This is a great place to go when you're "elevated". I think I would die happy if I ate this food on my death bed. For appetizers, we got Mantwo and Bowlawani- it was absolutely DEMOLISHED. Mantwo is basically afghan dumpling, and the filling was incredible savory and had a meaty texture. The was my favorite appetizer, stuffed with spiced potatoes, lentils, and chives/leeks from what I saw. The dipping sauce of yogurt and mint went amazing with it. For mains, we got the Lamb Lawand and Lamb loin chop. The lamb lawand was this savory rice dish- they served it with mushrooms and a side of beautifully seasoned spinach. It came as a stew that you were able to mix with your rice as you please. As for the lamb loin chop, it was incredibly tender- falling off the bone. Dessert was difficult, as I am deathly allergic to all nuts. My partner got the hazelnut chocolate cake, and from what I heard they rated it very highly. I got the afghan ice cream; the flavor were incredibly unique, with notes of cardamom, saffron and rose water. I usually have a problem with rose water in my desserts, as it ends up tasting overly flowery or soapy, but I think it was executed well. The toppings of dates, mangos, and figs went incredibly well with the flavors of the ice cream. My only complaint was the service being a bit slow, but at the time we went it was incredibly busy, and I don't blame the workers. Otherwise, this was a great place to go to for an elevated meal! Not TOO fancy, but not too casual either. read more

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The wife and I finally made it to the Helmand. We got there right around 6 and got a spot right across the street. When we walked in, we were sat in the very large dining area and our server came right over. The atmosphere definitely lends itself to a smart casual outfit vibe. Very cutesy!! We started off with the bowlani. It was a freshly gently fried samosa if I had to describe it. I enjoyed it very much. I wanted to try multiple items but for some reason wasn't very hungry so I went with the vegetarian aushuk and the mashawa soup. I also ordered the bread to dip in my soup. Everything was very tasty. The service was excellent and the overall vibe of the restaurant was pleasant. I'll be back for sure. read more

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Food: excellent and very reasonably priced. Mantwo and kabobs were standouts. Goat cheese cheesecake dessert was tart, unique and delightful! Service: pretty fast, though our waiter rarely stopped by for additional drink orders Ambiance: very cute, bigger than you expect, with traditional clothes displayed on the wall. Would recommend! read more

The Helmand - Goat cheese cheesecake & afghan ice cream - Afghan Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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Walked in without a reservation at an off-hour and the staff were very friendly greeting us, seating us, and servicing us. They kept our water and drinks filled the whole time. The food was well portioned and yummy. We ordered a variety of things which were good, including the zardalu challow and vegetarian platter. Ambiance is great - comfortable seating. read more

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Really cool spot! Coming into this meal, I didn't totally know what to expect as I've never had Afghan food. I can honestly say I am now a fan! It was restaurant week so we did the price fixed menu and I honestly enjoyed almost all parts of the meal. The pumpkin starter was really unique and good. Could it have used a little bit more flavor for my liking? Yes. However, I still think it was very good. I did the vegetable sampler for the main and genuinely enjoyed every single thing on my plate very unique flavors that I truly enjoyed. I also have to give a moment to the naan that they brought out for the table. We all could not get enough of it. It was truly delicious. The only letdown of this meal was the dessert. It was some pudding that looked like it had kind of been sitting out for a while as it had crusted over on the top, but it wasn't bad just a bit bland. Drinks were great and the wine recommendations from the waiter all were spot on. Service was absolutely impeccable. Staff was very friendly and attentive. Ambience is nothing to write home about. It's honestly a little bit boring in there and I think they could do so much more to capitalize on Afghan decor, but it was by no means bad ambience Overall, this was a great meal that I would come back to and would recommend anyone else do so. read more

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The snow made parking a nightmare but so glad I came for their restaurant week deal! There are two dining rooms and my group's table was ready immediately upon entering. I ordered a glass of red wine and knew I was in for a good meal when I watched almost half the bottle drain into my glass. I went with special #2 and tried their well-known pumpkin appetizer, which was actually too sweet for my tastes but still very good. Naan with butter is served to the table, which was perfect for dipping in the rich sauces that came with the entree. The lentil/rice/lamb side that came with the entree's curry and rice was absolutely divine. I could kill a plate of that alone. There was so much food to the entree that I was even able to take leftovers home. The waiter recommended the baklava over the pudding for dessert so I went with that and it was as good as he said. This was truly a 5/5 experience, and I would love to come back to try more of their menu outside of their restaurant week deal! read more

