Review Sayat Nova - Chicago

Flew in from LA with a hungry family. After being disappointed by a nearby restaurant quoting a 25 minute wait time Sayat Nova was excellent. Welcoming, great food, speedy service and fair prices. Excellent meat. Minor point off for less attentive service once seated, but otherwise brilliant. Will return soon.

Bottom line - Its a great place with great tastes. I saw the big differences between the reviews and decided to check it. I think that small changes can complete the experience.

I travel for work and always make time to try new restaurants. I come from a city with a great food scene so am a bit snobby about food. Sayat Nova was probably a top 3 meal I have had while traveling. Everything was delicious. The beef kebab, solid. The shawarma, really good. Hummus was fine, not amazing but good. It had a great texture. Both the cheese and spinach Boereg were so good I had to order more. I highly recommend this place.

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) 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!

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!!

I discovered this restaurant while searching for a dinner option on Google maps. I made an online reservation without a lot of notice. Upon arrival, the host was very welcoming and had a table ready for me. The restaurant isn't too large, but it's cozy and nicely decorated. Service was great, and the food was excellent. I'll return again.

Such an amazing experience. Perfect atmosphere to reflect after our annual event! They even mentioned they have a private room for the next perfect time! Hummus was out of this world. Many thanks to Hannah, our bartender and the owner Ruben (*Please excuse spelling) for the hospitality, knowledge and love to carry this restaurant on for generations. Looking forward to my next time in Chicago to visit!

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

The owner personally greeting us and shared his experience updating his family’s restaurant. I loved the attention to detail in the decor and the thoughtfulness that went into it, incorporating designs from family heirlooms. Service and food are both on point. Absolutely no complaints. A must if you’re ever in the area.

My wife and I ate here Sunday night. I highly recommend the Knafi, but everything we had was excellent.

My husband and I found it by accident on a Saturday night, as we were leaving the Nike store to go back to our hotel. My husband is half Armenian and was excited to see an Armenian restaurant. We loved the cozy Middle eastern feel, especially the ceiling light fixtures and candles light throughout the restaurant. My husband and I like to eat healthy so the meal we ordered was perfect for us. We are use to larger portions for the price we paid in Chicago compared to Michigan (Detroit area). We ordered our usual, lentil soup, tabouli, hummus and chicken kabob dinner with rice. The lentil soup was okay, bland not as hot as we'd like. The hummus was good but the portion size was a bit disappointing at $6.95. Back home hummus for $6.95 can feed 2 to 3 people. Same for tabouli, it was delicious, I like how it wasn't drenched in oil and dressing. But again at $6.95 for about one cup portion size of tabouli was a bit expensive. Perhaps we are not use to Chicago prices, after all we are in the city not suburbs. The chicken dinner we split, we both thought it was delicious, very juicy and tender but some pieces where charred.The rice was good but not a traditional rice pilaf that we are used to eating. The rice was not greasy, not much seasoning but that is how we like to eat most days of the week. Tho traditional Armenian rice pilaf we are used to has almonds or toasted pinenuts with egg noodles. We ordered dessert, baklava and knafeh. The baklava (phaklava) was decent, it seamed a bit dry, not as much nuts as we am used to. Maybe we are spoiled from the way my husbands Armenian mom makes it and Shatila bakery in Dearborn with the philo dough flaky and tall lightly drenched in simple syrup. we never had knafeh, it was our 1st time. we thought it was okay, but we are not ones to eat desserts that have creme fillings. We tried it just to try something new. We gave it 5 stars because our overall experience was good. We would definitely go back there again and try a different meal.

What an excellent meal! I'd never had Armenian food before. Lamb and beef meatball in yogurt sauce, rice wrapped in grape leaves, stuffed eggplant and a cheese-stuffed pastry. For dessert, a milk custard with walnut topping. Yum!

We live in the Atlanta area but no trip to Chicago is ever complete without going to this place. Been here a few times and always great. Recommend the Armenian plate. Can't go wrong.

This place was across the street from my hotel and a no-brainer for a solo dinner while in town for business. I have had Armenian food before and this place doesn't disappoint, the hummus was excellent. The red lentil soup was excellent. However my mixed kebab plate was seriously charred. Like, solid black tap it on the table and it makes a noise charred. I was exhausted from work and didn't send it back to the kitchen because frankly I was already full. But I would absolutely go back to the soup and hummus any day.

Dining alone, I had a very enjoyable experience here. Excellent service, attention to detail, and they took the time to answer all of my questions. I loved my Armenian wine; it tasted just as described. Labneh and pita to start and a tender braised lamb dish with the perfect amount of heat.

The best place In chicago , delicious and high quality food �������Love this place�

Great place!!! Tasty food, fun atmosphere and the Wednesday night live music is absolutly something that you need to experience.

What a beautiful, quant restaurant, that just happens to have some of the best Mediterranean cuisine we've ever had the pleasure to enjoy. Super service as well. Highly recommend!!

Beautiful place, wonderful service and the food..... Absolutely excellent! Roupen, your place is fantastic! We will be back!

This spot is on my MUST list whenever I visit. The chicken cous cous is AMAZING!! I also enjoy the Armenian espresso. I tasted the chicken with rice entree and was also impressed. If you’re a fit foodie you should try this place.

An amazing place just a couple of blocks from the Magnificent Mile with cozy atmosphere and great Armenian food.

The food is delicious and the place is very peaceful. Loved it! Armenian coffee is sensational. (However a bit pricy 45 for two people)

A very nice restaurant, good food and a very good Armenian red wine.

Excellent food, excellent bartender absolutely great atmosphere. Well worth it...

I have been coming here for the chicken cous cous for over 25 years! You won't regret this delicious food.

was craving for middle-eastern food for a while and happen to find this one on my Americans airline dinning list! the service was great and fast, seems like the knew what you want order and within 5 minutes the food is there! taste wise I didn't like them, some middle eastern cafe made a lot better food at much cheaper price! so kit recommended !

Amazing authentic Armenian restaurant at very reasonable prices. Definitely recommended!!