Finally got to try this place after walking by hundreds of times on Van Ness St. It's afghan and Mediterranean cuisine which is a favorite of mine. I ordered the mixed grill kebab to try all their staple meats. The koufta and lamb were definitely the best since they were super tender. Also their okra side that they serve is easily one of the best ways I've ever had okra prepared. Slightly salty but stewed and still slightly firm for a satisfying bite. Kebabs Beef: B Lamb: A- Koufta (ground meat): A+ Chicken: B+ Okra: A read more

Helmand Palace - Mixed grill kabab - Afghan Near Me - San Francisco, California

I don't love the grilled meats, our favorites are the curried meats. Appetizers: Most of the entrees come with either Sabsi or Dall on the side, so you probably don't need to order those separately. The Kadoo (pumpkin) and Banjan (eggplant) are good. You can also order a appetizer-sized Mantwo or Aushak if you want to try them without getting a full entree. Entrees: Qabelee: Definitely get this, the rice is delicious, so flavorful there's a whole lamb shank and it's fall off the bone tender. Mantwo: Big meaty dumplings, quite good Aushak: Leek dumplings with a meat and yogurt sauce. Lawand Lamb: A delicious lamb curry, served with Sabsi Kourma Chalow: A flavorful lamb stew, served with Dall. Things I would not order again are the Theeka Kabab and the Mourgh Challow. They are tasty but the other entrees just shine so much more. read more

Food was delicious & came out quick. Owner is very friendly & helped explain the dishes. He helped us decide what to order based on how hungry we were. Very well priced for portions and quality. Will be coming back or ordering take away. read more

The food was excellent. The kebab was well marinated, cooked to perfection, and remained juicy and flavorful throughout. Portion sizes were appropriate, and overall quality was good. I would confidently recommend this restaurant. read more

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I highly recommend the food here! I got the special vegetarian entree, and veg aushak. Portions were large and tasty. Service is quick and the owner is extremely friendly and helpful. One of my new go to spots. Only downside is they don't play music (or weren't when we went) so there were weird silences other than that amazing! read more

Helmand Palace - Veg Special Vegetarian Entrée - Afghan Near Me - San Francisco, California

This restaurant is THE best place to eat Afghan food. My husband and I visited for our honeymoon. We ordered the Theeka Kebab, Koufta Kebab. The okra that came with the koufta entree was to die for. Savory, tangy, and the beef was perfectly cooked. Lastly the mint tea is delicious and pairs perfectly with the dishes. We are so happy to have visited this restaurant during our stay. 10/10. read more

Helmand Palace - Koufta Kebab - Afghan Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I got Helmand Palace catered to our office, and everyone was blown away by how tasty every single dish was! The flavors were outstanding and savory. I will definitely order from here again. The owner delivered the food to us, and he was communicative and friendly. read more

Great home style establishment with good food and great service. Been coming here for years. Good atmosphere as well. Give it a shot.

It had been many years since I dined at Helmand Palace and I'm so glad it has survived the construction on Van Ness and the awful pandemic. It's so sad to see that parking is made even more difficult by the removal of all the parking in front of the restaurant and on the block south of it. I think the lack of parking will make it even more difficult to maintain a strong client base. Regardless of the parking situation, I'm glad I had a chance to dine here again. They've moved some tables around within the dining area and the menu has changed a bit, but they still bring out the basket of bread with the three different dipping sauces that are so delicious. I'm not sure what the sauces are, but one is red, the other green, and the last one white. The white one, I assume, is a seasoned yogurt. The red and green sauces have a mild kick to them. All three are delicious! A couple of people ordered the hummus and samosas which they were generous enough to share with the table (each $8.99). They were good, but I'm not sure they were worth the price; the hummus was a good amount, but the two samosas were a bit skimpy for the cost. The only thing about the hummus was that there wasn't enough bread to go with it (there were 5 of us) and they charged for extra bread. I ordered the kadoo and banjan challow (baked baby pumpkin and eggplant with mint yogurt and tomato sauce served with rice). It was supposed to be a vegetarian dish, but I asked for the addition of ground meat sauce, a dish that used to be offered on the menu. The vegetarian version should've been $13.99, but I'm not sure how much it was with the meat sauce added because I didn't see the bill. My dish was wonderful, though a bit on the too sweet side; with a lighter hand on the sugar, this dish would be fantastic! Others in my dining party ordered salmon, kabobs, and lamb dishes. Everyone seemed to be happy with their meals. One big thing that would bring me back to Helmand Palace is the service. It seems to be family run and each person was very attentive and nice. I like how friendly and accomodating each person was. Service is one of the big factors of whether or not I would patronize an establishment again and I would certainly go back to Helmand Palace. read more

