Warm & friendly staff checked on us numerous times throughout the meal. Celebrated my birthday and they personalized the occasion with a birthday card. Such a lovely & thoughtful detail! Cocktails & food were delicious and they served a complimentary slice of pistachio cheesecake for my birthday. Wonderful dining experience! read more

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We have been waiting for quite a few months for an opportunity to come over to Saffron restaurant in Palm Springs. We were greeted warmly by the very professional waitstaff. We loved Persian food so much when we lived in Los Angeles, so it was a special treat to find Saffron in Coachella Valley where it is unique. Our appetizers were the beautiful watermelon tower with feta and arugula, and the three dip sampler of hummus, eggplant dip and masto kheyar made of yogurt. Flatbread served with the dips is out of this world delicious! I had been dreaming about these foods after seeing them on Instagram. We loved the zereshk polo chicken with bayberries over perfect saffron rice, fessenjoon with pomegranates, chicken and walnuts, and a lamb shank which was seasoned so beautifully. There was no possibility of dessert as we had such a great time dining on these gems. I love that the seating is well spaced, and you're not on top of other people and their conversations. During happy hour, there were some people singing at the piano, which finished at about 6 PM. The noise level became a little quieter at that time for conversation over dinner. The decor of the space and the kindness and efficiency of the stuff were very much appreciated. Five stars and bravo for an amazing dining experience. We very much look forward to coming back soon. read more

Went for an early dinner. The service was impressive and the food was delicious. The portions were incredibly generous. Looking forward to returning soon. Thank you to everyone at Saffron for a lovely dinner. read more

I was debating on a 3 or a 4 - I decided on a 4 because the service and atmosphere were outstanding. The food on the other hand wasn't so great and neither are the portions for the price. My husband is Persian - we frequent many great Persian restaurants in Westwood (LA) and this one fell short - sadly. We ordered the kings plate (combo of chicken and koobideh). We were shocked at the small portion for that price. It was one small beef skewer (smaller than usual Persian koobideh) and chicken. The chicken was seasoned well but the meat wasn't very good quality. The meat was more like dark meat and it was pink on the inside. Normally, in Persian restaurants the juicy chicken is one the best things they serve (white meat, well cooked and juicy). This was really disappointing. We also ordered the kashke bademjoon (eggplant dip) - it was pretty bland, had semi-raw onions in it and had barely any salt to top it off. I had to add salt. What I mean by semi-raw is that in khaske bademjoon the onions are supposed to be well-cooked to the point where you can't visibly see the chunks of white onions - it blends in with the rest of the dish. This one was not imo. Also, it was missing the oily mint on top which I love! Their iced tea was good, but it wasn't the persian aromatic iced tea that I'm used to in Persian restaurants: Don't get me wrong, if you don't normally frequent Persian restaurants you obviously wouldn't notice the details that I did. I'm sure you'd even enjoy it. For me however, it's a pass. We parked on the street with no problems. In response to the owner: yes, your waiter did come and check on us frequently. Like I said: the atmosphere and the service was outstanding. However, the complaints I had about the food, how would you have accommodate us? If I asked the server for a bigger portion would he have given me a bigger portion? If I had asked for white meat and better quality meat would he have brought me better quality meat? The onions in the khaske bademjoon - he could have cooked them more and added more seasoning and oily mint on top? All I'm saying is that your restaurant is beautiful, your service is great, but the food quality doesn't match the vibe and the service. read more

Saffron Restaurant and Lounge - Kashkebademjoon - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Palm Springs, California

We absolutely loved Saffron! Even though we didn't have a reservation, the staff went out of their way to find a way to accommodate us, and we truly appreciated their kindness and hospitality. The food was absolutely delicious! We were dining with our local Turkish friends, who are usually very critical of Mediterranean food in the U.S., and they wholeheartedly approved. That's about as high a compliment as you can get! Ashley, the owner, took a few moments to stop by our table and chat with us. She was incredibly personable and made us feel genuinely welcome, which made the experience even more special. From the warm hospitality to the outstanding food, everything exceeded our expectations. We will definitely be back and highly recommend Saffron to anyone visiting or living in Palm Springs. read more

