Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Afghan Shams Restaurant

    3.7 (48 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 11:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Order Afghan Shams Restaurant Takeout or Delivery

    Afghan Shams Restaurant Photos

    Business Info

    AFGHAN SHAMS RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Afghan Shams Restaurant

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Lamb Karahi
    A A.

    Food: 5/5 Service : 5/5 Ambiance: 5/5 I had qabuli uzbeki Palau Also I had Chicken Kabobs Comes with bread I recommend it

    Mantoo
    Bessai P.

    Very Disappointed...!!!! We Waited for an hour before we got the food. This is not Afghan food. The food had no flavor and salt. The Qabuli is definitely not Afghan Qabuli palaw.. The kabob was somewhat ok. The Chapli kabob was burned and no taste. They forgot to bring the drinks and after the third time asking we finally got it. I know it's a new restaurant but they need to hire an Afghan chef and fix their food and wait time or they fail. They are very friendly but need to work on their service.

    Burnt bread

    Do not trust this restaurant with your catering. They charge exorbitantly high prices for terrible quality food. We ordered food for a party for 25 people and they provided us with burnt, flavorless, tasteless food, enough salad for 4 people, and forgot part of our order. They did not provide Chutney as promised. The owner didn't even tell me he forgot part of our order until the order was en-route so we didn't even have the opportunity to exchange something in its place. The delivery was late. He gave me enough kabob (which was burnt and inedible) for maybe 10 people despite charging for 25. I have photos below. Do not trust this restaurant with your catering, you will be disappointed. We had to order food from ANOTHER restaurant on that day to cover food for our guests. Terrible restaurant, deceptive, and if they continue to do business like this, they'll be out of business soon.

    Hope M.

    It was nice to see a new big Afghan restaurant in Anaheim, little Arabia town. On a Saturday I expected the restaurant with people dining. There was none. I ordered boloni (flatbread stuffed leek). It was ok, not much flavor. They used premade store bought dough which was not authentic. Based on the reviews here I don't think the restraint will last long. I don't know what the political message is with the 2 flags on the billboard (see image). Just a weird vibe

    5/5 for food, service, and ambiance. Gabuli Uzbeki Palau and chicken kabobs were delicious and came with bread. Highly recommended!

    107 $ plate
    Mo J.

    Very disappointing experience. We waited over an hour for our food, and when it finally arrived, it was cold. I was hoping the long wait would be worth it, but unfortunately the taste was poor as well. The shank was undercooked and not prepared properly. Overall, not a good experience.

    Ambiance

    Amazing, amazing, amazing food you guys must come and try it out!! If you're looking for authentic Afghan food, amazing service great ambience this is the place.

    Kabuli Pulao

    See all

    16 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    17 days ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Fresh M.
    205
    195
    350

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of A A.
    43
    453
    2510

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 days ago

    Great customer service and amazing food. We ordered just about everything on the menu and everything was great.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    13 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Kelly P.

    Kelly P.

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of W M.
    5
    211
    65

    4 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Kelly P.

    Kelly P.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Kelly P.

    Kelly P.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 2
    Photo of Fabian A.
    230
    60
    22

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Hope M.
    2
    144
    15

    5 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Kelly P.

    Kelly P.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Kelly P.

    Kelly P.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mo J.
    104
    17
    9

    5 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Kelly P.

    Kelly P.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    23 days ago

    Love this place! Their food is so good! Esp their bamaya and chicken karaye! Really appreciate our server Muneeb khan for wonderful service!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    30 days ago

    Love the food love the service love the price thank you for your service. Let's support our Afghan restaurant.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Kelly P.

    Kelly P.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 2
    Photo of Nina R.
    3
    44
    105

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Aman U.
    291
    15
    3

    5 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Kelly P.

    Kelly P.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    5 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Kelly P.

    Kelly P.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Kelly P.

    Kelly P.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of M H.
    0
    22
    21

    5 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Kelly P.

