Teheran

Where to eat:

Kayyam.

Typical Iranian food (mainly kebabs, chicken and fish): big servings and well-prepared. There is a15% service charge on top of all the extras which is a bummer. Still, for tea, qalyanand sweets after an outing in the bazaar, it’s hard to beat. About 200m south of the Khayyam Metro station and opposite the Imamzadeh Seyyed Nasreddin Mosque (look out for the dome), this oasis amid the chaos of the bazaar, is beautifully decorated. Originally part of the mosque, the 300-year-old building was separated when Khayyam St intervened. It was restored in 2002

Monsoon

This is not the most expensive restaurant in Teheran; the prices are reasonable. It is perhaps the closest thing to a “hip” restaurant that Tehran has to offer, especially among the Asian restaurants in the city. The atmosphere and decor are trendy as well. And the food is excellent.
This his is where all the young and beautiful Tehranis hang out!
Monsoon is in Ghandi Shopping Centre on Ghandi Avenue. In reality this is a tiny, chi chi shopping centre and the taxi drivers don’t know about it. Monsoon is exclusively tucked away on the ground floor in the rear right corner as you enter – no signage, name, nothing. You can tell where it is by the queue emanating from the door…
It is a far from average culinary experience. I would rate the food as superb. And when you consider the availabilty of non-Iranian haute cuisine in Tehran, it is outstanding. It is certainly the best Thai food.
The restaurant is beautiful inside – subtle, hip and the atmosphere is buzzing. Try Teryaki Salmon with organic brown vegetable rice, or coconut marinated trout, or chicken satay salad.
The staff are extremely amiable and not in the least snobbish, which is relatively unusual in top-end Tehrani establishments.
Booking is strongly advised – or wait 3 hours for a table. Well worth it, nevertheless.

A great hotel to stay in Tehran, is the Azadi Grand Hotel. The rooms are very large with great views over the city to the south and the mountains to the north.
A truly impressive place considering it is Iran, the staff were most helpful and considerate.
I truly recommend this hotel for anyone visiting Tehran for a great start to their visit, be it business or pleasure.
It is in the district of Evin, across from the International Fair – a well attended amusement park, although it can’t be heard from the Hotel.
The general decor is “faded elegance”, but it is generally clean and well maintained.
The lobby appears to be open from about 10am til 2am and is a very popular place for the affluent to be seen. It seems the hotel is used for a lot of visiting dignitaries.
For a first time visit to Tehran, this hotel is wonderful.

Five things to do while in Teheran:
Tehran Bazaar
Tehran Bazaar area is absolutely worth visiting, there you can find anything you ever may need: food clothes, shoes, gold, tools, machines – everything. A city within a city…
National Jewels Treasury.
A 200-year-old precious stone-encrusted throne, jewels from all over the world, a gem-studded 1869 globe, the world’s largest pink diamond and other mind-boggling pieces make up the unusual collection at this historic museum.
Stunning, a must see.
Dizin, near Teheran.
Fantastic powder snow. Dizin is perfect for snowboarding!
Golestan Palace
Pleasant place, tucked away from the bustle of Tehran bazaar.
National Museum of Iran
This museum proudly celebrates the rich heritage of Iran with a spectacular collection of sculptures, ceramics and seals that date back to the 4th and 5th centuries BC.