The 8 Best Persian Restaurants in Toronto [2022]

Toronto is home to a large and thriving Persian community, and as a result, there is no shortage of amazing Persian restaurants to choose from. From traditional shish kebabs to decadent desserts, these eight spots will take your taste buds on a delicious journey through Iran.  

We chose these restaurants based on their food quality, atmosphere, reviews, and overall experience. So if you’re in the mood for some authentic Persian cuisine, be sure to check out one of these restaurants! 

For more cultural eats, check out our list of the best Ethiopian restaurants or the best African restaurants in Toronto! These spots will definitely not disappoint!

Summary

What are the Most Popular Persian Dishes?

Persian cuisine is known for its rich and flavourful dishes. Some of the most popular items on Persian restaurant menus include:
  • Kebabs: Kebabs are a very popular dish in Persian cuisine, and there are many different types to choose from. The most common kebabs are made with chicken, lamb, or beef, and are often served with rice or bread.
  • Stew: Stews are also a common dish in Persian cuisine, and can be made with chicken, lamb, beef, or vegetables. Stews are typically served over rice or bread.
  • Polo: Polo is a type of rice dish that is often served with meat or vegetables. There are many different variations of polo, and it is a common dish in Persian cuisine.
  • Dolma: Dolma is a dish made with stuffed vegetables, and can be made with different types of vegetables such as eggplant, squash, or tomatoes. Dolma is often served with rice or bread.
  • Baklava: Baklava is a type of dessert made with layers of phyllo dough, nuts, and honey. It is a popular dessert in Persian cuisine and is often served with tea or coffee.
These are just a few of the many popular dishes that you’ll find in Persian restaurants. So if you’re looking for a delicious and authentic meal, be sure to check out one of the best Persian restaurants in Toronto!

The Top Persian Restaurants in Toronto

Now that you know a little bit more about Persian cuisine, it’s time to check out some of the best Persian restaurants in Toronto! Here are our top picks:

1. Taste of Persia Restaurant

If you’re looking for authentic Persian food, then look no further than Taste Of Persia. They have a wide variety of options from the distinctly flavorful maast moosir and baba ganoush to shirazi salad or house salad! They also serve up some delectable dishes such as chelo kabob koobideh, barg kabob, gheymeh and mahicheh. 

With over 20 years of cooking and managing restaurants all across Iran, their chef is proud to bring authentic Persian cuisine right into your neighbourhood. The first priority for this chef is to ensure that each dish leaves his kitchen with fresh and high-quality ingredients. The staff are very friendly and always go above and beyond to ensure that their customers are fully satisfied. 

The background music in this restaurant is so romantic and fun, it really gives you the authentic feeling that everything will be just perfect. The food here is absolutely amazing – you`d love the variety of options they have for you, and their hospitality makes it so welcoming. Plus their prices are also reasonable, so don’t hesitate and visit them today!

Business Information:

Website: tasteofpersia.net
Email: tasteofpersiarestaurant@yahoo.com
Telephone: +14163226777
Address: 1574 Bayview Ave, Toronto, ON M4G 3B7, Canada

Customer Review Highlight:

“ This place is a hidden gem. They have options of regular high quality dishes and balanced meals for a healthy eater like myself. Various dishes with a beautiful patio and amazing customer service. So glad I found this place “

Pros

  • Cozy interior
  • Reasonable prices
  • Meals are on the healthier side

Cons

  • Patio is for reservation only

2. Herby Restaurant

Herby offers a new take on Persian cuisine with organic and high-quality ingredients. The restaurant has an intimate atmosphere that makes you feel at home, no matter where in the world you’re from! 

Their food is based on the best fresh, organic and preservative-free ingredients available. This often includes importing them directly from Tabriz which provides a unique view into Iranian cuisine culture with its emphasis on balance between hot/cold elements like herbs used in dishes or vegetables served raw for salads among other things. 

They offer a variety of foods such as tava kebab, ghorme sabzi and piti. There’s also loobia polo and mast o moosir that you can enjoy if it’s cold outside!  The food here is incredible. You can tell that it was made with love and great ingredients. 

Plus their service also is really fast and they go out of their way for customers who are in a hurry during their busy days because not only do they want to give you great quality meals but save time too!

Business Information:

Website: herbyrestaurant.com
Email: info@herbyrestaurant.com
Telephone: +14164669933
Address: 397 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4K 1P1, Canada

Customer Review Highlight:

“ We came to celebrate Nowruz here today and had such a wonderful time at dinner! The service was fast, and just overall very nice. We had the sample tray, which included koobideh and chicken breast skewers, rice, and apps, which we chose: the eggplant dip and the cucumber yogurt dip! You can tell the food here is really made with love and great ingredients! We’ll definitely be here more often! “

Pros

  • High-quality homemade Persian food
  • Uses organic ingredients
  • Meals are on the healthier side

Cons

  • Only open for dinner services

3. Queen of Persia Restaurant

Queen of Persia is a family-owned restaurant that offers guests a passion for food and Persian cuisine. Inspired by lifelong traditions of in-home cooking, Queen’s team recreated childhood memories through their Grandmothers’ recipes; they are determined to carry on this love today with all fresh ingredients , and aromatic flavours you’ll find only at our table! 

