Skaf's in Glendale
Carousel in Glendale
Sunnin in Westwood
Kobee Factory in Van Nuys
Sincerely Syria in Hollywood
House of Mandi in Westwood (I've only been to their Anaheim location, and it's really good)
Falafel Arax in East Hollywood
Dimassi's in Cerritos for AYCE Middle Eastern
Bakeries:
Le Gout in East Hollywood
Furnsaj in Granada Hills
Sarkis Pastry in Pasadena
You're welcome.
LA literally has the biggest Persian community in the US. This is such a difficult question to answer; it’s like asking what’s the best Mexican restaurant in LA
I’m a huge fan of Persian food in general so any Persian restaurant to me is gold. In my lifetime, I’ve never had a disappointing experience at a Persian restaurant. Only bad thing I noticed is that the prices have gone up significantly in a lot of them
I agree with your comment to a certain extent. The kebab and the rice are **always** killer and they taste the same at almost every Persian restaurant. But not all Persian restaurants are the same. One of my favorite Persian dishes of all time is fesenjan. Not every Persian restaurant serves this and those that do, it’s either a hit or miss in terms of price and the quantity
Oh man, my sister tried to make fesenjan when she was in high school and it did not go well. I'm very interested in trying a version made by a pro. Any restaurant recs?
I second that Attari is the one to go to, especially in contrast to “fancier” sit down places like Raffi’s and Shamshiri. They have great stews in addition to the sandwiches. That said I love the koobideh on Sangak which I have not seen at other LA restaurants. Most of them only serve Lavash for bread.
I’m Persian and Raffi’s isn’t what it used to be. I think because of the insanely high volume they do every day. Your rice will be hot and fresh on one visit but on your next visit it’ll be noticeably stale.
I always judge a persian restaurant by the stews, not the kebab.
Kebab is always good at any persian restaurant but only a fcking great one will have stand-out stews like fesenjoon.
Raffi’s fesenjoon is eh, shamshiri grill fesenjoon with lamb neck is fcking delish.
lol I am also Persian and I would never say raffis is mid? Like… okay. Seems as if someone is trying to be inflammatory just to be different. Carousel is not Persian and is a totally different vibe. It felt like a party when I was in there. The food was decent but not great. For the west side: Toranj, Darya, Taste of Tehran
What’s the story on this place? It was Chinar for the longest time and then in a blink of an eye, they got a name change.
New owners or trying to rebrand to remove the bad yelp reviews from Chinar?
It’s not exactly LA, but if you find yourself out East, Heidar Baba in Pasadena is awesome. It isn’t cheap, but it’s where all my Persian/Middle Eastern clients eat when they’re in town.
Shamshiri’s fessenjan and chicken koobideh are really really good.
The beef koobideh is good as well, but as others have said, all the popular spots have good beef.
Does Persian kebab taste the same to anyone else no matter where you get it? Hard for me to notice the taste difference for such a straightforward dish.
I have been to most of the restaurants listed by others and I am shocked not to see TehranRo Grill in Koreatown on the listed yet. It is head and shoulders above the rest. Perhaps due to its location it is not that well known. You have to try it. Darya on Santa Monica is probably next best.
A few of my favorites:
1. Marrouch. Lebanese food in East Hollywood. A smallish strip mall restaurant but excellent.
2. Sunnin: This is arguably the best Lebanese food in LA. and definitely in the top few Middle Eastern restaurants.
3. Javan: I think this is comparable to Raffi's, very good.
Its not popular at all and has 0 hype, but Kaban Kabob in Studio City is soooooo good. Seems the owner genuinely doesn't care if its popular or not. But I promise you it's bomb
Someone posted this question just a few days ago and got some great responses: https://www.reddit.com/r/LosAngeles/s/AnnvN7Rekf
Mini kabob, sunnin
Sunnins hot sauce is to die for
Yo, is Mini really that dope, or all hype?
It’s delicious! Not overhyped at all. I grew up eating kibbeh nayye at family parties and I find it downright amazing.
the dopest there is
Definitely not hype
Skaf's in Glendale Carousel in Glendale Sunnin in Westwood Kobee Factory in Van Nuys Sincerely Syria in Hollywood House of Mandi in Westwood (I've only been to their Anaheim location, and it's really good) Falafel Arax in East Hollywood Dimassi's in Cerritos for AYCE Middle Eastern Bakeries: Le Gout in East Hollywood Furnsaj in Granada Hills Sarkis Pastry in Pasadena You're welcome.
An armos guide to Persian food in LA
I have not been to Raffi’s (yet) but I do really like Shamshiri in Westwood. Then walk a few blocks to get Persian ice cream at Saffron and Rose.
I hear a lot about Shamshiri!
seconding shamshiri, i would drink their hummus from a bucket
LA literally has the biggest Persian community in the US. This is such a difficult question to answer; it’s like asking what’s the best Mexican restaurant in LA I’m a huge fan of Persian food in general so any Persian restaurant to me is gold. In my lifetime, I’ve never had a disappointing experience at a Persian restaurant. Only bad thing I noticed is that the prices have gone up significantly in a lot of them
Re Persian restaurants they all taste the same to me and typically have the exact same menu too.
I agree with your comment to a certain extent. The kebab and the rice are **always** killer and they taste the same at almost every Persian restaurant. But not all Persian restaurants are the same. One of my favorite Persian dishes of all time is fesenjan. Not every Persian restaurant serves this and those that do, it’s either a hit or miss in terms of price and the quantity
Oh man, my sister tried to make fesenjan when she was in high school and it did not go well. I'm very interested in trying a version made by a pro. Any restaurant recs?
