You’d be forgiven for not realising that the colourful shopfront contains one of Peckham’s homeliest restaurants. Yet Persepolis is hiding in plain sight, sharing its space with owner Sally Butcher’s beloved Persian delicatessen. Sally has absorbed a love of Iranian food from her husband Jamshid and, having written a plethora of cookbooks, now offers hearty khoresht hotpots and plump, spicy beanburgers in the eatery. “We never meant to open a restaurant,” she’s said. “It just sort of happened.” And what a happy accident Persepolis is: a slightly offbeat place that’s vegan-friendly, BYOB and specialising in sweet treats such as their Hot Paklava Meltdown, a hot mess of pastry, ice cream and toffee sauce.
Time Out tip
The shop is also stocked with Persian-themed books (mostly, yes, written by Sally) that’ll help you get to know the gorgeous food you’re eating.
What’s nearby?
While we’re on authentic Peckham institutions, take a trip less than 10 minutes down Rye Lane to Khan’s Bargains, a veritable superstore that offers… well, everything.
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