Cazba Restaurant — Restaurant in Vancouver

I have been a loyal patron of this restaurant for over 15 years, but I regret to say that my recent experiences have been disappointing. This establishment was once my favorite, known for its welcoming atmosphere and exceptional staff who consistently provided excellent service. However, in recent times, there have been noticeable changes, and unfortunately, not for the better.

The frequent changes in management and staff have significantly impacted the overall experience. Adjusting to new servers who lack the genuine warmth and attentiveness we were accustomed to has been challenging. The atmosphere now feels less inviting, and there is a palpable sense of negativity. Even a colleague I brought along for the first time, after hearing my praises for the restaurant, remarked that she would not return. She found the service inattentive and unenthusiastic, and it was disheartening to see a server who appeared disengaged still expecting a tip.

During my most recent visit, I went with friends who have also been long-time patrons. While we were greeted and seated promptly, it took over 15 minutes for someone to take our order, despite the restaurant not being busy. We noticed several staff members, including the manager, sitting and chatting rather than attending to guests.

While the food quality remains excellent, the service fell short once again. A simple request for a glass of water took an unnecessarily long time to fulfill, as the server prioritized other tasks despite passing by our table multiple times. This lack of attentiveness and care left us feeling undervalued as customers.

After paying the bill, I chose not to leave a tip—a decision I do not take lightly. This restaurant has been a cherished part of my dining experiences for many years, but I am now questioning whether it still deserves my loyalty. It may be time to part ways unless significant improvements are made to restore the standard of service that once set this...

YESSSS! FINALLY!...... A decent Persian food restaurant near me that doesn't require me to remortgage my house just to eat there.

The interior....clean, airy, bright and inviting. The service.....attentive, friendly and welcoming. Now....as for the food:

My biggest pet peeve when dining out is when the food is warm or cold. Unless I'm ordering a salad, I want my food to be steaming when it arrives. The last couple of times when dining at other Persian restaurants, the food was cooked great but somehow was served almost stone cold.

With Cazba downtown it was not only served hot (the way it should be), but it was beautifully seasoned. The koobideh was a bit dry, but forgivable considering everything else was so delicious. The chicken was very tasty. It had that smokey, grilled taste you'd only expect from a great bbq job and the inside was tender and juicy. The Persian rice was great quality and cooked just right. The Ghorme Sabzi was also lovely. Really enjoyed both dishes!

What really stood out for me though was just that extra effort that was put in by the lovely wait staff. So, I always have sparkling water with every meal and usually I'm served just the bottle with a glass. I have to ask for the ice. I have to ask for the lemon and I have to ask for the straw.

With Cazba downtown, I didn't have to ask for anything. My sparkling water came in a beautiful glass with ice and a slice of lemon and lime and an enviro-friendly straw (see pic.) Details, Details, Details.....loved the attention and effort.

Thank you for the great lunch experience. Will be...

It’s really unfortunate that I deleted the positive review I had left just last week, only to return today and have a completely different—and disappointing—experience at your downtown branch.

We came for lunch and ordered Tahdig with Ghormeh Sabzi, Joojeh Kabab, and Gheymeh. Unfortunately, the quality was far below expectations. The rice had a strong, unpleasant smell and was inedible—clearly a very low-grade basmati. The chicken was undercooked and served in a noticeably smaller portion than before. The Gheymeh was average at best. The Tahdig, which we ordered in large size, came in a very small portion and was soggy from excessive stew poured over it—there was no crispness left.

We expressed our concerns to the server, who kindly said she’d speak to the kitchen. She returned and told us someone would come to our table. We waited, but no one came. Eventually, she returned and said the Tahdig had been removed from our bill. Although we still left a full 18% tip out of respect for the staff, who were doing their job, it was disappointing that no one from management came over to speak with us directly. I mentioned to your server that I had left a glowing review just last week and was excited to return—but this time, I left shocked at how drastically things had changed.

I don't know whether it's due to a new kitchen team, supplier changes, or something else—but I hope you take this honest feedback seriously and make improvements before more loyal...