Everything was so yummy, especially the kaddo--pumpkin with yogurt and meat sauce. Service was friendly and ambience was nice.
(5)
Ashley J.
After not being able to get a reservation at another restaurant we decided to look up a type of cuisine we had not experienced yet and try something new. I had heard the rumors of how hard it is to get into Helmand so when I spotted this restaurant I was excited. When I called the host was very gracious and was able to get us a reservation on short notice. It is not a large restaurant but the tables are not so close together that it is intrusive. The restaurant was full so I was happy we had called ahead. They didn't have the Mantu appetizer which was disappointing but they recommended the Bowlawni which I found to be just ok. Two deep friend pastries, one filled with a potato mixture, the other with leeks. The potato one was good, the leeks was off putting. We also tried the Kaddo which was perfect. I highly recommend this dish. The sweetness of the pumpkin against the tang of the yogurt sauce and the earthiness of the tomato meat sauce is unique and heavenly. My fiance got the Chapendaz beef tenderloin entree with spinach rice, lentils and veggies which he thought was amazing. I got the Chopan rack of lamb. The lamb itself was flavorful, tender and cooked perfectly however the rest of the dish of stewed eggplant and rice was uninspired and bland. I think from the quality and the rest of our items I may have picked one of the not so special items on the menu. The bottle of rioja we enjoyed was also delicious and nicely priced. Overall I see this restaurant being a part of our list of go to places.
(4)
Kavitha M.
Better than Helmand- I can't believe this place was near empty when I went there this past Saturday night. The food however was delicious. The dipping sauces- mint chutney's cousin, the surprisingly sweet red chili sauce and the yogurt sauce are the perfect accompaniment to the thick soft bread. The star of the meal was the aushak appetizer. So much flavor and deliciousness in these small raviolis topped with beef. We ordered the dopiaza (with its delicious vinegar split peas and rice) and the tikka kabob, and the laghatac ( eggplant with onions, peppers and garlic which was SOO good). The meat was a bit chewy but tasty nonetheless. For dessert- the baklava was really delicious. A great meal for a good price. However, do not order a carafe of the house cab sauv- truly horrible (but this of course was partially our mistake for choosing this option).
(4)
Hussam B.
This place is a duplicate of the original restaurant in Cambridge (The Helmand). Their best dish by far is the lamd Gabili which they are famous for. Their prices are about 20% cheaper than the original restaurant which is great.
(3)
Karen B.
We had SUCH a great dinner last night at Ariana! The service was absolutely fantastic, I haven't had such a great waiter since my visit to a 5-star restaurant in Napa. Our waiter gave us perfect recommendations. We ordered a bottle of a Spanish red wine that was very tasty (and decently priced!) For appetizers we had the scallion filled ravioli and the pumpkin dish, so delicious! The meat sauce perfectly cut the sweetness of the pumpkin. For an entree we shared the quabili dish which is rice with lamb, raisins, and glazed carrots. Amazing! The lamb was so tender and it was the perfect combination of sweet and savory. I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Snuffles B.
This place is cozy (feels strangely like a Tuscan place, with non-Tuscan music and wall decor). Service is excellent. We've eaten: - Bread - Warm, crisp w/ soft chewy edges, great w/ sauces or butter. - Aushak - Ravioli w/ leeks & scallions - Love this, so flavorful. - Mantu - Beef in pastry - Very tasty, suprisingly light. - Mourg Challow - Sauteed chicken & challow rice - great sauce, reminded me of a mix of Indian and Persian flavors but w/o the heaviness of the cream, this led to massive rice consumption. - Chopan - Lamb + bed of eggplant. Let me preface by saying that I HATE lamb, I keep trying bites of it from friend's orders over and over again at great restaurants and never tolerate it. This time, I took a bite of a friend's and DEAR lord it was delicious, perfectly cooked, not at all gamey, so flavorful. and the eggplant was done well too. The Pallow rice is deliciously cinnamony. - Vegetarian special - You can get the parts of these as appetizers, this is more of a sampler plate: Baked pumpkin - SO GOOD - sweet but so creamy, light. Eggplant, Okra and Spinach - all tasty but nothing to write home about. - Chapendaz - the meat was tender but I thought it was tenderized too much, it was a bit beat up, flavor was decent. However, loved the buttery lentils, spinach rice, and the cumin seeds were a new delicious experience, sort of like a cross between barley and israeli couscous. -Shreerek - Homemade ice cream and pistachio & cardamom - SO GOOD. The ice cream tasted just like when I had it as a kid out of an old fashioned ice cream maker and the flavors went perfectly with it. I like carbs, Ariana does carbs well, therefore, I like Ariana. Even though I've yet to go to the Helmand, my friends have been and felt that Ariana was just as good, whats more, its saves us all a huge schlep. I will be back for more carbs.
(4)
Karen G.
Comparable to the Helmand by Cambridgeside Galleria. The pumpkin dish was awesome! Great ambiance but parking in the area was horrendous.
(4)
Leili T.
Everything lamb is very delicious. And it's great quality with a reasonable price.
(4)
Deb O.
Just plain delicious Afghan food, reasonable prices, great service. Can't ask for more. The mantoo were exquisite; we also had sabzi chalow (lamb with spinach and rice), bamia (okra) and eggplant. All so good we practically licked our plates. For dessert, we had a lovely rice pudding. Perfect. We would happily return anytime.
(5)
Julie C.
I don't like pumpkins. I really don't like pumpkins in food form. Gourds are not food....but....I LOVE kaddo! Never before has a restaurant convinced me that pumpkin is, in fact, food! I come here almost on a weekly basis and every single dish is amazing. Afghani food is a definite switch up, mixing sweet and savory quite well, introducing new flavors while still being quite familiar. The prices are very reasonable, and much better than Helmand in Cambridge. Parking can be a bit of a pain, but once you find it it's well worth it!
(5)
Sergio V.
This is one of my favorite fairly cheap, fairly upscale places in town. Not pretentious yet elegant, the food is very flavorful and the atmosphere just quiet enough. The pumpkin appetizer is to die for, the house wine pretty good (for a house wine) and the main dishes are complemented by hearty, delicious sides.
(5)
Jen R.
We stumbled upon this restaurant last night and were intrigued by the menu. It wasn't very crowded, although this was probably because the restaurant only opened 3 weeks ago, so it felt like it hadn't quite been "discovered" yet. This was my first time trying Afghan food and I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised! There were 6 of us dining so we really got to try out the menu. One of our appetizers was Kaddo- baked pumpkin topped w/ yogurt & ground beef sauce- and it was amazing! I think everyone's favorite at the table. The menu was heavy on dishes made with lamb, although they also had chicken, beef, fish and vegetarian options as well. I opted for a vegetarian entree- the Special- which consisted of delicious roasted egg plant with yogurt mint sauce, sugared pumpkin (again- a treat), okra stewed in a tomato-based sauce (I've rarely ever eaten okra but this was fantastic), sauteed spinach, and Pallow- a delicious long-grained rice flavored with cinnamon, cumin and some other spices. I'm forgetting all of the names of the dishes, but others in my group tried the Rack of Lamb, a dish that consisted of ground lamb wrapped in pastry with lentil sauce on top, a lamb stew on challow with mushrooms on the side, ground beef meatballs in a spiced tomato sauce with rice, and vegetarian ravioli stuffed with leeks and onions in a spiced sauce. All of us enjoyed our dishes and shared between plates- always a good sign. My only criticism is that they didn't have any authentic Afghan non-alcoholic beverages, and what they did have to offer (soft drinks and juice) was not on the menu. I found myself craving a yogurt-based drink while I was there and wishing that they served something similar to a lassi. They did, however, have a pretty nice wine menu, from which we ordered a bottle of Prosecco. For dessert, they had a variety of options from Pudeen- a creme caramel custard, to Baklawa- a variant of the standard greek pastry Baklava, to a rice pudding with cardamom and pistachios on top- like a slightly thickened version of Kheer that you would find at an Indian restaurant. For beverages, they offered coffee, green tea with mint, and turkish coffee, which they happened to be out of that night. All in all, this place was very good and very reasonably priced. From what I remember, appetizers ranged from $5-$8, and Entrees were from $10-$18, most of which were in the $10-$13 range. The meals felt relatively healthy and yet very flavorful and could be considered a type of comfort food that you end up craving-I would certainly recommend it to anyone looking to try something new.
(4)
Luis M.
I have never had Afghanistan food. It was very good. The place was also formal in appearance, yet casual enough to be comfortable.
(5)
Tom N.
I have to concur with other reviewers that this is the best new restaurant to hit Boston in recent memory. I went with the highly recommended Qabili and was not disappointed (it was awesome)! The bread and sauce offerings are delightful; the service is impeccable and attentive, and $23.00 for a bottle of Murphy-Goode chardonnay is not a big markup on a liquor store purchase price. According to my daughter, the vegetarian offerings are second to none. We'll be returning soon for sure--outstanding food and service at an extremely reasonable price!
(5)
D P.
Awesome food, ambience is nice and service is fantastic. Highly recommend ordering "Banjan" -Egglplant cooked in tomatos and topped with yogurt sauce as an appetizer or side. Their flat bread is fantastic which they serve with three dipping sauce. Ordered Chicken cooked with lentils and spices and not only taste was really good, meat was tender and showed well marination. Afghan food is very close to indian food so you will find the same spices around, except on a milder side. Didn't care for Okra dish with Tomatoes. In general, whole expereince was so nice that I had to try their 'home made ice-cream' with Cardamom and Pistachhio. It was really good too. Definately going back :).
(4)
Linda C.
This restaurant has such good food I want to try everything on the menu. We shared two entrees on the specials menu and everything was so delicious. The pumpkin with a yogurt sauce, the eggplant, the tomato side, the two rices, and trout were gobbled up. Shared a dessert of creamy pudding with fresh fruit which was refreshing and yummy. I wish more people would go to this restaurant -- would hate to see it go out of business.
(5)
Jessica B.
Amazing! One of the places in Boston. Get the pumpkin. Great option for vegetarians and husbo said his lamb was amazing too.
(5)
Barbara L.
We hadn't planned on going to Ariana last Saturday evening, but looking through their windows and inhaling the wonderful aromas wafting out while waiting to get into another restaurant next door led us to pop inside & see if they could take our party of 4. The hostess was more than gracious, and, although we did not have reservations, she put together a table for us and we were on our way to discover a new, fabulous cuisine. Succulent lamb, delicious pilaf, perfect spicing. We''ll be back. This is a must try restaurant. Thank you for a perfect setting and fabulous meal on a cold, rainy June evening.
(5)
Jenna F.
Just found this place walking by. It happened to share names with my good friend. The service rocks. The food is amazing. Get the special. Totally tickled w my whole experience. Def coming back. Yum.
(5)
Crystal L.
Amazing food and service. Affordable. Fun neighborhood. A nice change from the usual Indian or Thai places that are always plentiful. We really enjoyed our dinner and wine.
(5)
Steven G.
Fantastic place. I went last night and had the Qabili and it was fantastic. Very fall tasting dish which I thought was coincidental because it was the first night of the year that was jacket-worthy. The lamb was the most perfectly cooked lamb I have ever had in my life and the raisins and lightly cooked carrots on top were extremely complimentary. The ravioli stuffed with leeks and scallions was superb, but I couldn't help feeling it was a bit westernized. The service was friendly, but a little slow at times. I will definitely go back and I would definitely recommend it to anyone and everyone. Do yourself a favor and pay them a visit.
(4)
Shirley G.
Adorable, quiet, excellent service, and delicious food. Don't bother with the one across the river..... This is really excellent quality Afghani food. Don't remember my exact dishes, but between my date and I, we had about 4 different dishes and all of them were incredible.
(5)
Yuri V.
Food was individually prepared by chef. The flavors were superb. Only downfall, the portions are small and the prices are a bit high. Highly recommend it.
(4)
Gray K.
Another great find off of yelp! I had Afghan before, but never at a place with so many vegetarian options. Sure, there aren't dozens of them, but there are more than enough choices for pretty regular visits. Everything was excellent, with really nice blends of flavors that I wasn't sure could be pulled off. The service tended towards over-attentive: it felt at times like the waitress was trying far too hard for no apparent reason. She kept trying to take the check before we had paid it, for example, though it wasn't like the place was packed (on a Sunday night) and they needed the table. But still, it was good that she refilled water regularly and all. Oh, and the prices were reasonable. Definitely a place I'd revisit.
(4)
Lindsey K.
A first-time experience with Afghan food for me...and it was a knock-out. The decor was very nice and showed good taste, one of the more charming places in Allston, definitely not a student dive and very appropriate for a date. The food was absolutely wonderful, somewhat similar in appearance to Indian food, but not oily or heavy, and the spices were different and more delicate-flavored. Two of us had Kaddo, Mantu, Dopiaza (lamb), and Mourgh Challow (chicken), and we were full! We were so surprised by the delicate but flavorful food, and the pumpkin was amazingly good. And musn't forget to mention that the wine list was good; we had a carafe of the house red. Also had the homemade vanilla ice cream drizzled with delicious pomegranate sauce. Service by the one waitress, assisted sometimes by the cook himself (who was interesting to chat with) was fine, friendly and prompt enough. Total bill was a bit over $62 for two, and well worth it for such a fine evening with a cuisine that's none too common. Ariana is a gem among all the various other ethnic restaurants in Allston. Can't wait to come back to try the rest of the menu.
I have to split my review into two parts: Service: 1 star. Food: 5 stars. Average 3 stars. Minus 1 star because I hate BAD SERVICE. Summary: The WORST SERVICE I have had a restaurant in Boston coupled with the BEST FOOD. What a shame! The story: We went on Saturday night and the restaurant was full. That being said I fail to understand how 3 waiters serving about 20 tables can act so unprofessionally. When we arrived at the restaurant the host was not at the entry podium. No less than 8 times did different waiters walk pass us without making eye contact or simply saying hello before someone acknowledged us five minutes later. When we were eventually seated, we waited a while for the waiter to take our order. In the meantime an older couple (I am a young professional) was seated AFTER US no more than 4 feet from our table. The waiter proceeded to take their order FIRST and give them bread first. Last time I checked restaurants are supposed to serve people in the order they come. I hate disrespectful ageism. My tip and my money is just as good as anyone else's. The waiters also clearly did not know the number of each table. The kitchen ran out of the meat-filled appetizers, and they decided to use a new bus boy on one of the busiest nights, who proceeded to break plates. That being said, the food was most likely the best I have ever eaten in a restaurant in Boston. The lamb was delicious. I have lived in France, which is full of middle eastern food, and Ariana is the best food in that genre I have tasted to date. The conclusion: Worth going but be ready for pain in the butt service!
(2)
Eric H.
I came here on a whim after another area restaurant was closed. I've always been a fan of kabobs and the menu looked pretty tasty, so I decided to give it a shot. Simply put, this place is excellent, especially for the price. The bread was delicious, with very tasty sauces and good flavor, but this was merely a warm up for my very tender and juicy chicken kabobs. The food was prepaired with the care and expertise I'd expect from a place charging a couple bucks more for each dish. A friend of mine had the beef kabobs, and after trying a bite I'd have to say the meat was more tender and juicy than you'd find at a number of steakhouses. Decor is sparse, but pleasant, with good atmospheric background music. The staff was very kind and attentive. The place seems very new (and currently has only a few, recent reviews), as another reviewer said, it would be a shame to see this place go out of buisness.
(5)
Cynthia H.
Hubby and I came here for the first time for our anniversary. It was totally empty, which I thought was strange for a weeknight, especially for the neighborhood. I prefer really quiet dining, though, so this is a plus for me. The decor is beautiful and understated, and the waitstaff was super nice and accommodating. I don't remember the names of the foods we ordered, but we loved everything. There was a potato soup that was delicious, lamb and chicken dishes, and Turkish coffee. I was really impressed with all of it. If you want a quiet, romantic, yummy meal for a special occasion, this is a perfect place.
(5)
James L.
I just now had dinner at Ariana in Allston, and I had a chat with the manager, Najib. Regarding the food: It was EXCELLENT. I had the challow moorgh(?). Basically, it was 3 filets of chicken with rice, smoked and seared vegatables, and they give Afghani bread. The food at Ariana was definitely better and more carefully prepared than the food at Helmands, which if I may recall, I rated as 3 or 4 stars. The chicken that I ordered today was seared to perfection, and the seasoning was perfectly balanced. It was definitely not spicy like Indian or SE Asian food. It was quite similar to Arabic foods in this regards, and even the way that we Americans broil our chicken. What made it Afghani was that I added some of the sauces to it. The complimentary bread given here is better than the complimentary bread given at Helmands. Here, it has a more naan-flavor to it and less of a pizza crust flavor to it. Finally, the owner allowed myself and a new friend of mine to stay there well past closing time. This was especially difficult given that it is Ramadan time, and Mr. Najib has to be awake early in the morning. He was extremely hospitable, and we shared laughs and interesting stories about his Afghanistan. We talked about his people's code of honor called Pashtunwali, and their exceptional treatment of guests. The Pashtuns, which Mr. Najib is a member of, are reknowned warriors, but also as the world's best hosts, and their loyalty and self-determination is so much that there is a quote from the book The Kiterunner: "A Pashtun is so independent that you can't force him into heaven, and he's so loyal, that he would follow his friend to hell." To paraphrase this quote: Ariana Restaurant is like heaven, and to drive past it hungry is like a hell.
(5)
Ashley R.
Came here after reading all the rave reviews. Gotta agree with most people on this one. Ariana was fantastic! Started off with the kaddo and muntu. The kaddo was good, but a little sweet for my tastes but I really loved the muntu. I got the meatball entree while my bf got the rice with lamb. Both were delicious. Kinda wish there had been more meatballs in my entree but still good nonetheless. Also the bread served with the meal was very tasty. I'm giving it four stars because it's new and have yet to make sure it's consistent. But so far, sooo good!
(4)
Bindiya T.
Very good food. Everything from their appetizers, bread, dips and entrees was excellent. Great place for vegetarians too, many options. My favorite was the noodle soup, their bread with 3 dipping sauces and aromatic fluffy rice. Must try!
(4)
Ed R.
An absolutely fanastic place to eat. It has replaced Dawat and done it well. The inside decor is nearly identical to the old restaurant, and the food is absolutely amazing. Our group of 4 entered ready to experiment with cuisine we had never tried before, and we were not disappointed. We started with 2 appetizers: a soft pumpkin dish covered in wonderfully seasoned beef, and a ravioli-like dish. Both were served in a tasty yogurt sauce, and we finished every bite before soaking up the remaining sauce with the complimentary fresh naan bread. We each ordered different entrees, and while I don't recall each dish, there were some highlights. I ordered the vegetarian special, and it came as a sort-of platter of small servings of vegetable preparations including cooked down spinach, soft eggplant, okra, and once again, amazing pumpkin. In the center was a sizeable serving of seasoned rice that was unexpectedly soft and quite delicious when mixed with the sauces from all the other food. The rest of the entrees were served with lamb in one form or another, and we all reached a consensus that the meat was well-prepared, well-seasoned, and just plain delicious. And the best was yet to come. We split two deserts, rice pudding and the baklava. While the pudding was delicious, the baklava was unbelievable. Seriously though. The baklava was absolutely fantastic. In short, the food was wonderful. Our service was very attentive and nice, and all of us will be recommending this place to our friends for weeks to come.
(5)
Sheila M.
Not sure what the fuss is about, this is just 3 stars for me. The Kaddo app is indeed tasty - an unexpectedly sweet and savory combo of pumpkin, ground beef and yogurt. I could've eaten this app myself w/out sharing and I wished there was more of it. The meatballs were pretty good. My grilled beef entree was good but not exceptionally so, it tasted simply as if you got a good shishkebab at a street vendor that got taken off the skewer and placed on a plate with some rice. The portion was not overly generous and the half hearted effort at presentation (an accompanying limp leaf of iceberg lettuce with a small mound of bland lentil mush atop it) struck me as comical. The service and ambiance were nice, especially for Allston. It's worth a try, for something different, i.e. Afghan food, which I'd never tried before. I'd go back and try some different offerings here, just out of curiosity.
(3)
Rachel C.
We had a delicious meal here last night. The service is very attentive and the food was great. For appetizers, we had the Bowlawni and the Kaddo which were both great. The Kaddo's combo of sweet pumpkin, yogurt and meat sauce were surprisingly delicious. For entrees we had the Trout special - wonderful, the Dipiaza - outstanding and the Sabzi Challow - really good. The different rices that came with the entrees were delicious and different enough from each other that we all tried each others and each of us had a different favorite. The carafe of house Cabernet was relatively dry and very good. They must have changed it in the time since a previous reviewer thought it was too sweet. The side order of okra was fine, but not special. For dessert - the baklava is the clear winner - so good! Overall, we had a terrific experience here and will definitely be back.
(5)
Jo B.
I wanted to give Ariana 5 stars because I had a truly wonderful meal there, but it fell a little short in a few areas. Let me break it down for you. 1. The Food: The most amazing thing we had was the appetizer. If you go to Ariana you must try the Kaddo, it's baby pumpkin with garlic yogurt sauce and a meat sauce. It reminds me of the episode of friends when Rachel tries to make an English Trifle for dessert, but since the cookbook pages were stuck together, she ends up making half an English Trifle/half Shepherd's pie. The only person who liked it was Joey and he says "What's not to like? Custard, good. Jam, good. Meat, good!" No custard or jam in the kaddo, but you get the idea, definitely get the kaddo, it's divine. The entrees were good as well, just not spectacular. I tried the Qabili which was 90% rice with some lamb, raisins and carrots. The lamb was succulent, but there just wasn't much of it. Also had the Dopiaza, which was good, but I think the lamb was marinated in vinegar a bit too long because the vinegar really overpowered the flavor of everything. 2. The Atmosphere: One of the reviewers mentioned that it was romantic, but be forewarned, it is not romantic whatsoever. Unless of course you consider sitting less than a foot away from 2 other tables whilst getting a headache from the loud people talking right next to you, romantic. Also, the lighting is pretty bright and there are no candles or flowers, etc. Not that these things are necessary to enjoy a good meal, but just wanted to note that in case you were looking for some place romantic to dine. This place is better for a first date or for meeting up with friends. 3. The Price: This is where Ariana truly shines. We ordered a wonderful bottle of Chardonnay for $24, and it was the most expensive bottle on the menu. The appetizers were approx. $6, and the average entree price was $14. Our entire meal with wine was $62. 4. The Parking: We went on a Saturday night at 8pm and the parking situation was quite challenging. It's very difficult to find a spot on the main street and the side streets are all "Residential Parking Only". Also, there were no parking lots/garages nearby. So definitely take public transportation or plan to walk about a mile (we found that there were many more parking spots about a mile up the road toward BU)
I've lived near Brighton Ave for three years, and I love the international cuisines this street offers. Ariana is a wonderful addition. My roommate and I went in the other night, and we got our money's worth. The food was delicious. My chickens was so tender I didn't need a knife. The food was bursting with flavors. I left full, with plenty of leftovers, but the food was so light I couldn't wait to have my second helping! I would recommend this restaurant to anyone. Ariana is a gem!
(5)
Momo K.
not sure what the rave is all about, seriously.... i went with my bf today expecting really good food since it's got a five star review. we got there, it was busy and we waited half an hour for a table, not bad. then when we were seated, we waited 10 mintues before any waiter came up to us just to give us the menu. the other tables had to wait as long too. we ordered the lamb rack and some other beef dish recommended by the waiter started with "T". after we ordered, the flat bread and the sauce came out. i don't know what is so good about either the bread or the sauce, the bread is the regular cheap bread you can get with an order of soup at any food court. the sauce was a little bit more speacial because it was sauce and they were as exciting as it got. i thought it would be good, i tasted all the sauces, none of the sauces was good. the white sauce was blend. the red sauce was suppose to be spicy but it was sweet. and the green sauce tasted the best among the three but it wasn't good. we ate the whole bread basket not because it was good, but that's what we usually do b/c we don't like to waste food. then our food came, i thought our food would never come b/c the table next to ours, their food took 45 minutes and they had to remind their waiter that they were waiting. so was the other neighboring tables, their food got forgotten too...oopsy.... about our food, wow disappointment big time. while some of the vegetables were good some i just couldn't even put in my mouth. there was a piece of vege that tasted like someone spilled gasoline on it, took one bit and couldn't eat it anymore. the other edible pieces were greasy but at least edible. as for the meat, that was a big disappointment too. the beef was too salty and the lamb oh mine, so bad!!!! i've have free lamb at splash, this one, i had to pay and it tasted like someone burnt it w/ gasoline oil. some times i like some burnt parts on my meat but that piece of lamb had untasteful burnt parts and also tasted like someone poured gasoline on it, yuck!!!! at the end, after we finished, neither of us were satisfied or full!!! i mean, we had something from the bakery across the street from the place while we waited that half an hour for the table. we ate the flat bread and the entrees, we weren't full!!!! i've never had such an experiece before! we ended up going to the vietnamese noodle next door. we ordered an extra large noodle and avacado shake. we were much happier with the vietnaese place than ariana. we at least got full. to sum it up, we did not like what ariana has to offer, their food didn't taste good and wasn't filling at all. i mean, we had to go eat another meal to be borderline full? what a joke, we aren't even big eaters, i am only 105 pounds 5'2 and my bf 165 5'10. com'on.
(1)
Irena S.
this place is awesome!! i live just 2 blocks away and I had never been to this place until a friend visited me from Chicago and we were feeling adventurous and just stumbled upon this place. let me tell you: this place by far exceeded our expectations!! once we walked in we fell in love with the place . it was immaculately clean, beautifully decorated, with some light music on. everything about this place was just perfect. the excellent service, the wine selection, the atmosphere. But what was even more perfect was the food. every dish felt extremely unique, fresh and home made. it felt like all the ingredients were just perfectly combined to be devoured. Their specialty is lamb (my friend had Mantu which was delicious) but I loved the vegetarian option too (I had a vegetarian specialty dish). And what's more important - every single dish felt authentic!! All in all, this place was so good, I'm still under the impression from last night. Oh and did I mentioned we met the owner who turned out to be a very nice intelligent well- traveled man familiar with different cultures and passionate about the one of his home country. When we complimented the food, he modestly replied: "That's what we eat back home". Both my friend and I fell in love with this place, and we will definitely be back with more friends!!
(5)
Valerie B.
Being a big fan of The Hellmand in Cambridge, I was pretty excited to see that a new Afghan restaurant was opening a few doors down from my office...I was already dreaming of the Kaddo! I wasn't sure if it would measure up to the ever-busy Cambridge establishment, but, boy was I pleasantly surprised! I got the Qabili and it was almost as amazing at the Kaddo (my boyfriend and I almost ordered a second Kaddo). My boyfriend got the Chapendaz....it was not what he had expected, but still good, but he wished that he had gotten mine; the Qabili was off the chains! The diningroom is clean and renovated with fresh flowers on the tables. Our server was very nice and attentive. The prices were great and a little cheaper than The Hellmand, so I hope to just go to Ariana from now on. I am a tad worried that this place won't catch on and that it may not get enough business to stay open just due to your average Allstonian's unfamiliarity with Afghan cuisine, so I encourage everyone to go check it out; you will not be disappointed!
(5)
Adam B.
We went there with a group to celebrate a birthday. Decor is elegant. The food was very good, the menu was vegetarian-friendly. Bummers? The birthday boy was turning 34 and got carded (he didn't have ID on him). 34! Also, some of our orders got forgotten or mixed up. But we'll go back, with our IDs.
(4)
P. C.
I had read about Ariana on yelp, and was very interested to try something new. Keep in mind, I've never tried Afghan food, nor do I know anything about it-- that being said, the food was delicious. The menu isn't overly creative-- it's more run of the mill flavors executed perfectly. The Kaddo has been mentioned in dozens of reviews and for good reason-- it's a fantastic appetizer. It's pumpkin pan fried with a yogurt sauce, a meat sauce and topped with cinnamon. We also tried the Mantu, which are pastry shells stuffed beef and topped with a yogurt sauce and meat sauce. It looks similar to a dumpling or a rangoon you might find at a chinese restaurant, but thats about where the comparison ends-- the mix of cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg gives it a very unique and delicious flavor. For entrees we tried the Shish Kabob (charred pieces of lamb over rice with eggplant) and Sabzi Challow (sauteed spinach and lamb over challow rice and veggies)-- both were excellent. The menu includes a variety of dishes, and alternative vegetarian versions of them, so there should be something for every taste. If you enjoy lamb, this is a great place to go-- if you don't, try something vegetarian, since the menu is lamb heavy. The service and hours are good-- the only downside is parking. It's located on Brighton Ave, so there's only street parking. Keep in mind, the surrounding side streets are resident permit parking only, so you may have to get creative. On a Friday or Saturday night, this has the potential to be a problem, so plan accordingly. If you're looking for good Afghan food, or you just want to try something different, this is definitely worth checking out.
(4)
Deb c.
Ariana is a terrific Afghan restaurant and a great addition to Allston. Pumpkin appetizer (kadoo) was extremely flavorful. Naan with sauces was very tasty. All entrees we tried - lamb, beef and chicken, were great. Total cost for four was $98, which included appetizers and a few beers. Service was prompt and attentive. Highly recommended.
(5)
Richard L.
Ariana is a gem waiting to be discovered. We tried it based on the glowing Yelp reviews and were absolutely not disappointed. Since the restaurant is not yet busy, we had a chance to talk with one of the owners and learned that there is a lot more here than meets the eye. For example, they are careful in the selection of ingredients - they use more expensive lamb from the US, not that frozen and shipped from Australia, and the long grain rice is actually from Afghanistan, imported through Pakistan. They also do not compromise freshness for the sake of avoiding waste - though hopefully this tradeoff becomes less costly as their volume increases. And they are meticulous in the food preparation process. All this attention to detail was clearly reflected in the quality of the meals we enjoyed. Ariana is more than an ethic food experience, it is, at least for now, a genuine top tier restaurant.
(5)
Parker K.
We got seated promptly (we had a reservation but were late due to parking) and had a great experience overall. Great: -Atmosphere: very cute, romantic place -Service: Waiters/waitresses were friendly and helpful; food came out quickly -Food: you get (very) warm bread with 3 dipping sauces (excellent). We ordered Kaddo as an appetizer and Shish Kabob/Mantu for entrees. The Kaddo and Mantu were excellent. The Shish Kabob meat was seared too much (tasted way too burnt). -Price: very good, especially for what you get Not-so-great: -Parking: abysmal. Take public transportation at all costs. -Hours: they're only open for dinner (but they'll open for large groups, per their website).
(5)
Jo-Ellen D.
I've never had afghan food before so I guess I can't really compare it. BUT I can say it was out of this world delicious! Not to mention the great service. We had 2 young kids with us and they completely accommodated them and were beyond friendly. The food was just amazing and I hope I can go back before I move!!!
(5)
Elizabeth G.
The site of a great birthday dinner. I will probably offend someone actually from Afghanistan with my attempt to characterize Afghani food, but here goes. It reminded me of Indian food without the heat. Many of the dishes are served over rice spiced with cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cumin. There is also a hint of Middle Eastern food, with several kinds of kabobs on the menu, and also kofta. People in my group all enjoyed their food. The only "best thing I've ever tasted" standout was the kaddo: a hunk of pumpkin baked until it is soft and fluffy, with a sweet caramelized coating, served over garlic yogurt sauce. WOW. I will say that these were some of the smallest portions I've ever received for appetizers and entrees in Boston, at a not-low price. Not a huge issue for me since I don't always love boxing up half of my meal and taking it home, but I didn't feel like I was getting great value for my money. They have a decent list of bottled beers, and wine. It was easy to get a reservation for 8 people on a Saturday night. The service was excellent. This is one of those places where you feel that they really WANT you to like the food. Which is the way it should be everywhere, but I'm always surprised at how many restaurants have a "You don't like it? Then get the F out" attitude.
(4)
Carla S.
Went on Sunday evening the food was fantastic. I had the chop an. The rack of lamb was cooked to perfection. The service was pleasant except they are understaffed.
(5)
Kerri Y.
If anything I am writing up this place for the great service and the wonderful waitresses; they were so sweet! They took our coats at the door and sat us in a nice seat by the window, recommended food and wine- which were all fantastic and arrived fairly quick We were there a bit after they closed (10pm on a Thursday), but we did not feel rushed at all. The food was really good. I had never had Afghani food before: it reminds me a bit of Indian food- lots of yummy spices. I was pleasantly surprised at the price: for an appetizer (Kaddo), 2 dishes, dessert (bucklawa ) AND a bottle of wine, it was $65! Super service. Tasty food. Great Atmosphere. Cheap bill?? I'm sold.
