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Café Kabul
Categories: Restaurants Afghan Food Specialty Food Ethnic Food Afghan, Ethnic Food [Edit]
2831 Olentangy River RdColumbus, OH 43202
Neighborhood: University District
(614) 737-3481
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11 am - 10 pm
Sat 12 pm - 10 pm
Sun 1 pm - 8 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
28 reviews for Café Kabul
Review Highlights
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"The other entree was the kabuli pallow." In 5 reviews -
"...typically a fan of carrots or raisins in main dishes, but..." In 2 reviews -
"...Bonjon, an eggplant dish served with yogurt and tomato." In 4 reviews
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28 reviews in English
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Review from Richard P.
Columbus, OH
5/8/2012
So let me start with a couple apparent negatives: 1) a few times I've come to Cafe Kabul and they were out of a dish, and 2) sometimes you have to be patient and wait a bit for your food to arrive.
I say 'apparent negatives' because they tell you a couple important things about Cafe Kabul: 1) they're only cooking enough for that day and 2) they're cooking to order. And yeah, lots of restaurants don't do that, and have no problems serving you yesterday's food. Don't believe me? Watch any episode of Gordon Ramsey's "Kitchen Nightmares".
The Peshawari chaplee kabob is a revelation, never have I encountered such a lovely patty of ground meat. I've had my fair share of Middle Eastern kabobs, but the herbs and spices in this one take it to a higher level. I'm also fond of their vegetarian sides, particularly the sabsi and the buranee bonjon. Like the kabob, the spices in the sabsi give it a distincly unique flavor, and I can never pass up on the bonjon (except when they run out).
But I save my highest praise for the Kabuli pallow. It's a good dish, but what really makes it great is the last time they used lamb shank, and cracked the bone, so you could suck out the bone marrow. It's that kind of touch that makes Cafe Kabul a great place to eat.
Now if only they could get that drive thru working. -
Review from KC M.
Dublin, OH
4/11/2012
I had the pleasure of dining at this local restaurant last night, and I have to say, I'm a big fan! I have been meaning to go for some time, and I'm glad that we went!
My college aged kids and I enjoyed the Kaubli Pallow, which is sort of like pot roasted lamb over rice, topped with braised sweet carrot strips and raisins, Tikka Kabob, which is grilled cubes of lamb served with rice, a hummus plate, vegetable pakora and a gyro. The food was hot, fresh and delicious - my daugher commented that her lamb was like 'lamb flavored butter'. The hummus was absolutely made inhouse, and was WAY flavorful, a bit grainy, the way I like it, and topped with a fruity olive oil and some kind of spice - my daughter says it was sumac, but I don't know. The only thing I wouldn't order again were the vegetable pakoras (which were served with a slightly spicy herbal dipping sauce) - they were OK, but not to my taste.
The service was very pleasant, and the gentleman who was running the house was very good at managing things - he delivered our food right to our table, fresh from the kitchen, which I thought was a very nice touch.
I hear there's a lunch buffet, and you can be sure that I'll be coming back for that! -
Review from Puja D.
Columbus, OH
3/26/2012
We went to this place because we had a http://restaurant.com coupon. It was pretty darn good. We got the kabuli polau, chicken kebabs, beef kebabs, and tandoori chicken. Keep in mind that I'm Indian - so my taste buds are spoiled by my momma's home cookin', so I wasn't AS impressed by this place as some of the other reviewers seem to have been.
The polau was good - but the rice was a bit bland, the lamb a slight bit too tough, and the carrots a little overcooked. All in all, it was still tasty and a decent portion for $13. The tandoori chicken was awesome - the best I've had from any restaurant in Columbus AND from an Afghani place... shame! ;) The kebabs were good, long and moist and with a great spice. We asked for the food extra spicy because that's how we roll, but you can get it mild if you have an unadventurous tummy!
You get an entirely forgettable salad with Italian dressing with each entree, but it's a waste of space on the plate. Don't waste your calories.
I'd definitely go back. I'd love to try their gyros... mmm.... gyros... -
Review from Jessica T.
