This review is for the lunch buffet - we came around Noon on a Friday, and didn't even see a regular menu. Our group was six people and although they were very busy we were seated promptly and drinks were brought. Though it's a buffet, throughout our meal there were servers around, and our beverages were refilled and any issues dealt with right away- this was great service as far as a lunch buffet is concerned. The buffet had many options, all Middle-Eastern cuisine. Some of the dishes I'm used to had different spice profiles than I've tasted before. I don't usually like dolmas (stuffed grape leaves), but these were fantastic. The leaves were soft and the mixture inside was perfectly balanced. The felafel was especially different; I couldn't place what spices they used, but it was good. I guess I prefer a plainer felafel where the chickpea shines more, but I enjoyed this rendition. The hummus was delicious and fresh, some of the best I've ever had. The fresh bread was like a cross between pita and naan, and was obviously housemade and absolutely delicious. It kept coming out and then disappearing right away! There were lots of vegetables and a fresh salad, something that is often lacking in a buffet. We went on a Friday during Lent which for us means no meat, so I didn't get to taste many hot dishes. They looked and smelled great though, and our companions certainly ate at least their plates full. One of my favorite parts was the fresh house made baklava at the end. SO GOOD. I would return just for this. Overall, it was clearly a family owned and run restaurant, and I enjoy supporting friendly locals. We'll be back, hopefully on a day when I can try those delicious looking non-vegetarian dishes!
(4)
Steven K.
The staff is friendly, the buffet is filled with exquisitely spiced delicacies and the desserts (especially the Persian ice cream and the baklava) are some of the absolute best I have ever had. Wonderful experience!
(5)
Sy S.
Had the lunch buffet. Overall, the food was pretty awesome. My only complaint was that the meats ran out pretty quickly on the buffet line and you had to wait, with everyone else, for seconds. I'll definitely be going there again soon.
(4)
Alex O.
Amazing buffet! They have wonderful Belly-Dancers, and an outside hookah lounge. The buffet is a little pricy at 20 bucks but is well-worth the money. All types of Persian / Middle Eastern cuisine that is made at the restaurant fresh every day and I'm a big fan of the chicken and beef kabobs. It's also nice that they have 3+ choices of rice. Every time my father is in town (he lives in Iowa), he requests to come to this restaurant. Also, if you don't want to spend the 20 bucks on the buffet in the evening, it is cheaper to come and eat at lunch, otherwise, you can buy single dishes at decent prices. (Although I'm never able to do this, I want to try everything they have!) The owners are very nice people too! :)
(5)
Haley A.
Tried the lunch buffet and was impressed with the selection of food. We enjoyed the appetizer options very much, especially the shirazi salad. The kabobs were very tasty and we enjoyed having ghorma sabzi. Good dining experience overall.
(4)
Scott K.
We had a delicious meal at Mirage. We began with the tasty tabouli salad with warm pita bread. Then we shared the combination kebob platter--4 kebobs with lots of rice, and grilled vegetables. The meat was tender and tasty. We had lots of leftovers. Friendly service.
(4)
Pouya R.
Great food, and great service. I always go here when visiting my parents. They are very polite and professional. They have entertainment on the weekends and there is a small outdoor seating area.
(5)
Mary H.
We were told about this place by a Middle Eastern taxi driver on a late night drive from airport. I was quizzing him on where to find Persian spices,etc. and he told us this is he and his family's "go to" place for the best (and most authentic) food on this side of the Bay. Our neighbor in WA is from Persia/Iran...and we have fallen in love with their food - which also tends to be very be very healthy and low in fat. Our neighbor knows what some of our favorites are, so we were delighted to find several of them included on the dinner buffet. Our first trip was on a Friday night and I'm glad we had reservations. I love all forms of dance, and have done a bit of middle eastern dancing myself - so having a dancer entertain us was delightful. We went back a few weeks later on a slow Sunday night and ordered off the menu. Once again we left with happy bellies and enough food to have for lunch the next day. I couldn't wait to call my neighbor and tell her what we had for dinner! One more thing which struck me - on the Friday we were there, all but one other table was filled with people who appeared to be of middle eastern descent. No way of know which country, but just like you shouldn't eat in an Asian restaurant that doesn't have other Asian diners...I took this to be a good sign. We will go back to The Mirage again and again.
(4)
Joe C.
This place has a great lunch buffet. I was introduced to the Mirage about 5 years ago by a Persian friend, and I'm glad that happened. I don't know what Jimmy S is talking about, because the kebab meats are seasoned perfectly, especially the minced chicken kebab. My favorite. It's not the cheapest weekday lunch on the planet, you usually get out of there for $15 all in with tax, tip and a drink. I usually can't go back to work afterwards because I'm so freaking stuffed. The lunch buffet is highly recommended, and I'm pretty simple when it comes to food. It may look intimidating, but just trust me and the rest of Yelp. I can't speak for the dinner menu (they don't serve buffet for dinner), as I've only been there for lunch.
(4)
Sam P.
Delicious food, good service. I had Joje Kabab and it was really good
(5)
carl h.
very good food, ate there today, bufett, fresh food, clean place, nice owners.
(5)
Heather D.
If you want something different and are also a fan of supporting local business, this restaurant is an excellent choice. We just went for Friday dinner and now I have a name for a whole new level of full; There's regular full, Thanksgiving full, and Middle Eastern Mirage Buffet full. The choices here were varied and all cooked to perfection. Unlike some American or Chinese buffets, there were no dried out or less than appetizing selections. Although they offer a full menu, if you are unfamiliar with Iranian/Persian cuisine your best value may be the $20 unlimited dinner buffet, where you can sample a truly dizzying array of sides and entrees. I recommend highly the chicken kabob dipped in the yogurt sauce, but I'd be hard pressed to name anything I really disliked. There is also plenty to here to keep any vegetarian fully satisfied. And don't skip dessert. The night we went the pastry was a perfect, sweet finish to a symphony of incredible tastes. Although we didn't stay until the 8pm show, it is worth noting that they do have entertainment on both Friday and Saturday nights. I look forward to going back and bringing several friends to try foods destined to become new favorites. Service was also very pleasant and low key in this friendly, family owned establishment.
(5)
Jimmy S.
Not tasty at all, bland food. It seemed to be a buffet place and not menu ordering. Buffet choices were small and there was only Baklava for dessert to choose, and it wasn't baked thoroughly. The chicken shwarma was ordered, but it came out as some type of chicken stew. There were no lamb shwarma to try, a real disappointment. The fafel tasty like it was made from a box, dry and no flavor. The beef and chicken kabobs were just grilled, that was the flavor, cooked meat. The only thing we ate repeatedly was the pita bread because it was fresh and hot... at least they have that going for them. Bottomline: Not Recommended, Do Not Enter.
(1)
Ivan G.
Good food and service. A bit expensive for regular dining. Overall - very good place.
(4)
Nerissa M.
The Kabob and appetizer platter was amazing! Sabzi on the side was a great addition. The only downfall was the "ok" rice, it was more like orzo. But overall I would DEFINITELY come here again!
(4)
William M.
Fantastic dinner spot for Friday and Saturday nights, the buffet at this place is better than any of the Persian Restaurants (similar to Greek food) in the Tacoma, Wa area. But what makes this place great for Friday and Saturdays nights is the belly dancer. My in-laws, the wife and I had dinner there last night and while it was a little strange being in a packed restaurant watching a belly dancer, but it felt like we were transported to the east watching the crowd interact with the dancer. The food was great, the service was friendly, try this place you won't be disappointed.
(4)
Connie C.
I had heard good things about this restaurant so I decided to try it out. I was happy to discover that they serve a lunch buffet (I went during the weekend) which was $11.95. They have quite a lot of selections on the buffet and their Tabouli and Baba Ganoush are really good. Their Kabobs are flavorful and I really enjoyed their Eggplant and Lamb (it was in a tomato based sauce). Don't forget to leave room for the Baklava, sooooo delicious! I will definently try Mirage again. They also told me they have Belly Dancing and on the weekends, they have a Dinner Buffet also.
(4)
Richard S.
The lunch buffet was excellent and the food was fresh and tasty. Went with a neighbor who recommened this place and I'm glad she did. Definite;y would go back. The service was great as well.
(4)
M J.
Easily the best (and most authentic) middle eastern food in the Tampa Bay area. Well worth the 40 min drive from my house.
(5)
Chris C.
This was "my staple" restaurant when I lived in the area. I loved the Mediterranean food style and with the buffet this place was perfect. Prices were decent, owner was nice and concerned about your experience. A nice family run business.
(5)
Natalie M.
Have been seeing reviews on this place and decided to give it a try. I love Persian food so when I saw that they have a buffet, I thought, great, I can try a variety of different dishes. I would have to say for a buffet, it was very good. For appetizers at the buffet, they had hummus, baba ganouge, and dolmeh...just to name a few. They also had different selections of rice. They had a selection of main entree dishes, all flavorful and the meats were tender. Their version of baklava was so good...it tasted like warm apple pie with nuts. I definitely will be coming back. Tip- grab the pitas ASAP...they run out quickly!
(4)
Nic S.
We stopped by for a very early dinner today and enjoyed one of life's great pleasures, a lamb and eggplant dish prepared so well that the meat could be spread like butter. We ordered tahdig and took the advice of our waitress who suggested we get it half with quyeme and half with sabzi--great advice, by the way! The result was delicious! We are already planning our next visit.
(5)
Khena K.
We were hungry for something different tonight and saw good reviews and figured, why not? We love Mediterranean foods so let's give it a shot. Upon arrival we got a bit concerned. From the outside, the place looks old and sketchy. It hasn't rained since last night yet half of the parking lot was under water (see photos) and at 6:30pm on a Friday night, pretty empty, which is usually a bad sign. OK, this is not starting well. When we got in, the place was cleaner than expected, and the staff was very friendly. They were expecting a large party but accommodated us anyways. Awash, that explains the empty parking lot. OK, getting better. We looked over the buffet and decided on that (see photos). $20/person seemed a bit steep considering the buffet looked relatively small, and......well.....IT'S A BUFFET!!! Whatever. We're here already. Let's dive in. Now for the big surprise. The food was AMAZING! Seriously! The chicken was juicy and tender and seasoned to perfection, the sides, salads, rice....holy crap the rice!!! I couldn't believe it. This is actual Mediterranean food! Authentic! Not the crap you get at some places, ON A FREAKING BUFFET!!! OK, the decor needs a SERIOUS makeover, and the parking lot attended to, all of this would usually mean I would rate it down at least one star, but the staff and for all that is holy the food....they get it back! Seriously great food, and we will have to return!
(5)
Shoba R.
