Really enjoyed dining at Roya. The atmosphere is beautiful and thoughtfully designed with Persian-inspired decor, music, and artwork that creates a warm, upscale vibe. The food was very good, we had ghormeh sabzi and koobideh kebab with taftoon bread, both well prepared and satisfying. We also got complimentary salad shirazi and a creative appetizer that was like a light puff pastry filled with feta cheese and vegetables, which was unique and delicious. Service was excellent; our waiter was attentive and gave great recommendations. At the end, they included a small card with a quote from the poet Rumi along with our check, which was a really thoughtful touch and a nice memory to take with us. I really wish they would open a location in Dallas-Fort Worth. read more

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Came here on the recommendation of a family member. We were Definitely not disappointed! Great ambiance with bar seating, indoor seating, and I guess when the weather is nice some outdoor seating. Everyone was super nice and genuinely wanted to make sure you enjoyed the experience. We passed on the sofreh because we had a few picky eaters, but would like to come back and try it. Started with the Wild Mushroom Borsni. We loved it, had a charcoal taste but amazing. For dinner our group had Gormeh Sabzi, Koobideh Kabobs, Jujeh Kabob, and polo sefid. Meat was extremely tender, and enjoyed sharing the different plates. All were excellent. Finished with the ice cream sandwiches. Wish they were a tad sweeter, but now I am being picky. read more

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Beautiful restaurant with a traditional design that creates a warm and inviting atmosphere. The staff were incredibly kind and friendly, and Manager Reuben took the time to stop by our table and chat with us, which made the experience feel even more welcoming. The food was very good. I ordered the traditional Ghormeh Sabzi with rice, which was served with a small salad on the side. The flavors were delicious, and I especially enjoyed their Sour Cherry Margarita--it was unique, refreshing, and complemented the meal perfectly. My only disappointment was that the Ghormeh Sabzi did not include the boiled dried limes (limoo amani) that are traditionally cooked into the stew and contribute to its signature flavor. As someone familiar with the dish, I felt that element was missing. For dessert, I tried the halwa. While it was well prepared, it was a bit sweeter than my personal preference. Overall, I had a very enjoyable experience thanks to the welcoming service, beautiful ambiance, and tasty food. I would definitely return and recommend it to others looking for Persian cuisine. read more

Roya - Middle Eastern Near Me - Austin, Texas

THE BIG: Upscale Persian food has now hit the Austin scene! Located in North Central Austin and on the second floor of the building. The restaurant is beautifully decorated with a modern classic vibe. Plenty of parking in the lot. THE BLACK AND WHITE: We came here with a couple of other friends and got sat at a long table to enjoy an early dinner. Service is great, informative and fast. Food and drink wise, we got the jujeh (chicken), koobideh (lamb), polo sefid (persian rice), borani (eggplant yogurt), and glass of chablis. The chicken was very good, however was super small, it was around $30 and was one skewer... koobideh was delicious and tender. The sefid was nice and crunchy but lacked any flavor, which might be the point due to the flavorfulness of everything else. THE FINAL BAMBOO: Damage done for our feast was around $120. Definitely a delicious meal and I would definitely try some other items. read more

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M daughter told me this place was a must while I visited Austin. We were able to get a reservation for a Friday afternoon. As soon as we walked in we were greeted and sent upstairs . There is an elevator if stairs are difficult for you . We were seated and shortly afterwards greeted by Tim our waiter . The room is nicely decorated and spacious . I liked that the volume was not loud at all. We picked the chef's experience. Plate after plate of exquisite food! A glass of wine on the side to savor all of the Dey flavors and at the end tea and a special dessert. I can't repeat all the names of the dishes but every single one of them was amazing in presentation and taste . This place is so amazing that we already made a reservation to come back before we leave . 5/5 stars read more

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Exceptional experience. I'll speak to my fellow Persians in this review. My husband had two cocktails. First was the Albaloo marg. Basically a very good and tart sharbat albaloo with tequila. And then the Ahura Mazda which was like a carrot juice/ turmeric/mezcal drink. Both very well executed cocktail interpretations of traditional Iranian drinks. They start with a fun bite of noon o paneer in a creative amuse-bouche. We ordered the following: Ghormeh Sabzi: one of the best I've had and the bone had so much marrow we didn't even have to fight over it. Luckily my brothers weren't there. Koobideh: super juicy. Great flavor from the lamb and they use a really fatty mix of meat the way it should be. Prob at least 75/25 ratio. Chengeh: really delicious sauce on top and the meat was super tender and well grilled. I would like to see a barg or chengeh option on the menu that's not waygu and maybe like $35-$40. I called my dad after dinner and couldn't bring myself to tell him I paid $65 for a seekh of chengeh. Still recommend though. Joojeh: again perfectly grilled. Great flavor. Really love the way they slice and stack it in thin layers. It makes it's really easy to eat. Nicely done polo sefeed. I was upset when I didn't see tahdig on the menu but turns out every rice comes with its own small tahdig dome. We ended with the akbar mashti ice cream sandwich. Very nostalgic. Tea was also lovely. Service was really top notch as well. I thinks it's hard to make elevated Persian food. l've been to serval resturaunts that try and fail. It's usually smaller portions and higher prices which sucks. Roya really did everything right. Meats and stews done exceptionally well, good portions, and an atmosphere that makes for a great vibey date night. 10/10 recommend. read more