    Kelly P.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Kelly P.

    Kelly P.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Kelly P.

    Kelly P.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Kelly P.

    Kelly P.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Kelly P.

    Kelly P.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Excellent food ! So much flavor ! Highly recommend the pilou , beef chapli , and Karahi

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Kelly P.

    Kelly P.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Afghan Shams Restaurant

    You might also consider

    Afghan Kabob House - Borani Banjan (egg plant with tomatoes and spice and cream.

    Afghan Kabob House

    4.7(175 reviews)
    12.1 mi
    Casual dining
    Halal

    This was the first, but definitely not my last time trying authentic Afghani food…read moreAt Afghan kebab house out in Downey, California you're gonna find giant family size platters that will feed generations I'm talking mountains of long grain, rice, perfume, and robust and aromatic spices Grilled kebabs that are season two perfection that are equally as succulent And of course you got the Afghani tendernism with a whole lamb shank buried in all that rice that was mouthwatering, especially with their assortment of signature homemade sauces The Borani banjan (eggplant) was one of the most flavor packed bites of the night and that's saying a lot because everything was on point. You got this intensely, savory eggplant, doused, and yogurt and seasoned oil and when you grab some with some of the homemade flatbread, this is some special stuff right here

    This is such a great hidden gem. When you first enter, you are greeted with the nicest staff, and…read morethe guy was super helpful and friendly. I got the family feast and it was absolute perfection. My favorites being the crispy potato and leek bolani, chicken karahi, and obviously the kabobs. The dishes are so incredibly flavorful that I didn't even feel like I needed to use the sauces provided. I like how theres a kick to the dishes, but they're cut by the yogurt. I really appreciate that as someone who cannot handle that much spice. The meat is so incredibly tender and flavorful. Additionally, they have a soda fridge to pick your drinks from as well, and they had really good options there as well. I just liked how everything felt so cozy and familial. It is such a great spot to dine at in Downey.

    Photos
    Afghan Kabob House - Inside

    Inside

    Afghan Kabob House - Qabuli Palao

    Qabuli Palao

    Afghan Kabob House - Lamb kabob on naan bread

    See all

    Lamb kabob on naan bread

    House of Mandi - Mandi Chicken

    House of Mandi

    4.3(951 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    I love Yemeni food and this place promises flavorful and huge portions of just that ! House of…read moreMandi upholds their name with a cozy, traditional ambience due to their sofa-style seats. For two, we ordered the "individual portions" of Mandi Chicken (young chicken roasted with Yemeni spices) & Lalamb Haneeth (a roasted young lamb that falls off the bone). These were both served over a large platter of Mandi rice and came with Yemeni sauce and yogurt. It was expertly made, yet still gave us the warmth of a homestyle meal. The generous portions resulted in a second meal for me! On a Tuesday night, this place was quite packed with friends and families. It seems like wonderful place to host parties or business meetings. Someone nearby us had a birthday, and a group of staff came out with a dessert, blasting a traditional birthday song over the speakers and encouraged the whole restaurant to clap along! Despite the large gatherings, the restaurant is a no-reservation spot. They have a covered patio outside to seat an overflow of customers in case. Thankfully, my boyfriend and I were seated right away. They had a contactless menu, and we scanned a QR code to check our food options, but a server took our order and offered great recommendations once we waved him down. I would love to come back and try other dishes, like their grilled chicken or lamb--as well as the desserts and teas !!

    I usually don't mind bad service as long as the food is good, but this time the service was…read moreUNACCEPTABLY HORRIBLE. I don't like writing bad reviews for small businesses, but we were almost SCAMMED. 1. It was so hard to get the servers' attention, even when pressing the ringer button at our table. They completely ignore the ringing sound every single time. 2. We had to ask for basic things that should have been provided already before we asked. They served us the salad without any utensils or plates. We had to ask for the sauces that were explicitly written were part of our meal. And every single time we had to ask, we NEVER received an apology. 3. This was the last straw cuz at this point, it felt like we were being targeted. They charged us for an extra lamb dish that costed more than any of the dishes we ordered. When we brought this up, NO APOLOGY.

