Celebrating FINE Afghan cuisine in Baltimore SINCE 1989.
806 North Charles Street | Baltimore, MD 21201
Tuesday - Saturday: 5:00pm - 10:00pm
Sunday: 4:00pm - 9:00pm
ABOUT THE HELMAND
Specializing in Afghan cuisine.
Enriching the city of Baltimore with a dining experience brimming with history, culture, and exotic spices SINCE 1989.
The Helmand has helped introduce and popularize Afghan Cuisine in America over the last 40 years. The Helmand was named after the owner's first born son, as well as in honor of the famed Helmand River that runs through the predominantly dry country of Afghanistan, bringing vitality and nourishment to it's people. Much like this river, The Helmand of Baltimore provides their guests with enjoyment in the form of exquisite food prepared with care and dedication.
The perfect balance of delicate and bold flavors.
Afghan cuisine is deeply shaped by its central location on the ancient Silk Road, blending culinary traditions from Persia, India, and Central Asia/Mongolia into a unique balance of sweet and savory flavors.
The Helmand offers an extensive full course menu of lamb, seafood, beef and chicken dishes as well as eggplant, spinach and other fresh vegetable options. With appetizers like the Kaddo Borawni (tenderly baked and pan fried baby pumpkin seasoned with sugar and served atop a yogurt garlic sauce), and entrees of char-broiled lamb tenderloin, marinated and served with pallow (rice that is boiled, seasoned with oils and spices prior to baking) - the quality and the delicacy of preparation extends to every selection on the menu.
THE MENU
In addition to our onsite fine dining we offer individual carryout or delivery thru our Toast platform. We have a full service bar providing a fine selection of wines, local and imported brews as well as enticing cocktails!
APPETIZERS 8.95
KADDO BORWANI Pan–fried and baked baby pumpkin seasoned with sugar and served on yogurt garlic sauce.
AUSHAK Afghan ravioli filled with leeks, served on yogurt–mint and topped with ground beef sauce. (Vegetarian Aushak available)
MANTWO Pastry shells filled w/onions and beef, served on yogurt, topped w/carrots, yellow split peas, beef sauce (vegetarian available)
BOWLAWNI Pan-fried twin pastry shells filled with leeks and spiced potatoes, garnished with yogurt and mint.
BANJAN BORWANI Pan-fried eggplant seasoned with fresh tomatoes spice baked and served on yogurt garlic sauce.
BANJAN LAGHATAK Stewed eggplant with fresh garlic, tomatoes and peppers served with yogurt.
SOUPS 8.95
VEGETARIAN AUSH Noodles, fresh beans and vegetables served with yogurt-mint sauce.*
MASHAWA Lamb, mung beans, chickpeas, black-eyed peas and yogurt soup. *
SHORWA Lamb, vegetables, and beans
*yogurt may be requested to put on side or no yogurt
SALADS 8.95
SALATA Afghan styles mixed greens and tomatoes tossed in pomegranate dressing or in red onion vinaigrette.
SHORNAKHOD Potatoes, chickpeas and spring onion salad served with cilantro vinaigrette dressing.
CHOPPED SALAD Finely chopped tomatoes, cucumber, onions and cilantro.
Note: Our house made cilantro sauce contains nuts.**
ENTRÉES
KABULI Basmati rice (Pallow), baked with chunks of lamb tenderloin, topped w/raisins and glazed julienne of carrots. $24.95
DWOPIAZA Seasoned tenderloin of lamb cooked with onions, sautéed with yellow split peas and tossed with onions lightly marinated in vinegar. Served with pallow. $25.95
CHICKEN KABULI Basmati Rice(pallow) baked with chunks of boneless chicken, topped w/raisins and glazed julienne of carrots. $21.95
AUSHAK Afghan ravioli filled with leeks, served on yogurt and topped with ground beef and mint. Served with pallow. $20.95
MANTWO Home-made pastry- shell filled with onions and beef, served on yogurt and topped with carrots, yellow split peas and beef sauce. Served with pallow. $21.95
SABZY CHALLOW Spinach sautéed with chunks of beef and Afghan seasonings. Served with challow. $21.95
CHICKEN KABOB Grilled marinated boneless chicken. Served with pallow and marinated vegetables. $21.95
MOURGH CHALLOW Sautéed chicken in yellow split peas and fresh tomatoes, served with challow and spinach. $21.95
SEEKH LAMB KABOB Marinated lamb tenderloin, char-broiled, served w/grilled vegetables, turnips and pallow. $26.95
KOUFTA CHALLOW Beef meatballs seasoned with sun dried baby grapes, paprika, turmeric in hot green pepper, green peas and fresh tomato sauce. Served with challow. $21.95
MIXED GRILLED CHICKEN & LAMB KABOB Marinated grilled vegetables. Served with pallow. $25.95
VEGETARIAN ENTRÉES 21.95
CAULIFLOWER & CHICK PEAS Fresh cauliflower slow cooked with chickpeas, coriander, turmeric and spicy tomato sauce. Served with challow rice and spinach.
VEGETARIAN MANTWO Vegetable and onion stuffed pastry shells steamed and served on yogurt and topped with yellow split pea and carrot sauce. Served with pallow.
VEGETARIAN KORMA Assorted vegetables simmered
with sun-dried grapes, herbs, and Afghan seasonings.
