I find myself traveling from Boston, just to get a taste of their Persian food. Everyone is so kind and hospitable!! I have had a bunch of their dishes and the 2 that stick out to me is the Kabab Koobideh and the Gheymeh Bademjoon! A great 3rd party space to meet other Iranians aswell! Their store front next to the restaurant has everything you could ever want to!! read more

We had a business lunch at Cafe Vanak in Belmont and were extremely pleased with our overall experience. Vanak is small, with only 6 tables, though we noticed a brisk take out trade during our 3 hour visit. Vanak is not fancy and one needs to know that a visit here is entirely about great Persian fare. Be prepared to either wait for a table or to settle for take out. Reservations are strongly recommended. Vanak has an impressive menu covering beef, lamb, chicken, fish, and vegetarian dishes. Everything is authentic and is served with a more than generous portion of rice. The difference in dishes isn't just the protein; there are at least ten different seasoned rice on offer. Our entrees were shared by four people and three dishes were more than enough. The Lamb Shank with Fava Bean and Dill Rice is exceptional. The shank was slow simmered and the ample amount of meat was melt-in-your mouth delicious. The Dill Rice is uniquely seasoned and we highly recommend this dish. Chicken with Barberry and Saffron Rice is another interesting dish. The quarter chicken is also slow cooked and nicely savory. The Barberry adds an interesting taste profile to what would otherwise be a standard Persian dish. No Persian meal would be complete without Koobideh Kababs and Vanak's rendition is very nicely seasoned. The Kababs were served on a bed of Sangak, the rustic Perisan wheat bread. We finished with baklava which was topped with chopped pistachios and Saffron ice cream. The servings here are authentic and generously portioned. Vanak offers a unique change of pace for lunch which we recommend. read more

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I was genuinely looking forward to trying Cafe Vanak today, especially because I've enjoyed Persian food for years through close friends and had heard great things about this place. Unfortunately, my first experience did not reflect the many positive reviews. When I walked in, the first thing I was asked was "pickup?" I politely said no, that I wanted to place an order. I had to repeat myself several times, and the older woman at the counter either seemed frustrated, distracted, or maybe just having a rough day. There was little direction given to a first-time customer, and I found myself awkwardly trying to figure out where the menu board was and how the ordering process worked. Eventually, I stepped aside to look over the menu. The older woman continued helping the customers in front of me, which was completely understandable. What confused me was that the younger employee made eye contact with me, nodded toward me as if acknowledging I needed help, then asked if anyone had helped me yet. I explained that the other employee was probably about to, but needed a moment. Before I could even finish, she cut me off and said, "Oh, she can help you then," and immediately went back to scrolling on her phone while I continued standing there waiting. That was the disappointing part for me. If you ask who's next at the register, acknowledge someone is waiting, and another employee is already busy helping others, it creates a poor first impression when the available employee chooses not to assist and instead goes back to their phone. It came across as a lack of urgency and customer service. Maybe it was just an off day. I'm not writing this to attack the business because the food may very well be excellent, and clearly many people love this place. But first impressions matter, especially for new customers walking in excited to try your establishment for the first time. I truly hope the service experience improves because I wanted to like this place a lot more than I did today. read more

Only ever ordered on Uber Eats but can't beat the taste and price for such big servings. I love the beef koobideh and the chicken kabobs. Flavorful and fairly priced. Can't complain. read more

Always a delight to stop here on our way to our back from Boston. This is hands down the best Iranian restaurant for a chicken koobideh kabob (that is ground chicken kabob). It is so flavorful, almost smoky! We also love getting their beef mortadella sandwich on the run. For any Iranian people, the cocktail sausage sandwich will be VERY nostalgic, but maybe a more acquired taste for those not used to it. If you're interested in expanding your palate, head to Cafe Vanak and try some authentic Iranian food. All the staff are so kind, shoutout to Mehr for being especially accommodating and even giving us some free tahdig. The restaurant is cozy and parking can be difficult, but it is not a busy street, and there is a lot behind the restaurant, as well as street parking further down the side roads. The market next door also has some unique finds. read more

