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Best Food in Qazvin: A 2026 Guide
🍲 Must-Try Local Dishes
Qazvin is famous for its rich, slow-cooked stews and aromatic rice dishes. Start with baghali polo ba mahicheh (dill rice with lamb shank), a specialty at many traditional… 🍲 Must-Try Local Dishes
Qazvin is famous for its rich, slow-cooked stews and aromatic rice dishes. Start with baghali polo ba mahicheh (dill rice with lamb shank), a specialty at many traditional restaurants. Another local favorite is ash-e reshteh, a thick noodle soup often served during winter. For a true taste of Qazvin, try khoresht-e fesenjan, a walnut and pomegranate stew that balances sweet and sour flavors.
🍽️ Top Traditional Restaurants
For an authentic sit-down meal, head to Shahrzad Restaurant on Khayyam Street, where a hearty stew with rice costs around 350,000 to 500,000 IRR. Another reliable choice is Naderi Restaurant near the bazaar, known for its kebabs and fresh bread, with meals priced from 300,000 IRR. Both places are open for lunch and dinner, typically from 12 PM to 10 PM, and fill up quickly on weekends.
🥙 Street Food and Snacks
The area around Qazvin Bazaar is perfect for grazing on street food. Look for stalls selling fresh sangak bread topped with cheese and herbs for under 100,000 IRR, or grab a falafel sandwich from the vendors on Taleghani Street for about 80,000 IRR. In the evenings, the pedestrian zone near Chehel Sotoun Street comes alive with carts selling roasted corn and beetroot.
🍢 Best Kebab Spots
Kebab is a staple in Qazvin, and you'll find excellent versions at Javanmard Kebab House on Ferdowsi Street, where a koobideh kebab with rice costs around 400,000 IRR. For a more upscale experience, try Shabestan Restaurant on Naderi Street, offering barg kebab and grilled tomatoes for about 600,000 IRR. Most kebab shops open at noon and stay busy until late evening, so arrive early to avoid the rush.
🍰 Sweets and Desserts
Qazvin is known for its traditional sweets, especially nan-e qandi, a type of sugar bread. Visit the confectioneries around the bazaar, such as Haj Abdollah Confectionery, where a box of fresh sweets costs between 150,000 and 300,000 IRR. Another local treat is baghlava, a flaky pastry with nuts, available at most pastry shops for around 200,000 IRR per kilogram.
☕ Cafes and Tea Houses
For a relaxing break, stop by the traditional tea house inside the Sa'd al-Saltaneh Caravanserai, where a pot of tea with dates costs about 100,000 IRR and the atmosphere is unbeatable. Modern cafes like Cafe Qazvin on Khayyam Street offer espresso drinks and pastries for 150,000 to 250,000 IRR, with free Wi-Fi and comfortable seating. Most cafes open around 9 AM and close by 11 PM.
🛒 Local Markets and Food Halls
The Qazvin Bazaar is the best place to sample local produce and homemade foods. Head to the spice section for dried herbs and saffron, or pick up fresh dairy products like yogurt and cheese from the vendors for under 200,000 IRR. The market is busiest in the mornings, so go early to get the freshest selections.
💰 Budget and Price Tips
Food in Qazvin is generally affordable, with street snacks costing 50,000 to 100,000 IRR and restaurant meals ranging from 300,000 to 600,000 IRR per person. Keep in mind that prices can vary, and it's wise to carry cash since not all small vendors accept cards. Tipping is not mandatory but rounding up the bill is appreciated.
Qazvin is famous for its rich, slow-cooked stews and aromatic rice dishes. Start with baghali polo ba mahicheh (dill rice with lamb shank), a specialty at many traditional… 🍲 Must-Try Local Dishes
Qazvin is famous for its rich, slow-cooked stews and aromatic rice dishes. Start with baghali polo ba mahicheh (dill rice with lamb shank), a specialty at many traditional restaurants. Another local favorite is ash-e reshteh, a thick noodle soup often served during winter. For a true taste of Qazvin, try khoresht-e fesenjan, a walnut and pomegranate stew that balances sweet and sour flavors.
