Must-try Dishes
Kuku Sabzi - Herb Omelette - A flavorful omelette packed with fresh herbs, eggs, and spices, resulting in a vibrant, green dish. Locals often enjoy it for breakfast, paired with bread and feta cheese for a hearty start to the day.
Shirin Polow - Sweet Rice with Nuts - A fragrant rice dish infused with saffron, orange peel, and almonds, giving it a delightful sweetness. Typically served during celebrations or special gatherings, this rice dish is a staple on festive tables.
Kebab - Kebab (grilled meat skewers) - Juicy marinated kebabs, usually made with lamb or chicken, grilled to perfection over open flames. It's common to find locals enjoying kebabs at street food stalls or casual restaurants, especially during dinner.
Sabzi Khordan - Herb Plate - A vibrant platter of fresh herbs, radishes, and feta cheese, often served as a side dish or a light meal. It's customary to enjoy this with bread, offering a refreshing and healthy contrast to heavier dishes.
Yogurt and Cucumber - Mast-o-Khiar (yogurt dip) - A cooling mix of yogurt, diced cucumber, and herbs, served as a refreshing side. This dish surprises many with its combinations, often enjoyed with kebabs or grilled meats.
Ash Reshteh - Noodle Soup - A thick, hearty soup made with beans, herbs, noodles, and sometimes kashk (fermented whey), packed with flavors and textures. Traditionally served during colder months, it's a beloved comfort dish during family gatherings.
Baghali Polow - Fava Bean Rice - Delightful, saffron-infused rice mixed with fava beans, often paired with lamb shanks or stew. Locals generally dine on this dish during celebrations or at family gatherings, especially in the Spring.
Polo Ba Morgh - Chicken Rice - Fragrant rice served with flavorful chicken cooked in spices and served atop the rice. This dish is a family favorite, enjoyed at lunch on weekends, often accompanied by a fresh salad.
Desserts & Drinks
Chai - چای (spiced tea) - A simmering blend of black tea with cardamom, cinnamon, and sometimes fresh mint, often brewed with sugar and milk. It's a staple across Tehran, enjoyed throughout the day, especially during morning gatherings or afternoon breaks at local teahouses.
Shirini Zaban - شیرینی زبان (thin pastry dessert) - Made from layers of flaky dough, filled with rich almond paste and brushed with syrup for sweetness. Commonly served at celebrations and weddings, it's best paired with a cup of tea, and many locals savor it during family gatherings.
Doogh - دوغ (yogurt drink) - A tangy, refreshing drink made from yogurt, water, and fresh mint, served chilled. Perfect to accompany meals, especially during summer, it's a go-to during picnics or laid-back lunch outings with friends (don't forget to shake it up before sipping)!
Ranginak - رَنگینک (date dessert) - A sweet treat made from dates filled with a walnut mixture and dusted with cinnamon, often served cold. Frosted just before special occasions like Nowruz, this dessert represents the festive spirit and is a crowd-pleaser during family gatherings.
Sharbat - شربت (sweet herbal drink) - A chilled syrupy drink made from fruits or rosewater, mixed with water and served over ice. Often enjoyed during hot afternoons in summer, locals add it to celebrations or simply sip it leisurely as a refreshing treat (it can be pretty sweet, so watch out for that!).
Note: Alcohol is restricted in Iran, only available in licensed venues and mainly for non-Muslims.
