The 5 Best Afghani Restaurants Near Me
Searching for dining spots that’s not only delicious but also authentic and halal? Well, you might want to try out some of the best Afghani restaurants in Dubai for your next gastronomical stop.
From impressive servings of beef, mutton, or poultry dishes served with a heaping of rice and Afghan bread, to its own seasonal fruits and vegetables, here’s some of the best Afghani restaurants in Dubai to check out:
How Much Does it Cost to Dine at an Afghani Restaurant in Dubai?
Indulging in some delicious, authentic Afghani cuisine shouldn’t be too much of an expensive affair. There’s plenty of budget options both for a bigger meal or a quick snack you can take on the go.
For example, here’s how much you can expect to spend on our list of favorites here:
Choosing the Best Afghani Restaurants in Dubai
Hungry? When it comes to choosing the best Afghani restaurants in Dubai to try out, we’ve compared them based on the following factors:
1. Afghan Palace
| RATING | |
| FACILITIES | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| RESTAURANT EXPERIENCE | ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
| FOOD | ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
| AMBIANCE | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| CUSTOMER SERVICE | ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
| PROFESSIONALISM | ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
| COMMUNICATION | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| ACCESSIBILITY | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
With locations in Oud Metha and Al Nahda, Afghan Palace has been a long-running name when it comes to authentic Afghan cuisine in Dubai. The restaurant prides itself on its traditional and ethnic flavors, made with the freshest ingredients.
Afghan Palace’s menu is extensive, focusing on Shinwari and Uzbik Kabuli cuisine. Lamb and other meats feature heavily in its selections, with traditional breads and special juices following.
Customers who are newcomers to the cuisine may find Afghan Palace a good place to start. The staff have previously received praise for their reliable recommendations, taking into account the customer’s preferences and any restrictions.
As the food is made to order, there is a bit of a wait for service– however, this is offset by the cozy and relaxing ambiance of the restaurant. The decor is traditional and the venue is brightly-lit, letting customers feel at ease as they dine.
Afghan Palace’s food has received acclaim from its regulars, especially in flavor. A few stand-out dishes include their mixed grills, and the complimentary soups, teas and desserts.
Some customers have noted that the portion sizes can be on the smaller side– groups may want to order mixed platters or a combination of dishes to get a full sample of the food offered.
Overall, Afghan Palace is a reliable pick for any customer looking to try Afghan cuisine, especially those who are new to the cuisine. The reliable recommendations and wide menu is sure to make a good introduction to the food.
Pros
- Pleasing ambiance and decor
- Amazing Afghan selection
Cons
- Portion sizes are a little small
- Can be quite pricey compared to nearby areas
Customer Reviews
Service is noticeably top notch
“Went to the Al Nahda location, and this place is a delight. A definite step up in terms of ambience in the area, service is noticeably top notch and the food is succulent and well cooked pieces of meat/seafood.” – Rasil Dsilva
Perfect Afghan cuisine served professionally
“Perfect Afghan cuisine served professionally. The staff are friendly and welcoming. Been a regular customer for more than a year, never disappointed with the service and quality. Strongly recommend!” – Idrees Noori
2. Wakha Restaurant
| RATING | |
| FACILITIES | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| RESTAURANT EXPERIENCE | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| FOOD | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| AMBIANCE | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| CUSTOMER SERVICE | ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
| PROFESSIONALISM | ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
| COMMUNICATION | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| ACCESSIBILITY | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
The Wakha Restaurant prides itself on its traditional Shinwari cuisine. With locations all over Dubai, ranging from Jumeirah to Al Barsha, Wakha is a go-to for anyone looking for a taste of authentic Afghani dishes.
Wakha’s menu perfectly reflects the Shinwari cuisine’s focus on the preparation of various meat dishes, especially lamb. Kebabs and roasts are popular picks at the restaurant, along with their pulao and dumpukht.
