Super yummy restaurant. Heard great things and have been wanting to try for a while. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Friendly staff and nice ambiance.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Came with four people and we just split a bunch of dishes on the a la carte menu. Loved the tahchin, the berries were a great touch. The kabob torsh was delicious as well. I would totally come back and get the same things or try more of the menu! read more

See all

I went to Maman Zari for their restaurant week menu! For reference, my partner and I love Middle Eastern food and have never tried Persian food, so we were really excited to check this restaurant out. Also, for your reference, 5/10 is average to me. Service: Upon arriving, they took our coats which I liked! The hostesses were both very amiable, making small talk before seating us. In between courses, they cleaned the table and provided us with new utensils. Also, the server would explain the dish which is always a nice refresher of what unique combinations of ingredients were used to prepare your dish. Overall: 9/10. Ambiance: [[HIGHLIGHT]]I liked the decorations & especially liked the dishes the food was presented on.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]There is only one dining room, so it felt a bit more intimate since you can usually spot your server in the room attending other guests, waiting to serve others, or assumedly in the kitchen.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The one bad thing I will say is that the bathroom door lock is tricky- it's a small button that didn't make a sound when it clicked so the whole time I was using the restroom I was paranoid that someone was going to walk in on me.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Overall: 5/10. Food: Kashk-e Bademjan (roasted eggplant dip): Out of the two appetizers offered this was the more flavorful choice. The eggplant was roasted to a smoky flavor, which I loved, and was also contrasted by the cool yogurt dressing. The texture was somewhat chunky. 7/10 Zeytoon Parvardeh (olive tapenade): The olive tapenade was great; flavorful and salty. The aesthetics of the dish were also pretty, but I think this stands in the shadow of the Kashk-e Bademjan. 6/10 Salad-E Shirazi (cucumber salad): I loved the presentation of this dish. They drizzle on the dressing in front of you, which I think really highlights how fresh this dish tasted. The aesthetics alongside with the taste was very bright and refreshing. 8/10 Ash-E Anar (split pea soup): This one really floored us. The umami of the dish was amazing; very earthy and savory and cut by the sweetness of the pomegranate. If I could have a whole pot of this, I would. 10/10 Ozonboron (sturgeon): I loved the aesthetics of this dish with the browned butter saffron cream being contrasted by splashes of green. The flavor of the cream was so delicious and subtly fragrant. The potato croissant was delicious but I barely tasted the impact of the caviar on the croissant, so a little bit more caviar could've sufficed. I will say that I thought the fish was missing a little bit of salt to enhance the flavors (which was supported by my partner too). 7/10. Shishlik (lamb chops): This tasted AMAZING! Grilled to a subtle char on the outside and incredibly juicy and tender on the inside. The pistachio herb sauce reminded me a bit of chimichurri enhancing the smoky flavor of the meat. The rice was nicely flavored too but the star of the show was definitely the lamb chops. 10/10. Tiramisu Zafaran Va Pesteh: I love tiramisu, but this one unfortunately missed the mark. Felt intensely sweet due to the syrup the ladyfingers were soaked in. I would've loved to see the sweetness cut with something bitter or rich, but it was overwhelmingly sweet for my taste. I liked the presentation and the flavor was unique. 4/10. Overall: 8.7/10. I really liked the aesthetics of the dishes and the flavors presented. Service was phenomenal. I would definitely come back here. read more

See all

My goal is to try 50 new Chicago restaurants in 2025! Restaurant: 8/50 Month tried: January Favorite dish: Ozonboron (sturgeon fish) We came to Maman Zari for restaurant week, having never heard of it before, just because the location was halfway between us and our friends' apartments. We were not expecting a tasting menu experience! Quite a nice surprise. The staff were awesome, really friendly and helpful. However, we did leave hungry as the portions were tiny and there were fewer courses on the RW menu. The kashk-e bademjan (eggplant spread) was very good, as was the ozonboron (sturgeon). The sturgeon came with a potato croissant that was excellent and cooked so well. Definitely my favorite bite of the night. I'm glad we tried Maman Zari as I doubt we'll find ourselves in the neighborhood often to go back. I hope they do well. read more

