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    Molana Restaurant

    3.6 (256 reviews)
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order Molana Restaurant Takeout or Delivery

    Molana Restaurant Photos

    MOLANA RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Casual
    Quiet
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Molana Restaurant

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    Mixed grill/Kabob Bakhtiary - very yummy with fluffy saffron rice.
    Nina N.

    A cozy, humble restaurant with beautiful artwork from Iran hiding among the decor. My husband grew up in Iran, and he said many of the dishes tasted like delicious home cooking. This place is sentimental for us because we went on one of our first dates here over 20 years ago! The food is really excellent classic Persian goodies, with superb service from our waiter, Nik, and outstanding cooking from chef Hadi. We had the shallot yogurt/mast o mooser, garlicky eggplant spread, bakhtiari (mixed grill with chicken and beef) and crispy rice/tah dig topped with yellow split pea stew/ghemieh. I started with the barley soup since it was such a rainy raw night and it was so warming and delicious, served with a squirt of fresh lemon. The cardamon tea was also so so good. The best part was the warm and welcoming service. If you've never had Persian food, they would help you order something tasty! There aren't a lot of Persian restaurants in the area, so make sure to go out and support them!

    Chicken Barg Beef Soltani
    Sabrish M.

    Visited on Labor Day 2022 for dinner at 8 pm. There were 2 of us and the restaurant had just one table occupied, so we were able to find a table without any trouble. I did call ahead to make sure but they assured me that it wouldn't be a problem. The host mentioned that they didn't get their order of chicken thighs that day so we couldn't order chicken kubideh which was a bummer. We were hurried to order as soon as we got there as the chef was taking last orders. We ordered 2 items, both were good: Chicken Barg Beef Soltani

    Lentil soup was prepared and didn't taste fresh either
    Eddie R.

    If Rumi was alive he would have certainly killed himself or at least made an attempt after trying the "PERSIAN" food there. I ordered chicken kebab and berg and chicken smelled and tasted like rotting meat. The only consolation here is the attitude of the lady who served us. She did realize that we were not happy with the quality of the food. Overall the place smells funny, short staffed and operating on a take out kind of setup.

    Chicken koobideh kabob
    Courtney P.

    Ordered take out tonight and it was suburb! My husband said it's the best Iranian food he's had in Boston and he lived in Iran for ten years. We've been working our way through the Persian restaurants in the city and we might have found our spot. My husband picked up the food said the interior was beautiful and the people very kind. Thank you!

    Lamb shank with Baghali polo
    Sagar T.

    Had Baghali Polo With Lamb Shank and Chicken Kubideh. Both were good. I did not like baghali polo much, the regular saffron rice was more fresh. Lamb was cooked perfectly. Chicken was good too. Although it was not very busy, the waitress disappeared for long time frequently, which was very inconvenient for us. 4 star for food, 2 star for service.

    Persian Ice Cream, Baklava and Tea (Persian)
    Kelly C.

    FIRST time having Persian food and it was AMAZING! I got Zereshk Polo with Chicken paired with a Heineken. The chicken was perfectly skewered on top of sweet and sour currant saffron Basmati rice, topped with dried pomegranate seeds. The sweet and savory flavor combo was delectable. My date got Khoresht Ghormeh Sabzi which was a flavory Persian herb stew of sautéed parsley, leeks, coriander, spinach, kidney beans, black limes and beef. This dish was paired with their House Doogh which is a savory yogurt drink, ours was topped with fresh mint. We ended our meal with hot tea (with a side of sugar cubes), baklava, and my new favorite ice cream flavor: saffron with rose water and pistachios.

    Le T.

