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Ariana Afghan Kebab Restaurant
Categories: Restaurants Middle Eastern Restaurants Afghan Middle Eastern, Afghan [Edit]
787 9th AveApt 3N
(between 52nd St & 53rd St)
New York, NY 10019
Neighborhoods: Hell's Kitchen, Midtown West, Theater District
(212) 262-2323
- Nearest Transit:
-
50 St (A, C, E)
50 St (1, 2)
7 Av (B, D, E)
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual, Intimate
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
Moe E. said: "Lets start w the food selection. I ordered two sandwiches. One chicken and one lamb/beef sandwich, both came in pita bread stuffed with the goods. The pickled turnips were pretty good compared to other places. and tahini sauce was on…" read more »
132 reviews for Ariana Afghan Kebab Restaurant
Review Highlights
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"The yogurt sauce here is outstanding." In 14 reviews -
"Definitely try the pumpkin curry and the lamb kabobs." In 10 reviews -
"The beef, lamb AND chicken were all deliciously moist and..." In 24 reviews
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132 reviews in English
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Review from Gregory P.
San Francisco, CA
5/15/2012 1 Check-in Here
Ariana is one of my favorite restraints in NYC. This list also includes Jean-Georges, Per Se, Daniel, etc, so they are in some heavy company. My wife and I have been eating at Ariana for almost 9 years and we still look forward to it every time. We now live in San Francisco and every time we visit NYC, we have to visit Rafi and Ariana.
The food is excellent. Their red and green sauces are incredible! There is no other red sauce like theirs. We are lucky that Rafi sends us how with a few big containers of it every time we come. Their lamb and chicken kabobs are awesome. The kabuli palow, samosas, bolanee, buranee...all killer! I'm drooling just thinking of it.
The service is the best part. Our good friend Rafi runs a tight ship. I think he's the hardest worker in NYC. He's there everyday open to close. He is a kind, funny and charming person. My wife and I would sit, eat and talk with him sometimes for 2 hours at lunch. We would come in at a off time and have the place to ourselves, leaving us to be able to chat about everything imaginable. It is a very special place. With the help of Rafi, I surprised my wife and proposed to her there.
This is a true NYC dinning experience and should be visited by all!! -
Review from Robu-san T.
New York, NY
5/14/2012
The food was OK, but not consistent with the other reviews. We tried, among other things, the pumpkin curry, lamb, and yogurt soup. Most of the dishes were fine; the pumpkin curry was kind of bland.
Normally this would get three stars, but I'm giving it a -1 for the server. He was friendly, but by the end of our meal was clearly on a mission to get us out of the restaurant. We were the last people in the restaurant, but there was still 45 minutes to close: the bill was delivered to our table without us asking; he then came by to check on it before we had gotten our wallets out; as we paid the bill he removed two water glasses from the table from people who were in the middle of drinking from them; as we marveled at the removal of the water glasses, he turned out some of the restaurant lights.
Message received, jerk. -
Review from Andrea S.
I don't know what we ordered but I know most of it was lamb and all of it was fricken delicious.
Highly recommended, and try the sauces they have set up on the table. -
Review from Rachel P.
Brooklyn, NY
5/25/2012
pretty good food, so-so prices, nice decorations / atmosphere, but surly service. Unlikely to go back.
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Review from Joel K.
Manhattan, NY
5/24/2012
Surprisingly tasty food, authentic atmosphere, and warm service. Definitely the best Afghan restaurant in the city.
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Review from Antonio H.
Bowie, MD
5/11/2012
Awesome food! Tried the Combo II and the Chicken Lebanese and the the fried pumpkin appetizer was fantastic! Met George Clooney Jr. too!
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Review from Hilary C.
Bronx, NY
3/25/2012
This place is a reasonable walk from either Lincoln Center and the theater district when the weather is decent. It is a terrific alternative to the rip-off tourist and lousily trendy joints that abound in this neighborhood, without having that grungy quality that some ethnic places have. Decorated with framed photos of the region and many rugs and tapestries, it is a tiny, wonderfully warm place where the food is both reasonably priced and the dining experience memorable. There aren't many tables. If one is free, you'll be seated, served, and bussed by one man working solo and very hard and charmingly.
This restaurant is a great choice when you want to enjoy a meal and company, as opposed to 'the scene'. I would not call it kid friendly, but I have a 10-year-old kid who has reasonable manners and who doesn't require or particularly enjoy kid menus, even though he is not that adventurous. We come here and he dines well and happily on various kebabs and breads and rice. We incentivize good behavior with the terrific firnee for dessert (home-made pistachio custard). He describes it wonderfully as 'that narrow place with the friendly waiter' and he has returned with us more than once without complaining and increasingly with enthusiasm.