(4)
Steve F.
Since I like to try new food all the time, so one day I was talking down Brighton Ave on my way to Sunset, and I walked by this place. I've never had Afghan food before, so I thought it might be a good place to take my gf one night. Called up and made a reservation with ease. This place is great! Friendly servers, quick service, great wine selection, reasonably priced. The bread they bring out to you comes with three different types of dipping sauce, and can certainly suffice for an appetizer in itself. However, if you skip the appetizer in this place, you will do yourself a disservice, as they are absolutely delicious. I can't remember the names of the specific dishes, but we ordered the dumpling app and the ravioli app...both great!! The ravioli app was PHENOMINAL, and I wished I could make a whole meal out of it. The entree is equally as great, as you can't go wrong with any of the dishes. I had the chicken kebob and it was cooked perfectly and delicious. Great experience, will definitely be back!
(5)
Natalie E.
I've been to Ariana's on three separate occasions, and all three times, I've had wonderful service and food. Like other people mention, the kaddo appetizer is a must! For mains, I have always had the lamb but cooked in different ways, all of which are delicious. The combinations of herbs and spices are novel for me, which is one of the things I love most about this place- adventurous dining! The 1/2 carafes and full carafes of wine are great for sharing, and are fairly priced. I really enjoy sharing this place with others, and will continue bringing friends and family there when I get the chance!
(5)
Kelly A.
I had a real piece of crap day on Friday, and the mister and I were looking for a restaurant that 1) we wouldn't normally go to (we have a toddler, so we have a rotation of about three usual restaurants these days) and 2) had food that we wouldn't normally eat. A quick yelp search led me to Ariana, so Allston became our destination. It wasn't our first time getting Afghani food, but it had been so long since the last time that we didn't really remember what we were missing. Luckily Ariana offered us a clear reminder. We got there around 6:30, and there was only one other table occupied in the whole place. And then those people left, making it super awkward. I mean, I know 6:30 is kind of early and all, but really? We're the only ones there? I didn't have a huge appetite that night, so we decided to split the stuffed pastry app (one with leeks and scallions and one with spiced potatoes) and the vegetarian special entree. While they were preparing our food, we were given a lovely spread of flatbread with three delicious sauces. I also enjoyed a glass of red wine, which happened to be the first alcoholic beverage I've had in months, which is probably why it blew my mind. I doubt it was particularly good wine or anything, but it tasted pretty freaking awesome to me at the time. The little pastries arrived, and they were delicious. And then the entree came and it, too, was delicious. It had a little bit of everything - pumpkin, okra, rice, eggplant - and the flavors were bold and interesting. Service was ok. I just wish that there were more patrons there so it wasn't so awkwardly empty the whole time. We'll definitely return, though probably only on a date night, as I wouldn't feel comfortable bringing a kid there.
(4)
Roger W.
We had an outstanding first meal at Ariana last Friday. Everything from the bread and sauces at the beginning to the buklawa at the end was tasty and well prepared. Service was low key and unrushed, but all of our needs were met. The rack of lamb was just about perfect. We've eaten at Helmand many times, I'd have to say Ariana was a cut above. If not for the issue of finding a parking space anywhere nearby it would become a go to favorite.
(4)
Natanya A.
Delicious food. Their sauces are fantastic!
(5)
Kai A.
Delicious food--really subtle, lovely flavoring on everything we had. Highly recommended.
(5)
Bobby C.
I was looking for a place nearby the Agganis Arena for a quick dinner before an comedy event. We arrived around 6:15PM on a Saturday. The dining area was empty. Not a big deal since I read great reviews about Ariana. My date and I ordered the Shish Kabob (lamb) and Chapendaz (beef). My date was interested in trying both types of rice. Each dish came with a different one so it worked out well. Service was good. There were 2-3 servers. Our server explained to us the different sauces which was helpful. If you like to people watch, try to get a table next to the window. Try to avoid the table right before the booth (along the window). There isn't much space so your chairs will be bumping into the other table's chair. Overall, very affordable ethnic food with good atmosphere and service.
(4)
Jessica C.
I visited Boston for the first time because my cousin was graduating. She recommended this restaurant and took our entire family there. It's pretty close to BU's campus. None of us have tried Afghanistan cuisine before, but were all very excited! IT. WAS. SO. GOOD. It reminded me of middle eastern food since there was a lot of lamb. Their appetizers (baked sweet potato with ground beef and roasted eggplant) were really good, although the portions were small. The meal also came with these flat bread things where you could dip it in three different sauces (white, red, and green). I think my favorite one was the green one. The red one had a kick to it. The white one just tasted like yogurt. I got lamb with rice and roasted vegetables. It was really good and just the right amount of food. For dessert, we had bucklawa (baklava) and a rice pudding. Only downside - it was super toasty up in there. Too much heater up in there. There was only one waiter, so service can be slow when it's busy.
(4)
Mike M.
The food is DELICIOUS!!! If you like Middle-eastern cuisine, you will really enjoy the food here. We got the Mantu for appetizer which was pretty good. It's a "Homemade pastry shell filled with onions and beef, served on yogurt and topped with carrots, yellow split peas and beef sauce". The yogurt/beef sauce combo is pretty good! For Entrees I got the Kofta Challow, which was PHENOMENAL! My wife got the Chopan (Rack of Lamb), which was by far the best rack of lamb we've had! It was perfectly seasoned and juicy.
We had the lamb chops here. It was a little expensive but the lamb chops were cooked perfectly, and the rice and eggplant on the side were very well flavored.
(5)
Molly M.
Ambiance: nicely decorated, nice music playing, white table cloths, medium/dark lighting which I prefer. Service: very prompt, attentive and polite without being overbearing. My boyfriend and i came later on a Sunday night and were the only diners but did not feel rushed at all. FOOD: outstanding. I wanted to try a good sample of their offerings so we got all four of the vegetarian appetizers. Each were complex and flavorful. The pumpkin kaddo and the eggplant dish stood out. The bread and sauces they bring out in the beginning are delicious as well. I can't say enough positive things about the food. It was our first time here and we will definitely be returning. It seems like they would accommodate small/med groups or families well too so I would bring my parents and brothers when they visit. Good for vegetarian or meat eaters.
(5)
Emily L.
Excellent food. We had the Kaddo appetizer. Wow, it is heaven on a plate. First of all, I'm impressed that they offer it year round because pumpkins are definitely not in season during the summer. Second of all, the texture is spectacular. The pumpkin literally melts into your mouth. The dish has the right amount of sweetness to make you wanting more but it is not overpowering enough to make you feel like you're eating a candy bar. I ordered the tikka kabob. The beef was cooked to perfection and was incredibly juicy. The lentils and rice gave the entree more substance. My boyfriend had the Qabili and he really like the raisins with the rice. For dessert, we shared the bucklawa. It was a bit nutty and I would have liked it more if there was a little more of a pastry texture. The portion size was decent and it was definitely rich enough for the two of us to share and feel satisfied. The main reason why I gave this place four stars instead of five was because of the wine. We ordered two glasses of the house wine and when the waitress poured our glasses, it seemed like it was a decent amount. At the end of our meal, I looked over to our neighboring table and found that another waitress had poured fuller glasses for the other table. Furthermore, the table had larger wine glasses. As if fate wanted to give us an extra kick while we were down, we discovered that the wine was actually seven dollars instead of the menu listed price of six. In total, all these factors are quite small and could have been easily over looked. However if you're going to do wine by the glass, you should make it fair to all the customers and make sure that all the tables have the same glassware. Aside from the wine, the waitstaff was super friendly and accommodating. In total, we had about three people either taking our order, refilling out water glass, taking our plates, or serving us our food. Overall, I really enjoyed this restaurant and maybe next time, I'll just order a bottle of wine.
(4)
Harri S.
Sweet Jesus this food is delicious! I felt like total crap the entire time I was here, but the food was so good I was distracted from all my other woes. We ordered 2 apps and 2 entrees. Though we didn't get any, a bottle of wine was entirely reasonable at appox. $20. While we waited for our food our water glasses were always full, and we got complimentary flatbread with three sauces (Yogurt mint, cilantro walnut, Chilli oil) and a pat of butter (we didn't touch it, but the thought was nice). APPETIZERS: Mantu: Essentially a beef and veg ravioli with a meat sauce all sered over a garlic yogurt sauce. Wow! You get 2 sizable pouchettes for $6. Kaddo: For you fans of Indian food, think of gazhar (carrot) halva that is perfectly cooked and spiced. Put this over a garlic yogurt sauce dotted with oil, and add some ground meat sauce over the top. Perfection for $6 is not a bad deal folks. ENTREES: Kofta Challow: I love Challow rice. It's like Indian jeera rice, and for folks who still don't get it all this mumbo jumbo just means delicious. Dopiaza: My eyes rolled to the back of my head after I had a bite of this perfectly cooked lamb. It was served with lentils, flatbread and a mushroom/veg medley (off to the side for those of you who don't care for the fungus-among-us). Bill Came to $50 with tip. I was full, we took food home. TOTALLY WORTH IT! So good.
(5)
Idan H.
Magnificent! If you weigh in the price and the food, then this restaurant is really good.
(5)
Angel M.
Spices adrift, wafting through the entrance, as my friend and I were ravenously entering the curious new establishment of Brighton Avenue, after waiting for what seemed like eternity in a police station after a hit and run, we needed an escape of ecstasy, and we found it. Already we knew that on this particular past Saturday we were participating in a fantastic meal. The paper menus carefully laid out by our welcoming host and server had multiple dishes for vegetarians which for my friend was perfect. Her scallion and leek filled ravioli was delicately balanced with a yogurt of garlic and mint, topped with cracked pepper, tomatoes, yellow split peas, and carrot sauce, nicely heated and served beautifully. But first, I ask that you pay attention to their flatbread, or naan in Farsi, soft and warm, served with plenty of soft butter, and a display of three sauces to dip, a spicy, an herby, and a yogurty. Our appetizer, a side order of Banjan, was in due order. Delicious pan fried eggplant with select seasonings of spices and again, the curious yogurt made its way through to the dish. Though all the dishes were so so so good, I have to say my diamond was the Qabili, pallow rice baked with fall off the bone lamb chunks, topped with raisins and glazed carrots, sweet and savory made its way to this dish, every bite was dynamite, and I even managed to save some for my roomates to have a bite once I arrived home. I would like to say, for a Saturday, there was no wait, for only two waiters there was no wait, and because its around the corner from my house and reasonably priced, theres no reason to wait...to go back. Ariana, you are my friend, or at least this new girl that I visit for a couple of hours, have my way, leave some money, and go home satisfied, thansks so much!
(5)
Troy P.
The Kaddo appetizer alone was worth the whole night. A sweet pumpkin baked and sweetened and topped with yogurt sauce and then again with a meat sauce was so good even someone obsessed with all thing pumpkin was shocked how good this was. For dinner I ordered the leg of lamb and it was cooked perfectly with a great side with eggplant and onions and baby grapes. Dessert followed with Turkish coffee. I had the rice pudding which was good but the cardamom took it to great. A great meal and quick if quiet service. Reservations were not necessary in our case, but the space is small so later in the evening you are better safe than sorry.
(5)
Chrissy H.
YUM! That just about sums up my very first afghani dining experience. I'll admit, at first I was a little upset because our reserved table was not ready when we arrived, and I didn't like that there was no soap in the bathroom (thanks waterless antibacterial cleanser in my purse,) but the meal I had made up for it. We all started with the Kaddo, which was a scrumptious baked baby pumpkin in a ground beef sauce. Simple- yet delicious. For dinner, I had the Chapendaz, which was a juicy steak with grilled tomatoes and hot peppers that came served with spinach rice and lentils. All were fantastic. The portions were small in a way that leaves room for dessert without the diner feeling cheated. Speaking of dessert, we had the baklava and the feereny which was basically a rice pudding with some gorgeous fruit on top. My tummy is rumbling just thinking about it I'll be back, Ariana.
(4)
Deborah H.
Great place for groups assuming you make a reservation, otherwise be prepared to wait, at least on weekends. I ordered the sabzi challow (lamb with spinach over rice), which was incredible. I almost regret that I will probably never try anything else on they menu here because it was that delicious.
(5)
Charlotte H.
Ate there last night & it was amazing. Am so tired of current trend of very noisy restaurants where you can't hear your friends & can't enjoy food due to pounding bass music. Lovely tables with tablecloths! Friendly waitstaff who seem genuinely happy to help you with food choices! Diverse groups of diners having well-modulated conversations! Most importantly: divine food. My friend & I took the first bite of our appetizers & sighed, "Ahhhhhh. Heavenly." The food is beyond compare. Kaddo (pumpkin) and Banjan (eggplant) for starters--melt-in-your mouth subtle flavors with just a hint of sweet tang from the mint yogurt. I had the Qabili--lamb with rice, raisins, & carrots. Lamb was impeccably moist and flavorful. Rice & raisins make perfect complement. The rice pudding for dessert--out of this world. Not too sweet like usual rice puddings. This is more subtle & tastes like you could eat it forever. That was the general feeling about each dish I had: took one bite & thought, "Oh. I could eat this forever & be completely happy." Am planning to bring all out-of-town visitors here. Plus all friends who have exhausted super-trendy Boston fair. Plus generally anyone who wants to have dinner. And it's open until 11pm on some nights! A true rarity in Beantown. Side note: I can't eat Indian food anymore due to digestive revolt against spices & ghee. This food is perfect substitute--subtly spiced & not oily in the least.
(5)
Jacqueline S.
An unsuspecting restaurant right in the heart of Allston, Ariana is seriously a hidden gem. I'd been wanting to try this place for months and finally got the chance on a Tuesday night. The place was empty when we arrived (7pm) but we knew this was no indication of the culinary pleasures that awaited us. My friend had been here before and suggested the Kaddo appetizer. I had read the mixed reviews on this dish, as some said it was overly-sweet, but trust me, It's delicious! Not too sweet-- it's perfectly balanced by the well-seasoned beef and garlic yogurt sauce. I wanted to lick the plate. Overshare? Eh, whatev. So scrumptious. For my entree I chose the Korma Challow, and I definitely recommend it. The lamb was tender and juicy and surrounded by an amazing tomato-based sauce. The lentils were perfectly cooked and went well with the lamb. While the portions are on the smaller side, I was more than satisfied. My friend got the lamb Shish Kabob, which had a pronounced smokey flavor and the meat was slightly tougher. Still, quite delicious. We were too stuffed for dessert (amateurs, I know) but even with my food baby sitting heavy I wanted to try all of them. We plan on going back asap. Moderate prices, smaller portions, but major flavor and amazing service.
(5)
Blake G.
I've wanted to try this place for a while, but was disappointed when I finally did. My appetizer, bowlawni, two large vegetarian savory pies were good, but the vegetarian entry choices were very limited and none sounded interesting to me. The one I ordered, sabzi challow, was nothing like it sounded on the menu and was boring -- three little pies of sauteed veggies. Perhaps this place is good if you eat meat, but don't go here if you're vegetarian. Sure, there are a few vegetarian options, but they are unimaginative. If you want to eat Afghan food and don't eat meat, go to Helmand. They have a greater variety of choices and they are good. Addendum: For all those who insist the menus at Ariana and Helmand are the same, it is simply not true. I've eaten at both restaurants and been multiple times to Helmand. I've compared the menus. Helmand has more vegetarian options. What's more, the vegetarian dishes I've eaten at Helmand are tastier and more interesting.
(2)
Rosie Z.
Delicious food, great price and great ambience. The meat is cooked perfect and the spices they use complement each other so well
(4)
Sue L.
Just a little clarification: I've never had Afghani food. But if you like Middle Eastern food, you will LOVE this place. The food is very authentic and rustic. The flavors are intense and very delicious. Even at 11 o'clock at night this place is packed! I can't tell you exactly what I had, but I had their most popular lamb dish. Now, I LOVE lamb. They gave GREAT portions!! They did not skimp on the lamb. Also the very unique rice (I'm so sorry I can't give you a better description) they served with it was a perfect combination. It's not your typical rice. It is authentic food! We outright said that we'd never eaten Afghani food before and he just suggested the most popular dishes. I'm so glad that he did, it was SO good! I would love to go again but I don't live near Boston.
(5)
Connie S.
Afghan restaurant bringing much needed authentic ethnic food to Boston. All the dishes are beautifully presented, the meat is tender, the challow rice (seasoned with cumin seed and baked) deliciously fluffy. Even so, I wasn't completely satisfied... the sauces and curries weren't terribly flavorful, and portion sizes conservative. Maybe my expectations had just been inflated by all the buzz I had heard beforehand. Still, some solid bets: - Kaddo appetizer (baked baby pumpkin with garlic yogurt sauce and ground beef) - Dopiaza (marinated grilled leg of lamb with yellow split peas, onions, and mushrooms on rice) - Mourgh Challow (chicken breast, yellow split peas, in a yogurt-curry sauce on rice) Candle lighting makes for a somewhat fancier ambiance, but it's still a pretty bare-bones interior. Service wasn't terribly attentive, but we didn't have to wait. All in all, Ariana's is a decent destination if you're craving a different type of cuisine, but not quite the place it's hyped up to be.
(3)
Theodore Y.
The Kaddo (pan friend baby pumpkin) was amazing. The pumpkin was textured to dissolve, and its sweetness was not overpowering. Superb! The Banjan (eggplant) was passable but the Mantu (stuffed shells) packed a vegetable and beef combo that was tasteful yet light. We got a number of entrees but the Dopiaza had to take the prize. The lamb had all the "gamey" taste removed from it and it definitely his the pleasure spot. O, the bread with cilantro sauce? not too shabbby!
(5)
RM J.
Perhaps this was just an off night for them but this was a very average experience. Not close to a 5 star experience - rather bland (i had the "signature" mantu and rack of lamb dishes".
(3)
Lauren P.
This was my first time having Afghan food and a great place to start with! I went with a group and everything we got was delicious. Huge vegetarian options. I will be going back soon. Yum!
(5)
Greg Y.
Brought my parents here after a couple of great experiences after my initial review. I have to say, though, that this time around the meal simply did not live up to expectations. For one, the portions have shrunk by a noticeable amount. The Kaddo (one of the best item on the menu, and still delicious) looked almost 25% smaller than normal. My entree with lamb chunks had a mere 4-5 pieces - not to mention that they was almost no pink in the middle despite being "medium-rare"! Quite disappointed. I'll probably be back one last time in the future to see whether they pick up the slack.
(2)
Sarah C.
My husband and I went to Ariana last night to celebrate our wedding anniversary. We were seated right away by the window which was great for people watching. The waitstaff was extremely helpful and attentive. We decided on the Dopiaza and the special of the day, which was trout, rice with dates and walnuts, and eggplant. Delicious! It was all amazing. We also got some great flatbread with three different sauces. My favorite was the cilantro/hot pepper sauce while my husband was addicted to the yogurt walnut sauce. For dessert we shared some ice cream flavored with pistachio and cardamom and each had a turkish coffee. A great end to our meal! We'll definitely be coming back to Ariana.
(5)
C. R. M.
Just ate here, first time... excellent: the right balance between elegance (cloth napkins and tablecloths), comfort (warm atmosphere, good music), sumptuousness (very fine food), and value (these are not high prices for food of this quality). And what an excellent, moderately priced wine list. We cannot wait to go back.
(5)
Kate S.
First time having afghan food, it was wonderful! Highly recommend the eggplant appetizer.
(4)
Hanieh M.
I like this place, however it is a little pricey for me but the food was great and the manager was such a great guy
(4)
Adam A.
What I like about Allston is that you can be heading to chow down on one thing, and suddenly BAM, you notice something else, and instead of spicy kidneys and soup dumplings, now you're eating kaddo and pallau! The atmosphere in Ariana is pleasant- clearly a lot of care has gone into making it sort of dimly lit and fancy-esque, in a conventional but nice enough way (colored walls, banquette on one side, fairly large number of compactly arranged tables with white tablecloths and flowers) They were clearly pushing wine and beer, which struck me as a little jarring with Afghani food, but I admittedly have rather limited experience with Afghani restaurants (mostly limited to no frills mom'n'pop take-out/styrofoam-plate type places) Since we hadn't come prepared for an all out feast, we sampled just a few things: Bowlawni (a lot like chinese leek pockets, though one was potato), a special combination of kaddo (pumpkin) + banjan (eggplant), and the kofta (meatballs) in sweet tomato sauce. While we were waiting for food to arrive, we got a basket of the really excellent fresh bread. The bowlawni was also tasty- not the most uniquely afghani food, probably (i.e., it's not so different from fried filled pastries the world over), but well made, and great with the various sauces that had been put in front of us (one with red peppers, one with jalapeno, and one raita/yogurt one). The kofta was also good, with decent quality meat and a somewhat sweet tomato sauce. The winner, though, was the kaddo, which was sweet but not cloying, in a way that the tomato sauce and yogurt cuts through perfectly. I'm not usually a big fan of sweet dishes, but I've come to like this version (also like Helmand's, I think) in which the pumpkin is sweetened rather than the sauce, since the sauce provides a nice savory counterpoint rather than covering the pumpkin in sweetness. We also somehow managed to find room for dessert, and tried their homemade ice cream. It was dense and sweet, and covered in a token amount of pistachio powder with a sauce that had a hint of rose. All in all, this is a great addition to the neighborhood- I agree that it's fantastic to be able to get in without waiting, but I hope for their sake that it becomes more crowded fast!
(4)
Chris H.
Got the vegetarian special, and it was really good. I like Helmand better, but Helmand is more expensive, so it evens out in my mind.
(4)
J F.
Great restaurant. Appetizers in the beginning are quite balanced and palatable. The restaurant theme and music certainly works with the food. Every dish I've gotten has been well balanced and has made me quite satiated and satisfied except for one which was filled with beef and vinegar.
(3)
Rohan D.
In a neighborhood packed with eateries and coffee shops, it's nice to come across a restaurant that serves food representing a region/culture only few people have been exposed to. With a small handful of afghan restaurants in the Boston area, I was interested to check out Ariana to see if it was better than the other average ones that have been around for a while, and im glad I came! The food was flavorful, cooked to perfection and the staff were extremely friendly. What more could you ask from a restaurant experience? Afghan food has a strong similarity to Indian and Middle eastern food, but with a strong passion for lamb dishes. You will not go wrong with ordering one of the lamb kabobs off of their menu. Go for it! Highly recommended.
(4)
Kelly B.
Ordered kaddo, sabzi challow, and a ravioli thing. All of the food was stellar. The presentation was meticulous but not grandiose (spoons parallel, vegetable garnish symmetrical). We also had some lovely cardamum tea. Even the house bread was fresh and delicious, and the cilantro sauce was incredible. Another plus was the waitress, who was enchantingly sweet and very prompt and helpful.
(5)
Matthew W.
Don't know how I managed to not review this place after I went there. Or after I went there a second time. Or after I went there a third time... in the same week. I am rarely one for extreme adjectives. Believe me when I say that the most accurate phrase I can use to describe the experience of eating at Ariana is "flavor orgasm." Were it not for the sheer brilliance that is Fish Market Sushi Bar, Ariana would easily be my favorite restaurant in Allston. Sorry, Kelly's... bronze medal?
(5)
Joanna E.
This place has great Afghani food. Though I liked The Helmand by the CambridgeSide Galleria more, this place was less expensive and more casual in comparison. It's a good in between for not super fancy, but definitely nice enough to bring a date.
Ariana was delightful! The restaurant itself has a peaceful, soothing atmosphere with dim lighting. This spot is perfect for a comfortable evening with a good friend while chowing down. Between the two of us, we ordered 2 appetizers and 2 entrees, leaving us with way more than necessary since they serve complimentary warm naan and a trifecta of sauces as well! This was my first encounter with 'kaddo' which is (sweetened maybe?) pumpkin carved out and served with yogurt sauce. The sweet, savory, tangy combination was rather unlikely but worked really well together. I have a feeling that unlikely combinations of flavors is what Afghani food is all about. Our other appetizer was a roasted eggplant served with a red sauce which I also loved but then again I can't remember a time when I disliked anything involving eggplant so I may be biased here. My entree was the lamb Dopiaza which was mostly good but the gravy was a little too tangy/tart for my liking (maybe too much lime?) Although it didn't come close to ruining my meal, the waitress never asked me how I wanted my meat cooked and it was a little underdone for me. What I did love about the dish was the way the lamb lentil curry was served on top of a naan that soaked up the curry flavors to make it soft and mushy. Also the rice was cooked to al dente perfection. Although we didn't get to it - the dessert menu looked promising replete with baklava, rice pudding and ice creams. I recommend!
(4)
Leilani H.
YUM!!! Sometimes it takes a lot to mobilize my partner and I to get outside of Boston proper /Cambridge (Central Sq) but oh-my-goodness-this-is-worth-it. Arrived at about 6:30 on a Saturday eve and the two of us were seated right away. Looks like seating for 2 is easy, larger parties may want to get a resi. Loving Helmund, we were excited to try Ariana and boy did it not disappoint! Two entrees, an appetizer, salad and a carafe of wine came out to less than $50. Amazing. And our waiter was fantastic to boot. Totally worth the trip out of downtown. Can't wait to do it again!
(5)
Laura Y.
This was the first restaurant I went to when I was in Boston and boy did it set the bar high! We were about to go into another place that was more popular, since there were more people, but we decided not to crowd and just stuck with Ariana, which was the more exotic and ethnic cuisine. This was my first time trying Afghan food, and it definitely made me want to go back again. First off, they served pita-ish bread with three different sauces. I liked the green one a lot since it wasn't as spicy as the red one and not too sweet like the yogurt. However, eating the yogurt sauce after eating the red sauce quells the spiciness so there's a magical combo right there. Appetizer: ORDER THE KADDO. It's a sweet pumpkin dish with yogurt sauce on the bottom and ground meat sauce on the top. I don't know who or how they thought of this, but the combination was heavenly! I seriously want some right now. Actually, when we were at the restaurant, we actually ended up using most of the bread for the kaddo sauce than the actual sauces they gave us. It was yummy and just mindblowingly amazing. I ordered the chopan which was grilled lamb with eggplant and pallow rice. The rice was drier than I would like it to be, but mixed with the sauce with the eggplant, it tasted better. The lamb was great; it was juicy and seasoned well. No complaints there. My friend got the trout, which is just fried fish. I tasted some of it but I liked mine better. The food was so good that I didn't really care about how the service was. I'm sure it was decent, though, since there really weren't any major complaints. i left full and happy and in a good mood, which is what every restaurant should aim for.
(5)
Danie R.
Ariana is REALLY good. We just went for some of the vegetarian entrees, as I ate some edamame raviolis like 4 hours earlier, but just have an entree was the perfect size. They don't overload your plate with American sized portions, which sometimes I love because who doesn't want leftovers?) but it's not ever necessary. Peter got the vegetarian special and I got the aushak. The special is basically a great vegetable sampling that comes with some of the best rice I've ever tasted.. although kinda oily.. but that's probably what makes it good, right? My favorite of the veggies was the pumpkin. Whatever sort of sauce is on it rules. The aushak were these wonderful raviolis (guess I was on a rav kick that day, huh?) filled with scallions and leeks and an interesting and tasty sauce. Also they give you a bunch of bread and sauces for free to snack on! Booze notes: Their beer selection sucks.. You gotta get the Anchor Steam. It's their only decent beer. Their house white wine tastes like paint thinner.
(4)
Ben L.
My girlfriend and I went here for a later dinner, around 8pm on Sunday. When we walked in the first comment we got from a server rushing past us was "Can you just wait a few minutes?" She didn't even wait for an answer as she ran to give a check to a table. It was clear they were severely understaffed, she was the only server visible and no host or manager. There were several tables open, including a nice one by the window we would have really liked, alas only few of them were cleared (in fact, that specific table would remain uncleared till about halfway through our own meal.) We were seated after about 10 minutes of being ignored, and even then we did not receive any welcomes, water, or anything. We had to wait over 15 minutes for our order to be taken and to receive any water. After we were served our meal the only time our server appeared was to ask if we were finished with our meal. The service was just horrible. I understand that the server was busy, but I believe that this shows an serious managing fault. The food was delicious, but the entire evening was marred by some of the most horrible service I've ever received, hence the 3 stars. I'd consider going back, but if I walk in and see that the situation has not changed I would just turn around and leave.
(3)
Tharathorn R.
Excellent food and turkish coffee (not on the menu)!
(5)
Jin Z.
I was organizing a dinner get together for a few friends last week and wanted to find something in the Brighton Area. This is my first time trying afgan cuisine and I have to say that I'll be back for more. We were a party of 5 and we got 2 apps to share, the pumpkin one and ground beef wrapped in pasta. As everyone else have already said, the pumpkin dish is amazing, I really love the sauce. The other app that we ordered was also fantastic. For our main dishes, our group ordered lamb and chicken. I got the lamb dish with spinach and the lamb was so tender. Service was really great, they took our coats when we first arrived, and was very attentive the entire evening. Will definitely be back!
(5)
Mel C.
First time having Afghan cuisine. The Dopiaza was really delicious!
(5)
KW L.
Maybe I'm just not getting it...the food here was alright but I just don't get what all the hype is about. The service was ok as we were seated right away and the waitress came around on occasion to check up on us. They bring out flatbread with three different sauces, which were good. Our group had the Trout, Kofta Challow, Chapendaz, and the Banjan&Kaddo Challow. Everyone thought was food was good, but not great. In fact, I thought the Chapendaz was somewhat bland which is not necessarily what I expect from Afghani food. Overall it was ok, but I'm not sure I would choose to dine here again. I feel like I can get Afghani food that tastes similar if not better for much cheaper elsewhere, just without the classier atmosphere.
(3)
Tessa C.
So delicious! The service was good, it is a very nice atmosphere and the prices are reasonable. If you're looking for an exciting change of place this is a great choice!
(5)
Lauren L.
After braving Boston public transportation (and surviving!) we made it to Ariana. What a great find! (Thanks yelp!) The area has pretty good people watching, and the food is amazing. Can't really ask for more. Definitely recommend stepping out of your comfort zone if you're unsure of trying Afghan food. The wait staff is helpful, and it's an experience well worth your time.
(5)
Amanda L.
I heard that Ariana was owned by the same people as the Helmand but was cheaper. You mean I don't have to trek to Kendall Sq for delicious Afghani food? SCORE! This place was absolutely lovely. It's a little on the small side, but they do pack a lot of tables. Service is also pleasant, if a little slow towards the end. Food came out lightening fast. Joe and I decided to get the Aushak with meat. It's basically ravioli filled with leeks and scallions, served on a garlic and mint yogurt sauce, topped with ground beef and mint. Perfect portions. I was pleasantly full without feeling sick. The flavors were tremendous and I really enjoyed the yogurt sauce and the ground beef. The rest of the menu sounded fabulous, and if we hadn't decided to check out the new frozen yogurt place instead, I would have definitely gotten dessert. We went with 2 friends and their plates looks awesome as well. Can't wait to come back!
(5)
Andrew J.
Truly a wonderful restaurant. Well priced, service was polite and friendly, the place was clean with linen tablecloths and fine dining utensils. However, even with the beautiful atmosphere, the prices are modest and you walk away feeling even better about the experience. Definitely recommend the baked pumpkin dish available as an appetizer--its a joyride for your tastebuds.
(4)
Allison J.
My boyfriend and I stopped in on a snowy Sunday night. We took yelpers' advice and started with the kaddo (spicy roasted pumpkin, on a yogurt sauce, with ground beef sauce), and then we also got the aush soup (the bf called it an afghani version of chicken noodle soup). Both were warm, spicy and delicious. They also brought naan with 3 dipping sauces. (yogurt, jalepeno & cilantro, and a hot pepper relish). For entrees, he got the Kofta Challow (meatballs with a tomato, pepper and peas sauce). He ended up mixing it all together with the rice, and the few bites I stole were pretty good. I got Shish Kabob (char-broiled leg of lamb, served with grilled peppers and onions, and roasted eggplant). The lamb was really great, just like I remember from cook-outs at my Lebanese Grandma's house. I didn't really like the sides, I ended up eating the lamb with naan and yogurt sauce and it was delicious. The service was great, very attentive and our food all came out fairly quickly. The atmosphere was nice as well, very cozy. I'm a fan!
(4)
Frenchie ..
This restaurant is absolutely perfet: terrific food, nice service, good and relaxing music... A must place to go to!
(5)
Eve S.
This place was delicious! Everything I tasted was phenomenal. Having never had Afghani food, I was impressed all-around. The pumpkin was especially, er, special. Do try!
