Pomegranate Restaurant

I was recommended by my good friend. It was delicious, healthy and beautiful food. Make sure to make a reservation — and keep in mind that this place opens for dinner. Order the specials because it is tasty and you cannot go wrong with what is recommended for the day. I had lamb, and another dish with pomegranate. It was well made and it looks like something that’s made for a special person :) good food, happy stomach!
+good for taking your teacher out for thank you!

To me the food looked better then it tasted. Out of six people I came with 3 did like their meals and 3 didn’t. I ordered chicken with plums and it was waaay too sweet for my taste. The ribs were good according to my friends. Also I feel like this place is a little overpriced. Service was just okay, maybe a little too slow. I’m giving this place an extra star for the décor.

The quality of the food is very good. Probably the best Persian restaurant in Toronto. I highly recommend this place.

Had a wonderful time at Pomegranate tonight. The staff were very friendly and the food was tasteful. We had zeytoon parvarde, kashk bademjoon and their special, morgh-​e torsh. They were all good and presented well. I also liked their interior design, makes you feel cozy and comfortable. I would definitely come back next time I am in Toronto.

Overall, probably my favourite restaurant in Toronto.
I’m a sucker for the lamb dishes — qeymeh is one of my usual go-​tos from the regular menu.
If qormeh sabzi is one of the specials of the day, ORDER IT (if you like lamb)! This is my favourite dish ever.
I haven’t had a bad meal here, or a bad experience. The staff are always friendly, the prices are incredibly reasonable. The only thing I can suggest is to make a reservation, to avoid disappointment. The dining room isn’t huge, and it’s a popular place.

I have been to Pomegranate several times over the years, it has become the first excuse for a trip to T.O. In my humble opinion, this is probably the Persian restaurant that I know off.
The meat falls of the lamb shank with a touch of a fork, and in case you are somewhat tired of the usual suspects, they have a special that is almost always interetsing. One last thing, service has been great every single time.

I dined here with a family member recently, and overall, the experience was pleasant. We had reservations close to when the kitchen was closing, so we expected a quick meal. The servers were pleasant and attentive during the experience. We ordered the special of the night which was the gourmet sabzi and the aloo gheysi. Each came with a salad which consisted of arugula and mixed lettuces in a very tangy vinaigrette that my dining partner and I didn’t particularly enjoy. As I didn’t wish to have the rice, they provided an extra serving of this salad for my dish, although I didn’t finish it.
My dish consisted of a a stew with fenugreek, kidney beans, a lime, and boneless lamb pieces in an herbacious stew. It was a bit bitter at first, but I requested additional spices on the side to make it more flavourful. Overall, it was satisfying, but not a dish that I would order again.
My dinner date ordered the aloo ghyesi, and although the chicken, rice and salad were quite good, my friend did not really appreciate the sweetness from the apricots. After trying the dish myself, I would have to agree. It seems like they simply dropped dried apricots into a chicken dish, and although there were supposed to be plums, we could not locate them.
Overall, the experience was ‘okay’. I recall it being better several years ago when I first went there. It did end up being quite busy for a Wednesday night, and I’m sure that this institution has built its reputation on providing its customers with quality Persian/​Iranian food.
My dining companion described it as ‘different’ and ‘interesting’, which I am in agreement with.

Strangely enough, the best Iranian restaurant in GTA is run by White folks! I haven’t had such good food even in Iran!

The dishes here are thought out and spicy! I can’t remember the name of what I ordered last time I was here, but I think it was a chicken stew with plums (?). Every time I go here I’m surprised by the combinations of foods put together to make something delicious.

