Chelokababi Persian Cuisine — Restaurant in Sunnyvale

"We went to Chelokababi Persian Cuisine for Mother's day dinner, and the experience was absolutely delightful from start to finish. The ambiance was warm and inviting, with elegant decor and a cozy atmosphere that made for a perfect setting to enjoy a hearty Persian meal. A bit of a line ahead of us though we got a spot as we had reserved one in advance. Parking can get a bit tight though if you wait it out a bit you can definitely grab a spot.

We began with the Masto Mooseer, a creamy yogurt dip infused with finely chopped shallots. It was silky, tangy, and flavorful, perfectly complementing the freshly baked, warm lavash bread that was served alongside. This starter set the tone for the amazing dishes to come.

The Middle Eastern Platter was a feast for the senses--a beautifully arranged assortment of appetizers, including falafel, hummus, and other traditional bites. Every item was fresh and bursting with flavor, offering a wonderful variety of textures and tastes. It was an ideal choice for sharing and a great introduction to the range of Middle Eastern flavors.

For our main course, we ordered a mix of meat and vegetarian dishes, and every plate was exceptional:

Kabab Torsh: A true highlight of the evening! The tender chunks of beef were marinated in a tangy-sweet pomegranate molasses and walnut sauce, then grilled to perfection. The flavors were bold yet balanced, with a delightful smoky undertone from the grill. Kabab Koobideh: This classic Persian dish of ground meat skewers was executed perfectly. The koobideh was juicy, well-seasoned, and tender, with a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Paired with the fragrant saffron rice, it was simple yet unforgettable. Vegetarian Gheymeh with Bademjoon: This hearty eggplant stew was rich and deeply satisfying. The slow-cooked eggplant paired beautifully with the savory tomato-based sauce, creating a dish full of comforting, complex flavors. Even as a vegetarian option, it was as indulgent and filling as the meat dishes.

The portions were generous, and every dish was served hot and fresh. The staff was incredibly friendly and attentive, ensuring we had everything we needed. They also took the time to explain the menu and offered great recommendations, which enhanced our dining experience.

Chelokababi Persian Cuisine is a treasure for anyone who loves authentic Persian food. Each dish was prepared with care and showcased a deep understanding of traditional flavors and techniques. We highly recommend this place for a memorable meal and look forward to coming back to explore more of their menu.

Whether you're a fan of Persian cuisine or trying it for the first time, Chelokababi will not...

I have been to this place twice. First visit was really pleasant. I decided to spread the word out and took some of our friends to this place as a group to experience it. On our 2nd visit we were faced with some of the most atrocious and arrogant staff I have ever come across. It seemed like they didn’t care. There was Chicken samosa mentioned in the menu as part of one of the platter dishes, the server didn’t inform us before when placing the order, upon enquiring about it the server said that samosa has been discontinued and that the menu needs to be updated. We asked them to substitute it with something else and the server didn’t even consider it and said no we can’t do anything; This is how it is. We asked for an updated menu from the person, He went inside to check and said they have not been dropped off yet. We then ordered a bottle of wine, they were out of it. Asked the server to suggest something and he said he doesn’t drink wine. Asked him again is there some house wine and then finally said he can do a carafe of it.

After our that we places the order for the main course and the food arrived. The person by mistake placed cream puffs which were wrongly placed from another table. We were totally clueless about it until suddenly in a very rude and unruly manner the server shoved their hand through to take the dish away. The couple that we came with were very surprised by this. We asked the server what happened. The server said “oh you guys didn’t order it; i can get you one if you want, it is not yours.” We were shocked by that tone, we were not trying to take the cream puffs for free but rather questioning the action, they could have just politely told us that it was mistake and taken it away we would have been completely fine. It was completely unnecessary. We were in a middle pf a conversation and it just startled everyone at the table. The entire demeanor and the manner in which they treated us was like they simply did not care. It made us look stupid in front of friends to even suggest this place.

We planned to stay for desserts but that behavior just spoiled everyone’s mood at the table and we decided to leave. I have never in my life left so bad after leaving a restaurant and left $0 tip. I have never left a $0 tip in my life, it was so awful. On our way out we heard the server shouting “horrible service” since we left a note on the bill explaining why we decided not to tip.

I loved the place but unfortunately after my last experience I am never...

The food at Chelokababi is tasty, albeit overpriced. If you are looking for a nice persian restaurant to enjoy a meal and conversation, this would be a great place. The atmosphere is nice without conveying stiffness or formality and there is a good amount of space between tables. Beautiful persian decorations adorn the entrance and some gorgeous teapots from Iran were on display inside.

appetizers The MIDDLE EASTERN PLATTER is great to share if you're dining with a group. Standouts were the HUMMUS, KASHKO BADEMJAN (tasty eggplant spread), and OLOVIEH (a twist on a chicken salad). We also ordered the COOCO SABZI which was described as a vegetable quiche on the menu. This turned out to be a burnt blob of green mush, charred brown on the outside. The texture was spongy, similar to that of a microwave dinner brownie.

entrees My favorites out of our entrees was the JOOJEH KABAB--succulent and juicy chicken grilled to perfection and oozing with flavor. The KABAB BARG was a close second, the tender center cut fillet mignon paired perfectly with saffron rice, raw onion, and grilled tomato. I'm slightly concerned that the rice portion is double or triple that of typical rice service. We had an inordinate amount of rice over but no meat leftovers to eat it with.

sides I suggest ordering one of the yogurt sides to enjoy with your kababs. My dad and I preferred the cooler and refreshing MASTO KHIAR with cucumbers while my mom and boyfriend insisted that the flavorful MASTO MOSEER with shallots was the better of the two.

drinks I decided to try the SEKANJEBIN (shredded cucumbers and sekanjebin syrup) which was not necessarily bad, but much to sweet for my preference. My dad loves the DOUGH (yogurt soda).

All in all, we enjoyed our meal and I would probably return, despite the high prices. However, our overall service was a strange experience. We were served by two different Persian ladies (perhaps they were the owners or managers). I'm not sure if they were playing good cop, bad cop; one was so amicable and answered all our questions about the menu while the other was curt and, at...