What a little Gem! I inadvertently stumbled across KABABI and entered with minimal expectations, and left super impressed. The first thing that struck me was how clean, organised and well presented the eatery is. A thoughtful fit out with a nice middle eastern design spin - comfy chairs, a nice outward facing bench for single diners, spotless restroom, and a cute front garden. The music was apropros, which only added to the vibe. Rishma provided the perfect customer service, taking the time to go through the extensive Persian menu for me. The meal arrived promptly - it was asthetically pleasing, the flavours were excellent, and the serving generous (photo for reference). There is a lengthy menu to choose from, excellent selection of cold and hot drinks, and dessert offerings to boot. Overall super pleased with the impromptu visit, and I'm looking forward to working my way through the menu.

You wouldn’t expect to find culinary poetry tucked between industrial buildings, but that’s exactly what makes this place special. Step through the door and the concrete exterior falls away and suddenly you’re enveloped in an atmosphere that feels delicate, intentional, and unmistakably Persian. The jujeh kebab arrived impossibly tender, but the real revelation was the mushroom kebab - rich, smoky, and proof that vegetables can absolutely steal the show. We also ate the vine leaf parcels were delicate little treasures, each bite a perfect balance of herbs and tang. We’re glad we found this gem and will return soon.

I have visited Kababi around ten to twelve times, and I want to be fair and honest in my review based on consistent experiences. The waiting time has been an issue on every single visit, regardless of how busy they are. Even when I call ahead to place an order and am told it will be ready in thirty minutes, I still end up waiting an additional twenty minutes after arriving. On my most recent visit, I called during my lunch break and ordered in advance, clearly mentioning that I intended to dine in so I could avoid waiting. After forty-five minutes, I arrived and found out that they had not even started preparing my meal, and I ended up waiting another thirty minutes. Delays can happen, but this has been the pattern every time, which is frustrating. Regarding the food quality, it is not as consistent as it used to be, although I still enjoy most dishes. The chicken kebab is always quite dry for my taste. The koobideh is good, and the rice is consistently fresh and well cooked. My favourite dish used to be the gheymeh bademjan, which I ordered regularly. Unfortunately, in my last few orders it has declined noticeably. Instead of a proper serving of gheymeh bademjan, I received mostly meat and rice with a few split peas, and no eggplant, which was very disappointing. The mirza ghasemi is nice, and the ash and shole zard are also good. From my experience, dine-in meals taste much better than takeaway, so I no longer order takeaway and only dine in when I visit. The staff are friendly and polite, and the ambience is cosy, with a clean environment that gives the familiar feeling of a traditional Persian restaurant. Kababi has good dishes and pleasant service, but the long and repeated waiting times, along with inconsistency in some menu items, affect the overall experience.

A Hidden Gem of Persian Hospitality and Flavour! I had an absolutely wonderful experience at Kababi! From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warm smiles and genuine hospitality. The staff were attentive, friendly, and made us feel like honoured guests in their home. The food was nothing short of incredible — rich, flavourful, and beautifully presented, with meticulous attention to detail. Every dish we tried, from the perfectly grilled kebabs to the fragrant saffron rice and hearty stews, tasted authentic and homemade. The freshness of the ingredients and the balance of spices were just spot on. The ambience was equally impressive. The decor transported us straight to Iran (many of which has been imported directly from there!), with its traditional art, soft lighting, and relaxing music setting the perfect tone for the evening. You can tell a lot of thought and care went into creating a warm, authentic atmosphere. If you're looking for a delicious Persian cuisine in a setting that feels truly welcoming with free parking spots right out the front, this is the place. Highly recommended — we’ll definitely be back!

Today I had a wonderful experience at this Persian restaurant. The food was absolutely delicious, the service was amazing, and the atmosphere was warm and inviting. The staff are incredibly kind, welcoming, and attentive, which made the whole experience even better. The appetisers were generous, the kebabs were some of the tastiest I’ve ever had, and every dish was full of flavour. It’s truly the best Persian food I’ve had in Melbourne. The portions are generous, the variety is great, and the hospitality makes you feel right at home. Highly recommended!