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Best Food in Qom (2026)
Begin your culinary journey at the bustling Bazaar-e Qom, where you'll find a cluster of traditional restaurants serving classic Persian dishes. Try Sofreh Khaneh Sonnati Haj Mahβ¦ π½οΈ Where to Start
Begin your culinary journey at the bustling Bazaar-e Qom, where you'll find a cluster of traditional restaurants serving classic Persian dishes. Try Sofreh Khaneh Sonnati Haj Mahmood for authentic dizi (meat and bean stew) at around 150,000 IRR per portion. The bazaar is open daily from 8 AM to 8 PM, but arrive early to avoid the lunch rush.
π₯ Must-Try Street Food
For a quick bite, head to the stalls near the Holy Shrine of Fatima Masumeh, where you can sample sambuseh (savory pastries filled with meat or vegetables) for about 50,000 IRR each. Another local favorite is ash-e reshteh, a hearty noodle soup sold at street carts for around 80,000 IRR per bowl. These stalls are busiest in the evenings, especially after prayer times.
π² Traditional Restaurants
For a sit-down meal, visit Restaurant Haj Ali, located at 15 Shahid Beheshti Street, known for its excellent kebabs and tahdig. A full meal costs around 300,000 to 500,000 IRR per person. Another option is Restaurant Shabestan, near the Qom Museum, which offers a set menu of Persian stews and rice dishes for about 400,000 IRR.
π₯ Local Specialties
Qom is famous for its saffron-infused rice dishes and slow-cooked lamb. Try the baghali polo (rice with fava beans and dill) at Baghali Polo House, located at 22 Imam Khomeini Street, for around 200,000 IRR. Don't miss the local version of khoresht-e bademjan (eggplant stew), which is often sweeter than in other regions.
π° Sweet Treats
For dessert, visit Qom's traditional confectioneries like Shirini-e Qom on 15 Khordad Avenue, where you can buy gaz (nougat) and sohan (saffron brittle) for about 100,000 IRR per box. Another popular spot is Bastani-e Sonnati Qom, an ice cream shop at 30 Taleghani Street, serving saffron and rosewater ice cream for 50,000 IRR per scoop.
β Tea and Coffee Spots
Take a break at Chai Khaneh-e Bagh-e Ferdows, a traditional tea house located inside Bagh-e Ferdows park. A pot of Persian tea costs around 50,000 IRR, and they serve snacks like dates and cookies. For coffee, try Cafe Roozbeh at 5 Saadi Street, where a cappuccino is 80,000 IRR and the atmosphere is modern.
π° Budget Tips
Eating at street stalls and bazaar eateries is the most affordable option, with meals averaging 100,000 to 200,000 IRR. Sit-down restaurants in the city center cost 300,000 to 600,000 IRR per person. Avoid tourist-heavy spots near the shrine for better prices. Carry cash, as many smaller places don't accept cards.
πΆ Neighborhoods to Explore
The old quarter around the Qom Bazaar is the best area for food exploration, with narrow alleys hiding small eateries. The neighborhood of Shahrak-e Qods has a growing number of casual restaurants serving fusion dishes. For a more upscale dining experience, head to the streets near the Qom University campus, where you'll find modern cafes and international options.
the baghali polo house on imam khomeini is solid but honestly i prefer the one tucked behind the bazaar near the panzdah-e khordad intersection. smaller place, family run, they put way more dill and the rice has that perfect saffron crust. costs the same 200k but the portions are bigger and they give you this yogurt dip with mint that's not on the menu.
also for tea, chai khaneh-e bagh-e ferdows is fine but if you walk five mins north to the little alley off shahid beheshti there's a hole in the wall called Chai Haj Reza. no sign, just an old guy with a samovar. his tea is stronger and he serves it with those tiny qom rock candies that melt slow. 30k for a pot and he'll refill it twice if you're chill about it
honestly this is a solid guide, nice work. one thing i'd add is that the dizi at Haj Mahmood is good but if you want the real deal go to the smaller place two alleys down called Dizi Sara. they mash it up at your table with that wooden pestle and the bread they serve with it is fresh from the tannur, not the usual stuff. costs the same 150k but feels more authentic.
also for sweets, skip the touristy gaz shops on 15 Khordad and walk a bit further to Haji Ali's confectionery on Shahid Beheshti. his sohan has this perfect crunch without being too sweet, and he sells it in little tins that make good souvenirs. the ice cream at Bastani-e Sonnati is legit tho, that rosewater flavor is prob the best in town.
yeah this is a really helpful guide, nice work. one thing i'd mention is that for the ash-e reshteh near the shrine, the best cart is the one with the green awning by the east gate, not the ones in the main square. the lady there makes it with way more herbs and she puts these little fried mint oil drops on top that make it amazing. costs the same 80k but she's only there from like 6 to 9 pm, so timing matters.
3 Days in Qom: Itinerary 2026
Start your first day at the Fatima Masumeh Shrine, the spiritual heart of Qom. The shrine complex opens at 6:00 AM and is free to enter, but women must wear a chadβ¦ πΊοΈ Day 1: Holy Shrine & Old City
Start your first day at the Fatima Masumeh Shrine, the spiritual heart of Qom. The shrine complex opens at 6:00 AM and is free to enter, but women must wear a chador (provided at the entrance). Spend the morning exploring the golden dome, mirrored halls, and the adjacent Qom Bazaar, which comes alive by 9:00 AM.
