Where to Eat in Shiraz
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. Shiraz, being one of the most important tourist stops in Iran, also has plenty of good restaurants and cafes to offer. In this article, we’d like to introduce you to some of the best Shiraz restaurants, so that you may enjoy this wonderful city even more!
The Best Shiraz Restaurants
Whether you’d like to try local Shirazi/Iranian food, or you’d prefer to stay in your comfort zone time and again and have some standard Western dishes, Shiraz won’t let you down! It would of course be a shame if you didn’t try out any of the signature dishes served in a number of Shiraz restaurants, so make sure you’ve had your fill of Iranian culture before you go back to your comfort zone, if that’s something you decide to do!
Parhami Traditional House
We’ve already mentioned Parhami House in our Shiraz hostels blog, and we’ve pointed out the fact that this hostel is famous for its amazing restaurant. Even if you don’t decide to stay in Parhami Traditional House, you should definitely plan an evening around dining in this fine Shiraz restaurant! Our recommendation for you is to try out the famous Shirazi dish, Kalam Polo, served with lamb sirloin when you stop by Parhami House!
Haft Khan Complex
Located just a few hundred meters away from the famous Quran Gate, you have your pick of the crop in the Haft Khan Complex. If you want to try the somewhat contentious Kaleh Pacheh (whole sheep head, legs, and innards; not the most appetizing concept, we know), if you want to try traditional Iranian dishes, if you want to have some fast food, burgers, pizzas, whatever you’d like, they’ve probably got it. Steaks, seafood, and even Turkish and international cuisine are all available in Haft Khan. And for those of you who are on a vegetarian/vegan diet, they’ve got plenty of options!
Soofi Restaurant
One of the oldest and most respected restaurants in Shiraz, Soofi is a complex with multiple locations and restaurants coming in different styles and serving different cuisines. While their menu may not be quite as varied as Haft Khan’s, it’s certainly not lacking. You have your choice of traditional Iranian Khoreshts, kebabs, and rice-based dishes, as well as fast food and Italian cuisine at Soofi.
Raaz Garden
Baghe Raaz or Raaz Garden is a luxurious restaurant located near the famous Maali Abad district in Shiraz. While their menu may not exactly blow your mind, the pleasant atmosphere has made this Shiraz restaurant a particularly popular choice for families.
Vakil Cultural House
While the Vakil Cultural House (located right in the historical Vakil Complex) is recognized more as a café and as an Italian restaurant, their Persian dish of the day is not to be missed out on. Not to mention the fact that their on-site art gallery is yet another reason to stop by Vakil Cultural House!
Sharzeh Restaurant
Another addition to the plentitude of boutique hotels, cafes, and restaurants located in the historic Darbe Shazdeh quarters (see also Vakil Cultural House and Joulep Café), Sharzeh is among the best traditional restaurants in Shiraz. With a lovely interior and a vibrant menu, you won’t regret having a meal in Sharzeh!
Shater Abbas
One more option for dining in a traditional Shiraz restaurant is Shater Abbas, with a lovely interior and atmosphere, as well as a varied menu.
The Best Cafes in Shiraz
Now, as important as it is to go out of your comfort zone and experience different local cuisines, sometimes you may just want to have something more familiar. In that case, cafés and café restaurants in Shiraz are your best option.
Hedayat Café
One of the oldest and most recognized cafes in Shiraz, Hedayat may not be a restaurant, but its wide range of drinks and desserts, atmosphere, and lovely breakfast menu make it a natural choice for spending an enjoyable, calm evening.
Joulep Café Restaurant
This lovely café restaurant in Shiraz has one of the most vibrant menus out there. One of the things that makes Joulep stand out is its vegetarian menu, as well as the vegan-friendly milk-based coffees and hot drinks: Vegan lattes, Cappuccinos, Hot Chocolate, Masala, and basically everything you could dream of!
