Ghooli Cafe

Tehran Province, Tehran, 12 Farvardin St, Iran
+98 920 820 6266
$$$ Cafe
(85 Reviews)

Welcome to Ghooli Cafe, a charming spot nestled in the heart of Tehran on 12 Farvardin St. This delightful cafe not only serves traditional Iranian cuisine but also offers a cultural experience that delights the senses and warms the heart.

The moment you step inside Ghooli Cafe, you’re embraced by a cozy, inviting atmosphere filled with quirky decor that reflects the rich tapestry of Iranian heritage. The ambiance is both intimate and vibrant, making it an ideal place for a quiet meal or a celebratory gathering. Imagine indulging in a dish while the owner, Amu Kourosh—a passionate artist and children's book writer—is weaving enchanting tales inspired by Iran’s mythological past. His presence adds an extra layer of magic to your visit, as he seamlessly transitions from chef to storyteller, ensuring every mouthful is soaked in history and flavor.

The menu might be small, but each offering is carefully crafted and packed with quality. Mahsa Javadi, a satisfied customer, perfectly encapsulated the experience when she referred to it as "an entertaining, cozy, tiny dining restaurant" where the simple yet delicious dishes shine bright. Make sure to try the Rostam salad and Spich Chicken, two popular plates that highlight the cafe's commitment to traditional flavors presented in an innovative way. Guests rave about the biryani, too, indicating that it comes with all the right accompaniments to make each dish memorable.

What truly sets Ghooli Cafe apart is its heartwarming service. Review after review highlights the exceptional hospitality provided by Mr. Vafadar—his infectious energy and kindness turn a meal into a cherished memory. Bahman F remarked on the "kindly happy hospitality staff," which reflects the welcoming nature that awaits every visitor. Whether you’re enjoying a meal solo or sharing stories with friends, you'll feel like part of the family instead of just a customer.

The experience at Ghooli Cafe extends beyond just the food; it's a celebration of culture and camaraderie. As you dine, you’ll find that the stories linked to each dish enhance the meal, connecting you to the rich heritage of Iran. Iman Rostami emphasized that this cafe offers "much more than a cafe," where every item served has a story waiting to be shared.

So, when you find yourself in Tehran, make sure to visit Ghooli Cafe. Allow yourself to be enchanted by authentic flavors, engaging narratives, and the warmest hospitality you could hope for. This isn’t just dining; it’s an experience that lingers in the heart and taste buds long after you’ve left.

Accessibility
No wheelchair-accessible car park
No wheelchair-accessible entrance
Service options
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Serves great coffee
Serves great dessert
Has great tea selection
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves coffee
Serves small plates
Dining options
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has catering
Serves dessert
Amenities
No toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Trendy
Crowd
Good for groups
Popular with tourists
Popular with university students
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

12:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Tuesday

12:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Wednesday

12:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Thursday

12:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Friday

Closed

Saturday

12:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Sunday

12:00 AM - 10:00 PM

85 Reviews
Mahsa Javadi

01 Oct 2025

An entertaining, cozy, tiny dining restaurant serving 2 or 3 main food and different kinds of traditional drinks (sharbat) with great quality. The manager/chef/server/cashier/entertainer (all is one person ) is a gentle hearted man (amu Kourosh) and a children’s book writer that his inner child is still alive!

Bahman F

24 Sep 2025

an Iranian traditional cafe , with tradition food and very kindly happy hospitality staff. id you like to know more about old custom of old yazd people its a good choice

Iman Rostami

07 Sep 2025

Nice place and much more than a cafe! There is few items to serve But they have stories behind! The owner is an artist and he tell you stories with dishes, traditional ceremonies and gifts, based on mythological fiction of iran cultural heritage.

Rukmal De Silva

31 Aug 2025

I had an awesome biryani at this gorgeous cafe just off Ferdowsi square. The owner speaks perfect English and is very welcoming. The interior is nice and quirky and gives you a nice vibe. Prices are also incredibly reasonable at 250,000 for aforementioned biryani and all the trimmings.

Mahboubeh

13 Aug 2025

Very cozy cafe , decorated in a very creative way . The owner Mr.Vafadar is one the best man in the world , full of energy and kindness. My sister and I went there at my birthday and surprisingly there is another birthday parthy there . We try Rostam salad and Spich Chicken , both of them are very good . At first the owner bring the rose water to wash your hand and at the end give you his book and wish you lots of hope , peace .unique experience. Love it.

M A H Y A R Sadaghiani

26 Jul 2025

The owner is uncel korosh.just for see him and talk I go there everytime.he is so cool have good energy.just go onetime.foods are so healthy and good.

Ruja Kh

25 Jun 2025

Oh I wish I could give this place 800 stars!!! Ghooli Cafe is the place of my dreams! I can't even begin to tell you how great and amazing this small restaurant is. The food is phenomenal and the staff are soooo nice and friendly it almost feels like home. The ambiance is great and the place is decorated with a variety of lovely bric-à-brac. This place is run by a family of four, each nicer and more friendly than the next. The father,Mr. Kourosh Vafadari, is the chef and does all the amazing cooking. He is also a writer and an illustrator. Interestingly enough, a few years ago I had read the series he had written about a remote island inhabited by friendly giants (ghoul = ghool in Persian, hence the name Ghooli Café). The owners believe that demons and mischievous creatures cannot set foot in this restaurant as it is protected by a sublime power that only lets in those with kindness in their hearts and thoughts. Anything evil will be driven away by the forces of Good that surround this place and protect the people inside it. I'd like to believe this, because I have never felt anything unpleasant about this magical place; it contains nothing but good old kind-hearted giants that spread love and friendship. This place is worth multiple and multiple visits!

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