Sayat's Nova food is delicious. I've been here multiple times, and it always seems busy--which is usually a great sign. The flavors are authentic, and everything I've tried has been really enjoyable. Chani, the bartender, is also fantastic. She consistently makes amazing cocktails and adds to the overall great experience. If you're in the area, you definitely have to stop by and try the Armenian food here. It's well worth the visit. The ambiance and music are very low-key, making it a great place to relax and actually have a conversation while enjoying your meal. read more

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Lots of opportunity for potential at Sayat Nova. I loved the aesthetic and was placed in a semi circular table that felt very intimate with my boyfriend. When we asked our server for recommendations, she didn't provide any which was disappointing. Overall service was frustrating. We weren't checked in on throughout the meal, food came out at random times, and it took a long time to get our check. The food was good - I ordered the beef kebab and ate all of it. I think adding some veggies and cutting down on the rice would bring a more balanced meal. read more

Was not expecting this one! I don't eat red meat, so order recs may be skewed, but everything we got was so good, I'd get it all again. I think the spinach bourek was overpriced for only getting one, but it was unlike any other boureks I've had that you should still try it. Our waiter was lovely and attentive, I enjoyed the background music, and the small booths were intimate. Items: shrimp kebab flavor was great, sauteed chicken (spicy) and rice pilaf were so good, and I'm glad we decided to get the knafi to finish off. It's not cheap or anything but thoroughly enjoyed and a great option to have in Streeterville! read more

Sayat Nova - Knafi - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Delicious food. Simple and tasty. Best falafel and tahina sauce. Humus rocked. Lovely atmosphere and service.

This was one of our stops during our staycation. As The Doctor is Armenian, we decided to stop here for dinner. The front of the restaurant isn't much to look at, but once you step inside, the decor is beautiful. There are tables throughout, but I love the cave-like booths on the side, so cool. The bar consisted of this interesting mosaic tile that caught the light and twinkled. We started off with drinks: The Doctor got an Armenian Pilsner beer called Almaza and I had a sparkling rose wine called Winter Village Sparkling, also from Armenia. Both were very good. The beer was actually nice and I am not a beer drinker. It wasn't too hoppy and was refreshing and light. The sparkling wine was very nice, with hints of berry. For starters we got the Yalanchi Sarma (three stuffed grape leaves, rice, white raisins, almonds, tomatoes, olive oil, lemon), Lamajoun (flatbread with ground beef, onions, peppers, spices) and Jajic (cucumbers, garlic yogurt, mint). All three of these dishes were tasty and flavorable. I am a big fan of the Lamajoun, which I always refer to as lamb pizza. I love the explosion of flavors on that thin bread. Not sure if I would call it a flatbread because it is so thin, but it is very good. The grape leaves were nice as well. Although the menu didn't mention it, I could have sworn that there was some lamb in there, so good. The Jajic was good as well. I love putting that over rice. For dinner I had the Sautéed Lamb (bite-sized pieces, peppers, onions, tomatoes, rice pilaf). This was good, but I was wowed. Most likely it was due to the fact that it was not quite hot, just lukewarm. The Doctor simply got Shish Kebab meat as that was all he wanted. The meat was prepared nicely and it was hot when served. I had a piece and it was very good. We didn't do dessert as we were full. While we had a good meal and The Doctor was happy with his selections, I have to say I was a little underwhelmed. Maybe the dish I got was not one of their best or maybe it would have been better if it had been warmer, who knows. But it will be a while before I return unless The Doctor wants to go read more

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Cute tucked into side street right off Michigan ave. Attentive service , loved the Burek and meatball would recommend the mezze to share .

I discovered this amazing little jewel of a restaurant just walking by. I couldn't find the entrance at first and accidentally popped in to the bar upstairs. But second try was Sayat Nova! The space is cozy and inviting, lots of wonderful lighting, alcoves for intimate seating and long tables for family style. The bartender greeted me warmly and I moseyed up to the bar since I was dining solo. So many enticing items on the menu and everything comes with delicious free warm pita. I ordered a side of silky rich hummus ($5). The Spinach Boereg ($6 for 1) had buttery flaky philo pastry filled with spinach and cheese. Lamb Sarma ($10) came with 3 stuffed grape leaves and wonderfully spiced filling. It was the perfect amount of food, I did have to pack up some of the pita and hummus to go. At the suggestion of the bartender, I ordered a dessert called Knafi ($8) also to go. It was a custardy cheese filling encased in crispy fried shredded philo. The great thing was it wasn't too sweet. It came with a side of clear syrup but definitely didn't need it. Lots of regulars came in for a drink and dinner at the bar. Couples and friends were starting to fill up the cozy nook seating. Very friendly service from the bartender and all the staff. If I lived close this would be a wonderful place to be a regular. read more

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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. read more

