The Mantu | Modern Afghan Cuisine

I do not know how this restaurant has such good reviews. We went in at lunchtime and it was completely empty. Despite us being the only customers, service was slow and inattentive. The napkins were dirty and mismatched. The food was greasy but edible. See my dish of vegan karahi swimming in grease. I would not recommend.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 2

Service: 1

I was there on Friday I think they change their chef or the recipe anyway I tried lamb karahi with bread the taste was different from my last visit (a month ago) I don’t wanna give bad review but hopefully the figure it out and fix it

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 3

Stay away the food was very bad. I should have known not to go in when we saw the restaurant empty at 7pm. I guess I got fooled by the reviews. The lamb chops were extremely dry and lacked salt and spices. The beef kebab was basically 2 oversized burgers. They threw fries on top of the kebabs. The fries were not even cooked all the way. The name of the restaurant is The Mantu and you would think they would make good mantu. Not at all. The dolma was crunchy and undercooked. Upon paying the check, the waitress asked how was the food. We told her it was not good at all. So we told her that the glassware had a huge crack in it. Waitress seemed shocked when I showed her and asked if we would like a gift certificate. I refused because the food was not something I would try here again. As someone who is familiar with Afghani food, such a shame that this place calls itself anything Afghani. Stay away. Horrible experience.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 1

Service: 2

I love this place! The food was delicious and the staff was very friendly- I will definitely be back!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Hamidullah was very friendly and attentive. Food was very good and worth the reasonable price.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Delicious meal and great service. We ordered the cabbage rolls all, chicken and lamb karahi, herb rice, and naan. The cocktails were also great. Highly recommend all of those dishes.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We were excited to come back to this place after we tried it a few years back, and loved it. We were not greeted by the waitress. She told us to sit wherever, but not by the windows as those tables were reserved (there were two other people at the neighboring table, and for the whole time we were there nobody else showed up )Her service to say the least was very rude and unprofessional. As for the food, it tasted good but some of the things that we ordered were not available and we were charged for bread that we didn’t order, but it was OK as it was tasty. The young man that brought us our food was very nice and friendly. Some order was forgotten and we had to ask for it ….. the mantu, the lentil soup, the appetizers were pretty tasty , but the service was one of the worst we experienced in Richmond. The atmosphere could have been better as there was just silence no background music or similar.
While we were waiting on our food, the waitress Cleaned up the table next to us, when she set the table she dropped a fork on the floor, picked it right back up and kept on placing it on the table and added some still dripping, wet water glasses.
I understand it’s hard to get good personnel, but I don’t think this lady should be in The service industry.
I usually don’t review, but this one was not a very good experience , specially for the price payed.

I updated my review ❤️:

Kindness, Flavor, and Heart — All in One Place

Sometimes, second chances remind us how much heart people can have. Our first visit didn’t go well — the service had been disappointing — but the chef reached out with such kindness and invited us back . I was touched by that gesture alone, but what followed truly moved me.

From the moment we walked in, the entire team welcomed us with warmth and care. The food was extraordinary — rich in flavor and soul — and the chef personally checked on us several times, making sure everything was perfect. You can feel his passion in every bite.

Even more inspiring is who he is beyond the kitchen: a compassionate man who helps children and families in his home country of Afghanistan. His kindness shines through his food and his heart.

This visit turned everything around — not just the experience, but how we felt. We left with full hearts and happy smiles. Thank you for reminding us what true hospitality and humanity look like. ❤️

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Mantu Dumplings, Garlic Naan

Vibe was off, food was worse. Very different from photos online.

This was an awful experience. Went in very hopeful based on reviews. Server was pretty disengaged and unresponsive when we walked in - “sit wherever”. Menus we were brought had food splattered on them, seats where sticky, tablecloth had food stains. Felt overall unhygienic… gave it a try anyway, just to see if the food was worth it. Beef was mealy and unflavorful. The texture was awful. Not sure if it was bad beef or just cooked wrong, but I didn’t eat it. Mantu dumplings were okay.

I don’t think the cocktail we ordered was anything more than a glass of Captain Morgan with ocean spray fruit punch mix.

We were offered a gift certificate to make up for the cost of the food we didn’t eat, but nothing else. Debating whether it’s worth using the gift card.

To be clear…. As someone who has over 12 years of quality restaurant experience, I think there is something genuinely dishonest between the online reviews, the photos on the website, and the in-person reality.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 1

Service: 1

The waitress was superior. She was very knowledgeable about the menu and food. The food was delicious. We had the vegetarian mantu. It comes with two sauces a yogurt dill sauce and a spicy sauce. If you like spicy go for the spicy. We loved it. I am not a vegetarian but had the cauliflower dish with a side of naan. I devoured all of it. They kindly accommodated our request for no cilantro in our dishes. You must save room for dessert. The homemade pistachio ice cream was probably the best ice cream I've ever had. It was so good that once my sister and I had finished it we had to have another even though we were both stuffed.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Insanely delicious, even for a vegetarian! The vegan kebab appetizer was mouth watering, followed by delicious cauliflower Karahi. The vibe inside is wonderful too, with a very attentive hostess and kind chef. We wanted to try the homemade ice cream, but were so stuffed from the meals. Definitely will come again.

July 2025 Update: Back in town and tred the Simiyan appetizer - a twist on the traditional, it was outstanding! We had the chicken wrap and lamb shish. As before, large portions and absolutely delicious! Topped it off with made to order Afghan pistachio and saffron ice cream. Service was just as pleasant as before. This is the best Afghan restaurant we have been to, including NY and the DMV. A great experience - again!

Wow. Mantu is a hidden gem in plain sight. The mantu naan bread, stew, beef and chicken wraps and kebabs are some of the best I have eaten. Cheryl our server was amazing and very attentive. Try this place once and you will keep coming back!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Mantu Dumplings, Baklava, Chicken Chapli Kebab, Turkey Karahi

Delicious Authentic Afghan food. Great service from Ebad. Went above and beyond. Highly recommend this restaurant.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Food is always delicious, service always feels personable and genuine, prices seem fair for quality of food. We take friends and family here for special occasions.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Mantu Dumplings, Chicken Chapli Kebab

If you need good halal meal than this place for you.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

Went here yesterday and right as we walked in, the greeter (older white lady) did not even get up to acknowledge us, just asked if we had a reservation and then pointed at a corner table. She completely ignored us and made us feel unwelcomed. For the price of this place, I did not expect that right when I walked in. Secondly, as it started getting busier, she burst into action for the other guests as they were white like her. Giving them extra accommodations. She also told her guests it takes them longer to get the food ready because she has to “translate” to them because they don’t know English. She continued to trash the workers in the back, which is extremely unprofessional. We went for the experience, but let me tell you this will be our first and last time going. I will definitely be telling our friends and family not to waste their time here. The food was mediocre for the price. FYI if you don’t like a certain race then try not working at a restaurant that is that race….Pretty bad experience overall and very disappointed, to be honest. If I could give it 0 stars, I would.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 2

Service: 1