Saffron Grill & Market - Novato (CA)

4 /5 Cameron B.: Small Market with a Persian restaurant attached. When I went they were doing takeout only. Decided to get 2 Koobideh plates. Flavorful tender meat, fluffy rice. Food overall was very good, solid 4 out of 5. Came out hot and fresh. Service was a bit slow, atmosphere is to be expected for a small market with counter service ordering.

5 /5 Dennis Kanygin: We had Saffron Grill & Market cater our wedding, and we couldn’t be happier with the experience. Mike was incredibly helpful, accommodating, and easy to work with from start to finish. The food was absolutely delicious—flavorful, fresh, and a huge hit with all of our guests. Mike went above and beyond to make sure everything was perfect, and his professionalism and kindness made the whole process stress-free. Highly recommend Saffron Grill & Market for any event or catering needs. Truly exceptional service and amazing food!

5 /5 V Wilson: Only place in the area I could find ketaifi (spelling?) and pistachio cream. Good selection of Middle Eastern foods; planning on coming back so I can get some fun new ingredients to try out. Halloumi cheese, pomegranate syrup, kebabs, etc. Local business which is nice. The baklava and other baked goods in the case at the front of the shop look very tempting.

4 /5 Afshin Afshar-Ghasemlou: In Crepuscule, Roman Payne writes: “People wonder why so many writers come to live in Paris… Just like Italy, Spain, or Iran are the best places to pick saffron.” Well, I can’t comment on Paris or the search for novel ideas, but I can confidently say this: you don’t need to travel to Italy, Spain, or Iran to find saffron. All you need to do is drive to Novato. Saffron Grill & Market is a small, unassuming spot that serves a dual purpose, as both a Middle Eastern grocery store and a casual grill, and it does both surprisingly well. If you enjoy exploring spices, dried goods, and specialty ingredients, the shelves alone are worth the stop. I certainly got a kick out of browsing them. And if you’re hungry, just walk to the back of the store, look up at the menu, and order whatever catches your eye. The food is solid, comforting Persian cuisine, prepared simply and priced very reasonably. It’s the kind of place where you don’t overthink the order, you just pick something and enjoy it. The owner-operator is friendly and genuinely happy to answer questions, whether you’re curious about the food, the spices, or what pairs well together. It’s not flashy, and it doesn’t try to be. But if you’re looking for authentic flavors, good value, and a warm, local feel, Saffron Grill & Market delivers, all without leaving Marin County.

5 /5 Courtney Wright: Great food and great service! The only odd part has nothing to do with this restaurant itself, but with the business next door. They have a strange sign saying that customers from Saffron can’t use their restroom, which gives off a discriminatory vibe. Still, Saffron itself is fantastic, and I’d definitely recommend the food and staff here.