Hafez House of Kebab

Wonderful food and experience at the house of hafez kebab, authentic Iranian food! Definitely recommend visiting here. Rose was a very kind and helpful host, making the experience even more pleasant! :)

Decent kebabs but maybe not worth taking a 20 minute Uber from downtown to get there? Kebabs _looked_ 10/10 but tasted 6/10. Texture / tenderness / quality was 10/10. But felt underseasoned, not as flavorful as I'd hoped. On the plus side though, I wasn't parched later at night (which means the kebabs weren't doused with salt/sodium, which explains the lack of flavor). So - healthy but somewhat flavorless?

Very delicious kebabs specially kebab torsh. Also excellent customer service. I went there on Christmas Day with my family, a group of 6, and enjoyed the experience and hospitality. I will go back again. Can't recommend them enough. Very delicious Persian cuisine 😋🤤

The food was burned and the meat tasted like rubber. Atmosphere was not welcoming and the staff were not friendly whatsoever. We ordered two dishes and were given only one pack of Sumac.

Good food and decent sized. No kids menu. Service has a lot of room for improvement. Atmosphere definitely lacks, too

I had a dinner there. Ordered a lamb kabob. The servant gentleman was less than enthusiastic. He acted a bit like as if I owed him something. Food was ok. It was a weird vibe overall. I unfortunately will not be able to recommend a place and probably will not go back myself.

Hafez House of Kebab is a standout for anyone who loves authentic Persian cuisine. The kebabs are perfectly seasoned and cooked to tender perfection—each bite bursts with rich flavors that keep you coming back for more. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the staff is friendly and attentive, making every visit feel like a special dining experience. Whether you’re a fan of traditional kebabs or trying them for the first time, Hafez House of Kebab is an absolute must-visit!

I visited this restaurant recently in Boston with high hopes, having traveled a long distance specifically to enjoy authentic Persian cuisine. Unfortunately, our experience was deeply disappointing and did not reflect the positive reviews or the photos posted online.To begin with, the online photos appear to be outdated — possibly taken during the restaurant's grand opening — and do not represent the current condition of the space. The restaurant is very small and not well-maintained. Cleanliness was a concern from the start, with dishes drying on the countertop, flies in the dining area, and a dusty glass shelf being used to store food items in plastic bags — all of which were quite unappealing. Upon arrival, we were not greeted warmly. The staff, all male, appeared unwelcoming and unfriendly. One staff member brought us the menu without a single word, no smile, and simply dropped it on the table without any explanation or suggestions. This behavior set a very uncomfortable tone for our visit.We ordered two Chicken Barg plates with rice, one hummus, and two Coca-Colas. The Chicken Barg was dry and lacked flavor, priced at $21.99 per plate. The hummus was coarse, not the smooth consistency one would expect, and also bland — priced at $7.99. The flatbread served with it did not seem fresh and resembled store-bought bread. The soft drinks were oddly served in coffee cups. Throughout the meal, no one came by to check on us, and the service remained cold and inattentive. The manager was loudly talking on the phone right behind our table, which further diminished any sense of professionalism or hospitality. We also felt quite uncomfortable as several staff members stared at us in a way that made us feel unwelcome and out of place. Our total bill was $67.80 — quite expensive given the quality of the food, service, and overall experience. When I asked for a copy of the bill, the manager misunderstood and snapped back, saying they don’t serve coffee — an odd and unnecessary interaction that further highlighted the poor communication and customer service. Overall, this was a deeply disappointing visit. I would not return and cannot recommend this restaurant. I urge the owners to post recent, accurate photos and address the serious concerns with cleanliness, staff attitude, and food quality. Customers deserve honesty, hospitality, and value for their money — none of which were present during our visit.

I try to find something positive when I prepare each review but I had trouble here. The food was cold. There were a few tables a stools at where I sat. I had a double cheeseburger with a salad for 19.00. I thought it was overpriced. They claim it was hamburger. Buyer beware. I will not return.

Overall: I would come here again and I do recommend checking this location out! A couple friends and I cam for a weekend lunch and the food was great! The lamb was incredibly tender and everything was well seasoned. I have no complaints about the service, the staff was friendly and the food came out pretty quickly. Pros: - The food was well-seasoned, especially the Baghalli polo - Some beef kabob pieces were dry and slightly hard to chew through - Friendly and fast service - Space is cozy - Great portion sizes Cons: - May be hard to find parking, the streets are pretty full - Dining space relatively small, a larger party (5+) may feel cramped

This restaurant appears to be under new management. The food is almost inedible. It doesn't resemble the prior incarnation at all. The service was poor and rude; store bought humus was offered as an appetizer (I really missed the home made version is had previously); and both main meals my friend and I had were terrible quality. It's a loss to the neighborhood. The Thai place down the road is much better, try that instead!

