Afghan Marcopolo — Restaurant in Melbourne

I was going to give a 5 star if it wasn't because I believed that I was being lied upon. I asked a few times if there was any dairy or soy involved in the cooking and the waitress told me that the chefs do not use any dairy or soy in any of the cooking except for the butter chicken. I found this hard to believe. I specifically asked if butter is used the baste the grilled meat and she said no they don't use butter. So I ordered the mixed grill. I was sceptical when I ate it, particularly the corn but it was too late. If butter is not used, ghee could have been used and this is still clarified butter which is dairy. A trace of dairy and soy is all it takes to cause my baby to suffer.

I have been cooking my own food (reading labels to ensure there is no soy or any form of dairy in my food) for many weeks now and finally mustered the courage to try eating out for the first time because of my baby's allergies. Sadly, I have lost all my confidence to eat out again because of this.

I breastfeed my baby and she is allergic to dairy and soy. The dairy or soy proteins passes through the breastmilk and she develops a reaction which starts within a few hours from the time of consuming the food and lasts for a few days. She was screaming for a few days with stomach pain + other symptoms because of this.

Otherwise the food was really delicious and I would have given 5 stars if I did not have any allergy issues. But for those mamas who have babies who have allergies to dairy and soy like mine, I would advise to exercise caution before dining here.

Ps: because of the owner's polite and professional response, I have changed the rating to 5 stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

23/08/22 edit: I just found out last week that she is actually allergic to beef and lamb. So it isn't your fault that she had a reaction because I didn't know it then. I apologised for the earlier accusation! 🙏🙏 Food was brilliant and hope to be back...

I took my partner out to Marcopolo to celebrate his birthday a few nights ago and we were both blown away by how amazing the entire experience was.

All the staff were attentive and lovely, and the restaurant was full of photos of Afghanistan so the whole environment/ambient felt authentic too.

The food is some of the best we’ve ever had. We’ve never really had the opportunity to try Afghan food before, but everything we ordered was mind-blowing and amazing.

We ordered a mixed entree platter to share, Kabuli Palow, Aashak, garlic nan and firnée, with everything requested to be vegetarian. Words can’t even describe how amazing all the food was. Highly recommend Kabuli Palow, the rice mixed with sultanas, almond and carrots paired superbly well with the eggplant and spinach. Aashak was something different (quite similar to the dumplings we had in the entree platter) and the nan was fresh.

We got to try Persian fairy floss for the first time as well in our firnée dessert which was sweet enough to share between the two of us.

Already drooling again writing this. Can’t wait to return for another meal. Thank you very much for hands down some of the best food we’ve had in Melbourne! Will definitely return again and have recommended this place to many friends and...

We happened to be in Mornington for a mini break and wanted something different. We've never had Afghani food before - what a wonderful surprise. The food is simply delicious - the entree of three dips and two flavours of naan bread was generous and a lovely way to start a meal. We had the munto dumplings and the mixed grilled meats which we shared between us. The dumplings were a revelation - soft pillows of deliciousness, the skewers of chicken, lamb and kofta with rice and grilled skewered vegetables were succulent and the lamb cutlet was juicy. Everything is so beautifully spiced but not overpowering or hot. We both loved every morsel. I have to mention the Persian Princess cocktail - what a taste sensation, l love a good cocktail but this was something I've never tasted before and it's the bomb. The service was friendly, helpful to us newbies, the ambiance warm and inviting with delicious aromas hitting you as soon as you walk in the door and the portions were generous. Thank you to Shane and Finola for making our anniversary dinner a very special treat and one we'll remember for a long time. If we're ever in Mornington again we'd definitely visit Marco Polo again, it's a...