There are not that many restaurants in the valley that can seat a party of 13. Then the list becomes even smaller when you factor in the quality of the food. The chicken was so good to the point where I didn't want to tell anyone because I didn't want to share it. The eggplant appetizer had these chips of garlic inside it that almost tasted caramelized. That was so freaking good our table ordered 5 total. read more

The reason I am writing this review is because I care about good quality food and restaurants that try to keep the quality high. Although we don't dine here often, we still try to go once a year for special occasions as we have done so previously. I am not sure if you have changed something in how to prepare the beef koobideh or chicken koobideh, but I prefer how it was made before. Actually, both the rice and koobideh's that we had this time were very salty. There is no need to put lots of salt if your food is already delicious. Seemed like this time, the salt was a little too much. we love Sadaf and its great ambience, and because I care about your restaurant's reputation, I am letting you know. I am sure if you put a little less salt, no one will complain that it doesn't have enough salt. As I said in my very first review many years ago, keep the quality high, and your customers will keep coming back. Sincerely, Alenoosh. read more

We arrived with a large group on a weekday for dinner and they were able to accommodate us. It was our first time here so the server gave us some recommendations. We ended up ordering 1 combination appetizer and the dolmeh was good. Usually I may not like the flavor at some places, but this one I was able to eat. We ordered Juicy chicken (2), koobideh Kabob, Naderi kabob(2) and boneless lamb (2). They were able to plate them family style for sharing and so we got the mixed rice so we can try one od each type. They were nice enough to give a little extra rice to make the presentation of the plate look full. We were able to get 3 salads to get served family style as well. The sadaf salad came in the biggest plate to share, the beet and shirazi salad came in smaller portions. The chicken was big and juicy! All the meats we ordered tasted good... soft and tender. I really enjoyed the beet salad as it also had some sweetness to it. The mixed rice variety allowed us to try all the choices: Albaloo had sour cherries in it, Zareshk had barberries (was my husband's favorite), baghali has lima beans and dill, Asas has lentils raisins and dates making it a sweeter rice dish. They could have provided more bread for our appetizer platter and since we had more people but if you ask for more they will bring more. Everyone enjoyed the food. We did have a lot of leftovers so it would have been nice for our server to let us know to order a little less. We probably could have gotten away with a couple orders less. Also would be nice if they have some kind of chili or hot sauce or peppers for those that like a little more spice to their meal. It wasnt too busy when we went (but it was a weekday) so our party felt like everything turned out well food-wise and service was attentive, just a tad on the pricier side (Juicy chicken is $28 for 5 pieces and rice, and lamb and Naderi were $40 &$39). read more

See all

Last night we had dinner at Sadaf - Encino, a modern Persian restaurant with several locations. We arrived at 6:35 p.m. and were told there would be a 20-minute wait. Because large parties were gathered near the entrance, we were asked to move into the bar area while we waited. (The restaurant does not take reservations for groups smaller than five.) While waiting, I noticed several tables for four sitting empty on the patio. We were told we could check our place in line via text, but the message never updated beyond "You are 11th in line and should be seated between 7:03-7:09 p.m." After several trips back to the host stand, we were eventually told it would be another 11-12 minutes. We were finally seated at 8:06 p.m.--after waiting more than an hour. I would never wait this long for food anywhere. Unfortunately, the service after being seated did not improve the experience. We had to request menus, and initially were given only two. After placing our order, two additional menus were brought. We asked for water three times before it finally arrived. Later, when our entrées were brought out, the server had removed our silverware and we had to ask for replacements. We started with the Tahdig (crispy rice) served with two stew toppings: Ghormeh Sabzi (slow-cooked beef with sautéed herbs, kidney beans, dried lime, and special seasonings) and Gheimeh Bademajan- eggplant stew. The eggplant stew was definitely the better of the two. For salads, we ordered the Beet and Feta with Persian cucumbers, lemon juice, olive oil, feta, and mint--it was just okay. We also had the Shirazi salad with chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, parsley, onion, olive oil, and lime juice. This is a classic combination and hard to get wrong, and it did not disappoint. For entrées, we tried the whitefish (charbroiled), which my friend felt was not as good as on a previous visit, and the Shish Kabob, which one of us really enjoyed. The true standout of the night was the Juicy Chicken. It was honestly one of the best chicken dishes I've ever had--boneless chunks of incredibly tender chicken, perfectly marinated and charbroiled over an open flame. It was the redeeming quality of the meal. I would give the Juicy Chicken five stars. That said, I would never wait over an hour for it again. While the Juicy Chicken alone would have warrented 5 stars, the service and wait time knocked it down to three. Unfortunately, dining in was not a pleasant experience. read more