Came here on a whim with my friend because we were in Clearwater and it was around 10pm. Had a pretty ok dinning experience. It was interesting to see a dinner buffet restaurant...can't say Ive ever been to one of those. My friend and I ended up eating from the menu and we sat outside. The table was clean but the ground beneath my seat had rice that someone had dropped. It was really gross to me especially since I do not eat rice simply because I find it visually unappealing (I know, weird lol). People were relaxing and smoking hookah around us. We ordered the falafel plate, yogurt and cucumbers (I'm guess it was suppose to be taziki), the greek salad and Turkish coffee. The falafel plate had taboole salad, hummus and 4 pieces of falafel. I would give the food 3/5 stars ONLY because I've had really good Middle eastern and Greek food at several restaurants in Tampa for the same price and this place just didn't stack up. I think it has to do with fact that Greek food was made in a "Persian restaurant." The yogurt and cucumbers (taziki) sauce seemed like it was made from high fat plain yogurt rather than greek yogurt. So if you are looking for authentic Taziki sauce this isn't the place. That's not to say it tasted bad. But for the same price I can get tazki sauce made with greek yogurt. The greek salad however was pretty good. The price was reasonable the the portion was fairly large. And finally, if you plan to drink turkish coffee for the taste, do it but it's not going to wake you up if thats what you need. Overall OK experience. Not quite bad enough to be 2 stars but not quite authentic enough for the price.
(3)
Josiah G.
I really wasn't sure what to expect with a Persian buffet, but my Clearwater-raised fiance insisted I would like it. I guess she knows me, and this place, because I loved it. This is homemade middle eastern fare at around $13 a person. A good deal in my book, especially when considering the quality of the food and the number of choices at the buffet. I'm a falafel junkie and Mirage delivered big for me. Nice and crispy on the outside and soft and warm on the inside. When wrapped up in pita bread with a dollop of tzatziki sauce....it is a memorable bite. Everything else on the buffet was above par, too. The basmati rice was cooked to perfection and the green beans in tomato sauce dish was so rich and flavorful. My only dislike was the hummus. As a person of middle eastern descent, I was raised with a certain way hummus should be made and this wasn't it. This had way too much tahini, in my opinion, and could have used some lemon. Overall, great place with real, homemade middle eastern food. If you haven't experienced middle eastern food, I would highly recommend coming here because you'll be able to try a wide variety of different dishes.
(4)
Melissa Z.
Take this review with a grain of salt if you will because I will say upfront that I am not of Persian descent, but I did not enjoy the lunch buffet here. I love trying different ethic cuisine and this was so highly rated I really wanted to like it. The sign of the restaurant seems to be accurate: homemade. When we had lunch here it felt like we were eating what an average cook from the Middle East would prepare. My main complaint is that The falafel was far too dry and that the Buffett is so meager it hardly justifies the ~ $15 we paid. All I got was falafel, naan and cucumber salad. That's it! I appreciated that it had vegetarian section and a section with just meat kabobs. I loved the fresh naan bread! That was the highlight of the meal. My poor boyfriend did not care for a single meat item he tasted. I felt guilty for dragging him here. I do like the outdoor patio area since it is covered. And the interior is nice and casual.
(3)
Ron A.
Hands down my favorite and has been for over 8 years. The owners are wonderful people and the food is to die for. This is our place for special occasions and sometimes we go just because. Love it!
(5)
John C.
Traditional middle eastern fare, and it was all good. Buffet dinner for $20 each. I felt it was a little over priced $15 would be more about the mark. While everything was good there was nothing that Wowed me. Lots to appease the vegetarian and it was all good. Highlights were the beef and chicken kebabs, the falafel and the baklava desert. I'd have liked the food to be a little spicier, it was aromatic but didn't have quite the "kick" I was expecting. I will go back but probably for lunch next time.
(3)
Nicholas M.
ABSOLUTELY AWFUL The food at mirage does absolutely NO justice to PersiaN food . The stale , flavorless , mid grade food they serve doesn't come close to matching true PersiaN cruisine. The meat is flavorless , the rice is plain and overly dry , the vegetables are cheap and nasty . I have NO IDEA how this place has 4.5 stars. The food is stale at best .
(2)
Warren R.
I decided to give this place a shot based upon the prior reviews, and I'm pretty happy that I did. I walked in around 1:30 and the owner instructed me to sit wherever I would like. I walked towards the back within easy distance of the buffet station, because I mean business when I walk into a buffet, I can't be wasting precious seconds walking when I could be spending that time eating darnit. During my brisk stroll to my table, I had time to appreciate the Persian decor and take in the middle eastern ambience. I didn't spend much time at the salad bar other than to grab some hummus, grape leaves, and olives. They did have a fair assortment of salads. The grape leaves and olives were fine, but I expected more from the hummus. I tried the stews, they were decent. I tried the chicken kabobs, which were dry, but the beef kabobs made up for it, they were quite delicious, and I kept going back for them. The pro-tip given by Melinda M. is legit, get your pita bread as soon as possible. There was none when I first arrived, and they brought more out as I finished my third plate. The moment they brought it out, a man literally jumped up from his table, performed a backflip over a waitress, did a ninja roll and grabbed about 85% of the pita. I may be embellishing a bit on his athleticism, but the rest is true. There were 4 pieces left when he was through, I got up and grabbed two pieces (I left some for others because I'm not rude). They were fresh and warm and full of goodness. Great value for the lunch buffet, I would return.
(4)
D C W.
The service the food was amazing our server was so sweet I love this staff thank you to the owners and the management I will totally be back I had lunch there the buffet the salad the hummus was amazing the tabouli was the best I've had in so long and on top of that I even took home two entrees to go.....
(5)
Giota A.
Food was great! The service was great as well. Good place to come with the family and kiddos. Having a two month old it's hard to go to restaurants but they were beyond accommodating. Would def come again!
(4)
Tommy C.
Second time here, the lunch buffet is so good and reasonably-priced. So many flavors on a single plate. Anyone craving Persian food in the area should definitely check this place out.
(5)
Bud T.
Great Lunch buffette!!! what a Great Value!! Very consistent quality the last 10 years.One of my favorite places to eat all time. The only issue here is to not to over eat. Owners are always attentive. Shukra!!! Ktir Mirage!!
(5)
Katherine L.
wonderful food and very nice service!! the only reason why I give a four star rating is because they were out of a lot of menu items....all the lamb kebabs were gone!! but the food was very good. we ordered chicken kebabs, lamb, falafel... the falafel was my favorite. very crispy and had a perfect seasonings and spices!! the pita bread is so soft and warm and good!! I hope I can come again !
(4)
Ali S.
An original taste of Persian cuisine. You should definitely try the Shish kabab and chicken kabab. These are one of the bests in the country.
(5)
Melinda M.
I've been wanting to try this place for awhile now. Don't know why I've been on a Mediterranean/Mid-Eastern food kick lately. Guess I'm a sucker for pita bread and good hummus. So we came here on a Saturday night around 7pm. There's a dinner buffet only on Friday and Saturday nights. We were greeted by the owners and asked if we had reservations. We didn't. Apparently there were a few tables reserved for a large group. We were asked if we wanted to sit near the entrance or towards the back. We decided to sit near the back which may have been a bad idea because we sat for at least 15 minutes before anyone came to our table and that was only after waving someone down. Along the wall there are about two buffet stations. One was a salad bar with hummus, grape leaves, greek salad. The second station had three types of rice, meat dishes such as kabobs and stews. Then on a little end table there was baklava for dessert. The restaurant also has an outdoor seating area with a few tables. Now on to the food. Tip-grab your pita bread ASAP. Those run out very fast. I prefer my pita bread to be hot or warm, but the pita bread here was neither. The hummus was just okay only. The grape leaves was good. The other stuff in the salad bar station was alright. The meat and rice station though was awesome. The rice with raisin was very good. The chicken kabobs were cooked well, but was a little dry. The lamb and beef stew was delish! Had to come back up for seconds just for that! The food stations were constantly replenished so you didn't have to wait too long. Oh and don't forget the baklava. I think it's one of the best baklavas I've ever eaten. Service-Like I mentioned earlier, the service was lacking. Don't know if it was because of where we sat, but it was as if the waitresses had tunnel vision. Even as we were walking out, there were three waitresses at the front entrance and not one of them said goodbye or thank you! The owners were nice though. Note-There's a belly dancer on weekend nights too. I would come back again because the prices were reasonable. The weekend buffet was $19.99 and lunch buffets are $11.99 during the week, $14.99 weekend.
(4)
Mr And Mrs Nurse A.
When we lived in St Pete we ate here frequently. The food is so good that we have seriously considered taking a cheap flight from Philly to St Pete *just* for the buffet (well, and the beaches too...). I loved every single thing I ever had on this buffet. We're always so baffled as to why there aren't more people here....Gah! The hamburger on skewers....I can taste the flame-grilled flavor just thinking about them. That flavorful rice...the naan...stuffed grape leaves...chicken on a stick. So sad I don't live in St Pete anymore. Even sadder this place isn't given the props it deserves
(5)
Farah A.
Came here for their dinner buffet. Variety was good, some of the salads needed extra dressing, but otherwise the food was tasty.
(4)
Adil J.
The food is great and the atmosphere is calming. Some of the staff don't speak English and are still new to the culture, I recommend that their body language shouldn't be interpreted as bad customer service skills.
(4)
Coty S.
Mirage Persian restaurant lunch buffet is a great way sample many different types of cold and hot Middle Eastern style foods. There were different types of soups, stews, and rice that I have never tried before; Dill Rice with Beans, Lamb Stew with Tomato, Herb Beef Stew, and some of the best Baba ghanoush that I have had in a while. If you are one of those folks that too good for buffets, you might want to re-think passing up this fresh assortment of awesomeness for a decent price. I was so happy to see that Mirage has the buffet seven days a week and even on Sunday. The falafel is so fresh and crispy, filled with spices. There are three different grilled meats offered on the buffet: The grilled white meat chicken is folded and skewered to perfection. The ground beef kabobs are good, but the ground chicken kabob is definitely my favorite of all the meats. However, I could go totally vegetarian here and not miss a thing. Since 75% of the lunch buffet is vegetarian, I had a vegetarian friend of mine meet me here for lunch on a Sunday. We were so happy with the relaxed family atmosphere, open dining room with plenty of sunlight. There is also some excellent outdoor seating, when weather permits. It was so nice to see large tables of families relaxing and enjoying their weekend, finishing their lunch with hot tea and mints. Mirage is a stand-along building near US 19 on Gulf to Bay with parking in the back. There are two different types of Dough (yogurt drink offered), house made or bottled. I went for the house-made. But, the yogurt drink mixed with the massive amounts of feta I consumed and the creamy dips, I was having a milk overload. Maybe next time, I will take it easier and be able to order some of the delicious-looking ice cream. My only gripe is that they are a little stingy with their bread. Since my recent goal has been to make every weekend a food adventure, then this was definitely a tasty adventure. Mirage is a recent discovery that will be on my permanent rotation as soon as I have the craving again. On the door, Mirage has a flyer for their Persian Karaoke night and buffet. Now, that is something I have got to see for myself to believe.
(4)
Timothy S.
My significant other and I were driving to Clearwater Beach when we Yelped for anything other than seafood...and Mirage was literally 3 blocks ahead! Fantastic food, great service, and affordable prices. We had Chicken Sultani and Shareen Polo, the "Jewel of all Persian rice dishes". We shared a glass of Pinot Grigio and ate until it hurt. I can't imagine a better meal...highly recommended!
(4)
Shamshiri C.
Q: Why have i gone to this restaurant a couple of times? A: Because It is the only Persian restaurant in Tampa bay area. Q: How is food? A: The buffet is very pricey and the food level is average and the style is home-cooked and surely not the professional restaurant level Persian food. Q: is it authentic? A: Hell no! we don't eat falafel and hummus and pita bread! Also Belly dancers for sure are not big in our culture.
(3)
Tala M.
