Thursday, 5.15.2025. Lunch, Afghan Kabob. Charlottesville, VA. I had just had a medical procedure at the University of Virginia Hospital that resulted in following a liquids-only diet for the past 36 hours. My husband and I close this restaurant to break my fast. We were greeted quickly by the hostess who led us to booth seating, and gave us menus. There was no need though, as we had already spotted the all-you-can-eat buffet. We requested only water to go with our meals; she quickly brought a carafe of chilled water and two glasses. This is a generous buffet with many selections for a complete meal, from soup and salad to dessert. There was a good variety of both meat and vegetarian options. Our FAVORITES included the fresh mixed chickpea salad (the chick peas, cucumbers, tomato, onion, parsley); lamb curry (which featured tender boneless and tender meat); rice pilau with raisins and carrots; borani badenjan (eggplant curry. Tip: drizzle yogurt on this);; bamia (okra) curry; firnee milk pudding (dessert); and the addictive dooth pati chai (spiced milk tea). There were also some items that we didn't enjoy as much but were still good. For instance, the chicken kofta meatballs, while nicely spiced, were very dry. And, the nan bread was disappointing. (There were also many additional good choices on the buffet that are not listed here). The ambiance in the restaurant is comfortable, with many paintings and decorations from Afghanistan. Some tables are in a side room, ideal for small groups or privacy. We noticed, but didn't visit, a downstairs shop with Afghan carpets and other goods. Plus, there's a shop on the side that sells groceries. Parking is plentiful and free. The lunch buffet was $17.99 each, plus VA sales tax (6.3%), city meals tax (5.3%), credit card service free (3.5%), and tip (variable). There are cheaper options available if you order from the menu. We would return when next in Charlottesville. read more

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This place was uncrowded despite google saying that it was busier than usual, though occasional delivery drivers came through. I stopped in on the later side as Charlottesville's restaurant scene has a lot of early closings. Seeking a vegetarian combo, I ended up with a salad and a mix of potatoes, okra, and chickpeas, which were clearly cooked earlier and served cafeteria style. The dishes are vaguely reminiscent of Indian stylings but are not spicy. Perhaps this is why this place oversalts food (I've seen this with other Afghan places as well); I hate having to drink so much water afterwards. An herbal tea was an interesting flavor, and I got a decent amount of food for the money. Given the limited options for vegetarian food on a Friday night, I was satisfied, but the food could have been better. read more

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Always an enjoyable experience. The food is fantastic. My favorite is the sambosa and the Kabuli Paloui (sp) Thanks. read more

Delicious food Gone to both locations and loved the food! Service excellent. Atmosphere great Recommend read more

Had the gyro lunch special. Excellent service, ambience, and food. My daughter had a lamb dish and said the lamb was tender. We both loved, loved, loved her potatoes! read more

It had been YEARS since I had authentic Afghan food and I had discovered this place through my delivery app so I went to visit for myself and was really glad I did. For starters, the food was delicious. Everything from the rice to the chicken was cooked to perfection and seasoned wonderfully. I was left wanting more. Second, the service was impeccable. I had zero issues with any of the staff - they were all very kind, respectful, and courteous. I felt really welcomed. I'm definitely going to be coming back for more - both at the restaurant and by delivery. Thank you for the wonderful experience! read more

We absolutely loved this restaurant. The décor felt genuinely authentic, the service was warm and attentive, and our waiter was incredibly hospitable--so much so that we're convinced he brought us extra food simply out of pride in being a generous host. The food was delicious, the prices were remarkably affordable, and the overall experience was a delight. They do not serve alcoholic drinks, but we were also told that guests are welcome to bring their own. All in all, it was a truly pleasant experience, and we wholeheartedly recommend giving this place a try. read more

Very expensive. Service was horrible. Food was below par and not worth the price. We have tried the Naan bread at lots of Afghan places. Here they served naan which was not warm (it was old and not fresh). Quantity for the price is way too low. Channa was watery with no gravy. We ordered spinach and it was out of stock, and they did not even ask but replaced with Channa. Salad with the entree was like small piece of lettuce for one bite. Not worth the money. read more

This is the best Afghan restaurant in the area, hands down. It serves very flavorful traditional Afghani food. Make sure to try the buffet which offers a small but delightful sample of their freshly prepared dishes. read more

Food is pretty poor. The dumpling dishes were all covered with a peas, carrot, and corn mix that appeared to have come out of a bag of frozen mixed vegetables. Kabobs were dry and had no hint of being grilled, maybe they were baked or just reheated. At a dinner for four people where we ordered eight dishes, nothing was particularly tasty. read more

