The Yerevan restaurant chain named Tavern Yerevan is a popular gastronomic destination for both locals and tourists. It focuses on traditional Armenian cuisine and offers an interesting cultural program (see below, check the concrete program in advance).
There are several branches throughout the city. Although they have the same name, they differ. Each restaurant has its advantages and disadvantages. However, since they belong to the Yeremian Project group (which also includes the excellent Lavash restaurant), you will eat well in all of them.
The Armenian cultural program includes:
Tavern Yerevan Riverside
Tavern Yerevan Riverside is my second favorite restaurant in Yerevan (after Lavash restaurant). It is located by the river on the outskirts of the city, which might be why it’s more popular among locals. It’s brand new and the largest of all the restaurants in this chain, offering hundreds of seating places. Most of the seats are in the outdoor garden, where, thanks to the proximity of the river, it’s cooler in the summer. It’s popular among Armenians for various celebrations; you won’t find many tourists here.
The Armenian dishes here are excellent. I tasted the beef tjvjik and aveluk salad here and the dishes were perfect. I was fascinated by the tree around which the kitchen was built.
Cultural Program
Inside the complex, there’s a large stage where a cultural program takes place in the evening hours. The several-hour cultural program included, for example, a concert interpretation of famous movie melodies, a local Armenian pop singer and after dark, a performance combining theater, scenic dance and a fire show, which was absolutely perfect and the best I’ve ever seen. Between individual blocks, there were short breaks, the longest, about a 20-minute break, was before the last performance when a significant amount of props was set up on the stage.
At the Riverside branch, you not only get excellent food but also perfect cocktails. The drink named Tres Belle was great, containing gin, freshly squeezed pomegranate juice, raspberry syrup, lime juice and was served with smoke. It cost 4,000 AMD, which is approximately 9.60 EUR. A great deal for a reasonable amount of money.
Is a reservation necessary?
I can’t say for sure. I came on a whim when I was returning from tastings of cognacs Ararat and Noy (which are nearby). Since I was alone, after a while of negotiating, I was seated without any problems (the language barrier was more of an issue than availability). However, the restaurant was mostly full.
Fee for the cultural program
If you go to the restaurant during the cultural program, you need to pay a one-time fee, which varies depending on the location of the table and its view of the stage. The best table costs 4,000 AMD (approx. 9.60), tables on the sides 2,000 AMD (approx. 4.80 EUR), and tables with the worst view 1,000 AMD (approx. 2.40 EUR). The fee is per table, not per person. If you come in a group of four, you divide the amount by four.
Just like in other restaurants, they automatically add a 10% tip to the bill. However, the tip is not calculated from the cultural fee. Is it worth it? In my opinion, definitely! During the performance, you don’t have to sit just at the table; you can stand with a drink right in front of the stage.
More information can be obtained by clicking on the map link:
Tavern Yerevan Khorenatsi
This restaurant is again located on the outskirts of the city. The interior is designed in a classic style, the menu is different, the execution of the dishes is not as perfect as in the Riverside restaurant, but still very good. I tasted a great putuk soup and veal stew khashlama here.
Cultural Program
Live musical performances of classic Armenian folk songs, including singing. Among the instruments, there was also a duduk, a traditional Armenian “flute” made of apricot wood.
Is a reservation necessary?
No, a reservation is probably not necessary. I came on a Wednesday without a reservation and the restaurant was empty except for a few tables, even though the musical performance was about to start. I was seated right in the “front row”.
Fee for the cultural program
None. However, in this restaurant, a 10% tip is also added to the total bill.
More information can be obtained by clicking on the map link:
Tavern Yerevan Amiryan
This restaurant is the only one on the list I haven’t been to. I wanted to try visiting without a reservation, but I was unsuccessful; the restaurant was fully booked. However, if you make a reservation, a significant advantage of this branch is its location right in the center of Yerevan. The atmosphere inside can be very lively.
Cultural Program
Every evening except Sunday, there are live musical performances of classic Armenian folk songs, including singing.
Is a reservation necessary?
Yes, a reservation is absolutely necessary. The restaurant is extremely popular among locals and especially tourists, and you won’t be seated during the evening performance without a reservation.
Fee for the cultural program
None. However, in this restaurant, a 10% tip is also added to the total bill.
More information can be obtained by clicking on the map link:
