The Best Persian Restaurants In Adelaide That Will Have You Hooked
Forget about booking flights to Iran or Afghanistan. You don’t have to deal with stressful travels for a taste of Persian cuisine —all you need is a ticket to Adelaide.
The city’s Persian restaurants, like Naaz and Rumi Palace, will fix you up with herb-infused and savory dishes that’ll take you smack dab in the streets of Tehran or Tabriz.
We’ll share where you can find them and some tips. Just remember to eat before you read. You don’t want to drool on your screen!
Pardis Restaurant- Persian Cuisine
Address: Unit 5/60 West Terrace
Contact Details: 0434 222 215
Operating Hours:
- Mon – 12 pm to 12:30 am
- Tue – 4 pm to 12:30 am
- Wed to Thu – 12 pm to 12:30 am
- Fri to Sat – 12 pm to 1 am
- Sun – 12 pm to 12:30 am
Smoky and fiery like any scene with Payman Maadil on, the shisha and saffron-smelling Pardis is as Persian as it gets. We can say the same thing with the energetic interior, each corner decked out with ornate rugs, sophisticated tiling, and low cushions.
Naturally, skewers are the main bites that pull crowds—each variety brimming with an assortment of properly seasoned meats. The heavy-hitters are marinated lamb and savory beef, all expertly grilled over an open flame.
However, the last time we visited, our money went to their minced kebab. The plate had finely minced, golden-brown lamb, elevated by Persian traditional spices such as turmeric, coriander, and sumac.
| Tip: You know what’s good with shisha and Persian food? Live music! Know who’s performing at Pardis by heading to their Facebook page above. |
Naaz Persian Cuisine
Address: 260 Pulteney St
Contact Details: 0449 808 250
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Closed
- Tue to Thu – 6 pm to 10 pm
- Fri to Sat – 6 pm to 11 pm
- Sun – 6 pm to 9 pm
If a necromancer were ever to resurrect ancient Persia’s monarchs, they’d probably eat in Naaz. This golden restaurant is what fine dining is about, with elegant brass artifacts, lavish pendant lighting, and gourmet food straight out of a royalty’s kitchen.
The morassa polo (jeweled rice) hits hard with its wild Persian barberries, slivered nuts, and zesty orange skins. Tender chicken bathed in a fragrant broth teeming with lemon and saffron completes this dish.
Vegetarians might also ditch their bland veggie sticks after a bite of Naaz’s shish andaaz. It’s a drool-worthy steam-cooked eggplant made more delicious by the nutty essence of ground walnuts and the addition of tangy tomato and pomegranate paste.
| Tip: Why host a party at a mundane restaurant when Naaz is a 3-minute drive from the metro? Check their catering specials, functions, and deals here. |
Lezizz Restaurant
Address: 108 Melbourne St, North Adelaide
Contact Details: (08) 7006 3887
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Tue – Closed
- Wed to Sun – 5:30 pm to 9 pm
Lezizz always makes us feel like we’re eating at a down-to-earth and authentic diner in Tehran. Here, warm lighting softens the earthy tones, while kaleidoscopic Persian motifs adorn the rustic walls, wooden tables, and the flowery outdoors.
Our recent payday got better with their barg, a soft lamb back strap that bursts with savory, charcoal-ish flavor with every bite. Joojeh, a grilled, saffron-flavored chicken dish, was another Persian bite we tried and loved.
But, if you’ve renounced meat, lubia polo should be the first thing you utter when the waiter arrives. The dish features seasoned tomato brimming with tender green beans and a side of saffron-infused rice.
| Tip: Not in the mood for a North Adelaide excursion? Well, it’s no longer Cyrus the Great’s era. You can just order food online. |
Rumi Palace
Address: 2/303 Prospect Rd, Blair Athol
Contact Details: (08) 8209 1959
Operating Hours: Daily – 5 pm to 9 pm
Rumi Palace proves that old-but-gold Persian flavors can be adjusted for modern-day preferences. If you don’t believe us, have a go at their spiced-up chicken wings, which are 360 grams of protein drenched in yogurt and an aromatic-based marinade.
