Wow... I'm genuinely flabbergasted by Old Echmiadzin Restaurant after my first visit. From the moment you arrive, everything feels welcoming and well put together. Parking was easy and convenient with valet available, which already made the experience stress-free. Inside, the atmosphere is absolutely gorgeous... warm, elegant, and full of Armenian cultural character that truly makes you feel like you've stepped straight into Armenia. The design, the details, and the overall vibe reflect Armenian culture beautifully; from the warm hospitality to the traditional touches throughout the space. It's not just a restaurant, it feels like a cultural experience where you're surrounded by history, tradition, and pride. The music adds a beautiful touch to the ambiance, giving the place energy without being too loud or distracting. It creates an enjoyable and fun dinner vibe while still feeling relaxed and comfortable, like a true Armenian gathering. The food was the highlight of the night. The table came out full with fish kabob and a wide variety of meats... basically everything your heart could want. Every dish was incredibly flavorful, fresh, and perfectly seasoned. It feels authentic in every bite, like it was prepared the traditional Armenian way with care and pride. Honestly, it's very hard to find a place like this in California that feels this connected to Armenian culture while still being so close to home without having to travel far. It really stands out as something special. The staff was also welcoming and attentive, adding to that genuine Armenian hospitality that makes you feel like a guest in someone's home rather than just a customer. I highly recommend coming here! See you soon! Rating: A+ (5 STARS) read more

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I wanted very much to love this restaurant. As a fan of this type of cuisine, I was genuinely excited when the location opened in Tujunga. My family and I visited for the first time on a Sunday evening. The restaurant was completely empty at dinner time. I assumed that was due to it being newly opened, so I remained optimistic. When the food arrived, the meat came without rice, potatoes, lavash, or any type of bread. Fortunately we had ordered salad and appetizers, so we used those to eat the meat. The bill was very expensive. I have no issue paying for good food, good ambiance, and good service, but this was not worth the price. Months later, I decided to give the restaurant a second chance. I returned on a Friday, hoping my first experience was a one-off. Once again, the restaurant was nearly empty. Only one other family (party of three) arrived after me. Unfortunately, the same issues occurred, along with several new concerns: · Unaccommodating. When I requested a simple substitution (salad instead of rice or potatoes, as I do not eat carbs), my request was denied. · Poor service. When I asked for chili pepper powder, the waiter suggested I "cut up the jalapeños from your kebab and put it in the soup" to make it spicy. · Language barrier. I was left with the strong impression that most of the staff does not speak functional English. This is in the United States. · Rushed out under a false pretext. After finishing my meal, I quietly sat reviewing emails on my phone. The host came over and said they had a private event starting in five minutes. The restaurant remained almost completely empty, with no visible event setup. This sounded untrue and felt like an excuse to push me out. · Suspected food preparation. Based on texture and temperature, I believe the food is not cooked to order but rather preheated in a microwave. · Indoor smoking. Several guests were smoking inside the restaurant. This is prohibited in California, and it made the environment unpleasant and unhealthy. · Unavailable menu items. A number of dishes listed on the menu were not actually available to order. I spent approximately $100 on lunch for something I could have gotten for $20-$30 elsewhere. The service was very poor, the staff was rude, and the overall experience was not worth the cost. I truly want to support local businesses in Tujunga. I had even been planning to host my husband's birthday at this location. However, after two failed visits, I cannot subject my family or guests to this environment. I do not recommend this restaurant to anyone. If you want a good steak or kebab, drive fifteen minutes further and go to Raffi's. read more

had an amazing experience at Old Echmiadzin Restaurant. The food is absolutely delicious--everything is fresh, flavorful, and clearly made with care. Every dish we tried was fantastic. The service is truly outstanding. One thing that really stood out is that the owner personally greets every guest, which makes the place feel warm and welcoming from the moment you walk in. The staff is attentive, friendly, and makes sure you have a great experience. The outdoor seating area is beautiful, with lovely background music that creates a relaxing and almost heavenly atmosphere. It's the perfect place to enjoy great food, unwind, and spend time with friends or family. Highly recommend this place for the amazing food, wonderful service, and beautiful ambiance! read more

