Vegetarian Armenian Food: 18 Things to Eat (plus drinks!)
I was convinced that vegetarian Armenian food was going to be hard to come by. All the Armenian food I had read about was meat-heavy: meat stews, meat skewers, meat dumplings. But, we actually found that there were several traditional options that did not include meat. Yes, the veggie options didn’t seem to be as common in restaurants, but it’s not impossible, and, they’re pretty good. Not all of these dishes strictly originated in Armenia, they feature heavily in their modern cuisine.
If you are in or around Yerevan, you will have no issues eating vegetarian. Read our guide about all our top spots. If you are elsewhere in Armenia, it’s definitely tricker, but this guide will show you some of the things to look out for if you want to try some good vegetarian food in Armenia.
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Savoury Foods in Armenia
1. Loligov Dzvadzekh
THE ultimate tomato and herb scrambled egg dish (yep, Turkish menemen just pales in comparison). Loligov Dzvadzekh is rich and tasty and fresh, and the eggs are cooked to a pretty wet consistency. Mop it all up with some chewy lavash bread, and you have the perfect breakfast.
2. Lavash
The classic Armenian flat bread is traditionally made in huge ovens similar to tandoors. You’ll find them in Armenia being sold in huge sheets. Again, Yerevan’s GUM market is a great place to pick these up.
3. Cheeses
Armenia does tasty, punchy, and unique cheeses. The best way to try them and see what you like, is actually to head to GUM market in Yerevan. You’ll find hairy textured cheese that are worryingly green, a really rubbery and chewy cheese that is plaited into braids, in amongst many many others. My personal favourite is a block cheese from Yeghegnadzor.
4. Zhingyalov Hats
Zhingyalov hats is a traditional flatbread stuffed with herbs and leafy greens. Also vegan, this makes for the perfect snack or accompaniment to a main part of a meal.
5. Ghapama
This is often a celebratory dish cooked around Christmas. It consists of a whole pumpkin being stuffed with cooked rice, dried fruit, nuts and spices, which is then baked until the pumpkin softens. It’s a great sharing dish, but you may have to pre-order it depending on where you go. Our favourite is from Lavash restaurant in Yerevan!
6. Falafel
Ok, so while we were in Yerevan, we actually realised that falafel wraps/sandwiches are everywhere! We decided to make it our mission to try as many as we possibly could, and I think we did a pretty good job. Take a look in our Yerevan vegetarian food guide to see the best!
7. Hummus
Hummus in Yerevan restaurants has to be some of the best we have tried; right up there with that you will find in Amman, Jordan! Thick and creamy and rich, drizzled with tasty olive oil and dusted with cumin.
8. Muhammara
A decadent dip/spread that you’ll find across the Middle East, too. Made from blitzing walnuts, red peppers and pomegranate molasses, this is filling and nourishing, and is best served with some light and puffy sesame bread.
9. Panrkash
So, when I made my notes about this dish, I literally wrote, ‘hairy cheese cooked with lavash and topped with caramelised onion’. And if that doesn’t get your mouth watering, I don’t know what will! But in all honesty, that is exactly what it is, and it’s actually really good. It’s savoury and sweet and stodgy and warming. And if you fancy trying some ‘hairy cheese’ before you go for a ‘hairy cheese meal’, head to the cheese counters at GUM market in Yerevan. You will know exactly which cheese I’m talking about when you see it. You’re most likely to find this dish in Gyumri in the north east of Armenia.
10. Tatar Boraki
This is a dish that we tried in the north of Armenia in Gyumri, which is close to the borders with Turkey and Georgia. And in all three areas of these countries close to the borders we have found similar dishes. Crane khinkali in Georgia, hangel in Turkey, tata boraki here in Armenia.
Tatar boraki is a thin pasta cut into square sheets, and is topped with matzoon (sour yoghurt) and plenty of garlic.
11. Vana Kalagosh
Another dish that we found in Gyumri in the north east of Armenia, it is warming and hearty and stodgy. Squares of lavash are topped with lentils, onions, ghee, spices, matzoon.
12. Aveluk
Aveluk is a local mountain sorrel and you’ll find it in different dishes – salads as well as cooked dishes.
Sweet Foods in Armenia
13. Gata
Gata is a pastry or cake/bread which has varying recipes throughout the country. Most commonly, there is a sweet filling made from flour sugar and butter. In coffee shops you might find it is baked as individual gata where the pastry is tied in a knot. But in more traditional bakeries, you’ll find it baked as in a large round with decoration on the top.
14. Apricot-Flavoured Everything
Apricots are the national fruit and some even say that the orange stripe in the Armenian flag represents them. You’ll find apricot beer, brandy, jams, sweets, kompot.
15. Pomegranate
Pomegranates along with apricots are serious business in Armenia. You’ll find everything flavoured with pomegranate, and the fresh ones are super tasty too.
16. Pakhlava
Layers of phyllo pastry are filled with nuts and spiced syrup.
17. Matzoon
A rich and creamy sour yoghurt that can be served with both sweet and savoury.
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18. Syrniki
Not necessarily Armenian, but common throughout Russia and ex-Soviet states. Syrniki are thick pancakes made with a soft curd cheese in the batter. In true Armenian style, these are best served with proper thick and chunky apricot jam.
Drinks in Armenia
Wine
Did you know that the world’s oldest winery is located right here in Armenia? Archaeologists date it back 6100 years! So Armenia really knows wine. Try the classic red, white, and rose, but also other fruity favourites such as pomegranate, blackberry, and quince.
Brandy (Cognac)
Armenia is famous for its brandy. There are two major Armenian companies making brandy who fight for top brandy spot in the country – Ararat, and Noy. You can even go for tours and tastings in the factories in Yerevan.
Beer
Our favourite beers in Armenia that you should definitely try are Dargett craft beer, Kilikia, Ararat, Gyumri, and Alexandropol.
Kompot
A drink common throughout the ex-Soviet republics, kompot is made by boiling whole fruit in water. The resulting drink reminds me of the syrup you get from tinned fruit.
Armenian Coffee
Armenian coffee is dark and rich and you’ll only need a small amount to get you going for the day.
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