Cancel

Open app

Search

Maman Zari Photos

Business Info

MAMAN ZARI ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Intimate
Classy
Dogs allowed

You might also consider

Recommended Reviews - Maman Zari

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

MIRZA GHASEMI & SABZI KHORDAN
Mona T.

Went for their tasting menu, which is the only Persian tasting menu in Chicago! Overall it was a great experience-- many dishes were delicious, though some were a little lacking. The service was excellent, with a unique level of thoughtfulness and attention to detail. The price is on the lower-mid end for tasting menu experiences in the city-- $90 for the standard omnivore menu and $85 for vegetarian menu. I think they could've been a bit more creative with the vegetarian options-- the dishes were almost identical to the omnivore except without the meat and more of the non-meat ingredients). Favorite dishes on the omnivore menu were the following: - Mirza Ghasemi & Sabzi Khordan: a smoky eggplant dish that was absolutely delicious - Albaloo Polo Ba Morgh: chicken was perfectly tender and flavor, loved the smokiness and crispiness of the rice as well - Shishlik: lamb chop was tender and flavorful

Trung V.

This was my first time doing a tasting menu, so I don't have anything to use as a baseline but Maman Zari knocked it out of the park. Albany Park is a trek for me, but I don't regret making the trip. From the flavors to the presentation, each course was well executed. For each dish, my friend and I had to take a moment to admire the plating and absorb the overview presented by our server. My favorite dish was the cherry wine dessert! I was skeptical based on the simple and straightforward description, but the texture of the ice compliments the sweet wine so well!! An affordable menu with a broad choice of menus (omnivore, pescatarian, and vegetarian), I highly recommend checking out Maman Zari for anyone interested in trying out a tasting menu for the first time.

laurence h.

We had a thoroughly enjoyable meal at Maman Zari last night. We tried the Omnivorous tasting menu and the Pescatarian tasting menu. Both menus were very good with inventive takes on familiar dishes, all beautifully plated. We enjoyed every course, our only complaint is that we both felt that the Pescatarian menu was a bit stingy when it came to the actual fish courses. Both the octopus and the cobia were tiny portions, especially the minuscule serving of octopus. They were sized as if part of a 12-15 course menu, rather than a 9 course one. With only 2 fish courses on the Pescatarian menu, we were expecting more fish. The wine pairings were excellent, we enjoyed every wine that we were served. The service was excellent, friendly and efficient. The room was pleasant and comfortable. All in all a lovely evening, we will return. Recommended.

Susan W.

Such a special and lovely place to celebrate with friends! This was a wonderful meal start to finish and service was so attentive and well timed. I wasn't sure what to expect from a Persian tasting menu, but we loved the veg forward dishes and the fact that there were vegetarian and pescatarian options. Presentation was fabulous and the food was delicious. The wine and cocktail menus were interesting and we enjoyed everything we had. I feel like this is a hidden gem that won't be hidden much longer. Go!

Wine Pairing
Sidney Z.

I'm a true "Foodie"! No brag, just fact! I love and eat anything you put in front of me; from a $5.00 Double Double at In & Out to a $150 Tomahawk Steak at Gibson's Steakhouse, I am always "All In". The only cuisine I was having trouble liking was Persian; and I didn't know why, until tonight. Sure, living in Los Angeles for over thirty years, I've had my fair share of this cooking. Friends, weddings, my wife (who loves this food) or any given holiday I would tolerate it - barely. Well, this week it's my wife's birthday (whose age now ends with zero). She really wanted a Persian dinner for this special occasion. Of course I said "Yes", and went about finding the best restaurant for this occasion. Maman Zari, looked like the best of the best here in Chicago; and Oh Man, was it ever. The food being prepared in this kitchen was SO elevated, it made a Persian food skeptic like me, a true believer! So, how did this transformation happen? Well, of course this chef / owner at Maman was a master at his craft. But, the real reason I fell in love with this cuisine tonight, was our dinner was at 7:00. All of my prior Persian dinners started at 10:00 or 11:00 at night and I'm usually in bed at these hours. Persian food is so rich and flagrant, eating this cuisine at these hours was throwing my body clock into a tizzy-fit! The tasting menu here at Mama Zari covered every food group: poultry-duck, red meat-lamb, fish-sturgeon and a host of other completely foreign foods that were so good it spun me. The service was fantastic, the ambience was quiet and reserved and (we chose) the wine pairing with each of the eight courses was perfect. Was it expensive - Yes! Was it worth the price - Yes! You don't get this kind of wonderful food at a cut rate price. Each dish was not only elegant, it was delicious. Maman Zari was the only place that could "Flip" me into liking Persian food.

