
Going to a Restaurant in Iran
Restaurant culture varies from place to place, but the process of entering, ordering, and paying remains fairly consistent worldwide. Going to a restaurant in Iran is no exception. However, one key cultural aspect to keep in mind is Ta’arof, a form of politeness deeply embedded in Persian interactions, especially regarding food and restaurants.
Let’s explore the steps of dining out in Iran and uncover what you need to know to navigate the experience confidently, both culturally and when ordering your meal.
Booking Your Table
In most restaurants across Iran, reservations aren’t necessary. You can simply walk in, ask if a table is available, and be seated if space allows. If the restaurant is full, staff will typically take your phone number and call you when a table is ready.
In big cities, tourist areas, and popular restaurants, wait times can reach up to an hour. However, in most places, you won’t typically wait more than fifteen minutes. In some restaurants—especially traditional eateries—guests may be offered an Iranian drink, tea, or even a small portion of the dish of the day as a warm gesture of hospitality.
Asking for the Menu and Ordering Food
Once seated, the waiter will usually bring the menu to you. In some restaurants, menus are already placed on the table, and in larger cities, QR codes and online menus are becoming more common. If you can’t find the menu or have questions about dishes and ingredients, feel free to ask the waiter for assistance.
Some establishments provide a bell on the table to call the waiter. If not, the polite way to get their attention is to raise your hand and say “bebaxšid, ye(h) lahze(h)” (“Excuse me, one moment”).
A waiter will typically take your order within a few minutes, but if you’re ready before they arrive, you can use the “bebaxšid” trick anytime. You can also ask for their recommendations.
Iranian restaurants are known for their polite and structured interactions, where waiters often use formal phrases such as:
- “či meyl dârid?” – “What would you like to have?”
- “’amr-e dige(h)-i nist?” – “May I assist you with anything else?”
Learning these expressions before visiting a café or restaurant will make your experience smoother and more enjoyable.
If you have a preferred order for your dishes, be sure to inform the waiter. Otherwise, your entrée will typically be served within half an hour, followed by the main dish shortly after.
Asking for the Bill and Paying
You’ve successfully ordered and enjoyed your meal—perhaps even receiving complimentary tea and sweets—and now it’s time to pay. Sounds simple, right? Just use “bebaxšid” one last time to politely ask for the bill.
But what about Ta’arof? If you’re dining with Iranian friends, expect them to insist on paying for you, sometimes even debating over the bill! If you’re alone, the cashier or waiter may say “qâbel nadâre(h)”, a polite way of implying that payment isn’t necessary. Of course, this is part of Persian etiquette, and you’ll need to firmly insist on paying, possibly multiple times, before they accept.
Another thing to keep in mind is that tipping isn’t common in Iran. It’s best to avoid it, especially if you’re unfamiliar with Iranian currency. In fact, not tipping is better than tipping too little in these situations.
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FarsiMonde is a platform designed for Persian enthusiasts eager to learn the language. We offer online Persian classes and self-study lessons to meet the needs of Persian learners.
Our “Expression” section helps enhance your Persian proficiency by introducing a diverse range of vocabulary, practical questions, and useful responses for various situations and contexts.
By mastering restaurant-related words and expressions, as well as gaining insight into Iranian cuisine and restaurant culture, you can fully enjoy your time in Iran or confidently navigate Iranian restaurants around the world.
If, after exploring this section, you require further practice, don’t hesitate to reach out to our language experts and Persian tutors—we’re here to support your learning journey!
English | Pronunciation | Farsi | Sound |
---|---|---|---|
Restaurant | resturân | رِستوران | |
menu | meno | مِنو | |
bill | surathesâb | صورَتحِساب | |
food | qâzâ | غَذا | |
drink | nušidani | نوشیدَنی | |
Iranian food | qazâye Irani | غَذای ایرانی | |
local food | qazâ-ye mahalli | غَذای مَحَلّی | |
sea food | qazâ-ye daryâyi | غَذای دَریایی | |
vegetarian food | qazâ-ye giyâhi | غَذای گیاهی | |
salad | sâlâd | سالاد | |
soup | sup | سوپ | |
meat | gušt | گوشت | |
chicken | morq | مُرغ | |
rice | berenj | بِرِنج | |
vegies | sabzijât | سَبزیجات | |
fruit | mive(h) | میوه | |
what would you like to eat? | či meyl dârin? | چی مِیل دارین؟ | |
what would you like for drink? | nušidani či meyl dârin? | نوشیدَنی چی مِیل دارین؟ | |
would you like to try this dessert? | dust darin in deser ro emtehân konid? | دوست دارین دِسِر رو اِمتحان کنید؟ | |
what do you suggest? | pišnahâd-e šomâ čiye(h)? | پیشنهادِ شُما چیه؟ |
Some More Practical Expressions
فارسی
– سلام، میز خالی دارین؟
– بله، چند نفر هستین؟
– سه نفر.
– بفرمایین این میز.
Transcription
– salâm, miz-e xâli dârin?
