Shiraz Kitchen & Wine Bar

On our lists of the best wine bars and cozy restaurants in New York.

Persian and Mediterranean cooking in Chelsea traces back to recipes the chef's mother made in Tehran and never wrote down. The wine list runs past 235 labels and has picked up Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence, while the kitchen held a Michelin Bib Gourmand from 2020 through 2022. Every table starts with a free plate of pita and olives, and an eggplant-and-yogurt dip called mast bademjoon comes in heavy dollops meant to be spread thick. The room smells like wine, saffron, and rose all at once, and walk-ins are welcome at the bar.