Went for their tasting menu, which is the only Persian tasting menu in Chicago! Overall it was a great experience-- many dishes were delicious, though some were a little lacking. The service was excellent, with a unique level of thoughtfulness and attention to detail. The price is on the lower-mid end for tasting menu experiences in the city-- $90 for the standard omnivore menu and $85 for vegetarian menu. I think they could've been a bit more creative with the vegetarian options-- the dishes were almost identical to the omnivore except without the meat and more of the non-meat ingredients). Favorite dishes on the omnivore menu were the following: - Mirza Ghasemi & Sabzi Khordan: a smoky eggplant dish that was absolutely delicious - Albaloo Polo Ba Morgh: chicken was perfectly tender and flavor, loved the smokiness and crispiness of the rice as well - Shishlik: lamb chop was tender and flavorful read more

See all

This was my first time doing a tasting menu, so I don't have anything to use as a baseline but Maman Zari knocked it out of the park. Albany Park is a trek for me, but I don't regret making the trip. From the flavors to the presentation, each course was well executed. For each dish, my friend and I had to take a moment to admire the plating and absorb the overview presented by our server. My favorite dish was the cherry wine dessert! I was skeptical based on the simple and straightforward description, but the texture of the ice compliments the sweet wine so well!! An affordable menu with a broad choice of menus (omnivore, pescatarian, and vegetarian), I highly recommend checking out Maman Zari for anyone interested in trying out a tasting menu for the first time. read more

See all

We had a thoroughly enjoyable meal at Maman Zari last night. We tried the Omnivorous tasting menu and the Pescatarian tasting menu. Both menus were very good with inventive takes on familiar dishes, all beautifully plated. We enjoyed every course, our only complaint is that we both felt that the Pescatarian menu was a bit stingy when it came to the actual fish courses. Both the octopus and the cobia were tiny portions, especially the minuscule serving of octopus. They were sized as if part of a 12-15 course menu, rather than a 9 course one. With only 2 fish courses on the Pescatarian menu, we were expecting more fish. The wine pairings were excellent, we enjoyed every wine that we were served. The service was excellent, friendly and efficient. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The room was pleasant and comfortable.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] All in all a lovely evening, we will return. Recommended. read more

See all

Such a special and lovely place to celebrate with friends! This was a wonderful meal start to finish and service was so attentive and well timed. I wasn't sure what to expect from a Persian tasting menu, but we loved the veg forward dishes and the fact that there were vegetarian and pescatarian options. Presentation was fabulous and the food was delicious. The wine and cocktail menus were interesting and we enjoyed everything we had. I feel like this is a hidden gem that won't be hidden much longer. Go! read more

See all

Despite its overwhelming abundance of good reviews, I was skeptical of Maman Zari. I thought the pictures of the food looked lackluster and dry in pictures, and I was convinced that all the good reviews were from people who were unfamiliar with Persian food, as well as the great Persian food options in the neighborhood. Well I was proven wrong! This was definitely a wonderful experience. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The decor and settings were beautiful and the ambiance is both upscale and somehow very relaxed and comfortable.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The food was delicious and refined and had unique, elevated details and yet was somehow accessible. The wine list was reasonable priced and well paired with the food. I can't wait to come back with my family and share this experience. read more