Great authentic cuisine. Excellent service. Noise level low, conversation easy among our group of 10. The "mushroom coffee," however, was an unfortunate mistake on my part. Not sure how an Afghanistan restaurant wouldn't have real coffee. A+++ read more

Afghan Kabob Cville - Afghan cuisine - Afghan Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

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I thoroughly enjoyed my buffet meal at the AK! The food, which was prepared for youth and adults, definitely satisfied everyone in our party of approx 30+. The meal was authentic, and the warm, attentive staff provided top notch wait service! I plan to return! read more

Very nice restaurant. Staff was very nice and attentive. We got the gyro wrap. Was a little thrown off it was in a tortilla type wrap and not a pita one. It was delicious anyways. The milk tea was incredible. We had to go again the next day just for the tea. read more

AMAZING food, impeccable service, and great location for an event at U Virginia! We went for Dave Matthew's and the family atmosphere was warm and super tasty on a cold night. The family let us stay parked in their lot after dinner so well worth it!!! All of the food was seasoned to perfection. The chicken was tender and moist and the beef dishes were flavorful and perfectly cooked as well. I highly recommend the kefta!!! All the veggies, garbanzos, and rice were perfection. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. read more

I've only eaten here twice once was under the previous owners, and this time after hearing the commercial for purchase one entrée get one and a half price. Sunday 1230 and the place was almost empty... small buffet with limited options. The food tasted fine. The service was wonderful, and everyone was kind, friendly, and attentive. The decor was in keeping with Afghan motif. Just overall did not really hit. The spot seemed to be more of a local tea shop for Afghan men as a multiple of them seated huddled around the table, drinking tea. Wish the owners the best in the crowded market of Charlottesville for food. It might be difficult to survive. read more

ambience is way nicer than most kabob joints.... reminds me more of an Indian restaurant in that regard. Food was delicious if not a smidgen on the salty side....however, They serve some of the BEST borani banjan (eggplant) I've ever had ! it was so good I would have gladly had that for a meal. Bangin banjan/brinjal boyz.... only downside of my experience was the bread. it wasnt the Naan you'll find at most kabob shops, or even freshly baked afghan bread with the little holes and fluffy inside and crispy outside... it was cold and not chewy at all. luckily I usually save the bread to clean up the plate... no big loss. read more

Afghan Kabob Cville - Boneless Chicken Kabob with Kadu (Butternut Squash) - Afghan Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

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Why did we wait so long to eat here!?!?! Oh my goodness it was so good!!!! I had the vegetable semosas and they were as delicious as what we had in the pictures. The only reason I took off a star was because the service was super slow (although I think our waiter was new and he was really nice and we didn't have any place to be) and we were the only people there. They seem to do a fair amount of to go orders. And I tried to order from there on grubhub on Wednesday, they confirmed the order, and then cancelled it after the driver was at the restaurant which kind of stunk. We will definitely go back there and look forward to going at dinner! The food was fantastic!!!! You should try it if you've never been! Super clean inside too! read more

Afghan Kabob Cville - Combo 3 - Afghan Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

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YUMMMM!!! I love afghan kabob their food is absolutely delicious. We ordered takeout and the portions are super large and all the food was good. We got the combo platter with the chicken steak and meatball kebabs on a bed of rice with a side of greens. Everything was hot and delicious, really well seasoned and bursting with flavor! Looking forward to eating here again. read more

Afghan Kabob Cville - Combo 4 - Afghan Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

Fantastic, Authentic Afghan Cuisine Let's get the only negative aspect of this place out of the way. The service at the beginning was bad. It took me 15 minutes to get water. But they were busy, and once they finally got to me, it was a SHARP and UNEXPECTED uphill climb in the experience. The server ended up being personable, funny, and very helpful. The environment is open and feels incredibly friendly. The manager walks around checking on tables. That being said... Why the heck haven't I eaten here earlier? I've always talked about it, but why did I wait? Everything I ordered exploded with flavor and color. The presentation alone made their food look like a painting! Try the Borani Badenjan. It's fried eggplant which you scoop up in a mixture of sauces for an incredibly filling experience. I ordered the small. So much food for only $4.50! And then comes the main course: the Lamb Tika Kabob. The rice was... indescribably surprising. I could eat that rice all day long. The lamb itself is cooked perfectly; not too tough and juicy throughout. Again, the serving size is HUGE. The potato side was great, though the weakest part of the excellent meal for me. This place is now a must-recommend. It's a top 3 favorite of mine for Charlottesville. I'm an idiot for not eating here sooner. Don't be like me, go here as soon as possible. read more

Afghan Kabob Cville - Lamb Tikka Kabob - Afghan Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

