Persia has a long, rich history of enticing food. A diet consisting of grains, flatbreads, cheeses, and native pomegranates. Stews flavoured with herbs were widespread, often with lamb and chicken. Persia, now known as Iran, occupied a central position at a crossroads on the Silk Route where East meets West. It brought more tantalising ingredients making Persian food the delectable cuisine it is today.
Today, Persian cuisine is a melting pot of colourful culinary delights that creates a blend of umami, ‘the fifth taste.’ A delicious mix of salty, sweet, sour, and bitter rolled in together to make flavourful dishes. Persian restaurants in London are some of the best, as the capital has a reputation for attracting a plethora of restaurants from every corner of the globe.
The Best Persian Restaurants in London
If you fancy something different or yearn for the flavours of home, then here is our guide to six of the best Persian restaurants in London.
1. Tajrish – One of the Best
Tajrish has a goal, and that is to be the best Iranian restaurant in London. With reviewers singing the restaurant’s praises, it looks like they are achieving their goal. They use fresh ingredients picked from sustainable producers and mix the bold flavours of middle-eastern foods with traditional Iranian cooking techniques to produce high-quality dishes.
Polite and friendly staff serve you freshly-baked bread for £2.20 with a refreshing Salad Olviyeh, for £8.90.
Or how about mouth-watering lamb kebabs from £16.90?
The Kashe Bademjan is delicious with tender aubergine at £8.90.
The portions are generous. However, if you have room for more, the Baklava at £5.90 is a perfect treat to end the meal.
Tajrish is a gem of a restaurant that is certainly up there with the best Persian restaurants in London.
Address: No.33 Craven Road, W2 3BX
Telephone: 020 8127 8569
2. Belgrave Restaurant – A Flavour of Persia
Belgrave puts a touch of royalty on Persian flavours. The restaurant offers a majestic ambience for dishes cooked by an Iranian monarch’s head chef’s grandson and his team. Also, in true traditional Persian heritage, much of Amin Ebra’s teachings have come from his mother.
With superb service, fine dining, and exquisite food, all set in a wonderful atmosphere, Belgrave Restaurant brings you food from the land of Iran with a twist of inspiration from around the world.
The Tahchin dishes, an oven-baked rice cake made with yolk, saffron rice, and yoghurt, are filled with a choice of lamb or chicken and are priced at £17.00 and £18.00. They are beautifully presented, amazingly aromatic, and delicious.
The Ghorme Sazbi is tasty at £16.00.
Persia is renowned for its fine-quality saffron, so why not try a Saffron beer at £6.00 or a Saffron Martini at £10.00?
Belgrave Restaurant is a must-try Persian restaurant in London. A truly authentic experience filled with mind-blowing flavours in beautiful surroundings that make you feel like you are in a small part of Persia.
Address: 1 Belgrave Gardens, London, NW8 0QY
Telephone: 02076 244 242
3. Naroon – Contemporary Persian Cuisine
Naroon draws on Persia’s rich cultural and culinary history to bring a delicious pot of colours, fragrances, and textures to the table. The name Naroon Restaurant comes from the same-called Tehran suburb nestled in the stunning Alborz mountains. It is an area that has embraced its unique position on the Silk road crossroads.
If you are feeling peckish in the morning, Naroon opens at 8.30 am on weekdays and 9.30 am at weekends. They serve a gorgeous Persian Omelette made with Cornish eggs and served with tomato sauce and perfectly cooked Sangak bread for £9.50. Or a Persian Herb Frittata with barberries for £8.50.
The Sabzi Polo Mahi, Grilled Salmon, marinated in Saffron and lemon juice and served with herbed rice, is excellent at £15.50.
There are also various desserts, such as heavenly Saffron ice cream, Pistachio Baklava, and a fantastic Persian Cookie.
Naroon is a restaurant gem and has to be one of the best Iranian restaurants in London. The service is attentive, and the staff are warm, friendly and helpful with their description of the dishes. The food is delicious, the portions are generous, and the prices are reasonable.
