Banu بانو — Restaurant in Toronto

Been coming here since early 2006, I remember how they had different style of seating with small plates and nice drinks. They offered traditional bazzar style dishes like grilled liver, and other mezzas accompanied by vodka.( yes Iran used to brew vodka and other libations).

Overtime they changed in a good way food was always good and still is very good , tasty and in decent portion. I’ve dined here often, even ordered by foodora, Uber eats and hurrier, I’ve learned that their recipes comes from The three owner’s mother as they don’t believe in using cook books. So You know the food is authentic, right from the root.

I later learned that this place is run by three siblings from Iran Sally,Samira, and Amir , they carry with them a great deal of story which worth hearing. The amazing siblings are friendly and will make your experience a beautiful one.

You may notice writings, autographs and such on the walls, as they always sand with the issues in Iran which I praise them for that. You can also find an autograph by the Queen of Iran from the Pahlavi Dynasty ❤️.

Dining at Banu is not only a culinary experience but also an education experience, you will learn about the original Iran, food cultures, history and what it means to be an Iranian. It might change your perspective on Iran unlike what the media likes to represent Iran as.

The restaurant has a little market too where you can purchase rose water, dried rosebuds, spices and dried fruit...

There’s a reason why Banu has thrived so well for nearly 20 years as a firmly established hub of Iranian culture and cuisine in an industry that has seen so many others fall by the wayside: Authenticity.

For those that have dined at Banu for brunch, lunch and dinner, you’ll understand when I say that the owners seem to run their restaurant like a family gathering that’s been an event every day, every night. The warmth and community on a full house night at Banu transports us lucky diners back to cosmopolitan Tehran of 1977: with 70s Iranian pop music playing on the house speakers, blending in with the chatter of fellow diners; the spicy, fragrant aroma of grilled meats wafting from the open kitchen tempting our pallets even more. And the food is always really that good— for both the adventurous, and the conservative pallet, like mine— their beef and lamb entrees are to die for with its masterful preparation that’s always tender, juicy and seared to perfection ( while their burger is supremely prepped for a casual lunch); the shimmering flow of exotic spirits from the open vodka bar, to savour all through the night; and the impeccable, reliable, and always personable service of the Banu staff— this is the relaxed, refined dining experience of a bygone oasis for many of us. And all in a gorgeous interior space that’s as electric on a summer’s breeze of an evening as it is airy and cozy on a winter’s...

We decided to brave the chaotic mess of Toronto traffic to check out this Persian joint. When we finally arrived, we snagged a charming outdoor spot, though the inside had its own inviting vibe. From the get-go, the service was spot on—friendly, attentive, but never overbearing. You could tell they actually cared.

The food….phenomenal doesn’t even begin to describe it. The Koobideh? Absolutely killer. It’s tough to nail koobideh, but they pulled it off. The meat was moist, flavorful, and the sumac added that perfect touch. The herbs and grilled tomatoes was a perfect compliment to break through the meat. The eggplant and okra - cooked to perfection. And SO flavorful.

The rice? Rock solid. Fluffy, delicious, and plenty of it. Exactly what you want. The food at this place sort of makes you feel like your home.

Then there’s the cocktail menu. They’ve got some creative spins with classic Persian touches—saffron, mint, cucumber. I had a tequila with pomegranate and sumac, and it was fantastic. I’m not big on sweet drinks, but these had the right balance.

I’ve been wanting to check this place out for a while, and it was worth every minute in traffic. Next time I’m in Toronto, this place is at the...