Top 15 Best Persian Food Near Vancouver, British Columbia

Persian (Iranian) cooking is herbaceous, aromatic and generous: saffron rice, charcoal kebabs, slow-cooked stews and the crispy rice called tahdig. North Vancouver is the heart of Metro Vancouver's Persian community, with restaurants, bakeries and grocers along Lonsdale Avenue, Marine Drive and Pemberton Avenue.

This guide covers 15 Persian restaurants across Vancouver, the North Shore and Burnaby, from a Michelin-recommended Kitsilano dining room to casual kebab houses and family-run grills.

Looking for another cuisine? Browse our full guide to the best restaurants in Vancouver by cuisine.

How We Chose These Persian Restaurants

We started from the Michelin Guide Vancouver, the Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards, OpenTable, Yelp and local news coverage, then confirmed each restaurant's address and that it was operating in 2026. We left out places we could not confirm as open, and counters inside food courts.

Best Persian Restaurants in Vancouver at a Glance

Top 15 Best Persian Restaurants Near Vancouver, BC

1. Delara – Kitsilano, Vancouver

Chef Bardia Ilbeiggi's contemporary Persian restaurant, opened in 2021, blending Iranian home cooking with West Coast ingredients.

What to order: Tahdig, fesenjoon with duck, and sourdough flatbread.

Why it made the list: Michelin recommended, and Vancouver Magazine's Best Middle Eastern Gold in 2024, 2025 and (shared) 2026.

Address: 2272 W 4th Ave | Price: $

2. Akbar Joojeh – Central Lonsdale, North Vancouver

A traditional Persian restaurant named after its signature akbar joojeh chicken. A second location, Akbarjoojeh 19th, is at 1857 Lonsdale Ave.

What to order: Akbar joojeh, koobideh and vaziri kebab, plus saffron ice cream with faloodeh.

Why it made the list: A Lonsdale favourite for big portions and traditional Persian decor.

Address: 1604 Lonsdale Ave | Price: $

3. Cazba – West End, Vancouver

A casual Persian group with full-service restaurants on Davie Street and at 132 West 16th Street in North Vancouver, plus mall counters.

What to order: Chelo kebab koobideh and joojeh kebab.

Why it made the list: Long-running, generous Persian comfort food in a central location.

Address: 1103 Davie St | Price: $

4. Eivan Restaurant and Bar – Central Lonsdale, North Vancouver

A modern Persian dining room and bar that reworks family recipes with contemporary presentation.

What to order: Ask about the chef's Persian specials and pair them with a cocktail from the bar.

Why it made the list: One of the more upscale Persian rooms on Lonsdale, with OpenTable reservations.

Address: 1615 Lonsdale Ave | Price: $$

5. Miraas Restaurant & Bar – Ambleside, West Vancouver

A Persian restaurant with a bar program designed around the food. A second Miraas is at 961 Denman Street in the West End.

What to order: Classic Persian mains, with a cocktail from the bar.

Why it made the list: Two locations, and well reviewed by diners on OpenTable.

Address: 1579 Bellevue Ave | Price: $$

6. Sahel Market & Restaurant – Kitsilano, Vancouver

A casual halal Persian restaurant and small market on West Broadway, with a second Sahel near UBC.

What to order: Vaziri kebab, ash reshteh and Shirazi salad.

Why it made the list: Good-value, halal Persian food on the West Side.

Address: 3207 W Broadway | Price: $

7. Suren Persian Cuisine – Burnaby Heights, Burnaby

Opened in 2022 as one of North Burnaby's first sit-down Persian restaurants, with a sister location on West 4th Avenue in Kitsilano.

What to order: Tahchin, lamb shank and Vaziri kebab.

Why it made the list: The go-to Persian option east of Vancouver, with live jazz on Friday nights.

Address: 4624 Hastings St | Price: $

8. Diba Restaurant – West End, Vancouver

A Persian restaurant that opened in 2025 at Pendrell and Denman, in the former Zeitoon space.

What to order: Grilled kebabs with saffron rice.

Why it made the list: A newer West End option a short walk from English Bay.

Address: 1795 Pendrell St | Price: $

9. Hatam Restaurant – Ambleside, West Vancouver

A Persian restaurant on Marine Drive with a bar serving wine, craft beer and cocktails, plus catering for events.

What to order: Traditional Persian dishes with a glass from the bar.

Why it made the list: A second strong Persian choice in Ambleside, with OpenTable reservations.

