Really good Iranian food! I got the tahdig 1/2 and 1/2 which is crispy rice with different types of…read morecurry on top. Service wasn't the best, as they never check in on you, so you have to flag them down for everything. There is a free parking lot behind the restaurant, that you have to drive through an alley way to get to.

So my friend and I went this past weekend, I had been boasting to her about how good the food was,…read moreblah blah, blah for quite some time and we needed to come eat here. Come to find out the food is now actually blah blah blah! The cold super thin pita bread was cold & flavorless and oddly comes with a cold cube of butter, what the heck am I supposed to do with that? It won't melt on a cold piece of pita bread. Then the iceberg salad comes out with two small dressing containers to use; this salad had a lot of "bones" [what the hard white parts of lettuce are called]. At least the cucumbers were crunchy, as well as the 2 pieces of tomatoes. I ordered the Koobideh Combo [Beef & Chicken]; and my friend ordered the Chicken Kabob [white meat]. The lacking of flavor in the Koobideh beef & chicken was unbelievable, I asked for a grilled serrano or jalapeno chili and the waitress said they had ran out. I was 2:00 p.m., what do you mean you ran out? We were looking for something to "save" this blandness of both our dishes; thank gawd they have containers of sumac & salt at the table. The basmati rice was bland as well. The beef koobideh, tasted like plain hamburger meat with minimal seasoning. Bottom line, I didn't finish my dish, I just left most of it. My motto is: "If it's not worth the calories, don't eat it." As for the environment: No music, etc. I really don't mean to bash the place; but you guys need to spruce up the place. My seat at the table was ripped; and the table was dirty when we sat down and asked for it to be cleaned (again?). I wish you nothing but the best in this economy!

This was one of the best meals I've ever had! Raffi's had been on my list for years, and I wish I'd…read morevisited sooner. My friend and I shared the Shirazi salad, hummus, and koobideh. Everything was delicious, and the portions were generous!

the location was a bit hidden so you might have to walk around to find it. the interior is very…read morefancy and it felt like a bougie restaurant but our server was super friendly. i got the koobideh which is lean ground beef skewered and grilled and it was good! the beef was nice and juicy and not overcooked so it had a good meaty flavor to it. the portion was big with lots of rice so it was very filling. they also have free pita so i suggest getting hummus to go with it. overall, a very pleasant experience due to the good food and the friendly service and i recommend to anyone whos in the area!!

I love Mediterranean food! We had appetizer sampler, and a combo of lamb chops & chicken thighs; it…read morecomes with grilled vegetables and a side - we opted for half rice/half potatoes. All the food was flavorful & delicious! Bring your appetite - portions are large. We were disappointed they no longer carry Napoleon & syrniki for dessert but tried honey cake and thoroughly enjoyed it. Service was fast and couteous. Space is open & contemporary.

Visited here during the soft opening... I know, it's long…read moretime ago, but the service was really good with great food.

What beautiful energy and amazing food. It feels like homemade food, which is very hard to find…read morethese days. Just the right amount of everything. A true hidden gem. Will definitely come back!

