Saffron’s
131 W Market St, Louisville, KY, 40202
Saffron’s Menu
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From The Sea
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From The Land
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Persinas Stews (khorest)
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Sides
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Desserts
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House Martinis
Healthy Meal suggestions for Saffron’s
-
From The Sea
-
From The Land
-
Persinas Stews (khorest)
-
Sides
-
Desserts
-
House Martinis
Visit below restaurant in Louisville for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Louisville for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
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Address :
131 W Market St
Louisville, KY, 40202 - Phone (502) 584-7800
- Website https://www.saffronsrestaurant.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :9:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Mark W.
Delicious!! Saffron's been a local favorite for me now for several years now... although I've only eaten in the restaurant once or twice, I've been always delighted with the take out and get it probably once or twice a year. Despite that, the food is always as I remembered it since the first time - amazingly tender lamb and kabobs, excellently complimented flavors, and overall great persian food. Recommended selections: Braised lamb & chicken kabob.
(5)Tim V.
Great Persian food. Rack of lamb was tender and perfect. Baklava and pistachio ice cream were excellent.
(5)Steve S.
This Persian restaurant is distinctly Middle Eastern, and we were quite happy with everything. Dolmehs and lamb were very good, and the server was exceptionally attentive and answered all our questions. Baklava was good. Another great Louisville restaurant!
(4)Jason V.
Had the filet and beef kabobs which were good but the real reason I gave this place 4 stars is because of the pistachio ice cream blended with saffron and rose water. This desert was great! The food all around was excellent but the ice cream, the ice cream, the ice cream. Too good to pass up.
(4)Ron W.
Well, I've been a frequent patron to Saffrons over the last several years. In fact, I suggested Saffrons as my recent business luncheon. The food was good, and consistant on my recent visit, Lamb Shank was well prepared, and generous portion of sides (rice and salad) for $1.00 upcharge was a nice compliment. Service was another story however. The order taking process was fairly friendly and efficient, then..... She forgotten the bread we requested, and never came back for our drink refills. Since the food was on par, and it was during lunch hours, I gave them some slack, and just let the perhaps occational sloppiness slide by. The SUPRISE came at time of our bill. I am not sure this was a new policy of the establishement or not, but for lunch of two, our waitress slapped on a 20% gratuity on the bill- mind you, for a party of two? This was unprecedented restaurant misbehavior in my opinion, and I have never experience any restaurants with this policy, or allow waitstaff to automatically charge 20% gratuity for party of two. Reminder, many establishments charges 18% for party of 6 or more, the apparent arrogance of this place dares to charge 20%. I am not sure I'll be back anymore, nor ever suggest Saffron again!
(2)John P.
Nice place. While in town for some meetings, I strolled over from my hotel for dinner. In the absence of their "Herb Rice Ball", which they were out of, they offered hummus, which was seasoned and presented nicely. Fesenjan was good -- too good. I wasn't able to finish it, not because it wasn't delicious (it was), but rather because it was just too darned large. I was in a nasty mood and wanted to really dislike the service, but I couldn't. The waiter was constantly checking in on me, and constantly topping off my water and my peach mango iced tea (marvelous, by the way.) Sort of like having Kenneth the NBC page as your waiter, but it worked out. A little more expensive than I thought was justified, but not outrageously so. I wil be back next time I'm in town
(3)Kristen M.
Pretty good! My sister and I split dolmeh, spinach, and beef stew. My sister refuses to review Middle Eastern food because she compares everything to her grandma's cooking but I can! The dolmeh was nice and I very much enjoyed them, though grandma apparently boiled her grape leaves until the midrib was super-soft. We both liked that there were yellow lentils in them. The spinach was good but I was expecting something a little different, i.e. warm. It grew on me as I was eating though. I really enjoyed the beef stew; there were flavors of cinnamon and turmeric. The beef had a great flavor and the eggplant was perfectly cooked. It had shoestring potatoes on it, which I thought odd, but overall it was well presented. The service was great and the decor decent. I appreciate that this restaurant had many gluten free options. And they do have wi-fi, but it was really slow.
(4)Shal V.
