Persian Cuisine in Singapore: 10 Authentic Dishes to Try at Shabestan

Persian cuisine brings together fragrant saffron, fresh herbs, slow-cooked meats, charcoal grilling, aromatic rice, and the distinctive sweet-and-sour flavours of ingredients such as pomegranate and dried lime. At Shabestan, these elements come together in a dining experience rooted in Persian culinary traditions and served beside the Singapore River at Robertson Quay.

Since 2013, Shabestan has been bringing the flavours and hospitality of Persia to Singapore. The kitchen prepares its dishes from scratch using Persian spices, herbs, and traditional cooking techniques, with an extensive selection of charcoal-grilled kebabs, Persian rice, stews, and mezze.

For anyone planning to try Persian cuisine in Singapore, here are ten dishes that deserve a place on your table at Shabestan.

1. Lamb Kubideh  

Lamb Kubideh is one of the dishes to consider if you want to start with a classic Persian charcoal-grilled preparation. At Shabestan, tender ground lamb is grilled on a skewer and served with a touch of sumac. The combination of the smoky grill, seasoned lamb, and tartness from sumac gives the dish a straightforward but distinctive character.

For first-time diners, Kubideh also provides an easy introduction to Shabestan’s approach to Persian grilling. Instead of relying on heavy sauces, the flavour comes from the meat, herbs, seasoning, and charcoal. It is served with rice and salad, making it a natural centrepiece for a meal shared with friends or family.

2. Shandiz 

For lamb lovers, Shandiz offers another way to experience Shabestan's charcoal grill.

These lamb chops are grilled over high heat, allowing the natural flavour of the meat to remain at the centre while the outside develops a delicious char. Shandiz is traditionally served with Persian rice and grilled tomato, creating a combination of smoky, savoury and fragrant flavours.

It is particularly suited to a relaxed dinner at Robertson Quay when you want a substantial dish to share or enjoy as the centrepiece of your meal.

3. Shah Pasand Chicken

4. Chicken Masti

If lamb is not your preference, Chicken Masti offers a different route into Shabestan's Persian grill. The dish features boneless chicken leg marinated with yoghurt and Persian herbs before being grilled. The yoghurt-based marinade gives the chicken a softer, more rounded flavour while the charcoal adds the smoky finish associated with Persian kebab cooking.

This is also a useful dish for sharing because it works naturally alongside Persian rice, grilled vegetables and appetisers. If your table is ordering several dishes, Chicken Masti can provide a milder contrast to richer lamb preparations and slow-cooked stews.

5. Ghormeh Sabzi  

Persian cuisine is about much more than kebabs, and Ghormeh Sabzi is one of the dishes that demonstrates why.

This traditional Persian stew combines lamb with red beans, herbs and sun-dried lime, creating a deep flavour with a distinctive tangy finish. At Shabestan, we serve it with Persian rice, allowing the fragrant rice to balance the richness and acidity of the stew.

The combination of herbs and dried lime gives Ghormeh Sabzi a character that is very different from grilled dishes. It is an ideal choice for diners who want to experience the slow-cooked side of Persian cuisine.

6. Khoresht-E-Bamieh

Khoresht-E-Bamieh introduces the slow-cooked side of the cuisine, combining lamb cubes with okra, tomato sauce and garlic and serving the stew with Persian rice.

The dish is a good choice when you want something comforting and spoonable rather than grilled. The tomato and garlic base provides a savoury foundation, while okra gives the stew its distinctive texture.

Shabestan also offers a vegetarian version made with okra, tomato sauce and garlic, giving diners another way to experience this style of Persian cooking.

7. Zereshk Polo  

Zereshk Polo introduces one of the most recognisable flavour contrasts in Persian cooking: fragrant rice paired with tart barberries.

The small berries add a bright, slightly sour note to the rice, creating a refreshing contrast to richer grilled or slow-cooked dishes. Saffron contributes its characteristic aroma and colour, adding another layer to the dish.

