Persian homestyle food in Ibn Batuta – Zaferan
Iranian food is very close to my heart. Not only because my bff is Iranian, but because the food exudes a certain type of warmth that you can otherwise only find at home. Zaferan is such.
Located in China Garden at Ibn Battuta Mall, Zaferan offers authentic Persian cuisine in a beautiful space. Along with an intimate outdoor seating, they boast of interiors that are airy and uncluttered. But what stands out the most is their green wall decked with florals, giving you a snapshot of a typical street side restaurant in Iran.
Oatmeal Soup
We started with a warm bowl of oatmeal soup, which was as hearty as the hospitality we received. The soup tasted like a cross between lentil and porridge. While I found it slightly bland on its own (I love spices), when paired with Iranian Barbari bread, it was quite comforting.
Anar Salad
We then tried the Anar Salad at Zaferan, which I LOVED! It wasn’t so much about the pomegranate seeds or tomatoes and cucumbers, but in fact, the walnut crumble, which brought everything so well together, it was difficult to stop at just one spoonful.
Kabab
This was followed by 2 of Zaferan’s kababs – Kubideh and Torsh. Kubideh had ground meat mixed with onions, and a very smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Torsh was rather chunky, with pieces of meat marinated in a walnut, pomegranate and crushed garlic paste. While these were great, I really wish we could’ve tried Joojeh & Sultani Kababs as well. We sort of left wanting for more.
Polo Rice
A trio of Iranian Polo (Pulav) came next which featured long grained rice cooked 3 ways: Zereshk with barberries, Baghali with dill and lima beans, and plain. The rice was ideal as an accopaniment to the grills, but on its own, it would be too dry.
Tea
We finished with their soothing tea selection – classic Iranian black tea & herbal rose tea. What I fancied the most about these were the glass teapots and cake pieces on the side.
Zaferan Iranian Restaurant
- Food
- Drinks
- Ambience
- Pricing
- Service
Summary
A great place for Iranian kabab cravings, Zaferan offers a whole variety of these and you will be spoilt for choice. In terms of ambience, their large and spacious interiors make it a great place for a family get together or a group dinner.
Location: Ibn Batuta Mall, Garden Cross Rd, Jebel Ali Village, Dubai
Contact: 04 2407247