I'm yet to sample their kebabs and other dishes but the rack of lamb I had for lunch a few days ago was out-of-this-world!! It was tender and immensely flavorful. The rice and veggies that came with it were good too. One of the best Persian restaurants I've eaten at in the US is Noon-o-kabab in Chicago; they set the bar really high. I hope to go back to Saffron more regularly to see how it compares. The guys I went with enjoyed their chicken and salmon kebabs. We also ordered a plate of hummus which was pretty good. The service and ambiance were top notch too. I want to go back to try their chenjeh, joujeh and koubideh kebabs.
(4)Cynthia V.
Excellent food! Chicken kabobs moist and flavorful, generous portions, great service. I even liked the lima beans that were in the rice.
(5)Tony W.
Been to Saffrons a couple of times and thought it was time to tell others about this place. Started off our meal with the hummus which was good. Then I got the rack of lamb. The wait staff were correct when they said it would feed two. When it came out it was 8 nice and thick chops. They tasted fabulous. Wife had the chicken kabobs. Must have been good because they disappeared quickly. The rice and veggies that come with the meal were also tastie. Staff was very attentive and knowledgable about the menu. Hope to see more people give this place a try because its worth it.
(4)Stephen H.
It's restaurants like Saffron's that make me realize how good the culinary scene in Louisville is. Every time I come up here for a business trip, I look forward to a new restaurant to check out, and every time I'm pleasantly surprised. Saffron's was one of the best Persian meals I've had in a long, long time. The appetizers (quail, spinach, etc.) were delicious. The lamb shank and rack were amazing (my coworkers said he usually doesn't like rack too much, but this was was particularly good). The dessert (bachlava and rosewater flavored icecream) was excellent - it's a good example of when two ingredients come together to create an amazing whole. The wine selection wasn't that great, but the awesome waitress made a pretty good recommendation, and she definitely knew her stuff. Very impressed. All the way through. I wish I remembered the waitress's name though - she definitely upped the entire meal up to 5 stars. Great job, Saffron!
(5)D. R.
Great Persian food in Louisville? Amazing! Discovering this place was totally unexpected as it came as a result of the first surprise of the day that left me in L'ville for a night: having my car blindsided and sending it into a ditch. Most of the annoyance and dazed mental haze I thhh tthh thhhnn thaa think from that experience was washed away by this wonderfully calm restaurant with sublime service and splendid dishes. The spinach salad with saffron was insanely good. And the grilled rack of lamb with some citrus tones to it was really one hell of a savory dish. Wonderful tea, too. Clarifying. I agree with the other reviewer. This is one of the best Persian meals I've ever had. And now that I've yelped it I'm certain I'll remember it.
(5)Mike W.
Passing through town with a family of six. Two gluten free kids and a vegetarian wife make it tuff to just stop anywhere. Found Saffron on Yelp so we called last minute and were able to get in. Didn't know if that was good or bad. We were greeted promptly, I would guess it was the owner. Facility was very clean, including the bathrooms. Their we're many gluten and meat free items on the menu so everybody was happy. Everybody loved what they ordered but the seafood stew seemed to be a big hit. The whole meal was pricy but good with the service attentive and professional.. I would also recommend trying the ice cream. It's the first time I've tasted rose water in ice cream. Very tasty!
(5)Kate D.
Delicious! You have to try the saffron ice cream at least once - you've probably never had anything like it before.
(4)Anthony C.
Get the Mike's special at Lunch. Reserve the Back room for a Business Meeting or a Birthday(I did and had a blast) Have the lamb even if you have never tried it you will be happy you did. All my Persian Friends make a special stop here if that tells you anything.
(4)T A.
We were on a road trip and stopped in Louisville for dinner. We lucked out to have ended up at Saffron's. (Note, Yelp has this "Saffron's" and another "Saffron's Persian Cuisine". The latter is not the correct name, which you can see on their web site.) I've eaten Persian cuisine in Tehran, Los Angeles (aka Tehrangeles) and many homes and this meal ranked with the best. We had the Bourani Esfenaj to start and split the Choreshteh Gemeh. Both had more delicate flavors than I'm used to and were a delicious surprise. The service was exemplary, from the waiter to the water boy. They were eager to describe the dishes for anyone who might be unfamiliar with them. The atmosphere was warm and the owner or manager said a hearty goodbye when we left, from a table he was sitting at with what appeared to be regulars. I would venture to say that this is the best Persian cooking in Kentucky.
(4)NunYa B.
I wouldn't know what the food tasted like as I was never seated. Waited to be aknowledged by the chatty waitress at the bar. Need less to say I left and found something good.
