Kabul House Restaurant

To be honest I didn’t know what separate Afghani food from other middle eastern food I had before. But what I do know is the service here is very good and friendly. Also all our dishes were well made and tasty. I specifically liked the pumpkin appetizer, it’s so very sweet like the perfect sweet potato. I also liked the combination grilled meats platter. Just wish there were more meats😊

This was our 2nd order and I have to say: This place knows how to make their food well and how to make sure their customers are happy! The food was phenomenal, we ordered a variety of dishes [1st time we ordered, things weren't quite right and items were missing] and this time there were no mistakes! Everything looked spectacular and tasted phenomenally! The guy that took our order over the phone was kind and in person, he was incredibly helpful! I'm glad we gave it a second chance! This is an awesome place and experience whether you take the food to go or dine in! Highly recommend! It will become your new favorite! Note: Meat tends to be on the spicy/"mouth burning" side, so keep that in mind, but i'm sure they can make modifications.

Went to Kabul House in Evanston with some friends and it was honestly a really good experience. The place has a chill, cozy vibe — nothing fancy, just comfortable and welcoming. You walk in and it already feels like a spot people come back to regularly. The food was the highlight. Everything tasted fresh and flavorful, and the portions were solid. The kabobs were juicy, the rice was perfectly cooked, and nothing felt dry or bland. You can tell the food is made with care, not rushed. Even people in our group who are usually picky were happy with what they ordered. Service was easygoing and friendly. Nobody rushed us, and everyone was polite and helpful without being over the top. It made the whole experience feel relaxed. Overall, it’s a great place if you want something different from the usual takeout or chain restaurants. Good food, good vibe, and a spot I’d definitely come back to. If you’re in Evanston and want to try Afghan food, this place is worth checking out.

5 star. Have been here multiple times and every time it has been a fantastic culinary journey. Food is flavorful. Service is excellent. Atmosphere is great. Ambiance is perfect. Try the tea infused with cardamom for certain. Eggplant, hummus, pumpkin, soup, chicken, baklava - all are equally good.

We recently dined at Kabul House and had a wonderful experience overall. The ambiance was amazing — warm, cozy, and full of authentic Afghan vibes that really set the mood for the meal. We ordered the Hummus, Bulanee, Aushak, Spicy Chicken Kabob, Chicken Koobideh Kabob, and Afghan Saffron Tea. The kabobs were the absolute highlight — flavorful, tender, and perfectly cooked. The Afghan rice served alongside was a hit too — soft, aromatic, and beautifully spiced with carrots and other seasonings that made it incredibly delicious. The chutneys added a nice spicy kick and paired well with everything we ordered. The only thing we didn’t enjoy much was the pita bread, which felt a bit dry. Parking was a bit of a struggle, but we managed to find a spot across the street. Despite that, it was totally worth it for the food and atmosphere. Overall, a great dining experience — delicious food, vibrant ambiance, and wonderful Afghan flavors. Definitely recommend trying their kabobs and rice!

This was a nice experience for me and my friend. They out a ton of energy into their product and how they present themselves. They had a wide variety of menu items to select from and all with reasonable prices. If you're looking for a lunch special, that's only Monday-Friday.

Kabul House is fantastic! The Mediterranean food here is really tasty, and their kabli plao is just amazing! Every bite is full of flavor. The vibe is cozy, and the staff is super friendly. If you’re looking for good food, this place is a must-try!

This place is always amazing and everyone goes above and beyond to make sure you have a phenomenal experience. The is without doubt insanely good. I will recommend this to anyone that wants great middle eastern food. You can bring your whole family or a date for two, either way the place is amazing. Don't for to try their delicious cakes.

We came here for a celebratory dinner after a northwestern graduation ceremony. The food was so delicious that I was happy to have the leftovers for lunch the next day. The staff was very polite and the restaurant was clean. When we went, the men's bathroom was down and the women's bathroom became a unisex with one customer at a time. This likely has changed since we went. As far as food goes I'd definitely start with the hummus and get either chicken or beef koobidah for juicy tender meat. Sooo good.