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Most of the food is old and cold and the service is substandard. The worst thing I expected was that I found ants in the soup. I will never return here. read more

Afghan Kabob Cville - Afghan Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

Visited Afghan Kabob to try out their lunch buffet for $16. We were seated quickly and told to help ourselves to the buffet. There was 3 types of protein / meat options as well as some other sides and rice as well as bread. There was also a salad section and some fruit and a type of pudding dessert as well. At first, I thought the buffet options seemed limited but in the end I actually thought it was great value for the amount and variety of meat available like chicken, beef or lamb (couldn't tell), and kafta. I wished the buffet options were labelled though. I also noticed that many of the pieces were actually just bone so we had to do a bit of digging around to scoop up the meat parts. I think it's definitely worth checking out the lunch buffet to be able to try different options that you might not normally order. read more

Afghan Kabob Cville - Lunch Buffet - Afghan Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

Delicious food, obviously a family restaurant. Kind and friendly service. Right near UVA

I was in town for work and curious to see what ethnic food Cville had to offer. I'm a big fan of Afghan food and was thrilled to see they have some of the appetizers (like manto) that are harder to find and taste different in each restaurant. Delivery was prompt and they brought it right to my hotel room. Ordered an entree sized Manto (sort of a dumpling in sauce), an aushak (like a leek ravioli almost), and kadu (pumpkin, I think it's actually butternut squash). Order came with bread, chutney, and a cup of rice pudding for dessert. This was enough for two meals and I was very very happy. (review from 2018) read more

Afghan Kabob near the Barracks shopping center has been around for what seems like forever, and has remained a consistently solid option for flavorful grilled meats and killer vegetable curries. Each meal at Afghan Kabob comes with your meat of choice, plenty of well-seasoned rice, a generous helping of delicious fresh bread, a vegetable side, and a serving of salad. This ends up being an excellent quantity of food for the price, even if the meat portions themselves can, on occasion, be skimpy. The tender, well-marinated lamb chops and the vermillion, slightly smoky tandoori chicken represent me and my wife's favorite meat options here, though the standard chicken and lamb kabobs are enjoyable as well. In terms of vegetarian sides, we gravitate towards the flavorful okra and butternut squash options, but the other options offer good flavors as well. This restaurant appears to be a family run place, and the service here has always been sweet and accommodating. Even when the restaurant is busy, the food is always prepared in a timely manner. For consistently good kabobs, unique vegetable noshes, and a hearty meal, look no further than Afghan Kabob. read more

The food is always good but the standout is the service, maybe the friendliest and most hospitable in all of Charlottesville. Entrees are reasonably priced, with big portions almost all below $20. Food comes out fast. I first tried it at least a decade ago and have come back at intervals ever since. read more

We were visiting from Houston and decided to try Afghan Kabob for lunch. After being seated an elderly lady seated in the booth behind us told us they don't serve kimchi here. We are Asian. I told the lady we are not Korean. 5 minutes later she came up us again and told us dog was not served here. I told the wait staff and they said nothing. I guess if you are not the right ethnicity don't go to Afghan Kabob. read more

Unfortunately I had a very mediocre takeout experience here. I ordered online and their website wouldn't except my order so I ended up ordering takeout through Grubhub. Pickup was easy. They forgot a main entree and then when I called seemed upset I couldn't drive back to get it. I also ordered the kachalow entree which was $15.99 and there wasn't even 1/2 a potato in the container. I'm guessing there were 4-5 small bite sized pieces. Not enough for an entree that cost $16! So with 1 small entree and 1 missing entree we didn't have enough food for the family and ended up having to cook dinner at home. The kadu (butternut squash) was delicious. All and all I wouldn't go there again, which is a bummer! read more

Afghan Kabob Cville - Full potato entree - Afghan Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

We had lunch there earlier this week and it was amazing. The food was delicious! We had the appetizer sampler and loved it all, kabob entree and they were so juicy and delicious. We also tried the dessert custard and baklava. My two young children devoured everything! The service was spectacular, they were very attentive and friendly, it felt like a family dinner at a family members home. Restaurant is very clean and great ambiance, definitely stoping in again when we are in Charlottesville! read more

Good Afghan food here!! The staff and owners were very nice and attentive, food came out quickly. The appetizer sampler was very good and definitely enough for two people. Everything seemed fresh, well prepared and especially authentic!! I have only been here once on a business meeting and would return a bunch more times to try something new. The placement and setting of the restaurants interior is interesting. I like how certain areas of the restaurant are blocked off from other patrons. The interior could be updated and made a little more modern but it does not hurt what Afghan Kabob Cville brings to the table!! Haha, see what I did there...??? Thanks again Afghan Kabob!! read more

