Try not to get distracted by the designer stores in the plush Centria Mall – they can wait. There’s Armenian food to eat at Lusin. Riyadh has a range of popular MENA restaurants, and Lusin is well known with the branch here on the upper level of the mall, as well as one on Northern Ring Road.
Ascend the escalator to the second floor of Centria and any window shopping will likely be forgotten with the signature eggplant rolls and kibbeh in close proximity. You can’t quite smell the warm pitas or the stuffed Armenian toushka from outside of the restaurant, but it’s of no detriment to the place. Tables are filled with families, couples and friends catching up.
Specialties and house favourites are great introductions to new diners – or go-to plates for returning customers, especially the cherry kebabs and cherry prawns and the comforting Armenian manti. Mains and grills are around SAR125 to SAR160 whereas smaller plates and sweets range from SAR50 to SAR70.
There’s nothing snooty about service. It might be an upmarket eatery in one of Riyadh’s higher-end malls, but guests are personally welcomed with warmth and taken care of during our meal, particularly with a rolling supply of ornate baskets filled with hot bread.
If you’re looking for sustenance pre- or post-shopping trip, the upscale Armenian spot will likely leave you quite well fed. Even if you’re not in Al Olaya, Lusin is worth making the trip for, especially when you have a craving for cherry kebabs.