Our first time here - excellent! I wish I could pronounce and spell the dishes correctly . We had the lamb shank, eggplant appetizer, grilled zucchini, tender beef with red beans. All were excellent, very tasty, well marinaded. The service was also great! We will definitely be back. read more

Saffron Restaurant and Lounge - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Palm Springs, California

By far a top Palm Springs restaurant! Fantastic food and wonderful service. The team is amazing! read more

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SUNDAY DRAG BRUNCH #1 Very good food, #2 Extremely attentive and knowledgeable staff #3 Queens are top notch entertainment #4 Bottomless mimosas #5 Parking is convenient and plenty of it. read more

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All I can say is WOW!! This place absolutely delivered on every level. The decor is modern with upbeat music playing (not too loud). We started with the diced salad, which was incredibly fresh, vibrant, and packed with flavor. The yogurt dip with warm bread was next-level! It was creamy, perfectly balanced, and completely addictive. For my entrée, I ordered the filet kabob, and it was cooked to perfection...tender, juicy, and beautifully seasoned. It came with rice and roasted peppers and tomatoes that were just as impressive. The yogurt and garlic sauce on the side? Unreal. I could have eaten that on everything. And the cocktail... honestly one of the best I've ever had. It was clear they took the time to be creative and balanced (and I am very hard to please with a drink). What truly elevated the entire experience though, was the service. Attentive without being overbearing, warm, knowledgeable, and genuinely welcoming. Ashley the owner was a doll. She came over and gave us tips on what sauces and veggies to mix together and she was not wrong! We were just so impressed. This was more than just a great meal and we'll absolutely be back, and very soon. read more

Saffron Restaurant and Lounge - Filet kabob - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Palm Springs, California

We've been on the hunt for truly authentic Persian/Mediterranean food out here in the desert--and wow, did we strike gold with this place! From the moment we walked in, we were welcomed by Ashley, the co-owner, who is an absolute gem--so warm, friendly, and genuinely lovely. Now, let's talk about the food... incredible. We started with the dolma (seriously, SO good) and creamy hummus paired with fresh, warm naan--already a perfect start. Then came the kebabs, and they did not disappoint--flavorful, juicy, and cooked to perfection. And the drinks? My husband is still talking about their pistachio martini--he swears it's one of the best cocktails he's ever had (and yes, he had two ). But the real showstopper for me? The pistachio cheesecake. Oh. My. Goodness. Absolutely to die for. This place is a must-visit--we'll definitely be back! read more

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The food is amazing and so is the owner. My favorite place! The kabobs are to die for and so is the hummus

Another delicious meal at Saffron. We started with the watermelon tower, a refreshing and tasty appetizer, perfect for a Summer evening. Chicken and filet kebabs were delicious and the Persian ice cream sampler topped off our meal perfectly. Saffron...a friendly place that embraces the Palm Springs community, a definite favorite! read more

Amazing food, amazing service, Great cocktails, and even more importantly good people to be around and definitely a safe space for us!! read more

Saffron Restaurant and Lounge - Here's the owner actually fighting to keep her sign up after her landlord told her to take it down during pride month! - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Palm Springs, California

This was our first time trying Saffron Restaurant -- and what a wonderful addition to the Palm Springs dining scene! We're part-time locals and came with friends who live here full-time, and everyone was impressed. The decor is stylish and welcoming, setting the perfect tone for a relaxed evening. Our waiter, Drew, was knowledgeable and pleasant, and Ashley, the co-owner, was so friendly and accommodating -- it's clear they care deeply about their guests' experience. The Tahdig Trio appetizer was a standout -- beautifully presented and perfectly crisp. Every dish that followed was subtle in flavor, but rich and satisfying, with generous portions all around. We'll definitely be back. Saffron is a fantastic new spot that Palm Springs can be proud of! Roman read more

Nice to have Persian in Palm Springs. The zucchini and the trio of stews was lovely. But the chicken kabob didn't have that tang that the good Persian spots do. I'm not Persian and have made better myself. You have to do a grated onion marinade and more safron. And the barberry rice was flavorless. Not sure how this is possible. They are really nice here and I wish them the best. I do think they have potential but I probably won't return for a year or so. read more