(5)
Michelle D.
This is hands down my new favorite restaurant. My boyfriend and I were talking about going for a little while, and finally we did.. we wonder why we didn't go sooner! The pricing is reasonable. The flavors are out of this world! The most ridiculous thing is that the ingredient combinations seem to be totally bizarre.. pumpkin with garlic yogurt and mint and beef topping..?! This seemed SO peculiar to me, but after having the leek raviolis earlier in the week which were pretty excellent, I tried this and it was even more flavorful... as I like to say, "it's like an orgasm in your mouth!" (I hope the owners don't mind my saying..!) But seriously, it's a nice, little romantic restaurant with fresh flowers on the table, friendly waitstaff who are eager to tell you about the food (the waitress on our first night was all about us trying "the special"!). It is the first restaurant I've been to in a while where I feel that all of the items are the menu are interesting, nutritious, and delicious. I can't wait to try as many items on the menu as I can get to, it was just that good! Also to mention, they have both small and full sized portions of most of the menu items, but you get a relatively generous portion either way, it just depends on how hungry you are. The naan-like bread with three sauces before also come with the meal and compliment it well.
(5)
Hrishikesh H.
Simple and delicious food. Entree portion size may seem a little smaller. But the complementary bread they give you makes up for it. Try the bread with any of the soups they have to offer.
(5)
Edwin C.
Not going to lie, I was a bit hesitant to try Afghan food, but somehow the gf and I found ourselves here. Started off with a couple of fried pastry things that looked like Jamaican beef patties, only one was filled with scallions and the other with curry potatoes or something like that. Also ordered the Kaddo (pumkin with ground beef and yogurt sauce), a baked piece of pumpkin (way too sweet, but balanced by the beef). It was a good try, but don't think I'd order it again. For entrees the gf ordered the Mourgh Challow, which was sort of like a chicken curry dish, which was surprisingly good with the rice. I messed up and ordered the Dopiaza, which was lamb marinated in vinegar (the overpowering sourness really ruined the dish, probably why you can't taste the gamy lamb). I however still finished my dish, but went next door to Blue Asia and ordered something else to really hit the spot. Portions are on the smaller side, service is good, and definitely worth the try. I'd come again.
I can see why this place has good reviews. At first when we went in there was no one there to serve us, but we were willing to wait for a nice sit down experience away from all the Brighton ave bars. The server apologized and was very nice and professional. When the food comes, at first we worried that the meals were small and that although they'd be delicious would not fill us up. We were wrong. Each of us were so happy with our dishes. I usually can pin point what spices are used to produce the flavors of sauces, but could not at all at this place. They were the right combination of tasting the ingredients as well as the flavors placed on them. We were all so full and satisfied after our meals and wished we had room to embrace the dessert menu. I don't know when we would go back because it is definitely more fancy and expensive than the typical restaurant for college students. The crowd is also a little older than other restaurants in the area. I could see this being a great place to impress a date.
(5)
Christian P.
It was my first time having Afghan food and Ariana made it the best experience possible. I didn't know what to order so I asked the waiter which dishes would he recommend. I had 2 appetizers and 2 entrees that I shared with my bro, and everything was delicious, especially the KADDO... it tasted like a perfect blend of pumpkin jam with meat sauce and yogurt... you gotta try it! The service is also top notch and the atmosphere is great. It only opened 4 months ago but I'm sure it' will make its way to a famous successful trendy restaurant
(5)
Ash T.
Decent place to go to... once in a while. PROS: Better than Helmand, the other Afghani restaurant. The Banjan eggplant appetizer was decent. The grilled chicken kabob and the lentil soup were great. CONS: The lamb did need some more cooking. This place is pricey...Afghans are generous with their serving of bread, maybe not in Boston. Was expecting a lot of distinct flavor owing to the fact that Afghan cuisine includes mint, saffron, coriander, cilantro, cardamom, and black pepper as their main herbs and spices. There is enough room in Boston for another, hopefully more authentic Afghani restaurant. I was more pleased by Azama grill right around the corner.
(3)
Melissa M.
I came to Boston on business and had Ariana picked out ahead of time. We went straight from the airport, arriving at 9:30 pm. They gave us no problems about coming in late, near closing time, and the staff was kind and attentive. I am SO glad we went! The food was really outstanding. We tried the pumpkin and ravioli appetizers. Like everyone else has said, try the pumpkin!! It was so delicious. I am not even sure how it is cooked. It was soft but not mushy, and slightly sweetened. Maybe braised in a sweet broth, and then a touch of yogurt and ground beef on top. I wasn't sure about the combo beforehand, but it really was delicious. My colleagues and I had a veggie dish, lamb korma, and a soup, and we all loved every bite. We also had rice pudding and creme caramel, and they were tasty. The portions are perfect. You can have an appetizer and entree and not be ready to explode. Prices were very reasonable. Food lives up to the 4.5 stars Ariana has. Service was good. Portions were dead on. What's not to love?! I'm sure I'll be heading back next time I visit!
(5)
Jen J.
This restaurant is much more upscale than most of the restaurants in Allston except Carlo's, which is next door. We had a bit of sticker shock when the bill was $50 for an appetizer, two entrees, and two desserts. But once we considered, the food was clearly more intensively prepared and presented than at, say, Thai Place. I wasn't wowed by my vegetarian meal, which was pumpkin; it was okay but not outstanding. My husband raved about the beef tenderloin. Desserts were amazing. Service was perfect, attentive without being pushy.
(4)
Catherine S.
My boyfriend and I are nerds and we rate the top meals we've had at the end of the year. The pumpkin caddo at this place got #1. I kid you not. Though it's just an appetizer, we were absolutely obsessed: pumpkin with meat and yogurt sauce, something we never would have tried if it wasn't for a couple sitting next to us who recommended it. I had some sort of chicken for the meal, which was just as divine, so I highly recommend stopping by here for a tasty, exotic culinary experience!
(5)
Gregg Y.
What a treat to have another great Afghan restaurant in the Boston area! And one you can get into without planning ahead. Absolutely everything was wonderful. A basket of fresh flatbread starts the meal, accompanied by a trio of sauces that burst with flavor: a green mint-based sauce, a red chili sauce, and a yogurt sauce. Last night I sampled kadoo (baked pumpkin in a yogurt sauce, and an optional ground-meat sauce), qabili (baked lamb under a mound of delicate rice topped with raisins and glazed carrots), and kourma challow (a melange of vegetables served with rice). For dessert, rice pudding and bucklawa (like Greek baklava but with a more complex list of ingredients including multiple kinds of nuts and spices). It was all completely excellent and possibly the best Afghan food I've had. Qabili may be my all-time favorite Afghan dish, and Ariana knocks it out of the park, with flavorful, lean, fork-tender lamb and perfect rice. The one very minor disappointment was the the rice pudding was somewhat firmer than I prefer. Service is excellent. There are a lot of great choices for vegetarians, and many of the appetizers and entrees come in both veg and non-veg versions. The server was careful to make sure he knew which version you were ordering. Atmosphere is more elegant than you'd expect in Allston, but don't let the white table cloths scare you away. It is a nice touch, and they don't jack up the prices for the extra bit of class. If you haven't had Afghan food, this is the place to try. It's fairly new and undiscovered, so now's the time to get in before the crowds.
(5)
Robert W.
Great food, good service, great value. I would go back in a heartbeat.
(5)
Zizzles A.
If there ever is a time where a shameless carbon copy is a good thing, it's when one of the most unique restaurants in Boston, The Helmand, is what's being copied. Most of the food is exactly the same, as is the dinnerware, the dress of the servers, even the paper menus. The decor is much blander, which may be a good thing if you don't like the weird kitchy living room theme of The Helmand. The most important and notable difference: I can get a walk in table on a Saturday night. The complementary bread is more like Naan than the Focaccia like stuff they give you at The Helmand but it comes with the same 3 sauces, Harrissa (a little on the sweet side), Raita, and some herb chutney. The Kaddo is a candied or roasted pumpkin with yogurt and meat sauce. It's more or less the same as the popular appetizer at The Helmand, but it's slightly less sweet. The Aushak is a leek filled ravioli with meat sauce over it. It's delicious, but as forewarning, they use Asian leeks, which are much more pungent than the larger, plain leeks. I tried the Dopiaza, Chappendaz and Koufta Challow. All of it was good. the grilled meats tend not to be spiced with anything, but the accompanying salads/chutney/rice are all heavily spiced. the Dopiaza comes with a lentil onion chutney and a mushroom salad while the chappendaz has stewed cracked barley. Nearly everything comes with either Challow or Pallow rice, flavored with Cumin and Cardamom respectively. They are buttery, fragrant, and have the nice bite to them that Basmati has. What I wouldn't give to substitute this stuff for the Jasmine rice I've eaten pretty much all my life. Unlike The Helmand, which is situated next to a gigantic shopping mall with a Thai restaurant as its only competition, Ariana is squeezed in an area already overcrowded with restaurants and bars, so I think it will continue to be relatively easy to access. I really, really hope that this place doesn't close down for yet another Korean restaurant. I think I will cry.
(5)
David H.
We just went to 129 Brighton Ave to eat at Dawat, which is now gone. Instead, there's a new Afghan place called Ariana, which apparently just opened tonight (6/11). First impression: Excellent! At least as good as Helmand in Cambridge but with lower prices & (for now) no crowds. Great appetiser - Kaddo. Baked pumpkin topped w/ yogurt & ground beef sauce. Two really good entrees - korma challow (lamb) and mourgh challow (chicken) wh/ we changed to 'pallow' to get the two types of long-grained rice. Both are around $13. Dessert was on the house for opening night: a kind of vanilla pudding topped w/ fresh fruit, also excellent. Sorry, didn't catch the name... Advice - get there before it's 'discovered'. n.b. The very short wine list has a quite decent Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc for $18.
(5)
Iris M.
Delicious and awesome food, beautiful place and excellent service.
(5)
Matthew M.
Excellent service. Excellent food. Good options for vegetarians and meat eaters. Very reasonably priced ($70 for two with drinks, appetizers, and entrees). Decor and music was mediocre, but not bad. Good for dates or small group of friends. I would highly recommend it to a friend.
(5)
James M.
Excellent food and service with a good atmosphere. The food is flavorful and authentic. This place is a great stop for a couple or small party. Check it out!
My experience at Ariana is the reason I am now on Yelp. I have been reading Yelp reviews for a couple of years, but after eating there, I finally decided that I can no longer continue in silence as a passive user. If you've never tried Afghan food before, a useful (albeit oversimplified) way to think of it is as a blending of Middle Eastern and South Asian (read: Indian) culinary aspects. On the one hand, you have a liberal inclusion of beef and lamb and a certain affinity for flaky, phyllo-type doughs, and on the other, you have a judicious use of spices (cumin, cardamom, nutmeg, mint) and well-considered twists on staples such as lentils, yogurt, and the like. The kaddo ($5.95), a chunk of baked pumpkin served with both mint yogurt sauce and ground beef sauce, is absolutely essential as either an appetizer or side dish. It basically exemplifies everything that Ariana gets right: the pumpkin is grilled and baked, but still moist; the twin sauces are served at contrasting temperatures (the yogurt is cool, the ground beef, hot); the presentation - plating, colors, everything - is just spot-on. Everything I tried at Ariana, including the korma challow ($12.95) and dopiazza ($13) was cooked just right - even the lamb, which is easy to screw up. Dessert selections - try the sheerehk (rice pudding with pistachio and cardamom, $4.95) - all looked excellent and consistent with the feel of the previous courses. When we went a month or two ago, there were only a few occupied tables, which is a damn shame. The staff were extremely friendly, professional, helpful, and - most importantly - very generous with our wine pours. In sum, this place is a hidden gem, and unquestionably a bright spot in the shifting mire that is Allston Village. Do yourself a favor and get over there.
(4)
fussyeater x.
Yesterday I was headed to Dawat for their buffet lunch and discovered they were no longer there, so went to Punjab Palace instead. Tonight I walked to Ariana to check it out. As noted elsewhere, the interior is elegant but spartan. The service is quite good, although I was surprised that I had to request a menu in an almost empty room with only one other table occupied, although three other parties came in while I was there. I was seated by the window, but left around sunset and realized how dark it was already in the back of the room. The music was reminiscent of Ravi Shankar in his Beatle days, a vast improvement over the Bollywood noise at Punjab Palace. Someone just told me last night that restaurants have found they do better business if it's a loud environment Going with the most popular dishes so far, I had the Kaddo and Qabili. They were both quite good. The Qabili arrives as a large mound of Pallow rice with raisins and what they describe as a glazed julienne of carrots. Hiding underneath this were the most tender chunks of lamb shank I've ever had. Someone else described them as "fall off the bone" and I took it literally, but that wasn't the case. However, although they are very high quality I discovered that they did need a bit of trimming, which isn't clear in their initial hidden state. I had a hard time adjusting to the raisins and carrots, wishing it came with say onions and green beans instead. Next time I might have Korma Challow, a sauteed leg of lamb which does come with these and a bunch of other stuff. I've never been fond of dishes with just meat, or meat and starch as it was in this case. I couldn't really count the julienned carrots as a vegetable, and am willing to eat raisins in trail mix but little else. There is a short wine "list", with everything available by the glass and bottle, and I think the most expensive one is $21, but I can't speak for the quality, although perhaps the fact that they all come by the glass is a clue. There is no printed beer list, but it seems to be very limited and I am unwilling to pay $4.50 for an uninteresting bottle. My water glass was regularly attended to, one of my major criteria in judging service. I have some fruit I need to use up, so didn't get dessert. Overall, most pleasant and I will be back.
(4)
Skimmilk K.
Delicious! I went with a group of friends after looking on Yelp! It wasn't wrong. We started with several appetizers (I think I loved the Mantu-beef dumplings and the Kaddo (pumpkin) the best! They make the Mantu fresh every day so after we figured out how great it was, we couldn't order any more because they had run out for the day! For our dinner, we had the Qabill (lamb shanks-so tender), Chopan (my friend who doesn't like the gamey taste of lamb actually liked this. It was served medium rare-PERFECT), Kofta Challow (THE BEST SAUCE EVER! I kept eating it over rice) and the Mourgh Challow (Chicken with a yellow sauce-good but not my favorite). Oh, and they have this super delicious bread and dipping sauces Overall, I think I liked pretty much everything I ate. The only thing I didn't love was Aushak but that's more because my friends ordered this but I'm not a huge fan of a lot of scallions. The waitstaff was very attentive and very accomodating. Definitely recommend.
OMG this was the best meal I've eaten in a long time. Especially loved the pumpkin and leek ravioli appetizers. I had the spinach and lamb entree which was good, but I adored the pallow rice that came with my husband's entree. In an effort to prolong the pleasure, we even had dessert (homemade ice cream and rice pudding), both of was were also delicious. Polite, discreet waitstaff, very reasonable prices, nice atmosphere. My only complaint (and it is minor) was the Afghan elevator music, but it was a small price to pay for the privilege of experiencing all those new exotic flavors -- a sensory delight. I can't wait to go again.
(4)
Jessamyn S.
My friends and I still rhapsodize over a meal we ate at Ariana's almost one year ago. Simply put, our food was DIVINE- my taste buds are still singing about the Aush. Seriously, I am still searching for a North Carolina restaurant that can even slightly compare. The kofta challow and the mantu are both particularly delicious dishes.
(5)
L M.
The service was excellent, the food came quickly and of course delicious! I recommend the Banjan and the Bowlani, theyre great vegetarian options. The atmosphere inside was very warm and welcoming, with calming middle eastern music playing. Definitely recommend this place and will be going again!
(4)
Jordan G.
I ate here a few weeks ago, so pardon my memory being a little cloudy. When my boyfriend and I went, we were only the second table occupied in the place. The waiter was incredibly attentive, knowledgeable, and professional. It may have been easier for him to be attentive since it was basically empty, but his professionalism was unmatched by any other restaurant in this price range that I've eaten in. Each table gets complementary flatbread (think like Indian naan) with three dipping sauces. I am one of those people who cannot stand the taste of cilantro, yet after eating their green cilantro/parsley sauce, I can't get enough cilantro. It's like I had never really tasted cilantro correctly until I had this sauce. My boyfriend commented on how much he liked the roasted red pepper (also spicy pepper) sauce, and the waiter gave him some to take home. Both of our entrees were delicious. I am foggy on the details, but I had a steak with greens, rice, and lentils on the side, and my boyfriend had salad with grilled chicken and roasted veggies on top. I couldn't help but get dessert because 1) everything was so reasonably priced, 2) everything was so delicious, and 3) I really want this restaurant to stick around so I wanted to give them more business. If you have any inkling towards delicious vegetarian or meat based dish with rice on the side and amazing sauces, definitely go to Ariana. I don't want them to disappear!!
(5)
Karishma K.
Lovely food. Nice atmosphere. Good prices. First review .. Only 4 stars. Hoping to revisit this place again to change it to 5 stars. The 'chutneys' that come with the bread are amazing. The kaddoo and the banjan were a bit disappointing .. but that's only because I had high expectations. Wines were good. Nice ambience. Lovely location.
(4)
Ambrosia K.
When I saw that an Afghan restaurant was coming to the neighborhood in place of Dawat, I immediately wanted to know what exactly cuisine from Afghanistan tasted like. When I saw the open sign on as I headed to work in the morning, M. and I were there for dinner. We got: -Kaddo, pan fried pumpkin in garlic yogurt with meat sauce -Aushak, scallion/leek ravioli with mint yogurt, spices and meat sauce -Kofta Challow, beef meatballs in spiced tomato sauce with challow rice My favorite was by FAR the Kaddo. Sweet with a slightly sour bite from the yogurt and the savory element from the meat sauce, M. and I would have ordered another for dessert had we not been so full. The challow rice from M.'s dish was also amazing, fluffy and flavorful without being greasy and the three sauces that came with the naan complemented each other perfectly. All in all, the food was spectacular and the price was more than decent. I cant wait to go back so I can try the Qabili and Banjan/Kaddo Challow and, of course, order the Kaddo again.
(5)
Bill C.
What a wonderful restaurant. Great food. Terrific ambiance. The owners are great hosts and chefs. You will love it here!
(5)
D M.
Its not bad and its not great. If you want great Afghani restaurant food then take a trip to Pomir Grill in Worcester. We go there all the time and it is the best! After that it's the Helmand. I felt that the food her lacked flavor. The kadu was good but the food especially the spinach dish lacked flavor. I will not go back.
(2)
Christine S.
This place was absolutely amazing. Seriously. I never had Afghani food before and was curious to see what it was about. We were looking for restaurants in the allston/brighton area and after reading the stellar yelp reviews, decided to see what this place had to offer. I had the Mourgh Challow, chicken cooked in amazing spices (the sauce was great) with tons of rice. It was seriously one of the best meals I've had in a while. They give you lots of free bread too. I'm not sure what it's called, but it's very similar to naan. It was all very reasonably priced (my huge meal was $12). Service was also excellent. Very attentive and friendly. The dessert menu looked amazing too but we were waaaay too stuffed to even consider it. But I do regret not ordering baklawa to-go. For a Saturday night, this place wasn't busy at all. So if you're reading this, GO THERE, then post an excellent review of it on yelp so we can create more buzz!!
(5)
Julien P.
Absolutely delicious. You can't go wrong between either of the two better Afghan restaurants in Boston but this one has less of a crowd, feels less stuffy, and may be slightly less expensive. The waiter was attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable about the food and culture. I was quite impressed with the service. Just talking about this place makes me crave Kaddo. That's what you need to order when you go.
(5)
Ev S.
Delicious every time even for vegetarians. Every time I go its great and everyone I bring enjoys themselves.
(5)
Priyadarshini V.
4.5 stars and 143 reviews - who wouldn't want to take a chance to try out Afghan food at such a well rated restaurant..but I guess I had too high expectations for the place, and was slightly disappointed. Was busy, as you would expect on a Friday evening, staff were very nice but I felt that the service was pretty slow. Food was good, but nothing I would rave about. Tried the kaddo, banghan , dopiaza and the homemade ice cream. Distinct flavors, you might want to try it once, but that's about it! The appetizer portions were way too small, I would say this place is a ill too pricey for the quality n quantity of the food.
(3)
Sarah H.
In/out and completely satisfied in an hour. We arrived for a relatively early dinner (6pm or so) and our party of 2 was seated easily without a reservation. However, as we got into our meal the smallish restaurant filled very quickly--reservations are probably the way to go during peak dinner hours. We had the dopiaza and sabzi challow--both were amazing. The flavors were different and exciting in both dinners that it wasn't boring for both of us to order the lamb. Every plate that came out of the kitchen looked like an exciting reason for a second and third trip back to Ariana. Dinner service was attentive/adequate but not overwhelmingly special (one waitress ran into me on our way in and said naught a word). Still, the food was delicious and our waiter was nice enough to rate Ariana a 4/5.
(4)
Jen S.
Before coming here, my husband and I had never tasted Middle Eastern food before. Since this place is new, and the thought of trying Afghan cuisine seemed intriguing, we decided to have our 8 year anniversary dinner here. Best decision of our lives. I have never tasted so many spices at one time in my life. Since I don't have much experience with Middle Eastern food, I can't compare this to REAL Afghan cuisine, nor can I compare it to any other Afghani restaurant, but I will say because of this restaurant, I always will choose this type of cuisine over my usual tastes for Italian and Asian! Some notes: The service was incredible- our waiter was knowledgeable, patient and extremely helpful. The atmosphere is EXTREMELY comfortable. The tables are covered in a nice, white table cloth. Each table has a candle. The wall decor isn't fancy, but I didn't feel like I was in a hole-in-the-wall place. It's a little bit odd that an Afghani place would sell alcohol, but I will say the desert wine we had was incredible. We came in July, so I can't remember the name of it :X but it did come in its own bottle. We were too full to try dessert but I've been DYING to try their backlawa. Definitely going to come back!!
The food was delicious and interesting. The atmosphere is high class. And the service was both excellent and friendly.
(4)
Diana W.
Delicious food (I had Kaddo, after seeing everyone on here rave about it), sheekh kabob (lamb, rice, onion and eggplant sides). For dessert, rice pudding with pistachio and cardamom - light and refreshing. Our waitress was quick and attentive, and the atmosphere was great!! I'll definitely be going back.
(5)
Minh C.
We came here on a weeknight and it wasn't very crowded so we got quickly seated. I'll get to the point, this is definitely a place I'll return. We thought the food was great, especially since one of us is vegetarian. Only reasons for not giving it 5 stars is 1) the bread came out very delayed 2) my buddy ordered a vegetarian dish and got beef in his dish (which he discovered upon biting into it) 3) the portion size of the entrees were relatively small (although the desserts were about right for the price)
(4)
Tony J.
I thought the service was fine, but slow. But I had problems with the food. there was very little flavor and it just didn't taste very good at all. Perhaps they had an off night. Unfortunately everything just seemed very underseasoned. But you should try this place for yourself.
(2)
Rafa R.
SEE IMPORTANT UPDATE AT BOTTOM Excellent all around. The food is great, and the owners and staff are so welcoming, friendly and attentive. There aren't many restaurants where I've felt compelled to tell the owner what a pleasure it always is to visit his or her establishment. This is one of them. I almost hesitate to recommend specific dishes, because I've loved everything I've tried here. I really like the mourgh challow, any of the soups and any of the lamb dishes. I've heard people rave about the pumpkin as well. For dessert I definitely recommend the feereny, which is a white pudding with fresh strawberries, pineapple, blueberries and kiwi. REVISED UPDATE: ARIANA REOPENING AUGUST 29, 2015 Ariana has been closed for a while, but I'm happy to see the following message now on its website: Ariana Restaurant will be reopening in our new location on Saturday 8/29 after six months of construction. We hope to see everyone soon!
(5)
Kaikjpete S.
3 of us went here on a Wednesday night. We were the only people in the whole restaurant except for two others who came in about half way through our meal. Guess that is why they relocated to Western Ave! Absolutely LOVE this place. The owner was super friendly and we enjoyed chatting with him. The food was unreal and very reasonably priced!!! Also love Helmand, but Ariana definitely has comparable food for cheaper. Kaddo was out of this world. Mantu was another great appetizer. Highly recommend lamb dopiaza for the main, sheerberaing for dessert, and turkish coffee was a perfect way to end the meal. Can't wait to go back!!!! Great food, great service, lovely atmosphere, authentic. 5 STARS!
(5)
Gal W.
The food was excellent, with an extensive vegetarian section. The kadoo, a sweet pumpkin in yoghurt sauce, was especially delicious. I also highly recommend the doogh, a yoghurt drink with cucumbers and spices. Much better than most other doogh I've had, and not as overpoweringly salty as the store-bought variety. We also really enjoyed the dessert: the rice pudding was great and the cream pudding with fruit was fantastic. My non-vegetarian friends also raved about their food.
(5)
Parnian N.
Absolutely love this place. Great food and customer service. Can't wait to eat here again. Love the owners :) -Parnian Nasirahmad
(5)
Niv B.
Came here with my friend, not knowing what to expect and we LOVED it! The food was absoluteky amazing; not too spicy but definitley packed with flavor. I ordered the Sabzi Challow and was a bit skeptical that it would taste good since the restaurant had a much higher ratio of meat dishes compared to vegetarian dishes but the dish was amaazing! I finished all of it, which is a rarity for me in any restaurant. My friend ordered the Mourgh Challow and loved it as well, the chicken was cooked really well and was packed with flavor. The only thing keeping me from giving this restaurant 5 stars is the fact that we had to wait 15 minutes after we were seated to even be given water and we didn't order until 35 minutes in and the food arrived 10 minutes after that. The food, however, was worth the wait!
I absolutely loved this place! The food was definitely the highlight. There weren't many options but all of them sounded great! They open with a bread basket and three different chutneys, a yogurt based one, a spicy one, and a mint based one. The bread was similar to a flatbread pizza dough. We ordered a filled pastry dessert dish as an appetizer and we're pleasantly surprised by the wide range of flavors and textures. I ordered a chicken dish named murgh challow and it was flavorful and extremely tender. The chicken was perfectly cooked and the gravy was nicely balanced. It came with rice and nothing else. The only downside to this place is the service. They seem to be short staffed and we had to wait almost 15 minutes before even getting to order. The food also took a bit longer to come out but that could be due to the large number of customers that walked in after we got there. Definitely a place to check out and I will be returning soon!
(4)
Paul F.
One of the best restaurants in the city for the money. They are never busy. Give them your business you won't be disappointed. Get the kaddo.
(5)
Najim M.
First off. I'm Afghan so I know Afghan food. I agree with others. The food is really good. The service is slow. Appetizers too small. The prices too high. BYOB. That is, bring your own bread, cuz you get a small amount and apparently it's a hot commodity around here. That's pretty much my review in a nut shell.
(3)
Bahar A.
We are self-confessed foodies trying out new restaurants mostly based on word-of-mouth and Yelp reviews. My boyfriend and I walked to Ariana on a Friday evening. We found that it was a smallish space with tables for perhaps 20-30 people. The ambiance was casual, yet sophisticated. We had not made a reservation before coming. We were welcomed warmly and seated quickly at our spot of choice. In-fact, the hostess moved around a couple of tables to prepare a nice table-for-two for us so we would not have to sit in a noisy corner. We felt that this was a really nice gesture. After we were seated, three of the waitstaff attended to us - one brought the menus, one poured water, and one brought the warm afghan bread with the tasty sauces. Bread was warm and fresh. As for food, it was far beyond our expectations. We ordered Aushak and Mantu for appetizers, both delicious and had great flavors to them. I would say unique in its own way. For the main course we went with Dopiaza - well prepared lamb meat served on a piece of bread with sides of juicy mushroom and tasty rice. It was a healthy and hearty combination. We would have liked to try more of their dishes, but two appetizers and one entree later, we had no more space in our tummies. The waitstaff was prompt and attentive. As another poster has mentioned, there are four or five of them working hard to keep things moving. They do a great job at it. Overall, wonderful food, awesome service, and a nice ambience. I would definitely recommend Ariana, their Aushak, Mantu, and Dopiaza, and would go back to try more of their dishes. Five stars!
(5)
Zach A.
My girlfriend and I came here at 8:15, we were without menus, water, or bread for about 10 minutes. We ordered Aushak as an appetizer, which took about 15 minutes. In the meantime we did finally get bread and water. The Aushak was nothing terribly impressive. I'm writing this review still mid-meal, since the service is so slow. It's now 9:10 and we haven't yet been served our entrees or even had our water glasses refilled. I ordered the Vegetarian Special and my girlfriend ordered the Doppiaza. Hopefully it gets here soon. We noticed that there is a lovely fly hanging around. The food got here at about 9:20. We swapped dishes halfway through so we could try everything. We both agree that the pumpkin was too sweet, and my girlfriend has a sweet tooth! The meat in the Doppiaza was quite chewy. It's now 9:35 and I already can't remember what else I had to eat, the food is that easy to forget. All in all, for a $45 bill I'm very disappointed. The service was very slow and the food did not make up for it. It's now the next morning and despite my experience at Ariana, I'm going to give Afghan food another try next time I see another restaurant.
(2)
Ariel Z.
If you're tired of the typical falafel and hummus, Afghani provides a nice twist to your typical Middle Eastern fare. Ordered the mantwo entree (dumplings with yogurt/meat sauce) as well as the kaddo pumpkin dish. Both were pretty good, but I think these dishes are much better at the Helmand in Cambridge.
This was my first time trying afghan food and I was pleasantly surprised at the what this place had to offer. We came here on a Saturday night and had to wait about 20 minutes for a party of 5. The interior was intimidate and fancy, each table had a (fake) candle. I had the Qabili, which was lamb with rice. The rice is special long grain with very pleasant aromas, similar to the rice used in Indian restaurants. The rice was also soft and seasoned very well. The lamb meat itself was tender and succulent. We also got the Kaddo, pumpkin topped with yogurt sauce, which was surprisingly delicious and very sweet. Not a bad place to be introduced to afghan food or perhaps a date.
(4)
Grace B.
You may want to pay attention to my review, being that I am half Afghan and know what I'm talking about with retrospect to authentic Afghan food. That being said, this place is authentic and serves alot of my favorite dishes, and some dishes I never knew about before, but who my cousin (full Afghan) said are more traditional dishes our family doesn't do too much of. I was quite excited to try what I didn't know. We started off with Kaddo (baked pumpkin with yogurt and a touch of ground meat with sauce). Wow. Lightly sweet, savory, and rich. I could just order a bunch of these for my main meal and be satisfied, not to mention it could almost opt as a dessert, for those that like dessert before their meal. ;) The next appetizer was the eggplant. I love eggplant and I loved this, the eggplant slices were thinner than I would have liked, and would have preferred it to be a little "meatier" but it was an appetizer so perhaps it should be a little lighter, I'm used to having it as a side to the main meal. Next, I was torn between Mantu (beef filled dumplings, one of my favorites) but opted for the Kofta Challow (beef meatballs rich in sauce) accompanied with rice. It was filling and plentiful. Two hearty meat balls with plenty of it's juices and a plate of rice. Definitely just as good as I've had at family dinners. Alot of their meal options have lamb, and I have never developed a taste for lamb, so I was a little restricted to my choices but that's my own problem. Lamb is the Afghan's meat of choice, so I encourage all of you to go for it. It's as traditional as it gets. I also admire their vegetarian options, as there is no vegetarian Afghan, but I find it considerate for them to accommodate for vegetarian diets, without losing Afghan flare. As for dessert: Feereny was a hit. I was particularly encouraged to come here BECAUSE of the dessert, and it did not disappoint! Creamy and thick custard like cream pudding, topped with fruit. It is better than any of my tradition Afghan family's feereny. That was a shocker. Oh yea, as for detail the robust red rose that served as table decor was a beautiful touch. I notice the little things and found that to be an elegant touch. The one hesitation I have is the price, I think it's a little steep for Afghan food, but I do have to acknowledge food like this is not easy, and takes time with slow cooking and lots of ingredients and spices. Expensive middle eastern spices at that, so I can't blame them, but I can be a little biased because I eat this food for free. Overall, I would return here again since I do not get this food often anymore.
(4)
Karina L.