Sam K.

Despite its overwhelming abundance of good reviews, I was skeptical of Maman Zari. I thought the pictures of the food looked lackluster and dry in pictures, and I was convinced that all the good reviews were from people who were unfamiliar with Persian food, as well as the great Persian food options in the neighborhood. Well I was proven wrong! This was definitely a wonderful experience. The decor and settings were beautiful and the ambiance is both upscale and somehow very relaxed and comfortable. The food was delicious and refined and had unique, elevated details and yet was somehow accessible. The wine list was reasonable priced and well paired with the food. I can't wait to come back with my family and share this experience.

Albaloo polo ba morgh
Shari B.

When I heard about a Persian fine dining restaurant with a tasting menu, I knew I had to try it. I love trying different cuisines, especially through tasting menus. The ambiance is simple, bright and clean. The service was very good. My husband and I both had the omnivore menu. We definitely enjoyed all the different dishes, I'm familiar with the flavors and textures, but I don't eat it often. I recommend this place if you are looking for a fun tasting menu that's different from the rest.

Lentil soup
Ilana O.

The place: honestly, just lovely. Service was ON POINT. I don't think my water glass was ever empty, they were informative and helpful when answering our questions about our wine selection. It's small - maybe seats 30? But seems like a great place for an intimate dinner or small dinner with great friends. The taste: so I very much enjoyed the menu, but if you're not into beets or pomegranate, this might not be the place for you. I think portions were sized well. I personally loved the pomegranate arils (seeds) hidden in several dishes - the lentil soup amuse Bouche and the lamb meatball. My face: a big, contented smile. $85pp for the tasting menu is V reasonable in this day and age. I think we got 3 drinks total (2 glasses of wine and a cocktail). Total was $287 for two people. Enjoy!

Russell E.

One of the most memorable dining experiences I've ever had. I had read about this restaurant in the Chicago Reader a few months ago. I wanted to try but was a bit apprehensive due to it being gourmet Persian food. (I'm used to Persian food spilling off of plates and the idea of a tasting menu didn't make sense to me.). I was very wrong. Each of the "winter" menu items was so delicately prepared and insanely tasty. There is no skimping on flavor. The kitchen expertly uses saffron in most everything. Exquisite. The service by all was second to none. The restaurant, although tiny and right next to the Brown Line, is perfect. The owners were delightful and personable. I cannot wait to return for their next menu!

Eric W.

If you have not had Persian cuisine or you are already a big fan, look no further than Maman Zari, a new restaurant in the Northside neighborhood, Albany Park, in #Chicago . They switch their menu from time to time. This is a belated post when we got to go to try the last couple days of their Summer menu, which was phenomenal. It's hard to find a quality tasting menu for under $90, yet they accomplish it. Our tasting menu was 9 items starting from lighter dishes like Kuku Sibamani (potato, zucchini, pickle) to the fish and meat dishes, Mahi Sefid( Branzino), and the Shishlik (lamb). The most interesting dish was Faloodeh (Rice noodle sorbet). I'm not sure if I had an opinion on Persian food before coming here, but it certainly raises my expectation going forward. A quiet ambiance so easy to have good conversation. Staff is so friendly, and got to chat with the owner before we left! #persian #albanypark #chicago

Kabab Torsh
AmirReza O.

