Safran

Safran is a family owned and operated Persian restaurant on Leeds’ Kirkgate, unceremoniously plonked next to a Megabus stop – but don’t let that deter you. For the intrepid diner, here is a treasure trove of excellent Persian specialties to discover in a warm and welcoming environment. From its unimposing exterior, you’d be forgiven for thinking Safran is a run-of-the-mill takeaway, but don’t allow appearances to deceive – there’s something special here.

Once inside, diners can be in no doubt that they’re in a Persian restaurant, with Persian landscapes and paintings adorning the walls, and traditional long tables for group meals as well space for intimate couple or family meals. Guests at Safran are invited to choose from a plethora of dishes, some likely to be unfamiliar to all but the most experienced Iranian food fan. So dive into a falafel plate big enough to share or opt for something a little more exotic and tuck into Iranian stew, known as bamiyeh, a sumptuous mix of lamb, okra and saffron-infused rice.

For diners with a hankering for something meaty, Safran offers an excellent Persian mix with a range of kebabs and skewered meats, great for sharing. The Leeds’ Kirkgate eatery makes all their marinades in house so expect kebabs to come with a serious kick. Safran is open daily for lunch right through into the evening for dinner service. The team at Safran have been delighting locals at this corner of the River Aire with an excellent takeaway option too, but the food at Safran, a fully-licensed restaurant, is best enjoyed from inside its cavernous dining room.