We had occasion to dine here while on a weekend getaway to Baltimore. Staying in Mount Vernon we tried to look for the best of the best to fill our long weekend. Seeing the Helmand come highly rated and never having tried Afghan cuisine before we were intrigued. The restaurant didn't disappoint. At first when we entered it looked like the restaurant wasn't full, but that was deceptive as we merely entered the corridor where single tables are lined up in a row. Around the corner we entered the spacious dining room and were given a seat near the windows to appreciate the ambiance of the whole restaurant while enjoying the outdoor views of the sunset. From the beginning, our waiter team was courteous and professional. The wine, beer, cocktail, and non-alcoholic beverage selection was excellent. Try the Riesling from Australia, it really complements the spices of the meal to follow! The appetizers and main courses were extremely well done, expertly spiced, presented simply but with impeccable precision. After dinner the desserts were an added surprise. Who knew that goat cheese would add such depth to a cheesecake and that a touch of pomegranate syrup would elevate it to five-star class? While the restaurant was a bit loud as it began to get crowded, I never couldn't hear my dinner companions nor was others' conversation intrusive, even those sat right next to us. Overall, if you're looking for authentic cuisine and a great atmosphere and have time to spend in Mount Vernon, give The Helmand a try!!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Angela Armold
Clean, well lit, friendly and knowledgeable servers. Wonderful vegetarian/vegan options. Good food, flavors well balanced, textures smooth, well prepared and beautifully presented. Really good rice!! If I liked cilantro, which was in an optional side dip, I would have loved every single bite. Great stuffed baklava and goatcheesecake dessert. Wine and beer menu too.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jerrett Hansen
Excellent all the way around
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alex Pirpiris
Made my first visit and was impressed. Great service, delicious food, well priced.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Narjis Zehra
We ordered the Zardalo Challow and Mantow. Our food literally came within 2 minutes of ordering, it came literally with bread and butter. Felt like microwaved food and the meat inside the mantow was awfully dry. We couldn’t say anything to the servers because its not their fault but the owners need to do better for the food quality!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 4
Michelle Tweedie
We loved the cozy atmosphere, comforting and delicious food, and kind, welcoming staff members. We enjoyed the Aushak and pumpkin for apps, Kabouli pallow and lamb lawand for entrees, and afghani ice cream for dessert. Already looking forward to our next visit! Thank you!!
The Helmand was fantastic. Warm, inviting vibe with a cozy, casual feel. The Afghan dishes were flavorful, fresh, and well-prepared — every bite felt authentic. Service was friendly and attentive. Great spot for a relaxed meal with bold, delicious flavors.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
anas aqeel
I love this restaurant. The food is amazing and authentic. Most of the food is halal but they have two items that are not halal (if I remember correctly, it’s the lamb options). Service is good the people are friendly. Try their ice cream, it’s delicious and different😋
Just to mention (not in a negative way but just saying) they have only two high chairs so I wouldn’t consider it as a children friendly place. I think the atmosphere makes it feel more like fine dining experience.
If I have a someone visiting from overseas or from another state, I feel like I have to make them try the food of The Helmand. Had dinner from the helmand multiple times and I think I’ll continue to be a customer 🫶🏼
Best Afghani restaurant I've frequented. Kaddo Bourani is out of this world!! Cozy atmosphere with a fine dining setting.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Samuel Fisher
10/10 love this place have come with my family and enjoyed it highly recommend
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Val D
We came for dinner on a Sunday, it was our first time there and our first time having Afghan food. It was a 10/10 experience for us. All the dishes were flavorful and the portions were very generous. The lamb was so tender we didn’t need a knife to cut it. Together we had a shared appetizer, one entree each, and we shared desserts. Each one of the dish was exceptional. All the waiters were very kind and attentive. Parking was easy to find. We can’t wait to come back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Don C
Quick service, nice staff, great food for meat eaters and vegetarians too! Afghan ice cream to die for
Recommended dishes: Pumpkin Appetizer, Special Ice Cream, Mantwo, Aushak, Dwopiaza
Rohan Raju
The Helmand is a true gem in Baltimore. The food is consistently excellent, but the lamb dishes in particular are on another level — tender, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned. You can tell a lot of care goes into every plate. On top of that, the service here is some of the best in the city. The staff strikes the perfect balance: attentive, professional, and warm, without ever hovering or rushing you. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel genuinely welcomed every time. Whether you're a regular or visiting for the first time, The Helmand delivers a memorable dining experience.