    Photos
    House of Mandi - MUTABBAL, CHICKEN GALABA (MOGALGAL), Fattoush Salad

    MUTABBAL, CHICKEN GALABA (MOGALGAL), Fattoush Salad

    House of Mandi - Dubai chocolate cheesecake.... mehhh

    Dubai chocolate cheesecake.... mehhh

    House of Mandi - Tea coffee Karak tea and Dubai Chocolate Crepe

    See all

    Tea coffee Karak tea and Dubai Chocolate Crepe

    Chili Chutney Afghan Restaurant - King's platter 7/10 Was just enough for 4 of us

    Chili Chutney Afghan Restaurant

    4.1(884 reviews)
    19.9 mi
    $$

    Food 5/5 Service 5/5…read more Ambiance 5/5 I have been dining in for many years. They just opened again for lunch buffet it was good . $16.99 I recommend it They are open for lunch buffet and ordering from 11 am to 3

    TLDR: Unassuming from the outside, eccentric from the inside. The food is what I expect from…read morerestaurants. Something that I cannot make, something that I've tried, yet the establishment still finds a way to give me a different and enjoyable experience. Boneless Chicken and Beef Koobideh Combo: One of the most dangerous things to order, as both things can either come out as dry, or start off as great, then dry up before you can finish. None of those scenarios happened here. The chicken was soft, juicy, seasoned very well, and it stayed that way. The beef koobideh had this smoky flavor profile, which is different from what I normally expect, and I liked it. Potato Boloni: I've never had boloni in my life, and the closest comparison I have is a Chinese or Korean pancake. The boloni had areas of spiciness, and I think it had room to go higher. It's definitely an appetizer, and I won't mind having it again. Service: There were only 2-3 occupied tables when we went. I think the staff had plenty of time to take our orders, give us water, and the food arrived within a reasonable time. Ambiance: You could tell that the restaurant was designed to host wedding receptions or larger parties in mind. Stage, lights, and a bunch of stuff that may be overwhelming for some. I didn't mind. Good food is all that matters.

    Photos
    Chili Chutney Afghan Restaurant - Indoor dining

    Indoor dining

    Chili Chutney Afghan Restaurant - Beef koobideh plate

    Beef koobideh plate

    Chili Chutney Afghan Restaurant - Stage

    See all

    Stage

    Cairo Restaurant & Cafe - Konafa

    Cairo Restaurant & Cafe

    4.3(806 reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $$

    Cairo Restaurant & Cafe - Anaheim Rating: (5/5)…read more I ordered from Cairo Restaurant & Cafe through Uber Eats, and this ended up being one of the most meaningful food experiences I've had in a long time. For context, I come from Egyptian heritage. I'm first-generation American, and both of my parents grew up in Cairo. The dishes I ordered -- Hawashy as an appetizer and Makaroni Bechamel (Bashmil) casserole -- are foods I grew up with. The last time I had this exact meal cooked for me by my mother was several years ago, so placing this order felt like a gamble, especially with the restaurant being all the way in Anaheim while I live in Irvine. That gamble paid off immediately. From the very first bite, the food tasted unmistakably authentic. The hawashy was deeply seasoned, rich, and comforting -- exactly how it's supposed to be, not watered down or adjusted for convenience. The makaroni bechamel was the real emotional gut punch in the best way possible. Creamy, savory, perfectly spiced, and layered the way it's done back home. It tasted like something made with care, patience, and respect for the dish. I'm not exaggerating when I say this meal hit me hard. After one bite, I literally called the restaurant just to thank them. I asked to speak to the manager and told him what this meal meant to me -- how it tasted like something my own mother would make, how it brought back memories I didn't realize I'd been missing. That call wasn't planned. It was instinctive. Huge shout-out to Zayne, the manager, who was incredibly kind and generous on the phone. He even sent along kunafa for dessert, which was the perfect ending to the meal -- warm, sweet, and beautifully made. Beyond the food itself, the packaging deserves real praise. Everything arrived hot, which is not easy, especially for a casserole like makaroni bechamel. Once that dish cools too much, it loses something important. This didn't. It arrived as if it had just come out of the oven, which speaks volumes about the care taken in preparing orders for delivery. This is not a 5-star review because of nostalgia or heritage alone. It's a 5-star review because the food was genuinely outstanding -- rich, decadent, comforting, and made the right way. It is very hard for me to say that something compares to my mother's cooking, but this truly came close. I cannot wait to come in person in the next few weeks. Cairo Restaurant & Cafe didn't just serve food -- they delivered a memory.

