The Helmand - Baltimore

An unforgettable first encounter with Afghan cuisine! And special thanks for the milk stout! read more An unforgettable first encounter with Afghan cuisine! And special thanks for the milk stout!

This is a great meal before seeing a show or just looking for an affordable night out with unique options. You should make reservations if you plan to visit dur... read more This is a great meal before seeing a show or just looking for an affordable night out with unique options. You should make reservations if you plan to visit during peak dinner hours. The check-in process is a bit crowded and confusing, but the meal is worth it, especially if you don't have a lot of time. The service is very prompt and the courses come out quickly. You can slow down the experience if you like, but the service seems accustomed to quicker visits. I would recommend as a stop in the Mt Vernon area.

Six of us for dinner and the service was prompt. I had the beef ravioli for my appetizer and the lamb chops entree. Very well prepared and seasoned. read more Six of us for dinner and the service was prompt. I had the beef ravioli for my appetizer and the lamb chops entree. Very well prepared and seasoned.

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 restauran... read more 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 The decor feels a bit outdated, and honestly, they could probably use some marketing help to get more people through the door.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. Service: Dine in Price per person: $50–100 Food: 3 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 2

We had the salmon and veggie platter. Both were outstanding. The veggie platter had 9 items all with a unique flavor. The salmon was moist and had a devine sauc... read more We had the salmon and veggie platter. Both were outstanding. The veggie platter had 9 items all with a unique flavor. The salmon was moist and had a devine sauce. The service was outstanding and my water glass was never dry. I would highly recommend The Helmand. Price per person: $30–50 Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5 Recommended dishes: Pumpkin Appetizer Vegetarian offerings: Large vegetarian selection