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The Helmand Restaurant

Name: The Helmand Restaurant
Address: 143 1St St, Cambridge, MA, United States, 02142
Telephone: (617) 492-4646
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.5

4.5

386 Reviews

$31 to $50

Middle Eastern

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Helmand Restaurant offers Afghani dishes with a wood-burning oven where the famous flatbread is cooked on one side of the room and an intimate fireplace is on the other side.

Helmand Restaurant entrées include tasty choices like qabelee, which is pallow rice baked with chunks of lamb tenderloin, raisins and glazed carrots or mantwo, a homemade pasta shell filled with beef and onions. If you like spicy dishes, try the koufta challow, consisting of beef meatballs with Afghan seasoning sautéed with sun-dried tomato, hot peppers and green peas in a fresh tomato sauce. Several vegetarian entrées are also available such as the kaddo and banjan challow, which is pan fried and baked pumpkin and eggplant served with challow rice and yogurt garlic sauce.

*Due to limited patio seating, we do not take reservations for our patio . Please note the patio or any other special requests in your reservation, or ask upon arrival, and we will do our best to accommodate.

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Party Size

2 people

DateTime

May 17, 2022

May 2022

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

7:00 PM

Booked 20 times today

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Additional information

Dining style
Fine Dining
Cuisines
Middle Eastern, Afghan, Halal
Hours of operation
Dinner
Mon–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–11:00 pm
Phone number
(617) 492-4646
Website
http://www.helmandrestaurant.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual

Location
143 1St St Cambridge, MA 02142
Neighborhood
Kendall Square
Parking details
Street Parking
Additional
Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Kosher, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

Best Restaurants in Cambridge, MA

Qabelee$28.95
Pallow rice baked with chunks of lamb tenderloin, raisins and glazed julienne of carrots
Dwopiaza*$29.95
Seasoned tenderloin of lamb cooked with onions, sautéed with yellow split-peas and tossed with onions lightly marinated in vinegar. Served with pallow rice
Chowpan*$41.95
Half Rack of Lamb marinated, grilled and served on a bed of Afghan bread with sauteed eggplant and pallow rice
Seekh Kabob*$29.95
Char-broiled Leg of Lamb marinated in puree of onion, sun-dried baby grapes and garlic, served with sauteed eggplant and pallow rice
Mantwo$25.95
Homemade pastry shell filled with onions and beef. Served on yogurt and topped with carrots, yellow split peas and beef sauce
Aushak$24.95
Afghan ravioli filled with leeks. Served on yogurt and topped with ground beef and mint
Lamb Lawand$28.95
Leg of Lamb sauteed with onion, tomatoes, garlic, mushrooms, fresh cilantro, yogurt and spices served with sauteed spinach and challow rice
Sabzi Challow$26.95
Spinach sautéed with chunks of beef and Afghan seasonings. Served with challow rice
Chapendaz*$36.95
Choice Tenderloin of Beef marinated, grilled with a puree of grilled tomatoes, hot peppers, onions and cumin seeds served with lentils, mung beans and spinached rice
Kourma Challow$26.95
Leg of Lamb sauteed with onions, tomatoes, garlic, green beans, potatoes and spices served with lentils and challow rice
Theeka Kabab*$31.95
Prime Rib of Beef; marinated in puree of onion, sun-dried baby grapes and garlic, then grilled and served with sauteed lentils and pallow rice
Chappli Kabab$26.95
Ground beef with coriander flat kababs. Cucumber and tomato salad with Balsamic dressing and fried battered potatoes
Koufta Challow$26.95
Beef meatballs with Afghan seasonings sauteed with sun-dried tomato, hot peppers and green peas in a fresh tomato sauce, served with challow rice
Mourgh Kabab$24.95
Char-broiled marinated chicken breast, served with sauteed spinach and pallow rice
Mourgh Challow$24.95
Chicken breast sauteed with spices and yellow split-peas, then sauteed with yogurt, cilantro and curry, served with challow rice