See all

Been to Sadaf several times, and every time, it is excellent. Ambiance is beautiful and clean. Food - I think their chicken kabob is the best I've had in LA. It is better than their beef koobideh and barg, though those are still good. I have had better beef koobideh at other restaurants like Raffis or Shekarchi. Their bread is so fresh and is an elevated experience compared to the usual lavash bread that restaurants give. My friends had the salmon and they really liked it. The maast o khiar is really good too. The service is excellent - all the food came out quickly and the servers were nice. I will say I am Persian (and look very obviously so) and for some reason one lady only looked at/spoke to my husband and not me. I would say it's 4.5 stars because I was put off by this. Parking is tough right next to the restaurant but can be found metered down the street if you don't want to valet. We were a party of 4 at 7pm on a Saturday night and were seated right away at a booth. read more

Wow, I just had the tastiest and most filling Persian lunch! Came here for work, my first time but not for my group. I can see why they come here all the time. This place is delicious! I had the Juicy Chicken plate with a side beet salad. Everything, I mean everything, was good. Rice and veggies on point. But let me tell you about that chicken! Juicy as advertised and perfectly seasoned. Wow. Plus the beet salad was meticulous. I tried my buddies salmon and that was also just as good. Highly recommend and wanting to come back to try more. read more

Sadaf Restaurant - Beet salad - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Encino, California

See all

The waiter wasn't very friendly. The chicken and beef were good, but the slice of chocolate cake was too small for two people. This restaurant doesn't even offer parking validation. Another Mediterranean restaurant offers friendlier service and a better overall experience. We won't be coming back. read more

I've been a loyal customer of Sadaf Restaurant for years, and I always enjoyed their food, especially the Juicy Chicken. Unfortunately, my experience last night was very disappointing. The Juicy Chicken was nothing like it used to be. It wasn't juicy at all and tasted more like plain boiled chicken. The koobideh kebab was undercooked and completely lacked flavor. The tahdig was so hard that it was difficult to eat. The fesenjan had a good flavor, but it was extremely dry with almost no sauce. On top of the disappointing food quality, the prices have become unreasonable. A simple pomegranate drink cost $20, and the total bill for four people was $160. For that price, I expected much better quality. Sadly, this was my last visit to Sadaf. I hope the management pays more attention to the quality of the food because this used to be one of my favorite Persian restaurants. read more

I didn't dine in but regardless the food was definitely a 10/10 I would like to come back to dine and and order more dishes to try. My fav so far is the ghormeh sabzi stew, delicious. read more

So been going here for years and the food was always constant for the most part. We went there last night and got koobideh and kornish chicken and completely a different recipe and different taste! It went from quality and taste level A to levelD! We could barely eat it. The only thing that was the same was the rice but the kababs tasted different and looked different. So disappointing! Consistency is a key where 90% of restaurants can't keep. Not going back. read more