I came by with a couple of friends because we wanted to see what the hype was all about. We got the…read moreMirza Ghasemi w/ Barbari bread, Kotlet Plate, Turmeric Braised Chicken, Lamb Gheimeh, Kofteh Tabrizi, and the Sholezard for dessert. Turmeric Braised Chicken - The dish was a bit on the basic end, not a lot of seasoning but you could taste the tumeric. Chicken was tender but slightly on the drier side which was a bit surprising considering it was dark meat (6.5/10) Kofteh Tabrizi - The tomato taste was prominent in the broth but the meatball itself was overly salty. The flavor was one note, I can't see myself ordering this again as I've heard this dish should have more complex flavors so I was disappointed (5.5/10) Kotlet Plate - As you can see from my picture, the kotlet was burnt beyond repair and I could taste the bitterness from the overused oil they used to fry it. I did like the yogurt spread and the pickles that came with it but I did not like the kotlet at all. We didn't bother asking them to replace it (4/10) Mirza Ghasemi w/ Barbari bread - The star of this whole experience was the Mirza Ghasemi, the roasted eggplant and tomato spread came cold and it was the most delicious thing we had. One of my friends vacuumed it right up before the rest of us could have seconds. Bread was a bit dry but it was a great vehicle for the Mirza (8.5/10) Lamb Gheimeh - Lamb was tender and it had some nice spices infused in there but it didn't wow me in any way (7/10) Sholezard - Our waitress brought over some complimentary Ceylon tea with the Sholezard which was kind. This rice dessert was not too sweet. The warmth and saffron ended our meal in a comforting way. It wasn't bad but I wouldn't get it again (7/10) +1 star for the service

There is a massive pressure felt by all Los Angel-inos when we host guests from different parts of…read morethe country. Not only do we have to chaperone the visiting friends to tourist hot spots that we generally avoid in everyday life; but even the restaurants we choose as dining options need to be positioned on a perfect pedestal that impresses but is still comfortable. A very close friend of mine from Nashville visits the City of Angels once a year; and I always feel the stress to impress in regards to dining. In 2026, we decided on a more casual dinner than our usual upscale entertainments and opted for Pasadena. Of course, I turned to Yelp and that is how I discovered Café Santorini. Café Santorini has been a favorite dining option in the Old Pasadena neighborhood of Pasadena since 1993 on the intersection of West Union and De Lacey (a block from Colorado Blvd) nestled in one of the famous historic red-brick buildings with alley alcoves that makes Old Pasadena so beloved. Café Santorini encapsulates European love that is as warm as its bricks uniting the culinary richness of Italy, Greece and Morocco in semi-upscale/trendy real estate with iron railings, high ceilings, exposed brickwork, duct beams and glossy wood surfaces that is both inviting and will absolutely entice tourists and residents, alike. Whether seeking indoor dining bar-adjacent with tables or booths or the lovely outdoor second-floor patio alcove overlooking the plant-filled alleys below; Café Santorini is quite pleasant on the eyes. My Nashville-based friend and I made a reservation for an early dinner at 4pm on a Saturday and Café Santorini was already filled to the gills and bustling with activity (granted, there was a Guns n Roses concert at the nearby Rose Bowl in the evening). Opting to sit outdoors due to the loud volume in the dining room; we had a perfect ratio of casual and date-worthy. Café Santorini is seamless with its 'vibe'. To begin the evening, we opted for some cocktails with a Smoke and Citrus Paloma (grapefruit and lime juice, smoked sea salt agave syrup and soda water, alcohol free at $12 but I made it alcoholic with mezcal) for me while my friend ordered a traditional margarita on the rocks (no salt) as we gazed the menu and also decided on sharing a Grape Leaves appetizer (rice, herbs, tomato paste - $16). If you are Celiac like myself and need gluten-free options, Café Santorini is AMAZING in its GF options (also dairy free and vegan dishes) with more choices than usual competitor restaurants which that alone makes it stand out from the crowd. Our drinks arrived in classy and colorful derivations with my paloma holding a seducing orange hue akin to a setting California sun with dried rosemary and dried fruit with the margarita being perfectly yellow-ish green with a dried lime. My paloma was delicious with an ideal combination of sweet to alcohol and smoke with the margarita being refreshing and tangy. I am quite picky with grape leaves having friends from the Middle East living in the US but Café Santorini's grape leaves (5 pieces) are delicious both in texture and flavor without being too bitter which is sometimes the case. For dinner I chose the Branzino (Grilled Mediterranean sea bass, lemon Greek potatoes, dill, capers- $42) while my friend wasn't super famished and decided on Greek Salad Horiatiki (Valdivia Farms tomatoes, Persian cucumbers, Anaheim peppers, red onions, Kalamata olives, feta cheese, lemon juice - $17). One of my favorite details of Café Santorini is their capacity to present elegant dishes that are still simple and not pretentious on plateware that encompasses Greece itself with colorful mosaic prints and painted motifs. The ingredients are fresh, colorful and artfully displayed. My Branzino was faultless: grilled perfectly with charred grill marks and crispy skin (large filet) with capers and fresh dill with fingerling potatoes based under the fish soaking up the lemon juices. Delightful! The Greek Salad Horiatiki allowed the garden-fresh veggies to truly shine even with the lemon juice/oil and large piece of feta making it a perfect summer option. Service at Café Santorini is friendly and a family-like atmosphere with every staff member acknowledging you as you saunter by, answering all questions and constantly smiling. Café Santorini is an overall pleasant joy of an experience. Whether you need to impress out-of-state friends or simply seeking Mediterranean fare in Old Pasadena; Café Santorini is a musty-try for a casual meets elegance dining experience.