Finally, a place that's got it all : atmosphere, food, ambiance, service , quality and variety. I love this place. My family loved everything about it. We ordered the following: khashlama, miz xorovats plate , meat kata, variety appetizers, and tolma. Everything we ate was phenomenal and tasted like an auntie made it at home. They cook alot of their food inside the tonir (underground natural oven ) and it transforms your food to all the ideal flavors and textures. Don't miss out on the pork rib bbq, the meat cake (kata) and their tolma. Excellent Excellent. Enjoyed feeling like I was in armenia with all the traditional ambiance. Definitely gonna be a family go to. read more

We'd been hearing so much about Old Echmiadzin Restaurant--especially the complimentary fresh, oven-baked gata--so we finally decided to give it a try and made a reservation for six. They offer valet, but honestly, parking was super easy on Foothill Blvd right by the entrance. The moment you walk in, you're greeted by this really charming garden setup with several gazebos. Each one has traditional Armenian tablecloths and decorations that instantly give you that "Armenia" feeling. They're separated with curtains and have heaters, so it's cozy and private--perfect for a small get-together. Soft Armenian music plays in the background, which makes the whole vibe even more authentic. The garden itself is beautiful, with vines and fruit trees everywhere. In the center, there's a gorgeous tonir (an Armenian oven) where they normally bake their famous gata. Sadly, it wasn't running the day we visited because someone had complained about safety. That was honestly disappointing--not because we didn't get the gata, but because it feels unfair when one person's complaint ruins something special for everyone else. It's like when people let their kids run around in a restaurant kitchen or disturb other guests... it just shouldn't happen. The menu comes in both Armenian and English, and to call your server you just press a button on the table, which was pretty convenient. Most of the servers don't speak much English yet, and since the place is still new, they're clearly still learning the menu. There were a few confused moments, but nothing terrible. Price-wise, some dishes didn't feel like the portions matched the cost. The food came out quickly and everything was really delicious, but the balance just felt a little off. For example, the sturgeon came as a pretty small portion with no sides, so we ordered a vegetable dish--which was amazing, but didn't exactly pair with the fish. After dinner, we ordered pakhlava and tea. The pakhlava was great--super fresh and tasty--I just could've done without the pink syrup on top. The owner came by our table to chat, ask how everything was, and get feedback. He was genuinely kind and open. You can tell he really cares about the place, even though he seemed a little discouraged because of some unfair complaints from other customers. It's tough opening a new business these days, and you can feel how much effort he's putting in. All in all, we loved the atmosphere, enjoyed the food, and appreciated the warm hospitality. There's definitely some room for improvement--especially with training and portion/pricing--but nothing that would keep us from coming back. We'll definitely return, and we'd recommend others give it a try too. There's something truly special about this place. read more

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If anyone is ever homesick for Armenia, or wants to experience traditional Armenian hospitality, this is the place to be. The ambience was impeccable and the food was superb. I highly recommend. read more

It probably deserved 1 star, but I'm feeling generous here. The food...was not very good. Everyone coming here is most likely Armenian, as am I. We've all made xorovatz for decades, and know what fresh xorovatz tastes like. This wasn't fresh. It tastes and feels like it was made hours ago and reheated after we ordered. They have a Tonir (a real oven) where you can make everything fresh, but they don't use it. It's roped off with red velvet ropes, like it's some celebrity making an appearance. All the food comes out of the kitchen - which would be fine if it was fresh. The appetizers weren't that bad, but the star of the show, the xorovatz is really bad. The pork was dry and overcooked, the chicken was leathery as if it sat under a heat lamp for hours, the beef was stringy and tough even though it's supposedly filet mignon. We went with our child, and a couple tents over was a group of guys who were smoking cigarettes, bombarding us with their cigarette smoke. For the prices you're paying, you expect more. Unless things change, I don't think this place will be successful, even though I want them to be a great success. read more

Amazing venue, amazing atmosphere, beautiful decor, and the best gata kabob I have ever tasted. The owner is very hospitable and ensures your experience is nothing but excellent. Will be back for sure. read more

Too expensive for the food you get, atmosphere is nice though, service is ok. Everything is small portioned, taste is ok too

Awesome experience. Good was great, service was on point. The bread was fresh, delicious and caused no bloating. I would come back here again. The Ambiance makes your feel like you're in Armenia and get the cultural experience. Loved it! read more

