The Tastiest Persian/Iranian in Washington

Maman Joon Kitchen Tysons

★★★★☆ 3.9 (117) • $$

"We came here before a flight out of Dulles. I was not really sure what I was in the mood for but I began my search on Yelp and saw the what I thought was cevapcici. The place actually ended up being kebabs, which was fine. The place was really busy in the mall and you ordered at the counter and sat while they brought your order. I ordered the ground beef kebabs, their signature. I love that they give you a huge portion of good meat. The seasoning on the meat was slightly off to me personally. It wasn't gross but it wasn't my favorite. The rice was delicious. They also gave me a size of pita with taziki. I would have preferred hummus, but you had to purchase that separately. I also ordered a lamb kabab, which I thought was excellent. Much better than the ground beef. My boyfriend had the steak, which was the best kabab in my opinion. The meat was more on the tough side, but the flavor was incredible. The rice had butter and they gave huge portions. We also bought the hummus for the bread and the hummus was delicious. The prices were WAY TOO steep in my opinion. Our order was almost $80. Although they gave huge portions, for being an almost fast food like restaurant, I was appalled at the cost."

Amoo's Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.4 • $$

"Deliciousness - 4/5Happiness 5/5This was a really fun time at a truly unique middle eastern restaurant. You want quantity? The size of these entrees can sate the growliest tummy. You want quality? Flavors and unique offerings galore. Your wallet's in a pinch? No problem, as there are plenty of affordable options (and you'll definitely have leftovers).What I particularly enjoyed were some of the options that you don't see too often. The Tahdig is a must-have appetizer if you're eating with a group - a mini meal in itself, you get truly flavorful crispy rice topped with wonderfully cooked meat to share. I also really loved the option to get a cornish game hen as the gamy taste of the meat paired well with the saffron lime spice blend they grilled it in. We got the house wine, which was very flavorful. And my wife particularly enjoyed saffron ice cream (a dessert I've not come across - loaded with pistachios as well). The lamb is juicy and fall of the bone (if you're wise enough to get it bone-in), and everything had a great char to it.The service was also really great. We were warmly greeted, the waiter struck a great balance of engaging and letting us have our conversation, and everyone we met was friendly. I can't praise them enough for the fun service and meal."

Maman Joon

★★★★☆ 4.2 (46)

"I was excited to try this new place based on what I read about the DC location. This shop shares a location with Z burger (like a combination KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell) and all the workers and clients are over there. That's the first clue this might not be ideal. So it took awhile to get an employee to grab my take out order, cause of the Z burger thing. Three stars are for just the koobideh, that was moist, perfectly cooked and delicious. The rest lacked. I eat a low sodium diet only cause I don't really like a lot of salt and I can't believe I'm saying this, but please dear God add some salt to the rice. This is probably the worst soggy rice I've ever had and it has the color of saffron, but absolutely zero flavor. Please call your maman joon for a recipe. Salmon kabobs was a tiny portion but had good spice. Baklava was super dry. It would have if they sumac to go with the kabobs. I hope things pick up and the food is improved, I don't see myself going back in the near future."

Maman Joon

★★★★☆ 4.4 (165) • $$

"A decent fast casual option in Tenleytown. Their grilled chicken is thick and fresh, so if you want your protein, they are a solid option. Hummus is good, but their pita could be a tad fresher. Overall, they deliver a satisfying meal, though."

Yummy... Yum Food

★★★★★ 4.5 (21) • $

"I'm Persian and was pleasantly surprised to see this in the long line of food trucks. The food was fresh, authentic, and delicious. Wish they were in Chinatown more often!"

Maman Joon Kitchen

★★★★☆ 4.2 (111)

"We found our new favorite kabob spot! 1) all the staff there is so nice. Talkative, friendly, and explains their food if unsure. 2) indoors and outdoors seating area. It's nice and bright inside with a huge window, so the ambiance is very nice. Outdoor seating has that picnic vibe. 3) gender neutral bathrooms. 4) kubideh is delicious! Rice is perfectly done. And hummus was yummy. They're not stingy on the bread with the hummus though! We will be back for some moreeeee!"

Yekta Market & Kabob Counter

★★★★☆ 3.9 (467) • $$

"I love this market for the trove of Middle Eastern goods, but I was blown away by the frittata sandwich I bought at the deli. As a vegetarian, I was happy there was an option for me, but I was even more delighted when I bit into the goodness that was this sandwich. Imagine an herb-stuffed layer of egg topped with crunchy pickles and tomatoes, all encased in a warm hoagie roll. Pricey to be sure, but I would eat this every day for lunch if I could. Thanks, Yekta!"