Specials

Qoremay Ma-He$33.95
Fresh Sea Bass pan fried, then sauteed with onion, peeled tomatoes, garlic, ginger, sun dried tomato, radishes and potato served with challow rice
Ma-He Berian$27.95
Filet of trout pan fried, served with sauteed eggplant and rice seasoned with dates and walnuts
Mourgh Salata$24.95
Fresh boneless breast of chicken, marinated then grilled, served on mixed green salad with grilled vegetables and vinaigrette dressing

Vegetarian Entrees

Special$24.95
A platter of baked pumpkin, pan-fried eggplant, sauteed spinach and okra sauteed in fresh tomatoes, served with pallow rice
Kourma Challow$19.50
Fresh green beans, carrots, cauliflower, turnips and potato sauteed with onions, tomatoes, garlic, ginger and cilantro served with sauteed spinach and challow rice
Aushak$21.50
Afghan ravioli, filled with leeks and scallions, served on yogurt, garlic and mint sauce, topped with yellow split-peas and carrot sauce
Sabzi Challow$22.50
Spinach sauteed with Afghan seasonings, served with garlic mushrooms, okra and challow rice
Kaddo and Banjan Challow$21.50
Pan fried then baked pumpkin and eggplant served with yogurt garlic sauce and challow rice
Showla$24.95
Medium rice, mong beans and black-eyed peas, sauteed with onion, tomatoes and fresh garlic, then baked with dill and coriander seeds, served with poblano pepper filled with spinach and cheese, served with tomato and cilantro sauce
Aush$8.50
Homemade noodles and fresh vegetable soup

Preparation of Rice at the Helmand Restaurant

We use Canola Oil in the preparation of all our cooking

Challow
Rice boiled then drained of water, seasoned with canola oil, cumin seed and then baked
Pallow
Rice boiled then drained of water, seasoned with canola oil, cardomum, cinnamon, nutmeg, cumin seed and black pepper and then baked

What 386 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.5

4.5 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.2Service
4.4Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Sort by

