The Most Delicious Afghan in Oakland

Gulzaar Halal Restaurant & Catering

★★★★★ 4.5 • $$

"A true gem -- amazing flavors, good hospitality/service, and great prices. We got the aloo gobi, fried eggplant, chapli kebab, and chicken samosa. Aloo gobi: 8.5/10 delicious, flavorful, loved the chunks of cauliflower. Fried Eggplant: 10/10 super "meaty", unique, easily my new favorite dish. Chapli kebab: 8.25/10 I don't usually like meat dishes but this one tasted great. Would get again. Chicken samosa: 9/10 different from the samosas that I'm used to, but in a good way. Filled with super crumbly, flavorful chicken. Accompanied by a sweet, tart sauce.The staff was also super friendly, made us feel very welcome and checked in regularly to see how we were enjoying the food. Would 1000% come back to try the other dishes."

Maiwand Market

★★★★☆ 3.6 (144) • $

"The best Afghan fresh baked bread and other sweets .. best Afghan grocery market I live in OC but whenever I'm in SF then I always get a bunch of fresh baked bread from them"

De Afghanan Cuisine

★★★★☆ 4.1 • $$

"This place is a local Fremont gem. I've done both dine-in at this location and takeout at the small storefront right next door, and both spots have produced delicious Afghan food. The dine-in location has plenty of seating space, and the service was great too.FOOD RECS //+ Triple Kabob Murgh, Teka and Chaplee Kabob plate+ Butternut squash bolani: this is a big serving! We shared between four of us+ Quabili Pallow: one of my favorite dishes to get. The lamb is fall-off-the-bone tender, and the mix of carrots, raisins, and rice is a delicious savory-sweet flavor combo. + Bodinjon Borani (roasted eggplant)+ Firni (milk pudding with pistachio): great end to the meal"

Caravan Restaurant & Grocery Market

★★★★☆ 3.7 (39) • $

"If you would like to try authentic Afghani dishes especially crispy, homemade bolani, you definitely need try this family owned restaurant/ market. They are by far one of my new favorite Afghani restaurants in the Bay. Loved their crispy potatoe and leek boloni for appetizer. If you crave delicious mantu, you should try their mantu dish. You can definitely tell that they cook every meal with love. They have delicious kabobs, but I love their flavorful shami kabob. I would definitely recommend it if you want delicious Afghani food. Bon appetite!"

Haroon Afghan Cuisine

★★★★★ 4.5 (4)

"Ashaq was ok, there was barely any salt in it, the korma made up for some of the flavor so i ate all of it. The bolani however, had absolutely no seasoning and had seeds in it :(. It was my first time there, i'd like to try it again to see if the seasoning levels changed!"

786 Kabob House

★★★★☆ 4.1 (9)

"One of the best Lamb kabobs I've had, enjoyed the qabili rice too. Friendly staff, I'm going to go back for the kabobsz they were so yumm..."

Oaktown Kabobs

★★★★★ 5 (29)

"Always delicious!! Picture speaks for itself, everything cooked to succulent juicy perfection, these ppl know what they're doing with their cuisine. Great customer service on top of quality food is the bonus. Give them a try!"

Khorasan Market

★★★★☆ 4.2 (102) • $$

"I don't really review markets but felt the need to with Khorasan. We went shopping for lamb chops for a BBQ this weekend and, since I have family that is Muslim, I needed halal chops. I've heard good things about Khorasan so decided to check it out. They have an abundance of meats, marinades and other items you may need. We only needed the chops. We ordered 10 pounds and watched as the butcher pulled a whole lamb from the freezer and expertly cut out the ribs and sliced them into the perfect pieces. We are extremely excited to BBQ these chops and can't wait to see how they taste. 10/10 will come back next time we need halal meats."

Peshawari Kababs

★★★★☆ 3.5 (413) • $$

"Got the lentil soup, potato bolani & kebob plate. Very delicious and still hot when served. The service was great. The atmosphere was nice too. Definitely will come back to try other things on the menu."

Balkh Bakery & Deli

★★★★☆ 3.7 (104) • $

"Locally owned. The owners are extremely nice. You can call ahead and put ur order in for sweets. Their sweets are fresh. Their Bolani is sooo good especially if you eat it there."

Kamdesh Afghan Cuisine

★★★★☆ 4.1 (961) • $$

"Had another delicious meal here. Haven't been back since pre pandemic days. Came by for lunch- not too busy. Had the bolani filled with leeks and a mixed grilled platter family style. Everything was delicious - well seasoned and cooked perfectly. Right on 14 th street in downtown Oakland, easy parking. Come and support this family run small business!"

