Exploring Iranian Food in Atlanta: Where to Go and What to Order

Looking for Iranian food in Atlanta—whether you call it Iranian, Persian, or Middle Eastern with Persian influence—you actually have more options than many people realize. Atlanta’s growing international community has brought authentic flavors from Tehran, Shiraz, Isfahan, and beyond right into the metro area.

Below is a clear guide to finding Iranian food around Atlanta, what dishes to look for, and how to make the most of your visit if you’re new to this cuisine.

Iranian vs. Persian Food: What You’ll See in Atlanta

In Atlanta, most restaurants serving food from Iran use the term “Persian” on their signs and menus rather than “Iranian.” When you search for Iranian food Atlanta, you’ll usually find:

• Persian restaurants and grills
• Mediterranean or Middle Eastern restaurants with a strong Persian influence
• Grocery stores and bakeries that stock Iranian ingredients and sweets

If you’re trying to find this cuisine locally, look for keywords like “Persian,” “kabob/kebab,” “shish kabob,” “koobideh,” “ghormeh sabzi,” “tahdig,” or “baklava” (many shops carry a shared dessert selection from the region).

Classic Iranian Dishes You Can Find in Atlanta

When you walk into a Persian or Iranian-style restaurant in Atlanta, you’ll usually see a mix of grilled meats, stews, rice dishes, and fresh herbs. Some key items:

Must-Try Rice and Kabob Dishes

• Chelo Kabob (Chelow Kabab)
  Steamed saffron rice served with grilled meat. Common kabob types:

  • Koobideh – ground beef or lamb, seasoned and grilled on skewers
  • Barg – thin strips of marinated beef or lamb
  • Joojeh – saffron-marinated chicken, usually boneless or with bone

• Zereshk Polo
  Saffron rice with tart barberries, often served with chicken. Common in Persian-focused restaurants.

• Baghali Polo
  Dill and fava bean rice, sometimes served with lamb shank. You’ll see this in more traditional menus.

Slow-Cooked Stews (Khoresht)

These are usually served with a mound of rice:

• Ghormeh Sabzi – a herb-heavy stew (parsley, cilantro, fenugreek) with kidney beans and usually beef or lamb
• Fesenjan (Fesenjoon) – rich pomegranate and ground walnut stew, often with chicken
• Gheymeh – split pea stew with tomato, beef, and sometimes fried potatoes on top

Appetizers, Breads, and Sides

• Hummus, baba ghanoush, and yogurt dips – not uniquely Iranian but common on Atlanta menus with Persian influence
• Mast-o Khiar – yogurt with cucumber and herbs
• Shirazi Salad – diced cucumber, tomato, and onion with lime and herbs
• Lavash / Sangak / Pita – types of flatbread; sangak is a traditional Iranian bread, though not every Atlanta spot offers it

Sweets and Drinks

• Persian Ice Cream – often flavored with saffron, rosewater, and pistachios
• Baklava and assorted pastries – available at many Middle Eastern and Persian bakeries and groceries
• Doogh – a yogurt-based, salted drink sometimes flavored with mint
• Persian tea – usually black tea, served hot and often with sugar cubes

Where Iranian and Persian Food Tends to Cluster in Atlanta

Iranian and Persian-style food in metro Atlanta is somewhat spread out, but there are a few key areas where you’re more likely to find it:

• Northeast Atlanta / Buford Highway corridor
  Known for international food from many countries, including Middle Eastern and Persian restaurants and groceries.

• Sandy Springs / Dunwoody / Perimeter area
  Often home to Mediterranean and Persian grills, plus small markets.

• Alpharetta / Johns Creek
  North Fulton and Gwinnett suburbs have a noticeable Middle Eastern and Persian presence, including kabob houses and groceries.

• Norcross / Peachtree Corners
  Another area where Middle Eastern and Persian markets and restaurants sometimes cluster.

Because businesses can change, it’s useful to search locally using “Persian restaurant Atlanta,” “kabob house near me,” or “Mediterranean grill” and then check for menus that list distinct Persian dishes like koobideh or ghormeh sabzi.

What to Expect When You Visit an Iranian/Persian Restaurant in Atlanta

Atmosphere

Most Persian-influenced restaurants in Atlanta are casual to semi-casual:

• Table service, often family-friendly
• Mix of locals and international customers
• Some spots may play Persian music or have decor with carpets, copperware, or hand-painted art

Ordering Tips if You’re New

If you’re trying Iranian food for the first time in Atlanta, this simple order works well for one or two people:

1. Start with an appetizer

   • Hummus or mast-o khiar
   • A small Shirazi salad

2. Choose a main

   • Koobideh with rice if you want something familiar (similar to seasoned grilled meat)
   • Ghormeh sabzi if you like herb-heavy, comforting stews
   • Fesenjan if you’re curious about sweet-tart, nutty flavors

3. Add saffron rice and grilled tomato (usually included with kabobs)

4. Finish with tea and a pastry if available

Most servers at Persian-oriented places in Atlanta are used to guests who are new to the cuisine and can recommend dishes based on how adventurous you feel.

