There are plenty of Armenian restaurants in Riyadh and if you haven’t tried my favorites then you might not know about the authentic taste of Armenian food.
From fluffy Lavash bread to juicy Khorovats fresh off the grill, they have something that will make you say “WOW”.
These spots not only serve good food but also give you a whole experience that will steal the spot on your all time favorite restaurants list.
I have shortlisted five of my favorite Armenian restaurants in Riyadh so you don’t have to drive around. These places are perfect for enjoying authentic food and maybe even snapping a few pics for the gram (because, why not?)
The restaurants we will talk about are:
So let’s not wait and get started!
1. Off White
The first and most cozy Armenian restaurant is off white located at King Abdulaziz Rd, An Nafal. When you walk into this place you will see different kinds of vibes at one place.
It’s cozy, classy, and comfortable.
The restaurant has a huge open layout where you can choose to sit in one of their private booths or choose the classic tables.
Overall the restaurant has a “home away from home” feel but makes it upscale.
O,h and I forgot!
The windows here are huge and bring it a ton of natural light which makes the place perfect for snapping some great images.
The combination of white and brown color scheme makes the whole place look inviting and expensive.
A Menu Packed With Flavorful Surprises
Well, it’s not only the ambiance that will surprise you. The menu is filled with modern and classic Armenian dishes.
Let me tell you about my favorites from the dishes I tried here:
- Feshna Kebab: These are Armenian-style kebabs that are topped with a unique cherry sauce.
- Lafaif Badhenjan: This sweet-tasting dish includes baked eggplant with feta and pomegranate.
- Mix Grill: This is a whole platter that includes lamb, chicken, and kebabs. Perfect for enjoying with friends or family.
- Kibbeh Karaz Off White: My favorite! It includes fried beef kibbeh with their special sauces.
- Dolma: Stuffed vine leaves filled with rice, herbs, and love (obviously).
2. Armin Restaurant
If you are looking for a more upscale Armenian restaurant in Riyadh then this place is calling your name. Armin restaurant is probably the biggest Armenian restaurant in the city.
The interior design is right on point with matching wooden design chairs and tables that give a nice uniform look to the dining area.
The dining area is huge and is perfect for hosting parties, dinners, or corporate meetings with some Armenian food. The hanging lights are elegant enough to make you feel special but cozy enough to keep things chill.
Located in the King Salman Neighborhood, Armin is hard to miss with its big, traditional building that somehow manages to look grand and welcoming at the same time. Bonus? There’s plenty of parking, so no circling around like a hawk for a spot!
Flavors That You Will Love
Let’s talk about their menu now, shall we? The menu is a mashup of classic Armenian dishes and some international flavors. Some dishes that I really loved are:
- Arminin Kebbeah: Traditional Arminian Kebbeah made with authentic spices. This is my favorite one here.
- Cherry Kabab: Yup you heard that right. Kabab with cherry sauce! If you like a bit of tangy flavor then you will love this for sure.
- Manti: Tiny dumplings with their house-made yogurt sauce. I think this is the most delicious appetizer here.
- Milk Cake Baklava: Leave some room for this sweet Baklava. I am sure you will not want to try any other sweets after trying this one.
Other Dishes
Apart from these some of the well-reviewed dishes are:
- Fattoush Salad
- Eggplant Rolls
- Kharouf Mahshi
- Grilled Fish
- Kunafeh
- Om Ali
3. Sastoria
Located on Anas Ibn Malik Rd, the restaurant is hard to miss because of its big building and even harder to leave once you have tried their food.
This place is all about tradition, comfort, and style. Sastoria has a variety of seating options from regular chairs to comfortable sofas (yes, they’re as comfy as they sound) there is no shortage of space here.
The restaurant has a unique grey and brown color theme that makes the whole place feel calm and relaxed.
AND I TOTALLY FORGOT!
They have plants sprinkled all around the place even on the ceilings to give the place a fresh and home-like feel.
At night the place totally transforms its look with those dim lights and dark furniture.
A Menu Packed with Delicious Choices
Now let’s talk about the Armenian food here. Whether you are in the mood for light, grilled, or baked food you will have lots of options to choose from. My favorites are:
- Appetizers: The options are endless but I like to keep it traditional and start my meal with delicious and authentic Hummus. if you want something spicy go for their Pesto Hummus or Beet Mutabbal.
- Mains: The cherry kebab has made their way to this restaurant too and it’s delicious but something I liked even more was their Cheese Kebab and Dibs Romman Kebab. If you have a big group then go for their Sastoria Mix!
- Special Dishes: Don’t miss the juicy Cherry Awsal or the hearty Fakharat Lahmah (baked meat dish).
- Desserts: End on a sweet note with the dramatic Armenian Kunafa On Fire or the creamy Um Ali.
4. Mayrig
Want to enjoy Armenian cuisine with a side of some traditional music?
SAY NO MORE!
Mayrig located at Eastern Ring Road, Riyadh is an Armenian restaurant with branches all over the Middle East.
The restaurant originated from Armenia and their recipes are passed down from many generations. A large circular light fixture in the middle of the dining area steals the attention as soon as you walk in.
The restaurant has floral arrangements and comfortable seating, and it’s the perfect place for casual dining.
If you want to enjoy some fresh air with traditional food then I highly recommend their outdoor dining area.
Head to the outdoor patio, where you’ll find wooden decking, stylish screens, and lots of greenery. Those big Misting fans make warm evenings super comfy, so you can sit back and relax with your meal.
The Menu
Enough about the place and let’s talk about some food now. Any Armenian dish you think of will be on their menu for sure. I have tried most of their menu items and my favorites are:
- Mante: This includes minced meat dumplings in tomato sauce and garlic yogurt. Or opt for the vegetarian Spanakhov Mante, which is made with spinach.
- Kebabs: Their grilled kebab game is right on point. Try the Fishnah Kebab topped with sour cherries or the hearty Ourfa Kebab paired with eggplant.
- Special Dishes: Love lamb? The Cutlets served with baked potatoes and thyme will hit the spot. And if you can’t decide, go for The Grill, which offers a bit of everything.
- Sweet Treats: What’s an Armenian restaurant without some traditional sweets? I really loved their Banirov Maamoul and would recommend it to everyone.
5. Yerivian
Located on Uthman Ibn Affan Rd, and you’ll feel an instant sense of warmth. The décor combines multiple elements to create a beautiful and traditional atmosphere.
It combines wood paneling, decorative screens, and patterned details to give it that feel of sitting in a traditional Armenian restaurant.
The lighting here is kept soft which creates an inviting tone in the dining area. You also get those private booths to have private dinners with your family or loved ones.
To make things more interesting they have a second level (a bit high from the ground) of dining area to create a sense of space and comfort.
The Food
The restaurant has a ton of food options with recipes that are native to ancient Armenian tradition. I loved these dishes the most:
- Salads: For those people who like a simple and healthy meal their salads won’t disappoint you. My favorites are Yerivian Rocca Salad and the unique Special Pineapple Tabbouleh.
- Grilled Section: I cant decide my favorite here because each dish had such a unique and tasty flavor to it. I would highly recommend going for Mixed Grills Yerivian, Shish Tawook Chicken, Lamb Ribs, and the Kibbeh Bel Laban With Rice.
- Hot Appetizers: Perfect for those cold weather days in Riyadh. I will recommend going for Kibbeh Armenia Yerivian or the Yerivian Cheese Rolls.