I ordered the beef dumplings appetizer 8 piece. It was delicious and so was the sauces for it. The naan was the right amount and size I ordered the lamb chops with afghani rice. It was plentiful. The lamb could have been a little larger but was appropriate for the price. Drink service was a little slow but overall the Waiter was great

We were up north, so we decided to try out Kabul House. It's been a while. Last time we went, they were located elsewhere. Parking is adequate for non-peak times. It's not a parking lot per se, but close enough. The interior is spacious and looks decent. Service was excellent and pricing was reasonable. The food came out really fast. We ordered the aushak (dumplings) and kadu (sautéed pumpkin) appetizers, along with the combination platter with chicken breast and beef kabob, and kabuli rice. The aushak was pretty tasty; a bit more yogurt would have been nice. The kadu was also tasty; it was almost like dessert. It didn't pair perfectly with pita bread, though. The platter was excellent. The meats were tender and the rice with carrots and raisins was tasty. The two sauces they included with the platter were awesome. Overall, a very nice lunch

Absolutely love this place. One of the top restaurants in Evanston. We have enjoyed their food for over 20 years at two previous locations. Fresh well prepared food with Generous portions and outstanding service. Perfect for vegans, vegetarians and meat eaters. Our waiter Louis was truly wonderful tonight. Kabul House should be on your list for a truly great meal.

Perfect weekday lunch. Easy parking in lot outside. Impeccably designed & clean interior. Several staff greeted us. Server Billy immediately picked up on our group's sense of humor and was funny and helpful throughout the whole dining experience, explaining any unfamiliar dishes and drinks to us. The food was delicious! Warm & soft pita, hearty aush (the soup is served in a compact cup), savory vegetarian lunch special, expertly grilled lamb kebab, addictive Afghan rice with carrot and raisins, and fresh mint generously blended into frozen lemonade. We want to come back to try the desserts.

I've come to this place a lot and each time I visit it seems something is off more and more. To start, the menus are very filthy and need to be replaced - not cleaned. All the cups - water, wine, tea have dried food on them. After finishing appetizers, patrons are expected to reuse their flatware - I shouldn't have to ask for a new fork when my main entree arrives. The appetizers are very good, at least the ones I ordered. My main entree however arrived lukewarm and the rice definitely wasn't prepared fresh as it was crunchy and appeared to be quickly reheated. There was a foreign object in my entree and the server was very kind about it after I notified him. I declined the offer of a new entree. The guys who refill your beverages and bring your food to the table have an attitude problem and come off as they don't want to be there. You can clearly see they don't smile and are irritated when you ask them for something. This alone makes the place uninviting. Kabul house was great when I first visited many years ago, sadly it has gone downhill in my recent experiences and I won't be visiting in the future.

We came back with the whole family on a weekday, our server Billy was amazingly awesome as usual , he made sure we had plenty of Naan and sauce.

Afghanistan is renowned for its hospitality, and the significance is not lost when you dine at Kabul House. You are welcomed in, treated with great care, and you will enjoy yourself in this opulently decorated restaurant as you dine on traditional Afghan dishes. Though not my first time dining at Kabul House but my first in this location, I asked myself why I did not come more often. The cuisine is halal and has elements similar to dishes from India and Persia and other countries. There is a spacious parking lot, an expansive dining area, beautiful decor. We started with bright and refreshing mint lemonade then shared Mantoo, which are minced beef dumplings, topped with garlic yogurt, and mint. These were very tasty and served with a bright and intense coriander chutney. One of my companions ordered the combination grilled kabob platter which is kabobs served with rice (Afghan, dill, or white saffron), grilled tomato and peppers. They are a regular to this restaurant and this was a favorite. My other companion chose scallion and leek dumplings which were cooked in herbs and spices, and topped with minced beef, garlic yogurt, and mint. I ordered the vegetarian platter which contained roasted eggplant, sauteed spinach, and pumpkin and came with Afghan rice. I loved the smoky, silky eggplant, the delicate spinach and the chunky, earthy and sweet pumpkin. It was tied together with the delicious Afghan rice, sweet with carrots and raisins. The national dish of Afghanistan is Kabuli Palaw which is rice, carrots, raisins and lamb. We had a great time, sharing the dishes which came with a basket of delicious naan and assorted chutneys. We weren't rushed or hurried and we stayed long after we finished, reconnecting and updating each other on new developments in our lives.

