When we dropped by Saffron, Persian Delights at the Good Market on an overcast Saturday, it was clear that even precipitating weather conditions could not keep the fans away. And for good reason. 

The availability of Persian cuisine in the country has been almost nonexistent, with the occasional Persian restaurant typically disappearing after a short stint in the culinary sphere. Coupled with the lack of offerings, there's no surprise that there's a lack of awareness of Persian food. Filling that void, and happily providing tasty Iranian food to their curious customers, Saffron has been going strong for almost 2 years now. Started by a group of friends - Iranian sisters Shima and Shiva and their Sri Lankan friend from college Vishmi - Saffron, Persian Delights have also added catering orders to their repertoire. 

We were happy to note that their menu offered both non-vegetarian and vegetarian options. Service was pretty great - they were happy to answer questions not only about the fare on offer, but also on Iranian culture, while we waited for our meal to be prepared and packed. 

We decided to try out their popular Saffron rice with chicken (Rs. 500/-), their chicken kebab wrap (Rs. 400/-) and the falafel wrap (Rs. 350/-). Both the wraps and the rice came in sizeable portions. The rice included plenty of chunks of potatoes and a chicken leg. The rice was well flavoured and fluffy, and the potatoes added to the flavour. The portion we thought was quite large and you could easily share if you want to. 

The wraps are ideal for those who are not fans of spicy food. The chicken kebab wrap and the falafel wrap were both well flavoured, but lacked the spice that our Sri Lankan palates crave. Nevertheless, they definitely hadn't skimped on the filling. 

Saffron has hearty Persian fare on offer, and there’s no doubt the unique flavours are a winning formula that has been drawing fans in their droves. Considering the portion sizes and the taste, you'll get good bang for your buck. We suggest getting your food earlier in the day when they are more fresh and you’ll have a better chance at grabbing your favourites before they run out. 

So do catch them at the Racecourse Good Market every Saturday from 10am - 6pm. For more information you can call them up on 0778895009/0777628294 or email them at [email protected]. You can also check out www.facebook.com/saffronlk for the latest updates and additions to their fare. 

Food: 4.25 
Value for money: 4.8 

Text and photographs by Rihaab Mowlana