Parfums de Perse — Restaurant in Montreal

The place was full of agitated barking dogs the day we went, some dogs were not even on leash. Staff refused to let us go upstairs even though we said we were disturbed by the aggressive dogs and 1 of us was allergic. The 2nd floor was not reserved nor busy, they just did not feel like letting people go there to avoid having to climb stairs so it was out of laziness! But since the reason we asked was potential danger grom dogs it's even more unacceptable that they would refuse that. How can a business reject clients? How can a restaurant refuse access to their own tables?! It was several hours before closing time so it cannot be for cleaning reason either. If this is a place reserved for dogs then you should specify it clearly so that people who are allergic or afraid would not bother come in. And it's not dgos fault either, we witnessed how uncomfortable and irritated they were of being confined in such a small space with strangers not ebough room and very noisy people. It was such a big noisy dirty mess right next to the counter so people waiting in line were also squeezed...i never seen anything like it, it was all bad for both clients and dogs poor things could not wait to get out of there! Also, I was told that Persian latte had honey in it but there was zero sweetness in it, not even a little bit. I think they say that but never actuallg put in honey to save money maybe? Also, i expected the drink would like blend the flavours, but actually the spices and pistachios just float on top so the taste is just coffee and milk and you cannot get any fragrance out of it even after mixing. My friend thought baklava was ok. Overall big unexpected disappointment, waste of money that I regret. Was hoping to try other drinks but it was so unwelcoming i cannot bring myself to risk going back...

I recently visited Parfums de Perse with my Québécois friend, who has been learning Persian and was excited to practice with the staff. When he spoke Persian, the waitress was very impressed and kind to him, which was nice to see. However, what followed left me quite uncomfortable. In Persian, she jokingly told me, "Bravo for teaching him Persian, I hope we can destroy their language." She repeated it twice, and even the cashier later made a similar comment. I was genuinely surprised—why would we talk about "destroying" the language of the country we live in? Language is about connection and respect, and I can’t imagine how my friend would have felt if he had understood their remarks.

As for the food, I ordered Pan Kabab, which was decent, and Ash, which was delicious. We also had two cakes and two lattes, both of which were very good. However, another odd experience happened with the bill. During our meal, the waitress insisted we try garlic pickles, and later, after we had finished our dessert, she enthusiastically offered us another type of cake: Ghotab, saying it was fresh and delicious. Her tone and warmth made it seem like a complimentary treat, so we were surprised to find everything—including the pickles and the extra cake—added to the bill. It wasn’t about the $7 extra, but the way it was done left us feeling a bit manipulated.

Overall, the food was enjoyable, but the experience was mixed. While the staff was extremely friendly, the comments about language were inappropriate, and the way additional items were added to the bill felt misleading. I hope this was just a misunderstanding, but I believe a more transparent and respectful approach would make the experience better...

This was one of the best experiences I’ve had at a Persian café in Montreal. The venue is fully accessible and accommodating for people with disabilities and those using assistive devices. The accessible washroom was a particularly nice touch. The café also features a charming patio and a cozy indoor ambiance. I visited on a rainy day and arrived much earlier than my scheduled meeting with a friend. Despite being a first-time customer, I was treated like an old friend. The quality of the coffee, tea, and food was excellent, and the prices were very reasonable. I tried their Persian coffee, Persian tea, and mirza ghasemi, all of which were delightful.

What stood out most to me was their hospitality—they had no issue with me sitting there for a couple of hours before my friend arrived. They ensured I was comfortable, even providing access to a power outlet so I could work on my laptop. They struck the perfect balance between attentive care and giving me the privacy I needed to feel at ease. They even went above and beyond by assisting me to the washroom, which I found incredibly considerate. When I thanked them, they responded warmly, saying, "Don't mention it; we're here for you." This is definitely a place I’ll be returning to, and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys Persian food, a warm ambiance, and an accessible space in the heart of Old...