Citytrip Yerevan: modern and classic coffee culture in Armenia’s capital

Laatst bijgewerkt op: 23/09/2026

Yerevan is best known for its rich history, but is developing into a surprising destination for specialty coffee. On this city trip to the Armenian capital, you’ll discover hidden roasteries, modern coffee bars, and a traditional tea house.

When you think of Armenia, specialty coffee probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. Yet in recent years, the capital has emerged as a surprising destination for coffee lovers. Amid the historic streets and Soviet architecture, more and more independent coffee shops are opening, where beans from all over the world are roasted, new brewing methods are experimented with, and baristas work daily to create the perfect cup of coffee.

This citytrip takes you to five specialty coffee shops and a traditional teahouse, each with its own unique take on coffee and tea.

Lumen Coffee

Although the shop is located right in the heart of Yerevan, Lumen isn’t the easiest place to find. Maybe that’s exactly the point. “Only true coffee lovers know where to find us,” laughs roaster Sarkis
Bchakjian.

The idea for Lumen was conceived in 2020, and a year later, the shop opened its doors thanks to crowdfunding. According to Sarkis, there was high demand for specialty coffee. Lumen now has several locations in Armenia and one in Los Angeles.

The coffee consists exclusively of specialty coffee rated 85 points or higher (SCA score). Sarkis sources his green beans—primarily from Kenya, Ethiopia, and Colombia—through Belgian importers. He then roasts the beans right in the shop using a Dutch Giesen W6A roaster. A popular drink at Lumen during the summer heat of Yerevan is espresso freddo: a cold espresso with a robust bitterness and a clean flavor.

Sarkis’s approach seems to be paying off: Lumen ranks 61st on the list of Europe’s 100 Best Coffee Shops 2026.

📍3A Teryan Str.
IG: lumencoffee

202°F Academy & Roastery

Just a few hundred meters from Lumen is 202°F Academy & Roastery. Behind its unassuming facade lies not only a specialty coffee shop but also a training center and roastery. The name 202°F (94.4°C) refers to the temperature that, according to employee David, is ideal for brewing coffee.

Inside, the Probat drum roaster immediately catches your eye. Next to the cash register are aroma dispensers filled with ground coffee. By pressing the pumps, visitors can smell different beans before making a choice. The location also serves as a training center for new employees. There, they learn everything about coffee, from brewing to the impact of water and temperature. At the same time, baristas are given a remarkable amount of freedom to experiment on their own. The menu features various brewing methods, such as the V60, but using a different method is no problem as long as the end result tastes good.

202F’s signature drink is its own take on the Mont Blanc Macchiato. Traditionally made with espresso and chestnut cream, 202F prepares it with cold brew or flash-chilled espresso, orange syrup, and vanilla-orange whipped cream, resulting in a fresh, fruity coffee specialty with a refreshing citrus flavor.

📍40A Mesrop Mashtots Ave.
IG: 202f.alternative

Nero Bean Coffee Roastery

Nero Bean is located in a modern business center; once inside, the roastery is what really catches your eye. Nero Bean was founded in 2019 and now has three locations with different concepts. This location focuses entirely on specialty coffee and the roasting process. Some of the beans come from an Armenian importer, while exclusive microlots are sourced directly from farmers through direct trade.

The menu features, among other things, filter brewing methods and Oriental Coffee. The latter, in particular, demonstrates just how versatile specialty coffee beans can be. This strong, bitter coffee is prepared the traditional way using a jazve (Armenian coffee pot), but the quality and origin of the bean remain clearly recognizable. For those who want to discover the variety of flavors, bar manager Vladimir actually recommends filter coffee.

📍 10 Vazgen Sarsgyan St. (Piazza Grande Business Center)
IG: nerobean

Afrolab Specialty Coffee Roastery

Afrolab is also located in the bustling city center. The beans are roasted on-site, and the selection of specialty coffee changes regularly. The beans come from Ethiopia, Kenya, Colombia, Honduras, and Indonesia, among other places.

According to barista Nicole, the name Afrolab refers to the combination of African beans and the experimental nature of the shop. New beans are tested and evaluated as a group, and various roasting profiles are experimented with. Afrolab serves espresso, V60 pour-over coffee, and rotating specials, among other offerings. For those looking for something more exclusive, there are also limited editions with a cupping score above 90 points.

There’s also room for experimentation behind the bar. Afrolab uses a La Marzocco machine, which gives the barista a great deal of control over the brewing process. A Modbar is also used for takeout coffees.

The combination of its own roastery and a constantly changing selection makes Afrolab particularly appealing to those who want to discover different types of specialty coffee. From light, fruity coffees to exclusive limited editions: the menu changes regularly.

📍40 Pushkin Street
IG: afrolab_roastery

FEIN by coffee house

Of all the coffee shops in Yerevan, FEIN is perhaps the most striking. This modern coffee bar went viral on social media thanks to a coffee spectacle that takes place every hour. Behind the online hype, however, lies a serious specialty coffee concept.

FEIN opened in September 2025 as the premium specialty coffee division of Coffee House, Armenia’s largest coffee chain. There are now two FEIN locations in Yerevan. The interior is more reminiscent of a futuristic laboratory than a classic café. An open bar, a visible Probat roaster, and transparent tubes throughout the space make coffee an integral part of the design.

Then the show begins. As soon as Travis Scott’s “FE!N” blares from the speakers, coffee beans shoot through the transparent tubes above the visitors’ heads. While the beans fly through the tubes, almost no one is looking at their coffee anymore. People pull out their phones and the brief spectacle is filmed en masse.

At FEIN, you don’t just drink great specialty coffee—the experience is central. Here, coffee isn’t just seen as something to drink, but as an experience.

📍Yeznik Koghbatsi St. 50/2
IG: fein.roastery

Natura Gold

Among the specialty coffee shops, Natura Gold offers a quiet alternative for tea lovers. This specialty shop has been around since the late 1990s and is decorated like a traditional tea shop. Dozens of glass jars hold various types of tea and herbs.

The selection includes black, green, white, and oolong teas, complemented by herbal infusions and original blends. The teas and herbs come from China, India, Sri Lanka, and Iran, among other places. Various herbs and plants from the Armenian mountains are also used. Natura Gold does not use any artificial flavors or aromas.

When you walk into the store, you can not only buy the tea but also enjoy it right away. Behind the store is a separate restaurant area that is not part of Natura Gold, but where the tea from the specialty shop is served.

📍30 Abovyan Street
IG: naturagold_arm

This guest post was written for Thomas van der Hoeven, a journalism student at the Christelijke Hogeschool Ede