The ambience at this restaurant is really something special. The rich flavours and textures make for an unforgettable experience. The Queen of Persia Restaurant is a must for any foodie who appreciates the diversity and flavours that come from an ancient culture. 

The menu offers something to satisfy every palate, with dishes like Kebab Kevinimah (lamb) or Bustard in yogurt sauce which are not only delicious but presentation-wise captivating as well!

Business Information:

Website: queenofpersiacuisine.com
Telephone: +14166515500
Address: 672A St Clair Ave W, Toronto, ON M6C 1B1, Canada

Customer Review Highlight:

"Mouth watering flabbergasted is the best way I could put this. Heddy(Sp?) was super friendly, warm and caring. She took it upon herself to ensure our experience was positive. The ambience is quite nice and lends to the authenticity of the food. The food had rich dimension of flavors, textures, warmth and cooling effects that really rounded out the experience. I would not only go back, but I would take people here. My co worker brought us here because of how awesome it was and he did not dissapoint. Please check it out!"

Pros

  • Beautiful store interior
  • Generous portions
  • Amazing food presentation

Cons

  • Only open for dinner services

4. Takht-e Tavoos Restaurant

Takht-e Tavoos is a continuation of Pomegranate and Sheherzade Restaurants yet focuses on breakfast dishes as well as other delicacies honouring foods from various regions in Iran. 

Some of their specialties include guisavah which is two Sunnyside eggs (or scrambled) cooked on a bed of butter-sautéed chopped dates, dried apricots and walnuts topped with nigella seeds, served with feta cheese and haleem which is a bowl of steaming porridge made from wheat berries, with shredded pieces of pounded lamb, topped with melted butter, sugar and a blend of seven fragrant spices. 

They also offer a range of other delicious dishes, including paneer boroshteh and dizi. It’s always a treat when you go out to Toronto and eat at this restaurant because they have such authentic dishes, plus you can tell that the owner loves what he does which makes for an enjoyable experience overall!

The staff is very friendly too – it feels like coming home after work or on vacation break so if you’re looking for delicious Halim, Persian style bread and beautiful design which is a signature of Iranian culture, don`t look further!

Business Information:

Website: pomegranatetoronto.com
Email: pomegranatetoronto@gmail.com
Telephone: +16473527322
Address: 1120 College St, Toronto, ON M6H 1B5, Canada

Customer Review Highlight:

“ ABSOLUTELY fantastic food. They took me in without a reservation when they absolutely did not have to and I'm so thankful. The fellow was completely run off his feet and I have nothing but respect for this hard-working staff.Amazing quality fabulous attitude was very serious about covid protocols, which I had nothing but respect for. “

Pros

  • Beautiful store interior
  • Generous portions
  • Amazing food presentation

Cons

  • Only open for dinner services

5. Sina Persian Grill

Sina Persian Grill makes you experience the taste of Persia. They are committed to providing their guests with only high-quality food made from fresh ingredients, so you can enjoy a delicious meal without worrying about it being stale or oversaturated with salt! 

Kuku sabzi, chicken kabob and zaban are the best dishes offered by this restaurant. They have a variety of salads and soups like lentil soup or shirazi salad to choose from as well! They also have vegetarian options such as the baghali polo, a sandwich filled with red onions, and green bell peppers which is perfect for when you want something filling but light! 

The food here is always great and the service never disappoints. The owner is so welcoming, it makes you feel at home right away–you won’t believe how much care they put into making every customer feel special in their own unique way.

 At Sina Persian Grill, they also take the pride and safety of their guests seriously which makes them distinct from other restaurants, so if you’re looking for an authentic Persian experience – this is definitely your go-to place! 

Business Information:

Website: sinapersiangrill.business.site
Email: sina.on.eglinton@gmail.com
Telephone: +16473506788
Address: 302 Eglinton Ave W, Toronto, ON M4R 1B2, Canada

Customer Review Highlight:

“ Outstanding service!!! I’m a vegetarian who never had meatless Persian food before, but the lady at the front counter was so eager to tell me her recommendations and find the perfect meal. My favourite was the eggplant mint: Kashke Badjmoon. The bean-mushroom stew, Veggie Ghorme Sabzi with Saffron Rice, was spicy and delicious , and the rice was pure; buttery goodness. Would go back in a heartbeat! “

Pros

  • Open every day
  • Small buy cozy restaurant
  • Vegetarian options are available

Cons

  • A few complaints about the food delivery

6. Darband Restaurant

If you’re looking for a taste of Persia in Toronto, look no further than Darband Restaurant. The food here is what dreams are made of! The delicious smells from their main course menu will have you coming back for more. Their famous options include koobideh kabab, chicken leg kebabs and sallari – all guaranteed to make your taste buds happy! 

