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Lamb & other Armenian specialties are served at this lantern-lit stalwart near the Magnificent Mile.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 157 E Ohio St, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: (312) 644-9159
Website: https://www.sayatnovachicago.com/
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Sayat Nova Chicago
Story. An intimate, casual neighborhood restaurant in the heart of Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. Serving authentic Middle Eastern cuisine since 1970. L E A R N …
Sayat Nova Restaurant | Chicago IL – Facebook
Sayat Nova Restaurant, Chicago. 1799 likes · 1 talking about this · 8244 were here. Authentic Armenian Restaurant & Middle Eastern Eatery.
Sayat Nova (@sayatnovachicago) · Chicago, IL – Instagram
806 followers · 83 posts · Cozy, family-run spot serving authentic Armenian cuisine for over 5 decades in Downtown Chicago. HOURS: WED-SUN: 4-9PM Closed MON …
Reviews
Julie Garcia
Absolutely LOVE this restaurant!!! Every time I visit Chicago, this is on my list! Food is delicious and not overpriced. The lamajun is AMAZING as well as the chicken, rice, and hummus. Staff is helpful and friendly. The environment is cozy, inviting, and dimly lit which adds to the atmosphere. Located off Michigan Ave, it’s in the perfection spot and is truly a hidden gem!
… moreNeveen Murib
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.
… moreGreta Chalkadryan
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!
… moreThe 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!
Sergei Khachatrian
This place has amazing Armenian food. The workers are very nice. But I really can’t understand music taste. I was expecting actual Sayatnova or real old Armenian fashioned music, the Armenian pop-rap or the tatul style really is neither the best way to represent Armenia’s music culture nor the best Armenian music to enjoy such a delicious Armenian food under. I really hope to feel a different atmosphere next time I come, because the food is truly amazing and the service is beyond kind and caring.
… moreGev
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.
… moreWhat 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.
Elizabeth A.
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!
… moreGrace Zhanel
Started with the appetizer sampler: hummus, baba ganoush, and a banana-leaf-wrapped lamb kofta that felt like opening a mysterious edible present. The hummus was fine, the baba ganoush needed way more smokiness, and the kofta carried the team like a seasoned MVP.
For mains, we got the shish kebab and the combo of beef and chicken kebabs. There was some beef-lamb action too. All the meat was juicy, flavorful, and arrived looking ready for its close-up.
The vibes? Pure magic. Think underground grotto meets Mediterranean chandelier dream.
Would return with friends or a date with my husband again!
… moreFor mains, we got the shish kebab and the combo of beef and chicken kebabs. There was some beef-lamb action too. All the meat was juicy, flavorful, and arrived looking ready for its close-up.
The vibes? Pure magic. Think underground grotto meets Mediterranean chandelier dream.
Would return with friends or a date with my husband again!
Reginice
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.
… moreThe 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.
Isabel Cournoyer
The best meal we had all weekend! My sister and I walked past this place several times on our way to and from our hotel around the corner. The aroma of the food is what caught us first. Definitely a hole in the wall, as you wouldn’t notice it since Ed’s is right next door. A bit more pricey, but so worth it!! We had never had Armenian food. The flavor of the food was heavenly, and each bite was perfect.
We tried the chicken and the shrimp plates and split them. Will definitely be coming back to try more!!
… moreWe tried the chicken and the shrimp plates and split them. Will definitely be coming back to try more!!
Chelsea Woodmansee
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!
… moreTo 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!