I was with my daughters at Fashion Island when we decided to get some refreshments at the food court. Mandana (one of the chef owners) lured me in with a sample of their Falafel which I shared with my daughters. Let's just say you could taste the love in it (three days worth!) and I finally had truly delicious Falafel. We all ended up having some along with two Mazzeh samplers. Everything was so hot, fresh, and delicious. Don't even get any of us started on the absolutely delicious hummus. I'm pretty sure we would have taken a vat of it home if we could. Mandana also gave us samples of the pomegranate soft serve and baklava ice cream. Both were delicious and light and the baklava ice cream wasn't cloyingly sweet. We ended up having the pomegranate soft serve to top off the meal since it was a relatively warm day...and we couldn't resist. It was the perfect ending-- a little sweet, a little tart, and all delicious. Mandana also gave me a cookbook recommendation so I could try making some Persian dishes at home and I bought it right away. She was so warm, welcoming, and happy to share with us. We left the food court in near food coma states. The food court itself is light and bright overall, but what you'd expect from a food court. We felt for those who bought other fast-food types of offerings at the food court versus the delightfully fresh and delicious food Zood has. It was worth the price (and you get so much!) We look forward to eating there again the next time we're there and hopefully seeing Mandana again. read more

We tried Zood today. The owner was there and we order 2 meals the chicken and Blam dinners with rice. They came with 2 sides and dressing each. My wife said the hummus was the best she has ever had and she eats a lot of hummus. Each side and dressing seemed to be made at the location fresh and were good. She gave us a sample of the baklava ice cream and pomegranate ice cream. They were both awesome When we are in the mall again, we stop here again. read more

Zood - Chicken - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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The owner was so kind and helpful- making my food selections easy and quick. She was right about everything and when I talked about how great she was - she gave all the credit to her staff and showed her gratitude for them. That really shows the kind of business Zood is! Next time I will have their falafel- but I couldn't resist my first visit being my comfort meal or chicken and rice. I loved their Tahini and roast garlic sauce for that combo specifically. I also love pomegrante so I need to come back and try their dessert they offer too. Thank you so much Zood! And what a location to be in - the ambiance was very nice. read more

Zood - Outside - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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Mandana is so sweet and she makes all of the Persian food from scratch which is impressive! The falafel balls are delicious and not oily or greasy. They are light and fairly healthy! It took a while to get my saffron soft serve and it was definitely interesting. I am looking forward to going back and trying the chicken and salad with pomegranate dressing! read more

Zood - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Newport Beach, California

This spot is located in the food court at Fashion Island. When I stopped by, there was no one at the register, but there was a sign for me to scan the QR code to order my meal for pickup. The ordering process was simple and the food was prepared relatively quickly. They have a large menu consisting of rice plates, salads, and sandwiches. Their meat is all halal and this is clearly labeled on the menu. I opted for the chicken sandwich + cucumber, mint and yogurt dressing and a side of Shirazi salad. The sandwich itself was okay. Decent portion size and the chicken was seasoned nicely. In my opinion the Shirazi salad needed some extra salt/pepper. I returned later to try one of their desserts, and there was someone at the register. I wanted to try their pomegranate ice cream (served with lavashak and sour cherry syrup). Unfortunately they were out of ice cream when I visited. Overall, if anyone is craving halal Persian food (or dessert), this is a reasonable option to try if shopping or visiting Fashion Island. read more

Good food but longer wait time than expected for a fast casual place in the fashion island food court. Super friendly service. Not sure what the hype is about the multiple sauces as one is plenty. Estimate 10-20 a person. read more

Zood - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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It was hard to find at first as I ordered online but I was close by and by the time I arrived, the service was quick. Would definitely come here again! It's a healthy option for those who need a quick lunch at the food court at Fashion Island! read more

Very kind and lovely owner! I'd seen the good reviews for this spot and was looking at the menu from a distance, and she offered me some falafel and walked me through the process of how she made it. The food was really good too! I was a particularly big fan of the hummus - so delicious. read more

Zood - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Newport Beach, California