(1)Harsh K.
Decent selection of Zinfandels and decent kabobs. I'd give them 3,5 but the great service and lack of other stuff in the neighborhood puts them up to 4 stars. I went with the chicken kabobs which were tender and very flavorful. Our waiter was pretty helpful on what to order from the menu.
(4)TJ C.
Saffron's is magic! Dinner at the bar (again) & it was phenomenal. Not a big lamb guy, but this "shishli" swayed me in all the right ways. It was perfect. Also has great wines, good drinks, & nice people.
(5)Saundra D.
While visiting Louisville (I'm speaking at the fed tomorrow) we decided to visit Saffron because I LOVE Persian food. This delightful little place is masked by an unassuming strip of older shops so the appearance from the street is misleading. We arrived at 5:30 (they open at 4:00 p.m. for dinner now) and were seated promptly and served water and the traditional appetizer SABZIE (combination of fresh watercress, tarragon, parsley, scallions, radishes & feta cheese, served with warm pita bread) which was extremely refreshing. We started with a Greek salad and were pleased with the flavor, seasoned well, not too much oil, crisp romaine...topped with feta...loved it. We ordered the braised lamb and the salmon and waited...more waiting...a lot more waiting. Now to their credit they apologized and explained that they were taken by surprise by a conference and were really (seriously, really) behind in the kitchen. Now, if you have read my other reviews you know that this doesn't work for me, yet I remained seated and waited even longer. When the fine folks at the table near me got their food I almost slid my chair over to their table...I know how to use a knife when necessary...yet I waited. When our food finally arrived I was famished. As always we shared both entrees and (insert expletive here) the lamb was amazing. The tomato-base sauce was creamy and smooth and the lamb shank was so tender it fell off the bone. The rice and vegetables were perfect and my partner had to fight (we are old hands at fork wars) to keep his half of the salmon. This meal was worth the wait tho I suspect this was not the norm, they were all quite apologetic and the conference attendees really showed up in force. If you are in the area this place is worth a visit or two...or how ever many visits it takes to eat through the menu. UPDATE: came back for dinner tonight because I had been DREAMING of the rack of lamb all night long. It was even better (if that is possible - I tend toward a "what have you done for me lately" kind of attitude) than dinner last night. Certainly served more rapidly. The service was once again very good, this time fast and all of the staff are very personable. We split the rack and spent $38 for a terrific meal that so far surpasses any lamb dish I have had.
(4)Alice P.
The food was excellent, although it looked like they were a little overwhelmed by the crowd and didn't have the service on staff that they needed. One of our party of 8 wasn't served her meal, but when we pointed it out, they were profuse in their apologies, sent out her food, and also sent a round of free Persian coffee cocktails to the table. Did I mention the food? Was very good. They sent stuck-pot rice to the table as an appetizer, and I had the vegetarian dish of pomegranate and walnut sauce with rice, which came with some fresh vegetable "salsa." I'd go again.
(4)Tom C.
The flavors in Persian food are as beautiful as the Persian people are hospitable.Saffron's offers both in abundance.The staff is warm and welcoming as soon as you enter. They are genuinely happy to see you.Our server was very helpful in going over the menu and explaining items and special(unfortunately already 86'd due to popularity). The lunch menu is dominated by a wide variety of kabobs and stews. You can get lamb,beef,chciken,seafood,or vegetarian.All of these are seasoned wonderfully.The items are served in a manner and in such ample portions that diners can share with others at the table. Don't fail to request a side of the "crunchy" rice.It is the marvelous rice that is at the bottom of the pan that is well done and stuck together with butter.So simple yet so decadent.Other bitsof advice to get the Persian experience is to start with sabzi,a plate of herbs,radishes,and pita and end with the rose water and saffron ice cream.
(5)William B.
An excellent dinner right in downtown Louisville. While in town for a conference I took a colleague out to dinner her and not only was the food excellent but the service was truly above and beyond. It isn't cheap but you won't break the bank either. Saffron's has a limited menu which in this case is a virtue: if there were more choices you'd simply be stuck trying to decide among so many wonderful choices.
(5)Roy M.
WOW. A small, intimate restaurant with wonderful Middle Eastern food. In Louisville? Who knew! The best lamb chops I have ever had. Perfectly cooked and seasoned. The host / owner was very attentive to our needs. An outstanding experience.