I've heard about this place for a while, finally decided to check it out. It's a pretty nice place, the ambiance and decor are really nice, the staff are friendly. It's a nice restaurant feel with white tablecloths and stemmed glasses. I got the chicken barg with afghan rice (comes with raisin and carrots), and the saffron milk tea. The tea was delicious! Nice creamy flavor with a perfect sweetness, and the tea flavor was pretty strong too. I enjoyed the food as well, everything was done well, and the rice was pretty yummy. Overall, a very nice experience. A little pricey for sure, but I would say it's worth it. Definitely recommend!

Me and my friends grabbed 4 skewers and a plate of the chicken koubadei. Everything was well seasoned and grilled to perfection. Great ambiance. With tip, we paid $80. Awesome value.

Our dining experience at this restaurant was extremely disappointing. As a family of five, we encountered abysmal service with no water refills, inadequate portions, and a complete lack of communication between the staff and us. The family hummus dish arrived with only three small pieces of bread, and despite requesting more, we were met with further misunderstanding and received only three additional pieces. This resulted in a significant amount of wasted hummus due to the poor service and apparent mismanagement. To make matters worse, the spicy chicken I ordered was undercooked, leading to two returns before I decided to escalate the issue to a manager. The manager's response was lackluster, acknowledging the subpar service without providing any real explanation. While the cook apologized, it was evident that the overall experience was unacceptable. In an attempt to rectify the situation, the restaurant offered a price concession for the meal discrepancies. However, the damage had been done, as my stomach has been unsettled for the past two days due to the undercooked food. I strongly advise others to seek dining alternatives to avoid similar disappointments. The attached image of the undercooked product speaks volumes - a truly unbelievable and unsatisfactory experience. I can think of so many places that offer proper Mediterranean dishes, priced affordable, large portions, great service and ambiance along with proper cooked and delicious meals. Seems like a place for first timers or people that are not familiar with the right way this type of food and portions are done, and very expensive.

Amazing it was so good experience with the family size platter and couldn't control on ordering Afghani coffee twice... amazing place and mouth watering lamb chops. I can only say simply superb and don't miss going to this place if you visit this area.

YUUUUUMMM! A meat eaters paradise. Take your friends, family, everyone you know and go to Kabul house. The meat is tender, soft, and falls off the bone. Very delicious and highly recommend!

Delicious food, great take-out service with dedicated pick-up station, friendly service! Limited parking but worth it! Will definitely come back for carry-out again!

I went there with my wife back in July. We had our dinner and paid by credit card. Bill amount was $96 and with $16 tip it came out to $112. A week later I checked my credit card and saw two charges from Kabul house, $96 and $112. I called that day and was told to call manager later. I called late afternoon and spoke with the manager who after looking around told me that they only charge me $96 and I would have to call my credit card company. Needless to say, I called my credit card and disputed the charge. They initially gave me credit but later reversed it because the restaurant provided them with two receipts matching the transaction. Here goes again, calling back the restaurant and was told that I have to email them with details and will get back to me. After sending them email, and multiple reminders, finally get an email back from some name akmal qazi, I'm guessing the owner told me that he issued a credit for $96 under my name. And when I come back to eat again, they will deduct the amount. So, I went back last week, in September with family for a dinner. Bill amounted to be $209. Once we had the dinner, I told the waiter to please deduct a credit for $96 which should be under the name Asam. Also showed him the email sent by akmal Qazi. He said, I don't know, if we can take the amount off. He then came back and said, there is no credit for the said amount under this name. He proceeded to tell me that no one is picking up the phone, manger and the owner "Akmal Qazi", therefore we have to pay the full amount. I told him to try calling again and this time he came back and said he spoke with the management and they said there is no credit under my name. I would have to email the owner, Akmal Qazi again. Well, I have emailed him and a week passed by with no reply from him. I will never go back to this place which has horrible customer service and do not acknowledge their mistake and are arrogant. I will advise anyone to stay away from this restaurant . If It was possible to give negative star rating I would have given them. They don't even deserve a one star rating. Summary: okay food, really bad customer service, double charge and then lie about it Please avoid this place. There are many great options close by. Just google it. Asam.

The food is delicious, and Louis provides excellent customer service. He knows what we want and how we like it, and he is accommodating. The way he gives us a service, we want to come back again. My husband, Marcelo Da Paz, and I, Talat Sayeeda, love your service and food.

