Amazing food! Horrible parking, but then again... it is Baltimore.
(5)
Jonathan U.
Great date place! Pumpkin appetizer: A MUST! Prices: Not bad, though parking costs $$ in the lot next door Food and Service: Great! Return?: Oh yes.
(5)
Tim H.
My reservation was lost and I was told I never placed it!! The staff made it up to me though by making me wait an extra hour. Food was average at best, won't catch me back here
(1)
Reezle W.
This is a tiny, hole in the wall restaurant serving homestyle, authentic Afghan cuisine. Reservations are really important because there is not much space in side! It is so dark and cozy in there, you'll never want to leave. The Qabuli palow is exquisite and their Kofta Challow was the best I've ever had. I would recommend any of their lamb dishes, as well as the kadu, pumpkin, appetizer. As for dessert...their house-made ice cream was out of this world! The cream isn't too sweet, but the large pieces of fruit in there take it to another level. Another special dessert that we tried was the pumpkin cheesecake, an obvious winner. This restaurant has a very nostalgic feel to it and is one of those meals that looks so beautiful and elegant, but just tastes like home. It is definitely worth a try.
(5)
Roger C.
This was our second time at this Helmands and we had.eaten in the Boston iteration many times. We ate here Fri night. My spouse came in first and was greeted by a rude waiter, who was abrupt and nasty. After being seated, we realized the rude.greeter was.our waiter. Having.enjoyed our dining experience in the past, we decided that to make a go of it. The appetizer was tasty, I ordered a glass of wine and to call it short would be.kind. Diminutive would be a kinder description. They grabbed our appetizer before.we finished it to serve the main course. I ordered 1/2 rack of lamb, I got 3 ribs. I guess a short rack to go with a small glass of wine and a very.short dining experience.
(1)
Terry B.
Always great. Love this place. Have eaten here for years and it's always excellent. My must orders: Chopendez (exceptionally tender and garlicky beef kabob on the never-changing specials menu) and the Kaddo Borwani (sweet pumpkin served with a garlic yogurt sauce). Get the bread. Ask for extra cilantro-vinegar sauce for the rice and meat. Perfect.
(5)
Supriya M.
Although the food in the restaurant is very good, I would NOT recommend The Helmand for takeout or delivery. We decided to stay in on a rainy Saturday night and ordered from Helmand. The portions were incredibly small, yet the prices were restaurant prices. The lamb, which was $20, had literally 2 - I am not kidding - 2 pieces of lamb. I don't remember portions in the restaurant being this small. It was disappointing because we ordered 3 entrees for 4 people + an appetizer + 2 sal ads and we were not all full at the end of the meal. The quality of the food was the same as the restaurant, the portions were the issue.
(2)
Hannah H.
My sister-in-law took me to this restaurant, as it is one of her favorites in the Baltimore area. We started off with a salad with pomegranate dressing that was delicious. We ordered the Kaddo Borawni (pan-fried and baked baby pumpkin seasoned with sugar and served on yogurt garlic sauce - it was tasty, and it was interested they had something on the sweeter side as an appetizer); Bowlawni (pan-fried twin pastry shells filled with leeks and spiced potatoes; garnished with yogurt and mint); Aushak (Afghan ravioli filled with leeks, served on yogurt-mint and topped with ground beef sauce); Koufta Challow (combination of lamb and beef meatballs seasoned with sun-dried baby grapes, paprika, and turmeric in hot green pepper, green peas, and fresh tomato sauce - this was quite savory and saucy, and it was delicious); Chicken Kabob (boneless chicken breast served with pallow and marinated vegetables); and, last, but not least, Sabzy Challow (spinach sauteed with chunks of beef and afghan seasonings, served with challow - another one of my favorites). The waitstaff were very nice, and it was great to order all these dishes to share at the round table. Definitely a solid Afghan restaurant. +salad with pomegranate dressing +Kaddo Borawni +Koufta Challow +friendly staff
(4)
Matthew T.
The food and service were good. The food was not spectacular. The portions, even of items that were not very filling, were sparse.
(3)
May N.
I was staying with a friend during a conference and when I found this place on Yelp, I knew I had to try it. There's an Afghan restaurant with the same name in Cambridge, MA and you can't find this food everywhere so this was my first stop in Baltimore. I walked in without a reservation on a Wednesday evening during dinnertime. The main dining room was at about 95% capacity, but I was given a great seat by the window with a view of the whole room. I went with a roasted lamb entree that was delicious, tender, melt-in-your-mouth goodness. It was served with a tomato-based side, fragrant white rice, and a cilantro sauce on the side. Service was very fast and attentive. Prices are moderate. They accept credit cards. It was good for people watching and listening to families arguing and millenials lamenting the economy.
(4)
Jenny Z.
One of the best restaurants in Baltimore! I am a repeat visitor to The Helmand and their food never fails to impress me. The restaurant can be easily missed when driving by due to the subtle appearance of the door and sign, but this place is a real jewel! The seating and bar inside can be a bit tight, but is very cozy and intimate and the decor is a nice cultural touch. I have been able to make same day reservations, so that's a definite plus! Since this restaurant is located on N. Charles, we all know the parking can be difficult, though there was a parking lot for under $10 about a block away. I have been here with meat lovers and equally as curious vegetarians and both parties enjoyed the menu very much. For appetizers, we've tried the Kaddo Borawni (the very popular pumpkin and yogurt garlic appetizer) and the Banjan Borawni (which is pan fried eggplant with yogurt garlic sauce). AMAZING! I was apprehensive about ordering the pumpkin appetizer in the beginning because I'm not the biggest fan of sweet appetizers but I was sold upon my first bite. Perfect balance between sweet and savory. Several of us ordered the Dwopiaza, which is stewed lamb and it was fantastic. It was succulent, soft, well seasoned, and tongue pleasing. The proportions were moderate but I can say, it did fill me up! Someone else at the table ordered the Vegetarian Platter which came with several vegetarian portions on a bed of rice. We all enjoyed our food and nodded in agreement. We've ordered many different dishes (such as Sabzy Challow and Lamb Lawand) on separate occasions and I've been satisfied every time. The deserts were amazing too!! We had the pumpkin cheesecake, Afghan ice cream and some fruit dish and were all astounding. It was the first time trying any of these deserts but I was impresses. Overall, I've had wonderful experiences here. The enviroment is friendly, the service is good, and there is nothing more I can ask for when I am here on a Friday night, with a bottle of wine, delicious food and perfect company!
(5)
Tracy G.
Met a friend here for dinner last night, and it was amazing! We had the Kaddo Borwani and Mantwo for appetizers, and bother were delicious. I ordered the chicken lawand as a special and I ate the entire thing! The cilantro sauce they bring with the rice is so good I could just drink it on its own. The staff were super friendly and the food arrived very promptly. I was not a huge fan of the naan bread, and they do charge you for bread for the table. The atmosphere is very lively, so if you like a more quiet restaurant this isn't for you, but the wine and food are definitely worth going back for!
(4)
Sara A.
All the food here is amazing.. You should try it..
(5)
Amanda E.
Maybe my problem is because I had really high expectations of this place - or maybe the restaurant was having an off night. Regardless my dinner last night at this much hyped restaurant was far less than what I expecting. From having to wait 30 minutes for our table, even tho we had a reservation, to overcooked meat and room temperature vegetables - it was just not a good night. DH and I arrived just before 7 for reservations @7PM with 4 others, two of whom were had checked in a bit before us and were waiting for the bar and the other two who were trying to find an ATM in order to pay for parking in the lot next door. We were sat around 730, and thankfully our waiter quickly showed up. Drinks were ordered but he fled before we get order ours apps. He came back with drinks, the person at the head of the table placed our apps and then before we could order entrees the waiter was once again off. First problem with the apps, which are clearly prepped well in advance, was the lack of flavor in everything but the . While the Kaddo Borwani (pumpkin) was outstanding the vegetarian Ausha was very bland and served at an odd temperature, while the Mantwo (which I did not sample) was declared oversauced and soggy. While not an issue for us we also noticed that the Shornakhod included a number of other beans, not that it mattered since it was way over soaked in the cilantro dressing Our waiter didn't appear for a good amount of time after we got our apps, which were delivered by runners, so we had no chance to get replacements for at this point we just wanted FOOD. In order to keep this from being a full essay I'm just going to list the entrees we ordered along with top comment. Mourgh Challow - chicken was dry but the sauce was insane, would happily eat the sauce over rice for dinner Koufta Challow x 2 - outstanding! (this was easily the most popular meal in our group) Vegetarian Korma - great vegetable variety but very, very, very bland with little hit of the advertised Afghan spices Vegetarian Dolma - not enough portion for the price but what was there was outstanding tho would have preferred the spinach side in place of potatoes Dwopiaza - very bland, but "saved" by the spicy cilantro sauce (apparently this sauce was good enough to warrant one member of our group taking his fork directly to the container and then licking said fork) By this point it was getting late so we decided to pass on desserts and just head out. I know there were some...issues...this evening involving a sick guest so I'm hoping our slow service and off temperature meal was due to the staff trying to address that issue however I'm hesitant to go back to such a above average cost restaurant after such a mediocre dinner. Unless it was to get the pumpkin dish - and only the pumpkin dish.
(2)
Ali B.
Wao Mexicans running an "afghan" restaurant. This food is average at best, expensive and small proportioned. I have tasted real Afghan food made by real Afghans. This is no where near. It's more Indian food.
(2)
Elle N.
Amazing place for great quality food! I have never tried Afghan food before, so I'm not sure if it's close to the real thing, but I have a feeling it is! Every plate we tried was full with aromas and so tasty! We went there on Saturday night. Needless to say the place was packed! We waited at the bar with a glass of wine, which was excellent btw, and were seated after around 20 mins. The environment is very warm and comfortable. I would happily go back! Recommended for sure!
(5)
Josh G.
I've been to The Helmand on several occasions and have always had a positive experience. The atmosphere is classy yet not overly so, so it can work for both a an informal get-together or special occasion. The restaurant frequently has some daily specials or if it's a holiday--my visit was on Valentine's Day, they will have some special prix-fixe offerings too, in addition to the full menu being available. The appetizers are all great, though I'd probably recommend the fried pumpkin which you might wish to order with naan. Other than that, most of the appetizers are also offered as entrees. As far as entrees go, the menu isn't extensive, but there is a balanced selection of both meat and vegetarian options throughout the whole menu, which makes The Helmand a great place for people with varying dietary preferences. I personally enjoy the mantwo either regular or vegetarian which is a stuffed pastry shell topped with a sauce. However, of the other entrees and appetizers we tried and that I've had, I've never had one that I didn't particularly enjoy. Overall, I'd recommend the Helmand for its breadth of vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. The wine list is satisfactory and the service is very efficient. Definitely worth a trip, especially if you're seeing a show at the theatre or at one of the museums nearby.
(4)
Gene L.
Great for groups in terms of space, but I ran into trouble once with asking the servers to split the checks into groups instead of one large check. Besides that, the service is very good. The food comes out suspiciously fast, even for large groups. The food is delicious. The restaurant is well decorated. Having not had Afghan food very much before, it's a mix of indian and mediterranean. I've gotten the kabuli more than once for a reason. The sauces that it comes with is also a good touch. It can get a little bit crowded at times.
(4)
Mira Y.
Not the best Afghani food I ever had, best ones are in the SF Bay Area- Oakland and Fremont. Worst service as well.
(1)
Ashley M.
Where do start.... I would have given this place 5 stars except for they're seating arraignment in the restaurant. I get it, they want to fit as many people in there to make as much money possible but it was WAY to close for comfort. The waitress/waiters had a hard time getting around because the tables were so close to each other. We were also the lucky winners to be seated by the dessert area. No partition or curtain to give a separate us or give a little privacy. I wish I would have taken a photo but I forgot. Now on to the food and service. Wow! We had amazing service!!! She was so attentive and very knowledgeable about the menu. The food was also superb!!! I wish I would have asked to have a little more spice added to mine, but truly it was still very very good. We also indulged in some chocolate cake and ice cream at the end. YUM!!! The ice cream had a spin in the normal vanilla bean ice cream. It has cardamom in it. I was a little taken back by it at first but i actually over it!
(4)
Sarah J.
Great food, portions, price points and service. My parents are very simple and were leery to try- they loved it! Cant wait to go back and try some other dishes.
(4)
Michael S.
What a joke this place is...way overrated terrible service I dont think they like Americans felt uncomfortable the entire time... boooo
(1)
Talbot E.
First time here and was very impressed. Lightning fast service. Pumpkin appetizer with a garlic yogurt sauce and an apricot lamb stew entree with a spicy turnip side. All delicious. My only complaint would be was that it was very warm in the dining room but it was the first day in months that topped 60 degrees. Would definitely visit again.
(5)
John D.
This really was as good as it gets for me - got a lamb dish with mushrooms that was fantastic (wish I could remember what it was called). Service was really good - they never let my water glass even get half empty. I would definitely go back.
(5)
Patrick B.
Wonderful Afghan food in a very pleasant environment. Enjoyed everything, including the Jala ice cream, a not to be missed treat.
(4)
Rowan H.
One of the top restaurants in Baltimore. Fantastic flavors, great atmosphere. Went on a Saturday after a play at the Everyman Theater and the restaurant was very full by 6 pm. A few highlights: -Decor is cozy yet refined. Great atmosphere to enjoy a nice meal. -The pumpkin appetizer was fantastic. Not too sweet. (As a hint...all of the dishes that include pumpkin were delicious!) -The lamb raviolis and leek raviolis were fantastic. Small but very flavorful. -The chicken kabab for dinner was some of the juiciest, most flavorful chicken I have had anywhere. A very nice surprise. -The lamb stew with pumpkin was fantastic. -The pumpkin cheesecake and special ice cream were both great. The pumpkin cheese cake was light and fluffy and not too dense. The ice cream had great hints of cardamom and vanilla. Neither are to be missed.
(5)
Soundarya V.
I simply love this restaurant. The food and the ambience is too good! I have visited this restaurant many times and have practically tried out all the items on their vegetarian menu. They have a huge list of entrees for their veg customers which is big bonus compared to most other restaurants in Baltimore downtown. My personal favorite is their vegetarian mantwo. They also have their special afghan ice cream which is amazing. The only reason why I refrain from giving 5 stars is that on weekends their service is a little poor compared to weekdays and the waiters were a little impatient as they could not handle the crowd.
(4)
Chris D.
A friend of my wife suggested I try this restaurant out while I was in Baltimore on business. It was one of the best meals I have ever had. Their lamb was insanely good and all the hordoves were great. If I find myself in Baltimore again, I will most definitely eat here again.
(5)
Ivar D.
Good Afghan food in a pleasant and joyful atmosphere - fun to try their manty, dumplings that come in all sorts of variations all over Central Asia. Fun fact - the owner is President Karzai's brother.
(4)
Derek W.
The Helmand was where I first experienced a massive expansion of my culinary horizons - many years ago - and since then it has a sacred place in my personal restaurant universe. Countless subsequent visits have been consistently amazing, deepening my appreciation of the place and my love for exquisitely prepared Afghani food. Love registers most strongly for the "kaddo borwani," a sauteed plate of baby pumpkin with yogurt garlic sauce, glistening with a hint of sugar. Whenever I talk about or think about Helmand, I rhapsodize about "that pumpkin dish," and for good reason. The balance of taste sensations, with the mildly tart garlicky yogurt playing off the sweet and earthy pumpkin, is divine. I ordered two. As usual. The other standout during my recent visit was the humble chicken kebab, which arrived lightly charred from the obligatory charcoal fire. The meat was tender beyond belief, producing near-ecstasy with every bite. A rather modest portion, I was pleased I took the time to savor it. The ambiance and service are very warm, and the art and other decor pay lovely tribute to the Afghan heritage of the owner without being at all overbearing.
(5)
Cam T.
I went here off of a recommendation from a friend. Kudos for being open during a major snow storm, and it had a good amount of people considering the weather. We ordered a wide variety of appetizers to start, all of which were good. Definitely left me wanting more. As for the entrees, I had the Mourgh Challow which was a hit. My only thought is that I'm not sure I would label this place $$, it was a little more on the expensive side. BUT if you are in the mood for a good dinner, this is a solid choice.
(4)
Michelle W.
The food was delicious! I went with a large group of people (there were 11 of us total), originally intending to get the Restaurant Week special. Instead, they offered us a family meal deal - the same price as Restaurant week, but many more options. We got 5 appetizers, a salad, rice, pilaf, several entrees, and dessert. It was a fantastic deal! Additionally, they also have a $10 all you can drink wine deal. The server was very friendly, and was able to accommodate someone who was gluten intolerant in our group, bringing out special dishes from the kitchen for her. The eggplant and the dumpling appetizers were good, as was the salad. The salad had a slightly creamy dressing, with corn, olives, peppers, and chicken breast. The chicken breast was surprisingly tender and flavorful! I had to double check that I was actually eating chicken breast!? Among the appetizers, I remember the giant meatballs being memorable. I do have to admit that things got a bit hazy by the end of the meal from the free flowing wine - but that also means that they were generous with the wine. I certainly got my money worth of wine.
(4)
Yuan L.
This is a very fairly-priced restaurant for a sit-down white-cloth place. We had a group of three and shared two appetizers (pumpkin & eggplant) and each ordered an entree. I'm not familiar with Afghanistan food but honestly speaking while they are all delicious some entrees are not that different from what we had at Indian restaurants (after all they are in the same region & used to be within the same empires), but the dessert ice cream (the Jala ice cream & special ice cream) impressed us the most.
(5)
Melanie F.
The food and atmosphere were perfect for a cold March night. I came a little after 5pm on a Tuesday and was the only person in the place. By the time I left, though, it was packed. I had the vegetarian platter (a sampling of different veg dishes) and hot cardamom tea. The tea was great and the platter was very, very delicious. The only thing I was surprised about was that not all the dishes were served hot. But maybe that's standard for Afghan cuisine. Everything tasted great! I had the cardamom ice cream for dessert. Folded into the ice cream were dried figs and fresh mango. I was hoping for more of a spiced flavor, but it was still very good as well.
(4)
Kris L.
I really wanted to like Helmand-amazing ratings yelp and from friends! But I was SO disappointed! The ambience is clean simple and elegant. Street parking wasn't too bad on a weekday evening. The service was mediocre. I mean they offer you bread to start, but don't mention that they'll charge you $5 for it. Then, their only rec for us out of everything on the menu was the $27 lamb special. Really? Water glasses were mostly empty... Ok, onto the food. The mantwo app was really good. Tasted like a bite size plate of an bolognese finished with a yogurt sauce. We had 4 people and got to try a bit of everything on the entrees. Oddly, 5 minutes after we ordered, all the food came out. Do they just have it back there stewing? (yes, we were all wondering this...) Last winter on a sad day, I put a chicken breast and canned tomatoes into my slow cooker. The result is what the Mourgh Challow tasted like. No flavor, no texture, not good. The dwopiaza was a total fake me out- looked awesome and flavorful but tasted like flavorless mush. I can't comment on my friend's vegetarian dish because I love meat too much but he said "eh, it was okay." Afghan food is not supposed to be this bad, and after all the hype I really was expecting this to be something special. Unfortunately, the food was just okay. I wouldn't come back and pay $30 for mediocre food and service.
(3)
Dante C.
We return to Baltimore for business every year, and as Vegetarian diners, we are always on the lookout for a good place. The Helmand accomodated us with warmth and proficiency for two nights. The spices were subtle, the combinations never boring, the atmosphere festive and fun, the service was perfect. We will return!
(5)
Meg K.
Excellent food! Our party of 3 had a table in the middle of a crowded side dining room but it still felt intimate. We ordered 3 courses and stayed awhile catching up with each other. We weren't exactly rushed out...but our bill was brought promptly after dessert arrived and our water glasses stopped being refilled after we paid. We had the Kaddo Borwani (baked pumpkin) appetizer and it was delicious. For entrees, we got the chicken kabob, vegetarian aushak, and dolma murch. The aushak wasn't to everyone's tastes but the other entrees all got rave reviews. For dessert, we each got our own cardamom-infused ice cream dish with rose water and rice noodles. The ice cream itself was perfect but the rice noodles ruined the dish. Aesthetically, the noodles looked like curly worms and the taste didn't blend well with the rest of the dish. Every one of us removed the noodles in order to enjoy the ice cream. I would definitely order that dessert again but I would just ask them to withhold the noodles.
(4)
Emily L.
This is a story in three parts. I. Over a decade ago, a dear friend brought me here for my birthday. I was in my late teens, but to this day I remember the meal: thin pasta, delicate leeks, minty yogurt mingling with a rich meat sauce, followed by a heavenly dish of spiced ice cream with fresh and dried fruits. I felt all the joy of adulthood that evening, and none of the painful responsibility! II. About five years ago, I taught an English course that included a study of The Kite Runner. The students worked hard, and I wanted to reward them with a fun but educational event at the end. I discovered The Helmand was still in business and wrote to them. Could they help me host an Afghan Day at school? They were so kind and gave suggestions for breakfast (milk tea, bread and jam with yogurt) and prepared some trays of food at a very reasonable cost for a meal later in the day. The students were so excited to sample their delicately-scented rice pilaf, rich meatballs in a curried vegetable sauce, and chewy-fluffy Afghan flatbread. Many of them had never had anything so exotic before, so it was a delight to their senses as well as a complement to the book they had just finished studying. III. Last spring, my husband and I were attending a Yelp-sponsored charity event and bid on a Baltimore "stay-cation" package that included dinner at the Helmand. We waited for our anniversary to use the certificate, but then didn't read the fine print that said we couldn't use it on a weekend -- so returned for my birthday about a month later. These two experiences have confirmed for me that the restaurant still offers the same high-quality food at very reasonable prices: three courses for two people runs about $50, and their wines are not marked up nearly as much as at other fine restaurants. In addition to the ravioli and meatballs described above, we enjoyed Chicken Lawand, a kind of Eastern-style Cacciatore stew; their famous sweet pumpkin with garlicky yogurt sauce; fresh steamed spinach with coriander chutney; and stewed okra in a spicy tomato sauce (this could have been a meal in itself!) Service is a little inconsistent and tends to be a little rushed at the beginning and a little slow toward the end, but the staff are anxious to please and the food is absolutely wonderful. Bottom line: don't let five or ten years pass between visits. It's worth returning regularly to this Afghan paradise!
(4)
Jackie P.
My favorite restaurant in Baltimore! The kaddo borwani is amazing, and so is everything else I've had so far! My parents came to visit, and I took them to The Helmand so they could experience my favorite place to eat. They were definitely a little hesitant at first, and- due to eating a huge lunch at Faidley's earlier that day- didn't have much of an appetite. They both ordered kabobs, and both cleaned their plates. They could not get over the taste and tenderness of the meat! My boyfriend and I have never had a bad experience here. Everyone who works at The Helmand is very helpful and accommodating. Thanks to all the hard workers at The Helmand! Keep up the great work!
(5)
Dave F.
Found this place right next to Dooby's. It just says Afghan Restaurant out front; did not see the Helmand's sign, but we knew what we were looking for. The place was extremely busy, which is always a good sign. The menu is pretty expensive, as is the wine list, but the beer list is narrowed down to bottles only of mostly domestics, imports, and a few local craft beers like heavy seas loose cannon and flying dog. Food was pretty good and I'd go back to try other dishes. With the suggestions here, we got the pumpkin appetizer, called Kaddo Borwani. I could have gotten a whole plate of this. We also got Aushak, which is like a ravioli, but not unique enough to get again. For the main dishes, we had the Sazby Challow and the Mourgh Challow. The Sazby challow beef was a lot like potroast; fell apart extremely easily with my fork. The spinach was good. Only complaint on the Sazby is that the meat was somewhat bland and I had to use the cilantro sauce (given for the rice) to add flavor. However, the Mourgh Challow's flavor was fantastic. The Challow, or rice with both dishes was great. I am up to trying to Pallow (also rice, but with different spices) next time. We typically don't get dessert, but the Jala Ice Cream sounded different enough and it was indeed worth it. They have a dessert cart in the corner of the main dining room, which is different. All in all, I'd go back to try some different flavors and enjoy that Kaddo Borwani again.
(4)
Sara O.
Great mantoo!!! and pumpkin sauce. I loved the food and will def bring my bf back to this place. The best Afghan dumplings (mantoo) that I have ever had!!! I would def try both the pumpkin dish and the meat dumplings! So so good.
(5)
Samantha G.
There's a reason the Helmand is always rated best date restaurant. It's fancy without being over the top or too pricey, the food is always good and interesting, the atmosphere is cozy, and the service is impeccable. I read some other reviews that complained about the service and that is puzzling to me. My boyfriend and I were treated with such..royalty...that's the only way to put it...that I was beginning to wonder if our waiter mistook one of us for a celebrity. Unlike Shanae J, we were not charged for the bread brought to our table when we sat down, so perhaps that was a mistake. However, like Shanae, I am not that big of fan of the yogurt/garlic/mint sauces. I love love loved the Kaddo Borwani (baked sugar pumpkin app that everyone is talking about) but it is quite sweet. I almost wish I had it for dessert instead of before my meal. We ordered several other appetizers (it might have been a sampler platter), all of which were really good. I actually ended up enjoying them more than my Veggie Korma entree, which was decent, but I couldn't locate the sundried grapes in it. What really knocked my socks off was the cheescake-it was insane! I think it was a special that night, but ask if they have it if you're there.
(4)
Ray G.
The food was pretty good, but a rude server ruined the experience for me.
(2)
Erin W.
The koftah pollaw was hands down the best meal I've eaten all year. It's amazing. I also recommend the pumpkin appetizer. Absolutely amazing food, beyond words!!
(5)
Yaka H.
I felt that this restaurant is a bit "cheap" in terms of the bread and the portions. We tried the Koufta Challow, which consisted of 3 meatballs made out of lamb and beef in small puddle of sauce and mixed vegetables. The Lamb Lawand, 3 pieces of lamb with mushrooms and a small drizzle of yogurt. This meal also came with a small side of spinach. Both came with challow, which is cumin-scented rice. Pallow is a cinnamon-scented rice. These aren't the heartiest of entree portions, so do expect to order a few appetizers to quell the hunger. Bread isn't included in the meal. A large basket comes with about 8 warm pieces or so. It was a bit disappointing. I would actually prefer to go to Maiwand Kabob (also serves Afghan food) and it comes with much more for cheaper, with more variety and flavor on the plate.
(3)
Laura M.
I love this place! It has a great location (Mt. Vernon), the food is always wonderful, and the prices are unmatched. I would totally recommend The Helmand to anyone asking for a place to go in the city. Even if you have never had Afghani food (I had not prior to going) you will find something to enjoy. Recently we went with a large group, and we did chef's menu of sort. They just brought food out to us in courses. It was amazing! Great for a group, and encouraged me try out some new things. It ended up being (I think) $70/person including tip. We went with the option that included unlimited red and white wine.
(5)
Steffany H.
Let me start by saying I've never had Afghan food, so I came here with an empty belly and open mind. Now that I've been, I was far from disappointed! I never come to Baltimore, but I was in the area for a concert and wanted to have dinner beforehand. We called for a reservation to be told none were available but decided to go anyway. I was a bit optimistic when we arrived at 6:45pm on Friday to plenty of open tables. Unfortunately the host told us we couldn't be seated which I didn't understand at first, but 5 minutes later the place was packed! Luckily we just decided to sit at the small bar in the back. Service from the bartender was prompt, friendly and his recommendations were very helpful since I was new to most things on the menu. We ended up ordering the mantwo appetizer, lamp chops for my friend and the beef tenderloin special for me. All of the food was amazing! The flavors were new to me, yet familiar at the same time. Everyone we encountered who worked there was awesome and I can't wait to go back. The prices seemed reasonable to me for the portion and quality of the food. I couldn't finish my dish, although I definitely wanted to! We were in and out in an hour, and perfectly comfortable at he bar.
(4)
Nicole J.
My husband and I have only been here once so far, but I'm impressed. The food and the service were superb!
(5)
Mark H.
Coming from a middle eastern background I felt that I would ultimately be dissatisfied with the cooking but I have to say it actually tastes like my mom cooked it. The staff was beyond pleasant and honestly the food was incredible and ITS NOT EVEN THAT EXPENSIVE!
(5)
Alisha S.
A colleague and I recently had dinner at The Helmand for the first time. We showed up without a reservation, during one of the busiest hours and was directed to the bar. The wait wasn't long, about 15 minutes but while sitting at the bar, the bartender(Collin) did not acknowledge us once. I must add that this is a very small bar, seating only about 8 people. At one point, we were trying to get his attention but that was also a failed attempt. Not really sure why. The drinks, that we ordered once we got to our table, were just decent. The food was delicious. This was one of the few times that I actually ate all the food on my plate. The rest of the staff, esp the owners were pretty friendly. Four stars because I could not get past the bartender treating us like we were invisible. All in all, I would eat here again.
(4)
Kate R.
Meant to write this review over a month ago, when I dined here for the first time. It was absolutely fabulous. I was with a group of 18 for a birthday party. Our waiter made excellent suggestions on good and wine pairings. He offered to have the chef send out sampler courses so we could all share and try many things. He even had special plates made for the three vegetarians in the group. I don't think any of us had to ask for a single thing the whole time, and we were there for several hours. The wait staff worked as a team to provide water, wine, bread, extra napkins, etc. Even for such a large group and the specialized menu (and the amount if wine consumed), the price was very reasonable. It was a fantastic experience and I plan to go back often.
(5)
Renee C.
It took us forever but we finally went to The Helmand. OH MY GOD! It was so good. We got the pumpkin appetizer, the Koufta Challow, and the Aushak. We also had to get desert so we got the chocolate cake. I don't think you can go wrong here. Whatever you get will be delicious. I do advise that you make a reservation ahead of time, even with the reservation we waited a good half hour. They have such good food and great service though, it was well worth the wait.
(5)
Sanjay J.
Haiku: Authentic flavors From Afghanistan, decor From the Middle East And a complete bar, Make The Helmand one of my Favorite restaurants. Vegetarians, you will have plenty options, and specials are great!
(5)
Kate T.
The Helmand is awesome. First of all, it's run by Hamid Karzai's brother - as in the current president of Afganistan's brother. So, you're eating the real deal when it comes to Afghan food and are dining at a semi-royal establishment. I went with a friend and we split the Kaddo Borwani (a pan-fried and baked baby pumpkin seasoned with sugar and served on yogurt garlic sauce) for the appetizer. It was really delicious. We also got a side of naan because I love naan. For entrees, I got Mantwo (home-made pastry- shell filled with onions and beef, served on yogurt and topped with carrots, yellow split peas and beef sauce) which was super good and my friend got Aushak (afghan ravioli filled with leeks, served on yogurt and topped with ground beef and mint). The prices are little high for my college student budget, so I would suggest bringing a bunch of friends and splitting a lot of dishes. It's definitely the only truly Afghan restaurant in Baltimore, so it is the best Afghan restaurant in Baltimore. Great for vegetarians and meat-lovers alike!
(4)
Justin W.
I have to rate the food based on my opinion of the taste and, since this was my first time having afghani food, nothing to use for comparison. My girlfriend and I thought the food was very good and was worth 4.5/5 stars. The service was pretty good. We felt a bit rushed when our waiter asked if we had a drink order before we even opened the menu. And on more than one occasion, they started bussing our plates while we were still eating. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't too bad. And they kept my water pretty filled (which isn't an easy task) 4/5 on service. So, all in all, a solid 4 stars. Worth trying and even worth going back, it just wasn't as good as it could be.
(4)
Michelle B.
Interesting atmosphere. The staff was attentive and not too pushy, very sincere. The food was delicious and easily modified for my dairy-free needs and for my friend's vegan needs. We had the pumpkin appetizer (out of this world). For my first time there I had the lamb pallow and played it safe - will be more adventurous next time. Easy to please a foodie and a mildly "white bread" eater at one place.
(4)
Jillian P.
GOOD: Vegetarian-friendly. Quick service. OKAY: Kinda pricey for what you get. I expected Afghan food to be spicier? I thought it was bland, but I don't know enough about it to accurately judge. BAD: My friend asked what, yes, was probably the Afghan equivalent of someone asking an American what a french fry is, but that doesn't mean you have to snicker about it to her face, especially when it was politely asked...
(3)
Ankita M.
I have been to Helmand three times till now. Tried their famous pumpkin appetizer- it's amazing, Got Aushak in appetizer it's fine. In entree, I had chicken lwand and lamb lwand, it's made in thick red curry, spicy, served with rice and spinach- very very good. Recently tried chicken kebabs they are very good, has like a charcoal flavor in them. Also tried mantwo in appetizer- not quite impressive.
(5)
Sarah I.
I have eaten in this place twice, once in 2011 and once in 2014. Even though this restaurant is rated really well, I don't think the food is very special. I can probably make many of their chicken dishes at home. The ambiance is nice and the service is good. However, I will not be going back there unless one of my visiting friends really wants to go here. Like I said, the food really isn't special.
(3)
Mango G.
A group of nine went for a dinner and ordered a "group menu" @$36 pp. The menu had TONS of food including appetizers, salad, entrees (lamb, chicken), assorted desserts and coffee/tea. The service was good, no complaints. They can also accommodate for vegetarians. Everybody was happy! I would go back when I'm in town next time.
(4)
Ashu M.
Overrated, bland, and like it was out of a college student's first effort in the kitchen with spices. Ugh. Specifics - the 'famous' squash appetizer (Kaddo Borawni) was bland, a mix of temperatures in a bad mushy mess, and too sweet. The vegetable dolma had impressive looking vegetables thrown into a tomato sauce (or ketchup) broth. Bland beyond belief. The lamb was cooked OK, if a little excessively (the fibers are a dead giveaway), and it was in EXACTLY the same sweetish, flavorless ketchup broth/sauce. Is all Afghani food this bland and meh or is it just this overly Americanized joint? Then again, we're Indian and know what GOOD spicy food is supposed to taste like. Unlike some other folks' experiences, our service was above average, although the tight quarters and overcrowding caused a seating delay (despite a reservation), and some rushed delivery/take-aways. Which suited us fine - once we had tasted the food, we wanted it to be DONE so we could leave and pan it in person and on Yelp! Verdict, never ever ever going to bother to return. No redeeming features if you have a discerning palate. For those with NO spice tolerance and NO concept of what middle-eastern-mughlai-frontier food should taste like, and are normally NOT adventurous, this is a safe, gentle foray to the 'wild-because-you-don't-know-better' side! Edit to add: I said 'no redeeming features' but forgot about the excellent mint/cilantro side item they brought to the table. This was GOOD. And the water was good too. That's it.
(2)
Angel B.
Came here on a Thursday evening and the place was bustling. This was our first visit for my boyfriend and I. There was not an empty seat in the house. We were seated probably after 3 minutes of waiting and they were quick to take our drink order and serve. The service here is impeccable, we asked and they delivered. Food, drinks, bread you name it, came out in a perfected timely fashion. I forget what my bf ordered but I had the Kaddo Borawni and Dwopiaza. The kaddo borawni is something I've never seen or had before. It is delicious and you wont find anything else like it in the city. I recommend sharing because it can tend to get too sweet after a while or counter it with something more hardy. The Dwopiaza did not disappoint either. As far as entrees go I think I picked the right one in that department. Highly recommend and looking forward to going back and exploring their menu.
(4)
J. M.
Not nearly as good as either Helmand in Boston, [one of those is exceptional actually] and it's unclear whether it's a generic name for Afghani restaurants or there's some relation. Either way, it's one of two places in Mt Vernon I'd take any guest to eat [Stang of Siam being the other]. My experiments with the menu haven't left me too satisfied so I've stuck to Seekh Kabob as my stock dish. My only complaint is the size of the entrees which is on the shallow side of filling. But if you're not a glutton, then this might be the right size.
(4)
Morgan D.
Why has it taken me over a month and a half to write this review?! This place is great! Went here on a Sunday evening with a lovely friend. Have wanted to go here for at least a year. Finally, I made it to this amazing place. When we first arrived (about 8pm) I think we were both a little startled because it looked like NO ONE was there...ahhh ha, the hostess led us to the back dining room, yay people! Our seating situation was a little awkward since we were oddly facing the people next to us, who seemed to be on a first date and though I never care what people are talking about, heck I can't even remember what I'm talking about half the time, it was hard to not listen to them converse. I ordered Seekh Kabob and it was delicioussss. The lamb was perfectly cooked and the vegetables and challow were excellent! My friend got a restaurant week special with a garden salad, lamb dish and dessert. He loved his as well! I thought the portion sizes were perfect. I did want to order the Kaddo Borwani (pumpkin app) but didn't since my friend already was getting salad as an app and I knew I couldn't eat it all myself. Next time tho, I definitely need to try it. I have been thinking about what I will order next time...I love getting lamb at restaurants since it's something you don't see tons of menus. We'll see! The atmosphere was great. Wasn't overly decorated but definitely a nice place to dine. I am a fan, a big fan!
(5)
Dan P.
I last visited the Helmand seven years ago, was very glad that it lived up to my memories! The food is very unique, Afghani food is similar to Indian food with nice differences (more lamb) but everything was delicious. The wine was very cheap for a formal restaurant, great bottles were $20-$30. When I commented to my waiter that the dish had a little less meat than I expected, he brought me a whole other bowl of it! Very good service!
(5)
Brian Y.
Great place for that annual special occasion. At these prices, I couldn't afford to go there any more often than that. The service, ambiance and food are definitely worth it. Perfect for that anniversary or birthday when you need to do something a little different and more fancy.
(5)
Sarah D.
This restaurant has been one of my favorites for years. Even for those who worry that they are not the most "adventuresome" eaters can find things here that they will not only enjoy, but love. The food is wonderful and service is great-- this is my go to place for out of town guests. Tuesday is half price wine night and a great way to take advantage of already reasonable prices. The pumpkin appetizer is OUTSTANDING as are the vegetarian options (many of my friends who don't eat meat adore coming here because of the extensive vegetarian menu).
(4)
Hannah B.
One of the best meals I've ever had. All of the spice blends were so interesting - delicate and complex without being overwhelming.
(5)
Quynh T.
Came here on a cold winter night wanting something warm and comforting. Word around the block was that the baby pumpkin app was amazing, which was the first thing that we order. The dish was kinda schizophrenic. When you first bite, the tangy yogurt made you think it was breakfast, and then you found overpowering garlic in the yogurt that just kinda hitchhikes on your tongue and you're like...oh, wasn't expecting you, and then when the pumpkin finally hits you, it was a cloyingly sweet squishness which left you feeling that you don't know if you just ate your appetizer or dessert. Maybe it was overhyped for me, but I don't feel like it worked. Service, while prompt, was a little off their game. We ordered off the specials, and I kinda didn't remember what was ordered, but when our food came to the table, we were like...that wasn't what I was expecting, but...there's beef in that, and I remember ordering beef, so let's dig it. we got a couple of spoonfuls onto our plates when our waiter rushes out, swoops in and takes away our plates mid-ladleful. And we were like...."ooooh..that wasn't meant for ". It was the table next to us. Overall, a little bit skeptical, and while it did have its merits (really delicious lamb and tender beef (only half the cuts), it wasn't memorable or fantastic.
(3)
Corey S.
If I could give an extra half-star, I would. Being able to reserve a table through Yelp is a huge plus, as upon arrival you will be surprised to see a packed house seating over 100 at any time. This place is where I pledge to take visitors to experience a taste of what Baltimore is like. Mint Yogurt in a dish of meat sauce over homemade bakery-style ravioli shells left me wondering why I was only now finding out about their menu [which sports Sea-Bass on weekends!]. Cramped quarters for small parties and short-hand staff are made up for with courtesy and Turkish coffee. FULL BAR - Extensive list of bottled beers (ask) AFFORDABLE ** -- Top 10 places for dinner in Baltimore 2013 nominee -- **
(4)
B J.
Not much of a looker on the outside.. but inside this place is as classy at it gets! Authentic Afghan food, lamb cooked to perfection Sweet pumpkin appetizer Minus one star for slow and unattentive service
(4)
Jay A.
Absolutely the worst food I've ever tasted. The service stunk. I love this type of food but when it comes to The Helmand RUN AWAY RUN AWAY!
(1)
Cassandra M.
My husband and I ate at "The Helmand" as grad students at Johns Hopkins. That was about 10 years ago, and to this day I believe it was the best and most unique restaurant I have ever been to ...if that is not too over the top. We went with friends and shared some of each others dishes, and there were all amazing. The only bad thing I could say is that it has been a while since I was there, and I believe that Harmid Karzai's brother was still running it then, and as per NPR he had since returned to Afghanistan to be involved in events there, so I will leave it other reviewers if the quality remains the same in 2014.
(5)
Paul S.
When we walked into The Helmand on a recent Saturday night for our 6 P.M. reservation, there was no one there to greet us so we stood around for five minutes until someone materialized. I noticed that this was the 'norm', as many guests would simply just start wandering about the dining room looking for anyone who resembled an employee to announce their arrival. Strange. Our waiter was efficient, but the pacing of the meal was ridiculously fast with courses being served on top of one another and dessert coming out well in advance of coffee. We enjoyed our appetizers of baby pumpkin and the pastry filled with spiced potatoes and leeks. These were, unfortunately, the highlights of our meal. Our entrees were just okay, not remarkable in any way, and included poached salmon, vegetarian platter, and dwopiaza. Desserts were a major misfire--the Middle Eastern pastries were inedible; the cardamom ice cream was passable; the cheese plate just horrible as the cheese had the consistency of cottage cheese. Coffee refills never came. On the fence as to whether we'd go back, but glad we tried it just the same.
(3)
Jeff B.
This place has so many delicious offerings, I wish I lived nearer! I love the cardamom infused tea for starters, especially on a chilly night. The vegetarian mantwo is fantastic and rich--the filling included eggplant when I ordered it (the menu shared here doesn't seem to indicate that). The service is so much a focus of the place that it may err on the side of being a little *too* helpful, but that's a pretty great problem for a restaurant to have.
(4)
Morad B.
Very friendly staff. Nice decor. Food was wonderful. Not too spicy. Just delicious flavors. My wife and I both ordered specials. I had a chicken dish while she had a beef dish. Both cooked perfectly and so tasty. We made the reservation through Open table and mentioned that my wife and I were celebrating our anniversary and requested a nice quiet table. The manager congratulated us and offered a free desert. Such a nice gesture. I definitely recommend this place and will come back.
(5)
Jess E.
A co-worker of mine recommended The Helmand to me a while ago, and I finally got around to going during restaurant week. It definitely lived up to my expectations! Every dish I tried was AMAZING, very flavorful. I highly recommend the pumpkin appetizer, and I had a sampler of vegetarian dishes which were fantastic. I finished off with their special ice cream, which was a perfect treat. Great service too, the staff were very attentive and quick. It was a little noisy and crowded, so probably not a place to go if you're looking for a quiet intimate dinner, but definitely top-notch - if I lived closer I would eat here a lot!
(5)
Jenny N.
This place seems to always be packed...for good reason!!! I'm not one to be too adventurous on food, but I would try anything at this place. I've had steak, chicken, soup, apps and dessert and everything is seriously AMAZING! Even the coffee is delicious!!! Mushrooms, pumpkin, rice, the list goes on and on. Everyone has to try it at least once!
(5)
Deborah G.
The Helmand is like a long lost friend when it comes to dining. We had not dined there for a few years and decided to return to taste the food to see if it was what we remembered when we last had our Afghan repast. There were five of us and we had to take an early reservation because everyone else had decided this was the place to dine on a cold windy Saturday night in February. We entered the restaurant and of course it was like going back to when we last dined, because everything was the same. They honored our 5:45 pm reservation timely as they wanted to have our table for the 7 o'clock diners. Our waiter quickly greeted us, gave us menus, took our drink orders and announced the specials for the evening like a professional actor. So what did we have that ranked a 4 star dinner? One appetizer was a special salad with the most colorful plump winter heirloom tomatoes that I have seen in a long time. The greens were lovingly dressed in a flavorful balsamic dressing and the goat cheese added a nice tang and texture to the mix. We also had the pumpkin appetizer (Kaddo Borwani) with garlic flavored yogurt sauce and sugar. Oh my - it's pumpkin from heaven. If you have not tasted this, you don't know what delicious is. Our entrees consisted of the sea bass special in a red sauce with potatoes, tomatoes and spices served with rice, a chicken kebab with rice, and a nice sized portion of salmon coated with lentils served with more rice. One person had a chicken dish in a sauce with rice and said that was tasty. The fresh baked bread from the oven is always a delightful add-on to the meal and we consumed it all. For dessert we ordered the pumpkin cheese cake, fresh fruit served over custard and the Afghan ice cream with figs, dates and mangoes. The best of the three was the ice cream as it cleansed the palate of all the different spices and flavors we had just experienced. We had tea, which was okay but not as hot and flavorful as it should have been to refresh the taste buds. We all enjoyed our meals. Some were better than others but we agreed that all were tasty. I noted the portions were a bit smaller than I remembered but food prices have gone up and this is how a restaurant keeps from raising its prices. I enjoyed the meal, and the atmosphere is always wonderful as it makes me think I'm not in Baltimore but someplace more exotic. It's still a solid 4 star. I would recommend it but not on an extremely busy Saturday night when the need for the table is obvious. This is a place to relax and enjoy the food and not be rushed to the finish line to collect the check.
(4)
Joy E.
The food was delicious, and the service was very good. I had a reservation, so getting seated was no issue, otherwise the place looked very busy. I had a pumpkin dish as an appetizer that was unique and fantastic. Everyone in my party ordered a different entree, and everybody was thrilled with their selections. I would have loved to try a dessert, but was far too full to even consider it. I would go back in a heart beat.
(5)
SY C.
This place came highly recommended when I was looking for a restaurant in Baltimore. Wow. Just wow! We ordered 2 appetizers: Kaddo Borwani (the pumpkin with yogurt). I try and usually love anything pumpkin) and the Mantwo (pastry shell with meat and veggies). I loved the Mantwo. The pumpkin was good, but not as amazing as I had expected; HOWEVER, it's a great topper with the entree I had. Everything looked so good that I just put my menu down and asked our server to pick something for me. He chose the Sazby - it's a stew, served with a side of spinach, rice and a WONDERFUL green sauce. This is one of those places where you can't wait to eat the leftovers the next day! Also, the service is really great. The servers are incredibly polite and personable. When I ordered an entree to go, the server was so thoughtful to make sure the food would get home as warm/hot as possible. He wrapped the food meticulously. This kind of service isn't common for sure! I have *not* a single complaint about this place. I'd give it 6 stars! Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Mithilesh D.
This was my first time trying Afghanese food. The ambiance of the venue is very good. They have a wide selection of wines to complement with the food. We had the lamb shallow along with the chicken shallow and chicken kabob. They were simply amazing. The meat was very tender. Their cilantro dressing was super tasty too. If you are Into spicy food ask for their spicy dressing and you won't regret it. Will definitely go there again.
(5)
Samaa M.
Good food, and fantastic service. Casually dressy. Two main areas- so able to sit couples and groups.
(4)
jazzy l.
Kaddo Borwani 5.25 Pan-fried and baked baby pumpkin seasoned with sugar and served on yogurt garlic sauce. Aushak 5.25 Afghan ravioli filled with leeks, served on yogurt-mint and topped with ground beef sauce. (Vegetarian Aushak also available). Kabuli, Pallow16.50 (Afghan style rice) baked with chunks of lamb tenderloin, raisins and glazed julienne of carrots. Middle Eastern Pastries5.25 Table for 4. Street parking Cute neighborhood in Mt. Vernon The above were my favorites.
(4)
Amy R.
Everyone must try this place at least once. What a great experience. The food was good. The Kaddo Borwani pumpkin dish was amazing. Our server was very helpful in assisting us with menu questions.
(4)
Marco B.
Went alone on a business trip. I wasn't sure where I was going to end up that night so I was actually dressed in a tie-dye shirt and a pair of shorts. Regardless, everyone was polite and seemingly happy that I decided to pick their restaurant. Ambiance is nice. I wouldn't write home about it, but it's pleasantly old world inside with the brick archway. The service was great, friendly and prompt. I ordered the pumpkin appetizer and a lamb special that involved a sauce made with raisins and chilies. The pumpkin was good. I've had better, but not by a large margin. The lamb was excellent. The vinegar sauce that came with the rice tied everything together and the turnips were fantastic. I could eat a bowl of those turnips. I'm a big fan of middle eastern and Indian food. This was one of the better culinary experiences I've had with food from that area. Overall, the experience was great. Not merely good, but not excellent. I'm not from Baltimore so I doubt I will go again, but I give this as a recommendation to anyone looking for a foreign bite in Baltimore.
(4)
Richard L.
My brother was in afghanistan for a while, before the war began churning its legs and standing in place. We did not talk about it. I thought of Hemingway when he wrote "In the spring the war was still there, but we did not go to it anymore". This is how I would have felt in my gentle surrender of disregard. I cannot tell you how my brother felt as he did not feel the need to tell me. I decided to take him to the Helmand for dinner, mostly because the brother of the president of Afghanistan owns the restaurant. I told him this as we were seated and before we ordered and he gave me a sallow look. The waiter asked us if we wanted to drink anything and we chose wines at random. There is very little meaning to the small choices in our lives when the larger ones are so cutting and so fresh. The appetizers we ordered came after our bread. My brother broke a piece of bread apart and told me that it was authentic. He talked about eating with his translator, a man of dark complexion like a shadow against a hill. He told me the translator could get him movies on DVD before they came out in theatres - that he watched pornography on his cell phone like a free American man, and that he was a bastard. The Afghanis, he said, are all bastards. As he spoke the appetizers arrived - large, handmade raviolis filled with minced lamb and covered in a sauce that appeared to be yogurt and dill, with a touch of grated cucumber. My brother ate his appetizer, looked at his plate, and relented. Afghanis, he told me, are not all bastards. Just the ones that deal with the army. I had nothing to say, so we drank our wine in silence as polite conversation echoed around us. We ordered more wine and it came and we drank it and we ordered again. The entrees arrived, delicious meatballs, kofta in a sweetly turned sauce, and more raviolis(I had ordered them for my main dish). We ate more and he took one of my raviolis because he is a bastard, and then there was the quiet silence of digestion, and gustation. He said to me that the afghanis, as a matter of fact, were pretty damn swell. I nodded and ate one of his meatballs and thought to myself that this is a good reason for lambs to die - slaughter in tomato sauce is at least delicious. We did not order dessert. We did order coffee, made in the afghani style(or the turkish style, as one waiter said, serving a table next to us). The coffee was thick and tasted of cardamom and sugar. My brother said it was an excellent coffee, and that the food was excellent, and that in retrospect, the afghani people were excellent, truly excellent people. Even the bastards. There are meals, and then there are meals that we remember for reasons most likely never understood. There are restaurants, and then there are restaurants that we love for reasons we will never forget. It is not impossible that the two are related; though it is not impossible that they are unrelated as well. It is not in us to ponder these things - at least not after eating at a restaurant like the Helmand.
(4)
Ben B.
Not impressed. I'll give the good first. The place is very nice, great decor, all that nice date stuff. The pumpkin thing, though good, was not O-face delicious as everyone seems to think it is. Think pumpkin pie, but less airy and covered with yogurt sauce. Yeah, it's pretty much that. The bad, it's fairly pricey. The portions are okay, but the food is nothing special. It feels like they use the same spices for everything and that yogurt sauce I mentioned before was essentially the linchpin of every dish my table ordered. And they charge for bread. Like, a good amount, too. that's automatic 3-star in my book. 2-star is putting a plate of white rice in front of me and charging 16 bucks.
Pretty nice space, intimate, with good service. But the food was a little uneven. The Kaddo Borwani appetizer was fantastic--one of the best dishes I've ever had. But my entree (don't remember what it was called) was awful. It was a 15$ bowl of tasteless, lifeless tomato soup. I was very much tempted to return it, but decided not to ruin the night for my friends. I sampled some of their food--various dishes. It tasted like underseasoned Indian food. Nothing special. I should probably give it another shot because that appetizer WAS fantastic...
(3)
Britty-britt W.
Went here twice and I liked it the first time then the second time was not so good as far as service.. I order my eggplant and yogurt app and as entree I got lamb meatballs which is my fav dish with the rice and the lime or so dressing on the side, I then asked for desert which was the pumpkin cheesecake pie...before I go further.. When I arrived at my table I look to my right and I see pumpkin pie just sitting out on a plate and I didn't understand why a desert would be sitting out in the dining area and I would have no clue who was sitting before us and probably could've been sneezing all over the place..so I go to the bathroom and come out and my desert is there and the desert that was right of me was no longer there, I touched my desert..it was warm so I asked our server is this the pie that was sitting out here, he says yes, we leave deserts out here to thaw out since it comes out if freezer...this however was infact a lie...I worked in a restaurant and never did they do that so he knew I no longer wanted that particular slice then to be a complete nut he says well do you want to eat a frozen one, what do you want me todo..I said I'm pretty sure you gave microwave, so in thaw me a fresh alive because the one you gave me has been sitting out for 20+min, I can tell and he debates and says no it's been 5 min before you got here ..LIES!!!! so he comes out with a slice and says "oh we just got a delivery today with the pies"LIES he must've thought I was to dumb to notice the difference between a pie that's been sitting and sweating for over half a shout and a cake that was kept I right temperature and environment, to leave it out In the dinning area is not appealing to a guest that's eating and to try and feed it to me is even more disrespectful....I like the place but the blonde silly server was being absurd
(2)
Mick P.
A disappointment, compared to its Boston sibling.
(3)
Sristi S.
I had passed by this place so many times as a student. We finally managed to go in yesterday. First things first...this place is PACKED. In weekends there is no point going (unless you plan on waiting for 40-45 minutes) without reservations. We had our reservation and we still had to wait for about 10 minutes. The food is really really good. We got the roasted eggplant appetizer and it was cooked to perfection. The appetizer portions are small. We ended up sharing our but one can finish an appetizer and an entree by himself/herself easily. We got lamb based entrees, and for both of us the lamb was cooked to perfection. The chutney/sauce that goes with the entree was a great accompaniment. We also got dessert (as an advantage of ordering just one appetizer). Feerni...cardamom flavored vanilla ice-cream with rice noodles. Delicious. One of the best Asian restaurants we have been to. Will definitely go back again!
(4)
Nora H.
Excellent service, food, atmosphere. everything. Food was super interesting and delicious. Can't wait to go back,
(5)
Ali M.
Best afghani food I have eaten. If you want to eat halal you should ask the waiter what is halal for that day. It's been a few weeks since I have eaten there, but I can say that everyone at the table loved their food.
(5)
Emily P.
Great food and service (attentive, but not overbearing)! I recommend: -Any of their lamb dishes -Naan, you MUST order -Kaddo borwani, the pumpkin app -Banjan borwani, the fried eggplant app -Afghan ice cream (not overly sweet but has wonderful texture with the dates and figs)
(4)
Leslie K.
I was rather disappointed. Pros: - Good quality food, but not the best ever. I had the vegetarian aushak and it was good but could use some more spices to enhance the flavor. I had enough to eat but just barely. - Seems like pretty authentic Afghan food - Nice atmosphere: you'd be comfortable in jeans or a suit. - We were seated quickly and courteously. Cons: - TINY TINY TINY PORTIONS. My boyfriend had one of the lamb dishes and a side of okra, and was still starving after. We also had the pre-meal bread, which was really fresh and good but not worth the $5 extra, see below. - Seemingly affordable, you end up spending twice as much as you expected because the portions are so small you need appetizers AND side dishes, and then if you have anything besides water you end up with an astronomical bill for what you get. - Awkwardly long tables.
(2)
debbie a.
This place was OK when compared to my much less expensive prior experience with Afghan cuisine. The pumpkin appetizer is GOOD, but I was expecting a larger portion (it looked like a scoop of pumpkin). The reviews on service are pretty accurate. The staff is friendly, informative and prompt. The food is just north of good and shy of really good. May not be as great as the hyped reviews on Yelp suggest, but not a bad experience if you want to have Afghan via upgraded dining experience - personally, I would rather have an Afghan food experience that was more down to earth with deeper more complex flavors.
(3)
Rob N.
