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Categories: Afghan, Vegetarian, Pakistani
Neighborhood: HillcrestMon-Sun. 11:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
"I have found my favorite Indian food restaurant in San Diego. It was such a great experience! My friend and I attended their anniversary…" read more »
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OK, so this was my first time eating Afghan food. I was meeting some colleagues here for lunch and I was a little apprehensive. I'm not a big fan of Indian food and I saw that their online menu for Khyber Pass included quite a few curry dishes. I did notice some dishes that sounded pretty good though so I kind of decided what I wanted beforehand and took the plunge.
If you're not used to eating exotic foods, don't be afraid to try this place. The Lamb Kachaloo was excellent! It's a lamb dish with potatoes and a delicious tangy sauce. One of my colleagues ordered a cherry tea on ice. It sounded good so I ordered one as well. It reminded me of a chai tea and was delicious!
If you're feeling adventurous, but a bit timid about trying something different, give this place a shot. You're sure to find something on their menu that suits your fancy. Don't be skerred!
Out of the various Afghan places I have been to in SF and the east bay I have to say this is the most upscale Afghan restaurant I have been to. I walk in with the GF thinking Kyber Pass is going to be semi casual and notice everyone else seated is dressed up, sorry babe you could have worn that new dress you bought, my bad..
Ever since eating Bolani in Fremont I have been a big fan of this traditional dish. Khyber Pass's version of Bolani is kind of like a tempura, it's really good but the portions were small almost to the point where we felt like we were being teased. The dipping sauces were excellent, although not sure of the name Khyber has a green dipping sauce similar to a vinegary salsa verde and If I find jars of this at an Afghan Market Im definitely going to pick some up.
The main dishes were on par for what I have come to expect from the more upscale Afghan restaurants. I had the curry lamb and GF got the chicken sabzi, both were rich in flavor and the meat was nice and tender. The service was decent and the staff was helpful, especially when explaining what was in the sauces. Sadly years of alcohol abuse have ruined my short term memory because I don't have a clue what that dude called those sauces but I know I really liked them.
I have been to Khyber Pass 5+ times each time ordering something different....WOW! I mostly go there for the rice though...The Rice is just Awesome!...I love rice that just rains off of your fork and back onto your plate! Not to mention the rice is actually soft!
The best thing I like about the food is that it is already seasoned that there is no need for salt/pepper or anything you might spread on; nonetheless you are still given various kinds of spreads which help pick up the tastes just a little.....Each time I have gone to Khyber Pass, I have had a different version of bread. I have ordered the Lamb Dal- (Lamb and Rice) which was really tasty! For my drink I order Dugh pronounced "Dug"...I cant get enough of it, I end up ordering two glasses of it three once when I have gone. Nice place to go for two when you just want to get away from the stress of the world.
Dugh
Good ethnic food in loud urban environment. Concrete floors and modern minimalist feel. Not at all what I was expecting. But very good food and service.
Whenever we visit San Diego, our first stop is Khyber Pass. Not only is the food consistently delicious, but the service is friendly and the ambiance relaxing and enjoyable. I highly recommend the Chalow Sabzi, which makes my mouth water just writing those words.
Try it, you'll like it!!!
I've driven by this place for years but never sampled it. Someone suggested it for lunch the other day so I jumped at the opportunity. It was a Wednesday around noon and we pretty much had the place to ourselves except for one other table.
We started off with an appetizer sampler plate that had samosas, hummus, pita, and another fried treat. All were pretty decent. For an entree I ordered the chicken matar. It was pretty good overall but not outstanding. Most all the lunch items were anywhere from $10-$16. Honestly, a bit expensive for what you get.
I also have to knock off a little for the service. Our waiter was nice but could have been more attentive. Especially considering how few people were in there. We waited forever to get our check while he gabbed away on his cell phone in the back. Not cool, especially when the meter is ticking away on my parking spot.
The flavors are too die for. I leave with a full tummy and very happy every time I come here. I brought my parents and they too loved it. The lamb is very tender, I always get the lamb. Try the appetizer sampler, dig in and enjoy!
good food.... but pricey
This spot was actually pretty good. I was recently at Chopahn (in downtown) and had an incredible experience there - while this wasn't as good, it was still a very enjoyable experience. We started off with the Sambosa (a beef-filled fried pastry) that was really tasty and then for my entrée I had the Sweet and Sour Cherry Chicken, which was savory and sweet, but I might say just a little too sweet and caused the taste to overpower the richness of the chicken.
The overall service was nice and our server was attentive.
