Molana Restaurant
5 Spring St, Watertown, MA, 02472
Molana Restaurant Menu
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.
Visit below restaurant in Watertown for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Watertown for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Watertown for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
5 Spring St
Watertown, MA, 02472 - Phone (617) 923-2554
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :12:00 pm - 10
- Mon : 12:00 pm - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Garage, Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
Jose T.
JOYA.....a hidden gem Yes the service is a bit tardy, but you cannot go wrong with the excellent food. The fact that you can bring your own bottle of wine just adds to the great value of this place. Named after the honorific title bestowed on Rumi I think this is one of the more authentic Persian restaurants in the Boston area. Persian food is one of the most complex and flavorful cuisines. Rice dishes with flavorings such as dill or sour cherries tantalize the pallet. The kabobs are all excellent and you will not be disappointed with the chicken barg which is amazingly tender. I personally like the cornish game hens(jujeh kabob), the lamb shank and the filet mignon kabob. Make sure to shake plenty of the red spice (sumac) on your rice.....mmmm I love it.
(4)Angela H.
Molana's great, they just don't have that many dishes that I absolutely love. I really didn't like the yogurt drink but I really do like the mhast-khiar. Number 21, the saffron chicken, is a hit with almost every woman I've ever seen eat there. The toher hits are the lamb skewers (#16) and the ground beef kabob (#17), very juicy and delicious. One time we took a Persian friend and her critical discerning taste approved.
(4)T T.
It has been forever since I have been here. The last time they didn't want to take my credit card as they closed the pos down early. I then got to wait 25 minutes for the waiter to return. Haven't been back. Poor service. mediocre food.
(2)Angelo S.
Being a Persian, and with wide ranging experience in Persian food, I have to say this is THE most authentic persian food restaurant in Boston. La-la Rokh, the other 'persian' restaurant, is really something different - not Persian really, but some kind of unusual fusion style. In terms of food, Molana is fantastic... I have not had anything I didn't like... they have the Kababs, the Zereshk polo (which is great), the Kashk Bademjoon (great apettizer)... and although they don't have the whole Persian repertoire... everything they have is EXCELLENT. But the service is extremely slow... and sometimes they might close at 9 PM even though it says they close at 10 PM... call before going... it's very much a familiy run spot. But you won't find more authentic exquisite Persian food in Boston. period.
(3)Morgan W.
Now, once upon a time I'd have had no idea what constituted Persian food, but now blessed with a Persian sister-in-law for over 10 years, I am actually fairly well versed in Persian food of both the restaurant and home cooked varieties... And I can say that Molana has some first rate traditional Persian food (for what it's worth, my sister-in-law concurs). The ground beef kabob was delicious and enjoyed by everyone, including three young kids. The yogurt dip appetizer was very tasty, and the daily koresht was something I would go back for often. Delicious. And the staff were very nice. Altogether first rate.
(4)Naz S.
Very friendly staff with one of the best Middle Eastern cuisine in Boston area. EXCELLENT RICE!
(5)Alex A.
I've never had Iranian food before, but I recently went to Molana's. Our waitress was friendly, but slow and not knowledgeable of the menu. The quality of the food was bland. Value was not great either, as each plate was 15-20 dollars, and most of the plate was rice. The atmosphere was pretty good, the decor made a good impression. Overall, I would not suggest this restaurant to anyone, nor would I go again.
(2)AJ A.
The food is to die for! My parents practically live at this place, so whenever I am out on school break I always go here. I get the salmon and rice every time; it's awesome. It's quite pricey, and over time the portions have gone down and they don't give you hummus before the meal anymore, but they still give out bread. But still, it's an awesome restaurant and definitely worth a trip from Boston.
(3)Lia M.
I really enjoy the food here. I love trying world cuisines, but live in the suburbs and hate going into the city. The service is friendly, but extremely slow. The two times I have been, there has only been one waitress and every table was full. Items include chicken & beef with rice, and they give delcious pita bread and hummus to start with. It's the seasonings that make the dishes stand out. The place smells delicious just walking by.
(4)Kristine M.
I love the food here. The kebabs are fantastic and I love the different kinds of rice. (especially with the currants!) The only downside is that the service can be really slow...they tend to be under-staffed, but they're usually pleasant enough that I can't get too disgruntled. I also like their dolmehs and Persian tea. Never been there for the lunch buffet, but I'd consider trying it.
(5)Darren J.
I love this place!! The food is outstanding...and that's the reason to go anywhere. I will agree, the service can be slow, and the downstairs room is kind of odd in its way, but who cares when the food is this good? I love the salmon kebab, the chicken barg, the beef kubideh, really, everything I've had at Molana has been *excellent*. They used to give a small plate of hummus when they brought out the pita bread, but it's been about 4-5 years since they did that so those days are gone. Too bad, because the hummus is good too. Some have argued that the prices are high, but for the exceptional quality of the food, I always feel like I get great value when I go to Molana--which is not often enough.
(5)Jessica D.
Love this place! We went here the other night for my brother's birthday - the first time for all of us. The waitstaff is incredibly friendly. Our waitress gave us fantastic menu recommendations and all of the meat was tender and satisfying - the rice is awesome. The lamb that my BG got was probably the best. Highly recommend it.
(5)Brook H.
Molana has great food and deserves a 3.5-3.75 rating (I don't give 5 stars, and reserve 4 stars for only a few restaurants). The atmosphere is OK with some interesting touches, but could be cozier and less drafty. Try their specialty drink - but be prepared for salty not sweet (it looks similar to Thai ice tea, but is salty!). Desserts are good. The wait staff is attentive and helpful. The entire experience is satisfyingly authentic.
(3)Diane E.
Hi All Went to Molana because of Yelp reviews. I was a little perturbed by the atmosphere. We wanted near the window but there was a drafty grate under our feet by the window and we had to cover it with a menu to keep from being chilled. Also the grate was dangerous as it almost caused the chair to topple. The menus were also strange in that they were so cheaply constructed they curved strangely. The lighting was way too bright for my taste - BUT the food was definitley unique and tasty and soothed all the edges. I had the main meal of eggplant sauteed with peppers and egg - it was sooo unusual and tasty. I think it was called Mirza something. Also the homemade yogurt with mint was WONDERFUL so fresh and so soothing. This was a tip from Yelpers and thanks for that! I might return again but the atmosphere was a bit too bright and family oriented for me. Still the meal was great and huge portions. Might split a meal next time though they do have an $11 per person requirement. Wine was tasty and adequate.
(4)sunny n.
Excellent Persian jewel hidden off Watertown Sq. .Warm and inviting with very pleasant service and Persian rugs and decor...Classy indeed...blend of formal and casual...The Kebabs and flavourful Indian Basmatic rice..often mixed with Lentils and Raisins are amazing!!
(4)Eliz G.
