Shiraz Kitchen & Wine Bar Review: Is This Persian Restaurant in Manhattan Worth It?
Quick Summary: Persian food is one of those cuisines I always enjoy coming back to, especially when it comes to rich stews, eggplant dishes, and basmati rice. This time, I visited Shiraz Kitchen & Wine Bar, an upscale Persian spot in Manhattan. While it's on the pricier side, the incredible eggplant dip and saffron ice cream make it well worth a visit.
- Overall Rating: 9.5/10
- Food: 9.7/10
- Service: 9.7/10
- Atmosphere: 9.3/10
- Value: 8.7/10
- My Favorites: Kashke Bademjoon and Saffron Ice Cream
- Also Tried: Ghormeh Sabzi with basmati rice
- Price: $78.31 before tip
- Best For: Dates, friends, professionals, business dinners, families, and solo diners
- Atmosphere: Upscale, modern, cozy, and dark
- Service: Friendly, fast, and attentive
- Would I Return? Yes. Next time, I want to try one of their Persian kebabs.
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 111 W 17th St, New York, NY 10011 |
| Neighborhood | Chelsea / Flatiron, Manhattan |
| Cuisine | Persian |
| Total Spent | $78.31 before tip |
| Transit Options | E, F, or R train to 14th St |
| Best Dish | Kashke Bademjoon & Saffron Ice Cream |
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Watch My Experience
In my video, you can see everything I ordered during my visit, from the Kashke Bademjoon with pita bread to the Ghormeh Sabzi and Saffron Ice Cream.
I didn't order a lot of dishes, but I was impressed with everything I tried. There wasn't anything from this meal that I wouldn't order again.
Why I Visited Shiraz Kitchen & Wine Bar
Shiraz Kitchen & Wine Bar is located on West 17th Street in Manhattan, not far from Chelsea and Union Square.
What interested me was the mix of a nice bar and restaurant setting paired with traditional Persian dishes. You can come here just for drinks, but that wasn't my reason for visiting. I came for the food.
During my visit, the restaurant was moderately busy. I noticed a mix of couples on dates, professionals, and groups of friends. It felt a bit fancier than a casual Persian spot, which makes it a good option if you want a nicer setting.
Atmosphere & Service
The atmosphere at Shiraz Kitchen & Wine Bar is modern, upscale, cozy, and dark.
It's the kind of restaurant I could see working especially well for a date or dinner with friends. I also think the setting is fine for a business dinner.
Even though it has a polished look, I didn't find the service stuffy or too formal at all. My server was friendly, fast, and attentive.
What I appreciated most was that the server actually checked on me and asked how I was enjoying the food. It's a small thing, but it makes a big difference when you're spending more money. The service was definitely a high point of my visit.
- Atmosphere Rating: 9.3 / 10
- Service Rating: 9.7 / 10
If you enjoy this type of upscale dining atmosphere, I also had a great experience at NAR Turkish in Flatiron, another restaurant I think works especially well for a date night.
Location & How to Get There
Shiraz Kitchen & Wine Bar is located at:
111 W 17th St, New York, NY
The restaurant is pretty easy to reach by subway. You can take the E, F, or R train to the 14th Street area and then walk about 5 to 10 minutes depending on your station exit.
Because this is Manhattan, taking public transit makes way more sense than trying to find street parking. The location also makes it convenient if you're already hanging out around Chelsea, Flatiron, or Union Square.
What I Ordered
For this visit, I ordered three things:
- Kashke Bademjoon
- Ghormeh Sabzi with Basmati Rice
- Saffron Ice Cream with Baklava
My total came to $78.31 before tip, so this definitely wasn't a cheap meal. But I didn't leave disappointed either.
Every single dish gave me something different—from the garlicky eggplant starter to the herb-heavy stew and the amazing saffron dessert at the end.
1. Kashke Bademjoon — One of the Best Eggplant Dishes I've Had
I started with the Kashke Bademjoon, and this ended up being one of the best parts of the whole dinner.
It's a Persian eggplant dip. The version I had was topped with crispy onions and a creamy sauce, and it came with pieces of pita bread on the side. The flavor was garlicky and tangy, which is exactly what I look for in this dish.
I loved scooping up the warm eggplant with the pita bread. I'm already a fan of eggplant dishes, but this one stood out enough that it's easily one of the best versions I've ever had. It was rich and smooth, and the crispy onions added a great crunch on top.
