Bha! Bha! Persian Bistro

Where Bold Flavors and Elegance Awaits

Be transported to a world of vibrant flavors and exquisite global cuisine at Bha! Bha! Persian Bistro on Fifth Avenue in Naples.

Chef-owner Michael Mir has been delighting restaurant goers in Southwest Florida since 1997. The original Bha! Bha! Persian Bistro was located in The Pavilion shopping center in Naples. After 15 years on Vanderbilt Beach Road, Mir relocated to the corner of Fifth Avenue and Tamiami Trail in downtown Naples, where his journey continues today.

In Farsi (Persian), “Bah Bah” is a term used to express strong delight, often to compliment things that please the senses, like good-smelling food or a beautiful view. The juxtaposition of the letters into Bha! Bha! is the playful creation of Mir.

Persian dishes are known for their subtle layering of flavors. Complex ingredients like saffron, dried limes, rosewater, pomegranate and cinnamon are used in harmony to create a balance of sweet, sour, savory and aromatic notes in one dish.

Fresh herbs like parsley, mint, dill, tarragon and cilantro are used abundantly, in place of heavy spices or sauces. With roots in agrarian traditions, Persian cuisine highlights the foods that are in season, including stone fruits, nuts, fresh greens and yogurt-based sauces.

The extensive menu created by Mir ranges from delicate lamb stews to jewel-toned rice dishes and hand-crafted baklava. Every dish is a tribute to Persian culinary artistry.

Traditional Persian menu offerings include Pistachio Lamb Meatballs (Koofteh Anar) and Joojeh Kabob, which features dark and white boneless chicken pieces marinated in herbs and spices, served with zereshk polo (wild barberries basmati rice) and char-grilled vegetables. Many of the menu items have been Bha! Bha! originals for over 25 years and are indicated on the menu with an asterisk.

Classic grilled meat and vegetables are a staple at Bha! Bha!, as well as creative Persian-inspired innovations to suit modern tastes, such as Ginger Apricot Shrimp sautéed with garlic, carrots, plums and apricots, finished in a spicy mango tamarind sauce. This popular dish was featured in Bon Appétit magazine in 2007.

Aesthetics are essential as each dish is plated with attention to color, texture and symmetry, often finished with a dusting of sumac, a swirl of yogurt, or a sprinkle of ruby-red pomegranate seeds.

The aesthetics extend beyond the plate that arrives at your table. The ambiance at Bha! Bha! offers a blend of modern amenities and traditional Persian accents, including unique artwork and sculptures, and glittering curtains that offer a dazzling partition to the back of the house. There is a small outdoor section for those who prefer al fresco dining.

Bha! Bha! has a happy hour at the bar from 4:30 to 6 p.m. every day, with crafted cocktails and bar bites, and 30% off all wines by the glass.

Travel the old Silk Road by way of Old Naples. Whether your palate calls for contemporary or traditional, Bha! Bha! Persian Bistro has a dish to satisfy all of the senses.\