The Helmand is way better than I remember, and still an affordable option. Apart from a bit of a wait to be seated for our reservation, during which we crammed against the coat-rack as two very large parties swapped in/out at a bank of tables near the door, dinner at Helmand was very enjoyable. Despite being a jam-packed Saturday night for the Valentine's Day weekend, service was surprisingly prompt and efficient. Drinks arrived in short order, with glasses of Spanish Cava provided by individual small serving bottles instead of being poured from an open bottle at the bar. Appetizers showed up quickly after ordering, with salads, Kaddo Bowrani, Aushak, and Mantwo getting the thumbs-up. Our entrees were a selection of lamb, beef, and fish dishes - a poached salmon filet seared with a yellow pea sauce; lamb and turnip stewed with tomato and spices; a salad with sliced beef tenderloin; lamb stewed with mushrooms. The lamb and turnip combo was nicely tangy, spicy, and sweet (from the turnips) - just a real nice combo of flavors. Naan was served up hot with a slightly crispy outside and tender inside. Pumpkin cake, cardamom ice cream w/dried fruit, and pastries adorned the table for dessert - the ice cream a super-creamy vanilla-bean flavor with cardamom, dates, figs, and mango. Decor's nicer than I remember. It's been years since I've dined at the Helmand, and it seems warmer and more stylish than I recall. One warning though, is that the tables are closely set, and it can get a bit on the loud side when the dining room's full. Still, it's a good meal, and won't break the bank.
(4)
Lana T.
Authentic, delicious Afghan food. I've eaten in Fremont, which I think has something like the biggest Afghan community in the U.S., and I always thought Afghan food was just okay. But the Helmand takes it to another level. Service is always excellent, the bread is amazing, and I'm kind of in love with the mantwo and its yogurt sauce. As with any Afghan restaurant, the lamb is a must try. My personal favorite is the koufta challow (lamb and beef meatballs, mm), but honestly, I've never heard anything bad about any the dishes here. I've also tried the vegetarian options which were also very good, but again, the lamb is what shines. I wasn't as in love with the kaddo borwani (pumpkin) as my fellow Yelpers seem to be, but it's still worth a try as it's a very unique flavor. Don't forget to top off your meal with some Afghan ice cream. Definitely a great option during restaurant week or, really, any other time as well.
(4)
Jenny H.
The service and ambience here are really nice for a great dinner before a show or a nice work meeting. The only thing I don't like about this place is that they don't serve you generous portions. Unless you order bread in the beginning (which costs $5 for a big basket), I feel like I would leave feeling hungry. This place has basic, good Afghan food. The bread is like warm flat bread and the butter they serve it with (salty and soft) is good. I ordered their chicken lawand, which is large chunks of chicken in this salty tomato broth, with some yogurt sauce on top (not enough yogurt sauce). They serve it with a cup of rice and a small plate of spinach. The tomato broth didn't have enough tomato flavor in it and it would have been better with more yogurt sauce to cut the saltiness of the broth. The baked pumpkin with yogurt sauce for an appetizer is always good, but again, they serve you two small slivers- you can eat the entire thing by yourself. I think this place serves smaller portions so it seems like a nicer restaurant, but it's like any Afghan food you would get at any take-out place, except on nicer silverware and in a nice ambience.
(3)
Erica C.
hey....it's restaurant week....why not? Well, we decided we were better off just ordering off of the regular menu. We started off with the bread and pumpkin dish. I am a strong believer in the idea that bread should be free with dinner. $2.50? ughh whatever. It was some tasty bread though. The pumpkin appetizer was alright....I DO NOT SEE THE HYPE. It just a sugary mess of pumpkin with a dab of hot yogurt, but for $6 okay whatever again. My lamb dish was decent. It had raisins and carrots, along with a ton of rice. My friend's beef dish was essentially just a kabob, but the beef was cooked to the desired state. We didn't bother with dessert. The ambiance is quite lovely, but I've had much better. I'd rather save the cash and go to Maiwand Kabob or something.
(3)
Yolanda R.
The fabulous husband and I went to Te Helmand for his birthday celebration. Initially I was a little concerned the entrance is small and crowded near tables as well as loud. However the host was delightful and polite and the food coming to the tables looked phenomenal. We were seated relatively close to our reservation time in a quiet table close to the window. Which was lovely and allowed for conversation. If you are going to try The Helmund I cannot recommend the baked pumpkin enough. The sweet pumpkin paired with the sour tangy taste of the yogurt was fantastic. We shared a plate, though I certainly could have devoured the entire thing by myself growling while anyone tried to steal a note. I enjoyed my main dish of the pastry though I will say the yogurt added cooled the dish a little too much bit the flavors saved it from being disappointing. The wonderful husband did not even offer to share his lamb with apricots and completely cleaned the plate so I can only say that he enjoyed it immensely. We finished the meal with Turkish coffee which kept me up half the night so I know it was good. The service itself was polite and swift without being invasive. I recommend giving The Helmund a go but make reservations! I saw several people turned away due to the long wait before a table would be available.
(4)
Jon P.
Good dinner, but not as amazing as I'd hoped given the hype. The pumpkin appetizer that other reviewers mentioned was indeed incredible. Good service.
(3)
Dhruv L.
Unfortunately, most of the people calling this Afghan food are not remotely from that side of the world. This is a very, and I mean very Americanized version of Afghani food (No offence). The place is perfect to bring a date, and introduce them to "non-toxic Afghani" food, if you know what I mean. The spice levels are geared to an American palate, the dishes are simply sweetened instead of using real flavors like cashew, cardamom and pomegranate, which are used a lot in Afghani cuisine. The bread basket is served like an actual bread basket with butter (anyone heard of the Pashto word naan?, wth?) Everything but the food is definitely worth it. Good ambiance, polite staff, etc. But when it comes to paying $30 for food that is sub-standard at best it spoils the fun. All in all, this is a classy restaurant, where you could definitely bring a date or family and enjoy a "fork and knife" version of Afghani food. If you like that go for it. But seeing as most reviewers here have nothing better to compare to, I forgive you. :)
(2)
Robert M.
This was our second visit. As before, both the food and service were exceptional.
(5)
Jack S.
Went when visiting my sister and friends in Baltimore. It was quite a revelation. Don't miss the pumpkin appetizer, and everything that the table had was excellent. I only wish I could remember the name of the lamb and turnip special I had so I could try to find a recipe online...
(5)
Ken K.
We have eaten here many times. Always exceptional. Intelligent, knowledgeable and cheerful, Lauren made the experience a delight.
(5)
K M.
This was authentic, well prepared food in a professional and stylish environment. I enjoyed the meal and the service was perfect.
(4)
Amanda K.
This place is as good as the hype. All of their food was seasoned perfectly. The pumpkin appetizer (Kaddo Borawni) and my entree the Vegetarian Aushak, were excellent. The waiter was very knowledgeable about the food and made some very good recommendations. They were able to accommodate my vegan friend by removing the yogurt sauce from her entree. My new pastime will be trying to re-create their cilantro vinagarette at home, delicious!
(5)
Todd D.
Easily one of the best restaurants out there. As noted by loads of folks, the pumpkin appetizer (Kaddo Borwani) is fantastic. As always, the ravioli (Aushak) was amazing - we do the vegetarian, but I'm sure the beef is also fantastic. Crowded on weekend, to no wonder, and well worth a visit. We had three - 3 apps, 3 mains, 3 desserts, bottle of wine - $35 a person. A great, great value for the wonderful quality.
(5)
Elizabeth M.
Review by The Boy pretending to be "mother"... This resturaunt is amazing! Some of the best afghan food I have ever tasted and the staff are very nice! I would rate 6 stars out of 5 because it is 110%! We went here for the loving' hubs birthday and they gave us a wonderful pumpkin pudding cake covered with fruit, and it was delicious. The boy ordered some spicy meatballs with a name I can't remember and they were nice enough to give him some sweet pumpkin covered with yogurt (delicious!) and he devoured it, possibly the hungriest I have ever seen him. We also ordered some afghan ravioli competed with meat sauce and spices as and appetizer they were AWESOME I can't really say much more about except -- GO THERE NOW!!!!!!!!!!8
(5)
Meghan R.
This was my first time eating Afgan food - what a success! It was so good! I went for two of my friend's birthdays (we were in a big group) EVERYONE loved their food. It was excellent. The food does taste different than anything I had ever tried, but it was a very good kind of different. It was more expensive than we expected, but we did order a couple of bottles of wine.
(4)
Kara F.
I love this place. Its a perfect date spot or a great way to enjoy and evening with friends. It has the same intimate feel as the b on Bolton St and the waitstaff is just as friendly and accommodating. I started with Mantwo, Homemade pastry shells filled with onions and beef, served on yogurt and for my entree I had an amazing lamb dish. To be honest I'm not sure which lamb dish, but I can only assume based on eating mine and trying my friend's that all of their entrees are equally delectable. I will definitely be going back!
(5)
Amity C.
Have eaten here three times now and have not been disappointed. The kaddo borawni (baby pumpkin and yogurt), aushak (Afghan ravioli), and pumpkin cheesecake are to die for. There are other items on the menu that are not quite as good, but definitely still worth trying. Service is efficient and professional, if not particularly warm.
(4)
Ryan W.
I love this place. The service is impeccable. The food is consistently delicious. The ambiance is classy and prices are great. I've been there five times and had a great experience every time.
(5)
Mabel T.
Great Afghan food!! If I could sum it up in one word, it would be FLAVOR. Everything I've tried on their menu is just a burst of flavor in your mouth. I always have to get the Kaddo Borwani -- pumpkin with sugar and this yogurt sauce. I cannot get enough of this stuff. For entrees, my husband usually gets any of their lamb dishes and he says it's delicious every time. I prefer going for their vegetarian dishes just because they're so different and unique from other vegetarian dishes you find. Personal favorites are eggplant and vegetable & onion stuffed pastry shells. Something about their food, too, just fills me up so much more than other vegetarian dishes. I would definitely recommend this place!
(4)
Trevor B.
This place is so friggin good...I've never had something here that wasn't either great or phenomenal. Chose to go here for my birthday dinner with family over other favorites and so glad I did. Even though they're wildly popular in B'more, they're so efficient and good at what they do that it's actually pretty easy to get reservations, even during peak times. I'm pretty confident I could live on the Kaddo Borwani appetizer (pumpkin with yogurt) and their delicious fresh-baked naan. The Aushak and Mantwo apps are also superb. As for the entrees, you really can't go wrong...the complexity of the flavors/spices amazes me every time I go. Their service is always top-notch and the interior always seems so warm and inviting. As if all this wasn't enough, it's so modestly priced for the quality of the food/experience that you receive. This is one of Baltimore's best for sure.
(5)
Jimmy H.
I traveled from LA to eat here, no joke. My first experience at the Helmand was 12 years ago, and it's still as awesome as I remember it from my high school days. It's a little more dressy nowadays than back in the 90's I think? The rice is KING here. I swear I can eat it, just by itself, and it would be better than 50% of my other meals eaten in restaurants. The bread's not bad, but utterly forgettable compared to the rice IMHO. The sauces are mysteriously good too. Waitstaff gets an A. Atmosphere gets a B sometimes because of loud Afghan music videos. The bar is underappreciated. Order anything you want, you can't really go wrong, or just ask.
(5)
Stella O.
Good: atmosphere I guess... but who really cares when the food is mediocre Bad: Food....Just really over priced and mediocre which is not good when you wait and wait....
(2)
Joyram C.
We had an 8 pm reservation and one hour later, there is still no sign of table or apology. Neither an appetizer nor a beverage to help us manage our wait. We will be taking our hungry and thirsty selves elsewhere.
(1)
Abby W.
As spring break drew near, a group of friends and I decided that a last fancy dinner together was in order. There really isn't much of that around Hopkins, and let's face it, Mount Vernon is where it's at. Anyways, The Helmand was recommended to us by several friends who have chosen this classy joint for their dinner dates. Our group of four was seated immediately. When you enter, the first room looks deceptively small, but there's another larger room to the side and a bar area. Obviously going for a romantic, high-end feel, the restaurant was dimly lit and each table was adorned with wine glasses and lit candles. While reading the menu, the Asian in me was simultaneously assaulted by the prices and thoughts of "MY EYESIGHT IS DETERIORATING AS WE SPEAK". OK, I kid about the prices. Having been to Kabul in Sunnyvale, CA, I was prepared for the ~$15 entrees. Such is apparently the price of quality Afghan food. We started off with the Kaddo Borwani (the pumpkin appetizer that Yelp reviewers rave about). The pumpkin was sweet and the yogurt garlic sauce was just this side of right. You know that feeling when your tastebuds go, "Hmmrgh? Mmmm." Be warned though, them appetizers be individual-sized. The four of us got about half a bite each. I ordered the Dwopiaza. I'm a huge lamb fan and I can't say I was disappointed. The lamb was cooked until it was tender, the rice was fragrant and flavorful. My only complaint is the serving size. When I got the plate, I was like "This is it? I could have gone to the Indian buffet twice with the money I'm paying." Still, I didn't leave the restaurant hungry. With the nibble of appetizer, I was just satisfied. My friends and I are pretty good with sharing so I also got a bite of the chicken kebab and the lamb kebob. The chicken was the most tender piece of meat I have ever tasted, and I am saying this begrudgingly as the biggest beef eater that ever was. My heart nearly skipped a beat when I saw that the lamb kebab was still slightly rare in the center. However, it was a little bit drier than the lamb from my dwopiaza. Rating Breakdown: 2/2 Stars for Taste - I'm not in any way an expert on Afghan food, so i can't vouch for its authenticity, but the food was irrefutably delicious. The meats were tender, the rice wasn't overcooked or dry. I would definitely recommend the appetizer, but warn against sharing it with more than 2 people. 0.5/1 Stars for Value - I'm just too cheap to enjoy this type of restaurant, you know, where I feel like I'm paying an extra $5-10 for the ambience. My individual bill, after splitting the one appetizer and paying tax/tip was around $26. I spent the night weeping, curled in a protective ball around my ravaged wallet. If I left the restaurant feeling more satisfied, the price could have been excused as the occasional splurge, but I just don't think my experience was worth it. 0.5/1 Stars for Customer Service - The waiters were impatient and almost rude. Our waiters attitude noticeably cooled when we turned away the wine menu (We're underage). At one point, they brought us the wrong dish.We had already dug in when they came over, whisked it away, and brought another one without much of an explanation. Umm..OK? At least I got a free bite? No bonus star because I'm not really in a hurry to come back. Overall a great night, but not worth repeating.
(3)
Fingerpuppet R.
Remembering my meal there is making me angry. ABSTRACT: Overpriced, underwhelmed, rushed, nipples. I had heard so much good things about this place, but seriously, did they go to the same restaurant? I'm generally willing to give a place a second chance, but here, they did nothing to make me ever want to go back. The pumpkin appetizer is not good. The pumpkin itself is flavorless, the yogurt garlic sauce has an odd flavor and most of all, it's warm/lukewarm and cold all in one dish, and not in that good contrast-sort of way. Also, it comes out about 30 seconds after you order it, so you do the math..... I ordered the Kabuli. The lamb had that mealy texture to it that you get when you overcook it, and overall the rice dish was so salty I couldn't get through even a quarter of the dish. The boyfriend ordered a chicken dish, which was basically just chicken cooked in tomatoes with absolutely no flavoring. It was better than my overly salty dish, but that's not saying much. How can an Afghan restaurant serve food that has no personality, no spice, no flavor, no soul? We're both very adventurous with food and love different types of spices and flavorings, but when the dish offers up nothing, it's so disappointing. I don't get it. I can open a can of tomatoes and dump it on chicken at home without spending seventeen bucks on the dish. As some other folks have also mentioned on here, the service is so rushed and hectic I was straight up pissed off by the time dinner was over. They tried to take my appetizer plate away three times. There was still food on my plate and I was literally about to take a bite when I was asked if they can take the plate away. My boyfriend actually had to stop the guy who was lifting my plate, saying "She's still eating!!!!" then the guy walked away annoyed. They did it again with my entree, and when I said I wanted a box because I felt bad for not eating any of it, they brought out the box while my boyfriend was still eating. Then they asked if he was done. Seriously??? If you want your plate back that badly, don't bring it out in the first place. Seriously, that was awful. The nail in the coffin was our waiter. He showed up to work wearing a white, thin, collared shirt, but with no undershirt. He was literally walking around the dining room with his nipples visible to everyone through his shirt, with the nipples becoming more and more visible as his perspiration level increased, if you catch my drift. You're serving people food. Don't be a lazy ass and wear an undershirt. Cover your fricking nipples. VERDICT: I'm never going back. Ever.
(1)
Al G.
Great food, if you have never had Afghan food it is good when done right and they do that here.. I like the Mantwo and the Koufta Challow. Price are fair for what you get .. Check it out.
(4)
Tia T.
Sadly, my fellow yelpers were not of much help on this one. I went READY to have the dishes that came so highly recommended...however.... 1. The pumpkin appetizer was TOO SWEET 2. The meats weren't bad but you could not tell them apart (we had lamb, beef and chicken) 3. We had the ice-cream for dessert. It was very good 4. The 'naan' was not NAAN! It was regular bread that I make at home.. This place is so highly recommended... WHY??? Not the worst I've had but definitely not worth the 4 stars and rave reviews!
(3)
Kaitlyn G.
I believe the hype! This is one of the best restaurants in Baltimore. Good vegetarian options, and decent prices. Don't be afraid to ask questions about the menu, the waitstaff has always been very helpful.
(4)
Linette G.
Absolutely delicious food. The apps are all very good as are the entrees. Even the deserts. I honestly can't remember the names of the things I got because I was having such a hard time deciding, I asked the server to pick for me! He picked awesome things and was a total sweetheart throughout the entire evening. The food came out fast too, which I was a bit suspicious of, but after my first bite, I stopped questioning. It's always a good sign when there isn't much conversation over dinner because both parties are too busy MMMMMing out loud after every bite. We were the last ones in the dining room and we ended up chatting with the server for a good 20 minutes after the place had closed. Truly a 5 star experience.
(5)
art f.
What I liked - Overall the food was good, the menu offered a wider variety of choices than the standard Afghan eatery, aushak and mantu were hearty but I like the versions at my favorite Northern Virginia restaurants more. I had a lamb, mushroom, and spinach entree over rice. What I didn't - On a Saturday night, the place was packed when we arrived at 6:15 for a 6:30 reservation. We were seated 15 minutes later, but 30 minutes of standing in an overheated restaurant in a bar space as crowded as a Metro station at rush hour didn't put me in the best mood for dinner. The dining room is packed with most tables so close that weaving one's way about is challenge. Noisy, hot, and lackluster service - you can eat as well and more graciously elsewhere.
(2)
Jessica L.
Everything I've had here is delicious and well done. The pumpkin appetizer is incredible. I enjoyed the sea bass which was cooked perfectly. The lamb is great as well. I came here once for New Year's Eve and it felt like an elegant start to the night. Also came here for a birthday party and they hosted about 20 of us. The service was very good.
(4)
Allie D.
Lots of great vegetarian choices! I had the veg platter ( a little bit of everything), I especially liked the juicy mushrooms and eggplant in tomato sauce. The rice comes with a slightly spicy cilantro chutney. I haven't had much Afghan food, and it was a very interesting combination of caramelized sweetness and tart toppings. The pumpkin Kaddo Borwani appetizer was excellent. Service was very fast and attentive. One mild complaint - our server was a little pushy, asking a second time for drinks / dessert, after we'd already said no.
(4)
Carter N.
I've been here a few times and it's always a good experience. The interior is classy but not too fancy. The staff are so nice. The food is really good. I recommend the Mantwo entree for those who might like ground beef cabbage dumplings. If you really want to taste the variety, the family meal (for 4 or more) offers a sampling of salads, appetizers, entrees, and desserts (with an option to add bottomless wine).
(4)
Brian J.
Everything was great except for our waitress Lauren charged us for 2 Ice Creams that we didn't even order. So make sure to watch your receipt before u pay!!!
(3)
Jeff H.
Really tremendous experience -- great good, amazing value. Same ownership as the Cambridge, MA location where I had my first Afghan food experience 13-14 years ago. Their take on Afghan is lighter than, e.g., the also great but different Afghan Restaurant in Alexandria, VA.
(5)
Beth H.
Let's put it simply - the food is DELICIOUS, and the wait staff is AMAZING! They were unobtrusive but there when appropriate, never letting our glasses empty nor our palates pause. Appetizers, soups, and delicious flatbread served on cue. The main dishes were served with the last yummy bite of my ap! And we were visited by the host, the manager AND had the GREATEST SERVER (Lauren-ask for her!), although Brett made a great impression too with his bar tending skills. The food: though similar to some Indian/Mediterranean/Middle Eastern fares you may have had, this is a unique menu. The chefs indeed have captured and perfected the indigenous Afghani flavor - and rightly so, as the restaurant is owned by the FIRST FAMILY! I usually prefer lamb, but took Lauren's recommendation of the grilled beef. Soooo the right choice! I thought mine was the best dish at the table, but my daughter argued that her vegetarian meal was better, and my husband disputed that his lamb stew was the best! We were all satisfied, but I am sad to say that SOMEONE scarfed ALL of the leftovers later, so the one or two nibbles at the table of each dish were all that I had. Next time we will take a bigger group and ask for "family style." Yes, they can do that! Call ahead, make a reservation and ask the manager to arrange it. You'll get to sample a good selection of the dishes. Hint: call early, make reservations. It gets really busy on the weekends and it can be nearly impossible to get a table some nights. We were lucky - this last visit was on a Friday during Grad Week & we walked in at about 6 pm and were seated immediately. Within an hour it was packed, and all reservations booked!
(5)
Taniyyus S.
we were visiting friends in Baltimore and they all recommended this place. What a wonderful place. We went their as a part of group of nice and the place was packed but the staff was so very friendly and accomodating, they took care of all our needs, including the ridiculous ones. A lot of people recommends the pumpkin pie for appetizers but it was a bit too sweet for my liking, more of an dessert if you ask me. But the entrees were so good, not too spicy but light and creamy. My wife had the vegetarian platter which was fantastic, I tried the chicken lawand, Well cooked chicken in light creamy sauce with vegetables, absolutely delicious. Dont expect your food to be spicy like indian or pakistani.
(5)
sofia v.
Sooo Gooood!!! Went with some friends last week for dinner and it was the best!! The pumpkin appetizer was delicious! The Riesling I sipped on was crisp and perfect! Hubby had the chicken kabob and loved it, the rest of us had another chicken dish, name slips my mind... Which was also good! Service was good, and prices are moderate!
(5)
T M.
What a wonderful meal and the service was incredible. I was caught in a rainstorm while walking to The Helmand and my shirt was quite wet. The manager offered me a change of shirt if I wanted, as he said he keeps one in the back in case something gets spilled on him. I declined the offer but was impressed with the level of concern. On to the meal. It was the first time we had tried Afghan cuisine. We started with the kaddo borwani and banjan borwani. Both were delicious. For the mains we had the ordered from their daily specials and we both had extremely tasty lamb dishes. My partner had a slightly spicy lamb-apricot challow. I had another lamb challow with mushrooms The level of spicing was perfect and the lamb litterally melted in our mouths. Excellent service, atmosphere and extremely tasty food. Impressive.
(5)
Victoria L.
I was SO hopeful about this place - I've heard and read such good things about Helmand that I was excited to finally have a chance to go. Needless to say I was sort of shocked when our food came out not 10 minutes after we ordered - obviously not freshly prepared, and honestly it didn't even look freshly plated. I'm always amazed when restaurants do this, because nothings screams "we don't want your patronage" like getting us our food as quickly as possible and in the most generic means possible. I ordered Mantwo, he ordered Dwopiaza, we had a couple splits of champage. I've had really amazing Afghan food in NYC and from all the reviews, I figured I'd get that at Helmand. Unfortunately the meal was pretty bland and almost cold. Now, it could have been an off night. They weren't very busy but everyone has them. But if I wanted a cold, pre-plated meal I would have heated up a Lean Cuisine, for far less money.
(2)
Lizzie B.
I don't normally eat this type of food but I am now a fan. Everything we had was awesome!! So cool that they have one in SF. I'm definitely going to try it. We had a big group of close to 20 and service was awesome. Our drinks were filled, the waiter made awesome suggestions, appetizers he suggested and desert was good. I had the mahi mahi with a tomato sauce that he suggested. It was sooooo good. I sampled everyone else's dishes, totally good. I'm coming back when I'm in the area in Feb.
(4)
Holly N.
We just moved to Baltimore and literally put our bags and boxes down and found ourselves starving. A friend had recommended The Helmand and off we went. When we got there we realized we were seriously, embarrassingly underdressed but knew nowhere else to go and were too hungry to to pass up the wonderful smells coming from the kitchen. The waitstaff were friendly, but did seem a little put off by my flip flops and torn jeans and my other half's casual North face t-shirt. We sat down amongst other people enjoying their "special occasions" and had our own celebrating our arrival to Baltimore. The pumpkin appetizer definitely lives up to its rep and the eggplant appetizer was also delicious. The main courses were very good but not as memorable as the appetizers by far. I had a chilean wine that was crisp and fruity. The staff were attentive and friendly. I would go back, but this time more appropriately dressed. It's not "fancy" per se, but not totally casual either.
(3)
brian g.
Ordered the lamb Lawand and mantwol appetizer. Was my first afghan food experience but I found the food rather plain and uninteresting. The lamb was very tender and stewed perfectly and the rice was delicious but the Mantwo tasted like something from a chef boyardee can (it was a ravioli like pastry with tomato and meat sauce). If you want your food to be calming then try this but I like a little more excitement. Decor was only so so but we had no reservations so weren't in the main area. UPDATE: GET THE PUMPKIN...ADDING AN EXTRA STAR JUST FOR THAT DISH!
(4)
Barbara D.
I've heard nothing but good things about this place, but I was a bit disappointed by the food. It wasn't memorable at all, and was actually pretty plain. The atmosphere is great though - elegant and fun, like a ton of intimate dinner parties all going on at the same time. It's a great place for a celebration. I will be back to try other things on the menu, but at the moment, I'm not wowed.
(3)
Megan S.
The Helmand doesn't disappoint. Our server was really easy going and helpful; she didn't even miss a beat when we explained that half of our party is vegan. She directed us to dishes that were either vegan or could be served without the yogurt sauce. She also brought a delicious, vegan cilantro sauce to the table to compensate for the fact that we weren't having the yogurt sauce on the vegetarian dishes. (The carnivores at our table were quite happy as well!) The mushroom lewand is my favorite, and of course the pumpkin isn't to be missed.
(5)
Ken M.
Food yes. Service no. Pumpkin app is excellent, but dessert sweet. Eggplant app is unappealing in appearance, but tasty. Why butter with bread? Yoghurt? Vegetarian dishes are delicious. Dirty glassware. The kind with food stuck to it, not just spots or lipstick. Service. Waiting. Waiting. Disorganized mostly. Not unwilling, just not thinking ahead: "Do you want anything else to drink?" when my water glass is empty. Long time between apps and meals. Meals dropped and runner fled the table. After dinner tea and coffee arrived 5 minutes apart. It's a good restaurant. Few service steps and great restaurant.
(3)
Anna K.
I had a really good time at the Helmand. I enjoyed the atmosphere and the food was delicious all around. My only real issue was with the speed of the service - that could use some work. We started with the Kaddo Borwani (pumpkin app) and it was by far the best thing we had all night. For dinner, three of us shared Mantwo, the Vegetarian platter, and a lamb special. Given the prices, I think the meals should come with their bread and it shouldn't be a separate expense. All of the entrees were good (A-) but we didn't order anything I HAVE to have again. I'm sure I will return but I'd like for them to work on their service.
(4)
S K.
The small doorway into the restaurant was very misleading as the restaurant opens up to a large dining room. The food there was excellent. We had a group of 6 which qualifies us for the family style meal. First comes the naan bread which was fresh and delicious. I did find it odd that they served the bread with plain butter rather than some Afghan sauce (maybe I'm naive and the Afghans dont smother bread with sauce?). Then came the salad which seemed more like a dish created only to please Americans as it was nothing more than a green salad. Then came the good stuff... For appetizers, we got the Kaddo Borwani (pumpkin with yogurt sauce), Banjan Laghatak (stewed eggplant), Bowlani (pastry shells filled with leeks and spiced potatoes). and one more that I forgot about. All were very delicious. For the main course, we got the meat balls, the tenderloin of lamb, the Mantwo (pastry -shell filled with onions and beef), Aushak (ravioli filled iwth leeks and ground beef), Dwopiaza (lamb with onions, peas), Kabuli Pallow (Afghan style rice baked with lamb, raisins, and carrrots), white rice and the spinach. And lastly we got two desserts (Middle Eastern Pastries and the Chocolate Cake). Great restaurant, good service. Get there early, the place filled up complete within 15 minutes after we got there (6pm).
(5)
R P.
Excellent! Rich, flavorful food with several great vegetarian choices. The crowded room speaks for itself...
(5)
Sonal V.
So I've been to an Afghani restaurant called Helmand in Boston. It received a lot of praise and I was pretty disappointed when I finally made it there. I kinda thought that would be the case in Baltimore even though I know they are two totally different restaurants. Well I was pleasantly very wrong. Every single thing I had was delicious and had a distinct flavor. I was very impressed and want to go back to try the other things I missed. And of course a bonus is that they have a whole page dedicated to vegetarian specials. It also is a great place to people watch. An interesting crowd comes through.
(5)
John I.
The Helmand is a unique restaurant bringing the flavors and arts of Afghanistan to the Baltimore region. I think the concept is smart in that they are bringing ethnic style food to "white table cloth" presentation style. The restaurant was gorgeous and just seeing it through the window on the way into the restaurant one would definitely say that it looks like a very hospitable atmosphere. That being said, the food was "meh". Here are my dinner details: Starter: Aushak - $4.75 Afghan ravioli filled with leeks, served on yogurt-mint and topped with ground beef sauce. A very, very small dish that seemed like it just came from one of those mass heating trays. The ravioli had a greasy feel and I could not taste the mint in the dish. It was quite bland in the overall scheme of things. Main: Chicken Kabob - $14.95 Marinated boneless chicken breast, served pallow and marinated vegetables. A dried out chicken dish that had little flavor. Again, it felt like it was being warmed in the back in one of those large serving plates. The veggies were not seasoned properly. I could not really taste the spirit of Afghanistan in this dish! On a side note, they make a nice gin martini! In conclusion, I can't recommend this restaurant to you. I am sorry.
(2)
Sunny W.
I think I came here on a date?? Needless to say the "date" wasn't all that memorable (sorry dude) but the food...the food was GREAT. I apologize I don't remember exactly what I ordered since its been a couple years since my visit. You do have to try the PUMPKIN appetizer like other yelpers are recommending. The atmosphere was intimate with dim lighting --great for gatherings and dates but not so much kids. I would dine here again.
(4)
Teraneh J.
A plus for the vegetarian specials, but charging for the bread- come on! Also, the pumpkin appetizer is totally yuck! I don't know why it is so highly recommended. I think I would prefer going to an Indian buffet- more variety for around the same price... The bread here is awesome though...
(3)
Alisa K.
I've had Afghan food at a number of other places and I think this place is actually kind of overrated. The steak tips were bland, the pumpkin nothing special. It does have a nice, romantic ambience, however. This place needs to get a better halal selection (only one or two beef dishes are halal).
(3)
Anna S.
The food at this place is absolutely delicious! It is so flavorful that it's impossible to stop even when you're so full you can't eat anymore. It's quite expensive but the deliciousness seemed worth it to me.
(5)
Jen C.
The wait was only 5 minutes at 9pm on a Saturday evening, and even so late, it was still packed with patrons, which drew us in to a unique tasting experience! However, we were very displeased by the service here, which downgraded what could have been a fun, delicious experience to 3 stars. The food was great: the highly praised pumpkin appetizer came out within a minute after ordering. It consisted of warm slices of pumpkin, dribbled in yogurt. Creamy and tasty, but I didn't think it was worth $5 for such a small plate. Their noodle soup at first glance isn't far off from Campbell's or Chef Boyardee's--but the noodles are very soft, and broth has so many layers of flavor to it. In it, there's hearty tomatoes and vegetables, blended with their yogurt and spices that linger in your mouth. Heart in a bowl. Ravioli stuffed with leeks, topped with yogurt, spices and a ground beef sauce was silky and divine. Lamb was tasty, but gamy for those who fear. We finished our meal with the pudding + seasonal fruit. Fruit was nothing to get excited about...lots of apples as opposed to the blackberries (only 2) and strawberries; pudding was tasty, but not worth the $6. You might as well buy JELL-O pudding and top it with your own fruits. The major disappointment was our server. He only spoke to us like he was getting through a script...and oddly walked away, leaving trails of sentences that he never finished with us at the table. It took 15+ minutes for him to come take our order, and 30+ minutes for him to take our dessert order...on top of another 10 to swipe our credit card. We noticed he was busy gabbing with another table witin sight, and it was only until the couple felt bad and shooed him over to us that we finally received service. No apology received. Needless to say, we didn't leave a hefty tip.
(3)
David M.
Everyone raves about the Kaddo Borwani (pan-fried and baked baby pumpkin), and, yup, it was excellent. Good vegetarian and vegan menu items. The Dolma Murch (stuffed bell peppers) was terrific, perfectly seasoned and quite filling. Decent wine list. Oh, and the Turkish coffee? A+.
(4)
Tammy M.
YUM! Try everything. I love this restaurant. The food and the wine are delicious. It's a great place to take out of town guests, and people new to the city. The pumpkin appetizer is famous, and it's delicious paired with the white yogurt? it comes with.
(5)
Andrea S.
Pros: Great service, nice atmosphere, good location Cons: The food is terrible. The bread was clearly a mass produced block of naan-pita. The food itself was so bland. We ordered a salad which came with a single tiny block of feta. Then we ordered the vegetable korma and a lamb dish. We requested that the lamb be made extra spicy. What we got were 2 bowls of overcooked, flavorless mush. The lamb was not spicy and when we summoned the waitress, she said that they do not serve any spicy dishes. This makes no sense to me since every Afghan restaurant I have been to has had moderately spicy dishes. I think this place serves a watered-down version of Afghan cuisine that appeals to tourists and people are new to this type of food. I strongly recommend that you do not go to this restaurant if you want to try "real" Afghan food.
(1)
Jessica L.
The other week I headed out for the Bachlorette Party of a friend. We started at The Helmand The Helmand serves Afghan Cuisine. When you walk in you are welcome by a warm feeling with colorful main dining room that is festooned with festive Afghani clothing and tapestries. Every dish is a careful composition of cumin, coriander, mint and other spices. for dinner. We started our dinner by ordering a couple orders of the Kaddo Borawni which is Pan fried and baked baby pumpkin seasoned with sugar and served on yogurt garlic sauce. I never would have thought of putting some of those ingredients together. However, it made for a perfect appetizer. It had a sweetness that was over powering and the garlic gave it a nice bite that wasn't too much. The texture was very smooth and the pumpkin was perfectly cooked. For my dinner I had the Mantwo which is homemade pastry shell filled with onions and beef. Served on yogurt and topped with carrots, yellow split peas and beef sauce. The dish was prepared perfectly and had a nice spiciness to it. These could become a new comfort food for me. As you ate it the feeling was a warm one that made you feel at home. I must admit I was a bit optimistic about the dinner but I will say now I look forward to trying other Afghan food. Of course after eating and sharing some bottles of wine we presented the Bride with some typical Bachlorette gifts for her wedding night (we got the attention of the wait staff and the surrounding tables). The owner then presented us with Champagne on the house. The experience was wonderful and I can not wait to go back again. Part of the party then did journey to the 13th Floor for some dancing while the rest of us had to go home to bed (It was a Thursday night and I do have to teach those kiddos).
(5)
Martha G.
After skimming the Yelp reviews for a decent eat in Baltimore, I settled on trying the Helmand. An average of 4 stars must be pretty good, right? Well, like some others have stated in their reviews, I was disappointed, perhaps even sorely disappointed. We started some bread and with the pumpkin appetizer. The bread was good, but it reminded me a lot of the bread from Cosi. So I don't know if it's all that special. The pumpkin was pretty good; I really enjoyed the yogurt sauce on top. Next, we tried the Dolma Murch and Mushroom Lawand for entrees. The Dolma Murch was essentially a stuffed pepper. I felt like the tomato sauce was made from canned tomatoes and wasn't very fresh. It was a little acidic. The Mushroom Lawand had the same problem; a very typical sauce that I felt I could have made at home with a couple of canned vegetables and spices. For $13.95 each, I was disappointed with a homemade stuffed pepper and a bowl of mushrooms. The only redeeming thing about the meal was the rice - good flavor and they served this cilantro sauce with it. I thought the cilantro sauce was the most distinctive item we ate that night; everything else I could have made in my kitchen. Anticipating some pretty spectacular Afghan cuisine from Hamid Karzai's brother, I walked out thinking, "really? that's unique??"
(2)
John S.
If you are in Afghanistan the Helmand is either a province or a river or the largest opium producing area in the world. If you are in Baltimore it is a great restaurant with a yummy pumpkin appetizer and a leeky yet meaty ravioli that is delish. So I would suggest you opt for the one in Baltimore.
(4)
Bowdoin S.
Given the glowing reviews, I was a bit disappointed in my dining experience. While the food was good, I just would not put it in the "great" category. We started out with the kaddo borawni. While I am not a huge fan of pumpkin, the pumpkin comprising the dish was sweet and savory; however, the yogurt accompanying the dish was a bit too sour and detracted from the dish. For entrees, we had the chicken kabobs, lamb lawand, and koufta challow (meatballs). The chicken kabobs were nice and moist, but too salty for my taste. The lamb on the other hand, didn't have much flavor, although the sauce and the mushrooms accompanying the dish was quite tasty. The meatballs were yummy; however, only three meatballs were provided for the dish. The rice accompanying the dishes was wonderful - nice and fluffy. The naan was a little disappointing. I like the fluffy naan that you typically get at Indian restaurants, and the one provided at Helmand was a bit too chewy and thick. Service was solid and the decor was nice, with an ethnic feel. The value was decent - the total bill was ~ $30 per person with leftovers. Perhaps I came at an off night, but I found the restaurant just a little bit disappointing overall.
(3)
Gina W.
Excellent place!
(5)
Ava T.
Loved it so much the first night we returned the next when we weren't as impressed. Service was fast and efficient both nights even though we called our first waiter "Mr. Smiley" because he never even grinned. The Kaddo Borawni (stewed pumpkin with garlic yogurt sauce was great both nights. The bread was unimpressive (think pita bread, not Indian naan). Avoid the desserts, particularly the tasteless paneer, they are an expensive waste of calories. If we're in the area again we'd eat here but we wouldn't make a special trip to do so.
(3)
angela k.
My friend who is from Maryland told me about this place - one and only place she mentioned as "a must" restaurant. So last Friday night my husband and I decided to go and check it out. As new residents of Baltimore, we've been pretty disappointed with food here. I called to see if I could make a reservation (it was 6pm on a Friday) and thankfully I was able to get a table for 2 at 7pm. When we got there, we were seated right away. It was packed inside so I am glad we made a reservation. We had Appetizer: Banjan Borwani (pan-fried eggplant) - it was good but very small portion. Entrees: Mourgh Challow (sauteed chicken w/ yellow split peas & tomatoes) - it was pretty good - good portion, good sauce. We also got a beef tenderloin dish that was on the special menu (don't remember the name) and THAT WAS ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!! The beef was tender and moist and perfectly seasoned. (I'm drooling just thinking about it right now...) This was our first time having an Afghan cuisine and this restaurant is a definite keeper! Ahhh....Helmand brought a glimpse of hope in my pursuit of good restaurants in this city!
(4)
Jane E.
My third or fourth time at this place. Atmosphere and service top. Food amazing and something that I will always go back to. Only qualm this time around is that the size of the entrees are way less than before. I am a tiny person and I felt that I needed my traditional 2011 size plate. Will definitely visit again as there is nothing better.
(4)
Jen N.
People talk about the Helmand like it is God's gift to Baltimore. I took my parents there and we were all left unimpressed. The servers are fine I guess, but I felt like I was being stared at by the servers while we were there. The food was very bla, and I usually love any kind of ethnic/unique food. It was ok, but I guess I don't understand what all the rave is about.
(2)
Li D.
Visited the Helmand recently. The food continues to be excellent. I highly recommend this restaurant, and have up-ped my rating from 4 stars to 5. Way to go! I recommend the vegetarian entrees, and be sure you order the kaddo borawni (spelling?) and the turnips. Both are delicious -- taking ordinary vegetables to new heights!
(5)
Judy C.
I love eating here! I'm veggie lover (not a vegetarian though), so for vegetarians, it's a great place to try a lot of Afghan food. I particularly enjoy their mushroom dish. Their freshly baked bread is delicious! Service is pretty decent as well. It is a local favorite for sure, but I don't find this place to be pretentious at all. If I'm not restricted to my budget (very very limited), then I'd eat there a lot more often!
(5)
Margaret F.
Yes, please. Food and service in this bustling little place are delightful. Authentic, too, judging by the conversation we had with one of the waiters about the landscape, etc in Afghanistan. Coffee is good here, so don't skip it when you get dessert.
(5)
Kathy Y.
Absolutely amazing. Everything we ordered was delicious. The place was beautiful (soft lighting and lots of wood) and our waiter/server were quick and friendly!
(5)
Shravan K.
One of the best in Mt. Vernon. I recommend their specially made ice-cream. Reminds me of Indian Kulfi.
(4)
Ravi Y.
I had only heard very good things about this restaurant, but it was completely disappointing experience. 1. As someone has said, they charge for bread, and something like a good $5. 2. Service: I asked if the server could explain one of the dishes, when his reply was "its all written in the menu". I am sorry, but your tip is gone. 3. Portion size: I was pretty hungry when I went. I got the Lamb Dopiaza (possible spelling mistake) and it did not fulfill my appetite. This was very surprising as at many a places, I have to ask for a box to bring back the leftovers. 4. Taste: Wasn't great, but may be thats just my biased view because of the service treatment, but I didnt really feel out of the world at anything. (Other than the bread, the bread is good stuff) So yeah, for $20, you have to have better food, better service and more quantity!
(1)
Saskia S.
Ok, I'm a loser..I went back to The Helmand and ordered the exact same dish I had last time (the ashouk..leek ravioli). The roommates and I did try the pumpkin appetizer that was recommended on Yelp, As delicious as promised! Garlic + pumpkin= surprisingly delicious! Mildly annoyed that it doesn't come with bread (and then they charge your for bread if your order it), but so tasty that I'm not even bitter. Also planned ahead this time and ordered a piece of chocolate cake to go! More on that later..
(4)
VengeanceGod S.
fancy dark place = expensive and overpriced confimation: they charged for bread multiple times, even more than the amount that we ordered. it's just bread, hellmand, can't you afford to give us free bread especially since you've set your prices that high ?
(1)
Cindy Z.
This is an absolutely beautiful restaurant. Great ambiance, attentive servers, amazing food. The flowers on the table are fresh; that little detail really reveals a lot about how well a restaurant like this is run. We came during Restaurant Week and both chose the kabob special. For the appetizers I got the pumpkin and boyfriend got some eggplant thing (I forget the names). The pumpkin appetizer absolutely lives up to its hype! The sweetness of the pumpkin is perfectly contrasted by the tart of the yogurt. Boyfriend looked longingly at my plate after having a bite (not that he didn't enjoy his eggplant). The kabobs came with a tomato/cucumber salad tossed in lemon juice and Afghani rice (pallow). Both were amazing. It was definitely the best pallow I've ever had. And the meat. Oh, the meat. Where the Helmand loses it's one star is in the fact that my chicken had a very strange texture to it. It chewed like it wasn't cooked through, yet the color and temperature seemed ok. Didn't have any food poisoning after so I'm not sure what was up. The beef and lamb though, were superb. Tender, juicy, and drool-worthy flavor. For dessert we ordered the fereeny (pudding) and pastries. I didn't like the cardamom cream the pastries came with and ended up stealing Boyfriend's pudding, which was delicious. I'm a huge fan of pudding in general and the fereeny tasted like green tea ice cream. The topping of fresh fruit was a perfect finish.
(4)
Katie S.
This is a wonderful place to go for a date night or to take friends when they are in town, there is something for everyone! There is a nice beer and wine selection as well and the fresh naan is baked in a brick oven upon ordering. As a vegan in Baltimore, there are not too many fancy restaurants to enjoy and I am grateful to have this restaurant within walking distance of my Mount Vernon apartment. Just the other night, I brought friends who were in town to dine at The Helmand and they did not disappoint. Great service on a busy Thursday night. The waiter even remembered who I was and alerted me that a few of the vegetarian dishes could not be made vegan. I would give them 5 stars if the menu (specifically the vegetarian portion) changed up on occasion or if they could make sure ALL dishes were vegan without the yogurt sauce. It was upsetting to find out that the Mantwo contains some egg as a binder, the good news is that I can order that amazing split sauce as a side if I want and it is worth the extra charge. The pumpkin is a MUST and yes I do eat honey and always ask for no yogurt sauce or sauce on the side if sharing. Bottom line, this is a wonderful place to go and always comes up as a possible location for a special night out.
(4)
Brian A.
The Helmand is great! Great service and wonderful food. The Pumpkin appetizer is one of the most delicious and challenging foods I have ever eaten. The entrees are typically meaty, hearty and well seasoned. I had gotten lamb meatballs over rice. It sounded simple but was seasoned to perfection. This is a great place to go on a date or even with a large group of friends.
(4)
Liz C.
The Helmand absolutely deserves the full five stars! It's a well run restaurant with great service and great food. I highly recommend the Kaddo Borawni, the pumpkin appetizer. I guarantee you've never had pumpkin like this. It is delicious. For my entree, I had the dwopiaza, a lamb dish. The lamb was very tender and flavorful, not tough or chewy at all, meaning this restaurant knows their stuff. My parents' chicken was also very tender from being stewed. The cardamom ice cream was also very tasty with dates on the bottom. :) You absolutely must make a reservation on a Friday or Saturday night, and call early. It is quite a hopping place on the weekends. Parking tip: park in the $4 city garage at 18 W Franklin St. and walk north a few blocks on Charles to get to the Helmand.
(5)
Tammer F.
This was my third trip to The Helmand. The first two were 7 years ago. I loved it then; I love it now. Points for consistency. The service is friendly and wait staff is attentive. The food is authentic and portions are big--probably right for the price, but almost too big. The coriander chutney is amazing. The only negative for me is that they charge for the bread, which seems a bit stingy given the overall prices. It's a shame, too, 'cause the bread is really good (but $4.50 for a basket?). Vegetarians take note: there are limited options, but they are excellent. Due to the omnipresent yogurt sauces, vegans might have difficulty. Meat eaters: get the lamb. Seriously.
(4)
A T.
after a recommendation & the stars on yelp, i decided to try the helmand. my date & i arrived on the early side of the evening for dinner. i barely made it back to my table after ordering & going to the bathroom that my food was already sitting on my table. we had to wait for my date's food to arrive before we can start. we felt rushed (was it because we didn't order appetizers or wine?) & our waiter, who was nice enough, was sweating profusely while serving us. busy night needed to turn tables around? i ordered the mushroom in yogurt sauce & she ordered the stuff peppers. food was fine enough but overall, not such a pleasant experience. will not be going back anytime soon...
(2)
Thao N.
Get the Kaddo borawni (a sweet baked pumpkin with a garlic yogurt sauce). I"ve had a lamb chop and sea bass. Both were good. The fruit and pudding dessert is alright.
(4)
Lyd K.
I have eaten at the Hellmand in Cambridge, MA. Both locations have excellent food and service. Quality fresh food with sublime flavors. Bread is only good when fresh, otherwise it gets tough to chew in a way that isn't fun. I would gladly go back. We had 4 small plates, one soup, and one main meal - all equally tasty!
(4)
Isabel K.
Just ate here today. Try the kaddo borwano -- rich baby pumpkin baked until tender in yogurt w garlic. naan bread here is soul food and dwopiaza lamb is fantastic. superfresh produce. so nice to be at a humble baltimore restuarant after a week in vegas for work. but this is really a special place.
(4)
Stan D.
Came here 6ish on a saturday with a group of 5. The service was pretty good - some of the people in the group were a little confused about what they wanted, but the waiter kept his cool, was very patient and professional. The drinks came out fairly quickly (and so did the 2nd round) and bus boys changed the plates as needed. No complaints about the service. Now, on to the food. I ordered a lamb lawand - I got a plate of plain basmati rice, a small plate with spinach, and a small bowl of lamb with mushrooms in some kind of a curry broth. The lamb tasted good, but there were only three small chunks of meat in my entree. The mushrooms were pretty bad - they tasted like they were marinaded in a big batch a few days back - definitely not fresh. The curry and the rice made for a nice tasting mixture, so I got filled up on that. For desert I asked for a turkish coffee and a chocolate cake. The coffee was OK - not the best turkish coffee I've had, but not the worst either. The cake was pretty bad, though. Not only was it a slice of a regular, store bought chocolate cake, but it was super stale. I took a few bites and gave up. I doubt I'ld come back here next time I am in Baltimore.
(2)
Kara W.
Get the pumpkin appetizer.
(5)
Mitchell A.
While in Baltimore, my wife and I went to The Helmand for dinner. I was immediately put off when we walked in. There was no one at the door to greet us and there were several employees sitting around the bar area socializing. It almost seemed like they were annoyed that they had to stop their conversation to seat us. The service was lackluster. We had to request water and refills of water. They brought us the wrong size bread basket and never did bring the correct size. Service was slow throughout our entire meal. That said... THE FOOD WAS AMAZING. We started with the Kaddo Borawni: Pan fried and baked baby pumpkin seasoned with sugar and served on yogurt garlic sauce. My wife had Mourgh Challow: Sauteed chicken in yellow split peas and fresh tomatoes. Served with challow. I had Mantow: Homemade pasta shell filled with onions and beef. Served on yogurt and topped with carrots, yellow split peas and beef sauce. We also had an incredible Afghan Pudding with fresh fruits and Afghan Ice Cream: Vanilla Cardamon with figs, dates and mangoes. The food made us less annoyed about the service.
(4)
Heather S.
It is a great ethnic food restaurant and the decor is very cosy. If you get a group together, something like 6 or more, you can get a fixed price family style meal and i think you can add 10 for unlimited wine. Everything is good - the bread, pumpkin appetizer, large dumplings and the meat dishes.
(4)
Ayesha N.
Being of South Asian descent, I really dont eat that kind of cuisine outside of my family's home. However the Helmand is a cozy little restaraunt with a delicious menu and friendly staff. The Kabuli is amazing and I would ask for extra rice to compliment your dinner. Definitely save room for tea as it tastes divine with their desserts.
(4)
Tamara V.
SO, SO Good. Great Date restaurant. Very fresh-- exceptional. Lamb is tender and cooked the right way...Vegetarian platter is also a favorite.
(5)
Suzanne J.
As my first foray into Afghan cuisine, The Helmand was a glorious success! (In fact, we decided to try it due to overwhelmingly positive reviews on Yelp.) We were able to sneak into the last table for two, so I would highly recommend reservations to avoid a long wait at the bar. At 6;45p on a Saturday night both dining rooms were packed, so we got lucky. The Kaddo Borawni (baked pumpkin/yogurt/garlic sauce) was a sweet, warm starter and fulfilled my love for all things pumpkin. Moving on to the Kabuli and vegetarian platter, both were excellent and well seasoned. The Kabuli featured a heavenly portion of lamb that was very tender. The okra was the highlight of the veggie platter. We chose not to stay for dessert, but the menu featured several interesting items, so perhaps next time.
(4)
P S.
Pomegranate martini sounds great but not taste so when it ends up being syrupy sweet. Afghan salad also sounds great but not when it turns out to be a bunch of mesculin leaves with two slices of tomatoes thrown on the side. What is so Afghan about that? Truly a disappointment.
(2)
Jennifer H.
My favorite dinner in Baltimore is at this restaurant. It's a beef dish, like kebab, but I can't remember the name of it. The meat is so juicy and delicious, as are the accompanying grilled veggies. Their bread is out of this world, and I could eat the cilantro sauce by the spoonful. Service is attentive enough, and the ambience is very nice.
(5)
Brian N.
We had about a 10 minute wait for or table after we got there, but being as how it was a packed Saturday on Valentine's weekend, that wasn't bad. What was kind of bummy though was that there was no waiting area at all as the bar was already crammed and we had to stand literally in the front doorway. That aside, once seated our drink orders were taken and delivered very promptly. My wife and I shared an appetizer of the Kaddo Borwani and it was absolutely delicious. I even spotted a copy of the recipe posted on the wall near the coat rack and had to copy it down for future cooking. I had the Seekh Kabob with pallow which was grilled to perfection and very, very tasty. Karen had the Lamb Lawand which was lamb kind of stewed in a spice sauce and topped with yogurt, accompanied by some quite yummy spinach on the side. Rounded everything off with a Turkish coffee and some afghan cheese drizzled with pomegranate extract for the win. Karen had the pumpkin cake which was good but just slightly better than the usual holiday pumpkin roll. Overall, a very tasty experience and excellent service.
(4)
Deann G.
The food was excellent and the ambiance is fantastic! I went with a group so we were able to all order different items and share. As others have mentioned, the Kaddo Borawni (pumpkin appetizer) is wonderful! For our entrees, we ordered several different lamb dishes. All of the dishes had generous portions and were delectable - so tender, juicy, and flavorful. My only complaint was that the service was a little slow, but it was a busy place even on a Monday night! The place offers great value. For a group of four with two appetizers, a salad, a bottle of wine, and four entrees, the total bill was just over $100 before tip!
(5)
Lauren N.
A lot of hype around this restaurant and I was expecting a knock your socks off kind of meal. Everything was very good, but just did not have the wow factor. Maybe it was our server... He was kind of strange and made us feel uncomfortable. To the food.... Pumpkin appetizer is good but oddly sweet, the kabobs and meats were dry, the chickpea salad with cilantro vinaigrette was my absolute favorite, the jasmine rice with cumin is better than the one with cinnamon, and you must finish with the vanilla ice cream that is mixed to order with dried fruits. Will definitely return just for some of the favorite items. It can also get very loud!!!
(3)
Allison A.
I love a good piece of lamb, and Helmand didn't disappoint. A few of us ordered a bunch of different pieces, and there wasn't a bad meal in the whole bunch. Apps were good, meals were good, dessert was good, and the wine list was excellent. The place is little and feels like you've been invited to someone's house for a good holiday meal. Try to get into the inner room where the freezing winter won't come in and get you every time someone opens the door.
(4)
Mary J.
When I was there with my friend, the owner himself came to the table and we've had a very pleasant conversation. Food is very tasty, service is great. Ambiance is nice too. I am trying to get my significant other to The Helmand now, but sadly, that oddball does not like Middle Eastern food. What is not to like? It is exotic, spicy, tasty... I really liked this restaurant.
(5)
Chris S.
The Helmand is ALWAYS good. It's one of those occasion restaurants for us--my dad always wants to go there for his birthday and we've never been disappointed. The staff is aways friendly and attentive, the food is incredible and comes out quickly. They have a nice wine list--and for all of this they are very reasonably priced.
(5)
Todd M.
Don't bother reading the menu, just point to something and it will be e cel lent.
(4)
K Sera S.
Fantastic food that you simply canNOT find anywhere else, yet priced to compete with the most mundane TGIFreakin'Appleblechs, Helmand is not to be missed. Try the pumpkin appetizer. It will knock your socks off. Wine list is a bit uninspired, but really. So what? Given how unique, tasty and let's just say it--CHEAP--the food it, swallow the boring Chardonnay or Shiraz and move on to the next course.
(5)
Genevieve M.
I was in Baltimore visiting some friends, they were just at this place a week prior and were dying to go back. They knew my fiance and I are vegetarian, and since this place had been voted Baltimore's best vegetarian friendly restaurant, it was an easy decision. This was my 2st experience with Afghan food, so I have nothing to compare it to...but it all tasted so good! I have no complaints :) The wait staff was very friendly, and the menu was easy to navigate (with explanations of each dish) And to top it off, the prices were very reasonable! Bottom line: If we lived in Bmore, we'd be here at least once a week. VERY vegetarian friendly.
(4)
Nic L.
Arrived at 9pm on a Saturday-no space to wait for a table unfortunately-but we were just thrilled we only had to wait 5 minutes for a table. Seated quickly, though near the door. Service was a bit rushed but staff was nice. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, though a little loud. I enjoy Indian food but had never had Afghani food. It was delicious-started with amazing pumpkin appetizer-sweet and wonderful. I had a chicken with rice dish-full of subtle yet enjoyable flavors. My boyfriend had lamb sausage and thoroughly enjoyed his meal. Very reasonably priced, food that is tasty though kind of small-portions. We can't wait to go back. Lovely restaurant.
(4)
Bradley N.
I once was in the 5-star camp here - before I spent enough time in Baltimore to see what else was out there. Now, while I still have fond memories of this Baltimore-Afghan classic, I cannot really imagine returning. It's magic tends to fade after a few visits. It will always entice new customers and will never go out of fashion, esp. since it's in a great section of the city (Mt Vernon). But the Helmand no longer has me in its thrall. The baby pumpkin ravioli still call to me, though.
(2)
Amy B.
