Chef Javad Persian Cuisine & Bar — Restaurant in London

• A Refined Newcomer on Kensington High Street *

In the ever-growing landscape of Iranian cuisine in London, it’s rare to come across a new restaurant that strikes such a well-balanced chord between elegance, authenticity, and thoughtful execution. Tucked away on Kensington High Street, this relatively new Iranian establishment—less than a year old—has already set a high bar in both presentation and service.

From the moment we stepped in, the ambience felt refined yet warm. The staff were impeccably dressed, polite, and attentive without being overbearing—a welcome change from the overly eager service styles of some other places. Everything about the experience, from seating to timing, was thoughtfully paced.

The starters arrived beautifully presented—more artful than the typical "put it on a plate and serve" approach you find elsewhere. The mains, a Sultani platter of koobideh and chenjeh kebabs, followed on equally elegant plates. The portion was generous yet sensible, with a balanced serving of rice that avoided waste while still satisfying. A small piece of tahdig (crispy rice) accompanied the dish—a nice touch, though it fell short of its signature crunch, leaning more toward soggy. The rice was traditional, not oily, and came with a small knob of butter—though a sprinkle of real saffron rice would have lifted the dish even further. (there was some yellow coloured rice but to me it seemed food colouring.)

The kebabs were well-cooked and attractively presented. The koobideh was tender and flavorful, though I’ve had versions elsewhere with a slightly more memorable taste. Still, the overall presentation and quality were impressive. A platter for four served at a neighboring table caught our eye too—an elaborate, well-composed feast that spoke of the same attention to detail.

Dessert continued the trend of quality. We opted for the falooda with Persian ice cream. The rosewater-infused noodles were delicate and refreshing, paired with a scoop of traditional ice cream topped with pistachios. The portion could have been a touch more generous, but the flavors were spot on. Give it a go and you wont be disappointed if you like rosewater.

Prices are on the higher side, but given the level of service, presentation, and the area, it feels justified—though the immediate surroundings could benefit from a facelift to match the restaurant’s standards. Previously an Italian eatery, this space now feels like it has found its purpose.

Would I go back? Absolutely. Would I recommend it? Without a doubt. A promising gem that’s redefining modern Iranian dining in...

Chef Javad is, without a doubt, one of my favorite dining spots in London right now. The food here is simply outstanding—authentic Persian flavors crafted with care and attention to detail by I guess Chef Javad himself. Every dish that comes out of the kitchen feels like a work of art, brimming with freshness and flavor that takes you on a culinary journey straight to Iran.

The highlights for me include the Kabab Barg, which is melt-in-your-mouth tender, and the Joojeh, which was juicy and cooked to perfection. You can tell that Chef Javad is truly passionate about what he does, and it shows in every bite. His mastery of Persian cuisine is undeniable, and I sincerely hope the restaurant continues to maintain this high standard.

However, while the food is top-notch, there’s a noticeable downside: the service. Unfortunately, the restaurant is definitely understaffed on the floor (Or at least, that was the case when we visited on a weekend), and it shows. The wait for service can be quite long, from getting seated to having your order taken, and even receiving the food. The staff that are there are friendly and do their best, but it’s clear they’re stretched thin, which detracts from what would otherwise be a seamless dining experience.

Despite this, the food more than makes up for the slow service. It’s rare to find a restaurant where each dish is so consistently delicious, and that’s why it’s at the top of my favorite spots in London. My only hope is that as Chef Javad's name becomes more well-known, they don’t fall into the trap that many Middle Eastern restaurants do—cutting corners to keep up with demand. For now, it’s truly exceptional, and I hope it stays that way, continuing to deliver the incredible, authentic Persian flavors that make it stand out.

If they can improve the service and keep the quality high, this place has the potential to be an absolute gem for...

A stunning Persian dining experience thanks to Chef Javad and his great team, we went there for a dinne, our wonder servers Mr.Amir & Ms.Elnaz made this evening unforgettable, specially Mr.Amir was so welcoming , attentive and extremely professional in his role, he patiently explained everything about any food my daughter asked about , you could see his passion in his words , he tried to change and combine all the special demands that my daughter asked from the food menu. The starters; kazoo badenjan & mast o khiar were really tasty & amazing and our main ; Joojeh torsh & kebabs makhsous were amazing , the design of the dishes was gorgeous & unique ,the food portions was generous, the taste was perfect ,really tasty & full of flavour , you could smell love and creativity from each bite. Our dessert; saffron ice cream was wonderful in taste and design. The atmosphere was elegant & chic, with nice person decorative style , the colours were nice and made it cosy & warm, the musician played beautifully Persian old songs with piano and made the tasty moments even sweeter. Thanks to Amir & Elnaz, and all the team, we had a perfect Persian night in Chef Javad restaurant, we recommend it to everyone who wants to have a stunning authentic experience with high standards of food & hospitality , but don’t forget to make a reservation in advance, there is a little chance to get a table without reservations. Wishing Chef Javad & his perfect team...