AMAZING!!! I went here with a big group of friends. I was skeptical because there are only two vegetarian entree options, but there are quite a few vegetarian appetizers. We ordered hummus for the table to start. Fantastic. I ordered the barley and vegetable soup and it was divine, and perfect on a bitter cold night. A bunch of my friends ordered the Mirza Gasemi, sauteed eggplant tomato and egg with pita or rice. So tasty. The rice mixed with orange peel and almonds is also great. Even though we were stuffed, we felt compelled to try the baklava and were not disappointed. The staff could not have been sweeter or more welcoming. I cannot wait to go back.
(5)K F.
Really authentic persian cuisine. Molana has some fantastic food and the kebabs are cooked perfectly, my favorite is to have skewer each of the beef barg, steak pieces, and beef kubideh, middle eastern spice accented ground beef. The dinners are served with mounds of traditional basmati rice and a barbequed tomato. The menu has a lamb shank that is really tender and has incredible flavor. A variety of appetizers and persian stews make this a great place for people with diverse tastes. I would recommend this place to anyone who enjoys traditional quality persian food. It also serves beer and wine, which is a nice addition not found in many middle eastern place.
(5)Jeffrey L.
There was once a restaurant in Natick which served quality Iranian food. This is its successor. The food quality is good by every standard. Why I don't go here more often I don't know. If you are like me, you dig big mean meat dishes, and you will do yourself a favour to order the sultani kebab. It is the combination of koobideh (ground meat) and barg (sirloin) types of kebab served on saffron rice. The seasoning and juicyness are better than any burger, and brought out by the delicate spices and cooked onion. Asheghet hastam, Sultan-e Kebab!
(4)Mamoon H.
This is one my favorite restaurants in Boston. Great Persian food - try the chicken zereshk. Prices are reasonable and you never have to wait to get a table. Update: This place has undergone a change in ownership and what used to be great place is now a pain in the butt to go to because of the horrible service (consistently have to wait a loooong time to get water, appetizers, bill, etc.). I originally gave it five stars, but now would rate it 3.
(3)Seafoodie R.
OK, just go there and try the Zaresh (sp?) Polo, it is absolutely phenomenal. They pound boneless chicken breasts flat in pieces and rub them down with olive oil and saffron and grill it over an open flame, it is crisp on the edges and super juicy. The take the entire skewer and lay it over a bed of basmati rice which is strewn with more saffron and mixed with Zaresh berries (like small currants). This dish WILL have you craving more within minutes of walking out of the place!
(4)Alex Z.
So so. Too much oil in some of their dishes, the kebabs aren't well seasoned or well cooked. Not bad though. The dinners are way overpriced for the portions and the atmosphere you get, $17 for three pieces of lamb and some rice, try the farm grill in Newton instead.
(2)Ebrahim B.
If you like Persian food this is the place to be. If you aren't too fond of it though I suggest you re-think this one as the place is very authentic as far as flavoring goes. Not too pricy a restraunt but you can tell that from the interior decor without having to look at the menu.
(3)Gene K.
This place delivers on so many fronts. Great food first of all, and friendly, courteous wait-staff. The variety of Persian entrees is impressive and a great bargain for the price. Chicken Barg and grape leaves and hummus are amazing. They have delivery too so that makes me give it a double thumbs-up.
(5)Nina S.
The people who run this place are the sweetest ever, but the food wasn't my favorite. I got the beef kubideh (ground beef molded onto skewers) and found it really oily tasting, maybe an attempt to make it juicy? But it was overly greasy to the point of being off putting. The rice was kind of bland but if you sprinkle some of the purple spice (some kind of pickled plum spice?) It adds some pizzazz. Also kind of disappointing that they didn't have home made bread/naan and served just plain store bought pita bread. I did have a bite of the bfs beef bagh which was a little better but not by much. The Persian ice cream was also a little strange, not that I have a reference for taste, but the rose water and saffron flavor combination didn't agree to me. Sorry but prob won't be back
(2)Noreen A.
I was blown away by this place! The food, service and ambiance all get a 5/5 score on my scale. It's a family owned restaurant and the food has a homemade feel to it. I ordered the soup 'Aash' as a starter and it filled me up immediately, so rich with ingredients and you get that mi ty and dry coriander flavor and smell right into your nostrils, leaving me feeling awwww! I also ordered the chicken soltani and it was so tender and moist cooked to perfectionism, rice was tasty and not dry or sticky, I loved it and I'm not even a rice person! ! I would definitely go back to this place!
(5)ender g.
Very friendly waiters, the eggplant appetizer we ordered was amazing. We ordered kubideh and it was very moist and flavorful.
(5)Ali G.
I have tried this place several times over the course of eight years. Its service was consistently bad, took a lot of time to take order, a lot of time to check everything is OK and lot of time to bring the check, etc. But the reason making me write this is my last experience. I am now sure that the quality is on a nose dive. Rice was not cooked fresh, Ghormeh Sabzi was not fresh either. The prices are way too high for the quality you get. And the ambience is very unwelcoming with staff talking loudly in their language ( and I am from Iran too). I am writing this mainly to bring their attention to these weaknesses and to warn that with the current quality their food is not a true representative of a quality persian food. They have a very nice location and place and are underutilizing it like crazy.
(2)Iman S.
My favorite Persian restaurant in the greater Boston area. The food always tastes great and is very authentic. Always try the traditional saffron ice-cream.
(5)Jenna A.
My favorite Persian place. I have been coming here for years and never have had a complaint. It's priced well and the staff is always sweet and friendly. I recommend that you try this place and experience Persian food at its best.
(5)Amy K.
I had the opportunity to go here for a first date. Every since I've been hooked. This place is family owned and once you've gone a few times they never forget your face. The food ALWAYS is amazing and super consistent. You can't find rice better than here. I've tried a million times to make it myself... Never the same. I've gone to other Persian restaurants and they've used rice pilaf, now that I can make at home - that doesn't classify Persian food to me like Molana does. They've got amazing apps (grape leaves are amazingly good - lots of flavor), the kabob a kubadeh is my all time favorite. It's so simple yet so delicious. They recommend you use the spices to add more flavor if you want. I use it to give it a nice bold taste. I wish I knew what it was to give a better review on it but if you ask it's on the table and reddish color. They also pack it in mini to go containers when you order pick up. Try it and see what you think. Also, if the menu is intimidating, and you love to see pictures of food to help figure out what you want... They have a a PICTURE menu. Best thing of all time. Every time I bring a new person there I have them use that. Must have; grape leaves, kabob a kubadeh, saffron ice cream, AND tea. They have sugar cubes and it's so good dipping the cubes in...
(5)farangis f.
The waitress was extremely rude to us. We walked in and she told us in a very crude and unwelcoming manner that the wait was 45 minutes. When we said OK, she yelled at us and practically kicked us out, saying that we could not wait inside. She could have been more courteous. Unfortunately, we did not have the chance to even try the food, but I will certainly not go back.
(1)Ann K.
