The Best Middle Eastern Restaurants in Vancouver
Gold: Delara
Delara’s “breath of fresh air” in Kits takes home gold this year thanks to chef-owner Bardia Ilbeiggi’s modern take on Persian food. Go for the crispy saffron tahdeeg with spoon-tender grilled beef ghalieh: it’s stewed in a rich sauce of caramelized onions, herbs and tamarind. But save room for the “revelatory” chocolate halva cake, as one judge described it: “The sesame caramel lives in my dreams.”
2272 W 4th Ave.
delararestaurant.ca
Silver: Zarak
Zarak earns silver for its elevated take on mom’s recipes, an exciting and creative cocktail list (for kids, too: the zero-proof Bamyan comes with a submerged Melona mango popsicle) and its embodiment of Middle Eastern hospitality. The Main Street spot’s buttermilk fried chicken is a favourite for good reason: a crunchy cumin-laced crust and soulful Afghan barbecue sauce packs heat, coolly tempered with yogurt sauce.
2102 Main St.
zarakvancouver.com
Bronze: Tamam
Taking bronze is newcomer Tamam, a love letter to Palestinian cuisine on Hastings Street. Start with unctuous hummus finished with a healthy drizzle of olive oil, then opt for the gorgeous half-chicken stuffed with rice, beef, spices and herbs and glazed with a slick of pomegranate sauce.
2616 E Hastings St.
tamam.ca
Honourable Mention
Moltaqa 1002 Mainland St., moltaqarestaurant.ca