If I came back here with someone who had never tried Persian food before, this is one of the first things I would tell them to get.
2. Ghormeh Sabzi
For my main course, I ordered the Ghormeh Sabzi with basmati rice.
Ghormeh Sabzi is a traditional Persian green herb stew. The version I had came with beef and kidney beans, and the dark green herb stew was served right alongside the rice.
This is a comfort food dish I already enjoy because I like the mix of herbs, tender beef, beans, and rice. It tastes completely different from standard beef stews you find in other cuisines.
The basmati rice helped balance the strong, earthy flavors of the stew. It's the kind of simple, comforting meal that doesn't need to look fancy to taste great.
3. Saffron Ice Cream with Baklava — One of the Best Desserts I've Had in NYC
I finished my meal with the Saffron Ice Cream, and this was one of the biggest surprises of the night.
The ice cream had a strong floral flavor from saffron and rose water, giving it a completely unique taste compared to regular vanilla. It was served right alongside pieces of baklava.
The combination was incredible. The creamy, cold saffron ice cream went perfectly with the warm, flaky, nutty baklava. Instead of feeling like two separate desserts thrown on a plate, they complemented each other wonderfully.
I don't usually rave about desserts, but this one deserves it. For me, the Saffron Ice Cream at Shiraz Kitchen was one of the best desserts I've had in all of New York City. I would order it again in a heartbeat.
- Rating: 10 / 10
Was $78.31 Worth It?
- Value Rating: 8.7 / 10
My total came to $78.31 before tip. So no, Shiraz Kitchen & Wine Bar is not cheap.
For one person, that is a lot to spend on dinner, especially since I only ordered three items. But I also enjoyed every bite. The eggplant dip was top-tier, the stew was comforting, and the dessert was unforgettable.
The great service made a big difference too. Would I come here looking for a cheap weeknight bite? No. Would I return knowing what I paid? Yes.
What Would I Order Next Time?
Next time, I want to try one of their Persian kebabs.
Since I already tried a great vegetable appetizer, a traditional stew, and dessert, testing out one of their grilled meat plates like kebabs will give me a better look at the rest of their menu.
That said, it will be tough to sit down here and not order the Kashke Bademjoon again. And that Saffron Ice Cream? That's a must-order every single time.
One thing I enjoy about living in New York is being able to explore cuisines from across the region. I've also tried Marakand in Rego Park for Uzbek food, but Shiraz gave me a completely different experience through traditional Persian dishes like Ghormeh Sabzi and Kashke Bademjoon.
Who Should Visit Shiraz Kitchen & Wine Bar?
This restaurant works really well if you want Persian food in a nice, modern Manhattan setting.
When I was there, I saw couples, coworkers, and groups of friends. The dark, cozy vibe is great for a date night. It also works smoothly for a casual business dinner or a nice catch-up with friends where you want a step up from a basic dining room.
Families and solo diners will feel comfortable here too. I went just for the food, and at no point did it feel like you had to be drinking at the bar to have a good time.
Final Verdict: Is Shiraz Kitchen & Wine Bar Worth It?
Overall Rating: 9.5 / 10
Yes. Shiraz Kitchen & Wine Bar delivered great food and top-notch service in a sleek Manhattan setting.
If I had to recommend two things from my meal, start with the Kashke Bademjoon and finish with the Saffron Ice Cream with Baklava. Both were absolute standouts.
It is an expensive meal, but I left completely happy with what I got. Next time, I'm coming back for the kebabs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What should I order at Shiraz Kitchen & Wine Bar?
My top picks are the Kashke Bademjoon and the Saffron Ice Cream with Baklava. The Ghormeh Sabzi with basmati rice is also a great, comforting choice.
What is Kashke Bademjoon?
It's a Persian eggplant dip that is creamy, garlicky, and tangy, topped with crispy onions and served with warm pita bread.
What is Ghormeh Sabzi?
It's a traditional Persian green herb stew made with beef and kidney beans, served alongside fluffy basmati rice.
Is Shiraz Kitchen & Wine Bar expensive?
Yes. My meal came to $78.31 before tip for three items, so it's best saved for a nice night out or an upscale dinner.
Is it good for a date night?
Definitely. The dark, modern, and cozy atmosphere fits a date night really well.
Would I return?
Yes. I'd love to go back and try their Persian kebabs, and I'll definitely order the eggplant dip and saffron ice cream again.
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