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Best Food in Arak (2026)
Arak is famous for its hearty traditional dishes, especially Abgoosht and Dizi. Head to Shater Abbas Restaurant at Imam Khomeini Street for a classic Dizi experience, whβ¦ π½οΈ Traditional Arak Dishes
Arak is famous for its hearty traditional dishes, especially Abgoosht and Dizi. Head to Shater Abbas Restaurant at Imam Khomeini Street for a classic Dizi experience, where you'll pay around 250,000 to 350,000 IRR. Another must-try is Khoresht-e Fesenjan, a rich walnut and pomegranate stew, best enjoyed at Bagh-e Neshin Restaurant on Shahid Beheshti Street. For a true taste of local cuisine, try the Ash-e Reshteh at Ash-e Mehdi, a small stall near the Grand Bazaar, open from 11 AM to 3 PM.
π₯ Street Food Stalls
Arak's street food scene is vibrant and affordable, with many stalls around the Central Bazaar and along Taleghani Street. Don't miss the Sambooseh (fried pastry filled with meat and potatoes) at the corner of Jolfa Street, priced at just 50,000 IRR each. For a quick bite, try the Falafel sandwiches at Falafel-e Arak on Shahid Rajaei Street, open daily from 10 AM to 10 PM. Another favorite is the Liver and Heart (Jigar va Del) stall near the Arak Railway Station, where locals gather in the evenings for fresh grilled skewers.
π’ Kebab Houses to Try
No visit to Arak is complete without trying its succulent kebabs, particularly Koobideh and Barg. Shater Abbas Restaurant on Imam Khomeini Street serves some of the best Koobideh in town, with a plate costing around 300,000 to 400,000 IRR. For a more upscale experience, try the Barg Kebab at Restaurant-e Shahr on Shahid Beheshti Street, where a full meal for two costs about 1,200,000 IRR. Many kebab houses also offer grilled tomatoes and fresh bread, so come hungry.
π² Breakfast and Brunch Spots
Start your day with a traditional Iranian breakfast at Cafe-e Golha on Shahid Motahari Street, where you can enjoy fresh sangak bread with cheese, walnuts, and tea for around 150,000 IRR. Another popular spot is Breakfast Land on Taleghani Street, offering a mix of Iranian and Western breakfast items from 7 AM to 11 AM. For a quick grab-and-go option, try the Halim stall near the Arak University, open early until 10 AM, serving a creamy wheat and meat porridge for 80,000 IRR.
π° Sweets and Desserts
Arak is known for its delicious sweets, especially Baghlava and Nan-e Berenji (rice cookies). Visit the famous Haj Khalifeh Confectionery on Imam Khomeini Street, where a box of assorted sweets costs around 200,000 IRR. For a refreshing treat, try the traditional Bastani (saffron ice cream) at Ice Cream-e Akbar Mashti on Shahid Beheshti Street, open from 10 AM to 11 PM. Another local favorite is the Faloodeh at Cafe-e Golha, a rosewater and vermicelli sorbet perfect for hot summer days.
π΅ Tea Houses and Cafes
Relax in one of Arak's traditional tea houses, known as Ghahveh Khaneh, where you can sip tea and smoke a water pipe. The historic Ghahveh Khaneh-e Haj Ali on Taleghani Street is a great spot, offering tea for 50,000 IRR and a cozy atmosphere. For a modern cafe experience, head to Cafe-e Markazi on Shahid Rajaei Street, which serves specialty coffee and cakes from 9 AM to 11 PM. Many tea houses also serve light snacks like dates and nuts, making them perfect for an afternoon break.
π° Budget and Mid-Range Eats
Arak offers plenty of affordable dining options for budget travelers. A typical street food meal costs between 50,000 and 150,000 IRR, while a sit-down meal at a mid-range restaurant ranges from 300,000 to 600,000 IRR per person. For a filling and cheap lunch, try the Kebab stalls near the Central Bazaar, where you can get a Koobideh sandwich for around 100,000 IRR. Many restaurants also offer daily specials, so keep an eye out for handwritten signs.
