In a city where Persian and Middle Eastern food is often expected to be authentic and casual, it’s nice to know exactly which places to head to in Houston to get that perfect Persian meal.
In this guide, we will be looking at all kinds of upmarket and backstreet hidden gems to make sure the next time you’re on the lookout for some Persian cuisine in Houston, you will know just where to look.
Our Top Picks For Persian Cuisine in Houston, Texas
Throughout this guide, we will be looking into everything you need to know before you visit one of Houston’s best Persian restaurants.
We have looked at locations, special offers, dietary requirements, and pricing. So no matter what you’re on the hunt for, we will have you covered.
So with no further chit-chat, let’s hop straight to it and look at the best choices for Persian restaurants in the Houston area.
1. Kasra Persian Grill
| Address: | 9741 Westheimer Rd., Houston, TX, 77042 |
| Website: | http://www.kasrarestaurants.com |
| Our Recommendation: | Lamb Shank |
Kasra Persian Grill first opened its doors back in 1999 at its original location in Westchase. They have upheld a strong passion and high standard from the very start, serving some of the most authentic Persian food in the city.
Following in the footsteps of three generations, there is a real sense of pride and authenticity in all of the food they serve. Using only the freshest ingredients, they bring the satisfaction of Persian food to Texas.
They have a strong following of regular customers, who return time after time to taste the unique flavors the chefs produce.
On the menu, you will find some exquisite dishes, such as chicken koobideh, lamb Chenjeh, and seafood kabobs, to name just a few.
It was hard to pick a recommendation, but one dish that stood out the most was probably the Lamb Shank, slowly braised and falling off the bone. It was served with a gorgeous savory broth, dill, fava bean, and basmati rice. It was a taste sensation and perfectly cooked in every manner. The presentation was also beautiful, and the portion size was great.
They have a massive selection of vegetarian and vegan food to choose from. The Khorake Karafs were a strong 10/10. This is a unique Persian stew, of slow-cooked celery, onion, and lemon juice, with mint, parsley, and basmati rice. The flavor was immense, and some of the meat-eaters in our group selected this dish as one of the stand-out meals.
The prices here are very reasonable, especially when considering the quality of food and the care which goes into preparing every dish. Depending on your choice, you can get an exceptional meal here for between $12.00 and $30.00. Of course, the lamb and seafood dishes are at the higher end of that scale, although our lamb recommendation will only set you back $15.00.
There is also a tiny drinks menu available, with soft drinks and Persian tea.
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2. Bijan Persian Grill
| Address: | 5922 Hillcroft St, Houston, TX 77036 |
| Website: | http://www.bijangrill.com |
| Our Recommendation: | Beef Soltani |
Bijan Persian Grill is a modern and exciting Middle-Eastern restaurant serving fabulous authentic cuisine. Here, you are welcomed with a friendly greeting and a warm atmosphere. This authentic Persian eatery is a favorite with locals and tourists. It provides a unique and memorable experience.
There is an excellent menu with some lovely Persian delights. They use only the freshest, flavorsome ingredients to create healthy classical dishes. On the menu, you will find dishes such as lamb shank, kabobs, grilled quail, shish-leek, and our recommendation, beef Soltani.
They offer outside catering and catering for private parties and larger groups. They also provide delivery and pick-up services via multiple platforms and by calling the restaurant itself.
The prices here are perhaps not some of the most budget-friendly ones compared to some of the other restaurants in this guide, although they are not unreasonable for the quality and quantity of food you receive. The main course averages anywhere from $11.99 up to $23.00. There are sharing platters available where you can feed six people for $95.00.
There is plenty of variety for anyone who is maybe looking for a vegetarian or vegan meal.
3. Avesta Persian Grill
| Address: | 2691 Wilcrest Dr. Ste A, Houston, TX 77042 |
| Website: | http://www.avestapersiangrill.com |
| Our Recommendation: | Shrimp Kabob |
Avesta Persian Grill is a unique and memorable dining experience. The restaurant combines authentic Persian and Middle Eastern cuisine, bringing a fantastic mix of flavors.
The chefs and staff have a strong passion for providing guests fabulous service, quality food, and an unforgettable atmosphere. They also pride themselves on using only the freshest ingredients to give the customer a high-quality meal.
They strive to make sure that each customer that walks through their doors leaves feeling they’ve had the best experience.
They bake all of their bread in-house. It’s amazingly fresh and tasty and pairs perfectly with their homemade sabzi, a dip consisting of parsley, feta cheese, basil, and cucumber. All of the entrees are accompanied by these two items.
