I had the pleasure of visiting Ahmad's Restaurant during my trip to Omaha, and it was a delightful experience. Finally getting the chance to dine here after seeing the pictures and reading the reviews was truly worth it. Meeting Ahmad in person was a highlight - his warm hospitality made the visit even more enjoyable.One thing that drew me to this restaurant was Ahmad's unique idea of serving bananas alongside Persian food. Despite some reviews dismissing this concept, I found it to be a distinguishing feature that added to the charm of the dishes. The combination of flavors was exceptional and truly made the dining experience memorable.We tried the Tehran chicken and Kabob Kubideh, both of which were exquisite. The Tehran chicken had a distinct and spicy flavor profile that I hadn't encountered before, adding an exciting twist to traditional Persian cuisine. Ahmad's innovative approach to cooking, evident in every dish, sets his restaurant apart from other typical Persian restaurants.I appreciate Ahmad's willingness to introduce new ideas while still honoring the essence of Persian cuisine. The inclusion of bananas may seem unconventional to some, but it's these unique choices that make Ahmad's Restaurant stand out.To further illustrate, I was reminded of the Brazilian tradition of serving cooked bananas between different meals to balance flavors. Just as in Brazilian cuisine, where grilled bananas enhance the dining experience, Ahmad's clever addition of bananas complemented the spicy chicken and kubideh kabob perfectly.We also tasted the restaurant's baklava, a delightful dessert. It was the perfect way to end a fantastic dining experience.Moreover, the environment was very beautiful and friendly, with captivating paintings adding to the ambiance.Overall, I highly recommend Ahmad's Restaurant to anyone looking for a unique and delicious culinary adventure. Don't let the naysayers deter you - embrace the creativity and passion that Ahmad brings to each dish. I can't wait to return and explore more of his innovative menu offerings.
Incredible. The Tehran chicken was delicious. I don’t frequently find new flavors, but here they have them. Ahmed was an extremely generous host. Thank you for feeding us!
Cole Jarecke
Lovely place for Persian food. The owner was very helpful recommending different dishes. I got the chicken entree and it was delicious. Will be going back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Consentida Balderas
Excellent food and service, and everything is naturally gluten free except the bread. Other places add wheat flour as a filler, but Ahmad makes his food just like homeade, no fillers at all, just the true authentic ingredients. We will be back next time we're in Omaha.Dietary restrictions: One of the few resteraunts where I can easily enjoy my food without worry due to not being able to have gluten.Kid-friendliness: Ahmad was very attentive and suggested and prepared the perfect dish for my children, dividing it between 2 plates with beautiful presentation; my kids loved the food amd thr beauty of the decor.
Recommended dishes: Kabob Kubideh
Mary Royers
Great all around experience with fresh, rich, and flavorful food!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
J G
Charming place with excellent service. Vegetarian options. Quite expensive for the amount of food is the reason my husband does not want to go there too much.
Food: 3
Ali Soheilian
Review from a Persian:This is Persian food with imposter syndrome. It’s tough because there’s not much to compare it to in Nebraska, but if you find yourself in the DC area, LA, or any other urban/suburban center, do yourself a favor and try Persian food there so it can be redeemed in your lives. If we were in many other states, they wouldn’t be able to get away with this style of cooking and all the substitutes that no one here knows any better to have a true comparison. Would highly recommend Mediterranean bistro or daffodils (in Lincoln) to get somewhat of a comparison here in Nebraska.None of what is served here is authentic Persian food. I’m not here to bash the restaurant, the service is great, the atmosphere is wonderful, it gave me high hopes, but the food is an absolute let down. If you like, good for you, if you know real Persian food, you’re bound to be severely disappointed.First off, the Pita bread is a massive imposter. It is tortillas charred on the grill pretending to be Pitas. I saw it mentioned in a previous review, but was doubting if it was true, it’s absolutely true. This is not representative of the delicious bread served at many Persian establishments across the country.Now to the appetizers. The Dolmeh was actually decent, not your traditional grape leaves dolmeh, but it was cabbage wrapped and it was pretty decent. The hummus was a bit harsh, too much tahini and not a Persian style of hummus, would not recommend it. The falafel was pretty good though, something you don’t really see at Persian restaurants.For the entrees. The potato and pea rice was more of an Indian style dish, if that’s your thing, go for it. The Tehran chicken was overcooked, the chicken strips were dried out, and whatever spice they put on it with the sumac had it way too spicy. Chicken kabob in Persian culture is not spicy, it is buttery and saffron covered, with sumac, with a wonderful rich flavor and aroma. My children couldn’t even bare to have a bite and they can do spice. Their kubideh was pretty decent, kubideh is tough to cook in general, but there’s was a little too chewy and undercooked in my opinion, but it was still good.Now for the rice. Authentic Persian food includes long grain Basmati rice cooked with saffron and butter, that gives a wonderful aroma and flavor to the rice. For some, they just come for the rice. The rice here was not basmati, there was no saffron or butter, and it appeared to be water logged a bit. I wouldn’t recommend it and it was disappointing, after longing for Persian food after relocating here, to have so many items missed or misrepresented.Now for the Salad, that’s not how Persian salads are made. No Persian style lemon/oilhomemade dressing.Last, the banana gimmick. What in the hell is this banana gimmick. Do not, and I repeat, do not go to a Persians house or any other restaurant and ask for a banana to top the rice. There is no need to bite the kabob, rice, and tomato, and then cleanse your palate with a bite of a banana. Persian food is meant to be savored, not cleansed. We typically provide sabzi or fresh greens for this, with onions, fresh greens, and radishes, not bananas.Last, I would not recommend this place for Persian food. If you like this style, whatever it may be, fantastic, good for you. Restaurant is run by good people and I’m all for supporting small businesses. But if you want great authentic Persian food, find a Persian friend and go to their house. Drive down to Daffodils in Lincoln, try places when you visit other densely populated cities that have a large Persian community, or give Mediterranean bistro a shot.For what we had, the value and the quality, overpriced for the lack of quality, and for us, we won’t be back. Best of luck to the restaurant though.