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The Helmand is a fantastic spot located in Mt. Vernon! My boyfriend picked here for date night and I'm so glad he did. Neither of us had tried this cuisine before and it was a great experience. Service was good, the place is lovely, and the food is delicious. My only take is that I would skip a cocktail, they seem a bit underwhelming for $12 - I got the sour apple one and it was just OK. A fine sip while we ate but not necessary or anything to write home about. That said, again, the FOOD is why you should make your way to the Helmand. We started with naan (don't skip this) and potato and leek pastries. I noted the actual dish names in the photos, by the way. Both were great. We both enjoyed our dishes - I got a lamb special and my boyfriend got a beef special. Any time I have a chance to try a different style of lamb, I'm going to. The meat was perfectly tender, rice perfectly cooked, and the turnips were yummy. My boyfriend is not a big sweets guy - he insisted I get dessert and he'd have just a bite. I ordered the Fereny, an eggless cardamom pudding served with fruit. Let's just say he took much more than just one bite. It was definitely the highlight of our meal, which is saying a lot for a $6 pudding. Overall, we'll be back! read more

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Nice ambiance in this unassuming spot. Great for a nice date night. Although the two-seaters by the entryway could use more light (as you can see my pics were a bit dim). Tasty food! I don't often eat Afghan food so I'm not familiar with the spice profile. But I enjoy the marinades, the cardamom and nuts and such. Everything went well enough. Dessert was different but tasty. Park on the side street near the monument and take a 2 min walk. Recommended! read more

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VALENTINES DAY DINNER!! This was our dinner of choice for Valentine's Day. We picked it because the service, food, and vibe are always perfect on a normal night out, so we knew it would be a safe bet for Valentine's Day too. The service that night was amazing. We were ushered to our table, told about the specials, and got a bottle of wine to share right away. Our food came out quickly and the tables were cleared just as fast. I stuck with the classic, which is my favorite, and my boyfriend tried the Valentine's Day special. I hate to admit it but he definitely had the better meal. We finished with cheesecake for dessert and it was perfect. read more

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Wow - our family has been coming here for year and I finally had the chance to visit. Authentic, amazing food that will bring you back!!

We wanted to try this place since it seemed interesting! We've only had fast casual Afghan food but not upscale Afghan food. It was ok! I liked the appetizers we had which were a pumpkin one and fried dough with leeks. And the dessert which was a cardamom flavored custard was refreshing and not too sweet. I liked the naan too but I wasn't a fan of veggie platter, I thought it would be a good pick to try a little of everything but I wish I had gotten one of the vegetarian entrees instead since the one we go to go (leek ravioli) was a lot better read more

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9/17/2025 My first afghan restaurant and on a nice rainy day. I ended up here with help of the timeleft app, was seated as soon as I walked in the door. I started with the AUSHAK and a glass of white wine. Both were great I love how tender the pasta is, the yogurt mixed with the cilantro sauce( they give for the table) by far is the best combo. The naan was thick and such a good touch to soak up all the pasta sauce. Ended up the meal with the afghan style ice cream which had a taste that I was not used to. I loved the fresh fruits and the cardamom in the ice cream had my tastebuds singing. The seating has 2 areas and a nice little bar in the back. I noticed a new customers coming in and requesting single seating which was not a problem for this spot. Our server was very punctual clearing plates, getting refills I just would have loved to hear about the new items and drinks that were on the table before I ordered. Bathroom rating:5/5 read more

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Overall, food was solid and ambiance was nice. Worth going try the food at least once, but I don't know that it lived up to the hype. Service was good. read more

Cozy interior! The service was amazing. Very little wait time between each course. My favorite dish of the night was the Mantwo as my appetizer. read more

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Zardalu Challow: 6/5. It's possibly one of the best dishes I've eaten in Baltimore. Somehow they managed to balance the sweetness of the dried apricots with the gaminess of the lamb to produce a very unctious dish. Bendi: 6/5. If you're from any culture that appreciates okra, then you're going love this dish. Spinach: 4/5. Cardamom Pudding: 4/5. Delicate and fruity, but not as cardamom forward as expected. Service: 5/5 read more

Good food, nice dining area, attentive service. Great to have appetizer versions of dishes so that we could try more things. read more