Filters

L
Labgirl
New England
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined 2 days ago
overall4food4service4ambience4
The food was very good and the portions were large (I took home 1/2 of my meal). My husband started with a soup and I had the salad. We both had an entrée and we shared one side. We only drank water with dinner and my husband had Turkish coffee. I would go back again because we loved the dishes but it was a lot more expensive than we normally spend on dinner. We are retired so we cannot spend that much on dinner very often.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 2 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience4
Yummy food, attentive staff.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined 2 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Fantastic food and great service— special shout-out to Tamana!
AV
AmyV
New England
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Fantastic service and delicious food. Would definitely go back
MG
MarkG
New England
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on May 8, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent food, extremely nice servers, nice, quiet atmosphere!
T
Trishkbob
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 7, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
The food was marvelous - combo of flavors you don't typically encounter. They combo of spices and flavors are like a warm hug for your mouth. I got the beef kabob dinner and it was divine!! The meat was so soft and juicy. We also got an old fashioned - a little watered down for my taste. I probably won't go here for the cocktails, but I'll definitely be back for the food!
FH
FredericH
New England
6 reviews
vip
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on May 6, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food. Great service. Nicely decorated. Excellent desserts.
AK
AnneK
New England
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on May 4, 2022
overall5food5service4ambience5
Love the food and the atmosphere at The Hellmand!
HP
cHiP
New England
11 reviews
5.0
11 reviews
Dined on May 3, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Helmand is an excellent restaurant, with a type of food (Afghani; sort of like a unique cross between Indian/Pakistani and Persian/Iranian cuisine) that is unlike that found elsewhere in the Boston metro area. The food was great and the service was as well. It is a very welcoming and delightful atmosphere in the restaurant.
MA
MazinA
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 3, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great experience and authentic food. Would recommend.
M
Mark
New England
12 reviews
5.0
12 reviews
Dined on May 2, 2022
overall5food4service4ambience5
A well-established neighborhood restaurant. For many years has consistently provided authentic Afghan dishes.
NM
NatMM
New England
11 reviews
4.0
11 reviews
Dined on April 26, 2022
overall4food5service3ambience4
Food was top notch, we tried 4 different apps, all were delicious. Entree were great as well. Our party of 5 had several different lamb dishes - all cooked well, paired with perfectly cooked sides. Trout was delicious. Turkish coffee cooked table size was really really good! The only thing I found underwhelming was the "house cake" ... nothing memorable or exciting about it. Service was VERY slow, especially in the beginning. After we were seated, it took about 10 min just to get menus. Then, I think at least half an hour passed until anyone approached us to at least get our drink order. It was pretty busy, but there were plenty of servers going around, avoiding eye contact with our table. Once we finally ordered, the food made up for the wait.
JM
JennieM
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on April 22, 2022
overall4food4service3ambience4
We loved the appetizers. Service was a little ambiguous.
GH
GandH
New England
57 reviews
vip
4.0
57 reviews
Dined on April 21, 2022
overall4food4service4ambience5
Great ambiance, food choices mostly around lamb, with beef as a much lower premium. Great vegetarian dishes. Great spices. Some unique niceties have disappeared from its previous years, namely a great bread backing oven in the center, and a working fireplace.
LD
Luv2Dine
New England
33 reviews
4.0
33 reviews
Dined on April 20, 2022
overall4food5service3ambience4
Food is excellent here. Portions are very good; small appetizer and entree big enough that I brought some home. I didn't give 5 stars for service only because once we had our food, no one came by to see how we were doing (except for someone refilling water, which BTW, is excellent. Too often restaurants have horrible tasting water). We were there very early (5:30) and by 6:30, the place was pretty full. But still, it should have been obvious that we stopped eating and we sat there for a long time till someone stopped by. I asked for a take-out container; got that quickly but then sat for a long time to get the bill. I would definitely go back as their food was great and interesting in that I am not familiar with Afghan food. An added bonus, they are a few doors down from Toscanini's Ice Cream!
OT
OpenTable Diner
New England
14 reviews
4.0
14 reviews
Dined on April 19, 2022
overall4food5service2ambience4
Great place for business dinner or to take friends. Service was very poor tonight food as always was excellent.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New England
5 reviews
4.0
5 reviews
Dined on April 17, 2022
overall4food4service2ambience4
Overall experience was fine. It was the first time ever that we had just finished our main course and the waiter comes and puts the check on the table. Did not ask if we wanted anything else, did not ask if we wanted dessert or coffee. When we asked what about desert, he said oh most people don’t order desert!! Has never happened before, wait staff definitely needs better training. Also charged a 20% gratuity (which I would have added anyways) for a party of 4 which is not the norm at most restaurants.
CO
CarolO
New England
4 reviews
4.0
4 reviews
Dined on April 16, 2022
overall4food5service2ambience4
Our server never came back to our table after our meals were served. Never asked if we needed anything. We were so disappointed we did not stay for coffee, although no one asked if we wanted any!
