KONJ Café is a modern Persian restaurant at 15-17 Grindlay Street in central Edinburgh. Owner and patron chef Faranak Habibi draws on Persian family recipes and a tradition of generous hospitality, presenting the food in a warm, relaxed dining room that has welcomed guests since 2019.
The cooking is fully halal and built around the balance characteristic of Persian cuisine: fragrant saffron, fresh herbs, sweet and sour notes, rosewater, cardamom and barberries. Slow-cooked stews and saffron rice provide comforting foundations, while grilled kebabs bring carefully seasoned meats from the grill.
Joojeh kebab pairs marinated chicken with saffron rice, grilled tomatoes and herbs, while koobideh uses seasoned minced lamb or beef shaped around skewers. Sunday brunch adds Persian eggs, fresh bread and fragrant tea, offering a different way to experience the kitchen earlier in the day.
Homemade sweets and Persian tea encourage diners to linger after the main meal, with baklava and rosewater-scented cake among the natural finishing points. Guests with allergies or dietary requirements should still confirm current ingredients and preparation with the restaurant when booking or ordering.
Address: 15-17 Grindlay Street, Edinburgh EH3 9AX, Scotland
Konj Authentic Persian Cuisine Menu
Noon Omazeh
Our suggestion for pre-theatre meal
Mirza Ghasemi
Smoky aubergine bowl with chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, garlic, and eggs. Served with bread. (VG/DF/GF)
Fancy Sabzi o Paneer
Whipped feta spread with fresh herbs, walnuts, radishes, and mint oil. Served with bread. (VG/GF)
Do Piazeh e Maygoo
Succulent prawns cooked in a flavorful spicy sauce, paired with sautéed onions and tender potatoes for a hearty and aromatic dish. Served with bread. (GF)
Kashke Bademjan
Aubergine with cured yogurt, mint oil, fried onions, garlic chips, and walnuts. Served with bread. (VG)
Kofteh Nardoni
Mini meatballs in a tangy pomegranate glaze, finished with crushed pistachio and fresh pomegranate pearls. Served with bread. (GF)
Black Truffle Olivieh
Chicken and potato salad with egg, salted cucumbers and black truffle oil. Served with bread. (GF)
Sides
Mast o Musir
Strained yogurt with pickled Persian shallots and oil. (VG/GF)
Mast o Khiar
A refreshing Persian yogurt and cucumber dip. (VG/GF)
Shirazi Salad
Finely chopped cucumber, tomato and onion with dried mint, dressed in lemon juice. (V/GF)
Zaytoun Parvardeh
Persian marinated olives with walnut, pomegranate, and herbs, sweet, sour, and irresistibly aromatic. (V/GF)
Khiar Shoor
Salted brined cucumbers and dill. (V/GF)
Torshi Haft Bijar
Mix Pickled vegetables. (V/GF)
Torshi Felfel
Chopped chillies with malt vinegar, mint and herbs. (V/GF)
Additional Sangak Bread Basket
Whole wheat flatbread baked on pebbles
Main Dishes
THE KITCHEN’S SIGNATURE – A selection of Persian dishes hand-picked by our chef
Fesenjoon
A famous sweet and tangy stew from Northern Iran made with walnuts and pomegranate molasses. Served with pan-roasted chicken breast and a side of rice topped with saffron. (GF)
Ghormeh Sabzi
Sautéed aromatic herbs such as fenugreek and Middle Eastern chive with lamb/beef and red kidney beans, served with rice topped with saffron. (GF)
Tahchin
Crispy saffron rice cake layered with tender shredded chicken, topped with barberries and shredded pistachio. (GF)
Dolmeh Felfel
A whole bell pepper stuffed with aromatic rice, fresh herbs, and spices, slow-cooked in a rich tomato sauce. (GF,V,VG)
Hashu on Sea bass Fish
