The number of amazing restaurants in Shiraz has increased dramatically in the last few years, and what better place to run a food business than Shiraz? With the huge variety of local food and citizens who are willing to a spend the extra cash for their life pleasures, there’s no reason why restaurants in Shiraz won’t be packed with customers on the weekend.

Shiraz has always been the laid-back capital of Iran with Shirazis taking the lead of picnic fans in the country. With so many gardens in and out of the city, it’s no wonder why the locals love heading out to nature at every chance they get.

Read more: 14 Awesome Places to Visit in Shiraz

Shirazis just love having fun and they’re willing to spend money on it. They take their holidays seriously and don’t let weekends pass by indoors. They’re the kind of people you want to be around, cause they just know damn well to have fun!

Which brings us to Shirazi food!

My recent trip to Shiraz was all about food and it went far beyond the well known Kalam Polow (cabbage rice). I was there to open the new Shiraz branch of Persian Food Tours and our guides were kind enough to show me all their favourite spots. And you know what? Unlike many other Iranian cities, it’s actually super easy to find local specialities served in restaurants in Shiraz. That’s if you know where to go and what to look for. 😉

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15 Shirazi food you must try!

#1 Kalam Polo (Cabbage rice)

Kalam Polow is Shiraz’s most famous dish. While in the rest of Iran, we might make the dish with normal cabbages, the authentic version of Kalam polo is actually with Kohlrabi. It’s basically a mixture of rice, diced kohlrabis, vegetables and the tiniest meatballs and it’s super easy to find in most restaurants in Shiraz.

#2 Ash-e Sabzi (Vegetable Soup)

Shirazis have a huge variety of Ash! If you didn’t know, Ash is Iran’s national soup that has over a hundred recipes! Yup, that’s right!

Each city, town or village has its own kind and the Shirazis have quite a few of it. Ash-e Sabzi is a delicious veggie soup served for breakfast with bread.

#3 Halva-ye Kaseh

Halva is a popular dessert in the Middle East with lots of variety. In Shiraz, the most famous Halva is known as Halva-ye Kaseh which is a rice flour Halva with lots of saffron. You can easily find it in the numerous pastry shops in town and restaurants in Shiraz.

#4 Masghati

Masghati is a dessert originally belonging to the city of Muscat in Oman. There was a time that a lot of Iranians from the Fars province (specifically Lar city) moved to Oman and worked in pastry shops. With their return, they brought back the well-loved Masghati recipe and gave it a local touch. And Masghati became the most well-known pastry of Shiraz.

Today you’ll find small diamond shaped Masghatis sold all over the city and served with tea.

#5 Koofteh Sabzi (vegetable rice balls)

Koofteh is a term for all rice meatballs in Iran. Like both Ash and Halva, Koofteh has a huge variety from town to town. The difference in the variety of Koofteh is usually about the added ingredients to the rice and meat. The Koofteh Sabzi of Shiraz is all about the herbs. Chives, tarragon, parsley, savoury and dill along with split peas are mixed with the cooked rice and minced meat and the Koofteh gets has a green colour from all the herbs.

#6 Youkheh

Youkheh is another typical pastry of Shiraz which was originally inspired by Kak from Kurdistan. Youkheh is layers of thin dough that have been cooked over a pre-heated stone. The layers are peppered with sugar powder and cinnamon before getting rolled up and cut into pieces.

#7 Faloodeh Shirazi

In my opinion, Faloodeh Shirazi is the king of all dessert in Iran. It’s the most divine thing you could find and it’ll be a huge mistake to not try it while travelling in Iran.

It’s a mixture of semi-frozen vermicelli-sized noodles made from starch mixed with a sweet syrup, lemon juice and rose water. Faloodeh has its own kind in Yazd and Kerman, but the best one is hands down the one from Shiraz!

The best place to find great Faloodeh in Shiraz is right behind the Karimkhan Citadel. There’s a whole array of shops serving different flavours of Faloodeh accompanied with traditional saffron ice cream.

#8 Dampokhtak Adas-o Kalam (Rice with lentils and cabbages)

While the rest of us Iranians like our rice with separate grains, the Shirazis actually don’t mind the mushy rice. That’s where Dampokhtak comes from. Dampokhtak is basically rice cooked in a way that’s still a little wet and mushy. Different kinds of Dampokhtak have different added ingredients. This one, in particular, is cooked with lentils, cabbages and meat.

#9 TarHalva

Tarhalva is another version of Shirazi halva. It’s pretty similar to Masghati except the added milk gives it a deep yellow colour instead of the transparent yellow of Masghati. This dessert is made from cornstarch, rice flour, milk, sugar, rosewater and saffron.

#10 Koofteh Holoo

Koofteh Holoo literally translates to Peach Koofteh in Persian. However, there’s no sign of peach in the recipe. It was the peach-sized balls that determined its name. This Koofteh is a mixture of corn flour, rice, minced meat, eggs, carrots and raisins with added sugar which gives it a very sweet taste. It might not be your thing if you don’t like sweet stuff like me, but it definitely has a unique flavour.