AG
AnaG
San Francisco
11 reviews
vip
5.0
11 reviews
Dined on April 16, 2022
overall5food5service4ambience5
The staff was extremely kind and courteous
F
Faye
Seattle
12 reviews
vip
5.0
12 reviews
Dined on April 14, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We had an early show so had an even earlier dinner. Service was good and food was great! Lamb was very tender, and the ravioli was perfect.
BD
BetsyD
New England
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 9, 2022
overall5food5service4ambience5
Very good restaurant for non meat-eaters. Many true vegetarian menu options. Everything is prepared well - excellent flavors. Considering that the restaurant was fully booked on a Saturday night, the servers and helpers did a fine job. Glad to see this neighborhood place doing so well.
MB
MinaB
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on April 8, 2022
overall4food4service5ambience5
Service very friendly and attentive. Food portions on the small size but quality was very good. Atmosphere was very comfortable.
AG
ArvindG
New England
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on April 2, 2022
overall4food5service4ambience5
One of our favorite restaurants continues to shine!
OT
OpenTable Diner
New England
16 reviews
5.0
16 reviews
Dined on April 2, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
The dinner was delicious and our server was especially kind and welcoming.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New England
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on April 2, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Amazing food!
B
Bidd88
Montreal
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 1, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
Have been going to the Helmand for 25 years. I love your menu and I’m glad that you keep it consistent with what works. This was probably one of the best meals I’ve had at the Helmand. I’ll return for the next 25 years and will continue to recommend you!
SN
SNZ1
New England
3 reviews
vip
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on March 27, 2022
overall4food5service5ambience4
Great food. Great service!
BM
BenM
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on March 26, 2022
overall5food5service4ambience4
It seemed as though we were forgotten at times, though, the place was busy. Also, if staff are going to wear masks then put them all the way on. Looks and seems gross otherwise.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
4 reviews
vip
1.0
4 reviews
Dined on March 26, 2022
overall1food3service1ambience1
The service was extremely poor, we waited for around one hour only for the salads to arrive (which were literally store bought spring mix drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette). Then waited one more hour for the food to arrive. We also had to wait for thirty minutes for someone to take our order (we went to the back and called someone).
OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on March 26, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We love Helmands yummy food and fair price, fast service
SS
ShekharS
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on March 21, 2022
overall4food4service5ambience4
A nice Afghan restaurant with great food and excellent service.
GR
GuyRC
New England
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on March 20, 2022
overall5food5service4ambience4
We always go to the Helmand when we want an excellent meal. We love this place.
r
richardl
New York Area
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined on March 19, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Marvelous experience both in terms of food and our waiter, Mohamed. Only negative was the noise level in the back of the restaurant. Tolerable, though.
A
Alan
New England
18 reviews
4.0
18 reviews
Dined on March 17, 2022
overall4food4service3ambience4
The table was a little small for 4 people. We had to request the waiter several times but the food was excellent.
RB
RosemaryB
Montreal
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on March 17, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
The flavors are amazing. Noise level was high at times but all in all, a delicious meal.
a
aronc
Chicago
17 reviews
4.0
17 reviews
Dined on March 15, 2022
overall4food4service4ambience4
Excellent food and services. I had the rack of lamb. It was served with flavored rice and side stewed eggplants, tomatoes and pepper... The food was delicious. We also ordered some appetizers including the dumplings stuffed with ground meat and served with yogurt. It was divine. Overall, it was a very good meal. I highly recommend this place if you have never had Afghan foods before.
CT
ChristopherT
San Francisco
7 reviews
1.0
7 reviews
Dined on March 14, 2022
overall1food3service1ambience3
I stood at the check-in table and was ignored for the first 5 minutes of standing there. Table was not ready 10 minutes after reservation time. I overheard another table asking the waiter why the appetizers hadn't arrived after a whole hour. I gave up and left!
PB
PelinB
Toronto
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on March 11, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Absolutely loved it.
KT
KristenT
New England
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on March 11, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Delicious food that never disappoints! Homemade bread is amazing. Friendly service.
P
Peter
New York Area
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on March 8, 2022
overall4food5service3ambience5
Delicious food! Service got progressively slower throughout the evening, but was always warm and friendly.

Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitizing
- Surfaces sanitized between seatings
- Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
- Sealed or wrapped utensils used
- Common areas deep-cleaned daily
- Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers

FAQs

The Helmand Restaurant does offer delivery in partnership with Postmates and Uber Eats. The Helmand Restaurant also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (617) 492-4646.

The Helmand Restaurant is rated 4.5 stars by 386 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.