Sultan Darbar Afghan Cuisine & Market — Restaurant in Modesto

If you’re craving authentic Afghan flavors, Sultan Darbar is a hidden gem you don’t want to miss. The food here is absolutely delicious and full of traditional spices that take you straight to the heart of Afghanistan.

Their kabobs are perfectly grilled — juicy, tender, and full of flavor. The chicken tikka and lamb kabob especially stand out, served with fluffy basmati rice and warm naan. The rice is aromatic and cooked just right, often topped with raisins and carrots for that perfect Afghan touch.

We also tried the mantu (Afghan dumplings) and they were excellent — filled with seasoned ground beef and topped with a savory yogurt and lentil sauce. Every bite was satisfying.

Don’t miss the Qabili Palau, which is the national dish of Afghanistan. Sultan Darbar makes it just the way it should be: fragrant rice with tender lamb, topped with fried carrots and raisins — a perfect balance of sweet and savory.

Portions are generous, the ingredients taste fresh, and the seasoning is just right — not too heavy, but full of depth.

Whether you’re Afghan or trying this cuisine for the first time, the food at Sultan Darbar delivers an authentic experience you’ll want to...

I went to Sultan Darbar as a quick take out meal for myself and my boyfriend. It is in my neighborhood and was hoping it would become a regular option for take out for us. They claim the have vegetarian food but the selection is very limited I was only able to get a vegetarian appetizer. I ordered an appetizer and a gyro meal. The meal was decent but the appetizer was bland and lacking. They claimed it would be done in 15 minutes. It took over 50 minutes to get our food. I kept seeing them bring out food for the dine in customers but they just kept telling us 5 more minutes. There was even a couple who came in after us that sat down to eat that got their food before us. I am usually very understanding at restaurants but this experience was insulting. I have never felt so ignored and overlooked. My advice do not waste your time or money at this restaurant. I am never...

I’m just sitting here at 1am with insomnia thinking about this place. I had a craving for Afghan food the other day so I did a little search and this appeared. Got a lamb shank for the spouse and a chicken platter for myself and now I crave more. Soft bread, perfect rice, savory bits of chicken and cumin spiced chickpeas were all quickly devoured. Likewise with the lamb shank dish. What did Modesto do to deserve a place like this?

Only thing to note is the dining room isn’t immediately obvious from the store front. Don’t feel like you’re in the wrong place if you go in and all you see is market shelves. Just turn immediately left and then you’ll be in the dining area. I went ahead and grabbed a bag of Polish milk fudge while I was waiting there. Love little...