Kabuli — Restaurant in Birmingham

‘Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name’ (everyone must be familiar with this theme tune from Cheers or am I showing my age) - anyways this song couldn’t be befitting, not for myself but for my brother. From the moment we stepped foot into the restaurant, the hostess, the hosts, waiters, bartender and chef all seemed to know my brother. They seated us down and as my brother seemed quite well versed with the restaurant and menu I let him take him take the reins and order for the table. Being an afghani restaurant you expect the food to be rich, heavy, and dripping in oil however it was somewhat the opposite. The Chappali kebab came out fresh and you couldn’t even taste the cholesterol (or see the oil dripping), the lamb shank was so tender and bode well with the pilau rice and the mint chutney (yes this was extra), and the lamb karahi was quite succulent without the bloatedness you get with a normal curry. Of course I had to order a drink to match my personality so I went for the ‘Warrior’ although when it came out, it gave out vibes which were slightly less masculine than the name suggests however still quite refreshing. The place itself is tucked away within the bohemian area of Moseley so it is quite befitting to have this opulent, well decorated gem within this locality. The name Kabuli is a derivative from the capital city of Afghanistan and most Afghani restaurants are quite authentic to what one might feel how Kabul is like, raw, genuine, tribal and very traditional however Kabuli is one of those that if it was in Kabul, it would be a hidden away within the diplomatic quarter where you need an ID or VIP pass to dine. It’s for the ambassadors that can’t and don’t want to handle the typical Afghani food as they just want to enjoy the flavours without the heart burn afterwards. It’s not your traditional afghani restaurant but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing! (Also big shout to Shabana who outdid her compatriots with tremendous and...

Exceptional Experience at Kabuli, Birmingham!

I was absolutely blown away by my recent visit to Kabuli restaurant in Birmingham. From the moment I stepped in, the experience was truly five-star.

The food was simply outstanding. The Kabuli Pulao was of exceptionally high quality – authentic, flavourful, and perfectly cooked. It was beautifully complemented by the fresh, vibrant green Coriander chutney, which truly elevated the dish.

Beyond the delicious food, the hospitality was genuinely heartwarming. The staff were incredibly attentive, and a special mention must go to Shabnam (if I recall correctly), who took wonderful care of me with her polite and efficient service. Despite being in a bit of a rush, which meant I couldn't spend as much time as I would have liked, the brief visit left a lasting impression.

What also struck me was the impeccable cleanliness – truly a 5-star standard, which is so reassuring. The dining area was spotless, and the regal cutlery added a touch of elegance, enhancing the overall dining experience. It's clear that a lot of thought has gone into creating a refined and welcoming atmosphere.

A word of caution (or rather, advice): Kabuli is definitely the kind of place you'd want to visit with your family or for a special date. The ambiance is perfect for creating memorable moments.

Points to consider:

Pricing: The prices are indeed on the premium side, but I found them entirely justified given the exceptional quality of the ingredients, the presentation, and the superb service. You truly get what you pay for here.

Parking: Car parking can be a little challenging; you might need to park a short distance away from the restaurant itself, so it's worth bearing in mind if you're driving.

Vegetarian options are very few.

Disclaimer: I have no conflict of interest with the owner or staff at Kabuli. This is a genuine and unsolicited review of a fantastic...

Came in mid afternoon on Saturday so we were fortunately dining at a very quiet time. I personally prefer not to be in a packed restaurant, so that worked out well for us. I imagine if you come at peak times it can be quite crowded.

The decor is lovely and clean, there are reed diffusers dotted around so there’s a pleasant smell, and they do a good job to make sure the cooking smell doesn’t enter the dining area.

The waiter did a good job to advise how much food would be suitable for our party.

We ordered: Lamb shank pulao Naring pulao Chapli kebabs Naan Qorma-e-murgh

For me the stand outs were the chapli kebabs and the naan. The chutneys alongside were also great. My next most enjoyable dish was the lamb shank pulao. Very well presented and the meat was fresh and tender.

Honestly looking at the menu I found it extortionate. And although the portions are not huge, we did leave satisfied. Since they’re sharing dishes, the price kind of evens out on the total bill… but £15 for 2 chapli kebabs is really too much no matter how good they are. I see that the prices have increased in the last few months after looking at pictures taken by other fellow google reviewers.

I also felt that the waitress was breathing down our necks a little. I can only assume she thought our kids were going to cause problems? My son did get a little upset with his brother at one point and did start crying but I’d would hardly say that he was causing a scene and it all passed very quickly so I also wouldn’t say that any other diners (not that there were many at that time) would have been disturbed.

I can’t knock the food, it was good. But I’m just not that blown away by it all that I feel the need to visit...