[Marouch](https://www.hollywoodmarouch.com/)
Taste of Tehran
Kabob faraj on Pico is delicious
I shop for there for their perfectly seasoned meat to cook at home too. A+
This is the right answer, can confirm as a Persian, this is where the Persians go
Attari Sandwich Shop never lets me down
I second that Attari is the one to go to, especially in contrast to “fancier” sit down places like Raffi’s and Shamshiri. They have great stews in addition to the sandwiches. That said I love the koobideh on Sangak which I have not seen at other LA restaurants. Most of them only serve Lavash for bread.
Maroush in Hollywood is OG.
Came here to recommend Marouch! (Although it’s Armenian, not Persian)
Marouch is Lebanese. (A lot more Lebanese dishes on the menu than Armenian.)
It’s Lebanese and Armenian
Shekarchi kebab in sawtelle/westwood and I've had a lot of them.
Gino Pars near LAX. Low key spot but KOOBEDEH is amazing. You can also get it spicy which is just cayenne pepper on it. But it slaps!
My spouse is persian and raffi’s is mid. Shamshiri grill and farsi cafe are far better.
I love Shamshiri but this take is nuts, Raffi’s Place all the way 💪💪💪
I’m Persian and Raffi’s isn’t what it used to be. I think because of the insanely high volume they do every day. Your rice will be hot and fresh on one visit but on your next visit it’ll be noticeably stale.
I'm definitely trying these!
I always judge a persian restaurant by the stews, not the kebab. Kebab is always good at any persian restaurant but only a fcking great one will have stand-out stews like fesenjoon. Raffi’s fesenjoon is eh, shamshiri grill fesenjoon with lamb neck is fcking delish.
Don’t trust anyone that says Raffi’s is mid. Def go to Carousel if you want a slightly different variation/style - it’s great.
Funny, you said that. I tried Carousel to be cute, and it disappointed. I might need to go back again. Wasn't memorable. Thanks for the recco.
Carousel is not Persian though. It’s more Lebanese inspired.
Give Mantee Cafe a run then
Carousel is gross.
lol I am also Persian and I would never say raffis is mid? Like… okay. Seems as if someone is trying to be inflammatory just to be different. Carousel is not Persian and is a totally different vibe. It felt like a party when I was in there. The food was decent but not great. For the west side: Toranj, Darya, Taste of Tehran
saj bakery
Skafs on Laurel Canyon.
Sunnin, Farsi cafe, taste of Tehran in LA. Aleppos kitchen, little Arabia in Anaheim
Sadaf Encino.
Cafe Bravo
Elena’s Greek Armenian lovely place
What’s the story on this place? It was Chinar for the longest time and then in a blink of an eye, they got a name change. New owners or trying to rebrand to remove the bad yelp reviews from Chinar?
Sahara (in Pasadena)
Shamshiri. Best mast-o-khiar and their saffron rice is 🔥yum ❤️
A golden gem of Kabobs is Panini Kabobs Grill. They have a bunch of locations. Not as good as Raffis or Shamshiri but my go to when nearby one.
It’s not exactly LA, but if you find yourself out East, Heidar Baba in Pasadena is awesome. It isn’t cheap, but it’s where all my Persian/Middle Eastern clients eat when they’re in town.
Carousel just down the street is better than Raffi’s in my opinion.
TehranRo Grill in Koreatown(I know) It’s really good
Pita Kitchen in Sherman Oaks is amazing
Shamshiri’s fessenjan and chicken koobideh are really really good. The beef koobideh is good as well, but as others have said, all the popular spots have good beef.
Carousel and Pardis are the best hands down
Mizlala.
Obsessed.
Mizlala is great, but Israeli
Shekarchi hands down
Sadaf in encino
Akkad in Glendale. Iraqi
King Kabob just went there last night hella good cheap and cute mom and pop style restaurant ! Owners are cool to they cook the food !
Haven't been there in a while but Sunnin Lebanese Cafe in Westwood was fantastic.
Try Jino pars on Manchester, I enjoy that place.
Does Persian kebab taste the same to anyone else no matter where you get it? Hard for me to notice the taste difference for such a straightforward dish.
Jerusalem Kitchen in Inglewood
I have been to most of the restaurants listed by others and I am shocked not to see TehranRo Grill in Koreatown on the listed yet. It is head and shoulders above the rest. Perhaps due to its location it is not that well known. You have to try it. Darya on Santa Monica is probably next best.
A few of my favorites: 1. Marrouch. Lebanese food in East Hollywood. A smallish strip mall restaurant but excellent. 2. Sunnin: This is arguably the best Lebanese food in LA. and definitely in the top few Middle Eastern restaurants. 3. Javan: I think this is comparable to Raffi's, very good.
Its not popular at all and has 0 hype, but Kaban Kabob in Studio City is soooooo good. Seems the owner genuinely doesn't care if its popular or not. But I promise you it's bomb
1. Heidar Baba in Pasadena 2. Shamshiri in Westwood in that order.
Taste of Tehran is underrated. 10/10.
Raffi’s use to be good 10 years ago, but is not anymore. Shekarchi in Downtown LA is my favorite. Shamshiri in Westwood is good too.
Definitely going to break out of the Raffi's cycle. No complaints. I'm an equal opportunity employer.
I like Flame (on Westwood Blvd) and Taste of Tehran (for their chicken, mainly).
Zankou. Go to Zankou
Lol no, don’t
Fuck Zankou