Maman Zari - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I'm a true "Foodie"! No brag, just fact! I love and eat anything you put in front of me; from a $5.00 Double Double at In & Out to a $150 Tomahawk Steak at Gibson's Steakhouse, I am always "All In". The only cuisine I was having trouble liking was Persian; and I didn't know why, until tonight. Sure, living in Los Angeles for over thirty years, I've had my fair share of this cooking. Friends, weddings, my wife (who loves this food) or any given holiday I would tolerate it - barely. Well, this week it's my wife's birthday (whose age now ends with zero). She really wanted a Persian dinner for this special occasion. Of course I said "Yes", and went about finding the best restaurant for this occasion. Maman Zari, looked like the best of the best here in Chicago; and Oh Man, was it ever. The food being prepared in this kitchen was SO elevated, it made a Persian food skeptic like me, a true believer! So, how did this transformation happen? Well, of course this chef / owner at Maman was a master at his craft. But, the real reason I fell in love with this cuisine tonight, was our dinner was at 7:00. All of my prior Persian dinners started at 10:00 or 11:00 at night and I'm usually in bed at these hours. Persian food is so rich and flagrant, eating this cuisine at these hours was throwing my body clock into a tizzy-fit! The tasting menu here at Mama Zari covered every food group: poultry-duck, red meat-lamb, fish-sturgeon and a host of other completely foreign foods that were so good it spun me. The service was fantastic, the ambience was quiet and reserved and (we chose) the wine pairing with each of the eight courses was perfect. Was it expensive - Yes! Was it worth the price - Yes! You don't get this kind of wonderful food at a cut rate price. Each dish was not only elegant, it was delicious. Maman Zari was the only place that could "Flip" me into liking Persian food. read more

See all

When I heard about a Persian fine dining restaurant with a tasting menu, I knew I had to try it. I love trying different cuisines, especially through tasting menus. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The ambiance is simple, bright and clean.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The service was very good. My husband and I both had the omnivore menu. We definitely enjoyed all the different dishes, I'm familiar with the flavors and textures, but I don't eat it often. I recommend this place if you are looking for a fun tasting menu that's different from the rest. read more

See all

The place: honestly, just lovely. Service was ON POINT. I don't think my water glass was ever empty, they were informative and helpful when answering our questions about our wine selection. It's small - maybe seats 30? But seems like a great place for an intimate dinner or small dinner with great friends. The taste: so I very much enjoyed the menu, but if you're not into beets or pomegranate, this might not be the place for you. I think portions were sized well. I personally loved the pomegranate arils (seeds) hidden in several dishes - the lentil soup amuse Bouche and the lamb meatball. My face: a big, contented smile. $85pp for the tasting menu is V reasonable in this day and age. I think we got 3 drinks total (2 glasses of wine and a cocktail). Total was $287 for two people. Enjoy! read more

See all

One of the most memorable dining experiences I've ever had. I had read about this restaurant in the Chicago Reader a few months ago. I wanted to try but was a bit apprehensive due to it being gourmet Persian food. (I'm used to Persian food spilling off of plates and the idea of a tasting menu didn't make sense to me.). I was very wrong. Each of the "winter" menu items was so delicately prepared and insanely tasty. There is no skimping on flavor. The kitchen expertly uses saffron in most everything. Exquisite. The service by all was second to none. The restaurant, although tiny and right next to the Brown Line, is perfect. The owners were delightful and personable. I cannot wait to return for their next menu! read more

See all

I am really glad this beautiful spot is in the neighborhood with their tasting menus. I went with a friend and we thoroughly enjoyed the tasting menu and we are so glad we tried it. The sekanjabin was also a delicious drink I really enjoyed. It's lovely to have a spot have delicious non-alcoholic drinks because often the focus is on alcoholic drink (which can be fun), but I'm glad they had this. Definitely a beautiful tasting menu experience I recommend everybody and rooting for this restaurant's success! read more

If you have not had Persian cuisine or you are already a big fan, look no further than Maman Zari, a new restaurant in the Northside neighborhood, Albany Park, in #Chicago . They switch their menu from time to time. This is a belated post when we got to go to try the last couple days of their Summer menu, which was phenomenal. It's hard to find a quality tasting menu for under $90, yet they accomplish it. Our tasting menu was 9 items starting from lighter dishes like Kuku Sibamani (potato, zucchini, pickle) to the fish and meat dishes, Mahi Sefid( Branzino), and the Shishlik (lamb). The most interesting dish was Faloodeh (Rice noodle sorbet). I'm not sure if I had an opinion on Persian food before coming here, but it certainly raises my expectation going forward. A quiet ambiance so easy to have good conversation. Staff is so friendly, and got to chat with the owner before we left! #persian #albanypark #chicago read more