I've been here twice now and it's one of my favorite restaurants I've found in Baltimore. Everything is wonderfully seasoned. I love the pumpkin appetizer. I also have ordered the Mantwo twice and both times it was delicious. We tried the meatballs and I liked how spicy they were. The ravioli also had great sauce (probably my favorite) although I didn't like the filling as much. The only negative was the dessert- we got the Afghan cheese with pomegranate and maybe it just wasn't our thing, but it was quite strange. I usually like "paneer"/Indian-style cheese but it just didn't seem right in sweet sauce. Overall I really like this place and I'm sure we'll be back.
(5)
Johnny C.
We were greeted with a friendly hostess and delicious warm bread. However, the waiter we got was an unpleasant surprise. Uninterested in our experience, he wasn't very helpful in responding to our questions, and took an insurmountable amount of time to take our order, and to give us the check, without checking up on us. Our food was brought out speedily (but not by the waiter, of course). The Sabzy Challow was extremely salty, but when paired with enough Challow, was not bad. The lamb was tender and seasoned with nice spices. There was a lot of spinach compared to the lamb, though. The Mantwo was tasty and a better dish.
(2)
Gita B.
Food is delicious but WAY over priced! Nice ambiance. Good for a date.
(3)
Eric P.
I love the food, so I couldn't stay away forever. Fortunately, the service seems to have improved since my negative review several years ago. I am still in love with the pumpkin and yoghurt garlic sauce.
(4)
Erik W.
Technically this is a review update, unfortunately I wrote my first review before I discovered the goodness that is Yelp so I'll just paste it here for your edification (and to spare you the pain that is TripAdvisor's website): "The Helmand is the first place I ever ate Afghani food, and I am a convert. Their use of spices and herbs in various dishes is amazingly subtle and adept. If you are ever in Baltimore, you must eat here!! I will be going back." Needless to say, I did go back. In fact, by girlfriend and I went all the way to Baltimore from DC for Valentines Day just for Helmand. Well, not just Helmand, we chowed on some Faidley's Seafood ( yelp.com/biz/faidley-sea… ) for lunch the next day, but the point remains that Helmand is a strong draw for foodie-tourists. We eschewed the Valentine's Menu options to give us a little more mix-and-match freedom with our aps, entrees and possible deserts. We started out with an order each of the two borawni's -- one made with pan-fried pumpkin, the other with eggplant. The pumpkin was not quite as good as I remember it, but that may only have seemed that way because it was overshadowed by the epicness of the eggplant. If you go here, you must order the Banjan Borawni. I'll say it again ORDER THE BANJAN BORAWNI. Unless you don't like garlic or pepper. For our main courses, I ordered leek filled ravioli topped with ground beef sauce ( yelp.com/biz_photos/3Wn7… ) called Aushak and a Shornakhod side salad (potatoes, chickpeas, and spring onions topped with cilantro vinaigrette). My valentine ordered the Lamb Lawand ( yelp.com/biz_photos/3Wn7… ) which came with rice and a side of sabzy (spiced sauteed spinach). All of our food came out surprisingly quickly for considering the packed Valentine's Day house and was piping hot and no less than fantastic. Although I had feared in the previous week that my second trip to Helmand might not live up to my high expectations, we were not disappointed! I haven't yet tried the few Afghani options in DC, but I'm afraid to, because I fear they won't live up to the expectations Helmand has given me.
(5)
Julie K.
I wish I had gone here before! I've always wanted to try this place when I lived in Maryland and I finally went here last Friday night, shortly after my bus arrived in Baltimore. The prices were reasonable with entrees around $15. The ambiance was nice, dimly lighted and as romantic or casual as you want to make it. I first ordered the: *Kaddo borawani -pumpkin appetizer with garlic yogurt sauce- O.M.G. Delicious! The pumpkin was tender, not mushy and just a little sweet. I will definitely order this again. It was fantastic (and I don't use that word often). *Dwopiaza- lamb dish sauteed with peas and onions. The lamb was perfectly tender. I asked the waiter for a suggestion and this was a great one! The bf ordered Aushak- afghan beef ravioli, this was good just not the best thing on the menu. What I ordered was way better.
(4)
Ward A.
Great food. Very fresh, well-prepared. Excellent service. My Sheesh Kebab was perfectly seasoned and prepared. All of our party left full of delicious, freshly made bread. Each of our vegetarian and more meaty meals were great. I had not had Afgan food before and I'm very happy I had my first opportunity at The Helmand. Oh yeah, be sure to order the pumpkin appetizer.
(4)
Nora K.
I'll agree with everyone else: the pumpkin appetizer was awesome. I ordered the veg mantwo - interesting flavors. Very warming, which was good, because every time someone opens the door a gush of cold air goes the whole way back to the bar. They have the heat turned up very high to try to counter this, but I'd ask to be seated in the room to the right instead. My friend ordered a lamb special. The lamb was fantastic - very well cooked. The bread was also great. But the most amazing thing was how friggin FAST we were served. I am serious, McDonald's couldn't have topped this. I guess that means nothing is MTO, but it's all stewed anyway, so who cares? $40 for two people.
(4)
Katie G.
I had never had Afghan food before, so I was admittedly pretty nervous. Much to my surprise, the food was AMAZING, as were the waitstaff. We were celebrating a friend's birthday, and with a large party I was a little nervous about how we would order and keep track of who owed what for their food. The waiter suggested we go with their prix fixe menu and we all agreed that would be easiest. I'm soooo glad we went that route because I'm pretty sure we got to try EVERYTHING on the menu. Little "tapas style" dishes were brought out for everyone to try. There were a few vegetarians in our group and they were given separate plates of veggie-only food. I was worried that the little tapas plates would leave us hungry, but by the time we were done everyone was full. Unfortunately, I can't recall any one thing that really stood out as being delicious. It was all amazing!
(5)
Michael H.
We were visiting our daughter and her husband in Baltimore and they suggested this place based on great yelp reviews. It did not disappoint. Loved the fact that they offered $20 wine bottles. Liked the Tilia Bonarda better than the cabernet. Of course we tried the Kaddo pumpkin appetizer, agreed it was great and unique. Then we ranked the three entrees we ordered: our consensus was Aushak (ravioli) and Mantwo (pastry shell filled with beef) were our favorites, Koufta challow was third. Afghan spices in the dishes were terrific. I would come back as it was fun, different, unusual, authentic, and reasonably priced.
(4)
Ralph R.
The pumpkin appetizer was great. We had the vegetable platter, which was good, the lamb lawand, which was awesome, and the cardamom ice cream for dessert, which was also fabulous. Service was quick and friendly, as usual.
(5)
Kim C.
There was a point in time when I had this restaurant on my speed dial. Yeah yeah, who puts a restaurant on speed dial? a skeptic might ask. If you've tried Helmand, you'll understand. Their pumpkin appetizers are delicious, meat and yogurt sauce combos make my mouth water, and you absolutely have to try the grilled meats. (The cinnamon rice is a lovely accompaniment.) HOWEVER, things have changed a little since my first visit. Yes, the service is still great, the ambiance is cozy, and the food is delicious.... but charging for bread?! Minus one star. Otherwise, Helmand is golden.
(4)
Uland L.
Came here for Sunday night dinner on a business trip to Baltimore. The location is easy to find with a GPS, and there were plenty of free parking around 9pm. Large, fancy looking interior with a moderate selection of menu items. Friendly staff and service. Orders: 1) Mantwo appetizer ($5), 2) Seekh Kabob ($18), 3) Chicken Kabob ($16), 4) Koufta Challow ($16), 5) Dwopiaza ($16), 6) Feereny ($5). The mantwo is tasty, and kind of reminds me of eating a beef burrito or dumpling. The kababs come with the pallow rice which is darker in color and alittle richer in taste that the challow rice, some grilled veggies (a chunk of tomato, bell pepper, and onion), and around 4-medium sized chunks of meat. I would prefer if the meat servings were slightly larger for the price, however the dishes were very tasty. My coworkers ordered the koufta and the dwopiaza and although this was their first tasting of Afghan food they were both very satisfied. The feereny is light and is enough for one to two persons. This place is alittle pricey in comparison to many other locations in California that also serve kabobs at a lower price but also offer larger portions. However, this restaurant has been one of the best I've been to during my stay in Baltimore, including the price (again in comparison to other 410 locales), and that is why I gave this place 4-stars.
(4)
Thelonius M.
To be clear, the food here is excellent. I ordered a dish of stewed lamb, on a bed of rice with raisins. Truly excellent, a with a myriad of flavors and textures. I'm sure it depends on where you are seated but I felt this place was low key and welcoming, service was good even though the place was packed. I would highly recommend you make a reservation in advance... And bring take a date whom you want to impress.
(5)
Adina K.
Perfect restaurant for vegetarians. The pumpkin appetizer is divine. I've never had anything here that I did not truly enjoy. It is not "cheap", but it is a reasonable for the amount and quality of food you are served. They also have a decent wine list. However, it is on the small side, so it is not the best restaurant for large groups. It is a great restaurant for a date or a pre-theater meal with friends.
(5)
Julie D.
If I lived in Baltimore I would eat here all the time. The food was soooo good. As an appetizer my boyfriend and I split the Mantwo which was excellent. For entrees Dylan ordered the Korma Mahi and I got the Lanb Lawand. The Korma Mahi was excellent but I most say I LOVED the Lamb Lawand. The lamb was so tender and juicy it just melted in your mouth when you took a bite and the spices that were served with complimented the dish to a tee. The place reminded me of this Burmese restaurant I loved in San Fransisco (Burma Super Star). If you like Indian food or Mediterranean you will love this place. Also they are giving 10% off your entire check until the end of October to celebrate their 20th anniversary.
(5)
Fat T.
You just can't go wrong here. Everything on the menu is good. Only caution: don't sit at the table by the door...it will get very annoying.
(5)
Zen O.
Really exquisitely good food. I tried the stewed eggplant appetizer, and it was incredibly flavorful and complex, as if generations of tiny elves had labored in the eggplant flavor mines under cruel overseers, mining every last vein of deliciousness from the unforgiving vegetable ore, for my momentary enjoyment. The Dolma Murch (vegetarian) was amazing as well, wonderfully if moderately spicy, sweet and sour and umami all at the same time. My friend ordered the Mushroom Lawand, which seemed nice enough but was a bit too many mushrooms as far as I was concerned. It was delicious, but only for the first five or so bites. I would say that the bread is not worth the trouble. It's pretty cakey-tasting. I found that I couldn't finish half a piece.
(5)
Sara J.
Awesome place, feels fancy and special occasion worthy, but it's also so affordable. Really unique food, I've heard it called the best Afghani restaurant in the US! I have had so many fun leisurely meals here, and they have great drinks as well!
(5)
Chaz B.
I wish I could live here.
(5)
Mel C.
Stopped by The Helmand this past weekend after reading the good reviews. Although I made a reservation, the place was packed and my party of 3 had to wait a bit to be seated. No worries though, we wandered back to the bar and I grabbed some sort of fruity concoction. After about 15-20 minutes we got a table but it unfortunately backed right up to the bar. It was really meant for 2 and then a 3rd seat was added to the side, so I got a bump here and there from people squeezing by to go to the bar/restrooms. Oh well, the Mantwo and Sabzy Challow deliciousness more than made up for feeling a bit crammed.
(4)
Alexander Z.
Both my friend and I thought that the lamb chop weekend special (don't remember the name except that it starts with "ch") might have been the single best-seasoned, perfectly cooked cut of meat that we've had anywhere. This restaurant is almost worth coming to Baltimore for.
(5)
Cathy C.
I have never had Afghan food before and this was the perfect place to try it. I had the expectation that it would be like Indian food with lots of curry dishes, and I was surprised to find that you different spices that I had never experienced together. My meal Appetizer: Kaddo Borawni (sweet pumpkin & yogurt appetizer) with Naan Entree: Shafatal salad (field greens, chicken kabob with a special herbal vinaigrette). Dessert: Afghan ice cream (vanilla ice cream with cardamon and dates, dried figs, and mango) I would definitely go back. I enjoyed my experience there. The restaurant is classy and chic and the staff was accommodating. I spent over 2 hours just catching up with old friends and enjoying the delicious food.
(5)
S S.
I lived in Baltimore for one year and it didn't take me long to figure out which restaurants compared to the food in California, where I am originally from. The Helmand has the freshest, most flavorful foods imaginable. I am not exaggerating when I say it is probably my favorite restaurant in the U.S., if not the world. I had a birthday party and graduation celebration here, and neither disappointed, despite the large crowds. I always get the Vegetarian Platter - great diversity of foods and everything is cooked and seasoned PERFECTLY. I love the bell peppers and the okra, but my favorite is the mushrooms. They are so juicy - you bite into them and it's instant satisfaction. Though I no longer live in Baltimore, I still often dream of those wonderful mushrooms. The Kaddo Borawni is a pumpkin appetizer, and I heard of it from word-of-mouth through other Bmore residents. It is FABULOUS! The bread is good, too (forget the exact name) - very soft and great with butter. I tried the Afghan ice cream and it was nice with dates and little fruits, but I'm not sure I would get it again. The Turkish coffee is quite strong and a bit bitter if you've never had it before. The waitstaff are generally very polite, but I did have one experience with the busboys here which greatly disturbed me. I was walking back from the restroom and one of the busboys said in Spanish, "Do you think she is hot, or just okay?" and the other one responded, "She is okay." Now, I don't really care about the opinions of some busboys at a restaurant, but I was walking back to my table and have to say that I was annoyed by their unprofessionalism. Obviously they did not realize I could understand them (sorry, guys, I took 5 years of Spanish), but nevertheless, I thought it was completely inappropriate. Other than that incident, service and food were always great. I've brought guests here and they love it. It can get crowded and parking may be difficult, so come early...and avoid those Spanish-speaking busboys!
(5)
sarah b.
I hate cilantro. It's not mentioned on the menu, but there it was ruining my dinner. That pumpkin app is awful...sweet cinnamon & garlic yogurt don't mix! This place is not for me.
(3)
Bella F.
IT was ok, no more no less. the table was very tiny, barely held all the dishes. Portions were generous, but they were loaded with rice rahter than anything else. A couple of tiny chunks of meat in bowl full of curry broth with a huge portion of rice, that is not what I would want to go to a restaurant for. When you order lamb - you should be served lamb and everything else is garnish, not the other way around. Pumpkin appetizer was good.
(2)
Rani H.
The BEST Afghan food I have ever had compared to the places in DC (Afghan Restaurant and the place in Woodley Park). I'm not sure if this is authentic Afghan food, but whatever it is, it is delicious. I am a vegetarian and this place was very, very veggie-friendly. We got the veggie sampler and tried a few appetizers too, everything was yummm.... The desserts are great too! We got the famous ice cream with dried fruits.
(5)
Tom T.
Excellent food. The pumpkin appetizer was a bit too sweet for my taste otherwise everything was well prepared and tasty.
(4)
Jean L.
If anything, go for the Kaddo Bowrani--wholly scrumptious! I never really thought that pumpkin and yogurt would go so well together but wow! Out of all appetizers I've had in my lifetime, this ties for first (with Rangoon's thousand layer bread)! I prefer the Kaddo Bowrani to the Aushak, which is also positively reviewed. It was good, but not nearly as memorable. To be honest, I don't remember much about the entrees, not that they weren't good but I was so impressed with the pumpkin that it set a hard-to-reach standard. 9/9/2008 Edit: Do expect it to be rather cozy... and by cozy, I mean it might not be the ideal place to try on a first date, as romantic as the idea of being squished together may seem. Maybe it was just our particular table but they squeezed us into a little table near the front, a little over an arm's length away from the table beside us--all the better to hear the conversations surrounding us instead of our own. If you're sitting on the inner side, you might need to squeeze between your table and that of those seated beside you... and after eating so much it gets a little tricky. That's a little too close for comfort in my opinion. Tip: If you go in the winter, avoid the tables in front because it can get distractingly chilly whenever the door opens.
(4)
Jason F.
We were just in town for the weekend, and were told that we had to try The Helmand! We arrived around 8pm on Sunday evening and had some confusion about the parking situation. There was a big empty lot next to the restaurant, with some ominous warnings about being towed if you didn't have a ticket. But the ticket booth was only open from 7am to 5pm on Sunday. Were we allowed to park there? It was pretty ambiguous, so we left and found street parking a block away. The restaurant wasn't too crowded, so we were seated immediately. The atmosphere was nice. Not too casual but not "dressy" like Yelp said. I would say you'd be fine one notch below business casual. I was wearing jeans and a sweater and didn't feel out of place. The food was overall very good. All three of us were very happy with our main courses. I can't remember the names, but it was all various types of seasoned meat. Everything was cooked really well and tasted great. We got the pumpkin appetizer because it was recommended by someone here, but I don't think any of us were thrilled with it. The naan was good, but I was a bit put off that we had to pay so much for what is essentially "bread for the table". We got a dessert (the baklava-type thing), and it was pretty good. Tasted like a typical baklava and had a pretty yummy sauce on it. Not sure it was worth the price though. This is an instance where, for the same price, I would recommend going to a frozen yogurt place afterward. So four stars because the food was good and the atmosphere was nice, but it was lacking the wow factor required for a fifth star.
(4)
David T.
I've been here numerous times and I my guests have never been disappointed. The few dishes that I thought were perfect, Chicken Lawand and Vegetarian Platter. Give the Kaddo Borawni (pumpkin) and Banjan Borawni (eggplant) a try for appetizers. Services has been consistently good. It's usually crowded, so be sure to make a reservation!
(5)
Garth O.
I don't have much to add - try the pumpkin appetizer! The atmosphere is perfect for fine dining, and the food is almost impossibly good! I would recommend this to anyone who wants to try Afghan food - or any foreign food for that matter.
(5)
Joel B.
We have been customers of the Helmand for years, and we've always been delighted with the quality of the foo, the service and the ambiance. While we are especially fond of the Aushack with meat sauce both as an appetiser and a main dish, there are several lamb dishes worth trying. While we've tried many dishes including fish, we have never been disappointed.
(5)
Cheryl K.
Very solid menu. The food is pretty great, the spices subtle but present, and the waitstaff is very attentive.
(4)
E E.
*3.5* Food is very good. I particularly enjoyed the mantwo (beef dumpling like dish topped with yogurt). The texture of the dumpling was perfectly cooked to al dente and the tart yogurt was a pefect complement to the savory ground beef. The pumpkin appetizer was sweet and lovely but I thought it may be a better dessert course than an appetizer. I had the lamb tenderloins for an entree - nothing mesmerizing but good combination of spices and flavor. One major complaint, however, was the service. The server and the server assistant came by every three minutes to ask if I was done with my meal. If I am holding my fork, I think that should give a good indication to the serving staff that I am not quite done with my meal.
(4)
Jeff R.
There isn't a lot to say that hasn't already been written in the 62 (!) reviews below. The Helmand is one of the best restaurants in Baltimore and I try to grab dinner there anytime I'm in town. Tons of vegetarian options, great appetizers, courteous service and a prime location make it the place to be for just about any occasion. The only con I can think of would be parking there on a weekend evening - tough right in midtown. I'd recommend a taxi if you're not into the pay lots. If you haven't been here, please, do yourself a favor and check it out.
(5)
Hannah S.
The Helmand is a great place to go for dinner in Baltimore. Everyone says to try the pumpkin appetizer (Kaddo Borwani) for a reason -- its so interesting and delicious!! THe ravioli (Aushak) is also a great treat -- its filled with leek and ground beef. The bread they give you is delicious. For my vegetarian friends, their vegetarian dishes were great. I would try to recommend dishes, but all of them were really good that I would be recommending the whole menu. I did order a sampler dish once that I really liked since it let me try a lot of different foods and I still had a lot of food left over. The Helmand is busy lots of times, so make sure you plan around that!
(5)
Leila T.
Even though we had reservations, we ended up waiting about 10 minutes at the bar. That's to be expected as this place is pretty packed on weekends. Again, great service, friendly attentive staff, amazing food, great bottle of Argentinian Malbec to split with friends on my birthday.
(5)
Minji K.
Had dinner at The Helmand this past weekend on a visit to a friend who lives in Baltimore and has been here before. Definitely a great choice for dinner! The atmosphere is casual but still classy; took a quick look around at my fellow diners, and they all looked like Hopkins professors with their glasses and tweed blazers, haha. As numerous people have mentioned, the kaddo borawni appetizer is excellent....it was the perfect mix of sweet and savory, and reminds me of the Korean-style pumpkin porridge (hobak jook). For my entree, I had the chicken lawand. The sauce tasted a lot like the sauce you get with chicken tikka masala. It was REALLY good, and the chicken was really tender. I would definitely come back if I lived in Baltimore. Highly recommended!
(5)
Matthew L.
Other than the difficulty at seating large parties, I highly recommend the Helmand. It is a little on the pricey side, but well worth it. The restaurant is stylish and beautiful. The food is exotic and succulent. I really enjoyed the lamb, and there is a great pumpkin appetizer. Highly suggest, but make a reservation if possible
(4)
Mark N.
This is an expensive, white tablecloth kind of place, with a big wine list and a very well dressed, fashionable looking clientele.. I came here for dinner in April 2010. I have had Afghan food in a few cheaper venues, and also in a similarly fancy place in San Francisco, which I think may be owned by the same people.. The pumpkin appetizer is indeed great. However, I felt that some of the cheaper places I have tried (such as an Afghan place in Albuquerque, NM which unfortunately closed) had much more flavorful food. I think the seasonings here are a bit watered down , perhaps for an American audience. This coming from someone who has never been to Afghanistan, so just a theory really. The service here is top notch. If you have never had Afghan food, I am pretty sure you will be very happy with your experience. The food is certainly delicious and the menu is pretty large so there are lots of options to suit varied tastes, including good vegetarian options. If you have had other experiences with Afghan food, or even perhaps if you are Afghani, I suspect you will like the food but think it is not the best you have had.. That being said - it is definitely true that if I lived in Baltimore and wanted to take visiting friends or business contacts someplace impressive, with cost not being a limitation, this place would be at or near the top of my list.
The Helmand is delicious. Ive been here many times and have always enjoyed myself. Each time I have gone, the place has been crowded but I havent had to wait to be seated.
(5)
zriley R.
A must if you're in the Baltimore area - I usually skip lunch so I can order an appetizer, the Kaddo Borwani, the soup (Mashawa), and an entree. I'm miserably full when I'm done eating, but it's well worth the misery.
(5)
Rebecca L.
Filling, delicious food. If only it was a bit cheaper. Then my tummy would be happier.
(4)
FromScratch M.
Price wise this is pretty good. However, I can see how they keep their prices low - basically by reducing the meat portions to just about zero. We ordered several lamb dishes which ended up being lamb stew with way more vegetables than meat. The waiter was annoying - he kept pushing the wine and was visibly disappointed when we demurred.
(3)
Barbara V.
Excellent service and food! After reading the reviews I chose the pumpkin appetizer, mantwo appetizer and shared an entree (2nd entree on menu that starts with "dw." Will be back and definately will get the pumpkin again!
(5)
Nathen S.
Our group of 4 walked in around 830 on a Saturday night we were seated quickly. It was busy but not packed. The waiter was helpful and had great recommendations. We started with 4 appetizers which we shared. Pumpkin app was fabulous, mantwo, and, bowlani were great. The last; aushak, a ravioli was horrible. 3 out of 4 isn't bad! I deferred to the waiter again for my meal. I like spicy food and this was great. It was a bowl of lamb stew which you then pour on to your rice. I can't find the name on the menu but it was awesome. The naan bread was also very good. Everyone enjoyed their meals. Overall a great meal and experience for our first time sampling food of Afghanistan.
(4)
Alyce M.
The Helmand was delicious. The appetizers, soups, and entrees were all wonderful, especially when mixed together. The wine selection, service and ambiance were all great ... but then there was the bread. I'm a big Afghan food lover but this was not like any sort of Afghan bread I've been served before. I'm used to being served Afghan naan but this bread almost had a ciabatta-like quality to it, and I don't mean that as a compliment. It wasn't bad, just disappointing. Overall a nice experience.
(4)
Kimberly S.
I had never tried Afghan food before but decided to try it. It was phenomenal! The meat was very tender and nothing was over seasoned. I highly recommend it! Nice ambiance as well.
(5)
Barrie C.
This place kicks ass. In terms of pure bang for your buck, it doesn't get much better. Quality ethnic food on white table linens in a cozy atmosphere with good service doesn't get much cheaper. If you go, you must get the pumpkin appetizer. Good Lord that was tasty! I want to be dropped into a vat of it. I got the mantwo for an entree, and while it was good, it wasn't mind-blowing. In tasting my companions' meals, it turns out that the seekh (lamb) kabob was the dish to get. The service was pretty good I thought. Attentive without being obtrusive. I definitely want to come here again to try other dishes. This also seems like it would be a good place for a slightly upscale date that won't break the bank (and that's hard to find).
(4)
Linda N.
I used to eat Kofta Chalow at my friend Orzala's house growing up, so rich and flavorful, full of pungent spices. I tried the vegetable version at the Helmand and it was pretty good. My favorite thing at the restaurant had to be the cardamom tea. We had a reservation, but still waited about 10-15 minutes for a table. Relaxed ambiance.
(4)
A. C.
(10/15/2010) Haven't been in ages, but the meal was excellent as always. Place was packed on a Saturday night, lined up 3 deep at the bar, and bustling. Tables are "cozy" (spacing is tight), warm candle-lit glow in the dining room, attentive service, meal was fast-paced (probably a need for turnover). Love the savory dumplings: Aushak (Afghan ravioli filled with leeks, served on yogurt-mint and topped with ground beef sauce) and the Mantwo (dumplings filled with onions and beef, served on yogurt and topped with carrots, yellow split peas and beef sauce). Something about the sauces, so savory, tart, salty, tangy, creamy with yogurt, and garlicky. Must get the pumpkin appetizer, Kaddo Borwani (pan-fried and baked baby pumpkin seasoned with sugar and served on yogurt garlic sauce). A whole new world of pumpkin-ness, this is not pie. I've generally enjoyed the stewed dishes over the grilled, and the lamb over the chicken and seafood. Had the Koufta Challow (lamb and beef meatballs with hot green peppers, peas, raisins, seasoned with paprika and turmeric, and fresh tomato sauce and served with challow (long grain steamed rice with cumin seed) and a lamb and turnip stew special, with tomato sauce, spicy cilantro and mint chutney, challow, and a side of sabzy (spinach). The spicing in the sauces is intoxicating. Special occasion worthiness: high.
Moderm decor, excellent meal. 2 adults + 1 child = 2 entrees + 1 app + 1 beer + 2 desserts + coffee = $70. Recommended. Super fast service... Portions are reasonable but a hungry adult will not have leftovers. A basket of bread is a must for hungry folk.
(4)
Richard N.
Yes, the garlic and pumpkin is delicious. The ahsouk are off the hook. I highly recommend the dwopiaza (lamb with vinegar soaked onions). The lamb and the mushrooms has two different, and very distinct, sauces. Wonderful. Also the desserts were delicious. We had the cardamon ice cream and the Afghan pudding with fresh fruit. Great service as well.
(5)
Shawn H.
Absolutely exquisite Afghan cuisine. Superb atmosphere. Wonderful service. Great dessert. Just go.
(5)
Luke C.
I love restaurants that feel busy and homey. This is one of those. Six of us came to the restaurant on a friday night without booking. This, usually a sure way to get no food and results in walking up and down Charles street, turned out to be a great night. So, as expected, there were no tables available when we arrived. However, the host was very accommodating and asked us to leave a number before we set off to wonder Charles St. We got a call within 5 minutes and were told that a table was available. The food was great and everyone enjoyed themselves. Great vegetarian selections! The atmosphere, though not exactly the exotic feel you would expect, was cozy and warm. We liked this place a lot. It was busy which meant that service was just a bit on the slow side. Otherwise, we'd definitely be back again!!!!
(4)
Nicole L.
On my way to Sonar to watch Junior Boys performed, I stopped by Helmand on recommendation of my companion. We drove up Charles Street thinking about what to eat and this particular area on Charles St was lined with artsy places and restaurants. A short walk from where we parked, we walked up to the restaurant it was surprisingly packed with people. I guess I had no idea Afghan food was so well-received in Baltimore. Immediately I liked the restaurant for it's simplicity in decor but the ambience is warm and cosy. The rugs and costume decorated the walls and the smell of grilled kabobs and fresh bread in the air were fantastic! While waiting for a table, we ordered some knob creek at the bar, the waitress was having a tough time understanding what we wanted. I was very intrigued by the menu as it had lots of authentic items so I was very excited to try the food. The 20th anniversary special was great for $20, it included an appetizer, entree and dessert. For starters, we had the afghan ravioli with beef and yogurt sauce and pumpkin with yogurt. The food was very light yet flavorful. I really enjoyed it. The entrees were lamb shoulder and a trio of chicken, lamb and beef kabobs. On the lamb shoulder it came with a lightly flavored rice with fennel seeds maybe it was very delicious. The lamb fat ont he edges were nicely charred though there were some gristles that were not chewable. The trio kabobs were super tender and juicy it was very tasty!! The rice was flavored more I think with the juices from the kabobs it was slightly saltier. The mint, tomato and cucumber salad on the side was refreshing!! For dessert, there was a Afghan pudding with fresh fruits and the Anak Paneer. The pudding was a bit strange it was not sweet at all, the generous portion of a mix of fruits made the bowl look soooo good. Overall very delicious and light dessert. The paneer was another interesting dessert it was also tasteless but it was drizzled with pomegranate sauce and raisins - the combination was very good. I have to say it was a little gem found in Baltimore - very tasty food!!
(4)
Dave A.
Wow Golly! The food at The Helmand knocked my socks off. While I only ordered the vegetarian soup, it was incredible. The spices were varied and interesting. The only downside was that the service was too fast (our dishes came out in about 3 minutes) for such a nice restaurant.
(4)
Diana C.
The Helmand was a nice, charming, cozy restaurant. I really liked the nice warm atmosphere, which was especially inviting since the cold weather made us feel like walking blocks of ice. The restaurant got a little too warm even, and it was also nice to eat something a little different since I don't usually eat Afghanistan food. We ordered some bread baskets, which contained delicious baked flat bread. I ordered the vegetable dolma, which was eggplant with spinach inside and potatoes covered with tomato sauce with a side of rice. I liked it but it was a little tomato-ey for my taste. I also tasted some mantwo, which was like a big fried dumpling with potato and other vegetables inside. It was all pretty tasty. I think the tastiest thing of all for me was the garlic yogurt sauce that came from my friend's kaddo borawni appetizer. My boyfriend also really loved the lambmeat in his stew dish. It's a nice place to consider going when trying to decide where to go. A warm 4 stars from me.
(4)
Ross M.
This is my favorite restaurant in Baltimore. Great food, great atmosphere, great value.
(5)
Julie H.
The Hellmand is consistently delicious. The lamb shish kebab will make your eyes roll back in your head, it's so delicious. It's so juicy and flavorful. The accompanying rice is also full of flavor as is the cilantro sauce that comes with it. The aushak is such a complex layering of flavors. It's a leek filled ravioli with ground beef on top and yogurt on top of that. The result is both sweet and savory with just a little bit of sour from the yogurt. I've never tasted anything like it and it's consistently good. The sabzy spinach side is yummy. The kadoo (pumpkin with yogurt) is a bit too sweet but it is a nice start nonetheless. The cardamon tea is a spectacular ending to the meal. They also have a substantial array of vegetarian and vegan dishes, which are both inventive and homey.
(5)
Trey G.
Ate here with my wife after several recommendations. We ordered the meatballs and the tenderloin. The serving size for the main dish was very small..3 meatballs and a pile of rice on one plate and 3 pieces of tenderloin and a pile of rice on the other. We could have done without so much rice in order to have more protein. This was our only complaint as the food itself was delicious. We will try it out again.
(4)
S T.
It's a little pricey ... but a perfect place for a date!!! Food is delicious, everyone polite, setting perfectly lit...(not too dark, not too bathed in light). I didnt try the appetizers but had a lamb kabob. My frnd went for the chicken kabob. These come with a challow or pallow (which apparently are rice cooked in a different manner)
(5)
Melanie S.
The food here is as good as you'll get in Kabul (maybe even better)! Mantwo is my favorite Afghan dish, and I have eaten it homemade in Afghan family homes in Kabul, and this is just as good! Its so yummy! The Aushak, and Buwrani are also excellent, I don't really think you can go wrong. I love the cilantro sauce! It is quite a cozy restaurant, but I found it to be comfortable and cute! The owners are quite sweet and hospitable!
(5)
Dan G.
Wow, went here for a friends party, and have never had Afghan food before but was happy to try something new. Service was great, we had a large party about 9 people but the waiter was excellant, only problem is if you are towards the door you get a draft everytime someone walks in. As many other Yelpers said, the Pumkin is amazing, I eat Halal, so went for the Mantow, and the leek pasta and was great, will be back again
(4)
Miss A.
One of my favorite places for a nice dinner out in Baltimore. It's cozy and the service is great. Try the pumpkin appetizer and the Aushak (leek dumplings). Save room for the ice cream with figs, dates, and mangoes - there's nothing like it! Parking is sometimes tricky, and it can get quite crowded on weekends, but the food is totally worth it.
(5)
Tim M.
Yummy! I had the ravioli type apetizer with beef and mint youghurt. For my entree I had chicken with yellow peas and the spiced spinach. Everything was delicious. The service was also very fast - which I appreciated because I was hungry!
(4)
Marye I.
Just... Awesome.
(5)
Nick F.
I took my coworkers here and had a fabulous meal. It was our first time having Afghani food so we did not know what to expect. The ambience was dark and intimate - perfect for a first date. We started off with a $20 Tania wine from Mendoza, the pumpkin appetizer, and the beef pastry appetizer. The pumpkin appetizer was my favorite because I enjoy sweetly prepared gourds and the yogurt-garlic sauce added a unique kick. The pastry was tasty as well. For my main entree I had a vegetarian potato and carrot curry dish with sides of steamed spinach (yum!) and okra. My coworker had a lamb dish and enjoyed it but lamb does leave a weird aftertaste. My other coworker had a grilled, marinated beef dish that was tasty. The prices were cheap, I think the most expensive item was $15.
(4)
Jeff K.
I think the Helmand is one of the top restaurants in Baltimore, I've been eating there for about eight years now (about 4 times a year these days). The food is always outstanding and the service is usually excellent. I highly recommend making a reservation -- even for a week night in the middle of winter, if you don't want to spend a long time waiting. I remember the first time my wife and I ordered the kaddo borawni (a sweet baked pumpkin with a garlic yogurt sauce) we decided to split it since I really did not expect the combination of pumpkin, garlic, and yogurt to be great. It was the first and last time I ever split that appetizer with anyone, now we each get our own serving. I always grapple with getting an appetizer or the Shorwa soup, a lamb, fresh vegetables and bean soup; sometimes I just have to get both. My favorite entree is the Lamb Lawand, boneless lamb sauteed with fresh tomatoes, mushrooms, and herb seasoning topped with a dressing of yogurt and sour cream; I have enjoyed it every time. They also have a great selection of vegetarian dishes. The seating seems a bit tight but I find the ambiance really mitigates this.
(5)
Eliza D.
A beautiful restaurant, attentive staff, outstanding menu. I've never had anything that was less than amazing while dining there. The baby pumpkin appetizer is one of the most unique, delicious things I've ever eaten in my entire life.
(5)
Michael O.
Great food, good choices, great prices, nice atmosphere for dinner with friends and family. Love the pumpkin appetizer.
(4)
Melissa D.
65+ reviews, not much more to say. This is really a shout out to my fellow yelpers, from Philly to Baltimore to San Juan, Texas, your reviews have never led me astray. My Helmand experience was no different. I had the pumpkin appetizer, the tuna and chicken with spinach rice and 2 very good glasses of shiraz (which were only $6, a price that's hard to beat even at the best happy hour spots) My meal was absolutely delish! The only thing that was just ok was dessert, we ordered the Afghan pastries which were tasty but sorta pint sized and not on par with what was otherwise a fabulous meal.
(4)
Marc H.
So I went to The Helmand on a date last night... it took a bit of convincing on my end: me: What are you in the mood for, food wise? her: "I dunno, I'm up for whatver" me: *thinks to self: I hope she really means that!* Have you heard of this place called "The Helmand"? her: No.... what is it!? me: uh... it's *cough* Afghan *cough* food. It's supposed to be really good and they're supposed to have this great appe... her: did you say Afghan? me: Yes...... her: uh...k.... me: I'm telling you, it's supposed to be really good! Let's try something different and new; if it sucks we'll grab Pizza from Dog Pub on the way back her: sure, why not, let's do it! Success! We get there and park in the outdoor lot next door. It was around 8:30pm and I'm not sure if you're allowed to park there but there wasn't a parking attendant so I just parked the car. It worked out fine, no tickets and my car was still there when I returned. We walk in and the place is PACKED. Good thing too, because I was worried about walking into a dimly lit, smelly Afghan restaurant, especially considering my date's initial hesitation. We sat at the bar and were about to grab a drink while we waited for a table but we're seated about 2 minutes after we sat down. We started off with the famous pumpkin appetizer (Kaddo Borwani), which definitely did not disappoint. Sweet and a bit savory... it could definitely double as a dessert as well. The waitress recommended the Lamb Lawand special and it was great. The cilantro garlic sauce on the side paired exceptionally well with the stewed lamb (falling off the bone *David Cross*). The spinach was simple and delicious. My date had the Gorwan Salad (Marinated beef tenderloin, corn on the cob and whole red bliss potatoes grilled and served on a salad of field greens and cucumbers with red onion dressing) and she was very happy with it. Overall I give it a solid 4 stars, and I will definitely go back. Nothing that really disappointed, though the accompanying bread was kinda meh. I reserve my 5 stars for the likes Faidley's (OMG Mind Blowing).
(4)
Carrie L.
Delish! I haven't been there in a while, but I remember the food and service was awesome. There are lots of selections for vegetarians. The setting is great. I especially loved the coffee at the end. It was muddy.
(5)
Dilbert D.
An excellent experience. The food was fresh and well prepared. A friend and I split an appetizer and 2 entrees. We had the roasted pumpkin things (Kaddo Borwani) which were good. Then we split a lamb dish and the vegetarian samosa type-dish. Both came with rice, aka " "Challow" or "Pallow." Neither choice is viewable on the online menu, but both dishes were excellent choices. This was my first experience with Afghan food. The flavors are not overly strong or spicy but more subtle and complex. As a reference point , I thought that Afghan food is less overtly spicy than Indian food, and similar in some ways to Moroccan food flavors.
(4)
C H.
Funny that my first Yelp is about this Baltimore restaurant, since I actually live in the SF Bay Area. I'm so glad we found The Helmand, thanks to Yelp (two nights in a row). The Helmand serves reasonably-priced, authentic Afghani fare with attentive service and warm, pleasant ambiance. Don't let the neighborhood deter you - besides, there's a parking lot right next to the restaurant. We ate here on a Thursday night, and the dining room was full. So glad I phoned ahead for a reservation. I've eaten at several Afghani restaurants in the Bay Area (including Kabul in San Carlos and Afghan House in Sunnyvale) and would say that The Helmand just might be the leader of the pack - especially if you use the pumpkin appetizer as a benchmark. Don't miss The Helmand's version - it's flavorful and delicious. The kids loved the yeasty flatbread, which is similar to fresh Greek pita (e.g., Evvia) and not at all like the nasty bagged pita bread available at the grocery store. The lamb kabobs were lightly spiced, tender, and nicely medium-rare. They're served with a few grilled veggies and seasoned rice. The chicken and mushroom dish was pretty good, though it seemed to taste faintly of bouillon cubes. Other Yelpers have raved about the spinach, which has a slight previously-frozen taste that's not entirely covered up by the very yummy spice blend. (I'll bet this recipe would be just awesome with fresh chopped chard.) I ordered the ice-cream for dessert on the recommendation of other reviews. It was quite tasty but didn't necessarily rise above local picks back home (such as Rick's Rather Rich in Palo Alto and Bombay Ice Cream, my quirky fave, in SF). All the dessert selections sounded intriguing, and next time I'll probably try the Afghani pudding. It was definitely worth firing up the GPS to go find The Helmand. Overall I thought the meal was delicious. It's not an ideal place to go with kids (our 3-year-old got restless) and would be a better choice for a date night (not an option for this trip). Still the staff was gracious and refrained from giving us any dirty looks, which earns them a few more points in my book. Highly recommended.
(4)
Don M.
Surprising and rare flavors. Wonderful.
(5)
Jay L.
Delicious. The food is a bit more wintery (heavy) than I expected but good lord is it good! The appetizers are alright, tasty, but overall unnecessary if you already know you want a delicious lamb dish. I've had lamb every way they'll give it to me and it's top notch every time. AND GET THEIR ICE CREAM. I'm so angry at the gods of convenience that this ice cream is not mass produced and available at my disposal at all times of day and night. The Helmand is one of my favorite restaurants.
(5)
Aileen P.
Unique food, good service and relaxing ambience.
(4)
Joshua G.
Everything was fantastic. I recommend not being stingy about appetizers; it's nice to try a variety of things here. I particularly thrilled to the Bowlawni (a crispy leek dumpling) but nothing was short of exciting. The pumpkin is awesome as many have said. My entree was a fantastic stuffed eggplant special.
(5)
Barbie T.
This place is great for vegetarians and meat-lovers alike. They have a fab pumpkin appetizer with garlic yogurt. Honestly, I thought it sounded kinda gross-- until I tasted it! I ate my words and pumpkin yumminess immediately. Be sure to order that when you go. I had a chicken and veggie dish with rice for my meal. It was good, but I was surprised that it had tomatoes. Who knew tomatoes grew in Afghanistan! The rice was excellent though. Staff was nice (but frazzled when we got there) and dashed around to try to help everyone at once. We were a party of 12 so we got squished in one corner of the room. They were still setting up our table after we arrived for our reservations. The place was packed end ot end. This place is a local favorite and therefore fills up REALLY QUICKLY. Make sure you have reservations if you go on a Fri or Sat (or anytime really). When we arrived, the line to get in was going out the door. Parking is available in the paid lot next to the restaurant or on the side of the street (with parking meters I believe.)
(3)
Eva T.
I would have never thought I'd like Afghan food until I came to this place. For appetizer, kaddo bowrani (baby pumpkin with yogurt & garlic sauce) is good. I would've never thought I'd like something like this. Kabobs are always done very well. I love the rice that they serve it with. The bread... oh I can eat a lot of the bread. It's a great place for dates and prices are reasonable, too. It's a pretty popular restaurant in Baltimore. The only thing you should keep in mind is that sometimes they rush you through your meal so that they can get more people waiting seated faster. I once was there in and out within 45 minutes.
(4)
Rasi W.
Authentic Afghan food doesn't get any better than this... Not that I would know that it's authentic, but the food sure as hell tastes amazing. Try the pumpkin appetizer, it really is worth everything they say about it.
The ambience, service, and food here are outstanding. The restaurant itself is beautiful in its presentations from its decor to the music to the tiny candle on every table. I feel the staff takes great pride in working at The Helmand and I got a vibe that everyone was very happy to be there. Even when our candle blew out, someone came quickly to relight it for a lovely dining experience. To start, my friend and I had the Kaddo Borwani pumpkin appetizer. It was very unconventional looking, but it tasted delicious! The yogurt was so sweet, but is very addicting. I could've easily eaten two of the appetizers myself, loved it. For my entree, I had the Mantwo. It's described as a pastry so I was expecting a flaky almost hours devours type dish, but the Mantwo pastry shells texture was more like a dumpling, very soft and with filling. I had three sizeable shells that sat on top of a yogurt and meat sauce. I really just liked the yogurt in all the dishes, it's very unique. Overall, the dish was really yummy and really flavorful, which is what I love about middle eastern food in general. On the side I had rice with cilantro so mixing those flavors in with the Mantwo was really good. My only complaint is our table didn't get the complimentary naan. I don't know why, I thought every table received naan. I want to come back and try the lamb.
(5)
Ria S.
My friend and I decided to revisit the Helmand after a few years. I remember it differently. Today, the food was good, but it came out suspiciously fast (within 10 minutes of ordering it). The food was lukewarm (clearly microwaved or reheated) and not the same quality as we remember from years past. The naan was more like a pita bread, came out at room temperature, tasted packaged and cost $6 for the large sized basket. My friend ordered a lamb dish and I ordered a vegetarian dish. The ambience was very nice, but we were disappointed that the quality had gone down significantly. Like another reviewer said, the food was like lukewarm takeout served on nice plates.
(2)
Caity A.
Awesome food! The Helmand has made us addicted to Afghani food, which we have never had before. Our waitress was incredibly helpful in pointing out favorites to try for our first time. The Kaddo Bowrani appetizer of baby pumpkin is definitely a must! I had to stop myself from licking the plate clean. Between three of us, we ordered a few things to share amongst the table: a chicken special that was simmered with apricots and other fruits, a beef kabob, and a lamb kabob. We all agreed that the chicken was the best out of the dishes, with a wonderful sweet/savory sauce and big pieces of juicy apricots: so good! The beef kabob was our next favorite, and was definitely packed with flavor. The lamb was our least favorite. While it was very flavorful, we found it to be a bit drier and not as tender as the beef. The challows for each meat were a bit different, but we enjoyed each of them. The green chutney is something I would sincerely like to order by the gallon to put on literally everything I eat; it is so good! While we were incredibly impressed by the flavors, we weren't too impressed with the portion of meat in some of the dishes. In our chicken dish, we counted only 3 chunks of chicken- just enough for each of us to try it. For a dinner more on the expensive side, this was a little bit disappointing. Nonetheless, the atmosphere makes it great for a date night, and I would recommend people coming here while in Baltimore!
Everything about The Helmand is wonderful. Their food, the service, and the ambiance is all excellent. We came here on a Saturday night at 9 pm and they still had a livey crowd. People continued to come in even past 10 pm. Their decor is classy and romantic. Whenever I come here I always get three things. The pumpkin appetizer (Kaddo Bowrani), the lamb and beef meatballs (Koufta Challow) and their "special ice cream". I have been coming here for years and their flavors are always consistent. The pumpkin app is sweet and savory, the meatballs and spicy with a savory cinnamon flavor and the ice cream is cardamom flavored with chunks of dates, figs and mangos. The server we had most recently went into great detail about every item we were thinking about getting. He was knowledgeable about both the food and the wine and allowed us to take our time. They serve house made naan which to me looked and tasted like whole wheat. We also tried another dessert which was the Afghan pastries. They were unique in flavor but didn't compare to the ice cream.
(5)
Emily G.
The food gets 4 stars but service left much to be desired. I had a vegetarian platter and it was very good. However, we waited at least 15 minutes for the waiter to take our order while waiters traipsed in back of our table to another dining area, carrying tables. Our table was situated such that every waiter passed in back of my chair, often banging into it. At the table, waiters routinely reached across my plate to fill water glasses of my companions, although if they took a few more seconds, could easily have avoided this. To make matters worse their long sleeved "elegant" shirts brushed against my place setting. In addition, the noise level in the restaurant precluded conversation.
(2)
Jane A.
Decided to try this place out during restaurant week, although once there it was clear that it made zero sense to order off of their RW menu. It was cheaper to order off the regular menu and you were able to get more interesting foods. Food was really, really good. Service left a bit to be desired but the place was packed so I'm just not sure they were prepared for the rush. I'd be interested in seeing how they do on a normal night and I'd certainly come back for the food alone.
(4)
Michael T.
Went here for restaurant week with some friends. We got the 30 Dollar various meat dish and it was very good. The pumpkin cake was good, and the meet was very tender. Overall decent experience.
(4)
Eddo C.
delicious! This writeup is more for the memories of this first dining experience here. what we had : zardalu challow- tender lamb chunks with sun dried apricots, fresh tomatoes, garlic, turmeric and fresh chili served with sweet and spicy turnips and challow challow = rice Other dishes we tried = lamb lawand and other challows the desserts are awesome! favorites are jala ice cream, anaar paneer
(5)
Abigail R.
I am not sure why I have been avoiding Afghan food. That's silly. A bunch of us headed over after listening to an empowering Wes Moore at the Enoch Pratt Library. We were hungry and basically devoured the bread the moment it hit the table. Thank goodness for the Kaddo Borwani. They pan fry baby pumpkin and sprinkle it with cinnamon and sugar before they put it in the oven and bake until it is perfectly tender. They top this yummy goodness with a garlicky yogurt sauce. We split a gorgeous bottle of Pinot Noir from the Languedoc region. It was a little light bodied for me. It won't be my first choice next time, but it was fruity with a very smooth finish. Everyone at the table was discussing their favorites and the difference between Challow and Pallow. Challow is rice with cinnamon - so sweeter and Pallow is rice with cumin - so a little smokier. There are a tons of options - beef, lamb or chicken for meat choices and even more vegetarian choices - mushrooms, eggplant, peppers, etc. I went with the Gorwan Salad. The salad is baby field greens with cucumbers, tomatoes, and peppers with a creamy red onion dressing. The marinated beef tenderloin wins in this dish; incredibly tender and flavorful. They serve it with grilled corn on the cob and whole red bliss potatoes. All my friends got a little mad that I went with the salad and not one of the rice dishes. It doesn't matter what you order, get a side (or 5) of the "green sauce" - which I am mostly sure is cilantro - my favorite herb.
(4)
Ipek S.
Kaddo borwani (pumpkin appetizer), banjan borwani (eggplant with yogurt sauce), aushak (leek filled ravioli with meat sauce) omg was delicious!
(5)
WonJu C.
I am very much NOT a fan of this place. Although service is polite and all, the dishes do not live up to its price and they aren't even generous in portion (which is a staple of Afghan hospitality and should in my opinion also be displayed in their cuisin). The kabili palau lack the flavor of spices and the depth of the lamb. Instead, they smother it in sugar hoping that it will be enough to sell. I would rather cook it myself, or even make the drive to the many great(er) Afghan restaurants in VA. Don't let the the sugar cloud your taste buds.
(2)
Quin A.
Had dinner with some friends here. Our group was pretty big but they happily accommodated us. I had their dwopiaza and it was very well made. The service, atmosphere and clientele were all good. A good dinner!
(4)
Barathi S.
Came here for a girl's night dinner on a Saturday night and the place was packed! Luckily we had a reservation (which I highly recommend you get on a weekend) and we had to wait about 10-15 minutes to be seated. Our waiter was very friendly and attentive, not sure why others had a problem. We started with the famous pumpkin appetizer which was very good and not too heavy or overwhelming. The naan bread basket was yummy but just realize that it is very different than Indian naan bread for those who haven't tried afghani food before. Many in my party had different lamb dishes which were enjoyed by all. I tried the vegetarian platter, which is good for someone who likes to sample various dishes. The mushroom on my platter were really really good, and I think you can order that as its own dish. The dishes were served with rice and spinach. The portions were good and we didn't have any leftovers which tells you that it was delicious! Personally, I think I prefer Indian food flavors to the Afghani food but that is just my personal preference. The atmosphere of the restaurant would be PERFECT for a date. It's really pretty and cozy inside.
(4)
Jarrod F.
This is more like a 3.5 star review but I had a good experience tonight so I'm pushing it up to 4 stars. To preface this review.. I've been coming to The Helmand for years, many years. I've had some good meals here during those years and I've had some bad ones too. But no matter what is happening in the world, the Helmand remains an isolated oasis of preservation. Whenever I come into this restaurant it feels like I'm taking a step back in time and in a very good way. There's elegance, there's charm, there's professionalism from the staff. There's ambiance. But most importantly The Helmand puts care into what they do. They've never let the restaurant "change hands" or deteriorate. The food has remained consistently good and so has the clientele. Tonight was the pinnacle of my dining experience at The Helmand. For one thing we had an excellent server whose name I cannot recall (her description: young white woman, dark long hair, glasses). For dinner, we started off with a few different wines, followed by a few staple appetizers including the stewed eggplant, mantwo and pumpkin. My entree tonight was the poached salmon special with a corn sauce. My comrades had the ashuk and one of the many lamb specials. Speaking of lamb, this has always been one of my biggest pet peeves with The Helmand. Sometimes the lamb portions are meek and underwhelming. Tonight they were not. Each dish was substantial. The meals were hot, they came out in unison, and we all loved the cilantro sauce served on the side. The Helmand is a mainstay in Baltimore. IF you're looking for consistency and class you just can't go wrong here. P.S. Even though it's $5 you have to get a large basket of naan bread!
(4)
Simon R.
I love the food here. Exquisite Afghan dishes prepared with care. I'd describe these dishes as layered in subtle textures and spices that present to me like a mix of middle-eastern and Indian food. The service has always been attentive. I often come here when I visit Baltimore for business and it's always good. I especially like the chicken dishes.
(5)
William C.
I took my wife and mother- and brother-in-law to dinner here last night. Although I've never had Afghan cuisine before, I thought the food was very good and the wines that the waiter suggested to go with our entrees were an excellent match. Warm, cozy atmosphere. Drawbacks: a bit over-priced compared to the same quality of food in San Francisco (we're a bit spoiled in that regard), and the service was just ok. The staff wasn't particularly friendly and we had to get their attention several times to get our orders in. My 4-star rating is pretty much just based on the meal itself. I would go back - for the food.
(4)
Lauren K.
I have never before had Afghan food, but I am now sold. The pumpkin appetizer and the kabobs were to die for. I am not typically a pumpkin fan; however this was amazing! The chicken kabob almost had a fish-like texture to it because it was so tender. I will absolutely eat here again!
(5)
Jessica S.
This is our favorite Afghan restaurant and our favorite restaurant in Baltimore. It has vegetarian options. We love the veg ashoke, the vegetarian sampler, and the pumpkin appetizer. The bread is the only thing I'm not crazy about. There is occasionally a wait to be seated because it is always busy, but they were even able to squeeze us in at the last minute on Mother's Day. The unique flavors and healthy food makes this a place we will return to every time we are in Baltimore.
(5)
Adam J.
Great place for a date. Nice wine list and full bar, plus a nice atmosphere. Location near the art museum makes it perfect for a date late in the day. Get the pumpkin appetizer
(5)
jennifer s.
I have been going here for years. The atmosphere is wonderful. The food is healthy and very, very tasty. My favorite is the garlic pumpkin appetizer. I have been trying to kiss up to the cook for that recipe. It is often difficult to get a seat because it is so popular so I would recommend reservations.
(5)
Steve K.
Enjoyed this place when I stopped by the other week. The pumpkin appetizer was not the best version I've had (for that try Maiwand Kabob in Columbia), but was still good. I had the Korma Mahi (sea bass), my friend had the Chopendez (beef tenderloin). Chopendez seemed quite a bit tastier, the Korma Mahi was actually pretty bland and ordinary looking. I liked the "challow" (white rice with cilantro) that came with it. Afghan ice cream (with dates and figs) at the end was delicious. Anyway, seemed like a pretty good place and I'd definitely come again.
(4)
Caprice D.
great food (everything we got was excellent.), romantic atmosphere (but a bit crowded, which isn't a bad sign), good (but not overly friendly) service, good selection of wine. we waited for our table at the bar and chatted with a very cool bartender. MAKE RESERVATIONS well in advance. this place is popular!
(4)
Brian A.
So after much anticipation and waiting for almost a year for the stars to align and create the auspicious circumstances I finally arrived at the Helmand. Let me say it was worth the wait and it definitely will not take that long to get me back. I have had AFghani food before but not made with the care, attention and quality ingredients. This is one of those restaurants I will go down the menu and try everything on it. The only disappointment was the custard dessert, not bad just nothing special. I would opt for something else next time. I would however repeat the pumpkin appetizer and select another one. I have never had anything like it, descriptions will not do it justice. My lamb tenderloin entree was excellent cooked with onions and yellow split peas and accompanied by cinnamon rice, wow! The mushrooms were so-so. Next time I will ask to substitute the potato side dish my buddy had which looked much better. It didn't last long enough on his plate for me to get a sample. If your in Baltimore, I would not let myself get out of town without a stop here! Oh and call ahead and make a reservation.
(4)
Caroline C.
Who knew that Baltimore was home to a fabulous authentic Afghani restaurant. I went mid-week and the place was packed. Just by seeing the patrons faces, I knew that this place would live up to its reputation. The Helmand is owned by Hamid Kharzai, brother of Qayum Karzai, the president of Afghanistan. I'd like to be at one of their family get togethers....Their kaddo borawni, baked pumpkin with a garlic yogurt sauce was sweet and hearty. It could've even been enjoyed as a dessert itself. The aushak, Afghan ravioli with leeks and yogurt mint and ground beef sauce was to die for. I should've gotten that as my entree. Instead, I had a marinated beef tenderloin dish with the rice and veggies. Good dish as well. This is a great place for meat lovers and vegetarians alike. If you like the almagamation of full flavored spices, then this is the place for you.
(4)
Katie M.