Roya - Middle Eastern Near Me - Austin, Texas

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I've come here twice now. Once on valentines day and once this Friday. Photos are from my valentines day trip. We did the Sofreh, so the chef special. This time we did ala carte and we had 2 friends join us. The cocktails are really good. I've had the talla and Ahuta Mazda. Loved both of them but would do the talla again. My friend hadbtge Ajeel... Very interesting flavour profile. All the cocktails are unique so if definitely recommend. For the appetizers try the bademjaan and wild mushroom borani. For the mains we did Gheymeh and the Wagyu and Koobideh kebob.they were all wonderful. The Wagyu while expensive was a must try... It just melts in your mouth. If you love Persian food or want to try Persian food this is the place. read more

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What an amazing dining experience! A friend of mine suggested this place and made us a reservation which we were late for but they were very accommodating. We were celebrating my work anniversary and they had a sign up for us as well. Thank you! This is a gem for sure. Really enjoyed it all. Service was excellent and covered all bases for us. We ordered a lot and they brought items out slow for us so it wasn't a table full of food until the end. Not a complaint. I'm having a hard time choosing a favorite because it was all so good. Unique to my pallet but savory and flavorful. I'd get it all again. I don't think you can go wrong on anything here. The place itself is very well put together. Very clean and pleasant all around. The decor is superb! Highly recommend for a date night. Must try! read more

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So the location I have to say is very random for where it is. The restaurant overall is cute when you get upstairs it does feel very date night/Mediterranean. I do recommend a reservation cause it does tend to get packed. I have to say the waitress we had was amazing. She was so nice and knew how to explain each dish very well. I personally enjoyed it, but I will say some of the items were OK for the price points. I did go with somebody that's Persian and they said that this food was more Mediterranean than Persian. The only thing that I will say was phenomenal to me was the lamb shank that's definitely what would get me to keep going back just to order that. We ordered a couple of different plates as you can see there on the photos that I named I will say for the appetizers. I loved the mushrooms because they had that chard taste to them. The yogurt sauce was like tzatziki so really nice. The kebabs were OK. I felt the meat needed a little bit of more flavor. The rice was good, but it was interesting that it had like the crispy ends, but I didn't enjoy a lot of the saffron taste in there. Overall, it's a cute restaurant, but I will say the influencers are making it to a lot more when it's not. Definitely a date night/girls night dinner spot. read more

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Our server Sammy was wonderful and the overall experience was first class all the way. We ordered: Bedemjan, paneer sabzi, and borani appetizers. The one with the mushrooms was the best bite of the entire meal. Do not skip. I have a mushroom hater in my family and he not only tried it but ended up finishing most of it. Our selected entrees were 2 orders of koobideh kabob, which were small and delicate and you could taste the lamb and beef combo. We all got the Australian Wagyu. My youngest liked it best. I enjoyed it but wouldn't choose it as my own meal. We also ordered the Sea Bass, which is my favorite fish. I did not enjoy this dish. The fish was "fishy" and quite expensive for just a piece of fish with nothing accompanying it. The Shirin polo (jeweled rice) was perfect to go with the meats and their taftoon bread (pita) was delicious. While we didn't leave hungry, we didn't have anything left to bring home. For 2 adults, a teen, and a child with 1 alcoholic drink (total) we spent $320. This was definitely an elegant and elevated experience. We love Persian food and are so pleased to have another option in Austin. They ended our meal with some delicious rose/saffron ice cream sandwiches. They were delicious and a perfect small bite to finish up our celebratory meal. read more

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Beautiful restaurant with good food + needs more service refining. Roya is a gorgeous space with beautiful decor and dim light dark interior. As you came in, you felt as if youre transported to a different space. We did reserve before hand but it was not hard to snag one. We had a few things to share: wild mushroom bogani (garlic labneh with very strong wild mushroom taste - very good), lamb kebab (came as two kebabs, very tender and flavorful, one of the best kebabs I have ever tasted), the beef with bone marrow and beans (Ghormeh Sabzi) was unique and quite tasty too. Beef was tender and melt in your mouth. Overall food was good, 8.5/10 in my book, I dont really have a strong taste for Mediterrenean so that might be me. Their service/staffs can be better though. We waited a while before anyone came to check on us and overall staffs probably need more training/refining. Makes sense since they just opened. read more

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We really enjoyed this place. The food was amazing - very exotic. My favorite was the beef dish with bone marrow. It felt like a home-cooked meal. The salad was also really good with a lot of fresh herbs. The pita was really fresh and complementary, which was great for dipping! Another favorite dish was the kebabs, highly recommend! They were very tender, and the flavor was unique. The service was great, although the server kept bringing out bottled water when we had asked for Tap several times. I'm not sure if that was to charge the bill or what?? Overall, it was an amazing experience, the ambience was very classy and the food was amazing. Would love to go back if reservations weren't so challenging to get a hold of. read more