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we ate there tonight after several years and were incredibly disappointed with the food. we were huge fans in the past. two of the entrees were overcooked (lamb and chicken kabobs). lamb was so charred it was gritty. the pumpkin appetizer is unrecognizable from its traditional preparation-- this was like pumpkin jello. didn't surprise that we didn't see Mr Karzai--tonight bore no resemblance to when he was there. even the naan was charred and tasteless. miss his oversight. read more

I have always enjoyed coming to The Helmand for a delicious meal! Today, I visited for Valentine's Dinner and I ordered the Vegetarian Dolma, it was SO delicious! The dish paired well with the red wine :) The service was smooth and fast, the staff are so friendly and welcoming. I highly recommend anyone to come here for a memorable meal with the people you love. read more

We enjoyed our visit to The Helmand. We have been before but I always forget to post a review. This is one of my favorite places to bring people. It's very vegetarian friendly and has delicious food and wonderful service every time. The place is nicely decorated and gives you a feel for the afghan culture. We had the following dishes: kaddo Borwani (baby pumpkin), vegetarian mantwo, ashsak, and the shornakhod salad. It was all fresh, filling, and light all at the same time. We always have the best time when we come to The Helmand. read more

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Food was bomb! The food came out pretty quickly, and our waters were always filled. The food came out hot and pretty quick and it was just so flavorful. It's pretty dim inside but still nice inside. Don't skip out on this place, you won't regret it. read more

The Helmand - Afghan Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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The food was amazing! We had a stuffed eggplant dish I'd come back for again and again.

What a great experience! I've been meaning to come to Helmand for forever now. I've heard such great things about it and it's been a longtime staple of the Mount Vernon neighborhood. I finally went in for dinner with a few friends and couldn't be happier with the food, the service, and the atmosphere. Everyone who was working was so nice. From the host, to the servers, to the man cooking the naan bread in the oven, they each had a smile to greet you with. The inside is a lot nicer than I expected. It feels very fine dining with the white tablecloths and dim lighting. And it's really cozy thanks to the beautiful decorations and the brick oven in the back. The bathrooms were also really clean too. We got a couple appetizers to start: the pumpkin and the eggplant. The pumpkin was very tender and came drizzled with a yummy yogurt sauce. The eggplant was cooked to perfection and that's saying something because I normally find eggplant to be too slimy to appreciate the flavor - this one was good! For entrees, we decided to share the kabuli pallow and one of the specials, the chicken lawand. We were all new to Afghan cuisine but these dishes came highly recommended by the staff. The kabuli pallow was definitely my favorite. It featured tender, flavorful lamb over a bed of herbed rice and raisins. Omg, soo good! The chicken lawand was also very good and well seasoned but I think I just liked the lamb more. We also got a bottle of red wine that paired really nicely with everything we ate. I'd definitely come back to explore more of the menu and wouldn't be opposed to just ordering that lamb for takeout for myself! read more

Best place I've been in Baltimore so far!! The flavors are out of this world and the service is amazing!! The vibe is so good! The prices are pretty reasonable especially given the portion sizes. Def can't wait to come back here!! read more

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Nice sit-down restaurant with Afghan decor on the walls that gives an authentic feel. There are many vegetarian dishes, most of which could probably be adapted to be vegan, the portions sizes are really big, and the food is relatively healthy. The one thing that could maybe be improved is that most of the dishes have a tinge of lemony sour taste- they might be more palatable without. We got the cauliflower and chickpea curry (which came with spinach!), the vegetarian platter, and the salad- I might skip the salad next time but everything else was great! read more

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My husband and I went as walk ins on Friday night. We were seated right away on a wobbly table. The service was pretty meh - reasonably fast but perfunctory. Ambiance was also fine - nice enough for a casual night out but not stuffy. Wine list was light on details but reasonably priced. None of that mattered once we got our food. It was the best meal I've had in awhile. We got the lamb special and ravioli with meat sauce appetizer. I am still dreaming about how good that food was. Try the cardamom ice cream, too. With a Turkish coffee to end, it was perfect. In the end, we got out feeling stuffed, having split a bottle of wine, for less than $100. I wish this place had a branch in Seattle. read more

A few days after posting the review, the owner of the restaurant called me. She apologized profusely and said, without me asking, they would refund the entire bill. (I haven't checked my credit card yet). I thought this was a great gesture and showed they really care. read more