One of the best restaurants in Allston. If you're looking to pull away from the bar food fried chicken culture of Allston, come to Ariana. It's cozy, quiet, and romantic. And you'll get some amazing food to boot. They start you off with flatbread and three different sauces. My favorite was the creamy sauce, but the red sauce was delicious as well. For the appetizer, we got the kaddo -- which was fantastic. Yogurt, pumpkin, and beef didn't really sound like a promising combination but they really delivered. The pumpkin is pan-fried, then baked. The result is a really juicy puree-like glob that mixes perfectly with the tangy and garlicy yogurt. The sugar on the pumpkin mixed surprisingly well with the ground beef. It was fantastic. I'll never doubt a pumpkin-garlic yogurt-beef-sugar combo again. For the entrees, we got the Mantu and the Qabili. The Mantu was a mix of a wonton and ravioli. The pastry shell was pasta like, but it was wrapped like a dumpling. Inside was ground beef and onions. On top was a yogurt, carrot, AND MEAT sauce. Basically, come here if you like meat. I loved the Qabili as well. It's not entirely aesthetically pleasing -- the rice that comes with it is dumped on top of the shank, so it looks like there's no lamb at first. But lo and behold, under the pallow rice there is an enormous shank waiting to be feasted on. But first, the rice: Ariana has challow and pallow rice. The challow rice has cumin and oil, while the pallow rice has, in addition, cinnamon and nutmeg. It also had raisins and tasty carrots in it as well, which was a perfect foil to our fall-off-the bone lamb shank. We had enough leftover for a second meal. Best part? It's $16! Overall, I loved Ariana. I haven't been to Helmand yet but I can safely say this is a go-to restaurant in Allston, if not Boston.
(5)
Amanda W.
The restaurant is Afghanistan,and my boyfriend love this so much. We have been here twice and every time the fit never let us down. The flavors you have never tasted.
(5)
Yao G.
My wife and I decided to try something new and refreshing to eat. Tonight it was Afghanistan food at Ariana's. Let's talk about atmosphere first. The place is not very big but it eludes elegance and warmth. Tables are neatly decorated with fine china and folded table cloth. Lighting is just right for a romantic dinner. Based on recommendations from fellow yelpers and our friendly and knowledge server, we tried their Mantu for appetizer, Qabili and Sabzi Challow for entrees. Let me tell you, I stuffed myself so much that I could barely get up and walk. The lamb meat here is prepared deliciously. It does not tastes gamey at all. The food here has the right balance of nutrition and taste. For people who never had Afghanistan food or just want to try something, I recommend Ariana.
(5)
Chris P.
Fantastic Chopan (rack of lamb). The Aushak is spectacular (meat and chive ravioli w/ a unique lemon flavor). Great wait staff. Pleasant surroundings. Good wine selection ( try the inexpensive Bordeaux). What more could you want?
(5)
Sarah G.
I was really excited to try this place. I had been wanting to come here ever since going to the Helmand in Cambridge... The verdict? Well I think I prefer the Helmand. Nothing here was bad, but just in comparison to the Helmand, I think that place was just better flavor wise, service wise, ambiance wise, the whole thing was just better there. BUT I will tell you that this small restaurant in Allston is one of the few places in Allston that is truly accommodating for running late with reservations. No one in our group could find parking to save our lives (DO NOT DRIVE TO ALLSTON EVER). And they didn't even bat an eye at us being about 30 minutes late for our reservation which is something you don't experience often. Food wise, we got the pumpkin ground beef appetizer, but it was a little sweeter than I wanted, and not quite a great match in how much pumpkin to ground beef sauce ratio. I got he Kofta Challow which actually pretty tasty season meatballs served with one of their styles of rice, and it was pretty good, but I wish there had been something more to the dish other than just balls and rice. Matt J. got the Qabili which is a lamb dish with raisins and rice, which was just so so in my opinion--my meatballs definitely beat that lamb dish in the entree head-to-head competition. Everyone else liked their food, but we all agreed it all seemed to be missing a little more flavor, spice, etc. But in general, it was a great dining experience. They didn't rush us out, were accommodating with us being late, and they have cheap wine too!
(3)
Sparky S.
Tasty food. But portions are very less, so don't pick this spot if you are really hungry and looking at a cheaper option to have stomach full.
(3)
Marie D.
The family and I went out for my son's birthday dinner. We loved the food--the tastes were wonderful and everyone enjoyed their meal. Our waiter was courteous and efficient. The bread they served was warm and delicious. We had a couple of appetizers--one was Aushak (delicious) and the other was also very good but I can't remember. Order the vegetarian sampler--this gives you all the highlights of many of the Afghan tastes to share with others. The trout dish was fantastic-so well cooked and tasty. I kept bartering my vegetarian samples for bites of the trout. Also, the Sabzi Challow was terrific--the rice options are so flavorful. My daughter loved her beef dish although I don't like charred meats. I had to agree that aside from that it was really tasty. The ambience is very warm, inviting and romantic--I want to go back with my husband and another couple. The owner told us that they are moving to another location in Brighton? where the big advantage will be parking sometime this month (Feb 2015)--I hope it stays as delicious and inviting.
(4)
Arik S.
Went here late on a rainy Tuesday and had the entire restaurant to ourselves, an experience onto itself. The food was flavorful, delicious, and well priced, especially for the atmosphere. I haven't had much Afghan food in my life, but I know good food when I have it, and this was excellent.
(5)
Malavika R.
The food here... decent, but go here for the kaddo (a dish made from baby pumpkins and sugary goodness) seriously.
(3)
Otis H.
What an awesome find. The wife and I stopped in here before a concert looking for something "Mediterranean"....well, obviously this is not even close to Mediterranean, but Middle-East would have to do. Neither of us had ever had Afghan food before and thus really had no expectations besides the reviews I read on Yelp. What followed was truly amazing. First off the place is way smaller than I had expected. I would classify this as cozy rather than cramped though. It is tastefully appointed and welcoming. Upon seating we ordered a carafe of the house Cab Sav. It was great and much better than the rot gut one usually gets in a house wine. My wife ordered the Banjan (pan fried eggplant) for an app and the Aushak (leek filled ravioli) for her meal. I ordered the Kaddo (pumpkin with yogurt and beef sauce) for an app and the Dopiaza (lamb chunks with peas and pallow rice) for an entree. The apps were amazing. There is something different about the yogurt that they use. It has just a bit more bite to it and really adds something to the dish. They also give you plenty of warm flat bread (nan...yes similar in sound and look to the Indian Naan) with 3 incredible sauces (Yogurt and cucumber, cilantro and garlic and a red chili). Again, you've probably had a greek tzatziki cucumber and yogurt sauce, but this tastes very different. The Kaddo is a real standout here. The pumpkin was very sweet and balanced wonderfully with the umami provided by the beef sauce and the acid from the yogurt. It was a flavor combination I had absolutely never had before. When my wife got the Aushak she found that the leeks were just a bit too strong and asked to switch it with the Chapendaz (grilled beef tenderloin over tomatoes and hot peppers). They waiter made the change easily and my wife really enjoyed the beef. The Dopiaza was amazing. The lamb was perfectly grilled and tender and the acid from the vinegar perfectly balanced the mushrooms and rice. All in all this was a perfect dinner out...and for less than $100 with drinks in Boston!
(4)
Harvard P.
Mmmmmm.... I love lamb and Ariana is a great place to get it. I've been to Helmand and I would venture to say that the food here is just as good if not better! The flatbread that you get at the beginning of the meal comes with 3 different sauces, all delicious. I especially like the red sauce. We tried all the appetizers that everyone raves about on yelp - and they were good. But our favorite ended up being the okra dish. The Chopan is simply amazing. It's three ribs of pure yummy lamb, cooked medium rare over a bed of pallor rice and eggplant. My only complaint is that it was so good I didn't want to stop eating it even when my plate was clear. Definite a favorite of mine in the neighborhood.
(5)
æ‚
I love it! Both the food and its service are great!
(5)
Caitlyn T.
This is probably the 100th review that's said it, but get the kaddo app. It sounds a little funky but the flavors work perfect together. They bring out some bread and dipping sauces for you which are fun to try. We split a lamb entree and loved it. Even with a bottle of wine our entire bill came to around $50. Great value for what you're getting! The manager came over to the table to ask how everything was which earned the restaurant a few points as well. This was our first time eating Afghan food and we both really enjoyed it. Looking forward to next time!!
(4)
Dave D.
I've been to Ariana twice, and both times left thinking, "wow, what a great restaurant." The food is absolutely delicious. Nothing I've tried there is anything less. And of course, the cuisine is different than what you see in most places west of Kabul. The ambiance is a little less than perfect; it's one room, a bit crowded and a little noisy. But not uncomfortable at all. The staff is a little stiff and maybe a little bit inexperienced? In both visits, I got the sense that the waiter and waitress were a little unsure of what they were doing. Also, the cadence of the meal was a little off. Appetizers came out quickly, but then we waited for quite a while for the entrees. The entrees were cleared quickly, and desserts came out, but then we sat for another while with dirty dessert plates in front of us. Not a huge issue - just a little off. I've recommended Ariana to lots of friends.
(4)
K T.
We stopped in for dinner without a reservation, and were pleasantly surprised that were seated promptly. The decor is simple and calm, with linens and nice ambience. The wait staff is excellent and attentive. We were in need of suggestions for the menu, and our waiter provided us with very useful information to guide our choices. We tried an assortment of dishes for appetizer and dinner. All were fantastic, but indeed the pumpkin gets the nod as the most memorable for their tickling the palate. Breads were also excellent. We will definitely be back!
(4)
Alicia W.
New to Boston and wanted to try a new place in the area. Found this place on Yelp and I'm so glad I tried it out. I've never had Afghan food, but it reminds me a bit of Indian food with all the flavors. I'm ready to go back, I couldn't stop talking about it at work! A friend and I went on a Monday night and we were the first to arrive. Great atmosphere for dates. The service was okay, one of the servers who brought the sauces seemed very bored and as we asked him to explain what each one was, he didn't bother to look at us and just looked out the window the whole time. Appetizer - Aushak. The pasta had a unique fresh taste with a savory sauce...I wanted to lick the plate! Entree - Korma Challow and Mantu (friend) - The korma challow is a leg of lamb and the meat was tender and cooked to perfection. For me, the Mantu and it tasted a little plain for me, but my friend seemed to enjoy it. Dessert - Feereny - cream pudding is a must try. I could eat it everyday all day. I wanted to try the Pudeen, but they were out, so maybe next time. Definitely going back and trying out new things. I don't think I'll ever be disappointed here.
(5)
Julie V.
This was my first time trying Afghan food -- eating here certainly made me want to try it again. The real highlight of the menu for me was to see how many lamb dishes they have, as lamb is a meat I really enjoy but rarely see on typical menus. For dinner that night, we ended up with the chopan (rack of lamb marinated in a puree of onion, sun-dried baby grapes and garlic, served with sauteed eggplant and pallow rice), along with banjan and kaddo challow (pan-fried, then baked pumpkin and eggplant served w/fresh tomato sauce.) I have to say my favorite was the pumpkin, which had become a lovely, sweet custard. The lamb was perfectly tender, although maybe too seasoned for the full taste of the meat itself to come through. Portion sizes were good, not too much and not too little.
(4)
Marym M.
I'm 100% Afghan and Ariana's food is as authentic as it gets! I moved to Boston from sunny southern California and thought I would miss out on all of my mom's amazing homecooked Afghan meals. Ariana is my immediate go-to for satisfying my Afghan food cravings when I'm feeling homesick. The food is so flavorful and filling, without making you feel bloated or sick. My favorites are the Kaddo appetizer, Bolani, Ashak, Mantu, and any of the meat dishes (honestly, you can't go wrong since the meat I've had here has always been so tender, juicy, and well-seasoned). For all of you vegetarians out there, there are plenty of satisfying veggie dishes to choose from. For dessert, I must greedily consume an entire Fereny to myself (Ariana's is the best I've had!) every time I dine here. Just try it---you won't regret it! The service is also stellar. All of the servers are attentive and courteous and the owners who are Afghan are always welcoming and sweet. As for the ambience, it's a very warm colored space with romantic lighting and decor (fresh flowers on each table is a plus). They tend to play mostly traditional, instrumental Afghan music which isn't too loud (great for having intimate conversations over dinner). I've also recently put in a large order for food for a holiday party I'm having and they have been very professional, accommodating, and generous. Overall, I can't help but give Ariana 5 stars!
(5)
Ang L.
One of the best dining experiences I've had in Boston! First time trying Afghan food and Ariana was an excellent first impression. We went yesterday night which was a Monday so only one server was working. He was awesome though, took time to make sensible recommendations and was very nice. The food was some of the best I've ever had. Like after the meal I felt I could have cleared five more plates of the same thing! Ordered the Mantu for an appetizer and it was good. Sort of like a stuffed ravioli with tasty meat filling inside. I wish I could explain it better but it's definitely a good choice. Also the Kaddo which was sweet and salty goodness. Next was the entree which was amazinggg. The rack of Lamb! Unfortunately I don't remember the exact way it was listed on the menu but it was 26 dollars and at the top of the listings of entrees. It was soooo good, I'm not a huge fan of lamb but this tasted like an amazing cut of steak that fell right off the bone. Best Lamb I've ever had by far! And finally dessert which was homemade ice cream with pistachios. Also excellent. Excellent choice and I guess kind of a hidden gem since so many people pass by to go to Bon Chon. Definitely worth a shot and you'll be coming back for sure. I want to go back tonight...
(5)
chaju J.
I love this place!!! I ate there January 5 2015. I ordered the ravioli and julienne carrot dish (can't remember the exact names) and they were AMAZING! Very flavorful and the service was professional, attentive and friendly. I was with a large party, 12ppl, and the food was worth the wait. I look forward to eating there again soon. Location convenient and prices reasonable for the excellent and fresh quality of the food.
(5)
R T.
Crispy-ass tender trout with seasoned rice filled with dates and walnuts. Leek and scallion bowlawni is delicate as shit. That fucking almond-cilantro sauce.
(5)
Kayla L.
Came here on a slow Sunday night and there was only appeared to be one front of house worker, but he greeted us promptly, and was very nice and attentive, even when business picked up a bit. The atmosphere was lovely with beautifully set tables, dimmed lighting and very enjoyable music. Of course, the food was what really sent me here to write this review, and what will send me back again soon, I'm sure. We got the Kaddo appetizer, pumpkin which was sweet and delicious. We also tried the Mantu, beef and onion filled dumpling-esque darlings with a flavorful yogurt sauce. We split the Dopiaza entree-- the lamb was cooked perfectly with a tasty sauce and the mushrooms were dazzlingly juicy. We treated ourselves to a richer but also more delicious than expected dessert, their cream pudding topped with strawberries, blueberries, and pineapple, but unfortunately missing the promise of kiwi which made me choose the dish. But flavor was outstanding on every course, portion sizes were pretty fair, and overall it was a great experience.
(5)
Wasim Q.
Best afghan food I have ever had, including in Fremont, CA (which is like Little Afghanistan). The menu is a bit small, but the execution is perfect. A good way to test an Afghan place is by the Mantu, which is like a delicate ravioli-- very easy to botch and very hard to do well. These guys knocked it out of the park. The noodle was just right, and the meat sauce was well spiced. The Kaddo (pumpkin) appetizer is also amazing--very sweet, but balanced by the yogurt and meat sauce. You can't go wrong with any of the entrees-- Qabili (rice w/ carrots and raisins and lamb) is a classic Afghan dish you should try if you haven't had it before. The Tikka Kabob is great, though misleadingly named. It's not like an Indian tikka-- it's more of a well seasoned .5" steak that is sliced into strips. Spoke to the chef and he told me that all the dishes are family recipes that have been in his family for years. It shows. As a bonus, the meat is halal. Don't miss out on the Turkish coffee either (yes, I know it's an Afghan place, but they brew a mean cup).
(5)
Haimeng T.
I would give it five stars if I was a fan of mid-east food. The restaurant looks a little fancy. I ordered legs of lamb, don't remember the dish name though. It was pretty good. Lamb was well cooked, very soft. I had a glass of their feature drink too. It's pretty sour but it grew on me after a while. The waitress waiting for our table was very patient. Because my friends need take the receipt back to their boss, they troubled her three times for that. She didn't complained at all and didn't show any sign of being annoyed, acting like it was no trouble at all. She was a good waitress.
(4)
L R.
We arrived early (10 mins after the restaurant opened). The hostess asked if we had a reservation and we said no. Then she disappeared. Five mins or so later, after we were vetted (by camera?), the hostess showed us to a table and only two other tables were occupied.That was red flag #1. The appetizer, ravioli, was small but tasty. Then we waited about 40 mins for two entrees. The portions were smaller than expected for the price point. Red flag #2. In order not too leave the restaurant hungry we asked for an extra basket of bread. The waitress brought a basket of two small pieces of flat bread. Unbelievable. So we asked for more bread. After that we were treated poorly. Red flag #3 Overall, the food was tasty, portions were skimpy and the wait staff were testy. The dining experience was disappointing after making a special trip to go there.
(3)
Erin D.
Having been to this place a few times now, I have to say I'm impressed. Food is always delicious (I normally get the vegetarian special), service is attentive, and the carafes of wine are a total bargain. Cute date night spot.
(5)
Netalin T.
Everything is great. Food is clean, fresh and tasty. I have fish plate which came out very nice and present well. All plates are tasty. Desert is SUPER!!! Service is very nice but a bit slow. It looks like only 1 server for the whole restaurant.
(4)
Gita N.
We had the pumpkin appetizer which had an option to have the beef sauce on the side to make it vegetarian friendly. I highly recommend it! The pumpkin was sweet but rich in flavor, and I was told the beef sauce gave it a good mix of sweet and salty. For my main entree, I had the Aushak which was a Afghani ravioli filled with chick peas and vegetables in a yogurt sauce. The spices and flavors were rich and complex and I can't wait to go back! So many vegetarian choices!
(5)
Michael C.
For those who have never had it I find Afghani cuisine to be somewhere in between greek and indian food. We came here the day after Christmas, which was nice because it was empty. Kaddo - The highlight of the meal, which is grilled pumpkin in a yogurt sauce topped with a beef sauce Kofta Challow - The easiest way to describe this is that it is the Afghani take on spaghetti and meatballs except instead of pasta it is rice. I thought it was good but not great. The tomatoe based sauce was very spiced, it might not have been my style.
(3)
Meridith H.
Aside from it's location (on the B Line, ugh), this is actually as good as it can get in Boston. Sure, there are plenty of places that have good food. And there are plenty of places with good service. And nice ambiance. And a good wine list. But there are NOT many places that have all of these things, all together, at an affordable price. Ariana is one of the few restaurants that are managed with love. This love especially shows when a group, accidentally comprising 10 people, arrives unannounced on a Saturday night, and are seated as soon as enough chairs open up, and are served with great care & attention, and EACH of whom orders the pumpkin appetizer because there is no way any of us are going to share. Not many places induce me to write run-on sentences of devotion, but Ariana is one.
(5)
Vanessa P.
Delicious!! I've only been to one Afghan restaurant previously, in Baltimore, and this one was just as good if not better. I went with a friend, and we both decided to go "veggie" for the evening. They brought us delicious bread + 3 sauces before we ordered. We got the Kaddo (pumpkin + yogurt/garlic sauce) as an appetizer, which was amazing. Then we split the Kourma Challow (sauteeed veggies + spinach + rice) and the Aushak (leek + scallion ravioli w sauces). Both were delicious, though if I had to choose one I'd recommend the Kourma Challow as it was a bit more flavorful, and a bit more filling. The service was great; our waitress was very attentive. I hope to go back there soon!
(5)
Parnian B.
It was a great experience, yesterday I went there with my boyfriend we did not know which Resturant we choose , we choose afghani Resturant by chance. We never expect that afghani cousins was that amazing and it was a smart decision, we had a great night, great food and very very very good service. The food quantity was amazing and I will definitely try again. And I recommend people try it. It is worth it.
(5)
Elizabeth L.
I've been wanting to go to the Helmand since I was a wee undergrad, but 1) it was too far away from campus, and 2) Seemed impossible to get a table without reservations. Enter Ariana. This Allston location is practically an identical twin of the Helmand, as they are sister restaurants. Afghan food at its finest. I knew I was in for a treat from the start: the bread and dippings were absolutely delicious. Fluffy and warm, almost like naan/pita but even better. We ordered the kaddo (pumpkin with meat sauce), which was surprisingly sweet yet savory, and the banjan (eggplant dish) that went perfectly with the pita. There were two types of rice listed in the glossary, so we decided to get two dishes with each type. We ordered the Qabili (a lamb and raisin dish that comes with pallow, a cinnamon flavored rice), and the korma challow with lamb. The korma challow has challow rice (cumin and cardamon flavored) -- this dish's lamb was better in my opinion, since the qabili's was a little dry, and the lentils were amazing. An amazing dining experience. Highly recommended.
(5)
Leslie W.
Great place. The Kado pumpkin beef thingy was weird but good. The lamb was tender and juicy. I will go back!
(4)
Laura A.
We loved Ariana. It was exactly what we were looking for with nice atmosphere, flavorful food, good service and major bonus - halal meats! A real highlight was the kadoo (pan-fried then baked baby pumpkin seasoned with sugar and served on a garlic yogurt sauce topped with ground beef sauce). We also enjoyed the bowlawni appetizer (twin pastry shells, one filled with leeks and scallions and the other with spiced potatoes garnished with mint yogurt). Most of us ordered a kabob of one sort or another - I loved the lamb Shish Kabob and thought it was amazing. The Aushak also looked very good. Highly recommend and will definitely return!
(4)
Claire M.
I visited two friends in Allston over the weekend and as soon as they described Ariana, my interest was piqued. I pride myself on trying and loving basically all kinds of international cuisines, but I'd never had Afghan food. After my meal at Ariana, let's just say that the bar has been set pretty high! Also, I ate a ton...adventures in overeating, anyone? The restaurant is classy and peaceful and perfect for family, friends, or a low-pressure date. The waiter brings out a basket of delicious warm flatbread and a trio of amazing sauces to dip it in. My friend described the trio as "crack" and I have to say I would agree - try mixing them all together for a sweet-spicy combo. I had to force myself not to fill up on the bread, because we ordered: Kaddo - baby pumpkin that's been pan-fried & baked, and then served with a garlic yogurt sauce and a ground beef sauce. I'd never had anything like that. It managed to be sweet and savory at the same time, and entirely satisfying. We split the appetizer between three people and I would have gladly eaten it all myself. I had Mourgh Challow, a chicken dish with split peas, yogurt sauce, and cilantro. It was flavorful and the chicken was perfectly cooked. This was the point of the meal at which I began to wish I had an extra stomach. I couldn't finish more than 2/3 of my entree, and let me tell you...that's abnormal for this girl. I tried my friends' dishes (both were lamb) and they were excellent as well. I would have loved to order dessert, but alas, I was stuffed silly. Will definitely be pushing to go back to Ariana next time I'm in Boston!
(5)
Eric W.
Wow, believe the hype!! I almost thought Yelp's 4.5 star rating on this place was too good to be true, and I'd never had Afghan cuisine before so i wasn't quite sure what to expect. Absolutely blown away! The vegetarian special is devine. A combo of 4 small dishes you get a great mix of flavors between the sweet pumpkin, spinach, okra, and eggplant. Very pleasant staff, great atmosphere, although the music could be turned down a pinch. Priced appropriately and generous portions (my girlfriend and I split an appetizer and entree - the perfect amount of food). Can't wait to go back and try the rest of the menu!
(5)
Audrey C.
Decent- very nice decor but in my opinion, food was simply overpriced for what it was. I got the eggplant/pumpkin vegetarian combo, and while the eggplant was really good (grilled with a smoky flavor), and the rice was lightly infused with some spices, I don't think it was worth almost $20 (after tax/tip-- before that it was $14.95). There wasn't that much eggplant or pumpkin either, not as much as I would have hoped for. I was very excited for the flat bread with the dipping sauces that came before, but it tasted too tough/dry and chewy for my tastes. I wouldn't be upset if someone suggested we eat here, but I just don't think I'd go out of my way to come here. Also, I have been to Helmand (another Afghan restaurant in Cambridge next to the Cambridge Galleria/Lechmere T), and I would say that Helmand seemed more flavorful + bread was really good there- very very fresh, they have a huge oven in the restaurant that you can see they use to make the bread. Helmand's also closer to me..
(3)
Bill P.
Delicious food. Decent atmosphere. Really affordable prices for quality wines. The menu is diverse enough to let you explore a bit but not too long to make you feel overwhelmed. The missing star in my review is the lack of service to match the high quality food. Don't get me wrong, everyone there is friendly and gives a good effort. But it's clear the servers are not very experienced and while they understand the food they don't have the menu down. Last time we were there, party of four on a Saturday night, we sat at our table for an hour before our order was taken. The wine helped keep us occupied, but an hour felt unnecessary. But don't let me stop you from making a visit - it's well worth it. Give it a try.
(4)
Michele H.
Wonderful atmosphere. Food is richly spiced and not heapingly portioned ( though is plenty). The lamb is tender, and stew dishes are rich and fragrant. Good vegetarian fare, too. Great place for a date.
(4)
NCNY N.
Everything we had was delicious. We tried 4 appetizers and one of the lamb entrees. Everything was fabulous. Husband and I have slightly different tastes but he fell in love with every dish as well. Also very good service and quite formal atmosphere. I should also say they have amazing homemade desserts, even housemade baklava!! I can't stop thinking about this place.
(5)
Jamie C.
I had no idea what Afghani food was all about. Thank you Ariana for schooling me in how awesome it is! This has quickly become one of my favorite restaurants in the Boston area. I've come here for an intimate birthday dinner, parent visit, a girl date, and with friends and without fail I leave with my stomach and wallet smiling. The Kaddo is one of those dishes that makes you tilt your head back, close your eyes, and melt. It's like dessert with meat. Dreams do come true, friends... Chopan - grilled rack of lamb with pallow rice, YUM YUM YUM! and I HATE LAMB! Can we say life changing... I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Molly L.
One of my favorite restuarants in Boston! The owner/chef/guy at the front is warm and inviting, and the servers are friendly and sincere. I don't know where in Boston you get white tablecloth dining, great atmosphere, and food this delicious for such reasonable prices. The vegetarian platter is terrific. Also try the pumpkin or the bolani. The (free) bread and dipping sauces at the start of the meal are reason enough to show up and the house wine never disappoints. This is a great mom and pop establishment that you must check out!
(5)
Roni S.
Hands down one of the most authentic restaurants in Boston. I have been at least 3 times within the past few months and their menu is great! There is usually not a wait during the week and they have pretty fast service so even during the weekend it is not long. It is a GREAT place to have a dinner celebration since they can seat large tables fairly easy. Recommended Dish: Kaddo!!! It is an amazing pumpkin dish that you can get with meat or without for those vegs out there. It is so tasty and melts in your mouth. The food can be made mild or spicy and is a great ethnic flavor! Not super expensive either! Perfect for date night.
(4)
Kelly O.
I love Afghani food and try to trek to Helmand when I can, so it's awesome to now have a more local outpost of this delicious cuisine. But does it hold up to Helmand? I say, definitely. First of all, the staff at Ariana are all wicked friendly. I really felt welcomed when I walked in the door to the small, cozy one-room restaurant... as opposed to Helmand where you feel like your mere presence is a bit of an inconvenience. Score one for Ariana. The freshly baked flatbread starter came with the standard 3 dipping sauces (chili, yogurt, and cilantro). The bread itself was a bit on the hard side, and I think I prefer Helmand's softer flatbread over it (especially with the visuals of the brick bread oven and the smells of the baking bread in the dining room), but it was still hot and tasty and a good start to the meal. Point to Helmand. For apps, I adore Kaddo, and Ariana really does it right. I could probably eat this dish forever and ever and be happy... the blend of sweet and savory and sour/tangy is unlike anything I'd ever had before. This is a must-try (at both Ariana and Helmand). I had the Dopiaza for my entree which was excellent... the lamb had that wonderful grilled taste/texture I adore, and the very vinegary split pea marinade held up well to the meat (if you don't like vinegar though, don't get this, as it's very strong). Even the plain hot mushrooms with peppers on the side were very tasty. My dining companions had the Shish Kabob and the Korma Challow, and both were also pleased (I tried the Korma Challow which was rich and tomatoey). The portions were just right, we were able to clean our plates and be satisfied without being overly stuffed, and the prices are pretty on-par as well (and cheaper than Helmand), ~$16 for the entrees. If you haven't tried this cuisine yet, I highly recommend you check out Ariana now.
(4)
Margaret W.
I had the lamb, absolutely delis! Hubby had the trout which was delis also! We also had the Kuddo OMG!! We will be back the house Cab was good too!!
(5)
Michelle L.
I've been here at least 4 times already and simply LOVE the Afghan food served here. The prices are reasonable and service quick. The food is flavorful, and you can definitely appreciate the myriad of spices used in each dish. The bread they start off with is delicious and comes with 3 great dipping sauces. The eggplant, pumpkin, and mantu are AMAZING appetizers. I could scarf down a combo of those 3 for the whole meal!! The pumpkin is on the sweeter side but if you have a sweet tooth like I do, you'll savor it! I had the korma challow for my entree - mmm I love lamb!! It was tender and juicy, so delectable! The rice was also a well seasoned rice, a nice change for someone who usually eats plain rice. My friend had shish kabob, which was also cooked to perfection. All in all, an amazing food. If you like explosions of flavor and tender, succulent meat, the this is the place for you!
(5)
Annette A.
It's hard to NOT shake my head at people who insist on going downtown for a good restaurant. Allston's got some serious culinary gems going on - one of those gems is Ariana. Everything about this Ariana makes it feel like it's a restaurant you could only find on the waterfront, but we're lucky enough to have it here. I've never had Afghani food before, and this was a fantastic introduction to it. The food is fresh and very flavorful, definitely a very exciting experience for the senses. The staff is very sweet and attentive. And the price is fitting as well. The ambience is beautiful at night, with candles and delicate lighting. This place is excellent for a date or a quiet dinner. Go if you're looking for something really delicious and intimate.
(5)
Keoki Z.
I ate at this restaurant for the first time tonight. The inside decor was really nice, as was the table setup, silverware, and glasses. Definitely a place that you can take a date to if you want to impress them, it has a very romantic, intimate vibe and atmosphere to it. I was served complimentary bread that came with my entree. It was really high quality and delicious, and came with butter and 3 dipping sauces: cucumber yogurt, some kind of ground cilantro/pesto stuff with vinegar, and a sweet chili sauce. All of them were great. For an entree, I ordered the vegetarian ravioli, which was filled with scallions and pumpkin (or something like that), and topped with a yogurt sauce. Again, very tasty. I enjoyed eating at the place, except for the music, which I thought was awful at times and really annoyed me. Some of it sounds like a sitar playing (like something you would hear in Indian restaurants), and that was perfectly fine, but some of the other music that was played was really cheesy and annoying, like some kind of synthesized music that was really heavy and awkward with the percussion and rhythm. If it wasn't for the music, I'd definitely consider coming back to the place to eat again, but the music was definitely a big turn off for me. If you're okay with the music, then I would definitely recommend you check this place out. They serve wine too, in case you were wondering.
(4)
Alex H.
I went here on a Monday evening with a friend. The place was quiet, but not eery. They've done a nice job making the space homey. Our waiter was incredible and polite and attentive. The food. My Lord, the food. We split the Banjan app., it's simple pan fried eggplant smothered with a yogurt sauce. I could have eaten pounds of it. My friend had the Challow Kofta for her meal, it was spectacular, and their rice is a nice diversion from the typical rice you're served at most restaurants. I had the Mantu, I love persian dumplings and figured these couldn't be bad. They were incredible. I had to keep myself from licking the plate. They're beef and leek dumplings topped with a veggie yogurt sauce with a little tomato meat sauce to spice things up. I can't believe I've lived just down the street from this place for nearly a year. The price was great, $25 per person including an app and a caraf of house wine. I'll be going back. Frequently.
(5)
Carmen M.
Yummy! a wonderful place that has gluten free options and great wine! highly recommended!
(5)
Jackie S.
Awesome food! I have been 2x and it was delicious both times. The mashed lentils are superb and the lamb is cooked perfectly. They serve alcohol contrary to what you may think. The atmosphere is elegant yet down-to-earth. It's a great date spot. Highly recommended! Service was a little slow but very very friendly.
(5)
Atena A.
This is my go-to restaurant when my parents are in town. Everything I've had there has been so tasty. The eggplant, pumpkin, and mantu appetizers are very good. My favorite dish is the meatball one and my husband says the lamb chops are the best he's ever had (and he eats a lot of lamb chops). You can't go wrong here!
(5)
Leo L.
