I have been here twice and I just love their food . It's so tasty with exact blend of spices and variety of options over food . I had the vegetarian aushak and sambosa, which were really delicious. The person who took care of us in restaurant was so humble and prompt, he was always there when we needed anything. Love the food
(5)
Erin G.
Delicious and authentic. The food is especially delicious when the buffet is fresh stocked. There are plenty of choices ranging from sweet to savory vegetarian and meat. Eggplant Soup, rice dishes, baklava and more. The staff is always friendly and accommodating. Small and large parties are welcome and easily accommodated and the rates are reasonable. The one area that would count as a negative is the ambiance. The atmosphere is lacking and the decor can definitely use a major upgrade both for comfort and and asthetics.
(4)
Steve F.
The lunch buffet is a steal!!! $8 for AYCE M-F. From my place of work, getting here for lunch on the week is hard. I do wish that they had the buffet on weekends. I'd gladly pay $11+ for the AYCE on Sat/Sun. I have only been once but really want to go back. I'm not familiar with the dishes that were available so no specific comparisons with other restaurants. I will say that everything g I had was tasty and warm. I kept going back for 1 dish and forgot to leave room for dessert. There wasn't many dessert options but they were plenty of appetizers and entrees. I only had water but hear the tea there is divine.
(5)
Charcy L.
Great buffet and decent price, include enough thing you want, wish they could add more varieties
(4)
Lauren S.
While attending orientation for IU I had the pleasure of eating here for the lunch buffet. I left a big fan! Can't wait to go back. The buffet had a great variety of food. Each dish was flavorful, tasty and filling.
(4)
M. B.
The food and atmosphere were absolutely amazing, we were only in town for two days and we went back twice! Make sure that you make a reservation, because the restaurant is quite small and fills up completely right at 6:30.
(5)
Suzie T.
#NAME?
(4)
M L.
Good news: the best Afghan food I ever had Bad news: it's in Bloomington IN, 1000 miles away from home We started with appetizers of Hummus and Sambosa's. Though close, the Hummus is not " middle eastern" style. It's a little lighter than what I'm use to and the Sambosa was shaped like a Quesadilla. Both were delicious. I had the Cornish Hen and it was phenomenal. It was grilled to perfection served with sides of Quabili (raisin and carrots) and spinach. One can clearly see the influence of Indian cooking because the rice and the spinach reminded me of eating Indian food. I'm here one more night. Going to see if I can squeeze in another meal tomorrow night.
(4)
Phillip T.
Best lunch buffet in town. Most consistent and fresh food as well. Fruit veggie salad bread hummus chicken meatballs sauteed veggies roasted veggies baklava rice all for 9.10. For the price and atmosphere you can't beat it. If you've never had afghan food definitely give it a whirl.
(5)
Brad P.
My. God. This place is so good. My wife and I are here for our anniversary dinner and could not have been happier. I got the lamb kebabs and I might never order anything else again. My wife got the sabzi pallao and it was also incredible. If you can get here, then do it.
(5)
Robin K.
YUM! Love this place!!! Must try the weekday buffet! The okra-stew-type dish is my favorite.
(5)
Sofia V.
Samira's is fantastic! The wait staff are friendly and the lunch buffet is a steal!!! Such great food and ambiance. Would definitely come back again!
(5)
Mister M.
Out of the the Bloomington places this restaurant is on the pricier side but the food is very good and unique and the portions are generous. They serve afghani food which is hard to find anywhere really so it's nice to have in Bloomington. I've been here a few times and each time was delicious. Very consistent flavorful taste and service. Kudos.
(5)
Richard H.
Wow, what a delicious restaurant. First of all, it's an attractive place -- white tablecloths, servers in ties and black aprons (I suppose the photo of the Afghan girl was hard to resist). And the service is very attentive, very friendly. And you'll have a really rough time deciding what to order, because everything on the menu sounds terrific. Yeah, there are kabobs, but also dumplings, sabzi tchallao, hummus, an absolutely terrific butternut squash soup, a lot of vegetarian options (many of which can have meat added), sambosa, bolani . . . The servings are huge, and the food is delicious. You'll start with an eggplant/carrot appetizer, followed by soup or salad, then the entree and finally a lemon cookie. I have not been to the weekday lunch buffet, but it must be fantastic, and it's very reasonably priced. A definite winner right in downtown Bloomington.
(5)
Anna L.
Today was the first day I venture further into Middle Eastern fare - Samira being Afghan. It's ~$9/pp for the lunch buffet, so it's a great way for you to sample many different dishes as opposed to having a 1 plate, 1 option dinner. We started off with a salad w/ balsamic dressing and tabbouleh on the side. Brought it back to the table with a warm basket of bread and 2 pita chip w/ a hummus ball app waiting for us. I tell ya, those pita chips and hummus should be at the buffet table as AYCE. Highly addictive. At the buffet table, you'll see individual buffets (both veg & non-veg) with their own lids to keep the food piping hot. (FYI, there's a place to rest the lid on the wire rack behind the pot while you're scooping) It would be nice if the dishes had a name placard so I knew what I was eating! I had this delicious seasoned rice mixed with shredded carrots and raisins? I thought raisins belonged in desserts, but hey, savory & sweet - it worked. There was some stewed okra, stirfry peppers-squash medley, tandoori-like dark meat chicken, spicy chickpeas, and meatballs in a tangy tomato sauce. There's also single serving baklava placed on the back counter for dessert. Yum! Who would've thought you'd get 5-star hotel dining service at a self-serve lunch buffet? The servers were quick on their toes to fill your water, never leaving your glass empty and the plate exchange to declutter your table. No slow or rude service here! Although they only have a small selection for the buffet - what they have, they absolutely do well. It's very clean, nicely presented, and constantly replenished. I'd like to see them change up the offerings once in awhile - maybe see some kabobs in lieu of the meat dishes and a revolving veggie option as well. Thank you for a great Afghan dining experience. We'll be certain to return if we're passing by!
(4)
Mira S.
I was dubious about Afghan food in Bloomington, Indiana, but this place was really solid. Apparently it's a favorite among University faculty there, if that endorsement means anything to you. I'd guess it's one of the nicest places in town, and it may be pricy for Bloomington, but all things considered it's very affordable (about $15-17 per entree). They bring a small eggplant app to start complementarily. I tried the lamb kurma tchallao. It was very tasty, it was well-seasoned, the meat was tender, the rice was properly cooked. The service was good, not fast, but you don't go there for fast food. They only have a few tables outside on the square, but those are really nice, and great for people-watching. The place is very large inside. There's plenty of metered street parking around, although I'm not sure how it fills up when students are in town.
(4)
H R.
After being in Bloomington for a while, we thought it was in order to rate this restaurant. The food was unique and good and the service was great. We will definitely be back.
(4)
Decoda H.
Worked with the owner to entertain a large group for their luncheon buffet. It was a wonderful experience. He was a delight to with. Everyone loved the ambience, the service, and the wonderful buffet that they serve.The food was well presented, delicious, and a variety was amazing. I would highly recommend it.
(5)
Asis P.
True afghan. Amazing lunch buffets. Food is delectable and service is great as well.
(5)
Scott H.
The lunch buffet is good...a step down from India Garden...it really tastes like a minor league version of India Garden...which isn't a put down because India Garden is dynomite. It is a step down without the tikka masala though. You gotta flag a brother down to get your bill. They need to work on a better system for having customers pay their bills.
(4)
Zeeshan S.
Wow. Super delicious food. Undoubtedly one of the best in Bloomington. The lamb kebab, the chicken and hen kebab were outworldly. I haven't tried the salad, but the soup was brilliant. The only thing which was average were the appetizers. We ordered the Namouna and Sambosa, and both of them were average and a little less in quantity. The baklava was slightly above average. But the Entrees were unbeatable. P.S. I forgot to mention, these guys do magic with eggplants. Do try something with eggplant in it. I have changed my opinions about egg plant dishes after having what they served. P.P.S. I hear that they have an amazing Buffet as well. I want to try it soon.
(5)
Colin G.
Oh my, Bloomington does love its date night places. Because it's not date night unless you have a white table cloth, a server that pretends to be your friend and a $17 pile of rice in front of you. Now, to be fair, it wasn't just rice. There were all of seven little chunks of lamb and what tasted like frozen spinach on top as well. But it was mostly rice. I've been for lunch and dinner. People kept telling us about the lunch buffet, and how it was such a good deal and that we have to go. It reminded me of the Indian buffet on 4th Street but with fewer items. Not the decent Indian buffet, but the crappy one. Yeah, that one. And I'm not trying to equate Bloomington's bad Indian food (that is to say that it really is all pretty bad) to any sort of true representation of Afghan food. Years ago, in Tucson, there was an Afghan restaurant called Sultan Palace. Their first location, right by a mosque, was inside of an old Denny's type place with no remodeling. The service was terrible (usually one of the family members, who were not trained as servers) and it was pricey, but that was really good stuff, and I loved that place. They moved closer to campus (and right by another mosque) and eventually went out of business. It was an unfortunate loss, because I've never been able to find food like that since. Shola was my favorite. It was pressure cooked rice topped with little chunks of lamb, mung beans and a yogurt sauce. I could eat just that on its own at least once a week. But, here, no shola. Maybe the guy's from a different region. The best thing about the meal at dinner was the weird appetizer we got. It was a thin slice of eggplant covered in spices. It was very good and surprisingly spicy. When I got that, I thought to myself "That bad lunch buffet experience was not a bad sign at all. This is good!" But, when the entree came out, I knew I had been right all along. As we walked in that night, my wife had asked me "Are you going to be sad if we figure out that the food is great and we never came here?" I said, "No, I'm confident that it will suck." And it does kinda suck. Pluses: good service, cheap wine. Other minuses: awkward and crowded. I mean, what's with putting people on display in the front window while the host station sits BEHIND them and a wall? Again, if I'm going to spend $17 on a meal, then I'll just go up the street to Topo's. The food is just better there, and it's comfortable.
(2)
Laura F.
A delicious buffet! Small though full of wonderful flavors. Loved the salad, curried chick peas, and the baklava was among the best I've had. Waiter was supreme. One unfortunate downside - they charge $2 for a Lipton's teabag and pot of hot water. Will definitely return. Will skip the hot tea.
(4)
Dalia M.
Being Indian I was excited to try another ethnic food. 8 of us shared plates of food. It was all tasty. Lots of rice and sauces which I expected. We all enjoyed it and the wine was reasonable. It was a TAD pricey for the food type but we did have great service. I would go back and try it again! Solid food and a nice space. It was a quiet Monday night for us but we all enjoyed it.
(3)
Jessica S.
A bit pricy for such dainty portions. The atmosphere is elegant and clean, and service has been consistently good. This was actually the first restaurant I visited in Bloomington. We stopped here on a whim, famished and indecisive, not even aware we were in an Afghani restaurant, initially. I love ethnic food, and am always excited to try new things. But in the two times I've eaten here, it was less than impressive. Especially for the price. Nothing necessarily negative, but nothing to rave about either. That being said, I would give it another go.
(3)
Sagar T.
Tried the buffet.. Really good.. You have roasted chicken, brown rice and white rice.. Dal, lentils, beef, spinach, salad, spinach, vegetables and the famous baklava cake.. Worth the price which is $10
(4)
Shelby J.