This is where I take my parents when they come into town, or go for birthday dinners with friends, or just go when I want something other than my usual preferred burrito fare. I love the Helmand. I've never tried Afghan food anywhere else, and I'm sort of afraid to because I'm afraid it won't be as good. The dining room is nice- candles, table cloths, cloth napkins, etc, and I only point this out because for the prices, you wouldn't expect it to be so nice. It is really really cheap. The pumpkin appetizer is one of my favorite things in the world- sauteed baby pumpkin in butter and sugar served with the most amazing warm flatbread that you will be fiending for the next day. For an entree I really like the Mantwo, which is pastry shells with onion and beef with a good beef and yogurt and carrot sauce? I'm not really positive, I do know its full of spices and delicious. They are also extremely vegetarian friendly, with an entire page of reformed entrees and special veg only entrees. I really appreciate that because I know its one place I can go with all my friends and not have to worry that someone can't eat something. Another thing, they're very accomodating to large groups (I went with 15 people once) as long as you give them a heads up beforehand.
(5)
H and I L.
We were visiting Baltimore for the Labor Day weekend and were looking for a good local restaurant for dinner. Helmand's looked to fit the need with it's long history in Baltimore and promising reviews. The interior is nicely decorated with white table cloths and candles on the tables. The service was quick and very professional. Although the restaurant is upscale in decor, we did not feel too out-of-place in tourist garb. On to the food - we ordered Kaddo Borawni (pumpkin with yogurt sauce) and a large basket of bread for appetizers. The sweet pumpkin was delicious with the contrasting tart yogurt sauce; however, the pumpkin was minimally dressed and we ended up with half an appetizer of candied pumpkin. The bread was hot and tasty with the large basket lasting the two of us through the meal. For dinner we ordered the Mourgh Challow (chicken with split peas) and Lamb Lewand, two thick tomato-based stews served with rice. The meats were tender, but the gravies lacked depth in spicing and were heavily, though not overly, salted. Prices were not bad at $4-5 for appetizers and $12-15 for the entrees we ate. Overall, good quality food and service, but we prefer heavier spicing. Note: we were able to find street parking nearby after refusing to pay $11 to park in the adjacent lot.
(3)
JO' G.
This was my favorite, favorite, favorite restaurant during college, and -- 8 years later -- it still is. The atmosphere is warm and friendly, and the food is always delicious and well-priced. I've brought numerous out-of-town guests here, and they've always thanked me for the experience. Thank goodness for the Helmand!
(5)
Matt W.
The Helmand made me very happy the night I ate there. I went in with very little expectations and left a happy Matt. Love the prices, the bread, the squash, the seasonings and that other thing I had that I loved. I will be back again and again to the Helmand.
(5)
Jeb S.
This was a lovely restaurant in a beautiful part of town with excellent and unique food. The pumpkin appetizer was divine and surprising, and the bread was unusual and tasty. The sabzy challow was the highlight of the evening. All in all, this is a restaurant Baltimore should be proud of! (The prices were a very good deal as well.)
(4)
Erin M.
This is one of my favorite places in Baltimore. The food is delicious, the service is awesome, and they have a pretty good wine selection, for being so small. Vegetarians and meat eaters will both be satisfied with their choices here.
(5)
Alex K.
This is my favorite restaurant in Baltimore. I've been coming here for many years and have never been disappointed. The food is awesome. Plus the prices are very reasonable. Look forward to eating here many times in the future.
(5)
Lee D.
The Helmand(I don't why it's not listed as such) owned by Afghan prez Karzai's brother - I came because there's also one in SF. Food is very good, although it's good to go with someone who's got experience with the cuisine. Small, as almost all restaurants in this city are, but classically soothing. If you're looking for good ethnic food in a great setting, thi is your place.
(4)
Hannah D.
I was very happy with this meal except for a few reasons. But the good first. I'm Persian, so I steered away from the majority of the entrees, since they were all fairly identical to what I've eaten all my life. My brother got the Dwopiaza though, and he said the flavours were all on point, so I'm sure you're good to go getting any of the standard meat and rice dishes. I ordered the Mantwo and my husband ordered the Aushak. I had a bite of his, and liked it. Mine? I ABSOLUTELY LOVED! Everything about the flavours of the dish were fine-tuned to what I like - sour, savory, salty, YUMMY. The accompanying green sauce (lemon juice/vinegar & herbs) was my absolute FAVORITE. Poured that over EVERYTHING! In addition to our meals, we ordered the Kaddo Borwani (the pumpkin appetizer that's so highly recommended on Yelp) along with a large serving of the bread. I was extremely disappointed to find that the bread was not Indian-style naan, but barbary bread (a persian flatbread). I had a huge bag of it at home! The Helmand should have brought that bread to the table for free, instead of people ordering it, especially considering it wasn't topped with anything special. As for the Kaddo Borwani, it was pretty tasty, but I would not order it again due to how simple of a dish it was. I'm glad for ordering it the once so I could taste the pumpkin and garlic yogurt together. Will definitely be making it at home someday.
(5)
TK L.
The neighborhood around Peabody always has surprisingly good cuisines. I had never tried Afgani food before, and I cannot believe I haven't been eating more of it. My friends and I went on a Wednesday evening for late dinner around 7. The place was pretty full and we didn't have a reservation, but we were able to be seated right away. FOOD: *Kaddo Borwani: at the waiter's recommendation, we ordered this plate of pan-fried and baked pumpkin seasoned with sugar and yogurt garlic sauce, and it was the best choice we made. The pumpkin was cooked just soft enough, and the tangy taste of the yogurt blended wonderfully with the sugar and garlic inside my mouth *Lamb Lawand: it was on the specials menu, and was once again ordered at the waiter's recommendation when we asked which were the most popular lamb dishes. The bowl was filled with juicy, whole mushrooms and tender chunks of lamb soaked in spice. I definitely recommend it. *My friends also ordered the Kabuli Pallow and another off of the specials menu. I just suggest ordering any lamb dishes, we were extremely satisfied with ours. SERVICE: *We were seated quickly, and our waiters were extremely friendly. One was more than happy to suggest their best dishes to us (which we were all happy with) and was helpful in picking the wine to go with the food. AMBEINCE: *More classy than casual. Slightly dim with the white table cloths and candles and all, but the atmosphere was still cozy and attire relatively casual. It was perfect for a nice dinner to catch up with friends.
(4)
Eriksson H.
Had dinner there for the first time after friends highly recommended it. The Helmand did not disappoint. In a word....it was FANTASTIC! Top notch service in a warm, inviting atmosphere. TheY have a full bar and an approachable wine list. The best thing about the Helmand though is: GREAT FOOD! Probably the best rack of lamb I have ever had in a restaurant......period. I highly recommend the Helmand and will be frequenting this place again soon.
(5)
Monique C.
We had dinner Saturday night amazing food if you are a lamb lover! Veg and seafood platter also ok. Dessert so so.be ready to spend a good chunk of time there!
(4)
Pat M.
My first experience with Afghani cuisine! Everything that my dining partner and I had was very tasty, with the two of us splitting a pair of appetizers and naan, her having soup and a vegetarian dish (they had a comprehensive selection of vegetarian options), and me opting for a chicken dish. I was sorry to have left a good bit of my food uneaten, but I didn't come hungry enough, and I was distracted by my company! We each also had a glass of wine from their decent selection, though most of the options were available as a whole bottle only, and not by the glass. I was tempted to drop the rating to a 4 because the service was a bit slow and uneven, but the food and overall experience convinced me to be lenient!
(5)
Tom D.
This restaurant is gem. Impeccable service...interesting combinations of Middle Eastern flavors with western ingredients. The naan is made fresh for each table using a special oven. Many vegetarian dishes. Try one of their special platters. Dont miss the Turkish coffee served with a hint of Cardamom
(5)
Kaylee H.
Over the years, i have taken a lot of friends to the Helmand. But I only bring a very specific type of friend. They are the ones that are slightly adventurous eaters, but not too adventurous. The food at the Helmand is essentially a sweeter version of what you would find at one of the many indian places all up and down the street. I have had several of their lamb dishes, and they have all been essentially identical so indian food. So if you have a friend that is willing to try indian food, but wouldn't be willing to try turkish food, then the Helmand is a good bet. They will feel adventurous, and you will feel like a good host. In other news, their decor is pretty awesome if you get seated in the main room.
(3)
Elizabeth W.
Lucky find! We were just walking past in the afternoon when the manager came out so we booked a table for early evening and filled in the waiting time at the nearby Walters Art Museum. The restaurant was filling up fast when we returned. A very pleasant meal in all respects - food, flavours, wine and service.
(4)
Yvette C.
I chose this restaurant during restaurant week. My friend is a vegetarian and he was more than pleased with the service, the food and the ambience! It was my first time having Afghani food and I loved it too. ALL of the staff made our first visit an excellent one. Wonderful end to a work day!!
(4)
Rachel K.
The helmand is the sort of place you can ask for recommendation from the wait staff without getting a blank stare. They know their stuff and they all have a favorite dish to recommend. I never remember what I ordered previously because everything looks so good that I just order the special or blindly choose something from the menu. Everything I've tried was better than the last. As a non-vegetarian, I highly recommend their vegetarian dishes. They're so flavorful and packed with delicious vegetables I can't even identify. They make a mean gin and tonic too ;)
(5)
Laura K.
I looked forward to our Saturday "date night" dinner at The Helmand and the food did not disappoint. This Baltimore institution serves delicious Afghan food, delicately and intricately spiced, at reasonable prices. But our visit was marred by two service -related failures: throughout our meal, we were rushed by the staff for no apparent reason and after our visit we were informed by OpenTable (through which we had made our reservation) that the restaurant reported us as having not dined with them in accordance with our reservation. We arrived for our 7 pm reservation about 20-30 minutes early because the event we had attended ended earlier than I had anticipated when I made the reservation. The host indicated that it was no problem to seat us early - the restaurant was about 30-40% full when we arrived, and never asked our name. We ordered an appetizer and while it was nice that the appetizer was served promptly, our plates were whisked away literally the moment we took the last bite. This happened repeatedly throughout the meal, including clearing my plate while my husband was still eating. We ordered bread (which is not served gratis) and yet it was pulled off the table while my husband was finishing his meal. When we left, we gently noted the problem with service to the host - he apologized but made no effort to engage us in conversation about our experience or to encourage us to return. The report to OpenTable (relayed to us later that night by email) that we had not honored our reservation was not a good way to complete our visit. Needless to say, we set OpenTable straight.
(2)
Greg S.
The Helmand had been mentioned by seemingly everyone I knew who had spent time in Baltimore, yet still managed to exceed my expectations. Finally got a chance to go this past Saturday. Amazing Afghani food and a very pleasant atmosphere that I would highly recommend whether or not you're familiar with the style of cuisine. I'll start by saying that my girlfriend and I were running 30 minutes late for a Saturday night reservation, and I would have been understanding if that didn't fly. Yet they seated us without a single complaint. Our waiter was over shortly and provided some excellent advice on the menu; we ended up ordering the kaddo borawni, aushak, and a dish of lamb, tomato, and apricots for which I'm blanking on the name. All three dishes were exceptional. The pumpkin appetizer would have been overly sweet on its own but was perfectly balanced by the tangy/sour yogurt sauce. The lamb and apricot dish was well-spiced and had a latent heat that snuck up on us--I wouldn't call it overtly hot, but it definitely added to the flavor profile. The aushak was the highlight, however. The leek in each dumpling/ravioli had the taste and texture that (from extensive personal experience) is very easy to get wrong. The sauce is a mixture of ground beef, sour yogurt, and mint that had the most amazing fragrance. I'm normally not a fan of huge amounts of mint, as it's all I tend to taste, but I would be perfectly content to just eat this sauce by the bowlful. That good. If I had one complaint, it would be that the service felt slightly rushed. The appetizer was out about three minutes after ordering and the entrees shortly thereafter. It was 9:30 pm, so it's really a minor quibble given the overall experience. I imagine I'll be returning frequently.
(5)
Yimei W.
First thing: you're going to ask "what is challow???" as you scour the menu. It's in every dish, but what is it? Challow = rice :) The mantwo appetizer was amazing and could've been a meal in itself. If they could just serve up an entree with 5-8 mantwos I think I'd be set. It was too bad they only gave us one for $5. Maiwand Kabob actually has a pretty decent mantwo, and you can get 3 for about $5. Helmand's mantwo is pretty delicious and distinct from Maiwands, but for the price difference...I might just go Maiwand. Chicken Lawand: it's like a stew of tomatos, mushrooms, and onions. Comes with a plate of rice and a side of spinach! Sabzy Challow-reallly good, clean-tasting spinach with rice. The beef was ok, tender enough but not as seasoned and kind of plain. Maybe that's just how it is though. As a dish, it really made me feel like it had a home-cooked, low-key kind of charm and flavor. Maybe it was so good, my rice ran out after a bit and I was sad that I couldn't get rice refills. I know, it sounds ridiculous. But for the price we're paying ($14-15 at LEAST for each entree) it would've been nice if we could get rice refills like at Chinese restaurants hehe.
(4)
Bea R.
Am so glad a friend recommended this place! The baked pumpkin in yogurt garlic sauce was delicious! The tender lamb cooked w turmeric and dried apricots were too tasty not to finish it all and now I am so full I might be sick...but I need to have the cardamom ice cream. And the Turkish coffee since they make that right by our table! Food coma is imminent
(4)
Vera L.
honestly the service sucked. The waiter stopped by maybe 3-5 minutes after we sat down and we hadn't even had time to look at the menu. However, after that it took at least 15-20 minutes for him to come back. Our waters were never refilled. The kaboka (pumpkin) appetizer was really nice, but I think I could probably make the yoghurt sauce myself at home as it tasted like slightly sweetened yoghurt mixed with cream and then garlic powder. The pumpkin just seemed like it was slow roasted. I got the Lamb Schewand because I honestly love lamb. Given the ratings on this place and the reviews that my friends gave, I was expecting something to blow me away, but my "lamb stew" was just slightly more than lukewarm, and not that flavorful. I get that it's not supposed to be Indian, but my dish tasted pretty bland. In addition, there was no taste difference between my rice and my friend's rice even though his was a bright orange and mine was just plain white with some "herbs". It's not to say that it's bad, but I don't think it's worth the price. There are other restaurants in Baltimore that have blown me away and aren't even as expensive in regards to their signature dishes. Not to mention...that terrible service!
(3)
Sara A.
Friends of ours invited us out to dinner at The Helmand, I was excited as I'd never tried Afghan food before but also nervous as being a vegetarian with food allergies some times dining out can be difficult. Not only was the a completely separate vegetarian menu but our server was very knowledgeable about which dishes had even trace amounts of mushroom in them so that I could enjoy my dinner without worrying. They also have some amazing house cocktails!
(5)
Helen C.
After hearing raving reviews about this place from several different friends, I finally had dinner here. My cousin and I both ordered the lamb lawand and for dessert, we got the pumpkin cheesecake and the feereny. The lamb dish was kind of like a stew, and was extremely tender and cooked in various Afghan spices. There were lots of mushrooms in the dish and then it was all topped with yogurt and sour cream. I also really liked the biryani rice and spinach on the side. Both desserts were divine! The pumpkin cheesecake was much lighter/fluffier than most American cheesecakes and had cardamom. The feereny is a type of pudding which also has cardamom, and it was topped with a bunch of fruit. I am definitely coming back here!
(5)
Jayanta M.
First of all thumbs up for their service and accommodating us where we were roaming the street of North Charles, heartbroken from denied any seating at Kumari ( yelp.com/biz/kumari-rest… ). The service at Helmand was wonderful and the food started coming as soon as we put in the orders. It was cold outside (Christmas time) and we were in the mood for some spicy (curry-spicy not hot-spicy) food, and Helmand sure didn't disappoint us. (1) The Mantwo was a bliss with a perfect combination of spice and yogurt, crispy pastry and the yummy fillings. It reminded me of Indian street food rockstars like Papdi Chat and Samosa chat. (2) "Born-again Laghatak" was a royal version of Indian "Banjan Bharta". Again the balance of spice and yogurt, sweet and sour, with cilantro toppings was splendid. (3) For the entree we had ordered Koufta Challow, where the meatball was spicy, well-balanced, and well-cooked and the rice was flavored to perfection. (4) For dessert we had Firni. Even though there was nothing wrong with it, we didn't like the proportion of pudding and fruit to it. We felt we had too much fresh fruit compared to the rice pudding. Overall, the food was a bit oily, but we didn't mind that considering the taste of the food and the overall dining experience. If I am in Baltimore, and craving for Indian/Mediterranean/Afgan kind of food I will definitely go there again. Time of visit: 9:30pm on weekend Price: Moderate to Slightly high Portion Size: Moderate Decor: Nice, clean, romantically lit (basically dim white light), spacious, little-to-moderately noisy Food profile: Traditional Mediterranean/indian/Afgan spices Service: Very Friendly Food wait time: 10 minutes Food quality: Very good, but a bit oily to my preference
(4)
Ryan B.
I went to the Helmand with a large group since we'd heard good things, and I ended up having a great time. I was a little unsure of what to order because I didn't know how to pronounce anything on the menu or even what it was. Nevertheless, I played it safe with a lamb kebab and had a very tasty meal. My lamb wasn't too spicy, as I was worried it might be, but it was still flavorful and full of punch. I also had an appetizer of what can be described as a beef dumpling or beef chicken pot pie which was very good as well. Our server dealt with our large party very easily and was very prompt and friendly. The atmosphere was quiet and relaxing--great for table conversation because I didn't have to yell over blaring music. The place was full of people and it was only a Tuesday night. I think I'd like to come back soon and try one of the more adventurous dishes.
Never disappointed. Delicious, savory, fragrant, romantic. We went to the Helmand to have a romantic pre-valentine's day meal...we weren't disappointed. We started with Kaddo Borawni-baked then pan-fried pumpkin, sweetened with sugar and drizzled with yogurt sauce. De-LICIOUS. flavorful. savory. sweet. so amazingly good. Then we moved on to entrees. I got a traditional lamb meatball dish...can't remember the name (maybe it was kofta challow). 2 large meatballs in a tomato sauce is overtly simplistic description. These balls were meaty flavorful and tender in a way that beef can never pull off. And the sauce had something interesting about it...cinnamon maybe? I don't know but it was tasty, not acidic, little bit sweet...delicious. We had "special" ice cream. Cardamon ice-cream encrusted with mango, dates and dried figs. chewy pieces of flavorful fruit, spicy cold sweet ice cream. not over the top, perfect with coffee. Outside of the meal, the service was not exactly awesome. Our waiter took a while to great us after being seated, then didn't come back to ask if we wanted more wine (which we did), and we almost cancelled our ice cream b/c I'm pretty sure he was in the back rolling silverware. In the end, the food is too good not to go back no matter what the service is like.
(5)
Clare C.
Went here for Restaurant Week and had a wide selection at our table of 4. A great place for a date or with friends/family. We made a reservation online ahead of time and didn't have to wait at all for our talbe. Of the various appetizers we tried, the pumpkin Kaddo Borwani was as delicious as everyone said it was. I got the vegetarian option (changing the Mantwo to beef) and it was all delicious - a wide variety of amazing flavors in beautiful presentation. The others at the table all got mixed meat entrees, and the chicken and lamb pieces were particularly flavorful and tender. We tried four different desserts - ice cream, paneer cheese, pudding, and pastries, and the ice cream was definitely the best. The cheese had minimal flavor, and the pudding while not unappetizing didn't exactly thrill us. We split a bottle of Riesling that was a bit overpriced but complimented the meal well. I would definitely go back in the future.
(4)
Hemat R.
Pros: Location and atmosphere. Cons: the service is really bad. No one checked on us the entire night. on top of that when the waiter saw my unsatisfied face, asks "are you alright?" With a rude face. Food was good, but the servings were small; maybe it's my appetite. In conclusion, it crushed my high expectations.
(2)
Chryssandra B.
I had heard for years how amazing The Helmand is and it did not disappoint! The whole system in place for waiting for your table is flawed- there is no place to stand except outside, and if it's raining then everyone has to cram into the small aisle between tables inside. Because it's so busy, the service is often a little slow, we had to ask for our waters to be refilled a few times. The food makes up for it though. Everything we ate was better then the last! This place definitely lives up to the hype.
(5)
Sarah J.
A restaurant that has good quality food that comes out FAST and pleasant ambiance. The quantity is a bit on the smaller side, so an appetizer may be necessary. Without reservations on a weekend night, you WILL need to wait at least 40 minutes! You have been warned. The reason I'm only giving it a 4 is because it did NOT accommodate large groups as well as other places. I came with a group of +30 people and here were some negatives: - Everyone had to pay in cash (many of us had to go to the ATM across the street). - If you eat ANY dessert that you bring in (cake, cupcakes), even if for a birthday, they will charge $1/2 PER PERSON. Even if they don't give you any plates/utensils they will charge! - They gave us one check for the whole group, making it take a very long time to pay in the end. Thus, I recommend this place for small groups/dates. Not so much for larger groups.
(4)
Laura O.
My boyfriend and I went to the Helmand last night. It was out second time to the restaurant and we have loved the food both times. We got the mantwo appetizer and it was amazing. I got the sabzy challow. The beef was so tender and treated great. My boyfriend got the koufta and the sauce was so flavorful and yummy.
(5)
John C.
Nice atmosphere and good food. I enjoyed a nice Chicken Kabob, and a great bottle of wine. Not too expensive, and a very classy and subdued atmosphere. I would go back again if I were in Balimore
I'm a big fan of Helmand. They have great food, and friendly, quick service. The only downside, and it's a small one, is I wish there was a family style section of their menu. Our party ordered one of essentially everything on the menu. It was all delicious. I've been back once or twice, it's kind of a hike for me... but I'm always happy leaving here.
(4)
Ebele A.
Great service and the food was quite tasty. I would definitely recommend checking out The Helmand
(4)
Shelly V.
We were visiting Baltimore from out of town and were so glad we found this place through Yelp. Made a reservation easily through Opentable. When we showed up there was a delay getting seated, but the experience we had thereafter made up for it greatly. Our waitress was nice and easy to talk to about recommendations for our tastes. We had the kaddo borwani with an order of naan to start - I was wary about the flavor combination of pumpkin with yogurt/garlic, but it was divine - a perfect mixture of savory/sweet. As soon as we tried our entrees (I ordered the special salad with marinated steak, and my fiance had the lamb seekh kabob), we were both blown away by the quality, flavor, and tenderness of the meat. We both felt hands down this was the best Middle Eastern food we have ever had. We had no choice but to try dessert, and got a scoop of the special ice cream, which was vanilla with cardamom, dates and figs. We loved it except for the big chunks of date/fig which we just ate around. Amazing food for a seriously good price. Would recommend this place to anyone in the area without question.
(5)
Kasumi L.
Incredible. Make sure to get the Kaddo Borawni (pumpkin appetizer with garlic sauce)! I also had the Mourgh Challow (Chicken with yellow split peas and tomatoes) and it was so tender and DELICIOUS!!!!! The boyfriend got the vegetarian platter and it also looked amazing. We also appreciated how nice the decor is. They always have fresh flowers and a candle on the table. Very romantic! Perfect date night place.
(5)
Julio D.
Our daughter who lives in Baltimore took us here a couple of nights ago. This was our first experience with Afghan cuisine, and I have to say it will not be the last. Both the food and service were amazing. Our server, David (or Alfredo), explained all the dishes throughly. My wife, who is Vegan had plently of appetizers and dishes to choose from, all delicious. The place has a small but well-chosen selection of wines all reasonable priced. A must place to eat when in Baltimore.
(5)
Somy T.
Our food was wonderful. I was wary of the pumpkin appetizer but ordered it because of the rave reviews on here - it was delicious. I would definitely go back again, and recommend it to others. Making a reservation is a must. We went on a Friday night at 830 and had to wait a bit for an open table despite our reservation - it was packed.
(4)
Joyce Y.
I usually don't write reviews but I feel compelled to leave one this time around because I was so pleasantly surprised. The food is incredible here, and very affordable. I got one of the lamb dishes (not sure which one) that was tremendously generous (came with rice, spinach, cilantro sauce, and a big big bowl of a lamb and mushroom stew) which cost only $17 (for LAMB!) The baked pumpkin was also totally out of this world. It was sweet, but don't let that throw you off - it was insanely good. I'd be a regular if I lived in Baltimore.
(5)
Thoibi H.
Absolutely love the Helmand. Food is great, service is prompt, ambience is nice. You can't go wrong with the Helmand! Order their Pumpkin appetizer for sure and their desserts are excellent too.
(4)
Mike N.
Underwhelmed by the atmosphere but the food was great. It all started with the missing glass of wine. Once the kind Waiter finally brought the wine over we discovered lipstick on the wine glass. We got our food and enjoyed it tremendously. I can't say that enough... The food was wonderful. And someone ordered coffee and the waiter had to boil the water how about 18 inches from our table on a propane burner. I asked him if he could do it on the adjacent table due to the heat of the flame radiating on to us but he said it was too risky and didn't want to burn the painting down that was on the wall. He wasn't so concerned about burning patrons though. My advice is to not get the table by the side door, check your Wine glass, and enjoy the food.
(2)
Krissy R.
YUM! This was my first experience eating Afghan food & I am so glad I came here for it. I had the koufta challow which was a saucy meatball dish served with rice. The seasoning/flavors were on point. We also shared the naan bread and Middle Eastern pastries. Everything great. They serve the naan with butter, and bread & butter is one of my favorite things on this planet. So simple but so good. The prices were very reasonable as well and this restaurant is located in the adorable Mount Vernon area. The service was also very speedy and attentive. I will definitely be returning to the Helmand in the future!
(5)
Brian H.
The food: exceptional. The wine list: reasonable. The service: fantastic. The portions: leaving a little something to be desired. Went with a party of four; as usual, the pumpkin appetizer was delicious, but the ravioli dish was too small to split and not particularly tasty. The wine here is drastically cheaper - but of the same caliber - as other upscale restaurants. The bottles are quite affordable. As for entrees, everyone we ordered was great, with the lamb kabob being the standout dish in my opinion. Although it didn't look like much on the plate it was enough to make me contemplate being responsible for the death of baby sheep more often. Also, beware the double espresso - it is delicious but comes out as a full cup o' supercharged joe!
(4)
Lauren G.
I went with my boyfriend to Helmand on a Friday evening. It wasn't crowded at all, which made for impeccable services. We had the Kaddo Borwani as an appetizer. The sweet balanced with a tangy yogurt sauce made for the perfect start to our meal. My boyfriend had the Koufta Challow; he felt that it was amazing. TWe both enjoyed the cilantro sauce mixed in with the rice. I had chicken lawand and substituted the Challow rice for the pallow rice. The rice has just a subtle hint of cinnamon flavors. All of it was delicious and we hope to return soon.
(5)
C J.
I took a friend here on a glowing recommendation from my co-worker and was really disappointed. The take-out like food didn't match the ambiance of the restaurant. The "naan" went hard when cold and tasted store bought. I ordered the vegetarian platter, and while the spinach side was good, the mushrooms were obviously canned. The other vegetables in my and my friend's dishes tasted canned as well, (tomatoes, green beans, corn). Service was good, although it wasn't very busy.
(2)
Sue H.
Our dinners were delicious - love the flavor combinations. Excellent service and great value.
(4)
Ben S.
I've been to Helmand several times and I really enjoy both the food and the ambiance. The latest visit was when my partner and I were in Baltimore for 1 night, and decided to combine dinner here with a show at An Die Musik. Everything we had was really good. And the ambiance is definitely on the upscale side, without being overbearing or pricing us out. We had an order of naan, the pumpkin appetizer as well as the borwani for appetizers. We had the vegetarian platter and a lamb which was braised or stewed with dried fruit and came with a side of pumpkin. Everything was delicious, though portions were a little small. The servers were attentive, knowledgeable and friendly without being overbearing. If anything the only complaint would be that the food was served so quickly, and we eat so fast, that the meal was over in much less time than we'd anticipated leaving us with time to kill before catching a jazz show, but we were too full for dessert. I slightly prefer Afghan Restaurant in Alexandria a little bit more because it is a better value for the money, but they are really much different experiences and they are both excellent.
(4)
Nicole E.
I hadn't been back here in several years. I had remembered it being so delicious and different, so we decided to go on a Friday night before Centerstage. The food was not nearly as good as I remembered from a few years ago. Everything was just okay. The place was packed (the person next to me had to stand to let us out of our table, and the waiter kept spilling wine when he was pouring it because he couldn't get close enough to the table) and we felt like we were being rushed out of there the whole time. I think it will be a few more years until we return.
(3)
Monika A.
It was small, crowded, heater was on over-drive, and it was LOUD. There is no host station so we walk in and hope to get greeted.
(3)
Lucas D.
This is what every restaurant should be. I went with two friends on a pretty busy night (weekend plus there was a street festival about 1 block down) and, although we had reservations, we were seated almost immediately. I started with an order of naan and it was baked perfectly - arriving slightly fluffy and warm. The little individual sachet of butter with it left something to be desired but it was still good. It was a perfect size to share with 1-2 other people. They have a huuuuuge (for the area and Baltimore altogether ) vegetarian menu. I ordered their sampler and it was fantastic. It was a large plate with samplings of probably 8 or so dishes. One of my friends ordered a lamb dish and said it was great too. Tables are very close to one another and it was a little loud for my tastes but overall it's a great restaurant. Prices are also very fair for the area, food quality, and food quantity. I'll definitely be back. This is probably my new favorite place in Mt. Vernon!
(5)
Michelle M.
I went here with my husband and parents for a graduation dinner. The food was good especially the boodle soup, Vegetarian Aushak, and mantwo. However, the service was lacking and did not match the quality of the food. Upon arriving it took several minutes for anyone to check us in. We also had trouble getting our waters refilled throughout the night. I do not blame the server as he was working hard. Really there needs to be more staff so guests are received upon arrival and don't have to chase servers down to get water.
(3)
Swatee G.
Fine Afghan Cuisine - When my friend mentioned this place, all I could think of in my mind was street side kabobs, similar to what Friends Kabob in McLean serves. Just proves how wrong I was! The place is pretty big, with ample seating and a very rustic, yest inviting decor. Service was pretty ok - no complaints there. We started with the veggie Aush , which was like a flavorful broth with chunks of veggies in it, with Noodles too. Loved it We also had te veggie Mantwo, which was my absolute favorite dish here. The lentils were cooked the perfection, the pastry was flaky and crisp, the sauce was yummy. Awesome! The Mushroom lawand was just ok, not my fav. The mushroom flavor was too overpowering for me. The Vegetarian Aushak was again excellent, with great flavors, the int sauce was the real deal and the pallow was super yummy. I would happily come back here, if only it wasn't all the way in Baltimore, sigh!
(5)
Jimmy S.
I have visited Helmand several time and each time the food was on point. I always get the beef kabob for entree and the soup as an appetizer. You must try the ice cream and don't forget to ask for extra topping.
(5)
Audrey V.
We had a reservation here on Saturday night at 7:15. We were there on time for the reservation and had to wait 45 minutes to be seated.....inexcusable. Whats the point of making a reservation if you still have to wait forever? After we were finally seated, we had a lovely meal. They definitely do rush you through things, I was interrupted by a server at least twice so they could ask me if I was finished with my plate (which still had plenty of food on it each time) and other people at my table experienced the same thing. The food WAS delicious! Flavorful and the portion sizes were great. I totally recommend this spot for the delicious, unique food, but the service is extremely lackluster!
(3)
Molly P.
Incredible. I don't know afghan food that well, but I know food, and I ate every crumb and bite on the table. Not a huge fan of pumpkin, but the appetizer was so delicious I almost ordered a second. Service was very attentive, and we took our server's recommendation and ordered the vegetarian sampler plate. We didn't have reservations for Saturday night, but it was only about 6:30 and we were able to get in. I'd go out of my way to eat here again. That good.
(5)
Kushak S.
Good ambiance and location. However, Can only give 2 stars for the food. The appetizers were decent (tried the banjan and the aushak) but the main course was severely Lacking in flavour and consistency, especially the lamb.(dwopiaza) p.s - the desserts are not at all authentic , better to have a baklava from the grocery store!
(3)
Sara K.
This place was the first restaurant that i went to when i frist arrived in Baltimore for a business trip. I loved the take out (even though i ended up losing my credit card that night). I spoke to the waiter on the phone for a good 10 minutes asking him what i should get. I ended up going with the pumpkin appetizer (DELICIOUSLY SURPRISING), the chicken plate and naan. Now, i'm just a little biased because i'm Indian so i love garlic naan but all this food was filling, healthy and inexpensive. I'll go dine in next time!
(4)
Lauren S.
For my one year anniversary with my boyfriend, I decided we should ear here. I've driven by many times and was always curious, and with the good Yelp reviews I figured why not. Boy was I wrong. The food was simply meh. I got the vegetarian auschak and Bill got some soup. I got plenty of food. The little raviolis with minced veggies with pumpkin and yogurt sounds like a good idea...but when you season it heavily with mint (I think) it really confuses your mouth. Or at least it did mine. Maybe I wasn't prepared for this or maybe it really wasn't that good. Bill would not let me near his, and with good cause. We pulled over on 83 so he could rid his stomach of it. Service however was fantastic. Our waiter was friendly and helpful. Everyone working here was overal very pleasant! Would I give this place another shot? No. We weren't impressed enough.
(2)
Heshan W.
The Helmand! I been wanting to eat since I moved to Baltimore, and I finally got the chance to do that! The food that my friend and I got was the Aushak and the Mantwo. Cool sounding names for food, RIGHT, LOL The Aushak was basically Ravioli in a gravy like sauce of ground beef, it was OK, so I give it 3 out of 5 , and I think it may have been better if I got some bread to eat it with, because it was more ground beef than Ravioli, so it may have gotten 4 out of 5. The Mantwo, that my friend got was even better. I bet she would have given it a 5 out of 5. I recommend this dish if you ever eat at The Helmand for the 1st time!! I wouldn't mind coming back here, as the service was very fast and friendly. In addition, beautiful Afghan style decor, paintings, and textile material adorn most of the walls of this place. There is definitely something "special" about this place, simply because its in Baltimore, but if it were in any other major city like LA or NYC, this place would simply be "a dime a dozen" LOL :)
(4)
Natasha G.
The Helmand certainly merits all the great reviews it's received! My husband and I went for our wedding anniversary this past Saturday night. We had reservations for 6pm. Good thing we did, as the place was already packed, and people who came in without reservations were told that there would not be any available tables until 9pm! The atmosphere and decor was fantastic. It was warm and inviting and the smells wafting through the air were delicious! We ordered the Bowlawni as an appetizer. One word "wow". The leek filled one simply burst with flavour. Utterly divine. My husband ordered the Kabuli for dinner, and I had the Lamb Lawand. Both dishes were fantastic. The Kabuli was alive with a soft cinnamon bite that complemented the rasins and carrots beautifully. My lamb dish was rich and lucious. The sauce was warm with some spicy overtones. Absolutely yum! I think though that the highlight was the ice cream. We had never had ice cream with figs, let alone cardamon. The flavours were beyond sensational and the perfect ending to a perfect meal. Our waitress was fantastic too, and so helpful in guiding us through our choices. Everyone was attentive without being overbearing. The atmosphere was wonderful too. All in all, a fantastic experience. We'll be back. :)
(4)
Pradeep H.
Awesome place. Love the ambience and the service. Please reserve in advance (especially on weekends). Very nice food. True taste of Afghani culture...(given that the restaurant is owned by Ahmad Karzai's brother)...Food is less spicy (comparing it to Indian food).. The good part is the "platter" concept where you can get a taste of everything.
(5)
Todd A.
this is another one i just don't get. its simply not my type of food, i guess. balto loves it, but having given it two tries, there's more places in balto that are fun and have food i like better. this gets a 3 as the food is very competent, and people i respect (including several who enjoy this cowboy's cooking, so they KNOW about what they speak ;-)) think so highly of it.
(3)
James R.
Lives up to the hype. Pumpkin and eggplant lakhatar(? Think much better bangan bartha) appetizers are great, especially. Worth every penny
(4)
Kelly M.
One of my favorite restaurants and one of the few truly original in Baltimore. Definitely order the steamed pumpkin app, but get it for dessert instead! It's amazing. Everything on the menu is exotic yet familiar, don't be afraid!
(5)
Kalee R.
Everything was awesome. I recommend ordering Kaddo Borwani (pumpkin appitizer), any of the following dishes: Koufta Challow (lamb and beef meatballs), Kabuli (rice with lamb, raisens, and carrots), Sabzy Challow (beef with cinnamon rice), Lamb Lawand (lamb in tomato-based sauce with mushrooms and yogurt and cumin rice), and make sure you finish up with Afghan ice cream and Turkish coffee.
(5)
Jonathan A.
Completely fabulous. My wife and I moved to Baltimore a year and a half ago, and this is the restaurant we've been to most often; it's the first restaurant we take people who visit to. Everything on the menu is fabulous, they have a wide variety of vegetarian and meaty dishes, and all of the food is very tasty. Make sure to try out the "Kaddo Borawni" appetizer.
(5)
Natalie B.
I love this place. I first ate here in 1997 as a new graduate student---we loved the place because the food was fantastic but still affordable on our graduate student stipends. I had the vegetarian aushak, kaddo borawni, and cardamom ice cream and now rarely order anything else---though I sometimes favor the eggplant appetizer (banjan laghatak) over the pumpkin. I make it a priority to eat here whenever I travel to Baltimore.
(5)
Susan E.
I've been here once and was VERY happy with my experience. Of course, I had to order the kaddo borawni (pumpkin appetizer) and it lived up to its reputation on this site. The night I visited, there was a special trio of fish entree (salmon, grouper (?), and halibut (?)- I can't remember exactly) and it was delicious!
(4)
Jill H.
This food is SINFUL! The pumpkin is to die for. The best Afghan food I've had next to homemade.
(5)
Jennifer R.
I really liked my meal at the Helmand! I made a reservation for 4 for a Saturday night. They messed it up and had us down for 6pm not 6:30pm which is when we arrived. No worries, we waited at the bar for about 10 min. Notably, there appears to be no system for seating people so when a server asked how long we had been waiting we basically said a long time and that we had a reservation. He seated us at the next open table. Other people were milling around and I have no clue if they also had reservations or not but I didn't feel like it was my problem to sort out the order since we had a reservation that got mixed up :). Anyway, service was ok, they were swamped and super busy but everything arrive quickly and accurately. We ordered two apps for 4 people, and yes they are small. One person could easily eat an entire appetizer. The Kaddo Borwani pumpkin app is really unique and tasty. The Mantwo was yummy but different than expected since pastry usually implies crispy and this was more like a ravoli. We also had a large basket of bread which (after being warned here on Yelp) was $4.50 but very tasty. Our entrees came fast and were really tasty. The meats weren't overcooked and the spices were really nice. I had the Dwopiasa which was really really tasty.. loved the lamb and rice, and the side of potatoes and onions (not sure what exactly it was) was a little sweet but really good. I would highly recommend the Dwopiasa. Despite the seemingly small portions I was actually very full after my meal. We finished with Turkish coffees and the cardamom ice cream which was so yummy, though also a small portion - think one scoop. I think the meal was $80 incl. tip per couple and including either 2 or 3 alcoholic drinks/couple. I thought that was pretty good. The ambiance was warm and festive, lots of people chatting and a few larger groups. The only bad thing was the table right next to the door! I felt so bad for the guy sitting there since it was freezing that night and he must have been so annoyed with all the comings and goings and that door being open. So make sure you don't get that table!
(4)
Karin C.
The food is incredible. I'd never tried Afghan food before and the cuisine was a wonderful introduction. The decor is sparse but beautiful and the waitstaff is efficient and friendly. The restaurant was very busy and a tad crowded; my dinner mate suggests with a table or two less the diners would more comfortable.The extremely friendly waiter did bring the check before we were finished eating, but he did not rush us at all to pay or leave. I left my takeout container on the table and the manager did save it for me; very much appreciated. I will absolutely go back.
(4)
Dallas T.
Great authentic Afghan food. Their 20 yr. anniversary specials throughout October are a great deal.
(4)
michael L.
This place rocks, it is crampy and tight you sit right on top of other diners! but the food is great and amazing prices, service is average, but Middle Eastern is my favorite, make reservations!
(4)
tania t.
Update: What a gem of a neighborhood restaurant! Try the specials while you dine there; the fish dish (can't remember the name) was amazing and wait at 8pm on a Saturday with no reservations was only 15 minutes! Highly recommended. --------------------------------------------------Â-------------------------------------- For some strange reason, I keep thinking the Helmand is the Brass Elephant, and the other way around. Luckily, I have friends who know better, and took me to the Helmand. I'm impressed. Not only do they have a cozy, dimly-lit atmosphere somewhat like you're in the family cellar/living room, the food is tasty and the service is attentive. Great for a plethora of vegetarian options as well as a variety of lamb and beef dishes that don't disappoint. The appetizers are awesome. Well-priced, so that even this hungry student can eat well there. People know about this place's great reputation, so it can be busy, but there is a bar you can have a drink at while waiting for a table, if that is the case.
(5)
Thea C.
As everyone else has pretty much stated how fantastic this place is already, I'll just highlight some key points: 1) Yes, they do serve up fantastic Afghani food with fabulous service and a classy setting--and for relatively cheap: averaging about $11-$15 for fairly large portions (believe me, it's a great deal with everything in consideraion). 2) The free bread (I forget the name) and the pumpkin appetizer with yoghurt. So very delicious (especially together). 3) Fantastic cardamom tea. 4) This is a great place to take visiting family and friends for a nice dinner. Or a charming date (on a slight budget).
(4)
Alex A.
When we first arrived at this place it felt a little awkward. It was packed, and my girlfriend and I stood at the door like schmucks for a few minutes before anyone came to help us. That was strange, and didn't make a very good first impression. But, when the head waiter (I believe so, anyway) came over he was very polite. We didn't have reservations, but that wasn't a problem, we just waited at the bar for a few minutes. The bartender was prompt, and friendly. They have a good selection of beer, but it would be nice if they had some sort of interesting ethnic drink. (I might be making a cultural faux pais here...I guess they haven't had drinking in Afghanistan in a long time...) The atmosphere of the place was great, very warm, lots of wood. Rugs and native-looking dress on the walls. A few pictures. All the waiters wore white tuxedo shirts. We were seated at a table among a long row of other two person tables along one wall, which was kind of uncomfortable. There were people right next to us on either side, and it was hard to talk without yelling, or listen without eavesdropping. Our neighbors didn't seem to mind, and no elbows were bumped, so I guess it was ok. The menu was good, with a good selection of interesting looking items, that I wish I could have tried more of. I had the Dwopiaza, and my girlfriend had another lamb dish. We had one of the eggplant appetizers, which was good, but only a tiny serving. The food came out pretty quickly, considering how full the place was. It was really good, and there was a ton of it. My girlfriend couldn't finish hers, even with a little help from yours truly. All in all, this was a nice place. A bit too crowded and noisy for a real romantic date, but a good time, and worth the money. I would go again, but would probably make a reservation on a weekend night.
(4)
jenn h.
Baltimore seems like this far away land, and I don't know much about it. We happened to be in the area and decided to eat, but I didn't have my computer with me, so I couldn't check good ole trusty Yelp! Yikes! Luckily we wandered to the adorable artsy part of the city where we happened upon The Helmand. Charming space! Great service! We weren't dressed in our best because we were post-golf, but they didn't seem to mind. At the same time, I would also feel comfortable in a cute dress here too. This was my first experience with Afghan food, but it won't be my last. YUM! I really enjoyed the lamb, and Jennifer M is right - I wanted to drink their cilantro sauce. Can they please open one of these in DC too? Please? If The Helmand is representative of B'more eating, then I want to go back to Baltimore soon!
(4)
Maureen P.
I have been to The Helmand many times with various friends over the last ten years of so. Yesterday, I went with two friends who had never been. I must admit, I had not been in quite a while so it was almost a new experience. We decided to go with the WOW weekend specials ($29.95 for an app, main course, and dessert). I normally don't go this route because "restaurant week" type specials are usually the worst thing on the menu. But, since they had lamp chops on the list I thought...ok I am game. We each got a different apps...Aushak, Mantwo and Bowlawni. All were delicious. I was not a fan of the Aushak, but I am not a big mint fan. My friend who ordered it loved it. We went early (5pm) in order to make a 7:30 opera at the Theater Project up the street so when we arrived it was not busy at all. By the time we left, it was packed as usual. The lamb chops that two of us chose were fabulous..perfect seasoning and cooked to perfection as well. My other friend, the carnivore that she is order one of every kind of meat (kabob like) and loved it as well. The desserts for me left a little to be desired. Again we all opted for different ones: Feereny (an Afghan pudding), the pastries with raspberry puree, and the Afghan cheese. How can you order chocolate cake (which was on the menu) when you have new things to try? All were tasty, but didn't blow any of us away with the exception of the raspberry puree with the pastries, incredible flavor. Both friends had the turkish coffee...they loved it, A little too thick and strong for me, but if you love your coffee, black and strong, you should try this. It reminded me of Greek coffee a little. We had a nice (somewhat affordable) bottle of wine with our meal. Not a huge wine list but I think anyone could find something they liked. Our service had a bit of a down fall. The wrong check came (we were charged for the desserts when they came with the special) and then it took 15 minutes to get the waiters attention to correct it. I mean really, two of us went to the head before he found his way back to our table. All in all another great meal at The Helmand, highly recommended! Sorry I cant give it five stars, the dessert and service took one away this time. Oh, and the opera? 4 stars too!
(4)
Scott R.
One of our best restaurants in the city. Consistent. Well priced. Nice wine selection.
(4)
Trisha S.
When I first moved to Baltimore, I was told that the best place to eat in Mt. Vernon was the Helmand. I have yet to eat at every restaurant in this artsy district, but I was very pleased with everything I ate. I had the kaddo borawni (pumpkin appetizer) and the dwopiaza. I nearly licked my plate clean. I highly suggest this restaurant to all who live and visit Baltimore. It has a very intimate atmosphere and the service was excellent.
(4)
Kate C.
I love Afghani food and this little place does not disappoint in the least. The pumpkin dumplings are delicate, the yogurt sauce nicely textured, and the black walnut ice cream Delicious. The service can be a bit slow but over all in the 10 or 15 times I have come I have been very pleased. It is also an excellent choice for a meat eater and a vegetarian to dine together w/both having a nice selection of thing to choose from
(4)
Susan K.
The ambiance had the murmurings of engoldened intellectualism. Shiny wine glasses and an amazing sweet potato appetizer made a nice palate for my tongue. The bread was what good bread should be, firm with a tender chewy chewiness in the middle. I tried some of my sister's ravioli dish, which paired with the bread made the meal very memorable.
(5)
Bryan N.
I have been going to the Helmand since they opened in 1990. It is absolutely my favorite place to go for dinner. I am always treated well by the the staff, and we know each other on a first name basis. There is something here for everyone. Both vegetarian and omnivore can break bread together and have a fantastic dining experience. Honestly, I try to visit the Helmand once a week, so do I love it. I chose the Helamnd to cater my housewarming party and it was a huge success! They brought the food to my home on china and even helped my select the perfect wines to go with dinner. Please share your experiences with me! :-)
(5)
Ania G.
if you haven't tried afghan cuisine (or even if you have), definitely check out the helmand. not much to say that hasn't been said already, but wanted to put my stars in!
(4)
F D.
The food was ok, but I expected better given the rave reviews. We were a party of 6 and had reservations. The place was packed and we were stuck waiting near the bar and next to the entrance to the bathrooms. Once seated the service was good. I got a vegetarian dish that was kind of like a baked samosa that was then covered in channa (chick peas). It was ok, but didn't stand up to the hype. My wife had the veggie korma. It was also ok, but nothing special. This restaurant's specialties are meat dishes.
(2)
Luzie C.
Crowded on a Saturday night, but we got a seat at the tiny bar right away. Service was a little slow, but food was tasty. Nice atmosphere. Got the vegetarian platter. Yum.
(4)
Stacey M.
My first taste of Afghan food, and I didn't know what to expect. I should have looked at a map though, because it reminded me of a cross between Indian and Middle Eastern food, with a lot less flavor. The dominant flavors were garlic, mint, and cumin, but it was all just a little bland. I'll stick with four stars, because I don't know enough about the cuisine to say if it was bad, or simply not to my taste. Service was OK, and the decor/ambience was fine. We started with the highly recommended pumpkin appetizer ($5), and were very disappointed. Tooth-achingly sweet! Actually, I think I will try to make it at home with no sugar. The pumkpin-yogurt-mint combo seemed like it would be delicious without sugar. Hubby loved the bread (four pieces for $2.50) I ordered aushak ($12), three leek-filled ravioli served on a bed of lightly seasoned meat sauce, topped with yogurt. It was OK. The meat sauce reminded me of Cincinnati-style chili. There was a ton of meat and yogurt sauce and only three ravioli, so I ended up with a pile of meat sauce that I couldn't eat with a fork. I tried sopping it up with bread, but it wasn't very good that way. Hubby ordered a daily special, a lamb-and-mushroom curry ($16). Three or four pieces of lamb and a dozen whole white mushrooms in a lightly spiced tomato-based sauce, served with a large plate of cumin-studded rice. Next time, I think I would order several appetizers (they have several crossovers on the menu where they serve smaller portions of entrees as appetizers) to try a lot of dishes and see if I could find a dish to love. I love Indian food, I love Middle Eastern food, so what was the problem? I guess everything was just a little bland, and it seemed like the proportions were all off. I had too much sauce and nothing to eat it with, and hubby had a huge pile of rice for a tiny amount of curry with too little sauce. I ended up still hungry, so I put some of my meat sauce on his rice. Meh.
(4)
Susan G.
First off, the food is fantastic. The vegetarian menu has reasonable choices and is usually season appropriate. Our dining experience was, interesting. This must have been our waiters first day on the busgirl is definitely out now. What we ordered was not what arrived its all good. Just like when traveling, as long its vegetarian and tasty, doesn't matter. So be forgiving and flexible with the Helmand and you won't be disappointed.
(4)
Kathryn E.
Fantastic food in a very nice atmosphere that makes the prices a steal. Seriously, where else can you have this quality of food on white table cloths with friendly, nonintrusive service for $10-15/entree? I honestly have never had a bad dish, so just eat your way through the menu as I have over the years. The one dish that I must get on every visit, no matter what else I eat, is the pumpkin appetizer - more please!
(5)
Karma B.
This place is probably more like 3.5 for me. It's a little over hyped but it is pretty good. I didn't love the pumpkin appetizer as much as everyone else, but it was good. I had the chicken and tuna entree which was decent though not great. I would have liked a little more spice. Had chocolate cake for dessert which was not good. The wine selection is really good and they clearly have a wine cellar because the wine came out slightly cool (perfect). Service is fine though not the greatest in the world. Solid place if you are looking for something different and exotic.
(4)
Caitlin S.
Gotta love it! The food is not something you find everyday, everywhere, and is so tasty and affordable. I like going to places that offer meals that I don't have the ingredients or know-how to whip up at home. The wine list is extensive enough, but not overwhelming. The decor is warm, attractive, cozy and interesting. It's appropriate for a date, birthdays or other special events, parents, colleagues, just about every situation including a spur of the minute dinner out. Going on the weekends may entail waiting a bit, but during the week it's pretty easy to get seated immediately or within a short time. The service isn't always what I would consider stellar, but has never been what I would categorize as bad. I have eaten at this restaurant probably between 20 and 30 times, and look forward to going back again and again and again.
(5)
ilove m.
If you eat nothing else here, you have to have the pumpkin appetizer. I don't even like pumpkin, but this dish is amazing. The lamb and turnips are superb and the wait staff is always attentive.
(5)
Charisse N.
The best thing about Charles Street, REALLY. And look for it's facade in the upcoming flick He's Just Not That Into You, The Helmand is one of those places where you wonder why they aren't a chain. The food is quality, consistent and filling. The price range is always doable for most budgets and the wine list is thorough. The decor is simple yet ethnic and the wait staff is friendly and quick. The menu is great for vegetarians and easily dissuades the notion that Afghani food is only kababs! YUM-UM.
(5)
A W.
For its consistency alone, the Helmand gets two thumbs up. Although I haven't eaten here in a few years, the quality and service has not slipped one bit. Servers are prompt, dishes arrive at the table quickly, and yet you don't feel like you are being rushed through your meal. The menu, with its delicious Afghani offerings (note: lots of choices for vegetarians), certainly lives up to its reputation. I don't think I've been disappointed with anything I've ordered here. The menu hasn't changed in years, but it really doesn't need to. The kaddo borwani (pumpkin) appetizer and the freeney (custard dessert with fruit) are staples here! And prices are more than reasonable (the only unfortunate thing is that the naan is separate... but it's definitely worth ordering). Portions are also quite reasonably sized; you definitely will walk out full (although for some it may require ordering an appetizer and/or dessert along with the entree). One note, if you get a choice of seating you will want to sit in the main dining area that is adjacent to the small hallway where you enter -- especially in the winter when cold air does sneak in through the front door -- and it can get noisy when the restaurant gets very crowded. Still, it's not impossible to hold a dinner conversation. I understand there is a sister restaurant in Boston, but it is much more expensive and upscale. Thus, Baltimore is more than lucky that the Helmand resides in the heart of this city for all of us to partake and enjoy.
(5)
Sandra J.
The best restaurant in Baltimore. Get the kadoo, you'll wish you had ordered two. Fantastic.
(5)
Paul J.
Sheer orgasmic, vegetarian bliss. I love this place and dream about it often. Can't wait to get back to Baltimore to get mo' betta Helmand. Can't get enuff!!!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Brian A.
Amazing food! Horrible parking, but then again... it is Baltimore.
(5)Jonathan U.
Great date place! Pumpkin appetizer: A MUST! Prices: Not bad, though parking costs $$ in the lot next door Food and Service: Great! Return?: Oh yes.
(5)Tim H.
My reservation was lost and I was told I never placed it!! The staff made it up to me though by making me wait an extra hour. Food was average at best, won't catch me back here
(1)Reezle W.
This is a tiny, hole in the wall restaurant serving homestyle, authentic Afghan cuisine. Reservations are really important because there is not much space in side! It is so dark and cozy in there, you'll never want to leave. The Qabuli palow is exquisite and their Kofta Challow was the best I've ever had. I would recommend any of their lamb dishes, as well as the kadu, pumpkin, appetizer. As for dessert...their house-made ice cream was out of this world! The cream isn't too sweet, but the large pieces of fruit in there take it to another level. Another special dessert that we tried was the pumpkin cheesecake, an obvious winner. This restaurant has a very nostalgic feel to it and is one of those meals that looks so beautiful and elegant, but just tastes like home. It is definitely worth a try.
(5)Roger C.
This was our second time at this Helmands and we had.eaten in the Boston iteration many times. We ate here Fri night. My spouse came in first and was greeted by a rude waiter, who was abrupt and nasty. After being seated, we realized the rude.greeter was.our waiter. Having.enjoyed our dining experience in the past, we decided that to make a go of it. The appetizer was tasty, I ordered a glass of wine and to call it short would be.kind. Diminutive would be a kinder description. They grabbed our appetizer before.we finished it to serve the main course. I ordered 1/2 rack of lamb, I got 3 ribs. I guess a short rack to go with a small glass of wine and a very.short dining experience.
(1)Terry B.
Always great. Love this place. Have eaten here for years and it's always excellent. My must orders: Chopendez (exceptionally tender and garlicky beef kabob on the never-changing specials menu) and the Kaddo Borwani (sweet pumpkin served with a garlic yogurt sauce). Get the bread. Ask for extra cilantro-vinegar sauce for the rice and meat. Perfect.
(5)Supriya M.
Although the food in the restaurant is very good, I would NOT recommend The Helmand for takeout or delivery. We decided to stay in on a rainy Saturday night and ordered from Helmand. The portions were incredibly small, yet the prices were restaurant prices. The lamb, which was $20, had literally 2 - I am not kidding - 2 pieces of lamb. I don't remember portions in the restaurant being this small. It was disappointing because we ordered 3 entrees for 4 people + an appetizer + 2 sal ads and we were not all full at the end of the meal. The quality of the food was the same as the restaurant, the portions were the issue.
(2)Hannah H.
My sister-in-law took me to this restaurant, as it is one of her favorites in the Baltimore area. We started off with a salad with pomegranate dressing that was delicious. We ordered the Kaddo Borawni (pan-fried and baked baby pumpkin seasoned with sugar and served on yogurt garlic sauce - it was tasty, and it was interested they had something on the sweeter side as an appetizer); Bowlawni (pan-fried twin pastry shells filled with leeks and spiced potatoes; garnished with yogurt and mint); Aushak (Afghan ravioli filled with leeks, served on yogurt-mint and topped with ground beef sauce); Koufta Challow (combination of lamb and beef meatballs seasoned with sun-dried baby grapes, paprika, and turmeric in hot green pepper, green peas, and fresh tomato sauce - this was quite savory and saucy, and it was delicious); Chicken Kabob (boneless chicken breast served with pallow and marinated vegetables); and, last, but not least, Sabzy Challow (spinach sauteed with chunks of beef and afghan seasonings, served with challow - another one of my favorites). The waitstaff were very nice, and it was great to order all these dishes to share at the round table. Definitely a solid Afghan restaurant. +salad with pomegranate dressing +Kaddo Borawni +Koufta Challow +friendly staff
(4)Matthew T.