Recommended for takeout Great food Good service Kitchen like ambiance, suitable for a quick bite

Experience or training does not always change a person's initial reflex to certain situations. After all these years of food travels, or being immersed deeply in the culinary industry, I still often feel this immediate hesitance (or doubt) when entering an empty establishment. It doesn't matter that previous "walk/drive-bys" have seen fully seated tables. It's always in that moment of walking in and wondering if something had happened that I may just have missed. As per usual, I drift to the first comfortable spot, take a deep breath, and realign my thoughts as to why I was even there. Right. I'm hungry and I've been wanting to check out this spot since the very first night I drove by it months ago when exploring the area after the move. Two guys - two very different demeanors. One very friendly and welcoming (thank you). The other...well, uncomfortable (thank you too). I won't deliberate too much on it as the very Asian thing to say is...the food is what really matters. ***What a long-winded way to start this review but so much passed through my mind from the moment I got there, to ordering, and to getting my food. I lost track of time but the quietness there allowed me to recollect myself from another harsh culinary week to remember what mattered most.*** First bite in the every last bit, my eyes somewhat rolled out of their sockets. I don't know what it is. It wasn't perfect but it was good. There were places for correction but easily overlooked. So many unnecessary words to flow out but blocked by more bits of food shoveled in. Let this be what I choose to remember this place: I'm going to eat your whole menu, over time, several, several times over just because it's that darn good. Really moist and flavorful chicken. Really moist and flavorful beef koobideh and kebabs. Gosh, I seriously need more...and I shall. Thank you and see you soon.

At first I was hesitant due to the recent poor reviews but I don't know how someone could rate this place as low as they have. The dining area looks amazing, the food was made on time and very good. I had simply the Beef Kobideh and Mast o Moosir and both were very good. Some might be hesitant on the price as dishes are $20+ but I'd say you are getting large portions and high quality food to justify the price (of course if you are comfortable with a $20+ meal). In Summary: I would not hesitate to try their food due to any reviews. Very excited to come back and try their other options

I ordered food from here Togo. When it came to taste and portion I give this place 5 stars. Now this is the first Persian place I've eaten at since living in Boston. I'm from Houston and we have some of the best Persian food. If you know, you know. The price of the food is on the higher side, but I think that's typical for Boston. I'll drop in here again sometime and eat at the restaurant, but overall on placing my order and eating the food, the place deserves 5 stars.

If you want delicious savory meats this is the place! This cozy nice restaurant delivers the flavor punch. My bf and I have dined in a few times and it does not disappoint. We have tried a few appetizers which were all very good and unique to us. The kabobs have been especially delicious. They are cooked to perfection and are packed with flavor. I highly recommend the beef kabob. It's marinated with spices and pomegranate and it's always so tender and juicy. The chicken kabob is also very good. I especially like how it's a little charred on the outside but cooked perfectly on the inside. The rice is always super fluffy and light and although it may look like a lot on the plate it's very easy to devour all of it without feeling too stuffed.. I think there is only one waitress, but she is very nice and attentive and above all the service is great!

The reception was friendly but not knowledgeable about the menu. The food is EXTREMELY OVERPRICED, I ordered 2 entrees and a small side salad, I gave $60 and got no change back. I thought I was getting full sizes for my family at the very least for that much money for but when I got home everything was in the small 8oz containers. I'm aware that the economy is awful but $60 for 2 entrees that aren't even full size? The portions definitely do not match the price. That was not even the worst part, we had it for dinner and soon after, we all started feeling unwell with strange but really painful stomach cramps. It wasn't long till the throwing up and throwing down (trying not to be graphic) started. We were sick most of the night and have all had to call out of work and school today as we're still feel awful and need to be near the bathroom. After paying so much, we got teeny potions of food that made us extremely sick. It was a huge disappointment and sadly, I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone. All other issues are a matter of subjective opinion but food poisoning is a non negotiable! All food should be handled with the utmost care especially when you're charging so much more than it's worth....please look into it so no one else gets sick. Definitely never going back, sad...

The food tasted good but a bit dry! The amount of ambiance is small but fine. The service was not really on time tho! I would say it is better for take out to actually going there sitting and eating!