YUM! I've had lots of different types of 'Middle Eastern' food. This was my first foray into Afghan. And it was suuuuper tasty. We had the Sabzi Pallao and the Quabili Pallao. Both were tasty, and we were sufficiently stuffed when we left. Bread before dinner was heart and excellent. They also gave us some eggplant that was spicy with what I believe was olive oil drizzled over it. I liked that as well. I would definitely come back.
(4)
Jennifer H.
The Samira lunch buffet is incredible! It's also very reasonably priced for the quality of the food. I often go there and get the buffet to go. The man who is usually working is very friendly and even when he's busy, he is always quick to get me a takeout container to fill up. The food is also delicious and there's a great variety! I always get a little bit of everything and am particularly excited about the meat patty dish (not sure what it's called) and the okra! Yummy!
(5)
Lynn J.
This has been a favorite lunch buffet for me for many years and we occasionally come for supper or even just dessert. When I had a trade group of 30 in town I took them here for dinner. Partly they could accommodate us and partly it is good food and not one of the same everywhere chains. Try it and see if you do not enjoy it. I think they have the best rice served in any Bloomington restaurant (but that's not all).
(4)
Hannah G.
This has been one of my favorite restaurants for over 10 years. A lot of people seem intimidated by it, but it's amazingly delicious food and everyone I've ever taken has walked away loving it. The grilled eggplant & carrots is basically the most addictive food I've ever had. You can't go wrong with any of the kebabs either. It's also a GREAT place for vegetarians and meat-eaters to go to together. Neither party will feel like they had to settle.
The buffet is to die for and the sophistication isn't what I would expect having just a lunch buffet.
(5)
Alyssa B.
A few of us went for the lunch buffet. The restaurant's interior is nice, with gracious and conscientious staff (as far as I could tell, but the buffet experience is naturally a little different than dinner dining). They had 2 kinds of rice, a bean vegetarian dish, a dish with some kind of stewed/saucy Okra (gotta love vegetables that I enjoy but wouldn't cook myself!), small chicken legs/thighs, meatballs of some sort, some roasted potatoes/squash and a small salad bar (think bowl of romaine and then tabbouleh). (They also gave us complimentary pita (with a tiiiiiny bit of hummus, which was really amazing. I should have asked for more), and baklava is available. Everything was served piping hot, presented cleanly and very delicious! And at $9.05, a great deal, especially when you consider the quality and experience to the other ethnic food lunch buffets around town. I'd like to see maybe some kind of kebab option, but I understand that's not very cost-effective for a lunch buffet. I've eaten at several Afghani restaurants in the NYC/metro area and this was, as far as I can tell, on par with those! Impressive, Indiana. I'll be back to try dinner!
(4)
Allie D.
Great place if you're looking for a nice, casual evening out with a more upscale ambiance than most of the other international restaurants in Bloomington. Lunch buffet is also good. Delicious complimentary zucchini appetizer comes with every meal alongside bread.
(4)
Mark F.
Samira's is in a great location on the square in downtown Bloomington. The ambience is fancier than the menu prices would otherwise indicate - nice art, white tablecloths, solid wine/beer list, mirrors on the walls... Highlights: The house-baked bread is incredible and I always try to scheme a way to bring some home. There's this carrot and eggplant grilled garlic thing that comes at the start of every meal. Do not miss this. ALWAYS get soup instead of salad, it's a lentil-tomato flavor bomb, whereas the salad is generic. Kebabs are very good, and around $20 or less. They also come on swords, which does not suck. I'm also a big fan of the baba ghanouj. Oh, and there's a nice lunch buffet. Honestly, it's better if you're a vegetarian, because the meatballs and baked chicken options are the most mediocre things I've had here. However, the four different veggie+sauce platters and the fresh salad are high quality and filling. At around nine dollars per person, this is a buffet I can wholeheartedly recommend. Surprisingly great place to take out of towners for dinner. The check won't be too expensive, the location is prime, and the food and drinks are solid.
(4)
Amy S.
I love Samira's! I went here for the first time a few weeks ago, and just as anyone else says, it's definitely one of the best restaurants in Bloomington. I ordered the Samarok Lawang and added beef. All in all I think it was about an $18 entree. My plate was the tastiest at the table, although I sampled what my friends had as well and theirs were tasty too! I hear the cornish hen is amazing, would love to go back and try it. Only downfalls- our waiter forgot to bring our wine and we had to ask for it. Also, the restaurant is nice but it gives me the feeling like I'm eating in an Afghan family's dining room with the nice china- which can be good and bad- a homey feel, not so restaurant-y. But the food is A+! Great for a date spot and to get away from college kids.
(5)
Julie S.
I went to Samira's Restaurant last night (January 27, 2012) for my five year anniversary with my boyfriend. We were seated right away at a table in the center of the restaurant. Although it was around 7:45 on a Friday night and the restaurant was bustling, it wasn't over-crowded. We ordered black tea which comes with a pot of hot water with cardamom which imparts a very nice flavor onto the beverage. For dinner I ordered lamb and shrimp kebabs and my boyfriend ordered sabzi tchallo (spinach with lamb over white rice). Entrees come with a choice of soup or salad, and we ordered one of each. The salad is a very average fresh salad with balsamic vinaigrette, the soup is a flavorful tomato lentil. They serve wonderful bread to start along with complimentary grilled eggplant and carrot slices. Our meals were served promptly and when they arrived the scent of the food was wonderful. My lamb was exceptionally tender and the rice was perfectly seasoned, topped with shredded carrots, raisins, and a little bit of a tomato sauce. The shrimp skewer was slightly over-cooked, but still tasty. My boyfriend's lamb and spinch dish was delicious as well. I had plenty of food left over to bring home with me for lunch the next day. Our server was very friendly and attentive and she offered to give us a complementary dessert to bring home with us (we told her we were full, which we were!) because it was our anniversary. She sent us home with a delicious tiramisu. It was a wonderful experience filled with wonderful food, service, and atmosphere.
(5)
Ben R.
Let me start with a few disclaimers: -I am a traveler, East and West Coast, Asia and Western Europe --I grew up in a major metro area ---I have had the opportunity to interact with colleagues of various origins and getting to try something new with a pleasant surprise at the end is always preferred. ***This was my first visit to an afghan restaurant - but not my last. I will return here. The only reason I did not give a score of 5 Stars is because this is the only restaurant of its kind that I have been to. I have been to Indian and Ethiopian more. In my opinion, again my opinion, Indian restaurants have menus with heavier creams and oil while the Ethiopian restaurant are too "fresh" and watered down for my taste. This was not the case here. The entrees were filling but not gravy hiding the substance of the plate. The cost of the meal was fine considering what it is that was ordered. Having been to other places and types of cuisine the value of the meal was high. However, if you are expecting a "kabob bar" or "curry house" then this is not what you are looking for.
(4)
Jennifer Y.
Great food, friendly staff! Food was delicious, and with a group of 10, came out very quickly. One of the nicer, more relaxing sit-down restaurants that I've been to so far in Bloomington- white table cloths, but still relatively casual (you can come in jeans or shorts). I'll definitely be back again!
(4)
Edouard M.
The lamb kebab was remarkable, and the prices are good for the quality of the food.
(4)
Anna W.
eh, not impressed came for the lunch buffet and was pretty underwhelmed by the options- a couple types of rice, dry tandoori chicken, decent meatballs, okra For the price, I expected more. What was, however, almost entirely worth the price was the fantastic baklava. Overall, the atmosphere isn't all that great (stuffy, quiet, dark), especially if you are going in a large group and wish to socialize. (also pretty gross was that it took forever for the waiter to clear our buffet plates, which kept piling up on our table)
(3)
Tim D.
For our family, Samira's is not only one of the best ethnic restaurants in Bloomington, it's one of the best restaurants period. We have been eating at Samira's for many years and I have yet to be disappointed. The food is prepared with care and the flavors are incredible. The menu is great and there are usually very good specials each day. The lunch buffet during the week is equally good and very popular. Unfortunately, they are not open on Sundays so that rules it our for Father's Day. Samira's is our family's go-to place for celebratory meals. My favorie dish is the Combination Pasta which includes both meat and vegetable dumplings with a wonderful sauce. I know so many people who spend their money at local chains and have never even heard of Samira's - their loss. I always laugh when folks walk right by Samira's to go to Grazi next door. If you have not tried it yet, you are really missing out.
(5)
Alicia R.
Yesterday was my first visit to Samira, but it left such a good impression on me I had to review right away. I recommend Samira if you are looking for a lovely meal, or if you are looking for something out of the ordinary. Sadly, I am an IU alum who didn't visit Samira until now, 5 years after my graduation. My mom and I went - we were looking rather forlorn, not realizing the elegance of the setting here. Bright white tablecloths and napkins at every seat. However, we were welcomed in. The service was great, and the food was gorgeous. We had tea to drink - was a bit disappointed when we were given Lipton Tea (was hoping for something more exotic), however the water it was served with seemed to have cardamom or a similar spice steeping in it. Everyone is served bread and roasted eggplant slices and carrot (with a spiced oil dressing). The bread is labeled as naan in the menu, but is not like Indian naan. I'm not sure what other bread to compare it to, but it is in 1/2 in thick sheets, cut into squares, both top and bottom quite toasty. It is pretty filling. My mom had the salad with her meal, which was fresh-looking greens with a balsamic dressing. I had the lentil soup, which had a red base and was similar to an American vegetable soup in flavor. I ordered the combination kebaab entree with lamb - I highly recommend this. It came with the perfect portion of a number of items served at the restaurant. The lamb was perfectly cooked (medium) - though I am thinking it must cook a little more on the skewer as the last bite I had was not so perfect; perhaps remove your meat from the skewer all together, rather one at a time? The mantu are similar to Turkish manti, if you've ever had the opportunity to have them. The dumplings are delicate and tasty. The other items with my dish were all wonderfully tasty and beautifully arranged. My mother had the chicken mantu, which seemed to have more vegetable filling than the beef mantu I had, and tasted more like a Chinese wonton (but still excellent, and also wonderfully plated). As a Midwesterner, I always fear eastern-ish foods thinking they will be incredibly spicy. If you are the same, I say do not fear - there are plenty of spices in Samira's food, but not the kind that will burn your tongue. Again, the setting at Samira's is classier, so you might feel more comfortable having something on a step up from jeans. Beautiful, tasty food- definitely an excursion from the norm for those who are not familiar with this type of cuisine!
(5)
Jasen F.
Finally convinced my traveling band of gypsy coworkers to dine here last night and they all remarked, "Why haven't you taken us here before?" We'll, after more than nine weeks in this fine burgh, we finally abandoned our less-than-thrilling Tuesday plans, ambled down to the square and settled on Samira's. It was about half-full on this Tuesday night and we settled ourselves at a finely set table. Our group, a motley crew in various stages of dress and class, drew the eyes of the other patrons but we didn't care as the joint smelled wonderful and we open our menus. The wine and beer selected is modest (especially for Bloomington) but I imagine most patrons don't chose Samira's for their average bar. We got a few appetizers; hummus (great), baba ganouj (good), and veggie sambosa (awesome with an epic cilantro chutney) and they were torn apart. The eggplant and carrot accompaniment was delicious. We ordered a variety of meals (the menu isn't the most clear on what is a combination, etc, but the server assisted) and all the food was well prepared, spiced nicely, and eaten with minimal conversation. We had a slice of cake and the custard/pudding desert (ugh!) and we will be returning in the very near future.