Enjoyed a family birthday dinner at Cafe Santorini. The food was excellent. Everyone in our party…read morehad a breadth of the menu. We had one anomaly on one plate, and the staff and manager quickly fixed. The restaurant has plenty of seats with a visible kitchen, and a full bar. They did a great job to keep waters topped and drinks coming if we want it.

Catered for 20 people for a birthday party and there was so much food! We got the combo platter…read morewhich came with 3 kinds of meat, grilled peppers, tomato, onions and also hummus, baba ganoush (requested to switch for this), bread and rice. The meats were all cooked really well, juicy and tender. All the food was packed well in large party trays and they even helped me load all the trays into my car. Service is excellent. Will definitely cater from them again! PS. We ended up feeding about 30 adults and 5 kids with all that food and still had some appetizers leftover.

I don't write reviews very often. Usually I have to really want to, and that doesn't happen a lot…read more Raffi's earned one. I had a combo plate. Honestly, combo plates are combo plates. What separates this place for me is the meat. The skewers were cooked really well, and the lula was excellent too. Good kebab isn't as easy to find as people think, and that's what keeps me coming back. I also liked the pickled vegetables that come with the plate. Nice little touch, and the grilled vegetables were done well too. They have indoor and outdoor seating, a large free parking lot, and of course they do catering - as you can see from their name )). If I ever needed catering for an event, I'd definitely consider them. A little sad inside for me. Easy 5 stars from me. The meat alone is worth it.

Excellent food. Run by a lovely family. Service great! Try to go there at least once a week. Food…read moreis very healthy.

Sahara Middle Eastern Cuisine is truly one of our favorite restaurants in Pasadena. We've been…read morecoming here for the past few years, and the food is consistently extraordinary. Their kebobs are cooked over actual coals, and you can absolutely taste the difference. The chicken is always incredibly tender and flavorful, the beef is tender and perfectly cooked, and I have a friend who could probably live on their tzatziki. Everything is fresh and thoughtfully prepared every day. But as wonderful as the food is, the people are what make Sahara so special. Ana owns the restaurant with her husband and runs the kitchen, and she and the entire staff are simply amazing. This is a true family-owned restaurant where you can feel the care that goes into both the food and the way they treat people. After we lost our home in the Eaton Fire, in Altadena, we were living in a hotel and would come to Sahara for dinner. Every time we came in, they insisted on sending us home with extra food so we would have something to eat later. At a time when our lives had been completely turned upside down, that kindness and generosity meant more to us than I can possibly express. Extraordinary food made by genuinely wonderful people. We love Sahara, and I feel very lucky to be able to support a local family-owned business that puts so much heart into what they do. If you haven't been, go. And get the kebobs. And definitely the tzatziki. And, the tahini...but leave some for my husband because he loves it on the lamb skewers.

