Simple, good food from Iran in a lovely square
€ – €€
Praça das Flores, 40
Principe Real
213 950 090, website
Wed-Mon, 12-14h; Tue, closed
The newcomer to Praça das Flores, here since September 2017, is the pleasant Iranian restaurant Cafeh Tehran, which took over the space that previously housed a pizzeria and, before that, everyone’s favorite burger joint Munchies. We can confidently say that the latest iteration is also the best. Cafeh Tehran’s menu isn’t very big and neither is the space, but the food could not be more expertly prepared. Try the filling yet totally summer-ready Asheh Reshteh soup, which combines caramelized mint, off all things, in a fermented milk stew, for starters. You also can’t go wrong with the koofteh, the lamb and beef balls served on skewers with yogurt and mint and tomato couscous that have just enough cumin for those who don’t like it so much to still gobble up the dish in record time. Wash it down with beer or wine or go for the fermented yogurt drink doogh if you like things salty to quench your thirst, a cucumber and mint drink if you prefer a bit of sweetness instead, or one of several hot teas, including our favorite for chasing down koofteh, hibiscus. But don’t overdo it with the food, because the dessert is worth waiting for, especially anything they’re serving that day that includes Iran’s national nut, the pistachio — they really know how to use it here. The top-notch service and the setting under the trees of the square make this an ideal summer lunch spot, so don’t spread the word too far or you won’t be able to get a table outside.