(5)
Kelle F.
So, I don't like Afghan food. It just doesn't do it for me. My boyfriend is a huge fan, what man doesn't like hunks of meat on a hot sword? He pronounced Samira's to be very, very good. Almost on par with the Afghan restaurants he used to eat at in DC. The man loves spicy meat, I trust him that this was good stuff. The bread was fresh and tasty, the salad was likewise fresh, and the hunks of meat were very meaty. We had some kind of mushroom appetizer that I thought was fantastic The service was excellent, particularly for late on a Saturday when I know the entire staff must have been over it. Even though they were obviously tearing down and setting up for the next day, they did it quietly and I never felt rushed. A word to the wise on the eggplant app they give you, (and remember, I am no expert or fan of Afghan food), that sucker is pickled/drenched in vinegar, something. If you like that sort of thing, go for it, it looked really tasty. If, like me, you think only cucumbers are suited for pickling, give it to your boyfriend.
(4)
Natalie K.
I've lived in Bloomington for a few years but this was my first visit to Samira. It was excellent. I went at lunch and didn't realize they offered a buffet. I decided on that route because of the variety and price. It was very affordable and the quality was excellent. I tried everything offered and loved it all. I can't wait to go back with my family.
(5)
Katie B.
I had the vegetarian mantos (steamed dumplings filled with cabbage, onion and cilantro, in vegetable tomato sauce topped with home-made spiced yogurt sauce according to the menu) for dinner. The food was delicious if expensive. I loved the red lentil soup that came with the meal. The naan was also very good. More food than I was able to eat in one sitting. I can't afford to make a habit of eating here but the lunch buffet price sounds reasonable for a once in a while habit. The atmosphere could use a little work as it was so quiet in here that talking to my companion felt a little awkward.
(4)
Sarah K.
I wanted to love this place, and while I was there, I did. I was in Bloomington for work and a coworker recommended this place so we checked it out. I liked the bread and eggplant slices with oil and a little bit of heat. The bread was warm and fresh and tasted great. I ordered the Chicken Manto and one of my companions ordered the Manto (I think it comes with beef). I thought the dish was fantastic, much better than other Afghan food I've had. Now for the downside. The two of us that had Manto were awake and queasy all night, and I felt sick for several days afterward. If I lived in Bloomington I would probably try it again because I know these things happen, but it was really disappointing.
(2)
K V.
Samira is located in a prime downtown spot in Bloomington, right on the square. The decorations are great and their service is friendly, but the food is just not good. Simple as that. It costs around $20 per person, which I have no problem spending if the food is great. I ordered the chicken kabab and was just not impressed. The kabab had no taste to it and the side dish of rice was just gross. While I'm sure some people would enjoy this kind of environment, it's not the place to go for a good meal. I think this is the only Afghani restaurant in Bloomington, so there is a lot of allure to it.
(2)
Nate S.
For the first 30 minutes, Samira was a two star affair. They seated me, alone, on a Tuesday about an hour before closing. The server was great, and he dealt well with my questions. He also brought me a complimentary app and some bread as I debated my entree. The bread was tragically stale. The app was a thinly sliced eggplant affair. The eggplant veered toward chewy--which is better than soggy--but it had some very nice and unexpected chile spice. Their beer offerings are weak (no IPA), and the server confessed that the owner knows and cares little for beer. Wine is his focus. As a result, I was wary of the entree to come. But my fears were misplaced. I went with something of a sampler, a lamb skewer with rice, dumplings, and a samosa. The lamb was delicious and well cooked with plenty of pink inside. Just be sure to get it off the very hot skewer quickly if you don't want it to keep cooking. The rice was wonderfully seasoned and fragrant. The samosa was puff pastry, not a deep fried disaster, and so made me very happy. And the dumplings ... well, they were sublime. EAT THOSE DUMPLINGS! So, frankly, I think Samira is a four star affair. My experience didn't rate that, but I imagine another visit would.
(3)
Suphie W.
Samira's was my introduction to Bloomington Cooking. :)) Anywho, after scouring all the 0ther restaurant reviews on here, I found it fascinating to locate this one. *Who knew that Afghani food would be my 1st, rave and glorious, introduction to Mid-western-style culture? Fascinating... Suphie
(3)
Laine B.
I've never had Afghan food before so I can't comment on its authenticity. It's very similar to the Greek or Mediterranean restaurants I've tried. I had the lamb-shrimp kebab combination. The lamb was cooked perfectly but I will try another reviewer's suggestion to remove the meat immediately from the skewer so it does not overcook. (It might be helpful to note for parents of small children that the skewers are eighteen inch swords.) I do not like eggplant but I ate the appetizer before I realized it was eggplant. The rice and bread were both very good. I think they could probably come up with some smaller/cheaper dinner options. The $16.95 plates are very generous but I would not normally eat that much at one sitting. One sword-skewer would have been plenty.
(4)
Tori M.
Samira's was a glorious surprise on a horrific trip to Indiana. I have never had such a well-stocked and well-thought out buffet experience. All the dishes complemented each other. Everything was fresh and steaming. All the accompaniments were perfect, with great naan and fluffy rice. I tried a little of everything, with the veggie dishes being my favorites. The zucchini/squash roasted veg one was the best for sure, with the spices in it just making a party in your mouth. The meatballs were divine. The chicken was also great; it just fell of the bone all moist and sweet, perfect for stuffing the naan. I just wish we had Samira's up here in Minnesota. I would definitely come back down just to eat the lunch buffet everyday.
(5)
Nicole J.
I went to Samira after a friend reccomended it for dinner. It was the first time I have ever had Afghani food and I was very excited to try it! I ordered the vegetarian manto, which are basically dumplings.. It came with rice and shredded carrots as a side. The manto was quite flavorless and the sauce on top of the dumplings tasted like canned tomato sauce. The only redeeming part of my meal was the bread that was served before my entree. Overall a lack luster experience. Just because its the only Afghani restaurant in Bloomington doesn't mean it deserves any praise whatsoever. Also, my bill was almost $20.00--- not worth it at all.
(2)
Justin B.
Pros: Cornish Hen Kabobs Cons: None that I can think of I had the pleasure of eating here when I was on a business trip in Bloomington. My coworker from Bloomington swore that this is the best restaurant in town. After eating here, I have a hard time disagreeing with her. Anyway, we started off the meal with the grilled eggplant appetizer. I'm not really a big fan of eggplants, but this dish was delicious. For my main course, I had the Cornish hen kabobs. The seasoning was perfect. Not too strong, but not too little. It was just right. The chicken was wasn't too dry. It was nice and moist. Typing this review is making me wish I could have it again. Great place if you're ever in Bloomington.
(4)
Heather L.
Big group, tried everything. It was great and reasonably priced
(5)
Roger G.
Nice friendly wait staff, excellent food served on time and elegantly, good wine and beer available. Classy casual and warm atmosphere, one of the few places in Bloomington I would recommend so far. We'll be back!
(5)
Cynthia B.
I've had much better Afghani food in other cities The service is very good. The prices are decent. The location is great. But the food is unremarkable.
(2)
Jeff L.
I have a bit of a problem reviewing Samira. The problem is that I don't actually know the names of any of the items I eat. I like the rice-thing, and the chicken/hen thing, and the meatball-like things, among others. Samira is located on the downtown square (beautiful) in Bloomington. I only eat there for lunch, as it's not kid-friendly, at least for my kids. They're meat and potatoes, and you're not finding that here. Lunch buffet is reasonably priced, with a selection of 10-12 dishes ranging from rice-thing dishes to the I-could-eat-100-pounds-of-these-meatball-thing dishes. Small salad bar too. It's a cute restaurant in a great location, yet another ethnic place in a town with so many great options from around the world. I highly recommend, especially if you know Afghan food and actually can name what you'd be eating. It's delicious, whatever it is! :)
(4)
Charlton C.
Please go here. Not only is it the best Afghan restaurant in Bloomington, it's for sure one of the best restaurants in Bloomington. The dinners are very good, with the only negative being the higher prices (for Bloomington). Last time I was there for dinner I got the Quabili Pallao which is rice with carrots, raisins, tomato-onion sauce and chicken. I've also gotten the chicken and lamb kebaab. I prefer the entrees with sauces however. This isn't because the meat by itself isn't good, rather the sauces that go with the rice and meat dishes are that good. I'd say for dinner, Samira's is worth four stars because of the somewhat high cost. The fifth star is earned for the lunch buffet. Starting at 11:30am, there is a buffet with baked chicken, lamb, two kinds of rice, many sauces and salad for about $10. Same food as dinnertime, but twice as much and about half the cost. You also get a piece of baklava at the end, which is one of the best desserts out there. The service is decent with nothing to complain about and the atmosphere is alright as well. Think 80's fancy restaurant with the requisite "Afghan Girl" photo on the wall. Go, it is worth it!
(5)
Matthew W.
I worry that I had a less good experience than many here. It was a while ago, but I remember it being wholly mediocre and no where close to exceptional. That being said, I thought the service was very congenial and the ambiance is OK, outside of the exterior being a monolithic looking block of concrete. I enjoyed my experience here, and if you're searching for Afghani food, this is probably the only place in town for it. I just can't recommend it too highly.
(3)
Min H.
Went for a late lunch buffet the weekend after IU graduation, yet the restaurant was fairly busy with people coming in as we were finishing up. I haven't tried much of the food around IU but according to my brother this place has amazing food. The buffet consists of 6 or so dishes with 2 rice options, bread and hummus, salad, and dessert. Loved the seasoning and flavors of the food (first time trying Afghani food) but there wasn't many vegetarian options in the buffet so that may be an issue for some. For the meat lovers- homemade meatballs and chicken were amazing. I normally stay away from chicken in buffets since it's typically dry, but the chicken was moist and really does fall of the bone. Be careful of overeating.
(4)
Ryan M.
You don't like Naan, go away I don't like you. The naan is fresh and delish. Entrees are great. If you only had 24 hours in Bloomington, this place isn't a must see. If you're here for a week, you better get to Samira's. You won't regret it.
(5)
Claire V.
Their lunch buffet is great. A number of options, including vegetarian food. My favorites are their amazingly soft and tender meatballs, and their outstanding bread. You also get some flat bread toast with hummus and olive oil, as well as a delicious dessert of baklava. The service is always very friendly. We usually spend $11 per person for a lunch buffet including salad and dessert, and a drink.
(5)
Minwen W.
great food in Bloomington! truly love the appetizer
(5)
Chloe D.
I've been all over the country, and this is one of my absolute favorite restaurants. The food is INCREDIBLE. Absolutely get the mantu. Meatless entrees can be hard to get right, but this place nails 'em. Once we discovered this place, we came back every night we were in town. My first love affair with Afghani food, and I don't think anyone could do it better.
(5)
Saeideh B.
the food is not the best Afghan, it is ok though. I wouldn't call it authentic, it's a fusion
(3)
Matt H.
Meh. This place is just OK. Nothing memorable. I guess it adds some variety to the Bloomington restaurant scene. I recommend going for lunch before you try it for dinner. Lunch prices are great, but dinner prices are a little steep. Don't get me wrong: it's not street cart food, but I think the white linen tablecloths and the emphasis on wine during dinner are a bit of a stretch. I love to drink wine with my meals, but I'm not going to pay restaurant prices for wine to drink with Samira's food. Do the lunch buffet.
