Fantastic food and service. My first time here I just stopped in to get carry out since I was in the area and saw it. What a great decision it was going here. Everything was authentic and the spices were perfect. I went with a side of spinach and a kabob special and it was all so good. So delicious that I came back a few days later for lunch and got a couple other options. Definitely recommend this spot and I will be back. read more

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Wonderful little gem tucked away in Great Falls! I loved the menu, which highlights flavors and combos that are not seen in typical restaurants. I had the chicken kabobs, and friends tried two of the pulaos. Everything was very well made and flavorful. I'll definitely be back to try some of the other menu items! read more

Well, the food was amazing and so was the ambience. It was the first time I tried lamb sbank and now I am a fan. Food it a bit pricer than expeced. They should really look into their service. Their was only only waiter serving the whole restaurant and wd could see she was stresses. 1 star minus coz we had to wait for a realy long time to get our water, then no water refill and again long wait for check. read more

Zamarod Restaurant - Lamb Shank Chopaan Kebob - Afghan Near Me - Great Falls, Virginia

The food was excellent and the service was pleasant, helpful and fast. The prices were quite reasonable especially the wine by the glass.

I dined here on a weekend evening with a couple other diners. The restaurant is a cozy size and the decor fits the style of the restaurant. They play music in the foreground and the owner (I believe) was our server. He was clearly very knowledgeable on the menu and helped us pick some of our orders. I ordered the Muntoo as an appetizer and then had the Lamb Shank as my entree. Both of these dishes were rich in flavor and highly enjoyable. I haven't had Afghani food in awhile and this place definitely hit the spot. The portions were large and enough for me to be able to take almost half of my entree to go. The lamb shank itself was large and had ample amounts of fatty and rich meat on it. I loved the sauces it was cooked in and the Spinach was fantastic. Ask for the spicy green sauce as this made everything perfect! I enjoyed my food so much that I ordered a few appetizers to go. I got the Aush soup and the Sambosa. I preferred the Aush however all of the food here is great. I look forward to returning to try other items on their menu. I'd highly recommend splitting some appetizers if you aren't sure about some of the big ticket meal items. They also have a full bar and Afghani wine! :) read more

Zamarod is simply one of the best restaurants I have been to in quite some time! I had their Muntoo as an appetizer (a dumpling filled with happiness, meat, spices and topped with seasoned yogurt and a sauce), followed by a Combo Kebob of chicken, marinated lamb and a leg of lamb that redefined what I now want from lamb! My dinning companion had Kadu Palow, which had chunks of seasoned lamb in a hearty sauce accompanied by spinach rice and sauteed pumpkin in a seasoned sauce. Frankly, I thought ordering sauteed pumpkin was a bad call until I tried it. Who knew pumpkin could taste this good! Totally unexpected, yet so, so yummy! Pumpkin may become my go-to veggie there! It was awesome! I can't stress this enough: Give this place a try - you'll be so happy you did! Because, in addition to the food, the service was great and the ambiance was wonderful (and not just because our server smiled at my jokes. But mostly.) The background music and displayed art also helped to create a very relaxing vibe. So try this place if you love Afghan food, are curious about Afghan food or simply want to please your taste buds. Zamarod is everything a great restaurant should be at a very reasonable price. I envy you trying it for the first time! read more

excellent food! I highly recommend you try this restaurant. the food is amazing. The portions are large. please do not leave without trying the baklava. the best I ever had. read more

Very good Afghan food. Service is good but can be very very slow. If you're doing a take out, order waaay ahead, like 1 hour ahead of pick up. read more

Hands down the absolute best gourmet Afghan cuisine. Everything on the menu is outstanding.

Our favorite restaurant of all time. Feels like you're eating in the owner's house. Sitting in there eating bulanee is my happy place

Absolutely beautiful outdoor seating right next to freshly grown tomatoes. We started with the meat Sambosa. It was served with a side of yogurt & pickled veggies. Super tasty. I ordered some lamb chops and my husband ordered a mixed grilled kabab. Everything was really great, including the homemade bread!!! We took some home it was so delicious. My lamb was just a little too marinated, personally I like to taste my lamb instead of the marination. Our server was very pleasant and super polite and sweet. Definitely recommend going there and sitting outside. read more

Did take out tonight and tried something new for the first time. We ordered the Muntoo and Combo Kebab. The flavor of the Muntoo was incredible and the bread this time was the best so far. read more

