Basil Cafe Restaurant has some of the finest Persian and Mediterranean food you've ever had. If you've never tried Persian cuisine before, try our fabulous lunch menu items such as grilled chicken melts and beef skewers to see what you've been missing! Whether it's spicy chicken spinach flatbread or Maryland crab, our appetizers are sure to please you.
We offer a fantastic selection of authentic dishes that you won't find anywhere else in the area. Quality goes into every meal we prepare. We have special soups of the day along with Greek salads and Caesar salads all throughout the day. Give us a call if you'd like a reservation. Dine-in and carryout options are available, and there's FREE street parking.
We offer a fantastic selection of authentic dishes that you won't find anywhere else in the area. Quality goes into every meal we prepare. We have special soups of the day along with Greek salads and Caesar salads all throughout the day. Give us a call if you'd like a reservation. Dine-in and carryout options are available, and there's FREE street parking.
Services
Basil Cafe Restaurant opened in 2017, but our story goes back further than that. We started out as a tiny cafe and had famous dishes that earned us a household name in the North Shore area. Our saffron chicken and Soltani kebabs were called "hidden gems." Our chef, Ray Akhlaghi, purchased our present location and added lots of improvements to what was previously known as the St. James Zar Cafe.
Reviews (15)
Joe Geiger
Jan 26, 2022
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We have been meaning to try this place for a while now. Had 7:30 reservations and forgot our bottle of wine home. Not realizing that they did not have a bar. The server said why don’t you run up the road and grab a bottle and I’ll call them and ask them not to close. As I got to the liquor store they were in fact closing but he let me in because of that call. I thought that was amazing of the server to do that for us. We sat down and just wanted everything on the menu. The flavors just popped with every dish. Highly recommend the Cornish hen !!! The owner Ari came over and was so nice. We talked
Marion Fischer
Jan 05, 2022
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Finding this cute and cozy cafe was my highlight of the new year. The Persian selections are *outstanding* (spices are perfectly balanced but not overwhelming or too salty), and the restaurant itself is one of the prettiest interiors of nearby places. I will definitely be returning on a regular basis!
Also, I highly recommend the sauteed eggplant appetizer, and if you would like wine or something similar, it's BYOB.
Also, I highly recommend the sauteed eggplant appetizer, and if you would like wine or something similar, it's BYOB.
Kiran Wadhwa
Nov 28, 2021
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Tom TheTwix Malinowski
Oct 27, 2021
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Star Hodelin
Aug 20, 2021
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Darius Sorbi
Aug 14, 2021
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Food and service average. Portions significantly smaller than comparable Persian restaurants. Menu also very limited compared to other Persian restaurants.A definite and simple improvement would be to eliminate the small table practically next to the rest room with the view of the inside of the rest room every time the door opens!
Tony Dix
Jul 24, 2021
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Michael Malloy
Jun 18, 2021
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Christine Giaccone
May 06, 2021
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Lydia Orbe Cierski
Dec 25, 2020
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Basil Cafe is my favorite place to enjoy a special meal with family and friends. The cozy atmosphere combined with a delicious, unique menu and bring your own wine, makes for the perfect evening. The staff is… always friendly and attentive. We enjoyed Christmas Eve dinner so much last year that we have decided to make this our annual Eve tradition.
Stephen Robert
Dec 20, 2020
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Michael Greene
Nov 26, 2020
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Basil is absolutely the greatest gem in St James. The food is amazing and perfect everytime. And there is definitely something for everyone to like. The owners greet you as soon as you get there and are so… nice and friendly its honestly refreshing to go to dinner and be served and welcomed like your eating dinner at their dinning room!!!! I would recommend everyone go there and make reservations too!!!
Ed C.
Oct 18, 2020
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I’m not a big Persian food person. But this was very good. Filling and tasty, there was a love in the food that you don’t get everywhere. We got our entrees “jeweled” which I highly recommend. Everything tasted homemade and the menu was very diverse. To have rice as a side dish sounded underwhelming, but it was INCREDIBLE. We will DEFINITELY be going back. This place is amazing!
Rachel Maurice
Dec 01, 2017
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We came from a meeting with our mortgage broker and decided to try this restaurant since we were parked right next to it...OMG what a great decision that was!!! Everything from the service to the food was exceptional. Already thinking about what to order the next time we return. Nothing negative to write about this place!!!
Pat B.
Oct 28, 2017
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