(3)
Joshua C.
I love Samira. It has great food, a friendly atmosphere and a nice location.
(5)
Michael M.
Samira is easily one of Bloomington's best restaurants. The food is delicious; I am especially fond of the manto, as well as all the other Afghan-dumpling entrees. I am particularly impressed by the standard quality of the restaurant--each time I have visited Samira I have experienced a meal that is reliably scrumptious.
(5)
Billy C.
Samira's is one of my favorites in Bloomington. The hummus was great AND you get a bunch of it with pita bread. You also get a thin slice of eggplant with a sprinkle of olive oil and a dusting of falvorful spices. I got the quabili pallao which was tasty. My date got the vegetarian special which includes three of the vegetarian dishes. It's basically a sampling of three of the vegetarian entrees. I didn't particularly enjoy the spinach; but the lentils were out of this world and and the eggplant dish was also very good. I've also had the chicken kabob. I felt that it was on the bland side; but it was well seasoned. Today I had the buffet. The buffet with water and tip came out to about $10/person and was well worth it. The lamb meatballs in sauce were tender and I soaked up the sauce with the bread that they bring to the table. In addition, the tandoori chicken is good. All in all I think there were about 10 selections. Two were rice and one was salad; but the selection is well thought and I always walked away with at least three of the dishes on my plate. Oh yes, and the Baklava! Oh the homemade baklava is ridiculous. Absolutely incredible. I could eat a whole meal of that baklava. Service is exceptional. Attentive; but not too attentive and very polite.
(4)
Brian O.
Went to Samira's for their lunch buffet today with my wife. It is a nice place with good service and fresh, tasty Afghanistan food with good seasonings. The buffet including meatballs and chicken dishes with rice, bread, hummus and baklava. The white bean/cilantro/carrot dish was also very good. Wish they had lamb kabobs on the buffet, but still recommended for lunch, which is reasonably priced.
(4)
marcin z.
To begin with a summary: This is a great restaurant! We had some family over, from out of state, so we looked for a nice place to go to and to have dinner. We are all strict vegetarians, and one person in our party has even more restrictions. The chef (owner?) was very responsive and very nice, and he prepared a special vegetarian dish, matching the restrictions of our special vegetarian. We also asked for a special Afghani drink, and we got a yogurt drink that was not on the menu. The other, "usual," vegetarian fare was great too. Everyone loved their dish. Each dish was accompanied by a choice of soup or salad, both great. We ended up paying about $100 for five people, gratitude included. For that price, Samira is a great place to go.
(5)
Lauren Y.
This is a good restaurant. The lunch buffet is good. It's clean and the service is good. It's a good lunch place, especially because it is centrally located.
(3)
Julie A.
I love Samira. It is definitely one of the best restaurants in Bloomington. Their lamb is so good. So is the eggplant amuse they serve and their wonderful lentil soup. Last night, I had their samarok lawang with chicken. Mium! Can't wait to eat the leftovers for lunch. I have been trying (unsuccessfully) to find a recipe so I can make it at home.
(5)
T. Lea M.
I always order the same thing when I go here because... it's awesome! I love to get the combo special with chicken and lamb. It comes with a fabulous eggplant appetizer. (I like to put the eggplant on the bread and eat it together). I also like to order a bottle of the Rosemont Shiraz with this dish... just tradition! It's a great dish... even for those that aren't very adventurous eaters!
(4)
Greg W.
Very Elegant, but not too pricey. The food is EXCELLENT. The lunch buffet might be the best value in the city.
(5)
Michael C.
To be honest, before coming to Samira's, I had never had Afghan food in my life. So you can only imagine the surprise (having lived in NYC and SF) I felt that I would be expanding my cultural boundaries in Southern Indiana. I have said it to many people, and I will say it again, Samira's is the best all around restaurant in Bloomington. Sure, there are some other great restaurants in town, but few that will serve you something that you will be so hard pressed to find elsewhere. Be blown away...order the mantos. The best part, as I fnid many ethnics restaurants to be, a dniner at Samira's is quite affordable.
(5)
Sara L.
Very VERY good food. Was in Bloomington for business for two weeks and came here twice! definitely the best place I tried in btown. I looked on yelped and pretty much tried the top 10 rated places and this was my fav. I got the kabob combo with lamb (medium) and added shrimp cuz I wanted to try everything (plus it was paid for by my company anyway). The meat and shrimp were amazingly tender and very well seasoned. This place almost makes me wish I lived in Bloomington instead of California...almost. Must try!
(5)
Melissa K.
Prompt service, very nice waiters. I ate there on Wednesday so it was relatively a quiet establishment. The bread and eggplant/carrot (complementary) were small but nice. I had the Kadu Pallao (sliced, baked butternut squash served in tomato sauce, topped with spiced yogurt sauce and served with spiced basmati rice) and nothing was over done. Great use of spices and proportion. Overall, nice place. Lots of food to order on the menu so you should be able to try something new. Only drawback, a little pricey but I was okay with it.
(5)
Al Faisal A.
It is one of the best restaurants in Bloomington. Their buffet is great. I love their Baklava very much.
(5)
Melanie H.
Very good! I was pleased with the waitstaff, and the food was delicious. It's a very small place and was packed on a Friday night, so you could hear most of the conversation between one of the large groups there. But, the eggplant and carrot appetizer they give EVERYONE was great, the namounaa was very good, and my chicken kabob was very good! My husband got the lamb and cornish hen kabob and devoured it. My favorite part of the meal may be the spiced basmati rice... Yum!
(4)
Sara T.
Best restaurant in town!! Although this place can get quite busy I have always been seated right away. The service is exceptional and you never have to wait. The complementary appetizer that they bring out is always delicious and a good way to start off the mouthwatering feast you are about to enjoy. I have yet to order something of the menu I didnt like. The calm atmosphere just adds to the wonderful food and you are sure to leave feeling satisfied and relaxed!! Even if you arent into ethnic food, the kabobs are pretty simple and still delicious. If it is being offered you must have the butternut squash soup. It is the best I have ever tasted!
(5)
Vanessa H.
I came here on a visit to my cousin and aunt, and they took me to the best restaurant in town - an Afghan fine dining place in the middle of Indiana. As good or better than anything you'd find in San Francisco (who knew?) The meal started with complimentary grilled eggplant and mushrooms, drizzled in olive oil and accompained by a foccacia like flatbread. I had the lamb kebab, which also came with mantu dumplings and a crispy turnover. My aunt had the veggie plate. The baba ganoush was more solid, less creamy that middle eastern counterparts, but delicious in its own way. Plenty for leftovers.
(4)
a r.
This place is great. We went for the lunch buffet. It is somewhat like going to an Indian buffet, but different flavors. I loved the hummus and would go back just for that! There were lots of vegetables and they were well cooked, not mushy. Some were on the spicy side but nothing over medium-spicy. Lots of other choices for the spice-averse. The chicken (not on a kebab at lunch) was moist and tasty, not dry. The buffet came with a small serving of baklava -- crispy, and not too gooey. Excellent. There is no mango lassi or mango lemonade like you might find at an Indian or Punjabi restaurant, though. Just soda, water and tea. I think they have a bar but I did not have any alcoholic beverages so I'm not sure. The interior is roomy enough with cozy alcoves (is that a word? Like nooks and crannies? Yes). Not sure when I 'll be back in town, but when I am, I am going to have some hummus! (and some baklava)
(4)
J. S.
Ordered 6 main dishes and 2 appetizers for 7 adults and a little kid - way more food than we needed and we had lunch the next day, too, all for under $110. They did takeout, which was awesome, and the man who took my payment offered to help me carry the 5 bags out to my car. The food was really tasty, although it would have been nice to have had more of a variety of rice/carb sides. Everything was a little spicy but only the eggplant was quite spicy. The eggplant and the spinach was really good and I would order anything with that in again in a heartbeat. It was the first afghani food any of us had ever had but we'd certainly go again!
(5)
Kevin W.
The size of the restaurant was a little smaller than I was expecting and made me feel a little cramped inside. The service was great, friendly and quick. The bread was little, but good. We tried the hummus here and it was AMAZING! A little garlicky, but the best I had here in town. They spiced everything so some things tasted a little overwhelming, but it was the only place that accepted a last minute reservation on a holiday!
(4)
Engelbert H.
I had a great experience here and enjoyed all the food served. The Cornish Hen Kabob was excellent and a large portion as others have mentioned. Perfectly cooked.. moist, tender, and flavorful (and crispy skin!). Would definitely go back again.
(4)
Meghan L.
a lovely and under-appreciated bloomington restaurant. they always give you a free appetizer, which is awesome. the prices are a little high, but the portions are big enough to split.
(5)
Orlando A.
i would agree that Samira is the best in town but before I end this sentence I'd like to give a shout-out to the more casual Mandalay (on 4th street) which I also consider to be the best in town in a different way. Samira's ambiance (faux flowers, early 90's high gloss italian opulence-for-the-thrifty-masses) tries to be chic; the result is a little awkward but i forgive them because it's not necessarily unpleasant, still kinda fancy and the food more than makes up for it. someone in the kitchen cares. the food is always delicate, tender, and delicious. I tend to stick to the vegetarian side of the menu but the meats i've tried here are great too. throughout your multi course meal you'll get a range of delicate, as well as strong flavors. the complementary bread is flat yet fluffy, always good, sometimes fantastic. after that, a complementary appetizer of marinated eggplant and carrot discs is very strong, savory, and has a vaguely sour zing. the portion is small. i suggest you also order the hummus which is the best ive ever had. it has a deep, but not necessarily strong flavor, slightly smokey, delicious. the bolani is like a pastry crust filled with potato and herbs and comes with a tangy chutney. the soup or salad that come with your entree will be delicious. your entree will probably have both sweet and savory notes and you will have leftovers that will intensify overnight and make a decadent breakfast. I'm a big fan of the mantos. Samira has a reputation for being pricey but it's not entirely true. you can run up the same kind of bill anywhere for the amount of food you get, and frankly it's just worth it. staff has always been helpful with questions.
(5)
Jessi P.
This place was really good - I was really surprised that I liked Middle Eastern food as much as I did, and their food is wonderful.
(4)
WFIU P.
Samira is a staple when my family visits. It's an unassuming restaurant from the outside, but all of the food is great--very flavorful and diverse. And the added bonus of the eggplant opening your sinuses, this restaurant is just a nice option if you want ethnic you're guaranteed to like.
(4)
Jon T.
This place has the best lunch buffet you can find anywhere!!!! Its pretty simple - some roast chicken, wonderful meatballs in a tomatoey sauce, a few vegetable dishes, rice, salads, desert. It hits the spot every time. I don't live in Bloomington anymore but every time I come back we hit this place for lunch and we are never dissappointed. Lunch buffet is around $8 per person. Only problem is they close at 2 PM and once I arrived at about 1:58 and they wouldn't serve me. :-(
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Romantic Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Vineet P.
I have been here twice and I just love their food . It's so tasty with exact blend of spices and variety of options over food . I had the vegetarian aushak and sambosa, which were really delicious. The person who took care of us in restaurant was so humble and prompt, he was always there when we needed anything. Love the food
(5)Erin G.