🍽️ Top Traditional Restaurants
For an authentic sit-down meal, head to Shahrzad Restaurant on Khayyam Street, where a hearty stew with rice costs around 350,000 to 500,000 IRR. Another reliable choice is Naderi Restaurant near the bazaar, known for its kebabs and fresh bread, with meals priced from 300,000 IRR. Both places are open for lunch and dinner, typically from 12 PM to 10 PM, and fill up quickly on weekends.
🥙 Street Food and Snacks
The area around Qazvin Bazaar is perfect for grazing on street food. Look for stalls selling fresh sangak bread topped with cheese and herbs for under 100,000 IRR, or grab a falafel sandwich from the vendors on Taleghani Street for about 80,000 IRR. In the evenings, the pedestrian zone near Chehel Sotoun Street comes alive with carts selling roasted corn and beetroot.
🍢 Best Kebab Spots
Kebab is a staple in Qazvin, and you'll find excellent versions at Javanmard Kebab House on Ferdowsi Street, where a koobideh kebab with rice costs around 400,000 IRR. For a more upscale experience, try Shabestan Restaurant on Naderi Street, offering barg kebab and grilled tomatoes for about 600,000 IRR. Most kebab shops open at noon and stay busy until late evening, so arrive early to avoid the rush.
🍰 Sweets and Desserts
Qazvin is known for its traditional sweets, especially nan-e qandi, a type of sugar bread. Visit the confectioneries around the bazaar, such as Haj Abdollah Confectionery, where a box of fresh sweets costs between 150,000 and 300,000 IRR. Another local treat is baghlava, a flaky pastry with nuts, available at most pastry shops for around 200,000 IRR per kilogram.
☕ Cafes and Tea Houses
For a relaxing break, stop by the traditional tea house inside the Sa'd al-Saltaneh Caravanserai, where a pot of tea with dates costs about 100,000 IRR and the atmosphere is unbeatable. Modern cafes like Cafe Qazvin on Khayyam Street offer espresso drinks and pastries for 150,000 to 250,000 IRR, with free Wi-Fi and comfortable seating. Most cafes open around 9 AM and close by 11 PM.
🛒 Local Markets and Food Halls
The Qazvin Bazaar is the best place to sample local produce and homemade foods. Head to the spice section for dried herbs and saffron, or pick up fresh dairy products like yogurt and cheese from the vendors for under 200,000 IRR. The market is busiest in the mornings, so go early to get the freshest selections.
💰 Budget and Price Tips
Food in Qazvin is generally affordable, with street snacks costing 50,000 to 100,000 IRR and restaurant meals ranging from 300,000 to 600,000 IRR per person. Keep in mind that prices can vary, and it's wise to carry cash since not all small vendors accept cards. Tipping is not mandatory but rounding up the bill is appreciated.
Become a Local Guide
in Qazvin to earn up to $50.00/hour by helping travelers that are interested in Qazvin and want to connect to learn about the current climate, discover hidden gems, or get help planning their itinerary.
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Sangak stalls on Taleghani, right after fajr
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the sa'd al-saltaneh teahouse, go before 10am for a quiet pot of chai
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Solid list, though I'd add that the ash-e reshteh at the small places near the bazaar beats the sit-down restaurants and rarely costs more than 120,000 IRR.
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3 Days in Qazvin: Itinerary 2026
🗺️ Orientation and Transport
Qazvin is a compact city, and most sights cluster in the historic center around the Chehel Sotoun garden and the bazaar. Walking between the main attractions takes 10… 🗺️ Orientation and Transport
Qazvin is a compact city, and most sights cluster in the historic center around the Chehel Sotoun garden and the bazaar. Walking between the main attractions takes 10 to 20 minutes, but you'll want to use the cheap local taxis (snapp or shared) for longer hops, with fares around 50,000 to 100,000 rials. The main bus terminal is about 3 km from the center, and a taxi to the bazaar area costs roughly 150,000 rials and takes 10 minutes. For day trips, the minibus terminal for Alamut is on the eastern edge of town, about 15 minutes by taxi from the center.