A beloved southern specialty featuring delicate Sea bass fish baked with fragrant Hashu, a traditional blend of fresh herbs, garlic, and spices, served with a side of saffron-topped rice. (GF)
Tahdig (Crispy Persian Rice)
The golden, crispy base of saffron rice, slow-cooked to create a crisp texture, a signature element of Persian cooking. (GF)
Fire & Grill
Koobideh Loghmeh
Lamb and veal mince mixed with onions.Served with bread or rice topped with saffron. Served as one skewer of 200 g. (GF)
Joojeh Saffroni
Chicken breast marinated in saffron and spices. Served with bread or rice topped with saffron. (GF)
Chenjeh Kebab
Succulent lamb, marinated in special spices, grilled to perfection. A Persian classic served with bread or rice topped with saffron. (GF)
Kebab Tond
Succulent beef fillet, marinated in chilli, fresh herbs, and tomato purée, delivering a tangy depth with a gentle warmth. Served with bread or rice topped with saffron. (GF)
Add-ons
Rice topped with saffron
Skewer of Koobideh
Skewer of Joojeh
Skewer of Chenjeh
Skewer of Tond
Sangak Bread (3 slices)
Grilled Tomatoes
Saffron Zereshk
Small Butter (2x)
Set Menu
£33pp • Available Monday – Friday lunch (Until 3pm). To be taken to the whole table • Choose one from each section
Fancy Sabzi o Paneer
Whipped feta spread with fresh herbs, walnuts, radishes, and mint oil. Served with bread. (VG/GF)
Mirza Ghasemi
Smoky aubergine bowl with chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, garlic, and eggs. Served with bread. (VG/DF/GF)
Kashke Bademjan
Aubergine with cured yogurt, mint oil, fried, onions, garlic chips, and walnuts. Served with bread. (VG)
Black Truffle Olivieh
Chicken and potato salad with egg, salted cucumbers and black truffle oil. Served with bread. (GF)
Mast o Musir
Strained yogurt with pickled Persian shallots and oil. (VG/GF)
Mast o Khiar
A refreshing Persian yogurt and cucumber dip. (VG/GF)
Koobideh Loghmeh
Lamb and veal mince mixed with onions.Served with bread or rice topped with saffron. (GF)
Joojeh Saffroni
Chicken breast marinated in saffron and spices. Served with bread or rice topped with saffron. (GF) +2
Chenjeh Kebab
Succulent lamb, marinated in special spices, grilled to perfection. A Persian classic served with bread or rice topped with saffron. (GF) +4
Fesenjoon
A famous sweet and tangy stew from Northern Iran made with walnuts and pomegranate molasses. Served with pan-roasted chicken breast. (GF)
Ghormeh Sabzi
Sautéed aromatic herbs such as fenugreek and Middle Eastern chive with lamb/beef and red kidney beans. (GF)
Tahchin
Crispy saffron rice cake layered with tender shredded chicken, topped with barberries and shredded pistachio. (GF)
Shirazi Salad
Finely chopped cucumber, tomato and onion with dried mint, dressed in lemon juice. (V/GF)
House Rice
Saffron rice, salted butter and crispy rice.
Dessert Menu
Rose Ice Cream
rose ice cream served in an a crispy wafer sandwich, an Iranian classic.
Pistachio Cream Cake
A soft pistachio cake with a smooth, creamy finish and a delicate, nutty sweetness.
Persian Love Cake
Soft cake infused with cardamom, rosewater, finished with pistachio.
Chocolate Velvet Torte
A rich dark chocolate torte with a smooth, velvety finish and intense cocoa flavour.
Golden Custard Mille Layers
Delicate golden layers with silky vanilla custard and a refined sweetness.
Molten Cocoa & Vanilla Soufflé
A light vanilla and rich chocolate soufflé with a warm, melting chocolate centre.
Pistachio Velvet Tartufo
Creamy pistachio centre wrapped in a delicate chocolate shell, rich and indulgent.