The food and service were good. The food was not spectacular. The portions, even of items that were not very filling, were sparse.
(3)May N.
I was staying with a friend during a conference and when I found this place on Yelp, I knew I had to try it. There's an Afghan restaurant with the same name in Cambridge, MA and you can't find this food everywhere so this was my first stop in Baltimore. I walked in without a reservation on a Wednesday evening during dinnertime. The main dining room was at about 95% capacity, but I was given a great seat by the window with a view of the whole room. I went with a roasted lamb entree that was delicious, tender, melt-in-your-mouth goodness. It was served with a tomato-based side, fragrant white rice, and a cilantro sauce on the side. Service was very fast and attentive. Prices are moderate. They accept credit cards. It was good for people watching and listening to families arguing and millenials lamenting the economy.
(4)Jenny Z.
One of the best restaurants in Baltimore! I am a repeat visitor to The Helmand and their food never fails to impress me. The restaurant can be easily missed when driving by due to the subtle appearance of the door and sign, but this place is a real jewel! The seating and bar inside can be a bit tight, but is very cozy and intimate and the decor is a nice cultural touch. I have been able to make same day reservations, so that's a definite plus! Since this restaurant is located on N. Charles, we all know the parking can be difficult, though there was a parking lot for under $10 about a block away. I have been here with meat lovers and equally as curious vegetarians and both parties enjoyed the menu very much. For appetizers, we've tried the Kaddo Borawni (the very popular pumpkin and yogurt garlic appetizer) and the Banjan Borawni (which is pan fried eggplant with yogurt garlic sauce). AMAZING! I was apprehensive about ordering the pumpkin appetizer in the beginning because I'm not the biggest fan of sweet appetizers but I was sold upon my first bite. Perfect balance between sweet and savory. Several of us ordered the Dwopiaza, which is stewed lamb and it was fantastic. It was succulent, soft, well seasoned, and tongue pleasing. The proportions were moderate but I can say, it did fill me up! Someone else at the table ordered the Vegetarian Platter which came with several vegetarian portions on a bed of rice. We all enjoyed our food and nodded in agreement. We've ordered many different dishes (such as Sabzy Challow and Lamb Lawand) on separate occasions and I've been satisfied every time. The deserts were amazing too!! We had the pumpkin cheesecake, Afghan ice cream and some fruit dish and were all astounding. It was the first time trying any of these deserts but I was impresses. Overall, I've had wonderful experiences here. The enviroment is friendly, the service is good, and there is nothing more I can ask for when I am here on a Friday night, with a bottle of wine, delicious food and perfect company!
(5)Tracy G.
Met a friend here for dinner last night, and it was amazing! We had the Kaddo Borwani and Mantwo for appetizers, and bother were delicious. I ordered the chicken lawand as a special and I ate the entire thing! The cilantro sauce they bring with the rice is so good I could just drink it on its own. The staff were super friendly and the food arrived very promptly. I was not a huge fan of the naan bread, and they do charge you for bread for the table. The atmosphere is very lively, so if you like a more quiet restaurant this isn't for you, but the wine and food are definitely worth going back for!
(4)Sara A.
All the food here is amazing.. You should try it..
(5)Amanda E.
Maybe my problem is because I had really high expectations of this place - or maybe the restaurant was having an off night. Regardless my dinner last night at this much hyped restaurant was far less than what I expecting. From having to wait 30 minutes for our table, even tho we had a reservation, to overcooked meat and room temperature vegetables - it was just not a good night. DH and I arrived just before 7 for reservations @7PM with 4 others, two of whom were had checked in a bit before us and were waiting for the bar and the other two who were trying to find an ATM in order to pay for parking in the lot next door. We were sat around 730, and thankfully our waiter quickly showed up. Drinks were ordered but he fled before we get order ours apps. He came back with drinks, the person at the head of the table placed our apps and then before we could order entrees the waiter was once again off. First problem with the apps, which are clearly prepped well in advance, was the lack of flavor in everything but the . While the Kaddo Borwani (pumpkin) was outstanding the vegetarian Ausha was very bland and served at an odd temperature, while the Mantwo (which I did not sample) was declared oversauced and soggy. While not an issue for us we also noticed that the Shornakhod included a number of other beans, not that it mattered since it was way over soaked in the cilantro dressing Our waiter didn't appear for a good amount of time after we got our apps, which were delivered by runners, so we had no chance to get replacements for at this point we just wanted FOOD. In order to keep this from being a full essay I'm just going to list the entrees we ordered along with top comment. Mourgh Challow - chicken was dry but the sauce was insane, would happily eat the sauce over rice for dinner Koufta Challow x 2 - outstanding! (this was easily the most popular meal in our group) Vegetarian Korma - great vegetable variety but very, very, very bland with little hit of the advertised Afghan spices Vegetarian Dolma - not enough portion for the price but what was there was outstanding tho would have preferred the spinach side in place of potatoes Dwopiaza - very bland, but "saved" by the spicy cilantro sauce (apparently this sauce was good enough to warrant one member of our group taking his fork directly to the container and then licking said fork) By this point it was getting late so we decided to pass on desserts and just head out. I know there were some...issues...this evening involving a sick guest so I'm hoping our slow service and off temperature meal was due to the staff trying to address that issue however I'm hesitant to go back to such a above average cost restaurant after such a mediocre dinner. Unless it was to get the pumpkin dish - and only the pumpkin dish.
(2)Ali B.
Wao Mexicans running an "afghan" restaurant. This food is average at best, expensive and small proportioned. I have tasted real Afghan food made by real Afghans. This is no where near. It's more Indian food.
(2)Elle N.
Amazing place for great quality food! I have never tried Afghan food before, so I'm not sure if it's close to the real thing, but I have a feeling it is! Every plate we tried was full with aromas and so tasty! We went there on Saturday night. Needless to say the place was packed! We waited at the bar with a glass of wine, which was excellent btw, and were seated after around 20 mins. The environment is very warm and comfortable. I would happily go back! Recommended for sure!
(5)Josh G.
I've been to The Helmand on several occasions and have always had a positive experience. The atmosphere is classy yet not overly so, so it can work for both a an informal get-together or special occasion. The restaurant frequently has some daily specials or if it's a holiday--my visit was on Valentine's Day, they will have some special prix-fixe offerings too, in addition to the full menu being available. The appetizers are all great, though I'd probably recommend the fried pumpkin which you might wish to order with naan. Other than that, most of the appetizers are also offered as entrees. As far as entrees go, the menu isn't extensive, but there is a balanced selection of both meat and vegetarian options throughout the whole menu, which makes The Helmand a great place for people with varying dietary preferences. I personally enjoy the mantwo either regular or vegetarian which is a stuffed pastry shell topped with a sauce. However, of the other entrees and appetizers we tried and that I've had, I've never had one that I didn't particularly enjoy. Overall, I'd recommend the Helmand for its breadth of vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. The wine list is satisfactory and the service is very efficient. Definitely worth a trip, especially if you're seeing a show at the theatre or at one of the museums nearby.
(4)Gene L.
Great for groups in terms of space, but I ran into trouble once with asking the servers to split the checks into groups instead of one large check. Besides that, the service is very good. The food comes out suspiciously fast, even for large groups. The food is delicious. The restaurant is well decorated. Having not had Afghan food very much before, it's a mix of indian and mediterranean. I've gotten the kabuli more than once for a reason. The sauces that it comes with is also a good touch. It can get a little bit crowded at times.
(4)Mira Y.
Not the best Afghani food I ever had, best ones are in the SF Bay Area- Oakland and Fremont. Worst service as well.
(1)Ashley M.
Where do start.... I would have given this place 5 stars except for they're seating arraignment in the restaurant. I get it, they want to fit as many people in there to make as much money possible but it was WAY to close for comfort. The waitress/waiters had a hard time getting around because the tables were so close to each other. We were also the lucky winners to be seated by the dessert area. No partition or curtain to give a separate us or give a little privacy. I wish I would have taken a photo but I forgot. Now on to the food and service. Wow! We had amazing service!!! She was so attentive and very knowledgeable about the menu. The food was also superb!!! I wish I would have asked to have a little more spice added to mine, but truly it was still very very good. We also indulged in some chocolate cake and ice cream at the end. YUM!!! The ice cream had a spin in the normal vanilla bean ice cream. It has cardamom in it. I was a little taken back by it at first but i actually over it!
(4)Sarah J.
Great food, portions, price points and service. My parents are very simple and were leery to try- they loved it! Cant wait to go back and try some other dishes.
(4)Michael S.
What a joke this place is...way overrated terrible service I dont think they like Americans felt uncomfortable the entire time... boooo
(1)Talbot E.
First time here and was very impressed. Lightning fast service. Pumpkin appetizer with a garlic yogurt sauce and an apricot lamb stew entree with a spicy turnip side. All delicious. My only complaint would be was that it was very warm in the dining room but it was the first day in months that topped 60 degrees. Would definitely visit again.
(5)John D.
This really was as good as it gets for me - got a lamb dish with mushrooms that was fantastic (wish I could remember what it was called). Service was really good - they never let my water glass even get half empty. I would definitely go back.
(5)Patrick B.
Wonderful Afghan food in a very pleasant environment. Enjoyed everything, including the Jala ice cream, a not to be missed treat.
(4)Rowan H.
One of the top restaurants in Baltimore. Fantastic flavors, great atmosphere. Went on a Saturday after a play at the Everyman Theater and the restaurant was very full by 6 pm. A few highlights: -Decor is cozy yet refined. Great atmosphere to enjoy a nice meal. -The pumpkin appetizer was fantastic. Not too sweet. (As a hint...all of the dishes that include pumpkin were delicious!) -The lamb raviolis and leek raviolis were fantastic. Small but very flavorful. -The chicken kabab for dinner was some of the juiciest, most flavorful chicken I have had anywhere. A very nice surprise. -The lamb stew with pumpkin was fantastic. -The pumpkin cheesecake and special ice cream were both great. The pumpkin cheese cake was light and fluffy and not too dense. The ice cream had great hints of cardamom and vanilla. Neither are to be missed.
(5)Soundarya V.
I simply love this restaurant. The food and the ambience is too good! I have visited this restaurant many times and have practically tried out all the items on their vegetarian menu. They have a huge list of entrees for their veg customers which is big bonus compared to most other restaurants in Baltimore downtown. My personal favorite is their vegetarian mantwo. They also have their special afghan ice cream which is amazing. The only reason why I refrain from giving 5 stars is that on weekends their service is a little poor compared to weekdays and the waiters were a little impatient as they could not handle the crowd.
(4)Chris D.
A friend of my wife suggested I try this restaurant out while I was in Baltimore on business. It was one of the best meals I have ever had. Their lamb was insanely good and all the hordoves were great. If I find myself in Baltimore again, I will most definitely eat here again.
(5)Ivar D.
Good Afghan food in a pleasant and joyful atmosphere - fun to try their manty, dumplings that come in all sorts of variations all over Central Asia. Fun fact - the owner is President Karzai's brother.
(4)Derek W.
The Helmand was where I first experienced a massive expansion of my culinary horizons - many years ago - and since then it has a sacred place in my personal restaurant universe. Countless subsequent visits have been consistently amazing, deepening my appreciation of the place and my love for exquisitely prepared Afghani food. Love registers most strongly for the "kaddo borwani," a sauteed plate of baby pumpkin with yogurt garlic sauce, glistening with a hint of sugar. Whenever I talk about or think about Helmand, I rhapsodize about "that pumpkin dish," and for good reason. The balance of taste sensations, with the mildly tart garlicky yogurt playing off the sweet and earthy pumpkin, is divine. I ordered two. As usual. The other standout during my recent visit was the humble chicken kebab, which arrived lightly charred from the obligatory charcoal fire. The meat was tender beyond belief, producing near-ecstasy with every bite. A rather modest portion, I was pleased I took the time to savor it. The ambiance and service are very warm, and the art and other decor pay lovely tribute to the Afghan heritage of the owner without being at all overbearing.
(5)Cam T.
I went here off of a recommendation from a friend. Kudos for being open during a major snow storm, and it had a good amount of people considering the weather. We ordered a wide variety of appetizers to start, all of which were good. Definitely left me wanting more. As for the entrees, I had the Mourgh Challow which was a hit. My only thought is that I'm not sure I would label this place $$, it was a little more on the expensive side. BUT if you are in the mood for a good dinner, this is a solid choice.
(4)Michelle W.
The food was delicious! I went with a large group of people (there were 11 of us total), originally intending to get the Restaurant Week special. Instead, they offered us a family meal deal - the same price as Restaurant week, but many more options. We got 5 appetizers, a salad, rice, pilaf, several entrees, and dessert. It was a fantastic deal! Additionally, they also have a $10 all you can drink wine deal. The server was very friendly, and was able to accommodate someone who was gluten intolerant in our group, bringing out special dishes from the kitchen for her. The eggplant and the dumpling appetizers were good, as was the salad. The salad had a slightly creamy dressing, with corn, olives, peppers, and chicken breast. The chicken breast was surprisingly tender and flavorful! I had to double check that I was actually eating chicken breast!? Among the appetizers, I remember the giant meatballs being memorable. I do have to admit that things got a bit hazy by the end of the meal from the free flowing wine - but that also means that they were generous with the wine. I certainly got my money worth of wine.
(4)Yuan L.
This is a very fairly-priced restaurant for a sit-down white-cloth place. We had a group of three and shared two appetizers (pumpkin & eggplant) and each ordered an entree. I'm not familiar with Afghanistan food but honestly speaking while they are all delicious some entrees are not that different from what we had at Indian restaurants (after all they are in the same region & used to be within the same empires), but the dessert ice cream (the Jala ice cream & special ice cream) impressed us the most.
(5)Melanie F.
The food and atmosphere were perfect for a cold March night. I came a little after 5pm on a Tuesday and was the only person in the place. By the time I left, though, it was packed. I had the vegetarian platter (a sampling of different veg dishes) and hot cardamom tea. The tea was great and the platter was very, very delicious. The only thing I was surprised about was that not all the dishes were served hot. But maybe that's standard for Afghan cuisine. Everything tasted great! I had the cardamom ice cream for dessert. Folded into the ice cream were dried figs and fresh mango. I was hoping for more of a spiced flavor, but it was still very good as well.
(4)Kris L.
I really wanted to like Helmand-amazing ratings yelp and from friends! But I was SO disappointed! The ambience is clean simple and elegant. Street parking wasn't too bad on a weekday evening. The service was mediocre. I mean they offer you bread to start, but don't mention that they'll charge you $5 for it. Then, their only rec for us out of everything on the menu was the $27 lamb special. Really? Water glasses were mostly empty... Ok, onto the food. The mantwo app was really good. Tasted like a bite size plate of an bolognese finished with a yogurt sauce. We had 4 people and got to try a bit of everything on the entrees. Oddly, 5 minutes after we ordered, all the food came out. Do they just have it back there stewing? (yes, we were all wondering this...) Last winter on a sad day, I put a chicken breast and canned tomatoes into my slow cooker. The result is what the Mourgh Challow tasted like. No flavor, no texture, not good. The dwopiaza was a total fake me out- looked awesome and flavorful but tasted like flavorless mush. I can't comment on my friend's vegetarian dish because I love meat too much but he said "eh, it was okay." Afghan food is not supposed to be this bad, and after all the hype I really was expecting this to be something special. Unfortunately, the food was just okay. I wouldn't come back and pay $30 for mediocre food and service.
(3)Dante C.
We return to Baltimore for business every year, and as Vegetarian diners, we are always on the lookout for a good place. The Helmand accomodated us with warmth and proficiency for two nights. The spices were subtle, the combinations never boring, the atmosphere festive and fun, the service was perfect. We will return!
(5)Meg K.
Excellent food! Our party of 3 had a table in the middle of a crowded side dining room but it still felt intimate. We ordered 3 courses and stayed awhile catching up with each other. We weren't exactly rushed out...but our bill was brought promptly after dessert arrived and our water glasses stopped being refilled after we paid. We had the Kaddo Borwani (baked pumpkin) appetizer and it was delicious. For entrees, we got the chicken kabob, vegetarian aushak, and dolma murch. The aushak wasn't to everyone's tastes but the other entrees all got rave reviews. For dessert, we each got our own cardamom-infused ice cream dish with rose water and rice noodles. The ice cream itself was perfect but the rice noodles ruined the dish. Aesthetically, the noodles looked like curly worms and the taste didn't blend well with the rest of the dish. Every one of us removed the noodles in order to enjoy the ice cream. I would definitely order that dessert again but I would just ask them to withhold the noodles.
(4)Emily L.
This is a story in three parts. I. Over a decade ago, a dear friend brought me here for my birthday. I was in my late teens, but to this day I remember the meal: thin pasta, delicate leeks, minty yogurt mingling with a rich meat sauce, followed by a heavenly dish of spiced ice cream with fresh and dried fruits. I felt all the joy of adulthood that evening, and none of the painful responsibility! II. About five years ago, I taught an English course that included a study of The Kite Runner. The students worked hard, and I wanted to reward them with a fun but educational event at the end. I discovered The Helmand was still in business and wrote to them. Could they help me host an Afghan Day at school? They were so kind and gave suggestions for breakfast (milk tea, bread and jam with yogurt) and prepared some trays of food at a very reasonable cost for a meal later in the day. The students were so excited to sample their delicately-scented rice pilaf, rich meatballs in a curried vegetable sauce, and chewy-fluffy Afghan flatbread. Many of them had never had anything so exotic before, so it was a delight to their senses as well as a complement to the book they had just finished studying. III. Last spring, my husband and I were attending a Yelp-sponsored charity event and bid on a Baltimore "stay-cation" package that included dinner at the Helmand. We waited for our anniversary to use the certificate, but then didn't read the fine print that said we couldn't use it on a weekend -- so returned for my birthday about a month later. These two experiences have confirmed for me that the restaurant still offers the same high-quality food at very reasonable prices: three courses for two people runs about $50, and their wines are not marked up nearly as much as at other fine restaurants. In addition to the ravioli and meatballs described above, we enjoyed Chicken Lawand, a kind of Eastern-style Cacciatore stew; their famous sweet pumpkin with garlicky yogurt sauce; fresh steamed spinach with coriander chutney; and stewed okra in a spicy tomato sauce (this could have been a meal in itself!) Service is a little inconsistent and tends to be a little rushed at the beginning and a little slow toward the end, but the staff are anxious to please and the food is absolutely wonderful. Bottom line: don't let five or ten years pass between visits. It's worth returning regularly to this Afghan paradise!
(4)Jackie P.
My favorite restaurant in Baltimore! The kaddo borwani is amazing, and so is everything else I've had so far! My parents came to visit, and I took them to The Helmand so they could experience my favorite place to eat. They were definitely a little hesitant at first, and- due to eating a huge lunch at Faidley's earlier that day- didn't have much of an appetite. They both ordered kabobs, and both cleaned their plates. They could not get over the taste and tenderness of the meat! My boyfriend and I have never had a bad experience here. Everyone who works at The Helmand is very helpful and accommodating. Thanks to all the hard workers at The Helmand! Keep up the great work!
(5)Dave F.
Found this place right next to Dooby's. It just says Afghan Restaurant out front; did not see the Helmand's sign, but we knew what we were looking for. The place was extremely busy, which is always a good sign. The menu is pretty expensive, as is the wine list, but the beer list is narrowed down to bottles only of mostly domestics, imports, and a few local craft beers like heavy seas loose cannon and flying dog. Food was pretty good and I'd go back to try other dishes. With the suggestions here, we got the pumpkin appetizer, called Kaddo Borwani. I could have gotten a whole plate of this. We also got Aushak, which is like a ravioli, but not unique enough to get again. For the main dishes, we had the Sazby Challow and the Mourgh Challow. The Sazby challow beef was a lot like potroast; fell apart extremely easily with my fork. The spinach was good. Only complaint on the Sazby is that the meat was somewhat bland and I had to use the cilantro sauce (given for the rice) to add flavor. However, the Mourgh Challow's flavor was fantastic. The Challow, or rice with both dishes was great. I am up to trying to Pallow (also rice, but with different spices) next time. We typically don't get dessert, but the Jala Ice Cream sounded different enough and it was indeed worth it. They have a dessert cart in the corner of the main dining room, which is different. All in all, I'd go back to try some different flavors and enjoy that Kaddo Borwani again.
(4)Sara O.
Great mantoo!!! and pumpkin sauce. I loved the food and will def bring my bf back to this place. The best Afghan dumplings (mantoo) that I have ever had!!! I would def try both the pumpkin dish and the meat dumplings! So so good.
(5)Samantha G.
There's a reason the Helmand is always rated best date restaurant. It's fancy without being over the top or too pricey, the food is always good and interesting, the atmosphere is cozy, and the service is impeccable. I read some other reviews that complained about the service and that is puzzling to me. My boyfriend and I were treated with such..royalty...that's the only way to put it...that I was beginning to wonder if our waiter mistook one of us for a celebrity. Unlike Shanae J, we were not charged for the bread brought to our table when we sat down, so perhaps that was a mistake. However, like Shanae, I am not that big of fan of the yogurt/garlic/mint sauces. I love love loved the Kaddo Borwani (baked sugar pumpkin app that everyone is talking about) but it is quite sweet. I almost wish I had it for dessert instead of before my meal. We ordered several other appetizers (it might have been a sampler platter), all of which were really good. I actually ended up enjoying them more than my Veggie Korma entree, which was decent, but I couldn't locate the sundried grapes in it. What really knocked my socks off was the cheescake-it was insane! I think it was a special that night, but ask if they have it if you're there.
(4)Ray G.
The food was pretty good, but a rude server ruined the experience for me.
(2)Erin W.
The koftah pollaw was hands down the best meal I've eaten all year. It's amazing. I also recommend the pumpkin appetizer. Absolutely amazing food, beyond words!!
(5)Yaka H.
I felt that this restaurant is a bit "cheap" in terms of the bread and the portions. We tried the Koufta Challow, which consisted of 3 meatballs made out of lamb and beef in small puddle of sauce and mixed vegetables. The Lamb Lawand, 3 pieces of lamb with mushrooms and a small drizzle of yogurt. This meal also came with a small side of spinach. Both came with challow, which is cumin-scented rice. Pallow is a cinnamon-scented rice. These aren't the heartiest of entree portions, so do expect to order a few appetizers to quell the hunger. Bread isn't included in the meal. A large basket comes with about 8 warm pieces or so. It was a bit disappointing. I would actually prefer to go to Maiwand Kabob (also serves Afghan food) and it comes with much more for cheaper, with more variety and flavor on the plate.
(3)Laura M.
I love this place! It has a great location (Mt. Vernon), the food is always wonderful, and the prices are unmatched. I would totally recommend The Helmand to anyone asking for a place to go in the city. Even if you have never had Afghani food (I had not prior to going) you will find something to enjoy. Recently we went with a large group, and we did chef's menu of sort. They just brought food out to us in courses. It was amazing! Great for a group, and encouraged me try out some new things. It ended up being (I think) $70/person including tip. We went with the option that included unlimited red and white wine.
(5)Steffany H.
Let me start by saying I've never had Afghan food, so I came here with an empty belly and open mind. Now that I've been, I was far from disappointed! I never come to Baltimore, but I was in the area for a concert and wanted to have dinner beforehand. We called for a reservation to be told none were available but decided to go anyway. I was a bit optimistic when we arrived at 6:45pm on Friday to plenty of open tables. Unfortunately the host told us we couldn't be seated which I didn't understand at first, but 5 minutes later the place was packed! Luckily we just decided to sit at the small bar in the back. Service from the bartender was prompt, friendly and his recommendations were very helpful since I was new to most things on the menu. We ended up ordering the mantwo appetizer, lamp chops for my friend and the beef tenderloin special for me. All of the food was amazing! The flavors were new to me, yet familiar at the same time. Everyone we encountered who worked there was awesome and I can't wait to go back. The prices seemed reasonable to me for the portion and quality of the food. I couldn't finish my dish, although I definitely wanted to! We were in and out in an hour, and perfectly comfortable at he bar.
(4)Nicole J.
My husband and I have only been here once so far, but I'm impressed. The food and the service were superb!
(5)Mark H.
Coming from a middle eastern background I felt that I would ultimately be dissatisfied with the cooking but I have to say it actually tastes like my mom cooked it. The staff was beyond pleasant and honestly the food was incredible and ITS NOT EVEN THAT EXPENSIVE!
(5)Alisha S.
A colleague and I recently had dinner at The Helmand for the first time. We showed up without a reservation, during one of the busiest hours and was directed to the bar. The wait wasn't long, about 15 minutes but while sitting at the bar, the bartender(Collin) did not acknowledge us once. I must add that this is a very small bar, seating only about 8 people. At one point, we were trying to get his attention but that was also a failed attempt. Not really sure why. The drinks, that we ordered once we got to our table, were just decent. The food was delicious. This was one of the few times that I actually ate all the food on my plate. The rest of the staff, esp the owners were pretty friendly. Four stars because I could not get past the bartender treating us like we were invisible. All in all, I would eat here again.
(4)Kate R.
Meant to write this review over a month ago, when I dined here for the first time. It was absolutely fabulous. I was with a group of 18 for a birthday party. Our waiter made excellent suggestions on good and wine pairings. He offered to have the chef send out sampler courses so we could all share and try many things. He even had special plates made for the three vegetarians in the group. I don't think any of us had to ask for a single thing the whole time, and we were there for several hours. The wait staff worked as a team to provide water, wine, bread, extra napkins, etc. Even for such a large group and the specialized menu (and the amount if wine consumed), the price was very reasonable. It was a fantastic experience and I plan to go back often.
(5)Renee C.
It took us forever but we finally went to The Helmand. OH MY GOD! It was so good. We got the pumpkin appetizer, the Koufta Challow, and the Aushak. We also had to get desert so we got the chocolate cake. I don't think you can go wrong here. Whatever you get will be delicious. I do advise that you make a reservation ahead of time, even with the reservation we waited a good half hour. They have such good food and great service though, it was well worth the wait.
(5)Sanjay J.
Haiku: Authentic flavors From Afghanistan, decor From the Middle East And a complete bar, Make The Helmand one of my Favorite restaurants. Vegetarians, you will have plenty options, and specials are great!
(5)Kate T.
The Helmand is awesome. First of all, it's run by Hamid Karzai's brother - as in the current president of Afganistan's brother. So, you're eating the real deal when it comes to Afghan food and are dining at a semi-royal establishment. I went with a friend and we split the Kaddo Borwani (a pan-fried and baked baby pumpkin seasoned with sugar and served on yogurt garlic sauce) for the appetizer. It was really delicious. We also got a side of naan because I love naan. For entrees, I got Mantwo (home-made pastry- shell filled with onions and beef, served on yogurt and topped with carrots, yellow split peas and beef sauce) which was super good and my friend got Aushak (afghan ravioli filled with leeks, served on yogurt and topped with ground beef and mint). The prices are little high for my college student budget, so I would suggest bringing a bunch of friends and splitting a lot of dishes. It's definitely the only truly Afghan restaurant in Baltimore, so it is the best Afghan restaurant in Baltimore. Great for vegetarians and meat-lovers alike!
(4)Justin W.
I have to rate the food based on my opinion of the taste and, since this was my first time having afghani food, nothing to use for comparison. My girlfriend and I thought the food was very good and was worth 4.5/5 stars. The service was pretty good. We felt a bit rushed when our waiter asked if we had a drink order before we even opened the menu. And on more than one occasion, they started bussing our plates while we were still eating. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't too bad. And they kept my water pretty filled (which isn't an easy task) 4/5 on service. So, all in all, a solid 4 stars. Worth trying and even worth going back, it just wasn't as good as it could be.
(4)Michelle B.
Interesting atmosphere. The staff was attentive and not too pushy, very sincere. The food was delicious and easily modified for my dairy-free needs and for my friend's vegan needs. We had the pumpkin appetizer (out of this world). For my first time there I had the lamb pallow and played it safe - will be more adventurous next time. Easy to please a foodie and a mildly "white bread" eater at one place.
(4)Jillian P.
GOOD: Vegetarian-friendly. Quick service. OKAY: Kinda pricey for what you get. I expected Afghan food to be spicier? I thought it was bland, but I don't know enough about it to accurately judge. BAD: My friend asked what, yes, was probably the Afghan equivalent of someone asking an American what a french fry is, but that doesn't mean you have to snicker about it to her face, especially when it was politely asked...
(3)Ankita M.
I have been to Helmand three times till now. Tried their famous pumpkin appetizer- it's amazing, Got Aushak in appetizer it's fine. In entree, I had chicken lwand and lamb lwand, it's made in thick red curry, spicy, served with rice and spinach- very very good. Recently tried chicken kebabs they are very good, has like a charcoal flavor in them. Also tried mantwo in appetizer- not quite impressive.
(5)Sarah I.
I have eaten in this place twice, once in 2011 and once in 2014. Even though this restaurant is rated really well, I don't think the food is very special. I can probably make many of their chicken dishes at home. The ambiance is nice and the service is good. However, I will not be going back there unless one of my visiting friends really wants to go here. Like I said, the food really isn't special.
(3)Mango G.
A group of nine went for a dinner and ordered a "group menu" @$36 pp. The menu had TONS of food including appetizers, salad, entrees (lamb, chicken), assorted desserts and coffee/tea. The service was good, no complaints. They can also accommodate for vegetarians. Everybody was happy! I would go back when I'm in town next time.
(4)Ashu M.
Overrated, bland, and like it was out of a college student's first effort in the kitchen with spices. Ugh. Specifics - the 'famous' squash appetizer (Kaddo Borawni) was bland, a mix of temperatures in a bad mushy mess, and too sweet. The vegetable dolma had impressive looking vegetables thrown into a tomato sauce (or ketchup) broth. Bland beyond belief. The lamb was cooked OK, if a little excessively (the fibers are a dead giveaway), and it was in EXACTLY the same sweetish, flavorless ketchup broth/sauce. Is all Afghani food this bland and meh or is it just this overly Americanized joint? Then again, we're Indian and know what GOOD spicy food is supposed to taste like. Unlike some other folks' experiences, our service was above average, although the tight quarters and overcrowding caused a seating delay (despite a reservation), and some rushed delivery/take-aways. Which suited us fine - once we had tasted the food, we wanted it to be DONE so we could leave and pan it in person and on Yelp! Verdict, never ever ever going to bother to return. No redeeming features if you have a discerning palate. For those with NO spice tolerance and NO concept of what middle-eastern-mughlai-frontier food should taste like, and are normally NOT adventurous, this is a safe, gentle foray to the 'wild-because-you-don't-know-better' side! Edit to add: I said 'no redeeming features' but forgot about the excellent mint/cilantro side item they brought to the table. This was GOOD. And the water was good too. That's it.
(2)Angel B.
Came here on a Thursday evening and the place was bustling. This was our first visit for my boyfriend and I. There was not an empty seat in the house. We were seated probably after 3 minutes of waiting and they were quick to take our drink order and serve. The service here is impeccable, we asked and they delivered. Food, drinks, bread you name it, came out in a perfected timely fashion. I forget what my bf ordered but I had the Kaddo Borawni and Dwopiaza. The kaddo borawni is something I've never seen or had before. It is delicious and you wont find anything else like it in the city. I recommend sharing because it can tend to get too sweet after a while or counter it with something more hardy. The Dwopiaza did not disappoint either. As far as entrees go I think I picked the right one in that department. Highly recommend and looking forward to going back and exploring their menu.
(4)J. M.
Not nearly as good as either Helmand in Boston, [one of those is exceptional actually] and it's unclear whether it's a generic name for Afghani restaurants or there's some relation. Either way, it's one of two places in Mt Vernon I'd take any guest to eat [Stang of Siam being the other]. My experiments with the menu haven't left me too satisfied so I've stuck to Seekh Kabob as my stock dish. My only complaint is the size of the entrees which is on the shallow side of filling. But if you're not a glutton, then this might be the right size.
(4)Morgan D.
Why has it taken me over a month and a half to write this review?! This place is great! Went here on a Sunday evening with a lovely friend. Have wanted to go here for at least a year. Finally, I made it to this amazing place. When we first arrived (about 8pm) I think we were both a little startled because it looked like NO ONE was there...ahhh ha, the hostess led us to the back dining room, yay people! Our seating situation was a little awkward since we were oddly facing the people next to us, who seemed to be on a first date and though I never care what people are talking about, heck I can't even remember what I'm talking about half the time, it was hard to not listen to them converse. I ordered Seekh Kabob and it was delicioussss. The lamb was perfectly cooked and the vegetables and challow were excellent! My friend got a restaurant week special with a garden salad, lamb dish and dessert. He loved his as well! I thought the portion sizes were perfect. I did want to order the Kaddo Borwani (pumpkin app) but didn't since my friend already was getting salad as an app and I knew I couldn't eat it all myself. Next time tho, I definitely need to try it. I have been thinking about what I will order next time...I love getting lamb at restaurants since it's something you don't see tons of menus. We'll see! The atmosphere was great. Wasn't overly decorated but definitely a nice place to dine. I am a fan, a big fan!
(5)Dan P.
I last visited the Helmand seven years ago, was very glad that it lived up to my memories! The food is very unique, Afghani food is similar to Indian food with nice differences (more lamb) but everything was delicious. The wine was very cheap for a formal restaurant, great bottles were $20-$30. When I commented to my waiter that the dish had a little less meat than I expected, he brought me a whole other bowl of it! Very good service!
(5)Brian Y.
Great place for that annual special occasion. At these prices, I couldn't afford to go there any more often than that. The service, ambiance and food are definitely worth it. Perfect for that anniversary or birthday when you need to do something a little different and more fancy.
(5)Sarah D.
This restaurant has been one of my favorites for years. Even for those who worry that they are not the most "adventuresome" eaters can find things here that they will not only enjoy, but love. The food is wonderful and service is great-- this is my go to place for out of town guests. Tuesday is half price wine night and a great way to take advantage of already reasonable prices. The pumpkin appetizer is OUTSTANDING as are the vegetarian options (many of my friends who don't eat meat adore coming here because of the extensive vegetarian menu).
(4)Hannah B.
One of the best meals I've ever had. All of the spice blends were so interesting - delicate and complex without being overwhelming.
(5)Quynh T.
Came here on a cold winter night wanting something warm and comforting. Word around the block was that the baby pumpkin app was amazing, which was the first thing that we order. The dish was kinda schizophrenic. When you first bite, the tangy yogurt made you think it was breakfast, and then you found overpowering garlic in the yogurt that just kinda hitchhikes on your tongue and you're like...oh, wasn't expecting you, and then when the pumpkin finally hits you, it was a cloyingly sweet squishness which left you feeling that you don't know if you just ate your appetizer or dessert. Maybe it was overhyped for me, but I don't feel like it worked. Service, while prompt, was a little off their game. We ordered off the specials, and I kinda didn't remember what was ordered, but when our food came to the table, we were like...that wasn't what I was expecting, but...there's beef in that, and I remember ordering beef, so let's dig it. we got a couple of spoonfuls onto our plates when our waiter rushes out, swoops in and takes away our plates mid-ladleful. And we were like...."ooooh..that wasn't meant for ". It was the table next to us. Overall, a little bit skeptical, and while it did have its merits (really delicious lamb and tender beef (only half the cuts), it wasn't memorable or fantastic.
(3)Corey S.
If I could give an extra half-star, I would. Being able to reserve a table through Yelp is a huge plus, as upon arrival you will be surprised to see a packed house seating over 100 at any time. This place is where I pledge to take visitors to experience a taste of what Baltimore is like. Mint Yogurt in a dish of meat sauce over homemade bakery-style ravioli shells left me wondering why I was only now finding out about their menu [which sports Sea-Bass on weekends!]. Cramped quarters for small parties and short-hand staff are made up for with courtesy and Turkish coffee. FULL BAR - Extensive list of bottled beers (ask) AFFORDABLE ** -- Top 10 places for dinner in Baltimore 2013 nominee -- **
(4)B J.
Not much of a looker on the outside.. but inside this place is as classy at it gets! Authentic Afghan food, lamb cooked to perfection Sweet pumpkin appetizer Minus one star for slow and unattentive service
(4)Jay A.
Absolutely the worst food I've ever tasted. The service stunk. I love this type of food but when it comes to The Helmand RUN AWAY RUN AWAY!
(1)Cassandra M.
My husband and I ate at "The Helmand" as grad students at Johns Hopkins. That was about 10 years ago, and to this day I believe it was the best and most unique restaurant I have ever been to ...if that is not too over the top. We went with friends and shared some of each others dishes, and there were all amazing. The only bad thing I could say is that it has been a while since I was there, and I believe that Harmid Karzai's brother was still running it then, and as per NPR he had since returned to Afghanistan to be involved in events there, so I will leave it other reviewers if the quality remains the same in 2014.
(5)Paul S.
When we walked into The Helmand on a recent Saturday night for our 6 P.M. reservation, there was no one there to greet us so we stood around for five minutes until someone materialized. I noticed that this was the 'norm', as many guests would simply just start wandering about the dining room looking for anyone who resembled an employee to announce their arrival. Strange. Our waiter was efficient, but the pacing of the meal was ridiculously fast with courses being served on top of one another and dessert coming out well in advance of coffee. We enjoyed our appetizers of baby pumpkin and the pastry filled with spiced potatoes and leeks. These were, unfortunately, the highlights of our meal. Our entrees were just okay, not remarkable in any way, and included poached salmon, vegetarian platter, and dwopiaza. Desserts were a major misfire--the Middle Eastern pastries were inedible; the cardamom ice cream was passable; the cheese plate just horrible as the cheese had the consistency of cottage cheese. Coffee refills never came. On the fence as to whether we'd go back, but glad we tried it just the same.
(3)Jeff B.
This place has so many delicious offerings, I wish I lived nearer! I love the cardamom infused tea for starters, especially on a chilly night. The vegetarian mantwo is fantastic and rich--the filling included eggplant when I ordered it (the menu shared here doesn't seem to indicate that). The service is so much a focus of the place that it may err on the side of being a little *too* helpful, but that's a pretty great problem for a restaurant to have.
(4)Morad B.
Very friendly staff. Nice decor. Food was wonderful. Not too spicy. Just delicious flavors. My wife and I both ordered specials. I had a chicken dish while she had a beef dish. Both cooked perfectly and so tasty. We made the reservation through Open table and mentioned that my wife and I were celebrating our anniversary and requested a nice quiet table. The manager congratulated us and offered a free desert. Such a nice gesture. I definitely recommend this place and will come back.
(5)Jess E.
A co-worker of mine recommended The Helmand to me a while ago, and I finally got around to going during restaurant week. It definitely lived up to my expectations! Every dish I tried was AMAZING, very flavorful. I highly recommend the pumpkin appetizer, and I had a sampler of vegetarian dishes which were fantastic. I finished off with their special ice cream, which was a perfect treat. Great service too, the staff were very attentive and quick. It was a little noisy and crowded, so probably not a place to go if you're looking for a quiet intimate dinner, but definitely top-notch - if I lived closer I would eat here a lot!
(5)Jenny N.
This place seems to always be packed...for good reason!!! I'm not one to be too adventurous on food, but I would try anything at this place. I've had steak, chicken, soup, apps and dessert and everything is seriously AMAZING! Even the coffee is delicious!!! Mushrooms, pumpkin, rice, the list goes on and on. Everyone has to try it at least once!
(5)Deborah G.
The Helmand is like a long lost friend when it comes to dining. We had not dined there for a few years and decided to return to taste the food to see if it was what we remembered when we last had our Afghan repast. There were five of us and we had to take an early reservation because everyone else had decided this was the place to dine on a cold windy Saturday night in February. We entered the restaurant and of course it was like going back to when we last dined, because everything was the same. They honored our 5:45 pm reservation timely as they wanted to have our table for the 7 o'clock diners. Our waiter quickly greeted us, gave us menus, took our drink orders and announced the specials for the evening like a professional actor. So what did we have that ranked a 4 star dinner? One appetizer was a special salad with the most colorful plump winter heirloom tomatoes that I have seen in a long time. The greens were lovingly dressed in a flavorful balsamic dressing and the goat cheese added a nice tang and texture to the mix. We also had the pumpkin appetizer (Kaddo Borwani) with garlic flavored yogurt sauce and sugar. Oh my - it's pumpkin from heaven. If you have not tasted this, you don't know what delicious is. Our entrees consisted of the sea bass special in a red sauce with potatoes, tomatoes and spices served with rice, a chicken kebab with rice, and a nice sized portion of salmon coated with lentils served with more rice. One person had a chicken dish in a sauce with rice and said that was tasty. The fresh baked bread from the oven is always a delightful add-on to the meal and we consumed it all. For dessert we ordered the pumpkin cheese cake, fresh fruit served over custard and the Afghan ice cream with figs, dates and mangoes. The best of the three was the ice cream as it cleansed the palate of all the different spices and flavors we had just experienced. We had tea, which was okay but not as hot and flavorful as it should have been to refresh the taste buds. We all enjoyed our meals. Some were better than others but we agreed that all were tasty. I noted the portions were a bit smaller than I remembered but food prices have gone up and this is how a restaurant keeps from raising its prices. I enjoyed the meal, and the atmosphere is always wonderful as it makes me think I'm not in Baltimore but someplace more exotic. It's still a solid 4 star. I would recommend it but not on an extremely busy Saturday night when the need for the table is obvious. This is a place to relax and enjoy the food and not be rushed to the finish line to collect the check.
(4)Joy E.
The food was delicious, and the service was very good. I had a reservation, so getting seated was no issue, otherwise the place looked very busy. I had a pumpkin dish as an appetizer that was unique and fantastic. Everyone in my party ordered a different entree, and everybody was thrilled with their selections. I would have loved to try a dessert, but was far too full to even consider it. I would go back in a heart beat.
(5)SY C.
This place came highly recommended when I was looking for a restaurant in Baltimore. Wow. Just wow! We ordered 2 appetizers: Kaddo Borwani (the pumpkin with yogurt). I try and usually love anything pumpkin) and the Mantwo (pastry shell with meat and veggies). I loved the Mantwo. The pumpkin was good, but not as amazing as I had expected; HOWEVER, it's a great topper with the entree I had. Everything looked so good that I just put my menu down and asked our server to pick something for me. He chose the Sazby - it's a stew, served with a side of spinach, rice and a WONDERFUL green sauce. This is one of those places where you can't wait to eat the leftovers the next day! Also, the service is really great. The servers are incredibly polite and personable. When I ordered an entree to go, the server was so thoughtful to make sure the food would get home as warm/hot as possible. He wrapped the food meticulously. This kind of service isn't common for sure! I have *not* a single complaint about this place. I'd give it 6 stars! Can't wait to go back!
(5)Mithilesh D.
This was my first time trying Afghanese food. The ambiance of the venue is very good. They have a wide selection of wines to complement with the food. We had the lamb shallow along with the chicken shallow and chicken kabob. They were simply amazing. The meat was very tender. Their cilantro dressing was super tasty too. If you are Into spicy food ask for their spicy dressing and you won't regret it. Will definitely go there again.
(5)Samaa M.
Good food, and fantastic service. Casually dressy. Two main areas- so able to sit couples and groups.
(4)jazzy l.
Kaddo Borwani 5.25 Pan-fried and baked baby pumpkin seasoned with sugar and served on yogurt garlic sauce. Aushak 5.25 Afghan ravioli filled with leeks, served on yogurt-mint and topped with ground beef sauce. (Vegetarian Aushak also available). Kabuli, Pallow16.50 (Afghan style rice) baked with chunks of lamb tenderloin, raisins and glazed julienne of carrots. Middle Eastern Pastries5.25 Table for 4. Street parking Cute neighborhood in Mt. Vernon The above were my favorites.
(4)Amy R.
Everyone must try this place at least once. What a great experience. The food was good. The Kaddo Borwani pumpkin dish was amazing. Our server was very helpful in assisting us with menu questions.
(4)Marco B.
Went alone on a business trip. I wasn't sure where I was going to end up that night so I was actually dressed in a tie-dye shirt and a pair of shorts. Regardless, everyone was polite and seemingly happy that I decided to pick their restaurant. Ambiance is nice. I wouldn't write home about it, but it's pleasantly old world inside with the brick archway. The service was great, friendly and prompt. I ordered the pumpkin appetizer and a lamb special that involved a sauce made with raisins and chilies. The pumpkin was good. I've had better, but not by a large margin. The lamb was excellent. The vinegar sauce that came with the rice tied everything together and the turnips were fantastic. I could eat a bowl of those turnips. I'm a big fan of middle eastern and Indian food. This was one of the better culinary experiences I've had with food from that area. Overall, the experience was great. Not merely good, but not excellent. I'm not from Baltimore so I doubt I will go again, but I give this as a recommendation to anyone looking for a foreign bite in Baltimore.
(4)Richard L.
My brother was in afghanistan for a while, before the war began churning its legs and standing in place. We did not talk about it. I thought of Hemingway when he wrote "In the spring the war was still there, but we did not go to it anymore". This is how I would have felt in my gentle surrender of disregard. I cannot tell you how my brother felt as he did not feel the need to tell me. I decided to take him to the Helmand for dinner, mostly because the brother of the president of Afghanistan owns the restaurant. I told him this as we were seated and before we ordered and he gave me a sallow look. The waiter asked us if we wanted to drink anything and we chose wines at random. There is very little meaning to the small choices in our lives when the larger ones are so cutting and so fresh. The appetizers we ordered came after our bread. My brother broke a piece of bread apart and told me that it was authentic. He talked about eating with his translator, a man of dark complexion like a shadow against a hill. He told me the translator could get him movies on DVD before they came out in theatres - that he watched pornography on his cell phone like a free American man, and that he was a bastard. The Afghanis, he said, are all bastards. As he spoke the appetizers arrived - large, handmade raviolis filled with minced lamb and covered in a sauce that appeared to be yogurt and dill, with a touch of grated cucumber. My brother ate his appetizer, looked at his plate, and relented. Afghanis, he told me, are not all bastards. Just the ones that deal with the army. I had nothing to say, so we drank our wine in silence as polite conversation echoed around us. We ordered more wine and it came and we drank it and we ordered again. The entrees arrived, delicious meatballs, kofta in a sweetly turned sauce, and more raviolis(I had ordered them for my main dish). We ate more and he took one of my raviolis because he is a bastard, and then there was the quiet silence of digestion, and gustation. He said to me that the afghanis, as a matter of fact, were pretty damn swell. I nodded and ate one of his meatballs and thought to myself that this is a good reason for lambs to die - slaughter in tomato sauce is at least delicious. We did not order dessert. We did order coffee, made in the afghani style(or the turkish style, as one waiter said, serving a table next to us). The coffee was thick and tasted of cardamom and sugar. My brother said it was an excellent coffee, and that the food was excellent, and that in retrospect, the afghani people were excellent, truly excellent people. Even the bastards. There are meals, and then there are meals that we remember for reasons most likely never understood. There are restaurants, and then there are restaurants that we love for reasons we will never forget. It is not impossible that the two are related; though it is not impossible that they are unrelated as well. It is not in us to ponder these things - at least not after eating at a restaurant like the Helmand.
(4)Ben B.
Not impressed. I'll give the good first. The place is very nice, great decor, all that nice date stuff. The pumpkin thing, though good, was not O-face delicious as everyone seems to think it is. Think pumpkin pie, but less airy and covered with yogurt sauce. Yeah, it's pretty much that. The bad, it's fairly pricey. The portions are okay, but the food is nothing special. It feels like they use the same spices for everything and that yogurt sauce I mentioned before was essentially the linchpin of every dish my table ordered. And they charge for bread. Like, a good amount, too. that's automatic 3-star in my book. 2-star is putting a plate of white rice in front of me and charging 16 bucks.
(2)Meghna A.
My cousin recommended this restaurant to me and my husband plus I saw it packed all the time. So I decided to give it a try. We first had the appetizer with eggplant, which was a very small portion, not flavourful at all. Their naan was nice and fresh. My husband ordered the chicken kebab and me -the beef for entrée. Both of which were under seasoned again.. The only thing that was at least average was my desert- pudding with fresh fruits. I wouldn't go back there again. Their food is cooked with absolutely none to minimum spices (maybe for the western palate).
(1)Amittva S.
Pretty nice space, intimate, with good service. But the food was a little uneven. The Kaddo Borwani appetizer was fantastic--one of the best dishes I've ever had. But my entree (don't remember what it was called) was awful. It was a 15$ bowl of tasteless, lifeless tomato soup. I was very much tempted to return it, but decided not to ruin the night for my friends. I sampled some of their food--various dishes. It tasted like underseasoned Indian food. Nothing special. I should probably give it another shot because that appetizer WAS fantastic...
(3)Britty-britt W.
Went here twice and I liked it the first time then the second time was not so good as far as service.. I order my eggplant and yogurt app and as entree I got lamb meatballs which is my fav dish with the rice and the lime or so dressing on the side, I then asked for desert which was the pumpkin cheesecake pie...before I go further.. When I arrived at my table I look to my right and I see pumpkin pie just sitting out on a plate and I didn't understand why a desert would be sitting out in the dining area and I would have no clue who was sitting before us and probably could've been sneezing all over the place..so I go to the bathroom and come out and my desert is there and the desert that was right of me was no longer there, I touched my desert..it was warm so I asked our server is this the pie that was sitting out here, he says yes, we leave deserts out here to thaw out since it comes out if freezer...this however was infact a lie...I worked in a restaurant and never did they do that so he knew I no longer wanted that particular slice then to be a complete nut he says well do you want to eat a frozen one, what do you want me todo..I said I'm pretty sure you gave microwave, so in thaw me a fresh alive because the one you gave me has been sitting out for 20+min, I can tell and he debates and says no it's been 5 min before you got here ..LIES!!!! so he comes out with a slice and says "oh we just got a delivery today with the pies"LIES he must've thought I was to dumb to notice the difference between a pie that's been sitting and sweating for over half a shout and a cake that was kept I right temperature and environment, to leave it out In the dinning area is not appealing to a guest that's eating and to try and feed it to me is even more disrespectful....I like the place but the blonde silly server was being absurd
(2)Mick P.
A disappointment, compared to its Boston sibling.
(3)Sristi S.
I had passed by this place so many times as a student. We finally managed to go in yesterday. First things first...this place is PACKED. In weekends there is no point going (unless you plan on waiting for 40-45 minutes) without reservations. We had our reservation and we still had to wait for about 10 minutes. The food is really really good. We got the roasted eggplant appetizer and it was cooked to perfection. The appetizer portions are small. We ended up sharing our but one can finish an appetizer and an entree by himself/herself easily. We got lamb based entrees, and for both of us the lamb was cooked to perfection. The chutney/sauce that goes with the entree was a great accompaniment. We also got dessert (as an advantage of ordering just one appetizer). Feerni...cardamom flavored vanilla ice-cream with rice noodles. Delicious. One of the best Asian restaurants we have been to. Will definitely go back again!
(4)Nora H.
Excellent service, food, atmosphere. everything. Food was super interesting and delicious. Can't wait to go back,
(5)Ali M.
Best afghani food I have eaten. If you want to eat halal you should ask the waiter what is halal for that day. It's been a few weeks since I have eaten there, but I can say that everyone at the table loved their food.
(5)Emily P.
Great food and service (attentive, but not overbearing)! I recommend: -Any of their lamb dishes -Naan, you MUST order -Kaddo borwani, the pumpkin app -Banjan borwani, the fried eggplant app -Afghan ice cream (not overly sweet but has wonderful texture with the dates and figs)
(4)Leslie K.
I was rather disappointed. Pros: - Good quality food, but not the best ever. I had the vegetarian aushak and it was good but could use some more spices to enhance the flavor. I had enough to eat but just barely. - Seems like pretty authentic Afghan food - Nice atmosphere: you'd be comfortable in jeans or a suit. - We were seated quickly and courteously. Cons: - TINY TINY TINY PORTIONS. My boyfriend had one of the lamb dishes and a side of okra, and was still starving after. We also had the pre-meal bread, which was really fresh and good but not worth the $5 extra, see below. - Seemingly affordable, you end up spending twice as much as you expected because the portions are so small you need appetizers AND side dishes, and then if you have anything besides water you end up with an astronomical bill for what you get. - Awkwardly long tables.
(2)debbie a.
This place was OK when compared to my much less expensive prior experience with Afghan cuisine. The pumpkin appetizer is GOOD, but I was expecting a larger portion (it looked like a scoop of pumpkin). The reviews on service are pretty accurate. The staff is friendly, informative and prompt. The food is just north of good and shy of really good. May not be as great as the hyped reviews on Yelp suggest, but not a bad experience if you want to have Afghan via upgraded dining experience - personally, I would rather have an Afghan food experience that was more down to earth with deeper more complex flavors.
(3)Rob N.
The Helmand is way better than I remember, and still an affordable option. Apart from a bit of a wait to be seated for our reservation, during which we crammed against the coat-rack as two very large parties swapped in/out at a bank of tables near the door, dinner at Helmand was very enjoyable. Despite being a jam-packed Saturday night for the Valentine's Day weekend, service was surprisingly prompt and efficient. Drinks arrived in short order, with glasses of Spanish Cava provided by individual small serving bottles instead of being poured from an open bottle at the bar. Appetizers showed up quickly after ordering, with salads, Kaddo Bowrani, Aushak, and Mantwo getting the thumbs-up. Our entrees were a selection of lamb, beef, and fish dishes - a poached salmon filet seared with a yellow pea sauce; lamb and turnip stewed with tomato and spices; a salad with sliced beef tenderloin; lamb stewed with mushrooms. The lamb and turnip combo was nicely tangy, spicy, and sweet (from the turnips) - just a real nice combo of flavors. Naan was served up hot with a slightly crispy outside and tender inside. Pumpkin cake, cardamom ice cream w/dried fruit, and pastries adorned the table for dessert - the ice cream a super-creamy vanilla-bean flavor with cardamom, dates, figs, and mango. Decor's nicer than I remember. It's been years since I've dined at the Helmand, and it seems warmer and more stylish than I recall. One warning though, is that the tables are closely set, and it can get a bit on the loud side when the dining room's full. Still, it's a good meal, and won't break the bank.
(4)Lana T.
Authentic, delicious Afghan food. I've eaten in Fremont, which I think has something like the biggest Afghan community in the U.S., and I always thought Afghan food was just okay. But the Helmand takes it to another level. Service is always excellent, the bread is amazing, and I'm kind of in love with the mantwo and its yogurt sauce. As with any Afghan restaurant, the lamb is a must try. My personal favorite is the koufta challow (lamb and beef meatballs, mm), but honestly, I've never heard anything bad about any the dishes here. I've also tried the vegetarian options which were also very good, but again, the lamb is what shines. I wasn't as in love with the kaddo borwani (pumpkin) as my fellow Yelpers seem to be, but it's still worth a try as it's a very unique flavor. Don't forget to top off your meal with some Afghan ice cream. Definitely a great option during restaurant week or, really, any other time as well.
(4)Jenny H.
The service and ambience here are really nice for a great dinner before a show or a nice work meeting. The only thing I don't like about this place is that they don't serve you generous portions. Unless you order bread in the beginning (which costs $5 for a big basket), I feel like I would leave feeling hungry. This place has basic, good Afghan food. The bread is like warm flat bread and the butter they serve it with (salty and soft) is good. I ordered their chicken lawand, which is large chunks of chicken in this salty tomato broth, with some yogurt sauce on top (not enough yogurt sauce). They serve it with a cup of rice and a small plate of spinach. The tomato broth didn't have enough tomato flavor in it and it would have been better with more yogurt sauce to cut the saltiness of the broth. The baked pumpkin with yogurt sauce for an appetizer is always good, but again, they serve you two small slivers- you can eat the entire thing by yourself. I think this place serves smaller portions so it seems like a nicer restaurant, but it's like any Afghan food you would get at any take-out place, except on nicer silverware and in a nice ambience.
(3)Erica C.
hey....it's restaurant week....why not? Well, we decided we were better off just ordering off of the regular menu. We started off with the bread and pumpkin dish. I am a strong believer in the idea that bread should be free with dinner. $2.50? ughh whatever. It was some tasty bread though. The pumpkin appetizer was alright....I DO NOT SEE THE HYPE. It just a sugary mess of pumpkin with a dab of hot yogurt, but for $6 okay whatever again. My lamb dish was decent. It had raisins and carrots, along with a ton of rice. My friend's beef dish was essentially just a kabob, but the beef was cooked to the desired state. We didn't bother with dessert. The ambiance is quite lovely, but I've had much better. I'd rather save the cash and go to Maiwand Kabob or something.