Address: 60 Great Titchfield Street, London, W1W 7QF
Telephone: 020 7436 0934
4. Berenjak London – Immersion in Iranian Cultural History
Berenjak London is a fusion of some of the best parts of Iranian history. Memories of family dinners around the table, enjoying stories and recipes passed down through mothers. Everyone claims their mother is the best cook in Iran. Even the name, Berenjak, is so-called after the toasted rice eaten at funfairs in Persia, conjuring up fond moments of nostalgia.
Berenjak founder, Kian Samyani, produces signature Persian dishes using seasonal British produce to generate food made with passion. The restaurant is proving successful, with its first restaurant in Soho receiving a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2019 and a second restaurant opening in Borough Market in 2022.
The food served is sensational. The Jujeh Kebab, chicken kebab at £19.00, is out of this world.
There is a Feast Menu for £40.00 per person, which the whole table must order. The feast takes inspiration from a Persian feast in 1971 when the Shah of Persia flew in an impressive 18 tonnes of food to celebrate the country’s 2,500th anniversary. The feast is highly recommended, with generous portions and good value for money.
In Berenjak Soho, between 9.30 pm and 11 pm, you can make your meal bottomless, including Jujeh or Koobideh, chicken or lamb Kebabs at £35.00 per person. Or upgrade to include bottomless drinks at an extra £15.00 per person. The whole table must take the Bottomless options.
The restaurants get busy, so it is a good idea to book in advance, particularly for the Bottomless menus.
Address: Berenjak Soho, 27 Romilly Street, London, W1D 5AL.
Berenjak Borough, 1 Bedale Street, London, SE1 9AL
Telephone: 020 3319 8120
5. Hafez – One of London’s Finest Persian Restaurant
Hafez is a family-owned restaurant that opened in London in 1983, making it one of the oldest Persian restaurants in London. Passionate food lovers run the restaurant and, with their dedicated team, have built a reputation as one of the finest and most authentic Persian restaurants.
Farshid Ziafat is the Head Chef who comes from a long line of highly-skilled chefs. He trained at a young age in his father’s restaurant, one of the first to claim 5 stars in Iran. The family opened their first and most famous restaurant, the Nayeb, in the Tehran Bazaar 120 years ago.
Since then, Farshid has travelled all over the UK, Europe, and the US, developing and perfecting his skills and unique style.
An eclectic and quirky decor greets you as you walk into the warm, homely restaurant. Iranian-born designer Ali Siavoshi cleverly created the surroundings using recycled materials, such as table legs and cutlery.
The staff are exceptionally friendly, and the food is mouthwatering. There are plenty of options for vegetarians. The Kashk-e Bademjan, slow-cooked aubergine in seasoned yoghurt, is delicious at £6.50.
The Vegetarian Fesenjan at £14.90 is incredibly tasty, with the sweet and sour puree sauce of pomegranate and walnuts a star of the dish. Or, try Hafez’s signature dish, the chicken version, at £16.90.
The Chicken Kebabs at £14.90 are tender and beautifully cooked.
Hafez serves some of the fluffiest and tastiest Saffron Rice at £3.90.
If you want food full of flavour and healthy, made with natural ingredients, add Hafez to your list of Persian restaurants in London to try.
Address: 5 Hereford Road, London, W2 4AB
Telephone: 0207 221 3167 / 0207 229 9398
6. Apadana – One of London’s Oldest Persian Restaurants
Inspired by small Persian restaurants in Tehran, Apadana has welcomed diners since 1967, making it one of the oldest Persian restaurants in London. Apadana continues with the Persian heritage using recipes passed down through generations. All with a common theme, the dishes are made with love and passion.
Their dishes include some of the favourite signature dishes of Persian cuisine, such as Ghormeh Sabzi. A green stew with herbs, kidney beans, and diced lamb for £14.99.
Jooje is chicken breast marinated in saffron, yoghurt, lemon and garlic, and saffron rice for £13.99.
The Persian flatbread is made-to-order and is divine at £1.20.
If you want an authentic and relaxed dining experience, then Apadana is one to visit.
Address: 351 Kensington High Street, London, W8 6NW
Telephone: 020 7603 3696
Tips For Choosing One of the Best Persian Restaurants in London
- Persian meals are about the experience, so check whether you can enjoy your meal leisurely without rushing to be out for the next sitting.
- Persians love their food. Fortunately, it is a healthy diet, and there is something for everyone. However, it is worth checking out dietary requirements when choosing a restaurant.