Dirty cutlery. Tried beef soltani, chicken kabob, lamb kabob, eggplant appetizer. All were disappointing. The meat was on the dry side , chewy , overcooked and lacked flavor . Won't repeat . Don't understand how this place got good reviews.

Best kebabs and amazing service. Anyone who is interested in authentic middle Eastern food. Do try the tea as well, it is one of the best things on the menu!

Family owned persian food restaurant in a nutshell. The food was delicious. Some dishes were so tasty just like you'd expect from going to a family member back in Iran. Ashe-Reshteh was fantastic and filling and served on a rainy Mother's days weekend in Boston was probably just all that I needed! I tried their homemade doogh to go along with my Ash and then ordered their Kebab koobideh and joojeh kebab (boneless marinated chicken breasts) combo with long grain basmati rice. Overall I was very pleased and hence why the 4 stars. The family work in harmony and are all dedicated and very hospitable. But again don't look for perfection in service. It's never been a hallmark of going to a mom-pop persian store or restaurant. But you do get great food and need to understand the purpose of your visit. Enjoy the uniquely prepared food for a reasonable price. I am frequent business traveler from SoCal and have had persian food at 5 or 6 places in and around Boston over the past 4-5 years. I think food wise this is the best I have had and will for sure come back soon. To owners, cooks, servers, and the entire family running the place, thanks for your hospitality and excellent food.

soltani chicken torsh is amazing! would 10/10 recommend and will order it again. i also really enjoyed the tea!

Loved how the owner and the chef were Persian, that's how you know the foods the real deal!

The food here is really tasty! Chicken breast kabobs were fresh and moist. Kubideh was delicious and tasted really fresh too. Rice was yummy. As a few people have noted some of the staff was super friendly and others - not so much. Overall a delicious experience and I will definitely be back!

It is a small place food is okay it has hit or miss services was decent but you need i had chicken and beef stake combo chicken was tender lakes flavor beef was chewy.

Amazing. 10/10 would recommend. It's a small family run restaurant - and the quality of their food is incredible. The rice and chicken kabob I had were so soft and ahhh. ITS AMAZING. I don't know what else to say other than you need to come here and try it for yourself. Parking is a little hard to find but street parking is available. Prices are stupendous for the quality you receive. Customer service is great!!! Sweetest owners.

Possibly the best Persian food in the Boston area. Recently opened and replacing a longtime favorite, Hafez Kebabs presented a wonderfully seasoned beef koobideh plate ($13.50) with long grain, fluffy rice and charred jalapeño and tomato. The kebab is juicy, rich, full of sweet and savory counterpoints. Seasoning is forward in each bite followed by a juicy explosion of luscious fatty juices. Excellent service, clean location. Go frequently.

We love their torsh and the rice dishes are delicious! Owners are very friendly, service-minded people too

Best kabobs in Boston and I've tried them all. The restaurant is ran by the kindest and the sweetest of families

I love Hafez. Both the poet and the restaurant! The food is great, clean place, and friendly staff. Their kubideh is really good and not as buttery as other places.

Great improvement from my last visit. Best Persian restaurant in Boston. Much Better than next door Roxanna.

Looking at the reviews over time, it might be going downhill. Had a bad experience tonight, definitely the worst Persian I've had in the area (Sabzi/Roksana/Shiraz). The prices are high overall. Food was mostly bad. Got the kashk e bademjan as an appetizer - was tasty (not totally traditional/kind of large pieces of eggplant, I liked it) but portions definitely small. It's disappointing when restaurants raise prices and reduce portions so as to seem more "fine dining". This stuff is home-cooked Persian food unless it's completely transformed in some way, should be priced/portioned accordingly. Got a kebab combo (chicken/beef torsh) + Ghormeh sabzi as mains. The kebabs were both very overcooked, the beef tasted liver-y - my advice is to turn up the heat on the grill so you can keep it moist inside while still getting it charred outside. I walked past the kitchen on the way to the bathroom and there was no sizzle - tasted like they cooked the meat till it "looked right", can't do that if the grill temperature is wrong. The rice was fine. The tomato was sad/no taste. I saw no charred jalapeno like in the pictures, would've added some nice color/spice - no clue why. The Ghormeh sabzi was quite under-salted, but otherwise fine. Beef was reasonably tender/herb-y... no complaints or real positive things to say here. Service was slow and entirely lacking, maybe because of another big family in the restaurant... maybe that was a reason for the bad cooking as well. Nobody asked how the food was - I would have gladly given some feedback had they asked. But here it is, hope 'yall read this and get it together, high prices aren't gonna keep the lights on if the food isn't good. Open to coming back if the food looks even close to what it apparently did when you first opened.