(5)Andra P.
Quaint place, nicely decorated. Dolmeh was delicious as was their starter salad of cucumbers and tomatos. Lamb shank was delicious, fall off the bone. All in all, good find!
(4)Mike L.
My favorite place to eat when i am in louisville! Beer / Wine selection is great the lamb and kabobs are great you will not eat a more flavorful meal in this great city! oh, and the rosewater icecream will blow your mind!
(5)Timothy M.
friendly service, peaceful ambience, delicious food. i got the lamb shank and it was quite a culinary delight.
(5)Rachel W.
We went to this restaurant during a model train convention. I ate half a rack of lamb, which was excellent. I do not remember what my husband ate, but I remember he enjoyed his food. Service was also very nice. If we ever visit Kentucky again, we'll go here again.
(4)adam C.
While Saffron's is good, I'm not sure it quite lived up to the hype. I really enjoyed the plate of fresh greens and pita that they bring out when you arrive. We tried the seafood stew and the chicken and mushroom stew. I thought the seafood stew was very good. The chicken stew was a different story. It tasted like it came straight out of a can. I'm note sure if it was because we arrived pretty early in the day or what, but it was startlingly bad. Other than that I have no real complaints. The service was good and the place is pretty charming.
(3)andrew h.
Certainly not the best koobideh kabob I've had, but the service is friendly and they stock a good selections of beer (xingu, gouden carolus and maudite). Sabzi salad with arugula was fresh. Kabob was a bit strangley rubbery and I was really missing some home-made bread as they serve warmed, baked elsewhere pitas.
(3)Janet V.
Very nice meal. Came for late lunch/early dinner. Friendly and extraordinary service. Loved the complementary appetizer. Stuffed grape leaves were excellent. The seafood stew was outrageously tasty. Very, very attentive service from our waiter Victor. Will be back soon!
(5)Troy J.
This is a fantastic place for lunch. Always ask about the specials if your server doesn't volunteer the information.
(4)Lisa F.
I am a fan yet the quantity could have been more bountiful for the price paid. We ordered two dishes. Both were lamb and one had salmon on the side. It was all prepared and presented very well. One lamb was stewed and the other grilled. the grilled lamb was skimpy though. We loved the sides, the veggies and dill basmati rice. The rice was light and fluffy. We also enjoyed the freshly prepared carrot juice. And the rose pistachio ice cream was pretty good. It might have been very good if we had not indulged at the Comfy Cow so many times in previous days. Now that stuff is to die for!
(4)Carla H.
Down in Louvulle from Cincy on a date night and sourced Yelp for a decent place to eat. Everything with more than 3 stars seemed to be Ribs, Steaks, Burgers All American, so we thought Persian sounded like a good choice (having never tried it). I was thrilled to find seafood on the menu and ordered the Seafood Stew. Really impressed with the amount of food and flavor - the tomato sauce on this dish was fantastic! They had a great Savignon Blanc , Giesen that I hadn't tried before which helped make this a great experience overall. Service was excellent and they have a small parking lot (pay) right next to the restaurant.
(4)Sameer K.
Good Persian food! Best service Amazingly clean Beautiful decor Great location Free parking after 6 pm!! Price is super reasonable Taste is mouth freshening Tip: make sure to order some humus with pita for appetizer ;)
(5)Reza K.
Kind of feels like a tourist trap. Was disappointed the menu was so limited. Service also pretty slow. However the bourbon collection is cool and the drinks are good the cheese stuffed bacon wrap dates were also delicious. Hence the three stars
(3)Ramesh A.
I was visiting Louisville and wanted to try Persian food. I found this place on yelp . I had Braised lamb and my friend had Beef and Chicken Kabob (Vaziri). Food is great. People are nice. Personally it is one of the best Persian food places I ate. The chef came to thank us and offered complimentary Vegetarian Stew which was tasty. Over all the dining experience is great . Highly recommended if you like Persian food.
(5)B T.
Great place for dinner. I am gluten free and the staff was great. Food was very good and portions were more than enough.
(5)Jean R.
Thanks to Victor for making our dining experience delightful. His passion toward the food and time spent explaining how it was prepared helped us select dishes that all 6 of us enjoyed. The chicken kabobs and lamb seemed to be the favorites. Of course, we had to try the ice cream. While I found it to be reminiscent of grandma's soap, the others found it to be quite yummy.
