Delara Restaurant

Chef Bardia Ilbeiggi helms this restaurant where natural lights pours in and paintings by local Iranian artist Golnaz Kianipour mesmerize. Delara's dishes deliver the essence of fresh, flavorful Persian cooking—tartness from dried limes, yogurt, and berries; freshness from herbs; richness from nuts and seeds; and aromas from spices. Served in a deep bowl, hearty aush bobs with barley and legumes.

At Delara, traditional Persian ingredients like saffron, sumac, dried lime and pomegranate live alongside the magical bounty of Canada’s west coast. Open seven days a week—with a Persian brunch menu on weekends—the family-style menu has bright vegetables, slow-braised stews, and hearty barley and legumes. The Grilled Sourdough (Barbari) Flatbread with seasonal dips is a must-try, as is the incredibly juicy Chicken and Barberries cooked over charcoal and a sexy golden-bottomed tahdeeg (crispy saffron rice) that you can’t help but stare at.

A new addition to the West 4th dining scene is Delara Restaurant, offering a humble, seasonal menu reflecting key elements of Persian cuisine. This is the first solo venture by Chef Bardia Ilbeiggi (formerly at Farmer’s Apprentice and L’Abbatoir). I really loved their Persian Breakfast featuring flatbread, feta cheese, butter, jam, soft boiled egg in shell and a salad of tomato, cucumber and preserved lemons.

A departure from the standard North American brunch, Delara offers upscale modern Persian cuisine. Diners can expect traditional Persian breakfasts with flatbreads, Koofteh, braised lamb shoulder and more, designed to be shared family-style. Recommended by the Vancouver MICHELIN Guide, Delara is a bright and airy space with colourful, vibrant dishes that are prepared to highlight freshness and flavour.

Delara’s “breath of fresh air” in Kits takes home gold this year thanks to chef-owner Bardia Ilbeiggi’s modern take on Persian food. Go for the crispy saffron tahdeeg with spoon-tender grilled beef ghalieh: it’s stewed in a rich sauce of caramelized onions, herbs and tamarind. But save room for the “revelatory” chocolate halva cake, as one judge described it: “The sesame caramel lives in my dreams.

Why You Need to Go: Serving up modern Persian food, Delara is brimming with delicious seasonal ingredients that make it a favourite among locals. This restaurant is recommended by the Michelin Guide, but again hasn't been awarded the Star yet. You can get a tasty brunch here with dishes like Mina's Chicken and Barley Soup — which is a recipe from the Chef's mom — and a Persian Breakfast.

File one more into the column for global fare with a modern bump up thanks to Delara, which is the Persian restaurant that moved into the space vacated by Burgoo in Kitsilano. Specifically, Delara is about Iranian brunch, lunch, and dinner dishes made with seasonal ingredients with a foundation in tradition but an eye on what a contemporary Vancouver diner is looking for.

File one more in the global food column with a modern twist thanks to Delara, which is the Persian restaurant that moved into the space vacated by Burgoo in Kitsilano. Specifically, Delara offers Iranian dishes for brunch, lunch and dinner prepared with seasonal ingredients with a base in tradition but an eye on what a contemporary Vancouver diner is looking for.

Beautiful restaurant specializing in elevated Persian cuisine, owned and run by Chef Bardia Ilbeiggi. He is a creative chef who not only creates beautiful dishes but also tells a wonderful story on his instagram. Advance reservations suggested for dinner and weekend brunch.

Local art, a ton of natural light, and delicious modern Persian fare – Delara is definitely a top pick for any meal or occasion. Chef Bardia Ilbeiggi leads the team here, crafting dishes that pay homage to his home in Iran. Where: 2272 West 4th Avenue