    A good friend of mine introduced me to this place. She's Persian so she knows wassup. lol. I had some bad experiences with Persian food but my friend insisted that I give this place a try. AND I am glad I did! I really enjoyed the Kabob Koobideh! However, was not a fan of their yogurt appetizer. Service was phenomenal! The manager helped us choose from the wine selection. My friend insisted that we get it by the glass. But we were there to celebrate her for getting into dental school so I insisted we get the bottle to toast! The manager recommended that the "weak sauce" drink tea to sober up after. That being me. The person who can't hang. Surprising. Hence, we ordered tea. A single cup for one of us. lol. Positives: great ambience. The place was decorated with Iranian art. Dope. There's a huge parking lot to the left of the restaurant. Only thing is you gotta pay the meter. But it's free after 6pm.

    Lamb Kebab
    Rishav B.

    I understand that during covid things are a bit tough, but I am very disappointed with the quantity. I ordered beef and chicken kebabs, which had fine quantities, but the lamb kebab was much less than what they give in the restaurant. For 21$ this is disappointing. I suggest ordering other dishes or waiting until after covid to get the lamb kebab.

    Dolmeh Moe - Stuffed Grape Leaves $6.99 3/2012

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    1 year ago

    Fabulous food. Service was amazing. The lamb shank was perfect. Freshly made hummus. First time diners and we will definitely be back.

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    4 years ago

    Definitely overpriced for the quality and quantity of food. Overpriced would be an understatement.

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    3 years ago

    Very tentative staff! Food is pretty good and the atmosphere is cozy! Will come back for sure!

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    Oleana Restaurant - Fatteh

    Oleana Restaurant

    4.3(1.9k reviews)
    2.4 miInman Square
    $$$

    For my own birthday this year, I chose Oleana, supposedly one of Boston's best Mediterranean…read morerestaurants, and reservations are almost a month in advance. Overall, I was satisfied. Fatteh: The presentation was beautiful, with a delightful array of layers. Between two layers of crispy chips laid the chewy texture of fried mushrooms, the sweetness of cauliflower, the nutty aroma of pine nuts, and the refreshing sweet and sour taste of yogurt--a random combination that offered a different experience with every bite. The cauliflower, in particular, was crisp yet not tough, with a naturally gentle sweetness--a first for me. However, towards the end, the crispy chips became very slightly oily. Sultan's Delight: Perfect as a main course. The beef was stewed to perfection, incredibly tender and flavorful, almost falling apart the moment it touched the knife. It required absolutely no effort, reminiscent of a master butcher skillfully carving up an ox in Zhuangzi莊子, who kept his knife like new over nineteen years. The tamarind brought a slightly fermented, tangy aroma, while the smoked eggplant puree, likely babaganoush, was smooth and creamy with a mild, pleasant smokiness. The lemon juice, however, adds a refreshing touch, creating an interesting layering of acidity. It looked small, but it was surprisingly satisfying. The only downsides were the beef was slightly over-salty and the basil leaves, which seem to serve only a decorative purpose. Baked Alaska: A signature dessert, very popular on social media. Frankly, I came specifically for this, but after eating it, all I can say is, "Who's promoting this?"... The presentation was truly stunning, and the first few bites were quite good. The meringue was was torched to create a thin, burnt crust, resulting in a delicate and light texture, while the coconut ice cream blended with the bitter aroma of coffee. However, the base, a nut tart similar to a five-nut mooncake五仁月餅 filling, was too dense and heavy; the passion fruit syrup was excessively sweet and acidic, even a small amount was cloying, making it a torture by the end. The restaurant tables were a bit uneven and hopefully they will be repaired soon.

    Lucked out with a Resy opening a couple days before for Thursday @ 5:30pm. Arrived a few minutes…read moreearly, and there was a line of people ~8-10 ppl standing by for walk-ins (everyone was seated). Veggie Mezze - Fatteh ($16) - really enjoyed this crunchy mezze! Sounded simple on the menu - Chicory + Herb Salad ($17) - refreshing start with a sweet and savory salad, enjoyed this, flavors all paired very nicely - Halloumi Cheese ($17) - we aren't fanatics over halloumi but wanted to try this. We preferred the other mezze, but not bad Fried Mussels ($17) - this was alright, would skip next time. -Sultan's Delight ($20) - this was soooo tasty, literally fell apart when poked with a fork; not the biggest portion -Lamb Shish ($18) - was good, but on the smaller side, probably wouldn't order again We were celebrating my friend's birthday, and they brought out a couple cookies topped with meringue dipped in chocolate with a candle. Very friendly staff, good selection of food, a nice little splurge.