🏛️ Day 1 Morning: Historic Core
Start at 9:00 at the Chehel Sotoun Palace (open 8:00 to 18:00, entry 200,000 rials), a Safavid pavilion with a small museum and a peaceful garden. From there, walk 5 minutes to the Grand Bazaar, where the covered lanes are busiest between 10:00 and 13:00. Don't miss the 17th-century Masjed-e Jameh (Friday Mosque) just off the bazaar's main axis, and the nearby Aminiha Hosseiniyeh, a beautifully tiled Qajar-era mourning house open to visitors for a small donation.
🍽️ Day 1 Afternoon and Evening
For lunch, head to the traditional restaurant in the bazaar area, like the popular Sofreh Khaneh, where a hearty stew with rice costs about 300,000 rials. After lunch, visit the Qazvin Museum of Calligraphy (open 9:00 to 17:00, closed Fridays, entry 150,000 rials) on the eastern side of the bazaar. In the evening, stroll through the pedestrianized Sepah Street, which comes alive after 18:00 with families and food stalls selling fresh bread and sweets.
🏞️ Day 2: Alamut Valley Day Trip
Leave Qazvin at 7:30 by shared taxi or minibus from the eastern terminal to Gazor Khan (about 2 hours, 200,000 rials per person). From the village, it's a 30-minute uphill walk to the Alamut Castle (entry 250,000 rials), the legendary stronghold of the Assassins. Spend 2 hours exploring the ruins and the museum, then descend for a late lunch at one of the local guesthouses in Gazor Khan. Return to Qazvin by 17:00, and if you have energy, visit the nearby Ovan Lake (20 minutes by taxi from the terminal) for sunset.
🏺 Day 3 Morning: North Qazvin
Begin at 9:00 at the Qajar-era Sardar Cistern (open 9:00 to 17:00, entry 150,000 rials), a stunning underground water reservoir now used as a teahouse. Walk 10 minutes north to the Russian Church (open 10:00 to 16:00, closed Mondays, free entry), a charming 19th-century church with a small museum. Then continue 15 minutes on foot to the Peighambariyeh Mausoleum, a Seljuk-era tomb with intricate brickwork, open daily from 8:00 to 18:00.
🛍️ Day 3 Afternoon: Bazaar and Crafts
After lunch, explore the bazaar's craft workshops, especially the coppersmiths' section near the Saray-e Razavi caravanserai, where you can watch artisans at work between 14:00 and 17:00. Pick up local souvenirs like baklava from the famous Baklava-ye Qazvin shop on Khayyam Street (a box costs 250,000 rials). For a unique experience, visit the Qazvin Traditional Bazaar's spice and dried fruit stalls, which are less crowded in the afternoon.
🌙 Evening: Food and Views
On your final evening, dine at the rooftop restaurant of the Naderi Hotel (open 19:00 to 23:00, mains around 400,000 rials), which offers views over the city and the Alborz mountains. Alternatively, try the local specialty, baghali polo with lamb, at the cozy Shahrzad Restaurant on Ferdowsi Street. End the night with a walk along the Khayyam Street promenade, where ice cream shops stay open until midnight.
💡 Practical Tips for 2026
Book accommodation in advance, especially during Nowruz (March 20 to April 2), when hotels fill up quickly; expect to pay 2,500,000 to 4,000,000 rials per night for a mid-range double room. The currency is the rial, but prices are often quoted in tomans (1 toman equals 10 rials), so always clarify which unit is being used. Carry cash, as international cards don't work, and download a VPN before you arrive if you need access to foreign apps. Most museums are closed on Fridays, so plan your indoor visits for other days.
Qazvin is a compact city, and most sights cluster in the historic center around the Chehel Sotoun garden and the bazaar. Walking between the main attractions takes 10… 🗺️ Orientation and Transport
Qazvin is a compact city, and most sights cluster in the historic center around the Chehel Sotoun garden and the bazaar. Walking between the main attractions takes 10 to 20 minutes, but you'll want to use the cheap local taxis (snapp or shared) for longer hops, with fares around 50,000 to 100,000 rials. The main bus terminal is about 3 km from the center, and a taxi to the bazaar area costs roughly 150,000 rials and takes 10 minutes. For day trips, the minibus terminal for Alamut is on the eastern edge of town, about 15 minutes by taxi from the center.
