Unconventional Yerevan: Where to Rediscover the City

The UPTOWN media team has compiled a guide featuring over 50 unconventional spots that fly under the radar but are absolutely worth a visit. In this post, you’ll find a curated selection of ten restaurants, cafés, and bars that are hard to find, easy to miss, and impossible to forget.

A Spanish restaurant tucked away in a hidden courtyard. Here, flavors aren’t adapted to the local market — dishes are served just as they would be in Andalusia. The sunny courtyard’s spirit comes alive through small details: Spanish ceramic tiles on the tables and walls, cozy cushions with traditional patterns, and vintage posters. Try the paella, tapas, and sangria (in a two-liter glass!), and don’t miss the themed nights. On Fridays, they host a Mega Paella evening — you can watch the dish being prepared in a giant pan and then savor it.

The first and only microbar in Yerevan. It’s just eight square meters with a single item on the menu — «The Halls of the Mind». The twist? The bartender crafts cocktails based on first impressions or any crazy requests. Mikael runs the show, mixing hundreds of unique creations — from vegetable cocktails inspired by grandma’s pickling brine to inventive twists with non-alcoholic rum and whiskey. Oh, and there are fantastic homemade infusions — just ask Mikael for the flavors. The bar’s decor is a treasure trove of Soviet-era artifacts: a rug, vinyl records, and a retro gaming console.

Great spots exist beyond Kentron, and this Arabkir café is proof. It’s pet-friendly, so you can bring your four-legged friend. It’s also a great place to work — the white-and-blue interior sets the right vibe, and the specialty coffee keeps you energized. The menu includes pastries, balanced bowls, and even wine.

An authentic restaurant that’s hard to find without a map (we’ve pinned the location below — you’re welcome). But it’s worth the trip. The welcoming owners are Syrian Armenians who make some of the best lahmajuns in town. The founder, Gaydzag, does everything himself, and on busy days, his mother helps out. Locals and travelers from all over the world often relax here — just look at the walls covered in notes and drawings. Don’t miss the Syrian lahmajun with pomegranate sauce and Aleppo-style coffee with cardamom.

A cozy Asian eatery opened by Japanese chef Taiji Notsu. The menu features Japanese dishes made with Armenian ingredients — and of course, the star is ramen. For dessert, try freshly baked fish-shaped taiyaki cookies. After lunch, you can even learn to play Go. Keep in mind that the place doesn’t follow a fixed schedule — it opens when the chef feels inspired — so check ahead by phone or direct message.

The founder of this garage-turned-wine-pizzeria is an Australian-Armenian named Daré — and chances are, you’ll meet him. He’s often the one cooking, brewing coffee, and uncorking wine for guests. The pizza at Gini Pig isn’t Italian (and hey, we’re not in Italy), but it’s special, with toppings ranging from classic to wildly inventive — think sujuk or seasonal surprises. Come here on a date to impress your partner or for a laid-back dinner after work.

A new Chinese eatery run by a chef from China. There are only four tables, traditional music plays in the background, and the walls are decorated with photos from across China — even stills from Jackie Chan movies. Come for authentic flavors, from pork with mint to Hong Kong–style milk tea. And be ready for generous portions — one dish is easily enough for two.

If you want to explore coffee on a deeper level, this is your spot. It’s an interactive experience: you can smell different coffee varieties, pick your favorite, and choose your preferred brewing method. They’ll even give you a card to track which beans you’ve tried. The menu at Haldi.co includes creative options like cocoa with pepper, and the shop sells beans to take home — and, yes, coffee wine.

A hidden courtyard mansion where you can enjoy Armenian distillates, beer, or classic cocktails. The best part is that you can find a spot for any mood. If you want to be in the middle of the action, grab a seat on the leopard-print chairs in the courtyard (aka the garage). For a calm, relaxed atmosphere, sit at the indoor bar. And if you’d rather have some quiet time, choose the one-person table tucked behind a curtain.

A café in Lovers’ Park — perfect for when you want to escape the city’s buzz without actually leaving it. It’s an oasis of calm: sit in the garden, order sandwiches and coffee, and unwind. Achajoor serves excellent breakfasts — just the thing for a slow morning and a productive day ahead. Bonus: there are power outlets, so you can work under the shade of the trees.

Photos: restaurant websites and social media, Yandex Maps