Too bad you cannot give zero stars or even negative stars, because this is what this place deserves.
Pomegranate cannot be an authentic Middle Eastern restaurant Middle Eastern culture prides itself in hospitality, and this concept is unknown to Pomegranate servers.
I was meeting a friend in there. When I stepped in, instead of somewhat welcome, a server informed me that there are no tables and she cannot help me. what she did not say is that there were tables close to the bar, and I could have gone and looked for my friend there (who was there already). Fast forward and being reunited with the friend, I sit down and no apologies, no nothing. they promptly ignore me for 10 minutes, then the same server comes to take my order and literally rushes me. I ask about drinks, and she snaps that they have no ciders (I asked if they had them) and they she would give me a menu to look. Huh?
I ordered fesenjaan with chicken. It comes with a huge rice portion, but the stew itself had 4 tiny chicken pieces; the stew was ok but the taste was on a sweet side. It seemed very unbalanced.
The «best» part of the night started when I was half way through my meal. A bill came in abruptly. The servers started referring to some «deal» they made with my friend, and that we had to leave by 7:55. It was 7:50 pm. I was asked if I wanted to pack my meal with me. Excuse me? I am not done. They repeated 10 times that they really needed the table. This is just unacceptable, and if you do need the table that bad, how about remind people 10 minutes before they have to leave. We did leave at 8:03 after paying for the meal and leaving zero tips. We did not experience any service there, so that was fair, but the servers became even more rude, and completely ignored all my comments. Nobody cared even to attempt to apologize.
Obviously, I am not coming back, and I suggest that you always take your money elsewhere, unless you want to have a mediocre meal and be kicked out of the restaurant because the next party has arrived.

Lovely Persian/​Iranian restaurant, has a great low key atmosphere and authentic vibes. There are a lot of options and if you’re looking for lamb — they make it several ways: just on the bone or in stews. Their rices are also amazing — try the Baqali Polo (dill with Jasmine rice) and their Jewelled Rice with almonds, barberries and orange peels. The Mirza Qasemi (charred egglplant purée) was too heavy on the garlic, but had a very nice roasted taste to it.

Best Fesenjoon you can get at a restaurant in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD, you can’t even get anything close to it in Tehran (Fesenjoon’s birthplace). Let me explain the dish first: it is chicken breast/​thighs pieces, soaked in pomegranate sauce, with tiny pieces of walnut. It comes with rice, BUT keep in mind that when you’re having Persian food, rice is not a side dish. NO NO! It is as important as the Fesenjoon itself, so don’t mix it with salad and all the other good stuff you find on the table, it’s offensive. I’m joking, but only the offensive part was a joke. If you go here and don’t want to order this heavenly dish (maybe cause you’re one those people who don’t order the most famous dish of the restaurant they go to — no judgment!), other dishes are very delicious too. I also love the appetizers, they come with hot barbari (Persian bread).
Important thing to note: make a reservation for the weekends at least a week in advance. This place is my heaven.

If food reminiscent of an Iranian university cafeteria is what you’re after, look no further. Pomegranate serves up mediocre renditions of Iranian favourites, complete with waitresses wearing «Free Palestine» bracelets. I mean, can we at least EAT in peace without needing a side of politics?
Appetizer dips leave much to be desired; Dolmeh was a tad better than the canned grocery store version.
* Ghormeh Sabzi reminded me of a version I had eaten at a fast food joint in Tehran. (²⁄₁₀)
* Fesenjaan was a bit better but still not even remotely close to the real thing. (⁴⁄₁₀)
* Lamb stew special — nothing Persian about it, but perhaps that’s why it was the best thing our party ordered that evening. (⁶⁄₁₀)
Desserts were rather good, and the décor was nice, both a saving grace for Pomegranate, and landing it a very generous 2-​STARS.

Everything I have ordered here has been fantastic. I tend to take people who are visiting Toronto here because I know it will deliver on taste, service and ambiance.
If you are looking for real Persian food, this is the place! The meat is always done to perfection and if you mix butter into the rice, it pulls out even more of the aromas and flavours.
I would recommend a reservation-​it is a busy busy place! If you can’t get a reservation-​their sister restaurant is next door and also a 5-​star place

Very delicious Persian stew type food. I have been to this place ¾ times and I always tend to order from their specials. The food is always flavorful and delicious. I would recommend going there for sure ! :)

