The Best Persian/Iranian in Santa Ana

M Cafe & Grill

★★★★☆ 4.3 (486) • $$

"We're new to the area and found this place based on other Yelp reviews. We decided to order takeout from here for our visiting family, who are all pretty particular about Persian food, and it was a hit. We ordered the family combo for 4 people and were impressed by the generous portion sizes. The koobideh kabob (ground beef) was delicious, the barg kabob (filet) was very tender and juicy, and we all really liked the chicken tender and chicken koobideh as well. The rice portion was extremely large, I felt bad because we wasted so much of it. My only complaint is that the yogurt sides we ordered we were very small, probably meant for 1-2 people, not a family of 8. I wish they would have told me that over the phone so I would've ordered more, or at least offered a larger size for the yogurt sides. Overall their food was delicious and good quality, we will order from here again!"

Point 11 Persian Kabob Grill

★★★★★ 4.8 (108)

"Yum!!! I really like this place, super casual, great menu and DElICIOUS food. I have eaten at several, high-end Persian restaurants, this place is as good. I had the spicy chicken kabob with the albalo polo rice, just amazing, a must try.They give you plenty of food, you will not leave hungry."

Panini Kabob Grill

★★★★☆ 3.9 (214) • $$

"All Panini Kabob Grills have all the right things:* a true scratch kitchen* high quality ingredients * proteins are: antibiotic / hormone-free / sustainably raised....and hence, everything is delicious. Simple and flavorful. Love.And for extra bonus points: Third party deliveries are sealed in tamper-proof packaging, for the win!"

Food House Restaurant

★★★★★ 4.8 (242) • $$

"Quick SummaryDelicious Persian food made to order and excellent service. Nice views on their outside balcony, and very cozy inside as well. Parking is really easy tooFood- 5 starsI stopped by and got their lamb kebab plate. Everything was really good and fresh. You can even see them cooking everything in the kitchen as their side door is usually open. Can't wait to try their more ethnic dishes!Service- 5 starsThe service was great. Food came at a reasonable time and the cashier was very friendly and helpfulAmbiance- 5 starsGreat outdoor seating area overlooking the canyon, and clean indoor dining area as wellBottom LineVery solid Persian/Mediterranean food. Will be coming back to try their more ethnic dishes!"

Flourish Food

★★★★★ 5 (8)

"Excellent service, Delicious food. Super reasonable. Can't ask for anything more. I have lunch here and catering on Thursdays for family events"

Koobikland

★★★★★ 4.7 (297) • $$

"We were thrilled to be able to come here for a late lunch today. When we arrived at 2pm we were the only ones there and luckily didn't need a reservation. They had incredible live music and a singer who had a lovely voice that serenaded us with a mix of Persian and English songs.The food: The mast o mousir was a pass for us since it was chunky and clumpy not the finely ground mousir we prefer.However the kebab, wow. The chicken was moist and delicious. Not dry at all and flavorful. The rice was fluffy and had a good amount of saffron. It came with a mast o khiar which was excellent so definitely the yogurt to order next time. The shirazi was seasoned well and perfectly diced. The bastani stole the show! Homemade, softly churned till smooth, fresh pistachios and cut into nice triangles. We ordered two of the ice creams for the 4 of us and we devoured it. Price was reasonable for the portion, atmosphere etc. Ice cream was expensive but given that it is homemade and legit saffron it is understandable. ($23 for two bowls)Definitely worth returning to when out in the area."

Shemroon Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.3 (172) • $$

"First time here & glad we stopped by. It's a small restaurant, very clean and the staff were wonderful. There is plenty of parking available too.My husband had their buffet and loved everything they served. I ordered their lamb shank off the menu, it was delicious. It wasn't gamey, the lamb was so tender it fell off the bone and the broth was delicious. We are picky with our Middle Eastern food and this didn't disappoint. We will definitely be back, highly recommend it."