The best and most authentic Persian fine-dining restaurant in the USA of the same caliber as a 1-Michelin star establishment. The star of the evening was the exquisite Persian cuisine. Every dish was a work of art, meticulously prepared and bursting with flavor. It'll take a long time to go into each of the ten courses, but they were all amazingly delicious, and I was particularly impressed with the delicate blend of spices and herbs that graced each plate. The Shirini was a sweet revelation, and the Persian tea was a soothing end to the evening. Overall, dining at Maman Zari was a truly immersive experience, combining impeccable service, stunning decor, and a menu that transports your taste buds to the heart of Persia. I left with a deep appreciation and a desire to return to this culinary paradise, which is truly unique. While Sofreh in Brooklyn presents Persian food exquisitely and Delbar in Atlanta provides amazingly delicious food, neither can deliver the simultaneous taste and aesthetic the way Maman Zari could!

Menu when we came in August 2023
Julia P.

This is a great addition to the community! I recommend folks try it out. It was pricey so we looked at is as a nice treat to ourselves to experience something new. I am pregnant so I couldn't drink but the nonalcoholic drinks were really good - my husband even liked it more than his alcohol cocktail. It was a little different in that no one really introduced the menu or restaurant to us, they just started bringing food out. We knew it was prefix so we weren't too thrown off, but it was a little odd. I would say the attire of patrons was business casual. The presentation was very nice. We were in a group of four and they made sure everyone was served at the same time. We enjoyed some very flavorful dishes! I will not that it was very loud, though we had heard they were hoping to do something to help with that. And it was impressive to see so many people supporting this destination spot. We also were surprised that the dinner ended up being three and a half hours long. There were long pauses between service. It wasn't a problem for us at all, but worth nothing. I hope they do well in our neighborhood!

Jessy K.

Tasting menus are my absolute favorite way to celebrate, and what better way to spend mine and my partner's 5 year anniversary than this? I don't recall ever having tried Persian food before, so I was very excited to have this experience. My expectations were quite high, and Maman Zari fully met these expectations. The cost was surprisingly good for a tasting menu in Chicago, especially compared to all the other restaurants we had consistently before deciding on Maman Zari. The waitstaff were incredible attentive and professional. Each dish was different from the previous and clear thought was put into each one's creation. My favorite dish of the night was the branzino with the saffron beurre blanc -- I'm still thinking about it days later. The faloodeh was also mindblowing -- frozen vermicelli noodles with rosewater and a bit of lime juice popped over top. The restaurant is inconspicuous on the outside but inside it was brimming with life; every table was filled. Everything was very clean and the decor was warm. My only slight critique was that I wish dishes came out slightly faster. We were prepared to sit for ~2 hours but it ended up being about 3. Still, this wasn't something to be rushed and it didn't ruin my experience either way. I'd love to come back again, just have to find an excuse to!

See all

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Mona T.
128
294
1856

2 years ago

Business owner information

Photo of Mariam S.

Mariam S.

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Business owner information

Photo of Mariam S.

Mariam S.

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Business owner information

Photo of Mariam S.

Mariam S.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 2
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Business owner information

Photo of Mariam S.

Mariam S.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 3

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Business owner information

Photo of Mariam S.

Mariam S.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Ron F.
0
15
5

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Mena ..
0
281
7

2 years ago

Business owner information

Photo of Mariam S.

Mariam S.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of alex t.
1
12
34

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of N. G.
21
13
2

3 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Amazing experience and food!! Accommodating food allergies one the spot as well! Will absolutely be back!

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Jing M.
0
14
43

2 years ago

Looks great and can't wait to taste the food! Our kids gifted us this meal for our 35th wedding anniversary.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Sam G.
0
12
2

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Mr C.
0
34
1

2 years ago

A wonderful and unique experience. Also great value for an elegant tasting menu with service of this quality. Will definitely be back!