It was a great experience!! We went right at closing time on a Monday. They stayed and served really good food!
(5)
Lynn S.
One of my favorite places to have lunch in Clearwater. The buffet is awesome, my favorite is the chicken kebob. Very easy to eat clean there.
Here is my experiance from Mirage: Quality of Food is good specially since its your only option for persian food in the region, by choosing buffet you will get this chance to taste diffrent persian foods all together for around 24$. Waiters need to change their attitude, we used to go there in group of 6-10 and in last visit two of waiters seem to be unhappy about two of our friends order which wasnt buffei and were just two plates from menu, one of waiters came to our table and out of blue told us that we will be charged if we order more bread for menu foods...!!! apparently our two friend who ordered from menu asked for extra bread. We tried to talk to manager and one of them apologized but told us that they expect everybody to spend more than 25$ per visit. Its not professional at all and it wasnt mentioned anywhere. we were regular customers( once a month as a group). If they want to charge more thats fine but who talks to customers like this? If you can not handle your resturant with just 4 waiters than maybe you should hire more people instead of acting and talking rude and with no patience. I like to add that we didnt have such a problem before and this kind of behaviour was just one time only. Maybe because they didnt have enough waiters. Update::::::: Well i checked the place again two days ago, food was better and staff were very respectful they also added one more waiter, i give them 4 star now instead of original 3.
(4)
Fulano D.
Excellent lunch buffet, the beef and the hummus was homemade. All the items were very tasty and plentiful. For dessert they have a baklava that is thinner than the Greek version but so tasty. I had Turkish coffee which reminded me of Cuban coffee but smoother. Loved the meal.
(4)
Travis C.
Such a great place! Very friendly and helpful staff with amazing fresh and authentic food! We had a great experience! Highly recommend it!
(5)
Faraz Y.
One of the better places to eat in GTA. Clean environment. Great kabobs. I think that the lunch buffet is a better deal. Checked out this place for lunch and dinner and it was pretty good both times. Server Huda was very knowledgable and helpful. She recommended good combinations that were enjoyed by my family. Definetly will come here again!
(4)
Martin R.
The best restaurant in Pinellas County. What what?! The food is authentic and delicious. My favorite is the lamb and eggplant stew. I grew up on a sheep farm in New Zealand so I have eaten more lamb stews than you could shake a stick at but this is easily the best. Fantastic/unique salads and rice dishes and several different kinds of kebabs. All so different from my usual diet. Go on Friday or Saturday night for the buffet to experience it in full. They have a belly dancer every 1/2 hour or so which is fun (but I could do without, kinda loud). The Persian folk who run it should be ambassadors to the US - would certainly improve relations between Iran and America. Super nice people.
(5)
Marty C.
Over the years, we have been here frequently and I am just now giving my opinion. It is a very unassuming building inside and out. However, a good restaurant is more than it's edifice, it's all about food and people. Their $13.99 Sunday buffet is delicious. From stuffed grape leaves, cucumber salad, lamb, beef, chicken kabobs and much more, there are no weak dishes. The staff is always on their toes with fresh refills to the buffet. We went yesterday and it was standing room only. Everyone in the room was fed, content and enjoying themselves. As a heads-up, the music can get a little loud for the tables right in front of the buffet when the belly dancer starts jiggling across the room. She was very entertaining and was only out for two songs while we were there. If you're reading this and haven't yet been, give the Mirage a try. You will not be disappointed.
(4)
Mika R.
YES! My dreams have officially come true... An authentic Middle Eastern Restaurant, where everything is made with the freshest ingredients, finest seasonings and an obvious amount of passion. And... It is all on a lunch buffet for $15.00! Don't for a second allow that to lead you away. Often times a restaurant that has any kind of buffet loses it's quality.. NOT HERE! Fresh chicken Kebab, Hummus, Dolmades, babaganoush, house salad, pita etc... Every house staple of the Middle East is offered on the buffet. As I dined for a quick, healthy and delicious lunch I was welcomed in by the kind owner, promptly greeted by a smiling server and instantly satisfied with traditional foods my mouth water at the thought of. As I was there for 30 minutes, the chicken, hummus,salad and pita were all interchanged with fresh batches of each. All I am saying is.. I am definitely coming back... Actually, Can't wait until my next appointment in the are to stop in! Wonderful atmosphere, friendly staff, extremely well kept and clean and TOP NOTCH Middle Eastern Food. What more could you want?!
(4)
Robert S.
The food was excellent. We ate on the covered patio. Very nice experience. I was a little shocked when I saw the total price of the bill and that the tip was automatically added. It was an excellent buffet meal. Seems very pricey but all in all I would recommend because the food was so good.
(4)
Michele D.
I really enjoy Persian food and this place does it right. After having many home cooked original dishes. This place gets almost a perfect score. I love their lunch and dinner buffet. This gives any novice a opportunity to get a try of everything. So no stressing on a hit or miss off the menu. Don't forget to throw that cool cucumber yogurt all over the rice and stews! If you want a change and need exotic tastes... Come check this place out
(4)
Ali N.
Good Persian food for the area. I had a combo of chicken kebabs with the beef koobideh over white rice. The chicken was juicier than the beef but the beef was still good. If I'm in the area again I would definitely go in and try something else on the menu.
(3)
Sofia D.
Well, I walked In Today expecting to sample a variety of things from the buffet, but they didn't have it going on. Bummer:-( I should have known better. It is Sunday and places usually don't offer those kind of things on this day of the week. I decided to go with something safe so I ordered the vegetarian plate and beef Koobideh on pita for now.The beef Koobideh was very good! It was very tender and juicy. Good spice and flavor. I threw on some more mint and parsley from the complimentary cheese plate, poured some tahini dip from the veggie plate and rolled up one Kabab with the tomatoes in the pita. Two thumbs up, Delicious.. The vegetarian platter wasn't a big hit with me.. Lovely Presentation, but I didn't like the hummus, baba ghanoush , or stuffed grape leaves much. The hummus was runny and the baba ghanoush didn't even look like baba ghanoush or taste like it either. They were both tasteless and the stuffed grape leaves I'm pretty sure were from those peel back cans. I hate to be so harsh because I always want to give a high score to middle eastern restaurants, they are my favorite places to eat at. On the other hand, the tabouleh was good and I really loved the falafel with the tahini sauce, so it was a 50/50. If they could perfect the hummus and baba ghanoush this restaurant would be on a whole nother level. Server was very nice and owner greeted us and said goodbye when we left. All very nice people, and I will be back for another try. I'm very interested in trying the buffet and taking this place from a 3 star to 5.
(3)
Daniel W.
Walking in, you can tell that the restaurant is very traditional, the decor and setting is nice and contains accents of the of the Persian culture. The buffet was fully stocked with all of the great features of the Mediterranean cuisine. Grape leaves, hummus, yogurt sauce, babganuoush, falafel, delicious meat stews, chick Kabob, lamb kabob, grilled chicken, feta and of course pita, finishing with some amazing, baklava. All of the food was excellent, no complaints, for the price, $20, it is well worth it.
(4)
Jeanette C.
It was clean and pleasant environment the food was really delicious the service very good!
(4)
Andrew T.
Unimpressed, food was nothing to write home about and way too expensive. Will not be back.
(1)
Ross K.
Got to go for the lunch buffet. Come hungry as it is a little pricey, but the food is high quality, unique, and most of all super fresh. At a buffet you often see a lot of food sitting around, not so here. There is some one continuously cleaning the buffet and they do not put a lot of food out at a time, which is the perfect way to keep things fresh. The food also tastes great and does not leave you feeling sick like most buffets. You need to get here and experience the deliciousness for yourself.
(5)
Tim M.
Great food and awesome service. Highly recommended! My wife and I got the combination platter for two which had chicken and beef kabobs.. It was tasty. We moved down here from a small city in Pennsylvania called New Castle, which is famous for Mary's Middle Eastern Food.. This place is just as good. Our waitress was spot on and made us her own garlic sauce which was great. If you're looking for something different, then please stop here.
(5)
Jennyfer A.
I went there on Valentine's day and was pleasantly surprised at how kind and generous they are with their customers. The buffet was a little overpriced but the cuisine was delicious and authentic. I just wish they had more options to choose from. I want to see a bigger buffet cart offering more food. Their wine was not very good, but i would not consider myself a wine drinker.
(3)
Samir B.
The food was delicious and always fresh, they help all there customer with everything they need. Most importantly it is clean
(5)
Terra S.
Really great find. I have been back again and again for the middle eastern food that fills me up. The only down side is how much I over-eat EVERY time! I am vegetarian but I still find lots to love. They sometimes have a buffet that Their rice dishes are great. Green beans, Hummus, dolmas (stuffed grape leaves) and cucumber salad are all downright tasty. They also have kabobs and other meat dishes that my friends like. I have been with a variety of friends and all enjoyed. Had some dessert - ice and rice noodles with lemon sauce - LOVE. Also tried my friend's pistachio ice cream (even though I'm dairy-free) and was to die for. Chai tea also wonderful. Not that classy of an atmosphere, but what you see is what you get and I like that. Nice people. I highly recommend.
(4)
Marina V.
Wonderful place with really tasty food, and with really decent prices. Its my weekend treat to come here once in a while :)
(5)
baji d.
This place is amazing. We happened upon it on our way to the Clearwater Aquarium and were thrilled beyond our expectations. Amazing food, kid-friendly staff, and delicious desserts. Highly recommend this to anyone in the area or even close by.
(5)
Steven S.
Nice people, great price, outstanding Middle Eastern food. Everything on the buffet is out of sight! I am sad it is so far away from my house, but when I go to St. Petersburg College in Clearwater I will be there!
(5)
Mohamad A.
The food is great, tasty and well cooked. The personnel are kind and caring. Go for the buffet so you can taste a variety of good food.
(5)
Arahcni S.
Really liked the concept of buffets for dinner as well ! Loved making our own dishes. It was a bit too cold though .. So cold that I had to wear my Seattle jacket :p but the food was yum!
(4)
Ashley R.
The buffet is rather small, as well as the desert selection. But they definitely make up for it with other food choices! Just wish the price wasn't so high. I am only giving 3 because of the price for a small buffet.
(3)
Babak J.
Wow! This is a perfect all-you-can-eat Persian restaurant, and it's quite reasonably priced. You can have Koobideh, Chicken Koobideh, Chicken Kebab, Ghormeh Sabzi, ... with white or dill rice, along with salad and everything for just 12 bucks. The only drawback was an Arab family, celebrating their son's birthday in a loud, annoying way! Honorable mention: The taste of the lime juice on the salad dressing reminded me of my home country :D
(4)
Bessie W.
Food is fantastic. Friendly staff. Would highly recommend because food is well worth the price. Is a little pricy but when food and staff is that good I'm willing to pay for a better experience. Ive told several people that like that atmosphere about this place. I just hope they enjoy it as much as my husband do.
(5)
Jenny K.
This is the most authentic and delicious Persian restaurant outside of Los Angeles. Their buffet is awesome at lunch and dinner. I loved their food and keep going back. If you want to know what a real Persian meal looks like, this is the place for you!
(5)
Mohammad M.
The best persian restaurant I've ever been to. The food was geat. Hospitality was awesome. I recommand the buffet, although each item from the menu is tasteful as well.
(5)
Mani A.
