Banoo Persian Restaurant & Takeaway is an authentic Persian restaurant based in Centre City Plaza, Lower Hutt, led by Founder and Head Chef Alex. Described as 'The Hutt's Finest Persian Cuisine' and 'Wellington's Best Persian Cuisine', the restaurant holds a 5-star Google rating and offers both dine-in table bookings and pick-up takeaway.
The menu spans a full range of traditional Persian dishes and drinks, from juices, smoothies and Iranian specialty drinks like doogh and lassi, through to a dedicated evening menu of kebabs, chicken dishes, slow-cooked stews and Mandi-style rice dishes. Signature offerings include Koobideh and Barg kebabs, the 48-hour slow-cooked Iranian Fesenjan stew, and the Shah Kebab, a mixed kebab platter designed to feed 3-4 people.
Banoo Persian is open Tuesday to Friday from 11am to 9pm, and Saturday to Sunday from 12pm to 9pm. Customers are advised to check the restaurant's Google Business page for the latest opening hours updates, and the menu includes clear allergen information given that dishes may contain or come into contact with common allergens.
Banoo Persian Restaurant & Takeaway, led by Founder and Head Chef Alex, has built a reputation as 'The Hutt's Finest Persian Cuisine', based at Centre City Plaza in Lower Hutt with a 5-star Google rating behind it.
Banoo Persian's menu is extensive, spanning drinks, lunch options and a dedicated evening menu of kebabs and slow-cooked specialities. On the drinks side, traditional options include Iranian Natural Lemonade made with rose water and honey, Iranian Charcoal Tea (Chai) flavoured with cardamom or saffron, Doogh (a sour yogurt drink with mint), and Lassi in mango, apple, orange or mixed fruit varieties, alongside standard juices, smoothies and sodas.
The evening menu's kebab selection is where Banoo Persian's Persian heritage really shows. Koobideh Kebab (ground lamb with Iranian saffron), Shishlik Kebab (marinated lamb rack), Chenjeh Kebab (marinated lamb leg and shoulder), and Barg Kebab (thinly sliced saffron lamb fillet) sit alongside combination options like the Bakhtiari (lamb and chicken) and Vaziri (Joojeh and Koobideh combined). For larger groups, the Shah Kebab brings together saffron chicken, chenjeh, koobideh, green chicken and spiced chicken wings in a single platter designed to feed 3 to 4 people.
Beyond the kebabs, Banoo Persian's curry offerings include Ghormeh Sabzi, a traditional Persian stew with lamb, fresh herbs, red beans and dried lime, and Iranian Fesenjan, a rich pomegranate molasses and walnut stew that's slow-cooked over 48 hours for a sweet and sour, velvety texture. An Iranian Lamb Shank dish combines fragrant basmati rice with barberries, saffron, almonds or pistachios for a sweet and tangy flavour profile.
Banoo Persian also serves Mandi dishes — a style with roots in Yemeni cuisine that's also popular across Iran — featuring lamb, chicken or a trio of fish (salmon, yellowfin tuna and moki) slow-cooked with a blend of spices and served over aromatic, smoky rice.
Rounding out the menu are Persian breads including charcoal naan, sesame naan, ghee naan, za'atar bread and dates naan, alongside rice options (white, saffron and mandy), pickles and sauces like yogurt cucumber and mandi sauce, and a refreshing Shirazi Salad made with tomatoes, cucumbers, white onions, parsley, lemon juice and olive oil. Lunch offerings also include a range of beef, lamb and chicken burgers, available with cheese, halal bacon, or both, alongside salad and fries.
Banoo Persian is open Tuesday to Friday from 11am to 9pm, and Saturday to Sunday from 12pm to 9pm, with the restaurant advising customers to check its Google Business page for the latest updates on opening hours. Table bookings and pick-up takeaway are both available by phone, and the full menu carries clear allergen information given that dishes may contain or come into contact with common allergens like peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, eggs, fish, shellfish, soy and wheat.
Banoo Persian is located at Centre City Plaza, 51 Queens Drive, Hutt Central, Lower Hutt, and can be reached on +64 22 678 3671 to book a table or place a takeaway order.