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Great Persian restaurant! Booked a reservation for Wednesday night so we got seated right away. The interior is really beautiful and the seating was comfy. Came with a group of 5 so we ordered a bunch of things and ate family style. Started off with some appetizers. We got a few dips which come with some bread. The Wild Mushroom Borani and Bademian (eggplant base) were my fave. The Paneer Sabzi was solid. Since we were a group of 5 we destroyed the bread and our waiter was nice enough to get us more. We also got the Olivieh was delicious, would highly recommend. For our main dishes we ordered the Ghormeh Sabzi, Aash-e Anar, Fesenjoon, and Koobideh Kabob. They were all great. We also ordered the Shirin Polo, which is a jeweled rice which was great to eat with all the entrees we ordered. The Mast and Torshi were great additions too. We were real big back and ordered the Bastani Sonnati and Pesteh Entremet for dessert. Of the two I think I liked the latter more. Washed it all down with some Black Tea which was served in a beautiful teapot and glasses. Really glad I got to try this spot. The service was fantastic and we all had a great night eating to our hearts content. Would absolutely recommend! read more

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Have you been here yet? No? Then get over there. The Shortie's pizza that previously occupied this location made a fine example of the very niche Connecticut Greek style pizza. The owners say they'll bring that restaurant back someday, but until then, the same owners have decided to delight Austin with Roya. Kindred Persian spot, Caspian Grill on Research, is pretty darn good but this place ups the game several notches. What's Great: While unassuming on the outside, inside, it's one of the most beautiful restaurants I've seen in Austin -- on par and maybe better than Fonda San Miguel. The food, best served family style, is excellent from start to finish including seasoned olives, creamed feta, aromatic rices, lamb stews, and perfected seasoned lamb, beef, and chicken kabobs. Not so Great: Overbearing unprofessional waiter, or maybe just the one we had. Despite giving him many (MANY) hints that we preferred to just read the menu, he kept talking and talking. I timed him. In our 1 hour 10 minute visit, he talked for nearly 20 minutes. Less is more. Read the room, guy. Our group of four was happily enjoying a spread of small appetizer dishes, maybe 80% done, and he started grabbing plates and silverware from the table. When he started putting new serve ware down, he just plopped plates down wherever there was space and tossed a fork and knife on top like it was a picnic with paper plates and plastic cutlery. I appreciate a fresh set for our main course(s), but we were not ready for that, and this was sloppy even by grease pit diner standards. Maybe that's where he was trained? I'd give this 5 stars if not for the poorly trained wait staff. Everything else was amazing! read more

Found myself here again for Mother's Day with several mom friends. They were booked for table reservations but one of the friends called them after we finished watching the Mama Mia movie at Alamo Village to see if they could accommodate us, and they did! They held 6 bar spots for us and the bartenders were awesome and gave us great suggestions for food and cocktails. Apparently they don't have a regular happy hour, but their shareable options are great for a group. We appreciated their hospitality and really like the decor. It's very interesting and artsy. Looking forward to my next visit! read more

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Roya was recommended by a Yelp friend. Roya is a whole vibe. It's located on Shoal creek Blvd next door to District Kitchen. The name means "vision" in Farsi. You are transported to another place in time...tranquil, calm and meditative. Colorful mosaic steps leas you to the restaurant. You are first struck by the decor...middle eastern flavor, spectacular chandeliers and dark blue soothing walls. The restaurant has a large mirror which reflects the restaurants ambiance. If feels like every square feet of this restaurant was thoughtfully planned. First, the kitchen delivered a gift...petit for of puffed pastry with whipped feta. It was a happy mouth flavor explosion. Roya also have partitioned off rooms for ultimate privacy. I ordered the lamb shack initially but it was a little too fatty for me. My server, David, gladly exchanged it for the Chilean sea bass.. The sea bass was light and extremely flavorful topped with caviar. Really enjoyed this entree. A colleague ordered the short ribs with bone marrow. He enjoyed it very much. There is free parking in front and on the of the building.. read more