Lewis Center, OH
3/11/2012
I visited Cafe Kabul yesterday to try Afghan food for the first time. The place is tucked into an old Dairy Queen store near OSU. The inside is painted a cheery yellow color and has a couple of traditional rugs and costumes hanging on the walls. There's also a picture of a Buckeye football player, which seems to be requisite for every campus-area restaurant.
I had a dish called Kabuli Pallow, which is ridiculously tender and gently spiced lamb over rice with cooked carrots and raisins. It was delicious, if a bit light on the lamb. I also had some of the Afghan bread, which is crispy and flat with sesame seeds on top. I found it a bit on the bland side, but it would be the perfect vehicle for some hummus or other dip, which I'll try next time. And there will be a next time, because I think I'm already hooked on the Kabuli Pallow! -
Review from Zack Z.
Braintree, MA
2/25/2012
We went to this restaurant just by seeing the inviting look of this restaurant and this restaurant was surely one of our best discoveries!
We tried meat gyros which was served with fries and a drink for just 5$, everything here is reasonably priced and delicious...will definitely visit again and recommend everyone to try it! -
Review from Kirsten H.
Columbus, OH
9/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
My dining companion got and liked the Chicken Seekh Kabab (though he attempted to order the Value Meal and ended up with the entree). I think the main difference is the the value meal comes with only one skewer of chicken. It is important to be aware that this kind of kabab is not a solid piece of grilled chicken meat but a marinated ground chicken that is compressed into shape and then cooked. It was pretty good, but I don't think I could eat a lot of it. The rice was also good, but a little greasy and the salad looked basic. All in all, it was a lot of food for $10.
I got the "Pumpkin" special and it was just that - sauteed pumpkin with nothing else. It was good, but if I hadn't shared some of my companion's rice, I think it wouldn't really have been satisfactory as a lunch. The bread was notable - I haven't had anything quite like it. In appearance it is a bit like focaccia - with perforations in the top every inch or two - but it was not oily or salty like focaccia. It was fairly dry and some of it was topped simply with sesame seeds. I think it would go well with dip. It was a bit plain on it's own.
You order your food and pay ahead of time, then it is brought out to you on a tray. The dining room very much resembles an outdated work cafeteria. It's possible that another trip to Cafe Kabul will convince me they deserve another star, but I know it won't be for the ambiance or the welcoming feeling (the first time I tried to eat there, they turned us away). -
Review from Tlm P.
Columbus, OH
9/30/2011
Finally went last night, the hummus was wonderfully seasoned and tasty. I ordered the lamb shank special, which had a great, marinated, and slow cooked flavor.
The entree came with a side salad, and my favorite part of the dish, long-grain rice lightly seasoned with julienned carrots and raisins. I in general don't like raisins in savory food, but the rice at Cafe Kabul with carrots and raisins is spectacular! -
Review from Danielle F.
Columbus, OH
8/10/2011
Very good food.
My favorite dishes are the eggplant appetizer (roasted eggplant with yogurt and tomato sauces) and Kabuli Pallow (shredded lamb, carrots, raisons over rice). They are amazing. The flavors all blend together perfectly. They serve complementary bread which is delicious. They also offer complimentary tea. :)
I've tried the kebabs, and I didn't find them as impressive as the kebabs at Jeddo. Everything else, however, is exceptional. -
Review from Maharaja of Gaipajama G.
Columbus, OH
12/10/2010
Cafe Kabul, could it be that your love was meant for me? Maybe so, maybe no.
Cafe Kabul serves a limited yet carefully chosen selection of Afghan cuisine. Some of their food resembles Indian food, or vice versa - I'm not sure. The man behind the counter speaks great English, perfect for anyone who enjoys hearing the guides at COSI drone on about the scientific concept you already know about, because you're passionate about science, no, wait - I mean, I'm sorry, wrong audience, the guy is perfect for explaining everything you ever wanted to know about ethnic cuisine in the Afghan region without expecting that you know something first. For some, that is an added star, but for me, I was just glad to be able to quickly communicate my desire for a gyro and a "yogurt drink."