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$10 for an excellent Afghan lunch buffet? Yes, please. There is an impressive selection that includes salads, curry and kabob meats, vegetarian dishes, fresh fruit, sweet desserts, warm soup, and hot tea. Throughout the lunch hour, the staff constantly replenishes the consumed dishes with newly cooked food. It is worth noting this is an Afghan restaurant. One of my friends was more familiar with Indian food and was disappointed that the food did not seem as flavorful. I thought everything was seasoned just right and really enjoyed the intricate flavors. Though not quite as good a deal as the lunch buffet, dinner here is also fantastic and is still reasonably priced. There are many more selections on the dinner menu. My favorite is the Tandoori chicken. The chicken is juicy on the inside, but perfectly seared on the outside. It is served warm on a cast iron plate. The dish also includes some vegetables to round out the flavors. The restaurant is spacious, with a selection of open tables and booths. The servers are attentive without getting in the way. read more

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The food was amazing! We ordered the veggie samosas, kebab combo #1, and the chicken tandoori skewer. The service was so kind, our server gave us complementary salads and dessert. I definitely recommend trying this place out!! read more

Afghan Kabob Cville - Afghan Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

Love Afghan food and when I saw this restaurant had great reviews I decided to give it a try. I was not disappointed! The service was fast and good without rushing me. The food was beyond incredible! I highly recommend. Very nice decor. Will definitely be bac read more

Afghan Kabob Cville - Afghan Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

You'll love this place if you like good food and no frills venue. Congenial help and perfect service in a comfortable atmosphere.

On the peripheries of grounds, Afghan Kabob Cville is an unassuming restaurant. For two years, I've walked by it weekly on my way grocery shopping to Barracks and I finally popped in, and I've truly been missing out on such a great spot. It's a great dining spot for truly anyone--vegan friends and more. Since it was our first time there, we hadn't yet known what our favorite appetizers were so we tried the appetizer sampler; I think a great option to just familiarize yourself with what they have to offer. Although great, I don't think it encompasses all that this place has to offer. So I'll definitely be back again to try each appetizer dish individually and see which I like the best. My friends and I ordered the Lamb Tika Kabob and they all seemed very satisfied with it. It comes with the seasoned meat, rice, vegetables, and naan; all very balanced and a great serving portion. I think the lamb was really good--well flavored, tender, not too gamey. I think it's great location wise, pricing is good, and the portions are actually big enough! Would recommend this place to friends! read more

Really great lunch buffet! Loved the options, especially the eggplant dish. Soooooooo good! Meatballs were also delicious, but the beef was probably my favorite. So tender and flavorful. read more

Amazing food. All of it. I'm kicking myself for not checking this place out earlier! Ample parking, nice staff, stellar food (and large servings!) Service can be a little slow but it feels like a family run operation so I don't mind. Great for a date night, group outing, or eating solo! read more

The best Afghani food in Cville. We ordered a chicken breast kabob that came with one side, salad, chutney, raita, rice, and a naan, we ordered chicken kofta kabob that also came with a side, salad, chutney, raita, rice, and naan. The proportions were generous. The take-out packaging was also great quality. For the side we ordered okra, it was amazing, for the other side we ordered chickpeas that was really great too. The raita was refreshing as well. The rice and naan were excellent. The salad was good. Most of all the chicken breast kabob was OUTSTANDING!! Perfectly spiced and grilled. There kofta was superb as well. It's a must try authentic Afghani place! read more

While it may look rundown and empty from the road, Afghan Kabob has some amazing foods at very affordable prices for Charlottesville. We went with a Restaurant.com voucher, so it was an even better deal. I got the vegetarian combo and for $12.95 got rice, naan, chickpeas, spinach, and butternut squash -- much of which I had to take home because it was so much food! We also tried the eggplant appetizer which was potentially the most delicious thing on the menu. Overall, very vegetarian friendly and has a diverse menu for all to choose from at a great price. read more

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Loved this place. It's a nice cozy spot just off 29 with its own parking. Our waiter was superb.... went above and beyond. The hummus appetizer is really good. I tried the vegetarian kabob with rice and naan and it was all delicious. There were lots of other things on the menu that looked tasty and different that I'd love to try. read more

Excellent ambiance however the food was not very good in comparison to dishes in other afghan restaurants. A bit disappointed since I travelled here from long ways.. promising location, hoping the owner sees this and continues to strive and make better quality dishes without taking shortcuts on the process, ingredients and overall dish. I am willing to try again in the next couple months - also to change this review if the food is better next time. read more