Shiraz Persian Cuisine (Oxford) - Oxford

Reza F.

We booked a large table for my dad’s birthday and all staff were super welcoming and helpful on arrival. Despite the difficulties of serving a large table the Service and hospitality was absolutely amazing and food was excellent. Would definitely recommend this restaurant and will definitely return.

HMA T.

If you’re in the mood for a true Persian feast, this plate delivers all the essentials: juicy grilled kebab, fluffy saffron rice, roasted vegetables, and a vibrant mix of salads and dips—the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and tradition.

The Kebab

That grilled meat looks beautifully marinated, glistening with juices, and cooked to perfection with a slight char. Persian kebabs are all about balance—tender, flavorful, and infused with saffron, lemon, and butter. This one looks like a juicy, melt-in-your-mouth experience, and if it tasted as good as it looks, then this was a proper win.

The Rice (Chelo)

Persian rice is next level, and this one is no exception. That fluffy, perfectly steamed basmati, topped with vibrant golden saffron-infused grains, is the ultimate companion to the kebab. The key to great Persian food is butter melting into the rice, and if that happened here, then mission accomplished.

The Extras
• Roasted Tomato & Pepper – A Persian must-have. Charring adds a smoky depth that pairs perfectly with the kebab.
• Fresh Salad & Pickles – That crunchy mix of greens, shredded carrots, and pickled red cabbage adds a tangy, refreshing contrast to the richness of the dish.
• Mezze in the Background – That wooden platter filled with mast-o-khiar (yogurt & cucumber), Shirazi salad, and other Persian dips is the perfect way to start the meal. Creamy, herby, and packed with flavor.

Final Verdict

This meal is a Persian food lover’s dream—grilled, buttery, saffron-infused, and packed with fresh ingredients. If you’re a fan of rich flavors and comforting textures, this kind of feast is an absolute must. 10/10 would come back for another bite!

Ali T.

Shiraz gives an excellent impression of (northern) Persian cuisine, everything is prepared with the right balance of spices, time to marinate and cook. Very soft meats and chickens, fully bodied yet very light sauces, tasty rice. Very highly recommended!

Misbah T.

The food was amazing, I was deeply impressed by the service. I was served by Samman, shes very attentive. I was feeling cold and she closed the windows, made sure that we had everything we needed. She’s very good at her job. The lamb skewers (I believe it’s number 45 on the menu) were the best I’ve ever had, they were super soft and delicious.

Abigail X.

So many choices for meat or veggie eaters!
The staff were so helpful and the food was simply amazing!! The menu is very big and the portions are generous as well😍
If you’ve never tried persian food, this is the place to visit!! x
Just FYI, they only serve persian wine like alcohol.
The hummus and vine leaves were simply delicious!!

Mahala W.

Absolutely fantastic food, an incredible place to spend an afternoon. I went twice during my brief stay in Oxford and had sampler platters with mint tea. The whole experience was fantastic, and the food was dynamic and perfectly portioned. Cannot recommend enough!

Huiling Z.

I have heard many good things about this restaurant. Today we (as a table of 3) finally tried it out and the experience was mixed.

Bread: excellent. Hot and perfectly textured.

Kashk-Bademjan: one of my favourite mezze dishes now! Seasoned just right.

Marinated chicken wings: nicely grilled but puzzlingly salty; this is really below the standard.

Makhsous: The Koobideh is tender and tastes better. Chenjeh is a bit hard and when it is cooled down to room temperature the taste is not so good. Saffron rice is OK. Salad tastes very fresh.

Zereshk polo ba morgh: Chicken tastes very good; tender and full of flavour. Rice with barberries and pistachios is excellent. The chicken however is small portioned.

Mango & cranberry juice: average supermarket stuff with artificial tastes.

Service: very attentive.

Anas R.

Fantastic food and service. All the meat in the platter was succulent and flavoursome - something that often goes overlooked. The lamb chops were juicy and tender, the kebabs were soft and delicious, everything was seasoned to perfection. Maybe the lamb shank could've done with a tad more, but it wasn't bad. Overall, highly recommended.