For good measure, I had to ask him if "yogurt drink" is what they call it in Afghanistan. No, thank god. Don't remember what he said, but wasn't "yogurt drink." I know what my parents call it - sharbuth.
The ambience? There was an oddly secluded booth too intimate for me and my buddy, so I traipsed over instead to the well-lit central locus of the restaurant. From there, I could overhear the conversation taking place between two apparent cosmopolites who'd just entered the restaurant:
"What's the best thing here?" the wife asked.
"Most people like the pallow," the cashier said.
"No, the best thing is that we're alive today!" blurted the husband.
Indeed. It's always great to be alive, eating a spicy gyro from Cafe Kabul.
Even if it does take a while to arrive. -
Review from Amanda S.
Sunbury, OH
2/4/2011
This was my first foray into Afghan food, and I was really impressed. My sister and I went this week and, upon recommendations from someone on Twitter, we started out with the buranee bonjon. It's sauteed eggplant that is served with yogurt and tomato sauce, and you eat it with Afghan bread (kind of like pita with sesame seeds on it.) It was totally wonderful, and I could have probably just eaten that and been happy!
We then shared two entrees. The chicken seekh kabob was basically minced chicken formed into long rectangular shapes. While not much to look at, the flavor was wonderful - full of great spices that reminded me of Mexican food of all things (I think there must be many shared spices.) It was served with a basic salad and this wonderful plain, but flavorful, Afghan rice. This probably was my favorite of the two entrees.
The other entree was the kabuli pallow. It's slow cooked lamb served with carrots and raisin, which sounds like a strange combination but was actually quite good. The lamb was incredibly tender and was really wonderful. We took home leftovers of this dish because it was so rich. Again, served with salad and rice.
We also had the baklava fingers for desert. Not quite as sticky sweet as normal baklava, I really liked these!
I had the "yogurt drink" to drink, which I probably won't have again. I'm not much for very sour yogurt, and it is just what the name says: liquefied yogurt, served over ice, with a bit of mint with it. I think you have to be a tart liquids fan to enjoy it.
The restaurant itself is pretty non-assuming, with just some Afghan relics and OSU stuff on the walls, and has kind of a fast food atmosphere to it (though it's a cook to order restaurant.) But, decor isn't everything, and I found it quaint.
The owner (I think is who he was) was incredibly nice and you could tell how much he enjoyed running the restaurant and welcoming newbies to his country's cuisine. I really like it there, and can't wait to go back! -
Review from Matt W.
After the meetup at Cafe Kabul, I went back again to see if I was right about my experience.
I'm happy to say that I was!
As others have mentioned, there really isn't much dining space here - it's a converted Dairy Queen, and the original DQ wasn't what you'd call big. A lot of the afghan dishes are presented without much explanation - you'll want to ask questions when you order if you're not familiar with Afghan cuisine. (I certainly wasn't!)
If you order appetizers or a dinner portion, you'll be served a basket of their Afghan Bread - think pita bread shape / size, but with a foccacia texture. It was quite good with the hummus, or to scoop up servings of the Buranee Bonjon - a "side dish" / appetizer of sliced roasted eggplant, a thick tomato sauce, and some tangy yogurt.
(As to the hummus, it's good and decently spiced, but I disagree that they're the best in town. I think Pita Hut over on High St. still wins that battle.)
The bread basket is $3 if you'd like to try it without ordering a meal or for an extra portion to go, but if you eat in, refills are free.
All of the dinners and main courses come with saffron rice and a mild tomato sauce, lighter and a bit thinner than the sauce from the bonjon, which is supposed to be poured over the rice. If you're not looking to carb up, you can easily eat half (or even less) of the rice portion and still feel satisfied.
The main dinner offerings split into two camps: The "pallow" style dishes (lamb is standard on the menu as "kabuli pallow", but both times I went in they had a chicken version as the special) or kebabs. The pallow style mixes your meat with raisins, some gently sweet spices, and strips of sauteed carrot that are just this side of being caramelized.
The kebabs, on the other hand, are pretty much presented with the meat as is alongside of your rice, and with a yogurt dipping sauce for the meat. The kebabs aren't bad, per se, but I found them fairly plain compared to the more complex flavors in the pallow.
