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What to eat in Tehran? Where to eat in Tehran? 7 Traditional Foods You Have To Try in Tehran

The best traditional dishes in Tehran and the best authentic restaurants that make them, recommended by industry professionals.
Last update: Thu Mar 27 2025
7 Traditional Foods You Have To Try in Tehran
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01
Abgoosht
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Iranian abgoosht is a hearty one-pot stew that has its origins in ancient Persia. It is traditionally prepared with lamb or mutton, but beef can be used in some variations. The dish also incorporates potatoes, beans, legumes, and various Iranian spices and ingredients, all cooked in a flavorful tomato-infused broth.


Abgoosht is typically served in two parts. The meat, vegetables, and legumes are removed from the stock and are served separately. The broth is enjoyed first and is then followed by meat and vegetables that are usually mashed in a roughly-textured paste (goosht kubideh). 

MOST ICONIC Abgoosht

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02
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The famous Iranian tahchin is a savory rice delicacy resembling a cake or a casserole. The dish is made with precooked rice which is spiced with saffron, layered in a pan, then baked. After it has been baked, this rice casserole is turned upside down and cut into pieces.


The dish is usually improved by the addition of meat or vegetables, which are layered between the rice. However, it can also be baked without any additional fillings. Numerous tahchin varieties can be found all over Iran in many traditional Iranian restaurants or at popular bazaars. 

MOST ICONIC Tahchin

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Chelow kebab consists of fragrant, saffron-spiced rice, grilled tomatoes, and kebab, which can be prepared with minced or sliced meat. It is believed that the dish originated among the Caucasian people, who passed down the recipe to the Iranians.


The serving of chelow kebab is a unique experience: rice and tomatoes are served first, followed by meat, while the final touch is a dollop of butter that is placed on the top of saffron rice. The dish is commonly enriched with sumac, a spice native to the Middle Eastern area, and is best paired with doogh—Persian sour yogurt.

MOST ICONIC Chelow kebab

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04
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Kabab barg is a variety of Iranian kebab which consists of pieces of lamb or beef, and - less commonly - chicken. It usually employs fillets, tenderloin, or lamb shanks, which are cut into strips and marinated before they are skewered and traditionally grilled on charcoal barbecues.


The meat is typically served alongside rice and an assortment of grilled vegetables, but it can also be placed inside lavash bread, when it is topped with vegetables and occasionally drizzled with a refreshing yogurt-based sauce.

MOST ICONIC Kabab barg

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Bastani sonnati is a unique saffron-infused Iranian ice cream that was invented at the beginning of the 20th century by Akbar Mashti, the first ice cream vendor in Tehran. This frozen treat is made with a creamy mixture of milk or cream, frozen custard, and sliced pistachios.


It is flavored with rose water and saffron and traditionally incorporates salep, an ingredient extracted from wild orchids. The vibrant yellow color and exotic flavors make bastani one of the favorite Iranian sweets. Iranians prefer to enjoy it in individual bowls, sprinkled with shredded pistachio, or served within two plain wafers, when it's known as bastani nooni ice cream sandwich.

MOST ICONIC Bastani sonnati

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06
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Kabab koobideh is the Iranian term for a variety of minced meat kebabs usually prepared with onions and finely ground lamb, beef, or chicken. The meat is seasoned with various spices, formed around metal skewers, then grilled on charcoal barbecues.


Whether it is enjoyed as a quick street food item served with lavash bread or as a satisfying dinner accompanied by grilled vegetables and flavorful saffron rice, kabab koobideh is a staple dish eaten throughout Iran.

MOST ICONIC Kabab koobideh

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Ghormeh sabzi is an Iranian herb stew, commonly eaten everywhere in Iran and considered to be the national dish of the country. Although there are numerous ways to prepare the dish, the essential ingredient is a combination of fried herbs, usually made with chopped parsley, cilantro, and chives.


Other varieties occasionally include greens such as leeks, kale, or spinach, which give the dish its dark green color and rich, pungent flavors. These essential ingredients are incorporated with kidney beans and cubed meat (most commonly lamb) to create a rich and dense stew. 

MOST ICONIC Ghormeh sabzi