I'd try this place out again, but probably try a few other items on the menu - it's pretty extensive so it'll be good to see how the other dishes stack up.
Wife and I stopped here on a very slow Monday night. We settled into an outdoor table and perused the menu. We had decided when the waitress stopped by to take our order. She wasn't writing it down and had to confirm it at least three times which concerned me. Fortunately she did manage to get everything entered in correctly.
We started with the aushak, which is a dumpling with yogurt, meat sauce and mint. Very light and very tasty. I had the lamb mushroom (basically a curry) which was perfect, and my wife had the chicken dal (which was very good, but mine was better).
One word: Amazing.
I'd never had Afghani food before and so I was pretty excited to try out Khyber Pass for my monthly book club meeting after reading A Thousand Splendid Suns. Khyber Pass did not disappoint. We started off with some hummus and pita, and the garlic naan, which was somehow different than Indian naan - it was more bready and toasty, but it was equally as delicious as the soft, buttery, doughy naan I'm more accustomed to. I had the lamb baunjaun (lamb stewed with eggplant), which came with basmati rice, and it was simply amazing. The decor is simple and elegant, the service is polite and prompt. Amazing.
If I hadn't read "The Kite Runner" or the "Thousand Splendid Suns", I don't think I would have even thought about trying Afghanistan food. But boy, am I so glad that I did!! There were parts in the book where the author describes the various savory Afghan foods and it made me crave for some of its delicious goodness!
I came here this past Saturday night and I was immediately captivated by the dimly lit, romantic atmosphere of the restaurant. Although most of the tables were full, I only had to wait about 10 minutes to be seated.
We started the evening with the Garlic Naan, which was warm, toasty, and prepared with just the right amount of garlic. It was served with 3 different condiments - one really spicy red sauce, 1 mild green sauce, and 1 yogurty orange sauce. I applied each of them to the garlic naan pieces and it further added to the great overall taste of the naan.
I ordered the Lamb Kachaloo, chunks of tender lamb stewed with potatoes, simmered with jalapeno peppers and other spices, served with imported Basmati rice. I absolutely loved this dish! Every bite burst with delicious delight. The lamb was very tender, the sauce and spices mixed in very well with the lamb and the imported Basmati rice was cooked to perfection. This dish was simply amazing, and I'm still thinking about how good it was.
I also got to try some of the Chicken Sabzi, boneless chicken stewed with spinach, onion, cilantro and spices served with white Basmati rice. This entrée was pretty good, but the taste of cilantro was a bit overwhelming for me. I definitely liked my entrée better.
We also ordered Afghan Tea (Chai) pot which comes in a cute artistic tea pot and tiny clear glass for you to drink out of. I ordered this because of Laila and Miriam! I also tried some of the Mango Lassi. My date liked it, but I thought it was "a-ok." I'm not a huge fan of yogurty drinks, but if you like thick, yogurty, milky drinks, you might enjoy it.
The service was quick and friendly, and parking wasn't too hard to find around the corner. Overall, I had a wonderful experience and I finally learned how amazingly delicious Afghanistan food can be. Thank you Khaled Hosseini!
dfhdfhdjfhuehrou4ry8hjhjdhfjhTT78YUY87685675675^%^ &%!!!! That's basically what goes on inside my mouth when I eat at Khyber Pass. This place is phenomenal. I kind of don't want to write a high praising review because your standards are now going to be set very high, but I can't help it. Everything I've eaten here has been so damn delicious and flavorful. The first time I came here I was lucky because I was with my Montreal friend that wanted to share as much as I did.
We collectively ordered the chicken dahl, the banana squash dish with mint and yogurt sauce, and the appetizer platter that comes with a myriad of items including naan for dipping. Their yogurt sauce is best mixed with their amazing basmati rice. In fact, I just love mixing everything together here. This restaurant is really best for me when there's an exploding food orgy going on in my mouth.
I've gotta to say though, my hands down favorite is the Chalow Kadu (the banana squash that comes with basmati rice, mint, and yogurt sauce). It just melts in your mouth and is a balanced perfection of mixed flavors. Too bad this place is a little bit on the pricey side because I would probably dine here at least once a week.
This is one of my favorite restaurants with only one location (I think), to my chagrin. Afghan cuisine is reminiscent of Indian and Moroccan dishes, savory and comforting.
Some of my favorite dishes are:
1. Quabili Palow: lamb stew with rice topped with carrots and raisins. This is probably my favorite dish, savory, earthy, and sweet.