Aushak is one of the world's most wonderful combinations, and here it's tasty. Other vegetarian dishes here are both out-of-the-ordinary (okra, pumpkin) and quite lovely in terms of delicate spicing and a richness that comes from properly slow cooking. The various stews and meats are fine, too, if less memorable. On my last visit I noticed that they have a sister restaurant in London where you can carry in your own wine. Here that's sadly not the case, and the wine is rather unremarkable and sometimes served overly cold. Still, it's a small criticism about true gem of a restaurant. -
Review from nicole w.
New York, NY
4/19/2012
Came here for dinner and love the pumpkin curry! it came with some tasty rice and a simple salad dressed in light yogurt sauce. Service was quick and friendly. Most of the entrees were around $14 to $17... slightly over price but the food is delicious.
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Review from Anton E.
Manhattan, NY
3/6/2012
We finally decided to try this place after going to Afghan Kabab House right across the street for many years. The food is delicious and the portions and price are pretty reasonable for Hell's Kitchen. Do try the Firni (rice dessert), it's Yumm Yummm Yummm!
**Note to all the Halalie's: As per the restaurant owner Ariana only serves halal chicken and lamb; the beef is not halal. -
Review from Tran T.
New York, NY
3/28/2012
Great food and host. Get the Combo II platter and ask for extra white sauce.
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Review from Mike K.
Los Angeles, CA
2/28/2012
My buddy and I decided to try this place as we looked for a new restaurant to try. The restaurant was cozy and comfortable. We were greeted and seated immediately.
The menu had a good variety of options for both meat eaters and vegetarians alike. I opted for a vegetarian combo consisting of a savory okra dish and an eggplant curry. It was served with a side of basmati rice and a simple iceberg lettuce salad. The entree was delicious!!! My only complaint is that the salad was drenched in the dressing so it was too rich to finish.
The server was very friendly and helpful. Overall, my experience was excellent. I would definitely visit again. -
Review from Jenn G.
Manhattan, NY
2/20/2012
I'm still dreaming about the kadoo bolanee (fried pumpkin turnovers). My husband & I stumbled upon this place for dinner. (I work nearby.) All of our food was outstanding, I liked the intimate, cozy atmosphere, & it was the most hospitable service (without being a regular) I've ever experienced anywhere--much less in Midtown Manhattan. Ariana is about average ($$) for a Midtown/Hell's Kitchen restaurant for a nice meal, & well worth it.
The owner greeted us & made menu recommendations. He & the server were the right amount of friendly & attentive. When the owner noticed I wasn't finishing my meal, he was worried there was a problem & offered to bring me something different. I love when restaurants care this much about their food. But no need, I was stuffed & happy to have leftovers.
We ordered dough ($3), a mint-cucumber-yogurt drink similar to a lassi. I loved it. And started with the fried pumpkin turnovers ($4), which are savory & served with a yogurt sauce. It didn't matter if the rest of the meal was so-so, the dough & turnovers would keep me coming back. Thankfully, though, it all was delicious. We wanted to sample a little of everything so got the veggie combo platter with okra & potato curry ($13) & the kabob combo platter with lamb chops, beef kofta, chicken breast, & lamb tikka ($16). It was all seasoned & cooked to perfection. The okra & the lamb were the highlights.
Ariana is a great place for a romantic dinner. I'll be getting those turnovers as take-out for lunch & recommend it to all my friends. -
Review from Amol K.
Pasadena, CA
1/16/2012
Amazing service -- I walked in to meet my group 2 minutes before the kitchen closed and the waiter made sure I was able to get everything I wanted.
I had a chicken and rice dish which was very tasty. The price was reasonable, the atmosphere was welcoming, and everything was clean. However, the service was what really shined -- the waiters really do pay attention to what you need and are quick to serve. -
Review from Jeremy G.
Manhattan, NY
3/2/2012
We fancied something different and something we'd not tried before so when I stumbled across this place on Yelp it seemed like a good omen. After reading the reviews and noting the place is very small with only 10 tables we decided to order in.
The ordering process is handled by http://Seamless.com, it certainly wasn't seamless as the website kept saying there were error on the form. When I finally managed to get it to work it had defaulted to a "pick up" order instead of delivery. A quick call to the place sorted that issue and was told that I had to tip the delivery person. I know it's a cultural difference but I hate being reminded that I have to tip. When the delivery person arrived he insisted that I hadn't already paid by credit card via Seamless and asked me for the full amount. Another quick call sorted that problem out and once sorted the delivery person reminded me that I should give him a tip.
