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Helmand Restaurant

Helmand Restaurant

Afghan Restaurant and Middle Eastern Restaurant$$$$
East Cambridge, Cambridge
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8.5/10
226
ratings
  • Stars
  • Stars
    The experts at Eater and Boston.com recommend this place
    • Eater
    • Boston.com
  • Tips
    Joe C.
    "Get the Kaddo and if you like Okra, get the Bendi as well."(12 Tips)
    Neel H.
    "Love the Chowpan!"(2 Tips)
    Elena
    "You can't go wrong with anything lamb"(2 Tips)
    Foodspotting
    "Try the Bowlani Platter"(2 Tips)
Tips and Reviews icon68 Tips and reviews
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  • kaddo
  • good for dates
  • chowpan
  • good for groups
  • lamb
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  • Serious Eats
    Serious EatsNovember 14, 2013
    Ornate rugs, rustic tables, and deep sofas make it feel like you're dining in someone's home, as does the food, much of which is cooked from old family recipes.
    Upvoted Oct 6
  • Oz M.heart icon on user image
    Oz MendesFebruary 17, 2013
    Coming from a soldier who's eaten the real Afghani food in their home turf, they Really bring the taste.,... The food is GREAT! And the desert was amazing! The Naan bread wasn't too legit.
  • Chris C.
    Chris CarrilloJanuary 28, 2012
    For dessert, get the "pudeen" caramel and the green tea with cardamom, and keep alternating between bites of caramel and sips of cardamom tea. So good you will have to kill yourself after.
  • Jeremy K.heart icon on user image
    Jeremy KrantzAugust 22, 2014
    One of Cambridge's great restaurants. Try their Kaddo pumpkin appetizer, it's one of the best dishes I've ever had. And I don't even like pumpkin.
  • Elena
    ElenaJanuary 27, 2012
    Even if you don't like pumpkin, you've got to start with it. The Kufta (meatballs) are spicy and delicious along with everything else. You can't go wrong with anything lamb
  • Sherif S.
    Sherif ShalabyAugust 4, 2018
    Nice place and good service. Just be careful if you think they serve Halal food. Although it comes up when you Google Halal restaurants in Boston, it is NOT Halal! I appreciated the staff honesty.
  • Ben B.heart icon on user image
    Ben BearnotMarch 25, 2015
    So far everything we tried was amazing, esp the spicy meatballs and lamb dumpling. Can't wait to go back and order something totally different. Great place for groups of friends.
  • Boston.com
    Boston.comAugust 4, 2014
    Delicious Afghan food in a lovely setting, particularly when the fireplace is going. Try dishes such as kaddo and chowpan (grilled rack of lamb with eggplant and rice). Read more
  • Eater
    EaterJanuary 23, 2013
    Warmth exudes from this East Cambridge Afghani restaurant, which serves in-house flatbread baked in a wood-fired oven right in the dining area. [Eater 38 Member]
  • Jonathan R.
    One of the best deals in Boston dining. The food is fantastic and inexpensive, and the wine, in particular, is a steal. Ignore the sometimes-grumpy owner and enjoy a fantastic meal on a modest budget.
  • Anthony W.
    Anthony WilkinsonDecember 21, 2013
    The food was fantastic! Order any beef dish medium; the seasonings they add just burst out without overwhelming the food. Absolute enjoyment! Waitstaff was awesome too.
  • Connie L.
    Connie LuAugust 22, 2013
    My favorite place for Afghan fare: get the Aushak, if you love pumpkin as much as I do, get the Kaddo; and you can't go wrong with the Kourma Challow.
  • Pegah T.heart icon on user image
    Pegah TaheriMay 21, 2017
    The chapendaz was amazing. Berian Fish was also one of the best fish I have ever had.
  • Tim L.heart icon on user image
    Tim LuoMay 12, 2016
    The lamb was delicious; Melt in the mouth!
  • icelleheart icon on user image
    icelleNovember 21, 2015
    Great vegetarian options! Definitely try the vegetarian special (baked pumpkin, pan-fried eggplant, sautéed spinach and okra)!
  • Thomas R.
    Thomas RaiaMay 9, 2013
    Everything was delicious. There will be one guy baking bread in a wood burning oven continuously on one side of the room. Kind of mesmerizing to watch.
  • John C.heart icon on user image
    John Cunningham-ElderApril 21, 2016
    Literally everything. I have never had any meal from this restaurant that was not exceptional. I usually go for the vegetarian meals even though I'm not vegetarian; they're that good.