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    Oleana Restaurant - Potato & Red Lentil Kubba with Swiss Chard, Pistachios, Eggplant Jam, Fried Carrots, healthy and yummy

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    Sarma - Sugar Snaps

    Sarma

    4.4(1.4k reviews)
    2.7 mi
    $$$$

    Dining at Sarma was a delightful experience. We came on a Tuesday at 6pm and luckily got seated at…read morea countertop within 30 mins. I would recommend calling beforehand to ask about the wait. Although we commuted from Cambridge, this meal was worth it. For two people, we got: - Black Seed Cornbread: it's soft, sweet yet savory. I've never had cornbread like this, and the first bite into this was unforgettable. You must get this. - Honey Nut Hummus: this was honestly fine and I'd probably try a different dip next time. - Warm Gyro bread: well seasoned and great to share between two. I normally don't like gyro but I enjoyed this. - Lamb al pastor: this was a favorite. It was sweet and the lamb was tender. We were really impressed with the sauce. - Brussel sprout bravas: this was okay. I liked the crunchy nuts and the star of this dish was once again the sauce/seasoning rather than the brussel sprouts. With all of these dishes, we ordered enough for two, with a few bites leftover. If you have a smaller appetite, you could get away with ordering a plate less. Overall, I loved the dining experience here. Even though I'm not typically a small plates mediterranean person, I appreciated Sarma - from its beautiful interior space and open kitchen concept, to the liveliness of the restaurant on a random weekday night. Definitely come here if you're in the area (or even if you're not!)

    I had been looking forward to checking out Sarma for quite some time. Unfortunately, the experience…read moredidn't live up to the expectations. The food was overly salty, and the portions were very small.... even for tapas style dining. The flavor profiles just weren't there. The only thing that I would say tasted good was the cornbread and lamb skewer (which was definitely overpriced still). The cornbread was impressive and the ingredients made for a unique flavor. Service was also underwhelming. While the staff did their job, there wasn't much warmth or attentiveness and we didn't feel welcomed. We left feeling pretty disappointed given the hype and effort it took to get a reservation.

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    Cafe Vanak - Hummus

    Cafe Vanak

    4.4(116 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    Halal
    Kosher

    Great for a tasty Persian lunch or dinner! Highly recommended. The staff is super friendly too…read more Sofia was great. Also check out their store and the greek market on the opposite corner. Fun couple of blocks.

    I was genuinely looking forward to trying Cafe Vanak today, especially because I've enjoyed Persian…read morefood for years through close friends and had heard great things about this place. Unfortunately, my first experience did not reflect the many positive reviews. When I walked in, the first thing I was asked was "pickup?" I politely said no, that I wanted to place an order. I had to repeat myself several times, and the older woman at the counter either seemed frustrated, distracted, or maybe just having a rough day. There was little direction given to a first-time customer, and I found myself awkwardly trying to figure out where the menu board was and how the ordering process worked. Eventually, I stepped aside to look over the menu. The older woman continued helping the customers in front of me, which was completely understandable. What confused me was that the younger employee made eye contact with me, nodded toward me as if acknowledging I needed help, then asked if anyone had helped me yet. I explained that the other employee was probably about to, but needed a moment. Before I could even finish, she cut me off and said, "Oh, she can help you then," and immediately went back to scrolling on her phone while I continued standing there waiting. That was the disappointing part for me. If you ask who's next at the register, acknowledge someone is waiting, and another employee is already busy helping others, it creates a poor first impression when the available employee chooses not to assist and instead goes back to their phone. It came across as a lack of urgency and customer service. Maybe it was just an off day. I'm not writing this to attack the business because the food may very well be excellent, and clearly many people love this place. But first impressions matter, especially for new customers walking in excited to try your establishment for the first time. I truly hope the service experience improves because I wanted to like this place a lot more than I did today.