At Shabestan, Zereshk Polo is a useful choice when you want to understand why Persian rice is such an important part of the cuisine rather than simply treating it as an accompaniment.

8. Dill Polo Mahicheh

For diners who want to experience Persian rice beyond standard saffron rice, Dill Polo Mahicheh is worth considering. The dish combines aromatic dill rice with lamb shank, bringing together fragrant rice and slow-cooked meat in one substantial plate.

Rice is an important part of the Persian dining experience, and dishes such as this show how it can become much more than a side dish. The fragrant herbs and tender lamb create a comforting combination that works particularly well for a leisurely dinner.

9. Shabestan Mezze

Before the kebabs, lamb shanks and Persian stews arrive, begin your meal with Shabestan's mezze selection.

For groups, mezze is one of the best ways to settle into the Shabestan dining experience. Instead of everyone ordering one dish, the table can share dips, bread and appetisers, allowing everyone to sample different flavours.

Options such as hummus and muhammara, together with other mezze and freshly baked Persian bread, create a relaxed introduction to the meal.

This style of ordering also captures an important part of the experience at Shabestan: food is something to enjoy together. Start with smaller plates, share them around the table, and then move towards the grilled meats, stews and rice dishes.

10. Persian Dessert 

After charcoal-grilled kebabs, fragrant rice and slow-cooked stews, leave room for dessert.

Shabestan's Persian dessert selection provides a sweeter finish to the meal, with options such as Pistachio & Cream Cheese Kunafe and saffron-based desserts reflecting the importance of nuts, dairy and saffron in Persian food.

The combination of creamy textures, fragrant saffron and pistachios creates a fitting conclusion to a meal that has moved through so many different flavours.

Why Robertson Quay Complements the Shabestan Experience

Food is only part of the experience at Shabestan. Its Robertson Quay location places the restaurant beside the Singapore River, creating a setting that suits a relaxed Persian dinner, celebration or gathering.

The restaurant also offers private dining for special occasions, while its menu can accommodate different preferences through its Persian appetisers, grilled dishes, stews, rice preparations and desserts. For diners searching for Persian food in Singapore, that combination makes Shabestan more than a place to order a single kebab; it provides a way to experience several layers of Persian cuisine in one setting.

Conclusion

What makes dining at Shabestan special is not simply the variety of dishes. It is the opportunity to experience Persian food through different cooking styles, from charcoal-grilled kebabs and marinated chicken to slow-cooked stews, aromatic rice, shared mezze and saffron-infused desserts. 

For anyone searching for authentic Persian cuisine in Singapore, Shabestan's menu offers plenty of room to try something familiar, something new and something distinctly Persian. With its from-scratch cooking, extensive kebab selection and Robertson Quay riverside setting, it is a place where a meal can become a complete Persian dining experience.

Ready to experience Persian dining by the Singapore River? Visit Shabestan at Robertson Quay and reserve your table for your next meal.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What Persian dish should I try first at Shabestan?

If you are new to Persian food, Lamb Kubideh is a good introduction to Persian charcoal grilling. You can also begin with Shabestan's mezze before moving on to a grilled dish or Persian stew.

2. Is Shabestan suitable for group dining?

Yes. Shabestan offers a broad selection of appetisers, kebabs, stews, rice dishes and desserts, making the menu suitable for shared dining. The restaurant also provides private dining options for special occasions.

3. Does Shabestan offer vegetarian options?

Yes. Shabestan offers vegetarian and vegan dishes, including vegetarian Ghormeh Sabzi and vegetarian Khoresht-E-Bamieh. It also provides gluten-free selections.

4. Where is Shabestan located in Singapore?

Shabestan is located at 80 Mohamed Sultan Road, #01-13, The Pier at Robertson Quay, Singapore 239013.

5. Can I order Shabestan for takeaway or delivery?

Yes. Shabestan offers dine-in, takeaway, and islandwide delivery, with its online ordering service available for selected menu items.