ORDERED: Banquet ($48.00pp)   Selection of 2 Dips *or more depending on quantity of people. Served with Persian flat bread, Felafels, Dolmeh, Shirazi Salad.   Choice of two mains *or more depending on quantity of people. We got to try all the mains: 1. Adas Polo: lentil rice, caramelized onions, sultanas with shirazi salad 2. Fesenjun: sweet and sour slow-cooked chicken stew, in walnut-pomegranate sauce, served with saffron barberries rice 3. Vegan Fesenjun: sweet and sour tofu stew, in a walnut-pomegranate sauce served with saffron barberries rice 4. Ghormeh Sabzi: slow cooked lamb, Persian dried lime, kidney beans and herbs, served with saffron barberries rice 5. Gheymeh: slow cooked lamb, Persian dried lime, lentils, grilled eggplant and tomato, served with saffron barberries rice.   Selection of sweets (1 per person). We chose Persian saffron pistachio ice cream. + Saffron tea Spent $60.80pp. REVIEW: We went in a group of 5, allowing us try all of the mains through the banquet! The Persian flat bread along with the plethora of dips was amazing. Generous amounts of Persian flat bread filled the breadth of our table, while the moist and crunchy felafel kept us going. We were so full by the end of entree but we managed to somehow squeeze in the mains. The mains came with an abundance of curries. Our table's favourite happened to be everyone's favourites as well - Fesehnjun (chicken) and the Gheymeh (slow cooked lamb with lentils). These were easily consumed, not heavily saturated with flavour, and absolutely delicious. The Vegan Fesenjun was good, but the Ghormeh Sabzi had too much 'beany' taste to it. We didn't realise we also got basmati saffron and white rice. With the Adas Polo, there was way too many carbs. Somehow, Salamatea seemed prepared for this occasion and gave us takeaway boxes to pack everything away to bring home. Dessert was a clean way to finish. I love the pistachio ice cream from Indian desserts, but Salamatea's version is slightly different. Coming in a glass cup, it comes partially melted so it becomes of a slurry. Nonetheless, still a refreshing way to finish the food. Saffron tea was unique and overpowering. Wouldn't recommend having this with food because its honeyed thick texture fought for dominance with a lot of the flavours I was pulling with the food. Definitely consider the sour cherry tea if you'd like something to drink. This reminds me of the asian Plum juice - very refreshing and delicious. Service was really friendly from the Asian waitress. I was particularly impressed with their mission as being a social enterprise restaurant by providing employment for refuges and people seeking asylum. Follow that with 20% off for refugee and asylum seekers. Love to see a place that contributes to the community as well as giving us an opportunity to try Persian food.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$1–20
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 4

My husband and I had some time to kill before catching a movie at Village Cinemas, Sunshine. And this spot immediately caught our eye for hanging out and grabbing some good food. It's a really short distance away from Sunshine Market, and the food was insane. The variety of dips, and especially the customisability afforded to us blew our minds. We had a platter with lavash bread, mushrooms, an eggplant dip, olives soaked in pomegranate juice and other spices, hummus, halloumi and sambuseh. The portions were on point, and we were pleasantly full after the meal. We finished with desserts – baklava and a pistachio dessert with a marshmallow-ey texture, tasting mildly like rosewater. Great stuff! The drinks on the side we're really refreshing too. The Saharbat Albaloo, in particular, warrants a shoutout. Really, really fresh! Will definitely go back for more when in the area!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$20–40
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Kashk Bademjan, Felafel Plate
Vegetarian options
There are quite a few options to choose from, and each one is better than the other.
Parking space
Somewhat difficult to find parking
Parking options
Free street parking
Parking
Parking is hard to find near the place, so it's best to park near Sunshine Market and walk from there. It's barely a 10-minute walk.

@salamateahouse Sunshine Persian Sambuse Plate: Fried Potato Pockets, Relish, Yogurt and Shirazi Salad Felafel Plate: Beetroot and Hummus Dip, Fried Halloumi, Shirazi Salad, Lavash Bread Olives Mushrooms Cafe Salamatea is a social enterprise cafe and restaurant serving delicious Persian food located in the heart of Sunshine. Their mission is to provide employment and training for refugees and people seeking asylum. Founder Hamed Allahyari was born in Iran’s capital, Tehran, and migrated to Australia in 2012. He previously ran cooking classes with @freetofeedmelbourne, a not-for-profit social enterprise cooking school. Both the coffee and chai were beautiful. Everything on the menu is homemade. The Potato Pockets were spicy and crispy, the Falafels were perfectly soft inside and hard on the outside. Everything was served on the cutest plates and platters. A wholesome place to dine, where flavour is guaranteed. They also have a cookbook, available online from most retailers or in store. I will be attempting some of those recipes, but will be back again to try their dinner menu! They offer refugees and asylum seekers a 20% discount.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Brunch
Price per person
$20–40

Got given the Salamati cookbook as a gift for Christmas and had to visit and taste the menu from the chef's hands. What a fantastic, affordable and downright delicious place to eat. We ordered the Mirza ghasemi omelette, Persian sambuse plate and hummus with lavosh- all seasoned perfectly. Vegetarian and vegan friendly too, so everyone can enjoy this amazing place! Can't wait to come back for dinner, and hopefully get my recipe book signed!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$20–40
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Naan Lavash, House Made Hummus, Mirza Ghasemi
Vegetarian options
Plenty of delicious and considered vegetarian and vegan options full of spices.

