Sayat Nova Armenian Restaurant

Name: Sayat Nova Armenian Restaurant
Address: 157 E Ohio St, Chicago, IL 60611, Chicago, IL, 60611.0, US
Telephone: +1 312-644-9159

Recommended

Middle Eastern

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About

Sayat Nova Armenian Restaurant — dependable middle eastern in Streeterville. The atmosphere does most of the heavy lifting. Nothing here has been watered down. "From the fresh lavash to the perfectly seasoned kebabs and savory appetizers" — Greta Chalkadryan

Experience Breakdown

🍴Food

5.0

👥Service

5.0

✨Ambiance

5.0

💬Sentiment

4.8

Reginice

261 reviews

Highlights

RomanticCozyOld SchoolFamily FriendlyGreat For GroupsHidden GemDate NightTakeout StrongNeighborhood InstitutionFamily Run

What Diners Are Saying

Diners loved

Cozy, intimate spaceAuthentic flavorsWarm, welcoming staffGreat for date nightKnowledgeable staff

Some noted

Hummus had a strong bitter taste and tasted different between two different orders of it at our table.

Location

157 E Ohio St, Chicago, IL 60611

What 40+ diners say about Sayat Nova Armenian Restaurant

“This place is a must!!!”

This place is a must!!!! It was my first time trying Armenian food and it was so delicious. Everything was excellent. The service was attentive, the food was all fresh and tasted homemade and I loved the ambience and decoration inside the restaurant. We had appetizers, dinner, and stayed for tea and dessert! When I’m back in Chicago, I will definitely be back and have a meal here.

Neveen Murib

Oct 2025

“I had an incredible experience at Sayat Nova.”

I had an incredible experience at Sayat Nova. The food was absolutely authentic and bursting with flavor — every dish tasted homemade and full of love. From the fresh lavash to the perfectly seasoned kebabs and savory appetizers, everything was delicious and beautifully presented. The service was outstanding — warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. You can tell they take pride in sharing real Armenian hospitality and cuisine. If you’re craving authentic Armenian food or simply want a cozy spot with amazing flavors and great vibes, this place is a must-visit. Highly recommend!

Greta Chalkadryan

Oct 2025

“Coming from Armenia, it’s such a joy to find a place like Sayat Nova that instantly feels like home.”

Coming from Armenia, it’s such a joy to find a place like Sayat Nova that instantly feels like home. The food is authentic and full of soul. Every dish reminds of family gatherings and traditional Armenian hospitality. What made the experience even more special is the warmth of the ambiance and staff. Highly recommended for anyone looking for genuine Armenian cuisine, warm service, and a comforting, familiar atmosphere.

Gev

Jul 2025

“We found this delightful little place right next door to Ed Debevnic’s.”

We found this delightful little place right next door to Ed Debevnic’s. It was cozy and dimly lit, a perfect place for a romantic dinner with the one you love. I can’t praise the food highly enough - we had the mezze sampler (sarma, hummus, and jejic) followed by entrees of kufta (the meatballs in yogurt sauce) and lamb with vegetables that convinced me I must be enjoying a family’s long loved favorite recipes. Everything was perfectly seasoned and prepared. We especially loved the stuffed eggplant (hot mezze) and the sarma. Thanks for a wonderful meal and experience!

Elizabeth A.

Apr 2025

“Wow! This was my first Armenian restaurant experience and was great. I enjoyed each of the dishes...”

Wow! This was my first Armenian restaurant experience and was great. I enjoyed each of the dishes we had. The hummus had a thinner consistency than I’m used to with other versions, and I enjoyed the consistency the most. The baba gannouj was the best I’ve had in flavor and consistency. The Yalanchi Sarma (stuffed grape leaves) was a new grape leaves experience for me. These weren’t the same as other cultural grape leaves I’ve had. These were a sweeter, more dense, and crunchy version and they were delicious! The red cabbage was a delicious condiment that was yummy with other items or eaten alone. The falafel were some of the best that I’ve had by texture and flavor. The Plaki was pretty basic; lacked a bit of flavor, but a bit of salt and pepper fixed that. The lentil soup was very warm, tasty, and comforting. I had pomegranate wine for the first time and it was great! The food is so delicious! For the ambience, the restaurant is very intimate. Suitable for small family gatherings or date nights. They have the cutest spherical cubby areas which provide intimate, semi-private dining experiences. This was a wonderful experience and I’m excited to return one day.