Very good food. I loved their bread - they make it themselves in a Tonir and it's delicious. Highly recommend their stuffed Kebab - veggie (10/10), cheese and mushroom (8/10) The atmosphere is beautiful and serene. Would come again! read more

We had a wonderful experience at Old Echmiadzin. The ambiance of the garden-like outdoor patio is extraordinary. The food was tasty and fresh and the wait staff was very attentive. It's a great setting for special occasions! read more

Amazing food and great ambiance. Bread that was made in tonir see the picture, hot and fresh is served with your food! Barbecue is delicious and service was exceptional. GATA was the desert with tea!!! O wow just delicious... read more

We tried almost all kinds of dishes. All the dishes were delicious, one after another, we really enjoyed the shashlik and kebabs, the atmosphere was great, the service was top-notch, and the restaurant had a family-friendly feel. I've been to many places, and I highly recommend this restaurant. read more

Excellent family environment, great food and excellent service. Their specialty ; echmiatsin kabob and Tonir's gata were delicious. Excellent place to spend with family and friends. read more

Old Echmiadzin - House specialty Tonir's gata. - Armenian Near Me - Tujunga, California

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Had one of the best nights ever here! The food was delicious, the atmosphere was wonderful and the staff were amazing! Armenian hospitality at its best. Thank you Davit and staff for making our celebration so enjoyable and memorable. We will definitely be back! P.S. Gayane, one of our servers surprised us at the end by performing an impromptu song that blew us all away!? read more

Service bad and servant so rude and unprofessional They advertise to be a family restaurant but don't even have family menu They serve individual with individual prices Food tastes mediocre and just not worth the prices they are charging We left hungry after spending 600 dollars The food tasted like it was reheated on the oven and served An Armenian restaurant serves bread which they charge a lot for them doing even let us take it to go Horrible taste and horrible service read more

I can't express my disappointment about this place with words, but I'll try. To give you a short summary o you are into eating premade and heated upon serving food this is the place for you, but if you enjoy freshly cooked meals please don't pass by, but run as quickly as you can from this place. To start off everything that I wanted to order from their menu was no longer being served, but was still on their menu. From remaining items on their menu we ordered whatever was recommended by the waiter, but little did we know that all their food is precooked and heated upon serving. The only think worthy of mentioning is their bread and yogurt salad. We were served our appetizers after being served our main dish. The utensils, plates and cups seemed to have just been rinsed instead of washed. When bringing this to the attention of the owner/ manager I can't even tell you the attitude and disrespectful behavior presented by him. I wanted to update to respond to the ridiculous response from the owner who claimed I took anything home from their place. Just because I asked for boxes to take whatever was on the table to dump it myself in the trash to make sure my leftovers are not served to anyone else, does not mean I took anything off the junk you served me home. I'd not even feed that to my pet. read more

Great service, delicious food, great music, beautiful interior. Loved it all! Definitely recommend and will be returning

Tried new dish named Gata. It was a beef kabob filled with mushroom and cheese. Can't tell enough how good and delicious it was. Everything was very tasty and so good. Great customer service by Tina. Great food great location and great customer service!! read more

Old Echmiadzin - Armenian Near Me - Tujunga, California

First time being here, food is delicious, great customer service, nice vibes and amazing outdoor space

I went to Old Ejmiatsin and left completely disappointed. Overall, the food wasn't even tasty , I would give it 3 stars at best .The service was nonexistent, the portions were tiny, and the prices were unreasonable. If you want to experience zero service and feel deceived by paying $500 for something that's worth maybe $250 elsewhere, this is the place to go. read more

Had lunch here with a friend tody. Our meals were wonderful and the service was great.

The space and ambiance is amazing, cool seating areas, great service. The food wasn't to our standards. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't how we like our kebabs. It's a matter of preference that's all. But we are willing to go back and try other things on the menu! read more

Amazing for girls night with lots of privacy in our own tent. Service was great and speedy. The Armenian salad was very fresh, and the jalapeño lebni had a great kick. We tried the gata kebab which was huge and it was super delicious!! Definitely would come back and order for pick up as well. I recommend the sour cherry kompot for a refreshing drink to share with your group. Very beautiful area with trees, felt like a garden. read more

Old Echmiadzin - Gata kebab and Armenian salad - Armenian Near Me - Tujunga, California

The food and services was excellent, perfect place for families with open Ambiance definitely recommend it .