Came here with my family to try their food, right away the staff greeted us!!…read moreVery welcoming and on top of the service their food was amazing, we ordered different stuff to try and yes all the plates were wiped clean! I do recommend this place and yes I will be back probably less than a week.

The restaurant is in a nice little plaza, hidden. They have tables outside. The service is nice…read more And the food is delicious! A little pricey, but it is worth. You can have your dog together.

I've never been to TehranRo Grill, but it's become part of my family's delivery rotation, a…read moreparticular favorite of my father Steve C.'s. It's a great place to order for a crowd, say two senior citizens, their three adult children, and their partners and kids, or some combination thereof. I see the place offers catering, and that makes sense to me. Everything is delicious and easy to share. TehranRo is in Koreatown and is in fact named for a street in Seoul, a street named for Tehran, Iran (there is a corresponding Seoul Street in Tehran). The owner is a Persian guy with evident fondness for Koreans, or at least for my dad, who is a regular at the brick and mortar (my dad goes to like ten restaurants, and TehranRo is one of them). I hope to meet him sometime, as I keep hearing about this cross-cultural bromance. In the meantime, I have very much enjoyed the food at home. The hummus is great, as are the must o khiar and must o mouseir--homemade yogurt mixed with shredded cucumbers and mint (khiar) and shallot (mouseir). The shirazi salad is fresh and zippy, with cucumber, tomato, red onion, scallion, dried mint, and olive oil lime juice dressing. The grilled meats, of course, are the main attraction, and I'd really recommend any and all of the skewers, which you can get a la carte or in various combinations. I love the koobideh, both the beef and lamb and the chicken. Liberally seasoned, with a firm but yielding texture. If ground meat isn't your thing, both the beef and chicken shish kabob are excellent. The beef is marinated filet mignon, the chicken either marinated chicken breast tenderloin or boneless chicken thigh--I definitely prefer the thigh. You can get shishlik too, rack of lamb marinated with a spice blend. I'd also highly recommend the mahicheh, a stewy dish of lamb shank slow-cooked for several hours until it almost slips off the bone, served with white basmati rice topped with saffron. All of the entrées come with rice, naan, and charbroiled jalapeño and tomato. You can upgrade your rice for an extra charge, and I think this is worth doing, especially if you're putting in a bunch of orders. I'm partial to the albalo polo, or cherry rice, and also enjoy the baghali polo, a green rice laced with herbs. If you're craving Persian food near Koreatown, check out TehranRo for dine-in, takeout, or delivery. The food is high quality, and I kind of love the Korean connection.

Mediterranean option in the world of Korean Food…read more... Had KBBQ the night before so we're looking for variety when in Ktown. Landed here due to the high reviews. Spot gives sports bar, and the server came up immediately. We ordered koobideh, rack of lamb and hummus. Koobideh was moist (sorry hate the word) and good flavor. Lamb chops were well done, which isn't my fav (prefer medium to medium rare) but had a nice char. Salad dressing that came with the salads was unique. The acidity was needed. Hummus was probably my favorite thing. Not sure if we would be back, but solid option in ktown if you do want variety.

Two Haiku Review:…read more The only thing better Than the amazingly good Chicken here is the Garlic sauce! Portions Are pretty big, and service Is busy, but fast.

The experience as a customer was good. I was greated at the counter and the order was taken…read morecorrectly. The food was great I made a video rating the item I got. I am also a vegetarian of 13 years funny enough before I become a vegetarian I was able to try their chicken 20 years ago. It was amazing! I still remembered the vibe of the restaurant although it looks like the menu was simplified. The hummus was not homemade and it seems to be from a factory so there's that. Although it was okay. My only suggestion would be to get more ventilation bc upon walking up to restaurants it looked steamy. Like what my daughter's JiuJitsu Gym looks like when there's a class in session. The windows look like they could use a PROFESSIONAL wipe down. With chemicals probably after hours lol idk. I love that this place is still there as a staple to Pasadena, although let's step it up a tiny bit guys