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Ordered takeout Zamarod Palow. Outstanding flavors not just the main dish but the spinach and the rice too. Saved some leftovers to enjoy another day. read more

My friend and I had the pleasure of dining here the other night. The food is amazing and you get really huge portions. I got the combo kebob dish and my friend got the rack of lamb. We also got the cardamom tea and finished everything off with baklava and rosewater ice cream for dessert. I can't recommend the food enough. Everything was so flavorful and tasted amazing. Our server was very attentive to our needs and very personable. We had a great time and will be back. read more

Best rack of lamb!!!!! Every bite is truly Incredible. Owner of the restaurant is extremely friendly and also great with allergies

Wonderful food. Charming ambiance. Efficient service. I have ordered takeout just for myself, and I have also taken family there for holiday celebrations. Everyone in my family enjoyed it too - even three teenagers. read more

This place is a hidden gem. Everybody in GF needs to come here. The owner is the nicest guy and the best cook. read more

Zamarod Restaurant - Afghan Near Me - Great Falls, Virginia

Simply amazing. Great food. Super nice owner. He's so nice. The restaurant is cozy. The food always amazing.

Love the food here - truly a unique dining experience and wonderful flavors. My favorite dish is Quabili Palow - the lamb in a rich tomato sauce served with the namesake rice is just perfect on a cold night. The owner is also warm and inviting. You can't go wrong here! read more

Amazing delicious food. Group of 8 and everyone loved there food. Unique appetizer sampler was great way to try 5 different appetizers. Especially loved the apple walnut lamb dish. Yummy desserts too. read more

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Soo lets just start by saying.. I love all kinds of kabob houses. Tried most of them across town, Pakistani, Afghan, Irani, Arab, all the above. This was my first time visiting... I loved the steak kabob and that would be the reason of my return. The soup was also very good as well hearty, healthy, plenty of flavors. The man who took my order gets bonus points. I didnt realize that the place doesnt open till 5:00pm. I called at 4:30. He took my order didnt make me feel bad for calling so early ( didnt realize it until i was trying to navigate there and it told me they open at 5pm)and prepared my food when i got there before 5pm it was ready. Very kind.. great customer service. I will be visiting quite frequently! Thank you! read more

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So incredibly happy that I finally got to try this restaurant! It is a wonderful neighborhood place and just so cute inside and really cozy. I will say that they don't have any wait staff and the owner does everything so the service is pretty slow. But the food makes up for everything. Everything that they served us was super hot and totally fresh! The bread was fluffy and super hot out of the oven. I have never had bread like that - it was delicious! We tried the potato and leek Samosa appetizer and it was crispy and light and very good. I tried the combo kebabs which honestly was not big enough for two people but big enough for one person to have leftovers. The lamb chop was delicious and I wish they gave you more than one with this order. The actual lamb kebabs were pretty good and the chicken was so tender and flavorful! Make sure you get this with yogurt because otherwise it can be dry. I also had a side of spinach and it was so fresh and totally amazing! I would definitely come back here and get the same food! read more

ZAMAROD: This is likely the best Afghan cuisine in the DMV area & no doubt we will be returning very soon. It's located in a quiet & quaint area in Great Falls Virginia. Alone in a corner, its outside is very inviting & appealing. Walking-in your welcomed with 5 star decor classy yet modern art deco look. The walls are adorned with pictures, antiquities & carpet from Afghanistan. The owner welcomes you with a smile as you pick your seat. The tables are lovely & differ in design for your choice. Sitting down at the candle lite table your eyes end up at the raised ceiling & chandeliers. The menu is simple, clear & effective. After your drink order appetizers follow. I recommend them all as there well presented, large, tasty & leave you wanting more. The meal will follow with beautifully shaped dinnerware, large & lovely the meals are spectacular. The person I was with is from Afghanistan & she were immediately transported back to a wonderful time. As we over-indulged ourselves with the lamb chops, chicken, quabili palow (rice, carrots, raisins) & more. As the plates are removed the dessert will follow. Homemade Icecream & the best Baklava I've ever tasted arrives for your palate. When your all done, the bill arrives & don't be surprised because you'll be happy as it's very, very reasonable for the 5-star quality of food. While sitting there, several regulars whom drove long distances arrived. Couples, kids & neighbors all gathered. We even struck up conversations about the food & their loyalty to Zamarod. This wonderful restaurant has indoor & outdoor seating as well as a fully stocked beautiful bar. Thank you to the owner & wonderful staff as well as the patrons we spoke with. AAA+++. read more