(3)Yolanda R.
The fabulous husband and I went to Te Helmand for his birthday celebration. Initially I was a little concerned the entrance is small and crowded near tables as well as loud. However the host was delightful and polite and the food coming to the tables looked phenomenal. We were seated relatively close to our reservation time in a quiet table close to the window. Which was lovely and allowed for conversation. If you are going to try The Helmund I cannot recommend the baked pumpkin enough. The sweet pumpkin paired with the sour tangy taste of the yogurt was fantastic. We shared a plate, though I certainly could have devoured the entire thing by myself growling while anyone tried to steal a note. I enjoyed my main dish of the pastry though I will say the yogurt added cooled the dish a little too much bit the flavors saved it from being disappointing. The wonderful husband did not even offer to share his lamb with apricots and completely cleaned the plate so I can only say that he enjoyed it immensely. We finished the meal with Turkish coffee which kept me up half the night so I know it was good. The service itself was polite and swift without being invasive. I recommend giving The Helmund a go but make reservations! I saw several people turned away due to the long wait before a table would be available.
(4)Jon P.
Good dinner, but not as amazing as I'd hoped given the hype. The pumpkin appetizer that other reviewers mentioned was indeed incredible. Good service.
(3)Dhruv L.
Unfortunately, most of the people calling this Afghan food are not remotely from that side of the world. This is a very, and I mean very Americanized version of Afghani food (No offence). The place is perfect to bring a date, and introduce them to "non-toxic Afghani" food, if you know what I mean. The spice levels are geared to an American palate, the dishes are simply sweetened instead of using real flavors like cashew, cardamom and pomegranate, which are used a lot in Afghani cuisine. The bread basket is served like an actual bread basket with butter (anyone heard of the Pashto word naan?, wth?) Everything but the food is definitely worth it. Good ambiance, polite staff, etc. But when it comes to paying $30 for food that is sub-standard at best it spoils the fun. All in all, this is a classy restaurant, where you could definitely bring a date or family and enjoy a "fork and knife" version of Afghani food. If you like that go for it. But seeing as most reviewers here have nothing better to compare to, I forgive you. :)
(2)Robert M.
This was our second visit. As before, both the food and service were exceptional.
(5)Jack S.
Went when visiting my sister and friends in Baltimore. It was quite a revelation. Don't miss the pumpkin appetizer, and everything that the table had was excellent. I only wish I could remember the name of the lamb and turnip special I had so I could try to find a recipe online...
(5)Ken K.
We have eaten here many times. Always exceptional. Intelligent, knowledgeable and cheerful, Lauren made the experience a delight.
(5)K M.
This was authentic, well prepared food in a professional and stylish environment. I enjoyed the meal and the service was perfect.
(4)Amanda K.
This place is as good as the hype. All of their food was seasoned perfectly. The pumpkin appetizer (Kaddo Borawni) and my entree the Vegetarian Aushak, were excellent. The waiter was very knowledgeable about the food and made some very good recommendations. They were able to accommodate my vegan friend by removing the yogurt sauce from her entree. My new pastime will be trying to re-create their cilantro vinagarette at home, delicious!
(5)Todd D.
Easily one of the best restaurants out there. As noted by loads of folks, the pumpkin appetizer (Kaddo Borwani) is fantastic. As always, the ravioli (Aushak) was amazing - we do the vegetarian, but I'm sure the beef is also fantastic. Crowded on weekend, to no wonder, and well worth a visit. We had three - 3 apps, 3 mains, 3 desserts, bottle of wine - $35 a person. A great, great value for the wonderful quality.
(5)Elizabeth M.
Review by The Boy pretending to be "mother"... This resturaunt is amazing! Some of the best afghan food I have ever tasted and the staff are very nice! I would rate 6 stars out of 5 because it is 110%! We went here for the loving' hubs birthday and they gave us a wonderful pumpkin pudding cake covered with fruit, and it was delicious. The boy ordered some spicy meatballs with a name I can't remember and they were nice enough to give him some sweet pumpkin covered with yogurt (delicious!) and he devoured it, possibly the hungriest I have ever seen him. We also ordered some afghan ravioli competed with meat sauce and spices as and appetizer they were AWESOME I can't really say much more about except -- GO THERE NOW!!!!!!!!!!8
(5)Meghan R.
This was my first time eating Afgan food - what a success! It was so good! I went for two of my friend's birthdays (we were in a big group) EVERYONE loved their food. It was excellent. The food does taste different than anything I had ever tried, but it was a very good kind of different. It was more expensive than we expected, but we did order a couple of bottles of wine.
(4)Kara F.
I love this place. Its a perfect date spot or a great way to enjoy and evening with friends. It has the same intimate feel as the b on Bolton St and the waitstaff is just as friendly and accommodating. I started with Mantwo, Homemade pastry shells filled with onions and beef, served on yogurt and for my entree I had an amazing lamb dish. To be honest I'm not sure which lamb dish, but I can only assume based on eating mine and trying my friend's that all of their entrees are equally delectable. I will definitely be going back!
(5)Amity C.
Have eaten here three times now and have not been disappointed. The kaddo borawni (baby pumpkin and yogurt), aushak (Afghan ravioli), and pumpkin cheesecake are to die for. There are other items on the menu that are not quite as good, but definitely still worth trying. Service is efficient and professional, if not particularly warm.
(4)Ryan W.
I love this place. The service is impeccable. The food is consistently delicious. The ambiance is classy and prices are great. I've been there five times and had a great experience every time.
(5)Mabel T.
Great Afghan food!! If I could sum it up in one word, it would be FLAVOR. Everything I've tried on their menu is just a burst of flavor in your mouth. I always have to get the Kaddo Borwani -- pumpkin with sugar and this yogurt sauce. I cannot get enough of this stuff. For entrees, my husband usually gets any of their lamb dishes and he says it's delicious every time. I prefer going for their vegetarian dishes just because they're so different and unique from other vegetarian dishes you find. Personal favorites are eggplant and vegetable & onion stuffed pastry shells. Something about their food, too, just fills me up so much more than other vegetarian dishes. I would definitely recommend this place!
(4)Trevor B.
This place is so friggin good...I've never had something here that wasn't either great or phenomenal. Chose to go here for my birthday dinner with family over other favorites and so glad I did. Even though they're wildly popular in B'more, they're so efficient and good at what they do that it's actually pretty easy to get reservations, even during peak times. I'm pretty confident I could live on the Kaddo Borwani appetizer (pumpkin with yogurt) and their delicious fresh-baked naan. The Aushak and Mantwo apps are also superb. As for the entrees, you really can't go wrong...the complexity of the flavors/spices amazes me every time I go. Their service is always top-notch and the interior always seems so warm and inviting. As if all this wasn't enough, it's so modestly priced for the quality of the food/experience that you receive. This is one of Baltimore's best for sure.
(5)Jimmy H.
I traveled from LA to eat here, no joke. My first experience at the Helmand was 12 years ago, and it's still as awesome as I remember it from my high school days. It's a little more dressy nowadays than back in the 90's I think? The rice is KING here. I swear I can eat it, just by itself, and it would be better than 50% of my other meals eaten in restaurants. The bread's not bad, but utterly forgettable compared to the rice IMHO. The sauces are mysteriously good too. Waitstaff gets an A. Atmosphere gets a B sometimes because of loud Afghan music videos. The bar is underappreciated. Order anything you want, you can't really go wrong, or just ask.
(5)Stella O.
Good: atmosphere I guess... but who really cares when the food is mediocre Bad: Food....Just really over priced and mediocre which is not good when you wait and wait....
(2)Joyram C.
We had an 8 pm reservation and one hour later, there is still no sign of table or apology. Neither an appetizer nor a beverage to help us manage our wait. We will be taking our hungry and thirsty selves elsewhere.
(1)Abby W.
As spring break drew near, a group of friends and I decided that a last fancy dinner together was in order. There really isn't much of that around Hopkins, and let's face it, Mount Vernon is where it's at. Anyways, The Helmand was recommended to us by several friends who have chosen this classy joint for their dinner dates. Our group of four was seated immediately. When you enter, the first room looks deceptively small, but there's another larger room to the side and a bar area. Obviously going for a romantic, high-end feel, the restaurant was dimly lit and each table was adorned with wine glasses and lit candles. While reading the menu, the Asian in me was simultaneously assaulted by the prices and thoughts of "MY EYESIGHT IS DETERIORATING AS WE SPEAK". OK, I kid about the prices. Having been to Kabul in Sunnyvale, CA, I was prepared for the ~$15 entrees. Such is apparently the price of quality Afghan food. We started off with the Kaddo Borwani (the pumpkin appetizer that Yelp reviewers rave about). The pumpkin was sweet and the yogurt garlic sauce was just this side of right. You know that feeling when your tastebuds go, "Hmmrgh? Mmmm." Be warned though, them appetizers be individual-sized. The four of us got about half a bite each. I ordered the Dwopiaza. I'm a huge lamb fan and I can't say I was disappointed. The lamb was cooked until it was tender, the rice was fragrant and flavorful. My only complaint is the serving size. When I got the plate, I was like "This is it? I could have gone to the Indian buffet twice with the money I'm paying." Still, I didn't leave the restaurant hungry. With the nibble of appetizer, I was just satisfied. My friends and I are pretty good with sharing so I also got a bite of the chicken kebab and the lamb kebob. The chicken was the most tender piece of meat I have ever tasted, and I am saying this begrudgingly as the biggest beef eater that ever was. My heart nearly skipped a beat when I saw that the lamb kebab was still slightly rare in the center. However, it was a little bit drier than the lamb from my dwopiaza. Rating Breakdown: 2/2 Stars for Taste - I'm not in any way an expert on Afghan food, so i can't vouch for its authenticity, but the food was irrefutably delicious. The meats were tender, the rice wasn't overcooked or dry. I would definitely recommend the appetizer, but warn against sharing it with more than 2 people. 0.5/1 Stars for Value - I'm just too cheap to enjoy this type of restaurant, you know, where I feel like I'm paying an extra $5-10 for the ambience. My individual bill, after splitting the one appetizer and paying tax/tip was around $26. I spent the night weeping, curled in a protective ball around my ravaged wallet. If I left the restaurant feeling more satisfied, the price could have been excused as the occasional splurge, but I just don't think my experience was worth it. 0.5/1 Stars for Customer Service - The waiters were impatient and almost rude. Our waiters attitude noticeably cooled when we turned away the wine menu (We're underage). At one point, they brought us the wrong dish.We had already dug in when they came over, whisked it away, and brought another one without much of an explanation. Umm..OK? At least I got a free bite? No bonus star because I'm not really in a hurry to come back. Overall a great night, but not worth repeating.
(3)Fingerpuppet R.
Remembering my meal there is making me angry. ABSTRACT: Overpriced, underwhelmed, rushed, nipples. I had heard so much good things about this place, but seriously, did they go to the same restaurant? I'm generally willing to give a place a second chance, but here, they did nothing to make me ever want to go back. The pumpkin appetizer is not good. The pumpkin itself is flavorless, the yogurt garlic sauce has an odd flavor and most of all, it's warm/lukewarm and cold all in one dish, and not in that good contrast-sort of way. Also, it comes out about 30 seconds after you order it, so you do the math..... I ordered the Kabuli. The lamb had that mealy texture to it that you get when you overcook it, and overall the rice dish was so salty I couldn't get through even a quarter of the dish. The boyfriend ordered a chicken dish, which was basically just chicken cooked in tomatoes with absolutely no flavoring. It was better than my overly salty dish, but that's not saying much. How can an Afghan restaurant serve food that has no personality, no spice, no flavor, no soul? We're both very adventurous with food and love different types of spices and flavorings, but when the dish offers up nothing, it's so disappointing. I don't get it. I can open a can of tomatoes and dump it on chicken at home without spending seventeen bucks on the dish. As some other folks have also mentioned on here, the service is so rushed and hectic I was straight up pissed off by the time dinner was over. They tried to take my appetizer plate away three times. There was still food on my plate and I was literally about to take a bite when I was asked if they can take the plate away. My boyfriend actually had to stop the guy who was lifting my plate, saying "She's still eating!!!!" then the guy walked away annoyed. They did it again with my entree, and when I said I wanted a box because I felt bad for not eating any of it, they brought out the box while my boyfriend was still eating. Then they asked if he was done. Seriously??? If you want your plate back that badly, don't bring it out in the first place. Seriously, that was awful. The nail in the coffin was our waiter. He showed up to work wearing a white, thin, collared shirt, but with no undershirt. He was literally walking around the dining room with his nipples visible to everyone through his shirt, with the nipples becoming more and more visible as his perspiration level increased, if you catch my drift. You're serving people food. Don't be a lazy ass and wear an undershirt. Cover your fricking nipples. VERDICT: I'm never going back. Ever.
(1)Al G.
Great food, if you have never had Afghan food it is good when done right and they do that here.. I like the Mantwo and the Koufta Challow. Price are fair for what you get .. Check it out.
(4)Tia T.
Sadly, my fellow yelpers were not of much help on this one. I went READY to have the dishes that came so highly recommended...however.... 1. The pumpkin appetizer was TOO SWEET 2. The meats weren't bad but you could not tell them apart (we had lamb, beef and chicken) 3. We had the ice-cream for dessert. It was very good 4. The 'naan' was not NAAN! It was regular bread that I make at home.. This place is so highly recommended... WHY??? Not the worst I've had but definitely not worth the 4 stars and rave reviews!
(3)Kaitlyn G.
I believe the hype! This is one of the best restaurants in Baltimore. Good vegetarian options, and decent prices. Don't be afraid to ask questions about the menu, the waitstaff has always been very helpful.
(4)Linette G.
Absolutely delicious food. The apps are all very good as are the entrees. Even the deserts. I honestly can't remember the names of the things I got because I was having such a hard time deciding, I asked the server to pick for me! He picked awesome things and was a total sweetheart throughout the entire evening. The food came out fast too, which I was a bit suspicious of, but after my first bite, I stopped questioning. It's always a good sign when there isn't much conversation over dinner because both parties are too busy MMMMMing out loud after every bite. We were the last ones in the dining room and we ended up chatting with the server for a good 20 minutes after the place had closed. Truly a 5 star experience.
(5)art f.
What I liked - Overall the food was good, the menu offered a wider variety of choices than the standard Afghan eatery, aushak and mantu were hearty but I like the versions at my favorite Northern Virginia restaurants more. I had a lamb, mushroom, and spinach entree over rice. What I didn't - On a Saturday night, the place was packed when we arrived at 6:15 for a 6:30 reservation. We were seated 15 minutes later, but 30 minutes of standing in an overheated restaurant in a bar space as crowded as a Metro station at rush hour didn't put me in the best mood for dinner. The dining room is packed with most tables so close that weaving one's way about is challenge. Noisy, hot, and lackluster service - you can eat as well and more graciously elsewhere.
(2)Jessica L.
Everything I've had here is delicious and well done. The pumpkin appetizer is incredible. I enjoyed the sea bass which was cooked perfectly. The lamb is great as well. I came here once for New Year's Eve and it felt like an elegant start to the night. Also came here for a birthday party and they hosted about 20 of us. The service was very good.
(4)Allie D.
Lots of great vegetarian choices! I had the veg platter ( a little bit of everything), I especially liked the juicy mushrooms and eggplant in tomato sauce. The rice comes with a slightly spicy cilantro chutney. I haven't had much Afghan food, and it was a very interesting combination of caramelized sweetness and tart toppings. The pumpkin Kaddo Borwani appetizer was excellent. Service was very fast and attentive. One mild complaint - our server was a little pushy, asking a second time for drinks / dessert, after we'd already said no.
(4)Carter N.
I've been here a few times and it's always a good experience. The interior is classy but not too fancy. The staff are so nice. The food is really good. I recommend the Mantwo entree for those who might like ground beef cabbage dumplings. If you really want to taste the variety, the family meal (for 4 or more) offers a sampling of salads, appetizers, entrees, and desserts (with an option to add bottomless wine).
(4)Brian J.
Everything was great except for our waitress Lauren charged us for 2 Ice Creams that we didn't even order. So make sure to watch your receipt before u pay!!!
(3)Jeff H.
Really tremendous experience -- great good, amazing value. Same ownership as the Cambridge, MA location where I had my first Afghan food experience 13-14 years ago. Their take on Afghan is lighter than, e.g., the also great but different Afghan Restaurant in Alexandria, VA.
(5)Beth H.
Let's put it simply - the food is DELICIOUS, and the wait staff is AMAZING! They were unobtrusive but there when appropriate, never letting our glasses empty nor our palates pause. Appetizers, soups, and delicious flatbread served on cue. The main dishes were served with the last yummy bite of my ap! And we were visited by the host, the manager AND had the GREATEST SERVER (Lauren-ask for her!), although Brett made a great impression too with his bar tending skills. The food: though similar to some Indian/Mediterranean/Middle Eastern fares you may have had, this is a unique menu. The chefs indeed have captured and perfected the indigenous Afghani flavor - and rightly so, as the restaurant is owned by the FIRST FAMILY! I usually prefer lamb, but took Lauren's recommendation of the grilled beef. Soooo the right choice! I thought mine was the best dish at the table, but my daughter argued that her vegetarian meal was better, and my husband disputed that his lamb stew was the best! We were all satisfied, but I am sad to say that SOMEONE scarfed ALL of the leftovers later, so the one or two nibbles at the table of each dish were all that I had. Next time we will take a bigger group and ask for "family style." Yes, they can do that! Call ahead, make a reservation and ask the manager to arrange it. You'll get to sample a good selection of the dishes. Hint: call early, make reservations. It gets really busy on the weekends and it can be nearly impossible to get a table some nights. We were lucky - this last visit was on a Friday during Grad Week & we walked in at about 6 pm and were seated immediately. Within an hour it was packed, and all reservations booked!
(5)Taniyyus S.
we were visiting friends in Baltimore and they all recommended this place. What a wonderful place. We went their as a part of group of nice and the place was packed but the staff was so very friendly and accomodating, they took care of all our needs, including the ridiculous ones. A lot of people recommends the pumpkin pie for appetizers but it was a bit too sweet for my liking, more of an dessert if you ask me. But the entrees were so good, not too spicy but light and creamy. My wife had the vegetarian platter which was fantastic, I tried the chicken lawand, Well cooked chicken in light creamy sauce with vegetables, absolutely delicious. Dont expect your food to be spicy like indian or pakistani.
(5)sofia v.
Sooo Gooood!!! Went with some friends last week for dinner and it was the best!! The pumpkin appetizer was delicious! The Riesling I sipped on was crisp and perfect! Hubby had the chicken kabob and loved it, the rest of us had another chicken dish, name slips my mind... Which was also good! Service was good, and prices are moderate!
(5)T M.
What a wonderful meal and the service was incredible. I was caught in a rainstorm while walking to The Helmand and my shirt was quite wet. The manager offered me a change of shirt if I wanted, as he said he keeps one in the back in case something gets spilled on him. I declined the offer but was impressed with the level of concern. On to the meal. It was the first time we had tried Afghan cuisine. We started with the kaddo borwani and banjan borwani. Both were delicious. For the mains we had the ordered from their daily specials and we both had extremely tasty lamb dishes. My partner had a slightly spicy lamb-apricot challow. I had another lamb challow with mushrooms The level of spicing was perfect and the lamb litterally melted in our mouths. Excellent service, atmosphere and extremely tasty food. Impressive.
(5)Victoria L.
I was SO hopeful about this place - I've heard and read such good things about Helmand that I was excited to finally have a chance to go. Needless to say I was sort of shocked when our food came out not 10 minutes after we ordered - obviously not freshly prepared, and honestly it didn't even look freshly plated. I'm always amazed when restaurants do this, because nothings screams "we don't want your patronage" like getting us our food as quickly as possible and in the most generic means possible. I ordered Mantwo, he ordered Dwopiaza, we had a couple splits of champage. I've had really amazing Afghan food in NYC and from all the reviews, I figured I'd get that at Helmand. Unfortunately the meal was pretty bland and almost cold. Now, it could have been an off night. They weren't very busy but everyone has them. But if I wanted a cold, pre-plated meal I would have heated up a Lean Cuisine, for far less money.
(2)Lizzie B.
I don't normally eat this type of food but I am now a fan. Everything we had was awesome!! So cool that they have one in SF. I'm definitely going to try it. We had a big group of close to 20 and service was awesome. Our drinks were filled, the waiter made awesome suggestions, appetizers he suggested and desert was good. I had the mahi mahi with a tomato sauce that he suggested. It was sooooo good. I sampled everyone else's dishes, totally good. I'm coming back when I'm in the area in Feb.
(4)Holly N.
We just moved to Baltimore and literally put our bags and boxes down and found ourselves starving. A friend had recommended The Helmand and off we went. When we got there we realized we were seriously, embarrassingly underdressed but knew nowhere else to go and were too hungry to to pass up the wonderful smells coming from the kitchen. The waitstaff were friendly, but did seem a little put off by my flip flops and torn jeans and my other half's casual North face t-shirt. We sat down amongst other people enjoying their "special occasions" and had our own celebrating our arrival to Baltimore. The pumpkin appetizer definitely lives up to its rep and the eggplant appetizer was also delicious. The main courses were very good but not as memorable as the appetizers by far. I had a chilean wine that was crisp and fruity. The staff were attentive and friendly. I would go back, but this time more appropriately dressed. It's not "fancy" per se, but not totally casual either.
(3)brian g.
Ordered the lamb Lawand and mantwol appetizer. Was my first afghan food experience but I found the food rather plain and uninteresting. The lamb was very tender and stewed perfectly and the rice was delicious but the Mantwo tasted like something from a chef boyardee can (it was a ravioli like pastry with tomato and meat sauce). If you want your food to be calming then try this but I like a little more excitement. Decor was only so so but we had no reservations so weren't in the main area. UPDATE: GET THE PUMPKIN...ADDING AN EXTRA STAR JUST FOR THAT DISH!
(4)Barbara D.
I've heard nothing but good things about this place, but I was a bit disappointed by the food. It wasn't memorable at all, and was actually pretty plain. The atmosphere is great though - elegant and fun, like a ton of intimate dinner parties all going on at the same time. It's a great place for a celebration. I will be back to try other things on the menu, but at the moment, I'm not wowed.
(3)Megan S.
The Helmand doesn't disappoint. Our server was really easy going and helpful; she didn't even miss a beat when we explained that half of our party is vegan. She directed us to dishes that were either vegan or could be served without the yogurt sauce. She also brought a delicious, vegan cilantro sauce to the table to compensate for the fact that we weren't having the yogurt sauce on the vegetarian dishes. (The carnivores at our table were quite happy as well!) The mushroom lewand is my favorite, and of course the pumpkin isn't to be missed.
(5)Ken M.
Food yes. Service no. Pumpkin app is excellent, but dessert sweet. Eggplant app is unappealing in appearance, but tasty. Why butter with bread? Yoghurt? Vegetarian dishes are delicious. Dirty glassware. The kind with food stuck to it, not just spots or lipstick. Service. Waiting. Waiting. Disorganized mostly. Not unwilling, just not thinking ahead: "Do you want anything else to drink?" when my water glass is empty. Long time between apps and meals. Meals dropped and runner fled the table. After dinner tea and coffee arrived 5 minutes apart. It's a good restaurant. Few service steps and great restaurant.
(3)Anna K.
I had a really good time at the Helmand. I enjoyed the atmosphere and the food was delicious all around. My only real issue was with the speed of the service - that could use some work. We started with the Kaddo Borwani (pumpkin app) and it was by far the best thing we had all night. For dinner, three of us shared Mantwo, the Vegetarian platter, and a lamb special. Given the prices, I think the meals should come with their bread and it shouldn't be a separate expense. All of the entrees were good (A-) but we didn't order anything I HAVE to have again. I'm sure I will return but I'd like for them to work on their service.
(4)S K.
The small doorway into the restaurant was very misleading as the restaurant opens up to a large dining room. The food there was excellent. We had a group of 6 which qualifies us for the family style meal. First comes the naan bread which was fresh and delicious. I did find it odd that they served the bread with plain butter rather than some Afghan sauce (maybe I'm naive and the Afghans dont smother bread with sauce?). Then came the salad which seemed more like a dish created only to please Americans as it was nothing more than a green salad. Then came the good stuff... For appetizers, we got the Kaddo Borwani (pumpkin with yogurt sauce), Banjan Laghatak (stewed eggplant), Bowlani (pastry shells filled with leeks and spiced potatoes). and one more that I forgot about. All were very delicious. For the main course, we got the meat balls, the tenderloin of lamb, the Mantwo (pastry -shell filled with onions and beef), Aushak (ravioli filled iwth leeks and ground beef), Dwopiaza (lamb with onions, peas), Kabuli Pallow (Afghan style rice baked with lamb, raisins, and carrrots), white rice and the spinach. And lastly we got two desserts (Middle Eastern Pastries and the Chocolate Cake). Great restaurant, good service. Get there early, the place filled up complete within 15 minutes after we got there (6pm).
(5)R P.
Excellent! Rich, flavorful food with several great vegetarian choices. The crowded room speaks for itself...
(5)Sonal V.
So I've been to an Afghani restaurant called Helmand in Boston. It received a lot of praise and I was pretty disappointed when I finally made it there. I kinda thought that would be the case in Baltimore even though I know they are two totally different restaurants. Well I was pleasantly very wrong. Every single thing I had was delicious and had a distinct flavor. I was very impressed and want to go back to try the other things I missed. And of course a bonus is that they have a whole page dedicated to vegetarian specials. It also is a great place to people watch. An interesting crowd comes through.
(5)John I.
The Helmand is a unique restaurant bringing the flavors and arts of Afghanistan to the Baltimore region. I think the concept is smart in that they are bringing ethnic style food to "white table cloth" presentation style. The restaurant was gorgeous and just seeing it through the window on the way into the restaurant one would definitely say that it looks like a very hospitable atmosphere. That being said, the food was "meh". Here are my dinner details: Starter: Aushak - $4.75 Afghan ravioli filled with leeks, served on yogurt-mint and topped with ground beef sauce. A very, very small dish that seemed like it just came from one of those mass heating trays. The ravioli had a greasy feel and I could not taste the mint in the dish. It was quite bland in the overall scheme of things. Main: Chicken Kabob - $14.95 Marinated boneless chicken breast, served pallow and marinated vegetables. A dried out chicken dish that had little flavor. Again, it felt like it was being warmed in the back in one of those large serving plates. The veggies were not seasoned properly. I could not really taste the spirit of Afghanistan in this dish! On a side note, they make a nice gin martini! In conclusion, I can't recommend this restaurant to you. I am sorry.
(2)Sunny W.
I think I came here on a date?? Needless to say the "date" wasn't all that memorable (sorry dude) but the food...the food was GREAT. I apologize I don't remember exactly what I ordered since its been a couple years since my visit. You do have to try the PUMPKIN appetizer like other yelpers are recommending. The atmosphere was intimate with dim lighting --great for gatherings and dates but not so much kids. I would dine here again.
(4)Teraneh J.
A plus for the vegetarian specials, but charging for the bread- come on! Also, the pumpkin appetizer is totally yuck! I don't know why it is so highly recommended. I think I would prefer going to an Indian buffet- more variety for around the same price... The bread here is awesome though...
(3)Alisa K.
I've had Afghan food at a number of other places and I think this place is actually kind of overrated. The steak tips were bland, the pumpkin nothing special. It does have a nice, romantic ambience, however. This place needs to get a better halal selection (only one or two beef dishes are halal).
(3)Anna S.
The food at this place is absolutely delicious! It is so flavorful that it's impossible to stop even when you're so full you can't eat anymore. It's quite expensive but the deliciousness seemed worth it to me.
(5)Jen C.
The wait was only 5 minutes at 9pm on a Saturday evening, and even so late, it was still packed with patrons, which drew us in to a unique tasting experience! However, we were very displeased by the service here, which downgraded what could have been a fun, delicious experience to 3 stars. The food was great: the highly praised pumpkin appetizer came out within a minute after ordering. It consisted of warm slices of pumpkin, dribbled in yogurt. Creamy and tasty, but I didn't think it was worth $5 for such a small plate. Their noodle soup at first glance isn't far off from Campbell's or Chef Boyardee's--but the noodles are very soft, and broth has so many layers of flavor to it. In it, there's hearty tomatoes and vegetables, blended with their yogurt and spices that linger in your mouth. Heart in a bowl. Ravioli stuffed with leeks, topped with yogurt, spices and a ground beef sauce was silky and divine. Lamb was tasty, but gamy for those who fear. We finished our meal with the pudding + seasonal fruit. Fruit was nothing to get excited about...lots of apples as opposed to the blackberries (only 2) and strawberries; pudding was tasty, but not worth the $6. You might as well buy JELL-O pudding and top it with your own fruits. The major disappointment was our server. He only spoke to us like he was getting through a script...and oddly walked away, leaving trails of sentences that he never finished with us at the table. It took 15+ minutes for him to come take our order, and 30+ minutes for him to take our dessert order...on top of another 10 to swipe our credit card. We noticed he was busy gabbing with another table witin sight, and it was only until the couple felt bad and shooed him over to us that we finally received service. No apology received. Needless to say, we didn't leave a hefty tip.
(3)David M.
Everyone raves about the Kaddo Borwani (pan-fried and baked baby pumpkin), and, yup, it was excellent. Good vegetarian and vegan menu items. The Dolma Murch (stuffed bell peppers) was terrific, perfectly seasoned and quite filling. Decent wine list. Oh, and the Turkish coffee? A+.
(4)Tammy M.
YUM! Try everything. I love this restaurant. The food and the wine are delicious. It's a great place to take out of town guests, and people new to the city. The pumpkin appetizer is famous, and it's delicious paired with the white yogurt? it comes with.
(5)Andrea S.
Pros: Great service, nice atmosphere, good location Cons: The food is terrible. The bread was clearly a mass produced block of naan-pita. The food itself was so bland. We ordered a salad which came with a single tiny block of feta. Then we ordered the vegetable korma and a lamb dish. We requested that the lamb be made extra spicy. What we got were 2 bowls of overcooked, flavorless mush. The lamb was not spicy and when we summoned the waitress, she said that they do not serve any spicy dishes. This makes no sense to me since every Afghan restaurant I have been to has had moderately spicy dishes. I think this place serves a watered-down version of Afghan cuisine that appeals to tourists and people are new to this type of food. I strongly recommend that you do not go to this restaurant if you want to try "real" Afghan food.
(1)Jessica L.
The other week I headed out for the Bachlorette Party of a friend. We started at The Helmand The Helmand serves Afghan Cuisine. When you walk in you are welcome by a warm feeling with colorful main dining room that is festooned with festive Afghani clothing and tapestries. Every dish is a careful composition of cumin, coriander, mint and other spices. for dinner. We started our dinner by ordering a couple orders of the Kaddo Borawni which is Pan fried and baked baby pumpkin seasoned with sugar and served on yogurt garlic sauce. I never would have thought of putting some of those ingredients together. However, it made for a perfect appetizer. It had a sweetness that was over powering and the garlic gave it a nice bite that wasn't too much. The texture was very smooth and the pumpkin was perfectly cooked. For my dinner I had the Mantwo which is homemade pastry shell filled with onions and beef. Served on yogurt and topped with carrots, yellow split peas and beef sauce. The dish was prepared perfectly and had a nice spiciness to it. These could become a new comfort food for me. As you ate it the feeling was a warm one that made you feel at home. I must admit I was a bit optimistic about the dinner but I will say now I look forward to trying other Afghan food. Of course after eating and sharing some bottles of wine we presented the Bride with some typical Bachlorette gifts for her wedding night (we got the attention of the wait staff and the surrounding tables). The owner then presented us with Champagne on the house. The experience was wonderful and I can not wait to go back again. Part of the party then did journey to the 13th Floor for some dancing while the rest of us had to go home to bed (It was a Thursday night and I do have to teach those kiddos).
(5)Martha G.
After skimming the Yelp reviews for a decent eat in Baltimore, I settled on trying the Helmand. An average of 4 stars must be pretty good, right? Well, like some others have stated in their reviews, I was disappointed, perhaps even sorely disappointed. We started some bread and with the pumpkin appetizer. The bread was good, but it reminded me a lot of the bread from Cosi. So I don't know if it's all that special. The pumpkin was pretty good; I really enjoyed the yogurt sauce on top. Next, we tried the Dolma Murch and Mushroom Lawand for entrees. The Dolma Murch was essentially a stuffed pepper. I felt like the tomato sauce was made from canned tomatoes and wasn't very fresh. It was a little acidic. The Mushroom Lawand had the same problem; a very typical sauce that I felt I could have made at home with a couple of canned vegetables and spices. For $13.95 each, I was disappointed with a homemade stuffed pepper and a bowl of mushrooms. The only redeeming thing about the meal was the rice - good flavor and they served this cilantro sauce with it. I thought the cilantro sauce was the most distinctive item we ate that night; everything else I could have made in my kitchen. Anticipating some pretty spectacular Afghan cuisine from Hamid Karzai's brother, I walked out thinking, "really? that's unique??"
(2)John S.
If you are in Afghanistan the Helmand is either a province or a river or the largest opium producing area in the world. If you are in Baltimore it is a great restaurant with a yummy pumpkin appetizer and a leeky yet meaty ravioli that is delish. So I would suggest you opt for the one in Baltimore.
(4)Bowdoin S.
Given the glowing reviews, I was a bit disappointed in my dining experience. While the food was good, I just would not put it in the "great" category. We started out with the kaddo borawni. While I am not a huge fan of pumpkin, the pumpkin comprising the dish was sweet and savory; however, the yogurt accompanying the dish was a bit too sour and detracted from the dish. For entrees, we had the chicken kabobs, lamb lawand, and koufta challow (meatballs). The chicken kabobs were nice and moist, but too salty for my taste. The lamb on the other hand, didn't have much flavor, although the sauce and the mushrooms accompanying the dish was quite tasty. The meatballs were yummy; however, only three meatballs were provided for the dish. The rice accompanying the dishes was wonderful - nice and fluffy. The naan was a little disappointing. I like the fluffy naan that you typically get at Indian restaurants, and the one provided at Helmand was a bit too chewy and thick. Service was solid and the decor was nice, with an ethnic feel. The value was decent - the total bill was ~ $30 per person with leftovers. Perhaps I came at an off night, but I found the restaurant just a little bit disappointing overall.
(3)Gina W.
Excellent place!
(5)Ava T.
Loved it so much the first night we returned the next when we weren't as impressed. Service was fast and efficient both nights even though we called our first waiter "Mr. Smiley" because he never even grinned. The Kaddo Borawni (stewed pumpkin with garlic yogurt sauce was great both nights. The bread was unimpressive (think pita bread, not Indian naan). Avoid the desserts, particularly the tasteless paneer, they are an expensive waste of calories. If we're in the area again we'd eat here but we wouldn't make a special trip to do so.
(3)angela k.
My friend who is from Maryland told me about this place - one and only place she mentioned as "a must" restaurant. So last Friday night my husband and I decided to go and check it out. As new residents of Baltimore, we've been pretty disappointed with food here. I called to see if I could make a reservation (it was 6pm on a Friday) and thankfully I was able to get a table for 2 at 7pm. When we got there, we were seated right away. It was packed inside so I am glad we made a reservation. We had Appetizer: Banjan Borwani (pan-fried eggplant) - it was good but very small portion. Entrees: Mourgh Challow (sauteed chicken w/ yellow split peas & tomatoes) - it was pretty good - good portion, good sauce. We also got a beef tenderloin dish that was on the special menu (don't remember the name) and THAT WAS ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!! The beef was tender and moist and perfectly seasoned. (I'm drooling just thinking about it right now...) This was our first time having an Afghan cuisine and this restaurant is a definite keeper! Ahhh....Helmand brought a glimpse of hope in my pursuit of good restaurants in this city!
(4)Jane E.
My third or fourth time at this place. Atmosphere and service top. Food amazing and something that I will always go back to. Only qualm this time around is that the size of the entrees are way less than before. I am a tiny person and I felt that I needed my traditional 2011 size plate. Will definitely visit again as there is nothing better.
(4)Jen N.
People talk about the Helmand like it is God's gift to Baltimore. I took my parents there and we were all left unimpressed. The servers are fine I guess, but I felt like I was being stared at by the servers while we were there. The food was very bla, and I usually love any kind of ethnic/unique food. It was ok, but I guess I don't understand what all the rave is about.
(2)Li D.
Visited the Helmand recently. The food continues to be excellent. I highly recommend this restaurant, and have up-ped my rating from 4 stars to 5. Way to go! I recommend the vegetarian entrees, and be sure you order the kaddo borawni (spelling?) and the turnips. Both are delicious -- taking ordinary vegetables to new heights!
(5)Judy C.
I love eating here! I'm veggie lover (not a vegetarian though), so for vegetarians, it's a great place to try a lot of Afghan food. I particularly enjoy their mushroom dish. Their freshly baked bread is delicious! Service is pretty decent as well. It is a local favorite for sure, but I don't find this place to be pretentious at all. If I'm not restricted to my budget (very very limited), then I'd eat there a lot more often!
(5)Margaret F.
Yes, please. Food and service in this bustling little place are delightful. Authentic, too, judging by the conversation we had with one of the waiters about the landscape, etc in Afghanistan. Coffee is good here, so don't skip it when you get dessert.
(5)Kathy Y.
Absolutely amazing. Everything we ordered was delicious. The place was beautiful (soft lighting and lots of wood) and our waiter/server were quick and friendly!
(5)Shravan K.
One of the best in Mt. Vernon. I recommend their specially made ice-cream. Reminds me of Indian Kulfi.
(4)Ravi Y.
I had only heard very good things about this restaurant, but it was completely disappointing experience. 1. As someone has said, they charge for bread, and something like a good $5. 2. Service: I asked if the server could explain one of the dishes, when his reply was "its all written in the menu". I am sorry, but your tip is gone. 3. Portion size: I was pretty hungry when I went. I got the Lamb Dopiaza (possible spelling mistake) and it did not fulfill my appetite. This was very surprising as at many a places, I have to ask for a box to bring back the leftovers. 4. Taste: Wasn't great, but may be thats just my biased view because of the service treatment, but I didnt really feel out of the world at anything. (Other than the bread, the bread is good stuff) So yeah, for $20, you have to have better food, better service and more quantity!
(1)Saskia S.
Ok, I'm a loser..I went back to The Helmand and ordered the exact same dish I had last time (the ashouk..leek ravioli). The roommates and I did try the pumpkin appetizer that was recommended on Yelp, As delicious as promised! Garlic + pumpkin= surprisingly delicious! Mildly annoyed that it doesn't come with bread (and then they charge your for bread if your order it), but so tasty that I'm not even bitter. Also planned ahead this time and ordered a piece of chocolate cake to go! More on that later..
(4)VengeanceGod S.
fancy dark place = expensive and overpriced confimation: they charged for bread multiple times, even more than the amount that we ordered. it's just bread, hellmand, can't you afford to give us free bread especially since you've set your prices that high ?
(1)Cindy Z.
This is an absolutely beautiful restaurant. Great ambiance, attentive servers, amazing food. The flowers on the table are fresh; that little detail really reveals a lot about how well a restaurant like this is run. We came during Restaurant Week and both chose the kabob special. For the appetizers I got the pumpkin and boyfriend got some eggplant thing (I forget the names). The pumpkin appetizer absolutely lives up to its hype! The sweetness of the pumpkin is perfectly contrasted by the tart of the yogurt. Boyfriend looked longingly at my plate after having a bite (not that he didn't enjoy his eggplant). The kabobs came with a tomato/cucumber salad tossed in lemon juice and Afghani rice (pallow). Both were amazing. It was definitely the best pallow I've ever had. And the meat. Oh, the meat. Where the Helmand loses it's one star is in the fact that my chicken had a very strange texture to it. It chewed like it wasn't cooked through, yet the color and temperature seemed ok. Didn't have any food poisoning after so I'm not sure what was up. The beef and lamb though, were superb. Tender, juicy, and drool-worthy flavor. For dessert we ordered the fereeny (pudding) and pastries. I didn't like the cardamom cream the pastries came with and ended up stealing Boyfriend's pudding, which was delicious. I'm a huge fan of pudding in general and the fereeny tasted like green tea ice cream. The topping of fresh fruit was a perfect finish.
(4)Katie S.
This is a wonderful place to go for a date night or to take friends when they are in town, there is something for everyone! There is a nice beer and wine selection as well and the fresh naan is baked in a brick oven upon ordering. As a vegan in Baltimore, there are not too many fancy restaurants to enjoy and I am grateful to have this restaurant within walking distance of my Mount Vernon apartment. Just the other night, I brought friends who were in town to dine at The Helmand and they did not disappoint. Great service on a busy Thursday night. The waiter even remembered who I was and alerted me that a few of the vegetarian dishes could not be made vegan. I would give them 5 stars if the menu (specifically the vegetarian portion) changed up on occasion or if they could make sure ALL dishes were vegan without the yogurt sauce. It was upsetting to find out that the Mantwo contains some egg as a binder, the good news is that I can order that amazing split sauce as a side if I want and it is worth the extra charge. The pumpkin is a MUST and yes I do eat honey and always ask for no yogurt sauce or sauce on the side if sharing. Bottom line, this is a wonderful place to go and always comes up as a possible location for a special night out.
(4)Brian A.
The Helmand is great! Great service and wonderful food. The Pumpkin appetizer is one of the most delicious and challenging foods I have ever eaten. The entrees are typically meaty, hearty and well seasoned. I had gotten lamb meatballs over rice. It sounded simple but was seasoned to perfection. This is a great place to go on a date or even with a large group of friends.
(4)Liz C.
The Helmand absolutely deserves the full five stars! It's a well run restaurant with great service and great food. I highly recommend the Kaddo Borawni, the pumpkin appetizer. I guarantee you've never had pumpkin like this. It is delicious. For my entree, I had the dwopiaza, a lamb dish. The lamb was very tender and flavorful, not tough or chewy at all, meaning this restaurant knows their stuff. My parents' chicken was also very tender from being stewed. The cardamom ice cream was also very tasty with dates on the bottom. :) You absolutely must make a reservation on a Friday or Saturday night, and call early. It is quite a hopping place on the weekends. Parking tip: park in the $4 city garage at 18 W Franklin St. and walk north a few blocks on Charles to get to the Helmand.
(5)Tammer F.
This was my third trip to The Helmand. The first two were 7 years ago. I loved it then; I love it now. Points for consistency. The service is friendly and wait staff is attentive. The food is authentic and portions are big--probably right for the price, but almost too big. The coriander chutney is amazing. The only negative for me is that they charge for the bread, which seems a bit stingy given the overall prices. It's a shame, too, 'cause the bread is really good (but $4.50 for a basket?). Vegetarians take note: there are limited options, but they are excellent. Due to the omnipresent yogurt sauces, vegans might have difficulty. Meat eaters: get the lamb. Seriously.
(4)A T.
after a recommendation & the stars on yelp, i decided to try the helmand. my date & i arrived on the early side of the evening for dinner. i barely made it back to my table after ordering & going to the bathroom that my food was already sitting on my table. we had to wait for my date's food to arrive before we can start. we felt rushed (was it because we didn't order appetizers or wine?) & our waiter, who was nice enough, was sweating profusely while serving us. busy night needed to turn tables around? i ordered the mushroom in yogurt sauce & she ordered the stuff peppers. food was fine enough but overall, not such a pleasant experience. will not be going back anytime soon...
(2)Thao N.
Get the Kaddo borawni (a sweet baked pumpkin with a garlic yogurt sauce). I"ve had a lamb chop and sea bass. Both were good. The fruit and pudding dessert is alright.
(4)Lyd K.
I have eaten at the Hellmand in Cambridge, MA. Both locations have excellent food and service. Quality fresh food with sublime flavors. Bread is only good when fresh, otherwise it gets tough to chew in a way that isn't fun. I would gladly go back. We had 4 small plates, one soup, and one main meal - all equally tasty!
(4)Isabel K.
Just ate here today. Try the kaddo borwano -- rich baby pumpkin baked until tender in yogurt w garlic. naan bread here is soul food and dwopiaza lamb is fantastic. superfresh produce. so nice to be at a humble baltimore restuarant after a week in vegas for work. but this is really a special place.
(4)Stan D.
Came here 6ish on a saturday with a group of 5. The service was pretty good - some of the people in the group were a little confused about what they wanted, but the waiter kept his cool, was very patient and professional. The drinks came out fairly quickly (and so did the 2nd round) and bus boys changed the plates as needed. No complaints about the service. Now, on to the food. I ordered a lamb lawand - I got a plate of plain basmati rice, a small plate with spinach, and a small bowl of lamb with mushrooms in some kind of a curry broth. The lamb tasted good, but there were only three small chunks of meat in my entree. The mushrooms were pretty bad - they tasted like they were marinaded in a big batch a few days back - definitely not fresh. The curry and the rice made for a nice tasting mixture, so I got filled up on that. For desert I asked for a turkish coffee and a chocolate cake. The coffee was OK - not the best turkish coffee I've had, but not the worst either. The cake was pretty bad, though. Not only was it a slice of a regular, store bought chocolate cake, but it was super stale. I took a few bites and gave up. I doubt I'ld come back here next time I am in Baltimore.
(2)Kara W.
Get the pumpkin appetizer.
(5)Mitchell A.
While in Baltimore, my wife and I went to The Helmand for dinner. I was immediately put off when we walked in. There was no one at the door to greet us and there were several employees sitting around the bar area socializing. It almost seemed like they were annoyed that they had to stop their conversation to seat us. The service was lackluster. We had to request water and refills of water. They brought us the wrong size bread basket and never did bring the correct size. Service was slow throughout our entire meal. That said... THE FOOD WAS AMAZING. We started with the Kaddo Borawni: Pan fried and baked baby pumpkin seasoned with sugar and served on yogurt garlic sauce. My wife had Mourgh Challow: Sauteed chicken in yellow split peas and fresh tomatoes. Served with challow. I had Mantow: Homemade pasta shell filled with onions and beef. Served on yogurt and topped with carrots, yellow split peas and beef sauce. We also had an incredible Afghan Pudding with fresh fruits and Afghan Ice Cream: Vanilla Cardamon with figs, dates and mangoes. The food made us less annoyed about the service.
(4)Heather S.
It is a great ethnic food restaurant and the decor is very cosy. If you get a group together, something like 6 or more, you can get a fixed price family style meal and i think you can add 10 for unlimited wine. Everything is good - the bread, pumpkin appetizer, large dumplings and the meat dishes.
(4)Ayesha N.
Being of South Asian descent, I really dont eat that kind of cuisine outside of my family's home. However the Helmand is a cozy little restaraunt with a delicious menu and friendly staff. The Kabuli is amazing and I would ask for extra rice to compliment your dinner. Definitely save room for tea as it tastes divine with their desserts.
(4)Tamara V.
SO, SO Good. Great Date restaurant. Very fresh-- exceptional. Lamb is tender and cooked the right way...Vegetarian platter is also a favorite.
(5)Suzanne J.
As my first foray into Afghan cuisine, The Helmand was a glorious success! (In fact, we decided to try it due to overwhelmingly positive reviews on Yelp.) We were able to sneak into the last table for two, so I would highly recommend reservations to avoid a long wait at the bar. At 6;45p on a Saturday night both dining rooms were packed, so we got lucky. The Kaddo Borawni (baked pumpkin/yogurt/garlic sauce) was a sweet, warm starter and fulfilled my love for all things pumpkin. Moving on to the Kabuli and vegetarian platter, both were excellent and well seasoned. The Kabuli featured a heavenly portion of lamb that was very tender. The okra was the highlight of the veggie platter. We chose not to stay for dessert, but the menu featured several interesting items, so perhaps next time.
(4)P S.
Pomegranate martini sounds great but not taste so when it ends up being syrupy sweet. Afghan salad also sounds great but not when it turns out to be a bunch of mesculin leaves with two slices of tomatoes thrown on the side. What is so Afghan about that? Truly a disappointment.
(2)Jennifer H.
My favorite dinner in Baltimore is at this restaurant. It's a beef dish, like kebab, but I can't remember the name of it. The meat is so juicy and delicious, as are the accompanying grilled veggies. Their bread is out of this world, and I could eat the cilantro sauce by the spoonful. Service is attentive enough, and the ambience is very nice.
(5)Brian N.
We had about a 10 minute wait for or table after we got there, but being as how it was a packed Saturday on Valentine's weekend, that wasn't bad. What was kind of bummy though was that there was no waiting area at all as the bar was already crammed and we had to stand literally in the front doorway. That aside, once seated our drink orders were taken and delivered very promptly. My wife and I shared an appetizer of the Kaddo Borwani and it was absolutely delicious. I even spotted a copy of the recipe posted on the wall near the coat rack and had to copy it down for future cooking. I had the Seekh Kabob with pallow which was grilled to perfection and very, very tasty. Karen had the Lamb Lawand which was lamb kind of stewed in a spice sauce and topped with yogurt, accompanied by some quite yummy spinach on the side. Rounded everything off with a Turkish coffee and some afghan cheese drizzled with pomegranate extract for the win. Karen had the pumpkin cake which was good but just slightly better than the usual holiday pumpkin roll. Overall, a very tasty experience and excellent service.
(4)Deann G.
The food was excellent and the ambiance is fantastic! I went with a group so we were able to all order different items and share. As others have mentioned, the Kaddo Borawni (pumpkin appetizer) is wonderful! For our entrees, we ordered several different lamb dishes. All of the dishes had generous portions and were delectable - so tender, juicy, and flavorful. My only complaint was that the service was a little slow, but it was a busy place even on a Monday night! The place offers great value. For a group of four with two appetizers, a salad, a bottle of wine, and four entrees, the total bill was just over $100 before tip!
(5)Lauren N.
A lot of hype around this restaurant and I was expecting a knock your socks off kind of meal. Everything was very good, but just did not have the wow factor. Maybe it was our server... He was kind of strange and made us feel uncomfortable. To the food.... Pumpkin appetizer is good but oddly sweet, the kabobs and meats were dry, the chickpea salad with cilantro vinaigrette was my absolute favorite, the jasmine rice with cumin is better than the one with cinnamon, and you must finish with the vanilla ice cream that is mixed to order with dried fruits. Will definitely return just for some of the favorite items. It can also get very loud!!!
(3)Allison A.
I love a good piece of lamb, and Helmand didn't disappoint. A few of us ordered a bunch of different pieces, and there wasn't a bad meal in the whole bunch. Apps were good, meals were good, dessert was good, and the wine list was excellent. The place is little and feels like you've been invited to someone's house for a good holiday meal. Try to get into the inner room where the freezing winter won't come in and get you every time someone opens the door.
(4)Mary J.
When I was there with my friend, the owner himself came to the table and we've had a very pleasant conversation. Food is very tasty, service is great. Ambiance is nice too. I am trying to get my significant other to The Helmand now, but sadly, that oddball does not like Middle Eastern food. What is not to like? It is exotic, spicy, tasty... I really liked this restaurant.
(5)Chris S.
The Helmand is ALWAYS good. It's one of those occasion restaurants for us--my dad always wants to go there for his birthday and we've never been disappointed. The staff is aways friendly and attentive, the food is incredible and comes out quickly. They have a nice wine list--and for all of this they are very reasonably priced.
(5)Todd M.
Don't bother reading the menu, just point to something and it will be e cel lent.
(4)K Sera S.
Fantastic food that you simply canNOT find anywhere else, yet priced to compete with the most mundane TGIFreakin'Appleblechs, Helmand is not to be missed. Try the pumpkin appetizer. It will knock your socks off. Wine list is a bit uninspired, but really. So what? Given how unique, tasty and let's just say it--CHEAP--the food it, swallow the boring Chardonnay or Shiraz and move on to the next course.
(5)Genevieve M.
I was in Baltimore visiting some friends, they were just at this place a week prior and were dying to go back. They knew my fiance and I are vegetarian, and since this place had been voted Baltimore's best vegetarian friendly restaurant, it was an easy decision. This was my 2st experience with Afghan food, so I have nothing to compare it to...but it all tasted so good! I have no complaints :) The wait staff was very friendly, and the menu was easy to navigate (with explanations of each dish) And to top it off, the prices were very reasonable! Bottom line: If we lived in Bmore, we'd be here at least once a week. VERY vegetarian friendly.
(4)Nic L.
Arrived at 9pm on a Saturday-no space to wait for a table unfortunately-but we were just thrilled we only had to wait 5 minutes for a table. Seated quickly, though near the door. Service was a bit rushed but staff was nice. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, though a little loud. I enjoy Indian food but had never had Afghani food. It was delicious-started with amazing pumpkin appetizer-sweet and wonderful. I had a chicken with rice dish-full of subtle yet enjoyable flavors. My boyfriend had lamb sausage and thoroughly enjoyed his meal. Very reasonably priced, food that is tasty though kind of small-portions. We can't wait to go back. Lovely restaurant.
(4)Bradley N.
I once was in the 5-star camp here - before I spent enough time in Baltimore to see what else was out there. Now, while I still have fond memories of this Baltimore-Afghan classic, I cannot really imagine returning. It's magic tends to fade after a few visits. It will always entice new customers and will never go out of fashion, esp. since it's in a great section of the city (Mt Vernon). But the Helmand no longer has me in its thrall. The baby pumpkin ravioli still call to me, though.
(2)Amy B.
I've been here twice now and it's one of my favorite restaurants I've found in Baltimore. Everything is wonderfully seasoned. I love the pumpkin appetizer. I also have ordered the Mantwo twice and both times it was delicious. We tried the meatballs and I liked how spicy they were. The ravioli also had great sauce (probably my favorite) although I didn't like the filling as much. The only negative was the dessert- we got the Afghan cheese with pomegranate and maybe it just wasn't our thing, but it was quite strange. I usually like "paneer"/Indian-style cheese but it just didn't seem right in sweet sauce. Overall I really like this place and I'm sure we'll be back.
(5)Johnny C.
We were greeted with a friendly hostess and delicious warm bread. However, the waiter we got was an unpleasant surprise. Uninterested in our experience, he wasn't very helpful in responding to our questions, and took an insurmountable amount of time to take our order, and to give us the check, without checking up on us. Our food was brought out speedily (but not by the waiter, of course). The Sabzy Challow was extremely salty, but when paired with enough Challow, was not bad. The lamb was tender and seasoned with nice spices. There was a lot of spinach compared to the lamb, though. The Mantwo was tasty and a better dish.
(2)Gita B.
Food is delicious but WAY over priced! Nice ambiance. Good for a date.
(3)Eric P.
I love the food, so I couldn't stay away forever. Fortunately, the service seems to have improved since my negative review several years ago. I am still in love with the pumpkin and yoghurt garlic sauce.
(4)Erik W.
Technically this is a review update, unfortunately I wrote my first review before I discovered the goodness that is Yelp so I'll just paste it here for your edification (and to spare you the pain that is TripAdvisor's website): "The Helmand is the first place I ever ate Afghani food, and I am a convert. Their use of spices and herbs in various dishes is amazingly subtle and adept. If you are ever in Baltimore, you must eat here!! I will be going back." Needless to say, I did go back. In fact, by girlfriend and I went all the way to Baltimore from DC for Valentines Day just for Helmand. Well, not just Helmand, we chowed on some Faidley's Seafood ( yelp.com/biz/faidley-sea… ) for lunch the next day, but the point remains that Helmand is a strong draw for foodie-tourists. We eschewed the Valentine's Menu options to give us a little more mix-and-match freedom with our aps, entrees and possible deserts. We started out with an order each of the two borawni's -- one made with pan-fried pumpkin, the other with eggplant. The pumpkin was not quite as good as I remember it, but that may only have seemed that way because it was overshadowed by the epicness of the eggplant. If you go here, you must order the Banjan Borawni. I'll say it again ORDER THE BANJAN BORAWNI. Unless you don't like garlic or pepper. For our main courses, I ordered leek filled ravioli topped with ground beef sauce ( yelp.com/biz_photos/3Wn7… ) called Aushak and a Shornakhod side salad (potatoes, chickpeas, and spring onions topped with cilantro vinaigrette). My valentine ordered the Lamb Lawand ( yelp.com/biz_photos/3Wn7… ) which came with rice and a side of sabzy (spiced sauteed spinach). All of our food came out surprisingly quickly for considering the packed Valentine's Day house and was piping hot and no less than fantastic. Although I had feared in the previous week that my second trip to Helmand might not live up to my high expectations, we were not disappointed! I haven't yet tried the few Afghani options in DC, but I'm afraid to, because I fear they won't live up to the expectations Helmand has given me.
(5)Julie K.