2. Mantu: this is a great appetizer but I often order it as the main entree.
Afghan dumpling with seasoned ground beef, topped with a yogurt/garlic sauce. Delicious!
3. Lamb Sabzi: lamb stewed with spinach, green onion, and cilantro with rice.
Hopefully they'll expand to other locations one day. But for now, this is a must-visit restaurant in SD.
I never had Afghan food, so I'd thought I'd check this place out. I went here for lunch with some friends and ordered the Chicken Dal, which went for about $15. The texture and spices were right on, so this was a good safe dish to start with if you've never had Afghan or Middle Eastern food. I'd come back to try their other dishes.
PRO: Something different, try this place at least once If your palate is tired of burger, Mexican, or Chinese food.
CON: Pricey for lunch; come here for dinner so you won't think the same. Parking can suck at Hillcrest sometime.
I find khyber pass a great mix of Afghan and Pakistani food. also, one of the few hillcrest spots that can feed a non meet eating non vegetarian.
good Indian beer. great lighting.
Yum Yum Yum! This place is delicous. I've only been twice, but both experiences were excellent.
The service was fantastic both times and the food created a lasting impression, sure to draw me back a third, fourth and fifth. We tried a few of the chicken dishes and an eggplant dish. All were delish. Also really like the appetizer dish involving leeks (can't remember the name). Definitely recommended!!
Dined here last Saturday with a group of friends and thoroughly enjoyed it. Nice atmosphere, great staff. We came in without a reservation and even though they were expecting a busy night, they still accommodated us.
The price is a bit steep, but I've never been to an inexpensive Afghan restaurant. Place gets four stars because I live closer to an Afghan restaurant that is better than this place (in taste and price).
The food was to be expected, which was great. We had lamb dal (good, but not great), I had lamb baunjaun (good, but not a favorite), yaghoot chalow (very tasty), and quabili palow (sorry, I didn't try it as I've had it before). Overall, everyone seemed to enjoy their food. I didn't try the mantu here, but the sambosa is great and I think their borani kadu (banana squash with yogurt sauce) was superb. Normally, I think Indian nan can't be beat, but the garlic nan here is something definitely worth trying.
Overall, highly recommended. If you do make it out here, I suggest you try their yaghoot and sweet and sour apricot dishes as these are items I haven't seen on offer at other places. Enjoy!
OK- the best Afghan food can only be found at one place- my mom's table! After trying about 10 different Afghan restaurants-throughout the US-
KhyberPass comes in the top 3. For SD- the #1 place I would take
friends, colleagues, dates to give them a flavorful taste of Afghan cuisine.
I absolutely love this place. I go here religiously every week and get the same thing and each time I'm amazed it can be as good as it is. The sambosas topped with that spicy orangish sauce ( whatever it is ) are phenomenal. The Khyber Pass platter ( monster combo plate ) is expensive at almost $30 but absolutely worth it. The chicken is incredibly tender and the lamb is delicious. Is it the most authentic Afghan food around? Definitely not and I couldn't care less. The owners will be the first to tell you they've changed things to make them a bit more approachable for American palates - in particular the use of sauces and flavors borrowed from Indian cuisine...I'm all for it.
I also love the people there. It feels like family when we go. From Ehsan and Mojdeh to the owners Zia and Angela, they always make us feel incredibly welcome and like part of the family.
Yes there are some things you should avoid such as the hummus and the naan. Steer clear of those and bring your own wine. Their wine leaves a lot to be desired. Corkage is only $15.
A lovely no-nonsense Afghan restaurant. I really like this place. The service was quick, the waiters friendly and there was that eerie "Afghan Girl" photograph (and its reflection) staring down at my food. The portions were moderate and I wished the vegetarian entree choices were more. It appeared as if some lamb butcher designed the menu. But whatever I did order was exquisite.
As usual, parking is a pain in the ass. Best solution is the parking garage nearby.
In a town where most attempts at ethnic food result in epic disaster on my palate, this restaurant is worthy of high praise. So, I want to be clear, right from the start. I am a fan of Khyber Pass. I've been there a dozen times or more and the food is consistently flavorful and the chef is an artisan.
First, if you're not familiar with Afghan food, tread lightly. I suggest you go with the Mantu, which are pasta shells filled with ground beef and drizzled in a garlicky yogurt sauce...out-freakin'-standing. Aushak is also one of my favorites if you go a second time and are looking to brnch out and live on the edge.