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    Lavash Bar & Grille - Meze platter

    Lavash Bar & Grille

    4.1(83 reviews)
    0.9 mi

    Lavash Grille - Cambridge, MA Total Score: 9/10…read more Lavash Grille in Cambridge delivers a Turkish and Mediterranean dining experience that feels both vibrant and deeply comforting. This is the kind of place that works beautifully for group outings, thanks to the big, long tables that make it easy to settle in, share plates, and actually enjoy the social side of dining. The sampler platters and mixed grill dishes are absolutely the way to go. Portions are generous, the variety is excellent, and everything we tried tasted fresh and well balanced. The hummus and baba ganoush were both standouts, packed with flavor and a great start to the meal. One of the biggest highlights was the manti. These delicate, bite sized dumplings with yogurt sauce were pure comfort food and easily one of the most memorable dishes of the night. The haydari (similar to Tzatziki) was another favorite. Rich, creamy, and incredibly flavorful, it's the kind of dip you keep reaching for long after you're full. For something a little different, the traditional Turkish coffee made with hot sand is such a fun experience and well worth ordering. Ending the meal with coffee and rice pudding felt like the perfect, cozy finish. On a practical note, I was genuinely happy there is some parking here, which is always a welcome bonus in Cambridge. Overall, Lavash Grille is a place I'd gladly return to. Great food, perfect for group settings, and an all around enjoyable dining experience.

    It's not easy to find authentic Turkish food near Boston / Cambridge. Found this place on Instagram…read moreand am pleasantly surprised. They have a small parking lot off the side of the restaurant which is free. Inside, there is plenty of space. The service and staff are very nice. We got a lentil soup to share, manti and beef liver as appetizers. Everything tasted amazing. The manti could be a little softer. We also got coffee and tea. The tea was refilled throughout the time we were there which was a nice touch. For my main I got the chicken Adana and my friend got the lamb version. Both were grilled to perfection. Such simple ingredients but the meal was well balanced. The meat came with rice and some grilled/ pickled veggies. The only thing to note is that the bathroom is shared with the building and was out of toilet paper and was in bad condition.

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    Bab Al-Yemen  Boston

    Bab Al-Yemen Boston

    4.4(244 reviews)
    3.2 mi

    Great meal, fun atmosphere...esp if you're limber enough to use the floor seating. We got the…read moregarlic yogurt appetizer, along with the spicy rice and chicken and the veggy stew entree. Both were delicious, as was the homemade pita that came with the stew. Lots of food - probably could've shared one entree between the two of us. Friendly suggestion to restaurant- the veggy stew was piping hot (heat, not spice). Even after letting it sit for 10', was still crazy hot. Maybe don't need to cook it to that temp. But was really delicious!

    I do think much of the experience depends on if you are seated upstairs or downstairs here…read more Unfortunately for me, I was seated downstairs which took a big hit on the service front. I came here for lunch and ordered the foul al-shams, chicken vegetable stew, and a side of rice. Unfortunately the stew appeared without chicken and foul al-shams was so delayed that we told them to cancel it. The chicken vegetable stew was piping hot and full of flavor. The shredded chicken was tender and the stew did not feel too heavy to feel bogged down. The bread that came with it was also big and crisp but still soft inside. Together the two made a complementary meal that was satisfying. Despite how hard it was to track down our waiter, we still enjoyed the part of the meal we had. The upstairs definitely feels like the waiters are more on top of it and there is a more airy ambiance. The downstairs wasnt the most ideal and while good for big groups, youre still very aware of dining in a basement.

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    Molana Restaurant - mideastern - Updated May 2026

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