πΆ Food Neighborhoods to Explore
The best neighborhoods for food in Arak are the Central Bazaar area and along Imam Khomeini Street, where you'll find a mix of traditional and modern eateries. Shahid Beheshti Street is another food hub, lined with kebab houses, cafes, and sweet shops. For a local experience, wander through the Jolfa Street area, known for its Armenian influence and unique flavors. Most places are within walking distance of each other, so you can easily spend a day eating your way through the city.
the guide is right that most food is walkable but it kinda undersells how dead everything gets between 3 and 6pm. arak still runs on the old lunch then nap rhythm, so if u show up at 4 expecting dizi you'll find shutters down. plan lunch late around 2 or dinner after 7.
also the halim near the university is a winter only thing, they pack up by early spring. if u go in summer looking for it you'll just find a guy selling saffron ice cream on the same corner
and for the Armenian bakeries in jolfa, one near the church does a walnut and cinnamon roll called nazook, not on any menu, u just point at the tray. way better than the baghlava at the big shops imo
solid list, though a couple of those prices look a bit off for 2026. Shater Abbas dizi is closer to 400k now, and Haj Khalifeh baghlava jumped after the sugar price hikes last year. still worth it.
one thing the guide missed: the Abgoosht at Ghahveh Khaneh-e Haj Ali is actually better than the dizi at the fancy places. locals go there friday mornings, order abgoosht and just sit for two hours with tea. no menu, they just bring it.
also skip Falafel-e Arak and hit the falafel cart on the corner of Shahid Rajaei and Taleghani instead. cheaper and teh guy actually fries it fresh per order. cash only, no card.
one thing worth adding is the seasonal stuff. the ash-e reshteh at Ash-e Mehdi is way better in winter, in summer they sometimes water it down. and if you're there around Nowruz, the sabzi polo ba mahi at most of these places is the real move, not the kebabs.
also nobody mentions the Armenian side of Arak food enough. the Jolfa area has a couple of old bakeries doing lavash and a kind of meat pie that's nothing like sambooseh, more like a flat lahmajoun. no signs in Farsi, just ask around near the church.
for budget, the 100k koobideh sandwich near the bazaar is accurate but the bread matters. if they use fresh sangak instead of the packaged stuff it's a different meal entirely.
3 Days in Arak: Itinerary 2026
Start your day at the Four Seasons Bathhouse (Hammam-e Chahar Fasl) on Imam Khomeini Street, open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM; entry costs about 200,000 IRR. Then walk 10 minuteβ¦ πΊοΈ Day 1: Central Arak
Start your day at the Four Seasons Bathhouse (Hammam-e Chahar Fasl) on Imam Khomeini Street, open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM; entry costs about 200,000 IRR. Then walk 10 minutes to the Arak Bazaar, a historic covered market where you can browse local crafts and sample traditional sweets. For lunch, try the kebab shops near the bazaar entrance, with meals around 300,000 IRR. In the afternoon, visit the Arak Museum (Muze-ye Arak) on Shahid Beheshti Street, open 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, closed on Mondays, with a 150,000 IRR ticket.
ποΈ Day 2: Nature and Parks
Begin at the Arak Birds Garden (Bagh-e Parandegan) on Kashani Street, open from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM; entry is 100,000 IRR. From there, take a 15-minute taxi (about 50,000 IRR) to the Arak Lake (Daryacheh-ye Arak), a popular spot for walking and picnicking. Have lunch at the lakeside restaurant, where a meal costs around 400,000 IRR. In the late afternoon, head to the Arak Forest Park (Park-e Jangali) on the western edge of the city, ideal for hiking and sunset views.
