Iranian or Persian cuisine is as varied as the country’s geography and culture. The country’s food has been heavily influenced by neighboring regions, including both Central Asia and the Middle Eastern. Typical dishes include ash e anar, a soup made from pomegranate seeds, kebabs, roasted meat served with rice, and tah chin, a type of rice cake made with saffron stuffed with chicken. There are also an array of flat breads available. Visitors should remember that Iran is a Muslim country and pork is not eaten here. Tehran has the most varied restaurants available, with visitors to areas outside the capital advised to simply choose the busiest and cleanest looking establishments to dine at.
Bars and Pubbing in Iran
Iran is a highly religious country and follows Islamic law and customs strictly. This means that the sale, import and consumption of alcohol are strictly prohibited. Visitors should not try to bring alcohol into the country, nor should they try to buy alcohol, even if offered.
A popular place for locals to hang out is at one of the many coffee shops dotted around the capital. Visitors will find one on pretty much every corner and new coffee shops are popping up every day. Popular spots in Tehran include Central Coffee (Kheradmand, Tehran), Café Honar (Enqelab, Tehran) and Café Viuna (Derakhti, Tehran). Visitors can enjoy a variety of caffeinated drinks and sweets at these cafés.
Dining and Cuisine in Iran
In Tehran, travelers will find a nice range of restaurants, from cheap to expensive. There are limited international options in the capital, such as Indian, Italian, Swiss, and Asian. Visitors will find the highest number of eateries and widest menu choices around the Grand Bazaar in Tehran.
Restaurants to try include Hezardastan (Shahid Beheshti Avenue, Tehran) and Shandiz Mashad (31 Saba Boulevard, Tehran), which offer excellent Iranian fare and kebab dishes. Vegetarians will be amazed at how many options they have all over Iran and a good choice for non-meat eaters is Charmy’s (2 Alborz Street, Tehran). It is worth noting that restaurants close and open quite frequently, so up-to-date information is best sourced upon arrival from hotels or tour guides when looking for places to eat.