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Amir finally get's to cook from his heart and I'm a little bit mad at him for waiting so long. Roya, imo, is the jewel of his food empire, joining Keepers, The District, Oasthouse and Daisy. I met Amir when he opened a little place called District in my hood and has blossomed to multiple restaurants all of different themes. I was ecstatic to hear he was going to bring food from his culture to Austin. Roya is a Persian delight. We were able to snag a seat at the bar, which is where we find ourselves often. He had 200 covers on a Monday night reserved. Best to get a reservation or show up at 4.15pm like we did. The restaurant is very well thought out and beautifully decorated and appointed. It's warm and cozy. Amir came out to say Hi. Our barkeeps were smiley and talkative with us. Amir went through the menu and the obvious choice was the Sofreh, where we could sample several of the dishes and let him choose. Brilliant choice. Suzie had a Zeytoon Martini and I a glass of Chablis. We also had a celebratory sparkling Berlucchi. Delicious. Then the food started showing up: Bademjan. This featured a black tahini with eggplant, onions, chickpeas, crispy garlic, mint, kashk and taftoon. This was a first and will repeated as soon as possible. The puff bread that came with was perfect for dipping/scooping said hummus into my gob. Reminded me of a puffer fish, with sesame seeds on top. Perfect. Grojeh Farangi Salad. Fresh, crispy, tomato, cucumber, with walnut, feta, olives and a herb vinaigrette. Great way to cleanse a palate before tucking into our mains. But prior to that we needed to chomp on an amuse bouche. Olivieh. Just go ahead and bung the whole thing into your pie hole. It was seriously delicious and complex. All the parts paired together for a wonderful punch. Get these.. heck get two orders. Ghormeh Sabzi. Ok, the shiz just got real. What an impressive presentation. Caveman style short rib peaking out of a dark, saucey, roux ocean. It wasn't a roux by any means. Rich herb stew with chunks of short ribs through out. A well placed demi spoon was sticking out the top of the shank and I just grabbed it and took a spoonful of the rich, umami "meat butter". It had a mild, slightly nutty, and sweet flavor profile. The stew was hearty, tangy and delicious. Chunks of tender shank were delicious. The crown of the meal so far. Koobideh and Jujeh Kabobs. A blend of two different kabobs. One of chicken and the other lamb. Each were prepared well and very tasty. Again cooked appropriately, not chewy and lathering some of the sides, like the Mast for instance worked well. Mast, Shirin Polo and Torshi. These are all little like side dishes to munch on and dip stuff into, like the Mast with the Kabob's in my case. The rice (Shirin Polo) which had nuts, yogurt and Zereshk. The outside of the rice will remind one of Socarrat you find in Paella. The rice arrives dome shaped, crispy outside and flavorful soft well spiced rice inside. The Mast was delicious, with the Museer (Persian Shallots) shining through. Where the heck can I get some Persian Shallots to replicate this at home? Bueller? Bueller?.. anyone? Torshi was a pickling concoction of veggies with a herby base, a little goes a long way. We were stuffed, I bagged the rice to take home. There was a special desert, which I didn't get enough information on, served with aplomb. Caramelly in texture and perhaps hazelnut, swimming in a sauce poured on at serving. With a fantastic twill chocolate on top courtesy of the TV Chef winning rock star Dennis. As we finished up and got our tab, two little boxes showed up from the staff. It was a special gift due to our 16th Wedding Anniversary I think. No big presentation, just a heartful Thank you for coming in. Not going to share what was inside, you need to go and check it out yourself. It was a delightful end to an amazing evening. Staff, all were welcoming, efficient, knowledgeable and kind. They all seem as excited to be there as we were. Thank you Amir, for cooking from your heart and bringing this to the rest of Austin. Michelin worthy me thinks. read more

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Went last night (March 9, 2026) and overall left pretty impressed! The restaurant itself is beautiful. You walk up a staircase to get to the dining room, and the space feels warm, almost transportive -- dark blue walls, dramatic chandeliers, and a lot of Middle Eastern design elements. It's stylish but still cozy, and the lighting makes it feel like a good place for a date night or a long dinner with friends (though I prefer more bright spaces). Service was excellent throughout the night. The staff was attentive and knowledgeable about the menu, and our server took time to explain the dishes and the story behind the restaurant. We decided to do the Sofreh tasting menu ($85 pp). Price-wise it doesn't really save money compared to ordering à la carte but the benefit is that it gives you a more complete experience. They start by laying a tablecloth at our table. The kitchen also sends out a small complimentary bite to start (for us it was a puff pastry with whipped feta I think inside). One thing I did find interesting though: the server mentioned the dishes are chef-selected and might vary depending on the night. But after looking at other reviews, it seems like most people end up getting almost the exact same lineup of dishes. Olivieh - 4.5/5 This was the first dish. It's essentially a Persian chicken salad bite with a creamy texture, but the flavors were surprisingly complex and really well balanced. A small bite but a great way to start the meal. Bademjan - 5/5 Probably my favorite dish of the night. It almost feels like baba ghanouj, hummus, and tahini combined into one dish. The roasted eggplant, chickpeas, black tahini, crispy garlic, and herbs worked beautifully together. Gojeh Farangi (Tomato Salad) - 4/5 Very fresh and clean -- tomatoes, cucumber, herbs, feta, and vinaigrette. It's nicely done but compared to the other dishes it feels more traditional and not particularly innovative. Ghormeh Sabzi (Persian Herb Stew) - 4.5/5 A classic Persian herb stew with very tender short rib. The sauce is deep and aromatic with a slight tang from dried lime. Not necessarily innovative, but definitely very good and comforting. Koobideh Kabob & Jujeh Kabob - 4.5/5 Both kabobs were cooked really well. The meat was juicy and nicely grilled. Flavor-wise they lean traditional rather than creative, but the execution was strong. Taftoon Bread - 4/5 Freshly baked sesame Persian flatbread. Nothing particularly unique but clearly made fresh and great with the dips. Shirin Polo (Jeweled Rice) - 5/5 This was honestly one of the highlights of the meal. The rice arrives dome-shaped with a crispy tahdig layer on the outside and soft fragrant rice inside. It had nuts, yogurt, and zereshk (barberries), and the crispy layer added incredible texture. They also brought small sides like mast (yogurt dip) and torshi (pickled vegetables) which worked well as palate resets. Pesteh Entremet - 5/5 Dessert was beautiful and very well executed. It's a pistachio layered cake with kataifi crunch, pistachio sponge, white chocolate, raspberry gelée, and yuzu pistachio mousse. The textures were great and the flavors were balanced without being overly sweet. They served it with Persian tea, which was incredibly fragrant and honestly one of the better teas I've had at a restaurant. The whole place feels very intentional. From the atmosphere to the pacing of the meal, you can tell a lot of thought went into the experience. read more

