The Helmand
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Boston's Afghan Cuisine
IsadoraIsadora
310
A great introduction to Afghani cuisine. Located in a quiet neighborhood in East Cambridge, Helmand offers an authentic Afghani food experience. The decor, reminiscent of Kabul's quaint charm, adds a captivating cultural touch Our meal started with irresistibly aromatic flatbreads, fresh from the oven. Accompanied by a selection of sauces, the flavorful blend of butter and spicy red sauce on the bread was particularly delightful. For the appetizers, we sampled the Aushak and the bowlani. Doused in yogurt-mint and ground beef sauce and layered with leeks and scallions, the Aushak delivered a delectably earthy harmony. The Bowlani, an oven-baked pastry filled with similar vegetables, offered a pleasing soft texture, setting a promising tone for the main course. The entrees were uncomplicated yet well-executed - grilled meat over rice paired with Afghan accompaniments. The Chowpan and Dwopiaza showcased succulent meats, and the sides like sautéed eggplant and yellow split peas bore an agreeable resemblance to Middle Eastern cuisines. Marinated onions added a tart counterpoint to the rich lamb tenderloin, culminating in a well-rounded taste profile. The Qabelee was somewhat off-kilter, though. The pallow rice, studded with raisins and glazed carrots, overpowered the savory lamb with an intense sweetness, creating a discordant note. Yet, Helmand's offering remained largely impressive, deftly revealing the nuance and diversity of Afghan cuisine. The spices were subtly employed, and the flavors exhibited a commendable balance. For anyone eager to embark on a culinary expedition to Afghanistan, Helmand comes highly recommended.
Jea KimJea Kim
00
Big scam not affordable prices and even its not for Afghanis and Pakistanis people no traditional dishes at all. First and last experience. My only main concerns is about the traditional foods you guys are totally scamming by using the Helmand name I think you have to stop using this name as you haven’t got anything special Afghani food, You kabli Palau in the platter isn’t really a kabli Palau (lol) we drove one hrs just because of the name but the reality was something different inside the restaurant I think your boss is just targeting American 🇺🇸 by using afghani name of the restaurant by and taking there money out and serving them a third class food. 🍱 Secondly! About the money spending so I didn’t leave any tip for this kind of service and you adding it from your side and we were 11 people not 18. I already saw menu where you have nothing special afghani food. So if you want you can visit to my home and I can show you some recipes and some good afghani food that will work your prices didn’t match your food as it is a genuine review and I have the right to review on your restaurant and I am not taking it back. Moreover, Responding to my review in this way was not expecting It not what a business man people do. I hope you have a good day. Thank you.
Askar KhanAskar Khan
00
Oh, I can't even begin to explain how awesome my experience there, but I will endeavor to do so (that's what your supposed to say, right? Can't but end up doing it anyway 😅). This restaurant is spectacular from all aspects. I have sincerely enjoyed dining there. The atmosphere is very homey. You seldom feel like that in a public restaurant unfathomable! The staff interactions felt really genuine. Shout out to the manager/host at the reception table he was very welcoming and warm. Never been offered to take my bags and coat ever before at a restaurant, so that was a great start. They just went the extra mile. Os (short for Osman) was in training and he did a great job, shout out to him, thank you! Lastly but not least was the food; delicious is an understatement, the lamb was perfectly cooked (medium rare) tasty, and you can cut it with a fork, so tender. The mint stuff was superb and.... I mean I can't say enough, it was ridiculously good! Definitely would recommend going there for sure, don't hesitate you'll love it. I was organizing a meetup for a group of wonderful friends. And it was successful, so thank you Helmand and everyone working there for making it as such; cheers!
Hamza MalikHamza Malik
00
I recently had my first experience with Afghani cuisine at The Helmand, and it was a delightful discovery. The restaurant has a pleasant ambiance that makes for an enjoyable dining experience. However, be aware that they only offer street parking, so plan ahead. Since the restaurant is always busy, I highly recommend making a reservation before heading out. For our entrees, we chose the Qabelee, Sheek Kabob, lentils, and Lamb Lawand. They also serve complimentary bread and sauce as a starter, with the bread being unlimited—a great touch. Additionally, they offer a selection of wines and Turkish tea to complement your meal. The standout dish for me was the Qabelee, which comes with rice that was the highlight of the meal. The pallow was so delicious that I couldn't stop eating it. It was perfectly seasoned and not at all spicy. The Qabelee is also substantial enough for two people to share. I had a lovely dinner with my office colleagues, making it a memorable evening. If you're planning to visit Boston and want to try something different, I definitely recommend giving The Helmand a try.
Amit PawaskarAmit Pawaskar
00
My wife and I visited Boston for the first time and we decided to have dinner at Helmand Restaurant. It was the best thing we did because everything we ordered was leaps and bounds better than any afghan restaurant we've been to. When dinning at restaurants we like to order multiple appetizers and one entree as this allows us to get a better feel for the different flavors in the cuisine. We ordered banjan, bolani, shor nakhod, ashuk for appetizers and chappli kebab for an entree. The entire time we kept looking at each other in amazement of how good the food was!! The naan they make, fresh out of a brick oven, reminded me of how my family made it back in Afghanistan and it tasted just as good!!! We have had our share of afghan food in many states ranging from New York, Northern Virginia and California but this place is hands down the best! Everyone was very hospitable and the ambiance of the place was perfect and our waiter was very attentive. We will DEFINITELY be coming back for more in the future!
karim hafizkarim hafiz
00
Nearby Attractions Of The Helmand
Museum of Science
CambridgeSide
MIT Museum
The Liberty, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Boston
Boston Marriott Cambridge
Kimpton Marlowe Hotel
Landmark Kendall Square Cinema
Hampton Inn Boston/Cambridge
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Boston - Cambridge by IHG
Paddle Boston: Cambridge, Kendall Square

Museum of Science
4.7
(8.6K)Click for details

CambridgeSide
4.3
(3.3K)Click for details

MIT Museum
4.4
(1.6K)Click for details

The Liberty, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Boston
4.4
(1.5K)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of The Helmand
Tatte Bakery & Cafe | Third St
Legal Sea Foods - Kendall Square
Lone Star Taco Bar
Sumiao Hunan Kitchen
Harvard Gardens
Shy Bird - Kendall Square
Desfina Restaurant
Fuji at Kendall
Curio Coffee
Scampo

Tatte Bakery & Cafe | Third St
4.5
(957)Click for details

Legal Sea Foods - Kendall Square
4.2
(838)Click for details

Lone Star Taco Bar
4.4
(714)Click for details

Sumiao Hunan Kitchen
4.2
(682)Click for details
Basic Info
Address
143 First St, Cambridge, MA 02142
Map
Phone
(617) 492-4646
Call
Website
helmandrestaurant.com
Visit
Reviews
Overview
4.5
(648 reviews)
Ratings & Description
Description
Afghan eats draw locals to a warm, classy space centered around a hearth where bread is baked.
attractions: Museum of Science, CambridgeSide, MIT Museum, The Liberty, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Boston, Boston Marriott Cambridge, Kimpton Marlowe Hotel, Landmark Kendall Square Cinema, Hampton Inn Boston/Cambridge, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Boston - Cambridge by IHG, Paddle Boston: Cambridge, Kendall Square, restaurants: Tatte Bakery & Cafe | Third St, Legal Sea Foods - Kendall Square, Lone Star Taco Bar, Sumiao Hunan Kitchen, Harvard Gardens, Shy Bird - Kendall Square, Desfina Restaurant, Fuji at Kendall, Curio Coffee, Scampo

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