Rincón Persa - Barcelona

The food is amazing! Everything we tried was absolutely delicious. They have different types of rice and all had a unique taste, the shirin polow and the vegeta... read more The food is amazing! Everything we tried was absolutely delicious. They have different types of rice and all had a unique taste, the shirin polow and the vegetarian stew were delicious. Meal type: Dinner Price per person: €20–30 Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5

You could really taste the feeling of home we especially enjoyed the Iranian tea and the ice cream. Meal type: Lunch Price per person: €20–30 Food: 5 Service: 5... read more You could really taste the feeling of home we especially enjoyed the Iranian tea and the ice cream. Meal type: Lunch Price per person: €20–30 Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5

Once was enough Dining at this Iranian restaurant marked the final part of our 5-day journey. The decision to eat here came based on a friend’s recommendation,... read more Once was enough Dining at this Iranian restaurant marked the final part of our 5-day journey. The decision to eat here came based on a friend’s recommendation, hoping to end the trip with a familiar and comforting meal. Unfortunately, our experience was far from what we had hoped for. From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere felt cold and impersonal. Despite being a group of Iranians walking into an Iranian restaurant, there was no sense of welcome, hospitality, or effort from the staff or the owner to make us feel at home—something that is traditionally at the heart of Persian dining culture. Appetizer: We ordered kashk-e bademjan (eggplant and whey dip) served with bread. The bread, however, was not Iranian at all—it was corn tortilla, with a strong flavor that clashed with the dip and had no connection to traditional Persian bread in taste or texture. Main Courses: Gheimeh Stew: The gheimeh looked and tasted nothing like the classic Iranian dish. The color and flavor were off, and the texture was disappointing. The meat pieces in this stew were unusually large, lacking any attention to proportion or tenderness. Ghormeh Sabzi: This was particularly underwhelming. It was immediately obvious that canned herbs and canned beans were used. The stew lacked depth, aroma, and authenticity—so much so that even my son, who normally enjoys this dish, couldn’t finish it. In stark contrast to the large meat chunks in the gheimeh, the ghormeh sabzi barely contained any visible meat at all. The lack of consistency in the portions between these two stews was very noticeable and disappointing. Barg Kebab: While the use of beef instead of lamb can be acceptable, the cut used was from a very tough part of the cow. The pieces were thick, large, and not at all in the style of a traditional barg kebab, which should be thinly sliced and tenderized. The koobideh kebab, which was served alongside, had a different flavor and was slightly dry. A good koobideh should be juicy and lightly fatty to maintain both moisture and taste, but this one lacked both of those essential qualities. Chenjeh Kebab: This dish was made with lamb, but the chunks were extremely large—each piece needed to be cut into smaller pieces just to be chewable. The meat also lacked the necessary fat content that makes a good chenjeh juicy and flavorful. Joojeh Kebab (Chicken): I chose this dish expecting it to be the safest option. It had a decent taste, but again, the chicken pieces were quite large. After cutting into them, it was clear that the marinade hadn't fully penetrated, and some parts were still pale and unseasoned in the center. Tea: The tea served at the end was one of the few positives. It came with rock candy (nabat), and the mint tea, in particular, was generously brewed with fresh mint leaves, which we appreciated. Final Verdict: As a one-time experience, it was interesting to try—especially at the end of a trip—but to be completely honest, I would not return. The food lacked authenticity, the preparation and presentation were poor, and the service lacked the warmth and hospitality one would expect from an Iranian establishment. It's not a place I could recommend or revisit. Meal type: Lunch Price per person: €100+ Food: 3 Service: 4 Atmosphere: 4