Forever a fan favourite, this pretty Little Italy restaurant with its elaborate tiled entrance makes a good first foray into Persian dining. Drop in for fesenjoon chicken or qeymeh bademjoon. For dessert, don’t miss out on their bastani with rose petals.

Celebrating all things Persian is this restaurant-meets-art gallery on St. Clair. Plates of kebabs with sides of pomegranate-covered rice are a specialty here. Huge platters of baghali polo and mahiche (broad beans with lamb shanks) are perfect for group dinners.

For koobideh and chenjeh kabobs in a contemporary and elegant setting, visit West Queen West. This airy all-white restaurant with blue accents makes a popular burger with beef and sumac, and good cocktails to go with it.

As the sister of Pomegranate, College Street’s outpost specializes in Persian brunch. Ditch the eggs Benny for guisavah with dates sautéed in butter or sunnyside eggs cooked with fresh halloumi cheese.

There are three locations of this casual Persian counter for roasted eggplant with kashk sauce or ground beef koobideh. If you’ve ever wanted to try zaban, the roasted beef tongue sandwich that’s popular in Iran. 

It may be the most understated spot on this list, but don’t be fooled by the humble exterior of this York Mills plaza restaurant. Portions are always generous and the meat is always juicy. While they may not be open 24 hours anymore, anytime of day is good to drop by.

Specializing in food from the Azeri-speaking Iranian province of East Azerbaijan, owner Javad Zehdifar is serving up Persian brunch on weekends and tava eats. Don’t miss out on the experience of manually mashing lamb leg stew in a traditional clay piti.

The scent of kebabs and fresh-made ghorme sabzi fill the air at this restaurant on Eglinton Ave. East. One of the major upsides here is the stellar patio where you can dine on baghali polo and lean ground beef burgers surrounded by flowers.

It’s hard to choose from all the delectable options on display at this counter right by Yonge and Sheppard. Make combos out of their fesenjaan or gheimeh stews or go for the beryoun, grilled minced beef ribs, served with naan.