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The service was good and it was decently busy for a Friday night but the food left me wanting more. The bread and the dips were the standouts. The aushuk was fine and the vegetarian special was disappointing. I have had the pumpkin and eggplant at other afghan restaurants and they hit the spot well. This was missing some of the flavor that I'm used to. read more

Helmand Palace - Vegetarian Aushak - Afghan Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Terrible food and service- everything we got was disgusting. Rice tastes strange and old. Kabob was extremely salty. This place is not afghan food, save your money and go to in n out. I would never come back! Save your money. read more

A nice reasonable price place for some tasty hearty Afghan food. The decor is a bit dated, but the service is friendly.

My son ordered the Theeka Kabab, which is made with prime rib. He said it was cooked perfectly and had great seasoning and flavor. I thought it was a little overcooked, but I was glad he really enjoyed it. I did notice he added yogurt to almost every bite, so it might have been slightly on the dry side. 4/5 I ordered the Sabzi Challow, and I actually preferred my dish over my son's. The lamb was tender and fell right off the bone. It also came with a side of sautéed eggplant, which I loved. 5/5 We also ordered hummus for the table, and it was delicious. It tasted very fresh and was drizzled with olive oil, which really brought out the flavor. It came with a basket of bread that reminded us of Italian focaccia. The bread was absolutely amazing and so delicious that we asked for a second basket. 5/5 The ambiance was quiet and well kept. The furniture is a bit dated, but that did not bother us. Our waitress was very nice and attentive with refilling our water. However, once I asked for the check, she came by several times to see if we were ready, which felt a little rushed. 4/5 When the bill came, we noticed a small charge for the second basket of bread. It was only $4, and we did not mind paying for it, but it would have been nice if she had mentioned it beforehand. 4/5 Overall, it was a great dining experience. We will definitely be back to support this local restaurant. read more

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Our last review for this place was back in 2023 so thought it was worth checking in here again. We went for dinner here a couple of weeks ago and the food, as always, did not disappoint. The Aushak was fantastic and we also enjoyed the Baba Ganoush: creamy with a ton of flavor. Also love the owner who is a lot of fun. Highly recommend! read more

This is the perfect place to come with a big group of friends so that you can maximize the number of dishes that you try! For starters, we shared a few vegetarian options: samosa, vegetarian mantwo, and banjan. My favorite was the mantwo because the filling in each dumpling was delicious and I loved the yogurt on top. It added a nice tanginess to the dish! For entrees, we shared the qabelee and a kofta kabab. I loved the lamb that was served with the qabelee. It literally fell off the bone! It paired great with the rice that had raisins and carrots. Overall, I'd say the kabab was my favorite dish though. The meat was so flavorful and had a nice grilled taste. It came with some delicious peppers and okra, which I could have eaten a whole bowl of. The rice was also amazing and I somehow liked it even more than the rice that came with the qabelee. I must learn their secrets for making white rice taste to flavorful because the rice that I make at home tastes so bland. The service was great here and the waiter was really patient with us as we chatted a lot before finally ordering! Can't beat the price for the quality of the food either, so I'll definitely be returning! read more

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Very tasty - hard not to fill up on the fantastic complimentary bread and sauces. The mantwo, falafel and mixed grill was the perfect amount of food for me and my girlfriend - the fresh cinnamon flavor of the pulao rice that came with the meat particularly stood out. The restaurant wasn't overly busy at 8 on a Friday which was nice. We enjoyed the owner Hassan's presence and service as well and will definitely be back again one day soon. read more

The food was delicious, the staff was very friendly, and everything was very well-oriented. Clean, well-worn tables that transport you to faraway lands. Pictures capturing moments of wonderful simplicity. And to cap it all off, they're a small and successful team of just a few people. Next time you're in SF and Russian Hill, I would highly recommend dining here. P.S. Try not to DoorDash. They're such nice people. They're already working very hard, and they have to prioritize those to-go order. Really, it's a lovely place to spend an evening, and with wonderful people. read more

