Updated: 8 July 2019
Iranians truly excel at art, and their talent and creativity never cease to amaze me. Iran has a long history of traditional souvenirs and handicrafts, which are unquestionably beautiful in their own right. But what I love about today’s artists is their ability to take the traditional things we love about Iranian culture and fuse them with the modern to create some of the most unparalleled work. The same goes for fashion. Gone are the days when women’s clothes were drab and shapeless. Today’s designers have created attire that makes you look and feel good.
You can easily find the traditional stuff in the bazaars or souvenir shops, but for the others, a little insider’s help is in order since they aren’t places on the typical tourist track. With that in mind, I’ve curated a list of some of the hippest stores in Tehran that you will love to go shopping for fashion, accessories, home décor, and gifts- Google maps and Instagrams linked so you can find them easily!
(I feel as though I should mention quickly that this post is not sponsored or anything like that. I don’t know the owners or employees, and they don’t know me. These are just stores that I genuinely like and that I take friends and family to when they visit Tehran. 🙂 )
Basmeh
Basmeh has two locations- one in Park Prince Residence and the other in the Iranian Artists’ Forum (which you’re more likely to visit). It’s mostly art/poetry books, designer jewelry, wall art, and home décor with a few
Find Basmeh here:
Zeeen
Given its location in the posh Palladium Mall, Zeeen is on the expensive side (unless you’re capitalizing on the foreign exchange rate at the moment), but its quality is unmatched. From jewelry and accessories to select pieces from local Iranian fashion designers to home décor, anything here will add an elegant touch of contemporary Persian art to your home or wardrobe. I dare you to leave empty-handed.
Find Zeeen here:
Second floor of Palladium Mall
Aknoon Gallery
Aknoon combines fashion and art to make it one-stop shopping to style and accessorize yourself or your home. The first floor contains unique, decorative artwork and jewelry with a Persian flair while the second is loaded with one-of-a-kind shirts, shawls, manteau, and handbags with Persian motifs for that perfect statement piece that will have people asking, “Where did you get that!?”
Find Aknoon here:
Friday Bazaar
Almost every Friday, the multi-level parking garage of Parvaneh Mall converts into a flea market known as Jom’e (Friday) Bazaar. Not a store per se, but it’s an experience you can’t miss in Tehran. In fact, it’s my happy place. A few years ago, I was surprised by just how many locals had never heard of it, but as it’s become more popular, it’s expanded one more level in the garage. Almost everything you can find at the other stores listed in this post you can also find here (with varying degrees of quality) as well as new and emerging artists displaying their clothing, jewelry, and handicrafts. If you’re into antiquing, you’ll definitely want to spend some time browsing the first couple of floors where grumpy elderly men lay out practically everything they fished out of dusty corners of their basement- some of which is amazing! Shopping here is quite the event, so go early to [somewhat] avoid the heavier crowds, take a backpack for your purchases, and if you need to fuel up, there are all kinds of seasonal snacks, drinks, and meals. More recently, they’ve added the traditional Iranian breakfast omelet!
Find the Friday Bazaar here:
Jomhuri Avenue between Ferdowi and Lalezar
Tan Dorost
What I like most about Tan Dorost is that they’re all about the environment and sustainability. They use organic cotton and other natural fibers and even present your purchases in cloth or recycled paper bags. The clothing and accessories contain beautiful textile prints with designs inspired by ancient Persia, prints that you’ll find on unearthed pottery throughout Iran’s museums. I stumbled upon this store the season that inspiration was drawn from Tepe Sialk in Kashan, the ancient civilization dating back some 7,000 years. Clothing tags included a brief history of the site as well as some words of encouragement to reuse the tags as a bookmark
Find Tan Dorost here:
Valiasr Ave., near City Theater
La Maison Persane
The basement of Eskan Shopping Center is probably the last place you would ever think to go, but for the treasures in La Maison Persane (or
Find La Maison Persane here:
M Zone
For men, M Zone has mostly athletic and casual wear with a twist of Iranian art and street style. For women, though, it’s the premiere concept store to be introduced to and shop contemporary Iranian labels. It’s no doubt on the pricey end, but you’ll score an exclusive piece from talented local Iranian fashion designers who showcase their latest collections.
Find M Zone here:
Tawoos Khaneh
Step inside Tawoos Khaneh, or Peacock House, and you’ll think you stepped into a designer boutique in SoHo, Manhattan. Aside from the well-curated apparel from Iranian fashion and accessory labels like Leaf, Factory, and Lave (among many others), you’ll also love the ambiance with its eclectic boho-chic décor, French doors, and resident cat. They only operate between 4 and 8 every day (even Fridays- yay!), but their central location just off 7 Tir Square makes them easy to access.
Find Tawoos Khaneh here:
Bookstores
Shahr-e Ketab
Shahr-e Ketab, or Book City, is a bookstore that I’m including on here because the gift shops include beautifully curated ceramics, copper, cushion covers, jewelry, notebooks, and more. And because it’s a chain, you can find them all over town, which works if you’re tight on time. Try Fereshteh Book City or Central Book City on opposite ends of Shariati Street.
Find them here:
Saless Publications
Find Saless Publications here:
A map of them all for your convenience
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