I wish I had gone here before! I've always wanted to try this place when I lived in Maryland and I finally went here last Friday night, shortly after my bus arrived in Baltimore. The prices were reasonable with entrees around $15. The ambiance was nice, dimly lighted and as romantic or casual as you want to make it. I first ordered the: *Kaddo borawani -pumpkin appetizer with garlic yogurt sauce- O.M.G. Delicious! The pumpkin was tender, not mushy and just a little sweet. I will definitely order this again. It was fantastic (and I don't use that word often). *Dwopiaza- lamb dish sauteed with peas and onions. The lamb was perfectly tender. I asked the waiter for a suggestion and this was a great one! The bf ordered Aushak- afghan beef ravioli, this was good just not the best thing on the menu. What I ordered was way better.
(4)Ward A.
Great food. Very fresh, well-prepared. Excellent service. My Sheesh Kebab was perfectly seasoned and prepared. All of our party left full of delicious, freshly made bread. Each of our vegetarian and more meaty meals were great. I had not had Afgan food before and I'm very happy I had my first opportunity at The Helmand. Oh yeah, be sure to order the pumpkin appetizer.
(4)Nora K.
I'll agree with everyone else: the pumpkin appetizer was awesome. I ordered the veg mantwo - interesting flavors. Very warming, which was good, because every time someone opens the door a gush of cold air goes the whole way back to the bar. They have the heat turned up very high to try to counter this, but I'd ask to be seated in the room to the right instead. My friend ordered a lamb special. The lamb was fantastic - very well cooked. The bread was also great. But the most amazing thing was how friggin FAST we were served. I am serious, McDonald's couldn't have topped this. I guess that means nothing is MTO, but it's all stewed anyway, so who cares? $40 for two people.
(4)Katie G.
I had never had Afghan food before, so I was admittedly pretty nervous. Much to my surprise, the food was AMAZING, as were the waitstaff. We were celebrating a friend's birthday, and with a large party I was a little nervous about how we would order and keep track of who owed what for their food. The waiter suggested we go with their prix fixe menu and we all agreed that would be easiest. I'm soooo glad we went that route because I'm pretty sure we got to try EVERYTHING on the menu. Little "tapas style" dishes were brought out for everyone to try. There were a few vegetarians in our group and they were given separate plates of veggie-only food. I was worried that the little tapas plates would leave us hungry, but by the time we were done everyone was full. Unfortunately, I can't recall any one thing that really stood out as being delicious. It was all amazing!
(5)Michael H.
We were visiting our daughter and her husband in Baltimore and they suggested this place based on great yelp reviews. It did not disappoint. Loved the fact that they offered $20 wine bottles. Liked the Tilia Bonarda better than the cabernet. Of course we tried the Kaddo pumpkin appetizer, agreed it was great and unique. Then we ranked the three entrees we ordered: our consensus was Aushak (ravioli) and Mantwo (pastry shell filled with beef) were our favorites, Koufta challow was third. Afghan spices in the dishes were terrific. I would come back as it was fun, different, unusual, authentic, and reasonably priced.
(4)Ralph R.
The pumpkin appetizer was great. We had the vegetable platter, which was good, the lamb lawand, which was awesome, and the cardamom ice cream for dessert, which was also fabulous. Service was quick and friendly, as usual.
(5)Kim C.
There was a point in time when I had this restaurant on my speed dial. Yeah yeah, who puts a restaurant on speed dial? a skeptic might ask. If you've tried Helmand, you'll understand. Their pumpkin appetizers are delicious, meat and yogurt sauce combos make my mouth water, and you absolutely have to try the grilled meats. (The cinnamon rice is a lovely accompaniment.) HOWEVER, things have changed a little since my first visit. Yes, the service is still great, the ambiance is cozy, and the food is delicious.... but charging for bread?! Minus one star. Otherwise, Helmand is golden.
(4)Uland L.
Came here for Sunday night dinner on a business trip to Baltimore. The location is easy to find with a GPS, and there were plenty of free parking around 9pm. Large, fancy looking interior with a moderate selection of menu items. Friendly staff and service. Orders: 1) Mantwo appetizer ($5), 2) Seekh Kabob ($18), 3) Chicken Kabob ($16), 4) Koufta Challow ($16), 5) Dwopiaza ($16), 6) Feereny ($5). The mantwo is tasty, and kind of reminds me of eating a beef burrito or dumpling. The kababs come with the pallow rice which is darker in color and alittle richer in taste that the challow rice, some grilled veggies (a chunk of tomato, bell pepper, and onion), and around 4-medium sized chunks of meat. I would prefer if the meat servings were slightly larger for the price, however the dishes were very tasty. My coworkers ordered the koufta and the dwopiaza and although this was their first tasting of Afghan food they were both very satisfied. The feereny is light and is enough for one to two persons. This place is alittle pricey in comparison to many other locations in California that also serve kabobs at a lower price but also offer larger portions. However, this restaurant has been one of the best I've been to during my stay in Baltimore, including the price (again in comparison to other 410 locales), and that is why I gave this place 4-stars.
(4)Thelonius M.
To be clear, the food here is excellent. I ordered a dish of stewed lamb, on a bed of rice with raisins. Truly excellent, a with a myriad of flavors and textures. I'm sure it depends on where you are seated but I felt this place was low key and welcoming, service was good even though the place was packed. I would highly recommend you make a reservation in advance... And bring take a date whom you want to impress.
(5)Adina K.
Perfect restaurant for vegetarians. The pumpkin appetizer is divine. I've never had anything here that I did not truly enjoy. It is not "cheap", but it is a reasonable for the amount and quality of food you are served. They also have a decent wine list. However, it is on the small side, so it is not the best restaurant for large groups. It is a great restaurant for a date or a pre-theater meal with friends.
(5)Julie D.
If I lived in Baltimore I would eat here all the time. The food was soooo good. As an appetizer my boyfriend and I split the Mantwo which was excellent. For entrees Dylan ordered the Korma Mahi and I got the Lanb Lawand. The Korma Mahi was excellent but I most say I LOVED the Lamb Lawand. The lamb was so tender and juicy it just melted in your mouth when you took a bite and the spices that were served with complimented the dish to a tee. The place reminded me of this Burmese restaurant I loved in San Fransisco (Burma Super Star). If you like Indian food or Mediterranean you will love this place. Also they are giving 10% off your entire check until the end of October to celebrate their 20th anniversary.
(5)Fat T.
You just can't go wrong here. Everything on the menu is good. Only caution: don't sit at the table by the door...it will get very annoying.
(5)Zen O.
Really exquisitely good food. I tried the stewed eggplant appetizer, and it was incredibly flavorful and complex, as if generations of tiny elves had labored in the eggplant flavor mines under cruel overseers, mining every last vein of deliciousness from the unforgiving vegetable ore, for my momentary enjoyment. The Dolma Murch (vegetarian) was amazing as well, wonderfully if moderately spicy, sweet and sour and umami all at the same time. My friend ordered the Mushroom Lawand, which seemed nice enough but was a bit too many mushrooms as far as I was concerned. It was delicious, but only for the first five or so bites. I would say that the bread is not worth the trouble. It's pretty cakey-tasting. I found that I couldn't finish half a piece.
(5)Sara J.
Awesome place, feels fancy and special occasion worthy, but it's also so affordable. Really unique food, I've heard it called the best Afghani restaurant in the US! I have had so many fun leisurely meals here, and they have great drinks as well!
(5)Chaz B.
I wish I could live here.
(5)Mel C.
Stopped by The Helmand this past weekend after reading the good reviews. Although I made a reservation, the place was packed and my party of 3 had to wait a bit to be seated. No worries though, we wandered back to the bar and I grabbed some sort of fruity concoction. After about 15-20 minutes we got a table but it unfortunately backed right up to the bar. It was really meant for 2 and then a 3rd seat was added to the side, so I got a bump here and there from people squeezing by to go to the bar/restrooms. Oh well, the Mantwo and Sabzy Challow deliciousness more than made up for feeling a bit crammed.
(4)Alexander Z.
Both my friend and I thought that the lamb chop weekend special (don't remember the name except that it starts with "ch") might have been the single best-seasoned, perfectly cooked cut of meat that we've had anywhere. This restaurant is almost worth coming to Baltimore for.
(5)Cathy C.
I have never had Afghan food before and this was the perfect place to try it. I had the expectation that it would be like Indian food with lots of curry dishes, and I was surprised to find that you different spices that I had never experienced together. My meal Appetizer: Kaddo Borawni (sweet pumpkin & yogurt appetizer) with Naan Entree: Shafatal salad (field greens, chicken kabob with a special herbal vinaigrette). Dessert: Afghan ice cream (vanilla ice cream with cardamon and dates, dried figs, and mango) I would definitely go back. I enjoyed my experience there. The restaurant is classy and chic and the staff was accommodating. I spent over 2 hours just catching up with old friends and enjoying the delicious food.
(5)S S.
I lived in Baltimore for one year and it didn't take me long to figure out which restaurants compared to the food in California, where I am originally from. The Helmand has the freshest, most flavorful foods imaginable. I am not exaggerating when I say it is probably my favorite restaurant in the U.S., if not the world. I had a birthday party and graduation celebration here, and neither disappointed, despite the large crowds. I always get the Vegetarian Platter - great diversity of foods and everything is cooked and seasoned PERFECTLY. I love the bell peppers and the okra, but my favorite is the mushrooms. They are so juicy - you bite into them and it's instant satisfaction. Though I no longer live in Baltimore, I still often dream of those wonderful mushrooms. The Kaddo Borawni is a pumpkin appetizer, and I heard of it from word-of-mouth through other Bmore residents. It is FABULOUS! The bread is good, too (forget the exact name) - very soft and great with butter. I tried the Afghan ice cream and it was nice with dates and little fruits, but I'm not sure I would get it again. The Turkish coffee is quite strong and a bit bitter if you've never had it before. The waitstaff are generally very polite, but I did have one experience with the busboys here which greatly disturbed me. I was walking back from the restroom and one of the busboys said in Spanish, "Do you think she is hot, or just okay?" and the other one responded, "She is okay." Now, I don't really care about the opinions of some busboys at a restaurant, but I was walking back to my table and have to say that I was annoyed by their unprofessionalism. Obviously they did not realize I could understand them (sorry, guys, I took 5 years of Spanish), but nevertheless, I thought it was completely inappropriate. Other than that incident, service and food were always great. I've brought guests here and they love it. It can get crowded and parking may be difficult, so come early...and avoid those Spanish-speaking busboys!
(5)sarah b.
I hate cilantro. It's not mentioned on the menu, but there it was ruining my dinner. That pumpkin app is awful...sweet cinnamon & garlic yogurt don't mix! This place is not for me.
(3)Bella F.
IT was ok, no more no less. the table was very tiny, barely held all the dishes. Portions were generous, but they were loaded with rice rahter than anything else. A couple of tiny chunks of meat in bowl full of curry broth with a huge portion of rice, that is not what I would want to go to a restaurant for. When you order lamb - you should be served lamb and everything else is garnish, not the other way around. Pumpkin appetizer was good.
(2)Rani H.
The BEST Afghan food I have ever had compared to the places in DC (Afghan Restaurant and the place in Woodley Park). I'm not sure if this is authentic Afghan food, but whatever it is, it is delicious. I am a vegetarian and this place was very, very veggie-friendly. We got the veggie sampler and tried a few appetizers too, everything was yummm.... The desserts are great too! We got the famous ice cream with dried fruits.
(5)Tom T.
Excellent food. The pumpkin appetizer was a bit too sweet for my taste otherwise everything was well prepared and tasty.
(4)Jean L.
If anything, go for the Kaddo Bowrani--wholly scrumptious! I never really thought that pumpkin and yogurt would go so well together but wow! Out of all appetizers I've had in my lifetime, this ties for first (with Rangoon's thousand layer bread)! I prefer the Kaddo Bowrani to the Aushak, which is also positively reviewed. It was good, but not nearly as memorable. To be honest, I don't remember much about the entrees, not that they weren't good but I was so impressed with the pumpkin that it set a hard-to-reach standard. 9/9/2008 Edit: Do expect it to be rather cozy... and by cozy, I mean it might not be the ideal place to try on a first date, as romantic as the idea of being squished together may seem. Maybe it was just our particular table but they squeezed us into a little table near the front, a little over an arm's length away from the table beside us--all the better to hear the conversations surrounding us instead of our own. If you're sitting on the inner side, you might need to squeeze between your table and that of those seated beside you... and after eating so much it gets a little tricky. That's a little too close for comfort in my opinion. Tip: If you go in the winter, avoid the tables in front because it can get distractingly chilly whenever the door opens.
(4)Jason F.
We were just in town for the weekend, and were told that we had to try The Helmand! We arrived around 8pm on Sunday evening and had some confusion about the parking situation. There was a big empty lot next to the restaurant, with some ominous warnings about being towed if you didn't have a ticket. But the ticket booth was only open from 7am to 5pm on Sunday. Were we allowed to park there? It was pretty ambiguous, so we left and found street parking a block away. The restaurant wasn't too crowded, so we were seated immediately. The atmosphere was nice. Not too casual but not "dressy" like Yelp said. I would say you'd be fine one notch below business casual. I was wearing jeans and a sweater and didn't feel out of place. The food was overall very good. All three of us were very happy with our main courses. I can't remember the names, but it was all various types of seasoned meat. Everything was cooked really well and tasted great. We got the pumpkin appetizer because it was recommended by someone here, but I don't think any of us were thrilled with it. The naan was good, but I was a bit put off that we had to pay so much for what is essentially "bread for the table". We got a dessert (the baklava-type thing), and it was pretty good. Tasted like a typical baklava and had a pretty yummy sauce on it. Not sure it was worth the price though. This is an instance where, for the same price, I would recommend going to a frozen yogurt place afterward. So four stars because the food was good and the atmosphere was nice, but it was lacking the wow factor required for a fifth star.
(4)David T.
I've been here numerous times and I my guests have never been disappointed. The few dishes that I thought were perfect, Chicken Lawand and Vegetarian Platter. Give the Kaddo Borawni (pumpkin) and Banjan Borawni (eggplant) a try for appetizers. Services has been consistently good. It's usually crowded, so be sure to make a reservation!
(5)Garth O.
I don't have much to add - try the pumpkin appetizer! The atmosphere is perfect for fine dining, and the food is almost impossibly good! I would recommend this to anyone who wants to try Afghan food - or any foreign food for that matter.
(5)Joel B.
We have been customers of the Helmand for years, and we've always been delighted with the quality of the foo, the service and the ambiance. While we are especially fond of the Aushack with meat sauce both as an appetiser and a main dish, there are several lamb dishes worth trying. While we've tried many dishes including fish, we have never been disappointed.
(5)Cheryl K.
Very solid menu. The food is pretty great, the spices subtle but present, and the waitstaff is very attentive.
(4)E E.
*3.5* Food is very good. I particularly enjoyed the mantwo (beef dumpling like dish topped with yogurt). The texture of the dumpling was perfectly cooked to al dente and the tart yogurt was a pefect complement to the savory ground beef. The pumpkin appetizer was sweet and lovely but I thought it may be a better dessert course than an appetizer. I had the lamb tenderloins for an entree - nothing mesmerizing but good combination of spices and flavor. One major complaint, however, was the service. The server and the server assistant came by every three minutes to ask if I was done with my meal. If I am holding my fork, I think that should give a good indication to the serving staff that I am not quite done with my meal.
(4)Jeff R.
There isn't a lot to say that hasn't already been written in the 62 (!) reviews below. The Helmand is one of the best restaurants in Baltimore and I try to grab dinner there anytime I'm in town. Tons of vegetarian options, great appetizers, courteous service and a prime location make it the place to be for just about any occasion. The only con I can think of would be parking there on a weekend evening - tough right in midtown. I'd recommend a taxi if you're not into the pay lots. If you haven't been here, please, do yourself a favor and check it out.
(5)Hannah S.
The Helmand is a great place to go for dinner in Baltimore. Everyone says to try the pumpkin appetizer (Kaddo Borwani) for a reason -- its so interesting and delicious!! THe ravioli (Aushak) is also a great treat -- its filled with leek and ground beef. The bread they give you is delicious. For my vegetarian friends, their vegetarian dishes were great. I would try to recommend dishes, but all of them were really good that I would be recommending the whole menu. I did order a sampler dish once that I really liked since it let me try a lot of different foods and I still had a lot of food left over. The Helmand is busy lots of times, so make sure you plan around that!
(5)Leila T.
Even though we had reservations, we ended up waiting about 10 minutes at the bar. That's to be expected as this place is pretty packed on weekends. Again, great service, friendly attentive staff, amazing food, great bottle of Argentinian Malbec to split with friends on my birthday.
(5)Minji K.
Had dinner at The Helmand this past weekend on a visit to a friend who lives in Baltimore and has been here before. Definitely a great choice for dinner! The atmosphere is casual but still classy; took a quick look around at my fellow diners, and they all looked like Hopkins professors with their glasses and tweed blazers, haha. As numerous people have mentioned, the kaddo borawni appetizer is excellent....it was the perfect mix of sweet and savory, and reminds me of the Korean-style pumpkin porridge (hobak jook). For my entree, I had the chicken lawand. The sauce tasted a lot like the sauce you get with chicken tikka masala. It was REALLY good, and the chicken was really tender. I would definitely come back if I lived in Baltimore. Highly recommended!
(5)Matthew L.
Other than the difficulty at seating large parties, I highly recommend the Helmand. It is a little on the pricey side, but well worth it. The restaurant is stylish and beautiful. The food is exotic and succulent. I really enjoyed the lamb, and there is a great pumpkin appetizer. Highly suggest, but make a reservation if possible
(4)Mark N.
This is an expensive, white tablecloth kind of place, with a big wine list and a very well dressed, fashionable looking clientele.. I came here for dinner in April 2010. I have had Afghan food in a few cheaper venues, and also in a similarly fancy place in San Francisco, which I think may be owned by the same people.. The pumpkin appetizer is indeed great. However, I felt that some of the cheaper places I have tried (such as an Afghan place in Albuquerque, NM which unfortunately closed) had much more flavorful food. I think the seasonings here are a bit watered down , perhaps for an American audience. This coming from someone who has never been to Afghanistan, so just a theory really. The service here is top notch. If you have never had Afghan food, I am pretty sure you will be very happy with your experience. The food is certainly delicious and the menu is pretty large so there are lots of options to suit varied tastes, including good vegetarian options. If you have had other experiences with Afghan food, or even perhaps if you are Afghani, I suspect you will like the food but think it is not the best you have had.. That being said - it is definitely true that if I lived in Baltimore and wanted to take visiting friends or business contacts someplace impressive, with cost not being a limitation, this place would be at or near the top of my list.
(4)brewgirl b.
Excellent food, good friendly service, cozy atmosphere and decent prices. You must get the Kaddo Borwani, which is the pumpkin appetizer seasoned with sugar and a yogurt garlic sauce. Yum, yum, yum. And I thoroughly enjoyed the Mourgh Challow, which is sautéed bonless chicken in yellow split peas and fresh tomatoes, served with challow rice. I couldnt finish my chicken entree, but it tasted even better the next day. One negative is that you have to pay a few dollar for bread, but it was yummy, too, so I guess I cant complain too much. Free refills on soda drinks.
(4)Ellen B.
The Helmand is delicious. Ive been here many times and have always enjoyed myself. Each time I have gone, the place has been crowded but I havent had to wait to be seated.
(5)zriley R.
A must if you're in the Baltimore area - I usually skip lunch so I can order an appetizer, the Kaddo Borwani, the soup (Mashawa), and an entree. I'm miserably full when I'm done eating, but it's well worth the misery.
(5)Rebecca L.
Filling, delicious food. If only it was a bit cheaper. Then my tummy would be happier.
(4)FromScratch M.
Price wise this is pretty good. However, I can see how they keep their prices low - basically by reducing the meat portions to just about zero. We ordered several lamb dishes which ended up being lamb stew with way more vegetables than meat. The waiter was annoying - he kept pushing the wine and was visibly disappointed when we demurred.
(3)Barbara V.
Excellent service and food! After reading the reviews I chose the pumpkin appetizer, mantwo appetizer and shared an entree (2nd entree on menu that starts with "dw." Will be back and definately will get the pumpkin again!
(5)Nathen S.
Our group of 4 walked in around 830 on a Saturday night we were seated quickly. It was busy but not packed. The waiter was helpful and had great recommendations. We started with 4 appetizers which we shared. Pumpkin app was fabulous, mantwo, and, bowlani were great. The last; aushak, a ravioli was horrible. 3 out of 4 isn't bad! I deferred to the waiter again for my meal. I like spicy food and this was great. It was a bowl of lamb stew which you then pour on to your rice. I can't find the name on the menu but it was awesome. The naan bread was also very good. Everyone enjoyed their meals. Overall a great meal and experience for our first time sampling food of Afghanistan.
(4)Alyce M.
The Helmand was delicious. The appetizers, soups, and entrees were all wonderful, especially when mixed together. The wine selection, service and ambiance were all great ... but then there was the bread. I'm a big Afghan food lover but this was not like any sort of Afghan bread I've been served before. I'm used to being served Afghan naan but this bread almost had a ciabatta-like quality to it, and I don't mean that as a compliment. It wasn't bad, just disappointing. Overall a nice experience.
(4)Kimberly S.
I had never tried Afghan food before but decided to try it. It was phenomenal! The meat was very tender and nothing was over seasoned. I highly recommend it! Nice ambiance as well.
(5)Barrie C.
This place kicks ass. In terms of pure bang for your buck, it doesn't get much better. Quality ethnic food on white table linens in a cozy atmosphere with good service doesn't get much cheaper. If you go, you must get the pumpkin appetizer. Good Lord that was tasty! I want to be dropped into a vat of it. I got the mantwo for an entree, and while it was good, it wasn't mind-blowing. In tasting my companions' meals, it turns out that the seekh (lamb) kabob was the dish to get. The service was pretty good I thought. Attentive without being obtrusive. I definitely want to come here again to try other dishes. This also seems like it would be a good place for a slightly upscale date that won't break the bank (and that's hard to find).
(4)Linda N.
I used to eat Kofta Chalow at my friend Orzala's house growing up, so rich and flavorful, full of pungent spices. I tried the vegetable version at the Helmand and it was pretty good. My favorite thing at the restaurant had to be the cardamom tea. We had a reservation, but still waited about 10-15 minutes for a table. Relaxed ambiance.
(4)A. C.
(10/15/2010) Haven't been in ages, but the meal was excellent as always. Place was packed on a Saturday night, lined up 3 deep at the bar, and bustling. Tables are "cozy" (spacing is tight), warm candle-lit glow in the dining room, attentive service, meal was fast-paced (probably a need for turnover). Love the savory dumplings: Aushak (Afghan ravioli filled with leeks, served on yogurt-mint and topped with ground beef sauce) and the Mantwo (dumplings filled with onions and beef, served on yogurt and topped with carrots, yellow split peas and beef sauce). Something about the sauces, so savory, tart, salty, tangy, creamy with yogurt, and garlicky. Must get the pumpkin appetizer, Kaddo Borwani (pan-fried and baked baby pumpkin seasoned with sugar and served on yogurt garlic sauce). A whole new world of pumpkin-ness, this is not pie. I've generally enjoyed the stewed dishes over the grilled, and the lamb over the chicken and seafood. Had the Koufta Challow (lamb and beef meatballs with hot green peppers, peas, raisins, seasoned with paprika and turmeric, and fresh tomato sauce and served with challow (long grain steamed rice with cumin seed) and a lamb and turnip stew special, with tomato sauce, spicy cilantro and mint chutney, challow, and a side of sabzy (spinach). The spicing in the sauces is intoxicating. Special occasion worthiness: high.
(5)Rubén M.
Moderm decor, excellent meal. 2 adults + 1 child = 2 entrees + 1 app + 1 beer + 2 desserts + coffee = $70. Recommended. Super fast service... Portions are reasonable but a hungry adult will not have leftovers. A basket of bread is a must for hungry folk.
(4)Richard N.
Yes, the garlic and pumpkin is delicious. The ahsouk are off the hook. I highly recommend the dwopiaza (lamb with vinegar soaked onions). The lamb and the mushrooms has two different, and very distinct, sauces. Wonderful. Also the desserts were delicious. We had the cardamon ice cream and the Afghan pudding with fresh fruit. Great service as well.
(5)Shawn H.
Absolutely exquisite Afghan cuisine. Superb atmosphere. Wonderful service. Great dessert. Just go.
(5)Luke C.
I love restaurants that feel busy and homey. This is one of those. Six of us came to the restaurant on a friday night without booking. This, usually a sure way to get no food and results in walking up and down Charles street, turned out to be a great night. So, as expected, there were no tables available when we arrived. However, the host was very accommodating and asked us to leave a number before we set off to wonder Charles St. We got a call within 5 minutes and were told that a table was available. The food was great and everyone enjoyed themselves. Great vegetarian selections! The atmosphere, though not exactly the exotic feel you would expect, was cozy and warm. We liked this place a lot. It was busy which meant that service was just a bit on the slow side. Otherwise, we'd definitely be back again!!!!
(4)Nicole L.
On my way to Sonar to watch Junior Boys performed, I stopped by Helmand on recommendation of my companion. We drove up Charles Street thinking about what to eat and this particular area on Charles St was lined with artsy places and restaurants. A short walk from where we parked, we walked up to the restaurant it was surprisingly packed with people. I guess I had no idea Afghan food was so well-received in Baltimore. Immediately I liked the restaurant for it's simplicity in decor but the ambience is warm and cosy. The rugs and costume decorated the walls and the smell of grilled kabobs and fresh bread in the air were fantastic! While waiting for a table, we ordered some knob creek at the bar, the waitress was having a tough time understanding what we wanted. I was very intrigued by the menu as it had lots of authentic items so I was very excited to try the food. The 20th anniversary special was great for $20, it included an appetizer, entree and dessert. For starters, we had the afghan ravioli with beef and yogurt sauce and pumpkin with yogurt. The food was very light yet flavorful. I really enjoyed it. The entrees were lamb shoulder and a trio of chicken, lamb and beef kabobs. On the lamb shoulder it came with a lightly flavored rice with fennel seeds maybe it was very delicious. The lamb fat ont he edges were nicely charred though there were some gristles that were not chewable. The trio kabobs were super tender and juicy it was very tasty!! The rice was flavored more I think with the juices from the kabobs it was slightly saltier. The mint, tomato and cucumber salad on the side was refreshing!! For dessert, there was a Afghan pudding with fresh fruits and the Anak Paneer. The pudding was a bit strange it was not sweet at all, the generous portion of a mix of fruits made the bowl look soooo good. Overall very delicious and light dessert. The paneer was another interesting dessert it was also tasteless but it was drizzled with pomegranate sauce and raisins - the combination was very good. I have to say it was a little gem found in Baltimore - very tasty food!!
(4)Dave A.
Wow Golly! The food at The Helmand knocked my socks off. While I only ordered the vegetarian soup, it was incredible. The spices were varied and interesting. The only downside was that the service was too fast (our dishes came out in about 3 minutes) for such a nice restaurant.
(4)Diana C.
The Helmand was a nice, charming, cozy restaurant. I really liked the nice warm atmosphere, which was especially inviting since the cold weather made us feel like walking blocks of ice. The restaurant got a little too warm even, and it was also nice to eat something a little different since I don't usually eat Afghanistan food. We ordered some bread baskets, which contained delicious baked flat bread. I ordered the vegetable dolma, which was eggplant with spinach inside and potatoes covered with tomato sauce with a side of rice. I liked it but it was a little tomato-ey for my taste. I also tasted some mantwo, which was like a big fried dumpling with potato and other vegetables inside. It was all pretty tasty. I think the tastiest thing of all for me was the garlic yogurt sauce that came from my friend's kaddo borawni appetizer. My boyfriend also really loved the lambmeat in his stew dish. It's a nice place to consider going when trying to decide where to go. A warm 4 stars from me.
(4)Ross M.
This is my favorite restaurant in Baltimore. Great food, great atmosphere, great value.
(5)Julie H.
The Hellmand is consistently delicious. The lamb shish kebab will make your eyes roll back in your head, it's so delicious. It's so juicy and flavorful. The accompanying rice is also full of flavor as is the cilantro sauce that comes with it. The aushak is such a complex layering of flavors. It's a leek filled ravioli with ground beef on top and yogurt on top of that. The result is both sweet and savory with just a little bit of sour from the yogurt. I've never tasted anything like it and it's consistently good. The sabzy spinach side is yummy. The kadoo (pumpkin with yogurt) is a bit too sweet but it is a nice start nonetheless. The cardamon tea is a spectacular ending to the meal. They also have a substantial array of vegetarian and vegan dishes, which are both inventive and homey.
(5)Trey G.
Ate here with my wife after several recommendations. We ordered the meatballs and the tenderloin. The serving size for the main dish was very small..3 meatballs and a pile of rice on one plate and 3 pieces of tenderloin and a pile of rice on the other. We could have done without so much rice in order to have more protein. This was our only complaint as the food itself was delicious. We will try it out again.
(4)S T.
It's a little pricey ... but a perfect place for a date!!! Food is delicious, everyone polite, setting perfectly lit...(not too dark, not too bathed in light). I didnt try the appetizers but had a lamb kabob. My frnd went for the chicken kabob. These come with a challow or pallow (which apparently are rice cooked in a different manner)
(5)Melanie S.
The food here is as good as you'll get in Kabul (maybe even better)! Mantwo is my favorite Afghan dish, and I have eaten it homemade in Afghan family homes in Kabul, and this is just as good! Its so yummy! The Aushak, and Buwrani are also excellent, I don't really think you can go wrong. I love the cilantro sauce! It is quite a cozy restaurant, but I found it to be comfortable and cute! The owners are quite sweet and hospitable!
(5)Dan G.
Wow, went here for a friends party, and have never had Afghan food before but was happy to try something new. Service was great, we had a large party about 9 people but the waiter was excellant, only problem is if you are towards the door you get a draft everytime someone walks in. As many other Yelpers said, the Pumkin is amazing, I eat Halal, so went for the Mantow, and the leek pasta and was great, will be back again
(4)Miss A.
One of my favorite places for a nice dinner out in Baltimore. It's cozy and the service is great. Try the pumpkin appetizer and the Aushak (leek dumplings). Save room for the ice cream with figs, dates, and mangoes - there's nothing like it! Parking is sometimes tricky, and it can get quite crowded on weekends, but the food is totally worth it.
(5)Tim M.
Yummy! I had the ravioli type apetizer with beef and mint youghurt. For my entree I had chicken with yellow peas and the spiced spinach. Everything was delicious. The service was also very fast - which I appreciated because I was hungry!
(4)Marye I.
Just... Awesome.
(5)Nick F.
I took my coworkers here and had a fabulous meal. It was our first time having Afghani food so we did not know what to expect. The ambience was dark and intimate - perfect for a first date. We started off with a $20 Tania wine from Mendoza, the pumpkin appetizer, and the beef pastry appetizer. The pumpkin appetizer was my favorite because I enjoy sweetly prepared gourds and the yogurt-garlic sauce added a unique kick. The pastry was tasty as well. For my main entree I had a vegetarian potato and carrot curry dish with sides of steamed spinach (yum!) and okra. My coworker had a lamb dish and enjoyed it but lamb does leave a weird aftertaste. My other coworker had a grilled, marinated beef dish that was tasty. The prices were cheap, I think the most expensive item was $15.
(4)Jeff K.
I think the Helmand is one of the top restaurants in Baltimore, I've been eating there for about eight years now (about 4 times a year these days). The food is always outstanding and the service is usually excellent. I highly recommend making a reservation -- even for a week night in the middle of winter, if you don't want to spend a long time waiting. I remember the first time my wife and I ordered the kaddo borawni (a sweet baked pumpkin with a garlic yogurt sauce) we decided to split it since I really did not expect the combination of pumpkin, garlic, and yogurt to be great. It was the first and last time I ever split that appetizer with anyone, now we each get our own serving. I always grapple with getting an appetizer or the Shorwa soup, a lamb, fresh vegetables and bean soup; sometimes I just have to get both. My favorite entree is the Lamb Lawand, boneless lamb sauteed with fresh tomatoes, mushrooms, and herb seasoning topped with a dressing of yogurt and sour cream; I have enjoyed it every time. They also have a great selection of vegetarian dishes. The seating seems a bit tight but I find the ambiance really mitigates this.
(5)Eliza D.
A beautiful restaurant, attentive staff, outstanding menu. I've never had anything that was less than amazing while dining there. The baby pumpkin appetizer is one of the most unique, delicious things I've ever eaten in my entire life.
(5)Michael O.
Great food, good choices, great prices, nice atmosphere for dinner with friends and family. Love the pumpkin appetizer.
(4)Melissa D.
65+ reviews, not much more to say. This is really a shout out to my fellow yelpers, from Philly to Baltimore to San Juan, Texas, your reviews have never led me astray. My Helmand experience was no different. I had the pumpkin appetizer, the tuna and chicken with spinach rice and 2 very good glasses of shiraz (which were only $6, a price that's hard to beat even at the best happy hour spots) My meal was absolutely delish! The only thing that was just ok was dessert, we ordered the Afghan pastries which were tasty but sorta pint sized and not on par with what was otherwise a fabulous meal.
(4)Marc H.
So I went to The Helmand on a date last night... it took a bit of convincing on my end: me: What are you in the mood for, food wise? her: "I dunno, I'm up for whatver" me: *thinks to self: I hope she really means that!* Have you heard of this place called "The Helmand"? her: No.... what is it!? me: uh... it's *cough* Afghan *cough* food. It's supposed to be really good and they're supposed to have this great appe... her: did you say Afghan? me: Yes...... her: uh...k.... me: I'm telling you, it's supposed to be really good! Let's try something different and new; if it sucks we'll grab Pizza from Dog Pub on the way back her: sure, why not, let's do it! Success! We get there and park in the outdoor lot next door. It was around 8:30pm and I'm not sure if you're allowed to park there but there wasn't a parking attendant so I just parked the car. It worked out fine, no tickets and my car was still there when I returned. We walk in and the place is PACKED. Good thing too, because I was worried about walking into a dimly lit, smelly Afghan restaurant, especially considering my date's initial hesitation. We sat at the bar and were about to grab a drink while we waited for a table but we're seated about 2 minutes after we sat down. We started off with the famous pumpkin appetizer (Kaddo Borwani), which definitely did not disappoint. Sweet and a bit savory... it could definitely double as a dessert as well. The waitress recommended the Lamb Lawand special and it was great. The cilantro garlic sauce on the side paired exceptionally well with the stewed lamb (falling off the bone *David Cross*). The spinach was simple and delicious. My date had the Gorwan Salad (Marinated beef tenderloin, corn on the cob and whole red bliss potatoes grilled and served on a salad of field greens and cucumbers with red onion dressing) and she was very happy with it. Overall I give it a solid 4 stars, and I will definitely go back. Nothing that really disappointed, though the accompanying bread was kinda meh. I reserve my 5 stars for the likes Faidley's (OMG Mind Blowing).
(4)Carrie L.
Delish! I haven't been there in a while, but I remember the food and service was awesome. There are lots of selections for vegetarians. The setting is great. I especially loved the coffee at the end. It was muddy.
(5)Dilbert D.
An excellent experience. The food was fresh and well prepared. A friend and I split an appetizer and 2 entrees. We had the roasted pumpkin things (Kaddo Borwani) which were good. Then we split a lamb dish and the vegetarian samosa type-dish. Both came with rice, aka " "Challow" or "Pallow." Neither choice is viewable on the online menu, but both dishes were excellent choices. This was my first experience with Afghan food. The flavors are not overly strong or spicy but more subtle and complex. As a reference point , I thought that Afghan food is less overtly spicy than Indian food, and similar in some ways to Moroccan food flavors.
(4)C H.
Funny that my first Yelp is about this Baltimore restaurant, since I actually live in the SF Bay Area. I'm so glad we found The Helmand, thanks to Yelp (two nights in a row). The Helmand serves reasonably-priced, authentic Afghani fare with attentive service and warm, pleasant ambiance. Don't let the neighborhood deter you - besides, there's a parking lot right next to the restaurant. We ate here on a Thursday night, and the dining room was full. So glad I phoned ahead for a reservation. I've eaten at several Afghani restaurants in the Bay Area (including Kabul in San Carlos and Afghan House in Sunnyvale) and would say that The Helmand just might be the leader of the pack - especially if you use the pumpkin appetizer as a benchmark. Don't miss The Helmand's version - it's flavorful and delicious. The kids loved the yeasty flatbread, which is similar to fresh Greek pita (e.g., Evvia) and not at all like the nasty bagged pita bread available at the grocery store. The lamb kabobs were lightly spiced, tender, and nicely medium-rare. They're served with a few grilled veggies and seasoned rice. The chicken and mushroom dish was pretty good, though it seemed to taste faintly of bouillon cubes. Other Yelpers have raved about the spinach, which has a slight previously-frozen taste that's not entirely covered up by the very yummy spice blend. (I'll bet this recipe would be just awesome with fresh chopped chard.) I ordered the ice-cream for dessert on the recommendation of other reviews. It was quite tasty but didn't necessarily rise above local picks back home (such as Rick's Rather Rich in Palo Alto and Bombay Ice Cream, my quirky fave, in SF). All the dessert selections sounded intriguing, and next time I'll probably try the Afghani pudding. It was definitely worth firing up the GPS to go find The Helmand. Overall I thought the meal was delicious. It's not an ideal place to go with kids (our 3-year-old got restless) and would be a better choice for a date night (not an option for this trip). Still the staff was gracious and refrained from giving us any dirty looks, which earns them a few more points in my book. Highly recommended.
(4)Don M.
Surprising and rare flavors. Wonderful.
(5)Jay L.
Delicious. The food is a bit more wintery (heavy) than I expected but good lord is it good! The appetizers are alright, tasty, but overall unnecessary if you already know you want a delicious lamb dish. I've had lamb every way they'll give it to me and it's top notch every time. AND GET THEIR ICE CREAM. I'm so angry at the gods of convenience that this ice cream is not mass produced and available at my disposal at all times of day and night. The Helmand is one of my favorite restaurants.
(5)Aileen P.
Unique food, good service and relaxing ambience.
(4)Joshua G.
Everything was fantastic. I recommend not being stingy about appetizers; it's nice to try a variety of things here. I particularly thrilled to the Bowlawni (a crispy leek dumpling) but nothing was short of exciting. The pumpkin is awesome as many have said. My entree was a fantastic stuffed eggplant special.
(5)Barbie T.
This place is great for vegetarians and meat-lovers alike. They have a fab pumpkin appetizer with garlic yogurt. Honestly, I thought it sounded kinda gross-- until I tasted it! I ate my words and pumpkin yumminess immediately. Be sure to order that when you go. I had a chicken and veggie dish with rice for my meal. It was good, but I was surprised that it had tomatoes. Who knew tomatoes grew in Afghanistan! The rice was excellent though. Staff was nice (but frazzled when we got there) and dashed around to try to help everyone at once. We were a party of 12 so we got squished in one corner of the room. They were still setting up our table after we arrived for our reservations. The place was packed end ot end. This place is a local favorite and therefore fills up REALLY QUICKLY. Make sure you have reservations if you go on a Fri or Sat (or anytime really). When we arrived, the line to get in was going out the door. Parking is available in the paid lot next to the restaurant or on the side of the street (with parking meters I believe.)
(3)Eva T.
I would have never thought I'd like Afghan food until I came to this place. For appetizer, kaddo bowrani (baby pumpkin with yogurt & garlic sauce) is good. I would've never thought I'd like something like this. Kabobs are always done very well. I love the rice that they serve it with. The bread... oh I can eat a lot of the bread. It's a great place for dates and prices are reasonable, too. It's a pretty popular restaurant in Baltimore. The only thing you should keep in mind is that sometimes they rush you through your meal so that they can get more people waiting seated faster. I once was there in and out within 45 minutes.
(4)Rasi W.
Authentic Afghan food doesn't get any better than this... Not that I would know that it's authentic, but the food sure as hell tastes amazing. Try the pumpkin appetizer, it really is worth everything they say about it.
(5)JJ J.
Never having had Afghan food before, a few of us decided to check out The Helmand after hearing great things. I'm not a huge fan of indian food so my expectations were held back a little bit. We actually found ourselves in a hilarious predicament. We went around 6PM and there was a sign on the door saying that the power had gone out but that they were still serving food. We were seated to a completely empty restaurant, with no lights on. Kind of like a start to a scary movie. Anyways after some friendly discussion with someone, who i'm assuming is the owner, regarding how they'd cook without electricity, we were reassured that the gas was working. At least they wouldn't be able to microwave our food! We decided to start off with two appetizers: the Kaddo Borawni(sweet pumpkin appetizer) and the BanJan borawni(eggplant appetizer). Both were really good, but that pumpkin dish was just especially phenomenal. For our meal, I decided to go with the Dwopiaza, which was described as "Seasoned tenderloin of lamb cooked with onions, sautéed with yellow split-peas and tossed with onions lightly marinated in vinegar. Served with pallow." FYI, pallow is like basmati rice(realllly good!). It was really good. Instead of split peas, i think we were served sauteed mushrooms, which were really good. One of my good buddies ordered the Kabuli which was also excellent. Midway through our meal, not only had the electricity come back on, but the place was JAM PACKED, and mind you, this was a Wednesday evening. The servers were pretty attentive. I was pleasantly surprised and can't wait to go back during the weekend for one of their weekend special dishes.
(4)Stephanie H.
The ambience, service, and food here are outstanding. The restaurant itself is beautiful in its presentations from its decor to the music to the tiny candle on every table. I feel the staff takes great pride in working at The Helmand and I got a vibe that everyone was very happy to be there. Even when our candle blew out, someone came quickly to relight it for a lovely dining experience. To start, my friend and I had the Kaddo Borwani pumpkin appetizer. It was very unconventional looking, but it tasted delicious! The yogurt was so sweet, but is very addicting. I could've easily eaten two of the appetizers myself, loved it. For my entree, I had the Mantwo. It's described as a pastry so I was expecting a flaky almost hours devours type dish, but the Mantwo pastry shells texture was more like a dumpling, very soft and with filling. I had three sizeable shells that sat on top of a yogurt and meat sauce. I really just liked the yogurt in all the dishes, it's very unique. Overall, the dish was really yummy and really flavorful, which is what I love about middle eastern food in general. On the side I had rice with cilantro so mixing those flavors in with the Mantwo was really good. My only complaint is our table didn't get the complimentary naan. I don't know why, I thought every table received naan. I want to come back and try the lamb.
(5)Ria S.
My friend and I decided to revisit the Helmand after a few years. I remember it differently. Today, the food was good, but it came out suspiciously fast (within 10 minutes of ordering it). The food was lukewarm (clearly microwaved or reheated) and not the same quality as we remember from years past. The naan was more like a pita bread, came out at room temperature, tasted packaged and cost $6 for the large sized basket. My friend ordered a lamb dish and I ordered a vegetarian dish. The ambience was very nice, but we were disappointed that the quality had gone down significantly. Like another reviewer said, the food was like lukewarm takeout served on nice plates.
(2)Caity A.
Awesome food! The Helmand has made us addicted to Afghani food, which we have never had before. Our waitress was incredibly helpful in pointing out favorites to try for our first time. The Kaddo Bowrani appetizer of baby pumpkin is definitely a must! I had to stop myself from licking the plate clean. Between three of us, we ordered a few things to share amongst the table: a chicken special that was simmered with apricots and other fruits, a beef kabob, and a lamb kabob. We all agreed that the chicken was the best out of the dishes, with a wonderful sweet/savory sauce and big pieces of juicy apricots: so good! The beef kabob was our next favorite, and was definitely packed with flavor. The lamb was our least favorite. While it was very flavorful, we found it to be a bit drier and not as tender as the beef. The challows for each meat were a bit different, but we enjoyed each of them. The green chutney is something I would sincerely like to order by the gallon to put on literally everything I eat; it is so good! While we were incredibly impressed by the flavors, we weren't too impressed with the portion of meat in some of the dishes. In our chicken dish, we counted only 3 chunks of chicken- just enough for each of us to try it. For a dinner more on the expensive side, this was a little bit disappointing. Nonetheless, the atmosphere makes it great for a date night, and I would recommend people coming here while in Baltimore!
(4)Sarah C.
This place is awesome. My friends and I came here for dinner after finding it on Yelp and seeing all the good reviews, and man, they deserve it. We started off with the Kaddo Borwani, the pumpkin and yogurt appetizer and it was so flavorful and delicious. We were silently fighting over who got the last spoonful :) For my entrée, I got the Mantwo, which was pastry shells filled with beef and onions, and I had stop myself from eating the whole plate so I could savor it for the next day. I got this dish because of the raging reviews it received and I'm glad I did. I tried my friend's Dwopiaza however, and I thought the lamb was a bit dry... Also it was reallllly dark in their main dining area, and I don't know whether this is a trait I picked up from my dad, but I kind of hate eating in the dark. I get setting mood and ambiance, but it was a little much. In all though, the food was delicious, the price was expected (about $24 per person including tip), and the service was excellent. I would come back here.
(4)Sonya L.
Everything about The Helmand is wonderful. Their food, the service, and the ambiance is all excellent. We came here on a Saturday night at 9 pm and they still had a livey crowd. People continued to come in even past 10 pm. Their decor is classy and romantic. Whenever I come here I always get three things. The pumpkin appetizer (Kaddo Bowrani), the lamb and beef meatballs (Koufta Challow) and their "special ice cream". I have been coming here for years and their flavors are always consistent. The pumpkin app is sweet and savory, the meatballs and spicy with a savory cinnamon flavor and the ice cream is cardamom flavored with chunks of dates, figs and mangos. The server we had most recently went into great detail about every item we were thinking about getting. He was knowledgeable about both the food and the wine and allowed us to take our time. They serve house made naan which to me looked and tasted like whole wheat. We also tried another dessert which was the Afghan pastries. They were unique in flavor but didn't compare to the ice cream.
(5)Emily G.
The food gets 4 stars but service left much to be desired. I had a vegetarian platter and it was very good. However, we waited at least 15 minutes for the waiter to take our order while waiters traipsed in back of our table to another dining area, carrying tables. Our table was situated such that every waiter passed in back of my chair, often banging into it. At the table, waiters routinely reached across my plate to fill water glasses of my companions, although if they took a few more seconds, could easily have avoided this. To make matters worse their long sleeved "elegant" shirts brushed against my place setting. In addition, the noise level in the restaurant precluded conversation.
(2)Jane A.
Decided to try this place out during restaurant week, although once there it was clear that it made zero sense to order off of their RW menu. It was cheaper to order off the regular menu and you were able to get more interesting foods. Food was really, really good. Service left a bit to be desired but the place was packed so I'm just not sure they were prepared for the rush. I'd be interested in seeing how they do on a normal night and I'd certainly come back for the food alone.
(4)Michael T.
Went here for restaurant week with some friends. We got the 30 Dollar various meat dish and it was very good. The pumpkin cake was good, and the meet was very tender. Overall decent experience.
(4)Eddo C.
delicious! This writeup is more for the memories of this first dining experience here. what we had : zardalu challow- tender lamb chunks with sun dried apricots, fresh tomatoes, garlic, turmeric and fresh chili served with sweet and spicy turnips and challow challow = rice Other dishes we tried = lamb lawand and other challows the desserts are awesome! favorites are jala ice cream, anaar paneer
(5)Abigail R.
I am not sure why I have been avoiding Afghan food. That's silly. A bunch of us headed over after listening to an empowering Wes Moore at the Enoch Pratt Library. We were hungry and basically devoured the bread the moment it hit the table. Thank goodness for the Kaddo Borwani. They pan fry baby pumpkin and sprinkle it with cinnamon and sugar before they put it in the oven and bake until it is perfectly tender. They top this yummy goodness with a garlicky yogurt sauce. We split a gorgeous bottle of Pinot Noir from the Languedoc region. It was a little light bodied for me. It won't be my first choice next time, but it was fruity with a very smooth finish. Everyone at the table was discussing their favorites and the difference between Challow and Pallow. Challow is rice with cinnamon - so sweeter and Pallow is rice with cumin - so a little smokier. There are a tons of options - beef, lamb or chicken for meat choices and even more vegetarian choices - mushrooms, eggplant, peppers, etc. I went with the Gorwan Salad. The salad is baby field greens with cucumbers, tomatoes, and peppers with a creamy red onion dressing. The marinated beef tenderloin wins in this dish; incredibly tender and flavorful. They serve it with grilled corn on the cob and whole red bliss potatoes. All my friends got a little mad that I went with the salad and not one of the rice dishes. It doesn't matter what you order, get a side (or 5) of the "green sauce" - which I am mostly sure is cilantro - my favorite herb.
(4)Ipek S.
Kaddo borwani (pumpkin appetizer), banjan borwani (eggplant with yogurt sauce), aushak (leek filled ravioli with meat sauce) omg was delicious!
(5)WonJu C.
I am very much NOT a fan of this place. Although service is polite and all, the dishes do not live up to its price and they aren't even generous in portion (which is a staple of Afghan hospitality and should in my opinion also be displayed in their cuisin). The kabili palau lack the flavor of spices and the depth of the lamb. Instead, they smother it in sugar hoping that it will be enough to sell. I would rather cook it myself, or even make the drive to the many great(er) Afghan restaurants in VA. Don't let the the sugar cloud your taste buds.
(2)Quin A.
Had dinner with some friends here. Our group was pretty big but they happily accommodated us. I had their dwopiaza and it was very well made. The service, atmosphere and clientele were all good. A good dinner!
(4)Barathi S.
Came here for a girl's night dinner on a Saturday night and the place was packed! Luckily we had a reservation (which I highly recommend you get on a weekend) and we had to wait about 10-15 minutes to be seated. Our waiter was very friendly and attentive, not sure why others had a problem. We started with the famous pumpkin appetizer which was very good and not too heavy or overwhelming. The naan bread basket was yummy but just realize that it is very different than Indian naan bread for those who haven't tried afghani food before. Many in my party had different lamb dishes which were enjoyed by all. I tried the vegetarian platter, which is good for someone who likes to sample various dishes. The mushroom on my platter were really really good, and I think you can order that as its own dish. The dishes were served with rice and spinach. The portions were good and we didn't have any leftovers which tells you that it was delicious! Personally, I think I prefer Indian food flavors to the Afghani food but that is just my personal preference. The atmosphere of the restaurant would be PERFECT for a date. It's really pretty and cozy inside.
(4)Jarrod F.
This is more like a 3.5 star review but I had a good experience tonight so I'm pushing it up to 4 stars. To preface this review.. I've been coming to The Helmand for years, many years. I've had some good meals here during those years and I've had some bad ones too. But no matter what is happening in the world, the Helmand remains an isolated oasis of preservation. Whenever I come into this restaurant it feels like I'm taking a step back in time and in a very good way. There's elegance, there's charm, there's professionalism from the staff. There's ambiance. But most importantly The Helmand puts care into what they do. They've never let the restaurant "change hands" or deteriorate. The food has remained consistently good and so has the clientele. Tonight was the pinnacle of my dining experience at The Helmand. For one thing we had an excellent server whose name I cannot recall (her description: young white woman, dark long hair, glasses). For dinner, we started off with a few different wines, followed by a few staple appetizers including the stewed eggplant, mantwo and pumpkin. My entree tonight was the poached salmon special with a corn sauce. My comrades had the ashuk and one of the many lamb specials. Speaking of lamb, this has always been one of my biggest pet peeves with The Helmand. Sometimes the lamb portions are meek and underwhelming. Tonight they were not. Each dish was substantial. The meals were hot, they came out in unison, and we all loved the cilantro sauce served on the side. The Helmand is a mainstay in Baltimore. IF you're looking for consistency and class you just can't go wrong here. P.S. Even though it's $5 you have to get a large basket of naan bread!
(4)Simon R.
I love the food here. Exquisite Afghan dishes prepared with care. I'd describe these dishes as layered in subtle textures and spices that present to me like a mix of middle-eastern and Indian food. The service has always been attentive. I often come here when I visit Baltimore for business and it's always good. I especially like the chicken dishes.
(5)William C.
I took my wife and mother- and brother-in-law to dinner here last night. Although I've never had Afghan cuisine before, I thought the food was very good and the wines that the waiter suggested to go with our entrees were an excellent match. Warm, cozy atmosphere. Drawbacks: a bit over-priced compared to the same quality of food in San Francisco (we're a bit spoiled in that regard), and the service was just ok. The staff wasn't particularly friendly and we had to get their attention several times to get our orders in. My 4-star rating is pretty much just based on the meal itself. I would go back - for the food.
(4)Lauren K.
I have never before had Afghan food, but I am now sold. The pumpkin appetizer and the kabobs were to die for. I am not typically a pumpkin fan; however this was amazing! The chicken kabob almost had a fish-like texture to it because it was so tender. I will absolutely eat here again!
(5)Jessica S.
This is our favorite Afghan restaurant and our favorite restaurant in Baltimore. It has vegetarian options. We love the veg ashoke, the vegetarian sampler, and the pumpkin appetizer. The bread is the only thing I'm not crazy about. There is occasionally a wait to be seated because it is always busy, but they were even able to squeeze us in at the last minute on Mother's Day. The unique flavors and healthy food makes this a place we will return to every time we are in Baltimore.
(5)Adam J.
Great place for a date. Nice wine list and full bar, plus a nice atmosphere. Location near the art museum makes it perfect for a date late in the day. Get the pumpkin appetizer
(5)jennifer s.
I have been going here for years. The atmosphere is wonderful. The food is healthy and very, very tasty. My favorite is the garlic pumpkin appetizer. I have been trying to kiss up to the cook for that recipe. It is often difficult to get a seat because it is so popular so I would recommend reservations.
(5)Steve K.
Enjoyed this place when I stopped by the other week. The pumpkin appetizer was not the best version I've had (for that try Maiwand Kabob in Columbia), but was still good. I had the Korma Mahi (sea bass), my friend had the Chopendez (beef tenderloin). Chopendez seemed quite a bit tastier, the Korma Mahi was actually pretty bland and ordinary looking. I liked the "challow" (white rice with cilantro) that came with it. Afghan ice cream (with dates and figs) at the end was delicious. Anyway, seemed like a pretty good place and I'd definitely come again.
(4)Caprice D.
great food (everything we got was excellent.), romantic atmosphere (but a bit crowded, which isn't a bad sign), good (but not overly friendly) service, good selection of wine. we waited for our table at the bar and chatted with a very cool bartender. MAKE RESERVATIONS well in advance. this place is popular!
(4)Brian A.
So after much anticipation and waiting for almost a year for the stars to align and create the auspicious circumstances I finally arrived at the Helmand. Let me say it was worth the wait and it definitely will not take that long to get me back. I have had AFghani food before but not made with the care, attention and quality ingredients. This is one of those restaurants I will go down the menu and try everything on it. The only disappointment was the custard dessert, not bad just nothing special. I would opt for something else next time. I would however repeat the pumpkin appetizer and select another one. I have never had anything like it, descriptions will not do it justice. My lamb tenderloin entree was excellent cooked with onions and yellow split peas and accompanied by cinnamon rice, wow! The mushrooms were so-so. Next time I will ask to substitute the potato side dish my buddy had which looked much better. It didn't last long enough on his plate for me to get a sample. If your in Baltimore, I would not let myself get out of town without a stop here! Oh and call ahead and make a reservation.
(4)Caroline C.
Who knew that Baltimore was home to a fabulous authentic Afghani restaurant. I went mid-week and the place was packed. Just by seeing the patrons faces, I knew that this place would live up to its reputation. The Helmand is owned by Hamid Kharzai, brother of Qayum Karzai, the president of Afghanistan. I'd like to be at one of their family get togethers....Their kaddo borawni, baked pumpkin with a garlic yogurt sauce was sweet and hearty. It could've even been enjoyed as a dessert itself. The aushak, Afghan ravioli with leeks and yogurt mint and ground beef sauce was to die for. I should've gotten that as my entree. Instead, I had a marinated beef tenderloin dish with the rice and veggies. Good dish as well. This is a great place for meat lovers and vegetarians alike. If you like the almagamation of full flavored spices, then this is the place for you.
(4)Katie M.
This is where I take my parents when they come into town, or go for birthday dinners with friends, or just go when I want something other than my usual preferred burrito fare. I love the Helmand. I've never tried Afghan food anywhere else, and I'm sort of afraid to because I'm afraid it won't be as good. The dining room is nice- candles, table cloths, cloth napkins, etc, and I only point this out because for the prices, you wouldn't expect it to be so nice. It is really really cheap. The pumpkin appetizer is one of my favorite things in the world- sauteed baby pumpkin in butter and sugar served with the most amazing warm flatbread that you will be fiending for the next day. For an entree I really like the Mantwo, which is pastry shells with onion and beef with a good beef and yogurt and carrot sauce? I'm not really positive, I do know its full of spices and delicious. They are also extremely vegetarian friendly, with an entire page of reformed entrees and special veg only entrees. I really appreciate that because I know its one place I can go with all my friends and not have to worry that someone can't eat something. Another thing, they're very accomodating to large groups (I went with 15 people once) as long as you give them a heads up beforehand.