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Amazing People, Amazing Food If your in Chicago, go check them out You won't regret it read more

Custard perfection like you've never experienced before. That would be the Knafi. Warm custard bondage in angel hair philo dough. Start and end your meal with this. As for the food - they were OK. The meza sampler for $18 is not bad. We got the hummus, Armenian spinach, and labneh. I like the spinach earthy taste - a little "gamy". The hummus was good. For mains we had the Armenian combo. It was fine, not great but fine. Don't forget the Knafi again. Service was excellent! read more

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Good Armenian food spot in the riverwalk Chicago area , the lamb kebab was so perfectly juicy, I ordered it medium and got labneh instead of rice to keep it light, it was pretty good overall , they also gave me pita bread but it was not toasted/hot. This was a to go order so not sure about ambiance but service was decent. The price was pretty high for what I got but would recommend their lamb overall and hoping to try some other dishes soon. read more

DELICIOUS Armenian food. Stopped in as a solo diner at 5pm on a Saturday. I had a reservation but it wasn't very busy at that time so walk-in would have been totally fine. The Lulla Kebab (I got the 2 piece meat only) might have been the best kebab I've ever had. So juicy and bursting with flavor, with a slight char crisp on the outside. Also got the Raw Kibbee appetizer, which can be "regular" or "spicy". I got spicy and it did have a little kick! This is a raw meat dish, but it didn't have the same mouth feel as like a raw steak tartare. I think maybe due to the spices. This dish is heavily spiced/herbed and absolutely delicious drizzled in olive oil. They also gave me a complimentary basket of pita bread which was nice to eat with the Kibbee. Only thing about this dish was that it was way too much for just me, especially with how intensely flavored it was. A side of Jajic provided a nice contrast to the Kibbee. This was creamy and cooling with the mint yogurt sauce, with nice crunchy and lightly garlicky cucumbers. Finally a side of Spinach Boereg was fun as well! The pastry is so light, airy, flaky. With a hot melty spinach filling. Washed it all down with an Armenian beer that was crisp, refreshing, with a slightly sweet finish. Served cold with a chilled glass. Everything was phenomenal and I'm glad I found this place! Ambiance inside was very cool and unique as well. Dimly light with colored walls and Armenian (I think?) music, beautiful fabric benches. I kind of felt like I was in an underground cave on the main floor. Looks like they did have a lower area level as well, though it was empty when I was there. read more

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Amazing dining experience. It's not a big restaurant but the food has been fabulous for over 30 years - very consistently scrumptious ! Literally everything ordered tasted great and the service was 5 stars too. The Armenian food is so delicious and the tea is classical... Real tea leaves in a pot. It was a great experience all around. read more

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Nestled in Streeterville is this family-owned Armenian restaurant. Very busy with two large parties this evening, hard it was to get our server's attention. Time passed, having to use our phone lights to navigate through this foreign-to-us menu ourselves. Luckily our table was pleased with what we ordered. Mediterranean tastes from their "Armenian Combo"; tasty "Sautéed Shrimp"; enjoyable shredded philo "Knafi". Personally, I wouldn't mind coming back when in area next. The price is great, food is good, and, I'll be wiser to include a lamb dish then. Cheers! read more

Sayat Nova - Armenian Combo: Sarma, Boereg, Kufta, Eggplant! (07/20/23) - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Dropped in randomly. Got takeout Great food! Get the sarma and pita bread. Also got a dessert.

I ordered takeout from this restaurant and randomly came upon it as I was walking home. They told us some of the meat options are Halal (would definitely ask to clarify which items) and it was delicious. The meat had the right amount of tenderness and flavor! Their takeout service was great! I had walked over in high heels and they let my husband and I sit down and kindly served us water as we waited for our takeout order. The vibe was nice too and some day I'd love to sit down and eat there! read more

Sayat Nova - Indoor restaurant vibe - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Stopped in here on a whim and because they could seat our party of six on a Friday night without a reservation. The place is cozy and the host and wait staff were very welcoming and friendly. The food was incredible. At the table we got the kebab platter, chicken sauté, shrimp kebab, hummus, the mezza platter, and the cabbage appetizer. All the foods were excellent but my favorite was the chicken sauté, and I am not really a chicken person. It was amazing. For drinks we had the Armeni-Tini and Erebuni beer. By far one of the best means I have had in Chicago and will be back when we visit again. Bravo Sayat Nova. read more

Super cute place. Very authentic looking. Nice larger curved booths make for a cozy spot. They have some large central tables to accommodate larger groups as well. The stuffed eggplant was my favorite! read more

This was by far one of the best Armenian restaurants we have ever been too. The food and service were amazing! We enjoyed every bite, and cannot wait to visit again. The lamb-beef kabobs, and lahmacun were on point! read more