My wife and I went out to get dessert last night and decided to try Ariana for the big surprise of "You can not sit down for dessert only" said the host. Even tho it was completly empty. Guess what!? Will never go back and will let people know that! I just don't understand! Maybe we would had tried the dessert loved it and come back and bring people for dinner and more.... This is just a bad service, plan and run business!
(1)
Ilona K.
I love the Helmund in Cambridge, Ma... and when i saw this place, i was so excited that there is a very similar place much closer to us... and just HAD to try it. As i later found out, the owner is a cook from the Helmund, who opened his own version of that same restaurant about a half a year ago. All in all, i think the menu is the same, the food is delicious (although, i still think the helmund is a little bit better), staff is friendly and accommodating, and it is not expensive. I think that as a table, we agreed that the place needs some more decorating to make it look more cozy... and they are still working out the kinks... for example one of the dishes ran throughout the night and we couldn't order it, and they do not take AMEX (even thought they say they take all major credit cards". I recommend trying the Kaddo, and Mourgh Salata ( however it is spelled). Dont forget to make a reservation, the restaurant is usually packed!
(4)
Susan H.
I read the reviews before I suggested that I meet a friend at Ariana's for dinner. All the good things everyone said were absolutely true. The waiter was so nice. The food was beyond delicious. The portion sizes were perfect. The bread is brought warm from the oven, made fresh for each table. You must try the Mantu. Little ravioli like pockets full of the tastiest beef and onion. The back of the menu has a map of Afghanistan, and the waiter showed us where he is from. Even though parking on the streets in Allston is never a pleasure, we did find a street spot just a couple minutes walk away. Next time we go, I'm saving room for dessert and tea with cardamom.
(5)
G J J.
Decent. Copied Helmand extensively. I'm wondering about a trade dress suit.
(3)
Sherry S.
This is one of my all time favorite restaurants, and one of the first places I take people when they're trying to get to know Boston. I have eaten here too many times to count and have never had a negative experience--minus the fact that parking in Alliston can be obnoxious (it's a huge advantage to be a local with inside knowledge of where to find good parking at 8ePM on a Friday night). I recommend this restaurant over The Helmand, a very good Afghan restaurant in Cambridge. While The Helmand comes off as trying to be a bit fancier, Ariana ultimately has the better food and the better price.
(5)
Fred Y.
Not only was the food good, the service is excellent at Ariana. I would recommend this place to anyone. I hope to take out-of-town visitors to Ariana in the future. The prices are reasonable when you consider the quality of the trout special I ordered.
(5)
Afshan K.
Quite a disappointment. With Afghan food I expected juicy, succulent meat, but the meat was dry and kinda bland. I also found the restaurant to be way too crowded with tables - you literally are backing into the guy behind if you try to adjust your chair. Overall, it wasn't all that, especially if you've tried the lamb across the street at Saray Restaurant - much better food (although Turkish, not Afghan). Also - they had Indian music playing... what's up with that! Not going again.
(2)
george k.
People either love or hate this place. Overall it's pretty good. Cozy and warm it is. So is the food. Not good if you don't feel good about the person across from you. Try the pastrami. It's the real thing. Is it really camel meat?
(3)
Jake D.
GO TO THIS RESTAURANT!!!!! Saw this for the first time a couple of weeks ago walking through Allston and was immediately interested. We love afghan food and were excited to see it so near. My wife and I went for our anniversary dinner and were very pleased. Great service, outstanding food. Not spicy like Indian food; everything had great texture and flavor: baked pumpkin, pan fried eggplant, rice pilaf with carrots and raisin, and naan bread. All delicious. We ate well but still had room for desert. Good wine list too. The menu isn't overwhelming and there are lots of vegetarian/vegan options. A note to vegans - most entree's and appetizers have yogurt but it shouldn't be a problem to have them leave it out. I say it again, GO TO THIS RESTAURANT! I want this place to stick around so we can go for our next anniversary.
(5)
Anh L.
My date and I came here on a Tuesday night. I ordered a steak dish and he ordered a lamb dish but after taking a bite out of his dish, I would highly recommend the lamb and some red wine to complement. We ordered white wine like amateurs but I can't wait to go back to do it right. On top of that, the quality of the service was more than what we could expect for such a reasonably priced dinner.
(5)
Matthew M.
We started with the "Special" appetizer which was a splendid plate of grilled eggplant, spinach and this amazing pumpkin. For an entree I had the grilled lamb Dopiaza. The lamb was very flavorful, tender and also succulent. The only problem I had was the portion size, it seemed a little light. I can't forget to mention the freshly baked flat bread that was served at the beginning, along with it came three delicious sauces.
(3)
Mark F.
Attentive wait staff and lovely decor unfortunately the food did not live up to it's setting. Bolawnies unremarkable, entrees we choose did not live up to expectation's. We love Afghan food and we walked away disappointed.
(3)
Christopher P.
I have never had Afghan cuisine before, and I have to say that I am going back. The ambiance was nice, romantic, and perfect for a date. The service was timely and attentive. The food was great! I am sorry I am not writing a long review, but this restaurant deserves sigh of ecstasy and a cigarette. Try it for yourself!
(5)
Rehan B.
I was let down by this place. I ordered the Chopan (rack of lamb) and it came out done very well. By 'very well' I mean burnt bitter. I did point it out to the server but was not offered a replacement. Also, the vinaigrette on the Murgh Salata was a bit too strong. The kaddo was really good though. The decor was good and service prompt. For a lesser price, I would have been fine with it. But for how much they charge, I feel I deserved better quality food.
(3)
AB H.
I agree with Jessie S - the menu is very similar to The Helmand. And the food was just as good. And the people were really friendly, and it was easy to get a table. So why bother making a reservation way in advance at The Helmand when you can get the same quality at Ariana? Perhaps Helmand's ambiance is a bit better... Ariana is in Allston and it feels like Allston. I highly recommend the lamb soup with black eyed peas, the pumpkin (omg good), and the beef dumplings. yum. We had a nice Malbec with dinner. I'll be back soon!
(4)
Eve L.
We stumbled here by accident, because our first choice restaurant was on vacation. We were not disappointed! As I have come to expect with Afghani food, it's kind of a mix between Indian and Middle Eastern, but their seasoning was unique and delicious. Good size portions and fairly reasonably priced. The atmosphere looks pretty swanky especially for Allston (white tablecloths!) but people come in shorts and t-shirts and no one seems to mind.
(5)
Nadia M.
Great food and good price. The presentation and execution of the dishes is lacking but can't deny that my stomach was very happy at the yummy food and service. It was also very quite the day we went so that was a plus! I had the veggie dish that comes with pumpkin- loveddd it! My mouth watered again as I wrote that. Try it!
(4)
Elizabeth K.
If you like the food here, you should try Helmand, the food there is better. This place has nice decor, OK service and a yummy sounding menu, but when the food comes, I'm generally disappointed by the quality. The food doesn't have the flair of Helmand. I am particularly comparing the place to it's competitor in Cambridge, because the two are strikingly similar - same color walls, same art, same soundtrack playing the background, similarly attired servers, and a nearly identical menu - right down to the fresh bread and three sauces that comes complimentary with the meal. The problem is, the food doesn't have the same great flavor. I asked the owner of Helmand - which has been open for years - whether the Ariana was a new restaurant owned by him, since the style was so strikingly similar. It's not. I can't help but think Ariana would be better off if it tried doing its own thing instead of copying someone else. Better to be good at being yourself than a poor imitation of another.
(2)
Lisa S.
One of my favorite restaurants in the Allston area! A little pricey bu the food is soooo good!!! You MUST get the pumpkin. Whether you get it as an appetizer or an entree, just get it. And get the meat sauce. It's amazing. Also, make sure someone gets the leek ravioli. Again, get the meat sauce. The meat sauce is amazing. It tastes good on everything. OK, away from the meat sauce - the menu is heavy on the lamb but there is definitely food for people who don't eat lamb there (aka me). The chicken kabobs are delicious. The bread they bring out for you is amazing - my favorite of the sauces are the green and the red. The beef cups are also tasty. The wine carafe's are a good deal - don't get it by the bottle, get the carafe. Good value. Anyway, go to Ariana. It's well worth the visit.
(4)
Hisham M.
Overpriced. Mediocre. Only one waiter. Food took forever to come to me.
(3)
Selena J.
We decided to have a vegetarian date night at Ariana. The bowlani and aushak appetizers were unremarkable. Maybe the meat version would have been better... Our entrees, the kourma challow and the kaddo and banjan special, were quite tasty.
(3)
Vincent R.
Simply incredible. I've enjoyed Afghan food a couple of times previously at the other Afghan food institution (the Helmand) and I think this new restaurant is just as good. Their Pallow rice is unreal, light, fluffy and full of aromatic spices. We ordered the mantu and dopiazo, two dishes we've never had before and thoroughly enjoyed both.
(5)
Lauren O.
Food was so delicious! Started with the Kaddo and Aushak, and it was sooo yummy! Then for dinner had the Tikka Kabob...delicious and tender, and the accompanying rice and lentils were so yummy. Sopped up all of it with the delicious warm bread! Really nice atmosphere and great service here. It was Wednesday, so I am not sure if that is why, but it was truly delicious and so flavorful. Highly recommend if you are looking for something a little different and very flavorful.
(5)
Danny Y.
Excellent food and knowledgeable servers of the dishes.
(4)
kim s.
This place tries to duplicate exactly it's sister's awesome place in Cambridge that is Helmand. The food is just as good. The price is about 20% cheaper and thus portion size is noticeably 20% smaller. My party have always left Helmand overstuffed but left his place kinda hungry. The service is nowhere as good. The Cambridge place got 8 servers helping you but this place got only 1 or 2. Give them some time to work the kinks out.
(4)
Larry G.
Outstanding food in what has become a great area for reasonably priced, interesting options. As good as Cambridge's The Helmand and maybe better, and less expensive. But it's in Allston so maybe should be called The Kandahar. "The Kandahar." Do you get it? Do you?
(5)
Sabine S.
My husband and I have been here twice to eat. The first time, we were in Allston for dinner and left the restaurant looking for another place to have dessert. That is when we stumbled across Ariana. As soon as we realized they would have feereney, we had to have dessert there. We got a warm welcome, despite wanting only dessert. The second time we visited was tonight, and we got a similarly warm welcome (literally--they had the heat cranked, which was a relief because it was so cold outside). We had a wonderful dinner, with friendly, prompt service. The only other place we've ever had Afghan food was Helmand, so our ability to compare is limited, but we thought that the food at Ariana was just as good, and perhaps a bit less expensive. We found the service much better at Ariana (due primarily to the maitre d' at Helmand, who makes you feel like you should be grateful to get a table). My husband thought the bread was better at Helmand, and I thought the feereney a bit better at Helmand. But that is splitting hairs. If you want a wonderful meal in a relaxing environment with great service, go to Ariana.
(4)
A K.
Really Really Really good food, haven't had such a tasty food for a while, the portions are rather small though ...
(5)
Tracey B.
Attentive service coupled with insanely yummy food. Perfect for vegetarians and lamb eaters alike. I will never think of pumpkin the same again.
(5)
Sonya I.
The complementary bread that they serve along with 3 different condiments are just fantastic! We tried Mantu, Aush, Salata with pomegranate dressing, Shish Kabob, which came with an eggplant side dish and rice pilaf; and as a desert we had bucklawa..All were very delicious! The shish kabob and the pilaf rice that came with it were my favorites..Definitely recommend it..Can not wait to go back to try more of their dishes.
(5)
Heather B.
Loved this place! Quiet, beautifully decorated, and the food was amazing! We each got a bowl of the lamb stew which was delicious and then shared two apps (the pumpkin with the garlic yogurt and meat sauce is AMAZING! Like truly incredible and delicious!) The music, decor, and service all make for a beautiful evening. I highly recommend this place. Perfect for a date or a group of friends getting together.
(5)
Rachel W.
4 stars for slow but effective service. There were only two people working a very busy Sunday night, and you could really tell they were doing the best they possibly could. They were smiley and pleasant though you could tell they were truly exhausted. Orders came out perfect, and hot. Everything was delicious. Warm bread was fantastic (if you've ever been to Helmand, it's basically the same menu, same bread, same dipping sauces, basically the same) I like the interior of this restaurant, great date night spot. I had the trout tonight which was fantastic. If you're allergic to walnuts, just tell them you'd like a different rice and they are more than happy to oblige. One of the other people we were with had some side dish of pumpkin that was out of this world delicious, I would totally order an entire side of that next time. I ate everything that was on my plate, everything. Parking can be a hassle, I'd suggest taking the T if you can, otherwise be prepared to do a few circles around the block before you find a spot (or buy a smart car because apparently everyone in Boston loves to leave huge gaps between cars that your car could almost fit into, but not.)
(4)
Husain K.
Great option for authentic Afghani food! We recently went in a group and tried to order family style. Unfortunately the servings are individual and we ran a little short of food. If you do go with a group make sure to order individual dishes for each person. We ordered 6 dishes. The qabili was amazing and had small chunks of lamb in the rice, extremely flavorful! The rack of lamb was tender and juicy as we had asked for medium. Make sure to order the Choban as its def one of there best dishes. We also ordered the Tikka Kabob and Mough Challow. All the dishes were very well prepared and the quality of the meat was amazing. We will definitely come back here. Parking can be a little tricky on a Sat night. Also make reservations ahead of time as they can fill up quickly on weekends.
(5)
Maya I.
I've been here probably more than 5 times by now. I've never had Afghan food before I came to this place and I was pleasantly surprised. All of their dishes are pleasant and delicious, cooked to perfection. The service is quick. The servers are all Russian and since I'm Russian I've learned their names and always make sure to thank them. The kaddo was definitely my favorite! I get it everytime I go there! The Mantu was also very good. The qabili is also a good choice. However, I did not like the tikka kabob. It was burnt on the sides and the meat did not have as much flavor as their other dishes. I would take off a point for this but they simply have too many other great choices!
(5)
Lynn S.
We had high expectation going in. Without a reservation we were shocked to be told by the staff that there were no available seating at 5:30pm. The entire place was empty and the only reason we could tell was we were rejected because we have a small toddler with us. We ate next door at Carlos and by the time we were done, the place was still half empty at 8pm! So families be ware! Not cool.
(1)
Paran Y.
So good I came here 2 times in one week. No joke. Location. Location. Location. I don't know about you...but some days I just want to eat some ethnic Afgan food, then shoot some 8ball at a good ol' fashion pool hall, and then end the night singing Journey anthems till 3 in the morning. YOU TOO?! Look no further, Ariana is THE place if that sounds amazing. With karaoke and pool halls within 2 blocks of this place, its the perfect place for say....a birthday, with fun stuff to do afterwards?! Yes you understand now. As for the food, you will not find a place that serves better lamb. Mary's little lambs never tasted so delicious. I also got the Kaddo as recommended, but the pumpkin was a bit too sweet for an appetizer, but still good. Also, this place has Prosecco for a reasonable $21 to get that birthday celebration underways.
(5)
Pink Peony P.
I love it. I went for dinner for a date night. I was very impressed by the simple decor and I loved the blue goblets for water. I'm a big fan of Middle Eastern cuisine and always find them to be very flavorful. All the dishes look fantastic ... and they are! We started with the Kaddo and without a doubt, everyone is right! It tasted great! A great blend of sweet squash with savory beef. I can eat that as my full meal. I'm not a big fan of lamb, so but I picked the beef kabob. It was delicious and everything was well portioned. All of all the choices for food in Allston, take a try at Ariana for something different. The food is delicious and the price is reasonable for the service and atmosphere.
(4)
S. C.
My first time trying Afghani food and I was absolutely thrilled by the unique flavor combinations and great menu. Ariana is in a great location in the heart of Allston, nestled between a number of great ethnic restaurants. Aside from having awesome food, this 5-star rating was achieved by: great house wine, bread to start, and perfect portions. For an appetizer I ordered the Kaddo: pumpkin, garlic yogurt, and ground beef sauce (it basically tastes like sweet potato + cool whip + sloppy joe...and yes, it's awesome). Entree was Dopiaza, a lamb dish with mushrooms, garlic, onions, and rice (pretty much every single one of my favorite ingredients). My friend had the Chapendaz and I can say very assuredly that it was some of the best marinated tenderloin that I've had in a very long time. The environment is sparce but cute--you'll be so excited over the food choices that you won't even notice
(5)
Erkan B.
Everything was beautiful. It was shame that The Italian restaurant next to Ariana was full but not Ariana. People should not be afraid of trying different cusines. I recommend this place anyone who like to discover new tastes. I'd even go there just for their fresh baked bread!!!
(4)
Ariana Z.
I've never heard of Afghani food, and if it weren't for the fact that it's name is also my own, I probably would have never thought twice about going here. Fortunately my girlfriend brought me here as a surprise for my birthday, and I am so glad she did. Firstly, the food is sublime. Everything is perfect. Seasoned perfectly, plated perfectly, cooked to absolute perfection. I recommend the kaddo app and the aushak with beef for the entree. The rice dessert is also great. Food aside, the staff are friendly, welcoming, and attentive. I love this place, and would definitely recommend it to everyone I know. Great for dates or classy dinners.
(5)
rebecca x.
love this place.
(4)
Vivian C.
I love the Kaddo and Chowpan at Helmand's in Cambridge, so when I heard that there was a new Afghani restaurant on my side of the river, I was looking forward to visiting it. I finally had the chance recently and my friend pretty much let me order whatever I wanted for the two of us. The restaurant was decorated quite nicely and sedately, conveying an adults going out for the evening feeling that nonetheless did not make you feel uncomfortable should you had decided to arrive in a pair of jeans. As a Kaddo enthusiast, I ordered the Kaddo $5.95 - Pan-fried then baked baby pumpkin seasoned with sugar and served on a garlic yogurt sauce topped with ground beef sauce; Qabili $13.90 - Pallow rice baked with chunks of lamb shanks, raisins, and glazed julienne of carrots; and the Mourgh Salata $13.95 - Fresh boneless chicken breast marinated then grilled, served on mixed green salad with grilled vegetables and vinaigrette dressing. The hot bread arrived with 3 sauces and butter just shortly before the plate of pumpkin. The bread was crispy soft, but a bit burnt (some bits were scraped off). Still, it was good. The Kaddo not as sweet as Helmand's but still good. The Qabili hid several fork tender chunks of lamb under its mountain of individual long grains of rice. This was a tasty sweet rice plate, and I enjoyed shredding the lamb into the mix. The chicken in the Mourgh Salata was a bit burnt here and there (grill marks), but was really tender. The overwhelming flavor of the greens and veggie chunks was the advertised vinaigrette, which was good but perhaps used a touch too heavy handedly. Street parking was tough on a late Friday night - perhaps because of the nearby bars with lines of patrons waiting to enter? Note: Does not accept American Express. *** 2/2012 visit *** The portion size of the kaddo has sadly shrunk by about half while the price stayed the same, so that was kind of sad. But it is still tasty. We tried the Aushak as well, which is the dumpling appetizer, but felt it tasted too similar to a simple boiled Chinese dumpling to consider ordering it again in the future. Service was pleasant. The bread unburnt this time around.
(4)
Cynthia Y.
Excellent fresh food and excellent service. The trout is superb as is the vegetarian plate. The pumpkin is totally yummy.
(5)
Morra Y.
The food is so yummy. Recommended dishes: home-made noodles for appetizer, Lamb leg and chicken breast for entree. A must-go place in Allston.
(5)
Christopher S.
My first intro to Afghan food occurred on my last day working in Boston back in 2001, when my boss took me out for a farewell dinner at The Helmand in Cambridge. Perhaps it was a combination of the occasion, the element of surprise (since I had no idea what Afghan food would taste like) and the eccentric panoply of bold flavors that seamlessly meld Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Indian, and even Chinese cuisine(perhaps in part due to the Silk Road trading routes), I have since recommended it to several friends whether they are living or visiting Boston and they have never been disappointed. Fast forward to 2012 when my special lady friend and I were jonesing for something off the beaten path for dinner. I had always talked about taking her to Helmand for her first Afghan dining experience, but I placed my faith in my fellow yelpers in this relative newcomer since it was within walking distance of her neighborhood and I was rewarded in spades. The meal started out with their complementary warm flatbread accompanied by a tray of 3 dipping sauces (white yogurt cucumber, green mint walnut, red chili). The bread is like the hybrid (hy-bread...sorry, couldn't resist the terrible pun) child of naan and lavash, and the sauces pair well alone or in combination together. We ordered the Kaddo and the Aushak appetizers. The Kaddo was definitely the standout dish since it consisted of a baby pumpkin that is first panfried and then baked so it has a sweet crispy caramelized exterior enveloping a creamy velvety interior. Alone, this would be like your thanksgiving candied yams on steroids, but top this with a spicy meat sauce with a hint of chili oil and then rounding it out with a cool garlicky yogurt sauce and it's like 3 extreme flavors that somehow balance each out while every single tastebud on your tongue is on overdrive, not an easy feat to achieve. We opted for the vegetarian version of Aushak, which consisted of a soft pillowy ravioli filled with leeks and scallions topped with a garlic and mint yogurt sauce. The texture of the ravioli and combination of the vegetable components were reminiscent of a well-prepared Chinese boiled dumpling with garlic chives, but the mint yogurt sauce gave it its distinct identity. Perhaps a bit too subtle or suffering the fate of having to be the following act for the Kaddo, I would probably order this one with the ground beef or venture to try the Mantu on future visits. For the main entree, we split the Korma Challow, which was leg of lamb sauteed with onions, tomatoes garlic, and green beans accompanied with lentils and challow rice. The lamb was very flavorful and tender with every vegetable component cooked to textural perfection. The rice dishes are considered the best part of any meal in Afghan cuisine, and both varieties (challow and pallow) need to be on anyone's rice bucket list (others on my list include Hainanese chicken rice, Indian biryanis, Vietnamese broken rice, and Korean bibimbap to name a few). For our dish, the challow is basmati rice first parboiled, then drained and baked with a combination of oil and spices (pallow has additional components of meat, stock, dried fruits, or herbs) with the staged process resulting in a fluffy consistency that has each grain separated, a nice foil to the stewed lamb and lentils which bind the grains together like reeling in fish on a net. Lamb is definitely the protein of choice that matches best with the delicate combinations of cumin, cinnamon, and cardamon throughout their menu. In summary, Ariana is a worthy rival to The Helmand in terms of Afghan cuisine supremacy in Boston, with a more casual dining experience in terms of ambience, but definitely does not come up short on taste or service. A culinary gem in the Allston neighborhood that will be sure to surprise your tastebuds.
(5)
Yancey L.
Every time I pass that restaurant, I can't help looking inside because their wall decoration is really exotic and their table sets are so beautiful. Finally I got a chance to dine in, and I absolutely enjoyed the food there. I tried Kaddo, the baby pumpkin with ground beef sauce; Mantu, I call them Afghan dumplings (I love how they arrange the dumplings on the plate, which looks like a flower); Dopiaza, marinated then grilled lamb leg. I personally like lamb a lot, and they give you so many choices of lamb dishes which seems all great to me. So it took me so long to decide which I want to try, but definitely, I will come back for other lamb dishes too. The owner himself is a man with great personality and amazing stories. He also has a small wine collection from all over the world. It would be a good place for a romantic candle-lit dinner too!
(5)
Eva B.
Lovely gem of great food. The starters are to die for. Very well priced and good service. Is always very busy which say it all.
(5)
James O.
Wow. Talk about impressed. This was my first time eating Afghan food, and I loved it. I had read some good things about this place and its so close to BU's campus I decided last night to try it with a friend. The place is small, simple, but inviting. It was a Tuesday night so it was empty. Our waiter was very nice, although he didn't seem to know much about the wine selection, but that's okay, he was very pleasant and prompt. We started with the Mantu Appetizer: We were expecting more of a filled pastry based on the description, but it is more of a beef filled ravioli. Some great flavors and spices here, a nice and light appetizer. I had the Trout, which was one of the day's special's. It was so perfectly crispy, accompanied by date and walnut rice and some sauteed eggplant. Wow. It was such a great meal. My friend had the Lamb Challow, which I tried and was also great. For dessert we had the Sheerekh, a homemade icecream with pistachio and cardamom. Delicious, creamy, and fresh. A perfectly sweet and light way to end dinner. I'm giving it a four for now only because I have only been here once. But overall, I really want to come back.
(4)
David C.
I finally got around to trying Ariana the other night, and I'm happy to say it lives up to the hype. My dishes definitely outshone my mother's, but everything we had (including the bread and sauce accompaniments) was lovely. The highlight of the night for me was the kaddo. I'm basically a whore for pumpkin, and this rendering was the tastiest I've had all season. The best part? I can have THIS pumpkin all year round. Ariana's qabili makes for a delicious (and, for only $14.95, deliciously affordable) main course. It's a great way to introduce yourself to pallow rice, which is the perfect blend of sweet and savory. A generous helping of tender lamb shank and glazed julienne carrots top the dish off just right. I'm so glad to have finally tried Ariana, and I'm almost certain I'll be back (hopefully sooner rather than later). The only reason I can't give it five stars is the slow service. I'd recommend going on a weeknight as opposed to a Saturday to avoid the crowds.
(4)
Yuan W.
While I'm also a huge fan of Helmand, another Afghan place in Kendall Square, I have to say Ariana is pretty good in its own right. Came here recently with some friends and had a delightful meal. We started with the kaddo (baked pumpkin with sugar, yogurt and beef sauce), which I saw was highly recommended by other Yelpers. It was definitely unique, I've never had yogurt and beef together before. It was a surprisingly complementary pairing, although the pumpkin may have been a bit too sweet for my taste. I had the filet of trout special, which came with sauteed eggplant seasoned with walnuts on top of rice. Trout was well cooked, and I really enjoy the flavorful eggplant. One of my friends had the sabzi challow, which is lamb, spinach and rice. Very similar to Helmand but slightly smaller portions. Overall that was sort of the main comparison throughout the night - almost identical menu to Helmand, smaller portions, slightly better prices and also very delicious. The wine here is an EXCELLENT deal. We got a half carafe of the house wine for $15. That was about 3-4 glasses and you had the choice between a cabernet sauvignon and a chardonnay. We got the cab which was actually really good for a house wine. A full carafe was only $20 and you get double the amount. I've never seen better restaurant wine prices in Boston. The restaurant itself is relatively small, so it feels pretty intimate. It's a quieter place, great for conversation and a low-key meal. Also, there's relatively abundant street parking in Allston, which is a plus in my book. I'd come here again.
(4)
Joanna H.
The Kaddo, at first taste, kind of sets you off. But eventually you adjust to the sweetness of the pumpkin coupled with the savory ground beef sauce. The pumpkin just dissolves in your mouth and it's so good you can't resist. Get the Trout Special: Pan fried Filet of trout served with sauteed eggplant and rice seasoned with dates and walnuts. Trout was a considerable size, fried to tender perfection. I finished the plate clean quickly and gladly. Service is fast and people there are super amiable. I'll be spreading the word.
(5)
Alisa K.
Delicious! The pumpkin with ground beef appetizer was amazing- savory and sweet and flavorful. I enjoyed my qabili pulau - the rice was flavorful, the lamb succulent, the carrots fresh, the raisins plump. It could have benefitted from a bit more meat sauce, however. (I've been to other Afghan restaurants where they give you some on the side). They also have a really great selection of sauces (white yogurt cucumber, green mint walnut, red chili). The red sauce was my favorite . The waitresses were really welcoming and attentive - refilled water, prompt when we needed anything, patient with our lame inquires about their ethnicity (Belarusian and Russian). It's located in a bit of an undergrad heavy area of Allston. I would give this place a 4.5 stars if I could and would definitely come back.
(4)
Felix G.
Very tasty food! Not very complicated, but damn it tasted good. The couple that owns the place is also very nice, happy to talk about their food and country. Ask them to pick a meal for you.
Before coming here, my husband and I had never tasted Middle Eastern food before. Since this place is new, and the thought of trying Afghan cuisine seemed intriguing, we decided to have our 8 year anniversary dinner here. Best decision of our lives. I have never tasted so many spices at one time in my life. Since I don't have much experience with Middle Eastern food, I can't compare this to REAL Afghan cuisine, nor can I compare it to any other Afghani restaurant, but I will say because of this restaurant, I always will choose this type of cuisine over my usual tastes for Italian and Asian! Some notes: The service was incredible- our waiter was knowledgeable, patient and extremely helpful. The atmosphere is EXTREMELY comfortable. The tables are covered in a nice, white table cloth. Each table has a candle. The wall decor isn't fancy, but I didn't feel like I was in a hole-in-the-wall place. It's a little bit odd that an Afghani place would sell alcohol, but I will say the desert wine we had was incredible. We came in July, so I can't remember the name of it :X but it did come in its own bottle. We were too full to try dessert but I've been DYING to try their backlawa. Definitely going to come back!!
The food was delicious and interesting. The atmosphere is high class. And the service was both excellent and friendly.
(4)
Diana W.
Delicious food (I had Kaddo, after seeing everyone on here rave about it), sheekh kabob (lamb, rice, onion and eggplant sides). For dessert, rice pudding with pistachio and cardamom - light and refreshing. Our waitress was quick and attentive, and the atmosphere was great!! I'll definitely be going back.
(5)
Alex H.
I went here on a Monday evening with a friend. The place was quiet, but not eery. They've done a nice job making the space homey. Our waiter was incredible and polite and attentive. The food. My Lord, the food. We split the Banjan app., it's simple pan fried eggplant smothered with a yogurt sauce. I could have eaten pounds of it. My friend had the Challow Kofta for her meal, it was spectacular, and their rice is a nice diversion from the typical rice you're served at most restaurants. I had the Mantu, I love persian dumplings and figured these couldn't be bad. They were incredible. I had to keep myself from licking the plate. They're beef and leek dumplings topped with a veggie yogurt sauce with a little tomato meat sauce to spice things up. I can't believe I've lived just down the street from this place for nearly a year. The price was great, $25 per person including an app and a caraf of house wine. I'll be going back. Frequently.
(5)
Carmen M.
Yummy! a wonderful place that has gluten free options and great wine! highly recommended!
(5)
Jackie S.
Awesome food! I have been 2x and it was delicious both times. The mashed lentils are superb and the lamb is cooked perfectly. They serve alcohol contrary to what you may think. The atmosphere is elegant yet down-to-earth. It's a great date spot. Highly recommended! Service was a little slow but very very friendly.
(5)
Ilona K.
I love the Helmund in Cambridge, Ma... and when i saw this place, i was so excited that there is a very similar place much closer to us... and just HAD to try it. As i later found out, the owner is a cook from the Helmund, who opened his own version of that same restaurant about a half a year ago. All in all, i think the menu is the same, the food is delicious (although, i still think the helmund is a little bit better), staff is friendly and accommodating, and it is not expensive. I think that as a table, we agreed that the place needs some more decorating to make it look more cozy... and they are still working out the kinks... for example one of the dishes ran throughout the night and we couldn't order it, and they do not take AMEX (even thought they say they take all major credit cards". I recommend trying the Kaddo, and Mourgh Salata ( however it is spelled). Dont forget to make a reservation, the restaurant is usually packed!
(4)
Susan H.
I read the reviews before I suggested that I meet a friend at Ariana's for dinner. All the good things everyone said were absolutely true. The waiter was so nice. The food was beyond delicious. The portion sizes were perfect. The bread is brought warm from the oven, made fresh for each table. You must try the Mantu. Little ravioli like pockets full of the tastiest beef and onion. The back of the menu has a map of Afghanistan, and the waiter showed us where he is from. Even though parking on the streets in Allston is never a pleasure, we did find a street spot just a couple minutes walk away. Next time we go, I'm saving room for dessert and tea with cardamom.
(5)
G J J.
Decent. Copied Helmand extensively. I'm wondering about a trade dress suit.
(3)
Sherry S.
This is one of my all time favorite restaurants, and one of the first places I take people when they're trying to get to know Boston. I have eaten here too many times to count and have never had a negative experience--minus the fact that parking in Alliston can be obnoxious (it's a huge advantage to be a local with inside knowledge of where to find good parking at 8ePM on a Friday night). I recommend this restaurant over The Helmand, a very good Afghan restaurant in Cambridge. While The Helmand comes off as trying to be a bit fancier, Ariana ultimately has the better food and the better price.
(5)
Fred Y.
Not only was the food good, the service is excellent at Ariana. I would recommend this place to anyone. I hope to take out-of-town visitors to Ariana in the future. The prices are reasonable when you consider the quality of the trout special I ordered.
(5)
Afshan K.
