Berenjak Mayfair

You'll walk into Berenjak on Duke Street and immediately clock the warm lighting and the smell of charcoal and spices doing their thing. It's the kind of place where you can actually have a conversation without shouting, but it's got enough energy that you don't feel like you're in a mausoleum. The menu reads like a love letter to Persian cuisine—koobideh kebabs that arrive properly charred, tahdig rice with that crucial crispy bottom, and khorovatz that's been properly marinated. This isn't fusion nonsense or Instagram bait; it's straightforward, generous cooking that respects the source material. The wine list leans into natural selections that pair properly with the bold spicing.