When we laid the food out on the table, I was surprised that $52 resulted in so little food. Normally if you spend that amount of money on take away in America then you're eating it for the next 3 days. Not the case here. We had some of the pumpkin turnovers (Kadoo Bolanee), which was like a Samosa but with a sweet pumpkin filling, not unpleasant but an odd combination in my books. The beef Samosas were excellent, especially with the dipping sauces that were provided. I have no idea what they are called but one was white, another green and the best one was red. We ordered the Beef Kofta Kebab and Chicken Breast Kebab with a side of potato curry and chicken curry. The kebabs were fine, there wasn't a lot of meat which was disappointing but what little there was tasted fantastic. The best part was the rice which was truly excellent.
The chicken curry was more like a spicy stew than anything and made from brown meat. Not unpleasant but for a curry I was expecting something more spicy. The potato curry was another story, not spicy but very tasty. I'd order that again in a heartbeat. There was an order of bread which was unremarkable, more like the nasty sandwich bread made in a factory in Utah and sold in a Duane Reade in New York with a 90 day expiry date.
All of that said I'd order again from this place but try a few different things. -
Review from Daniel G.
Chicago, IL
4/13/2012
Food is good, small portion sizes though, slow service, nicely decorated, make sure to get the tea
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Review from Charles L.
New York, NY
2/19/2012
Fresh, a tad overpriced, but friendly and tasty.
A tightly packed 10-table shop with corny decor but nicely lit and a great server. Not sure how authentic the food is--it tasted much like other middle eastern fare but with a heavier Greek touch (should we thank Alexander the Great?).
The samusa had cinnamon and a wonderful dill tzatziki sauce. Her grilled lamb kabob was better than my stewed lamb. The salad dressing was unique and zesty. The rice was fluffy enough to float off the plate. Baklava was perfect.
I highly recommend the turkish coffee and the happy tea.
The price for an entree was $14-16 which feels about 20% overvalued. We'll visit again for sure. -
Review from Eleanor B.
Manhattan, NY
4/8/2012
Great service! Authentic Afghan food. A lot of vegetarian options. Had pumpkin curry which was not spicy but was amazing with the green hot sauce and yogurt sauce. Dough (yogurt drink with cucumbers and mint) was yummy too!
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Review from Alfredo K.
Bronx, NY
2/5/2012
The food was incredible. This was my wife's first time eating Afghani food. We started with the Samusa, Spinach samusa, and Baudinjan Buranee whcih she loved. Our entrees were Chicken Breast Kabob and the Kebab Combo II. Both dishes were served with Basmai rice and salad. The table hot sauce was very flavorful and the green sauce (i call it sofrito) was great. For dessert we had the Baklava and Turkish coffee. We will be back here again.
The place is small and it fills up quick, so I recommend reservations during the evening hours. -
Review from Evan G.
12/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
Good prices, great service, and have the iced tea - it's red, and it's DELICIOUS.
Unfortunately, the food is just so-so. I had a beef kebab, and the beef was dried out. Samosas were inadequately stuffed, spinach side dish was nice, and the chicken kebab was ok.
I don't think the brown basmati rice that was promised on the menu was really brown basmati rice (which I make at home now and then), the color and taste just wasn't the same...I think it was just regular basmati rice that was seasoned (and a strange orange color).
Highlight of the meal was when we were talking about the restaurant's business card, which was on the table, and I mentioned to my date that they cater for all occasions. Our waiter, overhearing this, said to us, "Yeah, so we can cater your wedding when you get married." Ha ha ha. This was our second date. We found it very funny. -
Review from Daniel B.
12/22/2011
Came here with a group of 8, and even though it's a very small place and there was a screw-up with our reservation, they accommodated us, going to the trouble of moving other people around and then putting tables together.
We got a bunch of appetizers for the table, and overall they were pretty weak. The entrees, on the other hand, were fantastic. A friend and I split the "Complete Dinner for Two", which I think is the way to go (unless of course you opt for the "Complete Dinner for Four"). It's a mix of appetizers and entrees plus a dessert. Our entrees were a lamb stew type dish and a chicken tikka-ish kabob, and both were great.
The dessert was a small pudding with cardamom and almond flavor, with some pistachio on top. Loved it.
Service was friendly, fast, and even a bit wacky, but in a good way.
So, overall, I liked it and would go back, but the appetizers are kinda meh and, if you're coming with a group of 4+, definitely call a 2nd time to confirm a reservation. -
Review from Arisai H.