Quite a disappointment. With Afghan food I expected juicy, succulent meat, but the meat was dry and kinda bland. I also found the restaurant to be way too crowded with tables - you literally are backing into the guy behind if you try to adjust your chair. Overall, it wasn't all that, especially if you've tried the lamb across the street at Saray Restaurant - much better food (although Turkish, not Afghan). Also - they had Indian music playing... what's up with that! Not going again.
(2)
george k.
People either love or hate this place. Overall it's pretty good. Cozy and warm it is. So is the food. Not good if you don't feel good about the person across from you. Try the pastrami. It's the real thing. Is it really camel meat?
(3)
Jake D.
GO TO THIS RESTAURANT!!!!! Saw this for the first time a couple of weeks ago walking through Allston and was immediately interested. We love afghan food and were excited to see it so near. My wife and I went for our anniversary dinner and were very pleased. Great service, outstanding food. Not spicy like Indian food; everything had great texture and flavor: baked pumpkin, pan fried eggplant, rice pilaf with carrots and raisin, and naan bread. All delicious. We ate well but still had room for desert. Good wine list too. The menu isn't overwhelming and there are lots of vegetarian/vegan options. A note to vegans - most entree's and appetizers have yogurt but it shouldn't be a problem to have them leave it out. I say it again, GO TO THIS RESTAURANT! I want this place to stick around so we can go for our next anniversary.
(5)
Anh L.
My date and I came here on a Tuesday night. I ordered a steak dish and he ordered a lamb dish but after taking a bite out of his dish, I would highly recommend the lamb and some red wine to complement. We ordered white wine like amateurs but I can't wait to go back to do it right. On top of that, the quality of the service was more than what we could expect for such a reasonably priced dinner.
(5)
Matthew M.
We started with the "Special" appetizer which was a splendid plate of grilled eggplant, spinach and this amazing pumpkin. For an entree I had the grilled lamb Dopiaza. The lamb was very flavorful, tender and also succulent. The only problem I had was the portion size, it seemed a little light. I can't forget to mention the freshly baked flat bread that was served at the beginning, along with it came three delicious sauces.
(3)
Mark F.
Attentive wait staff and lovely decor unfortunately the food did not live up to it's setting. Bolawnies unremarkable, entrees we choose did not live up to expectation's. We love Afghan food and we walked away disappointed.
(3)
Christopher P.
I have never had Afghan cuisine before, and I have to say that I am going back. The ambiance was nice, romantic, and perfect for a date. The service was timely and attentive. The food was great! I am sorry I am not writing a long review, but this restaurant deserves sigh of ecstasy and a cigarette. Try it for yourself!
(5)
Rehan B.
I was let down by this place. I ordered the Chopan (rack of lamb) and it came out done very well. By 'very well' I mean burnt bitter. I did point it out to the server but was not offered a replacement. Also, the vinaigrette on the Murgh Salata was a bit too strong. The kaddo was really good though. The decor was good and service prompt. For a lesser price, I would have been fine with it. But for how much they charge, I feel I deserved better quality food.
(3)
AB H.
I agree with Jessie S - the menu is very similar to The Helmand. And the food was just as good. And the people were really friendly, and it was easy to get a table. So why bother making a reservation way in advance at The Helmand when you can get the same quality at Ariana? Perhaps Helmand's ambiance is a bit better... Ariana is in Allston and it feels like Allston. I highly recommend the lamb soup with black eyed peas, the pumpkin (omg good), and the beef dumplings. yum. We had a nice Malbec with dinner. I'll be back soon!
(4)
Eve L.
We stumbled here by accident, because our first choice restaurant was on vacation. We were not disappointed! As I have come to expect with Afghani food, it's kind of a mix between Indian and Middle Eastern, but their seasoning was unique and delicious. Good size portions and fairly reasonably priced. The atmosphere looks pretty swanky especially for Allston (white tablecloths!) but people come in shorts and t-shirts and no one seems to mind.
(5)
Nadia M.
Great food and good price. The presentation and execution of the dishes is lacking but can't deny that my stomach was very happy at the yummy food and service. It was also very quite the day we went so that was a plus! I had the veggie dish that comes with pumpkin- loveddd it! My mouth watered again as I wrote that. Try it!
(4)
Elizabeth K.
If you like the food here, you should try Helmand, the food there is better. This place has nice decor, OK service and a yummy sounding menu, but when the food comes, I'm generally disappointed by the quality. The food doesn't have the flair of Helmand. I am particularly comparing the place to it's competitor in Cambridge, because the two are strikingly similar - same color walls, same art, same soundtrack playing the background, similarly attired servers, and a nearly identical menu - right down to the fresh bread and three sauces that comes complimentary with the meal. The problem is, the food doesn't have the same great flavor. I asked the owner of Helmand - which has been open for years - whether the Ariana was a new restaurant owned by him, since the style was so strikingly similar. It's not. I can't help but think Ariana would be better off if it tried doing its own thing instead of copying someone else. Better to be good at being yourself than a poor imitation of another.
(2)
Lisa S.
One of my favorite restaurants in the Allston area! A little pricey bu the food is soooo good!!! You MUST get the pumpkin. Whether you get it as an appetizer or an entree, just get it. And get the meat sauce. It's amazing. Also, make sure someone gets the leek ravioli. Again, get the meat sauce. The meat sauce is amazing. It tastes good on everything. OK, away from the meat sauce - the menu is heavy on the lamb but there is definitely food for people who don't eat lamb there (aka me). The chicken kabobs are delicious. The bread they bring out for you is amazing - my favorite of the sauces are the green and the red. The beef cups are also tasty. The wine carafe's are a good deal - don't get it by the bottle, get the carafe. Good value. Anyway, go to Ariana. It's well worth the visit.
(4)
Hisham M.
Overpriced. Mediocre. Only one waiter. Food took forever to come to me.
(3)
Selena J.
We decided to have a vegetarian date night at Ariana. The bowlani and aushak appetizers were unremarkable. Maybe the meat version would have been better... Our entrees, the kourma challow and the kaddo and banjan special, were quite tasty.
(3)
Vincent R.
Simply incredible. I've enjoyed Afghan food a couple of times previously at the other Afghan food institution (the Helmand) and I think this new restaurant is just as good. Their Pallow rice is unreal, light, fluffy and full of aromatic spices. We ordered the mantu and dopiazo, two dishes we've never had before and thoroughly enjoyed both.
(5)
Lauren O.
Food was so delicious! Started with the Kaddo and Aushak, and it was sooo yummy! Then for dinner had the Tikka Kabob...delicious and tender, and the accompanying rice and lentils were so yummy. Sopped up all of it with the delicious warm bread! Really nice atmosphere and great service here. It was Wednesday, so I am not sure if that is why, but it was truly delicious and so flavorful. Highly recommend if you are looking for something a little different and very flavorful.
(5)
Danny Y.
Excellent food and knowledgeable servers of the dishes.
(4)
kim s.
This place tries to duplicate exactly it's sister's awesome place in Cambridge that is Helmand. The food is just as good. The price is about 20% cheaper and thus portion size is noticeably 20% smaller. My party have always left Helmand overstuffed but left his place kinda hungry. The service is nowhere as good. The Cambridge place got 8 servers helping you but this place got only 1 or 2. Give them some time to work the kinks out.
(4)
Larry G.
Outstanding food in what has become a great area for reasonably priced, interesting options. As good as Cambridge's The Helmand and maybe better, and less expensive. But it's in Allston so maybe should be called The Kandahar. "The Kandahar." Do you get it? Do you?
(5)
Sabine S.
My husband and I have been here twice to eat. The first time, we were in Allston for dinner and left the restaurant looking for another place to have dessert. That is when we stumbled across Ariana. As soon as we realized they would have feereney, we had to have dessert there. We got a warm welcome, despite wanting only dessert. The second time we visited was tonight, and we got a similarly warm welcome (literally--they had the heat cranked, which was a relief because it was so cold outside). We had a wonderful dinner, with friendly, prompt service. The only other place we've ever had Afghan food was Helmand, so our ability to compare is limited, but we thought that the food at Ariana was just as good, and perhaps a bit less expensive. We found the service much better at Ariana (due primarily to the maitre d' at Helmand, who makes you feel like you should be grateful to get a table). My husband thought the bread was better at Helmand, and I thought the feereney a bit better at Helmand. But that is splitting hairs. If you want a wonderful meal in a relaxing environment with great service, go to Ariana.
(4)
A K.
Really Really Really good food, haven't had such a tasty food for a while, the portions are rather small though ...
(5)
Tracey B.
Attentive service coupled with insanely yummy food. Perfect for vegetarians and lamb eaters alike. I will never think of pumpkin the same again.
(5)
Ashley J.
After not being able to get a reservation at another restaurant we decided to look up a type of cuisine we had not experienced yet and try something new. I had heard the rumors of how hard it is to get into Helmand so when I spotted this restaurant I was excited. When I called the host was very gracious and was able to get us a reservation on short notice. It is not a large restaurant but the tables are not so close together that it is intrusive. The restaurant was full so I was happy we had called ahead. They didn't have the Mantu appetizer which was disappointing but they recommended the Bowlawni which I found to be just ok. Two deep friend pastries, one filled with a potato mixture, the other with leeks. The potato one was good, the leeks was off putting. We also tried the Kaddo which was perfect. I highly recommend this dish. The sweetness of the pumpkin against the tang of the yogurt sauce and the earthiness of the tomato meat sauce is unique and heavenly. My fiance got the Chapendaz beef tenderloin entree with spinach rice, lentils and veggies which he thought was amazing. I got the Chopan rack of lamb. The lamb itself was flavorful, tender and cooked perfectly however the rest of the dish of stewed eggplant and rice was uninspired and bland. I think from the quality and the rest of our items I may have picked one of the not so special items on the menu. The bottle of rioja we enjoyed was also delicious and nicely priced. Overall I see this restaurant being a part of our list of go to places.
(4)
Kavitha M.
Better than Helmand- I can't believe this place was near empty when I went there this past Saturday night. The food however was delicious. The dipping sauces- mint chutney's cousin, the surprisingly sweet red chili sauce and the yogurt sauce are the perfect accompaniment to the thick soft bread. The star of the meal was the aushak appetizer. So much flavor and deliciousness in these small raviolis topped with beef. We ordered the dopiaza (with its delicious vinegar split peas and rice) and the tikka kabob, and the laghatac ( eggplant with onions, peppers and garlic which was SOO good). The meat was a bit chewy but tasty nonetheless. For dessert- the baklava was really delicious. A great meal for a good price. However, do not order a carafe of the house cab sauv- truly horrible (but this of course was partially our mistake for choosing this option).
(4)
Hussam B.
This place is a duplicate of the original restaurant in Cambridge (The Helmand). Their best dish by far is the lamd Gabili which they are famous for. Their prices are about 20% cheaper than the original restaurant which is great.
(3)
Karen B.
We had SUCH a great dinner last night at Ariana! The service was absolutely fantastic, I haven't had such a great waiter since my visit to a 5-star restaurant in Napa. Our waiter gave us perfect recommendations. We ordered a bottle of a Spanish red wine that was very tasty (and decently priced!) For appetizers we had the scallion filled ravioli and the pumpkin dish, so delicious! The meat sauce perfectly cut the sweetness of the pumpkin. For an entree we shared the quabili dish which is rice with lamb, raisins, and glazed carrots. Amazing! The lamb was so tender and it was the perfect combination of sweet and savory. I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Snuffles B.
This place is cozy (feels strangely like a Tuscan place, with non-Tuscan music and wall decor). Service is excellent. We've eaten: - Bread - Warm, crisp w/ soft chewy edges, great w/ sauces or butter. - Aushak - Ravioli w/ leeks & scallions - Love this, so flavorful. - Mantu - Beef in pastry - Very tasty, suprisingly light. - Mourg Challow - Sauteed chicken & challow rice - great sauce, reminded me of a mix of Indian and Persian flavors but w/o the heaviness of the cream, this led to massive rice consumption. - Chopan - Lamb + bed of eggplant. Let me preface by saying that I HATE lamb, I keep trying bites of it from friend's orders over and over again at great restaurants and never tolerate it. This time, I took a bite of a friend's and DEAR lord it was delicious, perfectly cooked, not at all gamey, so flavorful. and the eggplant was done well too. The Pallow rice is deliciously cinnamony. - Vegetarian special - You can get the parts of these as appetizers, this is more of a sampler plate: Baked pumpkin - SO GOOD - sweet but so creamy, light. Eggplant, Okra and Spinach - all tasty but nothing to write home about. - Chapendaz - the meat was tender but I thought it was tenderized too much, it was a bit beat up, flavor was decent. However, loved the buttery lentils, spinach rice, and the cumin seeds were a new delicious experience, sort of like a cross between barley and israeli couscous. -Shreerek - Homemade ice cream and pistachio & cardamom - SO GOOD. The ice cream tasted just like when I had it as a kid out of an old fashioned ice cream maker and the flavors went perfectly with it. I like carbs, Ariana does carbs well, therefore, I like Ariana. Even though I've yet to go to the Helmand, my friends have been and felt that Ariana was just as good, whats more, its saves us all a huge schlep. I will be back for more carbs.
(4)
Karen G.
Comparable to the Helmand by Cambridgeside Galleria. The pumpkin dish was awesome! Great ambiance but parking in the area was horrendous.
(4)
Leili T.
Everything lamb is very delicious. And it's great quality with a reasonable price.
(4)
Deb O.
Just plain delicious Afghan food, reasonable prices, great service. Can't ask for more. The mantoo were exquisite; we also had sabzi chalow (lamb with spinach and rice), bamia (okra) and eggplant. All so good we practically licked our plates. For dessert, we had a lovely rice pudding. Perfect. We would happily return anytime.
Everything was so yummy, especially the kaddo--pumpkin with yogurt and meat sauce. Service was friendly and ambience was nice.
(5)
Jen R.
We stumbled upon this restaurant last night and were intrigued by the menu. It wasn't very crowded, although this was probably because the restaurant only opened 3 weeks ago, so it felt like it hadn't quite been "discovered" yet. This was my first time trying Afghan food and I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised! There were 6 of us dining so we really got to try out the menu. One of our appetizers was Kaddo- baked pumpkin topped w/ yogurt & ground beef sauce- and it was amazing! I think everyone's favorite at the table. The menu was heavy on dishes made with lamb, although they also had chicken, beef, fish and vegetarian options as well. I opted for a vegetarian entree- the Special- which consisted of delicious roasted egg plant with yogurt mint sauce, sugared pumpkin (again- a treat), okra stewed in a tomato-based sauce (I've rarely ever eaten okra but this was fantastic), sauteed spinach, and Pallow- a delicious long-grained rice flavored with cinnamon, cumin and some other spices. I'm forgetting all of the names of the dishes, but others in my group tried the Rack of Lamb, a dish that consisted of ground lamb wrapped in pastry with lentil sauce on top, a lamb stew on challow with mushrooms on the side, ground beef meatballs in a spiced tomato sauce with rice, and vegetarian ravioli stuffed with leeks and onions in a spiced sauce. All of us enjoyed our dishes and shared between plates- always a good sign. My only criticism is that they didn't have any authentic Afghan non-alcoholic beverages, and what they did have to offer (soft drinks and juice) was not on the menu. I found myself craving a yogurt-based drink while I was there and wishing that they served something similar to a lassi. They did, however, have a pretty nice wine menu, from which we ordered a bottle of Prosecco. For dessert, they had a variety of options from Pudeen- a creme caramel custard, to Baklawa- a variant of the standard greek pastry Baklava, to a rice pudding with cardamom and pistachios on top- like a slightly thickened version of Kheer that you would find at an Indian restaurant. For beverages, they offered coffee, green tea with mint, and turkish coffee, which they happened to be out of that night. All in all, this place was very good and very reasonably priced. From what I remember, appetizers ranged from $5-$8, and Entrees were from $10-$18, most of which were in the $10-$13 range. The meals felt relatively healthy and yet very flavorful and could be considered a type of comfort food that you end up craving-I would certainly recommend it to anyone looking to try something new.
(4)
Luis M.
I have never had Afghanistan food. It was very good. The place was also formal in appearance, yet casual enough to be comfortable.
(5)
Tom N.
I have to concur with other reviewers that this is the best new restaurant to hit Boston in recent memory. I went with the highly recommended Qabili and was not disappointed (it was awesome)! The bread and sauce offerings are delightful; the service is impeccable and attentive, and $23.00 for a bottle of Murphy-Goode chardonnay is not a big markup on a liquor store purchase price. According to my daughter, the vegetarian offerings are second to none. We'll be returning soon for sure--outstanding food and service at an extremely reasonable price!
(5)
Julie C.
I don't like pumpkins. I really don't like pumpkins in food form. Gourds are not food....but....I LOVE kaddo! Never before has a restaurant convinced me that pumpkin is, in fact, food! I come here almost on a weekly basis and every single dish is amazing. Afghani food is a definite switch up, mixing sweet and savory quite well, introducing new flavors while still being quite familiar. The prices are very reasonable, and much better than Helmand in Cambridge. Parking can be a bit of a pain, but once you find it it's well worth it!
(5)
Sergio V.
This is one of my favorite fairly cheap, fairly upscale places in town. Not pretentious yet elegant, the food is very flavorful and the atmosphere just quiet enough. The pumpkin appetizer is to die for, the house wine pretty good (for a house wine) and the main dishes are complemented by hearty, delicious sides.
(5)
D P.
Awesome food, ambience is nice and service is fantastic. Highly recommend ordering "Banjan" -Egglplant cooked in tomatos and topped with yogurt sauce as an appetizer or side. Their flat bread is fantastic which they serve with three dipping sauce. Ordered Chicken cooked with lentils and spices and not only taste was really good, meat was tender and showed well marination. Afghan food is very close to indian food so you will find the same spices around, except on a milder side. Didn't care for Okra dish with Tomatoes. In general, whole expereince was so nice that I had to try their 'home made ice-cream' with Cardamom and Pistachhio. It was really good too. Definately going back :).
(4)
Barbara L.
We hadn't planned on going to Ariana last Saturday evening, but looking through their windows and inhaling the wonderful aromas wafting out while waiting to get into another restaurant next door led us to pop inside & see if they could take our party of 4. The hostess was more than gracious, and, although we did not have reservations, she put together a table for us and we were on our way to discover a new, fabulous cuisine. Succulent lamb, delicious pilaf, perfect spicing. We''ll be back. This is a must try restaurant. Thank you for a perfect setting and fabulous meal on a cold, rainy June evening.
(5)
Steven G.
Fantastic place. I went last night and had the Qabili and it was fantastic. Very fall tasting dish which I thought was coincidental because it was the first night of the year that was jacket-worthy. The lamb was the most perfectly cooked lamb I have ever had in my life and the raisins and lightly cooked carrots on top were extremely complimentary. The ravioli stuffed with leeks and scallions was superb, but I couldn't help feeling it was a bit westernized. The service was friendly, but a little slow at times. I will definitely go back and I would definitely recommend it to anyone and everyone. Do yourself a favor and pay them a visit.
(4)
Shirley G.
Adorable, quiet, excellent service, and delicious food. Don't bother with the one across the river..... This is really excellent quality Afghani food. Don't remember my exact dishes, but between my date and I, we had about 4 different dishes and all of them were incredible.
(5)
Yuri V.
Food was individually prepared by chef. The flavors were superb. Only downfall, the portions are small and the prices are a bit high. Highly recommend it.
(4)
Linda C.
This restaurant has such good food I want to try everything on the menu. We shared two entrees on the specials menu and everything was so delicious. The pumpkin with a yogurt sauce, the eggplant, the tomato side, the two rices, and trout were gobbled up. Shared a dessert of creamy pudding with fresh fruit which was refreshing and yummy. I wish more people would go to this restaurant -- would hate to see it go out of business.
(5)
Jessica B.
Amazing! One of the places in Boston. Get the pumpkin. Great option for vegetarians and husbo said his lamb was amazing too.
(5)
Jenna F.
Just found this place walking by. It happened to share names with my good friend. The service rocks. The food is amazing. Get the special. Totally tickled w my whole experience. Def coming back. Yum.
(5)
Crystal L.
Amazing food and service. Affordable. Fun neighborhood. A nice change from the usual Indian or Thai places that are always plentiful. We really enjoyed our dinner and wine.
(5)
Gray K.
Another great find off of yelp! I had Afghan before, but never at a place with so many vegetarian options. Sure, there aren't dozens of them, but there are more than enough choices for pretty regular visits. Everything was excellent, with really nice blends of flavors that I wasn't sure could be pulled off. The service tended towards over-attentive: it felt at times like the waitress was trying far too hard for no apparent reason. She kept trying to take the check before we had paid it, for example, though it wasn't like the place was packed (on a Sunday night) and they needed the table. But still, it was good that she refilled water regularly and all. Oh, and the prices were reasonable. Definitely a place I'd revisit.
(4)
Lindsey K.
A first-time experience with Afghan food for me...and it was a knock-out. The decor was very nice and showed good taste, one of the more charming places in Allston, definitely not a student dive and very appropriate for a date. The food was absolutely wonderful, somewhat similar in appearance to Indian food, but not oily or heavy, and the spices were different and more delicate-flavored. Two of us had Kaddo, Mantu, Dopiaza (lamb), and Mourgh Challow (chicken), and we were full! We were so surprised by the delicate but flavorful food, and the pumpkin was amazingly good. And musn't forget to mention that the wine list was good; we had a carafe of the house red. Also had the homemade vanilla ice cream drizzled with delicious pomegranate sauce. Service by the one waitress, assisted sometimes by the cook himself (who was interesting to chat with) was fine, friendly and prompt enough. Total bill was a bit over $62 for two, and well worth it for such a fine evening with a cuisine that's none too common. Ariana is a gem among all the various other ethnic restaurants in Allston. Can't wait to come back to try the rest of the menu.
I've lived near Brighton Ave for three years, and I love the international cuisines this street offers. Ariana is a wonderful addition. My roommate and I went in the other night, and we got our money's worth. The food was delicious. My chickens was so tender I didn't need a knife. The food was bursting with flavors. I left full, with plenty of leftovers, but the food was so light I couldn't wait to have my second helping! I would recommend this restaurant to anyone. Ariana is a gem!
(5)
greg l.
I have to split my review into two parts: Service: 1 star. Food: 5 stars. Average 3 stars. Minus 1 star because I hate BAD SERVICE. Summary: The WORST SERVICE I have had a restaurant in Boston coupled with the BEST FOOD. What a shame! The story: We went on Saturday night and the restaurant was full. That being said I fail to understand how 3 waiters serving about 20 tables can act so unprofessionally. When we arrived at the restaurant the host was not at the entry podium. No less than 8 times did different waiters walk pass us without making eye contact or simply saying hello before someone acknowledged us five minutes later. When we were eventually seated, we waited a while for the waiter to take our order. In the meantime an older couple (I am a young professional) was seated AFTER US no more than 4 feet from our table. The waiter proceeded to take their order FIRST and give them bread first. Last time I checked restaurants are supposed to serve people in the order they come. I hate disrespectful ageism. My tip and my money is just as good as anyone else's. The waiters also clearly did not know the number of each table. The kitchen ran out of the meat-filled appetizers, and they decided to use a new bus boy on one of the busiest nights, who proceeded to break plates. That being said, the food was most likely the best I have ever eaten in a restaurant in Boston. The lamb was delicious. I have lived in France, which is full of middle eastern food, and Ariana is the best food in that genre I have tasted to date. The conclusion: Worth going but be ready for pain in the butt service!
(2)
Eric H.
I came here on a whim after another area restaurant was closed. I've always been a fan of kabobs and the menu looked pretty tasty, so I decided to give it a shot. Simply put, this place is excellent, especially for the price. The bread was delicious, with very tasty sauces and good flavor, but this was merely a warm up for my very tender and juicy chicken kabobs. The food was prepaired with the care and expertise I'd expect from a place charging a couple bucks more for each dish. A friend of mine had the beef kabobs, and after trying a bite I'd have to say the meat was more tender and juicy than you'd find at a number of steakhouses. Decor is sparse, but pleasant, with good atmospheric background music. The staff was very kind and attentive. The place seems very new (and currently has only a few, recent reviews), as another reviewer said, it would be a shame to see this place go out of buisness.
(5)
Cynthia H.
Hubby and I came here for the first time for our anniversary. It was totally empty, which I thought was strange for a weeknight, especially for the neighborhood. I prefer really quiet dining, though, so this is a plus for me. The decor is beautiful and understated, and the waitstaff was super nice and accommodating. I don't remember the names of the foods we ordered, but we loved everything. There was a potato soup that was delicious, lamb and chicken dishes, and Turkish coffee. I was really impressed with all of it. If you want a quiet, romantic, yummy meal for a special occasion, this is a perfect place.
(5)
James L.
I just now had dinner at Ariana in Allston, and I had a chat with the manager, Najib. Regarding the food: It was EXCELLENT. I had the challow moorgh(?). Basically, it was 3 filets of chicken with rice, smoked and seared vegatables, and they give Afghani bread. The food at Ariana was definitely better and more carefully prepared than the food at Helmands, which if I may recall, I rated as 3 or 4 stars. The chicken that I ordered today was seared to perfection, and the seasoning was perfectly balanced. It was definitely not spicy like Indian or SE Asian food. It was quite similar to Arabic foods in this regards, and even the way that we Americans broil our chicken. What made it Afghani was that I added some of the sauces to it. The complimentary bread given here is better than the complimentary bread given at Helmands. Here, it has a more naan-flavor to it and less of a pizza crust flavor to it. Finally, the owner allowed myself and a new friend of mine to stay there well past closing time. This was especially difficult given that it is Ramadan time, and Mr. Najib has to be awake early in the morning. He was extremely hospitable, and we shared laughs and interesting stories about his Afghanistan. We talked about his people's code of honor called Pashtunwali, and their exceptional treatment of guests. The Pashtuns, which Mr. Najib is a member of, are reknowned warriors, but also as the world's best hosts, and their loyalty and self-determination is so much that there is a quote from the book The Kiterunner: "A Pashtun is so independent that you can't force him into heaven, and he's so loyal, that he would follow his friend to hell." To paraphrase this quote: Ariana Restaurant is like heaven, and to drive past it hungry is like a hell.
(5)
Ashley R.
Came here after reading all the rave reviews. Gotta agree with most people on this one. Ariana was fantastic! Started off with the kaddo and muntu. The kaddo was good, but a little sweet for my tastes but I really loved the muntu. I got the meatball entree while my bf got the rice with lamb. Both were delicious. Kinda wish there had been more meatballs in my entree but still good nonetheless. Also the bread served with the meal was very tasty. I'm giving it four stars because it's new and have yet to make sure it's consistent. But so far, sooo good!
(4)
Bindiya T.
Very good food. Everything from their appetizers, bread, dips and entrees was excellent. Great place for vegetarians too, many options. My favorite was the noodle soup, their bread with 3 dipping sauces and aromatic fluffy rice. Must try!
(4)
Ed R.
An absolutely fanastic place to eat. It has replaced Dawat and done it well. The inside decor is nearly identical to the old restaurant, and the food is absolutely amazing. Our group of 4 entered ready to experiment with cuisine we had never tried before, and we were not disappointed. We started with 2 appetizers: a soft pumpkin dish covered in wonderfully seasoned beef, and a ravioli-like dish. Both were served in a tasty yogurt sauce, and we finished every bite before soaking up the remaining sauce with the complimentary fresh naan bread. We each ordered different entrees, and while I don't recall each dish, there were some highlights. I ordered the vegetarian special, and it came as a sort-of platter of small servings of vegetable preparations including cooked down spinach, soft eggplant, okra, and once again, amazing pumpkin. In the center was a sizeable serving of seasoned rice that was unexpectedly soft and quite delicious when mixed with the sauces from all the other food. The rest of the entrees were served with lamb in one form or another, and we all reached a consensus that the meat was well-prepared, well-seasoned, and just plain delicious. And the best was yet to come. We split two deserts, rice pudding and the baklava. While the pudding was delicious, the baklava was unbelievable. Seriously though. The baklava was absolutely fantastic. In short, the food was wonderful. Our service was very attentive and nice, and all of us will be recommending this place to our friends for weeks to come.
(5)
Sheila M.
Not sure what the fuss is about, this is just 3 stars for me. The Kaddo app is indeed tasty - an unexpectedly sweet and savory combo of pumpkin, ground beef and yogurt. I could've eaten this app myself w/out sharing and I wished there was more of it. The meatballs were pretty good. My grilled beef entree was good but not exceptionally so, it tasted simply as if you got a good shishkebab at a street vendor that got taken off the skewer and placed on a plate with some rice. The portion was not overly generous and the half hearted effort at presentation (an accompanying limp leaf of iceberg lettuce with a small mound of bland lentil mush atop it) struck me as comical. The service and ambiance were nice, especially for Allston. It's worth a try, for something different, i.e. Afghan food, which I'd never tried before. I'd go back and try some different offerings here, just out of curiosity.
(3)
Rachel C.
We had a delicious meal here last night. The service is very attentive and the food was great. For appetizers, we had the Bowlawni and the Kaddo which were both great. The Kaddo's combo of sweet pumpkin, yogurt and meat sauce were surprisingly delicious. For entrees we had the Trout special - wonderful, the Dipiaza - outstanding and the Sabzi Challow - really good. The different rices that came with the entrees were delicious and different enough from each other that we all tried each others and each of us had a different favorite. The carafe of house Cabernet was relatively dry and very good. They must have changed it in the time since a previous reviewer thought it was too sweet. The side order of okra was fine, but not special. For dessert - the baklava is the clear winner - so good! Overall, we had a terrific experience here and will definitely be back.
(5)
Jo B.
I wanted to give Ariana 5 stars because I had a truly wonderful meal there, but it fell a little short in a few areas. Let me break it down for you. 1. The Food: The most amazing thing we had was the appetizer. If you go to Ariana you must try the Kaddo, it's baby pumpkin with garlic yogurt sauce and a meat sauce. It reminds me of the episode of friends when Rachel tries to make an English Trifle for dessert, but since the cookbook pages were stuck together, she ends up making half an English Trifle/half Shepherd's pie. The only person who liked it was Joey and he says "What's not to like? Custard, good. Jam, good. Meat, good!" No custard or jam in the kaddo, but you get the idea, definitely get the kaddo, it's divine. The entrees were good as well, just not spectacular. I tried the Qabili which was 90% rice with some lamb, raisins and carrots. The lamb was succulent, but there just wasn't much of it. Also had the Dopiaza, which was good, but I think the lamb was marinated in vinegar a bit too long because the vinegar really overpowered the flavor of everything. 2. The Atmosphere: One of the reviewers mentioned that it was romantic, but be forewarned, it is not romantic whatsoever. Unless of course you consider sitting less than a foot away from 2 other tables whilst getting a headache from the loud people talking right next to you, romantic. Also, the lighting is pretty bright and there are no candles or flowers, etc. Not that these things are necessary to enjoy a good meal, but just wanted to note that in case you were looking for some place romantic to dine. This place is better for a first date or for meeting up with friends. 3. The Price: This is where Ariana truly shines. We ordered a wonderful bottle of Chardonnay for $24, and it was the most expensive bottle on the menu. The appetizers were approx. $6, and the average entree price was $14. Our entire meal with wine was $62. 4. The Parking: We went on a Saturday night at 8pm and the parking situation was quite challenging. It's very difficult to find a spot on the main street and the side streets are all "Residential Parking Only". Also, there were no parking lots/garages nearby. So definitely take public transportation or plan to walk about a mile (we found that there were many more parking spots about a mile up the road toward BU)
not sure what the rave is all about, seriously.... i went with my bf today expecting really good food since it's got a five star review. we got there, it was busy and we waited half an hour for a table, not bad. then when we were seated, we waited 10 mintues before any waiter came up to us just to give us the menu. the other tables had to wait as long too. we ordered the lamb rack and some other beef dish recommended by the waiter started with "T". after we ordered, the flat bread and the sauce came out. i don't know what is so good about either the bread or the sauce, the bread is the regular cheap bread you can get with an order of soup at any food court. the sauce was a little bit more speacial because it was sauce and they were as exciting as it got. i thought it would be good, i tasted all the sauces, none of the sauces was good. the white sauce was blend. the red sauce was suppose to be spicy but it was sweet. and the green sauce tasted the best among the three but it wasn't good. we ate the whole bread basket not because it was good, but that's what we usually do b/c we don't like to waste food. then our food came, i thought our food would never come b/c the table next to ours, their food took 45 minutes and they had to remind their waiter that they were waiting. so was the other neighboring tables, their food got forgotten too...oopsy.... about our food, wow disappointment big time. while some of the vegetables were good some i just couldn't even put in my mouth. there was a piece of vege that tasted like someone spilled gasoline on it, took one bit and couldn't eat it anymore. the other edible pieces were greasy but at least edible. as for the meat, that was a big disappointment too. the beef was too salty and the lamb oh mine, so bad!!!! i've have free lamb at splash, this one, i had to pay and it tasted like someone burnt it w/ gasoline oil. some times i like some burnt parts on my meat but that piece of lamb had untasteful burnt parts and also tasted like someone poured gasoline on it, yuck!!!! at the end, after we finished, neither of us were satisfied or full!!! i mean, we had something from the bakery across the street from the place while we waited that half an hour for the table. we ate the flat bread and the entrees, we weren't full!!!! i've never had such an experiece before! we ended up going to the vietnamese noodle next door. we ordered an extra large noodle and avacado shake. we were much happier with the vietnaese place than ariana. we at least got full. to sum it up, we did not like what ariana has to offer, their food didn't taste good and wasn't filling at all. i mean, we had to go eat another meal to be borderline full? what a joke, we aren't even big eaters, i am only 105 pounds 5'2 and my bf 165 5'10. com'on.