Absolutely love this spot! Amazing meals and the desserts are all delicious. I came with a few Persian friends and they said it was the most authentic food they've tried in the Boston area. The staff is always nice and welcoming, and a special shout out to Mehr who served us dessert last night! read more

My order: orange rice with chicken, grape leaves, chickpea cookies The Review: I had heard about the intricate rice dishes, and this was my first time trying. It was absolutely delicious. I loved Cafe Vanak. Their customer service was beyond wonderful. We came with a baby and wanted to sit outside. Though they only technically serve food inside, they created a system to serve us outside. The chicken was so tasty. The grape leaves were so flavorful, a different flavor from the Greek kind. The chickpea cookies exceeded expectations. Highly recommend Cafe Vanak. read more

Cafe Vanak - Halal Near Me - Belmont, Massachusetts

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Our favorite Persian restaurant didn't survive the pandemic, so my friends and I have been searching for a worthy replacement. I'm glad we decided to give Cafe Vanak a try. The steady flow of dine-in customers, pick-up orders, and deliveries during our 1.5-2-hour meal speaks volumes about their food. Their menu is awesome-I always appreciate menus that include both photos and descriptions, making it easier to decide what my stomach is craving. This place is all about the food. We ordered Shirazi salad with pita, stuffed grape leaves, mixed koobideh, gheymeh stew with rice, and tahchin with chicken and eggplant. Everything was bursting with wonderful spices, the gheymeh stew was our absolute favorite. For drinks we had their black tea and the saffron tea which comes with rock sugar and saffron on a stirring stick. For dessert we had the most amazing pistachio ice cream and baklava. You can't go wrong with anything you order. The waitstaff were friendly, and although the atmosphere was more casual than I expected, it was clean and well-maintained. read more

Cafe Vanak - Saffron pistachio ice cream - Halal Near Me - Belmont, Massachusetts

Very friendly staff but the food ... I ordered tahchin and I was probably the worst I have had . I think they had in the freezer for a long time and they just heated it up for me . Will not go back read more

One of (if not THE BEST) Beef Koobideh I've ever had. The beef was seasoned wonderfully and cooked to perfection. The meat juices nicely elevated the rice's flavor. The veggies had a delicious charred taste. Hospitable employees too, they gave me a free snack to-go. Easily worth the splurge, a great family-run establishment! read more

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One of the best in town. Authentic and healthy cooking with fresh ingredients. I appreciate the home style, long time marination and preparation to bring out the best combination of flavors of each dish. Not to be missed in the Boston suburb. read more

A wonderful taste of where I grew up An authentic, cozy, exquisite & full of love corner restaurant, Vanak Food delivers the very essence of Iran to Boston. A wonderfully put together menu offering all my favorites and more. You simply can't go wrong with Persian food. Especially when it's made with such love. You can tell that every dish is comprised of the best ingredients, all the exquisite spices & herbs that deliver the heavenly aroma it's known for. And of course made with all the love. To all Iranians in Boston, go to Cafe Vanak for a taste of home. And to all non Iranians, don't miss out. Thank you to the warm staff at Cafe Vanak for the lovely hospitality. We will be back very soon. read more

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The whole fish special is a must eat. Flavorful and tender fish with rice. Also try the saffron ice cream. Amazing. A truly unique place in the greater Boston area. read more

Best Middle Eastern foods I've had around Boston area. The grilled kabob was so juicy and big portion.

Great for a tasty Persian lunch or dinner! Highly recommended. The staff is super friendly too. Sofia was great. Also check out their store and the greek market on the opposite corner. Fun couple of blocks. read more

Cafe Vanak is one of my favorite restaurants to not only frequent, but also order takeout from. Although I live in downtown Boston, it is always worth it to drive out to Belmont to eat this food. I have brought many friends to this restaurant and every one of them have loved the experience. My favorite dish to order is the Vanic combination which has healthy portions of both beef/lamb koobideh, chicken koobideh, chicken, kebabs, and other pieces of well cut steak. The atmosphere very much reminds me of a family run grocery store/restaurant, which makes the experience so much better. You can tell that the family really cares about making the experience wonderful for all their customers. I love this place! read more