Their warm atmosphere makes you feel right at home! Molana is a great spot for cozy conversation over dinner. What's more: Their chicken barg is perfectly cooked, moist, and flavorful -- served with a generous portion of saffron rice. Order some mast o khiar (a cool, cucumber condiment), which pairs nicely with their complimentary pita bread. Red meat fans will enjoy their kabob e soltani. And in the wintertime, you can't beat the Persian tea! At times it seems that their dining room is a bit understaffed, but the servers are more than friendly, even when busy.
(5)Levi A.
I live in Oak Square, randomly found this place trying out new restaurants close by, has become one of my favorites. I always order the Kashk Bademjan appetizer, its got a great flavor profile. Eggplant/yogurt mix that you scoop up with pita, rocks my socks. I have tried the Chicken Soltani and the Albaloo Polo. Everything has been cooked perfectly every time. The chicken kubideh is really awesome, but once I had the albaloo polo I haven't been able to get anything else. Sweet and sour cherry rice, with perfectly cooked chicken with a complimentary glaze. The cherries turn the rice purple, so it really has a nice presentation. The decor captures the Persian spirit tastefully, and usually the place has a lot of Persian diners. I'm a big fan of the large mural of the dancer on the wall, just suits my tastes. I would advise against getting the khoresht, my date ordered it and neither of us were really into it. I tried the doogh, because I've never had it and was curious. Its a yogurt drink with a REALLY strong flavor, which I couldn't handle, so unless you are familiar with it I'd skip it. Legit Persian restaurant, plates are 20, apps 10.
(5)Sal N.
We really enjoyed our time at Molana Restaurant. The food was tasty and the staff was extremely friendly. The restaurant's ambiance and atmosphere are great. My only negative would be that it is a bit overpriced for the portions. A big thank you to Nour for being so patient and great!
(4)Holly C.
I was pleasantly surprised by the food here! We went on a weekday night for a late dinner. I have had Persian food elsewhere - and this was decent comparably. We ordered a couple of glasses of wine and the Mast-o-Mosir. Wine glasses were small, appetizer was plentiful! I love the cucumber/dill flavor in yogurt and this was pretty good. I had the Albaloo Polo. The chicken was flavorful, the rice was fantastic! The cherries really added a lot to the meal. I've been thinking about it all week! He had the zereshk polo with chicken. Also very good. The place is small and intimate. I'd definitely recommend giving it a try!
(4)Vivian C.
Warm pita bread definitely gets this place bonus points. We noticed the "$11 minimum per person" note in the menu, but figured we had that covered with the 3 appetizers and the 2 entrees between the 3 of us. Dolmeh Moe - Stuffed Grape Leaves (Sweet and Sour), cooked rice, parlsey, spring onion, leak and mint $6.99; the warm little bundles were pretty tasty. Hommous Tahini - Garbanzo beans, fresh garlic, tahini and lemon juice $4.99; the hummus may not have been the best we ever tasted, but it was still pretty good, especially with the warm pita bread! Barley soup - A delicious cooked mixture of barley, vegatables and herbs $4.99; made me think of Chinese congee. It was okay, but warning - it was served really hot! Boneless Lamb Kabob* - Chunks of marinated lamb tenderloin cooked over open fire $17.99 Shirin Polo* - Skewered chicken breast cooked over open fire. Served with rice mixed with sweet orange peel and almonds $17.99 Both entrees were good, but of the two, the tender white meat chicken took the prize with the yummy (but not at all bitter despite the inclusion of the white pith in the orange peel) rice. When we ordered dessert, we found out they didn't have coffee. (But it is on the menu... were they just out of it for the night?) Rolet - Persian-style rolled cake with chipped cream $5.99; a bit more tough than tender, but still tasted good. Persian Ice cream - Made with saffron, rose water and Persian cream $5.99; the winner of the two, it was very fragrant and flavorful. A good meal indeed.
(4)GoldyCat N.
Our new favorite Persian restaurant! The food is sumptuous and the service is very accommodating.
(5)Mansour A.
Me and my wife ask for one dish of Kabab Hommos, Tabbola, and 2 drinks. Then they said you can't each have to chose his own meal which's cost at least $11 !!! ((( Wired ))) We add an other dish then the total $57 Checkin was not tasty at all. The Kobaibah was average . most of the Tabbolah was onion. Expensive and NOT tasty, I'll not do it again
(1)Tara G.
I lover persian food however the food here came cold and did not taste that well. Maybe just that night but did not like the food.
(2)Tatiana F.
The meal I had which was the seasoned chicken kubideh were delicious! Plentiful amount of rice and really great service. I just wish the vegetables that came with meat dishes were a little more varied and that you are given more of it.
(3)Santhosh J.
Portion size is good.. Food is served within 10 minutes.. Serve Pita bread on the house but the option given is butter, you are stuck if you are not a fan of butter!! Ended up ordering Yoghurt with cucumber and mint to have the Pita bread.. It came in handy while eating the Beef Khumideh since the rice made it a little dry after a few bites.. Bland for someone from India, ended up mixing hot sauce with the rice.. The Persian tea was nice, cinnamon was added to the right quantity.. Servers dropped the ball, didn't serve water till I asked for it!! That too when they add 15% as service charge to your bill.. They don't accept American Express Cards.. Place has a casual and informal air.. Seemed like a place where people from the region frequent, they are a boisterous crowd - not a place which will be quiet in that sense..
(3)Michael L.
Drive by all the time and decided to give it a try since I was craving falafel. I walk in and stand there waiting... And waiting... Ok maybe they weren't expecting anyone since its 4:30. So I walk to the back and ask if they're open. He didn't really seem to be happy I was there, but he took my order. I order the falafel meal to go. Wait no more than 3 minutes and he drops a box on the counter. The falafels were unbearably hard and dry. The rice was dry. And the pita was dry. Clearly he took food from the night before and just put it in the microwave for 3 minutes then gave it to me. Poor effort.
(2)Janice W.
BEWARE!!! I had a gift certificate from here and ordered takeout when I went to pick it up the RUDE OWNER said it was not a valid gift certificate when it had their name,address, phone number on it and expired in 2015. He made me feel so uncomfortable and then he says well the food is ready are you going to pay cash for it. Really. The place was empty except for the owner and his friends sitting around drinking shot. STAY AWAY FROM THIS PLACE!!!!
(1)Barbara A.
I have been going to this place since it opened and it was my favorite place to go when friends came into town. I have had it all especially the Kashk Bademjan, Mast-o-Khiar and every form of kubideh they have and they were good. I have to say it has sadly gone down hill and I gave it one last shot but I am done. The one thing I loved the most was the rice but the last time we found what I hope was several strands of whatever the bag of rice is made of ... when we showed them and mentioned it, they just shrugged it off and said it happens.
(2)Jay D.