If you speak to people who hail from Iran or the Middle East and ask them to recommend places that can serve unforgettable kebabs, most of the time you will find that the name, Sadaf, is included in their lists. One can debate, who makes the best kebab? Does it come from India, Pakistan, Iran, Armenia, Israel and so on. That is really a topic that deserves discussion at a later date. For now, I would say that, if you look for an abundance of a cuisine that serves a wide range of kebab types, we may have a leading candidate. I'm talking varieties....minced meat, chunks of meat, also talking chicken, beef, lamb, quail, Cornish hen, fish, to name a few. I would say at least in my experience, the Persian restaurants top the list in all these categories. So I had to come here for the first time, to Sadaf, a celebrated restaurant, in Encino, touted for serving Modern Persian Cuisine. I started with my favorite, the Maust Mousier (Creamy plain yogurt mixed with minced shallots). The shallot taste was hardly there, so I asked for a spike, and they obliged. Dip into that with their Pita bread (rectangles and triangles), not from a grocery shelf and you will be elated. For my main, I was looking for a different kebab, something unique, that I have never had before. It was the Naderi Kebab. They say that it is, "the most tender center-cut of filet mignon marinated and charbroiled". It is priced at $38. However, if you go for the Naderi Soltani, at $42, it also includes, their "perfectly seasoned ground beef koobideh kabob". So I chose the Naderi Soltani. For a few more dollars, I also substituted the standard saffron rice, with my favorite, the Arashek Pollo (sour barberries). What transpired was a culinary awakening. The Naderi Kebab, chunks of meat (I asked for it medium rare), was unlike any fire grilled meat I have ever had, anywhere. This was gastronomic ecstasy. Every bite was evenly grilled, juicy and charred perfectly, flavorful and infused with an intoxicating aroma and taste. Wow. My taste buds danced in thankful joy. The Koobideh did not disappoint either. Hands down, for me, this is the best Persian restaurant, not only in the valley but anywhere else, in Los Angeles. I am going back soon to try their other preparations. Merci. read more

See all

Delicious, exquisite, and explosive flavor to go with tenderness. I can't even find the words to describe the flat iron steak, and honestly my whole plate was delicious. Prime protein you will not regret. read more

Sadaf Restaurant - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Encino, California

The absolute best normally come once a month because it's so good Great quality food read more

It's been 10 years coming to this restaurant and it's always great in every way. Beautiful place, great service and amazing food. Thanks to this restaurant I love persian food. It's one of my favorite restaurants in LA read more

8.5/10 If you're hunting down some of the best Persian food in Los Angeles, Sadaf in Encino absolutely deserves a spot on your list. Their koobideh beef is what I came for, and it did not disappoint. Juicy, well-seasoned, and tender, it instantly earned a spot as my second favorite koobideh in LA--and that's saying a lot since I take my beef day seriously. I've had one that edges it out on flavor, but Sadaf's rendition is still excellent and definitely worthy of a rotation spot for Persian cravings. The portions are generous, the rice is perfectly fluffy, and the balance of flavors makes it clear why this place has such a reputation. Next time, I'll be trying their juicy chicken, which I've heard is the star of the menu and the most popular dish here. Only downside: parking. From what I saw, it's valet-only, which feels like an inconvenience in this part of Encino. Still, the food makes up for it. Bottom line: If you're in the Valley and want one of LA's top Persian food experiences, Sadaf is worth it--just come hungry and maybe ready to valet. My personal favorites for beef koobideh are 1. Raffis 2. The spot & the kebab factory 3. Sadaf read more

Sadaf Restaurant - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Encino, California

I usually opt to dine in but decided to call in an order from Sadaf today. Service was outstanding and food was delivered on time. I ordered a combination koobideh plate. The chicken was perfectly seasoned and incredibly succulent. The ground beef was cooked to perfection and bursting with flavor. Plate came loaded with rice, grilled tomato, and a side salad. Thank you to the Sadaf team and keep up the great work! read more

18-20% service charge? Are you serious? What is that cover? Tip is already separated. Don't mind paying the tip, service charge is biggest scam. read more

This is the best Persian kabob I've ever had, IMHO better than Raffi's which many people consider the best. I would definitely come back since every dish we had was perfectly executed. The meat quality is outstanding and I'm sad we hadn't been eating at Sadaf all these years! Service was great too and the restaurant is design well. read more

Sadaf Restaurant - Koobideh combo w/ Albaloo pollo and salad - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Encino, California

Beautifully designed restaurant that has excellent Persian/Iranian food. The portions are absolutely huge and I had to grab a to-go box for over half of the food which I could not finish. I also thought that the Dough (yogurt drink from Iran) was a great touch and a perfect way to beat the heat and pair with meat. The restaurant is located on Ventura Blvd making it very convenient to access and you can easily run errands at say, the nearby Whole Foods after your meal. Highly recommended!!! read more

