Perse Is the Most Ambitious New Persian Restaurant in Los Angeles

LA Eater ^ | Mar 2026 | Matthew Kang

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The diverse and expansive Persian/Iranian restaurant scene in Los Angeles comes as a direct result of political strife that emerged in Iran in the 1970s, fueled by American intervention that has come roaring back in recent weeks with a new regional war. In the decades since the Iranian Revolution, the Persian community has developed strong ties to Southern California areas like Glendale and Westwood...

Iranian food spans centuries, even longer, with historic ties to the Levant, Mesopotamia, and Silk Road routes. The result, says Farinaz Pirshirazi, is a distinct cuisine that goes beyond the popular kebabs that tend to dominate Persian restaurant menus. Farinaz, who grew up in Iran and came stateside in the 2010s, has ventured across the country to taste regional flavors that highlight pomegranate-glazed steak pocked with chopped walnuts, smoked saffron tahdig studded with slivered almonds, and fish served with a Northern Iranian–style walnut-barberry sauce.

Perse’s distinguishing feature is its sleek, minimalist aesthetic, punctuated by black-and-white photos and a striking bookshelf displaying Iranian memorabilia. A vibrant bar offers a place to sip on tangy Fall in Tehran, an Old Fashioned–like sipper with aged cognac or bourbon, pomegranate syrup, honeyed saffron, and bitters.

The Persian community has been gathering in light of the recent events in Iran, and Perse is one of those venues, though its place in Brentwood makes it a more white tablecloth situation. Still, the restaurant serves comfort in the form of plush barbari, smoky golden rice, and charcoal-grilled skewers with a regional flair. It’s ambitious, polished, and feels more timely than ever.

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