I also tried their sauteed okra side on my second trip - the okra was fresh and well seasoned, without the sliminess that can sometimes occur when preparing them. A nice option to round out your meal.
I think I agree that it's not "drive across town" good, but it's certainly "I'm around the area and want something different for dinner" good. It would also help if they had a bit more variety in the menu, but hopefully that'll come with time.Listed in: Behold My Awesome!
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Review from Melanie B.
Brooklyn, NY
9/3/2010 1 Check-in Here
I really enjoyed my experience this week - I went with a big group of people (*wink*) to figure out what Afghani food is and to try out this new little hole in the wall (hole in the strip mall?)... aaaand I decided to review Cafe Kabul because I've recommended it to people at least five times in the last week. Every time, people didn't know what Afghani food was, so I can tell you now... but really you should just stop in here and find out, because it's well worth it.
I wasn't quite sure what to order, but things seemed vaguely familiar since the dishes seemed close to Mediterranean food, and perhaps slightly similar to the spices in Indian food. And indeed, the Internetz (the world's most reliable source of course) tells me that coriander and lamb are used in many Afghani dishes, so the Indian connection makes sense; pine nuts and other nuts, as well as grapes (which apparently are something Afghanistan is known for) help connect to the Mediterranean. Oh, cultural history, how I love thee - anyhow, I hope that gives you an idea of what to expect. There are also many eggplant, yogurt dishes, naan AND lavash as well, all of which are found in both neighboring regions. So basically Afghani food is a glorious melting pot of some of the most amazing foods in the world. Fantastic!
So, I ordered a dish which, for the life of me I cannot remember the name of, nor can I successfully research it on the interwebz - and so I apologise for that fail. It was DELICIOUS, however, so I will update next time I am at Cafe Kabul. Basically, it was the most tender, fall-apart lamb pieces I have ever eaten, with warm shredded carrots, soft cooked raisins, and gentle, sweet spices over a bed of saffron infused rice, with a side of salad. Two of my fellow diners also got this dish, and the other two who tried it were envious that they hadn't chosen it. Seriously - the lamb kebob and chicken kebob that I tried were also fantastic, but this gentle and soft dish just spelled *love*.
Service here is very friendly - the man who helped us explained what some of the dishes were, answered our questions, gave us more naan/pita for free to go with the eggplant/yogurt and the hummus apps (delicious, esp. the eggplant) ordered for the table... really, very impressive. The decor is very understated, and I think it should stay that way. Not only this, but when we got there, the cafe was empty, but it soon filled almost to capacity - a great sign! Oh gosh, I wanna go back just thinking about it.
An overall great experience (and great dining companions!). If you like Mediterranean or Indian food, I encourage you to take your tastebuds on a cultural exploration and find out about the cuisine from the countries in between the Peloponnesus and India. Effing-aye right, Afghani food from Cafe Kabul!
PS: I realise that the Middle East stands between the Mediterranean and Central Asia (where Afghanistan is located) but I have less experience describing Middle Eastern food, so I chose to use the Mediterranean as a comparative region since the flavors and ingredients appear to be similar. I'd be interested in hearing more about Middle Eastern food, as I've only tried it a handful of times. -
Review from barb s.
11/6/2010 2 Check-ins Here
Being a very adventurous eater, and being fascinated by Afghan people and culture, I decided to venture out to Cafe Kabul.
We walked into a different world. It was like being transported to Europe with it's melange of people, different accents (including Russian) and smells (middle eastern men always seem to smell good). A refreshing change for me as I was growing tired of looking at white people :D
My trusty sidekick and I ordered Peshwari Chaplee Kabobs: 3 pieces of ground beef marinated in freshly grated seasonings along with rice, gently suffused with spice, and a salad. We also got the Afghan bread which was quite a bit thicker than naan and very tasty. There was a raita-like yogurt sauce for the beef patties to take away some of the heat and nicely compliment the taste. A tomato-y mint sauce that I dipped my bread in and poured over my rice. Yum. I had sprite to drink. There is a lassi-like drink that I want to try next time comprised of yogurt water salt and mint. I love Kheer. I have had the Indian version and was curious to see how the Afghan version was. It was delish! Made with semolina I believe, and cardamom of course. It was a very generous portion. When we tried to pay for it the gentleman who served us said no, a very nice gesture.