Soltani Restaurant

★★★★★ 4.6 (312) • $$

"Highly recommend it . Don't let the humble look of this restaurant make you miss out on the delicious food. We went there and the place was pretty empty, so the owner (I assume) kept checking on us and playing with our daughter, such a cute old man"

Caspian Mediterranean Kitchen

★★★★☆ 4.4 (489) • $$

"I've always heard about Caspian in Irvine - famous for the belly dancers but never went to that establishment. Sadly, that one is gone but in its place is this restaurant now in Lake Forest/Foothill Ranch. On Wednesdays to Friday, they have a lunch buffet. At $23.99 a person, it may seem steep, but man it's worth it! I will say that we make the mistake of lining up in the front just to realize people were queueing to pay instead of just going towards the actual restaurant part to be seated... That was stupid of us lol so if that happens, ignore the line for paying! Anyways, onwards to the food! There's bread (I didn't think it was that great), salad with a tasty house dressing sauce, yogurt sauce, hummus, rice, fries and various types of kebobs. There was a chicken one, a chicken tender type, ground beef, and the shrimps. Everything was fresh and kept coming out so the buffet was never empty.The restaurant was clean and decorated well. The lunch buffet is honestly such a good deal and left me very satisfied. My favorites were the shrimp kabobs as they were grilled to perfection and seasoned well. But I don't think you could go wrong with anything here!"

Hafez Cafe

★★★★★ 4.5 (219) • $$

"Today, I was craving Abgoosht, Persia's cherished national dish, an ancient lamb stew bursting with flavor. The traditional way to enjoy it is by mashing the meat into a paste and creating small sandwiches with fresh herbs, followed by alternating bites of Salad-e Shirazi and Liteh pickle.I found an amazing spot that serves top-notch Persian food, with excellent customer service, a clean and tidy environment, and high-quality dishes. The place was bustling, but the atmosphere was vibrant and welcoming. If you're craving authentic Persian food, this spot is definitely worth checking out.They even bake their own fresh bread in a traditional Tanoor oven, which is both warm and delicious. The menu offers a variety of Persian dishes, including classics like beef soltani, kaleh bareh (lamb head soup), and of course, Abgoosht. The restaurant also serves a fantastic tea blend with sugar cubes, which adds a nice touch.Hafez Cafe in Laguna Hills, California, has a family-friendly vibe with outdoor seating and plenty of parking. It's a great spot for kids and groups, and the portions are generous. The chicken is always flavorful, and they offer healthy options, plus unlimited tea.The cozy, casual ambiance and the family-owned charm make it a great spot for a laid-back meal. Other popular dishes include beef kobideh, joojeh kabob, kale pacheh, Ashe Reshteh, hummus, mast o'khiar, Persian burgers, and more. The food quality is exceptional, and the prices are very reasonable for the quantity and taste.The best part of Abgoosht is enjoying it the traditional way, which really brings a sense of nostalgia. For many, this dish is linked to fond memories of family gatherings from the past. Abgoosht, also known as Ab-goosht, Abgousht, or Dizi (after the traditional stone pot it's made in), holds a special place in Persian culture.You get to mash the meat yourself with a meat masher, combining it with beans, potatoes, and tomatoes. The ingredients meld together into a rich, hearty stew, and you get to experience it in a truly hands-on way.For me, it reminds me of sitting under the Korsi, enjoying a warm bowl of Abgoosht while the snow fell outside. Those moments are unforgettable, and they really capture the essence of this comforting, traditional dish.The mashed meat and soup are served separately, allowing you to enjoy each element on its own. You mash the meat, beans, potatoes, and tomatoes into a flavorful paste, while sipping the savory broth as a comforting soup. This separation allows you to fully savor each part of the dish in its traditional form.I even filmed the steps of how to eat it in the traditional way after you order."

Heaven On A Fork

★★★★☆ 4.4 (475) • $$

"Food is amazing! My favorite was the gormeh sabzi which is a stew served with rice. Came in late night and was served very quickly. They definitely have great quality food."

Cafe Naderi

★★★★☆ 3.9 (114) • $$

"This is my fifth or sixth times visiting Coffee Naderi / Irvine , I eat outside often since I'm a contractor & on the road most of the timeI end up buying a house in Mission Viejo So don't have to drive a lot, and start searching for good Persian restaurants around I can't say anything negative about Any other Persian restaurant I visited BUT COFFEE NADERI STANDS TALL , I am in business and I understand It's very hard to please people specially in food industry. The other day as I was eating food here one of the customers complained something from $26 HAS increased to $35 in few years time That was funny for me because in my industry, everything doubled up in few years But for people with fix income.....my heart goes for them Going back to kebab barg I tried here few time I can tell with confident : from Vienna of Austria ,To Luxembourg or New York , San Francisco, Sacramento, and my other offices in Glendale or Santa Clarita I must offer X 55 to this location Most importantly, every single worker are polite & with High level of customer serviceThis goes to Owner of establishment - Sorry I don't know his name yetGirls here have a smile in their faces all the time And that opens my appetite even moreI can't recommend this place to anyone because I don't want them to be Supper busy and NO seat for me CALL ME selfish personThank you, Layla Reminding me to live the feedback Art The Plumber"

