Parfums de Perse: For savoring delicious treats just like in Iran

Parfums de Perse: A Modest Spot with Authentic Flavors

It’s very modestly called Café Parfums de Perse, but it’s more than just a café—much more. In fact, it’s a place where you can savor some of the most delicious specialties of Iranian cuisine. There’s seating for around forty inside and a dozen on the terrace. A gourmet stop to add to your next visit to Old Montreal.

The modesty perhaps comes from its discreet storefront on McGill Street, between Wellington and De la Commune streets. Or maybe from the short menu—fewer than ten choices—which is actually reassuring compared to some places boasting endless, complicated options despite a tiny kitchen. At Parfums de Perse, you feel you’re in good hands.

The modesty surely also comes from the very homely way the kitchen team prepares your food. Mr. Anoush and his wife, Mrs. Sayeh, cook up tempting dishes much like what your Iranian friends would serve you if you came over for a meal—especially if it was their mother who had done the cooking.

Beautifully executed plates…

The chalkboard menu, in French, English, and Persian, offers two types of dishes: the first three come with a beautiful slice of crisp Iranian bread, the other five are accompanied—oh, gourmet bliss—by the kind of rice Iranians have mastered: light, fragrant, with separate grains perfectly steamed. The owner told us: “Since you speak Persian so well, I’m giving you the tadik.” Tadik is the golden, crispy rice crust that forms at the bottom of the pot during steaming. In Iran, it’s treasured and offered to children or honored guests. That customer surely felt like a very special guest.

On our visit, the Ghormé-sabzi—a beef stew with plenty of fresh herbs and red beans—was perfect: generous, flavorful, and satisfying for any hearty appetite. The Iranian tea, like everything else, was also spot on.

…and a very Iranian décor

Parfums de Perse is also something of an art gallery: you catch sight of musical instruments, some lovely jewelry, and a décor that is warmly extravagant—just like the food—and as welcoming as the service. It’s clearly the kind of place where you can come to socialize and spend a good time with friends.

Before leaving, we took with us the delightful memory of a moist saffron cake for dessert. Chances are, you’ll be moved by it too.

Nooché djoun! (Phonetically, “Bon appétit” in Persian.)