A friend suggested to eat at a Persian restaurant which I was iffy at first since I’ve never had this type of cuisine before. She said she went here many times and so I trusted her that it would be good.
Entering the place early for dinner, the place was deserted and I was able to admire the interesting décor on the wall and the small pond at the entrance with goldfish. Less than an hour in there, the place was already packed for 6 pm dinner. Indeed, I was surprised!
Happy: The waitress was friendly and attentive. The menu is not large, so it was easy to pick a dish that I would like to try. The appetizers were decent in price and cheaper than I imagined for a restaurant. I ordered Mirza Qasemi which is: «charred eggplant purée in a mildly spicy garlic tomato sauce served with saffron basmati rice.» The eggplant was placed in a small bowl and it was hot in temperature. I like the tomato taste that went with it. Even the rice was hot since I know the sides tend to be prepared earlier on. The 2 salads were nice, a mixed green and a shirazi (which is tomato, cucumber and onion chopped up with a vinaigrette sauce). I was definitely really full at the end as I devoured everything, except I left some rice behind. The eggplant had the right kick of spice and I liked how it was still hot while I was eating it.
My friends got a chicken and lamb dish that looked similar to mind. They both liked the dish. It felt like a combination of Persian and Caucasian food (the salad).
Not happy: We weren’t able to get split bills so we had to calculate our own bills. Besides the eggplant dish, a different side would be nice to try instead of 2 salads that I know of. Perhaps another traditional Persian dish would be nice.
The vanilla ice cream with infused rose water is quite interesting. At first, it feels like you are eating cold perfume which is weird. I had to get used to it, but at the end, enough was enough. I liked the toppings of chopped up almonds and pomegranate seeds.
Verdict: It was certainly an experience and I was glad that I went there with friends. I don’t think I would have gone there if she didn’t suggested it. I wouldn’t mind going back again and trying out their other dishes, especially their appetizers.

The décor! Makes me proud to be inside.
The service is nice. It’s cool being served by non-​Persians who are enthusiastic about the pronunciation and the food items.
Khoresht (stew) is the best in the city. The gheymeh tastes like Ashura gheymeh!
The appetizer option of mirza ghasemi is the best I have ever had. Has a smokey taste.

MUST TRY:
1. Lamb Shank — There are 3 lamb shank mains on the menu. Make sure you order one of them for some tender lamb treatment. The only difference between them appears to be the rice. It can be confusing to figure this out when reading the menu:
a) adas polo
b) morasa polo
c) baqali polo
(in order appearance on the menu. They are all great. I think the morasa polo is the most distinct compared to other cuisine because of the orange influence)
2. Aloo gheysi — It’s a chicken stew, which is sweeter and lighter in colour than the others. I don’t think there is a way to describe this properly. Just order it.
3. Fesenjaan — put walnut and pomegranate in a chicken stew and you’re probably headed for greatness
4. Kashk-​e bademjaan (appetizer) — it’s a wonderful eggplant dip
RECOMMENDED:
Ghormeh Sabzi (special) — More intense and herby than the other stews. Not everyone will love it, but it’s great.
GOOD:
Qeymeh — Probably just my personal preference. I love the other stews, so it’s like finishing 4^th at the Olympics.
Noon-​o paneer-​o gerdu — solid platter for an intro to the rest of the meal
Strategy:
1. Bring a group and share. Each dish has it’s own complexity. When you’re sharing 5 – 6 of these dishes it becomes a whirlwind of flavours. It’s like a hurricane. Each individual spice, rice, and lamb molecule interacts with the others to create a profoundly mystifying taste.
2. RESERVATIONS. Must have reservations. Reservations or die.
3. Service: is amicable, but slow and strangely non-​existent at times. It may take a while to put your order in and get things rolling, but the food normally comes quite fast. They are laid back, but they seem to truly care if you have a good meal. Stay on top of them if you need to get moving, but it’s best to only come here if you’re open to a relaxed meal.
BONUS: The décor is smart and gives you the sense that you have been whisked away to Persia.
(sample of 5 meals)

This is the best Persian restaurant I’ve had the pleasure of eating at in North America. The restaurant is managed by the same family owners at Sheherazade and Tavoos, three in Toronto.
I had the lamb on jeweled rice with a side salad ($ 15.95), and on our first visit we also ordered the pomegranate reduction chicken stew (fessenjen).
it was perfect.
the decorations and attention to customer needs and detail were impeccable. so good that we went there again two nights later on our short visit to Toronto.

It was absolutely packed when we were here, and that was on a weeknight.
The fesenjaan is good enough to command that kind of crowd. It was really, really good. It comes with a nice side salad, famous Persian rice, and yogurt. I’d order it again 1000 times over. The Persian tea was also quite good.
The bademjan appetizer, however, was charred to the point of tasting burnt. I don’t know if it was a fluke, but it was not right.
The service was prompt, but verged on condescending at points. Still, the fesenjaan makes this place worth a visit!