Afghan Horsemen Restaurant — Restaurant in Vancouver

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Afghan Horseman, and I must say, it was an unforgettable experience from start to finish. As soon as I walked in, I was greeted by a warm and inviting atmosphere that perfectly captures the essence of Afghan culture. The decor is beautifully adorned with traditional elements, creating a cozy yet vibrant setting that makes you feel right at home.

The menu is a delightful journey through Afghan cuisine, showcasing a variety of dishes that are both authentic and delicious. I decided to try the Kabuli Pulao, which was cooked to perfection. The rice was fluffy and aromatic, complemented by tender pieces of lamb and a medley of spices that danced on my palate. Each bite was a testament to the chef's skill and passion for their craft. I also sampled the Mantu, which are steamed dumplings filled with seasoned meat and topped with a savory sauce. They were simply divine!

What truly stood out during my visit was the exceptional service. The staff was attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable about the menu, offering great recommendations and ensuring that my dining experience was seamless. They took the time to explain the dishes and even shared some interesting insights into Afghan culture, which added a personal touch to the meal.

To top it all off, I indulged in their traditional Afghan tea, which was the perfect ending to a wonderful meal. Overall, Afghan Horseman is a gem in Vancouver’s culinary scene, offering not just food, but an experience that celebrates the rich flavors and traditions of Afghanistan. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking to explore new cuisines or simply enjoy a fantastic meal in a welcoming environment. I can't wait to return and try more dishes!

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At first sight, Afghan Horsemen has a nice ambience. I liked the fact that we were given an option to eat on the floor. It gave the restaurant a more traditional and authentic feel. At the restaurant, my friends and I ordered the hummus and eggplant dip, the mangy dumplings, kebab platter delight, and Horsemen special platter. I really enjoyed the hummus and eggplant dip. The hummus was creamy, garlicky, and smooth and the eggplant dip had a nice spice kick to it without being too overpowering. The naan that accompanied it was nice and the salad was pretty much a greek salad with middle eastern spices. However, the dumplings that came next were the star of the show. I have had dumplings in Afghan restaurants before, but these ones were by far the ebay I have had. The dumpling skin was sufficiently thin and not too doughy. The ground beef and lamb as the filling was both gamey and juicy. The cabbage roll added a nice crunch while the sour cream and tomato sauce added some acidity to the dish. Personally, I would come back for the dumplings alone. When the platters arrived, they were huge. I really enjoyed the deep fried potatoes, eggplant, and lamb skewers. However, I found the beef mediocre, the lamb rack average, and the chicken breast dry and overcooked. While eating, I accidentally dropped the chicken on the ground. The server was nice to remake it and give us a second one without us asking for it. The second chicken breast was more moist and made up for the dry one. Overall, the restaurant is good and I would like to come back. The only constructive critique I would give is the time-temperature control when it comes to cooking the meat. Apart from that, service was good and it was an...

For those who plan to visit Granville Island and want to escape the crowds over a really decent meal, then we recommend you take a 5 minute walk from the entrance under the bridge up to the intersection with 2nd Avenue where this restaurant is located.

Once you are up a flight of stairs, you enter the special dining space of the Afghan Horseman. It is well adorned with artwork and ornaments, beautiful curtains and moody lights that hang from the ceiling. The dining space caters for groups both big and small, and consists of a mix of open table areas as well as semi-concealed booths and private dining rooms. We were instantly blown away by our surroundings.

For dinner, my wife and I went big and ordered the Pita, Eggplant Dip and Salad as our appetiser, the Horseman Special Platter (for 2) and Mantu as our mains, and a Degcha (Afghan Milk Pudding with Pistachios) for dessert.

The spread across the table was a feast for all the senses: we will remember the way the mood lighting reflected off the food; the tender lamb meat falling straight off the bone; all the textures, sounds and smells as we dug deep into each part of the platter (at times with our hands); and the scent of the seasoning which lingered in a delightful way. It’s absolutely outstanding stuff.

Thanks also to Reyhan who looked after us over the evening and the warm reception of the store manager who is incredibly proud of the restaurant he runs.

Keep this place in mind if you time for a great meal before heading out of...