Helmand Palace
Afghan restaurant · Polk Gulch ·
Afghan restaurant serving pumpkin, lamb, and ravioli dishes
Afghan restaurant serving pumpkin, lamb, and ravioli dishes
"It’s easy to miss this Afghani spot nestled on Van Ness, but it remains a staple for tasty halal Afghani cuisine and unique menu items such as kaddo, or baked pumpkin, and aushak, a delicious leek-filled dumpling (there’s also a vegetarian version available)." - Dianne de Guzman
"Operating for 51 years, this long-running restaurant received San Francisco Legacy Business designation, was specifically congratulated by Supervisor Aaron Peskin, and will qualify for marketing help and grant-application assistance under the program." - Dianne de Guzman
"There aren't many Afghan restaurants in SF, making Helmand Palace a true gem. Lamb is the specialty here, so choose from any of the many lamb-focused dishes, such as chowpan, or a half rack of lamb marinated, grilled, and served with Afghan bread, sauteed eggplant, and pallow rice. The interior here is a little staid, but taking it to go is also an excellent option." - Eater Staff
"I routinely go back to Helmand Palace for Afghan food." - Ellen Fort
"At 2424 Van Ness I found Helmand Palace, which has served some of the city’s best Afghan food for the past 14 years, facing severe strain from the construction: owner Haythan Hassan says the work has been “killing the business” because customers can’t see the restaurant, assume it’s closed, and have no parking, and that he’s lost his savings as a result—he’s keeping his fingers crossed that the restaurant survives." - Caleb Pershan