See all

The best and most authentic Persian fine-dining restaurant in the USA of the same caliber as a 1-Michelin star establishment. The star of the evening was the exquisite Persian cuisine. Every dish was a work of art, meticulously prepared and bursting with flavor. It'll take a long time to go into each of the ten courses, but they were all amazingly delicious, and I was particularly impressed with the delicate blend of spices and herbs that graced each plate. The Shirini was a sweet revelation, and the Persian tea was a soothing end to the evening. Overall, dining at Maman Zari was a truly immersive experience, combining impeccable service, stunning decor, and a menu that transports your taste buds to the heart of Persia. I left with a deep appreciation and a desire to return to this culinary paradise, which is truly unique. While Sofreh in Brooklyn presents Persian food exquisitely and Delbar in Atlanta provides amazingly delicious food, neither can deliver the simultaneous taste and aesthetic the way Maman Zari could! read more

See all

This is a great addition to the community! I recommend folks try it out. It was pricey so we looked at is as a nice treat to ourselves to experience something new. I am pregnant so I couldn't drink but the nonalcoholic drinks were really good - my husband even liked it more than his alcohol cocktail. It was a little different in that no one really introduced the menu or restaurant to us, they just started bringing food out. We knew it was prefix so we weren't too thrown off, but it was a little odd. I would say the attire of patrons was business casual. The presentation was very nice. We were in a group of four and they made sure everyone was served at the same time. We enjoyed some very flavorful dishes! I will not that it was very loud, though we had heard they were hoping to do something to help with that. And it was impressive to see so many people supporting this destination spot. We also were surprised that the dinner ended up being three and a half hours long. There were long pauses between service. It wasn't a problem for us at all, but worth nothing. I hope they do well in our neighborhood! read more

See all

[[HIGHLIGHT]]What an amazing experience! This is not "another neighborhood Middle Eastern" restaurant; it is accessible fine dining![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] My daughter took me to dinner for my birthday. We had planned on having the Restaurant Week menu, but wound up with the tasting menu (with wine pairing). The food was outstanding! The wine pairings were perfect. The service was impeccable. Compared to other tasting menus, the prices were an absolute (relative) bargain. read more

An unforgettable tasting menu experience! The nine items ( including two desserts) were a fantastic combination of brilliantly combined ingredients, flavored to perfection and beautifully plated. Special favorites were the mirza ghasemi and sabzi khordan (eggplant with herbs and a fabulous olive based appetizer (zeytoon parvadeh)); ozonboron (sturgeon in saffron brown butter); duck with pomegranate (nardooni ordak); and lamb koofteh in an amazing tomato sauce. This place is a real treasure! read more

See all

Tasting menus are my absolute favorite way to celebrate, and what better way to spend mine and my partner's 5 year anniversary than this? I don't recall ever having tried Persian food before, so I was very excited to have this experience. My expectations were quite high, and Maman Zari fully met these expectations. The cost was surprisingly good for a tasting menu in Chicago, especially compared to all the other restaurants we had consistently before deciding on Maman Zari. The waitstaff were incredible attentive and professional. Each dish was different from the previous and clear thought was put into each one's creation. My favorite dish of the night was the branzino with the saffron beurre blanc -- I'm still thinking about it days later. The faloodeh was also mindblowing -- frozen vermicelli noodles with rosewater and a bit of lime juice popped over top. The restaurant is inconspicuous on the outside but inside it was brimming with life; every table was filled. Everything was very clean and the decor was warm. My only slight critique was that I wish dishes came out slightly faster. We were prepared to sit for ~2 hours but it ended up being about 3. Still, this wasn't something to be rushed and it didn't ruin my experience either way. I'd love to come back again, just have to find an excuse to! read more

See all

My boyfriend and I had dinner during their soft opening, and we were delighted over and over again with the presentation, creativity and flavors of what amounted to a very substantial meal. It's quite a gem, especially at the price point. read more