I was recommended by a friend to visit this restaurant, and it is now my favorite restaurant along my travels. I’ve never had Persian cuisine, and tonight was my first experience. Our server was so friendly, sweet and accommodating! The food was so flavorful, spicy, and sweet!The owner and chef came out to greet everyone in the establishment. He was very sweet!I would highly recommend a trio here when you visit Omaha!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jeremy W
One of the best hidden gems in the cityAuthentic straight to the point Persian food that warms the heart and
Yummy food, friendly service and gluten free options available.
Daniel Gambino
We grew up eating Persian food with our extended family and this place holds up to even the most intense nostalgic memories. Ahmad is a talented and kind chef, and we would happily return to eat here whenever we are in Omaha.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sue Minor
We found this restaurant and went for the first time while in Omaha attending a family funeral. It was a blessing to be with Ahmad and his daughter Ava after a very long day and the food was amazing!!!! We talked to both father and daughter and they were so kind and caring and the food was so very very good! Especially the Baba Ganouj!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Adam Grant
The naan was grilled tortillas and my credit card information was stolen by this business. A month after going here in August 2023, my card was charged three times for items I did not buy. My bank investigated and surmised the my credit card, which I hadn’t used anywhere else for months beforehand, was sold to criminals. Do not go here!
I had the pleasure of visiting Ahmad's Restaurant during my trip to Omaha, and it was a delightful experience. Finally getting the chance to dine here after seeing the pictures and reading the reviews was truly worth it. Meeting Ahmad in person was a highlight - his warm hospitality made the visit even more enjoyable.One thing that drew me to this restaurant was Ahmad's unique idea of serving bananas alongside Persian food. Despite some reviews dismissing this concept, I found it to be a distinguishing feature that added to the charm of the dishes. The combination of flavors was exceptional and truly made the dining experience memorable.We tried the Tehran chicken and Kabob Kubideh, both of which were exquisite. The Tehran chicken had a distinct and spicy flavor profile that I hadn't encountered before, adding an exciting twist to traditional Persian cuisine. Ahmad's innovative approach to cooking, evident in every dish, sets his restaurant apart from other typical Persian restaurants.I appreciate Ahmad's willingness to introduce new ideas while still honoring the essence of Persian cuisine. The inclusion of bananas may seem unconventional to some, but it's these unique choices that make Ahmad's Restaurant stand out.To further illustrate, I was reminded of the Brazilian tradition of serving cooked bananas between different meals to balance flavors. Just as in Brazilian cuisine, where grilled bananas enhance the dining experience, Ahmad's clever addition of bananas complemented the spicy chicken and kubideh kabob perfectly.We also tasted the restaurant's baklava, a delightful dessert. It was the perfect way to end a fantastic dining experience.Moreover, the environment was very beautiful and friendly, with captivating paintings adding to the ambiance.Overall, I highly recommend Ahmad's Restaurant to anyone looking for a unique and delicious culinary adventure. Don't let the naysayers deter you - embrace the creativity and passion that Ahmad brings to each dish. I can't wait to return and explore more of his innovative menu offerings.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Kabob Kubideh, Baklava, Jujeh Kabob
Hope to try
Incredible. The Tehran chicken was delicious. I don’t frequently find new flavors, but here they have them. Ahmed was an extremely generous host. Thank you for feeding us!
Lovely place for Persian food. The owner was very helpful recommending different dishes. I got the chicken entree and it was delicious. Will be going back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excellent food and service, and everything is naturally gluten free except the bread. Other places add wheat flour as a filler, but Ahmad makes his food just like homeade, no fillers at all, just the true authentic ingredients. We will be back next time we're in Omaha.Dietary restrictions: One of the few resteraunts where I can easily enjoy my food without worry due to not being able to have gluten.Kid-friendliness: Ahmad was very attentive and suggested and prepared the perfect dish for my children, dividing it between 2 plates with beautiful presentation; my kids loved the food amd thr beauty of the decor.