Shamshiry Express

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (49) • $

"The fourth installment of my "Kabob Kompendium" profiling various joints in the region that can be broken down into a set of common criteria: 1)ethnic focus 2) kabobs 3)side dishes 4)rice 5)condiments 6)bread 7)dining experience 8) unique dishes 9)x-factor(s).1)Ethnic focus: PersianThe hallmark for Persian cuisine for me is the unique preparations of their rice dishes, with combinations of fruits and nuts or herbs and legumes, and they have a rotating set of daily specials showcasing these rice dishes depending on which day of the week you are coming in, as opposed to the parent restaurant where all options are available on any given day. 2) Side dishes: one gets a quarter wedge or a raw onion and a charred tomato so nothing too exciting here. The tomato makes sense to me since it adds a tart note that can be mixed into the rice, but I haven't quite figured out how to make do with the raw onion other than for a good cry over the lack of better side dishes. Fellow Persian yelpers feel free to enlighten me.3) Rice: well cooked fluffy basmati rice w/ a touch of saffron. The flavored rice specials are good but not exceptional compared to other Persian joints I've frequented. They definitely do not skimp on quantity so one can definitely easily make a single entree stretch to 2 meals to go easy on the wallet. I've been told one can request the desirable crispy panfried rice at the bottom of the cooking vessel aka tahdig (the Taye Diggs of rice, haha) so bonus points to make up for the sad side dishes.5) Condiments: no yogurt sauce (although perhaps on request?) but there is a spicy jalapeno relish which adds a spice note but lacking umami so one is left with an abundance of carbs from the mountain of rice and the complimentary pita bread, with a paucity of seasoning.6) Bread- ultra thin pita with a nice crisp on the edges with good central chew, but sorely in need of flavor either in the form of wrapping it with meat or a good dipping sauce7) Dining experience- take out only, but accepts call ahead orders which are promptly made to order in 10-15minutes8) Unique dishes: the daily specials and the ever-so intriguing "Tongue Sandwich" prominently displayed on their wall menu...so many questions, what animal, what style of preparation, what condiments, what type of bread. Cat got your tongue or curiosity may have killed the cat? Perhaps I will experience both upon making this order.9) X-factor: While I am no self-proclaimed expert on takeout Persian food, I do consider myself a bonafide bargain hunter on good lunch deals, and the daily special is definitely excellent value for quantity with respect to quality. While some 4.5 star experiences are downgraded due to upcharge in price, this one is a 3.5 star food experience elevated to 4 stars based on value and prompt service.Looking forward to checking out their actual restaurant to weigh in on their sit-in dining experience."

Rumi’s Kitchen

★★★★★ 4.5 (749) • $$$

"We've been wanting to try this place for a while after my partner's Persian colleague highly recommended it. We finally booked a table for lunch on a rainy Saturday.When we arrived around 12:30, it wasn't crowded, and we were seated after just a 5-minute wait.The restaurant is absolutely gorgeous!Our server greeted us right away and was very friendly. To start, we ordered hummus, and they brought out fresh flatbread along with sabzi khordan--a traditional Iranian herb platter with feta cheese. The hummus was absolutely amazing!For mains, my partner and our son shared the lamb, while I had the Shirazi salad and falafel. The portions were generous--my salad and falafel were delicious, and I ended up packing half of it to go. My partner and son loved their lamb dish, and the large portion was perfect for sharing.I highly recommend this restaurant and can't wait to go back!By the time we left around 2:30, the entrance was packed, so I definitely recommend making a reservation!"

Italiamo Kitchen

★★★★☆ 4.4 (12)

"Try the tahdig taco, you can't go wrong. New spot in the area, the Cesar salad was great as well, the hummus and the dips should not be missed"

Kabob Bazaar

★★★★☆ 4 (443) • $$

"I always walk by this place and want to try it but didn't get around to it until a few weeks ago. Placed a pickup order and it was ready a couple minutes before they said it would so pickup was very fast. The employees at the door and the bar were both very friendly. We ordered the kubideh kabob, jujeh kabob, kashk-e-bademjan, and a side of shireen polo and plain basmati. The chicken was surprising juicy (I don't love chicken breast) but the kubideh was just a tad dry. Both had very very good flavor though and I would get both again. The kashk-e-bademjan (eggplant dip) was incredible and I will probably get this every time we go here it was that good. The shireen polo was a tad sweet for me but still really good. We want to try the other 2 specialty rices as well, but the plain basmati is hard to beat. It looks like it still has saffron and some kind of butter or oil on it, it was anything but plain, so good. Last thing is the portion sizes. 2 meals and 2 sides was enough for probably 3.5 meals for us so the portions were definitely generous Will absolutely be back to try more of the food!"