See all

Food is top notch. The fish, the kabab and appetizers especially the kashk e bademjan I can't get enough of. I'd say top three in the country. I only come with family. It's always something different and very special. The service is among the kindest most polite and respectful of any restaurant. I feel at home here and all of the staff are amazing. The ambience is somewhat casual. It's a very beautiful restaurant and super clean. read more

The place is lovely, easy street parking. Wonderful background live guitarist. The food is delicious & beautifully prepared, however, the service was under par tonite. 3 requests for pita to go with the hummus we had on the table.... very slow food service. We weren't in a hurry & that's a good thing. We had great company, good food, but sub par service. read more

Absolutely the rudest manager. Food ordered in an amount of over $550 They send food with a raw onion to the medical office When I called the manager, she didn't care, totally dismissing our concern ... when she called earlier to confirm the order, she yelled at my staff, "Don't put me on hold " - LADY, this is a medical office. This is last time that we will order food or I will go to this place read more

Sadaf Restaurant - Raw onions, not grilled ones, were sent to the medical office. - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Encino, California

The staff was so amazing! Got my friend to come here for her bday. And it was super amazing! I don't remember all the names but thank you Amir! read more

Very good quality food and an excellent lavashak martini. I'd definitely come back to try more of the kebabs. The only reasons I didn't give it 5 stars were that the eggplant dip was a bit too sour for my taste, and the service was somewhat slow. Still, I'd happily return and eat there again. read more

See all

An absolutely unforgettable and fantastic meal. The service is excellent, the ambiance is delightful, and the food is exceptional. The flavors were amazing and the juicy chicken is probably the best bite of chicken breast I have ever enjoyed. The combo plate #3 and we added a skewer of koobideh and WOW everything was fantastic. We absolutely must come back for dinner because the desserts and other menu items all looked incredible but we were full for lunch. Thank you to our server Iman who took very good care of us and explained the menu for our first time. All of his recommendations were stellar, and the cherry rice in particular was just perfectly balanced. Parking in the back lot will be $7. read more

See all

The food here is excellent. Come out for their happy hour to try a few different items. The service is always top drawer here. And the place feels clean and spacious. Overall a very positive experience read more

Sadaf Restaurant - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Encino, California

Beautiful Persian restaurant. Nice place for casual date night or festive gathering with friends/family. The food and service are equally wonderful! Their chicken kabobs are truly delicious! I normally don't prefer chicken compared to beef or lamb options ;however, their juicy chicken kabobs are a standout here. We also enjoyed the Ghormeh Sabzee (herb stew loaded with dried limes, fresh herbs, veggies, beef) and Gheimeh Bademjan (yellow split pea, eggplant, tomato beef) stews over crispy rice (tadig). They make a great version here (not watery and flavorful). Truly delicious! Location: Besides Encino, Sadaf restaurant has a second location in Thousand Oaks; and a sister restaurant called: Darya in Santa Monica and Orange County. Parking: valet or metered street parking on Ventura. I appreciate the valet service option, because good luck finding parking on Ventura Blvd! read more

See all

So, everyone knows I'm a big fan Sadaf restaurant. What makes this place amazing, is the consistency in quality, service and innovation. Folks let me tell you, Persian restaurants have this ability to maintain consistency after a few months. But not this place. Sadaf restaurant, is in a class all by itself. I know, there are bunch of choice restaurants you have, But if you want authentic Persian food in a classy place, that is continuously consistent time after time, this is it. Few nights ago, feeling lazy and hungry, a text message about their special on the juicy chicken BOGO, interested me. I live about 7 to 10 miles away, and I expected the food to be lukewarm, I was ready to settle for something less than perfect from them. Let me tell you, I was pleasantly surprised. The food arrive, nice and hot, and the juicy chicken item was perfect. It is perhaps their best item on the menu. Don't get me wrong, I love their other items as well, But this one really surprised me. First of all, each portion is enough for two maybe three people. I mean, it is huge. But as they say, size is not always the standard. So we go to taste. The rice (Baghali Polo, made with Fava beans and dill) was deliciously cooked and fragrant. The chicken lived up to its name, and it was absolutely juicy. The marination must be unique, as it gave it such a special taste. I have young people in my house and between the four of us, we couldn't finish the two servings. Interestingly, the fragrance of the rice, and the juiciness of the chicken remained until we were able to finish it in the process of two days. If you haven't tried Sadaf, you owe it to yourself to go eat there, or order from any of their locations. If you are a longtime customer, and haven't tried the juicy chicken, then definitely try the next time you're around. read more

