Shiraz
This serendipitous little jewel in the middle of the Bazar-e Vakil is hidden behind a small door next to the Seray-e Moshir caravanserai. Decorated with…
Must-see restaurants in Iran
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Shiraz
Wildly popular with fashionable Shirazis, this enormous restaurant complex near Quran Gateway offers four types of dining experience: there’s a generous…
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Tehran
The name gives a clue to the menu: that's right, it's Iran's favourite lamb, potato and chickpea stew. Here they do it damn well, served with all the…
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Tehran
Plush Divan is the pick of several restaurants operated by the Monsoon Group on the 8th floor of the swanky Sam Center. Chic furnishings, including…
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Tehran
Just north of the train station, this large and wonderfully atmospheric chaykhaneh (teahouse) is justly popular with locals. The dizi (lamb, potato and…
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Abbasi Teahouse & Traditional Restaurant
Esfahan
Set into a flank of the Abbasi Hotel's elegant main courtyard, this delightful little restaurant (not to be confused with the hotel's main restaurant)…
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Qeshm Island
Conveniently located at the edge of Zeytoun Park and benefitting from top-notch views of the beach, Shabhaye Talai is easily the most atmospheric…
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Bastani Traditional Restaurant
Esfahan
Esfahan’s most atmospheric restaurant is located in the shadow of the Masjed-e Shah and features an internal courtyard with fountain, tiled walls and…
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Esfahan
Opulent Qajar-style wall paintings, stained-glass windows and battalions of black-suited waiters contribute to the Shahrzad’s reputation as the best…
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Esfahan
This sumptuous renovation of a 400-year-old bathhouse is a highly romantic venue for dinner, especially on Wednesday and Saturday nights (or on Thursday…
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Tehran
There's fierce competition for diners at the many restaurants and teahouses that line the babbling river that flows through Darband, but most in-the-know…
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Iran
Delicious traditional food served on carpeted platforms makes this relaxed, modern caravanserai the best eating option in town. There's also a limited…
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Esfahan
Famous for its beryani (which is served with a glass of dugh; churned sour milk or yoghurt mixed with water), Azam has several branches. This one inside…
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Tehran
Rustic wooden beams, glazed tiles and a lively, friendly atmosphere all set the scene for the delicious Gilan-region food served at one of Tehran's most…
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Shiraz
This tiny restaurant, more shop than diner, is an absolute favourite with locals, foreign expats and the odd tour group whose guide is in the know. Would…
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Kish Island
This perennial fave, with large windows overlooking the beach, serves exciting fish dishes and shrimp as well as excellent salads. The food is super fresh…
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Iran
Nice and airy, the Doorchin has a delicious modern take on Iranian favourites. The soup is elegantly spiced, the yogurt fresh and piquant, and the service…
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Iran
Fresh whole fish are chargrilled over a small footpath brazier outside a tiny, no-name restaurant. The smell of succulent roasting fish will lead you…
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Iran
This charming family restaurant makes delightful use of a domed cellar room off the rear courtyard of the historic Tadayon House (in which you'll also…
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Southeastern Iran
Architecturally magnificent, this elegantly arched subterranean teahouse was built as a bathhouse in 1820. Live music – typically a singer accompanied by…
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Iran
Take your shoes off and relax under the palms as you soak up the view of Shadorvan Bridge from the airy courtyard dining platforms of this restored Qajar…
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Iran
This upmarket restaurant occupies several small rooms and two open terraces in the fountain-centred Zendegi House, a 180-year-old miller/trader's mansion…
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Iran
Run by clued-up, English-speaking mountaineer Amir, this cosy log-cabin-style restaurant serves up excellent kababs, braised lamb shanks and vegetable…
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Southeastern Iran
A series of private dining spaces with carpeted floor-seating, elbow cushions and fireplaces for winter evenings are ranged around a pretty fountain yard,…
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Tehran
The next best thing to getting invited to a Tehrani's home for a meal is sampling the lovingly made dishes at this cute, cosy cafe. Khoone means 'home' in…
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Kish Island
This much-lauded eatery specialising in traditional Iranian food is the perfect place to try out kubide kabab (minced mutton, breadcrumbs and onion,…
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Iran
The easiest place to sample the delights of Gilani cuisine is the centrally located Kourosh. Start with the murky-looking but very tasty zeitun parvardeh …
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Shiraz
This restaurant is housed in a vast dining hall with giant murals on the wall and canteen-style salad bars. Hot bread is made near the entrance, luring…
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Tehran
One of the pleasures of a visit to leafy Darakeh, high in northern Tehran, is to enjoy a meal at its riverside restaurants. This is the best one, with…
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Qeshm Island
Feel the sand between your toes at this casual family-run shack soothingly positioned right on the beach on Hengam Island. It serves only fresh fish and…
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Southeastern Iran
Although the menu is somewhat standard Iranian fare, dining in small alcove rooms within Birjand's restored castle makes for a memorable experience –…
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Iran
An historic yet fair-value place to break the Tehran–Semnam journey, this sizeable Safavid-era caravanserai was built in 1570 but has been thoroughly…
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Esfahan
This elegant establishment in the heart of the Armenian Quarter is arranged around a spacious courtyard, with modern decking and furnishings bringing a…
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Esfahan
It's probably fair to say that the food in this beautiful restaurant is not the best, but if this isn't the prime concern, then it's worth a night out…
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Iran
A fun mural of travelling nomads and their sheep on the outside wall beckons visitors to explore the gorgeous old house within. Arranged around a pretty…
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Shiraz
Opposite the Arg-e Karim Khan, Mahdi is the most famous faludeh shop in Shiraz. It also sells delicious bastani (Persian ice cream).
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Iran
Fronted by a badgir (windtower), this late-Safavid house opened as an upmarket restaurant-teahouse in early 2017. Specialities include fish fillets, and…
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Southeastern Iran
Max's large, contemporary fast-food place serves unusually good Iranian pizza in the vividly yellow-green upstairs section. Easily missed in the basement…
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Iran
The term 'traditional' refers to the excellent food, served with tanour bread fresh from the clay oven – not to the decor, which, while very comfortable,…
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Tehran
Tiny, no-frills Khoshbin is an institution among Tehranis, who cram onto the fast-turnover tables for an authentic Gilaki (food from the Gilan region)…
