This is a small restaurant with limited seating. It was a little hot when we visited but it was a very hot day. The food was very good. My wife and I had the beef Shawarma sandwiches and they were very good. Nice amount of spice but not overwhelming. We both really liked their tzatziki sauce. One daughter had the chicken Shawarma sandwich and also thought it was good with a nice level of spice. My other daughter had the chicken kabobs with rice. She liked it as well. I tasted the rice and thought it was very good. We also tried the humus and it was nice. My girls told me they have a friend whose family is from Iran and they eat here often so I would think it's pretty authentic. read more

When you walk in Cafe Saffron it seems a little rough but don't let that get to you because the food is very good. It also tasted pretty authentic. The man who seemed to be the owner wasn't too friendly but the cook and possibly the wife seemed down to earth. We definitely got our moneys worth with out shawarma sandwiches and was quite satisfied. read more

Cafe Saffron - 6/9/23 Beef shawarma sandwich - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Norman, Oklahoma

Wow, I came here a few months ago looking for Kehbab. And I come into this tiny place and I'm suspect. I order the Kubideh one of my favorites from growing up. He goes back and starts cooking and a little bit later out comes the food on a styrofoam plate. I was shocked and dismayed and really worried. I took my first bite and omg a flavor and texture I haven't had in years. I come here every time I am in Norman. I have been to Persian restaurants that charge far more and you get tumeric instead is saffron. What a treasure you have here. My photo is horrible and doesn't convey it but it's really good and I will be going there again for lunch. read more

Cafe Saffron - Kubideh - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Norman, Oklahoma

Little hole-in-the-wall mom and pop type restaurants are always my favorite little gems to find. Cafe Saffron is probably my favorite of those types of places in Norman. It's super small and kind of cluttered feeling due to the size. Their kabobs are always amazingly seasoned and you get large portions. We usually get it to go but we actually sat down to eat in the store today. The owner was nice. We chuckled to ourselves as you could hear the older couple who runs it bickering in the back. When I want great kebabs or shawarma, this is one of the best spots to get it. read more

Cafe Saffron - Chicken Shish Combo, came with a small salad that isn't pictured. - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Norman, Oklahoma

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Great food and good service we have to go and and was good we had shaffeon chicken with greak salad

Best place in the whole Oklahoma state! Mom and pop are great at making food! It's a small place but with a full blast of flavors! The service is great read more

Cafe Saffron - Plate #8 - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Norman, Oklahoma

Best chicken shawarma i've had in Norman by far. The man who runs the place is really nice. Great service, cozy hole in the wall atmosphere, cool spot overall. Soda machine isn't working all the way, but he has a fridge with soda cans that makes up for it. Even if there was no soda machine I wouldn't care because the food was so good! read more

The food will not disappoint you. The food is very good and priced right. The owner-operated cooks the food and service it to. Rez is friendly and polite. First time here and we will return. The seating is pretty much just tables and chairs. Nothing fancy, however clean and well kept. For sure you must try the place. read more

DON'T JUDGE A BOOK BY IT'S COVER. Photos and reviews looked great so we went straight there. Took one look and turned around but couldn't stop thinking of the pictures of the food and decided to give it a try. The food was DELICIOUS!!! Rice was so good, I'm switching the brand I use at home. Don't skip the baklava. We are so glad we gave it a shot because this will be a family favorite from now on. read more

While the food was tasty, the service left a lot to be desired. My lengthy order was followed up with the question, "That's it?" For our family of four, four meals at close to $60 was most certainly it. The koobideh and shawarma were fresh, hot and pleasantly spiced. There was nothing to complain about as far as the food was concerned. Neither proprietor or cook wore masks and the back part of the restaurant (behind the counter) was cluttered with a lot of random items, but so long as you can get past those details the food is worth it. read more

They have the best rice! The number 10 is my go to. I usually pick this up to go and it's always hot and fresh. The portion sizes are large and can be shared. read more

Good chicken shawarma. Friendly service. Long lines at lunch sometimes -- be patient. read more

Listen, this place opened when I was in school at OU and has stayed open ever since. In that time I've eaten a lot of Kabob and Persian food and I have to say this is the best kabob I've ever eaten, and every time I go back to eat it again it makes me remember that. The owners are extremely nice as well. This place is the absolute bomb and we're lucky to have it in Norman read more

This small restaurant is right across from campus. The food was fresh and hot. The spices and flavor were spot on! The baklava was delicious and sweet. Give yourself a treat and try this place! read more

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Amazing amazing amazing. Don't forget to add some sumac if you get it takeout! Koobideh kabob was some of the best I've ever had, and I've had more than my fair share of amazing Persian food read more

If you don't like really spicy food let them know before hand because the normal is a little spicy. The yogurt sauce does help cool it off. The lamb shank is good and well cooked.. only one guy at the shop taking orders and preparing the food but he is very friendly. 2 portion is alot so maybe enough for 2 read more

Cafe Saffron - Pita bread saffron rice and lamb shank - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Norman, Oklahoma

Great family owned restaurant with good food and good service. Husband and wife working hard and provided me with delicious, fresh, and good halal food during ramadan. Generous portions and high quality. read more

Had the chicken shawarma plate. It was OK. Eating in is not recommended. Foam plates, plastic utensils and no AC. The place may be fine for ordering out. The chicken had some flavor but the tzatziki sauce did not. read more

Cafe Saffron - Main service area. - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Norman, Oklahoma

A hidden restaurant next to corner copy near campus corner has some of the best Mediterranean/ middle eastern food I've ever had! It is run by a couple who cook your order from scratch and comes out hot and delicious every time. If you are looking for a whole in the wall that has great food at a reasonable price, I would definitely recommend cafe saffron! read more