Maiwand Village

★★★★☆ 3.8 (188) • $$

"Local Fremont Afghan restaurant. Love taking advantage of living in "Little Kabul" and having so many Afghan markets and restaurants to try.Interior is shiny gold, burl wood, and red upholstery, I can see fancy family gatherings and events happening here. It's totally unassuming from the outside next to a Taco Bell and check-cashing place that used to be a fast food restaurant.Chicken and Shami Kabob: Like other Afghan restaurants they cook to order and it'll take 40 minutes but it is so worth the wait, the meat is always tender and delicious. It comes with a sour side salad with chickpeas and afghan bread which is good for wrapping meat in or dipping in the yogurt or chutney sauce Potato Bolani: So good, love it dipped or plain, you get a ton of it in your order almost guaranteeing leftovers."

The Hot Shop

★★★★☆ 4.4 (440) • $

"3.5 Stars for food and service. My only problem was the bathroom.We ordered the steak and chicken burritos. The steak was pleasantly tender and juicy. The chicken was dry and didn't have much flavor. These are "gourmet" burritos so no refried beans here folks (love my refried though lol). However the black beans and rice inside our burritos was really good and married nicely together. You can add sour cream/cheese for an extra $1 (approx). We did because we like that. The burritos had a little lettuce and tomato that wasn't soggy even after reheating 20 mins in a 350 degree oven! We both added lots of sauces to achieve the desired flavor and heat. Next time we plan to try the prawn burrito. Nice guy working the counter. Its a small place with maybe 6 tables, and sits just off Solano on San Pablo Ave. It's nestled between a couple of slightly larger businesses and you will miss it if you drive too fast. There is a plastic tent on the sidewalk to help guide you. See pic attached.The bathroom needs a lot of attention but nothing a good wall wash and coat of paint can't fix. The soap dispenser was low on soap but not empty. After going in there I was afraid to eat the food (germaphobe) but we didn't get sick or have digestive problems lol. So yeah we'll go again. Hopefully that problem won't exist next time."

Afghan Awasana Kabob

★★★★★ 4.8 (422) • $$

"My friend and I were blown away by the hospitality and food here! Both of us never tried afghan food, but we definitely plan on trying more dishes next time. The chicken kabob was extremely juicy and tender, and the rice was seasoned nicely with a touch of cumin. I loved the raisins and carrots on the rice for an added texture and sweetness. The lamb was also extremely tender and not gamey at all. I usually don't like lamb but this one was certainly delicious. The appetizer, 5pc mantoo, was also so good and I loved the yogurt with it. The man was very friendly and gave us samples of other menu items, like the squash Polani and a rose fragrant dessert, to try. He also sent us home each with a huge loaf of afghan bread that they make in house. Thank you for an incredible and filling meal! Next time I'm in Fremont, I know I'll be hitting this spot again."

Afghan Market

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (41) • $$

"Got everything you need. Expect prices higher than normal stores but your are paying for halal. Their kitchen is actually priced pretty good. Service is normal and ambiance is dangerous. The most honest review for you and your momma!"

Jaji

★★★★☆ 4 (24)

"Jaji is outstanding! Besides the breathtaking interior, the staff is friendly and efficient. I sat at the bar with some of my girlfriends and we were able to try a decent amount drinks and food. Although I only got a picture of dessert which was a decadent dark chocolate and pistachio cake. It was incredible but I recommend sharing because it's so rich! The kebabs were a crowd pleaser and easy to share. The croquettes were perfectly crispy. Definitely want to come back to try more!"

Ghazni Afghan Kabobs & Catering

★★★★☆ 4 (152) • $$

"I probably scoped out their original location on A St. within their first month of opening. I knew that they would do well as long as locals were down with trying anothers culture's cuisine. Sure enough they did well enough that a second location opened up in the same town. Except the second location seems more specialized, more into catering, doesn't seem like a regular restaurant in hours of operation and in vibe. The day I came in for a pick-up order, the whole dining room looked all set up all formal, like a wedding reception. I almost thought I was at the wrong business, but sure enough I was able to pick up at a register in the corner. I love Afghan bbq, like when they patiently grilled marinated meats on skewers and serve with basmati rice with accompanying sauces and chutneys. I'm from Fremont where we have a wealth of Afghan eateries, so I've been eating this type of food most of my adult life. And just like my original review from the A St. location, Ghazni does a very decent job at giving you the Afghan flavors and techniques unique to that culture. Now when I rate them alongside my faves in Fremont, now they seem to be more in the middle of the pack. But even that is good enough for most and should impress enough to put Afghan food into anyone's back pocket. Chicken and Beef Kabob Combo ($20/4*) Both pretty good, well marinated chunks of meat are grilled with enough char to give you bbq vibes. Their seasoning is on point, I just found the bites to be a tad drier than my favorite place in my town. I also forgot that they serve more of spiced (brownish) basmati rice over a basic white basmati. I find the neutral white version better to go with those flavorful meats. And don't neglect the green and red sauces that go with, they both add another boost to an already flavorful bites. Lamb Kabobs ($23/4.5*) I liked these a tad more than the beef as they were more tender and the lamb flavor hits. I would probably make this my go-to dish here. So same food as I remembered from their original location, just a much different vibe and hours of operation. This one is actually much more convenient for me as it is right off of a freeway. So if I can meet their hours, this is a legit and viable score."

