With an estimated 100,000 Iranians living in the Greater Toronto Area, it’s no wonder that delicious Persian food is so easy to find in the city. Whether you prefer traditional food and the décor to match, or more modern cuisine, Persian fare will find a happy place on anyone’s palate.
Here are some of the best Persian restaurants in Toronto.
Walking into The Pomegranate is always a treat for the eyes, from handmade textiles to the distinctive blue tile work associated with Persian art and poetry. The delight continues with the food, as authentic as the décor. Meat eaters will love the lamb and chicken polo dishes, while vegetarians can swoon over the mouthwatering charred eggplant or mushroom stew with pomegranate syrup. This popular restaurant only seats 40, so make a reservation to guarantee a table.
A stone’s throw away from Trinity Bellwoods Park, kebabs and vodka meet to give you the feeling of pre-revolution Tehran. Sip a fresh sour cherry vodka martini while enjoying Chenjeh, a grilled veal tenderloin. If you favour an east-west mix, enjoy the Banu Burger topped with sheep’s milk cheese. For those not faint of heart, try Del, the grilled cow heart.
Located on Steeles Avenue near Yonge Street, Shomal (Farsi for "North") is part of what is now known as "Tehranto," the cluster of Persian shops and restaurants in the north end of the city. With its tender veal in pomegranate sauce, the Kebab Torsh is a favourite of Shomal regulars. As an eggplant lover, the Bademjan Kebab – eggplant stuffed with walnuts, pomegranate and spices – will always be part of my order.
At Sheherzade, the owners of Takht-e Tavoos and Pomegranate bring the best in Iranian street food. A kabob from the grill is a must to get that authentic Iranian street-food flavour. If sweet pomegranate sauce is your thing, go for the Juejeh Kebab. Or try the Kabob Barg, a "leaf kabob", basted with mouthwatering saffron butter. All kabobs are served with Persian rice, salad and grilled tomato.
Takht-e Tavoos is the third offering from the owners of Pomegranate and Sheherzade, specializing in Toronto’s favourite meal: brunch. Open from 10am-3pm, Tavoos whets the appetite with Persian twists on brunch favourites. The spinach narguesi adds feta and olives to the Tavoos interpretation of eggs Florentine. And if you like a warm bowl of porridge in the morning, try haleem, with lamb, butter, sugar and spices for a middle eastern twist.
On the stretch of Yonge Street between Finch and Steeles is Zaffron – a little bit Italian and a little bit Persian – making it quintessentially Canadian. Start with a wood-oven pizza topped with goat cheese and eggplant, but leave some room for Ghaimeh, a traditional veal shank stew, and the Baghali Polo, a lamb shank dish served with dill rice. In warmer weather, dine on the large patio.
The sibling to Shomal, this resto serves the midtown crowd at Don Mills and York Mills. Though the restaurant décor may not immediately make you think of Iran, the food certainly will. All your favourite Persian dishes are on the large menu, with a few surprises like caesar salad and french fries. Given the large portions, it’s nice that Gilaneh offers substitutes for the rice – switch out some of the rice for salad, fries or vegetables. And if you like karaoke, make sure to visit on the weekends.
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