Phenomenal food, authentic spices and everything made fresh. Servers were attentive to our preferences. Modern ambiance yet very traditional! We loved everything

Food was great. I didn't like the falafel, but everything else I tried was amazing. The chicken schwarma, the gyro meat, rice and salad was all very good.

I reserved a table for about 20 people. The service was excellent and fast. We ordered individual orders rather than family style. Even with the amount of people they were extremely fast and the food tasted perfect. The location was also beautiful. My parents who do not like to go out for dinner, have the time of their lives. We will definitely be back. I highly recommend the saffron tea.

This is one of my favorite spot in Evanston/Skokie area. This is my go to to bring my family for any occasion and friends/fam from out of town. Beautiful decor and ambience inside. Service is superb. Food is on another level. Their afghan rice is a must for every plate order. The lamb chop is my fave. It is tender, juicy and flavorful. The char grilled flavor on it is mouth watering. Everything that we ordered from their menu exceeded expectation. I highly recommend!

Great food and service. Christian was our waiter and he was very friendly and took great care of our party (9 people!). Food was delicious and they were ample portions (had lunch the next day with leftovers). BYOB but there is a small corkage fee.

I can't believe I haven't written a review for Kabul House before! It's become my favorite restaurant in Evanston, and it's my go-to choice whenever I want to impress family or friends who come to visit.   I've tried a lot of their items, and these are my top picks: - Hummus: If I'm honest, the hummus tastes a little different every time I order it. Sometimes, it has a strong garlic flavor; other times, it's tahini-forward. I personally don't mind the variation because it feels more homemade and is still consistently good. - Bulanee: I ate bulanee for the first time here, and I think it changed my life lol. The potato and leek filling is soo flavorful, and it's stuffed inside a soft flatbread -- what's not to love?? - Chicken Kabob: I don't know what they do or add to their chicken thighs, but they're always perfectly seasoned and tender. I've also tried the chicken barg kabob, beef koobideh, lamb chops, and pomegranate glazed salmon but found that nothing beats the chicken kabob!

Trying to use 15%off for dine in but the "person at the reception" wants me to write them a review first in order to get 15%off OR show them the code on yelp offer which is not even there . Highly suggest the management to inform their staff regarding yelp offers rather than receiving a 1 star review. Attached is the screenshot of yelp offer with no access code. BUT our "server" villi was amazing and accommodating.

We love this place!!! The 2nd combo plate was PERFECT for 5 people. The beef, lamb, and chicken were all cooked to perfection. We finished most of the food but one of us was lucky to walk out with the last plate. The service is fantastic and the ambience low key and family oriented.

Went for a date night with my husband and shared hummus, beef dumplings, the beef koobidah, an extra lamb kabob and basil mint iced tea. The hummus wasnt bad it just was pretty bland. The dumplings were better but they were boiled so I wasn't really into the texture, so it's probably not something I would order again. The kabobs were juicy and very good, especially liked the two side sauces that came with. Iced tea was plain tea with basil and mint leaves thrown in. It didn't have really any flavor and was not refillable. Ambiance is very nice, but I don't know if I wouldn't say it screams kid friendly. They do not serve alcohol and apparently it's BYOB, but couldn't find anything on the menu about it. When the waiter came to collect our plates I told him I wanted to use the check in offer from yelp. He said that the owner told them to not accept it since "they weren't associated with that". I didn't know what that even meant but felt it was super shady to not honor the offer after I had already checked in to the restaurant.

Every dish and drink in this place is a big hit. I've been many times and the service is always over the top friendly and the food is fantastic. They must have happy workers and happy chefs. The restaurant is really beautiful as well.

Delicious authentic [as far as I know] Afghan food and drinks. The dining area is a bit sparse and does not lend a cozy atmosphere. More of a cafeteria feel. But, we were there for the food and we were not disappointed. Their dinner menu is extensive so there is something for everyone, even vegetarians. The cold drinks are very refreshing. Understand that there are no alcoholic beverages. I would highly recommend Kabul House. Take your tastebuds on an exotic journey!

I love this place. It's so yummy. Nice surroundings. Bet you never had Afghan cuisine like this one.