Address: 1747 Marine Dr | Price: $

10. Chelo Kitchen + Eatery – Marine Drive, North Vancouver

A family-owned Persian kitchen from the owners of Persia Foods. Chelo means cooked rice in Persian.

What to order: Koobideh and joojeh kebabs with saffron rice, or a stew.

Why it made the list: Hearty, traditional cooking from a well-known Persian grocery family.

Address: 1078 Marine Dr | Price: $

11. Gilaneh Grill House – Pemberton, North Vancouver

A Persian grill house open since 2013, with kebabs, stews, soups and salads.

What to order: Salmon or Cornish hen kebab, or a vegetarian kebab.

Why it made the list: A long-running North Shore spot with plenty of vegetarian choice.

Address: 222 Pemberton Ave | Price: $

12. Diyar Restaurant – Pemberton, North Vancouver

A Persian restaurant with a wide selection of kebabs and stews.

What to order: A mixed kebab plate and the house Diyar soda yogurt drink.

Why it made the list: A friendly, casual option near Marine Drive.

Address: 1480 Pemberton Ave | Price: $

13. Mehman Restaurant – Central Lonsdale, North Vancouver

A halal Persian and Afghan grill with private dining and catering.

What to order: Koobideh kabab, choopan kabab and qabuli palow.

Why it made the list: Persian and Afghan favourites under one roof.

Address: 1451 Lonsdale Ave | Price: $

14. Khaghan Restaurant – Capilano Mall, North Vancouver

A family Persian restaurant in Capilano Mall that also hosts weddings and private parties.

What to order: Persian kebabs with saffron rice.

Why it made the list: A good fit for big family meals and celebrations, with gluten-free and vegetarian options.

Address: 935 Marine Dr | Price: $

15. Persian BBQ & Bar – West End, Vancouver

Persian BBQ & Bar (also known as Tajrish) is a Persian kebab restaurant at 1072 Denman Street in Vancouver's West End.

What to order: Saffron lamb racks or a kebab plate with baghali polo, and a doogh.

Why it made the list: A well-reviewed Persian grill near English Bay.

Address: 1072 Denman Street | Price: $

Persian Dishes to Know Before You Go

• Tahdig: crispy-bottomed rice, often the most fought-over dish on the table.
• Chelo kebab koobideh: ground meat kebab with saffron rice.
• Joojeh kebab: saffron-marinated chicken kebab.
• Ghormeh sabzi: herb and kidney bean stew.
• Fesenjoon: walnut and pomegranate stew.
• Faloodeh: frozen rose-water noodles, often with saffron ice cream.

Where to Find Persian Food in Metro Vancouver

Kitsilano, Vancouver

Home to Delara and Sahel Market & Restaurant.

Central Lonsdale, North Vancouver

Home to Akbar Joojeh, Eivan Restaurant and Bar and Mehman Restaurant.

West End, Vancouver

Home to Cazba, Diba Restaurant and Persian BBQ & Bar.

Ambleside, West Vancouver

Home to Miraas Restaurant & Bar and Hatam Restaurant.

Burnaby Heights, Burnaby

Home to Suren Persian Cuisine.

Marine Drive, North Vancouver

Home to Chelo Kitchen + Eatery.

Pemberton, North Vancouver

Home to Gilaneh Grill House and Diyar Restaurant.

Capilano Mall, North Vancouver

Home to Khaghan Restaurant.

Tips for Eating Persian Food in Vancouver

• Book ahead: Delara is small and popular, and Eivan, Miraas and Hatam take OpenTable reservations.
• Go to North Vancouver: Lonsdale Avenue and Marine Drive have the most Persian restaurants in one area.
• Order tahdig: the crispy rice from the bottom of the pot is a highlight, so ask if it is on the menu.
• Look for halal: Sahel and Mehman serve halal meat.
• Save room for dessert: try saffron ice cream or faloodeh.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best Persian restaurant in Vancouver?

Delara in Kitsilano is Michelin recommended and a multi-year Vancouver Magazine Gold winner. On the North Shore, Akbar Joojeh and Eivan are popular picks.

Where is the Persian area of Vancouver?

North Vancouver, especially Central Lonsdale and the Marine Drive and Pemberton area.

Are there Persian restaurants in Burnaby?

Yes. Suren Persian Cuisine is on Hastings Street in Burnaby Heights.

What should I order at a Persian restaurant?

Kebab with saffron rice, tahdig and a stew such as ghormeh sabzi.

Is Persian food spicy?

Not usually. It is aromatic rather than hot.

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