I do recommend this restaurant definitely over the other Persian Restaurants in Boston / Watertown area at least they are clean - positives are the food is good and you can see the kitchen area and the bathroom is clean - NEGATIVES that I don't Like is they never have most of the items on the menu so don't get excited when you see the menu they most likely don't have what you like on the menu and just offer the basic Chelo kabob and for God's sake smile and greet your customers with a traditional Persian Welcome

I tried the koobideh( ground beef Kabob), Torsh( meat cooked in pomegranate and walnut sauce)and the chicken Kabob. Also tried rice with barberry(sour cherry like fruit), the plain rice and the Baghali( rice with Lima beans and dill). My favorite was the torsh and barberry rice. The chicken was also amazing, juicy and tasty, but I had tried chicken kabob before so it wasn't a new experience. The koobideh was really dry. Portions are massive. My group had so much left over. The 3 meal combos cost $45 I'll definitely be back!

I wish I could give this family-business more stars, but I will stick to a 3-star review for now, with the hope to see them improve. I have dined at this restaurant five times and I have always been happy with the quality of their food and, most importantly, the consistency. However, the lingering flaw is their service. It's very clear that the staff have close to zero experience in running a restaurant and providing excellent customer service. Despite trying to be friendly, they don't put the needed effort to put their customers first and to make sure that their customers are happy. I can see that this might be because of the lack of training in running a restaurant, but I believe that the current team has all the competence and capabilities to fix this. Examples of unpleasant situations that we've had and was handled unprofessionally: We placed an order of "zereshk polo & Chicken" (Chicken, rice, and sour berries). Instead of cooked chicken that is traditionally served with this dish, they brought us chicken kabobs (grilled chicken). When we friendly asked about the matter, we were told that because we didn't specify, they just decided to bring the grilled chicken. Note that we were not told or asked about the options. Well, miscommunications happen everywhere, but a professional restaurant owner would offer some ways to make their customers happy (apologies, substitution, trying to find a solution, etc); none was offered to us and the waitress left us without any further discussion. There were other situations where we wanted to add to our order or we had a question about our foods, but the waitress did not look happy about interacting any further, taking suggestions, or being patient with their customers and trying to provide the best service without expressing an "it's not my problem" attitude. This is, of course, very atypical of a restaurant that wants to compete with other restaurants and survive in a neighborhood that hosts several other Persian restaurants. Another aesthetic flaw is the ambiance and the furniture. The tables and chairs are aged and tacky and need a major overhaul. In addition, the decor items are irrelevant and there is an unpleasant clutter around the window. I suggest the owner to, at least for a limited period of time, hire a professional waiter/waitress or a restaurant consultant to make fundamental corrections to the way they interact with customers and make their front as excellent as their kitchen.

Been going here for a couple of years now and the food was authentic and just ok. Recently I went for lunch and got koobideh and finally it was GREAT and super flavorful but rather pricey. I mean $17 for koobedeh seriously!

6 stars for the taste and quality of food! So far we have tasted Ash Reshteh, Mirzaghassemi, zeytoun parvardeh, gheyme, ghorme sabzi, Soltani kabobs and kabob torsh (my favorite)! All tasted authentic. The kabobs were so soft and tasty that even though I was already full I just had to finish it all, could not stop myself. The place is quite cozy. The owners care about their costumers. You can even pick up some sholezard on your way out! Also I saw someone made a comment about English speaking waiters. We were greeted by an English speaking waiter.

I ordered koobideh kabab for take out. When I arrived home and started to eat, i noticed that the lower side of the kabob is completely burned and inedible even though the top side looked normal. I was super annoyed because by paying 21 dollars for a meal you expect a decent quality and not burned food. Very disappointed. When they try to trick you by putting the good side up in the box, you never know where else they cut the corners. Also, the overall quality of the food is not as good as expected.

This restaurant is to die for. Seriously home cooked food full of flavor. Family run business with delectable dishes. Our family is so fortunate to have found this place. Too bad we live so far away!!

This place would get 1 star if it wasn't for the great service! Unfortunately the food was not good at all... The kebab was really dry and the rice was very bland... all they need to do is step up their food game and this place will bump up two stars.