We had an order for a big party and order came one day earlier. We got charge almost double. That is wrong what the management did, she should be more careful with the order date and they need to confirm the order one day before and one hour before delivery. read more

Been going to Sadaf for the past 15 years. Past few years they have increased prices and made their portions smaller. Just until recently we have been experiencing changes in flavor and food presentation, still no excuse to serve people that have been supporting their business with tasteless and cold food. Last week I had enough and called over the manager. He did mention due to the high cost, they had to cut back and raise prices. Giving us the typical excuses to weasel their way out. Order 1 was tri stews that came out cold with small portion of rice. The stews were tasteless and meatless. Menu states chunks of beef but yet nothing in our dish. Maybe they gave us the veggie option for $28. I scream middle eastern from a mile away do you think I would go there for a veggie dish? I don't think so. Discrepancies can elevate a dish but unfortunately I don't think the new management in the kitchen has any clue on culinary arts. If you lack that part in your business at least serve a warm dish with decent size rice which is cheap to buy or add some side greens that can fill a normal size man so I don't have to stop by In N Out after. Order 2 was chicken barg that was cold as our stews, tasteless and strange color to it which manager claimed it was a new marinate and also agreed it was small. Small portion and cold but yet they charged $28 for it. No mention if their cuts are organic or not is very troubling as the chicken felt it was frozen with a chewing texture and a strange aftertaste. The icing on cake was a $5 premium charge for a small bottle of sparkling water that's normally at most at local gas stations for a $1.90. The manager had the nerve to tell us they have been cutting back including the small slice of lemon that they used to offer with a glass of water. This place is a joke and ran by people that just care for money as they have been opening new locations with our support. They have forgotten when you claim superiority over other restaurants you better deliver as presentation is key which this restaurant lacks as well. Manager claimed they focus on healthy marinates and oils and provide healthy meals which as if he was selling me on a gym membership! Maybe he should save all that talk and had refunded my money. I paid, even gave a healthy tip as the server had nothing to do with it and I would have ordered desserts but everything on it was unhealthy and store bought contradictory to his long speech. Save your money and don't go here. read more

Incredible food but terrible service. Unfortunate. All staff need some extra training. Fix that and then I would have given 5 stars read more

Fast and friendly service and tasty food. Their chicken was a large portion and reminded me of when Koo Koo Roo chicken was around as it had that same tomato based taste to it - Bravo ! read more

See all

recently had the pleasure of dining at Sadaf Restaurant for the first time with my family, and what stood out to me most beyond the delicious food and warm atmosphere was the exceptional service. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with genuine hospitality that immediately set the tone for the evening. We were waited by Iman who was very friendly and welcoming who was attentive without being intrusive, always checking in at the right time, offering thoughtful suggestions from the menu, and ensuring that every detail of our experience was perfect. It's rare these days to find a team so dedicated to making guests feel welcome, and it left a lasting impression. No doubt I'll be back for the service and the amazing food! read more