Let me first start off this review by saying I am Persian. Like..... born in Tehran, Iran.... Persian. My mom is an AMAZING cook + we never had McDonalds, just lots ooooh delicious rice growing up! I've lived in Rhode Island for almost 9 years now + I'm always sad that there are no local Persian restaurants + will drive to Boston + beyond for that goodness. I honestly love this restaurant + would give it 10 stars.... why do i love it SOooooooooo? 1. great service 2. great atmosphere--- aw precious persian music + decor is so perfectly persian 3. the food is EPIC--- my boyfriend + I had the chicken soltani + i had the kabob soltani... both DELICIOUS + cooked to perfection. 4. i love that it is run by iranians... you can hear them yelling in the back kitchen... yelling is very persian. Our waitress was persian + sounded just like every persian lady I know! So cute + polite! 5. the appetizers are amazing we had the eggplant + yogurt/cucumber YUMMMMMIE 6. they have persian milkshakes... made perfectly + super salty + very very persian 7. persian ice cream for dessert eeeeee so yummmers if you have room Honestly was like being at home + it made me TEAR UP... my american boyfriend didn't know what to do! I miss my family + being persian + I am glad I know I can always go there when i need a fix! Parking is a little tough but you can find some metered spots or on the street if you are lucky. Entrees are big enough to share + pricey but WORTH every penny. I took enough home for a second meal. SO PERSIAN. Say persian again. If you need a hit of rice like whoa, this is your kinda place.
(5)Layla B.
This place used to be just wonderful but that is no longer true. They waiters/waitresses seem to be very disorganized. We walked in and there was only one occupied table. We got a table and waited a long time for the menu. We ordered and waited even much longer for the food to arrive. The food did not taste like it used to. It was not cooked properly and it was rather cold. Looked like they made it and just forgot to bring it to us when it was ready. The quality and service is not worth the price. I am still waiting for a decent Persian restaurant with wonderful authentic food that functions properly. OR, I hope the owner of Molana starts paying more attention to customer service and food preparation.
(1)Sahar Z.
Molana Persian recently catered our Henna Party dinner and our guests were left raving about the food! We had a Persian/Pakistani wedding and the food was just the perfect fusion of both cultures. They came by our venue for a walk through of how to deliver and set-up the food on-site, were present on-site for delivery and set-up and came by later for pick-up. Beef Kubeideh Kebab was a big hit as well as Chicken Barg and Mirza Ghasemi along with various apps and desserts. Our guests really loved the Persian Tea and Baklava that was also served. Portion sizes are very generous and they were kind to offer a little extra rice just to be safe. They also offered Falafel Plates for our vegetarian guests to accommodate different dietary needs. Yummy, professional and unique!
(5)Rajesh K.
I ordered take-out of their Boneless Lamb Kabob which was ok. Just 3 small pieces of lamb, some rice and salad for around $18-19. Food quantity were very less compared to the price and I was still hungry after this dinner entree. I was so upset. I dont wanna try here one more time risking around $20.
(2)VKR N.
Another visit, another fantastic dinner. Restaurant was filled to the brim with people from the Middle East. That is most definitely a robust vote of confidence in the food here. This time, we ordered the Combo Platter with beef barg, chicken barg, and beef kubideh, as well as torshee (bracingly sour, probably wouldn't reorder) and ash reshteh (a new flavor note for me -- wasn't my favorite but it was worth a try). The Combo Platter was worth EVERY PENNY. It was fantastic. We had it with the orange and almond rice, and we were in heaven. I am also now addicted to their doogh (salty yogurt drink). The flavors are authentic and not watered down for the Western American palate. Sometimes they might not resonate with you, but everything is done well and the meat is incredible. We'll be back again. And now that the staff is getting to know us, it's just a nice feeling to return. (And no, they didn't add a tip -- they had only done that in the past once, as a suggestion, because we had used a Groupon during our first visit and they've been unfairly stiffed by Grouponers.)
(5)Trevor S.
A little Persian place tucked away in a side street? Sounds like a great little find. Too bad it's no good. My first (and final) visit was on a rainy night. There were a few people waiting for tables. Popularity is a good sign, right? Except it wasn't popularity. There were plenty of empty tables that nobody had bothered to clean yet. A few sat there with half drunk glasses of water and used napkins bunched up on them. One had a delivery guy sitting sideways in a chair, staring at the floor. Was the place packed and busy? They had maybe 8 tables with people and 2 waiters. So this was no mad house. Ok ok. So the staff is a bit slow. What is this, McDonalds? Am I expecting something the moment I walk in? No. We sit down. The menu has the standard middle eastern sounding skewers of lamb and grilled eggplant and it all sounds good. I love lamb and the waiter gave my order of lamb shank an approving nod. A soup we ordered was as heavy as lard and strewn with greasy noodles. The tomato and cucumber salad had so much lemon juice it was hard to finish. And that lamb shank? It was basically a chunk of bland boiled meat. So there was a long wait, indifferent staff, and awful food. We got our check as quickly as possible and took off never to return!
(2)Aboud Y.
Hmmm... I got takeout and may have just been unlucky, but I found their kabobs to be tough and chewy, portions way too small for the price, and their rice good but nohing to Yelp about. I may try again because others seem to like it. Probably better if I try dining in next time.
(2)B P.
The last few times we went here the quality of food and service had gotten pretty bad so we now go to Kolbeh of Kebab in Cambridge when we have a hankering for some Soltani. Come on people..falafel is not Persian food!!!
(3)Lisa C.
I have passed by this place for 2 years and finally had the chance to stop for lunch today. It was fantastic & I will be back for more!!! Stop in and give it a try!!!
(5)Mel C.
Eh the food here is okay. A little on the bland side, but the portions are huge.
(3)Joshua G.
These guys don't get enough credit. The neighborhood is lucky to have such a beautiful restaurant. The food is fantastic. The chef has a real passion for his work. His business partner is a real charming guy, involved with the community. Go get a combo plate and enjoy a meal with your friends. They do a good job. You'll enjoy yourself.
(5)Mike N.
Tasty Persian cuisine, reasonable prices, a super friendly staff and generous (like super sized) portions. We'll be back, but next time will share a plate... The portions are that big.
(4)AJ N.
Amazing, authentic Persian food at reasonable prices. The food comes in great portions and it is the best Persian food in the Boston area in terms of quality. I have been coming here for 20+ years and have not been disappointed.
(5)Alex B.
Hard on 5 stars. The chicken is tender on the inside and crusty on the seams. The sirloin kebob is chewy and a bit undercooked but it makes it taste even better. The kebob is just unexplainable, but just perfect. Our server was a kind, patient, and respectable looking girl and made good suggestions. If you are around this place and you want some good food, go to Molana.
(5)Emily F.
A gem once you get over your first impression (I.e. - don't get freaked out by the nursing home smell that hits you when you walk in). We had Harpoon bottles, 1 of 2 beers they have available. We also got the yogurt/cucumber to start, and I was served with hot pita bread... Yum yum. Simply satisfying. Warning: dinners are massive! Huge plate of rice and a side of meat. Thankfully the rice is super-good. I had Adas Polo, a spiced chicken served with lentil/raisin rice. Highly recommended! I will return here, and will try more things.
(4)Dorsa S.
The best persian food I ever had ! We went there for my friends bd party ... The team who work there foods and also a fabulous owner were what make me to go at least two times a week. I surely recommend it folks ;)
(5)Joe K.