A solid fast-casual restaurant where you can grab Persian food. The person in the front turned out to be the owner who was very kind and offered everyone in my group a slice of a falafel. I was shocked because I'm usually not a falafel fan but that one was by far the best I've ever had. However, I ended up ordering a plate with Blam!, Persian marinated beef and lamb, as my protein option. It was very flavorful and not chewy at all so I definitely recommend trying it out. They were unfortunately out of hummus when I went so we missed out on that. I tried some of the chicken sandwich too but that one was just alright. If you're someone who loves sweets, they have a unique selection of desserts such as saffron and baklava soft serve so that was fun to try. Zood is located in a food court so there's plenty of seating available. read more

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(IG @foodwithdeni) #dEATs Had the pleasure of trying @eatzood for their delicious modern Persian cuisine. Located inside the Atrium at @fashionisland , Zood serves comforting plates, sandwiches, salads & more w/fresh ingredients and an upgraded menu! *We ordered-- Blam! plate which includes Persian Marinated Beef & Lamb, The Perfect Hummus, Persian Eggplant Dip, & Saffron Basmati Rice w/Cucumber Herb & Yogurt, Tahini, Roast Garlic dressings Plates include: Choice of protein, (2) sides, (2) dressings, Saffron Basmati Rice Saffron Chicken Sandwich : Saffron Chicken, Roast Pepper&Feta dressing, w/Shirazi Salad (Marinated Tomato, Cucumber, Onion, Lemon Dressing) Sandwiches include: Choice of protein, (1) dressing, (1) side, topped with farmer's greens, tomato, pickled cucumber, hot peppers, parsley, onion, sumac Zaatar Carrot&Lentil Salad-- Market greens, zaatar carrots, spiced lentils, parsley & onion, radish, "good seeds" w/Falafel, Pomegranate Vinaigrette, Pistachio Vinaigrette Salads include: Choice of protein, (2) dressings Baklava Soft Serve Ice Cream: Saffron Soft Serve with Pistachio, Walnuts, Filo &Floral Honey Pomegranate Soft Serve Ice Cream: Pomegranate Soft Serve With a Chewy Lavoshak and Sour Cherry Syrup Drinks: Sour Cherry Soda & Sekanjebin Soda (refreshing Persian mint syrup drink, owner told us it's always summer when he drinks Sekanjebin Soda, popular drink among Iranians) Favorites: Blam! Plate, Persian Eggplant dip, Shirazi salad, Falafel, Baklava Soft Serve & both Sour Cherry Soda & Sekanjebin Soda read more

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I recommend trying their Blam! Sandwich. It's made with a combination beef and lamb and packed with a bunch of fresh ingredients. They also have these filling rice plates and salads too! Their falafels come out with a perfect crisp on the outside and their tahini & hummus are great dips! Their pomegranate soft serve is fruity and refreshing and their chocolate halva cookie is soft and rich! The service is amazing! Their family owned, so you know they put their heart into making the best food they can offer! The ambiance is beautiful. It's located in fashion island's atrium food court and there's a lot of shopping around! For more, follow @ToshiEats on IG! read more

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My wife and I ordered a light meal at Zood and loved it! We ordered the Mazzeh plate which was hummus, borani, eggplant dip, falafel and borani. We also ordered extra Persian bread to go with the dips. The food was delicious, especially the falafel balls which were crispy on the outside. The dips were creamy and we used the bread to scoop and scrape them up. The amount of food we were served for the $15 we spent on the plate was a lot --- so much so that my wife and I felt full afterwards. The guy who served us at the counter was super friendly. The ambiance --- well, it's a food court but a nice one. For a delicous, healthy (I think) meal at Fashion Island this will be my go-to place. read more

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Savory falafel and dips at Zood! And portion I had was big enough to share with. The Mazzeh Plate was a great choice for a nice sumptuous lunch. The Mazzeh plate consisted of hummus, borani, eggplant dip, falafel and barbari. Will definitely come back again for their yummy falafel! read more

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Located in the food court at Fashion Island mall, this is a little gem of deliciously fresh Persian food. I tried the beef sandwich this time with the roasted pepper and feta sauce. It is loaded with meat and leafy veg, cubed pickles and banana peppers paired with the eggplant side. The sandwich was huge. I was full but not bloated like with many other meals. The meat was very flavorful and I couldn't wait for the next bite! Our server was the owner I think. She was so pleasant and friendly and offered us a tasting of her new desserts. A pomegranate soft serve with a drizzle of some kind of slightly sweet sauce and a baklava soft serve with pieces of pistachio and flaky pastry topping. Both were more like Italian ice than cream which made them light and refreshing! Plentiful seating at the mall court which is common and of course plenty of parking. As with all our food vendors these days, pricing was on the higher side which is now the norm. Still good and still worth a try! My next visit will be for the falafel! I'm gonna try everything on the menu when given the opportunity. Give it a shot! You won't be disappointed! read more

