The Best Persian Restaurants in Paris


 

Persian, or Iranian, food is found throughout Paris. Anyone craving authentic Middle Eastern cuisine need only do a general search of their immediate neighborhood and something will always pop up.

Newcomers to Paris are always interested to see what a prominent Arab community the city encompasses. The Persian presence, however, is equally as notable and thanks to this migration of culture the people of Paris can enjoy Iranian food any day of the week.

A-Table – by A-Table – Sourced from their Facebook

There are a few dishes found in Persian kitchens that make for an unmissable experience of the cuisine; I’ll let you in on a few of them and where to find them in Paris.

Shabestan in Paris

Shabestan is the best Persian restaurant in Paris in which to enjoy a sit down dinner experience of the cuisine. It is situated in the far west of the city, past the Eiffel Tower and over the Seine in the 16th arrondissement .

While Shabestan sticks to traditional Iranian recipes for the most part on their menu, there are dishes here that have been clearly merged with French cooking techniques.

Shabestan in Paris – by Shabestan – Uploaded by them

Like most of the Middle East, the food of Iran is extremely aromatic. One of their most popular dishes is a stew known as Ghormeh Sabzi; an array of spices, veggies and meats.

Shabestan does the best Ghormeh Sabzi in Paris, authentic to recipe, taste and presentation (served with saffron rice).

As with every Persian, Moroccan, Algerian or Tunisian restaurant in Paris, I must recommend a pot of mint tea after your meal!

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
OPENING HOURS: Monday TO SUNDAY – 12PM TO 11:30PM
ADDRESS: 38 Avenue de Versailles, 75016 Paris, France
METRO STATION: Mirabeau

Colbeh in Paris

I love the little Persian gem that is Colbeh. It’s the most affordable place in Paris to enjoy Iranian cuisine and is very central; Paris’ Botanical Gardens are just a short walk away.

In Iran there is a bizarre yet wonderful dish called Fesenjan, which is essentially stewed pomegranates. Yes, you read that correctly, a stew made of fruit and walnuts.

Many people find Fesenjan quite unfathomable at first hearing of its existence, but are always pleasantly surprised after actually tasting the dish. Colbeh makes their rendition of Fesenjan and many other traditional Persian dishes.

Colbeh in Paris – Sourced from Google Maps

Most evening here consist of live Persian music performed by the ever-happy owner.

If you find the menu slightly overwhelming, or you’d simply like the opportunity to try everything, opt for their €15 tasting plate that will give you an entree, main and dessert.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
OPENING HOURS: Unavailable
ADDRESS: 22 Rue Mouffetard, 75005 Paris, France
METRO STATION: Place Monge

Mazeh in Paris

Across the Seine from Shabestan is another well loved Persian restaurant of Paris. Mazeh is the restaurant of choice for the Iranian communities of this area, they say that’s how you know the food to be authentic.

Most Middle Eastern cuisines make frequent use of egg plant as a dominant ingredient. Baba ghanoush is a popular Lebanese dip that is loved by health-fanatics around the world for its tasty yet simple combination of ingredients.

Mazeh in Paris – by Mazeh – Uploaded by them

In Iran they use egg plant slightly differently; their major dish being Mirza Ghassemi. It too is a dip style dish usually enjoyed with pita bread or saffron rice. Mazeh makes this and many other tapas style Iranian dishes to perfection.

This wont be the most affordable dinner you have in Paris, but the portions are generous and there is almost always enough to take home for round two.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
OPENING HOURS: MONDAY TO SUNDAY – 11:30AM TO 10:30PM
ADDRESS: 65 Rue des Entrepreneurs, 75015 Paris, France
METRO STATION: Commerce

Chez Elham in Paris

If you’ve ever enjoyed a kebab, either in Iran or elsewhere in the world, you have the Persian people to thank for this invention.

Chez Elham is situated in the very fashionable le Marais district. You can recognize the restaurant either by the proud sign proclaiming “KEBABS” outside or the congregations of free guided walking tours who stop by to grab one to go.

Beef, lamb or chicken are the choices of meats that slowly stew over hot coals throughout the day. That being said, Chez Elham also does incredible Ghormeh Sabzi featuring the same meat varieties as the kebabs.

Chez Elham in Paris – by Chez Elham – Uploaded by them

This is also one of the only Persian restaurants in Paris to offer traditional Iranian ice cream as part of their dessert menu.

All ingredients used in Chez Elham are halal certified. While this restaurant isn’t a great option for vegans or vegetarians, due to how much meat is used in their dishes, they will try to cater creative side dishes for those who want to eat meat free. Just be sure to articulate this to them when you arrive.  

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
OPENING HOURS: Monday TO SUNDAY – 11:45am – 3pm // 6:45pm – 12am
ADDRESS: 11 Rue de la Reynie, 75004 Paris, France
METRO STATION: Châtelet

A-Table in Paris

A-Table is a low-key yet high quality Iranian restaurant located near the southern boundary of the Père Lachaise Cemetery. Lunch or dinner here involves a bit of journey, but if you’re planning on visiting the historic cemetery anyway then it becomes convenient.

I want to mention A-Table as the best Persian restaurant for vegetarians and meat eaters to dine together.

In terms of plant based options, Iranian cuisine features far less than that of its Lebanese or Turkish counterparts. A-Table has an extensive menu and is therefore more suited to catering to those with meal preferences.

A-Table – by A-Table – Sourced from their Facebook

A-Table is also amongst the most authentic of Persian restaurants in Paris, with most of the recipes staying true to their origins.

The host of the restaurant is wonderful and will help anyone who is interested in furthering their Persian experience in Paris with recommendations and helpful pointers.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
OPENING HOURS: Tuesday TO Sunday – 11AM – 3PM // 7PM – 10:30pm
ADDRESS: 92 Rue de la Réunion, 75020 Paris, France
METRO STATION: Alexandre Dumas

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