The large portion sizes at the restaurant also makes it a good venue for groups looking to share menu items. Customers dining alone will also find themselves more than satisfied with the individual portions offered.
Wakha also has a reputation for having good value for money. Their mixed grill platters offer extensive samples of their menu at reasonable costs, letting customers dine on the best the restaurant has to offer without breaking the bank.
The staff at the restaurant are also praised for their attentiveness and professionalism. Their menu recommendations are reliable, and the food is always prepared as soon as it is ordered, ensuring freshness.
The restaurant itself, however, can be rather small, with limited seating. As a result, parking can be quite difficult to locate, as well as the restaurant getting quickly crowded on busy days. Customers are encouraged to call and reserve ahead in cases like these.
All in all, those looking to try authentic Afghani meat dishes will definitely not want to pass up on Wakha. The consistent quality of food and extensive menu are sure to satisfy any appetite.
Pros
- Great value for money
- Big portion sizes
Cons
- Seating space is a little limited
- Some long waiting times for seating
Customer Reviews
The flavors are just wow
“I was there at the end of December three times and that’s because the food is so delicious. Just discovered Afghan food and I have to say that I’m impressed with the taste. The flavors are just wow.” – Alexandra Iurescu
Heaven for non-vegetarian people
“Heaven for non-vegetarian people. You can get a range of Afghani and Pakistani items. The bread is just amazing.” – Abhishek Gill
3. Al Kaba Al Afghani
| RATING | |
| FACILITIES | ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
| RESTAURANT EXPERIENCE | ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
| FOOD | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| AMBIANCE | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| CUSTOMER SERVICE | ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
| PROFESSIONALISM | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| COMMUNICATION | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| ACCESSIBILITY | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Started back in 2004, Al Kabab Al Afghani has steadily grown throughout the years, opening up many different branches throughout the UAE.
They have a great design and ambiance across the restaurant, looking good both in the morning and in the evening. The whole restaurant is quite spacious too, so you should easily find seating no matter what time you come in.
Another thing we will commend Al Kaba Al Afghani here is with their online delivery service. It covers a wide range from Dubai to Sharjah and Ajman while also keeping the same delicious taste.
Service in the restaurant is quite fast and we found ourselves enjoying the great menu on offer within minutes.
As far as the food selection goes, there’s a decent selection of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. Vegetarians can try out Afghani salad, fattoush, as well as a selection of seasonal fruits.
When it comes to the bigger dishes, you do get the Afghani Polaw, with your choice of meat; whether you want lamb, chicken, fish or even a mixed barbeque set.
There’s definitely more options for meat eaters than vegetarians in this restaurant but you do get some options.
We do want to note that parking space is quite limited here at the Al Kaba Al Afghani. You might want to keep that in mind when coming in by car.
Aside from that, the big selection of food as well as the spacious seating area makes Al Kaba Al Afghani one amazing destination here in Dubai. We definitely recommend checking it out.
Pros
- Fast service without compromising quality
- Wide seating area
Cons
- Limited vegetarian options
- Limited parking space
Customer Reviews
Grilled food here was extraordinary
“Grilled food here was extraordinary, served hot and with a smile. The only thing better than their bbq is their fresh bread. Enjoyed the experience. Would definitely recommend.” – Mufaddal Shehabi
Superb food and really good service
“Superb food and really good service. They have separate sitting areas for families which can be curtained off. Highly recommend.” – Afaq Ahmed
4. Afghan Khorasan
| RATING | |
| FACILITIES | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| RESTAURANT EXPERIENCE | ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
| FOOD | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| AMBIANCE | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| CUSTOMER SERVICE | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| PROFESSIONALISM | ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
| COMMUNICATION | ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
| ACCESSIBILITY | ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
Specializing in their authentic Afghan kebabs and BBQ, Afghan Khorasan promises to serve up a delicious, authentic grilling experience inside their branches in Dubai.
The restaurant combines the more outdoors-y nature of grilling and BBQ with a sophisticated look for their interior design, crafting a “premium” experience for guests as soon as they step inside.
