heavy.
It is a good place to plan as part of a day by the lake: walk along the shore, then sit down for a slow lunch or dinner while the light changes over the water. If you want a restaurant that feels clearly connected to Sevan itself, Yasaman is one of the most comfortable and scenic options.
Sherep Restaurant
Open kitchen, modern Armenian flavors and a prime central location
Sherep sits on Amiryan Street, just steps away from Republic Square, and has become one of the go-to modern restaurants in Yerevan. The dining room is large and lively, with high ceilings, big windows and a steady mix of locals and visitors.
The open kitchen is the visual centerpiece: you can watch chefs grilling, baking and plating dishes in real time. The menu blends Armenian and regional influences with more contemporary restaurant-style presentations, from grilled meats and stews to fresh salads and shareable starters.
Sherep works equally well for a big group dinner or a smaller evening out, thanks to its energetic but not overly formal atmosphere. If you have to choose just one central restaurant in Yerevan that will likely please different tastes in one go, this is a very safe and satisfying option.