In America, the land of more, more, more, more isn't necessarily better. The menu isn't extensive and that's ok. Do a few items but do them well seems to be the way they do business.
I want to try the Kabuli Pallow and the Buranee Bonjon the next time. And more Kheer of course.
I was really happy to have tried this little pocket of goodness. I will return soon, lured by good food, good vibes, great prices, Kheer! and memories of my time in Europe come to life at Cafe Kabul! -
Review from Mark K.
1/12/2011
Finally went here yesterday; it's a bit out of my way. As others have said, it's very small and plain, but the food is great.
I wasn't sure what to expect from Afghan food, but if you've had Greek or Middle Eastern dishes you have some idea what things are like here. The spices are a little different, and a few dishes were new to me, but overall it was fairly familiar. I got the peshawari chapeel kabobs, which are ground lamb (not beef, I think) with a bit of spice. Served with perfect rice and a fairly typical salad. My friend got Lamb Pallow, as described by others: very tender lamb chunks with carrots and raisins. I'm not typically a fan of carrots or raisins in main dishes, but it worked well. We got veggie fritters and sauteed okra as appetizers. Both were very good. The fritters are clearly made to order, as is everything we tried. The okra seemed more stewed than sauteed, but who cares- it was really good.
The place is clean, the service is good and friendly. They are eager to talk about their food and their country, and I will be back next time I'm over this way. -
Review from Katherine W.
Columbus, OH
1/30/2012
This place is a gem!!! The food is Afghan and any preconceived notions should go tight out the window. I had the most tender lamb and flavorful rice I had been served in ages. Try the side of spinach. Once you try this place you will thank me.
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Review from Diana S.
Columbus, OH
9/6/2010
I stumbled across this place when attempting to go to Sushi Ting, and to my dismay, it was closed.
Hummus- some of the very best I've ever had, and I've had plenty.
Bread- out of this world, warm, fresh and delicious.
I had chicken tikka for my entree, which was very moist and well spiced.
Don't go there for the ambiance, go there for the food. It's pretty junky looking, but who cares when the food is this good.They do need more vegetarian options. I give this place an A for a lunch spot when you're looking for something different. -
Review from Luke T.
7/6/2010 6 Check-ins Here
I went to visit a taco truck that used to park near the Fairfield Inn on Olentangy River Rd, near the University City Center, for dinner today. Much to my dismay, the truck is no longer there. The manager of the carryout where the truck parked said the owner of the truck was deported. I won't vouch for the accuracy of that statement, but the guy is there all the time, so who knows?
So I turned around disappointed and headed back to the University City Center to inform a nice hair stylist that the taco truck we'd just been discussing no longer exists. I contemplated other dinner options as I was leaving and just as I was about to turn onto Ackerman I noticed a little shop called Cafe Kabul.
I'd never seen it before and it said "Authentic Afghan Cuisine" on the storefront so I thought it would make an excellent change of pace. I locked my bike up and went inside.
First impression: Clean. The place was spotless. Being so new, I suppose that's expected, but they could have just reused a lot of the existing framework when opening. They opted to remodel. Everything was new. It was a nice touch.
Second impression: Tiny menu, not at all vegetarian friendly. There were two menu items that looked like they could constitute a meal that weren't meat dishes, and they were both appetizers.
One was the Buranee Bonjon, an eggplant dish served with yogurt and tomato. Another was a spinach dish. I ordered the Buranee Bonjon, as evidenced by my ability to remember its name. I also ordered a baklava for dessert and a Vitamin Water to drink. The eggplant also came with a side of Afghan bread, which was sort of like pan, a flatbread of some kind.
Now, I can't say this for sure, but the yogurt on that eggplant sure looked like ranch dressing. Sorta tasted like ranch too. I can only think what Al Qaeda would say if ranch were getting used in a traditional Afghan dish. A jihad on ranch dressing! I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. The dish did taste unique, whatever it's ingredients. Somewhat savory and slightly sour.