We showed up for happy hour and bartender and server was Luis. He took amazing care of us. I highly recommend the "Palm Springs Martini" it was dangerously delicious. The hummus was fabulous and the bread that accompanied it....yum! The chicken kabobs were so good. Ashlee one of the owners stopped by our table a couple of times, she was kind, funny and very professional. We will be back for sure! read more

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Horrible service, Horrible food, no flavor, and reading these reviews left by middle easterners must be fake, bc no middle easterner with good taste would give it 5 stars, sorry read more

Finally - Persian food in Palm Springs! This review is overdue as we had eaten there several weeks ago but I would be remiss if I did not weigh in to rave about what a wonderful experience we had: excellent, attentive service, delicious and authentic food, reasonable prices. We had dinner there on a Saturday evening - arriving late afternoon to a surprisingly almost empty restaurant - but by the time we left, the place was packed - a testament to the many fans they have deservedly acquired since opening last fall. Our server was the very friendly, professional and efficient Elijah, who gave us a brief orientation and some recommendations based on our shared culinary preferences. We began our excursion into the savory delights of Saffron's Persian menu with two appetizers: the Salad Shirazi described as "...a mix of Persian cucumbers, fresh garden tomatoes, red onions, cucumber pickles and mint topped with fresh lemon juice and rested for a minimum of one hour" and the Kashke Bademjan "Roasted eggplant topped with kashk (dried yogurt) and fried mint. Served with warm flat bread." Both unbelievably good. For entrees we ordered - and the two of us shared - the Zereshk Polo (Barberry Rice with Roasted Chicken) described as "2 marinated and butter poached chicken legs with barberries served with saffron and barberry butter rice" and also the Fesenjoon Stew described as "A sweet and tart stew with sautéed walnuts slow cooked in a pomegranate molasses with roasted chicken. Served with saffron rice." The chicken was nothing short of amazing. Our server Elijah had advised us that the Fesenjoon had a unique flavor that was not to everyone's taste and even offered us a small sample before we ordered it. While absolutely delicious, we understood his admonition about the unique flavor and would have enjoyed it more as a smaller appetizer than as an entree. That is not to dissuade others from trying it, it was just a bit strong for an entire entree for the two of us. For desert we bravely tried the Faloodeh - a traditional Persian cold dessert similar to a sorbet. It consists of thin rice noodles in a semi-frozen syrup containing sugar and rose water - very different and very refreshing - an excellent way to finish out meal. During our dinner the very friendly manager - whose name I will not attempt because I will probably butcher the spelling - came over twice: first to introduce himself and then again to make sure everything was okay - a very nice and much appreciated touch to the excellent service here. The bill for our dinner for two including tax and tip came to $126 - relatively reasonable for a fine dining experience in Palm Springs considering the ambiance, the excellent service, as well as the amount and quality of the food. Definitely a repeat for us and highly recommended for those looking for something different here in the Valley. read more

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I came in just for the happy hour at Saffron Restaurant in Palm Springs and ended up staying for a full dinner -- that's how good it was! The food was incredibly flavourful, beautifully presented, and honestly exceeded every expectation. You can tell a lot of love goes into every dish. The atmosphere was amazing -- warm, welcoming, and stylish without trying too hard. What really stood out was the hospitality. Even the owner came by to check on us, and she was so lovely and personable. It's rare to find a place where the service, food, and vibe all come together this perfectly. From the cocktails to the appetizers to the main dishes, everything was spot-on. I'm already planning my next visit. A must-try in Palm Springs! read more

Saffron Restaurant and Lounge - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Palm Springs, California

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This is an attractive enough restaurant with what appears to be a good Persian menu. The food wasn't very good. The chicken kabobs used thigh meat and the saffron rice wasn't right. My husband had a traditional stew that also missed the mark. I love this kind of food and eat it all the time. This food didn't work for me. Hummus was okay. Best art of the meal was the bread. read more

