sam si
Bandar is a great Persian restaurant located right in downtown San Diego. It’s an ideal spot for both family gatherings and work or dinners—elegant, welcoming, and full of flavor.
We tried the Koobideh, which was perfectly balanced with just the right mix of fat and meat—juicy, flavorful, and grilled to perfection. The rice was fluffy and aromatic, beautifully served with saffron.
We also had Tahdig with Fesenjoon and the Fesenjoon stew with rice—both were rich, delicious, and full of that unmistakable pomegranate aroma that makes the dish so unique and satisfying.
Don’t forget to order the Shirazi salad—refreshing and perfectly balanced alongside the main dishes.
The hosts were warm and attentive, making the experience even more enjoyable.
Looking forward to coming back soon!
… moreErin F
I have celiac disease and must eat gluten free for my health. I have to share an AWESOME experience I had at Bandar last night! I emailed before I went and felt comfortable when they answered all my questions about dining safely. The server said everything but the bread and desserts was GF. The table Ordered hummus and he offered me cucumbers without me even asking (I don’t eat legumes so I declined). I am also DF and he let me know the saffron rice had butter so they left that off my plate. We had no idea of HUGE the portions would be!!! I will definitely be going back!
… moreJasmine Browne-Khan
The food is super clean and fresh. I love this place. I love going out to eat here, especially with a group of friends. The service is always incredible and front of house. Gentlemen is so nice and super attentive. This time we didn’t make a reservation so we sat at the bar, but he was so kind and I actually had a better time than I did at the table.!
… moreL.A
The food was very average and nothing special. Unfortunately, the hostess’s attitude was strange and unwelcoming; she was rude to us, which negatively affected the overall experience. I hope more attention is given to customer service.
… moreJustin Wolf
Absolutely wonderful Persian food restaurant. I had the soltani and the dolmeh. Both were delicious. The prices were high, but well worth it in both quality and quantity. I could have easily shared the soltani with two other people.
I stopped by on a recommendation and you should do the same!
… moreAce Diego
I was quite famished when we went to eat at Bandar’s and we really liked it! The place was quite clean and welcoming, their food was fantastic and flavorful! Our waitress was quite lively and friendly & made our experience delightful. I personally had the salad and the Soltani and it was quite tender & yummy! The rest of my crew were also delighted with their orders. The Owner Bruce came up and asked if everything was good, and we couldnt have been happier. The owner is very friendly and courteous. I look forward to tasting more of their cuisine and will definitely be back with more friends!
… moregavin spore
Persian food. Was excellent. I had Zereshk Polo. Huge serving with rice. I could only eat 1/3 of the dinner. Nice doggy bag to eat ale home. Service was friendly and prompt. Nice quiet atmosphere.
… moreChris Horak
Best meal we had in San Diego. Very good with gluten free items for my wife that needs to eat gluten free. Huge portions, so you can easily split an entree. We split and still had a lot of left overs. Fresh, high quality food. We also had the hummus which was fantastic.
… moreHamed Panahi
Absolutely, the most delicious Persian food in all of San Diego may be in all of California, and maybe in all of United States. Had the beef Barg last night it was spectacular. Very delicious. I love this restaurant and I love the owners. I highly recommend it. If you haven’t tried Persian food before I highly recommend to try this Restaurant you will fall in love with it. You will definitely get what you pay for at this restaurant. The world famous chicken is to die for super super delicious.
… morepanipopova
I recently dined at this restaurant with a friend, and I have mixed feelings about the experience. Right off the bat, a 20% service charge was added to our bill but we were a group of two, which left me questioning whether this is standard practice for all guests. I chose this restaurant for its convenient location near Balboa Theater and the Max Amini comedy show, but despite the good food, I felt underwhelmed and a bit ripped off.
The cocktail prices weren’t even listed on the menu, which is quite frustrating. Wine prices were high, with nothing available by the glass for under $17. For instance, a bottle of Clos du Bois, which retails for around $8 in grocery stores, was marked up to $44. It felt like they were trying to position themselves as a high-end venue, but the ambiance didn’t reflect that.
The service was particularly bothersome. We felt rushed and pressured to order, despite informing our server that we wanted to take our time and enjoy the atmosphere. We decided to share a $20 salad and a $34 lamb shank, but the food arrived before we had even finished our salad. While the lamb shank was served with a delicious tomato broth, there was no spoon or ladle provided. Additionally, we were given tiny dessert forks rather than dinner forks, and when I requested a proper fork, the waiter informed me that this was their standard setting. A teaspoon was also provided, but no knife–quite puzzling.
The host greeted us warmly but didn’t go beyond the basics, failing to acknowledge that we were celebrating a birthday, despite my reservation indicating so. There was no offer of a dessert cake or candle, which felt like a missed opportunity to enhance our experience.
Instead, we had a nice glass of wine ($13), espresso and a homemade wonderful desert /Tiramisu next door at Roma Mia! So good!
If you’re looking for a place to grab overpriced food with minimal attention to detail and service, this restaurant might suit you. However, if you value a relaxed dining experience with thoughtful service, you may want to consider other options.
… more