Charmy’s Persian Taste — Restaurant in Columbus

The special of the day was ghormeh sabzi, a greens, kidney bean, and lamb dish, which we were quite familiar with and really generally like. It was served with basmati rice, which appeared to have saffron on the top. We also got chicken kabob, taken off the skewer, which also came with the same rice as well as a grilled tomato. We also shared six dolma (pretty much the same as Greek domathes).

The sabzi had incredible taste and had huge and many chunks of lamb. Served over rice, it was doubly delicious! But I forgot about the black lime, which imparts much of its flavor - and is super sour! Especially jarring when one is expecting yet another juicy piece of lamb! But some of the finest we've ever had, and we've eaten a lot, including at restaurants.

The kabob were typical chicken breast. A smidge dry, they were exquisitely flavored. Probably four to six well-sized pieces. And, surprise!, a grilled whole Roma tomato, too! (Which, before I cut into it, I thought was another few pieces of chicken.) Tasty, but perhaps a teensy more salt would have been a bit better.

The dolma, quite plentiful, were okay. The rice being a bit overcooked in my opinion. But still also tasty!

Off-putting is that Charmy's is not only located inside a market, but that there's really not any good signage. And, other than people working in the kitchen in what appeared to be a closed deli (since the cases were dark and empty), I didn't see (a rather big) sign with the restaurant name and the dishes with descriptions. No prices, though, mind you.

And the table and stools are not exactly the most comfortable, especially since the tables roll if you shift slightly since they're on wheels.

Plus, you have to go get the food from around the corner; it's not delivered to the table.

The market does have some bite-sized baklava to enjoy for dessert. (Charmy's doesn't, at least not that was on the menu.)

Absolutely would go again, but this costs more like a DC-area lunch, not a...

As a Persian living in Texas, I make it a point to seek out Persian restaurants whenever I travel, and I’ve dined at some of the most renowned spots in California. I rarely write reviews, but my experience at Charmy’s was truly exceptional.

From the moment I walked in, the service was top-notch—friendly, attentive, and genuinely accommodating. I had a special request for an add-on, and the staff handled it effortlessly.

I ordered the mixed kebab platter, which included a skewer of beef skirt, a skewer of ground lamb koobideh, and a skewer of chicken shish kebab. The value was remarkable—far better than what I’ve seen at similar restaurants across the country. But what really stood out was the flavor. Every bite was perfectly seasoned, juicy, and absolutely delicious. Honestly, this is the best Persian food I’ve had in the US. Each kebab had its own unique character, and the quality was consistent throughout the meal.

It’s a little bittersweet that I’m leaving Columbus tomorrow, because I would have loved to come back for more. But I know that if I ever return to this city, Charmy’s will be my first stop. Thank you to the entire team for such an...

I'll start with the positives: there aren't many places in Columbus to get these authentic Persian dishes, so that makes Charmy's a huge gem. The mirza ghasemi was heavenly -- thick, rich, with plenty of egg and warm bread. The lamb and beef koobideh were both so tender, juicy, and flavorful.. perfection! I give the ghormeh 7/10. It was a little heavy on the lime, so that overpowered the other flavors, but it wasn't bad at all.

On the negative side: I placed an online order from their website both times I ate here. The first time, they canceled my order w/o notifying me, so I showed up and had to wait for them to make it. The second time, they "missed" my order and I had to wait for them to make it again. I discovered The Hills Market because of Charmy's, so not the worst place to browse/shop and wait. I definitely wouldn't recommend ordering ahead online here, but apart from that, you can get some excellent,...