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My husband is half Iranian and we love Persian food and were so excited to try out Roya! I've had a number of the dishes on the menu (though not all of them by any means) and I was absolutely impressed by the flavors as well as the presentation of everything we tried.  We actually attempted to walk in a few weeks back with another couple and were told around 7pm on a Wednesday that their first opening would be 9pm, so this time around (7pm on a Monday) we make sure to make reservations!  When you first walk in you are greeted by a cozy little library nook filled with books of Persian poetry, with the staircase leading up to the restaurant to the side with lovely tiled risers.  It is beautiful as soon as you walk in! I love the vibe that is throughout the entire restaurant, entry way, stair case, dining rooms, and patio! The decor is lovely and really makes you feel like you could be in a restaurant in a different country.  Our server was so pleasant with the perfect balance of friendly and approachable without being overly attentive or in the way (which drives me crazy). When we said we hadn't been before she told us a little about the chef and the restaurant, and made suggestions for the number of dishes to get for a party of 4 which was helpful! Without her we would have probably each ordered an entree and been buried in food! There was not a thing we ordered that I wouldn't recommend or order again, and I look forward to coming back to try everything we haven't yet!!  The food! We ordered:  Starter: Bademjan $17- black tahini hummus with grilled eggplant: this was amazing! The black tahini really gave it an extra punch of umami and each time you got a dried garlic chip it was a blast of flavor.  They were also kind enough to provide us with thin sliced veggies in addition to the flatbread as one of our party was gluten sensitive.  Mains:  Gormeh Sabzi $27- short rib and herb stew with kidney beans and bone marrow: Gormeh Sabzi is the most classic Persian dish (and one of my absolute favorites) so we had to try it! This was delicious! Rich and savory, the kidney beans and meat were cooked perfectly, and the bone marrow was just an extra splash of rich flavor.  My only very small complaint is that I love to actually cut up the dried limes into my stew and eat little bits with each bite; but I don't know that I've ever seen them in the dish in a restaurant so oh well. -Mahiche Geymeh $42- braised lamb shank with split peas and shoestring potatoes: I had never had this dish before and it was fantastic! Again so rich, but with the lovely tartness that so many Persian dishes have, and the nice hefty split peas to go with it.  Delicious!  -Jujeh Kabob $25- chicken thigh kabobs: chicken kabob is always one of my favorites, especially when its thigh meat! The typical lime flavor was there and they were nice and juicy, definitely no complaints.  Rice & extras: Polo Sefid $6- their 'plain' rice and Shirin Polo $9- jeweled rice with barberries and nuts: the rices were great, ordering two for 4 people was probably more than we needed but I think if we had just ordered 1 we would have run out.  The tahdig was good, though slightly more chewy and less crunchy than we make it at home. Still tasty! I think we didn't really pick out the best mains to eat with the jeweled rice; personally I preferred the plain rice with the two stews we ordered.  -Torshi $5- pickled veggie condiment: my husband makes torshi so we had to try Roya's, it was delicious though spiced a little differently.  I love the vinegar crunch of the pickled veggies, especially with such rich dishes as the two stews we ordered.  Cocktails $18/:  All 3 cocktails were very good (though I'm not a bourbon person so I didn't love the Talla but my husband did).  I think the Ajeel was my favorite, I loved the nutty flavor! It was so nice to have cocktails that were both genuinely unique with flavors and infusions I hadn't seen before and also genuinely tasty! -Ajeel- pistachio/walnut infused vodka, golden currant syrup -Ahura Mazda- mezcal, carrot juice, honey turmeric -Talla- bees knees but with turmeric infused bourbon Desserts- I can't remember the name but it was a layered cake with a pistachio sponge, cream, a jelly layer, and crispies on top; unsurprisingly it was amazing! read more

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My first time at Roya and it was exceptional. When you walk in, you transported to another country. The music, the ambiance, the dark lighting, the mosaic art, I was mesmerized. Then the food. Wow. The meal was delicious I don't know where to began. Thankfully our server was helpful as it was my first time having Persian food. We started with a whipped feta, followed by saffron rice and beef. Ending the night with a rose tea. I went almost 3 weeks ago and I still think about that meal. I will be coming back! read more

Roya - Middle Eastern Near Me - Austin, Texas

The restaurant is absolutely stunning from deep jewel colored paint, table cloths and lighting. Our server was amazing and they made my birthday special. We did the Sofreh meal and they were able to accommodate me being a pescatarian. The dips, breads, rice, seafood - all amazing- and the tea! So flavorful! I cannot wait to go back! read more

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We had one of the best date night experiences last night at Roya. The food is delicious and so flavorful, staff are attentive and friendly. We ordered the Sofreh experience which let the Chef pick our selections and included some additional experiences that made the night extra special for us. read more