If I could give this place more stars, I would. This is some of the best food I have ever had! The spices were absolutely amazing and unlike anything I've ever had, and everything worked so well together. We started off with appetizers: Mantwo and Aushak. They were both incredible and paired with Naan was the perfect way to start our meal. For our main meal we shared the Chicken Lawand and Mourgh Challow. It was so so good. The service was great and our server made it a point to get our names and notice that we hadn't been in before! Very welcoming. I also loved the cultural decor and the ambiance was nice for a date night. Overall this is amazing food for a great price, and we got an elegant dining experience without breaking the bank! I will be coming back when I'm in Baltimore again! read more

The Helmand - Afghan Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

This is a great place for a date or a celebratory outing. Delicious food, reasonably priced with upscale ambiance. There are many vegetarian options. The side of spinach which comes with many of the entrees is beautifully seasoned. read more

I came here for an early dinner with a friend. It was already quite busy for being around 5:30pm on a Sunday. It's a nice restaurant inside, nothing super fancy but just nice dining. We started off with a bottle of white wine which was quite good. I got one of the lamb specials which was really tasty and had great flavor but disappointing there were only 4 little pieces of lamb chunks in it with the rest mainly being potatoes. We shared some naan bread that was decent and ended with baklava for dessert which was ok. Our server wasn't that friendly and didn't know or even speak(?) English well. When trying to decide on a couple options for a wine bottle, he didn't seem to understand our questions and went to grab someone else who seemed to be the GM. The GM was very helpful and gave us tastings of the two wines before we made our decision. Service of the wait staff could be improved but I'd still come back here again to try their other dishes. read more

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Food was incredible; our first time having afghan food but we overheard the table next to us saying better than places in NYC! The service was on par, took like 2 minutes for the appetizers to come after we ordered. Ambiance was bustling and busy but it was a Friday night. Not the most romantic place but had a great time read more

The Helmand - Chicken lawand, lamb loin chop - Afghan Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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Great little place closed to downtown Baltimore! Service was spot on, food was great, got for appetizers the aushak and bowlawni, Main course I had Kabuli pallow and to finish I had baklava and Turkish coffee which it's a must! Highly recommend!! read more

The Helmand - Aushak and Bowlawni - Afghan Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Great to finally try this place, it's a real gem! Good food and excellent ambiance. Afghan food is really interesting and very palatable, similar to north Indian food in many ways and a few of the dishes are closely related but it's still unique. For an upscale restaurant the prices are quite reasonable. Definitely recommend for locals and visitors alike! read more

The venue is nice and clean and the staff is super helpful and friendly...AND, most importantly, the food is delicious. However, I ordered one of the lamb specials on my visit yesterday. The dish was $25 and while the flavors and mesh of food was impeccable, there were only THREE CHUNKS OF LAMB in the dish. The lack of meat was initially disguised because there were a TON of mushrooms in the dish and both the lamb and mushrooms had similar shaping and coloring. It wasn't until I bit into mushroom after mushroom, I realized the special should have been called mushrooms with a few pieces of lamb. This irritates me. I am not a cheap person, but I expect when I pay for a lamb dish, I get more pieces of it. Stop being cheap with meats yet still charging full price for them. Oh, also, the side of spinach was super bland and The Helmand is another restaurant that doesn't just have S&P at the table, you have to ask for it. Oh, oh, not a fan of the naan. Would not get that in future. read more

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Came here for the first time recently and had a great experience. We were a little late for our reservation due to traffic and the staff were very patient and accommodating. Everything we ordered was great and so flavorful. Loved the eggplant appetizer, the leeks in puff pastry, the kabuli chicken, and the mantwo. Definitely don't skip dessert because both of their ice cream desserts are so unique! Already looking forward to coming back and trying more of the menu. read more

It was a one of the best dinner I had in Baltimore. The food was high quality and quantity, super flavorful, and the service was passionate and friendly and patient. I'd give it 6 stars if pissible. The food came in large quantity. We ordered Mantwo for appetizer and it might be the best beef sauce I've had. It's full of the special season and the dumpling came freshly cooked. The lamb dish was awesome too, it came medium cooked which is a bit red (which I like) and very juicy. And the sauce/dressing!! The one came with the chicken (the same for Shornakod salad) was beyond good--- it's the best chutney/dressing I've had. It's cilantro vinaigrette-- and it's tangy, mixed with cilantro and all different kinds of spices. It's so exotic and delicious that I took a dipping sauce box with me when boxing leftovers. We had ice cream for dessert, and it was delicious. It was cardamom flavored, with dried fruit and nuts mixed in. We were so full but couldn't resist eating more. Conclusion is: if you like flavorful Indian/ Middle East, Afghanistan food, you can't go wrong! The service was great too, it was our first time there, they explained to us what are dishes like and what wine to pair with our food. They are patient and apparently knows their restaurant and food super well. They checked back when we were eating frequently. The ambience was great too, was romantic (with candle lights) and people are slightly dressed up. Plenty of space between each table so that you have privacy. We had a great date night and eat until they are almost closed (hence there is an inner space picture lol). I'd definitely recommend and will come back more times in the future. read more

