Karas Restaurant (Kentron)

Karas sits on Tumanyan Street in Kentron, a straightforward stop for lunch or a casual dinner with a menu that spans Armenian staples and quick bites. The lula kebab section covers pork, chicken, and turkey versions, each 1580֏, served with sides like rice, mashed potato, or spaghetti (750-790֏). Spas, the yogurt-based soup, sits alongside borscht, chicken soup, and solyanka (950-1890֏). Salads range from a namesake Karas salad (2100֏) and Caesar (2210֏) to Greek and Tabbouleh (1000-1680֏). For faster options, there's lahmajo plain or with cheese (480-690֏), khachapuri with meat (840֏), chicken burgers, and a mega hot dog (1260-1580֏). Lunch sets with soup or a hot dish run 1950֏ each. Appetizers include hummus, olives, greens, and a marinated vegetable assortment (1050-1210֏). To drink: Dobri juice, tan, Jermuk mineral water, Coca-Cola, and a lineup of local beers — Alexandrapol, Gyumri, Kilikia, Arart — plus Krombacher (840-1300֏). Combo meals bundle burgers or lula with sides (2200-2560֏). Sauces like barbecue, narsharab, chili, and cheese sauce are priced separately at 210-530֏. With an average check around 4500֏, Karas suits travelers wanting a sampling of Armenian dishes without a long list to parse, as well as anyone after a quick lahmajo or burger between sightseeing stops on Tumanyan.