You can try some of Darband signatures like adas polo gardan, bagholi polo mahiche or  choose halim or pacheh which are their traditional dishes. This is a great place to get some authentic Iranian food. The flavour and quality of the dishes are on par with what you would find in Iran, making it perfect for anyone who wants an unforgettable dining experience. 

Their servers are very friendly and their customer service is incredible plus their prices are affordable – so what are you waiting for? 

Business Information:

Website: darband.ca
Telephone: +14164451777
Address: 879 York Mills Rd, North York, ON M3B 1Y5, Canada

Customer Review Highlight:

“ Amazing large sized koobideh kebab skewers that are reasonably sized.Their pita bread was also decently priced and tasted great.I would recommend this place and would buy from here again. “

Pros

  • Consistent store hours
  • Large portions
  • Affordable prices

Cons

  • A few complaints about the customer service

7. Pomegranate Restaurant

When you walk into Pomegranate Restaurant, the first thing that hits your senses is the exquisite aroma of spices and herbs. This welcoming scent belongs to one thread in the fine tapestry: Persian cuisine! 

Persian cuisine has been one of the most intriguing and exotic cuisines to explore. With its rich history in Iran, you can find many unique ingredients that are still unknown on global menus today!

The Pomegranate Restaurant has a rich and diverse menu that will leave you wanting more. The dishes are prepared with traditional Persian spices, giving them an authentic taste not found anywhere else on earth! 

They have plenty for everyone who visits them – even those with dietary restrictions! They offer a variety of traditional and modern dishes, including shirin polo or adas polo, pom salad, maast-o khiar. 

For those looking for something sweet, they have baklava! Pomegranate Restaurant is the best place to indulge in some authentic Iranian food. With its friendly service and wonderful owners – you will definitely have an unforgettable dining experience!

Business Information:

Website: pomegranatetoronto.com
Email: pomegranatetoronto@gmail.com
Telephone: +14169217557
Address: 420 College St, Toronto, ON M5T 1T3, Canada

Customer Review Highlight:

“ This was actually my first time trying persian food, so this feedback is solely based on this restaurant with no reference to another one.Most of the dishes have a combination of meat and dried fruits/ nuts.Fesenjan was so good! The sauce was thick and tasty. Aloo Ghesti was a completely new flavor for me (chicken & apricot) and I really liked it.At the end we ordered Safran ice-cream. The presentation was just on point! And the restaurant layout eas amazing, we couldn't take our eyes off the carpets and pictures on the wall!Will go back again for sure. “

Pros

  • Catering is available
  • Traditional store interior
  • Delicious Persian stews

Cons

  • No kebabs

8. Darvish Restaurant

Darvish is a restaurant that has been around for more than three decades. The goal of the owners from day one was to give everyone an opportunity to sit down, enjoy some food and be taken back home with memories long ago.

They offer a wide variety of delicious food for all your cravings. You’ll be able to find something that will meet any taste, from their lamb shank and koobideh kabob to double chicken shish kabob and torsh kabob. 

Their vegetarian dishes are also a perfect way to enjoy this delicious meal. Aash reshteh, delightfully sweet dolmeh barg and tangy Persian taster will make you want more! And don’t forget about the Pomegranate walnut stew too – it’s not just tasty but also looks beautiful. 

When you walk into Darvish Restaurant, it feels like being part of a big family. The warm and welcoming environment makes guests feel at home. Here, you can enjoy delicious food that has been prepared by skilled chefs who are committed to providing high-quality service in order for every guest’s experience to be nothing less than perfect.

Business Information:

Website: darvishrestaurant.ca
Telephone: +14169298893
Address: 508 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4Y 1X9, Canada

Customer Review Highlight:

“ At my first time in Darvish restaurant, I had a great experience with friends and family. The food was juicy and tasty and the service was perfect.Pooya was really helpful and funny. We'll definitely go back to try other dishes.Really recommend it. “

Pros

  • Authentic Persian restaurant in downtown Toronto since 1985
  • Menu ranges from a wide variety of Persian appetizers, Kabobs, stews, desserts, and more
  • Consistent hours

Cons

  • A bit pricey for the serving size

FAQs About Persian Cuisine

Persian cuisine is the cuisine of the people of Iran, while Middle Eastern cuisine is a broader term that can refer to the cuisines of various countries in the region, such as Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Egypt.
Common ingredients in Persian dishes include rice, meat, vegetables, herbs, and spices.
There is no one right answer to this question, as different people have different preferences. Some people prefer to eat Persian food with their hands, while others use utensils. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide what works best for you.
The level of spice in Persian dishes can vary, but some dishes can be quite spicy. If you are sensitive to spice, be sure to ask about the level of spice in a dish before ordering it.

Final Thoughts

That’s all for our list of the best Persian restaurants in Toronto! Our favourite is the Taste of Persia Restaurant, which offers a delicious and authentic Persian dining experience. Don’t miss out on their Koobideh kabobs! It’s so good, we can’t even begin to describe it.

Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a sit-down meal, be sure to check out one of these Persian restaurants. Do you have a favourite Persian restaurant in Toronto that didn’t make our list? Let us know in the comments below!

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