Persian Food Tours: Tehran Culinary Walk and Cooking Class

Persian Food Tours has run its Tehran culinary walk and cooking class for several years, building it around Tajrish Bazaar in the north of the city, one of Tehran's oldest and busiest covered markets. The experience begins with a guided walk through the bazaar's spice, herb, nut, and produce stalls, where the guide points out ingredients central to Persian cooking and explains how vendors grade saffron, dried limes, and fresh herbs. From there, small groups move to a nearby kitchen for a hands-on cooking class covering two to three dishes, typically a rice dish such as tahdig alongside a stew (khoresh) and a herb-based side, balancing savoury preparation with a lighter finish rather than a dedicated dessert course. The four-to-five-hour session includes the market walk, all ingredients purchased during the visit, full cooking instruction, and a shared sit-down meal of everything prepared; transit between the bazaar and the kitchen is on foot or a short shared ride arranged by the operator. Groups are kept small, generally under ten guests, with instruction given in English and Farsi. Vegetarian substitutions can usually be arranged for the stew course if requested in advance, though guests with more complex dietary restrictions should confirm directly with the operator before booking. The pace is unhurried, allowing time for questions about Persian food culture, regional variations in home cooking, and the etiquette of sharing a Persian meal at one table.