Helmand Palace

What a hidden gem. Amazingly tasty afghani food, great environment and a lovely owner. You won't be disappointed, portions are great for the price too!

If you’d never had central Asian foods, this is the pleas be to eat! Everything taste amazing. Will comeback

This place is amazing! I read the reviews and knew that I had to come here. I was the first one there when they opened. The place was quiet and unassuming. The owner greeted me and was very kind to go over the menu and make suggestions when I asked. Every meal comes with warm bread and three dipping sauces: spicy sesame, cilantro, cucumber yogurt. All delicious! The qabelee (lamb) was tender, flavorful, and huge. I couldn't finish it all. Definitely a gem!

I absolutely love this place! The food is always delicious and never too heavy. The portions are generous, and the prices are very reasonable. They have a fantastic vegetarian special, and their beef and lamb dishes are top-notch. Highly recommend!

This is a place with a lot of history. It has been founded by the brother of president Hamid Karzai ( First post Taliban president in 2001 in Afghanistan). It used to be on Broadway. Food is always great. Atmosphere and design are ok. Very very friendly service. The hospitality experience is genuine and really represents how warm the afghani people are. They also have a very easy to navigate pick up menu- and of course also work with all the delivery services.

A hidden gem with incredible food! Came here from a reddit recommendation and had been back a few times already + takeout. The owner is so warm and welcoming, and the food is Max flavorful. Prices are so reasonable too!!

Third time here and not disappointed. Afgan people and their food are great. Recommend lentil soup, salmon kebab, eggplant, and lamb dishes.

This little Afghan restaurant is a treat. The dishes were very nice & tasty, although mine could have been hotter. Also we've had some language barriers, but that didn't hinder our overall good experience & food. Also the patron is very polite & nice to chat to. We would visit again & recommend it. Thumbs up!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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!!!

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

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.

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

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.

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.

Really yummy food. I never tried this cuisine before and I enjoyed the flavors. The guy serving us was so kind and helpful.

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!

Great place. Decent prices. Creative dishes. Definitely worth coming back again. Easy to find parking

Always empty when you come in to visit, so you know, food not so fresh, and doordash food is mediocre, dry rice, and apartment 2420 Van Ness. Ave has rats from 2018 to March 2024, might still have rats. Using logic. So I wouldn't be surprised the restaurant connected to the building doesn't have rat. Be shocking, the garbage trash area is filthy. Not interested in returning. My friend is from a pest control company, I took him there to look at the property... I hope the owner of the building took care of the rats. One thing I would say that is nice is that the set up ambiance is lovely. Too bad it looks like it has potential. Good-luck to the owner, his business on Secretary of the State of California shows business Suspended - FTB, so I am surprised, no filing since 2014 or so.

The food is delicious! The best hummus and falafel I have had in the City. Everything we tried was fantastic! I highly recommend the kadoo and Qabelee. The prices are reasonable and the service was great. I enjoyed the quiet atmosphere which allowed my friend and I to talk and hear each other. Try this place out!

Came in ordered the chicken kabob, the chicken was delicious and juicy, I love the little vegetables that come on the side. The rice was seasoned well and not dry like most places. The bread was cooked fresh and I especially loved the little dipping sauces. Service was quick especially since I was rushing. And overall I love the new facelift of the restaurant will definitely be coming back here

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.

Surprisingly quiet for a weekday dinner. Ordered the mixed grill which was very good. The meat was tender, moist, and flavorful. They refilled the bread upon request. Didn't try the wines though they did have some house wine for $5 a glass. Staff was courteous and the space was very clean. Would definitely come again!

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.

This place was amazing, from the food to the service. We ordered the mantwo, theeka kabab, sabzi, and baba ganoush. Everything was AMAZING, including the bread and sauces that he brought out before the appetizers. It was MORE than enough food for two and we left with plenty of leftovers. The man who worked there was so kind and friendly, asking us if this was our first time here (it was) and giving us recommendations about what to order and how to eat it for the best experience. The food came out fast and the server was attentive and genuinely nice. The restaurant was also really pleasant, with cool pictures on the wall and clean restrooms. Overall great experience, we'll definitely be back!

this is literally the most tender lamb i've ever had, the owner was super super nice and the food and vibes were immaculate

We've been wanting to try this place for a while and finally went there on our Friday night date. We're impressed with everything here. The decoration was nice with many photos on the wall. The restaurant was very clean. The food was amazing! We love everything that we ordered especially the fish dish. The rice that came with it was very nice, soft and aromatic. But what we loved most here was the service. Our server was very friendly and attention to detail. We can feel he was very genuine and nice. We will definitely go back and try other dishes.

We've been coming here for years and absolutely love the place. The food is first rate - a special shout-out to the Afghani ravioli known as Aushak is in order - though we've enjoyed everything we've had here. The prices are also very inexpensive, particularly given the high quality of the cooking. Can't recommend it enough.

What a wonderful little family-owned business. Came here on a Wednesday evening for dinner. I was surprised to see that there was only one other party in the restaurant, and it was a pretty big restaurant too. I guess everyone else is missing out because the food was delicious. They also have tons of vegetarian options, and most dishes can be made veggie. My favorite was by far the Banjan. The Kadoo was also delicious, and the fresh bread they serve was amazing. We also tried the Aushak and Mantwo which were very unique. If you love Indian Food and/or Mediterranean food, this is definitely a spot you should hit up since it is very similar to both of those cuisines.