The operators were not wearing masks, I will NEVER go back to this place again, holy moly. Its one thing that the stupid people sitting IN the restaurant, its a small little space, were not wearing masks, but the operators, yeesh...beware. There was a solid plexiglass window in front of the register but jesus man, wear a mask. In this day and age, not wearing a mask, come on. Now most of the food ok, but not nearly as good or as fresh as Roksana...someone mentioned that in a previous post, I beg to differ I'm sorry. The eggplant is quite different and good and at least they have hummos, the chicken kebabs were great but beef kobideh dry and not tasty at all, absolutely no comparison to Roksana's. But the mask, will not go here again until Covid is long gone.

Great! Small place. They treated me like a family friend they had invited over and then brought out one of the best chicken polo dishes I've ever had.

The lamb kabab was tender and all appetizers were fresh. We liked the food very much.

Wow. Just wow. We have NEVER had kebabs this good. We live nearby and like to give local businesses our custom particularly in these difficult times, so we just tried HHoK on a whim. We are completely sold.

I ordered beef Kabab torsh. It didn't "look" great, but omg, it tasted out of this world good. Highly recommend it. I also saw how the guy had prepared the eggplants. And so I had to get the still hot appetizer. Very special. Much much better quality than other places where they use out of the jar roasted egg plants that do not taste like actual the Persian dish. It's now my #1. Real food, made the right way. I appreciate that they aren't doing stupid short cuts. I will cater my party tonight with their food.

Not consistent with the food. Tried beef koubideh once and was tender and moist. Drove all the way from hopkinton to order take out. Dry and awful... gave it another shot a few days ago. Not hood again. Very disappointing

Oy. I should have been happy with the excellent Persian meal I had in Chicago 3 weeks ago and left it at that. I decided to give this place a try. Got the ash soup, an appetizer that was supposed to be walnuts and pomegranate, and lamb shank with dill rice. Everything hot (the soup and entree) was microwaved. The ash was OK, at least it was hot. The appetizer was a mound of green olives, coated in beige paste that didn' have any walnut flavor and a few pomegranate seeds. I struggled to eat about half of it (and I love green olives, but this was too weird). Lamb shank was edible, but not fresh or particularly flavorful. After not having eaten Persian food in Boston for quite a while, I am going back to giving it a pass in this town...

Habibi - this place is legit. Hummus is perfect, the salad was fresh with lemon and herbs olive oil, kabob was perfect. If you like dry meat then don't come here.

The food was average to mediocre. As a result, quite overpriced for what it was. The meat was too hard, not tender. Service was slow, water was not refilled. Will not be returning.

Came here on a Sunday for lunch. Place is small but felt cozy. I ordered the lamb kabob and wife ordered the beef. Both tasted great and portion was generous, especially the rice. I saw everyone drinking the tea so i also ordered one to taste and I was glad I did because it complemented the food so well. A great spot in Watertown and definitely recommend you pay this place a visit.

Our first time trying Hafez for take out after many years of going to another place in watertown. We came here because of good reviews on yelp . We bought sultani the beef barg was tough and not tender at all but the chicken kabob was moist and tender . The rice was very oily !! Usually rice should be dry with few packets of butter on the side so you can use little or some to your liking. Also bread and onion should come on the side and we got nothing . The price expensive for what you get!! Will not try this place anytime soon

Excellent customer service. These Kabobs are so so good. The chief personally checked on us and wanted to know if we were satisfied with the food.

The best Persian kebab in Massachusetts! A friendly, cozy place to enjoy a Persian cuisine. Cheers

My new favorite restaurant and such an amazing addition to the neighborhood. My husband is vegetarian and we usually order a couple of appetizers. The ash and smoked eggplant with egg (forget name) are fantastic and combined is more than a full meal. They've also made vegetarian entrees that aren't on the menu which were also great. I love the chicken dishes, especially the chicken torsch. I'm trying to quit meat, but the chicken torsch is just so flavorful, juicy and delicious that I can't resist. Hafez's owner is super friendly and always bringing us delicious things to sample. Go now before this place gets discovered and the lines are around the the block!

Incredible!!!! Super yummy Persian food!!! I hope word gets out about this very homey place that makes superb takes on home style iranian food. It's clear that some local folks who speak farsi are in the know!! Let's hope that the rest of us catch up!! My wife loves the haleem and I love the chicken cooked with pomegranate and walnuts. My plan is to make a special trip once a week!! I cannot wait to try all the amazing food!!!

Took my entire family here during a weekend trip to Boston. The food was fresh and my dad's comment was that the food quality was comparable to the best Persian he has eaten in the US.

I had the Ghormeh Sabzi, it was super delicious just like what tour Mom would cook at home. We came with a groups of friends and everybody was very satisfied with what they've ordered. The lamb shank was very good, and the olive was a must have. Keep up with the good job