(5)Mukthiar G.
This is the only place which is serving authentic Meditteranean food. Its a nice big place serving very juicy kabobs. Two kinds of rice (Dill flavored rice with Saffron & Basmati Rice with Saffron) These are authentic items from a Persian kitchen. The Lamb shank with Veggies on a steamy broth was another delicacy. If you wanna relish kabobs (Chicken & Beef) and Super tender and moist Lamb, this is your go-to place. Not to forget their Pitas which did not come with Hummus, it was the only drawback. Overall Amazing food, totally loved it.
(4)Chereda M.
Jonathon was a wonderful waiter! Very attentive. Great suggestions! Enthusiasm out of the roof!! His suggestions of lamb chops and Greek salad were perfect. Not mention his wine suggestion was wonderful!! His service was impeccable. I'd absolutely suggest him and this restaurant!!
(5)Sukh B.
Great food and service. The kebabs and grape leaves were great. Loved the Saffron/Rose Water Ice Cream and Baklava desserts. The service did not disappoint. Very attentive.
(5)Sheryl A.
What a wonderful restaurant. You are tantalized by the wonderful aroma upon entering. It was packed at lunch today, we got the last open table. Our waiter was Jonathan and was very helpful and pleasant. 3 of us ordered the hot Persian tea and were very happy. I had Mike's special which was a chicken kabob and beef kabob served with basmati rice and grilled veg,for $12. It was very good. One of my friends got the veg kabobs, and another had the hummas and dolmeh. We were very happy with our selections.
(4)m m.
5 stars for food. 3 stars for service (today). Service and food was 5 stars last time I visited a month ago. We were welcomed when we first arrived, but there were only two waitstaff for the entire restaurant during lunch around 1pm. There were only a few tables filled, but the last time, people were waiting in line just to sit down. Of course, it was noon at that time. The service was on the slow side. We asked two people for the menu after being seated. Ordered Greek salad entree, which according to the menu comes with a generous portion of the salad, tzaziki sauce, hummus and pita. The entree arrived, but I had to ask for tzaziki sauce. Turns out that the entree doesn't include it any longer. Would have been good and decent if the waiter told me prior to ordering instead of finding out that I've been charged extra for the tzaziki. Best if he would have waived the extra charge for the tzaziki. I told him to make sure the menu gets corrected, so that nobody else feels duped. The food was delicious as I remembered it last time, but be warned that you can't rely on the menu for the items or the prices.
(4)Kent H.
Intrigued by the other reviews, I went in for an early dinner. There was only one other patron, so I got a lot of attention. The service was very good, and my servers were knowledgeable, polite, and friendly. Barely looking at the menu, I knew what I wanted...lamb shank! It came with a delicious arugula salad, and a platter of rice and other sides. The lamb was like previously described in other reviews, and I highly recommend it. The portion was huge, and I had enough leftovers to feed another person. I asked the waiter if they had a shared plate charge and indeed they did. For an additional $3, a fellow diner would have received their own plate of rice and relishes. So, for a total of $22, two could easily have feasted on this yumminess. I meticulously piled my gobs of leftover lamb on top of a mound of leftover rice and promptly forgot my doggy bag. I didn't realize I had forgotten it until it was too late. I'll go back. Not for my leftovers, but to try the rack of lamb I saw on the menu too.
(4)Sarah M.
Came here for lunch with a group of 5 of us. We were quickly seated, but the food took much longer. If you are in a strict hour lunch, you may want to call ahead. The good was delicious though! I had the lamb and it was great
(4)Maryam A.
The food is to live for! You get a little bit of everything on a dish -salad, veggies, rice, and meat (your choice). The plates are filling and worth the price. The staff are friendly. The atmosphere is classic with pops of color. Full bar, if you want to have a few drinks. Parking is the only downside, but it's expected since it's located downtown. :)
(4)Dan K.
This was a flier, as the marriott did not even mention it in their suggestions. It was fantastic. The seafood stew is a winner! Fresh seafood and the tomato sauce was some of the best I have had. My wife had The chicken kabob and it was tender and moist unlike most kabobs. Great spices, flavor. The yogurt sauce was great and the Persian ice cream was something I would come back for. Ask for Joey, good waiter.
(5)Brian L.