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After walking past this place several times I finally decided to try it this week. Sayat Nova checked all the boxes and I'm absolutely certain I'll be back. The inside is dimly lit and cozy making it a great spot for a date. They have booths against the wall that are in little alcoves offering privacy and a unique set up. We split a mezza platter and had a few kebabs. The hummus and lebnah were tasty and the pita came out piping hot. The pita wasn't anything special or seemingly homemade but it did the job as a vehicle for the spreads. Both the chicken and steak kebabs were cooked well and delicious. Taking away one star because as the restaurant got crowded the service became sparse. We had to flag down our waiter multiple times for water refills and waited a while for our check. He was running around so much it was difficult to get his attention even. read more

Great ambiance and food! Really enjoyed our dinner. Ordered cabob and Armenian sampler. Service was very quick too read more

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Food is good, Service is good, The ambiance is somewhat dark for my preference. The dishes were good sized and quite filling. Dessert I thought was the best. Kanifi desert filled with custard was spectacular!! (see photo) the dessert had a crisp outer shell lightly deep fried while the inside custard was warm. Would come again- give it a try if in the area and want a descent place to escape and enjoy! read more

Sayat Nova - Kanifi dessert - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Do not miss this gem!!! I've lived in this neighborhood over a decade and walked by this place daily and always wondered about it, about a year ago my cousin and I decided to try it and we were blown away with how delicious everything was. Two months ago, my boyfriend and I went and we used a gift card and there was an issue with the payment. We didn't realize until after that we were overcharged, by no fall of this business. I called them once I realize the mistake and they were happy that I called as they did realize this mistake but there was no way of contacting us since it was a gift card. It's been about six weeks since that happened and we decided to go back in for dinner last night as they had offered to put it towards our next meal and just as always the food was incredible, the ambience is really nice in there as well. They have great staff and unique drinks and dishes. I really appreciate how they handled this with care and can't wait to continue to go back. read more

First time trying Armenian food. The lamajoun and the Armenian platter with some Armenian specialties like stuffed eggplant and kufta was delicious. read more

Sayat Nova - Lamajoun and Armenian platter - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Absolutely delicious! I tried the Armenian combo and it did not disappoint! The ambience is awesome with lights all around and the staff is fabulous ! When visiting Chicago I will be back! 10/10! read more

Finally got here - nice decor, Armenian music over the speakers, great service and great food. Had the shawarma, jajic, and cheese borek with Almaza Pilsner - perfect! Thank you for keeping Armenian culture alive - I don't think one patron was Armenian - great job teaching others about our amazing food! Bravo! read more

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After being closed for SOOOOO long, Sayat Nova is finally back and better than ever! Unfortunately, like so many, I chose takeout (sorry, Sayat Nova) due to the pandemic issues. So I ordered Sarma (stuffed grape leaves with lamb), Red Lentil Soup (incredibly addicting), and sauteed chicken with rice pilaf, and it came with warm pita bread. Everything was outstanding, just as it always was in the past. Hugely generous portions and so flavorful!! And for anyone with allergies, they are allergy-friendly for sure! I appreciate that. Mine are particularly tough to deal with as sesame and nuts are part of my "unable to consume" items. Yep, that means no tahini. I have never had a problem eating any of the food here. Sooooooooo good. So glad they are in my neighborhood and have reopened!! I would give them 10 stars if I could. WELCOME BACK, SAYAT NOVA!!! You've been so missed! read more

Excellent service, excellent food, but be prepared. It is a little dark, but that sets the mood if you're looking for something Romantic read more

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I absolutely loved my dinner at Sayat Nova. The previous night I went to dinner at a Michelin rated restaurant but Sayat Nova blew it away. The lamb kabob was succulent and delicious. The Armenian red wine was full bodied and paired well. The mahalabia dessert was cool, creamy, and flavorful perfumed with warm spices. The Armenian coffee was the perfect end of the meal. It had some spice in the background I could not place but it made it extra special. I should also mention the atmosphere was lovely. I felt like I had been transported to some far away land. I highly recommend you check it out if in the Chicago area. read more

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Came in for a weeknight dinner and we were seated immediately. The ambience is really unique both in the design as well as the music/lighting. The menu is straightforward in terms of the number of dishes being offered. The sampler platter is a nice way to try specialty dishes that you may have never had before without committing to an entire plate of them individually! Overall the food and desserts were good and the prices were very reasonable. Knocking one star because of the drink we had, which was a slightly off putting flavor. Otherwise highly recommend! read more

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Amazing hidden gem in streeterville!! I stumbled upon this place to dine solo and it was AMAZING. Perfect spot to dine alone. Very cute, Armenian vibe with dim lighting. Service was amazing - Food came out within 5 minutes. the mezza sampler was great for trying a few things. My favorites were the sarma and labneh. All so flavorful and fresh tasting. Will be back! read more