(5)H and I L.
We were visiting Baltimore for the Labor Day weekend and were looking for a good local restaurant for dinner. Helmand's looked to fit the need with it's long history in Baltimore and promising reviews. The interior is nicely decorated with white table cloths and candles on the tables. The service was quick and very professional. Although the restaurant is upscale in decor, we did not feel too out-of-place in tourist garb. On to the food - we ordered Kaddo Borawni (pumpkin with yogurt sauce) and a large basket of bread for appetizers. The sweet pumpkin was delicious with the contrasting tart yogurt sauce; however, the pumpkin was minimally dressed and we ended up with half an appetizer of candied pumpkin. The bread was hot and tasty with the large basket lasting the two of us through the meal. For dinner we ordered the Mourgh Challow (chicken with split peas) and Lamb Lewand, two thick tomato-based stews served with rice. The meats were tender, but the gravies lacked depth in spicing and were heavily, though not overly, salted. Prices were not bad at $4-5 for appetizers and $12-15 for the entrees we ate. Overall, good quality food and service, but we prefer heavier spicing. Note: we were able to find street parking nearby after refusing to pay $11 to park in the adjacent lot.
(3)JO' G.
This was my favorite, favorite, favorite restaurant during college, and -- 8 years later -- it still is. The atmosphere is warm and friendly, and the food is always delicious and well-priced. I've brought numerous out-of-town guests here, and they've always thanked me for the experience. Thank goodness for the Helmand!
(5)Matt W.
The Helmand made me very happy the night I ate there. I went in with very little expectations and left a happy Matt. Love the prices, the bread, the squash, the seasonings and that other thing I had that I loved. I will be back again and again to the Helmand.
(5)Jeb S.
This was a lovely restaurant in a beautiful part of town with excellent and unique food. The pumpkin appetizer was divine and surprising, and the bread was unusual and tasty. The sabzy challow was the highlight of the evening. All in all, this is a restaurant Baltimore should be proud of! (The prices were a very good deal as well.)
(4)Erin M.
This is one of my favorite places in Baltimore. The food is delicious, the service is awesome, and they have a pretty good wine selection, for being so small. Vegetarians and meat eaters will both be satisfied with their choices here.
(5)Alex K.
This is my favorite restaurant in Baltimore. I've been coming here for many years and have never been disappointed. The food is awesome. Plus the prices are very reasonable. Look forward to eating here many times in the future.
(5)Lee D.
The Helmand(I don't why it's not listed as such) owned by Afghan prez Karzai's brother - I came because there's also one in SF. Food is very good, although it's good to go with someone who's got experience with the cuisine. Small, as almost all restaurants in this city are, but classically soothing. If you're looking for good ethnic food in a great setting, thi is your place.
(4)Hannah D.
I was very happy with this meal except for a few reasons. But the good first. I'm Persian, so I steered away from the majority of the entrees, since they were all fairly identical to what I've eaten all my life. My brother got the Dwopiaza though, and he said the flavours were all on point, so I'm sure you're good to go getting any of the standard meat and rice dishes. I ordered the Mantwo and my husband ordered the Aushak. I had a bite of his, and liked it. Mine? I ABSOLUTELY LOVED! Everything about the flavours of the dish were fine-tuned to what I like - sour, savory, salty, YUMMY. The accompanying green sauce (lemon juice/vinegar & herbs) was my absolute FAVORITE. Poured that over EVERYTHING! In addition to our meals, we ordered the Kaddo Borwani (the pumpkin appetizer that's so highly recommended on Yelp) along with a large serving of the bread. I was extremely disappointed to find that the bread was not Indian-style naan, but barbary bread (a persian flatbread). I had a huge bag of it at home! The Helmand should have brought that bread to the table for free, instead of people ordering it, especially considering it wasn't topped with anything special. As for the Kaddo Borwani, it was pretty tasty, but I would not order it again due to how simple of a dish it was. I'm glad for ordering it the once so I could taste the pumpkin and garlic yogurt together. Will definitely be making it at home someday.
(5)TK L.
The neighborhood around Peabody always has surprisingly good cuisines. I had never tried Afgani food before, and I cannot believe I haven't been eating more of it. My friends and I went on a Wednesday evening for late dinner around 7. The place was pretty full and we didn't have a reservation, but we were able to be seated right away. FOOD: *Kaddo Borwani: at the waiter's recommendation, we ordered this plate of pan-fried and baked pumpkin seasoned with sugar and yogurt garlic sauce, and it was the best choice we made. The pumpkin was cooked just soft enough, and the tangy taste of the yogurt blended wonderfully with the sugar and garlic inside my mouth *Lamb Lawand: it was on the specials menu, and was once again ordered at the waiter's recommendation when we asked which were the most popular lamb dishes. The bowl was filled with juicy, whole mushrooms and tender chunks of lamb soaked in spice. I definitely recommend it. *My friends also ordered the Kabuli Pallow and another off of the specials menu. I just suggest ordering any lamb dishes, we were extremely satisfied with ours. SERVICE: *We were seated quickly, and our waiters were extremely friendly. One was more than happy to suggest their best dishes to us (which we were all happy with) and was helpful in picking the wine to go with the food. AMBEINCE: *More classy than casual. Slightly dim with the white table cloths and candles and all, but the atmosphere was still cozy and attire relatively casual. It was perfect for a nice dinner to catch up with friends.
(4)Eriksson H.
Had dinner there for the first time after friends highly recommended it. The Helmand did not disappoint. In a word....it was FANTASTIC! Top notch service in a warm, inviting atmosphere. TheY have a full bar and an approachable wine list. The best thing about the Helmand though is: GREAT FOOD! Probably the best rack of lamb I have ever had in a restaurant......period. I highly recommend the Helmand and will be frequenting this place again soon.
(5)Monique C.
We had dinner Saturday night amazing food if you are a lamb lover! Veg and seafood platter also ok. Dessert so so.be ready to spend a good chunk of time there!
(4)Pat M.
My first experience with Afghani cuisine! Everything that my dining partner and I had was very tasty, with the two of us splitting a pair of appetizers and naan, her having soup and a vegetarian dish (they had a comprehensive selection of vegetarian options), and me opting for a chicken dish. I was sorry to have left a good bit of my food uneaten, but I didn't come hungry enough, and I was distracted by my company! We each also had a glass of wine from their decent selection, though most of the options were available as a whole bottle only, and not by the glass. I was tempted to drop the rating to a 4 because the service was a bit slow and uneven, but the food and overall experience convinced me to be lenient!
(5)Tom D.
This restaurant is gem. Impeccable service...interesting combinations of Middle Eastern flavors with western ingredients. The naan is made fresh for each table using a special oven. Many vegetarian dishes. Try one of their special platters. Dont miss the Turkish coffee served with a hint of Cardamom
(5)Kaylee H.
Over the years, i have taken a lot of friends to the Helmand. But I only bring a very specific type of friend. They are the ones that are slightly adventurous eaters, but not too adventurous. The food at the Helmand is essentially a sweeter version of what you would find at one of the many indian places all up and down the street. I have had several of their lamb dishes, and they have all been essentially identical so indian food. So if you have a friend that is willing to try indian food, but wouldn't be willing to try turkish food, then the Helmand is a good bet. They will feel adventurous, and you will feel like a good host. In other news, their decor is pretty awesome if you get seated in the main room.
(3)Elizabeth W.
Lucky find! We were just walking past in the afternoon when the manager came out so we booked a table for early evening and filled in the waiting time at the nearby Walters Art Museum. The restaurant was filling up fast when we returned. A very pleasant meal in all respects - food, flavours, wine and service.
(4)Yvette C.
I chose this restaurant during restaurant week. My friend is a vegetarian and he was more than pleased with the service, the food and the ambience! It was my first time having Afghani food and I loved it too. ALL of the staff made our first visit an excellent one. Wonderful end to a work day!!
(4)Rachel K.
The helmand is the sort of place you can ask for recommendation from the wait staff without getting a blank stare. They know their stuff and they all have a favorite dish to recommend. I never remember what I ordered previously because everything looks so good that I just order the special or blindly choose something from the menu. Everything I've tried was better than the last. As a non-vegetarian, I highly recommend their vegetarian dishes. They're so flavorful and packed with delicious vegetables I can't even identify. They make a mean gin and tonic too ;)
(5)Laura K.
I looked forward to our Saturday "date night" dinner at The Helmand and the food did not disappoint. This Baltimore institution serves delicious Afghan food, delicately and intricately spiced, at reasonable prices. But our visit was marred by two service -related failures: throughout our meal, we were rushed by the staff for no apparent reason and after our visit we were informed by OpenTable (through which we had made our reservation) that the restaurant reported us as having not dined with them in accordance with our reservation. We arrived for our 7 pm reservation about 20-30 minutes early because the event we had attended ended earlier than I had anticipated when I made the reservation. The host indicated that it was no problem to seat us early - the restaurant was about 30-40% full when we arrived, and never asked our name. We ordered an appetizer and while it was nice that the appetizer was served promptly, our plates were whisked away literally the moment we took the last bite. This happened repeatedly throughout the meal, including clearing my plate while my husband was still eating. We ordered bread (which is not served gratis) and yet it was pulled off the table while my husband was finishing his meal. When we left, we gently noted the problem with service to the host - he apologized but made no effort to engage us in conversation about our experience or to encourage us to return. The report to OpenTable (relayed to us later that night by email) that we had not honored our reservation was not a good way to complete our visit. Needless to say, we set OpenTable straight.
(2)Greg S.
The Helmand had been mentioned by seemingly everyone I knew who had spent time in Baltimore, yet still managed to exceed my expectations. Finally got a chance to go this past Saturday. Amazing Afghani food and a very pleasant atmosphere that I would highly recommend whether or not you're familiar with the style of cuisine. I'll start by saying that my girlfriend and I were running 30 minutes late for a Saturday night reservation, and I would have been understanding if that didn't fly. Yet they seated us without a single complaint. Our waiter was over shortly and provided some excellent advice on the menu; we ended up ordering the kaddo borawni, aushak, and a dish of lamb, tomato, and apricots for which I'm blanking on the name. All three dishes were exceptional. The pumpkin appetizer would have been overly sweet on its own but was perfectly balanced by the tangy/sour yogurt sauce. The lamb and apricot dish was well-spiced and had a latent heat that snuck up on us--I wouldn't call it overtly hot, but it definitely added to the flavor profile. The aushak was the highlight, however. The leek in each dumpling/ravioli had the taste and texture that (from extensive personal experience) is very easy to get wrong. The sauce is a mixture of ground beef, sour yogurt, and mint that had the most amazing fragrance. I'm normally not a fan of huge amounts of mint, as it's all I tend to taste, but I would be perfectly content to just eat this sauce by the bowlful. That good. If I had one complaint, it would be that the service felt slightly rushed. The appetizer was out about three minutes after ordering and the entrees shortly thereafter. It was 9:30 pm, so it's really a minor quibble given the overall experience. I imagine I'll be returning frequently.
(5)Yimei W.
First thing: you're going to ask "what is challow???" as you scour the menu. It's in every dish, but what is it? Challow = rice :) The mantwo appetizer was amazing and could've been a meal in itself. If they could just serve up an entree with 5-8 mantwos I think I'd be set. It was too bad they only gave us one for $5. Maiwand Kabob actually has a pretty decent mantwo, and you can get 3 for about $5. Helmand's mantwo is pretty delicious and distinct from Maiwands, but for the price difference...I might just go Maiwand. Chicken Lawand: it's like a stew of tomatos, mushrooms, and onions. Comes with a plate of rice and a side of spinach! Sabzy Challow-reallly good, clean-tasting spinach with rice. The beef was ok, tender enough but not as seasoned and kind of plain. Maybe that's just how it is though. As a dish, it really made me feel like it had a home-cooked, low-key kind of charm and flavor. Maybe it was so good, my rice ran out after a bit and I was sad that I couldn't get rice refills. I know, it sounds ridiculous. But for the price we're paying ($14-15 at LEAST for each entree) it would've been nice if we could get rice refills like at Chinese restaurants hehe.
(4)Bea R.
Am so glad a friend recommended this place! The baked pumpkin in yogurt garlic sauce was delicious! The tender lamb cooked w turmeric and dried apricots were too tasty not to finish it all and now I am so full I might be sick...but I need to have the cardamom ice cream. And the Turkish coffee since they make that right by our table! Food coma is imminent
(4)Vera L.
honestly the service sucked. The waiter stopped by maybe 3-5 minutes after we sat down and we hadn't even had time to look at the menu. However, after that it took at least 15-20 minutes for him to come back. Our waters were never refilled. The kaboka (pumpkin) appetizer was really nice, but I think I could probably make the yoghurt sauce myself at home as it tasted like slightly sweetened yoghurt mixed with cream and then garlic powder. The pumpkin just seemed like it was slow roasted. I got the Lamb Schewand because I honestly love lamb. Given the ratings on this place and the reviews that my friends gave, I was expecting something to blow me away, but my "lamb stew" was just slightly more than lukewarm, and not that flavorful. I get that it's not supposed to be Indian, but my dish tasted pretty bland. In addition, there was no taste difference between my rice and my friend's rice even though his was a bright orange and mine was just plain white with some "herbs". It's not to say that it's bad, but I don't think it's worth the price. There are other restaurants in Baltimore that have blown me away and aren't even as expensive in regards to their signature dishes. Not to mention...that terrible service!
(3)Sara A.
Friends of ours invited us out to dinner at The Helmand, I was excited as I'd never tried Afghan food before but also nervous as being a vegetarian with food allergies some times dining out can be difficult. Not only was the a completely separate vegetarian menu but our server was very knowledgeable about which dishes had even trace amounts of mushroom in them so that I could enjoy my dinner without worrying. They also have some amazing house cocktails!
(5)Helen C.
After hearing raving reviews about this place from several different friends, I finally had dinner here. My cousin and I both ordered the lamb lawand and for dessert, we got the pumpkin cheesecake and the feereny. The lamb dish was kind of like a stew, and was extremely tender and cooked in various Afghan spices. There were lots of mushrooms in the dish and then it was all topped with yogurt and sour cream. I also really liked the biryani rice and spinach on the side. Both desserts were divine! The pumpkin cheesecake was much lighter/fluffier than most American cheesecakes and had cardamom. The feereny is a type of pudding which also has cardamom, and it was topped with a bunch of fruit. I am definitely coming back here!
(5)Jayanta M.
First of all thumbs up for their service and accommodating us where we were roaming the street of North Charles, heartbroken from denied any seating at Kumari ( yelp.com/biz/kumari-rest… ). The service at Helmand was wonderful and the food started coming as soon as we put in the orders. It was cold outside (Christmas time) and we were in the mood for some spicy (curry-spicy not hot-spicy) food, and Helmand sure didn't disappoint us. (1) The Mantwo was a bliss with a perfect combination of spice and yogurt, crispy pastry and the yummy fillings. It reminded me of Indian street food rockstars like Papdi Chat and Samosa chat. (2) "Born-again Laghatak" was a royal version of Indian "Banjan Bharta". Again the balance of spice and yogurt, sweet and sour, with cilantro toppings was splendid. (3) For the entree we had ordered Koufta Challow, where the meatball was spicy, well-balanced, and well-cooked and the rice was flavored to perfection. (4) For dessert we had Firni. Even though there was nothing wrong with it, we didn't like the proportion of pudding and fruit to it. We felt we had too much fresh fruit compared to the rice pudding. Overall, the food was a bit oily, but we didn't mind that considering the taste of the food and the overall dining experience. If I am in Baltimore, and craving for Indian/Mediterranean/Afgan kind of food I will definitely go there again. Time of visit: 9:30pm on weekend Price: Moderate to Slightly high Portion Size: Moderate Decor: Nice, clean, romantically lit (basically dim white light), spacious, little-to-moderately noisy Food profile: Traditional Mediterranean/indian/Afgan spices Service: Very Friendly Food wait time: 10 minutes Food quality: Very good, but a bit oily to my preference
(4)Ryan B.
I went to the Helmand with a large group since we'd heard good things, and I ended up having a great time. I was a little unsure of what to order because I didn't know how to pronounce anything on the menu or even what it was. Nevertheless, I played it safe with a lamb kebab and had a very tasty meal. My lamb wasn't too spicy, as I was worried it might be, but it was still flavorful and full of punch. I also had an appetizer of what can be described as a beef dumpling or beef chicken pot pie which was very good as well. Our server dealt with our large party very easily and was very prompt and friendly. The atmosphere was quiet and relaxing--great for table conversation because I didn't have to yell over blaring music. The place was full of people and it was only a Tuesday night. I think I'd like to come back soon and try one of the more adventurous dishes.
(4)Mo A.
The Helmand is an upscale Afghan restaurant located in the Mount Vernon section of Baltimore. There is limited street parking as well as pay for park lots in close proximity. The décor reads as classy/upscale and has a rustic quality found in a lot of Italian restaurants. Interestingly, there aren't a lot of elements of Afghan culture on display, which in theory would add to the décor. I ordered a Roy Rogers beverage and the Lamb Pallow entree. So, a Roy Rogers is basically a cherry cola where you add grenadine and maraschino cherries. Unfortunately, I received a Shirley Temple drink, which basically uses Ginger Ale, Sprite or 7-Up as the base instead of cola. Booooooo! *Note: Before anyone feels the need to inform me of my childish drink choices, I'm already aware, THANK YOU! :p The Lamb Pallow is advertised as the most authentic dish on the menu. Also found in Indian and Pakistani cuisine, the dish consists of Afghan style rice baked with chunks of lamb tenderloin, raisins and glazed julienne of carrots. The dish comes in a pretty hefty portion size, particularly the rice, carrots and raisins. The lamb comes in 3 moderately sized chunks. I wouldn't say that the restaurant was a little stingy with the lamb but another piece of lamb would be nice, especially considering the price. The dish was a little low on seasoning but the carrots and raisins add some nice sweetness. The dish can be a little dry but the restaurant has a variety of sauces that you can request on the side. Just be sure to ask your server. My one complaint is the food is overpriced. My entrée, while good, was $16.50. I could go elsewhere and get a lot more lamb in my dish. Overall, the Helmand is a decent choice for South Asian cuisine. Unlike Indian/Pakistani food, Afghan food is a little more restrained in terms of seasoning, which the Helmand is definitely reflective of. Worth a shot if you're feeling adventurous!
(3)Aurora A.
Never disappointed. Delicious, savory, fragrant, romantic. We went to the Helmand to have a romantic pre-valentine's day meal...we weren't disappointed. We started with Kaddo Borawni-baked then pan-fried pumpkin, sweetened with sugar and drizzled with yogurt sauce. De-LICIOUS. flavorful. savory. sweet. so amazingly good. Then we moved on to entrees. I got a traditional lamb meatball dish...can't remember the name (maybe it was kofta challow). 2 large meatballs in a tomato sauce is overtly simplistic description. These balls were meaty flavorful and tender in a way that beef can never pull off. And the sauce had something interesting about it...cinnamon maybe? I don't know but it was tasty, not acidic, little bit sweet...delicious. We had "special" ice cream. Cardamon ice-cream encrusted with mango, dates and dried figs. chewy pieces of flavorful fruit, spicy cold sweet ice cream. not over the top, perfect with coffee. Outside of the meal, the service was not exactly awesome. Our waiter took a while to great us after being seated, then didn't come back to ask if we wanted more wine (which we did), and we almost cancelled our ice cream b/c I'm pretty sure he was in the back rolling silverware. In the end, the food is too good not to go back no matter what the service is like.
(5)Clare C.
Went here for Restaurant Week and had a wide selection at our table of 4. A great place for a date or with friends/family. We made a reservation online ahead of time and didn't have to wait at all for our talbe. Of the various appetizers we tried, the pumpkin Kaddo Borwani was as delicious as everyone said it was. I got the vegetarian option (changing the Mantwo to beef) and it was all delicious - a wide variety of amazing flavors in beautiful presentation. The others at the table all got mixed meat entrees, and the chicken and lamb pieces were particularly flavorful and tender. We tried four different desserts - ice cream, paneer cheese, pudding, and pastries, and the ice cream was definitely the best. The cheese had minimal flavor, and the pudding while not unappetizing didn't exactly thrill us. We split a bottle of Riesling that was a bit overpriced but complimented the meal well. I would definitely go back in the future.
(4)Hemat R.
Pros: Location and atmosphere. Cons: the service is really bad. No one checked on us the entire night. on top of that when the waiter saw my unsatisfied face, asks "are you alright?" With a rude face. Food was good, but the servings were small; maybe it's my appetite. In conclusion, it crushed my high expectations.
(2)Chryssandra B.
I had heard for years how amazing The Helmand is and it did not disappoint! The whole system in place for waiting for your table is flawed- there is no place to stand except outside, and if it's raining then everyone has to cram into the small aisle between tables inside. Because it's so busy, the service is often a little slow, we had to ask for our waters to be refilled a few times. The food makes up for it though. Everything we ate was better then the last! This place definitely lives up to the hype.
(5)Sarah J.
A restaurant that has good quality food that comes out FAST and pleasant ambiance. The quantity is a bit on the smaller side, so an appetizer may be necessary. Without reservations on a weekend night, you WILL need to wait at least 40 minutes! You have been warned. The reason I'm only giving it a 4 is because it did NOT accommodate large groups as well as other places. I came with a group of +30 people and here were some negatives: - Everyone had to pay in cash (many of us had to go to the ATM across the street). - If you eat ANY dessert that you bring in (cake, cupcakes), even if for a birthday, they will charge $1/2 PER PERSON. Even if they don't give you any plates/utensils they will charge! - They gave us one check for the whole group, making it take a very long time to pay in the end. Thus, I recommend this place for small groups/dates. Not so much for larger groups.
(4)Laura O.
My boyfriend and I went to the Helmand last night. It was out second time to the restaurant and we have loved the food both times. We got the mantwo appetizer and it was amazing. I got the sabzy challow. The beef was so tender and treated great. My boyfriend got the koufta and the sauce was so flavorful and yummy.
(5)John C.
Nice atmosphere and good food. I enjoyed a nice Chicken Kabob, and a great bottle of wine. Not too expensive, and a very classy and subdued atmosphere. I would go back again if I were in Balimore
(4)Niran A.
The menu is a bit small, but there are typically nightly/weekly specialties to supplement the usual menu. I would advise you start with several small plates for the table. They are all somewhat small and only $5 or less, so go wild! The aushak is ravioli filled with leeks and then topped with ground beef, yogurt sauce and dried mint. This isn't the typical yogurt sauce you get in a cheap Greek restaurant; it's rich but with a velvety texture and doesn't have that sour after taste. The meat sauce, while so basic, has such a depth of flavor from cumin and other traditional Mediterranean spices. Another delicious appetizer is the signature roasted baby pumpkin (kaddo borwani) topped with more of their yogurt sauce with a bit of garlic. The slightly sweet pumpkin essentially melts in your mouth, with the garlic yogurt sauce to contrast the sweetness. As good as the roasted pumpkin is, perhaps the simplest appetizer might also be the best - the banjan borwani. The banjan borwani is pan fried eggplant, then baked with fresh tomatoes and topped with the yogurt sauce. The result is a perfectly roasted soft eggplant that has a slight smoky flavor. To find eggplant this good you would have to go to the Mediterranean. The yogurt sauce is clearly a running theme in all appetizers, but trust me, it doesn't get repetitive as it truly compliments each dish. The best way to describe the various entrees in the menu is to think of Indian dishes, prepared using more Mediterranean spices. For example, the sabzy challow has sautéed spinach which is then stewed together with tomatoes, chilies and chunks of beef. The spinach wasn't very pronounced but worked well with the viscous spicy stewing liquid and fall apart pieces of beef. Add the signature cilantro sauce and it cools the dish just enough to create a perfect harmony with all the bold flavors. The kabuli pallow is the Afghan rendering of a pilaf, but much better. The long grain rice is seasoned with cumin seed and cardamom, and then cooked with tender chunks of lamb and dried fruit. The dish comes out a bit too sweet for me, but if you add the cilantro sauce, it makes this dish another star. That evening we also sampled the seekh (beef tenderloin) and chicken kabob, which are some of the less intricate entrees, but still delicious. The chicken kabob sounds like the most boring thing on the menu, but it was unbelievably good. The kabob has large chunks of white meat fresh chicken lightly seasoned and then grilled. The chef cooks the chicken perfectly, until juicy and tender. The seekh kabob is pieces of beef tenderloin also lightly seasoned and grilled to a charry perfection - not as good as the chicken, but still very good.
(4)Katharine T.
I'm a big fan of Helmand. They have great food, and friendly, quick service. The only downside, and it's a small one, is I wish there was a family style section of their menu. Our party ordered one of essentially everything on the menu. It was all delicious. I've been back once or twice, it's kind of a hike for me... but I'm always happy leaving here.
(4)Ebele A.
Great service and the food was quite tasty. I would definitely recommend checking out The Helmand
(4)Shelly V.
We were visiting Baltimore from out of town and were so glad we found this place through Yelp. Made a reservation easily through Opentable. When we showed up there was a delay getting seated, but the experience we had thereafter made up for it greatly. Our waitress was nice and easy to talk to about recommendations for our tastes. We had the kaddo borwani with an order of naan to start - I was wary about the flavor combination of pumpkin with yogurt/garlic, but it was divine - a perfect mixture of savory/sweet. As soon as we tried our entrees (I ordered the special salad with marinated steak, and my fiance had the lamb seekh kabob), we were both blown away by the quality, flavor, and tenderness of the meat. We both felt hands down this was the best Middle Eastern food we have ever had. We had no choice but to try dessert, and got a scoop of the special ice cream, which was vanilla with cardamom, dates and figs. We loved it except for the big chunks of date/fig which we just ate around. Amazing food for a seriously good price. Would recommend this place to anyone in the area without question.
(5)Kasumi L.
Incredible. Make sure to get the Kaddo Borawni (pumpkin appetizer with garlic sauce)! I also had the Mourgh Challow (Chicken with yellow split peas and tomatoes) and it was so tender and DELICIOUS!!!!! The boyfriend got the vegetarian platter and it also looked amazing. We also appreciated how nice the decor is. They always have fresh flowers and a candle on the table. Very romantic! Perfect date night place.
(5)Julio D.
Our daughter who lives in Baltimore took us here a couple of nights ago. This was our first experience with Afghan cuisine, and I have to say it will not be the last. Both the food and service were amazing. Our server, David (or Alfredo), explained all the dishes throughly. My wife, who is Vegan had plently of appetizers and dishes to choose from, all delicious. The place has a small but well-chosen selection of wines all reasonable priced. A must place to eat when in Baltimore.
(5)Somy T.
Our food was wonderful. I was wary of the pumpkin appetizer but ordered it because of the rave reviews on here - it was delicious. I would definitely go back again, and recommend it to others. Making a reservation is a must. We went on a Friday night at 830 and had to wait a bit for an open table despite our reservation - it was packed.
(4)Joyce Y.
I usually don't write reviews but I feel compelled to leave one this time around because I was so pleasantly surprised. The food is incredible here, and very affordable. I got one of the lamb dishes (not sure which one) that was tremendously generous (came with rice, spinach, cilantro sauce, and a big big bowl of a lamb and mushroom stew) which cost only $17 (for LAMB!) The baked pumpkin was also totally out of this world. It was sweet, but don't let that throw you off - it was insanely good. I'd be a regular if I lived in Baltimore.
(5)Thoibi H.
Absolutely love the Helmand. Food is great, service is prompt, ambience is nice. You can't go wrong with the Helmand! Order their Pumpkin appetizer for sure and their desserts are excellent too.
(4)Mike N.
Underwhelmed by the atmosphere but the food was great. It all started with the missing glass of wine. Once the kind Waiter finally brought the wine over we discovered lipstick on the wine glass. We got our food and enjoyed it tremendously. I can't say that enough... The food was wonderful. And someone ordered coffee and the waiter had to boil the water how about 18 inches from our table on a propane burner. I asked him if he could do it on the adjacent table due to the heat of the flame radiating on to us but he said it was too risky and didn't want to burn the painting down that was on the wall. He wasn't so concerned about burning patrons though. My advice is to not get the table by the side door, check your Wine glass, and enjoy the food.
(2)Krissy R.
YUM! This was my first experience eating Afghan food & I am so glad I came here for it. I had the koufta challow which was a saucy meatball dish served with rice. The seasoning/flavors were on point. We also shared the naan bread and Middle Eastern pastries. Everything great. They serve the naan with butter, and bread & butter is one of my favorite things on this planet. So simple but so good. The prices were very reasonable as well and this restaurant is located in the adorable Mount Vernon area. The service was also very speedy and attentive. I will definitely be returning to the Helmand in the future!
(5)Brian H.
The food: exceptional. The wine list: reasonable. The service: fantastic. The portions: leaving a little something to be desired. Went with a party of four; as usual, the pumpkin appetizer was delicious, but the ravioli dish was too small to split and not particularly tasty. The wine here is drastically cheaper - but of the same caliber - as other upscale restaurants. The bottles are quite affordable. As for entrees, everyone we ordered was great, with the lamb kabob being the standout dish in my opinion. Although it didn't look like much on the plate it was enough to make me contemplate being responsible for the death of baby sheep more often. Also, beware the double espresso - it is delicious but comes out as a full cup o' supercharged joe!
(4)Lauren G.
I went with my boyfriend to Helmand on a Friday evening. It wasn't crowded at all, which made for impeccable services. We had the Kaddo Borwani as an appetizer. The sweet balanced with a tangy yogurt sauce made for the perfect start to our meal. My boyfriend had the Koufta Challow; he felt that it was amazing. TWe both enjoyed the cilantro sauce mixed in with the rice. I had chicken lawand and substituted the Challow rice for the pallow rice. The rice has just a subtle hint of cinnamon flavors. All of it was delicious and we hope to return soon.
(5)C J.
I took a friend here on a glowing recommendation from my co-worker and was really disappointed. The take-out like food didn't match the ambiance of the restaurant. The "naan" went hard when cold and tasted store bought. I ordered the vegetarian platter, and while the spinach side was good, the mushrooms were obviously canned. The other vegetables in my and my friend's dishes tasted canned as well, (tomatoes, green beans, corn). Service was good, although it wasn't very busy.
(2)Sue H.
Our dinners were delicious - love the flavor combinations. Excellent service and great value.
(4)Ben S.
I've been to Helmand several times and I really enjoy both the food and the ambiance. The latest visit was when my partner and I were in Baltimore for 1 night, and decided to combine dinner here with a show at An Die Musik. Everything we had was really good. And the ambiance is definitely on the upscale side, without being overbearing or pricing us out. We had an order of naan, the pumpkin appetizer as well as the borwani for appetizers. We had the vegetarian platter and a lamb which was braised or stewed with dried fruit and came with a side of pumpkin. Everything was delicious, though portions were a little small. The servers were attentive, knowledgeable and friendly without being overbearing. If anything the only complaint would be that the food was served so quickly, and we eat so fast, that the meal was over in much less time than we'd anticipated leaving us with time to kill before catching a jazz show, but we were too full for dessert. I slightly prefer Afghan Restaurant in Alexandria a little bit more because it is a better value for the money, but they are really much different experiences and they are both excellent.
(4)Nicole E.
I hadn't been back here in several years. I had remembered it being so delicious and different, so we decided to go on a Friday night before Centerstage. The food was not nearly as good as I remembered from a few years ago. Everything was just okay. The place was packed (the person next to me had to stand to let us out of our table, and the waiter kept spilling wine when he was pouring it because he couldn't get close enough to the table) and we felt like we were being rushed out of there the whole time. I think it will be a few more years until we return.
(3)Monika A.
It was small, crowded, heater was on over-drive, and it was LOUD. There is no host station so we walk in and hope to get greeted.
(3)Lucas D.
This is what every restaurant should be. I went with two friends on a pretty busy night (weekend plus there was a street festival about 1 block down) and, although we had reservations, we were seated almost immediately. I started with an order of naan and it was baked perfectly - arriving slightly fluffy and warm. The little individual sachet of butter with it left something to be desired but it was still good. It was a perfect size to share with 1-2 other people. They have a huuuuuge (for the area and Baltimore altogether ) vegetarian menu. I ordered their sampler and it was fantastic. It was a large plate with samplings of probably 8 or so dishes. One of my friends ordered a lamb dish and said it was great too. Tables are very close to one another and it was a little loud for my tastes but overall it's a great restaurant. Prices are also very fair for the area, food quality, and food quantity. I'll definitely be back. This is probably my new favorite place in Mt. Vernon!
(5)Michelle M.
I went here with my husband and parents for a graduation dinner. The food was good especially the boodle soup, Vegetarian Aushak, and mantwo. However, the service was lacking and did not match the quality of the food. Upon arriving it took several minutes for anyone to check us in. We also had trouble getting our waters refilled throughout the night. I do not blame the server as he was working hard. Really there needs to be more staff so guests are received upon arrival and don't have to chase servers down to get water.
(3)Swatee G.
Fine Afghan Cuisine - When my friend mentioned this place, all I could think of in my mind was street side kabobs, similar to what Friends Kabob in McLean serves. Just proves how wrong I was! The place is pretty big, with ample seating and a very rustic, yest inviting decor. Service was pretty ok - no complaints there. We started with the veggie Aush , which was like a flavorful broth with chunks of veggies in it, with Noodles too. Loved it We also had te veggie Mantwo, which was my absolute favorite dish here. The lentils were cooked the perfection, the pastry was flaky and crisp, the sauce was yummy. Awesome! The Mushroom lawand was just ok, not my fav. The mushroom flavor was too overpowering for me. The Vegetarian Aushak was again excellent, with great flavors, the int sauce was the real deal and the pallow was super yummy. I would happily come back here, if only it wasn't all the way in Baltimore, sigh!
(5)Jimmy S.
I have visited Helmand several time and each time the food was on point. I always get the beef kabob for entree and the soup as an appetizer. You must try the ice cream and don't forget to ask for extra topping.
(5)Audrey V.
We had a reservation here on Saturday night at 7:15. We were there on time for the reservation and had to wait 45 minutes to be seated.....inexcusable. Whats the point of making a reservation if you still have to wait forever? After we were finally seated, we had a lovely meal. They definitely do rush you through things, I was interrupted by a server at least twice so they could ask me if I was finished with my plate (which still had plenty of food on it each time) and other people at my table experienced the same thing. The food WAS delicious! Flavorful and the portion sizes were great. I totally recommend this spot for the delicious, unique food, but the service is extremely lackluster!
(3)Molly P.
Incredible. I don't know afghan food that well, but I know food, and I ate every crumb and bite on the table. Not a huge fan of pumpkin, but the appetizer was so delicious I almost ordered a second. Service was very attentive, and we took our server's recommendation and ordered the vegetarian sampler plate. We didn't have reservations for Saturday night, but it was only about 6:30 and we were able to get in. I'd go out of my way to eat here again. That good.
(5)Kushak S.
Good ambiance and location. However, Can only give 2 stars for the food. The appetizers were decent (tried the banjan and the aushak) but the main course was severely Lacking in flavour and consistency, especially the lamb.(dwopiaza) p.s - the desserts are not at all authentic , better to have a baklava from the grocery store!
(3)Sara K.
This place was the first restaurant that i went to when i frist arrived in Baltimore for a business trip. I loved the take out (even though i ended up losing my credit card that night). I spoke to the waiter on the phone for a good 10 minutes asking him what i should get. I ended up going with the pumpkin appetizer (DELICIOUSLY SURPRISING), the chicken plate and naan. Now, i'm just a little biased because i'm Indian so i love garlic naan but all this food was filling, healthy and inexpensive. I'll go dine in next time!
(4)Lauren S.
For my one year anniversary with my boyfriend, I decided we should ear here. I've driven by many times and was always curious, and with the good Yelp reviews I figured why not. Boy was I wrong. The food was simply meh. I got the vegetarian auschak and Bill got some soup. I got plenty of food. The little raviolis with minced veggies with pumpkin and yogurt sounds like a good idea...but when you season it heavily with mint (I think) it really confuses your mouth. Or at least it did mine. Maybe I wasn't prepared for this or maybe it really wasn't that good. Bill would not let me near his, and with good cause. We pulled over on 83 so he could rid his stomach of it. Service however was fantastic. Our waiter was friendly and helpful. Everyone working here was overal very pleasant! Would I give this place another shot? No. We weren't impressed enough.
(2)Heshan W.
The Helmand! I been wanting to eat since I moved to Baltimore, and I finally got the chance to do that! The food that my friend and I got was the Aushak and the Mantwo. Cool sounding names for food, RIGHT, LOL The Aushak was basically Ravioli in a gravy like sauce of ground beef, it was OK, so I give it 3 out of 5 , and I think it may have been better if I got some bread to eat it with, because it was more ground beef than Ravioli, so it may have gotten 4 out of 5. The Mantwo, that my friend got was even better. I bet she would have given it a 5 out of 5. I recommend this dish if you ever eat at The Helmand for the 1st time!! I wouldn't mind coming back here, as the service was very fast and friendly. In addition, beautiful Afghan style decor, paintings, and textile material adorn most of the walls of this place. There is definitely something "special" about this place, simply because its in Baltimore, but if it were in any other major city like LA or NYC, this place would simply be "a dime a dozen" LOL :)
(4)Natasha G.
The Helmand certainly merits all the great reviews it's received! My husband and I went for our wedding anniversary this past Saturday night. We had reservations for 6pm. Good thing we did, as the place was already packed, and people who came in without reservations were told that there would not be any available tables until 9pm! The atmosphere and decor was fantastic. It was warm and inviting and the smells wafting through the air were delicious! We ordered the Bowlawni as an appetizer. One word "wow". The leek filled one simply burst with flavour. Utterly divine. My husband ordered the Kabuli for dinner, and I had the Lamb Lawand. Both dishes were fantastic. The Kabuli was alive with a soft cinnamon bite that complemented the rasins and carrots beautifully. My lamb dish was rich and lucious. The sauce was warm with some spicy overtones. Absolutely yum! I think though that the highlight was the ice cream. We had never had ice cream with figs, let alone cardamon. The flavours were beyond sensational and the perfect ending to a perfect meal. Our waitress was fantastic too, and so helpful in guiding us through our choices. Everyone was attentive without being overbearing. The atmosphere was wonderful too. All in all, a fantastic experience. We'll be back. :)
(4)Pradeep H.
Awesome place. Love the ambience and the service. Please reserve in advance (especially on weekends). Very nice food. True taste of Afghani culture...(given that the restaurant is owned by Ahmad Karzai's brother)...Food is less spicy (comparing it to Indian food).. The good part is the "platter" concept where you can get a taste of everything.
(5)Todd A.
this is another one i just don't get. its simply not my type of food, i guess. balto loves it, but having given it two tries, there's more places in balto that are fun and have food i like better. this gets a 3 as the food is very competent, and people i respect (including several who enjoy this cowboy's cooking, so they KNOW about what they speak ;-)) think so highly of it.
(3)James R.
Lives up to the hype. Pumpkin and eggplant lakhatar(? Think much better bangan bartha) appetizers are great, especially. Worth every penny
(4)Kelly M.
One of my favorite restaurants and one of the few truly original in Baltimore. Definitely order the steamed pumpkin app, but get it for dessert instead! It's amazing. Everything on the menu is exotic yet familiar, don't be afraid!
(5)Kalee R.
Everything was awesome. I recommend ordering Kaddo Borwani (pumpkin appitizer), any of the following dishes: Koufta Challow (lamb and beef meatballs), Kabuli (rice with lamb, raisens, and carrots), Sabzy Challow (beef with cinnamon rice), Lamb Lawand (lamb in tomato-based sauce with mushrooms and yogurt and cumin rice), and make sure you finish up with Afghan ice cream and Turkish coffee.
(5)Jonathan A.
Completely fabulous. My wife and I moved to Baltimore a year and a half ago, and this is the restaurant we've been to most often; it's the first restaurant we take people who visit to. Everything on the menu is fabulous, they have a wide variety of vegetarian and meaty dishes, and all of the food is very tasty. Make sure to try out the "Kaddo Borawni" appetizer.
(5)Natalie B.
I love this place. I first ate here in 1997 as a new graduate student---we loved the place because the food was fantastic but still affordable on our graduate student stipends. I had the vegetarian aushak, kaddo borawni, and cardamom ice cream and now rarely order anything else---though I sometimes favor the eggplant appetizer (banjan laghatak) over the pumpkin. I make it a priority to eat here whenever I travel to Baltimore.
(5)Susan E.
I've been here once and was VERY happy with my experience. Of course, I had to order the kaddo borawni (pumpkin appetizer) and it lived up to its reputation on this site. The night I visited, there was a special trio of fish entree (salmon, grouper (?), and halibut (?)- I can't remember exactly) and it was delicious!
(4)Jill H.
This food is SINFUL! The pumpkin is to die for. The best Afghan food I've had next to homemade.
(5)Jennifer R.
I really liked my meal at the Helmand! I made a reservation for 4 for a Saturday night. They messed it up and had us down for 6pm not 6:30pm which is when we arrived. No worries, we waited at the bar for about 10 min. Notably, there appears to be no system for seating people so when a server asked how long we had been waiting we basically said a long time and that we had a reservation. He seated us at the next open table. Other people were milling around and I have no clue if they also had reservations or not but I didn't feel like it was my problem to sort out the order since we had a reservation that got mixed up :). Anyway, service was ok, they were swamped and super busy but everything arrive quickly and accurately. We ordered two apps for 4 people, and yes they are small. One person could easily eat an entire appetizer. The Kaddo Borwani pumpkin app is really unique and tasty. The Mantwo was yummy but different than expected since pastry usually implies crispy and this was more like a ravoli. We also had a large basket of bread which (after being warned here on Yelp) was $4.50 but very tasty. Our entrees came fast and were really tasty. The meats weren't overcooked and the spices were really nice. I had the Dwopiasa which was really really tasty.. loved the lamb and rice, and the side of potatoes and onions (not sure what exactly it was) was a little sweet but really good. I would highly recommend the Dwopiasa. Despite the seemingly small portions I was actually very full after my meal. We finished with Turkish coffees and the cardamom ice cream which was so yummy, though also a small portion - think one scoop. I think the meal was $80 incl. tip per couple and including either 2 or 3 alcoholic drinks/couple. I thought that was pretty good. The ambiance was warm and festive, lots of people chatting and a few larger groups. The only bad thing was the table right next to the door! I felt so bad for the guy sitting there since it was freezing that night and he must have been so annoyed with all the comings and goings and that door being open. So make sure you don't get that table!
(4)Karin C.
The food is incredible. I'd never tried Afghan food before and the cuisine was a wonderful introduction. The decor is sparse but beautiful and the waitstaff is efficient and friendly. The restaurant was very busy and a tad crowded; my dinner mate suggests with a table or two less the diners would more comfortable.The extremely friendly waiter did bring the check before we were finished eating, but he did not rush us at all to pay or leave. I left my takeout container on the table and the manager did save it for me; very much appreciated. I will absolutely go back.
(4)Dallas T.
Great authentic Afghan food. Their 20 yr. anniversary specials throughout October are a great deal.
(4)michael L.
This place rocks, it is crampy and tight you sit right on top of other diners! but the food is great and amazing prices, service is average, but Middle Eastern is my favorite, make reservations!
(4)tania t.
Update: What a gem of a neighborhood restaurant! Try the specials while you dine there; the fish dish (can't remember the name) was amazing and wait at 8pm on a Saturday with no reservations was only 15 minutes! Highly recommended. --------------------------------------------------Â-------------------------------------- For some strange reason, I keep thinking the Helmand is the Brass Elephant, and the other way around. Luckily, I have friends who know better, and took me to the Helmand. I'm impressed. Not only do they have a cozy, dimly-lit atmosphere somewhat like you're in the family cellar/living room, the food is tasty and the service is attentive. Great for a plethora of vegetarian options as well as a variety of lamb and beef dishes that don't disappoint. The appetizers are awesome. Well-priced, so that even this hungry student can eat well there. People know about this place's great reputation, so it can be busy, but there is a bar you can have a drink at while waiting for a table, if that is the case.
(5)Thea C.
As everyone else has pretty much stated how fantastic this place is already, I'll just highlight some key points: 1) Yes, they do serve up fantastic Afghani food with fabulous service and a classy setting--and for relatively cheap: averaging about $11-$15 for fairly large portions (believe me, it's a great deal with everything in consideraion). 2) The free bread (I forget the name) and the pumpkin appetizer with yoghurt. So very delicious (especially together). 3) Fantastic cardamom tea. 4) This is a great place to take visiting family and friends for a nice dinner. Or a charming date (on a slight budget).
(4)Alex A.
When we first arrived at this place it felt a little awkward. It was packed, and my girlfriend and I stood at the door like schmucks for a few minutes before anyone came to help us. That was strange, and didn't make a very good first impression. But, when the head waiter (I believe so, anyway) came over he was very polite. We didn't have reservations, but that wasn't a problem, we just waited at the bar for a few minutes. The bartender was prompt, and friendly. They have a good selection of beer, but it would be nice if they had some sort of interesting ethnic drink. (I might be making a cultural faux pais here...I guess they haven't had drinking in Afghanistan in a long time...) The atmosphere of the place was great, very warm, lots of wood. Rugs and native-looking dress on the walls. A few pictures. All the waiters wore white tuxedo shirts. We were seated at a table among a long row of other two person tables along one wall, which was kind of uncomfortable. There were people right next to us on either side, and it was hard to talk without yelling, or listen without eavesdropping. Our neighbors didn't seem to mind, and no elbows were bumped, so I guess it was ok. The menu was good, with a good selection of interesting looking items, that I wish I could have tried more of. I had the Dwopiaza, and my girlfriend had another lamb dish. We had one of the eggplant appetizers, which was good, but only a tiny serving. The food came out pretty quickly, considering how full the place was. It was really good, and there was a ton of it. My girlfriend couldn't finish hers, even with a little help from yours truly. All in all, this was a nice place. A bit too crowded and noisy for a real romantic date, but a good time, and worth the money. I would go again, but would probably make a reservation on a weekend night.
(4)jenn h.
Baltimore seems like this far away land, and I don't know much about it. We happened to be in the area and decided to eat, but I didn't have my computer with me, so I couldn't check good ole trusty Yelp! Yikes! Luckily we wandered to the adorable artsy part of the city where we happened upon The Helmand. Charming space! Great service! We weren't dressed in our best because we were post-golf, but they didn't seem to mind. At the same time, I would also feel comfortable in a cute dress here too. This was my first experience with Afghan food, but it won't be my last. YUM! I really enjoyed the lamb, and Jennifer M is right - I wanted to drink their cilantro sauce. Can they please open one of these in DC too? Please? If The Helmand is representative of B'more eating, then I want to go back to Baltimore soon!
(4)Maureen P.
I have been to The Helmand many times with various friends over the last ten years of so. Yesterday, I went with two friends who had never been. I must admit, I had not been in quite a while so it was almost a new experience. We decided to go with the WOW weekend specials ($29.95 for an app, main course, and dessert). I normally don't go this route because "restaurant week" type specials are usually the worst thing on the menu. But, since they had lamp chops on the list I thought...ok I am game. We each got a different apps...Aushak, Mantwo and Bowlawni. All were delicious. I was not a fan of the Aushak, but I am not a big mint fan. My friend who ordered it loved it. We went early (5pm) in order to make a 7:30 opera at the Theater Project up the street so when we arrived it was not busy at all. By the time we left, it was packed as usual. The lamb chops that two of us chose were fabulous..perfect seasoning and cooked to perfection as well. My other friend, the carnivore that she is order one of every kind of meat (kabob like) and loved it as well. The desserts for me left a little to be desired. Again we all opted for different ones: Feereny (an Afghan pudding), the pastries with raspberry puree, and the Afghan cheese. How can you order chocolate cake (which was on the menu) when you have new things to try? All were tasty, but didn't blow any of us away with the exception of the raspberry puree with the pastries, incredible flavor. Both friends had the turkish coffee...they loved it, A little too thick and strong for me, but if you love your coffee, black and strong, you should try this. It reminded me of Greek coffee a little. We had a nice (somewhat affordable) bottle of wine with our meal. Not a huge wine list but I think anyone could find something they liked. Our service had a bit of a down fall. The wrong check came (we were charged for the desserts when they came with the special) and then it took 15 minutes to get the waiters attention to correct it. I mean really, two of us went to the head before he found his way back to our table. All in all another great meal at The Helmand, highly recommended! Sorry I cant give it five stars, the dessert and service took one away this time. Oh, and the opera? 4 stars too!
(4)Scott R.
One of our best restaurants in the city. Consistent. Well priced. Nice wine selection.
(4)Trisha S.
When I first moved to Baltimore, I was told that the best place to eat in Mt. Vernon was the Helmand. I have yet to eat at every restaurant in this artsy district, but I was very pleased with everything I ate. I had the kaddo borawni (pumpkin appetizer) and the dwopiaza. I nearly licked my plate clean. I highly suggest this restaurant to all who live and visit Baltimore. It has a very intimate atmosphere and the service was excellent.
(4)Kate C.
I love Afghani food and this little place does not disappoint in the least. The pumpkin dumplings are delicate, the yogurt sauce nicely textured, and the black walnut ice cream Delicious. The service can be a bit slow but over all in the 10 or 15 times I have come I have been very pleased. It is also an excellent choice for a meat eater and a vegetarian to dine together w/both having a nice selection of thing to choose from
(4)Susan K.
The ambiance had the murmurings of engoldened intellectualism. Shiny wine glasses and an amazing sweet potato appetizer made a nice palate for my tongue. The bread was what good bread should be, firm with a tender chewy chewiness in the middle. I tried some of my sister's ravioli dish, which paired with the bread made the meal very memorable.
(5)Bryan N.
I have been going to the Helmand since they opened in 1990. It is absolutely my favorite place to go for dinner. I am always treated well by the the staff, and we know each other on a first name basis. There is something here for everyone. Both vegetarian and omnivore can break bread together and have a fantastic dining experience. Honestly, I try to visit the Helmand once a week, so do I love it. I chose the Helamnd to cater my housewarming party and it was a huge success! They brought the food to my home on china and even helped my select the perfect wines to go with dinner. Please share your experiences with me! :-)
(5)Ania G.
if you haven't tried afghan cuisine (or even if you have), definitely check out the helmand. not much to say that hasn't been said already, but wanted to put my stars in!
(4)F D.
The food was ok, but I expected better given the rave reviews. We were a party of 6 and had reservations. The place was packed and we were stuck waiting near the bar and next to the entrance to the bathrooms. Once seated the service was good. I got a vegetarian dish that was kind of like a baked samosa that was then covered in channa (chick peas). It was ok, but didn't stand up to the hype. My wife had the veggie korma. It was also ok, but nothing special. This restaurant's specialties are meat dishes.
(2)Luzie C.
Crowded on a Saturday night, but we got a seat at the tiny bar right away. Service was a little slow, but food was tasty. Nice atmosphere. Got the vegetarian platter. Yum.
(4)Stacey M.
My first taste of Afghan food, and I didn't know what to expect. I should have looked at a map though, because it reminded me of a cross between Indian and Middle Eastern food, with a lot less flavor. The dominant flavors were garlic, mint, and cumin, but it was all just a little bland. I'll stick with four stars, because I don't know enough about the cuisine to say if it was bad, or simply not to my taste. Service was OK, and the decor/ambience was fine. We started with the highly recommended pumpkin appetizer ($5), and were very disappointed. Tooth-achingly sweet! Actually, I think I will try to make it at home with no sugar. The pumkpin-yogurt-mint combo seemed like it would be delicious without sugar. Hubby loved the bread (four pieces for $2.50) I ordered aushak ($12), three leek-filled ravioli served on a bed of lightly seasoned meat sauce, topped with yogurt. It was OK. The meat sauce reminded me of Cincinnati-style chili. There was a ton of meat and yogurt sauce and only three ravioli, so I ended up with a pile of meat sauce that I couldn't eat with a fork. I tried sopping it up with bread, but it wasn't very good that way. Hubby ordered a daily special, a lamb-and-mushroom curry ($16). Three or four pieces of lamb and a dozen whole white mushrooms in a lightly spiced tomato-based sauce, served with a large plate of cumin-studded rice. Next time, I think I would order several appetizers (they have several crossovers on the menu where they serve smaller portions of entrees as appetizers) to try a lot of dishes and see if I could find a dish to love. I love Indian food, I love Middle Eastern food, so what was the problem? I guess everything was just a little bland, and it seemed like the proportions were all off. I had too much sauce and nothing to eat it with, and hubby had a huge pile of rice for a tiny amount of curry with too little sauce. I ended up still hungry, so I put some of my meat sauce on his rice. Meh.
(4)Susan G.
First off, the food is fantastic. The vegetarian menu has reasonable choices and is usually season appropriate. Our dining experience was, interesting. This must have been our waiters first day on the busgirl is definitely out now. What we ordered was not what arrived its all good. Just like when traveling, as long its vegetarian and tasty, doesn't matter. So be forgiving and flexible with the Helmand and you won't be disappointed.
(4)Kathryn E.
Fantastic food in a very nice atmosphere that makes the prices a steal. Seriously, where else can you have this quality of food on white table cloths with friendly, nonintrusive service for $10-15/entree? I honestly have never had a bad dish, so just eat your way through the menu as I have over the years. The one dish that I must get on every visit, no matter what else I eat, is the pumpkin appetizer - more please!
(5)Karma B.
This place is probably more like 3.5 for me. It's a little over hyped but it is pretty good. I didn't love the pumpkin appetizer as much as everyone else, but it was good. I had the chicken and tuna entree which was decent though not great. I would have liked a little more spice. Had chocolate cake for dessert which was not good. The wine selection is really good and they clearly have a wine cellar because the wine came out slightly cool (perfect). Service is fine though not the greatest in the world. Solid place if you are looking for something different and exotic.
(4)Caitlin S.
Gotta love it! The food is not something you find everyday, everywhere, and is so tasty and affordable. I like going to places that offer meals that I don't have the ingredients or know-how to whip up at home. The wine list is extensive enough, but not overwhelming. The decor is warm, attractive, cozy and interesting. It's appropriate for a date, birthdays or other special events, parents, colleagues, just about every situation including a spur of the minute dinner out. Going on the weekends may entail waiting a bit, but during the week it's pretty easy to get seated immediately or within a short time. The service isn't always what I would consider stellar, but has never been what I would categorize as bad. I have eaten at this restaurant probably between 20 and 30 times, and look forward to going back again and again and again.
(5)ilove m.
If you eat nothing else here, you have to have the pumpkin appetizer. I don't even like pumpkin, but this dish is amazing. The lamb and turnips are superb and the wait staff is always attentive.
(5)Charisse N.
The best thing about Charles Street, REALLY. And look for it's facade in the upcoming flick He's Just Not That Into You, The Helmand is one of those places where you wonder why they aren't a chain. The food is quality, consistent and filling. The price range is always doable for most budgets and the wine list is thorough. The decor is simple yet ethnic and the wait staff is friendly and quick. The menu is great for vegetarians and easily dissuades the notion that Afghani food is only kababs! YUM-UM.
(5)A W.
For its consistency alone, the Helmand gets two thumbs up. Although I haven't eaten here in a few years, the quality and service has not slipped one bit. Servers are prompt, dishes arrive at the table quickly, and yet you don't feel like you are being rushed through your meal. The menu, with its delicious Afghani offerings (note: lots of choices for vegetarians), certainly lives up to its reputation. I don't think I've been disappointed with anything I've ordered here. The menu hasn't changed in years, but it really doesn't need to. The kaddo borwani (pumpkin) appetizer and the freeney (custard dessert with fruit) are staples here! And prices are more than reasonable (the only unfortunate thing is that the naan is separate... but it's definitely worth ordering). Portions are also quite reasonably sized; you definitely will walk out full (although for some it may require ordering an appetizer and/or dessert along with the entree). One note, if you get a choice of seating you will want to sit in the main dining area that is adjacent to the small hallway where you enter -- especially in the winter when cold air does sneak in through the front door -- and it can get noisy when the restaurant gets very crowded. Still, it's not impossible to hold a dinner conversation. I understand there is a sister restaurant in Boston, but it is much more expensive and upscale. Thus, Baltimore is more than lucky that the Helmand resides in the heart of this city for all of us to partake and enjoy.
(5)Sandra J.
The best restaurant in Baltimore. Get the kadoo, you'll wish you had ordered two. Fantastic.
(5)Paul J.
Sheer orgasmic, vegetarian bliss. I love this place and dream about it often. Can't wait to get back to Baltimore to get mo' betta Helmand. Can't get enuff!!!
(5)