Great spot for Mediterranean food In louisville, good central downtown location - lots of healthy options, great for lunch or dinner too
(4)Thomas H.
The Server was very attentive. Though I heard the lamb shanks they buy from Gordon's Food Service and Season them with an 19.00 price tag. The restaurant was deserted so that gave me a clue of how the food would be.
(2)Kala C.
Meat was tender, simple, healthy ingredients. Loved the Vietnamese coffee! It was the best! Can't wait to come back next year!
(5)Will L.
We were up for a meal that would let us sample a range of tastes from a different culture, and we were not disappointed. The nightly specials offered split plates of two main course varieties, and were accompanied with two or three side flavors. Potion sizes seemed made to share and were for a very reasonable price. We tried the quail appetizer and then split a surf and turf combo of shrimp and lamb. It was delicious with such a wide range of light and intense flavors. You must try this hidden gem!
(5)Maheen F.
I love the Persian food here. So much flavor! It is a quiet spot not a lot of entertainment but the food is worth it!
(5)Sammy N.
Came into the restaurant not expecting much as it was almost empty, except for two tables, but came out with a smile and tummy full of delicious food. The basmati rice was very good. It gets 4/5 because it's on the pricier side. Each plate around $20.
(4)Parisa R.
It was awsomeeee try KOBIDEH and please ask for jonathan he is the BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!! The food was great especially their koobideh kabob.
(5)Faith B.
Visited here on a Sunday evening on a recent trip to Louisville with my mother. We had read a little about it on Yelp, but at this point, we were essentially just looking for anything ethnic, interesting and open. Louisville is trying to be a major convention destination, so it does seem odd to me how few downtown places are open on a Sunday evening. So we wandered in and it was immediately evident that the restaurant was understaffed. Many attendees of the same event had the same idea we did and there were people waiting and one lone waiter. The owner came and started seating people himself, as there was already a large group sitting in a second private room and a table of ten and of six in the main dining room. Still, the waiter and the owner were friendly and helpful, despite the pressure they were under. The food was excellent and had some variation from other Middle Eastern places I'd been. My mom ordered a lamb dish we'd read about on Yelp, but which was not on the menu and she loved it. I had an excellent salmon. Definitely worth trying if you're in Lousiville.
(4)Jason S.
Hidden gem for the food! With the pace of the service though, you will think you are the hidden one.
(4)Kelly S.
Delish! We had the filet and ground beef kabobs and I am absolutely convinced that you just cannot go wrong at this restaurant. Finished it all off with a chocolate mousse bomb, a great end to a great meal.
(5)Claude H.
I've tried several things at Saffron's and ALWAYS get the Sabzie plate. It really cleans out the mouth and seems to enhance anything I've tried after. I've yet to have dinner here, and have been for lunch several times. The service is right on target, gracious and timely and not 'hovering', while always seeming to know if there is something your'e needing. They are also more than willing to answer questions about the menu and food. The Kabobs are a mainstay at lunch, but I've also splurged for the Lamb shank and was very pleased. I would encourage anyone who like Persian style food, and those that are curious to definitely put this one on their lists.
(5)Suzan H.
Expectations were low considering I am from DC area where every corner has a Persian restaurant but was pleasantly surprised with quality and taste of my dinner. First it is a given people from KY are very kind and considerate and so it was with wait staff. Very accommodating and prompt. Ordered the kobideh and sultani combo. Meat was very tender and perfectly cooked in both cases. Portions and sides were good. If you know what "doogh" is you should order it. It was fantastic! Glad I decided to get out of my comfortable hotel room and driver there in pouring rain. It was well worth it. Also met the owner, he is very kind.
(4)Ben S.
Absolutely fantastic!!! Don't miss the lamb chops. Also, Kirsten (bartender) is quite the mixologist. Highly recommend ordering whatever she has whipped up recently. Everything was fantastic. Not sure about the so-so reviews but we had a great time, great food, great drinks and will certainly go back.
(5)Planters V.
GREAT PLACE FOR LUNCH! I got the chicken kabob, and they brought out food fairly quickly, and there was nothing I would change. Very generous portions. Glad to see this place going strong almost 20 years
(5)Franklin D.
A little pricey but tasty and well prepared. I had the "lamb special" which was not a regular menu item.. A couple people I was with were drinking carrot juice...interesting. Excellent service. Would definitely go back next time I'm in town.
(4)Steve S.
