Five Persian Restaurants To Try in Las Vegas

Whether one is craving the comforts of a faraway homeland while on vacation or simply looking to try a new cuisine, Las Vegas has a wide variety of restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets. One such option is Persian cuisine. Las Vegas may be approximately 7,600 miles away from Iran, but the city is home to a wealth of sit-down and counter-service spots that serve classic Persian dishes.

Newcomers to the cuisine can expect Mediterranean-influenced dishes that typically include white rice, lamb, beef, or chicken plus a unique blend of spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, turmeric and parsley. Pomegranates, dates, and dried limes also often make an appearance in Persian cuisine, giving traditional dishes a fresh and dynamic flavor profile.

Here are five Persian restaurants where diners can enjoy gheymeh stew, beef koobideh, and other favorites.

Hafez Persian Cuisine/Facebook

Kabobs and koobideh

Family-owned Hafez Persian Cuisine offers a wide variety of classic dishes. Diners can order mast o moosir (fresh yogurt mixed with dill and other herbs) for a fresh start and then dig into something heartier such as chicken or beef koobideh (ground meat served with rice). Beef, chicken, and lamb kabobs are another popular choice.

Hafez Persian Cuisine, 230 S. Rainbow Blvd.; 702-722-2224

Pro Kabob Persian Restaurant

A casual Persian lunch

This globally minded Pro Kabob Persian Restaurant serves Mediterranean, Halal, Afghan, and Persian fare in a cheery setting. Whether it’s a quick lunch or a lingering dinner, Pro Kabob satisfies with items such as shami kabobs (fried beef), lamb chops, mantu (beef dumplings), and even pizza.

Pro Kabob Persian Restaurant, 3854 W. Sahara Ave.; 702-586-9229

Yelp/Shawn H.

Persian cuisine inside a bazaar

Zaytoon aims to replicate the experience of kabobs cooked in traditional fashion over open flames. The restaurant not only offers this in the form of chicken, filet mignon, Cornish hen, and lamb kabobs, but does it inside an eclectic bazaar that sells hard-to-find items such as dried herbs, olive oils, and mortadella. The menu features gheimeh (split pea casserole with beef and rice), baba ganoush, and saffron rosewater ice cream.

Zaytoon, 3655 S. Durango Drive, Suite 11-14; 702-685-1875

Kabob Express/Facebook

Kabob on the go

Locally owned Kabob Express focuses on healthy, inexpensive, casual fare. Diners can choose from protein heavy options including beef tenderloin, chicken, and lamb, all served with rice, salad, and bread.

Kabob Express, 4912 S. Eastern Ave.; 702-433-7499

Nathasha Q./Yelp

Stews, shawarmas, and salads

Chickpeas Mediterranean Cafe features an extensive menu that includes a mix of Persian and Mediterranean dishes. With locations on Flamingo Road and Rainbow Boulevard, diners can order kabobs, shawarmas, sandwiches, and harder-to-find items such as kuku sabzi (herb frittata) and ghaimeh bademjan stew. The drink menu includes a nice selection of teas and traditional dough (yogurt soda).

Chickpeas Mediterranean Cafe, 6110 W. Flamingo Road; 702-405-6047

• All Something for the Weekends [ELV]

• All Maps [ELV]