Moby Dick House of Kabob

★★★★☆ 4.3 (10)

"After doing some grocery shopping nearby we decided to pick up lunch at Moby Dick House of Kabob. It was our first time there and we ordered two chicken kabob platters with rice and salad to go. The platter included chunks of marinated white meat chicken, rice and a side salad. The chicken was tender and delicious. There was a very very generous serving of lightly seasoned rice and in a separate container a side salad. The side salad was much nicer than I would expect for a "fast food" style restaurant. Our meal included two small containers of condiments. I absent mindlessly opened one and poured it on the salad. Oops, it was the tzatziki sauce for the kabobs, the slighly smaller one contained a nice vinaigrette for the salad. Lesson learned. The portions were so generous we ended up sharing one order and saving the other one for lunch the next day. When we went back a second time we just ordered one lunch and an appetizer of falafel. I'm not a huge fan of falafel but Rich loves it and thought this version was nice and crispy and he thoroughly enjoyed it. We will definitely be picking up lunch at Moby Dick again. For us it was a perfect light and satisfying meal. And after reading other reviews I am looking forward to trying a salmon platter next visit."

Marjan

★★★★☆ 4.3 (71) • $$

"So good!While visiting the bubble tea shop next door, we spotted Marjan. Lovely smells were coming out of this restaurant and we had to pay a visit. Online ordering was simple and straightforward. Our order was ready in a timely manner. Everything was neatly wrapped and ready to go. The employee was welcoming and kind. There is little seating inside, this is mainly a takeout and catering restaurant. I like the homey feeling to this place. We enjoyed every dish ordered. Super fresh and the flavors are all there. The dishes are aromatic and well prepared. Nothing was overly greasy or heavy. Seasoned perfectly. Quality ingredients are used and they are generous with the portions. The Zereshk Polo and Bagali Polo with Lamb is where it's at. You also can't go wrong with some Mast-O-Khiar and Shirazi Salad to accompany your meal."

Caspian House of Kabob

★★★★☆ 3.6 (177) • $$

"I come in a few times a month for lunch and always get the kubideh with half rice and half salad. Everything is is fresh and hot. Soda and fresh pita included. Not sure about the other reviews but for 15 bucks it's good and filling."

Darvish Kitchen & Kolbe

★★★★☆ 3.9 (38)

"Met some ex-coworkers here for a girls dinner and had a SPECTACULAR time. The service was great, the ambiance and decor are top-notch, and the pistachio espresso martini was nothing short of life-changing (though hella expensive at $22). Still, I rave about it to anyone who will listen."

Taste of Persia

★★★★★ 4.5 (15)

"I think I finally found the best food truck in D.C. Stopped by here a few weeks ago and ordered a chicken kabob salad. Tons of succulent chicken breast that was flavored very well. Salad was very fresh as well. A huge portion of food and the service was very friendly. Highly highly recommend."

KooKoo Restaurant & Lounge

★★★★★ 4.9 (63)

"We had a great meal here with friends from out of town. It had to be an early dinner so that we could make it to the DC United game at 7:30. We made a reservation but the place was empty when we arrived; not enough people eating at this great place.We began with appetizers: the kookoo sabzi, a Persian frittata which was OK; the kashk badjeman, an eggplant stew which even eggplant-hating me liked; and best of all the zeydoon parvardeh, a dish of marinated olives that was not at all salty.Our main dishes include the fesanjoon which was better than any fesanjoon that I remember having at persian restaurants in DC or New York -- it put me in mind to finally learn how to make it. There was a beef koobideh on special whcih we all enjoyed, and the gigot of lamb, roasted in a red wine sauce with vegetables. The quantities were large and there was plenty to take home"

Moby Dick House of Kabob

★★★★☆ 4 (8)

"Salmon Kabobs Standout!I tried Moby Dick (Rockville/North Bethesda) location today. Ordered via UberEats.I ordered salmon kabobs served w/basmati rice, grilled onions/tomatoes & pita bread. Meal arrived promptly & still warm. I also ordered extra meat (another kabob).Generous portion. The salmon moist, tender & flavorful.Basmati rice fluffy, tender & grilled onions sweet charred flavor. Also cool UberEats promo spend $30+ get a Free Hummus. See Photos!"

Divan Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.2 (246) • $$$

"I believe this was my first time trying Persian food. My friends and I didn't know what to order so we went with what our server recommended:Salade Alamut- Arugula salad with beets, goat cheese, and raspberry vinaigrette. It's a nice refreshing salad to start the meal with, but at the same time, not very memorable.Grilled Octopus - Grilled octopus drizzled with olive oil and vinaigrette. The octopus was grilled perfectly and was very tender.Mirza Ghasemi - Eggplant and egg dip with Persian bread. It was a nice little light appetizer. Kabob Torsch - Beef tenderloin kabobs marinated in pomegranate juice. This dish was a little too sweet and the beef was a little too overcooked and dry for me.Mahi Shekampoor - A whole trout stuffed with herb greens and nuts, on sauteed spinach. I think this is my favorite of the night. The fish was cooked perfectly with the herb greens and spinach. I would get this dish again.Mahechay - Braised bone-in lamb in broth. This was my second favorite dish of the night. The lamb and broth was so flavorful with the spices. I would also order this again. Persian Saffron Rice Pudding - I didn't enjoy this. It tasted a little too floral to me. I should have picked a different dessert, but everything else seemed non-Persian.Each entrée came with a plate of rice.Service was great. Our server was very attentive and patient in explaining items on the menu. The owner came over to check on us. The restaurant has a nice cozy decor. It seems kind of upscale, but you don't need to be dressy to be here."