Delicious and authentic. The food is especially delicious when the buffet is fresh stocked. There are plenty of choices ranging from sweet to savory vegetarian and meat. Eggplant Soup, rice dishes, baklava and more. The staff is always friendly and accommodating. Small and large parties are welcome and easily accommodated and the rates are reasonable. The one area that would count as a negative is the ambiance. The atmosphere is lacking and the decor can definitely use a major upgrade both for comfort and and asthetics.
(4)Steve F.
The lunch buffet is a steal!!! $8 for AYCE M-F. From my place of work, getting here for lunch on the week is hard. I do wish that they had the buffet on weekends. I'd gladly pay $11+ for the AYCE on Sat/Sun. I have only been once but really want to go back. I'm not familiar with the dishes that were available so no specific comparisons with other restaurants. I will say that everything g I had was tasty and warm. I kept going back for 1 dish and forgot to leave room for dessert. There wasn't many dessert options but they were plenty of appetizers and entrees. I only had water but hear the tea there is divine.
(5)Charcy L.
Great buffet and decent price, include enough thing you want, wish they could add more varieties
(4)Lauren S.
While attending orientation for IU I had the pleasure of eating here for the lunch buffet. I left a big fan! Can't wait to go back. The buffet had a great variety of food. Each dish was flavorful, tasty and filling.
(4)M. B.
The food and atmosphere were absolutely amazing, we were only in town for two days and we went back twice! Make sure that you make a reservation, because the restaurant is quite small and fills up completely right at 6:30.
(5)Suzie T.
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(4)M L.
Good news: the best Afghan food I ever had Bad news: it's in Bloomington IN, 1000 miles away from home We started with appetizers of Hummus and Sambosa's. Though close, the Hummus is not " middle eastern" style. It's a little lighter than what I'm use to and the Sambosa was shaped like a Quesadilla. Both were delicious. I had the Cornish Hen and it was phenomenal. It was grilled to perfection served with sides of Quabili (raisin and carrots) and spinach. One can clearly see the influence of Indian cooking because the rice and the spinach reminded me of eating Indian food. I'm here one more night. Going to see if I can squeeze in another meal tomorrow night.
(4)Phillip T.
Best lunch buffet in town. Most consistent and fresh food as well. Fruit veggie salad bread hummus chicken meatballs sauteed veggies roasted veggies baklava rice all for 9.10. For the price and atmosphere you can't beat it. If you've never had afghan food definitely give it a whirl.
(5)Brad P.
My. God. This place is so good. My wife and I are here for our anniversary dinner and could not have been happier. I got the lamb kebabs and I might never order anything else again. My wife got the sabzi pallao and it was also incredible. If you can get here, then do it.
(5)Robin K.
YUM! Love this place!!! Must try the weekday buffet! The okra-stew-type dish is my favorite.
(5)Sofia V.
Samira's is fantastic! The wait staff are friendly and the lunch buffet is a steal!!! Such great food and ambiance. Would definitely come back again!
(5)Mister M.
Out of the the Bloomington places this restaurant is on the pricier side but the food is very good and unique and the portions are generous. They serve afghani food which is hard to find anywhere really so it's nice to have in Bloomington. I've been here a few times and each time was delicious. Very consistent flavorful taste and service. Kudos.
(5)Richard H.
Wow, what a delicious restaurant. First of all, it's an attractive place -- white tablecloths, servers in ties and black aprons (I suppose the photo of the Afghan girl was hard to resist). And the service is very attentive, very friendly. And you'll have a really rough time deciding what to order, because everything on the menu sounds terrific. Yeah, there are kabobs, but also dumplings, sabzi tchallao, hummus, an absolutely terrific butternut squash soup, a lot of vegetarian options (many of which can have meat added), sambosa, bolani . . . The servings are huge, and the food is delicious. You'll start with an eggplant/carrot appetizer, followed by soup or salad, then the entree and finally a lemon cookie. I have not been to the weekday lunch buffet, but it must be fantastic, and it's very reasonably priced. A definite winner right in downtown Bloomington.
(5)Anna L.
Today was the first day I venture further into Middle Eastern fare - Samira being Afghan. It's ~$9/pp for the lunch buffet, so it's a great way for you to sample many different dishes as opposed to having a 1 plate, 1 option dinner. We started off with a salad w/ balsamic dressing and tabbouleh on the side. Brought it back to the table with a warm basket of bread and 2 pita chip w/ a hummus ball app waiting for us. I tell ya, those pita chips and hummus should be at the buffet table as AYCE. Highly addictive. At the buffet table, you'll see individual buffets (both veg & non-veg) with their own lids to keep the food piping hot. (FYI, there's a place to rest the lid on the wire rack behind the pot while you're scooping) It would be nice if the dishes had a name placard so I knew what I was eating! I had this delicious seasoned rice mixed with shredded carrots and raisins? I thought raisins belonged in desserts, but hey, savory & sweet - it worked. There was some stewed okra, stirfry peppers-squash medley, tandoori-like dark meat chicken, spicy chickpeas, and meatballs in a tangy tomato sauce. There's also single serving baklava placed on the back counter for dessert. Yum! Who would've thought you'd get 5-star hotel dining service at a self-serve lunch buffet? The servers were quick on their toes to fill your water, never leaving your glass empty and the plate exchange to declutter your table. No slow or rude service here! Although they only have a small selection for the buffet - what they have, they absolutely do well. It's very clean, nicely presented, and constantly replenished. I'd like to see them change up the offerings once in awhile - maybe see some kabobs in lieu of the meat dishes and a revolving veggie option as well. Thank you for a great Afghan dining experience. We'll be certain to return if we're passing by!
(4)Mira S.
I was dubious about Afghan food in Bloomington, Indiana, but this place was really solid. Apparently it's a favorite among University faculty there, if that endorsement means anything to you. I'd guess it's one of the nicest places in town, and it may be pricy for Bloomington, but all things considered it's very affordable (about $15-17 per entree). They bring a small eggplant app to start complementarily. I tried the lamb kurma tchallao. It was very tasty, it was well-seasoned, the meat was tender, the rice was properly cooked. The service was good, not fast, but you don't go there for fast food. They only have a few tables outside on the square, but those are really nice, and great for people-watching. The place is very large inside. There's plenty of metered street parking around, although I'm not sure how it fills up when students are in town.
(4)H R.
After being in Bloomington for a while, we thought it was in order to rate this restaurant. The food was unique and good and the service was great. We will definitely be back.
(4)Decoda H.
Worked with the owner to entertain a large group for their luncheon buffet. It was a wonderful experience. He was a delight to with. Everyone loved the ambience, the service, and the wonderful buffet that they serve.The food was well presented, delicious, and a variety was amazing. I would highly recommend it.
(5)Asis P.
True afghan. Amazing lunch buffets. Food is delectable and service is great as well.
(5)Scott H.
The lunch buffet is good...a step down from India Garden...it really tastes like a minor league version of India Garden...which isn't a put down because India Garden is dynomite. It is a step down without the tikka masala though. You gotta flag a brother down to get your bill. They need to work on a better system for having customers pay their bills.
(4)Zeeshan S.
Wow. Super delicious food. Undoubtedly one of the best in Bloomington. The lamb kebab, the chicken and hen kebab were outworldly. I haven't tried the salad, but the soup was brilliant. The only thing which was average were the appetizers. We ordered the Namouna and Sambosa, and both of them were average and a little less in quantity. The baklava was slightly above average. But the Entrees were unbeatable. P.S. I forgot to mention, these guys do magic with eggplants. Do try something with eggplant in it. I have changed my opinions about egg plant dishes after having what they served. P.P.S. I hear that they have an amazing Buffet as well. I want to try it soon.
(5)Colin G.
Oh my, Bloomington does love its date night places. Because it's not date night unless you have a white table cloth, a server that pretends to be your friend and a $17 pile of rice in front of you. Now, to be fair, it wasn't just rice. There were all of seven little chunks of lamb and what tasted like frozen spinach on top as well. But it was mostly rice. I've been for lunch and dinner. People kept telling us about the lunch buffet, and how it was such a good deal and that we have to go. It reminded me of the Indian buffet on 4th Street but with fewer items. Not the decent Indian buffet, but the crappy one. Yeah, that one. And I'm not trying to equate Bloomington's bad Indian food (that is to say that it really is all pretty bad) to any sort of true representation of Afghan food. Years ago, in Tucson, there was an Afghan restaurant called Sultan Palace. Their first location, right by a mosque, was inside of an old Denny's type place with no remodeling. The service was terrible (usually one of the family members, who were not trained as servers) and it was pricey, but that was really good stuff, and I loved that place. They moved closer to campus (and right by another mosque) and eventually went out of business. It was an unfortunate loss, because I've never been able to find food like that since. Shola was my favorite. It was pressure cooked rice topped with little chunks of lamb, mung beans and a yogurt sauce. I could eat just that on its own at least once a week. But, here, no shola. Maybe the guy's from a different region. The best thing about the meal at dinner was the weird appetizer we got. It was a thin slice of eggplant covered in spices. It was very good and surprisingly spicy. When I got that, I thought to myself "That bad lunch buffet experience was not a bad sign at all. This is good!" But, when the entree came out, I knew I had been right all along. As we walked in that night, my wife had asked me "Are you going to be sad if we figure out that the food is great and we never came here?" I said, "No, I'm confident that it will suck." And it does kinda suck. Pluses: good service, cheap wine. Other minuses: awkward and crowded. I mean, what's with putting people on display in the front window while the host station sits BEHIND them and a wall? Again, if I'm going to spend $17 on a meal, then I'll just go up the street to Topo's. The food is just better there, and it's comfortable.
(2)Laura F.
A delicious buffet! Small though full of wonderful flavors. Loved the salad, curried chick peas, and the baklava was among the best I've had. Waiter was supreme. One unfortunate downside - they charge $2 for a Lipton's teabag and pot of hot water. Will definitely return. Will skip the hot tea.
(4)Dalia M.
Being Indian I was excited to try another ethnic food. 8 of us shared plates of food. It was all tasty. Lots of rice and sauces which I expected. We all enjoyed it and the wine was reasonable. It was a TAD pricey for the food type but we did have great service. I would go back and try it again! Solid food and a nice space. It was a quiet Monday night for us but we all enjoyed it.
(3)Jessica S.
A bit pricy for such dainty portions. The atmosphere is elegant and clean, and service has been consistently good. This was actually the first restaurant I visited in Bloomington. We stopped here on a whim, famished and indecisive, not even aware we were in an Afghani restaurant, initially. I love ethnic food, and am always excited to try new things. But in the two times I've eaten here, it was less than impressive. Especially for the price. Nothing necessarily negative, but nothing to rave about either. That being said, I would give it another go.
(3)Sagar T.
Tried the buffet.. Really good.. You have roasted chicken, brown rice and white rice.. Dal, lentils, beef, spinach, salad, spinach, vegetables and the famous baklava cake.. Worth the price which is $10
(4)Shelby J.
YUM! I've had lots of different types of 'Middle Eastern' food. This was my first foray into Afghan. And it was suuuuper tasty. We had the Sabzi Pallao and the Quabili Pallao. Both were tasty, and we were sufficiently stuffed when we left. Bread before dinner was heart and excellent. They also gave us some eggplant that was spicy with what I believe was olive oil drizzled over it. I liked that as well. I would definitely come back.