The service was excellent from the time you walk through the door till you walk out the door. Competent and knowledgeable. A full bar awaits. The menu is not large, but very good. Both the original owner and the present owner are Persian so I assume that the food is authentic. I have been a number of times and will continue to go. The venue, though not fancy, is nice. White tablecloth for dinner and a little less formal for lunch. Parking on the street and in the back. The spaces marked (no parking) are for the restaurant. A little odd.
(5)Mark N.
pretty good Iranian/Persian restaurant with an elegant feel and good service.. very clean place.. I tried the lamb shank and was quite pleased with it.. their homemade rosewater, saffron, and pistachio ice cream is awesome!!
(4)Jeff D.
Went here based on the reviews. Had the signature lamb chops. The service and the food were excellent. I highly recommend this restaurant!
(5)WizardPrang X.
We used to go to this place when we lived near downtown and Majid owned the place. Then we moved and as a result we haven't been there in many a year. We recently found ourselves downtown during daylight hours and decided to stop by for lunch... From the outside it is an understated black storefront - too much so, in my opinion. Through the front door and... the place was more than half-full. This was a good sign. The previously black walls were now brightly painted and tastefully decorated, including a large picture of "the last supper ", which one might think out of place in a Persian restaurant until you realize that Jesus and Company were most likely eating lamb and flatbread, two of the restaurant's staples. We were speedily seated, and our waitress took our drinks orders. All three of us opted for water, but any inkling of us being cheapskates was soon scotched when two of us ordered braised lamb - the most expensive item on the menu, and a tradition with us when eating here. When the food arrived, the portions were enormous - we could have easily split one lamb shank between us. It was *wonderful* - better than ever. The new owner has a winner on his hands. My one criticism was a lack of flatbread to mop up the gravy. We finished up with Persian Ice Cream (yum!), and off we went, taking our lamb shank leftovers with us for tomorrow's dinner. We will return - and this time we won't wait years before we do.
(5)Chase M.
The food is worth 5 stars. Some of my favorite in town. The service deserves 0 stars. Consistently the worst in downtown Louisville during lunch. And it's gradually gotten worse over the years!! I've gone at least 50-75 times over the last 3 years, but will not be back again. Give it a try if you dont mind the painfully slow service and the fact that you will NOT get drink refills.
(2)Kevin N.
Although the food didnt tast authentic to me , the overall experience was very good. I ordered the chicken kabobs...the taste was more towards Indian food than Persian . For reference , and if your ever in L.A. try the persian food there...you will see the difference. In conclusion, I recommend this place , good service and atmospher.
(4)Ted A.
This was my first time eating Persian food, so I have nothing else to compare it to, but it was delicious. And don't skip the house-made ice cream.
(5)Gina D.
I come to Saffron whenever I'm in Louisville. The service is good and the food is great! I love the saffron rice that comes with the chicken kabob dish. It's my favorite meal on their menu! I'm looking forward to coming back next time I'm in the area.
(4)Bob H.
I ate at Saffron last week and had a great meat. The lamb chops were cooked perfectly and the accompanying rice and vegetables were as well. The service was excellent. This is a great place to eat in downtown Louisville. I recommend it.
(4)Brad S.
Very solid. Got takeout lamb shank and grilled chicken and beef kebobs. Definitely going back.
(4)Rhea P.
Wanting something different, we asked concierge of some restaurant ideas for vegetarians as well as carnivores. They recommended Saffron's and it was a real treat! I especially loved the appetizer--fresh herbs with feta cheese that you crumble and roll in pita bread. It's very simple, yet delicious. The vegetable kabobs were wonderful. Full, flavorful and juicy, grilled just right. And the rice--excellent of course. I also ordered the herb stew with kidney beans, scallions and other ingredients. I was not so crazy about this dish, but it was not bad either. It was just ok. Everyone else in my party was very satisfied with their dishes. The ambiance is very intimate and quiet, and the music was a plus for me. Although serene, it made me want to belly dance. I will definitely make a point to visit with restaurant again the next time I'm in Louisville.
(3)Della S.
Delicious and beautiful food in an elegant and soothing atmosphere. Great service! One of the best meals I've ever had. If we ever find ourselves in Louisville again, we will definitely come here again!
(5)Richard L.