Great ambiance and very clean but I've had plenty of Afghan restaurants in the US and this wasn't even in the top 10. Food didn't taste bad at all but there are plenty better out there. Especially in NY, NJ, Cali or VA. Maybe Chicago Afghan food isn't there yet since this is considered the best out of the ones here.

Kabul house had fantastic food and great service! I loved this place. The prices are a little on the pricier side but we'll worth the quality of food! Everything came fresh and hot.

This is always a safe place to go to when my friends want lowkey, good Afghan food. The restaurant is pretty large with ample seating. The decor is also beautiful. We did have to wait a bit for the lamb shank as the server informed us, but it was well worth jt. I like the eggplant dish the best.

My wife and I had two different lamb dishes one was lamb and rice and she enjoyed that. I had a different lamb dish, no rice, which I thought was very tasty i'm trying to do a low-carb.meal so for me it was perfect. BTW it came with bread. I will go back.

Honestly one of the best meals I've ever had! It started off a lil shaky due to some minor changes we had earlier on (issues with tableware and then finally changing tables) but our waiter very kindly accommodated our group of 9. We decided to order the group platter #2, along with 2 other entrees, the chicken kabob and the lamb shank (not pictured because I forgot). Honestly our group of 9 could've had just the Group Platter #2 and we would've not left hungry. All the apps were delicious but my favorite was the hummus and yogurt. When the meats platter came out, it was such a showstopper. I didn't expect it to be that plentiful based on the menu description. The meats where perfectly cooked - nice char but still juicy on the inside. Super flavorful. I'm not a fan of lamb and usually I'm turned off by the smell of it even if I'm not eating it but there was no lamb smell whatsoever. Those who did eat the lamb enjoyed it very much. The beef and chicken were absolutely delicious and perfectly cooked. We had ordered half Afghan and half dill rice. The dill rice was more popular. I think the Afghan felt slightly new because it's sweeter since it's topped with raisins. Still delicious but the dill rice was definitely a more comfortable dish. The overall ambiance of the restaurant combined with the friendliness of the wait staff made the whole meal such an enjoyable experience. I will definitely come back again.

Not sure if and when I'll get to experience Afghanistan but we got a taste of it in the Chicago suburbs at Kabul House! Afghani cuisine is rich in spices and flavors reflecting Persian and Arab influences. I loved it so much since it reminds me of my Persian experiences in Los Angeles, Atlanta, DC, Hamburg and other places I've traveled to. Must Trys: *Koobideh Kebab, we ordered the chicken and lamb. Also with Afghani rice and roasted pepper and tomato *Afghani Mantoo dumplings *Rice pudding *Hot Tea with Mint

Great food and excellent atmosphere! Service always prompt.The Kabli Pulou is World class so is Lamb chops and beef Kabobs.

Came here with a friend a few days ago. I have passed it and always wanted to go inside. Seems like they have complimentary pita bread the humus was not but it tasted great nonetheless. My friend he forcsome reason was thirsty and drank like 100 oz of water in an hour. The decor was good. Everyone's tables are spaced well giving everyone room but you can still see what other people are eating...which for me is half the fun. I had the chicken thighs kabobs which were marinated in a nice sauce which gave the chicken some colored texture. I heard there is a chicken shortage in the usa but It did not affect me here.whew. The dessert was some type of chocolate coffee tiramusu type situation. I thought it was quite sweet.

Had lunch with friend a few days ago. She had the vegetarian platter and raved about it, particularly the pumpkin. I had the date salad which had wonderful dates and raspberries. It was light and fresh. The pita bread and tea were also delicious. Service was very attentive and we were able to have a good visit without shouting.

Came in for dinner. Service was exceptional, ambiance is between casual and formal(sweet spot) and food was GREAT. Generally in restaurants I have experienced that not all categories of foods have the same impression. Very pleased to say here from the beverages to the entrees to dessert I felt wowed. Instantly I've become a returning customer. Lamb chops are bursting with flavor and cooked to perfection. Not chewy or dried up or burnt or even unique smelling in a negative way. Rice pudding was a delight and the fruits used to garnish were FRESH. Great example of what restaurants are supposed to be like. A must try in my opinion.