This is the best koobideh in the city of Boston (hands down across all price ranges). Best bet is going during the week for lunch, however dinner/weekend prices are still very reasonable given the quality of food.
(5)Sara M.
If u know authentic Persian food,u will never eat here. Terrible food, terrible service and over priced! Their "mirza ghassemi" tastes like jam, their kababs are always excessively greasy (because they use fatty meat instead of real kabab meat). This is an embarrassing establishment to be called Persian!
(1)LJ L.
I was introduced to Molana's years ago, when they did not have a liquor license and only seated upstairs. I have been going for years and always enjoy their food. My favorite is the Zeresh Pollo. I recently took on the task of organizing a luncheon for 30 people on a Saturday. Molana's was my first choice as I liked the location and I knew they had space and great Persian cuisine to offer. I also wanted to introduce folks to something new, most people appreciate that. We were seated in the well lit and warmly decorated downstairs (ground level, really) area. They were able to seat all of us at the same table. The staff was very accommodating about offering the meal family-style. They also agreed to roast lots of vegetables to offer along with the rice and meats so that we could accommodate many of my guests' preference for vegetarian choices. This was all arranged in advance. We enjoyed fresh salads, warm pita, their delicious rice, roasted veggies and a total 4 different styles of kebabs made from beef and chicken. Everyone was impressed with the food and I heard more than once folks say they'd be back with friends or family. In retrospect I would have been more clear about our need to be at our next stop, to make sure it worked for them and for us, to avoid the delay waiting for our food and late arrival at our next destination. The food was delicious. The staff was lovely. The restaurant is beautiful. Once the delay was apparent, they did everything they could to move things along. Giving them the benefit of the doubt, we may have been the first large week-end party for lunch with a tight schedule.
(4)here t.
Well, despite the elegant and spacious interior, the food and service just was not up to par. Why? Well jsut let's say you just don't serve refrigerator toughened stale desert after an $18 serving of lamb that would serve a housecat nicely (albeit medium to large sized one) . With rice that was not what was specifically requested as the side. The rice itself, basmati white, was unremarkable. Communication with pleasant but linguistically challenged (?) waitron discouraged any discussion about same said issues. Two soups were just so - so. I've had better a other persian/iranian joints in the area that I frequent regularly. One was luke warm and dull, the other was stogdy and stew like. hmmm. Do I hear Kolbeh calling from on yonder Cambridge way...? Despite the deserved two star rating, I just might try again because of the reputation of the place which is high and its a very nice dinning room and easy to negotiate location. But, well, where's the beef!? (for those of you too young to remember...that means, enough fluff, where's the payoff and core good stuff!?
(2)Marisa F.
Delicious fresh food and friendly service.
(5)Laura E.
If you like frozen food from a microwave served luke warm, then this is the place to go. The only thing heard was the opening and closing of the microwave door and the beep beep of our food ready to be served. The guy behind the "bar" where the grill and ktichen set-up is; literally stood there and didn't cook one single thing of ours (or anyone else in the restaurant) to order. Really, it is just gross.
(1)Sara S.
The restaurant itself is cozy and decorated with a Middle Eastern theme, but it's quite casual and you feel like you're eating in a family's house. Our waitress was very sweet, but the service was not good- cups weren't refilled, left dirty plates for too long, etc. I was disappointed that the complimentary pita bread was served with butter. What? Do Persians really eat pita bread with butter? Do Americans? Does anyone? I think not. We started with the #1, which is an eggplant/onion/mint dip. It was similar in texture to hummus. Very good, and the mint was a nice after-flavor, although it was quite oily. It also tasted like something was missing... needed more spice or salt. As a main course, I had skewered chicken breast with sweet and sour current-saffron basmati rice. The chicken was delicious; cooked perfectly (not too dry), very flavorful without unhealthy sauces. It was basically a upscale chicken kebab. The currant-safron rice was a HUGE portion of regular basmati rice, with a "layer" on the top, with tiny tart currants scattered throughout. The currants were tart and tangy without overpowering the dishes or making me "pucker up". The food is ridiculously overpriced. Like, really unbelievable. It would be one thing if the service and environment commanded high prices, but I could have gone to Jasmine on Mt. Auburn Street for literally the exact same dining experience and ordered off their lunch menu... cost me $7 instead of $17. Our lunch bill came out to $60 including dessert and an appetizer. I write that the food tasted good, but did NOT agree with me about 20 minutes after I ate it. I am not exaggerating when I say I was doubled over in pain for about 10 minutes because I was having serious issues digesting it. For this reason alone, I wouldn't recommend eating here. In summary: -1 star for pleasant but unprofessional service, -1 star for the food being completely overpriced, and -1 star for questionable freshness/proper preparation.
(2)Heather H.
I've lived in Watertown for 4 years and never even knew this place existed until I found a Groupon for it. I decided to give it a try. The food was mediocre (lamb kabob, chicken kabob, hummus) with small portions of meat and a ton of rice. The prices were way too high and they added a 20% tip for a table of two. There are a lot better options for Persian food in the Watertown and Boston metro area.
(2)Paraag M.
We went here a few nights ago with a restaurant.com gift certificate and were pleasantly surprised overall. When we first looked at the menu, we had a bit of sticker shock. But once the food came out, it was clear that the portions were plenty for two meals. Factoring that in, the value was pretty solid. The rice was REALLY good - they managed to cook the Basmati rice to be soft and moist without being mushy. I had the chicken soltani - which is a split between a ground chicken dish and a skewered chicken dish. Both preparations were very moist and juicy. I would have liked having more flavor though, no doubt. My wife had an eggplant dish and thought it was very tasty. If it weren't for the value with the dishes, I would rate the restaurant 3-stars. But the sheer volume of food bumps it up to 4-stars. Toss in a restaurant.com certificate and you really can't beat it.
(4)D C.
This place really hasn't earned the stars it has.. I'm puzzled as to how it got them. I was enthused about going after reading reviews on Yelp, and when I went with friends on a Saturday night, there was a line out the door, and we waited an hour before giving up and going to the Indian place nearby. I went back with the bf on a Thursday night, and got seated immediately. If you call being seated going up to the counter and having the hostess point at a table and tell you to sit there. She was nice about it though.. The bf and I also gagged when we first walked in, as another Yelp-er mentioned, there was a STRONG odor from the restaurant bathroom, of whatever cleanser they use. Blech. Anyhoo, we ordered the Kashk Bademjan (sauteed/pureed eggplant w/ spices) appetizer, which I usually love, but theirs is doused with a foul goat cheese sauce the funk of which I just could not get out of my mouth. I think the eggplant is really supposed to be the star of this dish, but unfortunately, you could barely taste it. We had planned to share an entree, because their plates are huge, but then I noticed the "$11 minimum per person" in small print on their menu, and felt pressured to order another dish. I initially told our waitress/the hostess that we'd just start with the salmon kabob and hang onto the menu, in case we wanted more, but she said "are you sure you don't want anything else?!" and insisted that the dishes take a long time to cook, so we'd better just put in all orders now. I caved, and ordered the Chicken Barg (one of the less-expensive dishes) to make her leave us alone. I was so disappointed. The salmon, at a sturdy $18.99, was completely flavorless. Served on a bed of flavorless rice, with a yellow-tinted ribbon that must have been color-only, because there was no spice whatsoever in it. Boo. Can a sister get a bit of saffron, some cumin, anything?! The chicken was more flavorful, but disturbingly rubbery and with a slight tinge of plastic-y weirdness I couldn't identify. There were a couple of sad grilled tomatoes on the side of both dishes, also with no flavor. There's a spice-mix on the table that helped a bit, but I don't pay other people so I have to season my own food. Not going back here ever. I spent $50 on dinner here and felt ripped-off. There's much better Persian/Middle Eastern food out there! (The "Persian Tea" was pretty nice though.)