Yummy Grill Afghan Kabob House

★★★★☆ 4.4 (165) • $$

"I've driven by this place a thousand times & finally decided to try it out. Man am I glad I did! Lamb 5outta5, tender & full of flavor, same with the rice. Their green sauce is divine! I went back the next day and had the tandoori chicken. 5outta5 The chicken was absolutely delicious! I want to learn more about Afghan cuisine. The spice blends are amazing. The service was excellent. I got my food to go but I could've dined in as well. Very chill & welcoming vibe. I'll definitely be trying more dishes."

Ghazni Afghan Kabobs

★★★★☆ 4.3 • $$

"Stopped by here for lunch and it was amazing the food was delicious. I have the teak steak kabobs and my bf had the murgh chicken kabobs both were delicious. I don't eat much rice but this rice was amazing. Service was fast seated fast because there weren't too many people there for lunch. The salad was great the green item on the plate i have no clue what it is was good too. Small place, but food was great. I didn't see parking but the bank next door is closed and empty. Really great prices as well for the portions. Really enjoyed my experience here"

Saffron Kitchen

★★★★★ 4.7 (111) • $$

"We ate at Saffron Kitchen on Valentine's Day. Though the staff was a bit overwhelmed & tables were kind of smushed together, the food & experience were still great. The waitress didn't seem super familiar with the cuisine (didn't know ingredients or how to pronounce dishes) but was friendly, helpful & attentive. Lamb shank was served off the bone which was a first for us, but the flavors were good. We also ordered the chicken skewers. The meat was tender and moist. The staff gave my wife a rose. That was a classy, thoughtful gift. We had an enjoyable experience and look forward to returning."

Afghan Burrito

★★★★★ 4.7 (358) • $$

"I think hands down my favorite spot currently in Berkeley. Afghan Burrito will always have a special place in my heart because I first started coming here while pregnant and then continued to come here with baby in tow for a full circle moment. Still.my.favorite.spot.The family-owned feels, wonderful people and staff, the beautiful space (both indoor and outdoor), and the flavor explosions of this incredibly special food that is described "where traditional Afghan spices meet the boldness of Mexican cuisine"...seriously craving it right now as I type this! The Secret Golden Sauce I could literally have on anything and everything.My husband usually gets the Golden Burrito ~ you can get it rolled the traditional way or the Afghan way (fried tortilla, served open). This burrito is massive and packed with your choice of protein, beans, rice, shredded cheese, sour cream, lettuce, pico, golden sauce, and for no additional charge you can add hot sauce, nacho cheese, fajitas, corn, pickled veggies. I usually opt for the chicken burrito bowl, which is also such great value and portion size. A newer menu item we always split is the Golden Crunch Wrap with fried chicken...honestly, one of the best East Bay menu items. Don't sleep on this! I also noticed their menu now offers tacos, loaded fries and nachos, quesadillas, sides, and a kids menu.The Iced Karak Chai is also a game changer if you need an extra pep in your step..I mean there is truly nothing I don't absolutely love about this spot. Metered parking can be tricky on San Pablo Ave, but sometimes you hit the jackpot with open spots in front of the restaurant..those are the best days :)Ask for a variety of their additional sauces and lastly, you can now order ahead through the website or through the Yelp app for pickup pretty true to time. Looking forward to my next meal here!"

Fremont Afghan Kabob

★★★★☆ 4 (882) • $$

"Short Story: This place can rival de Afghanan! Long Story: I've been coming here for a few years now and this place is always great! I've had almost all of their menu items such as lamb, chicken, chapli, and beef kabobs. I've also had all types of their bolani and it's been fantastic! The prices are a bit cheaper than de Afghanan and the service is friendly. The food does take a good amount of time to come out so be sure to plan accordingly!Verdict: I'm coming back!"

De Afghanan Kabob House

★★★★☆ 3.9 (621) • $$

"Overall great experience! There wasnt too many people coming in Wed 6pm. Ambience was good and waiters were attentive! We got: - butternut squash bolani: 4/5 flavor and crispness was pretty good but i didnt think it was a crazy stand out. Still good and definitely lighter than the potato bolani- triple kabob with brown rice 5/5: super fragrant and well seasoned! Meats and rice were cooked perfectly. The cucumber salad that came along was average, but nice way to cut the greasiness of the meats."