Zood - Beef Sandwich - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Newport Beach, California

I'm Persian, and I can say with confidence this place does not represent Persian food. The food was bland and flavorless. Persians don't serve falafel, hummus, or shawarma those are Middle Eastern dishes, not Persian. If the Iranian owner wants to showcase Persian cuisine, then serve it authentically instead of passing off generic food with no taste. When I complained and asked for something else, the owner didn't apologize or even try to make it right he yelled at me and told me "too bad." That kind of treatment toward a paying customer is unacceptable. To make matters worse, the hygiene was disturbing. No one wore gloves, and I watched an employee breaking apart parsley at the register while also handling money and scrolling on their phone. It was unsanitary and careless, and if I had noticed sooner, I never would have purchased anything here. This place is a poser restaurant disrespectful service, flavorless food, and zero regard for cleanliness. Absolutely not recommended. read more

Zood - A lady cleaning parsley at the register - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Newport Beach, California

When the weather's perfect, treat yourself to fresh, flavorful Persian cuisine! Sip on a refreshing sour cherry or ginger mint soda, and finish with a decadent baklava sundae. A must-try while shopping at @fashionisland! read more

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Great spot to grab a delicious, healthy lunch that won't break the bank! Stopped by today and tried all three sandwiches on their menu. All three were delicious but the chicken & falafel were my favorite. Also got three sides - all equally delicious: shirazi salad, hummus & eggplant borani. The creamy roasted pepper & feta sauce was a real standout. All the portions are very generous, ingredients fresh and the bread they use for the sandwiches is SO tasty (not too bready - let the ingredients shine). 100% worth the trip down to the food court at Fashion Island! (Sorry I was too excited/hungry to photograph the actual food which we're currently eating the leftover of for dinner!) read more

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Absolutely delish! I was dreading having to grab something to eat at a food court but had to because my kids were starving. Luckily I found Zood. I ordered a salad and was left completely satisfied without the guilt. The owner was also very kind. read more

Zood salad with chicken and pomegranate vinaigrette. 5 out of 5 stars for abundant portion, flavor-ific, fresh and healthy ingredients. Savory and sweet. Kind and attentive service. One constructive feedback would be the need for speed. The food took too long to receive. Located at Fashion Island shopping center. Food court/atrium lower level. Right by Barnes and Nobles. read more

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Located in food court of fashion island. Was in the mood for a snack so tried their falafel side. Yummy flavors and love the crunch. Chose tahini as a side. I'd come back for just the falafel. Staff was also friendly and helpful read more

Zood - Falafel & Sauce - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Zood is a nice healthy Mediterranean option in the Fashion Island food court,the staff was very helpful and friendly, providing recommendations on what sauces and pairings went well together. I had the chicken sandwich with tahini and roast garlic dressing and a side of hummus. The side of hummus was substantial enough that I had plenty of leftover, though I wish they would have provided something to dip in it other than the sandwich itself, like pita bread or pita chips. The sandwich was also a substantial size and quite filling. I've had better chicken sandwiches of this type but it was still very good and I would order it again while I'm visiting on business in this area. On the whole, I think Zood is a great concept and a terrific alternative for a mall food court. I will say that you need to be prepared to wait longer for the food than a typical fast food restaurant - maybe 10-15 minutes. read more

Zood - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Newport Beach, California

I went here yesterday 3/16/25 and ordered my dad food. He was craving a falafel and this place always looked good. They did not disappoint. The service was fast and the employees were super friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. My dad said he never tasted a falafel sandwich as good as this one. He as was my mom said the hummus was very smooth and light. Overall outstanding food and service. They have made a regular out of my dad who is very hard to please. Highly recommend and will definitely be back. read more