Such authentic people, atmosphere and the most delicious food. It's also a low key atmosphere. A must try.

What a perfect place! Great service, seems family owned, just a pleasant homey place to spend an evening. The aushak and mantwo were both good but the standout was the lawand, which came with three tender and flavorful cuts of lamb in a bright and delicious sauce, along with the fluffiest rice and some pretty goo spinach. And WOW that baklava, it came out warm and was so delightfully sweet with such flaky philo dough, so worth it, and a generous portion. I strongly endorse this spot

Three of us loved the different Afghan dishes we ordered. The owner/host Hassan is friendly, funny & informative. The atmosphere is delightful. We would recommend the Helmand Palace to anyone.

food was really good here and my waiter she was really nice and really helpful. I try the ravioli aushak was so tasty also the pumpkin dish was out of this world . The lamd chops it was really really good i never had anything like it .i only get a chance to take a picture of the aushak . I will be back again for sure for more delicious food . Thank you helmand to have such a great restaurant in my area.

One of my favorite restaurants in San Francisco! The food is amazing! Great price and big portions. The service is good and the owner is really nice and friendly. Totally recommended

I had a great dinner at Helmand. The Qabelee was an excellent choice. One of the best lamb shanks ever and it was a very generous portion. Service was friendly and excellent. I finished it with homemade baghlava and loose leaf tea. Will come back for sure.

Ordered delivery through DoorDash from this restaurant. Overall solid food but on the pricier end imo. Ordered the Aushak which was a great appetizer. Super soft and I'm a fan of their yogurt and beef sauce. Kofta Kebab plate was the highlight for both myself and my partner. The ground beef skewer had great flavour. Came with rice and vegetables. It's not large enough to share. Also ordered the tabouleh and hummus with pita as sides. I wish they had sampling platters for the side dishes because just these 3 things cost ~18.

We have been going to Helmand for 30 years, when they were on Broadway at Columbus. The food is still as excellent and tasty as ever - they haven't missed a beat. They have excellent vegetarian options, in particular the spinach ravioli! If you're not a vegetarian, get it with the meat sauce - it's amazing! The flavors are delicate and complex, no matter what you order. The staff is warm and friendly and they take excellent care of their guests. Think about it - more than 30 years in the competitive SF restaurant world - they must be doing something right! I promise - they ARE!

We love this place, and have always loved this place. A beautiful, cozy restaurant, wonderful tasting food and really charming atmosphere and people. Thank you for remaining part of our neighborhood :)

Lived in the city for 20 years, I forgot about this place and I shouldn't have. Ordered the qabele and it's the perfect weeknight dish -- hearty, savory, a touch tart/sweet. I will be back! They are on doordash too, and I'd imagine the food travels well.

I had a disappointing first experience here. I came with a large group of 10 and made reservations ahead of time. We were there to break our fast after a long day of no food or drinks. Our group made sure to get there a little early and order appetizers immediately so it would arrive in time for sunset. We let the waiter know about the timing and fasting. Unfortunately we had to wait quite a while to get our food. Not only that, the appetizers were extremely small in size when they arrived. More perplexing, they brought things out in a bizarre order. Much later after we had already gotten through the appetizers, the server bright complimentary bread. Why couldn't they have brought that out much earlier at sunset, when they knew we were breaking our fast? Then, much after that, they brought out sauces to dip the bread in - after we'd already finished the bread! When the main courses came out, I was given a plate of rice and told it was my "meatballs." I was perplexed. I had to wait a while before my actually meatballs came along to accompany the rice. What's more, there were only two meatballs total. While the food tasted pretty good, it was a disappointing portion size. Then when we were almost done eating, my friend's lemonade drink finally came. Needless to say, the service was not a good experience. I don't think I would come back here again.

Great food. In a lovely atmosphere. Lots of vegetarian options in addition to meat. Friendly staff.

I've come here three times now and all three times I've left extremely happy and satisfied with the food quality and quantity! My favorite dish by far is the Sabzi Chalow... the lamb is so tender, and mixed in with the spinach is just heavenly! I love the bread they serve too with the three dipping sauces... the green one is a bit spicy and is delicious! Great tea too. Definitely highly recommend for great quality food and that warm home cooked food feel!

Exquisite. The Koufta Kebab is mouthwatering delicious! All good. Bread and dipping sauces divine.

I've been a regular here for years. The food is good and the service is efficient and friendly. The people giving bad reviews are quite mistaken. Read their other reviews and you can see where they are coming from. They don't belong in a class place like Helmand palace

Excellent service! Food is incredible, and the restaurant interior is very clean and comfortable! Best Afghanistan restaurant I ever ate at!

Every time my parents visit, they want me to order from here. My favorite is the lamb, and especially the rice. Their mixed grill platter is also a family favorite. The okra is also delicious. I've never physically been there in person, so I can't speak to the rest. But when I did order via Door Dash and they missed a plate - they were very quick to fix the issue.

Avoid! I ordered about 6 dishes and all of them was borderline rotting. Just horrible m!

Food was awesome. The meats were delicious. And the service was fantastic. Our server was one of the most personable and helpful servers I've ever encountered in San Francisco and he was managing the dining room by himself.