The Best Persian Restaurants In London
When it comes to history, Persian cuisine has more depth than most, with its cuisine dating back to the second and third millennia BC, so they’ve had a lot of time to perfect their dishes. Lots of London’s best still remain neighbourhood favourites, which is great but can make it hard to navigate as they sometimes like to fly under the radar and cater to a handful of dedicated locals. With that in mind, we’ve selected some of our favourite restaurants in the city, showcasing the best dips, grilled meats, rich stews and bread around.
Berenjak
This Iranian staple is one of Soho’s best restaurants, specialising in sharing plates inspired by traditional family gatherings. The hole-in-the-wall joint is as close to sampling the tastes of Tehran as you can get in London.
From hot, fluffy freshly made bread and juicy spiced kebabs to a colourful carousel of small plates, the food is vibrantly full of spices, dips, pickles, and herbs.
where: 27 Romilly St, London W1D 5AL
website: berenjaklondon.com
Persepolis
A Peckham gem that doubles up as a restaurant and a grocer, it has become a community staple serving a delicious taste of Persia. If you go in a group of five or more you’ll be automatically put on the feasting menu, but we suggest going for it anyway as it’s the best way to taste everything, from fresh mezze platters to a showstopping Iranian dessert plate.
It has become a community staple serving a delicious taste of Persia in Peckham
where: 28-30 Peckham High St, London SE15 5DT
website: www.foratasteofpersia.com
Hafez
Hafez was first opened in 1983 by food lovers Nusrat and Jessie Tadjiky and they were joined two years later by Head Chef Farshid Ziafat. In 2011 Hafez became a family business in Notting Hill and is now co-owned by Farshid, brother-in-law Mehdi and sisters Fariba and Farzaneh.
On the menu is a range of Persian starters made for sharing, slow-cooked dishes, kebabs and freshly baked Persian Lavash bread, a thin flatbread made on the premises daily.
where: 5 Hereford Rd, London W2 4AB
website: www.hafezrestaurant.co.uk
Sadaf
Located around Bayswater and Queensway, Sadaf takes an all-around Mediterranean approach and is bright, airy and easygoing by day and more romantic by night. Its classic Persian are fresh and light, with an array of salads, rice dishes, stews and kebabs.
Its classic Persian are fresh and light, with an array of salads, rice dishes, stews and kebabs
where: 27 Westbourne Grove, London W2 4UA
website: www.sadaf-restaurant.co.uk
Colbeh
Tucked away from the Edgware Road bustle you will find this little gem of a restaurant. Established in 2001, Colbeh is a cosy spot decorated with framed Persian artwork, a mosaic and delicious food.
The menu combines the traditional ingredients and recipes of Persia passed down from past generations using fresh meat and vegetables. For those who like a kick, be sure to try their homemade chilli sauce.
where: 6 Porchester Pl, St George’s Fields, London W2 2BS
website: www.colbeh.co.uk
Naroon
Naroon is named after a suburb in northern Tehran known for its culinary heritage, and this contemporary Persian restaurant wears this heritage on its sleeve. Weaving together the myriad of delicate spices and rich flavours that were gathered through nearly two and a half millennia, expect a mix of slow-cooked stews known as khoresht and elaborate rich dishes layered with herbs, vegetables, pulses, meat, nuts and fruit.
Where: 17 New Cavendish St, London W1G 9UA
website: www.naroon.co.uk
Sinuhe
Expect friendly service, tender grilled meats, fluffy saffron rice, excellent bread and more at this traditional Persia spot in Notting Hill.
The standout, however, is the dips – from mirza-qasemi, a smoky aubergine number to the cucumber-yoghurt mast-o-khiar, hot or cold, you’ll want to order a whole bunch of them.
The standout, however, is the dips – from mirza-qasemi, a smoky aubergine number to the cucumber-yoghurt mast-o-khiar,
where: 13 Hereford Rd, London W2 4AB
