Hostility and strong odors characterize the experience of vanak. Some people have had nice things to say so I've tried to go here several times on those suggestions. However the attitude of the staff makes it challenging to try try those recommendations or visit regularly. First experience: Pushy unfriendly owners try to upsell burnt food. Second experience: barely any fresh produce, no information about where some of the ingredients are sourced or grown, no information about nutrition or food safety. Third experience: workers tell you to go elsewhere when you just want to ask about how to use an ingredient or the cost...consistently. Fourth experience: some of the worst customer service: downright hostility... I guess the $11 ice cream is uniquely a selling point as they told me get labne from the Watertown stores instead of buying from there which was quite odd for a business. It would be easier to buy the unique goods like the ice cream, or unusual aromatics, without the attitude of the company who seems to actively dislike their customers and neighbors. I actively avoid this place now despite wanting to shop here for the unique goods because of the very poor customer service unfortunately. Maybe some of the food is decent but the strong smells plus hostility and poor service leave a headache. read more

Excellent local Persian groceries place. Their honey, eggplant dip, and pita bread are top notch.

Named as one of the best restaurants in world by Condé Nast Traveler, my wife brought me on my birthday to this Persian venue in Belmont with plentiful street parking and although it doesn't exude Michelin flair, it does execute in the tastefulness of their dishes. With an adjacent market (which we need to visit next time), Café Vanak welcomes both dine-in and take-out customers. Walking in for lunch on the day before Thanksgiving, it was already fairly packed with a simple but neat layout. Looking around, the quantity of their dishes was fairly sizable and when people left, most of their plates were void of food. We chose our own table and ordered at the counter. The saffron tea seemed very appealing and when it arrived, it was complemented with a rock candy pop, which we dipped and spun in the cup until it detached from the wooden stick. For anyone familiar with saffron, it's typically in paella and if used too much, can be overwhelmingly medicinal. I tried it without the rock candy pop and it was soothing; with the pop, it was more balanced. Definitely recommend it for anyone who hasn't experienced a saffron tea. First came the stuffed grape leaves and my taste buds were assaulted with a kaleidoscope of cascading flavors and textures - it was herbaceous, savory, al dente, soft. You just need to put down your utensils to process what you just put in your mouth. The grilled vegetables came next and while it could have benefited with less salt on some pieces, everything was cooked to a perfect tender crunchiness. When the saffron chicken with barberry rice arrived, only a chicken bone poked out from the smothering of rice. But when scooping spoonfuls onto our plates, the drumsticks emerged and it was fall-off-the-bone tender with great flavor - must've taken the kitchen at least a couple hours to cook these down. The rice with the barberry and almond slices was unbelievably fluffy, herbal, savory and although I don't eat much rice, we just consumed it all. With the chicken and rice together in one bite, it was a combination that you'd be grateful you have enough chicken and rice to experience again and again! One of the dishes we were looking forward to was the eggplant mix (mirza ghasemi), which included tomato and bits of cheese (not too certain which kind). Right off the bat, it was delightfully smoky, with prominent eggplant and tomato flavors and other herbs I would like to know the names of. Overall friendly and professional service with a neat and clean atmosphere. Prices are very affordable with anyone wanting to check out quality Persian cuisine that's not fine dining but still makes it as one of the best restaurants in world. read more

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Uncle was very nice and super helpful!! Had a contagious positive energy. They have a variety of different persian goods. Will be coming back iA. read more

My friend and I walked into the store and found everything we needed. Upon arriving to the cash register, the owner talked to us and recommended certain sweets. He was extremely helpful and kind. Great experience read more

Both the grocery store and the Cafè are AMAZING. The friendliest staff, the best food, and the best options. I drive once a week from Dorchester to get their Sangak and it's so worth it. Highly recommend. read more

Super Vanak - Chicken Kabab Plate - Cafes Near Me - Belmont, Massachusetts

Yummy! Authentic Persian food, friendly atmosphere, better come early before the seats were taken. read more

Super Vanak - Very delicious and authentic food - Cafes Near Me - Belmont, Massachusetts

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We did take out from here after all the press on it. Even though it wasn't piping hot by the time we sat down to eat, the food was very flavorful and enjoyable. I wasn't the one who picked up but my friend who did said she had to wait a bit to be attended to as the staff was deep in conversation with someone and wasn't paying attention to her. read more

We got the chicken soltani plate, vegan kebab skewer, and Shirazi salad to go. All were delicious, but I gotta dock a star for the inclusion of disposable plastic cutlery that we didn't ask for. *Please do not include disposable stuff that the customer didn't ask for*. You're throwing your own money away to provide trash to the customer that they do not need, and that doesn't make the customer feel good about shopping at your business, even if they enjoyed it otherwise. read more