(4)Jennifer H.
The Samira lunch buffet is incredible! It's also very reasonably priced for the quality of the food. I often go there and get the buffet to go. The man who is usually working is very friendly and even when he's busy, he is always quick to get me a takeout container to fill up. The food is also delicious and there's a great variety! I always get a little bit of everything and am particularly excited about the meat patty dish (not sure what it's called) and the okra! Yummy!
(5)Lynn J.
This has been a favorite lunch buffet for me for many years and we occasionally come for supper or even just dessert. When I had a trade group of 30 in town I took them here for dinner. Partly they could accommodate us and partly it is good food and not one of the same everywhere chains. Try it and see if you do not enjoy it. I think they have the best rice served in any Bloomington restaurant (but that's not all).
(4)Hannah G.
This has been one of my favorite restaurants for over 10 years. A lot of people seem intimidated by it, but it's amazingly delicious food and everyone I've ever taken has walked away loving it. The grilled eggplant & carrots is basically the most addictive food I've ever had. You can't go wrong with any of the kebabs either. It's also a GREAT place for vegetarians and meat-eaters to go to together. Neither party will feel like they had to settle.
(5)Tiffany H.
This place is okay. Four stars for taste. But the overall experience deserves a 3. Our waiter was very friendly. New to serving but friendly and accommodating. The food was decent. My fiancé is half Persian so we have food of this sort often enough. We hadn't been here before and wanted to try it. The baba ganouj was a little too thick/chunky for my taste. It should be smooth and creamy. The rice was too sweet and old school. It seemed like there was a hint of cinnamon and not enough savory. Same goes for the meat. We split the lamb and chicken kebab combo. The lamb was fine. A little dry even. But! The part that really knocked this to a 3 would be that a piece of the chicken was uncooked. It was pink and fleshy still! We let the server know and he brought us out some complementary baklava. Overall, just an okay experience. We have had better.
(3)Yelp K.
The buffet is to die for and the sophistication isn't what I would expect having just a lunch buffet.
(5)Alyssa B.
A few of us went for the lunch buffet. The restaurant's interior is nice, with gracious and conscientious staff (as far as I could tell, but the buffet experience is naturally a little different than dinner dining). They had 2 kinds of rice, a bean vegetarian dish, a dish with some kind of stewed/saucy Okra (gotta love vegetables that I enjoy but wouldn't cook myself!), small chicken legs/thighs, meatballs of some sort, some roasted potatoes/squash and a small salad bar (think bowl of romaine and then tabbouleh). (They also gave us complimentary pita (with a tiiiiiny bit of hummus, which was really amazing. I should have asked for more), and baklava is available. Everything was served piping hot, presented cleanly and very delicious! And at $9.05, a great deal, especially when you consider the quality and experience to the other ethnic food lunch buffets around town. I'd like to see maybe some kind of kebab option, but I understand that's not very cost-effective for a lunch buffet. I've eaten at several Afghani restaurants in the NYC/metro area and this was, as far as I can tell, on par with those! Impressive, Indiana. I'll be back to try dinner!
(4)Allie D.
Great place if you're looking for a nice, casual evening out with a more upscale ambiance than most of the other international restaurants in Bloomington. Lunch buffet is also good. Delicious complimentary zucchini appetizer comes with every meal alongside bread.
(4)Mark F.
Samira's is in a great location on the square in downtown Bloomington. The ambience is fancier than the menu prices would otherwise indicate - nice art, white tablecloths, solid wine/beer list, mirrors on the walls... Highlights: The house-baked bread is incredible and I always try to scheme a way to bring some home. There's this carrot and eggplant grilled garlic thing that comes at the start of every meal. Do not miss this. ALWAYS get soup instead of salad, it's a lentil-tomato flavor bomb, whereas the salad is generic. Kebabs are very good, and around $20 or less. They also come on swords, which does not suck. I'm also a big fan of the baba ghanouj. Oh, and there's a nice lunch buffet. Honestly, it's better if you're a vegetarian, because the meatballs and baked chicken options are the most mediocre things I've had here. However, the four different veggie+sauce platters and the fresh salad are high quality and filling. At around nine dollars per person, this is a buffet I can wholeheartedly recommend. Surprisingly great place to take out of towners for dinner. The check won't be too expensive, the location is prime, and the food and drinks are solid.
(4)Amy S.
I love Samira's! I went here for the first time a few weeks ago, and just as anyone else says, it's definitely one of the best restaurants in Bloomington. I ordered the Samarok Lawang and added beef. All in all I think it was about an $18 entree. My plate was the tastiest at the table, although I sampled what my friends had as well and theirs were tasty too! I hear the cornish hen is amazing, would love to go back and try it. Only downfalls- our waiter forgot to bring our wine and we had to ask for it. Also, the restaurant is nice but it gives me the feeling like I'm eating in an Afghan family's dining room with the nice china- which can be good and bad- a homey feel, not so restaurant-y. But the food is A+! Great for a date spot and to get away from college kids.
(5)Julie S.
I went to Samira's Restaurant last night (January 27, 2012) for my five year anniversary with my boyfriend. We were seated right away at a table in the center of the restaurant. Although it was around 7:45 on a Friday night and the restaurant was bustling, it wasn't over-crowded. We ordered black tea which comes with a pot of hot water with cardamom which imparts a very nice flavor onto the beverage. For dinner I ordered lamb and shrimp kebabs and my boyfriend ordered sabzi tchallo (spinach with lamb over white rice). Entrees come with a choice of soup or salad, and we ordered one of each. The salad is a very average fresh salad with balsamic vinaigrette, the soup is a flavorful tomato lentil. They serve wonderful bread to start along with complimentary grilled eggplant and carrot slices. Our meals were served promptly and when they arrived the scent of the food was wonderful. My lamb was exceptionally tender and the rice was perfectly seasoned, topped with shredded carrots, raisins, and a little bit of a tomato sauce. The shrimp skewer was slightly over-cooked, but still tasty. My boyfriend's lamb and spinch dish was delicious as well. I had plenty of food left over to bring home with me for lunch the next day. Our server was very friendly and attentive and she offered to give us a complementary dessert to bring home with us (we told her we were full, which we were!) because it was our anniversary. She sent us home with a delicious tiramisu. It was a wonderful experience filled with wonderful food, service, and atmosphere.
(5)Ben R.
Let me start with a few disclaimers: -I am a traveler, East and West Coast, Asia and Western Europe --I grew up in a major metro area ---I have had the opportunity to interact with colleagues of various origins and getting to try something new with a pleasant surprise at the end is always preferred. ***This was my first visit to an afghan restaurant - but not my last. I will return here. The only reason I did not give a score of 5 Stars is because this is the only restaurant of its kind that I have been to. I have been to Indian and Ethiopian more. In my opinion, again my opinion, Indian restaurants have menus with heavier creams and oil while the Ethiopian restaurant are too "fresh" and watered down for my taste. This was not the case here. The entrees were filling but not gravy hiding the substance of the plate. The cost of the meal was fine considering what it is that was ordered. Having been to other places and types of cuisine the value of the meal was high. However, if you are expecting a "kabob bar" or "curry house" then this is not what you are looking for.
(4)Jennifer Y.
Great food, friendly staff! Food was delicious, and with a group of 10, came out very quickly. One of the nicer, more relaxing sit-down restaurants that I've been to so far in Bloomington- white table cloths, but still relatively casual (you can come in jeans or shorts). I'll definitely be back again!
(4)Edouard M.
The lamb kebab was remarkable, and the prices are good for the quality of the food.
(4)Anna W.
eh, not impressed came for the lunch buffet and was pretty underwhelmed by the options- a couple types of rice, dry tandoori chicken, decent meatballs, okra For the price, I expected more. What was, however, almost entirely worth the price was the fantastic baklava. Overall, the atmosphere isn't all that great (stuffy, quiet, dark), especially if you are going in a large group and wish to socialize. (also pretty gross was that it took forever for the waiter to clear our buffet plates, which kept piling up on our table)
(3)Tim D.
For our family, Samira's is not only one of the best ethnic restaurants in Bloomington, it's one of the best restaurants period. We have been eating at Samira's for many years and I have yet to be disappointed. The food is prepared with care and the flavors are incredible. The menu is great and there are usually very good specials each day. The lunch buffet during the week is equally good and very popular. Unfortunately, they are not open on Sundays so that rules it our for Father's Day. Samira's is our family's go-to place for celebratory meals. My favorie dish is the Combination Pasta which includes both meat and vegetable dumplings with a wonderful sauce. I know so many people who spend their money at local chains and have never even heard of Samira's - their loss. I always laugh when folks walk right by Samira's to go to Grazi next door. If you have not tried it yet, you are really missing out.
(5)Alicia R.
Yesterday was my first visit to Samira, but it left such a good impression on me I had to review right away. I recommend Samira if you are looking for a lovely meal, or if you are looking for something out of the ordinary. Sadly, I am an IU alum who didn't visit Samira until now, 5 years after my graduation. My mom and I went - we were looking rather forlorn, not realizing the elegance of the setting here. Bright white tablecloths and napkins at every seat. However, we were welcomed in. The service was great, and the food was gorgeous. We had tea to drink - was a bit disappointed when we were given Lipton Tea (was hoping for something more exotic), however the water it was served with seemed to have cardamom or a similar spice steeping in it. Everyone is served bread and roasted eggplant slices and carrot (with a spiced oil dressing). The bread is labeled as naan in the menu, but is not like Indian naan. I'm not sure what other bread to compare it to, but it is in 1/2 in thick sheets, cut into squares, both top and bottom quite toasty. It is pretty filling. My mom had the salad with her meal, which was fresh-looking greens with a balsamic dressing. I had the lentil soup, which had a red base and was similar to an American vegetable soup in flavor. I ordered the combination kebaab entree with lamb - I highly recommend this. It came with the perfect portion of a number of items served at the restaurant. The lamb was perfectly cooked (medium) - though I am thinking it must cook a little more on the skewer as the last bite I had was not so perfect; perhaps remove your meat from the skewer all together, rather one at a time? The mantu are similar to Turkish manti, if you've ever had the opportunity to have them. The dumplings are delicate and tasty. The other items with my dish were all wonderfully tasty and beautifully arranged. My mother had the chicken mantu, which seemed to have more vegetable filling than the beef mantu I had, and tasted more like a Chinese wonton (but still excellent, and also wonderfully plated). As a Midwesterner, I always fear eastern-ish foods thinking they will be incredibly spicy. If you are the same, I say do not fear - there are plenty of spices in Samira's food, but not the kind that will burn your tongue. Again, the setting at Samira's is classier, so you might feel more comfortable having something on a step up from jeans. Beautiful, tasty food- definitely an excursion from the norm for those who are not familiar with this type of cuisine!
(5)Jasen F.