In comparison of persian restaurant it's pricy and it's not all that. Never ever try koobideh kabob. It taste bad and it may be the left over from the buffet.
(2)
Hasnat A.
This shit ammmaaaaazing, I really enjoyed putting their meat in my mouth. The texture was alluring. The sauces were inexistent however one does not feel like they're lacking in taste. I really was highly excited to chow down on their rice perhaps because it was lathered in butter. Ohh how I wished that I could have been lathered in such a manner with butter whilst eating such a heavenly plate of rice. The other stuff was also aite.
(4)
Rima C.
Absolutely wonderful service and food. Hubby and I visited Tampa for a short vacation, and stumbled upon Mirage on Yelp. Went at 10:30 at night hoping it would be open, and lo and behold, it was open and the staff so warm and welcoming. The wine was great, food so incredibly fresh and delicious. Highly recommend the chicken shish kabab. The owners were so nice, it truly made the meal special. You can tell this restaurant is a family business, and they have regulars stopping by all the time. In our 4 day trip, we visited once again, surprised that the owners remembered us and treated us like family! How wonderful. Highly recommend!
(5)
Rehab H.
Good food! The open buffet is really loaded with yummy persian and middle eastern food! If you are like me very particular about halal food, just ask about what dishes are exactly halal and what's not ( most of dishes are,but you need to double check). Service was great.
(4)
Matt A.
Not a huge fan of Iranian...I prefer Jordanian/Lebanese. Food was acceptable but not spectacular. I need flavors bursting in my mouth to get excited. This seemed kind of "tired" food. I like the interior however. I just wish they would add some zest to their offerings.
(3)
Dean H.
The food was delicious, the service was fast and the place seemed clean and nicely decorated. One funny observation is that the owner seem to be a fan of mortal Kombat seeing how he decided to label the menu with "Eliminated" for dishes they no longer served. See attached pics for funny menu!
(4)
Anne B.
This is the Most amazing presentation of tasty mediterranean (Persian/IRANIAN)delicacies . Fresh Fresh Fresh seems to be their mantra. Caveat: if you're sodium sensitive, be sure to drink plenty of water. Otherwise , the delicious offerings also include very healthy grilled meats, raw salads, herbs, yogurts, and enough vegetarian meat-free selections to satisfy everyone! See y'all agin next week.
(4)
Hoda B.
Authentic Persian food, they have a daily buffet with a wide variety to please every taste.
(5)
Eden S.
Ok, so, I pretty much never bother to take the time to post a review for a place unless it completely blows me away or is really terrible. This one, obviously, was incredible. I got there a bit before the dinner buffet was actually put out but the waitstaff was polite, brought me a drink, and frequently updated me on what the kitchen was working on. It took about 20 minutes before the salad section was all put out, at which point I made a great salad, grabbed some grape leaves, and tabbouleh. Everything was obviously fresh made and tasted fantastic. I went back up for some babaganoush and hummus with a side of warm pita while waiting for the rest of the hot foods to come out. They were all great and I had to keep going back up for more throughout the meal. Such simple flavors, but they were put together with the utmost care and precision. Then the hot foods all came out. I have been all over the US and traveled a good bit outside of it and rarely have I encountered these dishes made so well. There was eggplant and lamb, beef and lentils, kabobs, 3 different types of rice and a bunch more. The meat was all cooked to perfection, the vegetables were flavorful and not over done, the lentils were tender and amazing, and the rice was aromatic and the perfect al dente. I will happily be coming back here as often as I can now.
(5)
Anum A.
Went here for lunch and had the buffet. Most buffets don't taste fresh, but all the food here was fresh and full of flavor. The kabobs and kubideh were juicy and delicious.
(4)
Lina R.
I'm obsessed with this food. I eat their hummus almost every day !!! Chicken and ground beef are just so tender , juicy and delicious ! It's hard to describe this food , u need to try it your self ! They have a belly dancer on Friday and Saturday nights , very classy and entertaining dance . Whole family enjoys this place . Both thumbs up !!!
(5)
C H.
A wonderful restaurant for vegetarians and meat eaters alike, Mirage is a great place to go for a filling, satisfying meal. Everything I've ordered off the menu has been great, but why choose when you can experience their amazing buffet?! During weekday lunch and wknd evenings as well as lunch they pull out all the stops and my fav Mediterranean foods keep coming-falafel, tabouleh, babaghanoush, grape leaves and of course their decadent baklava. On Friday and Saturday nights, a belly dancer performs at around 7.
(4)
Dolores C.
Love this place and like the Iranian owners. The buffet is one of the tastiest and healthiest in our area. Great value for lunch.
(5)
Clyde M.
Food was very good. Had the buffet. Belly dancer was Very good as well. We will definitely go back
(4)
Simon I.
Yay! I'm a fan. The interior is nothing to write home about, the place is clean and Mirage has a homey feeling to its sitting space. Come here for the finger licking Kabobs that burst with flavor. Start with Tahdig 'bottom Of The Pot ' Or Hard Rice OR Kashk' Bademjan (whey And Eggplant) Braised eggplant mixed with garlic, flavored with herbs and spices. topped with sauteed dried mint, sauteed onions and cream of whey. As long as you are not allergic to Eggplant, this dish is a NOT miss. Move onto Shirazi Salad a persian take on cucumber, tomato, onion, parsley salad For the main star of your dining pleasure, order the platter of kabob's that offer combination of chicken, beef, and lamb. All orders are served with steaming naan bread and persian salad. The food is made to order and offer up some of the perfectly made kabob yet. Their menu is varied with numerous kabobs served with saffron rice. There are vegetarian dishes as well offered. Do not even think of leaving without Makhloot (ice Cream And Faloodeh Mixed), a cup of gelatinous sweet rice noodle served with Ice Cream on top, served with a side of lemon juice to drizzle on top. I have never tasted such a sweet combination and delicious to the last bite. Though, my search continues the best kabob in Tampa Bay area, Mirage's kabob are definitely top notch.
(4)
Mahma H.
We went there after a day at the beach. The place was empty so we were a bit skeptical, However the food was fresh and tasty and came in a timely manner. Will definitely visit again when we are in the area.
(3)
Rene O.
My husband I went here over the weekend and it was our first time experiencing homemade middle eastern cuisine. We fell in love with it! I couldn't stop telling all of my friends about it and I can't wait to go back. My husband got the vegetarian dish and he always clears his plate and is usually hungry later. Well I can officially tell you we have found a dish that filled him up for hours later after we left and he didn't even finish the plate! I, myself got the lamb kabob with grilled vegetables and rice. I couldn't even finish my plate and everything was so awesome and great and I could just go on! My only complaint though was that the music was way too loud. I enjoyed the music because it was different and fun but it was just way too loud that my husband and I could barely hear each other and at times could barely hear each other think. But it was fun and relaxing and the food was just so amazing and I can't wait to go back with my friends. I hope this place sticks around it seems like a great location and the food came out super fast. I hope everyone at least tries it.
(5)
Lane R.
Great find thanks to fellow yelpers. The lunch buffet seems to be the way to go. I was surprised how much was on the buffet. The dips - hummus and baba ganoush were awesome. But you may have to fight some people for the pita bread. It was gone instantly upon them bringing it out. I liked all the salad options. Moving on to the hot buffet, the falafel was crunchy with good flavor, but a little dry. I preferred the vegetarian options or the chicken. I wasn't really a fan of the beef dishes, but I'm not a big beef eater. Next time I'm in the mood for lots of baba ganoush I know where I will be heading. We went on a Friday afternoon around 12 and it was busy, but not packed, by the time we left there weren't to many tables left. I would head to Mirage for a late lunch.
(4)
Mohammad F.
Everything was awesome! I'll come back again in my next trip to Clearwater.
(5)
Sia M.
Perfect quality with an awesome price and Very nice service. We were in town for 4 days we went there 2 times.
(5)
Anne L.
Really good and authentic :) The buffet is generous and very traditional. A lot of choice and even a couple of dessert! You should definitely try during lunch time
(5)
Cameron H.
Food is outstanding, the owner Khosrow is also a very nice guy! Everytime I come to Clearwater, I def stop here!
(5)
Bahar A.
As a persian, I should say one of the best kabobs I have ever had was at Mirage. Highly recommended. Everything was so great there. Totally worth the money.
(5)
Diane A.
Lunch buffet is pretty good. Never had Persian, Mediterranean, and Greek food but I think it was very tasty. 12.95 total for buffet.
(4)
Kristen C.
My review is based on dinner on a Tuesday evening. We got the salmon kebab, hummus platter, and Greek salad. Everything was delicious! Loved the dressing for the salad. The salmon was fresh, cooked to perfection, and had just a light seasoning. We were only one of three tables for dinner and had good service. Great place for a casual dinner, but not so good if you are looking for something lively or upbeat.
(5)
Nana M.
The best place !!! Food is delicious and people are friendly .. They have a lunch buffet every day and dinner buffet friday saturday. Also, they have a belly dancer on friday saturday . it's just amazing place!!!
(5)
NtU S.
After a day of shopping for oriental rugs, a late buffet lunch at the Mirage was just the ticket. Even though we arrived after 2, the buffet was still fully stocked with tasty treats. The lamb and eggplant stew, the babagounoush, and the ground beef kabobs were the standout dishes.
(4)
Corey L.
I love this place for lunch. If you are a fan of Middle Eastern/Mediterranean food, then you should check it out.
(5)
Rick J.
So, I know what you're going to say already and why is Rick Jeans from Pompano Beach going all that way to Clearwater, Florida when he's got a beach in his own backyard and, well, here in Florida we have one state, two coasts, and that's great, and I bet you can't do that in California!!! So, I was in Clearwater and I was hungry and I thought I should get some lunch and I was driving and I found this place called the Mirage. Inside there were lots of people having lunch, which is a good sign at lunchtime. They have Middle Eastern food at the Mirage restaurant, and that's from the Middle East over near Europe, not, like, Pennsylvania or anything like that before you get any funny ideas. So, I know, that the Middle East has its problems but the Mirage restaurant is not one of them. They have all kinds of food--a chick pea dip they call hummus, a parsley salad they call tabouleh, and grilled meat kabobs they call grilled meat kebabs. And they have a buffet at lunch which is $11.99 and that's all you can eat, my friends, so you can try everything and pay the same price. I even had some eggplant thing and a thing with some lentils. It's a buffet--why not? They have Persian food at the Mirage restaurant and Persia is where Iran is now and I can tell you have to stop your misconceptions because the food made by the Persians is some of the best in the Middle East whether you like it or not. They also had some Greek food and some food from Lebanon I think called felafel which is like a little burger for vegetarians. They have great service at the Mirage restaurant and when you walk in, they are very friendly and they say welcome to our restaurant called the Mirage and when you leave they say please come and see us again, and you know what, the Mirage restaurant, I will: Next time Rick Jeans is in town, he'll take a table for one please.
(5)
Mohamad H.
Superb authentic dishes. There are different dishes representing different middle eastern countries with Persian as the dominant dishes. Seating is out door or indoors where both have their different ambience. Excellent customer service, with friendly professional staff and management. Very accommodating.
(5)
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
Address :2284 Gulf To Bay Blvd
Clearwater, FL, 33765
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Christina F.
