Ravagh Persian Grill

Ravagh, whose name means portico in Farsi, has been one of New York's go-to Persian restaurants since its first location opened in Midtown in 1998. It is a family-owned and operated business that has grown to two Manhattan dining rooms and two on Long Island, and this Upper East Side outpost on First Avenue is a dependable neighborhood favorite, the kind of place where families gather around shared platters and regulars order without looking at the menu. Eater New York has recommended it among the city's best Middle Eastern restaurants and among the best places to eat on the Upper East Side, and Zagat reviewers long praised its generous portions and fair prices.

New York Turk came to Ravagh to try Persian food in 2025. The kebabs are the reason to come, grilled over high heat and served with mounds of fluffy rice: regulars single out the koobideh, the juicy ground-meat skewer, and the sultani, which pairs koobideh with a fillet kebab. Round out the table with a Persian stew such as ghormeh sabzi, made with herbs, beans and meat, and order the rice dishes that Zagat called delicious. Portions are large, so sharing a few plates family-style is the best approach, and the restaurant also caters and offers takeout. It makes an easy, hearty dinner after a stroll near the Queensboro Bridge.