Quick Reference: Common Iranian Dishes You’ll See in Atlanta

Finding Iranian Groceries and Ingredients in Atlanta

If you live in Atlanta and want to cook Iranian food at home, you can find many staples at:

Large International and Middle Eastern Markets

In the metro area, you’ll typically see:

• International grocery stores carrying:

  • Basmati rice
  • Saffron (often in small packets)
  • Dried limes, barberries, pomegranate molasses
  • Flatbreads, yogurt, feta cheese, olives

• Middle Eastern markets that may lean Persian in their offerings:

  • Fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, mint, dill
  • Halal meats suitable for kabobs and stews
  • Persian-style sweets and cookies

Look in neighborhoods such as Doraville / Chamblee (near Buford Highway), Sandy Springs, Norcross, and Alpharetta/Johns Creek for these markets. Check in-store signs or shelves for words like “Persian,” “Iranian,” “Zereshk” (barberries), “Sohan,” “Gaz,” or “Sangak” to spot Iranian specialties.

Helpful Items to Look For

If you want to recreate restaurant-style Iranian food:

• Basmati rice (often labeled as long-grain)
• Saffron threads
• Turmeric, sumac, and dried mint
• Barberries (zereshk) for zereshk polo
• Dried limes (limoo amani) for stews like ghormeh sabzi
• Pomegranate molasses for fesenjan and salads
• Flatbreads (lavash, sangak, barbari, or pita as a substitute)

Vegetarian and Halal Considerations in Atlanta’s Iranian Food Scene

Vegetarian-Friendly Options

Many Iranian dishes focus on herbs, legumes, and rice, which can work well for vegetarians. In Atlanta, you can usually find:

• Vegetarian stews or sides (lentils, eggplant dishes, salads)
• Rice-based plates with grilled vegetables
• Yogurt dips, breads, and salads

If you’re vegetarian or vegan, it helps to:

• Ask if stews use meat broth
• Request no butter or ghee on rice or bread if that’s a concern
• Lean on salads, eggplant dishes, and rice for vegan choices

Halal and Dietary Needs

Many Persian and Iranian-style restaurants in Atlanta are halal-friendly or fully halal, particularly in areas with larger Muslim communities. To be sure:

• Look for “Halal” signs on the door or menu
• Ask the staff directly how the meat is sourced and prepared

For gluten-free needs, note that:

• Rice-based dishes are generally safe
• Check marinades, sauces, and breads for hidden gluten ingredients

How to Search for Iranian Food in Atlanta (Practical Tips)

Because not every restaurant uses “Iranian” in its name, try these searches when you’re in or near Atlanta:

• “Persian restaurant Atlanta”
• “Persian kabob Sandy Springs” or “kabob house Doraville”
• “Mediterranean grill Alpharetta” and then scan menus for koobideh, barg, ghormeh sabzi, or fesenjan
• “Middle Eastern market Buford Highway” for groceries and prepared foods

When you see menu items like chelo kabob, koobideh, tahdig, zereshk polo, or Shirazi salad, you’re likely in a place with a real Iranian/Persian influence, even if the sign just says “Mediterranean” or “Middle Eastern.”

Tips for Visitors vs. Locals

If You’re Visiting Atlanta

• Focus on well-known international corridors like Buford Highway for variety in one area.
• Pick one or two kabob-focused restaurants and one market to explore Persian snacks and sweets.
• Ask your hotel concierge or host for “Persian or Middle Eastern kabobs” specifically; many locals know at least one good spot.

If You Live in Atlanta

• Explore different parts of the metro—North Fulton, Gwinnett, and the Perimeter often have hidden gems.
• Once you find a favorite Persian or Iranian-influenced spot, ask the staff:
  • Where they shop for ingredients
  • Which less common dishes you should try next (like ash reshteh, a hearty noodle and bean soup, if available)
• Use local community boards or neighborhood apps to search for Persian, Iranian, or kabob recommendations; people often share their go-to places.

By focusing on Persian restaurants, kabob houses, and Middle Eastern markets in and around Atlanta, you can find a solid range of authentic Iranian flavors, from grilled koobideh and saffron rice to herb-rich stews and rose-scented desserts—all without leaving metro Atlanta.