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Persian · Mediterranean · San Diego

Leila San Diego Menu 2026: Persian & Mediterranean Dishes

Full Leila San Diego menu — every category and dish listed, from charcoal-grilled kabobs and slow-cooked Persian stews to saffron rice dishes, traditional appetizers, and classic Persian desserts. Leila brings the richness of Iranian cuisine to San Diego in an elegant setting: below you'll find the complete menu overview, signature dish spotlights, vegetarian highlights, and answers to common questions about Persian cuisine.

Persian & MediterraneanSan Diego, CAKabobs & StewsElegant diningVegetarian options
Jump to full menu Cheapest items
Sample · $$

Signature items

Koobideh KabobSignature
Ghormeh SabziNational dish
FesenjanPomegranate stew
Joojeh KabobSaffron chicken
Zereshk PoloBarberry rice
Jump to: Signature dishes Kabobs Stews Rice dishes Vegetarian Full menu About Persian cuisine FAQ
Quick answers

What to order at Leila San Diego

The four things people most often ask about Leila San Diego's menu — answered at a glance.

Must-order
Koobideh Kabob

Ground lamb and beef on flat skewers — the quintessential Persian kabob, charcoal-grilled to order.

Signature stew
Ghormeh Sabzi

Iran's national dish: slow-cooked herb stew with dried limes, kidney beans and lamb or beef.

Best for groups
Combination Kabob

Mixed skewer plate — great way to sample multiple kabob styles with saffron rice and grilled vegetables.

Vegetarian pick
Kashk-e Bademjan

Smoky roasted eggplant dip with kashk, caramelized onions and walnuts — a Persian mezze classic.

Signature spotlight

The dishes that define Leila San Diego

Six dishes that capture the essence of the menu — from the grill to the stew pot to the dessert course.

Kabob · Signature

Koobideh Kabob

Ground lamb and beef blended with grated onion, parsley and Persian spices, hand-pressed onto flat iron skewers and charcoal-grilled. Served with golden saffron rice and a grilled tomato. The most iconic Persian kabob.

Stew · Iran's national dish

Ghormeh Sabzi

A deeply herbal, slow-cooked stew of mixed greens, dried limes and kidney beans with lamb or beef. The combination of dark herbs and citrusy limu omani is unlike any other cuisine. Served over saffron basmati rice.

Stew · Celebration dish

Fesenjan

Chicken or lamb braised in pomegranate molasses and ground walnuts — simultaneously sweet, sour and richly nutty. Traditionally served at Persian weddings. One of the most complex dishes in world cuisine.

Kabob · Saffron

Joojeh Kabob

Bone-in chicken pieces soaked in a marinade of saffron, lemon juice and onion, then charcoal-grilled until golden and tender. Available bone-in or boneless. A Persian barbecue staple.

Appetizer · Must-try

Kashk-e Bademjan

Roasted eggplant blended with kashk (a tangy Persian whey), topped with caramelized onions, walnuts, dried mint and a swirl of extra kashk. Served with warm bread. A rich, smoky Persian mezze classic.

Rice · Fragrant

Zereshk Polo

Long-grain basmati rice steamed with tart barberries (zereshk) and saffron, producing jewel-red flecks of fruit in golden rice. Usually paired with saffron-braised chicken. A cornerstone of Persian celebration cooking.

Vegetarian & dietary guide

Vegetarian and vegan-friendly picks

Persian cuisine has deep vegetarian traditions. Many of the most beloved dishes — herb soups, rice dishes, eggplant dips and herb frittatas — are naturally meat-free. At Leila San Diego the vegetarian selection spans appetizers, full mains and desserts.

Several vegan options also exist, particularly among the rice dishes, salads, and beverages. Confirm preparation details with the restaurant if you have a dairy allergy, as Persian cuisine uses kashk and yogurt frequently.

  • Vegetarian soups: Ash-e Reshteh, Ash-e Jow
  • Vegetarian apps: Kashk-e Bademjan, Mast-o-Khiar, Dolmeh, Borani Esfanaj
  • Vegetarian mains: Kuku Sabzi, Kuku Sibzamini, Vegetable Kabob Plate
  • Vegan options: Salad Shirazi, Lentil Rice (Adas Polo), most rice dishes, rose water lemonade
  • Vegetarian stew: Khoresh-e Qormeh (herb stew, no meat)
  • Note: Many items use clarified butter or kashk — confirm with staff if dairy-free is required
Seasonal & special items

Festive and seasonal Persian dishes

Persian cuisine is deeply tied to the calendar — certain dishes appear at Nowruz (Persian New Year, March 20-21), Ramadan, or other cultural moments. Availability varies; confirm with the restaurant.

