Afghan Charcoal Kebab Balkh — Restaurant in Melbourne

If you're craving authentic Afghan cuisine with flavors that transport you straight to Kabul, this Afghan restaurant is a gem that truly deserves five stars! From the moment you walk in, the warm and inviting atmosphere sets the stage for a fantastic dining experience. The staff is welcoming and attentive, eager to make you feel at home and offer recommendations if you're new to Afghan dishes.

The food is nothing short of extraordinary. The kabobs are tender and flavorful, perfectly spiced and grilled to perfection. I especially recommend the lamb kabob, which is juicy and rich, capturing the essence of Afghan spices. The mantu (Afghan dumplings) are delicate and packed with a savory filling, topped with a delicious yogurt and tomato sauce—an absolute must-try! And the naan is freshly baked, warm, and fluffy, the perfect accompaniment to the rich, fragrant curries.

Portions are generous, and every dish bursts with authentic flavors that are clearly made with care. To finish, the traditional Afghan tea and desserts like firnee (Afghan custard) offer the perfect sweet, aromatic end to an exceptional meal.

Whether you're an Afghan food aficionado or a first-time diner, this restaurant will leave you eager to return. Five stars...

So, visited this joint for the first time on Sunday as we had planned to go for some Afghani food. Had no idea what we would get. Walked in and very courteous right away. The aromas, the heat from the charcoal pit and the sound of sizzling meat cooking invades your senses and you start to salivate. Service is good and prompt. Food.l freshly cooked takes just the right time to come. But that's when this experience takes you up another level. I love to take my time and savour the food; did not happen this time! I almost inhaled my food! The soft juicy meat melts in your mouth. The rice provides a sublime addition and you are hard pressed to choose between the different types of meats presented to you. Every morsel, every bite you take you wish would last forever, but then you cant help but go for more and more. Brilliant!!! The portions are very very generous for the price that you pay. We had ordered more, thinking portions won't be that big. We ended up taking food home with us as well! But the guess what.... we were back there the next day! This time we actually ordered MORE as we decided to have the same for next 2 days!!!! We live about 90mins drive away from the restaurant!

My all time top 5...

I've supported Balkh for over 10 years. The food is great, but tonight the customer service was a real letdown.

I ordered two sets of chicken skewers and two sets of shammi over the phone. I repeated the order to confirm, but the staff member rushed the call, only confirming the order number.

At pick up, I again confirmed it was chicken and shammi, was told "yeah yeah." Got home, sat down with guests, and found they'd given me lamb instead of chicken.

I called to report the mistake, only to be told (falsely) that I had ordered lamb and that they had repeated the order to me. That’s simply not true, it was me who tried to confirm the order twice.

Eventually, they agreed to swap the lamb for chicken if I brought it back, wasting my time and ruining dinner with guests.

No apology, no accountability. Judging by other reviews, poor customer service seems to be a recurring issue. Time to...