This review is for the lunch buffet - we came around Noon on a Friday, and didn't even see a regular menu. Our group was six people and although they were very busy we were seated promptly and drinks were brought. Though it's a buffet, throughout our meal there were servers around, and our beverages were refilled and any issues dealt with right away- this was great service as far as a lunch buffet is concerned. The buffet had many options, all Middle-Eastern cuisine. Some of the dishes I'm used to had different spice profiles than I've tasted before. I don't usually like dolmas (stuffed grape leaves), but these were fantastic. The leaves were soft and the mixture inside was perfectly balanced. The felafel was especially different; I couldn't place what spices they used, but it was good. I guess I prefer a plainer felafel where the chickpea shines more, but I enjoyed this rendition. The hummus was delicious and fresh, some of the best I've ever had. The fresh bread was like a cross between pita and naan, and was obviously housemade and absolutely delicious. It kept coming out and then disappearing right away! There were lots of vegetables and a fresh salad, something that is often lacking in a buffet. We went on a Friday during Lent which for us means no meat, so I didn't get to taste many hot dishes. They looked and smelled great though, and our companions certainly ate at least their plates full. One of my favorite parts was the fresh house made baklava at the end. SO GOOD. I would return just for this. Overall, it was clearly a family owned and run restaurant, and I enjoy supporting friendly locals. We'll be back, hopefully on a day when I can try those delicious looking non-vegetarian dishes!
(4)Steven K.
The staff is friendly, the buffet is filled with exquisitely spiced delicacies and the desserts (especially the Persian ice cream and the baklava) are some of the absolute best I have ever had. Wonderful experience!
(5)Sy S.
Had the lunch buffet. Overall, the food was pretty awesome. My only complaint was that the meats ran out pretty quickly on the buffet line and you had to wait, with everyone else, for seconds. I'll definitely be going there again soon.
(4)Alex O.
Amazing buffet! They have wonderful Belly-Dancers, and an outside hookah lounge. The buffet is a little pricy at 20 bucks but is well-worth the money. All types of Persian / Middle Eastern cuisine that is made at the restaurant fresh every day and I'm a big fan of the chicken and beef kabobs. It's also nice that they have 3+ choices of rice. Every time my father is in town (he lives in Iowa), he requests to come to this restaurant. Also, if you don't want to spend the 20 bucks on the buffet in the evening, it is cheaper to come and eat at lunch, otherwise, you can buy single dishes at decent prices. (Although I'm never able to do this, I want to try everything they have!) The owners are very nice people too! :)
(5)Haley A.
Tried the lunch buffet and was impressed with the selection of food. We enjoyed the appetizer options very much, especially the shirazi salad. The kabobs were very tasty and we enjoyed having ghorma sabzi. Good dining experience overall.
(4)Scott K.
We had a delicious meal at Mirage. We began with the tasty tabouli salad with warm pita bread. Then we shared the combination kebob platter--4 kebobs with lots of rice, and grilled vegetables. The meat was tender and tasty. We had lots of leftovers. Friendly service.
(4)Pouya R.
Great food, and great service. I always go here when visiting my parents. They are very polite and professional. They have entertainment on the weekends and there is a small outdoor seating area.
(5)Mary H.
We were told about this place by a Middle Eastern taxi driver on a late night drive from airport. I was quizzing him on where to find Persian spices,etc. and he told us this is he and his family's "go to" place for the best (and most authentic) food on this side of the Bay. Our neighbor in WA is from Persia/Iran...and we have fallen in love with their food - which also tends to be very be very healthy and low in fat. Our neighbor knows what some of our favorites are, so we were delighted to find several of them included on the dinner buffet. Our first trip was on a Friday night and I'm glad we had reservations. I love all forms of dance, and have done a bit of middle eastern dancing myself - so having a dancer entertain us was delightful. We went back a few weeks later on a slow Sunday night and ordered off the menu. Once again we left with happy bellies and enough food to have for lunch the next day. I couldn't wait to call my neighbor and tell her what we had for dinner! One more thing which struck me - on the Friday we were there, all but one other table was filled with people who appeared to be of middle eastern descent. No way of know which country, but just like you shouldn't eat in an Asian restaurant that doesn't have other Asian diners...I took this to be a good sign. We will go back to The Mirage again and again.
(4)Joe C.
This place has a great lunch buffet. I was introduced to the Mirage about 5 years ago by a Persian friend, and I'm glad that happened. I don't know what Jimmy S is talking about, because the kebab meats are seasoned perfectly, especially the minced chicken kebab. My favorite. It's not the cheapest weekday lunch on the planet, you usually get out of there for $15 all in with tax, tip and a drink. I usually can't go back to work afterwards because I'm so freaking stuffed. The lunch buffet is highly recommended, and I'm pretty simple when it comes to food. It may look intimidating, but just trust me and the rest of Yelp. I can't speak for the dinner menu (they don't serve buffet for dinner), as I've only been there for lunch.
(4)Sam P.
Delicious food, good service. I had Joje Kabab and it was really good
(5)carl h.
very good food, ate there today, bufett, fresh food, clean place, nice owners.
(5)Heather D.
If you want something different and are also a fan of supporting local business, this restaurant is an excellent choice. We just went for Friday dinner and now I have a name for a whole new level of full; There's regular full, Thanksgiving full, and Middle Eastern Mirage Buffet full. The choices here were varied and all cooked to perfection. Unlike some American or Chinese buffets, there were no dried out or less than appetizing selections. Although they offer a full menu, if you are unfamiliar with Iranian/Persian cuisine your best value may be the $20 unlimited dinner buffet, where you can sample a truly dizzying array of sides and entrees. I recommend highly the chicken kabob dipped in the yogurt sauce, but I'd be hard pressed to name anything I really disliked. There is also plenty to here to keep any vegetarian fully satisfied. And don't skip dessert. The night we went the pastry was a perfect, sweet finish to a symphony of incredible tastes. Although we didn't stay until the 8pm show, it is worth noting that they do have entertainment on both Friday and Saturday nights. I look forward to going back and bringing several friends to try foods destined to become new favorites. Service was also very pleasant and low key in this friendly, family owned establishment.
(5)Jimmy S.
Not tasty at all, bland food. It seemed to be a buffet place and not menu ordering. Buffet choices were small and there was only Baklava for dessert to choose, and it wasn't baked thoroughly. The chicken shwarma was ordered, but it came out as some type of chicken stew. There were no lamb shwarma to try, a real disappointment. The fafel tasty like it was made from a box, dry and no flavor. The beef and chicken kabobs were just grilled, that was the flavor, cooked meat. The only thing we ate repeatedly was the pita bread because it was fresh and hot... at least they have that going for them. Bottomline: Not Recommended, Do Not Enter.
(1)Ivan G.
Good food and service. A bit expensive for regular dining. Overall - very good place.
(4)Nerissa M.
The Kabob and appetizer platter was amazing! Sabzi on the side was a great addition. The only downfall was the "ok" rice, it was more like orzo. But overall I would DEFINITELY come here again!
(4)William M.
Fantastic dinner spot for Friday and Saturday nights, the buffet at this place is better than any of the Persian Restaurants (similar to Greek food) in the Tacoma, Wa area. But what makes this place great for Friday and Saturdays nights is the belly dancer. My in-laws, the wife and I had dinner there last night and while it was a little strange being in a packed restaurant watching a belly dancer, but it felt like we were transported to the east watching the crowd interact with the dancer. The food was great, the service was friendly, try this place you won't be disappointed.
(4)Connie C.
I had heard good things about this restaurant so I decided to try it out. I was happy to discover that they serve a lunch buffet (I went during the weekend) which was $11.95. They have quite a lot of selections on the buffet and their Tabouli and Baba Ganoush are really good. Their Kabobs are flavorful and I really enjoyed their Eggplant and Lamb (it was in a tomato based sauce). Don't forget to leave room for the Baklava, sooooo delicious! I will definently try Mirage again. They also told me they have Belly Dancing and on the weekends, they have a Dinner Buffet also.
(4)Richard S.
The lunch buffet was excellent and the food was fresh and tasty. Went with a neighbor who recommened this place and I'm glad she did. Definite;y would go back. The service was great as well.
(4)M J.
Easily the best (and most authentic) middle eastern food in the Tampa Bay area. Well worth the 40 min drive from my house.
(5)Chris C.
This was "my staple" restaurant when I lived in the area. I loved the Mediterranean food style and with the buffet this place was perfect. Prices were decent, owner was nice and concerned about your experience. A nice family run business.
(5)Natalie M.
Have been seeing reviews on this place and decided to give it a try. I love Persian food so when I saw that they have a buffet, I thought, great, I can try a variety of different dishes. I would have to say for a buffet, it was very good. For appetizers at the buffet, they had hummus, baba ganouge, and dolmeh...just to name a few. They also had different selections of rice. They had a selection of main entree dishes, all flavorful and the meats were tender. Their version of baklava was so good...it tasted like warm apple pie with nuts. I definitely will be coming back. Tip- grab the pitas ASAP...they run out quickly!
(4)Nic S.
We stopped by for a very early dinner today and enjoyed one of life's great pleasures, a lamb and eggplant dish prepared so well that the meat could be spread like butter. We ordered tahdig and took the advice of our waitress who suggested we get it half with quyeme and half with sabzi--great advice, by the way! The result was delicious! We are already planning our next visit.
(5)Khena K.
We were hungry for something different tonight and saw good reviews and figured, why not? We love Mediterranean foods so let's give it a shot. Upon arrival we got a bit concerned. From the outside, the place looks old and sketchy. It hasn't rained since last night yet half of the parking lot was under water (see photos) and at 6:30pm on a Friday night, pretty empty, which is usually a bad sign. OK, this is not starting well. When we got in, the place was cleaner than expected, and the staff was very friendly. They were expecting a large party but accommodated us anyways. Awash, that explains the empty parking lot. OK, getting better. We looked over the buffet and decided on that (see photos). $20/person seemed a bit steep considering the buffet looked relatively small, and......well.....IT'S A BUFFET!!! Whatever. We're here already. Let's dive in. Now for the big surprise. The food was AMAZING! Seriously! The chicken was juicy and tender and seasoned to perfection, the sides, salads, rice....holy crap the rice!!! I couldn't believe it. This is actual Mediterranean food! Authentic! Not the crap you get at some places, ON A FREAKING BUFFET!!! OK, the decor needs a SERIOUS makeover, and the parking lot attended to, all of this would usually mean I would rate it down at least one star, but the staff and for all that is holy the food....they get it back! Seriously great food, and we will have to return!
(5)Shoba R.
Came here on a whim with my friend because we were in Clearwater and it was around 10pm. Had a pretty ok dinning experience. It was interesting to see a dinner buffet restaurant...can't say Ive ever been to one of those. My friend and I ended up eating from the menu and we sat outside. The table was clean but the ground beneath my seat had rice that someone had dropped. It was really gross to me especially since I do not eat rice simply because I find it visually unappealing (I know, weird lol). People were relaxing and smoking hookah around us. We ordered the falafel plate, yogurt and cucumbers (I'm guess it was suppose to be taziki), the greek salad and Turkish coffee. The falafel plate had taboole salad, hummus and 4 pieces of falafel. I would give the food 3/5 stars ONLY because I've had really good Middle eastern and Greek food at several restaurants in Tampa for the same price and this place just didn't stack up. I think it has to do with fact that Greek food was made in a "Persian restaurant." The yogurt and cucumbers (taziki) sauce seemed like it was made from high fat plain yogurt rather than greek yogurt. So if you are looking for authentic Taziki sauce this isn't the place. That's not to say it tasted bad. But for the same price I can get tazki sauce made with greek yogurt. The greek salad however was pretty good. The price was reasonable the the portion was fairly large. And finally, if you plan to drink turkish coffee for the taste, do it but it's not going to wake you up if thats what you need. Overall OK experience. Not quite bad enough to be 2 stars but not quite authentic enough for the price.
