Where to Eat in Tehran
Food is always one of the most crucial parts of traveling. It’s something that helps you experience different cultures like no other way and helps you get closer to the people of any country you’re visiting. Iran is one of the most vibrant countries you’ll probably ever visit, and the immense diversity of our nation is completely evident in our food. Tehran, being one of the most important tourist stops in Iran (partially due to the importance of the IKA), also has plenty of good restaurants and cafes to offer. In this article, we’d like to introduce you to some of the best Tehran restaurants, so that you may enjoy this wonderful city even more!
The Best Tehran Restaurants
Tehran is bustling with good food and activity. Whether we’re talking about street food, traditional Iranian restaurants, fine-dining restaurants, atmospheric cafes, international cuisine, luxury fusion restaurants, and basically everything you could think of, there’s probably a Tehran restaurant that suits your tastes.
Mehre Mitra Vegetarian Restaurant
Mehre Mitra Vegetarian Restaurant in the north of Tehran is one of the best and most prestigious vegan restaurants in Iran. From its beautiful, peaceful décor to the undeniably delicious menu items, Mehre Mitra will surely please any vegan, vegetarian, and even people who don’t subscribe to this lifestyle. Be sure to try out their take on famous Iranian dishes like Ghormeh Sabzi, Tah Chin, and Fesenjan, their delightful appetizers like the Ab-Doogh-Khiar (contains dairy!), or even non-Iranian dishes like vegan burgers and pasta. They truly have something for everyone!
Mehre Mitra has two restaurants in Tehran, a take-out in Niavaran and a dine-in in Lavasan, so whether you’d like to have your food on the go or sit down and enjoy a meal in a vibrant atmosphere, Mehre Mitra is the way to go!
Taj Mahal Restaurant
Whether or not you decide to stay in the 5-star Taj Mahal Hotel, you should not miss out on having a meal in one of their twin Tehran restaurants! One serves Indian food (true to name) while the other serves Gilaki food (food local to the Gilan province in the north of Iran), making dining in the Taj Mahal Hotel suitable for people with all kinds of tastes!
Dizi Restaurant
If you want to try the famous Iranian dish, Dizi (a stew made with lamb, chickpeas, white beans, potatoes, tomatoes, and different spices, traditionally served in a clay pot), your best choice is the famous Dizi Restaurant, located in Iranshahr Street.
Shandiz Restaurant
Perhaps the most prestigious restaurant chain in Iran, you will find a Shandiz restaurant in pretty much every major city in Iran, but one of their most famous restaurants is their Tehran branch, the Shandiz Mashhad Restaurant (confusing name, right?). This particular Tehran restaurant specializes in different Iranian kebabs, so if you decide to stop by for a meal, be sure to try their Shishlik!
SPU Restaurant
The lovely SPU is an open-air restaurant located on the northern edges of Tehran, in the famous Tajrish neighborhood. If you want to try out some high-quality Persian food in a pleasant atmosphere, SPU is the way to go!
Divan Restaurant
A modern Tehran restaurant, influenced in its design by the Chogha Zanbil Ziggurat and blending traditional Persian cuisine with contemporary concepts, you may be spending more in Divan than you would in most other restaurants in the city, but what you’re getting is a truly unique experience.
The Best Cafes in Tehran
Aside from the plentitude of Tehran restaurants, you can find plenty of cafes in the city where you can spend an enjoyable evening.
Iranian Artists Forum Veggie Restaurant
Located in the artistic/cultural complex that goes by the same name, the Iranian Artist Forum Veggie Restaurant in Tehran is highly sought after not only because of its atmosphere but also because of the varied and vibrant menu it offers.
Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art Café
We’ve talked about the variety of Tehran museums in another blog, but what we didn’t mention there is the fact that they tend to have some superb on-site cafes. One of the finest examples of this is the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art Café.
Cinema Café
Another café located on the site of one of the museums in Tehran is the Cinema Café in Bagh Ferdows, which shares its grounds with the Cinema Museum.
Café Naderi
While this historic café has earned its reputation as more of a tourist attraction (due to the fact that it was the gathering place for pre-revolution intellectuals, namely Sadeq Hedayat, Simin Daneshvar, and Jalal Al-Ahmad), you can still be certain that you can enjoy a good drink or meal in Café Naderi!
