A Taste of Persia in Surfers Paradise: Inside Shiraz Restaurant's Weekly Lineup

Gold Coast's longest-running Persian restaurant is making midweek dining something to look forward to with a fresh round of weekly specials at its Surfers Paradise location.

If your dinner rotation could use a shake-up, Shiraz Persian Restaurant + Bar is here to deliver. Tucked into the heart of Surfers Paradise, this family-run favourite has been dishing up authentic Persian cuisine since 2011 — and its trophy cabinet tells the story, with an unbroken 14-year run of Tripadvisor Best of the Best awards.

Owner Erfan Jalilian has crafted a weekly calendar of deals designed to lure locals away from their own kitchens. Mondays and Tuesdays bring BYO dining for just $5 per person — though the house wine list, spanning bold Shiraz, elegant Pinot Noir, popular Pinot Grigio, crisp Rosé and bubbly, may convince you to leave your own bottle on the shelf.

Wednesdays are given over to cocktail hour, with dedicated specials flowing all day. The standout pour? The Persian Love — a vivid blend of vodka, cherry liqueur, cranberry juice, mixed berries and lemonade, topped with a cloud of Persian fairy floss that is as photogenic as it is refreshing.

Lunch seekers aren't forgotten either. Available Monday through Thursday from 11am to 3pm, the $29 lunch deal pairs a main course with your choice of Shiraz house wine, house lager or a soft drink — the perfect excuse to extend that midday meeting into something more memorable.

The specials, however, are merely the opening act. The real draw is the menu itself, anchored by house-made dips — velvety hummus, smoky Mirza Ghasemi and a Mediterranean eggplant creation — scooped up with seasoned baby baguettes. The legendary Shishlik follows: premium marinated lamb cutlets, flame-grilled until charred at the edges and impossibly tender within. Regulars call them the finest lamb cutlets they have ever eaten.

Equally essential is the signature Gardan: slow-cooked lamb neck bathed in a turmeric sauce with caramelised onion, served atop Baghali Polo — fragrant Persian rice studded with broad beans and dill. It is rich, deeply comforting and unmistakably Persian. Leave space for flaky baklava, aromatic saffron ice cream or a scoop of indulgent pistachio gelato to finish.

The spacious indoor and alfresco dining areas suit everything from family milestones to date nights, and the banquet menus — particularly the popular Banquet for Two — let everyone sample widely without the decision fatigue. Private and corporate functions are also catered for, with full sound and video facilities on hand.

Entertainment rounds out the package: Friday nights feature live belly dancing from 7pm, while Sundays bring rotating live music from local favourites including Jodie Joy, Brad Palmer and Billy K. More than a meal, Shiraz promises the kind of evening you will still be talking about days later.

Find Shiraz at 2893 Gold Coast Highway, Surfers Paradise. Open Monday to Sunday, 11:30am to 9:30pm.

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