Bha! Bha! Persian Bistro

Bha! Bha! Persian Bistro, Persian cuisine in Naples

Bha! Bha! Persian Bistro is a Persian cuisine restaurant located at 865 5th Ave South, in Naples, Florida. The establishment describes itself as a boutique bistro and is led by Michael Mir, Executive Chef and Owner. Its offering combines Middle Eastern flavors with a presentation that the website itself describes as an experience that goes beyond dinner.

Michael Mir's career

The concept of Bha! Bha! took shape in the summer of 1986, when Michael Mir was working as a manager of five-star restaurants and hotels in Washington, D.C. In 1987 he left his position at the Marriott corporation and opened The Orchard Market and Café, a Persian-style gourmet deli and eatery on the outskirts of Baltimore, in the suburb of Towson, Maryland. In 1988, Baltimore magazine recognized his cooking as "sublime" and named it the best new culinary offering on Baltimore's dining scene.

In 1997, during a vacation in Florida, Michael Mir visited Naples and decided to move his Baltimore café to that city. That same year he opened Bha! Bha! Persian Bistro as a 90-seat restaurant at The Pavilion Shopping Center, in Naples. The following year, the establishment was named "best new ethnic restaurant" in Naples by Gulfshore Life magazine.

Recognition and presence at the James Beard Foundation

In 2003, Bha! Bha! was invited to cook a Persian feast for the James Beard Foundation in New York for Persian New Year. In 2007 it received a second invitation from the same foundation, also in New York, to prepare another Persian feast. The website also states that the restaurant was voted among the "100 Best."

Move to Fifth Avenue South

After fifteen years of operation at The Pavilion, in 2012 Michael Mir began searching for a new location. In 2014, Bha! Bha! Persian Bistro opened its doors on the central Fifth Avenue South in Naples, Florida, where it continues to operate. The source notes that accolades continued in 2016.

Atmosphere and culinary offering

The description of the venue refers to a refined atmosphere, with silk fabrics, world music in the background and aromas of spices, simmering fruits and jasmine. The cuisine focuses on fresh meats, poultry and fish, with bold flavors. The restaurant presents itself as more than a dinner: it describes it as a dining experience.

Services and customer options

• Reservations
• Menu
• Gift Cards
• Participation in Sizzle Dining 2025
• Bha! Bha! Bar
• Happy Hour

The site includes a location section and another with information about the restaurant. The published address is 865 5th Ave South, Naples, Florida 34102, and the contact phone number is (239) 594-5557.

Location and contact

865 5th Ave South, Naples, Florida 34102 · Phone: (239) 594-5557