(3)Josiah G.
I really wasn't sure what to expect with a Persian buffet, but my Clearwater-raised fiance insisted I would like it. I guess she knows me, and this place, because I loved it. This is homemade middle eastern fare at around $13 a person. A good deal in my book, especially when considering the quality of the food and the number of choices at the buffet. I'm a falafel junkie and Mirage delivered big for me. Nice and crispy on the outside and soft and warm on the inside. When wrapped up in pita bread with a dollop of tzatziki sauce....it is a memorable bite. Everything else on the buffet was above par, too. The basmati rice was cooked to perfection and the green beans in tomato sauce dish was so rich and flavorful. My only dislike was the hummus. As a person of middle eastern descent, I was raised with a certain way hummus should be made and this wasn't it. This had way too much tahini, in my opinion, and could have used some lemon. Overall, great place with real, homemade middle eastern food. If you haven't experienced middle eastern food, I would highly recommend coming here because you'll be able to try a wide variety of different dishes.
(4)Melissa Z.
Take this review with a grain of salt if you will because I will say upfront that I am not of Persian descent, but I did not enjoy the lunch buffet here. I love trying different ethic cuisine and this was so highly rated I really wanted to like it. The sign of the restaurant seems to be accurate: homemade. When we had lunch here it felt like we were eating what an average cook from the Middle East would prepare. My main complaint is that The falafel was far too dry and that the Buffett is so meager it hardly justifies the ~ $15 we paid. All I got was falafel, naan and cucumber salad. That's it! I appreciated that it had vegetarian section and a section with just meat kabobs. I loved the fresh naan bread! That was the highlight of the meal. My poor boyfriend did not care for a single meat item he tasted. I felt guilty for dragging him here. I do like the outdoor patio area since it is covered. And the interior is nice and casual.
(3)Ron A.
Hands down my favorite and has been for over 8 years. The owners are wonderful people and the food is to die for. This is our place for special occasions and sometimes we go just because. Love it!
(5)John C.
Traditional middle eastern fare, and it was all good. Buffet dinner for $20 each. I felt it was a little over priced $15 would be more about the mark. While everything was good there was nothing that Wowed me. Lots to appease the vegetarian and it was all good. Highlights were the beef and chicken kebabs, the falafel and the baklava desert. I'd have liked the food to be a little spicier, it was aromatic but didn't have quite the "kick" I was expecting. I will go back but probably for lunch next time.
(3)Nicholas M.
ABSOLUTELY AWFUL The food at mirage does absolutely NO justice to PersiaN food . The stale , flavorless , mid grade food they serve doesn't come close to matching true PersiaN cruisine. The meat is flavorless , the rice is plain and overly dry , the vegetables are cheap and nasty . I have NO IDEA how this place has 4.5 stars. The food is stale at best .
(2)Warren R.
I decided to give this place a shot based upon the prior reviews, and I'm pretty happy that I did. I walked in around 1:30 and the owner instructed me to sit wherever I would like. I walked towards the back within easy distance of the buffet station, because I mean business when I walk into a buffet, I can't be wasting precious seconds walking when I could be spending that time eating darnit. During my brisk stroll to my table, I had time to appreciate the Persian decor and take in the middle eastern ambience. I didn't spend much time at the salad bar other than to grab some hummus, grape leaves, and olives. They did have a fair assortment of salads. The grape leaves and olives were fine, but I expected more from the hummus. I tried the stews, they were decent. I tried the chicken kabobs, which were dry, but the beef kabobs made up for it, they were quite delicious, and I kept going back for them. The pro-tip given by Melinda M. is legit, get your pita bread as soon as possible. There was none when I first arrived, and they brought more out as I finished my third plate. The moment they brought it out, a man literally jumped up from his table, performed a backflip over a waitress, did a ninja roll and grabbed about 85% of the pita. I may be embellishing a bit on his athleticism, but the rest is true. There were 4 pieces left when he was through, I got up and grabbed two pieces (I left some for others because I'm not rude). They were fresh and warm and full of goodness. Great value for the lunch buffet, I would return.
(4)D C W.
The service the food was amazing our server was so sweet I love this staff thank you to the owners and the management I will totally be back I had lunch there the buffet the salad the hummus was amazing the tabouli was the best I've had in so long and on top of that I even took home two entrees to go.....
(5)Giota A.
Food was great! The service was great as well. Good place to come with the family and kiddos. Having a two month old it's hard to go to restaurants but they were beyond accommodating. Would def come again!
(4)Tommy C.
Second time here, the lunch buffet is so good and reasonably-priced. So many flavors on a single plate. Anyone craving Persian food in the area should definitely check this place out.
(5)Bud T.
Great Lunch buffette!!! what a Great Value!! Very consistent quality the last 10 years.One of my favorite places to eat all time. The only issue here is to not to over eat. Owners are always attentive. Shukra!!! Ktir Mirage!!
(5)Katherine L.
wonderful food and very nice service!! the only reason why I give a four star rating is because they were out of a lot of menu items....all the lamb kebabs were gone!! but the food was very good. we ordered chicken kebabs, lamb, falafel... the falafel was my favorite. very crispy and had a perfect seasonings and spices!! the pita bread is so soft and warm and good!! I hope I can come again !
(4)Ali S.
An original taste of Persian cuisine. You should definitely try the Shish kabab and chicken kabab. These are one of the bests in the country.
(5)Melinda M.
I've been wanting to try this place for awhile now. Don't know why I've been on a Mediterranean/Mid-Eastern food kick lately. Guess I'm a sucker for pita bread and good hummus. So we came here on a Saturday night around 7pm. There's a dinner buffet only on Friday and Saturday nights. We were greeted by the owners and asked if we had reservations. We didn't. Apparently there were a few tables reserved for a large group. We were asked if we wanted to sit near the entrance or towards the back. We decided to sit near the back which may have been a bad idea because we sat for at least 15 minutes before anyone came to our table and that was only after waving someone down. Along the wall there are about two buffet stations. One was a salad bar with hummus, grape leaves, greek salad. The second station had three types of rice, meat dishes such as kabobs and stews. Then on a little end table there was baklava for dessert. The restaurant also has an outdoor seating area with a few tables. Now on to the food. Tip-grab your pita bread ASAP. Those run out very fast. I prefer my pita bread to be hot or warm, but the pita bread here was neither. The hummus was just okay only. The grape leaves was good. The other stuff in the salad bar station was alright. The meat and rice station though was awesome. The rice with raisin was very good. The chicken kabobs were cooked well, but was a little dry. The lamb and beef stew was delish! Had to come back up for seconds just for that! The food stations were constantly replenished so you didn't have to wait too long. Oh and don't forget the baklava. I think it's one of the best baklavas I've ever eaten. Service-Like I mentioned earlier, the service was lacking. Don't know if it was because of where we sat, but it was as if the waitresses had tunnel vision. Even as we were walking out, there were three waitresses at the front entrance and not one of them said goodbye or thank you! The owners were nice though. Note-There's a belly dancer on weekend nights too. I would come back again because the prices were reasonable. The weekend buffet was $19.99 and lunch buffets are $11.99 during the week, $14.99 weekend.
(4)Mr And Mrs Nurse A.
When we lived in St Pete we ate here frequently. The food is so good that we have seriously considered taking a cheap flight from Philly to St Pete *just* for the buffet (well, and the beaches too...). I loved every single thing I ever had on this buffet. We're always so baffled as to why there aren't more people here....Gah! The hamburger on skewers....I can taste the flame-grilled flavor just thinking about them. That flavorful rice...the naan...stuffed grape leaves...chicken on a stick. So sad I don't live in St Pete anymore. Even sadder this place isn't given the props it deserves
(5)Farah A.
Came here for their dinner buffet. Variety was good, some of the salads needed extra dressing, but otherwise the food was tasty.
(4)Adil J.
The food is great and the atmosphere is calming. Some of the staff don't speak English and are still new to the culture, I recommend that their body language shouldn't be interpreted as bad customer service skills.
(4)Coty S.
Mirage Persian restaurant lunch buffet is a great way sample many different types of cold and hot Middle Eastern style foods. There were different types of soups, stews, and rice that I have never tried before; Dill Rice with Beans, Lamb Stew with Tomato, Herb Beef Stew, and some of the best Baba ghanoush that I have had in a while. If you are one of those folks that too good for buffets, you might want to re-think passing up this fresh assortment of awesomeness for a decent price. I was so happy to see that Mirage has the buffet seven days a week and even on Sunday. The falafel is so fresh and crispy, filled with spices. There are three different grilled meats offered on the buffet: The grilled white meat chicken is folded and skewered to perfection. The ground beef kabobs are good, but the ground chicken kabob is definitely my favorite of all the meats. However, I could go totally vegetarian here and not miss a thing. Since 75% of the lunch buffet is vegetarian, I had a vegetarian friend of mine meet me here for lunch on a Sunday. We were so happy with the relaxed family atmosphere, open dining room with plenty of sunlight. There is also some excellent outdoor seating, when weather permits. It was so nice to see large tables of families relaxing and enjoying their weekend, finishing their lunch with hot tea and mints. Mirage is a stand-along building near US 19 on Gulf to Bay with parking in the back. There are two different types of Dough (yogurt drink offered), house made or bottled. I went for the house-made. But, the yogurt drink mixed with the massive amounts of feta I consumed and the creamy dips, I was having a milk overload. Maybe next time, I will take it easier and be able to order some of the delicious-looking ice cream. My only gripe is that they are a little stingy with their bread. Since my recent goal has been to make every weekend a food adventure, then this was definitely a tasty adventure. Mirage is a recent discovery that will be on my permanent rotation as soon as I have the craving again. On the door, Mirage has a flyer for their Persian Karaoke night and buffet. Now, that is something I have got to see for myself to believe.
(4)Timothy S.
My significant other and I were driving to Clearwater Beach when we Yelped for anything other than seafood...and Mirage was literally 3 blocks ahead! Fantastic food, great service, and affordable prices. We had Chicken Sultani and Shareen Polo, the "Jewel of all Persian rice dishes". We shared a glass of Pinot Grigio and ate until it hurt. I can't imagine a better meal...highly recommended!
(4)Shamshiri C.
Q: Why have i gone to this restaurant a couple of times? A: Because It is the only Persian restaurant in Tampa bay area. Q: How is food? A: The buffet is very pricey and the food level is average and the style is home-cooked and surely not the professional restaurant level Persian food. Q: is it authentic? A: Hell no! we don't eat falafel and hummus and pita bread! Also Belly dancers for sure are not big in our culture.
(3)Tala M.
It was a great experience!! We went right at closing time on a Monday. They stayed and served really good food!
(5)Lynn S.
One of my favorite places to have lunch in Clearwater. The buffet is awesome, my favorite is the chicken kebob. Very easy to eat clean there.