ποΈ Day 3: History and Culture
Start at the Arak Fire Temple (Atashkadeh-ye Arak) on Ayatollah Kashani Street, open 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with a 100,000 IRR entrance fee. Then visit the Arak Handicrafts Museum on Imam Khomeini Street, open 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, closed on Fridays, where you can see local carpet weaving. For lunch, try the traditional restaurant Bagh-e Sorkheh on Shahid Beheshti Street, with meals around 350,000 IRR. In the afternoon, explore the Arak Jame Mosque (Masjed-e Jame) on Taleghani Street, open for visitors outside prayer times.
π Getting Around
Arak has a reliable bus system with fares around 20,000 IRR per ride, but taxis are more convenient for tourists; expect to pay 50,000 to 100,000 IRR for short trips within the city. Snapp (the Iranian ride-hailing app) operates in Arak, with typical fares from 40,000 to 80,000 IRR depending on distance. Walking is feasible in the central areas, but for attractions like the lake or forest park, plan on a 15 to 20 minute taxi ride from the city center. Traffic can be heavy between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM, so allow extra time.
π½οΈ Where to Eat
For breakfast, head to the traditional bakery near the Arak Bazaar for fresh sangak bread and local cheese, costing about 50,000 IRR. Lunch options include the Shabestan Restaurant on Imam Khomeini Street, known for its ghormeh sabzi and kababs, with meals around 400,000 IRR. Dinner at the Pars Restaurant on Shahid Beheshti Street offers a mix of Iranian and international dishes, open until 11:00 PM, with mains from 350,000 IRR. Vegetarians can find good options at the Green Leaf Cafe on Kashani Street, with salads and wraps from 200,000 IRR.
π¨ Where to Stay
The Arak Grand Hotel on Imam Khomeini Street offers comfortable rooms from 2,500,000 IRR per night, including breakfast and Wi-Fi. Budget travelers can stay at the Pars Hotel on Shahid Beheshti Street, with doubles from 1,500,000 IRR and a central location. For a more local experience, try the Mehr Hotel on Taleghani Street, with simple rooms from 1,200,000 IRR and easy access to the bazaar. Book ahead in spring and autumn, as these are the busiest seasons in Arak.
π‘ Practical Tips
The best time to visit Arak is from April to June or September to November, when temperatures are mild; summers can exceed 35Β°C (95Β°F). Carry cash in Iranian rials, as many small shops and taxis do not accept international cards, and ATMs may not work with foreign cards. Dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites, and women should wear a headscarf. Learn a few Persian phrases like 'salam' (hello) and 'mersi' (thank you) to connect with locals.
π Evening Activities
In the evening, stroll along the Arak Lake promenade, where families gather and street vendors sell tea and snacks until 10:00 PM. The Arak Bazaar area comes alive with lights and small eateries open until midnight, perfect for a late dinner. For a cultural night out, check the Arak City Theater on Shahid Beheshti Street for performances, with tickets from 200,000 IRR. End your day with a visit to a traditional tea house (qahveh khaneh) near the bazaar, where you can enjoy tea and qalyun for around 100,000 IRR.
Nice work putting this together, the evening section is spot on. One thing I'd add is that the lake promenade gets genuinely cold after dark even in spring, so bring a jacket if you're planning to hang around past 8. Also the tea houses near the bazaar are the real highlight for me, sitting on the takht with a qalyun and watching the place fill up is worth more than any of the paid attractions on the list.
the food section is missing the one thing i always tell people about Arak, which is go find abgoosht at a plain little place near the bazaar instead of the hotel restaurants. the Shabestan and Pars prices in here are basically tourist rates, you can eat better for half that at the spots where the carpet guys go for lunch. also the sangak bakery tip is good but go before 8am, after that the good loaves are gone and you get the day-old stuff.
decent writeup but a couple things are off for 2026. the hammam-e chahar fasl has been closed for restoration for a while now, i walked past in bahman and the door was chained up, so dont build ur day 1 around it. also most of those museum prices are stale, bring more cash than the post says or just ask a local to check the current rate before u go. if u want a bathhouse experience instead, the ones in mahallat about an hour away are still running
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