Seasonal

Ash-e Reshteh

Herb and noodle soup — traditionally prepared at Nowruz (Persian New Year) and served for good luck. Available seasonally.

Festive

Shirin Polo

Sweet saffron rice with candied orange peel, almonds and pistachios — a celebration dish for weddings and Nowruz.

Special

Sabzi Polo ba Mahi

Herb rice with fish (typically white fish) — the traditional Nowruz main course in Persian households.

Classic

Zoolbia-Bamieh

Deep-fried Persian sweets in saffron rose water syrup — often available during Ramadan and Persian New Year windows.

Browse the menu

Jump to a category

All menu categories at Leila San Diego.

Appetizers (Mokhalafat)8 itemsSoups & Starters3 itemsKabobs (Kabab)8 itemsStews (Khoresh)5 itemsRice Dishes (Polo)6 itemsVegetarian Specialties4 itemsDesserts (Shirini)5 itemsBeverages5 items
The full menu

Every dish on the Leila San Diego menu

All categories below. Vegetarian and vegan items are tagged. Menu is subject to seasonal and daily changes — confirm with the restaurant for current availability.

About prices. Leila San Diego does not publish menu prices on its official website. In keeping with Menupedia's policy of never inventing prices, individual item prices are omitted from this listing. For current pricing, visit leilasandiego.com, call the restaurant, or check recent reviews on Yelp or Google Maps. Expect a mid-range to upscale dining experience (roughly $$–$$$).
About Persian cuisine

A brief guide to what you'll find on a Persian menu

Persian (Iranian) cuisine is one of the oldest and most influential food cultures in the world, with documented culinary traditions stretching back over 2,500 years. It is defined by a few key flavor principles: the balance of sweet and sour (pomegranate, dried limes, barberries), the use of saffron as a primary flavor and coloring agent, slow-cooking methods that develop deep layered flavors, and a heavy reliance on fresh herbs both as condiments and main ingredients.

The pillars of a Persian restaurant menu are the kabob (grilled meats marinated in saffron, lemon and onion), the khoresh (slow-cooked stews always served over basmati rice), and the polo (rice dish, often steamed with herbs, dried fruit, nuts or legumes and prized for its crispy bottom crust, or tahdig). San Diego has a growing Persian dining scene, with Leila as one of its well-regarded options for traditional Iranian cuisine.

2,500+Years of history
8Menu categories
$$Price range
San DiegoLocation
Ordering tips

How to order at Leila San Diego

First visit

Start with the kabob

If it's your first time at a Persian restaurant, ordering a Koobideh Kabob with saffron rice gives you the single most representative taste of the cuisine — rich, herbal, charcoal-kissed and served with fresh herbs and grilled tomato.

For groups

Order mezze family-style

Persian appetizers — kashk-e bademjan, mast-o-khiar, salad shirazi — are designed for sharing. Order three or four to the table with warm bread before the mains arrive.

Adventurous

Try the fesenjan

Fesenjan (pomegranate-walnut stew) is unlike anything in other cuisines. If you want to experience what makes Persian food genuinely unique, this is the dish.

Rice matters

Ask about the tahdig

Tahdig — the crispy golden rice crust at the bottom of the pot — is the most prized part of Persian rice. Ask if it's available; it often sells out. Saffron-tinged and slightly caramelized, it's unlike any other rice preparation.

Drink pairing

Order the doogh

Doogh, the traditional Persian salted yogurt drink with dried mint, is the perfect foil for the richness of kebabs and stews. Cooling, tangy and light — the defining Persian table drink.

Reservations

Book ahead for weekends

Leila is a popular spot for Persian-community celebrations and date nights. Weekend dinners can fill up. Call ahead or check the official site for online reservations to avoid a wait.

Related on Menupedia

Compare with other Mediterranean menus

If you enjoy Leila San Diego's Persian and Mediterranean flavors, these are the closest comparisons on Menupedia.