(5)Sam V.
Traditional, delicious Middle Eastern cuisine. I've been going here for over 10 years, and this place hasn't disappointed me ever. Nice owners. Good service. Entertainment on the weekends. Lunch buffet. They have beef kebab, two types of chicken kebabs, various stew meats, vegetarian options, and flavorful desserts like faloudeh, homemade pistachio ice cream, and baklavah. Definitely made for the palate that's not afraid of trying new spices. There's nothing on the menu that's too spicy, per sé, but you'll certainly take your senses for a ride if you dine here.
(5)Sina I.
Here is my experiance from Mirage: Quality of Food is good specially since its your only option for persian food in the region, by choosing buffet you will get this chance to taste diffrent persian foods all together for around 24$. Waiters need to change their attitude, we used to go there in group of 6-10 and in last visit two of waiters seem to be unhappy about two of our friends order which wasnt buffei and were just two plates from menu, one of waiters came to our table and out of blue told us that we will be charged if we order more bread for menu foods...!!! apparently our two friend who ordered from menu asked for extra bread. We tried to talk to manager and one of them apologized but told us that they expect everybody to spend more than 25$ per visit. Its not professional at all and it wasnt mentioned anywhere. we were regular customers( once a month as a group). If they want to charge more thats fine but who talks to customers like this? If you can not handle your resturant with just 4 waiters than maybe you should hire more people instead of acting and talking rude and with no patience. I like to add that we didnt have such a problem before and this kind of behaviour was just one time only. Maybe because they didnt have enough waiters. Update::::::: Well i checked the place again two days ago, food was better and staff were very respectful they also added one more waiter, i give them 4 star now instead of original 3.
(4)Fulano D.
Excellent lunch buffet, the beef and the hummus was homemade. All the items were very tasty and plentiful. For dessert they have a baklava that is thinner than the Greek version but so tasty. I had Turkish coffee which reminded me of Cuban coffee but smoother. Loved the meal.
(4)Travis C.
Such a great place! Very friendly and helpful staff with amazing fresh and authentic food! We had a great experience! Highly recommend it!
(5)Faraz Y.
One of the better places to eat in GTA. Clean environment. Great kabobs. I think that the lunch buffet is a better deal. Checked out this place for lunch and dinner and it was pretty good both times. Server Huda was very knowledgable and helpful. She recommended good combinations that were enjoyed by my family. Definetly will come here again!
(4)Martin R.
The best restaurant in Pinellas County. What what?! The food is authentic and delicious. My favorite is the lamb and eggplant stew. I grew up on a sheep farm in New Zealand so I have eaten more lamb stews than you could shake a stick at but this is easily the best. Fantastic/unique salads and rice dishes and several different kinds of kebabs. All so different from my usual diet. Go on Friday or Saturday night for the buffet to experience it in full. They have a belly dancer every 1/2 hour or so which is fun (but I could do without, kinda loud). The Persian folk who run it should be ambassadors to the US - would certainly improve relations between Iran and America. Super nice people.
(5)Marty C.
Over the years, we have been here frequently and I am just now giving my opinion. It is a very unassuming building inside and out. However, a good restaurant is more than it's edifice, it's all about food and people. Their $13.99 Sunday buffet is delicious. From stuffed grape leaves, cucumber salad, lamb, beef, chicken kabobs and much more, there are no weak dishes. The staff is always on their toes with fresh refills to the buffet. We went yesterday and it was standing room only. Everyone in the room was fed, content and enjoying themselves. As a heads-up, the music can get a little loud for the tables right in front of the buffet when the belly dancer starts jiggling across the room. She was very entertaining and was only out for two songs while we were there. If you're reading this and haven't yet been, give the Mirage a try. You will not be disappointed.
(4)Mika R.
YES! My dreams have officially come true... An authentic Middle Eastern Restaurant, where everything is made with the freshest ingredients, finest seasonings and an obvious amount of passion. And... It is all on a lunch buffet for $15.00! Don't for a second allow that to lead you away. Often times a restaurant that has any kind of buffet loses it's quality.. NOT HERE! Fresh chicken Kebab, Hummus, Dolmades, babaganoush, house salad, pita etc... Every house staple of the Middle East is offered on the buffet. As I dined for a quick, healthy and delicious lunch I was welcomed in by the kind owner, promptly greeted by a smiling server and instantly satisfied with traditional foods my mouth water at the thought of. As I was there for 30 minutes, the chicken, hummus,salad and pita were all interchanged with fresh batches of each. All I am saying is.. I am definitely coming back... Actually, Can't wait until my next appointment in the are to stop in! Wonderful atmosphere, friendly staff, extremely well kept and clean and TOP NOTCH Middle Eastern Food. What more could you want?!
(4)Robert S.
The food was excellent. We ate on the covered patio. Very nice experience. I was a little shocked when I saw the total price of the bill and that the tip was automatically added. It was an excellent buffet meal. Seems very pricey but all in all I would recommend because the food was so good.
(4)Michele D.
I really enjoy Persian food and this place does it right. After having many home cooked original dishes. This place gets almost a perfect score. I love their lunch and dinner buffet. This gives any novice a opportunity to get a try of everything. So no stressing on a hit or miss off the menu. Don't forget to throw that cool cucumber yogurt all over the rice and stews! If you want a change and need exotic tastes... Come check this place out
(4)Ali N.
Good Persian food for the area. I had a combo of chicken kebabs with the beef koobideh over white rice. The chicken was juicier than the beef but the beef was still good. If I'm in the area again I would definitely go in and try something else on the menu.
(3)Sofia D.
Well, I walked In Today expecting to sample a variety of things from the buffet, but they didn't have it going on. Bummer:-( I should have known better. It is Sunday and places usually don't offer those kind of things on this day of the week. I decided to go with something safe so I ordered the vegetarian plate and beef Koobideh on pita for now.The beef Koobideh was very good! It was very tender and juicy. Good spice and flavor. I threw on some more mint and parsley from the complimentary cheese plate, poured some tahini dip from the veggie plate and rolled up one Kabab with the tomatoes in the pita. Two thumbs up, Delicious.. The vegetarian platter wasn't a big hit with me.. Lovely Presentation, but I didn't like the hummus, baba ghanoush , or stuffed grape leaves much. The hummus was runny and the baba ghanoush didn't even look like baba ghanoush or taste like it either. They were both tasteless and the stuffed grape leaves I'm pretty sure were from those peel back cans. I hate to be so harsh because I always want to give a high score to middle eastern restaurants, they are my favorite places to eat at. On the other hand, the tabouleh was good and I really loved the falafel with the tahini sauce, so it was a 50/50. If they could perfect the hummus and baba ghanoush this restaurant would be on a whole nother level. Server was very nice and owner greeted us and said goodbye when we left. All very nice people, and I will be back for another try. I'm very interested in trying the buffet and taking this place from a 3 star to 5.
(3)Daniel W.
Walking in, you can tell that the restaurant is very traditional, the decor and setting is nice and contains accents of the of the Persian culture. The buffet was fully stocked with all of the great features of the Mediterranean cuisine. Grape leaves, hummus, yogurt sauce, babganuoush, falafel, delicious meat stews, chick Kabob, lamb kabob, grilled chicken, feta and of course pita, finishing with some amazing, baklava. All of the food was excellent, no complaints, for the price, $20, it is well worth it.
(4)Jeanette C.
It was clean and pleasant environment the food was really delicious the service very good!
(4)Andrew T.
Unimpressed, food was nothing to write home about and way too expensive. Will not be back.
(1)Ross K.
Got to go for the lunch buffet. Come hungry as it is a little pricey, but the food is high quality, unique, and most of all super fresh. At a buffet you often see a lot of food sitting around, not so here. There is some one continuously cleaning the buffet and they do not put a lot of food out at a time, which is the perfect way to keep things fresh. The food also tastes great and does not leave you feeling sick like most buffets. You need to get here and experience the deliciousness for yourself.
(5)Tim M.
Great food and awesome service. Highly recommended! My wife and I got the combination platter for two which had chicken and beef kabobs.. It was tasty. We moved down here from a small city in Pennsylvania called New Castle, which is famous for Mary's Middle Eastern Food.. This place is just as good. Our waitress was spot on and made us her own garlic sauce which was great. If you're looking for something different, then please stop here.
(5)Jennyfer A.
I went there on Valentine's day and was pleasantly surprised at how kind and generous they are with their customers. The buffet was a little overpriced but the cuisine was delicious and authentic. I just wish they had more options to choose from. I want to see a bigger buffet cart offering more food. Their wine was not very good, but i would not consider myself a wine drinker.
(3)Samir B.
The food was delicious and always fresh, they help all there customer with everything they need. Most importantly it is clean
(5)Terra S.
Really great find. I have been back again and again for the middle eastern food that fills me up. The only down side is how much I over-eat EVERY time! I am vegetarian but I still find lots to love. They sometimes have a buffet that Their rice dishes are great. Green beans, Hummus, dolmas (stuffed grape leaves) and cucumber salad are all downright tasty. They also have kabobs and other meat dishes that my friends like. I have been with a variety of friends and all enjoyed. Had some dessert - ice and rice noodles with lemon sauce - LOVE. Also tried my friend's pistachio ice cream (even though I'm dairy-free) and was to die for. Chai tea also wonderful. Not that classy of an atmosphere, but what you see is what you get and I like that. Nice people. I highly recommend.
(4)Marina V.
Wonderful place with really tasty food, and with really decent prices. Its my weekend treat to come here once in a while :)
(5)baji d.
This place is amazing. We happened upon it on our way to the Clearwater Aquarium and were thrilled beyond our expectations. Amazing food, kid-friendly staff, and delicious desserts. Highly recommend this to anyone in the area or even close by.
(5)Steven S.
Nice people, great price, outstanding Middle Eastern food. Everything on the buffet is out of sight! I am sad it is so far away from my house, but when I go to St. Petersburg College in Clearwater I will be there!
(5)Mohamad A.
The food is great, tasty and well cooked. The personnel are kind and caring. Go for the buffet so you can taste a variety of good food.
(5)Arahcni S.
Really liked the concept of buffets for dinner as well ! Loved making our own dishes. It was a bit too cold though .. So cold that I had to wear my Seattle jacket :p but the food was yum!
(4)Ashley R.
The buffet is rather small, as well as the desert selection. But they definitely make up for it with other food choices! Just wish the price wasn't so high. I am only giving 3 because of the price for a small buffet.
(3)Babak J.
Wow! This is a perfect all-you-can-eat Persian restaurant, and it's quite reasonably priced. You can have Koobideh, Chicken Koobideh, Chicken Kebab, Ghormeh Sabzi, ... with white or dill rice, along with salad and everything for just 12 bucks. The only drawback was an Arab family, celebrating their son's birthday in a loud, annoying way! Honorable mention: The taste of the lime juice on the salad dressing reminded me of my home country :D
(4)Bessie W.
Food is fantastic. Friendly staff. Would highly recommend because food is well worth the price. Is a little pricy but when food and staff is that good I'm willing to pay for a better experience. Ive told several people that like that atmosphere about this place. I just hope they enjoy it as much as my husband do.
(5)Jenny K.
This is the most authentic and delicious Persian restaurant outside of Los Angeles. Their buffet is awesome at lunch and dinner. I loved their food and keep going back. If you want to know what a real Persian meal looks like, this is the place for you!