(1)
Irena S.
this place is awesome!! i live just 2 blocks away and I had never been to this place until a friend visited me from Chicago and we were feeling adventurous and just stumbled upon this place. let me tell you: this place by far exceeded our expectations!! once we walked in we fell in love with the place . it was immaculately clean, beautifully decorated, with some light music on. everything about this place was just perfect. the excellent service, the wine selection, the atmosphere. But what was even more perfect was the food. every dish felt extremely unique, fresh and home made. it felt like all the ingredients were just perfectly combined to be devoured. Their specialty is lamb (my friend had Mantu which was delicious) but I loved the vegetarian option too (I had a vegetarian specialty dish). And what's more important - every single dish felt authentic!! All in all, this place was so good, I'm still under the impression from last night. Oh and did I mentioned we met the owner who turned out to be a very nice intelligent well- traveled man familiar with different cultures and passionate about the one of his home country. When we complimented the food, he modestly replied: "That's what we eat back home". Both my friend and I fell in love with this place, and we will definitely be back with more friends!!
(5)
Valerie B.
Being a big fan of The Hellmand in Cambridge, I was pretty excited to see that a new Afghan restaurant was opening a few doors down from my office...I was already dreaming of the Kaddo! I wasn't sure if it would measure up to the ever-busy Cambridge establishment, but, boy was I pleasantly surprised! I got the Qabili and it was almost as amazing at the Kaddo (my boyfriend and I almost ordered a second Kaddo). My boyfriend got the Chapendaz....it was not what he had expected, but still good, but he wished that he had gotten mine; the Qabili was off the chains! The diningroom is clean and renovated with fresh flowers on the tables. Our server was very nice and attentive. The prices were great and a little cheaper than The Hellmand, so I hope to just go to Ariana from now on. I am a tad worried that this place won't catch on and that it may not get enough business to stay open just due to your average Allstonian's unfamiliarity with Afghan cuisine, so I encourage everyone to go check it out; you will not be disappointed!
(5)
Adam B.
We went there with a group to celebrate a birthday. Decor is elegant. The food was very good, the menu was vegetarian-friendly. Bummers? The birthday boy was turning 34 and got carded (he didn't have ID on him). 34! Also, some of our orders got forgotten or mixed up. But we'll go back, with our IDs.
(4)
P. C.
I had read about Ariana on yelp, and was very interested to try something new. Keep in mind, I've never tried Afghan food, nor do I know anything about it-- that being said, the food was delicious. The menu isn't overly creative-- it's more run of the mill flavors executed perfectly. The Kaddo has been mentioned in dozens of reviews and for good reason-- it's a fantastic appetizer. It's pumpkin pan fried with a yogurt sauce, a meat sauce and topped with cinnamon. We also tried the Mantu, which are pastry shells stuffed beef and topped with a yogurt sauce and meat sauce. It looks similar to a dumpling or a rangoon you might find at a chinese restaurant, but thats about where the comparison ends-- the mix of cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg gives it a very unique and delicious flavor. For entrees we tried the Shish Kabob (charred pieces of lamb over rice with eggplant) and Sabzi Challow (sauteed spinach and lamb over challow rice and veggies)-- both were excellent. The menu includes a variety of dishes, and alternative vegetarian versions of them, so there should be something for every taste. If you enjoy lamb, this is a great place to go-- if you don't, try something vegetarian, since the menu is lamb heavy. The service and hours are good-- the only downside is parking. It's located on Brighton Ave, so there's only street parking. Keep in mind, the surrounding side streets are resident permit parking only, so you may have to get creative. On a Friday or Saturday night, this has the potential to be a problem, so plan accordingly. If you're looking for good Afghan food, or you just want to try something different, this is definitely worth checking out.
(4)
Deb c.
Ariana is a terrific Afghan restaurant and a great addition to Allston. Pumpkin appetizer (kadoo) was extremely flavorful. Naan with sauces was very tasty. All entrees we tried - lamb, beef and chicken, were great. Total cost for four was $98, which included appetizers and a few beers. Service was prompt and attentive. Highly recommended.
(5)
Richard L.
Ariana is a gem waiting to be discovered. We tried it based on the glowing Yelp reviews and were absolutely not disappointed. Since the restaurant is not yet busy, we had a chance to talk with one of the owners and learned that there is a lot more here than meets the eye. For example, they are careful in the selection of ingredients - they use more expensive lamb from the US, not that frozen and shipped from Australia, and the long grain rice is actually from Afghanistan, imported through Pakistan. They also do not compromise freshness for the sake of avoiding waste - though hopefully this tradeoff becomes less costly as their volume increases. And they are meticulous in the food preparation process. All this attention to detail was clearly reflected in the quality of the meals we enjoyed. Ariana is more than an ethic food experience, it is, at least for now, a genuine top tier restaurant.
(5)
Rafa R.
SEE IMPORTANT UPDATE AT BOTTOM Excellent all around. The food is great, and the owners and staff are so welcoming, friendly and attentive. There aren't many restaurants where I've felt compelled to tell the owner what a pleasure it always is to visit his or her establishment. This is one of them. I almost hesitate to recommend specific dishes, because I've loved everything I've tried here. I really like the mourgh challow, any of the soups and any of the lamb dishes. I've heard people rave about the pumpkin as well. For dessert I definitely recommend the feereny, which is a white pudding with fresh strawberries, pineapple, blueberries and kiwi. REVISED UPDATE: ARIANA REOPENING AUGUST 29, 2015 Ariana has been closed for a while, but I'm happy to see the following message now on its website: Ariana Restaurant will be reopening in our new location on Saturday 8/29 after six months of construction. We hope to see everyone soon!
(5)
Kaikjpete S.
3 of us went here on a Wednesday night. We were the only people in the whole restaurant except for two others who came in about half way through our meal. Guess that is why they relocated to Western Ave! Absolutely LOVE this place. The owner was super friendly and we enjoyed chatting with him. The food was unreal and very reasonably priced!!! Also love Helmand, but Ariana definitely has comparable food for cheaper. Kaddo was out of this world. Mantu was another great appetizer. Highly recommend lamb dopiaza for the main, sheerberaing for dessert, and turkish coffee was a perfect way to end the meal. Can't wait to go back!!!! Great food, great service, lovely atmosphere, authentic. 5 STARS!
(5)
Gal W.
The food was excellent, with an extensive vegetarian section. The kadoo, a sweet pumpkin in yoghurt sauce, was especially delicious. I also highly recommend the doogh, a yoghurt drink with cucumbers and spices. Much better than most other doogh I've had, and not as overpoweringly salty as the store-bought variety. We also really enjoyed the dessert: the rice pudding was great and the cream pudding with fruit was fantastic. My non-vegetarian friends also raved about their food.
(5)
Parnian N.
Absolutely love this place. Great food and customer service. Can't wait to eat here again. Love the owners :) -Parnian Nasirahmad
(5)
Tony J.
I thought the service was fine, but slow. But I had problems with the food. there was very little flavor and it just didn't taste very good at all. Perhaps they had an off night. Unfortunately everything just seemed very underseasoned. But you should try this place for yourself.
(2)
Minh C.
We came here on a weeknight and it wasn't very crowded so we got quickly seated. I'll get to the point, this is definitely a place I'll return. We thought the food was great, especially since one of us is vegetarian. Only reasons for not giving it 5 stars is 1) the bread came out very delayed 2) my buddy ordered a vegetarian dish and got beef in his dish (which he discovered upon biting into it) 3) the portion size of the entrees were relatively small (although the desserts were about right for the price)
(4)
Niv B.
Came here with my friend, not knowing what to expect and we LOVED it! The food was absoluteky amazing; not too spicy but definitley packed with flavor. I ordered the Sabzi Challow and was a bit skeptical that it would taste good since the restaurant had a much higher ratio of meat dishes compared to vegetarian dishes but the dish was amaazing! I finished all of it, which is a rarity for me in any restaurant. My friend ordered the Mourgh Challow and loved it as well, the chicken was cooked really well and was packed with flavor. The only thing keeping me from giving this restaurant 5 stars is the fact that we had to wait 15 minutes after we were seated to even be given water and we didn't order until 35 minutes in and the food arrived 10 minutes after that. The food, however, was worth the wait!
(4)
Anuj V.
I absolutely loved this place! The food was definitely the highlight. There weren't many options but all of them sounded great! They open with a bread basket and three different chutneys, a yogurt based one, a spicy one, and a mint based one. The bread was similar to a flatbread pizza dough. We ordered a filled pastry dessert dish as an appetizer and we're pleasantly surprised by the wide range of flavors and textures. I ordered a chicken dish named murgh challow and it was flavorful and extremely tender. The chicken was perfectly cooked and the gravy was nicely balanced. It came with rice and nothing else. The only downside to this place is the service. They seem to be short staffed and we had to wait almost 15 minutes before even getting to order. The food also took a bit longer to come out but that could be due to the large number of customers that walked in after we got there. Definitely a place to check out and I will be returning soon!
(4)
Paul F.
One of the best restaurants in the city for the money. They are never busy. Give them your business you won't be disappointed. Get the kaddo.
(5)
Najim M.
First off. I'm Afghan so I know Afghan food. I agree with others. The food is really good. The service is slow. Appetizers too small. The prices too high. BYOB. That is, bring your own bread, cuz you get a small amount and apparently it's a hot commodity around here. That's pretty much my review in a nut shell.
(3)
Bahar A.
We are self-confessed foodies trying out new restaurants mostly based on word-of-mouth and Yelp reviews. My boyfriend and I walked to Ariana on a Friday evening. We found that it was a smallish space with tables for perhaps 20-30 people. The ambiance was casual, yet sophisticated. We had not made a reservation before coming. We were welcomed warmly and seated quickly at our spot of choice. In-fact, the hostess moved around a couple of tables to prepare a nice table-for-two for us so we would not have to sit in a noisy corner. We felt that this was a really nice gesture. After we were seated, three of the waitstaff attended to us - one brought the menus, one poured water, and one brought the warm afghan bread with the tasty sauces. Bread was warm and fresh. As for food, it was far beyond our expectations. We ordered Aushak and Mantu for appetizers, both delicious and had great flavors to them. I would say unique in its own way. For the main course we went with Dopiaza - well prepared lamb meat served on a piece of bread with sides of juicy mushroom and tasty rice. It was a healthy and hearty combination. We would have liked to try more of their dishes, but two appetizers and one entree later, we had no more space in our tummies. The waitstaff was prompt and attentive. As another poster has mentioned, there are four or five of them working hard to keep things moving. They do a great job at it. Overall, wonderful food, awesome service, and a nice ambience. I would definitely recommend Ariana, their Aushak, Mantu, and Dopiaza, and would go back to try more of their dishes. Five stars!
This was my first time trying afghan food and I was pleasantly surprised at the what this place had to offer. We came here on a Saturday night and had to wait about 20 minutes for a party of 5. The interior was intimidate and fancy, each table had a (fake) candle. I had the Qabili, which was lamb with rice. The rice is special long grain with very pleasant aromas, similar to the rice used in Indian restaurants. The rice was also soft and seasoned very well. The lamb meat itself was tender and succulent. We also got the Kaddo, pumpkin topped with yogurt sauce, which was surprisingly delicious and very sweet. Not a bad place to be introduced to afghan food or perhaps a date.
(4)
Zach A.
My girlfriend and I came here at 8:15, we were without menus, water, or bread for about 10 minutes. We ordered Aushak as an appetizer, which took about 15 minutes. In the meantime we did finally get bread and water. The Aushak was nothing terribly impressive. I'm writing this review still mid-meal, since the service is so slow. It's now 9:10 and we haven't yet been served our entrees or even had our water glasses refilled. I ordered the Vegetarian Special and my girlfriend ordered the Doppiaza. Hopefully it gets here soon. We noticed that there is a lovely fly hanging around. The food got here at about 9:20. We swapped dishes halfway through so we could try everything. We both agree that the pumpkin was too sweet, and my girlfriend has a sweet tooth! The meat in the Doppiaza was quite chewy. It's now 9:35 and I already can't remember what else I had to eat, the food is that easy to forget. All in all, for a $45 bill I'm very disappointed. The service was very slow and the food did not make up for it. It's now the next morning and despite my experience at Ariana, I'm going to give Afghan food another try next time I see another restaurant.
(2)
Ariel Z.
If you're tired of the typical falafel and hummus, Afghani provides a nice twist to your typical Middle Eastern fare. Ordered the mantwo entree (dumplings with yogurt/meat sauce) as well as the kaddo pumpkin dish. Both were pretty good, but I think these dishes are much better at the Helmand in Cambridge.
(2)
Karina L.
One of the best restaurants in Allston. If you're looking to pull away from the bar food fried chicken culture of Allston, come to Ariana. It's cozy, quiet, and romantic. And you'll get some amazing food to boot. They start you off with flatbread and three different sauces. My favorite was the creamy sauce, but the red sauce was delicious as well. For the appetizer, we got the kaddo -- which was fantastic. Yogurt, pumpkin, and beef didn't really sound like a promising combination but they really delivered. The pumpkin is pan-fried, then baked. The result is a really juicy puree-like glob that mixes perfectly with the tangy and garlicy yogurt. The sugar on the pumpkin mixed surprisingly well with the ground beef. It was fantastic. I'll never doubt a pumpkin-garlic yogurt-beef-sugar combo again. For the entrees, we got the Mantu and the Qabili. The Mantu was a mix of a wonton and ravioli. The pastry shell was pasta like, but it was wrapped like a dumpling. Inside was ground beef and onions. On top was a yogurt, carrot, AND MEAT sauce. Basically, come here if you like meat. I loved the Qabili as well. It's not entirely aesthetically pleasing -- the rice that comes with it is dumped on top of the shank, so it looks like there's no lamb at first. But lo and behold, under the pallow rice there is an enormous shank waiting to be feasted on. But first, the rice: Ariana has challow and pallow rice. The challow rice has cumin and oil, while the pallow rice has, in addition, cinnamon and nutmeg. It also had raisins and tasty carrots in it as well, which was a perfect foil to our fall-off-the bone lamb shank. We had enough leftover for a second meal. Best part? It's $16! Overall, I loved Ariana. I haven't been to Helmand yet but I can safely say this is a go-to restaurant in Allston, if not Boston.
(5)
Amanda W.
The restaurant is Afghanistan,and my boyfriend love this so much. We have been here twice and every time the fit never let us down. The flavors you have never tasted.
(5)
Grace B.
You may want to pay attention to my review, being that I am half Afghan and know what I'm talking about with retrospect to authentic Afghan food. That being said, this place is authentic and serves alot of my favorite dishes, and some dishes I never knew about before, but who my cousin (full Afghan) said are more traditional dishes our family doesn't do too much of. I was quite excited to try what I didn't know. We started off with Kaddo (baked pumpkin with yogurt and a touch of ground meat with sauce). Wow. Lightly sweet, savory, and rich. I could just order a bunch of these for my main meal and be satisfied, not to mention it could almost opt as a dessert, for those that like dessert before their meal. ;) The next appetizer was the eggplant. I love eggplant and I loved this, the eggplant slices were thinner than I would have liked, and would have preferred it to be a little "meatier" but it was an appetizer so perhaps it should be a little lighter, I'm used to having it as a side to the main meal. Next, I was torn between Mantu (beef filled dumplings, one of my favorites) but opted for the Kofta Challow (beef meatballs rich in sauce) accompanied with rice. It was filling and plentiful. Two hearty meat balls with plenty of it's juices and a plate of rice. Definitely just as good as I've had at family dinners. Alot of their meal options have lamb, and I have never developed a taste for lamb, so I was a little restricted to my choices but that's my own problem. Lamb is the Afghan's meat of choice, so I encourage all of you to go for it. It's as traditional as it gets. I also admire their vegetarian options, as there is no vegetarian Afghan, but I find it considerate for them to accommodate for vegetarian diets, without losing Afghan flare. As for dessert: Feereny was a hit. I was particularly encouraged to come here BECAUSE of the dessert, and it did not disappoint! Creamy and thick custard like cream pudding, topped with fruit. It is better than any of my tradition Afghan family's feereny. That was a shocker. Oh yea, as for detail the robust red rose that served as table decor was a beautiful touch. I notice the little things and found that to be an elegant touch. The one hesitation I have is the price, I think it's a little steep for Afghan food, but I do have to acknowledge food like this is not easy, and takes time with slow cooking and lots of ingredients and spices. Expensive middle eastern spices at that, so I can't blame them, but I can be a little biased because I eat this food for free. Overall, I would return here again since I do not get this food often anymore.
(4)
Yao G.
My wife and I decided to try something new and refreshing to eat. Tonight it was Afghanistan food at Ariana's. Let's talk about atmosphere first. The place is not very big but it eludes elegance and warmth. Tables are neatly decorated with fine china and folded table cloth. Lighting is just right for a romantic dinner. Based on recommendations from fellow yelpers and our friendly and knowledge server, we tried their Mantu for appetizer, Qabili and Sabzi Challow for entrees. Let me tell you, I stuffed myself so much that I could barely get up and walk. The lamb meat here is prepared deliciously. It does not tastes gamey at all. The food here has the right balance of nutrition and taste. For people who never had Afghanistan food or just want to try something, I recommend Ariana.
(5)
Sarah G.
I was really excited to try this place. I had been wanting to come here ever since going to the Helmand in Cambridge... The verdict? Well I think I prefer the Helmand. Nothing here was bad, but just in comparison to the Helmand, I think that place was just better flavor wise, service wise, ambiance wise, the whole thing was just better there. BUT I will tell you that this small restaurant in Allston is one of the few places in Allston that is truly accommodating for running late with reservations. No one in our group could find parking to save our lives (DO NOT DRIVE TO ALLSTON EVER). And they didn't even bat an eye at us being about 30 minutes late for our reservation which is something you don't experience often. Food wise, we got the pumpkin ground beef appetizer, but it was a little sweeter than I wanted, and not quite a great match in how much pumpkin to ground beef sauce ratio. I got he Kofta Challow which actually pretty tasty season meatballs served with one of their styles of rice, and it was pretty good, but I wish there had been something more to the dish other than just balls and rice. Matt J. got the Qabili which is a lamb dish with raisins and rice, which was just so so in my opinion--my meatballs definitely beat that lamb dish in the entree head-to-head competition. Everyone else liked their food, but we all agreed it all seemed to be missing a little more flavor, spice, etc. But in general, it was a great dining experience. They didn't rush us out, were accommodating with us being late, and they have cheap wine too!
(3)
Sparky S.
Tasty food. But portions are very less, so don't pick this spot if you are really hungry and looking at a cheaper option to have stomach full.
(3)
Chris P.
Fantastic Chopan (rack of lamb). The Aushak is spectacular (meat and chive ravioli w/ a unique lemon flavor). Great wait staff. Pleasant surroundings. Good wine selection ( try the inexpensive Bordeaux). What more could you want?
(5)
Otis H.
What an awesome find. The wife and I stopped in here before a concert looking for something "Mediterranean"....well, obviously this is not even close to Mediterranean, but Middle-East would have to do. Neither of us had ever had Afghan food before and thus really had no expectations besides the reviews I read on Yelp. What followed was truly amazing. First off the place is way smaller than I had expected. I would classify this as cozy rather than cramped though. It is tastefully appointed and welcoming. Upon seating we ordered a carafe of the house Cab Sav. It was great and much better than the rot gut one usually gets in a house wine. My wife ordered the Banjan (pan fried eggplant) for an app and the Aushak (leek filled ravioli) for her meal. I ordered the Kaddo (pumpkin with yogurt and beef sauce) for an app and the Dopiaza (lamb chunks with peas and pallow rice) for an entree. The apps were amazing. There is something different about the yogurt that they use. It has just a bit more bite to it and really adds something to the dish. They also give you plenty of warm flat bread (nan...yes similar in sound and look to the Indian Naan) with 3 incredible sauces (Yogurt and cucumber, cilantro and garlic and a red chili). Again, you've probably had a greek tzatziki cucumber and yogurt sauce, but this tastes very different. The Kaddo is a real standout here. The pumpkin was very sweet and balanced wonderfully with the umami provided by the beef sauce and the acid from the yogurt. It was a flavor combination I had absolutely never had before. When my wife got the Aushak she found that the leeks were just a bit too strong and asked to switch it with the Chapendaz (grilled beef tenderloin over tomatoes and hot peppers). They waiter made the change easily and my wife really enjoyed the beef. The Dopiaza was amazing. The lamb was perfectly grilled and tender and the acid from the vinegar perfectly balanced the mushrooms and rice. All in all this was a perfect dinner out...and for less than $100 with drinks in Boston!
(4)
Harvard P.
Mmmmmm.... I love lamb and Ariana is a great place to get it. I've been to Helmand and I would venture to say that the food here is just as good if not better! The flatbread that you get at the beginning of the meal comes with 3 different sauces, all delicious. I especially like the red sauce. We tried all the appetizers that everyone raves about on yelp - and they were good. But our favorite ended up being the okra dish. The Chopan is simply amazing. It's three ribs of pure yummy lamb, cooked medium rare over a bed of pallor rice and eggplant. My only complaint is that it was so good I didn't want to stop eating it even when my plate was clear. Definite a favorite of mine in the neighborhood.
(5)
æ‚
I love it! Both the food and its service are great!
(5)
Marie D.
The family and I went out for my son's birthday dinner. We loved the food--the tastes were wonderful and everyone enjoyed their meal. Our waiter was courteous and efficient. The bread they served was warm and delicious. We had a couple of appetizers--one was Aushak (delicious) and the other was also very good but I can't remember. Order the vegetarian sampler--this gives you all the highlights of many of the Afghan tastes to share with others. The trout dish was fantastic-so well cooked and tasty. I kept bartering my vegetarian samples for bites of the trout. Also, the Sabzi Challow was terrific--the rice options are so flavorful. My daughter loved her beef dish although I don't like charred meats. I had to agree that aside from that it was really tasty. The ambience is very warm, inviting and romantic--I want to go back with my husband and another couple. The owner told us that they are moving to another location in Brighton? where the big advantage will be parking sometime this month (Feb 2015)--I hope it stays as delicious and inviting.
(4)
Arik S.
Went here late on a rainy Tuesday and had the entire restaurant to ourselves, an experience onto itself. The food was flavorful, delicious, and well priced, especially for the atmosphere. I haven't had much Afghan food in my life, but I know good food when I have it, and this was excellent.
(5)
Malavika R.
The food here... decent, but go here for the kaddo (a dish made from baby pumpkins and sugary goodness) seriously.
(3)
Dave D.
I've been to Ariana twice, and both times left thinking, "wow, what a great restaurant." The food is absolutely delicious. Nothing I've tried there is anything less. And of course, the cuisine is different than what you see in most places west of Kabul. The ambiance is a little less than perfect; it's one room, a bit crowded and a little noisy. But not uncomfortable at all. The staff is a little stiff and maybe a little bit inexperienced? In both visits, I got the sense that the waiter and waitress were a little unsure of what they were doing. Also, the cadence of the meal was a little off. Appetizers came out quickly, but then we waited for quite a while for the entrees. The entrees were cleared quickly, and desserts came out, but then we sat for another while with dirty dessert plates in front of us. Not a huge issue - just a little off. I've recommended Ariana to lots of friends.
(4)
K T.
We stopped in for dinner without a reservation, and were pleasantly surprised that were seated promptly. The decor is simple and calm, with linens and nice ambience. The wait staff is excellent and attentive. We were in need of suggestions for the menu, and our waiter provided us with very useful information to guide our choices. We tried an assortment of dishes for appetizer and dinner. All were fantastic, but indeed the pumpkin gets the nod as the most memorable for their tickling the palate. Breads were also excellent. We will definitely be back!
(4)
Alicia W.
New to Boston and wanted to try a new place in the area. Found this place on Yelp and I'm so glad I tried it out. I've never had Afghan food, but it reminds me a bit of Indian food with all the flavors. I'm ready to go back, I couldn't stop talking about it at work! A friend and I went on a Monday night and we were the first to arrive. Great atmosphere for dates. The service was okay, one of the servers who brought the sauces seemed very bored and as we asked him to explain what each one was, he didn't bother to look at us and just looked out the window the whole time. Appetizer - Aushak. The pasta had a unique fresh taste with a savory sauce...I wanted to lick the plate! Entree - Korma Challow and Mantu (friend) - The korma challow is a leg of lamb and the meat was tender and cooked to perfection. For me, the Mantu and it tasted a little plain for me, but my friend seemed to enjoy it. Dessert - Feereny - cream pudding is a must try. I could eat it everyday all day. I wanted to try the Pudeen, but they were out, so maybe next time. Definitely going back and trying out new things. I don't think I'll ever be disappointed here.
(5)
Julie V.
This was my first time trying Afghan food -- eating here certainly made me want to try it again. The real highlight of the menu for me was to see how many lamb dishes they have, as lamb is a meat I really enjoy but rarely see on typical menus. For dinner that night, we ended up with the chopan (rack of lamb marinated in a puree of onion, sun-dried baby grapes and garlic, served with sauteed eggplant and pallow rice), along with banjan and kaddo challow (pan-fried, then baked pumpkin and eggplant served w/fresh tomato sauce.) I have to say my favorite was the pumpkin, which had become a lovely, sweet custard. The lamb was perfectly tender, although maybe too seasoned for the full taste of the meat itself to come through. Portion sizes were good, not too much and not too little.
(4)
Caitlyn T.
This is probably the 100th review that's said it, but get the kaddo app. It sounds a little funky but the flavors work perfect together. They bring out some bread and dipping sauces for you which are fun to try. We split a lamb entree and loved it. Even with a bottle of wine our entire bill came to around $50. Great value for what you're getting! The manager came over to the table to ask how everything was which earned the restaurant a few points as well. This was our first time eating Afghan food and we both really enjoyed it. Looking forward to next time!!
(4)
Marym M.
I'm 100% Afghan and Ariana's food is as authentic as it gets! I moved to Boston from sunny southern California and thought I would miss out on all of my mom's amazing homecooked Afghan meals. Ariana is my immediate go-to for satisfying my Afghan food cravings when I'm feeling homesick. The food is so flavorful and filling, without making you feel bloated or sick. My favorites are the Kaddo appetizer, Bolani, Ashak, Mantu, and any of the meat dishes (honestly, you can't go wrong since the meat I've had here has always been so tender, juicy, and well-seasoned). For all of you vegetarians out there, there are plenty of satisfying veggie dishes to choose from. For dessert, I must greedily consume an entire Fereny to myself (Ariana's is the best I've had!) every time I dine here. Just try it---you won't regret it! The service is also stellar. All of the servers are attentive and courteous and the owners who are Afghan are always welcoming and sweet. As for the ambience, it's a very warm colored space with romantic lighting and decor (fresh flowers on each table is a plus). They tend to play mostly traditional, instrumental Afghan music which isn't too loud (great for having intimate conversations over dinner). I've also recently put in a large order for food for a holiday party I'm having and they have been very professional, accommodating, and generous. Overall, I can't help but give Ariana 5 stars!
(5)
Ang L.
One of the best dining experiences I've had in Boston! First time trying Afghan food and Ariana was an excellent first impression. We went yesterday night which was a Monday so only one server was working. He was awesome though, took time to make sensible recommendations and was very nice. The food was some of the best I've ever had. Like after the meal I felt I could have cleared five more plates of the same thing! Ordered the Mantu for an appetizer and it was good. Sort of like a stuffed ravioli with tasty meat filling inside. I wish I could explain it better but it's definitely a good choice. Also the Kaddo which was sweet and salty goodness. Next was the entree which was amazinggg. The rack of Lamb! Unfortunately I don't remember the exact way it was listed on the menu but it was 26 dollars and at the top of the listings of entrees. It was soooo good, I'm not a huge fan of lamb but this tasted like an amazing cut of steak that fell right off the bone. Best Lamb I've ever had by far! And finally dessert which was homemade ice cream with pistachios. Also excellent. Excellent choice and I guess kind of a hidden gem since so many people pass by to go to Bon Chon. Definitely worth a shot and you'll be coming back for sure. I want to go back tonight...
(5)
chaju J.
I love this place!!! I ate there January 5 2015. I ordered the ravioli and julienne carrot dish (can't remember the exact names) and they were AMAZING! Very flavorful and the service was professional, attentive and friendly. I was with a large party, 12ppl, and the food was worth the wait. I look forward to eating there again soon. Location convenient and prices reasonable for the excellent and fresh quality of the food.
(5)
R T.
Crispy-ass tender trout with seasoned rice filled with dates and walnuts. Leek and scallion bowlawni is delicate as shit. That fucking almond-cilantro sauce.
(5)
Kayla L.
Came here on a slow Sunday night and there was only appeared to be one front of house worker, but he greeted us promptly, and was very nice and attentive, even when business picked up a bit. The atmosphere was lovely with beautifully set tables, dimmed lighting and very enjoyable music. Of course, the food was what really sent me here to write this review, and what will send me back again soon, I'm sure. We got the Kaddo appetizer, pumpkin which was sweet and delicious. We also tried the Mantu, beef and onion filled dumpling-esque darlings with a flavorful yogurt sauce. We split the Dopiaza entree-- the lamb was cooked perfectly with a tasty sauce and the mushrooms were dazzlingly juicy. We treated ourselves to a richer but also more delicious than expected dessert, their cream pudding topped with strawberries, blueberries, and pineapple, but unfortunately missing the promise of kiwi which made me choose the dish. But flavor was outstanding on every course, portion sizes were pretty fair, and overall it was a great experience.
(5)
Wasim Q.
Best afghan food I have ever had, including in Fremont, CA (which is like Little Afghanistan). The menu is a bit small, but the execution is perfect. A good way to test an Afghan place is by the Mantu, which is like a delicate ravioli-- very easy to botch and very hard to do well. These guys knocked it out of the park. The noodle was just right, and the meat sauce was well spiced. The Kaddo (pumpkin) appetizer is also amazing--very sweet, but balanced by the yogurt and meat sauce. You can't go wrong with any of the entrees-- Qabili (rice w/ carrots and raisins and lamb) is a classic Afghan dish you should try if you haven't had it before. The Tikka Kabob is great, though misleadingly named. It's not like an Indian tikka-- it's more of a well seasoned .5" steak that is sliced into strips. Spoke to the chef and he told me that all the dishes are family recipes that have been in his family for years. It shows. As a bonus, the meat is halal. Don't miss out on the Turkish coffee either (yes, I know it's an Afghan place, but they brew a mean cup).
(5)
Jo-Ellen D.
I've never had afghan food before so I guess I can't really compare it. BUT I can say it was out of this world delicious! Not to mention the great service. We had 2 young kids with us and they completely accommodated them and were beyond friendly. The food was just amazing and I hope I can go back before I move!!!
(5)
Heather B.
Loved this place! Quiet, beautifully decorated, and the food was amazing! We each got a bowl of the lamb stew which was delicious and then shared two apps (the pumpkin with the garlic yogurt and meat sauce is AMAZING! Like truly incredible and delicious!) The music, decor, and service all make for a beautiful evening. I highly recommend this place. Perfect for a date or a group of friends getting together.
(5)
Sonya I.
The complementary bread that they serve along with 3 different condiments are just fantastic! We tried Mantu, Aush, Salata with pomegranate dressing, Shish Kabob, which came with an eggplant side dish and rice pilaf; and as a desert we had bucklawa..All were very delicious! The shish kabob and the pilaf rice that came with it were my favorites..Definitely recommend it..Can not wait to go back to try more of their dishes.
(5)
Rachel W.