The baklava was delicious. I wonder if it's made on sight or if they have it brought in from outside. There were four pieces of bread. Two were somewhat hard and tough, while the other two were warm and soft. None of it was bad, but I wish they had all been as warm as the final two.
Overall, it was an okay experience. The cashier/owner? was very friendly and I certainly do wish Cafe Kabul the best of luck. But with a serious lack of vegetarian options and a just okay first experience, I probably won't be back for a while. I will check back though, months down the line to see how they're fairing and if that menu has gotten any bigger. -
Review from Robert V.
Canal Winchester, OH
My first trip to an Afghani restaurant. I was surprised by the mild-sweet flavors (i expected it to be overly-spicy). The portions are large during the lunch hour.
The store is the old Dairy Queen spot on the corner of the strip so the dining area is not overly large but it handled the lunch-time traffic OK. Was very clean. Employees were friendly.
I recommend the Chicken Kabuli if you like mild, lightly sweet dishes. Served in plenty of time to enjoy the dish and get back to the office on time. Its a nice change from burgers n fries or salads for lunch.
The thing i would suggest to improve this place is shades on the windows. When the sun is out, you practically need sunglasses while eating. -
Review from Matt R.
9/6/2010
Fun going with my fellow Yelpers to try a new restaurant. Holler!
The good:
- Melanie B's lamb! Holy cats! Really good.
- Matt W's eggplant (yes eggplant) appetizer. The yogurt on top was wicked awesome.
The awes:
- The people working there. Really nice and attentive.
The eh:
- My chicken. It was very inconsistent. Some pieces were moist, but most were pretty darn dry. If I only had the chicken to judge this place off of, I probably would have given it three stars.
Moral of the story: I don't know how to order at Afghan restaurants. If you ever see me here, please, for your sake, don't ask me what to get. Melanie and Matt know where it's at. -
Review from Melanie M.
Columbus, OH
Stopped in about a month ago, but of course was too busy to get the review in!!! Grabbed a few things to go and had a FEAST at our house. I guess I'm going to have to go back, because I cannot remember what we got... Wow. That's embarassing.
(To be continued...) -
Review from Brian B.
Columbus, OH
8/26/2010
My first ever meal at an Afghan restaurant. I read the review in the Dispatch and put it on my list of places to visit, since it is in my area. A very enjoyable first visit. The restaurant was very clean and the staff was friendly.
There are a variety of dishes on the menu including hummus, kebabs, gyro, eggplant dishes, and more. I believe I saw a hamburger & fries on the kids menu.
I tried the Peshawari Chaplee Kebab which came with three meat patties, rice, and a side salad. The meal came with a mint sauce to drizzle on the meat and a tomato sauce for the rice. The meat patties consisted of beef mixed with spices. I really enjoyed the dish. It still was relatively moist on the inside and it had a nice kick to it. The mint sauce helped mellow out the spice. The tomato sauce was almost like a chunky tomato soup, which is what I thought it was until I asked. It was good, but I preferred the rice without it.
I wanted to try the afghan bread but didn't get a chance, but will on my next visit. There are more dishes on the menu I am interested in trying. -
Review from Jessica K.
10/14/2010 ROTD 5/9/2011
We were very excited about this place and eager to support them. There isn't much variety in our Middle Eastern cuisine in Columbus... lots of just "Middle Eastern", not a lot of Persian v. Afghani v. Lebanese.
As a table, we got a pretty wide spread of their offerings. We tried all of their vegetarian dishes and the meat eaters had some of that, too, and seemed to enjoy it, but I don't have a personal opinion. The atmosphere is very strip-mall-ethnic restaurant-ish, which I personally enjoy. There's a traditional outfit on the wall, a map of Afghanistan, and that's about it.