There is an excellent selection of dishes on the menu, including rice-based dishes, stews, curries, soups, salads, and kabobs.
Our recommendation of the Shrimp Kabob was so beautiful. It was served with Jumbo shrimp, seasoned in a lemon and saffron sauce, flavored with butter, and served with a dill fava bean rice and grilled vegetable. Some of their regular customers have called their kabobs some of the best in the city. The hummus and bread are also delightful.
The staff treat all of their customers with great care and are incredibly attentive throughout your visit.
The prices are great, mainly averaging around $15.00 for the main course, but there are plenty of small plates and low-priced appetizers that would suit an even smaller budget.
There is an excellent selection of meals for vegetarians and vegans, and we would highly recommend the Spinach and Cheese Curry.
Overall, Avesta is most definitely one of the top spots for Persian cuisine in Houston.
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4. Reza Persian Grill
| Address: | 5714 Hillcroft St, Houston, TX 77036 |
| Website: | http://www.rezagrill.com |
| Our Recommendation: | Lamb Soltani Kabob |
Reza Persian Grill has been serving up some of the best Persian food in Houston for many years.
Here, they offer high-quality meats, which are spice-rubbed, and slow-smoked in a secret wood blend. These are served fresh from the pits all day long. Everything on their menu is homemade and fresh.
When you dine here, you are sure to find much more than a fine dining experience; you will be indulging in all the world’s flavors.
Reza Grill is home to an impeccably creative menu, where fresh ingredients and impeccable service go hand-in-hand.
Whether you’re visiting for a business lunch, special occasion, or looking for a private event, you can be guaranteed to receive fantastic food and top-notch service with an excellent one-of-a-kind atmosphere.
The prices here are very reasonable, and you can expect to spend between $12.00 and $18.00 on the main courses. Some excellent value-for-money-sharing platters are also terrific if you want to split the bill with a group.
There is an excellent choice for anyone looking for vegetarian or vegan options.
There is a nice but small dessert menu consisting of items such as Baklava and Persian Pistachio Ice Cream.
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5. Aria Persian Grill
| Address: | 12303 Westheimer Rd Ste F, Houston, TX 77077 |
| Website: | http://www.ariapersiancafe.com |
| Our Recommendation: | Vaziri Plate |
Aria Persian Grill is a family-owned and operated restaurant serving authentic Persian cuisines and excellent kebabs.
They serve some of the highest-quality, refreshing appetizers in the city and a great selection of gourmet rice dishes. They are also the only spot in the area where you can get your hands on traditional saffron pistachio ice cream, also known as Bastani Sonata.
If you’re looking for a change from your customary meal out, then the grilled meats and specialty Persian salads are the way to go.
They also have an excellent selection of ice teas and a lovely drink, a Saffron Chia Seeds Mocktail; this is a must-try.
The decor inside is beautiful, warm, and welcoming and makes for a great atmosphere to accompany your meal and make you feel very relaxed.
There is also delivery available via various platforms.
The prices are very reasonable for the quality you receive as well. The Vaziri Plate is only $16.99 and consists of a mixture of chicken and beef, fresh vegetables, roasted tomatoes, and a large portion of well-seasoned saffron rice, pickled cabbage, and fresh garden herbs.
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6. Darband Shishkabob
| Address: | 5670 Hillcroft St, Houston, TX 77036 |
| Website: | http://www.darbandshishkabob.com |
| Our Recommendation: | Beef and Chicken Skewers |
Darband Shishkabob is, in fact, the oldest Persian restaurant in Houston. First established in 1986, they offer an authentic and unforgettable Persian dining experience.
This is where love and hospitality come together alongside fabulous food at a great price.
They invite their guests to experience what the food critics have been raving about for years.
The atmosphere inside the restaurant is cozy and relaxing, making it the perfect spot to head to after a long day at work. The decor is also very eye-pleasing.
They have a lovely selection of Baklava and iced teas available too.
Again, the prices here are very reasonable, especially considering the portion sizes you receive. They also have amazingly priced sharing platters, meaning you can feed five people for just $45.00 or ten people for $85.00, which we thought was a fantastic deal. Many of the standard main course dishes are around the $10.00 mark.
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To Summarize
Are your taste buds tingling in anticipation of your next Persian delicacy? If so, we hope that there is something that has caught your attention within this guide.
If you have enjoyed reading our top picks for Persian restaurants in Houston, why not check out some other great places to get food in the area, such as The Best Late Night Food Stops or Top 6 Spots for Having the Best Brunch in Houston