Cafe Vanak - Halal Near Me - Belmont, Massachusetts

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I know Boston is not exactly known for Persian cuisine like New York or where I am from in California, but I just have to say extremely disappointed in the food ... traditional green fava bean rice had some kind of Indian spice that did not make it taste Persian at all it was not even edible. The chicken and the beef skewers were not at all close to traditional taste highly disappointed. read more

I got the falafel wrap. The falafel was flavorless overcooked, and the ambience was very nice. The size of adequate for the price to be honest the food like me not wanting to try it out again. read more

Overpriced food is not worth the money. Sides are also very expensive. Charging $10 for a very small salad is insane. I've been there once and will not return. read more

Came here for a friend's birthday around 4pm. We called in advance just to let them know we have about a group of 9. The table was ready when we got there which was perfect. Ordered the beef koobideh. Cooked to perfection. Every bite was juicy and tender. Sprinkled some saffron onto the rice for tinge of bitterness and sweetness. Vegetables were charred and easily to cut into. Service: fast and quick. Everything came out fresh. Definitely recommend this spot to everyone! read more

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My teammate highly recommended me to try the Persian food here at cafe Vanak and it did not disappoint us. My hubby and I had lunch here last weekend and loved our meal. Hole in the wall kinda restaurant, super duper packed with lots of people. The service is quick and very approachable. We ordered the eggplant dip which was out of the world served with freshly baked lavash bread. We got the chicken koobedeh for main course served with flavoured yellow rice and grilled veggies. The meat was so tender it was melting in our mouth. No effort of chewing required. Must visit if you are in the Belmont area. read more

Cafe Vanak - Eggplant Mix - Halal Near Me - Belmont, Massachusetts

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We came in with a large group late on a week day evening after an event and the Cafe Vanak staff were gracious enough to welcome our party. We ordered a large spread of food and drink with a few of the favorites below: * Tabouli Salad * Kashk Bademjan * Saffron Chicken with Barberry Rice * Grilled Salmon * Vanak Combo (we loved the grilled veggies on the side too!) We ended up getting most of our dessert to go from their dessert counter, and we particularly enjoyed the baklava (sold per piece) and the honey cake (sold by weight). They also had a selection of Persian ice creams in fun flavors like saffron pistachio, jasmine, Nutella, and more! read more

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Cafe Vanak catered an event for me this week and the food was delicious. Zohreh helped with the menu selection. Everyone raved about it-- including those of Iranian descent. The orange peel rice is fabulous and the stuffed grape leaves was another crowd favorite! I bought some containers so everyone had lunch the next day! read more

Everything was delicious, but the rice was out of this world! It's small so reservations are a decent idea. They squeezed us in but barely. Would definitely eat here again. read more

Cafe Vanak serves food that feels like you are being nourished in your soul. This food was incredible-every single bite of everything we ate was scrumptious. We had the lamb shank with dill rice, falafel sub and the Persian Noodle Aash Reshteh. Rarely do I experience all dishes as excellent-and Cafe Vanak won! I am so grateful for the sharing of the Iranian culture with us through food and I plan on eating a whole lot more here! read more

Had a great and authentic Persian food experience here at Cafe Vanak last Sunday evening. We showed up at 7 PM and were promptly seated. The eggplant mix was a flavorful combination of eggs, eggplant, and tomato sauce. The basmati rice was lovely and the chicken kebab was tasty and juicy. I also had the shirazi salad which was light and refreshing. The interior of the restaurant has a cool Persian vibe! Definitely recommend. read more

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Good food and great service the portions are large and the ingredients test fresh. Thank you

Amazing food and great selection! This the place to go get authentic Persian food be it juicy kababs or delicious khorest(stews). Highly recommended. read more

Fantastic food! Small cafe setup with friendly staff! Their grape leaves, kobideh, fesenjan, tachin everything was yum! Kobideh bothe chicken and beef was fresh, hot, well seasoned m, tender and just yum! You gotta try this place! Only a couole of years old and wish them the best - hope they expand and can have a larger and bit more quieter and little moodier lighting . Still give them 5 stars! read more