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Having never had Afghani food prior coming to Baltimore, I wasn't sure what to expect, but The Helmand has never disappointed in my time here! Ambiance: On arrival, this is clearly a more of a nicer sit-down restaurant with a more dimly lit and cozy atmosphere. There are various in-theme decorations across the wall and tableclothes and candles span the restaurant. Additionally, they're great at large groups as well, and it is easy enough to make a reservation here. Although it does get busy on weekends, so be prepared. Service: Kind staff, timely, and attentive to guests. Overall wonderful experience with the staff there. Just of note, you have to walk straight down the hallway when you first enter the restaurant as the front desk is not immediately there when you enter. Food: Of note, they have an entire section of vegetarian specials available on the menu, which is great (also still a great place for non-vegetarians)! Having been familiar with Indian, particularly North Indian food, for much of my life, various aspects of the Afghani food here resonated with the flavors and spices I enjoy. - Vegetarian mantwo: I always enjoy this dish. It comes with a few pastry shells that are stuffed with onions and other vegetables, and steamed. They are served covered in yogurt alongside yellow split peas as the sauce covering the pastry shells. Always a well-seasoned dish that combines my love for dumpling-style products and spiced lentils. - Vegetarian platter: This comes with a whole array of different vegetable wet and dry curries served with pallow (seasoned/spiced Basmati rice). It is great for those who face indecision in wanting to try multiple items. Each vegetable, including eggplant, okra, mushrooms, and others, is uniquely spiced, cooked well, and complement each other. You are also served some naan, which is a bit different than the typical Indian naan I am used to. The one here is square and much thicker, having a more bread-like quality to it rather than a flatbread. There is also a cilantro/mint-based chutney that comes with the food that is also delicious to top onto your food or even with just the bread. Great place overall with great food and service! read more

The Helmand - Vegetarian mantwo - Afghan Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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The Helmand was the perfect place to go for dinner. The location of the restaurant was beautiful and the inside was cozy. Our food came immediately, and was well flavored. I recommend the naan-they make it themselves-and the okra. One dish was enough for two. The service was also great. Multiple servers checked in while we were eating and promptly refilled water, took away used plates, and asked how the food was. We will visit again. read more

This is the third time I've been to The Helmand in person and have gotten delivery as well and it's always so solid. I forgot how good the food was. They serve Afghan food and it's a staple in Mount Vernon. It's pseudo elegant in that there's paper menus and paper table cloths but it's that old school vibe. I went on Boxing Day and it was pretty packed. We ate everything family style starting with the kaddo borwani which is the first listed item on the menu an unassuming pumpkin with a yogurt - it was definitely more garlicky this time which I enjoyed. The mantwo pastry shells filled with meat had a kick to it and served with rice. Their green chutney is like crack - obsessed with it. The lamb dish - koufta has a sweetness with apricots that makes it addicting! Highly recommend this spot. Great with friends, family or a romantic night out. read more

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Fantastic food and service. I can say a bad thing about it. Food arrived super foast, but was delicious.

Southern Asian cooking is almost always good, but occasionally we run across a balance of flavor, texture, and heat that leaves me with a delightfully warm feeling inside about a half hour after I've left, and a desire to return as soon as possible. The Helmand was one of those experiences. Noodles, meat, rice, stuffed pasta, sauces, and freshly baked bread are all present, each with a familiarity that screams 'comfort food', but with a uniqueness that is unlike anything else I've had. We were fortunate enough to be seated near the back, with a view of the oven, whose flames added to the atmosphere, as well as baking their bread. Lighting was subdued, making it even more of a fine dining experience. The menu, along with the wait staff, provided enough information about the unfamiliar item names to make ordering simple and low risk. Save room for the Jala ice cream, flavored with cardamom, topped with pomegranate syrup, Asian noodles (!), and almonds. read more

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