I stopped by this place two days ago simply to try it out. I got in just before three groups. Fortunately, the groups did not delay service as in most restuarants. I tried the beef stew and it was excellent. It was authentic Iranian/Persian, which is not quite spicy enough for me. Not a problem with the food, just a matter of personal taste. The service was excellent and very prompt. I hope to visit the next time I am in Louisville.
(4)Nicole E.
Wow! I have never had Persian food before so I can't rate Saffron's in comparison to other Persian food, but I can rate it based on other food in general and I repeat - Wow! A large group of us went to dinner here tonight and we had a wonderful meal with awesome service and amazing food. The appetizer that everyone starts with is a plate of herbs and cheese. It was so fresh and awesome! Then I ordered a vegetarian stew that was also amazing. If it wasn't so much food I would have cleared my plate, but I did eat as much as I could fit in my belly!! Others on the table were full of ooos and ahhhs at their food as well. If you're in town you must make a stop here and try any number of amazing dishes!
(5)Denise M.
It was just OK! I would have liked a little more flavor to my food. I thought the food fell a little 'flat' and I've had Persian in Boston so I know the difference. The lamb shank was under seasoned in taste. The chicken Khoresht was under seasoned as well. Maybe they thought we were some non-ethinic eating out of town folk but I'm not. Being from Boston we have some great diversity options and I explore alll the time!! The service was manic. One person, super sweet and nice, was the hostess. The other person, unfortunately, our waitress, was uptight and had almost an air of distain in her voice, was a rather unpleasant person who shouldn't be working with people probably!!! The super nice one held the earned Saffron's the 3 star review. If I'm here again I would go again, depending on the length of time in town and other options. I came for lunch and maybe dinner would have been a better option? Not sure but I won't tell anyone not to try this place. If you go..ENJOY!!!!
(3)Jordan P.
Ambiance and service get an A+. The decor is beautiful. The vibe feels romantic, so it's perfect for a date. The service is spot on. I went a couple of weeks ago and our server met all of our needs and more. He was on top of everything from start to finish. And -- he was knowledgeable about everything. I love going into a restaurant offering cuisine I'm not familiar with and getting a lesson in culture from my server. Love it!! So why the three stars you ask... It's flavor. I see Persian, and I think I'm about to get punched in the palate with an over the top explosion of flavor. But that didn't happen for me. I had the chicken kabob and my boyfriend had the braised lamb. Neither set us on fire. Everything at Saffron's was a little bland for me. Well that's excluding the Saffron ice cream, which tastes like my grandmother's perfume. I did get punched in the palate with that one, but not necessarily in a good way ;) I want to love you Saffron's, but we don't have that connection just yet. I'll return and give it another go at some points. Watch out for the updated review!
(3)Sonia E.
Everything we had was really good. The beef stew was very strong tasting, go for the kabobs of any kind, they all were great! Service was very good, and atmosphere is intimate.
(4)Melanie K.
Persian not Parisian. Saffrons is a mix of Middle Eastern style cuisines with a seafood influence. The dishes come with heavy sauces in an metal serving bowl like Indian Cuisine. The flavors are similar and there is a choice of rice. Almost every dish like the name contains a little saffron. The restaurant has a huge banquet room with an old safe that is perfect for large groups. The experience I have always had here is only average. Clean bathrooms, restaurant, and full bar. The food is good but not great and I am never sure how to fit this restaurant into my food craving rotations. Definitely worth trying once. If you are looking for some ethnic choices and solid dining experience then try Saffrons.
(2)Conrad P.
I'm giving this place 3 out of 5 because I don't have the heart to give it a 2. The food itself was fairly good, above average but didn't knock my socks off. I had the mixed steak and chicken kabob plate. The quantity was good and not unreasonably priced. The free appetizer of watercress and feta salad and pita bread was a nice touch. I'd give the food a 3 1/2. The service was a little disappointing. My waitress was distant, bordering on unfriendly. She seemed rather peeved that I asked for 5 more minutes to make up my mind, and she didn't smile and barely said a word the whole meal. I don't need to be conversed with, but I expect a friendly face when I'm spending my hard earned cash. I didn't see anyone else complain about the service so maybe she was just having an off night. I'll give the service a 2 1/2. Friendly service is a huge part of an enjoyable meal and can make the difference between coming back for another meal and trying some place else.
(3)Adam R.
Great food and service. Came the night of the KY Derby. Busy but not too busy.
(4)