Sayat Nova - Mezze sampler with Sarma, Labneh, and Baba Gannouj - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Walking around near our hotel, I noticed an Armenian restaurant. It was late at night and they were closing. So we decided to come for lunch on Friday. As a proud Armenian, I always try to support Armenian establishments whenever I run across one around the planet. We walked in and there were no Armenians anywhere (Patrons and/or staff). Looking at the menu, it looked more like a Persian restaurant menu than Armenian. Words like Kibbee aren't Armenian at ALL! But I decided to order few things just to tie us over till our next meal. The waiter came by to get our drink order. I asked for an Armenian staple which is Tahn (yogurt drink). He told me that they don't serve Tahn. This was the beginning of several disappointments. We ordered... Raw Kibbee Spinach boeregs Vegetarian eggplant Raw Kibbee (kufta) is something I make regularly. This was the oddest version ever! There was raw ground beef with bulgur mixed and pasted on the oval plate. There was red onion and parsley chopped on the ends with sliced tomatoes over it. It was disappointing. I had to remove the tomatoes. Mix it and add salt and pepper to it and drizzle it with olive oil. The Spinach boereg looked right till the cheese was dripping out of it. Clearly, they used the wrong type of cheese. Vegetarian eggplant was the absolute worst! That thick cut eggplant seemed to have been cooked days ago with similarly old sautéed onions with bell peppers. I am disappointed by the food. What upsets me even more is that someone who's never eaten real Armenian food will eat this and have a bad impression of one of the best cuisines of the world. The only thing I'm glad about is that I didn't order more things to be disappointed by. read more

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Excellent food. Very family friendly environment. Armenian cuisine is very unique and delicious. Service impeccable. Will definitely be back. read more

Lovely ambiance and delicious meals- this was one of my favorite dining experiences in Chicago! Cozy seating nooks with beautiful lighting. Great drink menu and lots to explore with the menu. I've never had Armenian food and wasn't sure what to expect. We tried the combination platter to get a little of everything. Mouthwatering! Can't wait to return! read more

Sayat Nova - Amenian Combo - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Excellent food and good serving. The KEBAB COMBO was excellent and so was the Mezza Sampler. We were visiting from Los Angeles and will definitely come back again when we in Chicago next time. read more

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Middle Eastern style (Armenian) salads here are super. Spinach and onions was also terrific. Grape leaves were fresh and flavorful Excellent service and a long history (been coming here since 1983). Bar and happy hour. read more

Sayat Nova - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Walked past here at lunchtime and stopped in . Only myself and one other time during lunch time Great service , restaurant is super clean and quiet . Several vegetarian and vegan options : burek,lentil soup , hummus, pita and so much more . There are several lunch specials or you can order a la carte. Don't forget to get the mint tea read more

The food was excellent. The lamb/shrimp kabob entree with lentil soup was wonderful. The lamb was tender, juicy, and very flavorful. The shrimp kabob was a nice surprise. The service was a tad slow, but overall this Armenian restaurant was quite good and leaves you full and satisfied. Also a good option is to share entrees since they are quite large and filling, but nothing wrong with leftovers right? They've been in Chicago for 55 years, and the recipes have made their way here from the diaspora. A great downtown option. read more

I had a great experience at Sayat Nova. I appreciate their menu not bending to fatty, oily, dull American palettes. I ate here with two girlfriends; we were in the mood for Mediterranean food and we know we can't get it in the city we're from. Chicago didn't disappoint! We started with the mezza sampler: Armenian spinach, yalanchi sarma and hommos. Nice starters; all delicious, all chilled. Nothing was overpowering over anything else, so I think we chose 3 complimentary dishes. I ordered the red lentil soup as well, and I'm really glad I did. Kinda hard for me to describe, but if I had to choose a word it'd be "pure." It was such a small bowl of kapow. The lentils, the carrot, the onions. A perfect meld of flavors and textures. For dinner, I got the trout with fine herbs. This was an interesting dish. The fish looked delicious, but I found it a tad bland which was surprising as it had tons of herbs on it (mainly parsley). Squizzing the lemon on it and eating it with bites of the charred onion helped it a lot. It was till a good dish, I was jut expecting more flavor. Wonderful, respectful service. A little flirty, which I'm 100% down with. Nothing like a smile, a blush, and a giggle to go along with your meal. Two cons: the seating was pretty low. We sat in a booth (with a chair on the end). One of my friends is 5'1" and petite and she had a hard time scooting in her seat because her thighs were right under the table. I had the same issue getting in my chair on the end (I'm 5'7" and hefty). The other con is it was pretty dark in here. I appreciate ambiance, but we had to use our cell phone lights to even see the menu. Other than that, excellent experience! read more

Great little restaurant. Wish there were a lit more Armenian cuisine restaurants in the heart of the Chicago River area. Can't wait to try again. read more