Bites Nearby: Arya Global Cuisine

Cupertino boasts more than 160 eateries—from high-end steakhouses to cozy cafes, and everything in-between. Bites Nearby introduces these restaurants, diners, and cafes to help you get to know what’s nearby.

Where to eat:

What to eat: There are lots of choices at Arya, which specializes in Persian, Italian and American fare. The flavor profiles of the Persian and Italian dishes are so widely different it’s hard to imagine there’s not something on the menu to please everyone. Owner and executive chef, Mike Hashemi, brought back some of his favorite recipes following a trip to Italy. The flavors of Persian food can be sweet, savory, spicy, or mild and in them you’ll find ingredients such as pomegranate, pistachio, lime, cumin, saffron, mint, dill, and more.

What to drink: Arya has a full bar with a wine list.

What else is there: The restaurant has live entertainment on Fridays and Saturdays. You’ll find jazz or Italian music, or a bit of Persia with bellydancing. It is open for lunch and dinner and can be reserved for group events.

Nice to know: Owners Mike and Fera Hashemi regularly give back to the community, often participating in fundraising events such as which helps out nonprofit organizations such as .