{"id":24950,"date":"2019-03-13T13:34:04","date_gmt":"2019-03-13T13:34:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/?p=24950"},"modified":"2026-10-26T19:38:05","modified_gmt":"2026-10-26T19:38:05","slug":"eating-in-grand-bazar-of-tehran","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/eating-in-grand-bazar-of-tehran\/","title":{"rendered":"A Culinary Journey Through Tehran&#8217;s Grand Bazaar"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lunch at Tehran\u2019s Grand Bazaar is an opportunity to discover classic Iranian dishes in the middle of one of the capital\u2019s busiest historic districts. Here is what to expect when choosing a restaurant and ordering a meal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A visit to the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/tehran-travel-guide-city\/grand-bazaar-tehran\/\">Grand Bazaar of Tehran<\/a> combines covered shopping lanes, traditional trades and historic buildings. After exploring the market, many visitors head to one of the well-known local restaurants for rice dishes, kebabs or a hearty stew. The <a href=\"https:\/\/visitiran.ir\/en\/attraction\/tehran-grand-bazaar\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">official Visit Iran guide<\/a> also highlights the bazaar\u2019s food culture.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-image-24963 size-extra_large\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"630\" title=\"Eating In Grand Bazar Of Tehran\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Eating-in-Grand-Bazar-of-Tehran2.jpg\" alt=\"Dining area at a restaurant in Tehran Grand Bazaar\" class=\"wp-image-24963\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Eating-in-Grand-Bazar-of-Tehran2.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Eating-in-Grand-Bazar-of-Tehran2-780x328.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Eating-in-Grand-Bazar-of-Tehran2-768x323.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Eating-in-Grand-Bazar-of-Tehran2-1024x430.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Eating-in-Grand-Bazar-of-Tehran2-300x126.jpg 300w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Eating-in-Grand-Bazar-of-Tehran2-705x296.jpg 705w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Eating-in-Grand-Bazar-of-Tehran2-450x189.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Moslem is a well-known restaurant in the Tehran Grand Bazaar area.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-flat ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/eating-in-grand-bazar-of-tehran\/#where-to-eat-at-tehran-grand-bazaar\" >Where to Eat at Tehran Grand Bazaar<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/eating-in-grand-bazar-of-tehran\/#what-food-can-you-try\" >What Food Can You Try?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/eating-in-grand-bazar-of-tehran\/#kebab-tahchin-and-baghali-polo\" >Kebab, Tahchin and Baghali Polo<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/eating-in-grand-bazar-of-tehran\/#queues-portions-and-practical-tips\" >Queues, Portions and Practical Tips<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-where-to-have-lunch\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"where-to-eat-at-tehran-grand-bazaar\"><\/span>Where to Eat at Tehran Grand Bazaar<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-extra_large wp-image-24965\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"630\" title=\"Tah Chin Is An Iranian Rice\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Tah-chin-is-an-Iranian-rice.jpg\" alt=\"Tahchin, a saffron rice dish with a golden crust\" class=\"wp-image-24965\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Tah-chin-is-an-Iranian-rice.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Tah-chin-is-an-Iranian-rice-780x328.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Tah-chin-is-an-Iranian-rice-768x323.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Tah-chin-is-an-Iranian-rice-1024x430.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Tah-chin-is-an-Iranian-rice-300x126.jpg 300w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Tah-chin-is-an-Iranian-rice-705x296.jpg 705w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Tah-chin-is-an-Iranian-rice-450x189.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Tahchin is a saffron-rice dish often served with barberries. Photograph: Alamy.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you are visiting nearby <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/tehran-travel-guide-city\/lavish-golestan-palace\/\">Golestan Palace<\/a>, the bazaar makes a convenient next stop. The busiest lunch period can bring queues, especially at popular establishments. Allow extra time and check each restaurant\u2019s current opening hours before travelling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Moslem<\/strong>, <strong>Sharaf ol-Eslami<\/strong> and <strong>Shamshiri<\/strong> are established names associated with dining in or around the Grand Bazaar. Menus and opening arrangements can change, but the area is well known for traditional <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/10-best-persian-foods-try\/\">Iranian food<\/a> and lively lunchtime service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-to-eat\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"what-food-can-you-try\"><\/span>What Food Can You Try?