π Jameh Mosque & Timcheh
After the shrine, walk 10 minutes south to the Jameh Mosque of Qom, a 9th-century structure with stunning brickwork and a peaceful courtyard. Nearby, the Timcheh-e-Bozorg (Grand Caravanserai) offers a glimpse of traditional trade; it's open daily until sunset. Grab a kebab at the adjacent Sabzi Square food stalls for lunch.
ποΈ Day 2: Museums & Parks
Begin day two at the Qom Museum of Islamic Arts, located inside the shrine complex. It houses rare Qurans and ceramics; entry is 50,000 IRR (about $1 USD). Then take a 15-minute taxi (100,000 IRR) to the Park-e-Mellat, a large green space with a lake and walking paths, perfect for a midday break.
β°οΈ Kuh-e Khajeh & Evening
In the afternoon, drive 20 minutes south to Kuh-e Khajeh, a hill offering panoramic views of the city and surrounding desert. The climb takes 30 minutes and is best before sunset. For dinner, head to the Shahr-e-Ghods neighborhood, where local restaurants serve traditional dizi (meat stew) for around 200,000 IRR.
π Day 3: Nearby Villages
Take a 45-minute bus from Qom's terminal (departures every hour from 7:00 AM) to the village of Qahan, known for its ancient qanats (underground water channels). A guided tour costs 300,000 IRR and includes a traditional lunch. Return to Qom by 3:00 PM for the afternoon.
ποΈ Shopping & Souvenirs
Spend your last afternoon in the Bazaar-e-Bozorg (Grand Bazaar), located just north of the shrine. Look for saffron, rosewater, and handmade carpets; bargaining is expected. The bazaar closes around 8:00 PM, so plan to finish your shopping by then.
π Getting Around Qom
Taxis within the city cost 50,000-150,000 IRR per ride; agree on the fare before starting. The bus network is cheap (10,000 IRR per ride) but routes can be confusing for non-Persian speakers. Walking is feasible in the central area, but for longer distances, use ride-hailing apps like Snapp or Tapsi.
π° Budget & Practical Tips
A 3-day budget of about $50-70 USD per person covers food, transport, and entry fees. ATMs are scarce near the shrine, so carry cash. Most attractions close on Friday mornings; check hours in advance. Dress modestly at all times, especially near religious sites.
I spent a good chunk of my last trip just sitting in the courtyard of the Fatima Masumeh Shrine around sunset. The tile work catches the light in a way that photos never really capture, and it's much quieter than the morning rush. If you're into photography, bring a zoom lens because you can't take pictures inside the main hall but the outer iwans are fair game.
For the dizi in Shahr-e-Ghods, I'd recommend Haj Mahmoud over the others near the main square. It's the one with the blue sign and no English menu, but the staff are used to pointing at what you want. They'll bring the mortar and pestle to your table so you can mash it yourself, which is half the fun. Just don't go after 9 PM because they often run out of bread by then.
The guide's right about Snapp being useful, but the app sometimes doesn't work well with foreign SIM cards. If you're having trouble, just flag down any passing taxi and say "Snapp nist" as a joke, most drivers will laugh and give you a fair price anyway.
the timing on the shrine is good advice but i'd add that the best time to go is right after fajr prayer around 5am when it's nearly empty and the lighting inside is incredible. also worth noting that the chadors they provide at the entrance are often used so bring your own if you can
for food skip the sabzi square stalls and walk five minutes east to chelo kababi yekta on 15 khordad street instead. their barg is the best in the city and costs about 250,000 IRR but the portions are huge
one thing the guide doesn't mention is the jamkaran mosque about 6km east of the city. it's a major pilgrimage site especially on tuesday nights and the free shuttle from the shrine runs every 30 minutes after maghrib. the well there is something else even if you're not religious
the bus to qahan is fine but honestly the village itself is a bit touristy now. if you have time take the same bus route another 20 minutes to veshnaveh instead. the qanats there are less restored but more authentic and the locals are friendlier about showing you around for free
cash is definitely key but there's a reliable exchange office on safaie street just west of the shrine that gives better rates than the banks. they're open 8am to 4pm saturday through wednesday
One thing the guide doesn't mention is that the Qom Bazaar has a dedicated section for turban fabric and religious scrolls on the second floor, near the entrance closest to the shrine's east gate. It's a quiet corner where you can watch scribes hand-painting prayer texts, which makes a more unique souvenir than the usual saffron.
For the Park-e-Mellat break, I'd suggest walking to the northeast corner where there's a small tea house tucked under the trees. They serve a strong, cardamom-laced chai for 15,000 IRR and the owner usually puts out free dates if you're sitting there for a while. It's a good spot to rest before heading to Kuh-e Khajeh.
If you end up at the Jameh Mosque, look for the small inscription on the southern iwan's left pillar. It's a 14th-century tile marking the spot where a local scholar used to teach, and most guides walk right past it. The caretaker will point it out if you ask, but he only speaks Persian.