We chat with a mystery food blogger to uncover the best places to try Iranian food in the city.
Some of the best kebabs you’ll find in Dubai are at Iranian restaurants. A few of these restaurants have been around for decades, though sadly this space has seen a lot of churn and many old-timers have closed their doors (even before the pandemic). The good news is that we have many more new restaurant openings and the experts will tell you that these recent entrants serve some of the best Iranian food that Dubai has ever eaten.
If you’re looking to navigate this delicious yet complex landscape of restaurants, tune in to our podcast using the player below with one of Dubai’s most respected and prolific food bloggers, Xerxes the Ravenous.
Xerxes is a force of culinary nature who can lead you to the best Iranian restaurants in the city, blindfolded. On the Deep Fried podcast, he shares that Iranian food is far more than the kebabs it’s often associated with. We’ve shared the list below of all the dishes Xerxes mentioned on the show and the restaurants that do them best. If you want more of his recommendations even beyond Iranian food, do check out his blog here and follow him on Instagram (@ravenousxerxes). This guy knows his stuff!
Want more of our scrumptious podcast episodes? Feast on our main podcast page here!
Subscribe on: Apple Podcast App | Spotify (available on AppStore and Google Play) | Google Play Music(currently supported only for listeners in US/Canada) | Anghami
1. Kebab Khas / Masti
What is it?
The name is translated as Special Kebab and is a southern Iranian delicacy of small pieces of meat or chicken marinated for a day or two in sour hung yogurt and grilled on short skewers. Sometimes also referred to as Kebab Masti or Tikka Masti.
- Al Ustad Special Kebab (aka Ostadi), Bur Dubai
- Al Fareej Restaurant, Al Qusais
- Kebab Khas (Special Kebab), Satwa
- Aroos Bandar (Bandar Bride) Restaurant, Deira Creekside
- Jelfar Cafe, Deira Gold Souk
- Special Kebab Ahmad Ali (Ahmad Ali Kebabi), Sharjah
View this post on Instagram
2. Kebab Bahraini
What is it?
Another kebab indigenous to south Iran where the meat pieces are marinated in powdered dried limes and black pepper before grilling.
View this post on Instagram
3. Kebab Torsh
Meat marinated in pomegranate syrup (molasses) before being grilled to give it a sweet and sour flavour.
- Xerxes recommends Rivas Restaurant, at Barsha Mall
- We’ve enjoyed this kebab at Pars Iranian Restaurant, Satwa too
4. Gardan
What is it?
Lamb neck that is braised with onions till the meat is fall-off-the-bone tender.
- Rivas Restaurant, The Mall, Jumeirah
- Toranj Iranian Restaurant
- Cando Restaurant, Deira Creekside (2023 update: the main chef has left so the other options on this list might be better)
View this post on Instagram
5. Kebab Koobideh
What is it?
The most typical Persian kebab – minced meat that is shaped on to flat skewers and indented with fingers before grilling. Quality is key here, both of the meat and the skill over the grill.
View this post on Instagram
6. Kebab Soltani
What is it?
A combination of 2 skewers, one Koobideh and one of Barg, thinly sliced tenderloin fillet (sometimes soaked in onion juice)
- Sofreh Kitchen & Grill, Cluster X, JLT
- Bahar Restaurant, Marina
- Cando Restaurant, Deira Creekside (2023 update: the main chef has left so the other options on this list might be better)
6. Joojeh Kebab
What is it?
Boneless chicken kebabs often flavoured with saffron. Like Kebab Koobideh its all about the skill of the grill master in keeping the kebab well-caramelized outside and juicy within.
View this post on Instagram
7. Vegetarian Starters
- Mirza Qassemi: Roasted, peeled and chopped eggplant that is cooked into a puree with eggs and chopped tomatoes
- Kashk-e-Bademjan: Roasted eggplant dip like Baba Ghanouj but topped with a funky liquid whey (kashk)
- Kookoo: Herb and vegetable fritters that are bound with beaten egg before frying.
- Yashar Palace Restaurant, Jumeirah 1 (near the Jumeriah Mosque and La Mer)
- Grand Abshar restaurant.
8. Aash
What is it?
A thick, filling soup that is ubiquitous to Iranian Cuisine and an essential part of Iranian culture; every region has its own variation and every home has its own version.
- Yashar Palace Restaurant, Jumeirah 1 (near the Jumeriah Mosque and La Mer)
- Grand Abshar Restaurant, Umm Suqeim (opposite the Jumeirah Fishing Harbour).
- Aroos Bandar (Bandar Bride) Restaurant, Deira Creekside
- Al Bait Al Qadeem Emirati Heritage Restaurant, Al Ras.
View this post on Instagram
9. Koresht
- Koresht Gheimeh – Split peas stew often topped with fried julienned potatoes, must be served with a stewed dried lime.
- Ghormeh Sabzi – Mixed herbs stew with red beans and small pieces of lamb; the balance of fenugreek in this stew is vital.
- Koresht Karafs – Similar to Ghormeh Sabzi but made with celery.
- Fesenjoon – A rich winter stew traditionally made with duck cooked in crushed walnuts and pomegranate molasses.
- Grand Abshar Restaurant, Umm Suqeim (opposite the Jumeirah Fishing Harbour).
- Yashar Palace Restaurant, Jumeirah 1 (near the Jumeriah Mosque and La Mer)
Koresht Gheimeh at Grand Abshar Restaurant
10. Lubia Polo
What is it?
A saffron-scented rice dish with green beans, tomatoes and herbs.
- Grand Abshar Restaurant, Umm Suqeim (opposite the Jumeirah Fishing Harbour).
11. Baghali Polo
What is it?
A dill-scented rice dish with fava beans, usually served with a lamb shank that is cooked until tender (Mahiche).
Baghali Polo ba Maahicheh at Iran Zamin
12. Zereshk Polo
What is it?
Rice topped with ruby-red sour barberries that have been fried in ghee, usually accompanied with a portion of fried chicken.
- Most Iranian restaurants feature this dish!
Zereshk Polo
13. Tahdig
What is it?
Literally ‘the bottom of the pot’, it refers to the layer of rice that fries to become deliciously golden and crunchy. Served separately with its own pride of place on the table and often fought over.
- Al Ustad Special Kebab (aka Ostadi), Bur Dubai
- Grand Abshar Restaurant, Umm Suqeim (opposite the Jumeirah Fishing Harbour).
View this post on Instagram
Arva Ahmed is the co-founder of Frying Pan Adventures, Dubai’s first food tour company, and a celebrated food explorer known for uncovering Dubai’s hidden culinary gems. Her expertise in the city’s diverse food scene has been featured in prominent publications such as CNN, Khaleej Times, BBC Travel, The Sun, The Independent and countless more. She also hosts Ditch the Silver on YouTube. Through her immersive tours and storytelling, Arva brings Dubai’s rich flavors and vibrant cultures to life.
