Cuisine · Khorovats (Armenian BBQ)

Khorovats (Armenian BBQ) in Yerevan and Beyond

Coal-grilled pork, lamb kebabs, and whole grilled tomatoes — Armenia's backyard staple turned restaurant category

Skip the scroll? Ask by voice

Khorovats is Armenia's open-fire grilling tradition, centered on cubed pork shoulder and lamb kebabs cooked over vine wood or charcoal. Unlike kebab cultures in neighboring countries, khorovats runs sweet and smoky rather than spiced, often finished with a sprinkle of sumac and served with lavash, grilled tomatoes, and pickled cabbage. Yerevan has 30 dedicated venues, split between casual neighborhood grills (4,000 dram average) and upscale mangalnyy spots (7,500 dram). Saryana and Kentron concentrate the higher-end addresses, while Malatia and Davtashen host walk-in BBQ joints where locals order by the kilo.

3
venues
2
rating 4.5+
12
Yerevan districts
3.0K ֏
from avg check

FAQ — Khorovats (Armenian BBQ) in Yerevan

What's the difference between khorovats and kebab?
Khorovats is Armenia's name for open-fire grilling, typically pork shoulder or lamb cubes marinated overnight with onion, salt, and sometimes pomegranate juice. Kebab in Armenian menus usually refers to minced lamb or beef shaped around skewers (lula). Both are grilled over charcoal, but khorovats uses larger meat cubes and minimal spice compared to neighboring kebab traditions.
How much does a khorovats meal cost in Yerevan?
Neighborhood grills charge 4,000-5,500 dram for a mixed grill plate with lavash and pickles. Mid-range spots like Kraki Mot or Goris Mangal average 5,500 dram for two skewers, grilled vegetables, and bread. Upscale venues (CEO3, Black Angus) run 7,500 dram and up, with dry-aged cuts and tableside service.
Which neighborhoods have the most khorovats restaurants?
Kentron and Saryana host the sit-down, reservation-worthy spots (CEO3, Black Angus, Smoky). Malatia and Davtashen have faster-turnover grills where locals pick up weekend orders. Republic Square and Cascade areas offer a few tourist-accessible options, though locals tend to drive to suburban venues for weekend family meals.
What should I order at a khorovats restaurant?
Start with pork khorovats (խոզի խորոված) — shoulder cubes are the standard. Add lamb ribs (գառի կողեր) if available. Grilled tomatoes and peppers come on the same skewer. Lavash is free or nominal. Skip the rice; bread and pickled vegetables (մածուն, turshi) are the traditional sides. Many places sell by weight, so specify skewer count or grams.
Do I need a reservation for khorovats restaurants?
Weeknight walk-ins work at most neighborhood grills. Friday and Saturday evenings fill up at popular spots like Kraki Mot and Goris Mangal — reserve or arrive before 7 PM. Suburban and resort-area venues (Dilijan, Tsaghkadzor, Garni) handle weekend traffic but call ahead in summer. Solo diners can usually grab a table midweek without booking.

Find your place by voice.

Say "khorovats (armenian bbq) in Kentron under 8000 dram" — get 3–5 picks in 5 seconds.

RU · EN · HY · WEB SPEECH API

One hidden
spot a week.