Important Notice:We have made the tough decision to say goodbye to the Foursquare City Guide mobile app, effective December 15, 2024, with the web version to follow in early 2025. Visit our FAQ for more information or to download our Swarm app.
Planning a trip to Boston?
Foursquare can help you find the best places to go to.
Helmand Restaurant
Afghan Restaurant and Middle Eastern Restaurant$$$$
East Cambridge, Cambridge
Has a stamp of approval from Eater and Serious Eats
"Get the Kaddo and if you like Okra, get the Bendi as well."(12 Tips)
"Love the Chowpan!"(2 Tips)
"You can't go wrong with anything lamb"(2 Tips)
"Try the Bowlani Platter"(2 Tips)
68 Tips and reviewsFilter:
- kaddo
- good for dates
- chowpan
- good for groups
- lamb
- (15 more)
Sort:
- Popular
- Recent
Serious EatsNovember 14, 2013Ornate rugs, rustic tables, and deep sofas make it feel like you're dining in someone's home, as does the food, much of which is cooked from old family recipes.Upvoted Oct 6
Oz MendesFebruary 17, 2013Coming from a soldier who's eaten the real Afghani food in their home turf, they Really bring the taste.,... The food is GREAT! And the desert was amazing! The Naan bread wasn't too legit.
Chris CarrilloJanuary 28, 2012For dessert, get the "pudeen" caramel and the green tea with cardamom, and keep alternating between bites of caramel and sips of cardamom tea. So good you will have to kill yourself after.
Jeremy KrantzAugust 22, 2014One of Cambridge's great restaurants. Try their Kaddo pumpkin appetizer, it's one of the best dishes I've ever had. And I don't even like pumpkin.- ElenaJanuary 27, 2012Even if you don't like pumpkin, you've got to start with it. The Kufta (meatballs) are spicy and delicious along with everything else. You can't go wrong with anything lamb
Sherif ShalabyAugust 4, 2018Nice place and good service. Just be careful if you think they serve Halal food. Although it comes up when you Google Halal restaurants in Boston, it is NOT Halal! I appreciated the staff honesty.
Ben BearnotMarch 25, 2015So far everything we tried was amazing, esp the spicy meatballs and lamb dumpling. Can't wait to go back and order something totally different. Great place for groups of friends.
Boston.comAugust 4, 2014Delicious Afghan food in a lovely setting, particularly when the fireplace is going. Try dishes such as kaddo and chowpan (grilled rack of lamb with eggplant and rice). Read more
EaterJanuary 23, 2013Warmth exudes from this East Cambridge Afghani restaurant, which serves in-house flatbread baked in a wood-fired oven right in the dining area. [Eater 38 Member]
Jonathan Ragan-KelleyJuly 10, 2011One of the best deals in Boston dining. The food is fantastic and inexpensive, and the wine, in particular, is a steal. Ignore the sometimes-grumpy owner and enjoy a fantastic meal on a modest budget.
Anthony WilkinsonDecember 21, 2013The food was fantastic! Order any beef dish medium; the seasonings they add just burst out without overwhelming the food. Absolute enjoyment! Waitstaff was awesome too.
Connie LuAugust 22, 2013My favorite place for Afghan fare: get the Aushak, if you love pumpkin as much as I do, get the Kaddo; and you can't go wrong with the Kourma Challow.
Pegah TaheriMay 21, 2017The chapendaz was amazing. Berian Fish was also one of the best fish I have ever had.
icelleNovember 21, 2015Great vegetarian options! Definitely try the vegetarian special (baked pumpkin, pan-fried eggplant, sautéed spinach and okra)!
Thomas RaiaMay 9, 2013Everything was delicious. There will be one guy baking bread in a wood burning oven continuously on one side of the room. Kind of mesmerizing to watch.
John Cunningham-ElderApril 21, 2016Literally everything. I have never had any meal from this restaurant that was not exceptional. I usually go for the vegetarian meals even though I'm not vegetarian; they're that good.
Jessica FjeldMarch 21, 2015Love the lamb kebabs and the mantwo (dumplings) at this Cambridge institution
SomayaJuly 29, 2013Amazing restaurant and great atmosphere , but you should make reservation before ... Mourgh Kabab is delicious , I recommend to try .
Pearl S.September 5, 2011We tried the Kaddo because the tips here said to....WOW. Crazy good. The staff was incredibly friendly, nice atmosphere...I didn't drink, but the food was so good I think I was a little food-high haha
Craig BruceOctober 22, 2013The Kaddo is excellent. Do make sure you make a reservation to avoid the hostess rolling her eyes at you!
Shahar ZSeptember 20, 2012Weird as it sounds, get the fresh squeezed orange juice, some of the best I've ever had
Ardy FJune 3, 2012Interesting trivia: was told this place's sister restaurant (same name in DC area) was managed by Hamid Karzai before he became the president of Afghanistan!
Adrián GarcíaJuly 17, 2011Great place, very different type of food and the lamb and bread were just great.
- Ardy FJune 3, 2012Average quality Afghani food at best! The best Afghani food I have ever had was at Afghani House in Sunnyvale, CA (Silicon valley).
The Daily MealJune 9, 2011Don’t forget to order their famous flatbread, baked in front of you in their wood-burning oven. Read more
Dave WienekeJune 7, 2011Lovely food, but success has made it more crowded and decidedly less romantic.
141 Photos
Foursquare © 2024 Lovingly made in NYC, CHI, SEA & LA
Information about Helmand Restaurant, phone number: 6174924646, that is located at 143 1st St Cambridge 02142 MA Information about Helmand Restaurant, phone number: 6174924646, that is located at 143 1st St Cambridge 02142 MA
Open until 10:00 PM (Show more)
- Mon–Thu, Sun
- 5:00 PM–10:00 PM
- Fri–Sat
- 5:00 PM–11:00 PM
(617) 492-4646
Features
Reservations
Yes
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. American Express)
Outdoor Seating
No
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes
Music
No
Parking
Street, Public Lot, Private Lot
Restroom
Yes
Food & Drink
Menus
Dinner, Dessert
Drinks
Wine, Full Bar
See More
You might also like
- 8.2
"Can't go wrong with any of the omelettes here, and the mulled wine is delicious!"
Katy Ma - 7.8
"The falafel and hummus pita sandwich is sooooooooo yummy! With the perfect combo of spice flavor! Highly recommend."
Marlana Salmon-Letelier - 7.3
"Wonderful ramen with lot of vegetarian/vegan options. The tofu here is seriously amazing. Try the wide noodles in your soup too."
Al S
Places people like to go after Helmand Restaurant
- 9.0
"One of the best ice creams of ALL time along with Jeni’s and Sweet Republic. Love their burnt caramel, coffee and cardamom flavors!"
James McCloskey - 9.3
"Goat cheese brownie flavor!!!!!"
Michelle Poler - 7.1
"Food court is awesome, and you can't beat the location. Inexpensive shuttle to Kendall/MIT to explore even more! Great mid range shops and the bigger stores you're looking for like Sears and Best Buy."
Madeline Anderson
Appears on 152 lists
Created by Connie Lu
31 items • 37 followers
Created by Gloria Chin
178 items • 28 followers
Created by Joshua Berk
91 items • 23 followers