Fantastic addition to the Palm Springs dining scene! After many years of somewhat repetitive and standardized restaurants, Saffron really is a breath of fresh air, and delicious food. The live music and great service just adds to the really good and somewhat inventive Middle Eastern dishes. Plates are generous, making the pricing more than fair for the quality and authenticity. Our group of 4 had two appetizers, two entrees, dessert, and a bottle of wine, after 22% tip the total was under $60 per person, which is amazing considering all this place has to offer. A full restaurant in Palm Springs in late June is a sign that people are totally into this place, we definitely will be coming back! read more

Great and welcoming ambiance and environment. Get the chicken kabob - so tasty, fresh and juicy. Can't wait to go back and support this local business. read more

I'm a meat and potatoes boy from Texas. My husband is the person who stretches my horizons to something outside of southern cooking. But he never has to drag me kicking and screaming to Saffron. It's one of my favorite places of all time. Every dish I've eaten at saffron has been finger, licking good! Their chef is the best in Palm Springs, in my opinion. The atmosphere of the restaurant is very nice. And their entire staff is wonderful! "Tex" can't recommend this place highly enough. If you go, you won't be sorry! read more

We love this restaurant! The food options are so unique and tasty.. plus they have a great happy hour! Tonight we had the delicious dolmas and the grilled zucchini (amazing!). Their eggplant dip with Nan bread is fantastic and so is their watermelon tower. It's a lovely place where everyone is welcome. How cool is it that we have this place in our hood? read more

Blink and you'll miss its location next to Cuts Barbershop. Inside is beautiful and cozy with attentive servers and staff; the managers stopped by to say hello and ask how everything was. Started with the Persian yogurt dip, followed by the filet kabob at a perfect medium rare. There was plenty of dip for both the starter and my main! Finished with the baklava which was almost too pretty to eat...almost. If you've not had Persian, it has similar flavors to Greek/Mediterranean cuisine. ENJOY! read more

Saffron Restaurant and Lounge - Filet kabobs...perfectly cooked! - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Palm Springs, California

Wow - what a find ! We did not have reservations and were fortunate enough to get in. That was quite possibly the best Mediterranean food I have ever had. It was so fresh make sure you have enough time allotted to enjoy the experience. We were a bit, rushed due to another commitment, but it was so authentic, the classy manager checked in with all tables and noticed I was a bit in a hurry got our food ready and to go boxes. She knows how to work the room / manage personalities ! read more

We stopped by without reservations last night Friday July 17th. Restaurant was less than 50 capacity. They refused service and to seat us. A party of 3. Qouted they only had two chefs and it would be 45 mins to an hour before they would be able to take our orders. Too bad, doubt we will try again. read more

We love Saffron! The food is great and our host Ashley Stein is a doll! We look forward to returning soon! It's a pretty spot to spend an evening with friends! read more

Blanca was amazing, she makes the best martinis around and the food was wonderful :) I loved every minute of the experience and the ambiance is romantic and relaxing read more

The food lacks salt and flavor and is completely drenched in oil. Absolutely indigestible.

Amazing, amazing. We were greeted with smiles, kindness, and a warm reception as if coming home to family and friends. The space and environment was perfect, it felt like a San Francisco hot spot. Lighting and ambience just right. Service at first had a little slow, BUT we realized that our waiter was training someone, and they more than made up for it. Our waiter, Drew and his trainee Blanco, we're so attentive, knowledgeable. Drew was very descriptive about each dish,drink, and appetizer. I was drooling before I'd even ordered. The smoked old fashioned, was perfectly flavored and one of the best we've had here in PS. The Dolma, superb, perfect, warm, and full of flavor. The eggplant with the Persian flat bread, oh my god, so good. The dinner was excellent. My husband ordered the lambshank and it really was so tender and delicious. I ordered the stew with kidney beans and beef. So tender and the spices were perfect. The pistachio cheesecake was creamy and full of flavor, and the baglava had three different flavor profiles and was delicious, my hubby never finishes desert, but he did this time. We're both so full by the end. Finally throughout our dining experience, Ashley, the owner was so warm and welcoming, stopping by and checking in on us, talking with us and making us feel at home. As we always say, "we enjoyed it, but you'll have to experience it for yourself," SOOO Go, experience this amazing place for yourself! read more

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Great staff - friendly and professional. The Persian food while not fully traditional is still excellent and full of rich flavors.

