Down a few steps from Sherbrooke Street West, Café Aunja has been drawing regulars to its basement-level Persian tea house since 2013. The name means "there" in Farsi, and the space earns it: vintage collectibles, traditional Persian decorative elements, rotating art, and a curated book selection create an atmosphere closer to a personal living room than a commercial café. No laptops allowed.

The drinks menu is the real draw. The Persian Fog (saffron syrup, black tea, steamed milk, pistachio) is the signature order, alongside tisanes, the Majoun (milk, banana, walnut, date, pistachios, coconut powder), and a full cold drinks list. Saffron and rosewater cake, Sholeh Zard, and Ferni anchor the sweets side. Brunch covers Iranian breakfast plates, egg dishes, and sandwiches built around house-made kookus in Barbari bread. Reservations available on weekends.