Elevated Persian dining at its finest and the hottest new restaurant on the Austin dining scene! My amazing girlfriend snagged reservations for opening week because she knows how obsessed I am with Persian cuisine. This place does not disappoint!!! Stunning ambiance, interesting artwork - a beautiful blend of ethic and modern. Creative, moody, vibey. Perfect for date night or any special occasion. We kicked it off with a couple of mezcal cocktails (absolutely delicious) and decided to splurge on the Sofreh (tasting menu). For $75 per person we received a huge sampling of signature dishes. Each item was better than the next! The small bite appetizers to start (paneer sabzi and chicken salad bite) were bursting with flavor. The salad was refreshing. My favorite items were: - Bademjan - an eggplant dip appetizer served with a delicious soft sesame bread. Presented beautifully with edible flowers and all! - Gormeh Sabzi - fantastic short rib dish in spinach and herb stew. Just melted in my mouth! They served a lovely surprise Persian tea after dessert. It was the perfect end to the experience. The only things I thought could've been better: - The kabobs were a bit undercooked/rare for my taste. - Plates were tiny; would've been nice to have plate and utensil changes between appetizer and main courses. - Service was good but not great. I can't wait to come back! read more

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Hands down, the best Persian restaurant in the entire U.S., and I'm saying that after trying some of the most reputable Persian restaurants across the country. The food alone would make us come back again and again. We ordered the Labneh Borani, Khoresh Gheymeh, and Koobideh Kebab, and everything was outstanding--especially the Khoresh Gheymeh, which was absolutely exceptional. That being said, our server, Hunter, was truly a legend. It was, without a doubt, the best service I've ever received at any restaurant, including fine dining establishments. He provided the perfect amount of information, was incredibly friendly yet professional, and helped us celebrate my birthday by surprising us with two glasses of wonderful champagne and an absolutely delicious saffron ice cream, both on the house. This place is not just a restaurant--it's an entire experience. If I could give this place 10 out of 5 stars, I absolutely would! read more

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This restaurant was just lovely. From the moment you walk in you are welcomed. We were celebrating a special occasion a every person we encountered made sure to congratulate us, which although unexpected was a great detail. Our server, Nathan, was beyond wonderful. He took notes to my partners multiple allergies but never once made us feel bad about it and instead presented multiple options for substitutions while giving me the option for having the original dish as intended...while still sharing the plate as everything is presented family style. The food was incredible and beautifully presented. I will dream about the walnut vinaigrette, which sounds weird but trust me, it's incredible. I loved everything we got, but admittedly I don't remember all of it, whatever you order will be delicious. read more

Roya - Beverages - Middle Eastern Near Me - Austin, Texas

Roya was everything I was hoping it would be. We had been waiting for the reservations to die down a little bit after the first few months of opening, and decided to go for an early Sunday dinner. The menu is full of classic Persian options. The restaurant is beautifully decorated in deep jewel tones, velvet textures, tiles, comfortable seating, and mirrors. The staff was very helpful and knowledgeable (thank you, Hunter!) The food was presented beautifully in stone dishware with pops of color coming from herbs, edible flowers, pomegranate seeds, relishes, and vegetables. Everything was very flavorful. We had a great experience as table of 4. I look forward to bringing more people back here and trying more things. As an Austinite, the only thing that takes me out of this experience a little bit (as it has for District Kitchen + Cocktails, by the same owner, and El Dorado Cafe across the street), is this shopping district/area does not match the more upscale experience that Roya is trying to give you, especially as it's attached to a Mattress Firm. But don't let that fool you or bother you. The interior is nicer than the exterior. read more

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Amazing! We were in the area and dropped in on a Friday evening. Since all tables were booked, we sat at the bar where we were able to get full service. First off the cocktails were pleasantly good, I ordered the Talla which features a turmeric infused bourbon. The kabobs were delicious and the rice was too. I've never see it served that way, crispy on the outside! Overall we had a great time, especially talking to the bartender/servers. This is a beautiful spot to spend an evening or date night. We'll be back again to try out more of their menu! read more

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My friends and I visited Roya since it had opened recently and I recognized it as the old location of Shortie's pizza which I had been to once. It's really pretty inside with very dark, moody, luxurious style seating and finishes as well as a nice bar area in the center. We sat at the bar and were able to order our meal. We had the paneer subzi (very different from Indian paneer!) which was a tasty feta spread with a flatbread and the salad which was in a nice herbal pesto/vinaigrette type of thing. That was quite fresh and nice. We had the cauliflower kebab which was basically a head of cauliflower on a green spread that I couldn't quite place what was in it, but it was very vegetal and more on the sour side. Overall okay, I didn't think the cauliflower was really seasoned all that much. The restaurant is overpriced, similar to a lot of high-end restaurants in Austin. I wasn't really satisfied by the end of the meal and spent quite a bit. I love that they are introducing Persian cuisine to the area, but I don't think I'll be coming back. read more

Roya was a treat! I came with 5 other friends for an early dinner, we tried to get a 6:30p reservation about two weeks ago and they were fully booked - so settled for a 5p reservation. Lots of parking available in their lot, the restaurant is gorgeous. Modern furniture with bold, dark colors. They have a small menu to allow you to order drinks first, then apps, then entrees. Service is top notch from taking your orders to clearing the table. Food was really good. I loved the lamb kabob, saffron rice and chips and dip. Although I thought $25/26 for 1 chicken kabob is really pricey. Overall it was a well paced dinner, but the bill was pretty highs read more