For entrees, the meat dishes with Dal (mashed lentils) are wonderful and very filling. The Khyber Pass Special Platter is a lot of food (pricey at $25) with lamb, chicken and beef kabobs along with Zamarod basmati rice cooked in spinach sauce, which flavors the rice masterfully, or you can ask for the Pallow rice, which is cooked with tomato and saffron...also delicious. If you like curries (and I do), they do a fine job here.
Knocks on this place: the wine list is not so much, go somewhere else for dessert, and..well, it's Hillcrest..so parking can be a nuisance.
Overall, this is a rare jewel in a relatively barren wasteland of ethnic food that is San Diego.
Booyah!
I am always up for new culinary adventures, and since I have never had Afghani food before, I was really excited about eating here.
The restaurant was really cute and the decor gave the place a cool "Middle Eastern" vibe. I ordered the bolani and the vegetarian sampler platter. The bolani was good, but the portion was tiny, so it was hard to share the plate with my table. The vegetarian sampler platter, with several kinds of basmati rice and curried vegetables, was arranged very artistically so the dish was beautiful, but again, the portions were really small; it was difficult to convince my dining companions to take a taste of that-awesome-curried-thing-over-there when they only gave me a few tablespoons worth of it on my plate!
Part of the fun of dining at an ethnic place is sharing the food with your friends, so that was a little disappointing.
Aghani food tasted like a cross between Indian and Mediterranean food, with a heavier Indian influence. However, with that said, it was VERY expensive for the gussied up Indian food that it tasted like... lunch for three was over $70! That really hurt my poor, starving college student budget. The food here was good, but with such outrageous prices, I don't think I will be coming back... cheap hole-in-the-wall Indian places would satisfy the same taste craving for a lot less.
This place was good...really good. To be honest, I have never had Afghani food before so I am not sure how authentic it was. I liked it, although it would be nice if it were a bit spicier (the waitress told us the food is much milder than Indian food so I guess that is how it is supposed to be?) The decor was awesome--this would easily be one of the nicest restaurants in Afghanistan if it were transported there. The service was also very good.
My only complaint is it felt a bit overpriced. A $50 bill for 2 people with one entree (both being some of the cheaper ones on the menu) and one beer each is a bit steep. Good food but I definitely cannot afford to come here too often.
I can't say enough great things about this place. The atmosphere, the food, the service--all excellent.
The only thing that keeps me from giving it 5 Stars is the price. It's extremely pricey for Middle Eastern food. The food is super good--lamb meat is excellent and tender. They way they prepare spinach and rice is also pretty damn good. I wouldn't hesitate to go back if it weren't too expensive. A dinner for to will run you nearly $100 with tip.
In reading the reviews, I'd say it might be hit or miss depending on your tastes, but from my perspective, the food is excellent, the elegant dining room is clean and convivial, and the wait staff is very prompt.
The food here is phenomenal! Known for their Afghani food, this place is not for everyone. However, if you enjoy Afghani food and Syrian bread or is open-minded, this is the place to try. Located in Hillcrest, this place is a rare gem with a beautiful ambiance inside. The service was great and the food was delicious, including the dessert.
We have eaten there 3 times already, dispite the distance from Encinitas. The food is that good! Athmosphere is excellent, service is prompt, all my guests have enjoyed the xperience.
The first time you I ate here, I was impressed. But then I started thinking that it wasn't really any better than an above-average take out place at twice the price. And there's something fishy about how fast the food comes out to you. Definitely good but maybe not worth the price.
I was visiting friends in San Diego and they took us to eat at Khyber Pass. I had never eaten Afghani food and I'm always ready to try new things. Boy was I glad I did!
I ordered the Surf and Turf Combination Platter and it was absolutely mouth watering!!! The filet mignon was so tender that it literally melted in my mouth. I'm not a big meat eater but this was phenomenal. And I love seafood so the jumbo shrimp was icing on the cake! It came with rice and i believe lentils. I went about two years ago and I'm still raving about it. I still can remember my meal and I want to go back. We went on a weeknight, so the restaurant was not too busy. The staff was very friendly and the service was great.
BTW - I live in the NYC area and I have yet to find a comparable restaurant!!
So if your palate is open to new adventures, I highly recommend you dive in to this restaurant. Yum. Yum.
We have eaten at Khyber Pass twice now and the food has been OK. The service and quality is great but the flavors are not as strong as I would like. They seem to dumb it down and not make the food as flavorful as I prefer. I have been told many times by my cab drivers to go to the kabob restaurant up in Sorento Valley for authentic middle eastern food.
not a big fan but my other half likes it and hes insists we continue going so its ok.
personally its the textures and mixture of too many separate flavors slopped on a plate.
but like i said he likes it.