– bale(h), čand nafar hastin?
– se(h) nafar.
– befarmâyin in miz.
English Translation
– Hello, do you have a table available?
– Yes, how many people are you?
– Three people.
– You can take this table.
فارسی
– سلام، میز خالی دارین؟
– نه، متأسفانه، میتـــــونین صبـــــــــــر کنین.
– چقدر طول میکشه میز خالی بشه؟
– شاید تا نیم ساعت.
– پس منتظر میمونیم.
– شمارهی تلفنتون رو یادداشت کنین، باهاتون تماس میگیرم.
Transcription
– salâm, miz-e xâli dârin?
– na(h), mote’asefâne(h), mitunin sabr konin.
– čeqadr tul mikeše(h) xâli beše(h)?
– šâyad nim sâ’at.
– pas montazer mimunim.
– šomâre(h)-ye telefonetun ro yâddâšt konin, bâhâtun tamâs migirim.
English Translation
– Hello, do you have a table available?
– Unfortunately not, you can wait.
– How long is the wait for an available table?
– Maybe half an hour.
– Then we wait.
– Please write down your phone number, I’ll contact you.
فارسی
– ببخشید، میشه یه منو برای من بیارین؟
– الان براتون میارم.
– منوی انگلیسی ندارین؟
– نه متاسفانه، نداریم.
Transcription
– bebaxšid, miše(h) ye(h) meno barâ-ye man biyârin?
– alân barâtun miyâram.
– meno-ye ingilisi nadarin?
– na(h), mote’assefane(h), nadârim.
English Translation
– Excuse me, can you bring me a menu?
– I’ll bring you right now.
– Don’t you have the menu in English?
– No, I’m afraid we don’t have.
فارسی
– ببخشید میشه یه منو به من بدین؟
– منوی کاغذی نداریم، این کُد رو اسکن کنین و منو رو ببینین.
– من اینترنت ندارم.
– میتونین از گوشی من ببینین. میتونین از اینترنت رستوران استفاده کنین.
Transcription
– bebaxšid, miše(h) ye(h) meno be(h) man bedin?
– meno-ye kâqazi nadârim, in kod ro escan konin, meno ro mibinin.
– man internet nadâram
– mitunin az guši-ye man bebinin. mitunin az internet-e resturan estefâde(h) konin
English Translation
– Excuse me, can you give me a menu?
– We don’t have a paper menu. Please scan this code to view the menu.
– I don’t have Internet access.
– You can check on my phone. You can use the restaurnat’s WiFi.
فارسی
– برای سفارش آمادهاین؟
– نه، چند دقیقه صبر میکنین لطفاً.
– سوپ روزتون چیه؟
– سوپ خامه.
– بله، یه سوپ، یه سالاد، یه کباب و یه برنج میخوایم.
– نوشیدنی چی میل دارین؟
– سه تا آب.
– همهاش با هم بیاد؟
– بله، ممنون.
Transcription
– barâ-ye sefâreš âmâde(h) in?
– na(h), čand daqiqe(h) sabr mikonin lotfan.
– sup-e ruzetun čiye(h)?
– sup-e xâme(h).
– bale(h), ye(h) sup, ye(h) sâlâd, ye(h) kabâb va ye(h) berenj mixâym.
– nušidani či meyl dârin?
– se(h) tâ âb.
– hamaš bâ ham biyâd?
– bale(h), mamnun.
English Translation
– Are you ready to order?
– Not, yet. Can you give us few minutes.
– What’s your soup of the day?
– Cream soup
– Ok, a soup, a salad, a Kebab, and a rice, please.
– What would you like to drink?
– Three bottles of water.
– Should all the orders come together?
– Yes, thanks.
فارسی
– من گوشت نمیخورم، غذای گیاهی دارین؟
– بله، میرزا قاسمی، سوپ و بیشتر سالادها گیاهی هستن.
Transcription
– man gušt nemixoram, qazâ-ye giyâhi dârin?
– bale(h), mirzâ qâsemi, sup va bištar-e sâlâdhâ giyâhi hastan.
English Translation
– I don’t eat meat. Do you have a vegeterian dish?
– Yes, mirzâ-qâsemi, soup, and most salads are vegetarian.
فارسی
– ببخشید، میشه یه لیوان برای من بیارین؟
– الان میارم خدمتتون.
Transcription
– bebaxšid, miše(h) ye(h) livân barâ-ye man biyârin?
– alân miyâram xedmatetun.
English Translation
– Excuse me, can you bring me a glass?
– I will bring it to you shortly.
فارسی
– ببخشید، میشه صورت حساب رو بیارین؟
– بله، الان میارم. عذر میخوام اما باید دم صندوق حساب کنین.
Transcription
– bebaxšid, miše(h) surathesâb ro biyârin?
– bale(h), alân miyâram. ozr mixâm, ammâ bâyad dam-e sandoq hesâb konin.
English Translation
– Excuse me, can you bring me the bill?
– I’ll bring it right away. Apologies, but payment must be made at the cashier.
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