(2)Arta L.
Walked in and the restaurant had a horrible horrible urine stench! (they must have forgotten to spray that floral room spray that bothered another reviewer below.) I ordered the shirin polo and I kid you not, there was a piece of hair in it. Needless to say, I sent it back. My friend ordered the baghali polo and the lamb meat was very good and tender. However, the smell of urine and the hair in my food probably turned me off the restaurant forever.
(1)Hogger K.
This is one of those restaurants where you wonder why the ratings are all over the place. Hopefully, this review will try to make some sense of it. At the start, I have to admit that this is one of my favorite restaurants in Boston. The reason is that when the food is on, it is unbelievable. Unfortunately, when it's off, it's not so great. During the past three years, I've probably gone there about 40 times. Seriously. You know you're a regular when all the waitstaff recognizes you immediately. So, unlike some of the previous reviewers, I have a large sample size from which to evaluate the overall quality of the food. One of the big problems with Yelp is that the rating system is flawed. The food and the decor should be rated separately. When you combine the two scores, reviewers have to make a decision about how to balance the score, and this can give an inaccurate representation of the food. If a reviewer thinks that the decor is worth 1 star but the food is worth 5 stars, then it's not uncommon on Yelp to see the final score be a 2. How? Some people are very picky about the decor and all the stuff that creates the ambience of a restaurant. I'm not one of those people. I like places that look kind of sketchy but serve absolutely great food. One of my favorite places used to be a small Ethiopian restaurant near Boston Medical Center called Mass. Ave. Cafe. The place looked as cheap as a restaurant could possibly look, but the food was divine. And every Ethiopian I talked with would say that it was far better than Addis Red Sea which was nearby. So, if you're thinking about impressing a date by taking him or her to Molana, don't. The decor in this place is kind of like walking into Regina Pizzeria in the North End: it's pretty old-fashioned. If you have an ultra-sensitive nose, don't go to this place, because yes, there is the occasional smell of urine from the bathroom which causes them to use a floral scented spray. However, if you're looking for a place that serves amazing beef, chicken, lamb, and salmon, then this is the right place to go. Their chicken and beef soltani are awesome. The lamb kebab is a hit-or-miss (more on that later). And the salmon has always been great. I've never ordered the dessert because Persian food is wonderfully delicate in its seasoning and after a great meal at Molana, there is no reason to destroy the memory with something sweet. I don't drink, so I can't comment about the wine or its seemingly exorbitant price. One thing I can say is that there have been a small number of times where the food was overcooked, especially the lamb. I've had lamb at many restaurants, and I can tell you that when Molana's lamb is on (about 70% of the time), it is amazing. The other 30% of the time, it's average. This disparity puzzled me until I did some investigation. The answer is this: they have two chefs who work on different days. One of them is a true Persian chef and the other just thinks that he is. And this is why some days the food is other-worldly and other days the food is average. When I go there, I first look at the kitchen to see which chef is working. The food isn't cheap, so there's no reason for me to spend a lot of money if the great chef isn't there. But really, when the great chef is there, it is an amazing experience, and I order a ton of food. As for the waitstaff, I have never had a problem with them. But that's also because I don't expect much from waiters. I expect my food to come out in a timely manner, my water glass to be refilled when it is close to being empty, and my check to be brought out to me when I'm done. I don't expect the waitstaff to constantly ask me if everything is okay. And I have no problem with the waitress asking me if I want to take leftovers home, and then after hearing my affirmative response, she hands me a styrofoam container to fill with the leftover food. It's fine. But it might turn off some people. Also, for the people who comment about the pita bread, grow up! I'm not Iranian, but I have tried just about every ethnic style of food imaginable. Alligator, turtle, dog, elephant, bear, etc. I've tried them all. I even had a chance to try rhino meat but I declined on ethical grounds. If you're going to a restaurant for its bread, then that's a sad statement (the only exception might be if it's a fondue place). Okay, Petit Robert Restaurant in Kenmore Square used to have amazing bread flown in from Canada. And that's one of those rare times where I would dream about bread. But then they joined the rest of the restaurants and started to serve what I call "Weight Watchers" bread. Basically, the bread became so sub-par that I just stopped eating it, which was probably as good a calorie-saving measure as any other. Molana is great as long as you go in with the right expectations.
(4)Rachel B.
I went here after purchasing a BuyWithMe coupon ($20 for $40, I believe) and I certainly don't regret it... But I probably won't go back. The ambiance is a little bit strange. The lighting is pretty harsh, and they have ceiling fans that contribute to the strange lighting -- blades blocking the light, then revealing, block, reveal.... ad finitum until you feel you are in a quasi-strobe-lit room. Also the chairs aren't terribly comfortable... The service was okay -- our waitress was very kind but a tad on the spacey side. No biggy. I ordered an eggplant appetizer which was very good, but they added this weird cheese sauce on top which I didn't like. I tried their homemade pickles, which were great, and I also had a cucumber/tomato salad. The ingredients seemed very fresh...no complaints in that department. The prices were also very reasonable. I should mention that the portions are also pretty large (for the entrees -- my dinner-mate ordered some chicken thing that could have served a small army) so you can take stuff home if you like. Although I'm no too sure about leftover Persian food... haven't ventured into that land before...
(3)Karen D.
Just OK. Not pushed to return and would rather spend my money elsewhere. I had a Buy With Me voucher and went with a friend. When you first walk in it smells like the cherry bathroom air freshener you smell in an airplane bathroom, not what I want to smell when I'm going to eat. At least it doesn't smell like that in the restaurant. It's missing a few somethings from the ambiance and decor. The lights are too bright, the tables and chairs don't fit the decor (country style with Persian motif). The dining table in the middle of the dining room has all the cleaning products and the broom leaning against it, not helping the presentation at all. The food was so-so. The pita bread and hummus tasted like what I get at the grocery store. I got a beef and a chicken skewer with rice. The presentation is beautiful, the meat was tender, but the flavor was kind of lacking. The rice was pretty bland even though it had some saffron on it. The service was so-so as well. The server didn't check on us until we were pretty much done.