Came here for lunch and had a lovely dining experience and delicious food. Staff are friendly, cafe feels homely and casual with lots of variety on the menu. Falafels were crunchy on the outside and moist on the inside (perfection!) and complemented nicely with the refreshing salad and hommus and beetroot dips. The fried potato pockets has a fantastic crunch as you bite into the delicious potato filling. Yum! Loved the Saffron tea which was a nice mix of sweet and savoury. Gheymeh had a nice combination of lamb and lentils in a tomato sauce, like a mild curry which I enjoyed with the saffron rice. The toilet has a fun yet zen atmosphere, worth visiting while you are here. Looking forward to coming back to try more menu items.

This gem of a café is somewhat hidden in the Sunshine station precinct. Interior decoration is tasteful and tables are of a good size to accommodate the generous dishes. We had the Persian Breakfast and the Potato Pockets. Both meals were delicious, fresh and prettily presented. The sour cherry tea was much favoured. A tempting array of desserts was on display, but we were sated from the breakfast menu. Staff a well-trained, polite and very handsome. Read their website for an appreciation of their social enterprise creds.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Breakfast
Price per person
$20–40
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Vegetarian options
Many dishes are heavily plant-focussed

Omg this place is sensational. The best Middle Eastern food we've ever had including food in Dubai. The baklava was like none we 'd ever had. All the food and cocktails were first class. If this cafe was in the East it would be totally full. Hardly anyone there-crazy. Don't people in the West know great food?
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$140–160
Food: 5
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Persian Baklava, Mirza Ghasemi, Dolmeh, Felafel Plate, Saffron Tea, Ghormesabzi Khorest Gheymeh, Ghormeh Sabzi
Parking space
Plenty of parking
Parking options
Free street parking

Enjoyed the food at the Australian Open very much - great dolmades and sides, plus a deep fried potato thing that was exceptional. Sherbert slushie was a bonus find! Honestly, the best tucker and best value at AO. Staff friendly and happy; very fast service.
Service
Take out
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$1–20
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Vegetarian options
Great choices. Accompanying salad was delicious.
Kid-friendliness
Kids wolfed it down. They know what they like in dolmades, and these were excellent. And what's not to like about a Persian slushie?

The food here is always incredible, as is the service... I love visiting when I am in Sunshine. The cherry tea is one of the best things I've ever tasted. I talked about it for literally a straight week after my first visit. I was therefore overjoyed to learn that you can buy it in a bottle to take home. I put it a dash of it in prosecco sometimes...nom!!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$20–40
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Sour Cherry on Glass with Actual Cherry in It

The coffee here is outstanding. They use a high quality brand and bean which rotates on a regular basis. If you are a coffee aficionado then this is the place for you. The menu is breakfast food focuses and mainly vegetarian and vegan. The only meat on the menu is bacon. Try the fetta omelette! The staff are friendly, welcoming and hospitable. Food is of a great standard too. Thanks to all!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Breakfast
Price per person
$20–40
Food: 4
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 4

What a great cafe. I really enjoyed their food, tea and service. I enjoyed the Persian tomato omelette and Persian black tea. Very delicious. Staff is very friendly. I highly recommend this place to everyone who wants to try some extraordinary food, not very common but delicious.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Breakfast
Price per person
$20–40
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 4
Recommended dishes
Traditional Persian Omelette

Sunshine’s hidden gem! Friendly & popular with the locals. Delicious vegan options & a cozing little cafe’. Definately not my last visit. All our dishes share a unique taste, I’m thinking it’s got to be in the cheese! Loved the savoury feta truffles in the Persian breakfast. Everything came out spectacular. Sunday vibes definite win this morning! Go!!

Such a great place to try Persian foods! The staff are very welcoming and friendly. The coffee was really good and the foods were really delicious and made of fresh high quality ingredients. I would 100% recommend this great cafe and I wish I could give them more than 5 stars! Thank Cafe Sunshine Team
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Brunch

Best Persian food in Melbourne. Absolutely enjoyed our meals (Gheymeh, Adas polo, Eggplant dip). Great service, generous portions and super friendly staff. They also have a dog friendly outdoor dining area (fresh water bowl for dogs provided). Highly recommended and will definitely going back.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner

Absolutely incredible. No wonder it is a must try in West Melbourne. Great staff, nice ambience, and delicious food that will have you licking your plate. Very affordable as well. If you are looking for something new, given this hidden gem a try.
Service
Delivery
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$20–40

The most amazing food I’ve eaten for a long time. Beautiful creative recipes. The sour cherry tea & rose petal covered vegan balls were incredible. Lovely people who run it. Highly recommend.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$40–60
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

The food here was absolutely incredible and the people working there were super kind. I ordered the ghormeh sabzi with a side of yogurt to put on top of it. It reminded me so much of the one my friends Persian mom would make for us.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Thoroughly enjoyed my visit. Wonderful staff. Relaxed atmosphere. Unique menu included vegan options. Coffee was great. 5 stars. Happy days.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Breakfast
Price per person
$1–20
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 4

Absolutely memorable food. Delicious, delicate, sumptuous. Highly recommend the Persian breakfast and Fesunjun. Top it off with an extra cherry tea and you’ll be feeling refreshed and relaxed. The staff were all lovely too. Thank you for a great experience!

My first time having Persian food. Everything was amazingly delicious. I loved the fesenjun - the rich flavours and tender chicken went perfectly with the rice. The sour cherry tea (which was surprisingly sweet in a nice way) was also excellent.