QUEEN OF PERSIA Restaurant — Restaurant in Toronto

For years, Queen of Persia was our top choice whenever my husband, my kids, and I craved authentic, high-quality Persian food. Whether for Nowruz, New Year’s, or just a casual dinner, we always trusted the food and proudly recommended it to friends near and far. That’s how much we trusted the quality.

After nearly 8 or 9 months, my husband and my kids and I went back today, genuinely excited to revisit our favorite flavors. The staff, as always, were warm and welcoming, and while the interior had changed a bit, we personally preferred the previous decor—it had more character and charm. Still, we were there for the food.

Sadly, this visit turned out to be a huge letdown.

I ordered the Soltani, and my husband and son had the koobideh. The presentation—with the familiar copper plates—was as expected, but the quality had taken a clear nosedive. My barg was undercooked, visibly pink inside, with a strong raw lamb smell that made it inedible. The koobideh, once juicy and full of flavor, was now dry, overloaded with onion, aggressively seasoned with turmeric, and burnt on the outside. On top of that, both skewers were drenched in butter, which only added to the heaviness without enhancing the taste.

To make things worse, the tahdig tahchin—which we were excited to try—was an absolute disaster. It smelled overwhelmingly like raw egg, with that unpleasant “eggy” sharpness that hits your nose before you even taste it. It was clear it had been rushed—probably microwaved or flash-heated in under five minutes. The texture was off, and the whole thing felt undercooked and unbalanced. A far cry from the crispy, golden, deeply-savored tahchin crust we were hoping for.

When I asked the waitress whether the owner or the chef had changed, she confirmed it was the chef. Honestly, it shows.

It’s heartbreaking. This was a restaurant we championed—one we proudly introduced to loved ones. Today, for the first time, I regretted ever making those recommendations.

With the price we paid, we could have had a far better experience at another Persian restaurant—better flavors, better execution, and better value. I truly hope the management reconsiders the direction this place is heading in, because the Queen of Persia we knew and loved...

Small restaurant; somewhat tight. Ambiance was quite good but the decor was all hodge-podge, nothing genuinely Persian. Lots of trinkets and artwork thrown together without much thought. Service - very good; except the waitress forgot to bring one side dish. When asked at the end the waitress said it was not ready. Food: The menu claims to represent cuisines from different parts of Iran. Almost all dishes had generous sprinkling of pomegranates seeds. It’s supposedly halal food, but as another reviewer has stated food at a restaurant serving alcohol is not considered halal. Generally the food was great & delicious and portions were generous but probably not to the standards of a discerning palate. We were eating family style so each can savour all the dishes we had ordered. Fesenjan was ok, a bit too soury for my taste. The salads were great but there wasn’t much of Persia in it. Chicken kebab excellent and beef kebab were very good but probably not gourmet standard. All dishes were presented very nicely, quite colourful and served in metal (copper and tin) serving plates and bowls with metal serving spoons. All made to seem ancient and antique but all pastiche. Went out to get something from the car and was locked out of the restaurant. Knocked for some time and stood there in frigid Toronto weather before caught the eye of a waitress from the window. Overall quite a descent restaurant but I would not go out of my way...

I recently dined at Queen of Persia Restaurant and was blown away by the exceptional quality of the food. The highlight of my meal was the Gheymeh Nesar (Jewelled Beef Stew), which was packed with rich, aromatic flavors that made every bite a delight. The meat was tender, and the balance of spices was spot-on, leaving a lasting impression. I also tried the traditional Dizi, which was served perfectly, with all the authentic taste of Persian cuisine. Both dishes felt like a true journey into the heart of Iranian culinary traditions.

The atmosphere of the restaurant added an extra layer to the dining experience. With its charming outdoor seating and vibrant décor, it created a cozy yet elegant ambiance. I enjoyed the bright and inviting setup, and it felt like an oasis in the middle of the city. Whether you’re going for a casual meal or a special occasion, Queen of Persia’s environment is suitable for all types of gatherings.

The service was just as impressive as the food and atmosphere. The staff was attentive and made sure that every part of our dining experience was perfect. They were knowledgeable about the menu, offered great recommendations, and were prompt in serving our meal. The warm and friendly attitude of the team made us feel welcome, enhancing the overall experience. I highly recommend Queen of Persia for anyone looking to enjoy authentic Persian cuisine in a beautiful setting with...