    Came in last night for a quick bite. Lots of people smoking hookah on the patio but I sat inside…read more Wasn't super hungry so I just got the lentil soup and hawawshy, which is an Egyptian street food where they stuff pita bread with ground beef and spices. Both dishes were good but not amazing. Another customer came in and I overheard him say, "this seems more like a hookah spot than a food spot." I'd have to agree with him

    Photos
    Cairo Restaurant & Cafe - Beef liver

    Beef liver

    Cairo Restaurant & Cafe - Fatta with Lamb shank

    Fatta with Lamb shank

    Cairo Restaurant & Cafe - Rice pudding

    See all

    Rice pudding

    Kabab Crush - Chicken Kabab

    Kabab Crush

    4.2(1.7k reviews)
    8.0 mi
    $$

    Kabab Crush delivers a satisfying and well-executed meal with their Beef Kabab Combo Plate…read more While it's a bit on the pricier side, the portion more than justifies the cost. The plate comes with three filet mignon skewers, each incredibly juicy, buttery, and tender--clearly cooked with care and quality ingredients. The rice is another highlight: deeply flavorful with just the right amount of seasoning, making it a perfect complement rather than an afterthought. The combo also includes pita and two sides; I chose the hummus and yogurt cucumber, which added a nice balance of richness and freshness to the meal. Be prepared for a bit of a wait, as the food does take some time, but it's evident everything is made fresh and to order--well worth the patience. Overall, a hearty, flavorful, and thoughtfully prepared plate that earns a solid 5

    Finally doing this spot justice with a review because this is hands-down hubby and I's favorite…read moreMediterranean place. We've been here a good five times and I'm finally writing a review--better late than never. Parking is easy and there's a decent amount of seating both inside and outside. Ambience-wise, it's your typical fast-casual, in-and-out vibe. Nothing fancy and not super pretty inside, but don't let that fool you. Once the food hits your tongue, it's game over. Hubby and I are creatures of habit and always order our usual plates. He gets the beef and lamb kebabs, and honestly the portion sizes are so generous that our plates are interchangeable every single visit. A must-have side is their Mediterranean salad--get the large so you can save some for leftovers the next day. For my plate, I always order the red cabbage, hummus, sumac onions, and of course the Mediterranean salad, and it is always absolutely delicious. For the entrée, I go with the chicken and beef shawarma. The meat is perfectly shredded and pairs so well with their fluffy rice, plus the generous amount of garlic and tahini sauce. The only downside I would say is the pita bread. I personally don't care for how dry it can be, but to be fair, the best pita bread I've ever had was in Athens, Greece, so it's very hard to compare when most pita breads here are premade. Service is always fast and on point. This place is an absolute must-try if you're craving Mediterranean food. Happy eats!

    Photos
    Kabab Crush
    Kabab Crush - Beef kabab plate, w/ grape leaves, baba ghanouj, rice, garlic sauce & pita bread

    Beef kabab plate, w/ grape leaves, baba ghanouj, rice, garlic sauce & pita bread

    Kabab Crush - Beef shawarma with a side of fries.

    See all

    Beef shawarma with a side of fries.

    Afghan Shams Restaurant - afghani - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...