This place was amazing! The ambiance was family friendly yet elegant, especially on the outside. The indoors were spacious and the decor was lovely. The restrooms were nice and clean as well. The real star was the food, everything was delicious. The Afghan rice was flavorful and reminded me of Indian biriyani but it had its own unique taste to it. My mom and I loved our salmon kabobs and were surprised there were 2 fillets each on our plates. The portion sizes here are large and it's great for the price. My husband loved his spicy chicken kabob and said the chicken was juicy, well cooked, and flavorful. We also enjoyed the grilled veggies on the side as well. We finished off with a refreshing and cool dessert, the Firni. The rosewater milk pudding with shavings of pistachio and fruit on top was so smooth and a great way to cleanse the palate. Overall, we really enjoyed our evening. Our host was very nice too.

Returned to Kabul House to dine in with guests from out of town, and really can't say enough good things. The interior of the restaurant is gorgeous, with the tables spaced far enough apart to allay COVID concerns and to allow each table to hear their dining companions but not their neighbors. The waitstaff was delightful, bantering when appropriate and bringing each course out on time. And the food was delicious and generously-apportioned. The bulanee (potato & leek turnover) and frozen mint lemonade, both of which I'd yet to try, were exceptionally good. And the meat eaters in our party were equally impressed with their dishes. My only complaint (and it's not really a complaint) is that we had such a fun evening, we lost track of the time, but they never nudged us to hurry up. A wonderful dining experience for everyone at our table.

Unique food nice ambience and no rush! Enjoy taking friends there for chat and celebrations and it appeals to all generations

We are so lucky to have Kabul near us. If you're vegetarian try the vegi ashuk. It's a perfect place for a nice dinner without pretension. Wear a suit for dinner and you won't feel out of place, but wear a hoody and same same. It's a must visit if you like or are open to bad ass Afghani food.

Our group tried Platter #2 and it was delicious! I didn't think basmati rice would work with carrots and raisins but it surprisingly does. I personally loved the lamb chops. My second favorite meat is the Beef Sish skewers. The garlic yogurt dip and hot eggplant tasted good too. The servers were polite and friendly and patiently explained the dishes to us. I would eat here again.

I can't description enough how every thing tasted very good here. We ordered Pulao rice with lamb shank. The flavor is well spiced with saffron and cardamom. We ordered chicken kabob. It was tender and juicy. Marinated with turmeric and yogurt. Very tasty. I tried mint lemonade. One of the best. Fresh and delicious. This is one of my favorite places. Definitely, i am coming back.

UPDATE: they said they get their meat from a specific well known zabiha farm in chicagoland, i then called that farm to confirm bc kabul house refuses to show proof, and the DISTRIBUTOR WAS UNABLE TO VERIFY KABUL HOUSES CLAIMS ABOUT ANY RECENT PURCHASES OF ZABIHA MEAT FROM THEM. kabul house is DISHONEST about their zabiha status and this is exactly why they do not show proof of certification. RUDE MANAGER/STAFF- i asked them where they get their meat from, and they said it was "from a local farm and everything is zabiha halal". i then asked the name and she said the manager doesnt give the name out so i asked for a certificate and she said no to that as well. strange, but i continued asking questions and asked if the manager would consider giving that information out in the future bc ppl (muslims) like to see the certificate for peace of mind. she then said "A TRUE MUSLIM WOULD HAVE FAITH IN THE MANAGERS WORD AB IT BEING ZABIHA HALAL AND NOT ASK QUESTIONS"... i told her that unfortunately many people lie about the Halal status of their meat because zabiha Halal meat is much more pricier than other meat which is exactly why people need certifications. It's very suspicious that kabul house does not provide their certificate and then makes morality claims about their potential customers and I would warn anyone from eating here that care about their meat being zabiha halal.

Service and food quality is consistently good. Try many appetizers, as these are some of the best things on the entire menu!

Thank you for delicious food and great customer service! all the staff at Kabul House are amazing and we really enjoyed the hospitality and Food. if anyone likes traditional meals, I would recommend this restaurant. The Manto and lamb chops with rice were amazing and delicious.

I love almost all the dishes here. I tried their Qabuli Palov, Mantu, eggplant dishes and salad. Love the cute decoration and it feels so cozy here.

We dined at Kabul House last night with a group of 7. The food was very ordinary. I had lamb cabob and it was overcooked. I regret not sending it back. I just didn't finish eating it. There was too much rice and not other vegetables. My wife had chicken and she didn't care for it.