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Zamarod is Dor and his wonderful Afghani cuisine Above all is a 5 star value. Keep it going read more

This is our second visit to this gem of a restaurant. If anything, we like it more! My friend and I each had one of the delicious lunch specials. Mine was a wonderful salmon on a bed of spinach with pumpkin. My friend had lamb shank with spinach and basmati rice with carrots, almonds and raisins. The photo is of our dessert. We are only sad that we live so far from this restaurant. We'd be regulars! read more

Zamarod Restaurant - Dessert yogurt with pistachio and cardamom tea. - Afghan Near Me - Great Falls, Virginia

As first timers to Afghan food, we had an absolutely wonderful meal on the patio at Zamarod. We went with the appetizer sampler, combo kabob, and kadu palow, along with some well paired wine. The flavors were perfect... subtly spicy, not too rich, but full of taste. The lamb could not have been more tender, while the pumpkin was the perfect complement. Will definitely be returning. read more

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Before having the privilege of eating here, I had the naivety to assume that Afghani food started and stopped with kebabs. But Zamarod set me straight. The complex flavor profiles, the spices, the food itself- world class. And likely overlooked by many who have had no exposure to the food offered here. Even dishes as seemingly simple as rice were excellent, paired with seeds or spices I've not before tried together. And the service was the best. Our waiter had patience and willingness to provide recommendations. When I was ordering two similar dishes, one an appetizer and the other an entree, he was willing to recommend a different dish, despite it being cheaper. I will certainly be coming back. read more

We came here after long weekend shopping! Everything is delish and authentic Afghan food.

The lamb stew and vegetarian dishes are all superb. Try the dumpling appetizers. The gourmet Afghan dishes are over the top delicious. The bread is unique. The prices are very reasonable for the quality and quantity of the food. Come out and support this hidden gem! Outdoor tables too! read more

I tried to eat here. Arrived at 11:45 last Saturday and the door was locked (stated hours are 11:30 to 2:30 on Saturdays). I saw no activity inside, so I called their number. A gruff voice on the phone said they would open at 12:15. My companion and I decided to eat at the Thelo Greek Cafe next door instead of waiting. It's a good thing we did. We chatted and lingered at Thelo's until 2:30. Zamarod's door was still locked. If there hadn't been another choice right next door, we would have stood around waiting for a long time before realizing Zamarod's was just not going to open. I don't know what was happening with them, but I wish they had posted a sign or that the man on the phone had been honest. read more

This is a small restaurant in a strip mall in Great Falls. However, the inside is decorated really nicely, so you feel like you are in a "real" restaurant. We had dinner there on New Year's Eve, and it was yummy. The lamb was some of the best we had ever had, fall-off-the-bone tender. Topped it off with cardamom ice cream and a cardamom brulee. The service was friendly as well. We liked it a lot, and will be back. read more

I really wish I could give this restaurant 5 stars. Their food is incredible. Their service is seriously regrettable. I came in on a Thursday evening at 5:40. There was only one waiter working the entire restaurant, but at the time we (me and two others) were only one of two tables. We were seated immediately and the waiter recommended the hummus. I'm allergic to sesame seeds so I asked if it had tahini. The waiter didn't understand me when I asked if it had tahini or sesame seeds--so much so that he finally said "no no," went back to the kitchen, came back and said it had tahini but no sesame. Um, tahini is made from crushed sesame seeds. That could have been a dangerous situation. I ordered a lamb and watermelon dish while my two guests ordered kabobs. We were given water and then sat. For a long time. In fact, we didn't get food until 6:40, with no water refills. It was only when we got our food when we got our bread. We were starving. The food, as I said, was delicious. I ordered a coke and it was way overpriced ($3.75 for a can? Really?), but otherwise it was spectacular. After we ate, we finally got our water refilled. We waited another 15 minutes for the check. When we finally got it, a cricket jumped onto the table. Now I know that sometimes critters or bugs might get into a restaurant--that's fine. But there was a bug on the table and it startled me so I pushed my chair back because I was surprised. The waiter came over, saw it, then said, "It's a cricket, not a cockroach," then turned on his heels and LEFT THE BUG ON THE TABLE. Seriously? So we tipped him and left. It took us about 2 hours to get and eat our food and leave. Ain't nobody got time for that. Overall, if they fixed the waiter and service problem this restaurant would do much better. But I'm not going back any time soon because the service was so slow and subpar. This could easily be a 5-star restaurant, but it would take a lot of work. read more

