Atlanta’s Persian restaurant scene is one of the finest in the American South, anchored by a substantial Iranian-American community concentrated in Sandy Springs, Buckhead, and the northern suburbs. Persian cuisine is celebrated internationally for its complex rice preparations, the interplay of sour and sweet flavors derived from pomegranate and dried fruit, and the sophistication of its slow-cooked stews known as khoresh. Atlanta’s Persian restaurants have served the community since the 1990s and several have grown into multi-location operations that are now recognized as defining establishments in the city’s broader dining landscape. The presence of nationally recognized Persian chefs and MICHELIN-associated restaurants elevates Atlanta’s Persian dining category above most comparably sized American cities.
When evaluating a Persian restaurant in Atlanta, the quality of the rice is the foremost consideration. Authentic Persian rice, or chelo, should be perfectly steamed with a golden crust at the bottom of the pot called tahdig, considered the prize portion of any Persian meal. Saffron, the world’s most expensive spice and central to Persian cooking, should be present in both rice and marinades. Kabob quality is equally important: koobideh (ground lamb or beef) should be juicy and well-spiced, while barg (tenderloin) should be pounded flat and marinated before grilling. A restaurant that dismisses the importance of these details is not operating at the level of authentic Persian cooking.
Top Persian Restaurant Companies in Atlanta
1. Rumi’s Kitchen
Address: 6112 Roswell Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30328 (Sandy Springs original)
Phone: (404) 477-2100
Website: https://www.rumiskitchen.com
Hours: Monday-Thursday 11:30 AM-10 PM, Friday 11:30 AM-11 PM, Saturday 12 PM-11 PM, Sunday 12 PM-10 PM
Founded: 2006
Services:
- Authentic Persian kabob and grilled preparations
- Traditional khoresh (Persian stews)
- Persian rice preparations with tahdig
- Lamb, chicken, and seafood entrees
- Full bar and cocktail program
- Catering services
- Three Atlanta-area locations including Midtown Colony Square and Alpharetta Avalon
About: Rumi’s Kitchen was established in 2006 by Chef Ali Mesghali, whose passion for Persian cooking developed growing up in Esfahan, Iran and Los Angeles before relocating to Atlanta. Named for the 13th-century Persian poet Jelaluddin Rumi, the restaurant has become the standard-bearer for Persian cuisine in Atlanta over nearly two decades of operation. Chef Mesghali’s pursuit of authentic flavor has earned Rumi’s consistent recognition from Atlanta food media and a devoted customer base that spans the Persian community and the broader Atlanta dining public. The original Sandy Springs location has been followed by Midtown Colony Square and Alpharetta Avalon locations, reflecting the restaurant’s sustained growth and quality.
2. Sufi’s Kitchen
Address: 1814 Peachtree Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30309
Phone: (404) 888-9699
Website: https://www.sufisatlanta.com
Founded: 2010
Hours: Monday-Thursday 11 AM-10 PM, Friday-Saturday 11 AM-11 PM, Sunday 11 AM-10 PM
Services:
- Fine dining Persian cuisine
- Traditional Persian kabobs and grilled meats
- Authentic khoresh and slow-cooked stews
- Full bar and wine program
- Catering for Persian and non-Persian events
- Reservations accepted
About: Sufi’s Kitchen has operated on Peachtree Road in the Brookwood neighborhood between Buckhead and Midtown since 2010, establishing itself as Atlanta’s premier fine dining Persian restaurant in that time. The restaurant’s convenient location on one of Atlanta’s most traveled corridors makes it accessible to a wide range of diners, and its reservation-friendly model suits the dining occasions that call for a more planned experience. Sufi’s has built a strong catering operation alongside its restaurant service, extending its reach to Persian and broader community events throughout the Atlanta metro. The restaurant’s commitment to authentic Persian preparation and its welcoming service have earned it sustained positive recognition.
3. Delbar Middle Eastern Restaurant
Address: 870 Inman Village Pkwy NE, Suite 1, Atlanta, GA 30307
Phone: (404) 500-1444
Website: https://www.delbaratl.com
Hours: Monday-Thursday 4 PM-10 PM, Friday 4 PM-11 PM, Saturday 11 AM-11 PM, Sunday 11 AM-9 PM
Awards & Recognition: Michelin Guide recognized
Services:
- Persian and Middle Eastern mezze
- Charcoal-grilled kabobs
- Persian rice and stew preparations
- Weekend brunch
- Full cocktail bar
- Multiple Atlanta locations
About: Delbar was founded by Fares Kargar as a tribute to the Middle Eastern and Persian cooking traditions of his upbringing, with the restaurant’s name translating to “heart, captured” in Farsi. The Inman Park location earned MICHELIN Guide recognition, making it one of only a handful of Atlanta restaurants to reach that level of national culinary acknowledgment. Signature Persian dishes including sabzi polo and joojeh kabob anchor a menu that reflects both Farsi culinary heritage and contemporary restaurant sensibility. With additional locations in Buckhead and Alpharetta, Delbar has become one of the most recognized Persian-influenced dining brands in Atlanta.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the essential Persian dishes to try at Atlanta’s Persian restaurants?
A: Kabob koobideh, made from hand-kneaded spiced ground lamb shaped onto flat skewers and grilled, is the most beloved and universal Persian dish. Ghormeh sabzi, a deeply flavored stew of herbs, kidney beans, and lamb, is considered by many Iranians to be the national dish of Iran. Joojeh kabob, saffron-marinated chicken grilled on skewers, is lighter and equally delicious. Chelo, the steamed Persian rice with crispy tahdig, should accompany almost everything, and the tahdig crust is prized enough that diners often request extra.
Q: What does a meal at a Persian restaurant in Atlanta typically cost?
A: At established Persian restaurants like Rumi’s Kitchen and Sufi’s Kitchen, kabob entrees typically run $24-$38 per person, with the full meal including rice, salad, and drinks running $45-$75 per person. Delbar’s mezze-style format allows more flexible pricing, with individual plates at $14-$28. Lunch service at Rumi’s Kitchen offers better value than dinner. Catering pricing varies significantly by menu and guest count and should be requested directly from each restaurant.
Q: What makes Persian cuisine distinctive compared to other Middle Eastern cooking?
A: Persian cuisine is distinguished by its extensive use of fresh and dried herbs, sour-sweet flavor balancing using pomegranate molasses and dried limes, and an elaborate rice-cooking tradition that produces distinct textures including the prized tahdig crust. Unlike Arabic and Turkish cuisines, Persian cooking uses very few chili peppers and is generally not spicy, with complexity coming from the layering of aromatics, spices, and souring agents. The cuisine also has a rich tradition of incorporating fruits including sour cherries, barberries, and pomegranate seeds into savory dishes, which is distinctive to the Persian culinary tradition.
Conclusion
Atlanta’s Persian restaurant community offers some of the finest Iranian cooking available in the American South, with Rumi’s Kitchen’s nearly two decades of standard-setting excellence, Sufi’s Kitchen’s fine dining approach on Peachtree Road, and Delbar’s MICHELIN-recognized interpretation of Persian mezze culture. Each of these restaurants brings deep authenticity and genuine hospitality to their respective approaches. Contact them directly for reservations, catering availability, and current menu information.