(2)Nikki E.
I grew up in DC where "chelo-kababis" aka Persian Restaurants are a dime a dozen. Boston, on the the other hand, is host to only a handful of persian places to eat. Molana is a clean, cozy place with simple persian decor and a very friendly, albeit slow staff. I went with my American friend who ordered the Chicken Soltani and she was raving about it. I, being persian, experienced it as being bland. However, the chicken fillets were cooked perfectly and melted in my mouth and the rice was also very good with the right amount of saffron. I order the Kabob Kubideh which was very tasty and cooked just right. The only thing I didnt like about the kabob was that it had way too much onion and my friend said she experienced it as being "propaney". They are serving a limited variety of wine and beer now which is nice. Since I had a glass of the recommended pinot noir, I skipped on the Doogh (yogurt drink). I will definitely go back to try more dishes and the Doogh.
(3)Yuko T.
I love this place. I went there once and I was introduced to the chef since my friend knew him. He is super humble and kind. When I went back the second time, he remembered me!!!! Anyway, their rice (one with orange peel and another with cherry) are by far the BEST rice I've ever had. Their meat dishes are also excellent but I'd go there just to have their rice. So yummy!
(5)Iggy A.
I went here for the first time on a Friday evening. I am Armenian and I absolutely love Middle Eastern food, as it is something I grew up with. I though the food at Molana was excellent but it is certainly lacking a certain ambiance. We sat in the downstairs area of the restaurant, as the upstairs wasn't open. Am I assuming the upstairs is only open on Saturdays? I took a peek up there and it looks much fancier with a full bar, nice wooden floors and plenty of seating and an open area. The downstairs reminded me of my parents living room with tables reminiscent of an old kitchen table I had growing up. It certainly wasn't very fancy which wouldn't be a big deal except the pricing was a little out of control and would indicate a fancier restaurant. I had the shiri pollo which was actually pretty amazing. There was a huge side of rice which I normally would have not been happy with, except the rice was so flavorful and amazing. It was a saffron rice with almonds, orange, and lemon peel that just came together nicely. My chicken was super moist and had just the right amount of spices. My husband got the Cornish hen and was very happy with his dish, although it was eaten almost instantly. For close to $20 a meal I thought it was a little ridiculous. I had a glass of the red wine as my request for a mixed drink was denied. With the full bar upstairs I'm not sure how they denied my request. Anyway, they had a few beers available, but the alcohol selection is very limited. I thought I heard somewhere it was BYOB - maybe I'll test that out the next time. The service was a bit on the slow side, although our waitress was very pleasant. All in all it was a nice experience with above average food. If only it was a little cheaper and a bit of a nicer dining experience I would be back more often. I will definitely be back but I'll be a litle more prepared the next time around. I heard through the grapevine that Saturdays are more happening and it would be nice to see the belly dancing performance in the upstairs bar.
(3)Nicholas L.
Preety good. This is a place where you have to know what to order. The waitress did not understand English very well which adds to the authenticity, but at the same time can get tough. The lamb was undercooked than overcooked, but I quickly went to the reviews and got the solitar. The lamb quality was good it just wasn't up to my preference which can happen everywhere. The portions are pretty generous hence why some of them are pricey. I would go back there again.
(4)Binki D.
(And more) go to Sorentos in Marlborough. Jeff Zamiri really knows his stuff and he understands customers. Avoid Molana. Regret having to post a star for this
(1)J A.
I love this place. The food is just fabulous. I order take out from here at least once a week. They even deliver!!! If you have not tried this place then you do not know what you are missing. Big 5 Stars for Molana's Restaurant!!
(5)Sogol G.
It is a Persian restaurant. It's OK, not all that good. The food is nothing close to what you can get in IRAN. Atmosphere is good for family. But, I will still go there.
(3)Maro B.
Excellent food, and one of the best Persian restaurant in Watertown. I personally use spoolads.com coupons whenever I go to Molana.
(5)Angel C.
Yummy Mediterranean food. I went with a few friends and ordered a bunch of skewered meat dishes: 2 chicken, 1 beef, and 1 lamb. All of them were good, well spiced, and very little charring. (I hate charring.) I ordered the lamb medium-rare, and it was probably more medium, but that's ok. I highly recommend the dishes with "kick it up a notch" Basmati rice. In one of them, the rice came with raisins and lentils. Yum! In another, it came with orange peel and almonds. IT WAS LIKE HEAVEN!!! Sweet with a citrus flavor and crunchy. I wish I had stolen a little more from my friends who actually had these dishes in front of them, since mine was just plain Basmati, but with saffron. We also ordered the eggplant appetizer, which was tasty. For dessert, we got the Persian ice cream, which was flavored with saffron and rose water. My friends didn't like it that much, so I got to enjoy about 75% of it. Mmmmm. I guess not everyone likes rose water, but I do! It can be overpowering if it's too strong, but they did a good job here. The service was good - friendly staff, didn't have to wait too long for anything. The ambiance wasn't the best, though, with minimal decorations, but I'm not too picky about that. There were tons of what I'm assuming were people of Mediterranean descent, so you know that's always a good sign when the place is filled with "locals".
(4)Arsen A.
It's a good place for the price. Don't expect the top notch service but you can count on good food in great quantity at reasonable prices. I've been here twice now and will come again.
(4)Reid F.
I loved the jujeh kabob with zereshk rice. I've had this combo before at other Iranian restaurants, and this was as good as any of them.
(5)Jennifer R.
Boyfriend and I visited Molana Restaurant yesterday after finding out most all Armenian restaurants in the area are closed on Sunday. Service was great, but food was not. I guess I'm spoiled after having such yummy Persian food in L.A. Chicken was greasy with no flavor, and koobideh was tender but again, no flavor. Salads were good though.
(2)Milee S.
I don't think I ever have been to an Iranian restaurant, so Molana was a great place to try for my first time. When you enter, you kinda feel like someone converted their house into a restaurant, very cozy. The place was hopping for a Saturday night, and we had a 10 minute wait. They are a bit understaffed, but being a mom and pop place, I think it's expected. We started with the cucumber mint sauce, which I love, and pita bread. I ordered the boneless lamb kebab while my friend had the cherry chicken. I really enjoyed my meal. Four big pieces of lamb with a ton of saffron rice and loads of lemon. The cucumber sauce from our appetizer helped the rice in this dish. There were a ton of other options, salads, and desserts, but we were too full to sample anything else. A good place to go in Watertown, but I wouldn't make a special trip.
(3)Marc B.
It's an average-looking restaurant but the service and food was spectacular! I've never had such succulent chicken kabobs in my life! I had the Albaloo Polo dinner where the rice was just as tasty. The appetizer was so so - can't remember what we had. I think their forte lies within the dinners.
(5)Trelawney G.
their chicken with barberries or with cherries is really amazing. so is the yogurt and mint, and the salad shirazi. friendly people and delicious food. I wish there were more vegetarian options and that it was a little less expensive. but the portions are big and it tastes basically like authentic iranian food should.