Reginice

Dec 2024

“I am Armenian and wanted to treat myself for my birthday and I am sad I waited so long to go.”

I am Armenian and wanted to treat myself for my birthday and I am sad I waited so long to go! Once you walk in you feel transported. It’s nice and dark, there is great authentic music playing (albeit a tad loud for our taste, hence 4/5 stars on ambience), and the staff is very professional. we were led to a very cozy and private corner booth and were immediately feeling like VIPs in a saucy little food cave. To start we had an Armeni-Teni which was a little sweet for my taste but I’m not a sweets person so take that with a grain. We also had a Sazerac and it was pure poetry. We ended up ordering it again for our nightcap. Food-wise my husband let me do all the ordering because I am familiar with the offerings. We shared all of the following: Lamajoun which is a flatbread with ground beef and peppers. Listen, I’m always going to say that my mom makes everything better, but this was pretty good. Mezza Sampler: We chose the Labneh, Tourshee, and Yalanchi Sarma. Not a single bad choice has been made so far. Next we received the Raw Kibbee and our server offered us regular or spicy. We chose spicy but we didn’t feel the heat when eating it. It was delicious just not spicy! It was a very large portion, way too much for two people. Generous is an understatement! Then we moved on to the Lamb Chops. There are so few times I’ll remember exactly where I was and who I was with and what I was doing with my life at certain ages and times. I hardly remember the 2010s. I will never forget the first bite of this lamb chop I had on Sunday November 17, 2024. Superior. Transcendent. Excellent. The rice pilaf that accompanied it was also a beautiful experience. Fluffy, moist (I knowww the worst word ever but get over it) and spot on. We ate this dish slowly and thoughtfully. It was divine. We did not order dessert but there was no need, one came to us courtesy of the staff. Knafi, which I almost cried tears of joy when it came to the table because my great grandma, my grandma, and my mom all made this during my lifetime. They lit a gold candle and sang happy birthday to me which was just so sweet and above and beyond. And it was scrumptious, we damn near licked the plate. It looks like a big pile of baked shredded wheat and it is filled with custard. Such a unique dessert. I also really appreciated the design of the hand woven fabric on the booths. I grew up with very similar designs on household furniture growing up, and I inherited some cool historic pieces from my family that bear the same designs. I texted my mom a picture and it warmed both of our hearts. So grateful to have found Sayat Nova!!! A favorite on my restaurant list from now on!

Chelsea Woodmansee

Nov 2024

“Sayat Nova Armenian Restaurant - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Sayat Nova is a hidden gem in Chicago, a place that feels...”

Sayat Nova Armenian Restaurant - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Sayat Nova is a hidden gem in Chicago, a place that feels like stepping into a piece of Armenia itself. The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming, with warm lighting and traditional decor that immediately wraps you in a feeling of home. The food is an absolute experience—layered with spices and flavors that transport you across the world. One standout detail is the hot sauce, a fiery red concoction that’s unlike anything else. It has a deep, earthy heat that builds slowly, mingling with notes of smoky paprika and a subtle sweetness that lingers just long enough to leave you wanting more. It’s the kind of heat that warms rather than burns, a perfect complement to their rich, flavorful dishes. From the kebabs to the dolma, every bite is packed with authentic flavors and crafted with clear attention to detail. Sayat Nova isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a journey, a small escape into Armenian cuisine, where each dish tells a story of tradition and taste. A must-visit for anyone looking for something truly special in the heart of Chicago.