Bayonne, NJ
2/24/2012
Had the best overall experience ever. The place is tiny just long and narrow. seating is tight but the waiter was the funniest and most helpful waiter ever, very entertaining and the food was AWESOME! For the price (which is average) you get plenty of food and the wine is pretty good also. From the different apps to entree's we ordered all were yummy. Menu items are varied enough so you have plenty to choose from. My rice had different spices and pistachios in it and it was divine. If you don't mind a tight spot and waiting a little bit for your food as there seems to only be one waiter (who is working his butt off) then YES definitely go and pay them a visit. I loved it!
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Review from Diana D.
New York, NY
3/21/2012
Went there with my husband last weekend after theater, and we were very pleasantly surprised with the tasty food and the warm, homely atmosphere of this small restaurant. If you like Middle Eastern food and want to avoid the pre-fix/pre-theater dinner traps, this is your place: delicious food, reasonably priced and prompt service. Don't miss the fried pumpkin -with the best yogurt sauce I ever tried-, the rice with almonds and raisins, or the Firnee for dessert.
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Review from Harmony I.
Financial District, Manhattan, NY
4/6/2012
Came in here at 6pm on a Thursday night. Nice and quiet, only two other tables filled. Our server was super funny and personable, even asked us if we wanted to dance through the restaurant. He was a character and very happy that it was our first time eating there. My friend and I ordered four dishes to share: Bolanee Qandana (fried leek turnovers with an exquisite yogurt sauce), Baudinjan Buranee (eggplant with spice, yogurt and bread), Pumpkin Curry (delicious and served with a dollop of yogurt and the most fresh and tasty basmati rice and salad) and the Chicken Tandoori entree (chicken roasted over charcoal and then served with salad and basmati rice). Everything was just splendid, it was flavors that blended so well together. The charcoal of the chicken with the cool of the yogurt sauce was heaven - the soft and sweet pumpkin curry with the moist and tender rice was spot on. The bill? $40 total. I will return!
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Review from Dion C.
New York, NY
Was in the mood for Middle Eastern food, within walking distance to my apartment. Normally head out to Astoria Queens, but decided to take the chance with Afghan Kebab. Food was pretty good, although meat portions were small. Of course they made up for it with a big pile of extra tasty basmati rice, but I would have preferred a more balanced dish. The samosas were really good, especially the pumpkin one, it was great. Overall good experience, would recommend, but probably not going to return anytime soon. A solid 3.5 of 5.
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Review from William A.
New York, NY
10/23/2011
Rafi is the host with the most!
Every bite is like a peace of heaven, come visit heaven. -
Review from Pete D.
Yonkers, NY
1/14/2012
I went there based on the reviews on Yelp and they were spot on.
Great, friendly service. Incredible food and generous portions.
Very reasonably priced as well. I'll be back for sure. -
Review from Andrew H.
New York, NY
1/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
They have awesome spicy chicken wings (make sure to smother it with the red sauce) and yogurt sauce was tasty. The overall experience was good and price was reasonable.
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Review from Shilpa H.
New York, NY
2/10/2012
Awesome service! Went here for my husband's birthday and was not disappointed. The food was super yum especially the firnee which my husband had 2 of! It's a tight space, but I think that adds to the charm of it all
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Review from Matt B.
ASTORIA, NY
2/2/2012
Tasty lamb here, friendly waiter and owner. Pleasant and welcoming atmosphere. Similar menu to the other Afghan place in the area. Small restaurant, can get quite busy. Will come back here to try more dishes.
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Review from Justin P.
Old Bridge, NJ
7/13/2011
I think one of the best things about NYC is that one can find literally any type of cuisine. Not too many cities, for instance, have an Afghani restaurant within its boundaries. I really think that people who consistantly eat only a couple of cuisines are really missing out.
My date and I had a nice experience at AAKR. We ordered the Kabuli Palow specials. I preferred her kebab version over my tandoori chicken, but it was still pretty good. The waiter was pleasant and the atmosphere was nice. I like the fact that there are about ten tables, so it's more conducive to having an uninterrupted conversation with the person I am dining with.
Overall, I certainly recommend this establishment. The food is good, the service is on-point and the price is right. Take a chance and try something new. -
Review from Alli H.
11/20/2011
this is the restaurant that you walk into and they know your name, or you want to believe that they do. the owners are these older afghan guys who are so nice and entertaining, they come sit at the table with us and just hang out.
the restaurant is pretty small and at times it feels like you are walking into a window when you get to the restaurant because there is a big open window in it.
drinks are good, the food is reasonably priced and there is a lot so i usually have two meals with it. i generally ask them to surprise me whenever i order and they do it and it all tastes good. i stick with not-spicy chicken dishes but the rice and peas is great and so is the bread..
i'm incredibly biased towards middle eastern/ mediterranean food though, even though it can be a little bland.
i love this place. -
Review from Cathy W.