Served with spinach and challow.
VEGETARIAN DOLMA Baby eggplant filled with spinach, simmered in sun-dried tomato and herb sauce.
Served with challow.
VEGETARIAN AUSHAK Afghan ravioli filled with leeks, served on minted yogurt and topped with yellow split peas
and carrot sauce. Served with pallow.
MUSHROOM LAWAND Whole mushrooms sautéed with spices, fresh tomatoes, corn and green pea sauce, topped with yogurt. Served with spinach and challow.
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VEGETARIAN PLATTER Sampler of various vegetable dishes cooked with our special spices and herbs. Served with challow. $23.95
SPECIALS
ZARDALU CHALLOW Tender chunks of lamb simmered with sun dried apricot, prunes, fresh tomatoes, garlic, turmeric and fresh chili peppers. Served with sweet and spicy turnips and challow. $26.95
SHALGHAM CHALLOW Sweet and spicy slow cooked tender chunks of lamb and fresh turnips in a fresh ginger sauce. Served with sabzy (spinach) and challow. $22.95
GORWAN SALAD Organic field greens, grilled red bliss potato, corn on the cob and cucumber tossed w/parmesan peppercorn dressing, topped with:
Grilled Chicken $23.95 or Marinated Beef tenderloin, $26.95
CHOPENDEZ Tenderloin of beef marinated in fresh garlic and Afghan seasonings, char-grilled. Served with grilled vegetables and pallow. $29.95
LAMB LAWAND Boneless lamb slow cooked with fresh tomato, mushrooms, and herb seasonings; garnished with yogurt. Served with sabzy (spinach) and challow. $24.95
LAMB SHANK slow cooked Halal shank, prepared in tomato herb sauce. Served with Kabuli style rice. $24.95
ZAMARUD CHALLOW (Emerald Rice) Basmati rice cooked w/spinach, served w/Lamb and chopped salad $23.95
LAMB LOIN CHOP Marinated and grilled lamb chop. Served with lamb sauce, Afghan chopped salad and pallow. $26.95
FRESH PAN POACHED SALMON Seared and finished with green peas, corn and served with spinach and challow rice. $24.95
CHICKEN LAWAND Boneless chicken, slow cooked with fresh tomato, mushrooms, and herb seasonings; garnished with yogurt. Served with sabzy (spinach) and challow. $21.95
CHOPAN (RACK OF LAMB) Three lamb chops, marinated in yogurt with Afghan seasonings. Served with rice and chef’s salad. $29.95
SIDE DISHES $8.95
Bendi (Okra) | Sabzy (Spinach) | Shagham (Turnips) | Kaddo Borawni | Banjan Laghatak | Mushrooms
BASKET OF FRESH BAKED NAAN (Bread) Large $6.50 / Small $3.50
DESSERT
BAKLAVA house made with phyllo, walnuts, honey, sugar, pistachio $5.95
CHEESECAKE house made with goat cheese & almond graham cracker crust $9.00
FERENY cardamom flavored eggless pudding with sprinkled pistachio $6.95
HAZELNUT CHOCOLATE CAKE chocolate mousse and cake layers $9.00
AFGHAN STYLE ICE-CREAM cardamom infused vanilla ice cream w/ dates, mango & figs $7.95
JALA ICE CREAM cardamom infused ice cream w/rose syrup, Asian noodles & almonds $7.95
BEVERAGES
FULL BAR available, including a wide selection of specialty cocktails, beer and wine.
CATERING
Planning a special event or office luncheon?
Look no further! We've got you covered.
Here at the Helmand we offer full service onsite catering, for both small and large parties alike. We can also provide suggestions concerning the menu and type of service to suit your needs, and for large parties on the premises we offer our special "family style" menu. This gives you and your guests the opportunity to sample just about the entire menu!
OUR OTHER RESTAURANT
What do our restaurants have in common?
They advocate freshness, quality ingredients, and great service. If you like us here at The Helmand, we encourage you to try tapas teatro.
The Helmand offers an extensive full course menu of lamb, seafood, beef and chicken dishes as well as eggplant, spinach and other fresh vegetable options. With appetizers like the Kaddo Borawni (tenderly baked and pan fried baby pumpkin seasoned with sugar and served atop a yogurt garlic sauce), and entrees of char-broiled lamb tenderloin, marinated and served with pallow (rice that is boiled, seasoned with oils and spices prior to baking) - the quality and the delicacy of preparation extends to every selection on the menu.
Located directly next to the Baltimore's famous Charles Theatre, Tapas Teatro offers a unique small - plate dining experience. Here you can catch a movie, grab dinner (first come, first serve), and try the house made sangria that has everyone coming back for more!
www.tapasteatro.com
OUR LOCATION
Right on Baltimore's most popular street, The Helmand is within walking distance of many popular attractions such as The Lyric Opera House, The Walters Art Museum, Center Stage, The Peabody Conservatory, and the historic Washington Monument.
Approximately 8 blocks north of the Inner Harbor, there's plenty of opportunities for shopping and sightseeing in the area. Parking is available in the lot directly next door, and metered on-street parking is also an option. And for those wishing to travel by foot, Penn Station is only 7 blocks north up Charles Street.
806 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 20201
Tuesday - Saturday: 5:00pm - 10:00pm
Sunday: 4:00pm - 9:00pm