I've been meaning to try Cafe Vanak for a while, and finally did last month. There's a 20% discount for takeout which is nice. I got the chicken kabab plate and the chicken eggplant dish. The chicken kabab had good flavor but the chicken was on the tougher side. The vegetables and rice were fine. The chicken eggplant dish was new to me -- seemed like chicken and eggplant cooked inside of a thick rice patty. It was quite sour, and the pervasive flavor was the tanginess. Neither the chicken or eggplant was particularly good either. I probably wouldn't come back, but if I did, I would try the soups. The food we had was overall a bit lacking in moisture/sauciness, especially the chicken kebab. read more

Cafe Vanak - Chicken kabab plate - Halal Near Me - Belmont, Massachusetts

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I brought a family of eight individuals to the small wonderful Persian restaurant. The food was out of this world. The rice dishes, along with the beef kebab and whole fish were amazing. My family was visiting from out of town for graduation and enjoyed the food. Food was made fresh to order and the potions are very big. I love this restaurant. read more

My friends and I came here after they were raving about the place. There was plenty of street parking available, but I can imagine it can get limited on weekends since it was a Wednesday night we came. It was almost a seat yourself process as there were limited staff given the amount of tables and customers. We shared what I believed to be the Large Noodle Soup, Stuffed Grape Leaves, and Eggplant Mix. There were scant amount of noodles in a simple tasting herb broth. Grape leaves were ever so slightly bitter with a neutral tasting vegetarian filling of rice and more herbs. Eggplant mix was probably my favorite out of the three which was made even better with the thin pita our waitress brought over. For entrees, my friends got Dill Rice & Lamb Shank, Beef Koobideh Plate, and Salmon Plate. Overall, I thought the rice was more on the bland side but ideal texture. The lamb was moist but could have benefited from additional braising time and seasoning. I loved the beef skewers and the fire roasted tomatoes, peppers, and onion (which were slightly under cooked). I didn't try the salmon but it looked pretty. For dessert we tried a variety pre-packed container of pistachio and nougat goodies. I thought they were moderate but could pass on them next time I come. Overall, we had a decent experience but would rather check out places closer to where I live in the north shore. Servers were nice but it was a tight space for the amount of tables there. BYOB is allowed for those who would like to sip while eating. read more

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I ordered several times from this place sometime their good quality is not consistent. I only recover the chicken Kabab the stews are not fresh The rice was old The first cooling times food was better the last two times not as expected read more

Good is very high quality. Highly recommended. Grills are excellent. Honestly the best in town! Service is great too

The service and ambiance were good and they are quite friendly!! The food portion is decent as well! The only thing that is a bit sad is that the prices are slightly high! The sweets are amazing btw!! read more

Cafe Vanak - Fesenjan with Rice Marinated Olive Yogurt Shallots Dip Ghormesabzi with Rice - Halal Near Me - Belmont, Massachusetts

This place is amazing! What a beautiful Iranian establishment. They have real authentic Iranian cuisine and a great selection! I had a soltani and it was cooked perfectly. The Joojeh kabob was so moist and the pieces were huge! The koobideh was also amazing! I have to come back and try more very soon. There is a lovely market attached where I stopped by to get some sour cherry jam, labneh, persian pickles and bread! I love having this place close by! It reminds me of home. read more

Cafe Vanak - Halal Near Me - Belmont, Massachusetts

The food is very good, but diners beware. You will be charged a 20% surcharge if you eat in the restaurant instead of getting it to go. I have never heard of this before. They pitch it as a discount for to-go orders, but one look at the prices shows otherwise. The in person prices are very expensive. The service and ambiance are both good, but this surcharge is very off putting. read more

Ordered takeout from here. The beef koobideh was amazing. Shirazi salad and yogurt shallot dip were good. Unfortunately I really did not like the beef stew with eggplant. It had a strong off-putting flavor which my husband thinks is charcoal from how it was cooked. We ended up throwing that dish out but finished the rest. read more

the food was amazing. I was looking fora small place that would be inviting. It was great.

reminds me of my childhood friends mothers persian cooking (minus the tahdig). Flavorful, good portions, the shallot and cucumber yoghurt are great. The lamb is a must try as well. Will definitely be back but also hope one day they sell some tahdig- best part of the rice :) read more