(5)Mohammad M.
The best persian restaurant I've ever been to. The food was geat. Hospitality was awesome. I recommand the buffet, although each item from the menu is tasteful as well.
(5)Mani A.
In comparison of persian restaurant it's pricy and it's not all that. Never ever try koobideh kabob. It taste bad and it may be the left over from the buffet.
(2)Hasnat A.
This shit ammmaaaaazing, I really enjoyed putting their meat in my mouth. The texture was alluring. The sauces were inexistent however one does not feel like they're lacking in taste. I really was highly excited to chow down on their rice perhaps because it was lathered in butter. Ohh how I wished that I could have been lathered in such a manner with butter whilst eating such a heavenly plate of rice. The other stuff was also aite.
(4)Rima C.
Absolutely wonderful service and food. Hubby and I visited Tampa for a short vacation, and stumbled upon Mirage on Yelp. Went at 10:30 at night hoping it would be open, and lo and behold, it was open and the staff so warm and welcoming. The wine was great, food so incredibly fresh and delicious. Highly recommend the chicken shish kabab. The owners were so nice, it truly made the meal special. You can tell this restaurant is a family business, and they have regulars stopping by all the time. In our 4 day trip, we visited once again, surprised that the owners remembered us and treated us like family! How wonderful. Highly recommend!
(5)Rehab H.
Good food! The open buffet is really loaded with yummy persian and middle eastern food! If you are like me very particular about halal food, just ask about what dishes are exactly halal and what's not ( most of dishes are,but you need to double check). Service was great.
(4)Matt A.
Not a huge fan of Iranian...I prefer Jordanian/Lebanese. Food was acceptable but not spectacular. I need flavors bursting in my mouth to get excited. This seemed kind of "tired" food. I like the interior however. I just wish they would add some zest to their offerings.
(3)Dean H.
The food was delicious, the service was fast and the place seemed clean and nicely decorated. One funny observation is that the owner seem to be a fan of mortal Kombat seeing how he decided to label the menu with "Eliminated" for dishes they no longer served. See attached pics for funny menu!
(4)Anne B.
This is the Most amazing presentation of tasty mediterranean (Persian/IRANIAN)delicacies . Fresh Fresh Fresh seems to be their mantra. Caveat: if you're sodium sensitive, be sure to drink plenty of water. Otherwise , the delicious offerings also include very healthy grilled meats, raw salads, herbs, yogurts, and enough vegetarian meat-free selections to satisfy everyone! See y'all agin next week.
(4)Hoda B.
Authentic Persian food, they have a daily buffet with a wide variety to please every taste.
(5)Eden S.
Ok, so, I pretty much never bother to take the time to post a review for a place unless it completely blows me away or is really terrible. This one, obviously, was incredible. I got there a bit before the dinner buffet was actually put out but the waitstaff was polite, brought me a drink, and frequently updated me on what the kitchen was working on. It took about 20 minutes before the salad section was all put out, at which point I made a great salad, grabbed some grape leaves, and tabbouleh. Everything was obviously fresh made and tasted fantastic. I went back up for some babaganoush and hummus with a side of warm pita while waiting for the rest of the hot foods to come out. They were all great and I had to keep going back up for more throughout the meal. Such simple flavors, but they were put together with the utmost care and precision. Then the hot foods all came out. I have been all over the US and traveled a good bit outside of it and rarely have I encountered these dishes made so well. There was eggplant and lamb, beef and lentils, kabobs, 3 different types of rice and a bunch more. The meat was all cooked to perfection, the vegetables were flavorful and not over done, the lentils were tender and amazing, and the rice was aromatic and the perfect al dente. I will happily be coming back here as often as I can now.
(5)Anum A.
Went here for lunch and had the buffet. Most buffets don't taste fresh, but all the food here was fresh and full of flavor. The kabobs and kubideh were juicy and delicious.
(4)Lina R.
I'm obsessed with this food. I eat their hummus almost every day !!! Chicken and ground beef are just so tender , juicy and delicious ! It's hard to describe this food , u need to try it your self ! They have a belly dancer on Friday and Saturday nights , very classy and entertaining dance . Whole family enjoys this place . Both thumbs up !!!
(5)C H.
A wonderful restaurant for vegetarians and meat eaters alike, Mirage is a great place to go for a filling, satisfying meal. Everything I've ordered off the menu has been great, but why choose when you can experience their amazing buffet?! During weekday lunch and wknd evenings as well as lunch they pull out all the stops and my fav Mediterranean foods keep coming-falafel, tabouleh, babaghanoush, grape leaves and of course their decadent baklava. On Friday and Saturday nights, a belly dancer performs at around 7.
(4)Dolores C.
Love this place and like the Iranian owners. The buffet is one of the tastiest and healthiest in our area. Great value for lunch.
(5)Clyde M.
Food was very good. Had the buffet. Belly dancer was Very good as well. We will definitely go back
(4)Simon I.
Yay! I'm a fan. The interior is nothing to write home about, the place is clean and Mirage has a homey feeling to its sitting space. Come here for the finger licking Kabobs that burst with flavor. Start with Tahdig 'bottom Of The Pot ' Or Hard Rice OR Kashk' Bademjan (whey And Eggplant) Braised eggplant mixed with garlic, flavored with herbs and spices. topped with sauteed dried mint, sauteed onions and cream of whey. As long as you are not allergic to Eggplant, this dish is a NOT miss. Move onto Shirazi Salad a persian take on cucumber, tomato, onion, parsley salad For the main star of your dining pleasure, order the platter of kabob's that offer combination of chicken, beef, and lamb. All orders are served with steaming naan bread and persian salad. The food is made to order and offer up some of the perfectly made kabob yet. Their menu is varied with numerous kabobs served with saffron rice. There are vegetarian dishes as well offered. Do not even think of leaving without Makhloot (ice Cream And Faloodeh Mixed), a cup of gelatinous sweet rice noodle served with Ice Cream on top, served with a side of lemon juice to drizzle on top. I have never tasted such a sweet combination and delicious to the last bite. Though, my search continues the best kabob in Tampa Bay area, Mirage's kabob are definitely top notch.
(4)Mahma H.
We went there after a day at the beach. The place was empty so we were a bit skeptical, However the food was fresh and tasty and came in a timely manner. Will definitely visit again when we are in the area.
(3)Rene O.
My husband I went here over the weekend and it was our first time experiencing homemade middle eastern cuisine. We fell in love with it! I couldn't stop telling all of my friends about it and I can't wait to go back. My husband got the vegetarian dish and he always clears his plate and is usually hungry later. Well I can officially tell you we have found a dish that filled him up for hours later after we left and he didn't even finish the plate! I, myself got the lamb kabob with grilled vegetables and rice. I couldn't even finish my plate and everything was so awesome and great and I could just go on! My only complaint though was that the music was way too loud. I enjoyed the music because it was different and fun but it was just way too loud that my husband and I could barely hear each other and at times could barely hear each other think. But it was fun and relaxing and the food was just so amazing and I can't wait to go back with my friends. I hope this place sticks around it seems like a great location and the food came out super fast. I hope everyone at least tries it.
(5)Lane R.
Great find thanks to fellow yelpers. The lunch buffet seems to be the way to go. I was surprised how much was on the buffet. The dips - hummus and baba ganoush were awesome. But you may have to fight some people for the pita bread. It was gone instantly upon them bringing it out. I liked all the salad options. Moving on to the hot buffet, the falafel was crunchy with good flavor, but a little dry. I preferred the vegetarian options or the chicken. I wasn't really a fan of the beef dishes, but I'm not a big beef eater. Next time I'm in the mood for lots of baba ganoush I know where I will be heading. We went on a Friday afternoon around 12 and it was busy, but not packed, by the time we left there weren't to many tables left. I would head to Mirage for a late lunch.
(4)Mohammad F.
Everything was awesome! I'll come back again in my next trip to Clearwater.
(5)Sia M.
Perfect quality with an awesome price and Very nice service. We were in town for 4 days we went there 2 times.
(5)Anne L.
Really good and authentic :) The buffet is generous and very traditional. A lot of choice and even a couple of dessert! You should definitely try during lunch time
(5)Cameron H.
Food is outstanding, the owner Khosrow is also a very nice guy! Everytime I come to Clearwater, I def stop here!
(5)Bahar A.
As a persian, I should say one of the best kabobs I have ever had was at Mirage. Highly recommended. Everything was so great there. Totally worth the money.
(5)Diane A.
Lunch buffet is pretty good. Never had Persian, Mediterranean, and Greek food but I think it was very tasty. 12.95 total for buffet.
(4)Kristen C.
My review is based on dinner on a Tuesday evening. We got the salmon kebab, hummus platter, and Greek salad. Everything was delicious! Loved the dressing for the salad. The salmon was fresh, cooked to perfection, and had just a light seasoning. We were only one of three tables for dinner and had good service. Great place for a casual dinner, but not so good if you are looking for something lively or upbeat.
(5)Nana M.
The best place !!! Food is delicious and people are friendly .. They have a lunch buffet every day and dinner buffet friday saturday. Also, they have a belly dancer on friday saturday . it's just amazing place!!!
(5)NtU S.
After a day of shopping for oriental rugs, a late buffet lunch at the Mirage was just the ticket. Even though we arrived after 2, the buffet was still fully stocked with tasty treats. The lamb and eggplant stew, the babagounoush, and the ground beef kabobs were the standout dishes.
(4)Corey L.
I love this place for lunch. If you are a fan of Middle Eastern/Mediterranean food, then you should check it out.
(5)Rick J.
So, I know what you're going to say already and why is Rick Jeans from Pompano Beach going all that way to Clearwater, Florida when he's got a beach in his own backyard and, well, here in Florida we have one state, two coasts, and that's great, and I bet you can't do that in California!!! So, I was in Clearwater and I was hungry and I thought I should get some lunch and I was driving and I found this place called the Mirage. Inside there were lots of people having lunch, which is a good sign at lunchtime. They have Middle Eastern food at the Mirage restaurant, and that's from the Middle East over near Europe, not, like, Pennsylvania or anything like that before you get any funny ideas. So, I know, that the Middle East has its problems but the Mirage restaurant is not one of them. They have all kinds of food--a chick pea dip they call hummus, a parsley salad they call tabouleh, and grilled meat kabobs they call grilled meat kebabs. And they have a buffet at lunch which is $11.99 and that's all you can eat, my friends, so you can try everything and pay the same price. I even had some eggplant thing and a thing with some lentils. It's a buffet--why not? They have Persian food at the Mirage restaurant and Persia is where Iran is now and I can tell you have to stop your misconceptions because the food made by the Persians is some of the best in the Middle East whether you like it or not. They also had some Greek food and some food from Lebanon I think called felafel which is like a little burger for vegetarians. They have great service at the Mirage restaurant and when you walk in, they are very friendly and they say welcome to our restaurant called the Mirage and when you leave they say please come and see us again, and you know what, the Mirage restaurant, I will: Next time Rick Jeans is in town, he'll take a table for one please.
(5)Mohamad H.
Superb authentic dishes. There are different dishes representing different middle eastern countries with Persian as the dominant dishes. Seating is out door or indoors where both have their different ambience. Excellent customer service, with friendly professional staff and management. Very accommodating.
(5)