Finally convinced my traveling band of gypsy coworkers to dine here last night and they all remarked, "Why haven't you taken us here before?" We'll, after more than nine weeks in this fine burgh, we finally abandoned our less-than-thrilling Tuesday plans, ambled down to the square and settled on Samira's. It was about half-full on this Tuesday night and we settled ourselves at a finely set table. Our group, a motley crew in various stages of dress and class, drew the eyes of the other patrons but we didn't care as the joint smelled wonderful and we open our menus. The wine and beer selected is modest (especially for Bloomington) but I imagine most patrons don't chose Samira's for their average bar. We got a few appetizers; hummus (great), baba ganouj (good), and veggie sambosa (awesome with an epic cilantro chutney) and they were torn apart. The eggplant and carrot accompaniment was delicious. We ordered a variety of meals (the menu isn't the most clear on what is a combination, etc, but the server assisted) and all the food was well prepared, spiced nicely, and eaten with minimal conversation. We had a slice of cake and the custard/pudding desert (ugh!) and we will be returning in the very near future.
(5)Kelle F.
So, I don't like Afghan food. It just doesn't do it for me. My boyfriend is a huge fan, what man doesn't like hunks of meat on a hot sword? He pronounced Samira's to be very, very good. Almost on par with the Afghan restaurants he used to eat at in DC. The man loves spicy meat, I trust him that this was good stuff. The bread was fresh and tasty, the salad was likewise fresh, and the hunks of meat were very meaty. We had some kind of mushroom appetizer that I thought was fantastic The service was excellent, particularly for late on a Saturday when I know the entire staff must have been over it. Even though they were obviously tearing down and setting up for the next day, they did it quietly and I never felt rushed. A word to the wise on the eggplant app they give you, (and remember, I am no expert or fan of Afghan food), that sucker is pickled/drenched in vinegar, something. If you like that sort of thing, go for it, it looked really tasty. If, like me, you think only cucumbers are suited for pickling, give it to your boyfriend.
(4)Natalie K.
I've lived in Bloomington for a few years but this was my first visit to Samira. It was excellent. I went at lunch and didn't realize they offered a buffet. I decided on that route because of the variety and price. It was very affordable and the quality was excellent. I tried everything offered and loved it all. I can't wait to go back with my family.
(5)Katie B.
I had the vegetarian mantos (steamed dumplings filled with cabbage, onion and cilantro, in vegetable tomato sauce topped with home-made spiced yogurt sauce according to the menu) for dinner. The food was delicious if expensive. I loved the red lentil soup that came with the meal. The naan was also very good. More food than I was able to eat in one sitting. I can't afford to make a habit of eating here but the lunch buffet price sounds reasonable for a once in a while habit. The atmosphere could use a little work as it was so quiet in here that talking to my companion felt a little awkward.
(4)Sarah K.
I wanted to love this place, and while I was there, I did. I was in Bloomington for work and a coworker recommended this place so we checked it out. I liked the bread and eggplant slices with oil and a little bit of heat. The bread was warm and fresh and tasted great. I ordered the Chicken Manto and one of my companions ordered the Manto (I think it comes with beef). I thought the dish was fantastic, much better than other Afghan food I've had. Now for the downside. The two of us that had Manto were awake and queasy all night, and I felt sick for several days afterward. If I lived in Bloomington I would probably try it again because I know these things happen, but it was really disappointing.
(2)K V.
Samira is located in a prime downtown spot in Bloomington, right on the square. The decorations are great and their service is friendly, but the food is just not good. Simple as that. It costs around $20 per person, which I have no problem spending if the food is great. I ordered the chicken kabab and was just not impressed. The kabab had no taste to it and the side dish of rice was just gross. While I'm sure some people would enjoy this kind of environment, it's not the place to go for a good meal. I think this is the only Afghani restaurant in Bloomington, so there is a lot of allure to it.
(2)Nate S.
For the first 30 minutes, Samira was a two star affair. They seated me, alone, on a Tuesday about an hour before closing. The server was great, and he dealt well with my questions. He also brought me a complimentary app and some bread as I debated my entree. The bread was tragically stale. The app was a thinly sliced eggplant affair. The eggplant veered toward chewy--which is better than soggy--but it had some very nice and unexpected chile spice. Their beer offerings are weak (no IPA), and the server confessed that the owner knows and cares little for beer. Wine is his focus. As a result, I was wary of the entree to come. But my fears were misplaced. I went with something of a sampler, a lamb skewer with rice, dumplings, and a samosa. The lamb was delicious and well cooked with plenty of pink inside. Just be sure to get it off the very hot skewer quickly if you don't want it to keep cooking. The rice was wonderfully seasoned and fragrant. The samosa was puff pastry, not a deep fried disaster, and so made me very happy. And the dumplings ... well, they were sublime. EAT THOSE DUMPLINGS! So, frankly, I think Samira is a four star affair. My experience didn't rate that, but I imagine another visit would.
(3)Suphie W.
Samira's was my introduction to Bloomington Cooking. :)) Anywho, after scouring all the 0ther restaurant reviews on here, I found it fascinating to locate this one. *Who knew that Afghani food would be my 1st, rave and glorious, introduction to Mid-western-style culture? Fascinating... Suphie
(3)Laine B.
I've never had Afghan food before so I can't comment on its authenticity. It's very similar to the Greek or Mediterranean restaurants I've tried. I had the lamb-shrimp kebab combination. The lamb was cooked perfectly but I will try another reviewer's suggestion to remove the meat immediately from the skewer so it does not overcook. (It might be helpful to note for parents of small children that the skewers are eighteen inch swords.) I do not like eggplant but I ate the appetizer before I realized it was eggplant. The rice and bread were both very good. I think they could probably come up with some smaller/cheaper dinner options. The $16.95 plates are very generous but I would not normally eat that much at one sitting. One sword-skewer would have been plenty.
(4)Tori M.
Samira's was a glorious surprise on a horrific trip to Indiana. I have never had such a well-stocked and well-thought out buffet experience. All the dishes complemented each other. Everything was fresh and steaming. All the accompaniments were perfect, with great naan and fluffy rice. I tried a little of everything, with the veggie dishes being my favorites. The zucchini/squash roasted veg one was the best for sure, with the spices in it just making a party in your mouth. The meatballs were divine. The chicken was also great; it just fell of the bone all moist and sweet, perfect for stuffing the naan. I just wish we had Samira's up here in Minnesota. I would definitely come back down just to eat the lunch buffet everyday.
(5)Nicole J.
I went to Samira after a friend reccomended it for dinner. It was the first time I have ever had Afghani food and I was very excited to try it! I ordered the vegetarian manto, which are basically dumplings.. It came with rice and shredded carrots as a side. The manto was quite flavorless and the sauce on top of the dumplings tasted like canned tomato sauce. The only redeeming part of my meal was the bread that was served before my entree. Overall a lack luster experience. Just because its the only Afghani restaurant in Bloomington doesn't mean it deserves any praise whatsoever. Also, my bill was almost $20.00--- not worth it at all.
(2)Justin B.
Pros: Cornish Hen Kabobs Cons: None that I can think of I had the pleasure of eating here when I was on a business trip in Bloomington. My coworker from Bloomington swore that this is the best restaurant in town. After eating here, I have a hard time disagreeing with her. Anyway, we started off the meal with the grilled eggplant appetizer. I'm not really a big fan of eggplants, but this dish was delicious. For my main course, I had the Cornish hen kabobs. The seasoning was perfect. Not too strong, but not too little. It was just right. The chicken was wasn't too dry. It was nice and moist. Typing this review is making me wish I could have it again. Great place if you're ever in Bloomington.
(4)Heather L.
Big group, tried everything. It was great and reasonably priced
(5)Roger G.
Nice friendly wait staff, excellent food served on time and elegantly, good wine and beer available. Classy casual and warm atmosphere, one of the few places in Bloomington I would recommend so far. We'll be back!
(5)Cynthia B.
I've had much better Afghani food in other cities The service is very good. The prices are decent. The location is great. But the food is unremarkable.
(2)Jeff L.
I have a bit of a problem reviewing Samira. The problem is that I don't actually know the names of any of the items I eat. I like the rice-thing, and the chicken/hen thing, and the meatball-like things, among others. Samira is located on the downtown square (beautiful) in Bloomington. I only eat there for lunch, as it's not kid-friendly, at least for my kids. They're meat and potatoes, and you're not finding that here. Lunch buffet is reasonably priced, with a selection of 10-12 dishes ranging from rice-thing dishes to the I-could-eat-100-pounds-of-these-meatball-thing dishes. Small salad bar too. It's a cute restaurant in a great location, yet another ethnic place in a town with so many great options from around the world. I highly recommend, especially if you know Afghan food and actually can name what you'd be eating. It's delicious, whatever it is! :)
(4)Charlton C.
Please go here. Not only is it the best Afghan restaurant in Bloomington, it's for sure one of the best restaurants in Bloomington. The dinners are very good, with the only negative being the higher prices (for Bloomington). Last time I was there for dinner I got the Quabili Pallao which is rice with carrots, raisins, tomato-onion sauce and chicken. I've also gotten the chicken and lamb kebaab. I prefer the entrees with sauces however. This isn't because the meat by itself isn't good, rather the sauces that go with the rice and meat dishes are that good. I'd say for dinner, Samira's is worth four stars because of the somewhat high cost. The fifth star is earned for the lunch buffet. Starting at 11:30am, there is a buffet with baked chicken, lamb, two kinds of rice, many sauces and salad for about $10. Same food as dinnertime, but twice as much and about half the cost. You also get a piece of baklava at the end, which is one of the best desserts out there. The service is decent with nothing to complain about and the atmosphere is alright as well. Think 80's fancy restaurant with the requisite "Afghan Girl" photo on the wall. Go, it is worth it!
(5)Matthew W.
I worry that I had a less good experience than many here. It was a while ago, but I remember it being wholly mediocre and no where close to exceptional. That being said, I thought the service was very congenial and the ambiance is OK, outside of the exterior being a monolithic looking block of concrete. I enjoyed my experience here, and if you're searching for Afghani food, this is probably the only place in town for it. I just can't recommend it too highly.
(3)Min H.
Went for a late lunch buffet the weekend after IU graduation, yet the restaurant was fairly busy with people coming in as we were finishing up. I haven't tried much of the food around IU but according to my brother this place has amazing food. The buffet consists of 6 or so dishes with 2 rice options, bread and hummus, salad, and dessert. Loved the seasoning and flavors of the food (first time trying Afghani food) but there wasn't many vegetarian options in the buffet so that may be an issue for some. For the meat lovers- homemade meatballs and chicken were amazing. I normally stay away from chicken in buffets since it's typically dry, but the chicken was moist and really does fall of the bone. Be careful of overeating.
(4)Ryan M.
You don't like Naan, go away I don't like you. The naan is fresh and delish. Entrees are great. If you only had 24 hours in Bloomington, this place isn't a must see. If you're here for a week, you better get to Samira's. You won't regret it.
(5)Claire V.
Their lunch buffet is great. A number of options, including vegetarian food. My favorites are their amazingly soft and tender meatballs, and their outstanding bread. You also get some flat bread toast with hummus and olive oil, as well as a delicious dessert of baklava. The service is always very friendly. We usually spend $11 per person for a lunch buffet including salad and dessert, and a drink.
(5)Minwen W.
great food in Bloomington! truly love the appetizer
(5)Chloe D.
I've been all over the country, and this is one of my absolute favorite restaurants. The food is INCREDIBLE. Absolutely get the mantu. Meatless entrees can be hard to get right, but this place nails 'em. Once we discovered this place, we came back every night we were in town. My first love affair with Afghani food, and I don't think anyone could do it better.
(5)Saeideh B.
the food is not the best Afghan, it is ok though. I wouldn't call it authentic, it's a fusion
(3)Matt H.