I'd wanted to try out this place for awhile and am glad my kids, friends and I did! Most of us were late, so the early ones got some appetizers - hummus and pita (warm!!!), mantwo with three sauces: cilantro-based, yogurt, and a pleasant red spicy sauce (I wasn't there when they were described). OMG - the pita smells so heavenly, and being warm, made everything feel homey. The mantwo is a bit spicy, but the meat is nicely spiced, tasty. We got the Mixed Grill plate, Sabzi Challow, Babganough, and an extra order of Koufta Kebab - and later ANOTHER kebab! We had a choice of flavors of rice - regular or spice and cinnamon-flavored. They are both delicious and great accompaniments to the kebabs. As a compliment, we received a most tender and flavorful Banjan - Mwah! I could eat that forever. For five of us, this was plenty - more than enough as the women didn't have the extra kebab! I'm sorry we were so hungry (20-30-yos - go figure), I didn't have a chance to take ANY photos! I will have to return to try out the rest of the menu! read more

First off, I enjoy trying new things--and this was one of those experiences. We visited based on a friend's recommendation. Parking As expected in the city, parking was a challenge. Be prepared to walk a few blocks. Ambiance The space is quaint, though not especially cozy. Our group of six was seated right away, as the restaurant was completely empty at the time. The host was welcoming and had a great sense of humor. Food We tried the Baba Ganoush, samosas, and mantwo. While everything was decent, the flavors were a bit underwhelming. I likely wouldn't return, as the food just didn't suit our tastes. read more

An extra star for quality food a a real value. and a true family run restaurant (husband and wife and their 3 kids walking through the dining room on occasion) We shared the nan (not like indian nan, more like a less buttery, and flatter focaccia -- but served with 3 dipping sauces. And an order of somosas (more like a Persian wonton, than an Indian samosa). Quite good! For my main, I ordered the Theeka Kabob - which is prime rib served with rice and lentils (enough for 2 meals really) I was a bit skeptical that it would be good quality meat - but it sure was! It was a Monday night and we were one of 3 tables occupied, I know this is a bit of a SF institution, so hoping it is more packed on other nights. read more

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Amazing food, a top spot across SF. Wonderfully kind and attentive service. Ambiance feels like home (self made rice pudding!)

Very disappointed with Helmand Palace. Unprofessional customer service and disrespectful staff. Management must properly train employees to treat customers respectfully and improve service quality immediately. read more

The pumpkin squash and bindi dishes were delicious! The naan and side dishes were average, nothing extraordinary. It's a great place to go with a big group so you can try more dishes. The service was okay, felt like there was only one waiter the whole time so I think he was spread a bit thin with handling all the tables. read more

Taste of Food and service have definitely gone down. The restaurant also looks a bit run down with same old furniture and looks a bit inundated. The Chicken kebabs weren't juicy. The Salmon had some weird red sauce on it which didn't taste the best. The Rice pilaf had some brown color versus the one they used to serve many years back. The vegetables were also over cooked and didn't taste as earlier. Not sure if the cooks changed or what happened? The best dish was the lamb chops. read more

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Amazing spot for some truly authentic Afghan food. Every single thing we had here was well liked and it's a very cozy spot inside too which makes you feel like you're almost sitting in a living room. The mantwo appetizer was quickly finished by us and definitely something I'll get next time as a main. Their rice with the chicken kabob was super soft and paired well with the meat and veggies. We tried three different desserts - kunafa, baklava, and the cream pudding. The kunafa is not like the Arabic style cheesy kunafa you might expect as an fyi. It's more semolina flour and nuts which paired well with the Turkish coffee. The cream pudding I have to say was the best of the desserts , it's lighter and just the right amount of sweetness. Overall great spot, great friendly service , and great food read more

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Came all the way from LA to try this place. It was beyond amazing. I was a little scared because it was the first time trying Afghan food. But needless to say I will Definitely be coming here again. Everything was so flavorful we ordered the family meal and it fed all 10 of my family members. The service was amazing they are very tending and always ask if everything is good and okay. Highly recommend also if your looking for halal food this is the place is the place to go. The place is a fine dine restaurant it gives an Aesthetic vintage vibe. Not really a cuisine type of person but this place is a go too and I will be returning. read more

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Still a wonderfully tasty dishes and appetizers. Nice ambience and friendly service. Great neighborhood place! Not my neighborhood so have to drive here, but well worth it read more

Helmand Palace - Qabelle... lamb shank w favorable rice! Yummt! - Afghan Near Me - San Francisco, California

