The Best Persian Food In LA (PHOTOS)

The stretch of Westwood Boulevard from Pico to the UCLA campus is special and it has a name -- it's called Tehrangeles. Outside of Tehran, Los Angeles boasts the largest number of Persian denizens (nearing a million!), and with that quantifiable honor comes a brilliant cluster of Persian restaurants cooking the feel-good food of the motherland. It's a Middle Eastern cuisine that draws influence from Indian fare (plus, a curious use of pomegranates), but to navigate Little Persia with a grumbling belly is no easy feat -- unless you have this short, delicious list:

Comments

[missmaizeybelle]

02:06 PM on 10/01/2011

My friend Simi whose family left Iran before the fall of the Shah would make tahnig.She would put a thin layer of potatoes at the bottom of the rice pot to creat the crust. But she could take chicken cooked in a skillet with Tumeric sliced fresh cucumber,onions,and tomatoes taste like heaven.Simple uncomplicated food.

[SKT67]

06:07 PM on 09/28/2011

I disagree with Shamshiri Grill. The original Shamshiri in Westwood closed about 10 years ago. New owners opened Shamshiri Grill about 2 blocks north of the original location, and their food is just Persian fusion now. Not as authentic as can be -- doesn't have the flavor nor the portion sizes of the original. I'd rather go to its 2 sister restaurants (Shamshiri) in Reseda (Tampa Ave & Roscoe Blvd), and in Glendale (Stocker & Central Aves) for better Persian cuisine. The one in Glendale offers a cleaner restaurant and a friendlier and attentive staff.

[Ira Meyers]

11:49 AM on 09/28/2011

The best food is served at Mrs. Javaheri's apt in my biulding. It's a secret so don't ask.

[RezaShaer]

02:19 AM on 09/28/2011

The Mughals who ruled India from the 1500's to the 19th Century were a Persianized dynasty from eastern Iran. Persian was the lingua franca at their Court, and Persian culture would leave a lasting legacy on the Subcontinent. The similarities in cuisine, particularly in northern India, are the result of Persian influence, far more than the other way around.

[Internet Privacy Hah]

03:03 PM on 09/29/2011

Thank you. Well said.

[BahtHarim]

01:12 AM on 09/28/2011

For those who like to buy ethnic food and cook at home, there is also a very good Persian mom-and-pop market on Wilshire Boulevard just east of 14th street in Santa Monica called Tehran Market on the north side of Wilshire (just down the street from Izzy's Deli). They have very good produce at a fraction of the price of Von's, just across the street. And lots of refrigerated delicacies, different kinds of yoghurt and cheeses, Hummus, Babaghanoush, etc. Several different kinds of olives and feta cheeses in the deli case. They are now boasting fresh meat--I'm pretty sure it's Halal if you are Muslim, also smoked fish. Many different kinds and brands of spices and herbs, not to mention several different varieties of Persian and Armenian breads. Scads of different grains, flours and pulses. It's a cook's paradise! Parking in the back. And the people who own it and run it are very friendly and helpful.

[akhawkins]

11:00 AM on 09/28/2011

The Persian Donuts (for real!!) are delicious. I love Tehran Market. I need to trek back from mid Wilshire to Santa Monica and stock up on all their awesome goodness. The people who work there are super nice too. And I hate that Von's (and Ralph's). THanks for reminding me!

[BahtHarim]

01:02 AM on 09/28/2011

It's Tadig, not tahnig. And it's fabulous. don't miss it.

[Anoosh Hambarsumian]

10:25 AM on 09/28/2011

Tahdig is delicious, but yesterday, I cracked a molar chewing on Tahdig!! Persian cuisine is one of the best in the world!!

[keemia]

08:45 PM on 09/27/2011

Raffi's in Glendale has the best kababs though. And Attari cafe has the best sandwiches and soups.

[zelduh]

08:30 PM on 09/27/2011

Shaherzad's bread is awesome - and their food is top notch! But Shamshiri's food just a bit better (the bread there kinda sux though.)

;-)

[Richbruin]

06:26 PM on 09/27/2011

Darya in South Coast Plaza.....better than LA.

[Edguy52]

06:17 PM on 09/27/2011

Tajrish in Marina Del Rey.

[SavvyGirl]

05:19 PM on 09/28/2011

I second this! This place is delicious, I walk there usually!

[Sam141979]

05:54 PM on 09/27/2011

GAWDAMIT, get your name's straight...

It's TAHDIG, not Tahmig.

[zelduh]

08:31 PM on 09/27/2011

Be kind to the Gringos. We're trying!

[ashakouri1]

05:48 PM on 09/27/2011

Completely Wrong!!! Raffi's Place is the best.

[zogimperator]

05:21 PM on 09/27/2011

Awesome Persian chow in the 626. I guess it's a secret.

[zelduh]

08:35 PM on 09/27/2011

Where's 626?

[zogimperator]

09:55 PM on 09/27/2011

San Gabriel Valley, mostly. Lots of amazing restaurants over here. Arcadia and surrounds for all Asian varieties, and Pasadena has massive range of world cuisines. Keep going east and you get to Artesia, with the best Indian food in America -- at dozens of places.

[RebelSoul]

04:46 PM on 09/27/2011

You know, there are good Persian restaurants outside of West LA. Yet I suspect this list is written by people who don't realize that LA even exists beyond the 405 and the 101.

[zelduh]

08:26 PM on 09/27/2011

Does it?

[Schmice]

03:02 PM on 09/27/2011

The best kebabs are at Mediterranean Bistro in Porter Ranch. These places sound great too.

[Shewolf68]

05:07 PM on 09/27/2011

Agreed, the Filet kabobs are fantaastic...although..shouldn't this all just be headed under Mediterranean?