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CAVA menu

Build-your-own Mediterranean bowls and pitas with falafel, grilled proteins, hummus, tzatziki and more. Fast-casual format with broad vegetarian options.

$$ · Bowls from ~$10 Greek · Mediterranean · Upscale

Avra Madison menu

Upscale Greek seafood and Mediterranean cuisine — whole fish, mezze, lamb chops and classic Greek flavors in an elegant setting.

$$$ · Upscale Mediterranean · Casual

Almyra Restaurant menu

Mediterranean dishes with a focus on fresh ingredients, grilled proteins and shared plates — a relaxed setting for exploring regional flavors.

$$ · Mediterranean Mediterranean · Modern

Knife Modern Mediterranean menu

Modern Mediterranean cooking with craft grills and bold regional flavors — a good comparison for those who enjoy Leila's grill-forward approach.

$$$ · Modern Mediterranean
Common questions

Leila San Diego — frequently asked questions

Answers to the most common questions about the menu, Persian cuisine, vegetarian options, and reservations.

What kind of food does Leila San Diego serve?

Leila San Diego specializes in Persian (Iranian) and Mediterranean cuisine. The menu centers on charcoal-grilled kabobs (koobideh, barg, joojeh), slow-cooked Persian stews (ghormeh sabzi, fesenjan, khoresh-e bademjan), saffron basmati rice dishes, and traditional Persian appetizers such as kashk-e bademjan, mast-o-khiar and salad shirazi. The restaurant is known for its elegant atmosphere and careful preparation of classic Persian recipes.

Where is Leila San Diego located?

Leila San Diego is located in San Diego, California. For the current address, hours, and reservation information, visit the official website at leilasandiego.com or call the restaurant directly. Hours and location details are best confirmed before visiting.

What are the most popular dishes at Leila San Diego?

The most frequently ordered dishes include Koobideh Kabob (ground lamb and beef on flat skewers), Ghormeh Sabzi (Iran's national herb stew), Fesenjan (pomegranate and walnut stew with chicken or lamb), and Joojeh Kabob (saffron-lemon chicken). On the appetizer side, Kashk-e Bademjan (smoky eggplant dip) and Salad Shirazi are perennial favorites. All kabobs are served with saffron basmati rice and fresh herbs.

Does Leila San Diego have vegetarian options?

Yes — the menu includes a solid range of vegetarian Persian dishes. Standouts include the herb noodle soup (Ash-e Reshteh), Kashk-e Bademjan, Kuku Sabzi, Salad Shirazi, Lentil Rice (Adas Polo), Borani Esfanaj, Dolmeh, and all the plain saffron and herb rice dishes. Several items can also be prepared without meat on request. Confirm with the restaurant for current availability and preparation details.

Can I make a reservation at Leila San Diego?

Reservations are recommended, especially for dinner and weekends. Visit leilasandiego.com to check for an online reservation option or to find the phone number. Walk-ins are typically accommodated based on availability.

What is ghormeh sabzi?

Ghormeh sabzi is widely considered Iran's national dish. It is a slow-cooked herb stew made with a mixture of sauteed fresh herbs (parsley, fenugreek, chives), dried limes (limu omani), kidney beans and either lamb or beef. The combination of dark herbs, citrusy dried lime and slow-braised meat produces a uniquely complex, earthy and slightly sour flavor. It is always served over saffron basmati rice and is a centerpiece of Persian celebratory meals.

What is fesenjan and what does it taste like?

Fesenjan is one of the most celebrated dishes in Persian cuisine — a slow-braised stew made with pomegranate molasses and ground walnuts, typically with chicken or duck. The sauce has a deep, complex flavor that is simultaneously sweet, sour and nutty, with a rich dark color. It is a celebratory dish traditionally served at Persian weddings and Nowruz (Persian New Year). At Leila San Diego it is served over saffron basmati rice.

What is the price range at Leila San Diego?

Leila San Diego is a mid-range to upscale Persian restaurant. Expect to pay in the $$–$$$ range (roughly $15–$35 per person for a full meal, more with wine or multiple courses). Prices are not published on the official website and can change. Confirm current pricing by calling the restaurant or checking Google Maps / Yelp for recent community-reported figures.

Does Leila San Diego serve alcohol?

Persian restaurants in the U.S. vary in their alcohol service. Leila San Diego's official website does not confirm a full bar, but many Persian restaurants serve wine and beer that complement the cuisine. Confirm directly with the restaurant for the current beverage program and any corkage policy if you prefer to bring your own wine.

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