Now, this is one of the more popular dining destinations on the street so it can be crowded most times. You might find it just a little bit loud once you’re inside.
You can also expect some long wait times here as a result, especially when placing a particularly big order to the kitchen.
We think it’s well worth it though, even during busier hours. Once the food arrives, it’s all prepared really well and we think we’re really able to get our money’s worth.
Those who want to really go for something delicious and authentic can try the Afghan Special Pulao. You can get it in a big sharing plate good enough for four people or more in case you brought friends along.
Of course, you can also try out some of the kebabs as well as the lamb chops fresh out of the grill. Most of them are served with naan bread, hummus, and a yogurt dip depending on your preferred flavor.
Their sharing plate concepts definitely make them a great spot for bigger groups. For this reason, we definitely recommend stopping by the Afghan Khorasan for when you enjoy a big meal with friends!
Pros
- Excellent selection of sharing plates
- Large seating area
Cons
- Waiting times can be a little long
- Popularity of the restaurant leads to big crowds
Customer Reviews
The food was very good
“From the outside it doesn’t look like much, but the inside surprised me as being very clean and well decorated. The food was very good, and our waiter Muqarrab took care of our table very well.” – Dania Kayali
Truly excels in hospitality
“Afghan Khorasan Kabab Al Quoz truly excels in hospitality, making dining here a delightful experience. The staff, especially Mudhasir, exemplifies exceptional service, going above and beyond to ensure guests feel welcomed and attended to.” – Taha Khan
5. Kabul Darbar Restaurant
| RATING | |
| FACILITIES | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| RESTAURANT EXPERIENCE | ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
| FOOD | ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
| AMBIANCE | ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
| CUSTOMER SERVICE | ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) |
| PROFESSIONALISM | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| COMMUNICATION | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| ACCESSIBILITY | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Situated in the historic Deira is the Kabul Darbar Restaurant. It’s one of the more well-known spots to visit for those craving for amazing Afghan dishes in Dubai.
It’s a little further inside the market area so first time visitors may need some time to navigate the premises but once you’re there, you’re immediately treated to a comfortable dining area and nice ambiance.
It can even accommodate big groups of up to seven in our experience.
We do want to point out that once you’re there, you might need to wait a bit for the food. They’ll be able to sit you down but we think they could be a bit more prudent at getting orders out of the kitchen.
Once the food is out though, it all lives up to expectation. You get plenty of rice and naan bread of course, but then you get to try out their well-grilled kebabs and lamb.
As expected, you also get some accompanying vegetables on the side too, all fresh from the market. Together, it does pair nicely with the heavy servings of carbs and meat.
Portion sizes are very good in the restaurant. It’s not too big that you’ll have a hard time finishing them but not too small that you’ll need multiple orders just to feel full.
We also think the prices are quite reasonable for the dishes, though you may find some that are priced a bit higher than other places.
Definitely check out the Kabul Darbar Restaurant anytime you’re in the Deira area. We highly recommend a quick bite here after a long tour of the nearby market and historical neighborhood.
Pros
- Portion sizes are just right
- Very reasonable prices
Cons
- Some long waiting times for service
- Items tend to go out of stock at times
Customer Reviews
Very good non vegetarian food you will get at this restaurant
“Very good non vegetarian food you will get at this restaurant. It is slightly inside the market, but well known. You can keep asking and reach the restaurant. Sitting place is also very nice.” – Dr. Mayank Verma
My absolute favorite place to eat in Dubai
“My absolute favorite place to eat in Dubai. Their mutton karahi and mutton grills in general. The texture and taste of their naan. The pulao. And most importantly how cost friendly it is.” – Zuhair Ali
FAQs about Afghani Restaurants in Dubai
We hope you enjoyed some of the best Afghani restaurants in Dubai. For more dining options, check out our list of the best Egyptian restaurants in Dubai here!