One of us came here with a friend a few weeks ago and had the most middling meal imaginable. The whole experience, from start to finish, was lackluster, and she left disappointed and underwhelmed. However, convinced to go back with a group of friends this past weekend, *everything* was (mostly) better, so we'll just proceed with the updated review. The Ajeel cocktail, while unique, is not good. The liquids were separating and it was kind of unappealing...but definitely different. We liked the Behesht and Talla much better. As for food...we ordered a lot of it. Like, a lot a lot. We were a large party of foodies, so we went all out. #Noregrets. A quick review: --Bademjan: if you like eggplant, you will like this. It's like babaganoush, but more interesting. Delicious, 5/5. --Sabzi sumac greens: fresh, delicious, perfect to have with the richness of the other dishes. --Whipped feta with peaches special: this was only OK for us because we are not fans of fruit in our savory dishes. --Wild mushroom borani: one of our favorite dishes of the night. Super smoky and very nicely balanced with the labneh. A star! --Zeytoon Parvardeh: sleeper hit! $12 is ridiculous for a small bowl of olives, but these were really good. --Pitas: we are snobs so these were fine. No complaints, but they could level up a bit. OK, now on to the mains!: --Ghormeh Sabzi: the absolute best dish of the night. Just incredible with such a special flavor profile. The meat was tender, and the huge helping of bone barrow was a gilding of the lily that we very much appreciated. --Kebobs: we ordered ALL of them except for the sea bass (this was so bad from the previous experience that there was refusal to try it again). Honestly, every kebob was killer. We're starting to sound obsequious, but damn, it was all so delicious. It's just that some of the prices were too high for the tiny portion you got. Desserts: we got the ice cream sandwiches, which we really enjoyed, and the pistachio/rose water cake that was moist with flavors that somehow managed to be both subtle and pronounced at the same time. All in all, a fabulous time with friends with good service and good food. We left full and happy with a lighter wallet, but it was mostly worth it. If they can seat tables on time and adjust some of the prices, then this would be five stars. Regardless, we'll definitely be back again. read more

Hot take: all restaurants serve food. Very few serve experience and hospitality. Roya does. From the second we walked in we were being welcomed, not just fed. The food? Insane dude. Layered, thoughtful, rooted in history yet still a fresh and exciting take. But the part I can't stop thinking about is hearing chef talk about the journey of having a vision and waiting until it could be done fully, the right way. This isn't his business, this is his heart and legacy and it's so beautifully vulnerable to share your culture in your own way. You can feel that patience in the space. In the food. In the way you're taken care of. We did the Sofreh tasting and honestly they could probably stand to raise their prices lol it was an incredible value. 4 good appetites still had some leftovers for this family style tasting experience and everything was just perfect. all the flavors were robust ranging from savory to floral to herbaceous. all the meats were high-quality and perfectly cooked and the rice. Well, that's just a thing of beauty. The tea and dessert service at the end was adorable, but the appetizers were such a strong start. The little Iranian chicken salad cups (I know I just totally butchered that) but oh my God I could've eaten 78. I just had an amazing experience and can't wait to go back read more

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Yojan made this experience. What would have been a 3 star review is now a 5 star review. Our reservation that was for 7pm didn't get sat till nearly 8 pm. The hostess upstairs was not very friendly and not accommodating. Once we sat and talked to Yojan (apologies for spelling if it isn't correct) he made it right. He brought complimentary bites and our meal from then on out was exceptional and service was unmatched. The tasting menu was outstanding and every bite was so flavorful and we do not have anything like this in Austin. Drinks and Lebanon wine were all so complimentary to the dishes. The kebabs and dips were very delicious. This needs to be on your list to check out soon! read more

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Roya is owned by Chef Amir Hajimaleki, who also owns District Kitchen. If you loved Chef Amir's grandmother's shakshuka recipe at District Kitchen, then you will love Persian food at Roya. It's the most elevated Persian restaurant that's hit Austin, but looks like it was transported from West L.A., where the best Persian food in the country resides. We ordered the sofreh for $85/person. It's a preset menu of Chef's choice including the lace tablecloth, bone marrow, short ribs, koobideh, saffron rice, and whipped feta spread. I requested the koobideh in the sofreh. Austin is no longer lacking in elevated Persian food. With the sofreh, the Chef was able to accommodate my gluten and cow lactose allergies on the fly. The surprise at the end was cardamom and rose hip tea service, poured by the server, with dessert. My husband was served a beautiful layered cake and I was served a pomegranate and dried fruit sorbet. Our server, Alex, came from a three star Michelin restaurant, Benu, in San Francisco (~$518+/person)! No wonder we felt like we were dining at a three star Michelin restaurant! Alex is the most overqualified server in all of Austin. I asked the service manager, "Where did you find this guy?!". Our gifts home were two mini boxed dessert cookies with a sachet of tea. read more

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had in Austin at Roya. Everything was outstanding, especially the Jujeh and Maygoo -- both were incredible and packed with flavor. Easily some of the best Persian food I've ever had. Our server Sami was also amazing and made the experience even better with great service and attention to detail. Can't recommend this place enough. I'll definitely be back soon. read more