For unfortunate souls not into chicken, there’s mantoo, lentil dumplings packed with minced lamb and complemented by a sauce made of yogurt.
But if you’re really itching for a dish so seasoned the British empire would’ve invaded it, pick the ghabli Uzbeki. This one is a lamb shoulder dish, imbued with a spice route’s worth of seasonings, like black pepper, cinnamon, turmeric, and, of course, saffron.
| Tip: Add another layer of excitement to your dining experience by visiting during an event, whether it’s a seasonal banquet or a tasting party. |
Leyan Persian Restaurant
Address: 1 &, 2 Church St, Salisbury
Contact Details: (08) 7480 1800
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Closed
- Tue to Sun – 11:30 am to 9 pm
Leyan’s dollar-stretching deals caught our team’s attention, but their kebabs are why we’re regulars here. Just by passing through, you can smell the mouthwatering aroma of chicken and lamb kebabs.
For those who can’t decide whether to opt for the juiciness of chicken or the rich depth of lamb, there’s a mixed option that gets better with a side of okra stew, curry, or yogurt cucumber.
To sweeten the feast, have a slice (better if “slices”) of Leyan’s homemade baklava. No diet can stop us from having a taste of its nutty and sweet notes.
| Tip: This joint is buzzing like a beehive, so better reserve your spot by calling. |
Kadbanoo’s Kitchen
Address: 457 Prospect Rd, Blair Athol
Contact Details: (08) 7225 4787
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Closed
- Tue to Sun – 12:30 pm to 9 pm
Any visit to Blair Athol isn’t complete without feasting on Kadbanoo’s Kitchen’s true-blue Persian bites.
On our recent trip here, we went with our go-to dish, which is kasho bademjan, a smoky eggplant dish that’s fried with garlic, mint, and whey. We took this serving up a notch by pairing it with kofteh, an herby lamb teeming with split peas.
For the main event, sultani kebab was our knockout pick. The dish is a mishmash of chicken and lamb served with saffron rice, tomato, herbs, and a side of bread.
| Tip: While the menu doesn’t feature a lot of vegetarian options, don’t hesitate to request off-menu items. If the ingredients are available, the restaurant is more than happy to whip one for you. |
Shiraz Restaurant
Address: 585 Tapleys Hill Rd, Fulham
Contact Details: 0469 552 233
Operating Hours: 11 am to 11 pm
Don’t call yourself a certified foodie if you’ve never been to Fullham’s Shiraz, a warmly lit restaurant with Persian aesthetics and time-honored cuisine.
To kick off your meal, relish the ghormeh sabzi with rice. The dish’s lively mixture of sautéed parsley, leeks or green onions, and coriander results in a herbaceous and sharp flavor profile.
Ba mahiche is a heartier and more savory alternative. Slow-cooked braised lamb shank is this plate’s highlight, but the sauce with Persian spices and herbs elevates it to another tier—the “good-luck-on-your-diet” tier.
| Tip: If you’re a huge fan of daily specials, don’t forget to check their Facebook page for announcements. |
Shandiz Restaurant
Address: 45 John St, Salisbury
Contact Details: (08) 8482 4965
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Closed
- Tue to Thu – 11 am to 8 pm
- Fri to Sat – 11 am to 9 pm
- Sun – 11 am to 8 pm
Shandiz isn’t just about kebabs. Drop by, and you’ll savor authentic dishes you might not find in other Persian restos in the CBD.
For starters, there’s the gheymeh nesar, lean lamb enriched with onion and the zesty punch of dried lime. It’s then finished with crispy chips and intoxicating saffron.
The Fesenjan stew won’t disappoint your taste buds, too. It might even surprise you with its unique flavor. In fact, this bowl of simmered chicken left us speechless with its nutty, gamey, and velvety stew, courtesy of ground walnuts and pomegranate paste.
| Tip: The faithful shall be rewarded. Be a part of Shandiz’s loyalty program to earn perks like discounts and exclusive deals. |