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My husband and I were enjoying one of our several visits to this gem (not a small feat -- we live in Minnesota), when we heard numerous exclamations of delight from a couple who had arrived while we were in mid-meal. These remarks continued for a long time. They were clearly members of the diplomatic corps, and had just come Stateside from a visit to Afghanistan. They had ordered pretty much the same selection we had made, and they couldn't stop talking about how good everything was, and that it was just like what they had eaten while they were in Afghanistan. We cold only agree! No higher praise! read more

Been going to this little Afghani heaven for years. With ownership changes, remodels and of course- covid , this little eatery on vaness has had its share of business struggles. It's pulling through though - and I wanted to take a moment and offer a genuine review of the quality of the cooking. Food is amazing - I'll start there. From the aroma to the blend of spices and -of course- challis rice; you'll be pleasantly surprised and even happier when you get your bill. These guys can easily charge more- which I think they should. If you're a veggie lover - I recommend getting the supreme veggie entree w slow baked pumpkin and okra. Two combinations that I can never go without when coming here. The lamb dishes and raviolis are great to mix and match with. Come here (or order out!) if you're looking for a clean , quiet dine in place w passionate and attentive staff- and authentic food - without a typical SF price tag. A glass of red vino will go amazingly well w all dishes- so don't skimp on it if you don't have to. read more

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very good food, very friendly. i just wish he responded to my email. i am a regular customer for years.

10 STARS for a beautiful restaurant that qualifies as aesthetically pleasing art gallery with much TLC. The owner and staff are very hospitable. The delicious dishes are modestly priced, well worth it here!!! read more

Best Baklava! If you enjoy a perfectly balanced baklava then Helmand palace will deliver. This pairs well with the Turkish coffee. Good service. read more

I wanted some good lamb chops and read how good they are here. We came here a few days before Christmas during the week and were the only table starting at 6. No complaints other than it was a little chilly inside. Chowpan: 4.5/5. The quality of the lamb was really good. And they were cooked up really nicely. The only thing that would have made these great were a little more cooking. I ordered them medium-well and they were not quite there. Maybe next time I will order them well done and see if this is closer. And the okra was really good. Parking is challenging in this area, but we found a garage at 1910 Union that was reasonably priced. read more

Best value anywhere near Russian Hill and/or Pacific Heights. Great food at very reasonable prices. Highly recommend especially for a big group because it's not noisy. Try ALL of the appetizers. read more

We had a good experience overall. The food portions were good a little big which is great but the meat was overcooked on kebabs which made it chewy and kinda hard. The food tasted good it was more about cook time. The service was great, our waiter was amazing and helped us pick dishes as it was our first time at the restaurant. The ambiance is decent like a regular afghan place. read more

I ran in here right before closing last night. Had one of the best kebabs. Hassan was the guy working there, was very friendly and funny. I definitely recommend this place read more

What if the country you live in has been waging war with your homeland and has deep-set prejudices against those in your entire region? What if the street your restaurant is on has been going through a multi-year construction project that has been continually delayed? What if you just renovated your restaurant and given it a beautiful face-lift only for coronavirus to shut down your entire industry? What if your food is really fricken good and you know your loyal customers would be crushed if you closed your doors and SF would be a less diverse food city without you? This is Helmand Palace, guys. Please give them a try or support them with pick-up through their website. We need them to stick around. read more

Helmand Palace - Lentil soup and Mixed Grill - Afghan Near Me - San Francisco, California

Food: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Ambiance: 3.5/5 Overall: I'll be coming back to this place. Good food and friendly service. The extended review... Food: Quabili Pallow - 5/5 - I've had this at a few other places and the flavor is very consistent. Not dry, very tender, and very tasty served with an abundance of rice. You won't be starving after this dish. Service: 5/5 - After being charged for someone else's order, I was able to call and they refunded me. They were super friendly both in person and over the phone. Ambiance 3.5/5 - Only available for take out when I had it but there is ample seating inside. read more

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What's not to love here? Delicious food and a comforting vibe. There are so many vegetarian options I have a hard time choosing (though I always do need to order some pumpkin)! The last time I came in, the owner said they were having a slow night, so he even let me park my bike just inside the restaurant instead of risking it getting stolen on Van Ness. We had a fantastic dinner with friends and I can't wait to come back. read more

4.5 stars, if Yelp would let me. Pros: excellent and extremely unique appetizers; super friendly service The one con -- which takes 5 stars off the table IMO -- is that the chicken and the lamb from the mixed grill were extremely dry, which was disappointing. Still worth a trip, if not for the apps alone! read more