Shamshiri Restaurant — Restaurant in Toronto

Update: I don’t think I have received such excellent service from any other eatery in Canada. 3 of us showed up on a Monday evening, 35mins before closing. Yet, the staff was more than happy to serve us with a smile. We asked if we can still get the Chicken Leg kabob otherwise it is fine if it is too late and we will opt for the Chicken Breast kabob. Hearing this, the server insisted that we proceed with our initial choice and assured us to not worry, they are more than happy to serve us the chicken leg kebab although it takes longer to prepare and the kitchen is nearly closing.

I don’t think I have had any other eatery in Canada that would insist we stick with our original option even though it inconveniences the kitchen. Maybe it’s Shamshiri’s wonderful team, maybe it’s the beautiful Persian hospitality, maybe it’s both.

Kudos to the team here!

I was recommended to dine here by a Persian who knows her cuisine well. True to her recommendation, the food did not disappoint.

I went with the Chicken Leg Kabob plate, where I was rewarded with very juicy marinated chicken chunks, a huge serving of saffron rice, a roasted tomato and a roasted chilli pepper, complimentary salad bowl and a canned soft drink. Most Persian places tend to overroast the joojeh kabob resulting it to be very dry but this was not the case at all over here.

For appetizers, we got the Zeytoon Pavadeh, my personal favourite. For the price, there was a shareable portion of olives that were all well coated in the walnut paste and pomegranate molasses with its seeds. I highly recommend the Zeytoon Pavadesh as an appetizer over here.

Despite the rush, the friendly staff knows exactly how to keep their service top notch along with the high quality of food served here.

I do look forward to trying out more dishes here, perhaps the stews other than kabobs here. Yes, I know I am usually shortchanged with Persian dishes as a Hindu who abstains beef meat, but to my avail, Shamshiri has got a huge selection of...

Shamshiri Restaurant is a standout gem in Toronto, offering an incredible Persian dining experience that left us thoroughly impressed. From the mouthwatering food to the thoughtful amenities, this restaurant exceeded all our expectations.

We ordered the Koobideh, the Vaziri Leg, and a fresh garden salad, and everything was absolutely fascinating. The Koobideh was perfectly cooked—juicy, tender, and bursting with rich Persian flavors, complemented by its signature smoky char. The Vaziri Leg was a fantastic combination of tender, flavorful chicken and perfectly seasoned beef koobideh. Both dishes were served with fragrant, saffron-infused basmati rice and grilled tomatoes, enhancing every bite. The garden salad was crisp, refreshing, and paired beautifully with the richness of the main dishes.

One thing worth mentioning is the huge portions. Each dish was so generous that it could easily be shared by two people, making it not only delicious but also great value for money. If you’re dining with friends or family, ordering a few dishes to share would be more than enough to satisfy everyone.

The dining atmosphere was warm and inviting, with tasteful decor that blends elegance and comfort. The staff were incredibly friendly, attentive, and happy to answer any questions or offer recommendations, making us feel welcomed and well taken care of throughout our visit.

Another major plus is the convenience of parking. Toronto can be challenging when it comes to finding parking, but Shamshiri has its own parking space, which made our experience so much easier and stress-free.

Overall, Shamshiri Restaurant is a must-visit for anyone looking to enjoy authentic Persian cuisine. The quality of the food, the generous portions, the attentive service, and the convenient amenities make it an excellent choice for any occasion. Whether you’re a Persian food enthusiast or trying it for the first time, you’re in for a memorable dining experience. I can’t wait to return and try more...

Unfortunately never got to try the food. Went on Good Friday expecting it to be busy (which it was). My partner and I were fine with waiting even though there are only about 6 crammed tables with barely any distance. Obviously there was a long takeout line; but what was so unfair was that my partner and I had to wait about 10+ minutes in line to put our name on the waitlist when it could have been done in a couple of minutes. You’re telling me we had to stand and wait for everyone to take their time and elaborate their complicated orders just to put our names on a clipboard when we get to the front? We also asked 2 women kindly, “Can you put our name on the list?” and we were brushed off and told “My colleague will do it”. Okay where is your colleague? It’s not that big of a restaurant and we already asked both of you. Here’s the kicker. Everyone that was Iranian that came in was welcomed with proper greetings and smiles. Yes, I get if you know your customers then you will be kinder. But even the non-regular Iranian customers were treated way better. When my partner and I got the front, the cashier asked if he could take the Iranian man behind us “quickly” in which the man proceeded to pay with a $100 bill and guess how long it took to give him his change? Finally, we get to put our names on the list, what did the lady do? Didn’t even care to write the name properly and wrote it in the most obscure way just to get us out of the place. After that, we knew we weren’t welcomed and decided to eat at another Iranian restaurant (which had better customer service, still just okay). I know I’m going to get an eye roll generic reply from the restaurant, but when people say Iranian people are hospitable, it’s mainly for their own people or when people are posting content. P.S. the parking lot is insanely small and people will park on one side and chill outside their car gladly blocking...