Amazing and authentic
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great Afghan food in an authentic environment. Service was also great and I enjoyed the waiter's suggestions for the food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pumpkin Appetizer, Lamb Lawand
We had occasion to dine here while on a weekend getaway to Baltimore. Staying in Mount Vernon we tried to look for the best of the best to fill our long weekend. Seeing the Helmand come highly rated and never having tried Afghan cuisine before we were intrigued. The restaurant didn't disappoint. At first when we entered it looked like the restaurant wasn't full, but that was deceptive as we merely entered the corridor where single tables are lined up in a row. Around the corner we entered the spacious dining room and were given a seat near the windows to appreciate the ambiance of the whole restaurant while enjoying the outdoor views of the sunset. From the beginning, our waiter team was courteous and professional. The wine, beer, cocktail, and non-alcoholic beverage selection was excellent. Try the Riesling from Australia, it really complements the spices of the meal to follow! The appetizers and main courses were extremely well done, expertly spiced, presented simply but with impeccable precision. After dinner the desserts were an added surprise. Who knew that goat cheese would add such depth to a cheesecake and that a touch of pomegranate syrup would elevate it to five-star class? While the restaurant was a bit loud as it began to get crowded, I never couldn't hear my dinner companions nor was others' conversation intrusive, even those sat right next to us. Overall, if you're looking for authentic cuisine and a great atmosphere and have time to spend in Mount Vernon, give The Helmand a try!!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Clean, well lit, friendly and knowledgeable servers. Wonderful vegetarian/vegan options. Good food, flavors well balanced, textures smooth, well prepared and beautifully presented. Really good rice!! If I liked cilantro, which was in an optional side dip, I would have loved every single bite. Great stuffed baklava and goatcheesecake dessert. Wine and beer menu too.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excellent all the way around
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Made my first visit and was impressed. Great service, delicious food, well priced.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We ordered the Zardalo Challow and Mantow. Our food literally came within 2 minutes of ordering, it came literally with bread and butter. Felt like microwaved food and the meat inside the mantow was awfully dry. We couldn’t say anything to the servers because its not their fault but the owners need to do better for the food quality!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 4
We loved the cozy atmosphere, comforting and delicious food, and kind, welcoming staff members. We enjoyed the Aushak and pumpkin for apps, Kabouli pallow and lamb lawand for entrees, and afghani ice cream for dessert. Already looking forward to our next visit! Thank you!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pumpkin Appetizer, Koufta Challow, Lamb Lawand, Naan, Kabuli Pallow, Special Ice Cream, Aushak
The Helmand was fantastic. Warm, inviting vibe with a cozy, casual feel. The Afghan dishes were flavorful, fresh, and well-prepared — every bite felt authentic. Service was friendly and attentive. Great spot for a relaxed meal with bold, delicious flavors.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I love this restaurant. The food is amazing and authentic. Most of the food is halal but they have two items that are not halal (if I remember correctly, it’s the lamb options). Service is good the people are friendly. Try their ice cream, it’s delicious and different😋
Just to mention (not in a negative way but just saying) they have only two high chairs so I wouldn’t consider it as a children friendly place. I think the atmosphere makes it feel more like fine dining experience.
If I have a someone visiting from overseas or from another state, I feel like I have to make them try the food of The Helmand. Had dinner from the helmand multiple times and I think I’ll continue to be a customer 🫶🏼
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Best Afghani restaurant I've frequented. Kaddo Bourani is out of this world!! Cozy atmosphere with a fine dining setting.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
10/10 love this place have come with my family and enjoyed it highly recommend
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We came for dinner on a Sunday, it was our first time there and our first time having Afghan food. It was a 10/10 experience for us. All the dishes were flavorful and the portions were very generous. The lamb was so tender we didn’t need a knife to cut it. Together we had a shared appetizer, one entree each, and we shared desserts. Each one of the dish was exceptional. All the waiters were very kind and attentive.
Parking was easy to find. We can’t wait to come back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Quick service, nice staff, great food for meat eaters and vegetarians too! Afghan ice cream to die for
Recommended dishes: Pumpkin Appetizer, Special Ice Cream, Mantwo, Aushak, Dwopiaza
The Helmand is a true gem in Baltimore. The food is consistently excellent, but the lamb dishes in particular are on another level — tender, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned. You can tell a lot of care goes into every plate. On top of that, the service here is some of the best in the city. The staff strikes the perfect balance: attentive, professional, and warm, without ever hovering or rushing you. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel genuinely welcomed every time. Whether you're a regular or visiting for the first time, The Helmand delivers a memorable dining experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pumpkin Appetizer, Lamb Lawand, Koufta Challow, Kabuli Pallow, Naan, Chicken Kabuli, Rack of Lamb
Loading...