Esfahan Restaurants

  1. Aboozar Restaurant

    The rest of the bazaris seem to come here for fast, cheap and tasty meals. Arrive early or the best food will be gone.

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  2. Azadegan Teahouse

    In a lane off the northeastern corner of Imam Sq, this is the classic old-style teahouse, with an astonishing collection of teahouse-junk hanging from the walls and ceiling and grumpy men lined up opposite each other sipping tea and smoking…ahm, hang on… It's just sipping and eating before ; the qalyanscome out after that.

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  3. Azam Beryani

    Biryani is an Esfahani speciality and this modest little place is a favourite of Esfahanis. Join the queue.

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  4. Bame Sahel Teahouse

    On the top of Sahel Hotel, Bame Sahel is a bit rough around the edges and very local, and all the better for it. Escape the traffic for tea, or enjoy a good dizi dinner. There's also a breakfast buffet.

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  5. Kalleh Pache

    If you take the 'when in Rome' philosophy seriously, or just like the taste of sheep brains, then this tiny shop is for you. Turn east off Hakim St where the bazaar roof crosses the street and look for the men about 20m along.

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  6. Khangostar Restaurant

    Located in Julfa Hotel, Khangostar offers probably the best food in Esfahan - locals, our own experience and overwhelmingly positive reader feedback can attest to this. Serves are enormous (even by Iranian standards!) and the menu large and varied, but mainly Iranian. It's busy rather than romantic, and the salad and dessert bars might seem a bit Sizzler, but hey, you won't complain when you get there.

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  7. Khorshid

    This modern Iranian place appeals to upwardly mobile young Esfahanis with its relaxed atmosphere and reasonably priced Iranian food.

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  8. Mikhak Restaurant

    Just off the northeast end of the bazaar, the Mikhak serves quality Iranian comfort food that seems to comfort half of the bazaris every day. Vegetarians should look elsewhere.

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  9. Nobahar Restaurant

    Nobahar has been around forever because it serves reliably good, reasonably priced staples like kababs and zereshk polo ba morgh . It's not stylish and service isn't great, but that's not what you're here for.

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  10. Restaurant Shahrzad

    The opulent Qajar-style wall-paintings, stained-glass windows and mirror work contribute to the Shahrzad's reputation as the best restaurant in Esfahan. And on a good night, it's excellent - strip lights notwithstanding. Too often, however, it's packed with tour groups and the service (and food) feels factory produced.

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  12. Restoran-e Khayyam

    Cheap, popular, very local and justifiably busy little kabab, rice and bread place.

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  13. Restoran-e Sa'di

    Down the mirrored staircase opposite Amir Kabir Hostel, this place is a classic lower middle-class Esfahani restaurant, with a cheapish, not that stylish, small menu with only half the dishes available.

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  14. Sofreh Khaneh Sonnati

    Just off Imam Sq, this restaurant uses stained glass, colourful tiles and takhts (daybeds) to create a Qajar-era (if slightly touristy) ambience. The food makes it memorable, with Esfahani biryani and khoresht-e bademjan (aubergine or eggplant stew) some of the well-prepared and reasonably priced recommendations. To find it, walk out the square north of Lotfollah Mosque, turn left, left again, and up the stairs.

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