Where We Are Going Today: Shahnamah restaurant in Jeddah

1 / 2
Image: Supplied
2 / 2
Image: Supplied
Short Url
Updated 30 October 2025
Follow

Where We Are Going Today: Shahnamah restaurant in Jeddah

JEDDAH: Shahnamah restaurant in Jeddah offers a glimpse into Persian culinary traditions. The warm ambiance, with subtle Persian motifs throughout, sets the stage for more than just a meal.

The menu is extensive, featuring classic and contemporary Persian dishes.

Among the cold mezze, mast-o-khiar stands out with creamy yogurt, cucumber, and a hint of walnut. Borani bademjan, made with smoky aubergine, reflects authentic Persian flavors.

Hot mezze options include mirza ghasemi, with coal-cooked aubergine and tomato topped with a fried egg, and kashk e bademjoon, a creamy, slightly tangy aubergine and whey spread.

Main courses are generous. Must-tries include ghormeh sabzi, a tender lamb stew with fenugreek and herbs, and zereshk polow, barberry-topped chicken balancing sweet and savory flavours. The koobideh and jujeh kebabs are flavorful, although a bit more char would enhance the smokiness.

Persian rice dishes such as baghali polow and lubia polow are aromatic and well prepared. Desserts such as noon khamei, profiteroles filled with whipped ashta, provide a delicate finish, while the bastani saffron ice cream is milder compared to the mains.

Prices are on the high side, reflecting the fine-dining experience. For more details, visit @shahnamahrestaurant.


Where We Are Going Today: Tofareya Restaurant in Jeddah and AlUla

Miro Kebab. (Supplied)
Updated 07 March 2026
Follow

Where We Are Going Today: Tofareya Restaurant in Jeddah and AlUla

  • The red groats delivered pure comfort; It is a Saudi staple for a reason, with chicken, tomato sauce, a special mix and ghee coming together in a rich, filling bowl

Tofareya is the kind of Saudi comfort-food spot that can satisfy a craving even as takeaway.

I ordered to-go from the Riyadh branch, and while not every dish traveled perfectly, the order had real highlights. The restaurant also has locations in Jeddah and AlUla, which makes it easy to return for the standouts.

The best bite was the Tawferee chicken samosa. The sambousek triangles arrived crisp, with a noticeably crunchy dough that held up well.

Inside, the chicken slices were boosted by a bright lime mixture that gave the filling a fresh, tangy finish.

The kubayba was another favorite. Shaped into neat squares like grape leaves, it was filled with rice and lifted by date syrup, adding a gentle sweetness that felt uniquely Saudi.

A couple of items were less memorable. The hummus and kibbeh were fine, but they tasted basic compared with the stronger dishes.

The mains carried the meal. Beef kabli was deeply satisfying, with spiced rice, meat, potatoes and the orange note that defines kabli, finished with crispy fried onions.

The red groats delivered pure comfort; It is a Saudi staple for a reason, with chicken, tomato sauce, a special mix and ghee coming together in a rich, filling bowl.

The miro kebab is worth ordering, and the limitation here is takeaway, not the kitchen. This Makkah-style kebab comes with tahini, hamar, bread and a steamed egg salad, and it is built around contrast.

Fresh, it should feel layered and dynamic, with warm meat, creamy tahini and bread that still maintains its structural integrity.

In a to-go box, the components soften and merge, so you lose some of the intended texture and definition. Try to eat it immediately after pickup if you can, but ideally, save it for dine-in.

The mulukhiah fattah also needed more intensity. The Hijazi-inspired layering of bread, molokhiya, tomato sauce and chicken worked in concept, but the overall seasoning could have been bolder to bring the dish into focus.