🏛️ Day 1 Morning: Historic Core
Start at 9:00 at the Chehel Sotoun Palace (open 8:00 to 18:00, entry 200,000 rials), a Safavid pavilion with a small museum and a peaceful garden. From there, walk 5 minutes to the Grand Bazaar, where the covered lanes are busiest between 10:00 and 13:00. Don't miss the 17th-century Masjed-e Jameh (Friday Mosque) just off the bazaar's main axis, and the nearby Aminiha Hosseiniyeh, a beautifully tiled Qajar-era mourning house open to visitors for a small donation.
🍽️ Day 1 Afternoon and Evening
For lunch, head to the traditional restaurant in the bazaar area, like the popular Sofreh Khaneh, where a hearty stew with rice costs about 300,000 rials. After lunch, visit the Qazvin Museum of Calligraphy (open 9:00 to 17:00, closed Fridays, entry 150,000 rials) on the eastern side of the bazaar. In the evening, stroll through the pedestrianized Sepah Street, which comes alive after 18:00 with families and food stalls selling fresh bread and sweets.
🏞️ Day 2: Alamut Valley Day Trip
Leave Qazvin at 7:30 by shared taxi or minibus from the eastern terminal to Gazor Khan (about 2 hours, 200,000 rials per person). From the village, it's a 30-minute uphill walk to the Alamut Castle (entry 250,000 rials), the legendary stronghold of the Assassins. Spend 2 hours exploring the ruins and the museum, then descend for a late lunch at one of the local guesthouses in Gazor Khan. Return to Qazvin by 17:00, and if you have energy, visit the nearby Ovan Lake (20 minutes by taxi from the terminal) for sunset.
🏺 Day 3 Morning: North Qazvin
Begin at 9:00 at the Qajar-era Sardar Cistern (open 9:00 to 17:00, entry 150,000 rials), a stunning underground water reservoir now used as a teahouse. Walk 10 minutes north to the Russian Church (open 10:00 to 16:00, closed Mondays, free entry), a charming 19th-century church with a small museum. Then continue 15 minutes on foot to the Peighambariyeh Mausoleum, a Seljuk-era tomb with intricate brickwork, open daily from 8:00 to 18:00.
🛍️ Day 3 Afternoon: Bazaar and Crafts
After lunch, explore the bazaar's craft workshops, especially the coppersmiths' section near the Saray-e Razavi caravanserai, where you can watch artisans at work between 14:00 and 17:00. Pick up local souvenirs like baklava from the famous Baklava-ye Qazvin shop on Khayyam Street (a box costs 250,000 rials). For a unique experience, visit the Qazvin Traditional Bazaar's spice and dried fruit stalls, which are less crowded in the afternoon.
🌙 Evening: Food and Views
On your final evening, dine at the rooftop restaurant of the Naderi Hotel (open 19:00 to 23:00, mains around 400,000 rials), which offers views over the city and the Alborz mountains. Alternatively, try the local specialty, baghali polo with lamb, at the cozy Shahrzad Restaurant on Ferdowsi Street. End the night with a walk along the Khayyam Street promenade, where ice cream shops stay open until midnight.
💡 Practical Tips for 2026
Book accommodation in advance, especially during Nowruz (March 20 to April 2), when hotels fill up quickly; expect to pay 2,500,000 to 4,000,000 rials per night for a mid-range double room. The currency is the rial, but prices are often quoted in tomans (1 toman equals 10 rials), so always clarify which unit is being used. Carry cash, as international cards don't work, and download a VPN before you arrive if you need access to foreign apps. Most museums are closed on Fridays, so plan your indoor visits for other days.
Become a Local Guide
in Qazvin to earn up to $50.00/hour by helping travelers that are interested in Qazvin and want to connect to learn about the current climate, discover hidden gems, or get help planning their itinerary.
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Chehel Sotoun garden, weekday mornings before the tour buses.
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Been to Qazvin twice and honestly the Shrine of Shahzadeh Hossein just outside town deserves a spot, quiet and gorgeous tiling, way less crowded than central sights.
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The itinerary is thorough, but I'd add that the Qajar-era Haj Kazem caravanserai behind Khayyam Street has quieter craft stalls than the main bazaar lanes.
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