Love this gem of a restaurant! 10/10 food, service, and ambiance. I celebrated my birthday here and was absolutely blown away. For our appetizer, we ordered the tahdig which also came with gormeh sabzi. The tahdig was perfectly crispy without being overcooked or overly greasy, which made it the perfect complement to the herby, yummy gormeh sabzi. For our mains, we shared the zereshk polo, which comes with saffron chicken and barberry rice. It was so flavorful and delicious, and the chicken was so tender and yummy. We also had the soltani king kebab platter, which comes with soltani kebab and one koobideh kebab, as well as grilled bell peppers, onions, and tomato. The meat was perfectly cooked and so juicy and tender. I loved the garlic yogurt sauce that came with it as well. I really appreciated the service throughout, everyone was so sweet and thoughtful and paid extra attention to my severe nut allergies. I also loved the complimentary dessert (pomegranate and chocolate chip ice cream) that they brought out. They really made me feel special, and left me wishing I lived closer to Palm Springs so that I could come more often. Highly, highly recommend this place! read more

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I truly enjoyed my experience last night at Saffron! i've been there a couple times before as they were just opening, they hooked it up in just a short time. Food was absolutely delicious. Servers were sweet and accommodating and the owner is absolutely lovely, with his whole heart directed at how can I keep adding to my diners experience? I grew up with a lot of great Persian food and my standards are quite prefer-determined, I love the way the cuisine is presented. The traditional flavors are honored while blended with the modern and then of course the cocktails the vibe. Brilliant idea to bring this to the desert. Just brilliant. read more

Outstanding food. Best Dolma I've ever had outside of my sita's grape leaves. Cocktails were so well balanced. My wife loved the lychee and gin. read more

Service and drinks were a 5. Ambiance was lovely. Entertainment was very enjoyable. The singer has a soft melodic tone and was easy to carryon a conversation.the foos was very good. My wife thought it could use a little more seasoning to be more like home cooking. read more

We use restaurant week to try new places. Saffron was our choice last night and we could not have done better. EVERYTHING was perfect. First, the dining room is well designed and very mid-century. They have a happy hour and bar menu with SPECTACULAR cocktails and mocktails (excellent inclusion). The bar is perfect for a drink and small bites anytime and I would highly recommend that. Now the food. Restaurant Week menus are limited but Saffron rolled out their best. The selection for this special offering were some of the best dishes they offer. From the Trio Dip plate to the Filet Mignon kabab, everything was flavorful, perfectly prepared and visually stunning. I can't recommend this establishment enough. You can have a drink and snack or a full dinner and both would be perfect. I almost didn't mention the desert offerings. Two very unique takes on cheesecake are included along with others. This was our first time at Saffron but it will NOT be our last. read more

We are Palm Springs locals and have now eaten at Saffron twice. Both times the service has been amazing. Either the owner or the head chef has personally come out to check-in with us at some point each time, and was doing so to every table in attendance. The food is delicious, and the restaurant is beautifully styled. A great place for date night or dinner with friends or family. I would definitely recommend! Also, the best dolmas I've ever had! read more

Saffron Restaurant and Lounge - Kings Plate - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Palm Springs, California

Superb customer friendliness. Food was delicious (I got ghormeh sabzi stew) and beautifully presented, but friendliness from everyone was outstanding! Will be back for sure. read more

Food was Ah-Mazing. Definitely a 5 star food experience but ... I went for the salmon kabobs and their delivery didn't come in that day... okay- totally out of their control (I guess?). I'd give this a 5 star rating except our waiter was a pusher of the most expensive item... "oh we have a special wine that is $80/bottle.... We might be sold out... if not order it now!"... " we ordered 3 apps, "oh I think for your party of 5, you should order one more app..." the most expensive one is suggested.... Oh... "2 kids shouldn't share a bowl, there's a split the plate fee of $10 plus... it would not be enough food for them".... After they each ordered a bowl they have more than half left over.... Our bill should've been about $180-$200 for 3 adults and 2 children... but it was over $300 without the tip. Food is amazing, but be ready to stay firm on what you plan to order. read more

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