If there's anything I appreciate, it's when people are passionate about what they cook and what they do. Had the opportunity to meet the lovely and dynamic chef duo, Mandana and Patrick. You can tell their passion for cooking shines through into their food. The food is amazing! There are so many great flavors that complement each other very well. It is also a very great introduction to those who have never had Persian food before! You can find Zood in the Atrium Court in Fashion Island. We ordered three options. We had the Saffron Chicken plate with a side of hummus and eggplant dip with tahini and garlic and roasted pepper and feta dressing dips. We also had the Blam (beef & Lamb) sandwich with cucumber, herb, yogurt creamy dressing and a side of kale and spinach borani. For our salad, we had the Pickled and Beet Barberry salad with olive oil lemon and mint and pistachio vinaigrette dressings. For drinks, we had the Sour Cherry and Sekanjebin soda. For dessert, we had the Chocolate Halva Cookie and the Baklava Soft Serve with pistachios, walnuts, filo, and honey. Everything was delicious. Our service was wonderful. We literally enjoyed every option that we ordered. Don't be discouraged that this spot is located in a food court - it is worth the order. There is also plenty of seating available. You can take a break from shopping to try our some delicious Persian bites! read more

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Literally the best falafel I've had, I love falafels and eat a lot of them. And don't get me started on the Blam sandwiches. Their salads are huge and can easily feed 2 people. All this great quality and organic food at such reasonable prices, I can't wait to come back. read more

Omg I'm obsessed with the Baklava Ice cream! The generous honey drizzle, the pistachio, walnut and filo crunch and the soft serve is oh so perfect! If I love close by this would be a weekly dessert for sure! The chicken and blam plates are amazing too I just wish there was more meat for sure! It's located in the food court of the mall so there's plenty of communal tables and seats! read more

Food was freshly made and served hot! Service was great as well. The employees gave us a sample of the falafel, which tasted really good. The owner of zood had told us how they make their falafel from scratch. This is located in fashion island, so plenty of parking and you can go walk around the center to get desserts afterwards! There were enough seats and since it's inside the mall, it's slightly loud, but it's still a nice place to visit! read more

Zood - 1\2 Chicken & 1\2 Beef Rice Meal - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Gave this place a try for the 2nd time and I was very disappointed. The food is a twist of Persian and middle eastern trends. The Mezzah platter was a mixture of yogurt, Borani and old stale bread. Could put more effort it tasted like store bought hummus and yogurt. They should focus on their food quality more! read more

Zood - Mezzah Platter - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Zood is my new go-to spot when shopping at Fashion Island. I got the pickled beet & barberry salad with Blam! I especially love the pickled beets and pistachio pieces in the salad. They give a decent amount of meat too. You can definitely taste the freshness in every bite. I've also been dreaming about the baklava soft serve dessert..mmm the filo. read more

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Great flavorful dressings. Loved the falafel .portions are good hit the spot. Felt light after eating. read more

Zood - Zood platter with Eggplant Dip and tomato Shirazi Salad - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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Tried this place on a whim while we were at Fashion Island and i am glad we did. We just wanted a super light meal to share (call it an appetizer if you will) before we had our real dinner later. We decided to go for the chicken plate. I got hummus and eggplant dip on the side, with roasted red pepper and tahini sauces. I also got a side of pita ($1). My daughter is a picky eater, but she enjoyed the chicken and rice. The hummus was really delicious and so was the eggplant dip. Everything was on point really, taste wise. This is definitely not authentic Persian food, but I didn't care because I was not looking for legit kabob in a mall food court. Price was reasonable and portions were good. I would definitely return to eat here again! If dining with babies/kids, the mall food court has high chairs FYI. read more

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I got a mix of meat and chicken and it was really overcooked and a very small portion of food, the girl didn't give me 2 sides when I changed the rice to salad and just gave me 1 side! She tried to justify but I didn't understand why! read more

I ordered a falafel plate to go. The cashier was friendly. This place is located at the food courts in the Atrium. The food court itself was pretty busy and bustling but this place didnt have a line. I've always wanted to try falafels so I decided to give it a try. I ordered online. But as I carried it out to my car I noticed the takeout box started leaking liquid. I didnt remember ordering anything watery. When I got to my car I decided to open the box to see the order and that's when my box completely fall apart ): the take out box was soggy and i couldnt properly pick up the box without it folding in on itself. I ended up just eating it in the car with the box inside the bag. Felt a little awkward not going to lie but I couldnt waste food. The falafels actually tasted fresh and was delicious. It was light and fluffy and piping hot. The taste of the food definitely cancelled out the bad takeout box experience I had. I still dont know where the mysterious liquid came from because the hummus didnt budge and I got a salad. The two dressing cups were still sealed tight. Anyways I really liked the falafels and despite my takeout box getting soggy and completely caving in on itself (had to knock off 2 stars for that) I still enjoyed the food. Maybe next time I'll try dining in! The seats are open seating, first come first serve and you clean up after yourself. The only thing I would advise about takeout is beware of the soggy takeout box! read more