Enjoyed my experience there. The people are friendly, the food was great, the wine list was decent.
If you've never had Afghan food then I guess the best way to describe their food is a mix of Persian and Indian type dishes. There's curry and kabobs. We had a sampler type dish with Lamb, Chicken, and Beef kabob meat with rice, spinach and potatoes and a vegetarian plate which was a sampler of all their vegetable dishes. I especially liked the Banana Squash.
It was a bit on the pricey side as it turned out to be about $35 bucks per head with appetizer and one drink.
Good stuff though, I'll be back.
I ended up back at this restaurant with a group of friends for a birthday a few months ago . . . waaay over priced!
Many years ago I thought Khyber Pass was a good value. Their chefs were from Afghanistan and other places around the Middle East. You could taste history and passion in every dish. Today, nope. Who are those guys in the kitchen?
The kabobs are okay but not the best and they cost too much $$$! The lamb was a little on the gamy side. I didn't recall it tasting like this and costing sooo much. This place is no longer a good value because other restaurants are producing better mantu for less mulah!
I love restaurants that are still owned and operated by families raised on the food being served. In these wonderful and truly ethnic restaurants I can usually smell and taste the difference.
Now I remember the reason why I stopped going to Khyber Pass! It's called Pamir, in Poway. It's worth the drive because a talented Afghan chef is cooking up food that's far more delicious for about half the price!
I tried their Apricot lamb, it was good.
Overpriced- maybe because it is Hillcrest ?
Will not go back though
Fantastic kebabs and curries. A reasonably-priced and well put selection of wines. The meals are large enough for two or definitely for leftovers to take home. Skip the appetizers and salads, most entrees come with a side salad already. Go straight for the main entree of chicken/lamb/beef kebabs or chicken curry, and order a couple of sides to go with it (like eggplant or rice with berries/veggies).
This place is not cheap (around $ 40-50 for two people, depending on how much wine you order) because it is in Hillcrest and also because the next great kebab place is 30-40 miles away. If you split an entree and a side with someone, and don't order wine, you'll have plenty of food to share for under $ 35.
For all the kebab addicts, like myself, this the only nearby place to get the fix. Love it!
I LOVE Middle Eastern food...lamb in particular. I ordered the Lamb Daal, and I gotta say...not that impressed. The flavor was good, but definitely could've been better. The meat was cooked perfectly though, so that was a big plus, because there are a lot of ways to screw up a lamb dish.
We also ordered the appetizer combo, and it didn't knock my socks off either. The hummus and babaghanoush were both fantastic - but the other stuff, not so amazing.
All in all, the food was high quality - I just felt like I could've gotten a little more bang for my buck.
Definitely worth a try. Flavorful food and great service.
Gotta agree with Jessie M. Although the decor in the restaurant is very nice, the food was very blah. We ordered the hummus and it was nothing to write home about. I had the chicken kabob and again very ordinary and to top it all off the naan bread resembled more like saltine crackers. Dinner for three which included an appetizer which we shared, main course and three of their mango smoothie-like drinks was $160.00 with tip. I'm pretty sure there are better options in and around the Hillcrest area.
If you want damn good Afghan food for a great price, try Kabul Market on Convoy. They offer awesome lunch specials! They have a couple of tables where you can dine in but its pretty warm in there, i think take out is your best option.
The restaurant is beautiful. Very intimate. The food is superb. Very enjoyable, I highly recommend it!
"I waited to eat till you arrived" my sister smirked as I pulled up to the hotel in a taxi.
And so we did it right. We caught Afghanistan Khyber Pass before they were about to close. The space is beautiful. Big poignant works hung against the backdrop of teracotta colored walls and lit by chic sophisticated lighting; that subtly affirms that the food isn't going to be cheap; but you hope it'll be worth it.
And the dishes are. For the portions and quality of food, they are actually very reasonable.
I ordered the veggie combo dish. It was a mixture of a sweet potato recipe, herbed rice, a spinach dish and some other beautifully made vegetarian options. I took the food warrior stance. Eyes wide, and mouth postioned strategically right above my plate, for smooth scoop and chew action, only pausing for momentary breaths of air and water breaks. I can't even remember everything that sat upon my big plate for literally five seconds,but my stomach is gurgling in delight, as I write this review: remembering their unique tastes.
Service was a little spotty, since they were rushing around cleaning up the place for the night; but the owner (I assume) was very friendly and apologized for the slightly rushed meal. We left with glazed happy expressions on our exhausted faces and were both really pleased with our first experience with Afghan cuisine.
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