Caspian Kabob

★★★★☆ 3.5 (148) • $$

"I remember this place when they were in smaller spot across the street. That was their first location. IMHO, they are 10x better than Mobys. The flavors are so much better and taste homemade. I love their Kubbieh Kabobs. Which is ground beef. Seasoned perfect. I always go for the platter with extra meat on the side. Rice is good. I love the grilled tomatoes. I always ask for extra tzakiki sauce. Yum! Ask for sumac as it will make the flavors pop even more! Then pita bread is made on site. Once in a while, ill treat myself to some baklava. But it's decent. Depends on how it looks.Service is great. I recommend calling ahead if you're getting it to go, they get busy during the lunch rush.They have a location in the Kentlands but this location is better."

Alborz Persian Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.8 (334) • $$

"Excellent food! Had the hummus, roasted eggplant dip, tandoori chicken kabob with dill & fave bean rice, jujeh kabob, and Persian ice cream w/ paludeh. Everything was excellent, especially the chicken, and seemed authentic. The service and ambiance were fine - it had a busy diner feel to it. But the food def made up for that. Note that alcohol is not served here. Recommend and will return."

Maman Joon

★★★★★ 4.7 (3)

"Nice kebabs and grilled meats. Quick service. One star deducted for price -- a tad high."

Boro Kabob

★★★★★ 4.6 (143) • $$

"Our first visit to Boro Kabob. The food is delicious and the service was very pleasant and helpful. Sunny and Angela worked the counter and couldn't be nicer. We enjoyed all the food and would like to see better cutlery. The plastic provided isn't the best for cutting through the meat. The dining area is small but cute. We came at an off time so not crowded. We split the wings - 6 at $13...good but extremely pricey. Wouldn't get those again for that price. The combo #3 was $27 and was very good but again super pricey, especially for one person eating with plastic on paper plates. We had a 20% coupon and saved $8 which was more palatable at $32 total. Apparently there is a mobile app that earns rewards and has special pricing. Still up in the air on downloading it due to prices. With that said, the food and service were very good. Give it try and decide for yourself."

Kensington Pizza And Kabob House

★★★☆☆ 2.8 (105) • $$

"So yum! Rice and Lamb and beef kebobs were delish- super fresh and flavorful- will come back!"

Gourmet Bazaar

★★★★☆ 4.1 (36) • $

"We were curious about Gourmet Bazaar as Rich eats a lot of Mediterranean style lunches. We had an errant in Rockville to perfect time to visit Gourmet Bazaar. Apparently they used to be in a smaller location but have moved into a much larger space on Rockville Pike across from Marlo Furniture and near the Roy Rogers. As you enter the market there is a small section with fresh fruit and vegetables. We picked up a bag of spinach. There were a lot of sauces, spices and teas, many with labels in other languages that I couldn't read. I picked up a bag of lentil dry soup mix. It was delicious. Unfortunately the same brand's mushroom and tomato mixes were pretty dismal but I will definitely go back and pick up more of the lentil mix. Rich loves Zatar so we added that to our cart. From the refrigerator and freezer cases came feta triangles and stuffed grape leaves. In the snack aisle we had to try some candies and corn nuts. A sign in the window of the Bazaar says "House of Kabobs". I thought it was a separate entrance but we finally figured out it was the carry-out area in the back of the market. We ordered a chicken kabob with rice and a Greek salad. This turned out to be probably the most impressive carry out order I've ever seen. The rice and kabob were in a reusable container. There was a separate container of pickled vegetables and one of sauce. These items were all tucked into a heavy cardboard open box. The portions were very generous and the Greek salad was huge. We got 5 meals out of our carry out. We are looking forward to going back again."

Joon

★★★★☆ 4.2 (460) • $$$

"I've been wanting to come back after a fun night at Joon for Yelp event over a year ago!My best friend and I went for brunch on a Saturday. We had their unlimited small plates option. It felt family style instead of tapas because the dishes were generously big for tapas. My favorites were the falafel and the beef sausage (Sosis Bandari) but every dish was flavorful!The space is beautiful and our server was very friendly. The complimentary valet is a plus!I'd definitely recommend!"