Atlanta Spotlight: Yalda

Yalda in Atlanta, Georgia: A Modern Persian Oasis

Yalda is a Persian and Middle Eastern restaurant with locations in the Atlanta area, including West Midtown and Sandy Springs.¹ It is an establishment co-owned by Executive Chef Ashkan Famili and Farhan Kheraj.²

What Makes it Unique:

• “Urban Persian Escape” Ambiance: The restaurant’s atmosphere is frequently described as a warm, inviting, and serene modern Persian oasis.³ The interior design at the Sandy Springs location, for instance, was inspired by a villa in Lavasan, northern Tehran, Iran, and includes unique design elements like a real tree.⁴

   

• Name and Cultural Tribute: The name “Yalda” is a tribute to the Iranian winter solstice festival, celebrated on the longest night of the year, a time for families to share food, poetry, and stories.⁵ The menu is inspired by this tradition, emphasizing shareable mezze (small plates) and featuring ingredients like Pomegranate, a symbol of the night.⁶

   

• Cuisine Focus: Yalda specializes in authentic Persian and Mediterranean cuisine, featuring dishes cooked on an open flame grill.⁷ The meat served is exclusively halal.

   

History:

• Founder’s Background: Chef Ash Famili’s love for the kitchen started with watching his mother cook and hearing stories about his grandfather, who was a butcher in Iran.⁸ Famili has a nearly decade-long presence in the Atlanta food scene, including learning from chefs like Pano Karatassos of Kyma and developing his own concepts.⁹

   

• Opening: Yalda’s first location opened in Sandy Springs in late 2022 at Aria Village.¹⁰

   

• Expansion: A second location opened in West Midtown, Atlanta, with an initial plan for dinner service followed by weekend brunch.

Customer Feedback:

• High Praise: Customers consistently rave about the delightful food, attentive service, and beautiful atmosphere. Reviewers describe the service as “top-notch” and “impeccable hospitality,” with knowledgeable and friendly staff.¹¹

   

• Menu Favorites: Highly praised dishes include the Salmon Kabob, Lamb Kabob (often noted for being incredibly tender and perfectly marinated), Chicken Kabob (especially with sweet rice), Kashk Bademjoon (fried eggplant with cream of whey), creamy Hummus, and the Persian Ice Cream Sandwiches or Pomegranate Cheesecake for dessert.¹²

   

• Beverages: The drink menu, which includes both classic Persian beverages and innovative cocktails like the Espresso Martini and Drunken Rabbit, also receives positive feedback.¹³

   

• Area of Note: Some customers have noted that parking can be challenging, particularly during peak hours, and reservations are recommended.¹⁴

   

Highlight Menu Items:

Yalda’s menu includes a focus on kabobs and shareable spreads.¹⁵ Highlighted items include:

• Kabobs: Salmon Kabob, Lamb Kabob, Chicken Koobideh (ground chicken) Kabob, and Brisket Kabab.
• Spreads/Mezze: Hummus, Kashk Bademjoon, Mirza Ghasemi (smoky roasted eggplant dip), Za’atar Labneh, and Beet Borani.¹⁶

   

• Other Savory Dishes: Eight-hour-braised Lamb Shank, and various rice preparations like Tahdig (crispy Persian rice) with options such as Lentil and Raisin or Fava Bean and Dill.¹⁷

   

• Desserts: Persian Ice Cream, Pomegranate Cheesecake, and Baklava Assortment.
• Cocktails: Longest Night, Midnight Star, and Hafez’s Last Word.

Significant Events:

• The most significant events mentioned are the opening of its first location in Sandy Springs in late 2022 and the subsequent opening of its second location in West Midtown, Atlanta.¹⁸

   

• The restaurant’s core inspiration is the Yalda Night festival itself, influencing the design and the small-plate mezze-style dining experience.¹⁹

   

Contact Information and Locations (Note: Two locations are mentioned):