We didn’t know that this gem of a restaurant was so near the house but we’re glad we discovered it! The beef kebabs were divine and the servings were huge. Each dish is good for 2 people so expect to take home some food. The Saffron Ice Cream sandwich was a lovely surprise. They also have amazing desserts which we can’t wait to try the next time we’re here!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Great food. I tried their Lamb Shank and it was utterly delicious. The meat was very well cooked. It was literally falling off the bone. Finding a table could be challenging, so please reserve a table ahead of time. Finding parking could also be challenging.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
I usually go to two other Iranian restaurants nearby, and found this one because they were closed. Pleasantly surprised I found it, they seem to have menu options I’ve never tried and will be back to do so. Food was amazing, place is small and they offer 20% discount to take the food to go, versus dining in. I opted to get sit in, I watched what other people ordered and feedback on all menu options was exceptional. Lady and guy were bickering about who had taken more tables and workload, that’s the only deduction as the place is small enough where two servers can help each other without bickering. Food was amazing, maybe the bickering adds flavor. Idk, either way glad I found this
Food: 5
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 5
Good Iranian food, the chicken gogee wrap was good but not "wrapped" well so it was a mess! All of the food choices have become very expensive, they give a 20% takeout discount and I suspect because they don't want to do table service which is probably expensive to have Waiters
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 4
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 4
One of my favorite restaurants in Boston. Friendly staffs and food is always so delicious! My favorite is lamb shank. Don’t miss out on saffron pistachio ice cream
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Love Cafe Vanak. My friend lives close by and I insist upon eating here everytime I am there now. The beef koobideh and the orange chicken are so good. The beef is spiced so well and the chicken just falls off the bone. Do not miss this is you are in Belmont!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Beef Koobideh Kabab
I've been meaning to try Cafe Vanak for a while, and finally did last month. There's a 20% discount for takeout which is nice.
I got the chicken kabab plate and the chicken eggplant dish. The chicken kabab had good flavor but the chicken was on the tougher side. The vegetables and rice were fine.
The chicken eggplant dish was new to me -- seemed like chicken and eggplant cooked inside of a thick rice patty. It was quite sour, and the pervasive flavor was the tanginess. Neither the chicken or eggplant was particularly good either.
I probably wouldn't come back, but if I did, I would try the soups. The food we had was overall a bit lacking in moisture/sauciness, especially the chicken kebab.
Service
Take out
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 3
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Cafe Venak offers excellent Persian cuisine with a diverse menu featuring halal options. The lamb shank and Kobedeh are particularly delicious. A great choice for those seeking authentic Persian halal dishes.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Lamb
We met friends there who knew this restaurant and caught up with them over long, relaxed, and delicious lunch. The food was fantastic – wonderful flavors and very generous portions. We ordered one meal for each person and have enough leftovers for another meal the next day. The staff were so friendly and hospitable. Although we do not live in the area, we will definitely be coming back!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Eggplant Mix
Overall, the food is good, and the service is commendable with friendly staff. However, it's on the pricier side. It seems most Persian restaurants fall within this price range. If you're planning a visit over the weekend, I'd recommend making a reservation to ensure table availability. While I didn't favor some of their dishes, Persian cuisine offers a variety of flavors, and it's common for one person to love a dish that another might not. It's worth trying different items to find what suits your taste. For instance, I wasn't a fan of their Tahchin previously, and this time, the Kotlet didn't quite hit the mark for me.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
باقالی پلو با ماهیچه lamb shank with fava beans dill rice
