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I haven’t travelled the world, because I’m a homebody. Luckily, Shirazi on Dempsey Road let me have a taste of Persian food without boarding a flight. ‘Shirazi’ comes from Shiraz, a city in Iran known for its poetry and art. You can see that same creativity throughout the restaurant’s interior, from the grand chandeliers to the marble tables.
The place felt pristine, more like a museum than a restaurant. Every column features a different piece of art, and I could have admired the decor all day. When I first entered the restaurant, I was hit with the smell of spices, some familiar and some not. Notes of warm turmeric, cumin and many other spices wafted throughout the restaurant.
Mohammad Hosseini, one of the owners and chefs, was heavily involved in the design, as he felt no designer could truly capture the authenticity of Iran. He picked out the art, paint and even the carpet. The murals also add a regal energy throughout the restaurant. Born in Zanjan, Iran, he clearly took great pride in his culture. He also mentioned that he felt a calling towards Singapore.
Do note, my fellow Muslim friends, that Shirazi is not halal-certified and has a bar inside. It does, however, run a Muslim-friendly kitchen that uses halal-certified meat and poultry.
What to order at Shirazi
I’ll only talk about some of the dishes that stood out to me, as we tried so many. I can’t possibly cover every dish, much as I’d love to. While it is a Persian restaurant, you will find inspiration from across the Middle East. Some iconic dishes you may have heard of are prepared slightly differently depending on the region.
Firstly, the Hummus (S$16) was creamy, rich and nutty, with a texture close to smooth peanut butter. I could tell they used fresh chickpeas, as there was none of the grainy texture you sometimes get from the canned ones.
The best part was the pita chips served alongside the Hummus. They were cut from their homemade Pita Bread (S$4.50), then seasoned with salt and deep-fried. There was a strong taste of garlic, which only made the chips moreish. The chips are very salty on their own, so be sure to dip them in the dips or salads.
Another appetiser I had always wanted to try was the Grilled Halloumi With Zatar (S$20). Everyone says halloumi squeaks, and they’re right. I could hear it with every bite, and I loved it. The cheese is made with 3 types of milk: cow, sheep and goat. I’m no cheese sommelier, so I couldn’t taste the different milks. It was savoury, rich and well-balanced with the za’atar, and I could have eaten 12 of these.
I also wanted to try the Dolma (S$14), but honestly, it wasn’t for me. The leaves on the outside were surprisingly delicate, so I barely had to put any effort into my bite. The part I wasn’t a fan of, however, was the filling of rice, herbs and lemon. It was mushy and tasted quite one-note. One of the staff mentioned that in some regions, they serve dolma (S$14) with meat and rice as the filling. Perhaps I would have preferred that.
Up next are the mains. I decided to kaypoh a bit and take a look inside the kitchen. I was greeted by fire and smiling faces. The smoky, spiced aroma instantly filled my nose. The vibe was similar to walking around East Coast Park while everyone was barbecuing. The fire was also really cool to see flare up intensely as the fat from the meats rendered. Also, the dishes were prepared by Chef Mohammad Hosseini himself. It was a pleasure to watch a master work on his craft.
Every dish was brilliant in its own way, but the best had to be the Shirazi Grilled Platter (S$120). For context, I brought a friend who had recently completed a powerlifting meet. For 2 large lads, nothing can be more appealing than a giant platter full of meat.
When the platter of seasoned, smoky and succulent delights arrived, the fragrance alone made our mouths water. Let’s start with a surprising entrant: the Prawn Kebab (S$43 à la carte). Marinated with saffron, the prawn had an almost golden hue. It was lightly salted, maintaining the sweetness you can get from tiger prawns. The texture was bouncy and meaty, with no fishiness and none of the acrid taste from the intestine. It was a lovely bite to start.
Another favourite of ours was the Chicken (S$42 à la carte), which was incredibly juicy. The yoghurt marinade made it tender, and the spices seeped into the meat. Each bite was as flavourful and succulent as the last. Again, the entire platter was absolutely yummy, but the chicken and prawn were really outstanding.
To end the meal, we had the Original Faloodeh Shirazi With Saffron Ice Cream (S$25), a dessert with a lot of historical value. The staff mentioned that its origins date back as far as 400 BC, making it the first frozen dessert in history. Its origins sort of explain the flavour, to be honest. This treat might not be for everyone. The bottom of the bowl held thin vermicelli soaking in rose syrup. While it was slightly sweet, the aroma of rose made it taste slightly perfume-y.
The ice cream was also not what I was used to. It was not very sweet, with a strong metallic taste from the saffron. The pistachios were quite pleasant though, adding texture and a nutty flavour. Overall, it was not too bad, but I can’t say I would order it again. This one makes for an interesting anecdote more than a dessert to crave.
Who is Shirazi best for?
As you can tell, the portions are generous, and the dishes are rather pricey. Shirazi is definitely more suited for a group of friends and family.
If you appreciate history, stories and learning with a side of amazing meats, Shirazi is perfect for you. Even the chef, Mohammad Hosseini, has been cooking for 30 years. This restaurant is also very pleasant to the eye. I found myself admiring the decor while I enjoyed my meal.
How to get to Shirazi
Shirazi is at 8 Dempsey Road. The closest MRT station is Napier (brown line). The closest bus stop is CSC Dempsey Clubhouse along Holland Road, and the restaurant is an 8-minute walk from there.
Take care on the way, as it is up a hill, so pace yourselves. While you’re there, Dempsey Hill also has all sorts of spots and activities you might be interested in. Check out their website for more info.
Do we recommend Shirazi?
I would definitely recommend Shirazi. I think it is, first and foremost, an experience. A place to take your time and enjoy everything the restaurant has to offer. If they aren’t too busy, I would also recommend asking questions about the origins of some of the dishes. Some dishes may differ from what you are used to, but each one is prepared with care and attention. Should you decide to visit, I suggest trying at least 1 dish you have never tried before. At the very least, you will have tasted something unique and rooted deeply in the history of Iran.
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