See all

I came here for a company party. Most of the staff were nice and accommodating the waiter went over the menu to see what was vegan that could be modified. I explained what I could or could not eat and my food allergies. One of the recommendations I tried was the Combination of 3 stews for $26. The vegan stews were served with white basmati rice. I was the only vegan in my group and all the dishes that came were mainly meat dishes. When my food came, one of the runners just left it next to me and didn't say anything. I assumed it was one of the meat dishes because it looked similar to other dishes. After sitting for a while, I asked the waiter if he could check on my food. He said it was the one that had just been left sitting here. I told him that the runner just put it down without saying anything! He said oh.. yes this one is yours. I asked what they were and i believe he said eggplant, beets, and another one is cabbage. I thought they were good but this dish was very plain for $26. At least offer some seasoned veggies to put it on. He also suggested the Sadaf salad with no cheese. Menu says: Crisp romaine lettuce and baby greens with tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, raisins, dates, lentils, crunchy walnuts, and imported feta cheese. I can't believe this salad was $20. Very pricey and small portions . My coworkers liked the food, but also said it's expensive . I had the Cardamom cocktail for $18. Menu labeled: Tito's Handmade Vodka, cardamom seeds, simple syrup, house made Persian tea on the rocks. It was pretty good. I wanted the tea on its own and it's really good. For dessert I had the $11 Faloodeh (Rosewater sorbet with rice noodles). I was lot a fan of this. It tasted weird. My coworkers had the tiramisu, Persian ice cream, and Dubai chocolate . Mixed reviews on them. What a disappointment that the staff said the hummus and the pita bread were not vegan. Was looking forward to it. Overall the food was alright. Some good and some were not. We had a good time here . Some of my coworkers said they'd come back. his is my first time trying Persian food and I thought it was okay. I would recommend this spot to others if they want to try any Persian food. I won't be back but at least I tried it. read more

Very nice ambiance, very respectful and professional service. The manager, Hossein, and the server, Yalda, were amazing. Thank you read more

Sadaf Restaurant - Persian/Iranian Near Me - Encino, California

We went to Saraf restaurant for a retirement lunch 2/1/2025 . We arrived 30 minutes before our reservation time . We were greeted by the hostess, we were given the option of waiting to be seated or go to bar for drinks. We opted for just waiting for the rest of our party to arrive . Right by the waiting area I noticed an area that contained portable charging stations for phones. The decor at Sadaf is Persian with a warm, and inviting atmosphere. Iman was our waiter to our party . Immediately our table was served pita bread with butter . I've had plenty of Persian food but never have I ever tried butter with pita bread. I went ahead and tried it and that combination was delicious. Iman suggested Princess of Persia cocktail drink . Majority of our tables ordered one and like it that a second round was ordered . My personal favorite dishes were the Eggplant Delight Sauteed eggplant mixed with yogurt, topped with fried garlic and onions, sauteed mint and finished off with creamed whey. Albaloo Polo Steamed white rice mixed with sour cherries. We had beef , ground beef and salmon kabobs. All were seasoned and cooked to perfection. . Over all the food was amazing . Iman was a great waiter with great recommendations. read more

See all

absolutely one of my favorite restaurants in the valley favorite thing on the menu. Is the Sadaf salad with juicy chicken. Everything about this meal is healthy and delicious 10 out of 10 would recommend to anybody. The service here is amazing no long wait times they're on top of their orders. The ambience is super peaceful Grate for birthdays are just a night owl. read more

Amazing food Love and enjoy it The staff amazing. The Food are big portions And price not bad read more

This was a great suggestion for a holiday dinner with coworkers! I love the options of tables and space. There were 2 rooms. We were in the livelier back room listening to live music. There were too many options to choose from on the menu. I tend to stick with the basics when given too many options. I think I made a good choice with the Koobideh Kabob to compare with other Persian restaurants. It was delicious! It included saffron rice and a charbroiled tomato. It was a good portion of food with leftovers for the next day. I tried the spicy basil margarita. It was refreshing, a bit more sour than I expected but it's hard to go wrong with a margarita. The waiter was very helpful and patient with a larger group. I also tasted some of the salmon kabob which was tasty as well, not dry. My coworker mentioned the chicken shish kabob was juicy and tender. There's valet and street metered parking. There's some free street parking after 6pm in the residential area. I'm excited to see that there's another Sadaf closer in Bevery Hills. I'm hoping I can try more dishes at this location soon. read more

See all

Very rude hostess we walk in at 8:45 and they say it's closed already.... onlineIt states at 9 PM. We're walking in at 8:45 and it says closed after we call them. They said it was open till nine. We drove over 40 minutes to get here 00 stars read more