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/iranian-restaurants-with-the-most-authentic-atmosphere\/\">kebab restaurants<\/a> are a familiar part of Iranian dining, the country\u2019s cuisine offers far more than grilled meat. Depending on the restaurant, you may find rice specialities, stews, soups and seasonal dishes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iranian home cooking includes a wide range of slow-cooked <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/best-chelo-khoresh-dishes-must-try-iran\/\">khoresh<\/a> (stews), often served with rice. Restaurant menus vary by kitchen and neighbourhood, so it is misleading to suggest that traditional stews are never eaten outside the home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the bazaar, choose according to the dishes actually available that day. Some kitchens specialise in a small selection, while others offer several kinds of rice, kebab and stew. Ask staff about ingredients, portion sizes and daily specials before ordering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-kebab-tahchin-or-baghali-polo\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"kebab-tahchin-and-baghali-polo\"><\/span>Kebab, Tahchin and Baghali Polo<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Three popular choices are <strong>kebab<\/strong>, served with bread or rice; <strong>tahchin<\/strong>, a baked saffron-rice dish often prepared with yoghurt, egg and chicken; and <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/baghali-polo-recipe\/\"><strong>baghali polo<\/strong><\/a>, rice cooked with broad beans and dill, sometimes served with lamb shank. Recipes and accompaniments vary.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-extra_large wp-image-24966\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"630\" title=\"Moslem Restaurant. Best Tah Chin Of Tehran\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Moslem-restaurant.-Best-tah-chin-of-Tehran.jpg\" alt=\"Tahchin served at a Tehran bazaar restaurant\" class=\"wp-image-24966\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Moslem-restaurant.-Best-tah-chin-of-Tehran.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Moslem-restaurant.-Best-tah-chin-of-Tehran-780x328.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Moslem-restaurant.-Best-tah-chin-of-Tehran-768x323.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Moslem-restaurant.-Best-tah-chin-of-Tehran-1024x430.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Moslem-restaurant.-Best-tah-chin-of-Tehran-300x126.jpg 300w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Moslem-restaurant.-Best-tah-chin-of-Tehran-705x296.jpg 705w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Moslem-restaurant.-Best-tah-chin-of-Tehran-450x189.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Tahchin served at a Tehran bazaar restaurant.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These dishes also feature at family gatherings and celebrations. Moslem is especially associated with <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/tahchin-the-golden-layered-delight-of-persian-cuisine\/\">tahchin<\/a>, while other restaurants are known for kebabs or rice dishes. Rather than assuming that a particular combination is always on the menu, check the current selection and ask for a recommendation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-should-i-do-with-hundreds-of-people-in-the-queue\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"queues-portions-and-practical-tips\"><\/span>Queues, Portions and Practical Tips<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Queues are common at popular lunchtime restaurants in the bazaar. Waiting times depend on the day, season and number of diners, so avoid relying on fixed estimates. Arriving a little before the busiest lunch period may help, but there is no guaranteed short wait.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Portions can be generous, particularly when rice and side dishes are included. Check the serving size before ordering for one person or a group, and ask whether takeaway is available if you prefer not to wait for a table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many bazaar restaurants prioritise traditional food and quick service over elaborate d\u00e9cor. That informal atmosphere is part of the appeal. Pair lunch with a walk through the market, then use our <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/tehran-travel-guide\/\">Tehran travel guide<\/a> to plan the rest of your day.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Discover where to eat in Tehran\u2019s Grand Bazaar, from Moslem and Sharaf ol-Eslami to tahchin, kebab and baghali polo, with practical lunch tips.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":24967,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,306,308,849,15740],"tags":[15658,11043,374,317],"class_list":["post-24950","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tourism-iran","category-culture","category-destinations","category-food","category-tehran","tag-food","tag-persian-cuisine","tag-persian-food","tag-tehran"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Eating-in-Grand-Bazaar-of-Tehran.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24950","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24950"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24950\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24967"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24950"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24950"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24950"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}