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This was an absolute amazing experience! When I found out there was a new authentic Persian restaurant in Austin I immediately went to the website and made a reservation. As soon as you walk in, you are greeted by two hostesses downstairs that then call to the hostess upstairs with your name and reservation time. As soon as you get up the stairs, they greet you by name and walk you over to your table. We picked the perfect time to go because there were not a lot of people yet. The decor is absolutely gorgeous, you feel like you are traveling back in time. Lots of bold and bright colors to bring a perfect balance of peace and serenity. Our server did a great job at explaining the menu and the process to us. He gave us the history on the chef and how all of his recipes are curated from his childhood memories and meals from eating meals from his grandmother. He also informed us that the chef likes the order put in completely, so be sure to have your appetizer, meal, and sides, ready to be put in all at once. The cocktail was absolutely amazing, all fresh ingredients no syrups, it felt very clean, absolutely delicious, and not too strong. Our kebabs were absolutely amazing and paired perfectly with the mast yogurt sauce. The salad was very bright, clean, just so fresh and excellent. The chicken was absolutely delicious, and though the stew looks very dark and gives the impression that it might have a strong flavor, the flavor was very gentle and not overbearing. It was so delicious! The rice was amazing, I absolutely love the crunchy rice, but my husband was a bit more standoffish with it. I took all the crispy to myself and left him more of the soft rice. The bread is baked fresh to order and it was absolutely worth the wait! I just don't think I can go on enough about this place, it was an absolute amazing experience. By the time we were finishing our food, I was already feeling very full because I was forcing myself to eat more than what I could handle, but we ordered dessert anyway. First of all, it looks too pretty to eat, an edible work of art. It was light and delicious, not too sweet, and it actually made me feel less full. I am already looking for dates in July to make my next reservation and go back. They truly make you feel like family. read more

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If you're looking for authentic, upscale and welcoming Persian food this is where to be. The food was tender, flavorful, aromatic and the service was engaging, friendly, welcoming! They left us a Persian poem for our anniversary which was not only special but the poet was one of our ancestors which made it even more special. Thank you Roya for a wonderful experience and to my wife for booking us here! read more

Finally an authentic Persian restaurant in Austin! I loved the vibe of Roya and had such a wonderful experience here. We had the Sofreh, which was great as we wanted to try as many dishes as possible. The black tahini was to die for. All of the kabobs were delicious. The dessert was soo good and it paired nicely with the tea. read more

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As someone who always says we don't have enough middle eastern restaurants in Austin, I was ecstatic when Roya opened up. The restaurant is massive and the decor is done really nicely. They have a patio area that they are still working on, but I can only imagine that will be beautiful once it's done. The service was phenomenal as well. All the waiters were incredibly attentive and nice. The food was solid! Nothing mind blowing, but good enough for me to come back. It was a bit on the pricier side for what these items would traditionally cost at a normal Persian restaurant, but hey, that's Austin for you. Now for the other side of the coin: The tahdig from the rice was a bit disappointing, it should be much crispier than it was. The Jujeh Kabob came with one skewer. For $25, that is extremely overpriced. Lastly, naming a drink Ahura Mazda seems a little sacrilegious. That's the name of the Zoroastrian god... feels like something different could be done there instead. read more

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We visited this place today right after opening. We arrived around 4:19 PM, and there were plenty of empty tables available. There were many tables for two, but the hostess refused to let us choose one and insisted we sit at the bar. When I asked why, she said all tables were reserved for 5 PM. We ordered two dishes and drinks at the bar. The interior is beautiful and the food itself was good. My wife ordered Wagyu for $65, and I ordered a kebab for around $30. However, they brought only one plate, placed it in front of my wife, and told us that "the rest of the food is coming." I waited about 15 minutes and nothing arrived. When I asked about my dish, they said everything had already been combined into one plate. If that's the case, it was very poorly communicated. The portion of Wagyu was extremely small--maybe $10 worth at best--and it made no sense why they told us to wait for more food if everything had already been served. We left the restaurant at 5:15 PM, and most of the tables were still empty. On our way out, I asked the same hostess why we weren't allowed to sit at a table, and she simply said it was her job to assign seating. If you're spending $175 for two people, you expect clear communication about what you're being served and at the very least to be seated at a proper table--not forced to sit at the bar for no good reason. Terrible experience. We ended up going somewhere else afterward just to get rid of the negative feeling. Would not recommend. P.S. The place is new, but the dishes were already chipped. read more

Roya - Middle Eastern Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Roya exceeded every expectation. We couldn't get a reservation because it's such a hot spot right now, so we decided to show up right when they opened. I mentioned to the gentleman at the front (who I believe may have been the owner) that we had driven in from Dallas and were celebrating our anniversary. Without hesitation, he welcomed us warmly and seated us at a beautiful table with a handwritten "Happy Anniversary" card waiting for us. That small gesture set the tone for the entire evening. They surprised us with complimentary champagne and delicate cream puffs, which was such a classy and thoughtful touch. For dinner, we ordered koobideh and joojeh kabob served with shirin polo, along with mast with garlic. We started with the bademjan and taftoon bread. Every dish was beautifully presented and absolutely delicious -- rich flavors, perfectly cooked meats, fragrant rice, and authentic taste that truly honors Persian cuisine. The service was top notch from beginning to end -- attentive, warm, and genuine without being overbearing. The decor, ambiance, and music create an atmosphere that feels both elegant and deeply rooted in Persian culture. It's trendy and vibrant, yet still intimate enough for a special occasion. Roya delivered not just a meal, but an experience. We'll absolutely be back -- and next time, hopefully with a reservation. read more

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