The Pomegranate

What is The Pomegranate? Operating just east of Bathurst at 420 College Street since 2003, The Pomegranate is restaurateurs Ali Fakhrashrafi and Danielle Schrage's enduring tribute to regional Iranian cooking. The intimate dining room feels deeply personal and transportive, adorned with turquoise walls, intricate Persian textiles, hammered copper lanterns, and a small indoor fountain. Seating is arranged across a cozy set of candlelit wooden tables that set an inviting scene for low-lit date nights and relaxed group dinners.

The Pomegranate Menu & What to Order Rather than leaning on generic grilled kebabs, the kitchen focuses entirely on complex, slow-simmered stews, fragrant saffron rice, and halal-friendly home cooking. Start by spreading Mirza Ghasemi—smoky charred eggplant simmered with garlic and tomatoes—or Kashk-e Bademjan onto warm flatbread. The runaway standout among mains is the Fesenjan, an intensely rich stew of crushed walnuts and pomegranate molasses that can be ordered with chicken or oyster mushrooms for a satisfying vegan take. Finish with a pot of cardamom-scented Persian tea paired with saffron-infused rosewater ice cream.

Know Before You Go With limited tables inside the dining room, calling ahead to book a reservation is wise for prime evening hours. For transit, hop on the 506 Carlton streetcar or take the 511 Bathurst streetcar south from Bathurst Station, which drops you steps from the front door. The restaurant runs dinner-only service from Thursday through Sunday, remaining closed Monday through Wednesday.