See all

Affordable tasting menu ($85) - favorite items included the lamb itself, fish, cucumber salad, and the eggplant. Least favorite item was the quail due to the sauce and rice. Be prepared to spend ~3 hours during your reservation read more

See all

We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner at Maman Zari. The food was delicious, and the presentation was beautiful and creative. Service was excellent, our every need was tended to with panache and discretion. We went with my Persian mom who is famously difficult to please at restaurants and she loved every course. Also a very good price for the quality and amount of food. Highly highly recommend. read more

See all

Our experience at Maman Zari was a bit mixed. The pomegranate lentil soup was packed with flavor and easily our favorite dish, but the eggplant that followed felt a bit lacking. The beet salad was the most disappointing--it was earthy rather than sweet, which was surprising for winter beets. We're not big fans of crispy rice, so that comes down to preference, but having two crispy rice dishes back-to-back felt a little repetitive, even though the flavors were nice. The cookies were on the dry side, which was a bit of weird ending. That said, [[HIGHLIGHT]]the atmosphere made us feel like we were on vacation somewhere overseas, and it was fun to try new flavors close to home.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The "Old Vine" Chenin Blanc 2022 was a standout, and is now my favorite white wine. read more

This is one of the finest values in the history of tasting menus, especially in the greater Chicago area. The premise, as others have mentioned, is a multi-course tasting menu, based on Persian cuisine, emphasizing the ingredients and spices of the Middle East. The six course omnivore tasting menu on a Saturday night, at 90 dollars (plus 20% service charge) was the most bang for the buck I've ever received from a fine dining establishment in my 40+ years of fine dining. I was so impressed, I returned to show Maman Zari off to a friend visiting Chicago a mere two weeks later. Both meals were equally memorable. During the summer tasting menu, there were a number of truly creative savory courses provided, pictures of several below. Highlights included a preserved watermelon salad with feta, roast cobia wrapped in squash blossoms, and a perfectly grilled lamb chop. Desserts were equally impressive, including the rosewater and cherry wine flavored rice noodle sorbet, and a selection of small cookies and candies that were a perfect conclusion to the meal. Also noteworthy was one of the most fairly priced and well curated wine pairing menus I've ever encountered. Six wines were matched to the savory courses, and every match was spot on; not only were the wines themselves both tasty and interesting choices, the flavor matching, both echoing and contrasting main flavor elements in the dishes, was superb. Hospitality was top tier. Our server was well informed, engaged with our party, and did well to match the arrival of each course to our dining pace; timing was perfect. Maman Zari is a real gem, and it has been added to the top level of my regular rotation of fine dining establishments. read more

See all

Was very excited to visit. As a vegetarian, was not super excited to receive fish as a dish as an accident by our server. Dinner took about 2.5 hours with slow service. I appreciate the mix of dishes and really enjoyed the rice, lentil and date dish. Would not return for the tasting menu but possibly if items are ala carte. read more

Lovely anniversary dinner here with friends. Upscale Middle Eastern food. Food was beautifully presented and service excellent. Portions were small but they kept on coming, so no one left unsatisfied. Our waitperson said the fixed menu (one veg, one meat) changes every 3 months, but I hope they keep that eggplant dish and the lamb. read more

Such a beautiful presentation of absolutely delicious food from the beginning to the end. Four of us dined at Maman Zari on Saturday evening and we were truly delighted with the food, the service and the wine pairing. I have no doubt this place deserves at least on Michelin star. I highly recommend this restaurant to those looking for superior Michelin type dining experience. read more

See all

Absolutely incredible. We loved every minute of this special experience. Small, cozy restaurant provides a respite from the busy Kedzie Avenue outside. 9 courses of perfectly sized portions. I felt the ideal amount of full at the end. Very reasonably priced at $85. The main dishes of beef tenderloin, mahi mahi and young chicken were full of flavor and perfectly cooked. Everything we ate was delicious. Service was friendly, prompt and attentive. Our cocktails were divine. Toward the end, we ordered a digestif that was a clear, anise flavored liquor and they bring a tiny cup of water to dilute it as needed. It turned a milky shade when mixed, creating a fun and delightful pairing with the dessert of pistachio, rose water ice cream. Love, love, love it here. My only small suggestion would be to lower the brightness of the overhead lights above each table. read more