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

Page 1 of 2

Ask the Community - Maman Zari

You might also consider

The Welcome Back Lounge - Brats bacon jalapeño cheese dog. DELISH

The Welcome Back Lounge

4.5(139 reviews)
2.8 mi•Logan Square
•$$

Went to on a Sunday for bottomless brunch to celebrate with family and friends for our anniversary…read more Food was amazing and the mimosas were spot on. Nick was awesome. Came back for some drinks with friends after leaving a local restaurant and did a round of shots as a night cap. Nick was there and was extremely friendly also the other bartender was a vibe. We will be back for sure!

"Welcome back." I…read morehesitate. I know with absolute certainty that I have never stepped foot in Chicago. Yet, the bartenders greet us with such a warm and friendly energy that I know with absolute certainly that I have been a regular at this bar for years. Decades. Centuries. I know within my soul that this was my go-to bar in a past life (and hopefully in the next). Just as welcoming as the awesome people are the $1 PBRs and $3 shots of tequila. And of course they hand out free hot dogs every night at midnight, which in my (intoxicated) mind was cemented as the definitive Chicago dog, even if it comes with no toppings whatsoever. And fittingly complementing the amazing energy of the bar is a 10 hour Youtube video of that memed Ukrainian kid dancing at a club playing endlessly on the TVs. Rocking sunglasses and looking like a stud, absolutely grooving without a single care in the world, and effortlessly matching every single song on the bar's playlist. That kid truly embodies the spirit of this bar. No matter what day it is, what time of day it is, or who visits, the bar's energy always works. Vibing to Black Eyed Peas on a Monday night never felt better. Imma be... back one day, rest assured. I genuinely can't wait for the next time I'm greeted with, "Welcome back."

Photos
The Welcome Back Lounge
The Welcome Back Lounge - The Ripper! 1/4 lb Deep Fried Bacon Brat, Cherrywood Smoked Bacon, Guacamole, Pickled Jalapeño, Cheddar& Chipotle Mayo.

The Ripper! 1/4 lb Deep Fried Bacon Brat, Cherrywood Smoked Bacon, Guacamole, Pickled Jalapeño, Cheddar& Chipotle Mayo.

The Welcome Back Lounge - Pineapple daiquiri was delicious!

See all

Pineapple daiquiri was delicious!

The Whale Chicago - Carrot Cake WG

The Whale Chicago

4.2(1.1k reviews)
2.8 mi•Logan Square
•$$

1st off the greeting from teddy as we walked in was great he was super nice and friendly…read more Our server (unfortunately forgot his name) but teddy called him B The buffalo cauliflower was amazing I wish it had a little more buffalo sauce though but overall 5/5 The Baltimore crab rolls were so rich in flavor 5/5 Chilled lobster tacos had a limey taste I will not forget 5/5 The whale burger was fantastic, flavorful juicy 5/5 The blackened trout head well seasoned and cooked perfectly 5/5 We came here to celebrate our anniversary and we are definitely coming back Aesthetically pleasing it is so beautiful in there you could do a whole photo shoot ! The decor is beautiful like out of a movie

I had so much fun visiting The Whale for their Boozy Book Club last month. Their curated drinks…read morespecials for the book were delicious and they were created with a Mezcal called Convite. They partnered with them for the event and we even had a free shot to try it out. They gave us mini shot glasses and a cute chapstick. Our book was Ninth House for the month of October and we had a raffle to win a basket of goodies including the next book along with tote bags. Our server was amazing and very attentive. She asked us of any dietary restrictions and if we had a preference of alcohol. She recommend a good white wine to pair with our appetizers. The whole resturant was decorated for Halloween and we had the entire back section just for our book club. There were candles and spiderweb and even a cute motion picture background. I had a blast and will definitely be coming back next month for the next book.

Photos
The Whale Chicago
The Whale Chicago - Lamb Chops WG

Lamb Chops WG

The Whale Chicago - Lobster & Waffles

See all

Lobster & Waffles

Maman Zari - persian - Updated November 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...