London’s Iranian community comes alive for Nowruz, the Persian New Year, which marks the arrival of spring and the start of the new year in the Iranian calendar. Falling on the spring equinox (this year, on March 20 at 2.46pm), it’s a time for food, poetry, music and gathering — and the capital offers plenty of ways to join the celebrations.
Nowruz has been celebrated for more than 3,000 years across Iran and much of Central and West Asia, with the festival rooted in themes of renewal, rebirth and fresh beginnings.
Traditionally, families gather around the haft-sin table — a spread of seven symbolic foods and objects that start with س, the Persian letter “S”. In London, home to a large Iranian and wider Persian-speaking diaspora, the occasion is marked with cultural events, special menus and community gatherings across the city.
Whether you want to dive into Persian poetry, try a classic sabzi polo ba mahi or simply sip a cup of fragrant Persian tea, there are plenty of ways to celebrate Nowruz in the capital.
The haft-sin table
Amira Arasteh
Head to Lauderdale House in Highgate, where a Nowruz festival will bring together talks on Persian art and history with experts from the Victoria and Albert Museum. Expect poetry sessions featuring the work of Rumi, as well as Persian storytelling and traditional folk music.
While some events are ticketed, many are free to attend — truly leaning into the community spirit of the new year celebrations.
Eat a traditional Persian New Year meal
Fish with herbed rice at Tandis
Amira Arasteh
London has no shortage of Persian restaurants for a celebratory feast. Try chelow kebab at spots such as Tandis (tandisrestaurant.com), Beluga (beluganottinghill.co.uk), Naroon (naroon.co.uk) and Chef Javad. Around Nowruz, many Persians traditionally eat sabzi polo ba mahi — fragrant dill and herb rice served with fish — often alongside dishes such as kuku sabzi.
At Chef Javad (chefjavad.com), diners can order a special Nowruz platter featuring sabzi polo ba mahi with zeiton (olives), torshi (pickled vegetables) and other classic accompaniments.
Book a Persian afternoon tea
Sure, the Brits are known for their tea — but so are Iranians. For something a little different, book a Persian afternoon tea at Kiani Tea inside the historic Royal Exchange — or simply stop by to pick up a pack of Persian tea to brew at home.
Kiani Tea is also running a small egg-painting event on Tuesday March 17 for its Nowruz window display. Guests are invited to help decorate the haft-sin while coming together over tea.
Join a floating poetry event
The Afghanistan Society is hosting the Floating Garden, a Nowruz celebration featuring poetry and music along Regent’s Canal — hopefully the weather is on side, and it’s the perfect serene setting to welcome the new season.
Learn to cook Persian food
If your interest in food extends beyond your tummy and tastebuds, why not try your hand at creating a khoresht or kebab? Those keen to get hands-on can book an Iranian cookery class with Chef Fatima at Migrateful Cookery School, where you’ll learn to prepare classic dishes while hearing the stories behind them.