Manhattan, NY
7/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
The food is standard, but I do love their tandoori chicken. We didn't get any of that yummy white sauce in a bottle on our table. The server is a little rude and the table was sticky. There's another afghan place across the ave (the name escapes me at this moment) I prefer to go to instead.
We ordered in another night and my partner ordered some type of ground beef. He ended up with 3 small meatballs and a pound of rice. Does not make a happy dinner :( -
Review from David L.
Manhattan, NY
11/27/2011
Amazing little restaurant in the heart of hells kitchen. The food is great, and the service is even better. This place is a must for everyone. When I have friends or family visit, I always take them here for a meal. Definitely try the pumpkin curry and the lamb kabobs.
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Review from Vinay T.
Englishtown, NJ
1/22/2011
I love Afghan food - and this is my favorite Afghan restaurant. I have been to Helmand in Boston and Bamiyan in Virginia - but I still prefer Ariana. I even prefer it to home cooked Afghan food.
The pumpkin bolanee or aushak are good ways to start. They won't fill you up - but they're a treat as appetizers.
For an entree - I always get the Kabuli palao and chicken kebabs - and I use A LOT of white sauce. I am not a huge fan of the lamb - and so I opt for the chicken.
I wish Ariana had "mantu" - one of the most incredible Afghan dishes you will eat - but maybe it takes too long to make.
I've read some comments on Yelp about how the service isn't so professional - but I think that is part of the ambiance. The Afghan dining experience shouldn't be a formal one - it should be like you've been invited into someone's home. I feel like Rafi (and Wali before him) have done a great job achieving this. They'll sit down and talk to you and make everyone feel welcome. -
Review from Elizabeth L.
New York, NY
4/24/2011
I love Aghan food and really wanted to like this place, but I just wasn't impressed. I'll probably come again for lunch to give it another shot, and update my review accordingly.
I ordered the combo platter. The chicken and lamb were tasty, but wasn't a fan of the beef, which had plenty of cilantro in it...I wish that had been mentioned on the menu, as I am one of those unfortunate souls who really does not like cilantro. Bread also seemed a little hard and stale, but maybe because I went on a weekend.
Love the place's decor, however. Red's my favorite color, and the hanging carpets and photos made for a cozy, unique setting. -
Review from Gary S.
Jericho, NY
12/30/2011
My wife and I have been going to this restaurant for many years both as a couple and with a large group of friends and we have consistently enjoyed our meal.
The food is very fresh and delicately seasoned. We particularly enjoy the scooped out acorn squash with shrimp. Service is very friendly and attentive.
There is an extensive variety of food on the menu which should provide a choice for anyone in your party that would not ordinarily consider dining at an Afghan restaurant.
It's definitely worth a try. -
Review from Rhazes H.
Manhattan, NY
3/10/2012
I definitely recommend this place. The food has that traditional and homemade quality to it. It is super healthy food. It is the real deal at a cheap price. The owner is who takes your order, really nice and honest man if you ever get to talk to him and he is afghan! If you're not sure what to order ask him for his opinion. Go for lunch for cheaper prices. You'll be happy to see it is not some overpriced imitation or commercial version. Authentic, and personalized experience!
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Review from Pat P.
1/2/2011
I would be okay with coming back here multiple times; the food is pretty standard for Afghan cuisine, though the prices are a little high in my opinion.
It's a great place to eat a casual dinner with a couple of friends and leave feeling full and satisfied. I like to order the lamb dishes because I have a certain affinity toward lamb prepared in this way, but I'd say it still holds a candle to any other middle-eastern lamb dishes in the area.
The reason I'm giving it three stars is partly because the Hell's Kitchen area has SO MANY amazing restaurants that you have to take into account the surrounding options and how competitive they are. I do think the prices can drop a bit, and the service can be improved.
All in all, it's worth a try; you'll definitely get a good meal for under $20 and you'll enjoy the taste of it if you like this type of cuisine. -
Review from root c.
La Jolla, CA
9/21/2010 1 photo
Super tasty. Eggplant pumpkin curry. Plus boiled dumplings.
The owner is a bit cheesy but he is simply trying hard to be welcoming and charismatic. He gave us free dessert which was very sweet of him. I would come back again. -
Review from JoJo M.
Westfield, NJ
11/27/2011
Great palov and friendly service. Put a smile on my bf's face.
