Helmand

The Helmand is one of Baltimore's many jewels. It's fine dining, so it's not exactly cheap, but neither is it all that expensive for what you're getting. If you've never experienced Afghan food, get ready for exotic flavors. The menu leans heavily towards lamb, and the dishes are sometimes a bit spicy. Be adventurous, and you'll have a great experience! more

The Helmand is by far my favorite restaurant in Baltimore. Although I had never tried Afghani food before, it just took one dinner at the Helmand to change my mind. The food is very spicy and strong, but not necessarily hot. I LOVE the pumpkin appetizer; order it and I personally guarantee you'll be hooked! Their lamb specialties are mouth-watering, but all their entrées are fantastic. Be sure to try the Afghani ice cream with cardamom and dates... so good! The restaurant is upscale, but I've seen jeans from time to time. Prices aren't bad, but be prepared to drop about $50 for dinner including appetizers, desserts, and some Turkish coffee. more

The Helmand is a wonderful restaurant located in Mount Vernon. Their cuisine is Afghanistani, and is some of the best food I've had in Baltimore. They have a classy atmosphere and very good service--a great place for a night out with that special someone. One recommendation--try the pumpkin, you won't regret it. It's a fairly small place too, so you may want to make reservations. more

We visited the Helmand after a friend recommended it because it offers a vegetarian menu. I loved it and can't wait to go back. The food is really inexpensive, and delicious. There were also plenty of options for me, the vegetarian, and for my hubby, the meat eater. Don't miss their pumpkin appetizer, it's worth going just for that! The atmosphere is nice, but the tables are strangely close together. Make a reservation! more

last night hubby and i met m & j in baltimore for dinner at THE HELMAND. decor was plain but tasteful and their was already a full house by quarter to seven. we all got the same appetizer (sugar glazed pumpkin with yogurt garlic sauce, strange sounding but just the balance of sweet and tangy that hits all the right spots) and the same dessert (afghani ice cream- vanilla with cardamom, figs, mangos and dates,very nice end to the meal). our entrees were different and wide reaching a fair reflection of the menu. m got a vegetarian dish (eggplant stuffed with other things), j and hubby got lamb dishes (hubby the traditional kabuli, and j some sorta stewish thing in a tomato sauce of some sort) and i got the winner of the evening-- sea bass in sauce scented of ginger with baby grapes, tomatos and some other stuff i can't remember. the fish nearly melted on the fork. i've never had something so tender. other than feeling a little rushed at first, we all pronounced the restaurant a great success and could understand why they were so busy. we'll be back there i'm sure. we also enjoyed walking around that part of charles street (near "he other"washington monument) until it started raining more than was tolerable more

This is one of the only Afghan restaurants in Baltimore - the others are carry-out restaurants. The restaurant is expensive, but it is fine dining. The restaurant is owned by the brothers of Afghan President Hamid Karzai. Try the aushak (ravioli) - it is especially good. Reservations are recommended, as the restaurant is extremely busy on the weekend. Romantic atmosphere. more