Armenian Taverna & Restaurant

Armenian is a Manchester institution and – significant cosmetic makeover aside – little has changed since it opened over half a century ago, with a wealth of authentic small and large plates offering as much for the veggie as the meat-lover.

Many of the dishes and flavour combinations we usually credit with the likes of Greece or Turkey or further round the Mediterranean coast and into the Middle East are part of Armenia’s culinary heritage too – think kebabs and lamb kofta, spinach and feta pastries panirov borek, wafer-thin lavash bread, and even pistachio and honey pakhlava (baklava).

Armenia is a former Soviet republic and the menu takes in other Eastern Bloc influences such as Ukrainian borsch beetroot and sour cream soup and Georgian dumplings as well as selodka salted herring and various pickles.

For pudding, there’s a cake of the day – just ask for the latest special – or try the multi-layered honeymoon cake. Wash down with an Ararat brandy, produced in Armenia since 1887, and don’t forget to try the Armenian wine, especially a carafe of Karas.

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