Recommended dishes: Kabob Kubideh
Great all around experience with fresh, rich, and flavorful food!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Charming place with excellent service. Vegetarian options. Quite expensive for the amount of food is the reason my husband does not want to go there too much.
Food: 3
Review from a Persian:This is Persian food with imposter syndrome. It’s tough because there’s not much to compare it to in Nebraska, but if you find yourself in the DC area, LA, or any other urban/suburban center, do yourself a favor and try Persian food there so it can be redeemed in your lives. If we were in many other states, they wouldn’t be able to get away with this style of cooking and all the substitutes that no one here knows any better to have a true comparison. Would highly recommend Mediterranean bistro or daffodils (in Lincoln) to get somewhat of a comparison here in Nebraska.None of what is served here is authentic Persian food. I’m not here to bash the restaurant, the service is great, the atmosphere is wonderful, it gave me high hopes, but the food is an absolute let down. If you like, good for you, if you know real Persian food, you’re bound to be severely disappointed.First off, the Pita bread is a massive imposter. It is tortillas charred on the grill pretending to be Pitas. I saw it mentioned in a previous review, but was doubting if it was true, it’s absolutely true. This is not representative of the delicious bread served at many Persian establishments across the country.Now to the appetizers. The Dolmeh was actually decent, not your traditional grape leaves dolmeh, but it was cabbage wrapped and it was pretty decent. The hummus was a bit harsh, too much tahini and not a Persian style of hummus, would not recommend it. The falafel was pretty good though, something you don’t really see at Persian restaurants.For the entrees. The potato and pea rice was more of an Indian style dish, if that’s your thing, go for it. The Tehran chicken was overcooked, the chicken strips were dried out, and whatever spice they put on it with the sumac had it way too spicy. Chicken kabob in Persian culture is not spicy, it is buttery and saffron covered, with sumac, with a wonderful rich flavor and aroma. My children couldn’t even bare to have a bite and they can do spice. Their kubideh was pretty decent, kubideh is tough to cook in general, but there’s was a little too chewy and undercooked in my opinion, but it was still good.Now for the rice. Authentic Persian food includes long grain Basmati rice cooked with saffron and butter, that gives a wonderful aroma and flavor to the rice. For some, they just come for the rice. The rice here was not basmati, there was no saffron or butter, and it appeared to be water logged a bit. I wouldn’t recommend it and it was disappointing, after longing for Persian food after relocating here, to have so many items missed or misrepresented.Now for the Salad, that’s not how Persian salads are made. No Persian style lemon/oilhomemade dressing.Last, the banana gimmick. What in the hell is this banana gimmick. Do not, and I repeat, do not go to a Persians house or any other restaurant and ask for a banana to top the rice. There is no need to bite the kabob, rice, and tomato, and then cleanse your palate with a bite of a banana. Persian food is meant to be savored, not cleansed. We typically provide sabzi or fresh greens for this, with onions, fresh greens, and radishes, not bananas.Last, I would not recommend this place for Persian food. If you like this style, whatever it may be, fantastic, good for you. Restaurant is run by good people and I’m all for supporting small businesses. But if you want great authentic Persian food, find a Persian friend and go to their house. Drive down to Daffodils in Lincoln, try places when you visit other densely populated cities that have a large Persian community, or give Mediterranean bistro a shot.For what we had, the value and the quality, overpriced for the lack of quality, and for us, we won’t be back. Best of luck to the restaurant though.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Falafel, Kabob Kubideh, Hummus
I was recommended by a friend to visit this restaurant, and it is now my favorite restaurant along my travels. I’ve never had Persian cuisine, and tonight was my first experience. Our server was so friendly, sweet and accommodating! The food was so flavorful, spicy, and sweet!The owner and chef came out to greet everyone in the establishment. He was very sweet!I would highly recommend a trio here when you visit Omaha!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
One of the best hidden gems in the cityAuthentic straight to the point Persian food that warms the heart and
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Persian food at its best! When in Omaha do yourself a favor and put it on your agenda.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Jujeh Khoresht, Shrimp Kabob, Hummus, Khoresht Keimeh
Yummy food, friendly service and gluten free options available.
We grew up eating Persian food with our extended family and this place holds up to even the most intense nostalgic memories. Ahmad is a talented and kind chef, and we would happily return to eat here whenever we are in Omaha.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We found this restaurant and went for the first time while in Omaha attending a family funeral. It was a blessing to be with Ahmad and his daughter Ava after a very long day and the food was amazing!!!! We talked to both father and daughter and they were so kind and caring and the food was so very very good! Especially the Baba Ganouj!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The naan was grilled tortillas and my credit card information was stolen by this business. A month after going here in August 2023, my card was charged three times for items I did not buy. My bank investigated and surmised the my credit card, which I hadn’t used anywhere else for months beforehand, was sold to criminals. Do not go here!