Momo's Grill & Hookah

★★★★☆ 3.6 (461) • $$

"Love this place! Amazing food service and hookah. It typically can get busy by 7pm all days of the week. All seating is outdoors. Daniel was a great server and helpful with recommendations. We tried the Persian pizza that had beef, hot dog(non-pork) chicken bell pepper and mushrooms as toppings. The mint lemonade drink was super refreshing and a great pairing with our meal.Food came out really quick. Love the baklava and tea! Will definitely make this a regular spot. Highly recommend"

Aria Kitchen

★★★★☆ 4.2 (341) • $$$

"Mahta and her staff made planning a group lunch absolutely seamless! She was communicative, friendly and worked with our budget, changing party numbers and food preferences. I was constantly texting her to make sure things would be set for the day of, and she did not disappoint. The feedback we received from the food was just as great as the service. Who knew pomegranate could elevate guacamole? I am so glad that we had the chance to check this place out (it was raved about by my coworker). Definitely would recommend, especially if you are bookings for a large group!"

The Grill

★★★★☆ 3.8 (20) • $$

"I got chicken soltani that had a skewer of chicken koobideh and one more skewer of another type of chicken. The portions were huge and I was able to eat only half of it. Chicken was juicy and flavorful on a bed of heaped rice. Had to wait for like 15 mins but was finally worth it."

Caspian Mediterranean kitchen

★★★★☆ 3.6 • $$

"Feasting at Caspian is easy when the food is so tasty! Their kebabs and lamb chops are Devine! The rice is fluffy, buttery, and melts in your mouth! The Shirazi salad is perfectly tart, and the bread and butter wraps the meal up in a nice little bow. We went on a Saturday night and Caspian offers entertainment in the form of a belly dancer and a singer/entertainer. The music, for the most part was in Persian so I was bopping my head to lyrics I did not understand but overall, it's a great place to bring your family for a dinner with free entertainment. This location is in a large shopping plaza so parking is ample and free! Make sure to make reservations as the good tables are usually taken up on Saturday nights!"

Kabab Express

★★★★★ 4.7 (434) • $$

"We were surprised to learn of a place that was open so late in our area and decided to check it out. We arrived around 8:45 and ordered, took a number and found a table. So, people were generally nice. There was a manager (owner?) walking around to greet people and one of the two girls working the cash register was very friendly...the other was new-ish.Anyway, long story short, the food is GREAT. I got chicken + beef koobideh platter (chicken was slightly better) and hubby got the lamb tongue sandwich which he loved. We also shared a falafel platter. BIL ordered he thought was chicken but was given a steak kabab ??? Couldn't really tell as the meat was blackened but the texture was that of steak. Whatever it was, it was pretty tasty. We were given a ton of taftoon (flat bread) for our entrees.That being said, the food did take a LONG time. By the time we got out of there, it was 10:30pm. I mean, we're pretty patient people but were getting a little hungry when our food finally arrived. Except BIL's. His took another 15 minutes and when we inquired, we were told the chicken takes longer to cook??? So I want to say it was over an hour by the time we got all our food. Not sure if we'll be back - will likely stick to to-go orders but it was nice to know we have an option for late night eats that isn't a drive-thru. The place was inexplicably packed for 10pm on a Friday night, with a party of 20 people showing up for a birthday party. Check it out but make sure you have plenty of time."

Irvine Grill

★★★★☆ 3.8 (600) • $$

"Irvine Grill in the Quail Hill Shopping Center has become one of my favorite weekend indulgences. This charming Persian restaurant never disappoints with its flavorful and delicious cuisine. The Persian rice is simply irresistible, and the Koobideh combo is always a must--my son insists I bring it home if he's not dining with me!While the indoor dining area can get busy (a testament to how popular this place is), I always opt for the lovely patio seating. There's nothing better than enjoying a meal al fresco, especially with the consistently beautiful weather we have in Southern California.The service is warm and attentive, and every visit feels like a treat. Irvine Grill is my go-to spot for authentic Persian flavors, and I can't recommend it enough."