Small and humble on the outside but walk in and place that order and enjoy the delicious grilled kabobs. We had the lamb and chicken combo served over saffron rice. It was delicious as was the hummus which had to be homemade. I presume the owners were cooking and serving. Gracious and polite feeling from the them. Five stars for excellent food, value, and warm hospitality. read more

You simply cannot go wrong with this mouthwatering gem on campus corner Huge portions of the best Mediterranean food ever, what more can you ask for?!? Always fresh and hot! Definitely a Friday go to for our family, try the combo or Soltani plates....just FANTASTIC read more

Small shop that gives off mom & pop vibes. Super delicious and super yummy. For sure a place you have to check out when in Norman. read more

Cafe Saffron - Beef Shawarma plate - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Norman, Oklahoma

My experiences here haven't been too great. The counter people are very dry and don't want to talk or explain anything. I ordered the beef kabob and got it to go. The bag was heavy so I thought dang this will be good. When I got home I was surprised. The container was crammed full of undercooked hard rice and my kabob was flat. It was completely flavorless. Looked NOTHING like the picture on the menu. The next time, my girlfriend was craving the Greek House, but unfortunately they were on their little annual summer vacation. So we stopped in here and got the closest thing to a gyros plate that they serve, to-go. Got home and it was terrible. Hard rice, hard meat. Total waste of money. Do yourself a favor, go to the Greek House or Shawarma Vite. They are friendly and the food is delicious. read more

Cafe Saffron - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Norman, Oklahoma

I ordered Kabab Koobideh and Shish Kabab, which was my first experience in this restaurant. The foods were really great and also the Persian lady and guy who were working there, were very nice and welcoming to me. Unfortunately, I live in Bricktown and its a little far to me and I can not try it more frequently. Highly recommended. read more

We just came from here and it is such a hidden place, the family is nice. My fiancé used to live in Bahrain and even said that this place reminded him of it. Definitely recommend! read more

Really great food, maybe a bit too much rice but the kabobs are delicious. Try the package combo (#8), you won't be disappointed!

We went on a Saturday evening and the weather was bad so it wasn't very busy so our food came out fairly quickly. The Food was amazing, it tasted so good and was seasoned perfectly! read more

Love this family owned place. Very friendly staff, yumi food and not pricy at all. Would highly recommend!!!

Came in with two friends and ordered two meals. Came back to ask for a togo-box and the owner didn't know I could understand his language- under his breath he mumbled "she ate all of it and still needs a togo box" didn't say anything to him at the time but hopefully this will help you choose another place to eat at! There are many other restaurants that have better food. Food was oily and the meat smelled. read more

My husband and I went here for the first time tonight. He got the beef shawarma plate and I got the chicken shawarma plate. Both were DELICIOUS! We will definitely go back! Good food and good service! Highly recommend! read more

Solid Norman middle eastern/Persian cafe. I love the couple who work here. I've had many of the selections here. I highly recommend the chicken or beef shawarma. No frills but great food and service. read more

My husband and I loving going to Cafe Saffron. We have made new friends in the owners! They know what we want the moment they see us coming! We come at least twice a month after a long day working as a teacher. One bite brings me to my happy place! The chicken schwarma and the dolma is all you need to melt the stress of the day! Plain restaurant, yes, but plain food, NO WAY! Try it, you"ll like it! Gretchen read more

Super amazing food!! Great taste and friendly service! Got a chicken gyro and it had amazing flavor and the veggies were fresh! Would recommend to anyone! Prices were good too! read more

This is a cheap looking place both from the outside and from the inside. The food though is better than the place. Rice and sauce taste really fresh which is often a problem in cheap mediterranean restaurants. The food lacks uniqueness or some final touch and hence the 4 stars. read more

This is a great and overlooked Persian restaurant on campus corner. The food is cheap and there is plenty of it. I usually get the beef shawerma plate or sandwich. I've had the veggie kabob as well, and it was good as a veggie kabob can be... I have eaten there 3 times maybe and I have never been disappointed in the quality of the food. read more

We wandered in here actually looking for a different place, and I'm so glad we did. The food is delicious and the service was good too. We did carry out because I have a brood of pipsqueaks, inside looked a bit small. We will be back!!! read more

What a lovely discovery. Went to Norman to eat at another restaurant, it was closed and we happened to drive by Cafe Saffron. It's a small place and the parking is pretty tight. Leave your big truck at home. Family owned, sweet people and patient. You know how long it takes to order when you have a new menu to look at. Menu posted above the kitchen. Place your order and pay, they do take plastic and have a seat. It will be delivered to your table. I had kabob, ground meat on rice with pita. Cooked on an open fire, what's now to love. Authentic Persian and I'm not but my friends are and they spoiled me on kabob. Tasty, cozy, friendly spot for lunch or dinner. It's behind a building so you may of driven by the location and not known it was there. Search it out. Worth it, so worth it. read more

The prices are a bit high on some things. The dining atmosphere is very basic and cramped. I wasn't thrilled with the flavor.

Opened late summer 2014 and I've been 4-5 times since then. They have very high grade meat (including very good lamb). However, that is pretty much all they have. Everything is served with lots of meat. The regular portions are huge and have little veggies. For something more varied and moderately sized get the decent shawarma sandwich. The yogurt sauce is excellent (if you like sour) and can also be ordered as a side. The girl taking orders is not patient enough to explain exactly what the dishes have and their is little other information. The owners who actually make the food seem nice, but don't seem to speak much English. Seems like the place would be a better experience if they got the orders too. Overall this place is okay and a useful addition to the campus corner daily palate, but for my money Shawarma Vite on the other side of campus is significantly better. read more

The thing I miss the most about living in DC, is my favorite kabob joints. Cafe Saffron fills a huge void.