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…
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…
Kashan
It is worth dining in this fabulous little restaurant for the sheer pleasure of sitting in pools of coloured light by day and under a canopy of mirrored…
Shiraz
Wildly popular with fashionable Shirazis, this enormous restaurant complex near Quran Gateway offers four types of dining experience: there’s a generous…
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…
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…
Tehran
Just north of the train station, this large and wonderfully atmospheric chaykhaneh (teahouse) is justly popular with locals. The dizi (lamb, potato and…
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)…
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…
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…
Esfahan
Opulent Qajar-style wall paintings, stained-glass windows and battalions of black-suited waiters contribute to the Shahrzad’s reputation as the best…
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…
Yazd
Elegant but uncomplicated, the Talar, with its prim white tablecloths and waiters wheeling trolleys, has a 1950s appeal. Its short menu of classic Iranian…
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…
Iran
Delicious traditional food served on carpeted platforms makes this relaxed, modern caravanserai the best eating option in town. There's also a limited…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Hezardestan Traditional Teahouse
Mashhad
Hezardestan is one of Iran’s most beautiful teahouse-restaurants, with a museum-like basement full of of carpets, samovars, antique metalwork and…
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…
Southeastern Iran
Architecturally magnificent, this elegantly arched subterranean teahouse was built as a bathhouse in 1820. Live music – typically a singer accompanied by…
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…
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…
Iran
Run by clued-up, English-speaking mountaineer Amir, this cosy log-cabin-style restaurant serves up excellent kababs, braised lamb shanks and vegetable…
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,…
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…
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,…
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 …
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…
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…
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…
Bandar Abbas
This trendy institution with colourful tables offers a wide choice of savoury appetisers and mains at very palatable prices. For a quick bite, opt for a…
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 –…
Mashhad
Part of an impressive cultural complex, this memorable restaurant serves kababs, trout and huge bowls of mirza ghasemi (IR160,000) within the spacious…
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…
Abbasi Teahouse & Traditional Restaurant
Kashan
Occupying the basement khadameh of the Khan-e Abbasian, this family-run restaurant is justly popular with visitors. Traditional seating is arranged around…
Esfahan
This elegant establishment in the heart of the Armenian Quarter is arranged around a spacious courtyard, with modern decking and furnishings bringing a…
Kashan
Forget rocky road and chocolate chip, the defining flavours of this unimposing ice-cream cafe are pomegranate, saffron, vanilla and (given that this is…