Beautiful mom and pop place. Everyone there is super nice. The restaurant food is incredible, one of the highlights of our trip. The store next door has lots of great stuff that you can't find hardly anywhere. Will be back for sure next time we go to Boston. read more

This place is awesome! Great food & service! What else do you need? It's pretty authentic & food you don't normally find in Boston.They have various veg*n options which is super important. Even though the place is small & set up different then a regular restaurant, they do a good job. So expand your horizons & eat food from another part of the world. You can't help but want more. My friend couldn't even finish his since we did share an appetizer. Delicious. I only wish is was closer to the city. The place is busy no matter when you're there. So go check it out. read more

Most of the items purchased were expired. Just check expiration date if you shopping from this store.

This is by far the most authentic and delicious persian food I've had in boston! I'm surprised that they don't have many reviews on yelp. There is persian restaurant and a super market right next to it that is PACKED with cooking essentials, spices, sweets and snacks. At the restaurant, We ordered the vaziri kabob and in my opinion the koobideh(ground beef) exceeeeeeeded our expectations. I personally liked the koobideh more than the chicken but both were delicious. Just the right amount of rice, and evenly cooked kabobs. read more

Super Vanak - Vaziri Kabab - Cafes Near Me - Belmont, Massachusetts

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Simply wonderful. Nice place, nice atmosphere, nice people. The Persian drinks were really interesting! Great place for foodies. Not your average restaurant in a good way. read more

Super Vanak - Tibouli salad - Cafes Near Me - Belmont, Massachusetts

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I'm so confused why this place is highly rated as the food is terrible. I tried a variety of dishes, from chicken to falafel to beef to salad. The salad was the best thing, and it was wilted iceberg lettuce. The falafel was burnt and hard as a rock with brittle rice. The chicken actually tasted slimy. The beef was pink and salty. I threw the entire meal in the trash. Just absolutely disgusting. read more

Well we heard along with a lot of other people that Conde Nast called this one of the best restaurants in the world, so we had to try it. Order at the counter and choose from one of the 9 indoor or three or four outdoor tables. Each table can comfortably seat two. The food was delicious. I had kobideh, my friend had the fish and grape leaves. But this little neighborhood spot was overrun by too many customers. We got there at 4:30pm on a Sunday and just beat the rush. We wanted to try the delicious looking cakes but by the time we were done with dinner the line was too long. We trotted nextdoor to the market section and got one of the saffron pistachio ice cream sandwiches. I need to go back to try the cake! read more

The best hummus I have ever eaten! Soooo delicious. The vegan kebob plate was very similarly spiced as the meat (or so I was told) and is made with plant based ingredients. Very nicely done. The ambience is fabulous, with a lot to look at inside, as well as big windows to watch the world go by. The owners/waitstaff could not be more delightful. They honestly want to know how your food is and clearly take great pleasure out of sharing their lovingly created fare with the rest of us. Making a reservation is a good idea and they don't have a liquor license, but you may bring your own and they'll provide the glasses! Plenty of on street parking on the main drag and side streets, as well as a parking lot. Great experience all around! read more

The best Persian restaurant and supermarket in Boston! Great people. Really clean and good atmosphere.

Got a stomach bug. Food is ok. Expensive when compared to other well established Iranian food places.

Vanak Cafe, WOW. This food was very close to what my mom and what my grandmother would cook back in Iran. The quality of ingredients and the authentic ways of cooking each dish was incredible. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this place for people that are new to Iranian food and to people who grew up eating persian food. Thank you Vanak Cafe. read more

The best place to get kebabs in and around Boston. Have ordered takeaway multiple times and the quality/taste of food is great. Love their chicken kebab and beef koobideh plate. The desserts are a must try as well! read more

Fantastic Persian food that's unlike anything in the area. The lamb shank is a can't miss. Will be coming back.

Delicious food, great service from super pleasant wait staff. Nice, homey, environment. Seems to be a family run business, and they seem to take pride in their food and hospitality. Fairly small place that seems to do a lot of take out so reserve a table if you want to dine in and are coming during a busy time. They also have a few tables outside on the sidewalk. We had the chicken kebabs and lamb shank. Both were delicious as was the rice. We will come back. read more

The tahchin chicken and eggplant was sublime. My husband enjoyed his chicken kabab wrap. We both appreciated the kind and welcoming staff. This is an exceptional small restaurant, and a very good value. We'll be back! read more

A little gem of a cafe! Delicious Mediterranean specialties and desserts. Make a reservation to eat-in or at outdoor tables. The MOST pleasant and accommodating staff we've found since moving to the area. Generous, reasonably priced entrees--will return SOON! read more