(4)Elizabeth D.
First let me say that we have had Molana take-out twice now, and in the same week, which should tell you how we felt about it! First we went over to Persian friends for dinner, and they told us it is their favorite Persian food in Boston. They took care of the ordering and the meal, a mix of different kebabs with different rices was fantastic! We also had eggplant and two of the yogurt appetizers. When I called on my own later in the week after getting a primer from my Persian friend, the meal was every bit as good as I remembered. I can't comment about waitstaff since it was takeout, but I can say that the lovely many who answered the phone was very helpful and encouraging as I tried to pronounce new words! We will definitely be going back!! Thank you, Molana!
(5)Yasmine K.
I went to Molana, without checking its rating on yelp and that was a huge mistake. I wonder where all these 4 and 5 stars are coming from!?! Those who gave 4 & 5 stars should definitly go to some good and high class persian restaurants and reconsider their rating. Me and a friend went there on a sunday noon, the restaurant was pretty much empty, we sat and a guy came to us to get the order. my friend ordered Doogh, which was tasteless ( seemed like it was only yogurt and water added together). then we ordered Kashke Bademjan for an appetizer, it was tasteless and oily. For the Enree i ordered Zereshk Polo with chicken and my friend ordered a Soltani. my chicken was tastless and flavorless, the Soltani was ok,nothing so especial about it. There were some guys ( seemed like owners friends) sitting by the kitchen, they were so loud and disturbing and would not care if other people are in the restaurant. The funniest thing was they were ordering cheese pizza for their lunch!!! when we asked for the check, I noticed that my food was marked 16.99 on the menue and they put 17.99 on the bill. I understand the difference was only a dollar, but when we told the server he was explaining that we have our old menue which we havnt updated our new prices on!!!!! I was so shocked and pissed off about their customer service too. anyway, this is a place that i will never ever would want to go. Bad service, bad atmospehere, horrible customer service, over priced food.
(1)Natalie B.
Watertown isn't known for it's Persian community. However a little known fact is that there is over 10,000 persians in Watertown. I don't know why it's taken so long to get an authentic and fantastic persian restaurant so close to Boston. 4 stars, because the service is polite and attentive but not always fast.
(4)Kara B.
The food here was OK. Nicely cooked rice, cornish hen tasty, eggplant dish tasty enough, but dull as large portion with side of rice...but the prices are extremely out of line. $16.99 for a tiny, tiny cornish hen, nicely cooked but nothing special with some rice is insane. $11.99 for the eggplant dish also seemed expensive. Pita brought to table cold and stale. Fattoush salad at $7 was OK, not great and very small for the price. Place was undistinguished looking; service OK. Have been to Persian restaurants that blow this one out of the water. Places with lovely sauces, juice meats, many vegetarian options. This one is just phoning it in.
(2)j h.
visited here with my brothers excited to try a new restaurant. Food was ok. We used the groupon coupons enabling us to save 20$ per coupon. The bill came to over $140, however the waitress informed us that the policy is to only accept ONE coupon. This is lowclass! Will not be back.
(1)R B.
Not much ambiance, but the food is good, a little pricey for what you get. Love being able to get Persian food, however, so I'll pipe down.
(3)Eli G.
We like Molana for its middle-of-the-road Persian food. Perhaps some of the prior reviewers mistook this restaurant for a high-end, black BMW 5-series-with-tinted windows - Los Angeles - Persian place. It's not. It's in Watertown, Massachusetts and it serves good middle Eastern cuisine for a moderate price. We get beef kubideh there, as well as an eggplant appetizer, which is reliably good.
(4)Casey F.
This was my first Persian dining experience - Molana's Persian lunch buffet. Interesting that they call it Persian food, not Iranian. Marketing, anyone? I was very underwhelmed by my experience. The buffet was ok - not a ton of variety, and the food was cold. The soup was glutinous-tasting and lacked any salt or flavor. Beef stew was ok. The kebabs were cold and weird... but the little pieces of grilled chicken were VERY tasty! I also loved the persian tea - which can be made iced upon request. We ordered the baklava dessert, and at $5, it wasn't cheap! Nor was it that good. I think it was made with corn syrup instead of honey. The ambiance was fine... it kind of felt like I was eating in their personal dining room as there was a table in the back near the buffet that [loudly] hosted visitor after visitor. I know all about one lady's daughter's modeling experience, some other lady is pregnant with her second kid (she thinks it's a girl), and someone is babysitting for someone else. Service was fine, too. It wasn't that busy, so our waitress (Tasha) was accessible and attentive. And loud. I'm loud too, so I guess I can't complain.... slash yes i can too complain, i can be hypocritical if I want to! All in all, I don't think I'll be returning. I had really wanted to go to Asiana Fusion, but apparently they don't do lunch in the summertime. :-(
(3)Darius K.
I'm Persian, so I grew up eating the kind of food they serve at Molana. I can say that the food is actually authentic and good. The other reviewers have described the food better than I can. One thing you should not miss out on is the saffron ice cream. It's very tasty. But the service here is so slow that I can hardly ever justify going here to eat! Sad, but true.
(3)Anastasia L.
I just had lunch here with a friend, and the lunch menu is a little less extensive than the entree menu. There were hardly any people in there, the server was friendly and just attentive enough, and the food arrived quickly. My friend and I stuck to chicken lunch deals, which were delicious, and we tried some pickles to start (they were as described-- pickles! but good.) and had some Persian tea. I guess my one complaint is that while the flavors are great, they seemed similar in every dish. There were also 2 versions of both the beef and chicken, and then a 3rd version of each that was basically half and half. However we didn't actually try many dishes, there being 2 of us, and I have an admittedly limited understanding of the menu. We also didn't try many appetizers, the yogurt drink, or any dessert, so I'll have to come back. I'm betting when I have a chance to order a full range of items, I'll bump it up a star!
(3)Anurag M.
Location is good but the food is average at best. The lamb is good but the chicken was sub par and the rice was cold. The apps are decent. I will not be heading back here so recommend that u try the lamb.
(2)Paul M.
One of the few Persian restaurants in the Boston area. Unfortunately, it's hidden on a very alley-like street just outside Watertown Square, so it can be hard to find. Its location ends up working in its favor as it's almost never crowded. Most of the entrees here include yellow saffron rice with lamb, beef, or chicken and lots of garlic, onion, vegetables, nuts, or diced limes, cinnamon, and parsley. The meat is grilled, kebab style. The yogurt based drinks, topped with fresh mint, are delicious.
(4)lizzie b.
Very unique. Cozy and authentic. Wasn't amazing food, but very different and worth a trip if you're nearby. I had the chicken with sweet and sour cherries & almond slices -- they weren't in a sauce, but on top of the basmati rice (with saffron). Had the yogurt with mint/cucumbers, which we dipped in the pita bread (so-so...helmand is better!). Chicken was tender and big portion. Just really interesting combination of flavors. Service wasn't bad. Nothing entirely stellar, but a fun experience.
(4)