"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"

"⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.3/5 stars We visited The Helmand on a Thursday night and were surprised to find it almost completely empty. Just two other diners were in the entire restaurant, which gave it a strange, somewhat lifeless vibe for a place that gets so much hype online. The decor feels a bit outdated, and honestly, they could probably use some marketing help to get more people through the door. It really didn’t feel like a spot that’s supposed to be one of Baltimore’s most famous Afghan restaurants. That said, the service was excellent. The servers were super attentive, always checking on us and refilling our water without us having to ask. They were polite and knowledgeable about the menu. The food itself was… fine. A lot of the menu revolves around lamb, which was cooked well enough but didn’t blow us away. Flavors were decent, but nothing stood out as particularly memorable. It’s the sort of meal where you finish full and satisfied but not raving about it afterward. We didn’t try any of the wine or coffee, so can’t comment on those, but the prices were fair for the amount of food we got. Overall, it was a solid experience, but I’m just not sure it deserves the level of hype it gets online. Tasty, but not amazing. If you’re curious about Afghan food or just want something different, it’s worth trying at least once, but don’t go in expecting to be completely wowed."

"Delicious and unique. Stopped by for a solo dinner, very friendly and professional staff, large space, good wine and cocktail selection and so many food options! Haven't had Afghani food before and this was a treat. Ordered the salmon specialty and some bread. Highly recommend and would come back on a future trip."

"This restaurant has gone downhill since the original owner died, which is a shame because this place was such a historic and iconic staple for the DMV Afghan diaspora. I’ve been to this restaurant in the past and always had an incredible experience. Now, the food is not authentic, the portions for some dishes are ridiculously small, and the atmosphere feels cheapened (they had paper tablecloths on the tables). The mantu appetizer only came with just a single piece of mantu. I’ve never seen that before in any Afghan restaurant I’ve been to. Most restaurants give at least 3-4 pieces. Also, the mantu was served on a plate of dal (lentils). That’s not how authentic mantu is made in Afghan culture at all. The chicken was very good, but the rice and dips really tasted like a terrible mockery/knock off of South Asian cuisine rather than authentic Afghan cuisine, which is supposed to taste more like a blend of West and Central Asian food usually. The firnee did not taste authentic at all. The pudding had no flavor and it was missing crushed pistachios—which is one of the most key ingredients for firnee. However, the falooda ice cream did taste good. Overall, this place isn’t terrible, but it’s not authentic, and you’d be much better off by going to DC or northern Virginia for Afghan food instead. This place just isn’t it anymore."

"I was first a little skeptical of visiting because I had previously DoorDash'd food from The Helmand and wasn't super enthused. However, they really delivered when it comes to in-house meals. I visited with a party of over 10 and they were able to accomodate us and serve us quickly. They have lots of fantastic vegetarian options revolving around rice, lentils, and curries. Everything we had was colorful and flavorful. Would definitely love to visit again."