Darya Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.2 • $$

"I got out of the hospital and my sister came to pick me up and take me home. She ordered Persian food yay one of my favorite foods of all time. I have gone to Darya for years since I was a teenager! I absolutely love this restaurant they have the best food!! The chicken and beef is always juicy and tender. I highly recommend coming here. They have the best chicken koobedeh and beef koobedeh. The service is always amazing friendly and kind. It's clean and inviting. I love all the food here, definitely try it here if you get a chance. Thank you for my delicious meal! Have a beautiful day :)Aloha"

Hatam

★★★★☆ 3.7 (850) • $$

"Had the best time celebrating my 50th birthday. We had an exclusive banquet room and it was perfect for my intimate birthday party. The food was delicious and the service was excellent. The owners Sunny and Babak are very professional. Puya, the manager, made sure that everything went well, with the food and helped with the cake service. I highly recommend this place. It's beautiful and luxurious!"

Darbari Persian Grill

★★★★☆ 4.3 (777) • $$

"Meet up with a good friend over lunch , my friend and her boyfriend who is Persian. This was my first time having Persian food and let me tell you, my taste buds were going crazy!! All the different flavors were amazing. I have to say Persian food is interesting and good experience. Super nice authentic Persian Resturant , food is great but the best thing about it is the owner attitude who serves us him self with a big smile . Food is fresh and tasty , atmosphere is nice and simply and the prices are reasonable.If you're seeking an authentic taste of Persian hospitality and culinary mastery, look no further than Darbari Persian Grill. It's an experience you won't soon forget.4.5 star ."

Hatam Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.9 (854) • $$

"There are 2 Hatam Restaurants, with this Anaheim location, situated near the 5 and 91 freeways being the first. Hatam has been around for 30+ years and specializes in Persian fare and all the food served here is HALAL. You'll find great tasting kabobs here (beef/chicken kobbideh, barg (filet mignon), and boneless chicken). They offer a variety of chicken, beef, lamb and trout options. Their salads and appetizers, especially borani (sauteed eggplant, yogurt, onions and garlic) are refreshing. They have several rice options including: regular, dill rice, sour cherry rice and my personal favorite: adas polo (basmati rice mixed with raisins, lentils and dates). Besides their restaurant, they do local catering which I have utilized numerous times. I have referred them to colleagues and friends who have had positive experiences as well. On this particular occasion I utilized them to cater a work event for 75 people. The event took place at Irvine Regional Park for lunch. Our menu consisted of: rice, salad, bademgaan (sauteed eggplant dish), beef koobideh kabobs, boneless chicken kabobs, grilled tomatoes, and pita bread. They provided utensils, napkins, take away boxes and arrived on time for our event. I told them I wanted to serve food at 11:30am, and they made my day by arriving at 11am. I had to attend a prayer service at 1pm, so everything worked out perfectly as I was able to get to my appointment on time.Overall I have always had a positive experience with Hatam. The quality of their food is excellent and the pricing for their catering service as well as customer service is excellent! The owner (Hossein) is a really kind man and was available whenever I needed to get in touch with him to make changes to the catering menu as well as quantity of guests."

Zood

★★★★★ 4.7 (171) • $$

"Best Falafel in Town - A Must-Try!We've tried falafel at plenty of places, but this one is by far our favorite! Zood truly knows how to do it right.First off, the falafel itself is perfect--crispy on the outside, light and fluffy on the inside, with just the right balance of spices. You can really taste the fresh herbs, and the texture is spot on. I went with the rice bowl with falafel. The pita was soft and warm, and everything felt so fresh.I also love that they offer a variety of toppings and sauces--aside from Persian eggplant dip , the perfect hummus, and more.It adds just the right amount of kick without overpowering the falafel.The atmosphere here is casual and cozy. It's a great spot to grab a quick bite, though there's usually a bit of a wait during lunch rushes, but it's totally worth it. The staff is friendly, and you can tell they care about the food they serve.Prices are very good for the quality, and the portion sizes are very generous. We walked out feeling completely satisfied!If you're a falafel fan (or even if you're new to it), I highly recommend giving Zood a try--you won't be disappointed!"

House of Kabob

★★★★☆ 3.9 (895) • $$

"Wow! Why did I not try this place sooner! This is the BEST Persian Resto I've ever had... like the meat is just so tender that melts in your mouth, very flavorful and juicy! The Ambiance inside feels like home with well decorated walls and fresh plants. The Service is great... the waiter explains what their popular ones, the owner was actually watering the plants that is so awesome like everyone just helps each other. I and husband will definitely come back here again and spread the word! Viewers this is a MUST try and its worth every penny, as the quality and cost is very much affordable... huge savings if u dont finish take it home! Keep it up you guys! Kudos!"