Ultimately, this is a winning ethnic restaurant in my (highly experienced, might I say) opinion. We've been to most ethnic restaurants in Columbus and are striving to hit them all, and there's more to a review than just the food. Is the food authentic? Can you get things there that you can't get at another restaurant of the same region? Does it feel more like their catering to an American pallet or are they using their family recipes and personal favorites? For Cafe Kabul, the food was certainly unique from other Middle Eastern joints. We tasted spices and flavor combos we've never had before. They had country specific bread, entrees, a drink and a dessert. A+++
Then, is the staff helpful? Sometimes the languages are in a different language, make little sense, or are just generally foreign. Suggestions on popular dishes, what they like, what you HAVE to have are appreciated. The guy working here answered questions but didn't offer explanations unless probed.
I explain that because honestly, I wouldn't go back to Cafe Kabul for the food. The hummus was more bland than I prefer, I don't like cooked spinach, the eggplant was delicious but so heavy I couldn't eat enough to be full. it was all okay. But it was a positive experience overall and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. -
Review from Ryan G.
Columbus, OH
5/4/2011
Very good food! I will definitely be eating here again.
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Review from A J.
Columbus, OH
12/6/2010
Great place run by great people.
The Tandoori Chicken is heads and shoulders above the competition. It rises to the top. I want to get other things on the menu, but I can't sometimes, just knowing that instead I could have gotten the Tandoori. It can be bought spicy or mild. The meat is juicy and the flavor goes all the way through, I knew automatically it has been marinated for quite a while before cooking. It comes slightly charred sometimes, giving it an amazing taste. And when you order it, you can smell it cooking as you sit there, and it's great. It may not be an Afghani dish, but they sure make it better than others.
It comes with rice and a salad, and the rice is perfectly cooked with each grain separate from the other. The rice is mildly spiced with something I don't know, but it's really high quality. It's not basmati, but the grain is rather long, and the texture is just perfect. Not hard, but does not melt either.
It also comes with this green spiced chutney yogurt type sauce, and it just it is the perfect compliment to the spicy chicken. The chicken is already tangy, but this makes it more so while adding a relieving coolness from the heat and spiciness.
One of the best things about the food here is that it's not dripping with grease and oil, and I love that. It's not gonna leave a noticeable puddle of oil like some Indian dishes do (though I love Indian food, it's heavy).
So yeah, while they charge a dollar more than what I usually pay at other places (I normally pay 7-8 dollars), it's way worth it to skip the grease and fat. I would pay even more than a dollar more for a meal of this quality.
Portions are great too, you get a lot for what you pay for.
I'm definitely gonna be a regular, though I think I already am. -
Review from AJ O.
Ann Arbor, MI
8/20/2011
Amazing. Easy to understand menus, friendly service, low prices, and most importantly, some of the best food I've ever had. Everything I ordered was new to me but everything was delicious.
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Review from David W.
Columbus, OH
8/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great place. The food was really good and can defiantly see myself getting a craving for it again. I was unsure of the menu so I asked the man behind the register what he suggests and he did not disappoint. The staff is very kind. Over all I liked everything and for $9.something I was really full!
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Review from Julia C.
Columbus, OH
7/22/2010
If you've never tried Afghan food, you should give Cafe Kabul a try. The menu is limited, but features some classic Afghani dishes.
Buranee bonjon, a dish featuring slices of eggplant topped with homemade yogurt and tomato sauces, was so good I could barely stand to share it with my partner.
The kabuli pallow is chunks of lamb, spiced sauteed carrot strips and raisins all on top of Afghan rice. This traditional Afghan dish is so tasty, we were tempted to order a second serving.
The ambiance leaves a little to be desired, however the staff is friendly and clearly wants to please every customer. I can't wait to see this restaurant take off! -
Review from Perry L.
Columbus, OH
9/6/2010
i had past this restaurant every day on my way to work wondering how the food is. so one day i walked inside and was greeted by a very friendly member of their staff. he helped me pick something off of the menu since alot of the food seemed unfamiliar to me. the gentlemen brought my food to the table and as soon as i took my first bite it was uphill from there. the chicken dish that i had, had wonderful earthy flavors and was very juicy and succulent. The rice tht came with the dish had very subtle delicious flavors. GO TO THIS RESTAURANT!!! YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT ^_^