Unique twist on Persian food. Very well done. Beautiful presentation and everything was truly delicious. Staff was wonderful. I would highly recommend Maman Zari! Fun experience! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Lovely ambiance too![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

We're here right now, grand or soft opening, So far it's awesome. Very impressive, fantastic food, drink service. Just had one course , waiting for the rest. read more

A group of 6 of us had dinner there. It only has a tasting menu, so choices are not an issue.The beverage menu has wine and non-alcoholic choices and 2 or 3 cocktails. No beer. The food is very good. The seasoning is subtle but definitely there. No one taste overwhelms others. There are 6 courses plus 2 more for dessert. I would love to have a full sized entree of the Cornish hen with sweet and sour plums , quince and saffron sauce and the beef medallion. The portions are small but with that many courses we were all full. The saffron pistachio and rosewater ice cream comes with a cotton candy topper. It would be worth coming back just for that if the restaurant would allow (I don't think they would at this point, sigh). Our group ordered single glasses of wine, but there is a wine pairing available. The wines were accurately described, fairly priced and complemented the food well. Service was as good as any I have had at a white table cloth restaurant. A 20% service charge is automatically added to the bill with the option to tip additional amounts. We did and justifiably so. I cannot speak to the authenticity (I don't know enough about Persian food to do so) but the food and flavors were were excellent and at $85 a reasonable price. We will go back. read more

Absolutely incredible. The vegetarian courses were fantastic! If you've never had Persian food you are missing out and this is the best way to try it out! read more

See all

Very creative food and a very interesting twist on Persian cuisine. Service is top notch and we got a great pairing suggestion. Highly recommend - a wonderful new Chicago spot to have dinner with friends! read more

Maman Zari - Abdoogh Khiar (cucumber, yogurt, walnut, raisin, lavash, herb) - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

At a cost of $85 for the food and $45 for the wine pairing, this is one of, if not the best value(s) for a tasting menu in the city. Our party got two of the vegetarians and two of the standard tasting menus. The food was fantastic and managed the balance of satisfying the appetite without being heavy or cloying. Personal favorites were the Watermelon and Feta salad (Salad-E Hendevaneh), Eggplant (Mirza Ghosemi), Bronzino (Mahi Sefid) and the Lamb (Shishlik). Wine selections were excellent and approachable with generous pours. Service is solid, if not spectacular, and decor is sparse and lacks elegance, which means they probably don't get a star, but they are a solid Bib Gourmand candidate. Could eat here often and not feel you are getting killed financially. Great addition to the neighborhood. read more

Amazing experience and food!! Accommodating food allergies one the spot as well! Will absolutely be back!

Looks great and can't wait to taste the food! Our kids gifted us this meal for our 35th wedding anniversary.

I wanted to love this place (Persian food, affordable tasting menu) but I was underwhelmed. Nothing was bad, I just didn't think it was worth the price. Service was wonderful though! read more

A wonderful and unique experience. Also great value for an elegant tasting menu with service of this quality. Will definitely be back!

This is a fabulous restaurant for not only first time tasting menu diners but also experienced. It was approachable but also had new flavors that I had not tried before. The entire restaurant was perfectly clean (so rare and showed their attention to detail). The wine pairing options were amazing as were the cocktails and wines by the bottle/glass. Our server was attentive but not intrusive - he was probably the best server I have had in a year. He took his profession seriously. Loved the neighborhood and found parking right out front. It is also on a subway line so would be easy to get to....i had the vegetarian menu. Thank you for an amazing evening. read more

Came here for a milestone birthday celebration and this was such a great choice! Amazing service, delicious courses, and great value for the money. It isn't a huge place and isn't crazy loud, you can hear each other talk easily. Highly recommend! read more