  • Jessica F.
    Jessica FjeldMarch 21, 2015
    Love the lamb kebabs and the mantwo (dumplings) at this Cambridge institution
  • Somayaheart icon on user image
    SomayaJuly 29, 2013
    Amazing restaurant and great atmosphere , but you should make reservation before ... Mourgh Kabab is delicious , I recommend to try .
  • Pearl S.
    Pearl S.September 5, 2011
    We tried the Kaddo because the tips here said to....WOW. Crazy good. The staff was incredibly friendly, nice atmosphere...I didn't drink, but the food was so good I think I was a little food-high haha
  • Saleh N.heart icon on user image
    Saleh NasserJanuary 25, 2018
    Kaddo is a must have dish
  • Craig B.heart icon on user image
    Craig BruceOctober 22, 2013
    The Kaddo is excellent. Do make sure you make a reservation to avoid the hostess rolling her eyes at you!
  • Enrico S.heart icon on user image
    Enrico SNovember 16, 2014
    Food is great. Great vegetarian dishes. But meatballs deserve a try.
  • Ronnie A.
    Ronnie A.July 6, 2012
    Quablee is an amazing dish for those who love lamb.
  • Sagar J.
    Sagar JauhariAugust 18, 2014
    Awesome bread, delicious soups, filling entres, reasonable price
  • Aleksander M.heart icon on user image
    Aleksander MeyerApril 10, 2016
    get their rice pudding, turkish coffee, and baklava for dessert
  • Shahar Z.
    Shahar ZSeptember 20, 2012
    Weird as it sounds, get the fresh squeezed orange juice, some of the best I've ever had
  • Volker F.heart icon on user image
    Volker FränkleOctober 16, 2014
    Best appetizer since month - ask the waiter for his/her favorite.
  • Ardy F.
    Ardy FJune 3, 2012
    Interesting trivia: was told this place's sister restaurant (same name in DC area) was managed by Hamid Karzai before he became the president of Afghanistan!
  • Nadaheart icon on user image
    NadaMarch 20, 2016
    The place is so cozy and the food was yummy!
  • Joe C.
    Joe CorkeryAugust 21, 2013
    Get the Kaddo and if you like Okra, get the Bendi as well.
  • Aline S.heart icon on user image
    Aline SampaioJune 6, 2016
    The flat bread, the lamb and the yogurt sauce!!
  • Antonioheart icon on user image
    AntonioJuly 17, 2015
    The food was great, but a little too pricey. Make sure to get Kaddo!
  • Alice T.
    Alice T.August 16, 2011
    Afghan food - delicious bread - try the Kaddo!
  • Adrián G.
    Adrián GarcíaJuly 17, 2011
    Great place, very different type of food and the lamb and bread were just great.
  • Quantam P.heart icon on user image
    Quantam PhysicsMay 26, 2017
    Wicked good food. fricken awesome service.
  • Charles R.
    Charles RadiFebruary 12, 2015
    All the lamb dishes
  • Tristan O.
    Tristan OwensAugust 21, 2013
    Anything lamb, anything eggplant, anything pumpkin.
  • Cassie P.heart icon on user image
    Cassie PanayiotouJanuary 20, 2020
    Delicious and very generous servings.
  • Tom W.heart icon on user image
    Tom WilliamsSeptember 9, 2018
    Everything!
  • Ardy F.
    Ardy FJune 3, 2012
    Average quality Afghani food at best! The best Afghani food I have ever had was at Afghani House in Sunnyvale, CA (Silicon valley).
  • Jumanah Y.heart icon on user image
    Jumanah YMay 20, 2016
    Delicious authentic food
  • swashheart icon on user image
    swashOctober 25, 2014
    Kababs are awesome.
  • Neel H.heart icon on user image
    Neel HajareSeptember 21, 2016
    Love the Chowpan!
  • Fran M.
    Really tasty Afghan food
  • The Daily Meal
    The Daily MealJune 9, 2011
    Don’t forget to order their famous flatbread, baked in front of you in their wood-burning oven. Read more
  • Sagar J.
    Sagar JauhariAugust 18, 2014
    Do do do have the 'Sheerekh' in desserts!
  • Lior K.heart icon on user image
    Lior KorenApril 19, 2015
    Great Afghan food
  • Mike B.
    Mike BianchiOctober 13, 2016
    Try the Kaddo
  • Dave W.
    Dave WienekeJune 7, 2011
    Lovely food, but success has made it more crowded and decidedly less romantic.
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