#11 Shekar Polow with Gheimeh (Sweet rice with split peas stew)

Shekar polo is Shiraz’s love or hate dish. A Shirazi friend of mine once said that if you’re to like Shekar polo, it’s because you’ve got some Shirazi genes in you. It’s the kind of dish none-Shirazis don’t really appreciate, simply because it’s very sweet. It’s basically a sugary rice served with Gheimeh – a well-known stew made from split peas, meat, potatoes and dried limes.

Both me and Parsa actually liked it. I just think it works pretty well if you balance the sweetness with Gheimeh.

#12 Dami Gojeh (Rice with tomatoes)

Dami Gojeh is an easy everyday meal typical in Shiraz. It’s the same mushy rice mixed with chopped tomatoes and tomato paste.

#13 Dopiazeh

Dopiazeh is usually served as an appetizer in restaurants in Shiraz. Dopiazeh means two onions! It takes its name from the main ingredient which is two onions for every potato! The two are mixed together with some tomato paste and make a super easy and healthy starter.

#14 Ash-e Mast (Yoghurt soup)

Ash-e mast is unique in the way that’s strangely served cold. You’ll find it in Ash shops and also on the streets of Shiraz. The main ingredients are meat, rice, split peas, tarragon, dill, onions and of course thick yoghurt.

#15 Ash-e Kardeh

Kardeh is a special wild herb only found in Shiraz which makes the main ingredient of this Shirazi soup. This Ash is an absolute must-try as you won’t be able to find it anywhere else in Iran or the world. Don’t go looking for it in fancy restaurants of Shiraz. You’ll find this shop either on the street or specific Ash shops.

Best restaurants in Shiraz

Haft Khan

A complex of 4 restaurants and 3 cafes, this restaurant in Shiraz has been on top of the list for quite some years. Each restaurant has a theme but I’d highly recommend going to the tradition one on the underneath floor which serves some of the most scrumptious Iranian dishes. Check out the location here.

Kohan restaurant

With its delicious food and comfortable atmosphere, Kohan is one of the best restaurants in Shiraz to head out for coffee or lunch.

Qavam Restaurant

A small cosy restaurant serving impeccable local food. Make sure you try the Kofteh Holoo when you’re at Qavam.

Humerz Restaurant

Humerz is one of the luxury restaurants of Shiraz. They have amazing food and some dashing personnel. 😉

You’re likely to see some upper-class Shirazis dining here. If you’re looking for local Shirazi food, make sure you head over here for lunch as dinners are usually preserved for foreign dishes.

Parhami House

Parhami is a traditional old house in Shiraz that works as both a hostel and restaurant. I personally prefer it as a restaurant as it can get a little crazy staying at a place where crowds flood in for lunch and dinner. But the food in Parhami house is fabulous and you’ll find locals making a big line for it on weekends. Make sure you try your Kalam Polo and Goje Polo here.

Brentin restaurant

Another modern restaurant in Shiraz with a great appetizer platter. Here at Brentin both local and international food is served at a very reasonable price.

Grandma’s House

Grandma’s house is a beautiful restaurant in the village of Qalat just 30km outside of Shiraz. The owner is Sahar, an enthusiastic young woman who brought her Grandma’s recipes to this restaurant. Make sure you try the Shekar polo if you’re here.

Best cafes in Shiraz

• Arg Cafe: This cafe is in a decaying old building right behind the Karimkhan citadel in the middle of all the Faloodeh shops. If you’re looking for a nice homey atmosphere to have a cup of tea or a bowl of Faloodeh, try Arg cafe.

• Syrah cafe: Syrah is a small cafe inside a cosy old house with a beautiful backyard in Sang-e Siah neighbourhood.

• Joulep Cafe: If you’re looking to grab a quick cup of coffee or a bite before heading the Vakil bazaar in Shiraz, then make a stop at Joulep which is located right at the main entrance.

• Atigh Cafe: Atigh is another cosy small cafe set up in an old house with lots of greenery.

• Pirouzi Tea House: I absolutely love this chill tea house inside of Vakil bazaar. It’s on one of the main alleyways of the bazaar. Just look for a big wide space with lots of paper on the walls. Apparently, the owner had a thing for poetry and stuck all of his poems on the walls.

• Ferdowsi Cafe: Ferdowsi cafe was one of the first of the new wave cafes in Shiraz. It’s where you’ll find great coffee and food surrounded by young Shirazis.

• Cafe iwan (Bakuya complex): The Bakuya complex is probably the most modern building in Shiraz and it has an insanely great view of all the city. There are two restaurants and one cafe in the complex. Don’t go near the restaurant. It’s awful! But if you’re looking for a place with a 360 view of the city, I’d recommend Iwan cafe in the complex.

Take a food tour or cooking class in Shiraz

Persian Food Tours offers culinary walks and cooking classes in Shiraz and the rest of Iran. Their food tour is a great way to learn and try all sorts of different Shirazi food in a day while being guided through the historic center of Shiraz. Their cooking class, however, gives you a hands-on experience of preparing for the famous Shirazi picnic as you’ll be cooking in an outdoor purpose built kitchen and eating your Shirazi feast in a garden.