Zamarod Restaurant - Kalou Palau - Afghan Near Me - Great Falls, Virginia

This is a new Afghan restaurant in my area that I just had to try. It's situated in an end unit building within a small shopping plaza. Inside the restaurant is kind of cramped. Anything you say at the cashier's counter will be overheard by dine-in customers. Outside, there are a couple old, rusted tables and chairs. The man at the counter was nice and offered water while we waited for our order. Starting out, my take-out order was misunderstood or purposely upgraded to cost more. I made sure the man on the phone understood I wanted 1 entree and 1 side. The menu has a section devoted to sides. I repeated to confirm the order at the end of the call. Instead, I received 2 entrees because the SIDE of eggplant was upgrade to a full entree, which was not what I ordered. As far as the food, it's not authentic Afghan food. Its an attempt, but not a good one because for the most part, it lacks flavor. As far as the food I received, it was a mixed experience that won't make me return again. RICE: I received 2 generous portions of brown, palou rice (despite the receipt indicating the eggplant entree came with white, chalou rice). The rice looked great, had a nice brown color, long basmati grains, tender, but very bland. It needed salt and needed the aromatic flavors of cumin and other spices that is typical of Afghan Palou rice (brown rice). LAMB: The lamb tasted good. I received 4 small pieces next to rice. The portion size was average but decent. BREAD: The bread was not Afghan style but it tasted fresh. I received 4 thick, brick shaped pieces of bread, blanch white in color, salty, that vaguely reminded me of pizza crust. EGGPLaNT: The banjan boorani ( sautéed eggplant) was not good. It was cut in thick chunks, bland, fried and greasy, and the minimal drizzles of tomato sauce & yogurt on top had no flavor. I thought the portion of eggplant was also rather small for an entree. Together with the bland rice, it was a flavorless entree. CHUTNEY: The single, small, green chutney sauce it came with was good. It was spicy but not overwhelming. it looked like a finely diced green pepper blend. It did not contain yogurt. Over all, the food is not worthy to return. The take-out containers were small and cheap. The bottom was warping underneath by the time I got home and it looked like the food was about to come through. I won't be coming back. read more

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2 stars for the food which was pretty good, if you are looking for good service look elsewhere... Came in here with my family- restaurant was totally empty- we directed to a table in the back corner without any silverware. The owner was very short with us, literally threw napkins (unfolded) and silverware on our table. Pretty much ignored us despite there being just one other person in the restaurant (sitting outside). When I confronted him he got defensive but eventually apologized if he had done anything offensive ‍...maybe he was it's having a bad day but definitely had weird vibes. Went here with my wife and sisters family and everyone pretty agreed on terrible service. Won't be coming back here again - food was good but there are definitely a ton of better Afghan restaurants in the area read more

Superb food. The place is not very big , but is cozy and gives you a homely feeling.The server is great. Very friendly ! The food is just awesome. The kabobs are tender and juicy. My favorite was the Samaaroq Palaow. One of the best chicken curry I ever had.The spices are great and buttery. Just awesome. The prices are bit high but its worth the food. Highly Recommend : Samaaroq Palaow read more

Zamarod Restaurant - Just awesome !! - Afghan Near Me - Great Falls, Virginia

This place is on the other side of great falls so I rarely come out this way, but what a surprise. Great food and interesting menu. Friendly service. read more

This Afghani restaurant is awesome. I had the veg combo plate...and the restaurant owner selected the Vegs which were eggplant, pumpkin and spinach. And the spinach rice was delicate and delicious too. We ordered the icecreams for dessert-rose water and cardamom. Save room -- they both were fabulous. read more

Zamarod Restaurant - Afghan Near Me - Great Falls, Virginia

Food was tasty, but the presentation was very bad, the amount of food was little compared to the price that was charged, there was no salt, pepper, or sumak on the tables which you traditionally find in Afghan in restaurants. No side sauces were provided or introduced as part of the dish. Also if you're a fan of Koobeda kabob it is not on the menu. So if you're Afghan or Persian then it's not your go-to restaurant but if you're American and have no idea about the cuisine then it might work for you. read more

I love this place. The owner makes you feel like family. The food is delicious. A real gem.

I've been getting takeout from here for the past year. The food is always really good and not greasy (which I appreciate) and the meat is cooked very well. My order is always ready on time and the owner is very pleasant and professional. read more