Meh. This place is just OK. Nothing memorable. I guess it adds some variety to the Bloomington restaurant scene. I recommend going for lunch before you try it for dinner. Lunch prices are great, but dinner prices are a little steep. Don't get me wrong: it's not street cart food, but I think the white linen tablecloths and the emphasis on wine during dinner are a bit of a stretch. I love to drink wine with my meals, but I'm not going to pay restaurant prices for wine to drink with Samira's food. Do the lunch buffet.
(3)Joshua C.
I love Samira. It has great food, a friendly atmosphere and a nice location.
(5)Michael M.
Samira is easily one of Bloomington's best restaurants. The food is delicious; I am especially fond of the manto, as well as all the other Afghan-dumpling entrees. I am particularly impressed by the standard quality of the restaurant--each time I have visited Samira I have experienced a meal that is reliably scrumptious.
(5)Billy C.
Samira's is one of my favorites in Bloomington. The hummus was great AND you get a bunch of it with pita bread. You also get a thin slice of eggplant with a sprinkle of olive oil and a dusting of falvorful spices. I got the quabili pallao which was tasty. My date got the vegetarian special which includes three of the vegetarian dishes. It's basically a sampling of three of the vegetarian entrees. I didn't particularly enjoy the spinach; but the lentils were out of this world and and the eggplant dish was also very good. I've also had the chicken kabob. I felt that it was on the bland side; but it was well seasoned. Today I had the buffet. The buffet with water and tip came out to about $10/person and was well worth it. The lamb meatballs in sauce were tender and I soaked up the sauce with the bread that they bring to the table. In addition, the tandoori chicken is good. All in all I think there were about 10 selections. Two were rice and one was salad; but the selection is well thought and I always walked away with at least three of the dishes on my plate. Oh yes, and the Baklava! Oh the homemade baklava is ridiculous. Absolutely incredible. I could eat a whole meal of that baklava. Service is exceptional. Attentive; but not too attentive and very polite.
(4)Brian O.
Went to Samira's for their lunch buffet today with my wife. It is a nice place with good service and fresh, tasty Afghanistan food with good seasonings. The buffet including meatballs and chicken dishes with rice, bread, hummus and baklava. The white bean/cilantro/carrot dish was also very good. Wish they had lamb kabobs on the buffet, but still recommended for lunch, which is reasonably priced.
(4)marcin z.
To begin with a summary: This is a great restaurant! We had some family over, from out of state, so we looked for a nice place to go to and to have dinner. We are all strict vegetarians, and one person in our party has even more restrictions. The chef (owner?) was very responsive and very nice, and he prepared a special vegetarian dish, matching the restrictions of our special vegetarian. We also asked for a special Afghani drink, and we got a yogurt drink that was not on the menu. The other, "usual," vegetarian fare was great too. Everyone loved their dish. Each dish was accompanied by a choice of soup or salad, both great. We ended up paying about $100 for five people, gratitude included. For that price, Samira is a great place to go.
(5)Lauren Y.
This is a good restaurant. The lunch buffet is good. It's clean and the service is good. It's a good lunch place, especially because it is centrally located.
(3)Julie A.
I love Samira. It is definitely one of the best restaurants in Bloomington. Their lamb is so good. So is the eggplant amuse they serve and their wonderful lentil soup. Last night, I had their samarok lawang with chicken. Mium! Can't wait to eat the leftovers for lunch. I have been trying (unsuccessfully) to find a recipe so I can make it at home.
(5)T. Lea M.
I always order the same thing when I go here because... it's awesome! I love to get the combo special with chicken and lamb. It comes with a fabulous eggplant appetizer. (I like to put the eggplant on the bread and eat it together). I also like to order a bottle of the Rosemont Shiraz with this dish... just tradition! It's a great dish... even for those that aren't very adventurous eaters!
(4)Greg W.
Very Elegant, but not too pricey. The food is EXCELLENT. The lunch buffet might be the best value in the city.
(5)Michael C.
To be honest, before coming to Samira's, I had never had Afghan food in my life. So you can only imagine the surprise (having lived in NYC and SF) I felt that I would be expanding my cultural boundaries in Southern Indiana. I have said it to many people, and I will say it again, Samira's is the best all around restaurant in Bloomington. Sure, there are some other great restaurants in town, but few that will serve you something that you will be so hard pressed to find elsewhere. Be blown away...order the mantos. The best part, as I fnid many ethnics restaurants to be, a dniner at Samira's is quite affordable.
(5)Sara L.
Very VERY good food. Was in Bloomington for business for two weeks and came here twice! definitely the best place I tried in btown. I looked on yelped and pretty much tried the top 10 rated places and this was my fav. I got the kabob combo with lamb (medium) and added shrimp cuz I wanted to try everything (plus it was paid for by my company anyway). The meat and shrimp were amazingly tender and very well seasoned. This place almost makes me wish I lived in Bloomington instead of California...almost. Must try!
(5)Melissa K.
Prompt service, very nice waiters. I ate there on Wednesday so it was relatively a quiet establishment. The bread and eggplant/carrot (complementary) were small but nice. I had the Kadu Pallao (sliced, baked butternut squash served in tomato sauce, topped with spiced yogurt sauce and served with spiced basmati rice) and nothing was over done. Great use of spices and proportion. Overall, nice place. Lots of food to order on the menu so you should be able to try something new. Only drawback, a little pricey but I was okay with it.
(5)Al Faisal A.
It is one of the best restaurants in Bloomington. Their buffet is great. I love their Baklava very much.
(5)Melanie H.
Very good! I was pleased with the waitstaff, and the food was delicious. It's a very small place and was packed on a Friday night, so you could hear most of the conversation between one of the large groups there. But, the eggplant and carrot appetizer they give EVERYONE was great, the namounaa was very good, and my chicken kabob was very good! My husband got the lamb and cornish hen kabob and devoured it. My favorite part of the meal may be the spiced basmati rice... Yum!
(4)Sara T.
Best restaurant in town!! Although this place can get quite busy I have always been seated right away. The service is exceptional and you never have to wait. The complementary appetizer that they bring out is always delicious and a good way to start off the mouthwatering feast you are about to enjoy. I have yet to order something of the menu I didnt like. The calm atmosphere just adds to the wonderful food and you are sure to leave feeling satisfied and relaxed!! Even if you arent into ethnic food, the kabobs are pretty simple and still delicious. If it is being offered you must have the butternut squash soup. It is the best I have ever tasted!
(5)Vanessa H.
I came here on a visit to my cousin and aunt, and they took me to the best restaurant in town - an Afghan fine dining place in the middle of Indiana. As good or better than anything you'd find in San Francisco (who knew?) The meal started with complimentary grilled eggplant and mushrooms, drizzled in olive oil and accompained by a foccacia like flatbread. I had the lamb kebab, which also came with mantu dumplings and a crispy turnover. My aunt had the veggie plate. The baba ganoush was more solid, less creamy that middle eastern counterparts, but delicious in its own way. Plenty for leftovers.
(4)a r.
This place is great. We went for the lunch buffet. It is somewhat like going to an Indian buffet, but different flavors. I loved the hummus and would go back just for that! There were lots of vegetables and they were well cooked, not mushy. Some were on the spicy side but nothing over medium-spicy. Lots of other choices for the spice-averse. The chicken (not on a kebab at lunch) was moist and tasty, not dry. The buffet came with a small serving of baklava -- crispy, and not too gooey. Excellent. There is no mango lassi or mango lemonade like you might find at an Indian or Punjabi restaurant, though. Just soda, water and tea. I think they have a bar but I did not have any alcoholic beverages so I'm not sure. The interior is roomy enough with cozy alcoves (is that a word? Like nooks and crannies? Yes). Not sure when I 'll be back in town, but when I am, I am going to have some hummus! (and some baklava)
(4)J. S.
Ordered 6 main dishes and 2 appetizers for 7 adults and a little kid - way more food than we needed and we had lunch the next day, too, all for under $110. They did takeout, which was awesome, and the man who took my payment offered to help me carry the 5 bags out to my car. The food was really tasty, although it would have been nice to have had more of a variety of rice/carb sides. Everything was a little spicy but only the eggplant was quite spicy. The eggplant and the spinach was really good and I would order anything with that in again in a heartbeat. It was the first afghani food any of us had ever had but we'd certainly go again!
(5)Kevin W.
The size of the restaurant was a little smaller than I was expecting and made me feel a little cramped inside. The service was great, friendly and quick. The bread was little, but good. We tried the hummus here and it was AMAZING! A little garlicky, but the best I had here in town. They spiced everything so some things tasted a little overwhelming, but it was the only place that accepted a last minute reservation on a holiday!
(4)Engelbert H.
I had a great experience here and enjoyed all the food served. The Cornish Hen Kabob was excellent and a large portion as others have mentioned. Perfectly cooked.. moist, tender, and flavorful (and crispy skin!). Would definitely go back again.
(4)Meghan L.
a lovely and under-appreciated bloomington restaurant. they always give you a free appetizer, which is awesome. the prices are a little high, but the portions are big enough to split.
(5)Orlando A.
i would agree that Samira is the best in town but before I end this sentence I'd like to give a shout-out to the more casual Mandalay (on 4th street) which I also consider to be the best in town in a different way. Samira's ambiance (faux flowers, early 90's high gloss italian opulence-for-the-thrifty-masses) tries to be chic; the result is a little awkward but i forgive them because it's not necessarily unpleasant, still kinda fancy and the food more than makes up for it. someone in the kitchen cares. the food is always delicate, tender, and delicious. I tend to stick to the vegetarian side of the menu but the meats i've tried here are great too. throughout your multi course meal you'll get a range of delicate, as well as strong flavors. the complementary bread is flat yet fluffy, always good, sometimes fantastic. after that, a complementary appetizer of marinated eggplant and carrot discs is very strong, savory, and has a vaguely sour zing. the portion is small. i suggest you also order the hummus which is the best ive ever had. it has a deep, but not necessarily strong flavor, slightly smokey, delicious. the bolani is like a pastry crust filled with potato and herbs and comes with a tangy chutney. the soup or salad that come with your entree will be delicious. your entree will probably have both sweet and savory notes and you will have leftovers that will intensify overnight and make a decadent breakfast. I'm a big fan of the mantos. Samira has a reputation for being pricey but it's not entirely true. you can run up the same kind of bill anywhere for the amount of food you get, and frankly it's just worth it. staff has always been helpful with questions.
(5)Jessi P.
This place was really good - I was really surprised that I liked Middle Eastern food as much as I did, and their food is wonderful.
(4)WFIU P.
Samira is a staple when my family visits. It's an unassuming restaurant from the outside, but all of the food is great--very flavorful and diverse. And the added bonus of the eggplant opening your sinuses, this restaurant is just a nice option if you want ethnic you're guaranteed to like.
(4)Jon T.
This place has the best lunch buffet you can find anywhere!!!! Its pretty simple - some roast chicken, wonderful meatballs in a tomatoey sauce, a few vegetable dishes, rice, salads, desert. It hits the spot every time. I don't live in Bloomington anymore but every time I come back we hit this place for lunch and we are never dissappointed. Lunch buffet is around $8 per person. Only problem is they close at 2 PM and once I arrived at about 1:58 and they wouldn't serve me. :-(
(5)