Ordered takeout and was really happy with the freshness and flavors within the items I picked up. Got the pickled beet and barberry salad with Saffron chicken and the Saffron chicken plate. Really enjoyed both but the only thing is the rice plate was small for the price paid. Could have easily eaten two. I will continue to come back as I can tell they actually care about the quality of their food, just need to order more next time to feel satiated. read more

Delicious and savory Mediterranean fast food. Half chicken and beef was perfect with two sides of your choice (dip and salad). Service was quick and staff were friendly.. Food court ambiance at Fashion Island mall. Highly recommended! read more

Zood - 1/1\2 Chicken & 1\2 Beef - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Newport Beach, California

This is where you'll have a ZOOD time for Persian cuisine! Zood is located inside the Fashion Island Atrium, and I absolutely loved their modern take on Persian food. The menu features a vibrant mix of sandwiches, salads and plates, all highlighting fresh ingredients The "1/2 chicken & 1/2 blam! plate" is a generous offering that includes Persian-marinated beef and lamb, chicken, your choice of two sides, and two dressings. The flavors are both light and hearty. Another standout is the falafel sandwich, which is refreshingly paired with a pistachio vinaigrette! The owner was incredibly friendly and shared their story about wanting to introduce Persian flavors to the U.S. with a unique twist. This charming spot is definitely worth a visit if you're looking for something special in your dining experience The Order: 1/2 chicken & 1/2 blam! plate Falafel sandwich Zaatar carrot & lentil salad w/ falafel Sides: Persian eggplant dip & Hummus Chocolate halva cookie Sour cherry soda Sekanjebin soda read more

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This evening I had the zataar carrot and lentil salad with steak. Great flavors, lentils cooked just right, lettuce was very fresh and tender. Portions are ample and they don't skimp on tasty steak. I also liked the two dressings I got and could tell they were made in-house. My only criticism was the zataar carrots--they were so overly salted, they were inedible. I picked them off and threw them away. Bummer. The cookie was good--innovative with a touch of halva. It's so rich, it's enough for two people. I loved the chewy tooth and brown butter flavors, but I wish they used bittersweet chocolate for a richer chocolate flavor. I'd advise to eat this before you eat anything too garlicky so you can appreciate the subtle flavors. Hat tip to the friendly Canadian host who rang me up. Good service and I didn't have to wait too long. I'd eat at Zood again and am looking forward to trying something else next time. read more

Zood - Chocolate Chip Halva Cookie - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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10/10!!! First of all, the service was incredible. Really love the passion and love that goes into everything. The food is everything I could have wanted and more!!! Everything was delicious, and the saffron ice cream with honey is actually to die for. I never liked going to Fashion Island much, but I will make a point to come here. Also, bonus points for the pink take out bags. Such a cute touch! read more

I'd give it 4.5 stars. High quality, tastes fresh. Friendly service. Located inside food court. Outdoor seating available which is nice. Chill ambiance. Go the falafel plate which was fresh. Rice could be better but still good. I've had better hummus but it was decent. Salads and sauces were good. Wished it came with pita bread. Good spot if craving Mediterranean/Persian food :) read more

Zood - Falafel Rice Plate - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Newport Beach, California

We first went during Orange County restaurant week and are so glad we did! The saffron ice cream with shredded baklava is amazing and we have driven about an hour just to get it again. The meal was good, too, but oh that ice cream... Staff was friendly and welcoming. Definitely a recommended stop. read more

Why is the falafel so goood????? Falafel isn't even Persian but they make it so well! It's crispy on the outside with the perfect amount of crunch and juicy on the inside. We had the falafel sandwich and they serve it on barbari bread. I had the falafel salad. Great Persian fusion food and the owner is so innovative. Loved the bakhlava soft serve ice cream too. It's bastani sonnati with bakhlava on top. read more

Zood - Falafel salad #2 - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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