I came here with my family to celebrate my birthday and this place exceeded all of my expectations. The food and ambiance were amazing. Not to mention the live music. If I could give this place more stars I would. To many more celebrations at Old Echmiadzin! read more

Old Echmiadzin - Barbecue Variety - Armenian Near Me - Tujunga, California

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Very clean and welcoming place, delicious food, and great service. I truly enjoyed my time here with my mom and sisters and will definitely come back. read more

1. Empty parking lot but forced to valet for 15, and drive up to valet, 2. Customer service is not welcoming, cold, and rude. 3. The food is not BBQ as you might expect, (Khorovats). Greatly disappointed, and let down, because of higher expectations. Mind you I have frequented many Armenian establishments and have acquired an expectation in which no other restaraunt has fallen so horribly short, until this experience 3. Overall if you dare frequent this establishment, don't set your standards so high because you will be disappointed. Perhaps these reviews will assist the owners to utilize critics feedback to improve the food, service and overall customer service. read more

Came back again and was served again by the talented Eric with the most delicious homemade lemonade. Thank you for all the accommodations and creating comfort - both with the environment and food. We will be back - best believe. read more

Old Echmiadzin is such a nice place! As soon as you walk in, the people are very friendly and make you feel welcome. The food tastes amazing -- the barbecue meat was soft and juicy and the bread was fresh and warm. You can tell everything is made with love. The restaurant is clean and cozy, with Armenian music and pretty decorations. The portions are big, and the prices are fair. It really feels like eating at home with family. read more

Had a great time with family here at Old Echmiadzin. The bread, tolma, and meats were exceptional. The service is friendly, staff are attentive, and the establishment has great ambiance. It is rare to find a restaurant in LA that feels like you are out of the city, and Old Echmiadzin has done a great job achieving just that. We will definitely be back and I wish them great success at this location. read more

Love the place! Delicious Armenian cuisine with friendly environment. Great customer service! Must try lamb chops!

We celebrated my mom's birthday at Old Echmiadzin last week. Gotta say we absolutely loved everything about this place. The food was really tasty and fresh. Our server was quick and helpful. His recommendations were on point!!! Also loved the authentic Armenian design of this place. The waterfall features add so much life to this place. Definitely will be back here and will recommend to others. read more

I love the ambiance! Reminds me of Armenia. I was greeted very warmly and the service was amazing. Food was delicious and the portion was big! read more

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I don't understand people who give 5 stars and write positive reviews. The owner personally told me that all their hot dishes are prepared in the morning, including even the shish kebab and everything cooked on the grill, and then they simply reheat it in the microwave and serve it to customers. So, it turns out that besides the freshly served appetizers, they don't have anything fresh. And he tells me, "How do you imagine us preparing everything fresh for everyone? We wouldn't have enough time." read more

Beautiful place, amazing food, and wonderful service. I appreciate that they don't let in problematic people so that we can feel safe. We came here with 20 women and they were able to accommodate us without any issues. True Armenian food, highly recommend for anyone who wants a taste of Armenia to come. Portions are large and quality is amazing. Special thanks to Eric! read more

Very disappointing customer service. We arrived at 4:30 PM on Wednesday hoping to have a late lunch with two friends and were denied service solely because our party consisted of all men. I was specifically asked if our group was all male, and once I said yes we were told they would not seat us, claiming the place was reserved later for dinner. For a newly opened restaurant, this is a terrible first impression. Treating guests differently based on who they are dining with is unacceptable. If this is how they choose to operate, I wish them good luck -- they will certainly need it. read more

The food was great. Every time you judge the restaurant, it all starts from bread and it was hot and delicious. My favorite dish was Lamb Chops. service was excellent started from Valet ended to waitresses. recommended to everyone! read more

We had a great time. The food was delicious, I never had Armenian food in my life and my friends always told me to try, and I don't regret it. Tina was great with us and very friendly. She was checking on us every 10 minutes. read more

Old Echmiadzin - Entrance of restaurant - Armenian Near Me - Tujunga, California