Darbar Restaurant — Restaurant in Manchester

As a group of five, we recently had the pleasure of dining at Darbar, a Persian restaurant in Manchester. To say that our experience was exceptional would be an understatement. From start to finish, every aspect of our meal was a testament to the outstanding quality and authenticity of Persian cuisine.

We began our culinary journey with 2 mixed grills for 2 and hummus. The mixed grills were an absolute triumph, setting a new benchmark for Persian food in the UK. The flavors were impeccable, with each meat offering a unique and delectable taste. The chops and chicken were tender, seasoned to perfection, and charred just right. The highlight of the meal, however, was the Koobideh, which was a true masterpiece of Persian culinary artistry.

The Hummus was a delightful addition, showcasing the freshness of ingredients and the skillful blending of flavors. And of course, the rice, a quintessential element of Persian cuisine, was cooked to perfection and beautifully complemented the dishes.

In fact, the combination of Koobideh, hummus, and rice was the highlight of our dinner. It's rare to find a dish that captivates the palate to this extent, and Darbar delivered a memorable experience in every bite.

I must admit, the quality of the food at Darbar surpassed even some Michelin-starred Persian restaurants I've tried in London. The flavors were not only authentic but also elevated to a level of excellence that truly stood out.

The ambiance of the restaurant added to the overall experience, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. However, I would recommend booking in advance as the place tends to get quite full, even on weekdays.

In conclusion, Darbar Manchester is a hidden gem that offers a dining experience that is nothing short of extraordinary. The Koobideh, hummus, and rice were a symphony of flavors that left an indelible mark on my taste buds. If you're seeking the best Persian cuisine in the UK, look no further than Darbar. It's a culinary journey that you...

** Overall - I give this place a 3.5/5 stars. The food, portion sizes and atmosphere were really good for their price. However, I was unfortunate enough to spot a mouse in the restaurant, which, while it may not be completely off putting for me, it can be for others. Hence the 3.5/5 instead of 4 star rating.

For a more on depth review please see the points below covering the features within this restaurant. Starting with the:

Food - The food itself was fairly priced and the portions for the main meal were really good and extremely filling. I ordered the mixed grill for two, which had alot more food than I expected. I ate to my fill and there was still over half left for me to take home. The food itself is a bit basic when eaten on its own, in terms of its taste profile, but the sauce (sweet chilli) they provided helped enhance the taste factor by a large margin, so please try and have the food with the sauces if you can.

Menu - The menu has pictures and detailed descriptions of the items and their ingredients,which is very helpful for those unfamiliar with Iranian cuisines.

Price - The price for the food here is really good, especially for what you get. Nothing more to say about it really.

Atmosphere - The background Iranian music was really nice, the lighting was dim, but the interior decor was really pretty. I really liked the heritage art and statues they had, it gave the place a really calm, lively and vibrant feel.

Queue Speed - When I arrived at the restaurant I didn't have to queue at all - which was nice.

Sitting Space - The sitting spaces are alright, nothing outstanding or worth commenting on.

Customer service - The customer service here was good. The waiter was very friendly and helpful.

Toilets - Cant comment on as I...

I went to this restaurant for the first and last time. Even though we had reserved a table in advance, we waited for about 20 minutes for a place to be free. We asked the workers for our menus, they rudely threw the menus on the table, not only for us but for all the tables, and after ordering, they made us wait 1 hour for the food to be prepared. Our children were constantly impatient. We informed them several times that our order was taking too long. And they said that we were making a pot. In short, after a while the food came, there were no spoons and forks on the table, the order was incomplete and we kept reminding them that they had forgotten the yogurt, buttermilk and drinks. The seasonal salad was just lettuce, tomatoes and two slices of cheese without any sauce... The situation was extremely bad. The food had no special design, no special taste. The shish kebab was burnt, the rice was very little, the eggplant stew was a small piece of eggplant, no lemon juice... and no pot at all. When we asked where the bottom of the pot was, they said that the machine suddenly broke down and we couldn't fix the bottom of the pot. We spent £131 for such a situation. And this is a scam. And finally, the rude gentleman and lady who had poor service, with completely artificial smiles, said sorry, we are workers and we can't do anything. The management of this restaurant is very poor. I am really sorry that you are ruining the name of Iran and...