4 stars for slow but effective service. There were only two people working a very busy Sunday night, and you could really tell they were doing the best they possibly could. They were smiley and pleasant though you could tell they were truly exhausted. Orders came out perfect, and hot. Everything was delicious. Warm bread was fantastic (if you've ever been to Helmand, it's basically the same menu, same bread, same dipping sauces, basically the same) I like the interior of this restaurant, great date night spot. I had the trout tonight which was fantastic. If you're allergic to walnuts, just tell them you'd like a different rice and they are more than happy to oblige. One of the other people we were with had some side dish of pumpkin that was out of this world delicious, I would totally order an entire side of that next time. I ate everything that was on my plate, everything. Parking can be a hassle, I'd suggest taking the T if you can, otherwise be prepared to do a few circles around the block before you find a spot (or buy a smart car because apparently everyone in Boston loves to leave huge gaps between cars that your car could almost fit into, but not.)
(4)
Husain K.
Great option for authentic Afghani food! We recently went in a group and tried to order family style. Unfortunately the servings are individual and we ran a little short of food. If you do go with a group make sure to order individual dishes for each person. We ordered 6 dishes. The qabili was amazing and had small chunks of lamb in the rice, extremely flavorful! The rack of lamb was tender and juicy as we had asked for medium. Make sure to order the Choban as its def one of there best dishes. We also ordered the Tikka Kabob and Mough Challow. All the dishes were very well prepared and the quality of the meat was amazing. We will definitely come back here. Parking can be a little tricky on a Sat night. Also make reservations ahead of time as they can fill up quickly on weekends.
(5)
Maya I.
I've been here probably more than 5 times by now. I've never had Afghan food before I came to this place and I was pleasantly surprised. All of their dishes are pleasant and delicious, cooked to perfection. The service is quick. The servers are all Russian and since I'm Russian I've learned their names and always make sure to thank them. The kaddo was definitely my favorite! I get it everytime I go there! The Mantu was also very good. The qabili is also a good choice. However, I did not like the tikka kabob. It was burnt on the sides and the meat did not have as much flavor as their other dishes. I would take off a point for this but they simply have too many other great choices!
(5)
Lynn S.
We had high expectation going in. Without a reservation we were shocked to be told by the staff that there were no available seating at 5:30pm. The entire place was empty and the only reason we could tell was we were rejected because we have a small toddler with us. We ate next door at Carlos and by the time we were done, the place was still half empty at 8pm! So families be ware! Not cool.
(1)
Paran Y.
So good I came here 2 times in one week. No joke. Location. Location. Location. I don't know about you...but some days I just want to eat some ethnic Afgan food, then shoot some 8ball at a good ol' fashion pool hall, and then end the night singing Journey anthems till 3 in the morning. YOU TOO?! Look no further, Ariana is THE place if that sounds amazing. With karaoke and pool halls within 2 blocks of this place, its the perfect place for say....a birthday, with fun stuff to do afterwards?! Yes you understand now. As for the food, you will not find a place that serves better lamb. Mary's little lambs never tasted so delicious. I also got the Kaddo as recommended, but the pumpkin was a bit too sweet for an appetizer, but still good. Also, this place has Prosecco for a reasonable $21 to get that birthday celebration underways.
(5)
Pink Peony P.
I love it. I went for dinner for a date night. I was very impressed by the simple decor and I loved the blue goblets for water. I'm a big fan of Middle Eastern cuisine and always find them to be very flavorful. All the dishes look fantastic ... and they are! We started with the Kaddo and without a doubt, everyone is right! It tasted great! A great blend of sweet squash with savory beef. I can eat that as my full meal. I'm not a big fan of lamb, so but I picked the beef kabob. It was delicious and everything was well portioned. All of all the choices for food in Allston, take a try at Ariana for something different. The food is delicious and the price is reasonable for the service and atmosphere.
(4)
S. C.
My first time trying Afghani food and I was absolutely thrilled by the unique flavor combinations and great menu. Ariana is in a great location in the heart of Allston, nestled between a number of great ethnic restaurants. Aside from having awesome food, this 5-star rating was achieved by: great house wine, bread to start, and perfect portions. For an appetizer I ordered the Kaddo: pumpkin, garlic yogurt, and ground beef sauce (it basically tastes like sweet potato + cool whip + sloppy joe...and yes, it's awesome). Entree was Dopiaza, a lamb dish with mushrooms, garlic, onions, and rice (pretty much every single one of my favorite ingredients). My friend had the Chapendaz and I can say very assuredly that it was some of the best marinated tenderloin that I've had in a very long time. The environment is sparce but cute--you'll be so excited over the food choices that you won't even notice
(5)
Erkan B.
Everything was beautiful. It was shame that The Italian restaurant next to Ariana was full but not Ariana. People should not be afraid of trying different cusines. I recommend this place anyone who like to discover new tastes. I'd even go there just for their fresh baked bread!!!
(4)
Parker K.
We got seated promptly (we had a reservation but were late due to parking) and had a great experience overall. Great: -Atmosphere: very cute, romantic place -Service: Waiters/waitresses were friendly and helpful; food came out quickly -Food: you get (very) warm bread with 3 dipping sauces (excellent). We ordered Kaddo as an appetizer and Shish Kabob/Mantu for entrees. The Kaddo and Mantu were excellent. The Shish Kabob meat was seared too much (tasted way too burnt). -Price: very good, especially for what you get Not-so-great: -Parking: abysmal. Take public transportation at all costs. -Hours: they're only open for dinner (but they'll open for large groups, per their website).
(5)
Elizabeth G.
The site of a great birthday dinner. I will probably offend someone actually from Afghanistan with my attempt to characterize Afghani food, but here goes. It reminded me of Indian food without the heat. Many of the dishes are served over rice spiced with cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cumin. There is also a hint of Middle Eastern food, with several kinds of kabobs on the menu, and also kofta. People in my group all enjoyed their food. The only "best thing I've ever tasted" standout was the kaddo: a hunk of pumpkin baked until it is soft and fluffy, with a sweet caramelized coating, served over garlic yogurt sauce. WOW. I will say that these were some of the smallest portions I've ever received for appetizers and entrees in Boston, at a not-low price. Not a huge issue for me since I don't always love boxing up half of my meal and taking it home, but I didn't feel like I was getting great value for my money. They have a decent list of bottled beers, and wine. It was easy to get a reservation for 8 people on a Saturday night. The service was excellent. This is one of those places where you feel that they really WANT you to like the food. Which is the way it should be everywhere, but I'm always surprised at how many restaurants have a "You don't like it? Then get the F out" attitude.
(4)
Carla S.
Went on Sunday evening the food was fantastic. I had the chop an. The rack of lamb was cooked to perfection. The service was pleasant except they are understaffed.
(5)
Steve F.
Since I like to try new food all the time, so one day I was talking down Brighton Ave on my way to Sunset, and I walked by this place. I've never had Afghan food before, so I thought it might be a good place to take my gf one night. Called up and made a reservation with ease. This place is great! Friendly servers, quick service, great wine selection, reasonably priced. The bread they bring out to you comes with three different types of dipping sauce, and can certainly suffice for an appetizer in itself. However, if you skip the appetizer in this place, you will do yourself a disservice, as they are absolutely delicious. I can't remember the names of the specific dishes, but we ordered the dumpling app and the ravioli app...both great!! The ravioli app was PHENOMINAL, and I wished I could make a whole meal out of it. The entree is equally as great, as you can't go wrong with any of the dishes. I had the chicken kebob and it was cooked perfectly and delicious. Great experience, will definitely be back!
(5)
Natalie E.
I've been to Ariana's on three separate occasions, and all three times, I've had wonderful service and food. Like other people mention, the kaddo appetizer is a must! For mains, I have always had the lamb but cooked in different ways, all of which are delicious. The combinations of herbs and spices are novel for me, which is one of the things I love most about this place- adventurous dining! The 1/2 carafes and full carafes of wine are great for sharing, and are fairly priced. I really enjoy sharing this place with others, and will continue bringing friends and family there when I get the chance!
(5)
Kelly A.
I had a real piece of crap day on Friday, and the mister and I were looking for a restaurant that 1) we wouldn't normally go to (we have a toddler, so we have a rotation of about three usual restaurants these days) and 2) had food that we wouldn't normally eat. A quick yelp search led me to Ariana, so Allston became our destination. It wasn't our first time getting Afghani food, but it had been so long since the last time that we didn't really remember what we were missing. Luckily Ariana offered us a clear reminder. We got there around 6:30, and there was only one other table occupied in the whole place. And then those people left, making it super awkward. I mean, I know 6:30 is kind of early and all, but really? We're the only ones there? I didn't have a huge appetite that night, so we decided to split the stuffed pastry app (one with leeks and scallions and one with spiced potatoes) and the vegetarian special entree. While they were preparing our food, we were given a lovely spread of flatbread with three delicious sauces. I also enjoyed a glass of red wine, which happened to be the first alcoholic beverage I've had in months, which is probably why it blew my mind. I doubt it was particularly good wine or anything, but it tasted pretty freaking awesome to me at the time. The little pastries arrived, and they were delicious. And then the entree came and it, too, was delicious. It had a little bit of everything - pumpkin, okra, rice, eggplant - and the flavors were bold and interesting. Service was ok. I just wish that there were more patrons there so it wasn't so awkwardly empty the whole time. We'll definitely return, though probably only on a date night, as I wouldn't feel comfortable bringing a kid there.
(4)
Kerri Y.
If anything I am writing up this place for the great service and the wonderful waitresses; they were so sweet! They took our coats at the door and sat us in a nice seat by the window, recommended food and wine- which were all fantastic and arrived fairly quick We were there a bit after they closed (10pm on a Thursday), but we did not feel rushed at all. The food was really good. I had never had Afghani food before: it reminds me a bit of Indian food- lots of yummy spices. I was pleasantly surprised at the price: for an appetizer (Kaddo), 2 dishes, dessert (bucklawa ) AND a bottle of wine, it was $65! Super service. Tasty food. Great Atmosphere. Cheap bill?? I'm sold.
(4)
Roger W.
We had an outstanding first meal at Ariana last Friday. Everything from the bread and sauces at the beginning to the buklawa at the end was tasty and well prepared. Service was low key and unrushed, but all of our needs were met. The rack of lamb was just about perfect. We've eaten at Helmand many times, I'd have to say Ariana was a cut above. If not for the issue of finding a parking space anywhere nearby it would become a go to favorite.
(4)
Natanya A.
Delicious food. Their sauces are fantastic!
(5)
Kai A.
Delicious food--really subtle, lovely flavoring on everything we had. Highly recommended.
(5)
Bobby C.
I was looking for a place nearby the Agganis Arena for a quick dinner before an comedy event. We arrived around 6:15PM on a Saturday. The dining area was empty. Not a big deal since I read great reviews about Ariana. My date and I ordered the Shish Kabob (lamb) and Chapendaz (beef). My date was interested in trying both types of rice. Each dish came with a different one so it worked out well. Service was good. There were 2-3 servers. Our server explained to us the different sauces which was helpful. If you like to people watch, try to get a table next to the window. Try to avoid the table right before the booth (along the window). There isn't much space so your chairs will be bumping into the other table's chair. Overall, very affordable ethnic food with good atmosphere and service.
We had the lamb chops here. It was a little expensive but the lamb chops were cooked perfectly, and the rice and eggplant on the side were very well flavored.
(5)
Molly M.
Ambiance: nicely decorated, nice music playing, white table cloths, medium/dark lighting which I prefer. Service: very prompt, attentive and polite without being overbearing. My boyfriend and i came later on a Sunday night and were the only diners but did not feel rushed at all. FOOD: outstanding. I wanted to try a good sample of their offerings so we got all four of the vegetarian appetizers. Each were complex and flavorful. The pumpkin kaddo and the eggplant dish stood out. The bread and sauces they bring out in the beginning are delicious as well. I can't say enough positive things about the food. It was our first time here and we will definitely be returning. It seems like they would accommodate small/med groups or families well too so I would bring my parents and brothers when they visit. Good for vegetarian or meat eaters.
(5)
Emily L.
Excellent food. We had the Kaddo appetizer. Wow, it is heaven on a plate. First of all, I'm impressed that they offer it year round because pumpkins are definitely not in season during the summer. Second of all, the texture is spectacular. The pumpkin literally melts into your mouth. The dish has the right amount of sweetness to make you wanting more but it is not overpowering enough to make you feel like you're eating a candy bar. I ordered the tikka kabob. The beef was cooked to perfection and was incredibly juicy. The lentils and rice gave the entree more substance. My boyfriend had the Qabili and he really like the raisins with the rice. For dessert, we shared the bucklawa. It was a bit nutty and I would have liked it more if there was a little more of a pastry texture. The portion size was decent and it was definitely rich enough for the two of us to share and feel satisfied. The main reason why I gave this place four stars instead of five was because of the wine. We ordered two glasses of the house wine and when the waitress poured our glasses, it seemed like it was a decent amount. At the end of our meal, I looked over to our neighboring table and found that another waitress had poured fuller glasses for the other table. Furthermore, the table had larger wine glasses. As if fate wanted to give us an extra kick while we were down, we discovered that the wine was actually seven dollars instead of the menu listed price of six. In total, all these factors are quite small and could have been easily over looked. However if you're going to do wine by the glass, you should make it fair to all the customers and make sure that all the tables have the same glassware. Aside from the wine, the waitstaff was super friendly and accommodating. In total, we had about three people either taking our order, refilling out water glass, taking our plates, or serving us our food. Overall, I really enjoyed this restaurant and maybe next time, I'll just order a bottle of wine.
(4)
Deborah H.
Great place for groups assuming you make a reservation, otherwise be prepared to wait, at least on weekends. I ordered the sabzi challow (lamb with spinach over rice), which was incredible. I almost regret that I will probably never try anything else on they menu here because it was that delicious.
(5)
Harri S.
Sweet Jesus this food is delicious! I felt like total crap the entire time I was here, but the food was so good I was distracted from all my other woes. We ordered 2 apps and 2 entrees. Though we didn't get any, a bottle of wine was entirely reasonable at appox. $20. While we waited for our food our water glasses were always full, and we got complimentary flatbread with three sauces (Yogurt mint, cilantro walnut, Chilli oil) and a pat of butter (we didn't touch it, but the thought was nice). APPETIZERS: Mantu: Essentially a beef and veg ravioli with a meat sauce all sered over a garlic yogurt sauce. Wow! You get 2 sizable pouchettes for $6. Kaddo: For you fans of Indian food, think of gazhar (carrot) halva that is perfectly cooked and spiced. Put this over a garlic yogurt sauce dotted with oil, and add some ground meat sauce over the top. Perfection for $6 is not a bad deal folks. ENTREES: Kofta Challow: I love Challow rice. It's like Indian jeera rice, and for folks who still don't get it all this mumbo jumbo just means delicious. Dopiaza: My eyes rolled to the back of my head after I had a bite of this perfectly cooked lamb. It was served with lentils, flatbread and a mushroom/veg medley (off to the side for those of you who don't care for the fungus-among-us). Bill Came to $50 with tip. I was full, we took food home. TOTALLY WORTH IT! So good.
(5)
Idan H.
Magnificent! If you weigh in the price and the food, then this restaurant is really good.
(5)
Jessica C.
I visited Boston for the first time because my cousin was graduating. She recommended this restaurant and took our entire family there. It's pretty close to BU's campus. None of us have tried Afghanistan cuisine before, but were all very excited! IT. WAS. SO. GOOD. It reminded me of middle eastern food since there was a lot of lamb. Their appetizers (baked sweet potato with ground beef and roasted eggplant) were really good, although the portions were small. The meal also came with these flat bread things where you could dip it in three different sauces (white, red, and green). I think my favorite one was the green one. The red one had a kick to it. The white one just tasted like yogurt. I got lamb with rice and roasted vegetables. It was really good and just the right amount of food. For dessert, we had bucklawa (baklava) and a rice pudding. Only downside - it was super toasty up in there. Too much heater up in there. There was only one waiter, so service can be slow when it's busy.
(4)
Mike M.
The food is DELICIOUS!!! If you like Middle-eastern cuisine, you will really enjoy the food here. We got the Mantu for appetizer which was pretty good. It's a "Homemade pastry shell filled with onions and beef, served on yogurt and topped with carrots, yellow split peas and beef sauce". The yogurt/beef sauce combo is pretty good! For Entrees I got the Kofta Challow, which was PHENOMENAL! My wife got the Chopan (Rack of Lamb), which was by far the best rack of lamb we've had! It was perfectly seasoned and juicy.
(4)
Angel M.
Spices adrift, wafting through the entrance, as my friend and I were ravenously entering the curious new establishment of Brighton Avenue, after waiting for what seemed like eternity in a police station after a hit and run, we needed an escape of ecstasy, and we found it. Already we knew that on this particular past Saturday we were participating in a fantastic meal. The paper menus carefully laid out by our welcoming host and server had multiple dishes for vegetarians which for my friend was perfect. Her scallion and leek filled ravioli was delicately balanced with a yogurt of garlic and mint, topped with cracked pepper, tomatoes, yellow split peas, and carrot sauce, nicely heated and served beautifully. But first, I ask that you pay attention to their flatbread, or naan in Farsi, soft and warm, served with plenty of soft butter, and a display of three sauces to dip, a spicy, an herby, and a yogurty. Our appetizer, a side order of Banjan, was in due order. Delicious pan fried eggplant with select seasonings of spices and again, the curious yogurt made its way through to the dish. Though all the dishes were so so so good, I have to say my diamond was the Qabili, pallow rice baked with fall off the bone lamb chunks, topped with raisins and glazed carrots, sweet and savory made its way to this dish, every bite was dynamite, and I even managed to save some for my roomates to have a bite once I arrived home. I would like to say, for a Saturday, there was no wait, for only two waiters there was no wait, and because its around the corner from my house and reasonably priced, theres no reason to wait...to go back. Ariana, you are my friend, or at least this new girl that I visit for a couple of hours, have my way, leave some money, and go home satisfied, thansks so much!
(5)
Troy P.
The Kaddo appetizer alone was worth the whole night. A sweet pumpkin baked and sweetened and topped with yogurt sauce and then again with a meat sauce was so good even someone obsessed with all thing pumpkin was shocked how good this was. For dinner I ordered the leg of lamb and it was cooked perfectly with a great side with eggplant and onions and baby grapes. Dessert followed with Turkish coffee. I had the rice pudding which was good but the cardamom took it to great. A great meal and quick if quiet service. Reservations were not necessary in our case, but the space is small so later in the evening you are better safe than sorry.
(5)
Chrissy H.
YUM! That just about sums up my very first afghani dining experience. I'll admit, at first I was a little upset because our reserved table was not ready when we arrived, and I didn't like that there was no soap in the bathroom (thanks waterless antibacterial cleanser in my purse,) but the meal I had made up for it. We all started with the Kaddo, which was a scrumptious baked baby pumpkin in a ground beef sauce. Simple- yet delicious. For dinner, I had the Chapendaz, which was a juicy steak with grilled tomatoes and hot peppers that came served with spinach rice and lentils. All were fantastic. The portions were small in a way that leaves room for dessert without the diner feeling cheated. Speaking of dessert, we had the baklava and the feereny which was basically a rice pudding with some gorgeous fruit on top. My tummy is rumbling just thinking about it I'll be back, Ariana.
(4)
Charlotte H.
Ate there last night & it was amazing. Am so tired of current trend of very noisy restaurants where you can't hear your friends & can't enjoy food due to pounding bass music. Lovely tables with tablecloths! Friendly waitstaff who seem genuinely happy to help you with food choices! Diverse groups of diners having well-modulated conversations! Most importantly: divine food. My friend & I took the first bite of our appetizers & sighed, "Ahhhhhh. Heavenly." The food is beyond compare. Kaddo (pumpkin) and Banjan (eggplant) for starters--melt-in-your mouth subtle flavors with just a hint of sweet tang from the mint yogurt. I had the Qabili--lamb with rice, raisins, & carrots. Lamb was impeccably moist and flavorful. Rice & raisins make perfect complement. The rice pudding for dessert--out of this world. Not too sweet like usual rice puddings. This is more subtle & tastes like you could eat it forever. That was the general feeling about each dish I had: took one bite & thought, "Oh. I could eat this forever & be completely happy." Am planning to bring all out-of-town visitors here. Plus all friends who have exhausted super-trendy Boston fair. Plus generally anyone who wants to have dinner. And it's open until 11pm on some nights! A true rarity in Beantown. Side note: I can't eat Indian food anymore due to digestive revolt against spices & ghee. This food is perfect substitute--subtly spiced & not oily in the least.
(5)
Jacqueline S.
An unsuspecting restaurant right in the heart of Allston, Ariana is seriously a hidden gem. I'd been wanting to try this place for months and finally got the chance on a Tuesday night. The place was empty when we arrived (7pm) but we knew this was no indication of the culinary pleasures that awaited us. My friend had been here before and suggested the Kaddo appetizer. I had read the mixed reviews on this dish, as some said it was overly-sweet, but trust me, It's delicious! Not too sweet-- it's perfectly balanced by the well-seasoned beef and garlic yogurt sauce. I wanted to lick the plate. Overshare? Eh, whatev. So scrumptious. For my entree I chose the Korma Challow, and I definitely recommend it. The lamb was tender and juicy and surrounded by an amazing tomato-based sauce. The lentils were perfectly cooked and went well with the lamb. While the portions are on the smaller side, I was more than satisfied. My friend got the lamb Shish Kabob, which had a pronounced smokey flavor and the meat was slightly tougher. Still, quite delicious. We were too stuffed for dessert (amateurs, I know) but even with my food baby sitting heavy I wanted to try all of them. We plan on going back asap. Moderate prices, smaller portions, but major flavor and amazing service.
(5)
Blake G.
I've wanted to try this place for a while, but was disappointed when I finally did. My appetizer, bowlawni, two large vegetarian savory pies were good, but the vegetarian entry choices were very limited and none sounded interesting to me. The one I ordered, sabzi challow, was nothing like it sounded on the menu and was boring -- three little pies of sauteed veggies. Perhaps this place is good if you eat meat, but don't go here if you're vegetarian. Sure, there are a few vegetarian options, but they are unimaginative. If you want to eat Afghan food and don't eat meat, go to Helmand. They have a greater variety of choices and they are good. Addendum: For all those who insist the menus at Ariana and Helmand are the same, it is simply not true. I've eaten at both restaurants and been multiple times to Helmand. I've compared the menus. Helmand has more vegetarian options. What's more, the vegetarian dishes I've eaten at Helmand are tastier and more interesting.
(2)
Rosie Z.
Delicious food, great price and great ambience. The meat is cooked perfect and the spices they use complement each other so well
(4)
Sue L.
Just a little clarification: I've never had Afghani food. But if you like Middle Eastern food, you will LOVE this place. The food is very authentic and rustic. The flavors are intense and very delicious. Even at 11 o'clock at night this place is packed! I can't tell you exactly what I had, but I had their most popular lamb dish. Now, I LOVE lamb. They gave GREAT portions!! They did not skimp on the lamb. Also the very unique rice (I'm so sorry I can't give you a better description) they served with it was a perfect combination. It's not your typical rice. It is authentic food! We outright said that we'd never eaten Afghani food before and he just suggested the most popular dishes. I'm so glad that he did, it was SO good! I would love to go again but I don't live near Boston.
(5)
Connie S.
Afghan restaurant bringing much needed authentic ethnic food to Boston. All the dishes are beautifully presented, the meat is tender, the challow rice (seasoned with cumin seed and baked) deliciously fluffy. Even so, I wasn't completely satisfied... the sauces and curries weren't terribly flavorful, and portion sizes conservative. Maybe my expectations had just been inflated by all the buzz I had heard beforehand. Still, some solid bets: - Kaddo appetizer (baked baby pumpkin with garlic yogurt sauce and ground beef) - Dopiaza (marinated grilled leg of lamb with yellow split peas, onions, and mushrooms on rice) - Mourgh Challow (chicken breast, yellow split peas, in a yogurt-curry sauce on rice) Candle lighting makes for a somewhat fancier ambiance, but it's still a pretty bare-bones interior. Service wasn't terribly attentive, but we didn't have to wait. All in all, Ariana's is a decent destination if you're craving a different type of cuisine, but not quite the place it's hyped up to be.
(3)
Theodore Y.
The Kaddo (pan friend baby pumpkin) was amazing. The pumpkin was textured to dissolve, and its sweetness was not overpowering. Superb! The Banjan (eggplant) was passable but the Mantu (stuffed shells) packed a vegetable and beef combo that was tasteful yet light. We got a number of entrees but the Dopiaza had to take the prize. The lamb had all the "gamey" taste removed from it and it definitely his the pleasure spot. O, the bread with cilantro sauce? not too shabbby!
(5)
RM J.
Perhaps this was just an off night for them but this was a very average experience. Not close to a 5 star experience - rather bland (i had the "signature" mantu and rack of lamb dishes".
(3)
Lauren P.
This was my first time having Afghan food and a great place to start with! I went with a group and everything we got was delicious. Huge vegetarian options. I will be going back soon. Yum!
(5)
Greg Y.
Brought my parents here after a couple of great experiences after my initial review. I have to say, though, that this time around the meal simply did not live up to expectations. For one, the portions have shrunk by a noticeable amount. The Kaddo (one of the best item on the menu, and still delicious) looked almost 25% smaller than normal. My entree with lamb chunks had a mere 4-5 pieces - not to mention that they was almost no pink in the middle despite being "medium-rare"! Quite disappointed. I'll probably be back one last time in the future to see whether they pick up the slack.
(2)
Lauren L.
After braving Boston public transportation (and surviving!) we made it to Ariana. What a great find! (Thanks yelp!) The area has pretty good people watching, and the food is amazing. Can't really ask for more. Definitely recommend stepping out of your comfort zone if you're unsure of trying Afghan food. The wait staff is helpful, and it's an experience well worth your time.
(5)
Haimeng T.
I would give it five stars if I was a fan of mid-east food. The restaurant looks a little fancy. I ordered legs of lamb, don't remember the dish name though. It was pretty good. Lamb was well cooked, very soft. I had a glass of their feature drink too. It's pretty sour but it grew on me after a while. The waitress waiting for our table was very patient. Because my friends need take the receipt back to their boss, they troubled her three times for that. She didn't complained at all and didn't show any sign of being annoyed, acting like it was no trouble at all. She was a good waitress.
(4)
L R.
We arrived early (10 mins after the restaurant opened). The hostess asked if we had a reservation and we said no. Then she disappeared. Five mins or so later, after we were vetted (by camera?), the hostess showed us to a table and only two other tables were occupied.That was red flag #1. The appetizer, ravioli, was small but tasty. Then we waited about 40 mins for two entrees. The portions were smaller than expected for the price point. Red flag #2. In order not too leave the restaurant hungry we asked for an extra basket of bread. The waitress brought a basket of two small pieces of flat bread. Unbelievable. So we asked for more bread. After that we were treated poorly. Red flag #3 Overall, the food was tasty, portions were skimpy and the wait staff were testy. The dining experience was disappointing after making a special trip to go there.
(3)
Erin D.
Having been to this place a few times now, I have to say I'm impressed. Food is always delicious (I normally get the vegetarian special), service is attentive, and the carafes of wine are a total bargain. Cute date night spot.
(5)
Netalin T.
Everything is great. Food is clean, fresh and tasty. I have fish plate which came out very nice and present well. All plates are tasty. Desert is SUPER!!! Service is very nice but a bit slow. It looks like only 1 server for the whole restaurant.
(4)
Gita N.
We had the pumpkin appetizer which had an option to have the beef sauce on the side to make it vegetarian friendly. I highly recommend it! The pumpkin was sweet but rich in flavor, and I was told the beef sauce gave it a good mix of sweet and salty. For my main entree, I had the Aushak which was a Afghani ravioli filled with chick peas and vegetables in a yogurt sauce. The spices and flavors were rich and complex and I can't wait to go back! So many vegetarian choices!
(5)
Michael C.
For those who have never had it I find Afghani cuisine to be somewhere in between greek and indian food. We came here the day after Christmas, which was nice because it was empty. Kaddo - The highlight of the meal, which is grilled pumpkin in a yogurt sauce topped with a beef sauce Kofta Challow - The easiest way to describe this is that it is the Afghani take on spaghetti and meatballs except instead of pasta it is rice. I thought it was good but not great. The tomatoe based sauce was very spiced, it might not have been my style.
(3)
Meridith H.
Aside from it's location (on the B Line, ugh), this is actually as good as it can get in Boston. Sure, there are plenty of places that have good food. And there are plenty of places with good service. And nice ambiance. And a good wine list. But there are NOT many places that have all of these things, all together, at an affordable price. Ariana is one of the few restaurants that are managed with love. This love especially shows when a group, accidentally comprising 10 people, arrives unannounced on a Saturday night, and are seated as soon as enough chairs open up, and are served with great care & attention, and EACH of whom orders the pumpkin appetizer because there is no way any of us are going to share. Not many places induce me to write run-on sentences of devotion, but Ariana is one.
(5)
Vanessa P.
Delicious!! I've only been to one Afghan restaurant previously, in Baltimore, and this one was just as good if not better. I went with a friend, and we both decided to go "veggie" for the evening. They brought us delicious bread + 3 sauces before we ordered. We got the Kaddo (pumpkin + yogurt/garlic sauce) as an appetizer, which was amazing. Then we split the Kourma Challow (sauteeed veggies + spinach + rice) and the Aushak (leek + scallion ravioli w sauces). Both were delicious, though if I had to choose one I'd recommend the Kourma Challow as it was a bit more flavorful, and a bit more filling. The service was great; our waitress was very attentive. I hope to go back there soon!
(5)
Parnian B.
It was a great experience, yesterday I went there with my boyfriend we did not know which Resturant we choose , we choose afghani Resturant by chance. We never expect that afghani cousins was that amazing and it was a smart decision, we had a great night, great food and very very very good service. The food quantity was amazing and I will definitely try again. And I recommend people try it. It is worth it.
(5)
Elizabeth L.
I've been wanting to go to the Helmand since I was a wee undergrad, but 1) it was too far away from campus, and 2) Seemed impossible to get a table without reservations. Enter Ariana. This Allston location is practically an identical twin of the Helmand, as they are sister restaurants. Afghan food at its finest. I knew I was in for a treat from the start: the bread and dippings were absolutely delicious. Fluffy and warm, almost like naan/pita but even better. We ordered the kaddo (pumpkin with meat sauce), which was surprisingly sweet yet savory, and the banjan (eggplant dish) that went perfectly with the pita. There were two types of rice listed in the glossary, so we decided to get two dishes with each type. We ordered the Qabili (a lamb and raisin dish that comes with pallow, a cinnamon flavored rice), and the korma challow with lamb. The korma challow has challow rice (cumin and cardamon flavored) -- this dish's lamb was better in my opinion, since the qabili's was a little dry, and the lentils were amazing. An amazing dining experience. Highly recommended.
(5)
Leslie W.
Great place. The Kado pumpkin beef thingy was weird but good. The lamb was tender and juicy. I will go back!
(4)
Laura A.
We loved Ariana. It was exactly what we were looking for with nice atmosphere, flavorful food, good service and major bonus - halal meats! A real highlight was the kadoo (pan-fried then baked baby pumpkin seasoned with sugar and served on a garlic yogurt sauce topped with ground beef sauce). We also enjoyed the bowlawni appetizer (twin pastry shells, one filled with leeks and scallions and the other with spiced potatoes garnished with mint yogurt). Most of us ordered a kabob of one sort or another - I loved the lamb Shish Kabob and thought it was amazing. The Aushak also looked very good. Highly recommend and will definitely return!
(4)
Claire M.
I visited two friends in Allston over the weekend and as soon as they described Ariana, my interest was piqued. I pride myself on trying and loving basically all kinds of international cuisines, but I'd never had Afghan food. After my meal at Ariana, let's just say that the bar has been set pretty high! Also, I ate a ton...adventures in overeating, anyone? The restaurant is classy and peaceful and perfect for family, friends, or a low-pressure date. The waiter brings out a basket of delicious warm flatbread and a trio of amazing sauces to dip it in. My friend described the trio as "crack" and I have to say I would agree - try mixing them all together for a sweet-spicy combo. I had to force myself not to fill up on the bread, because we ordered: Kaddo - baby pumpkin that's been pan-fried & baked, and then served with a garlic yogurt sauce and a ground beef sauce. I'd never had anything like that. It managed to be sweet and savory at the same time, and entirely satisfying. We split the appetizer between three people and I would have gladly eaten it all myself. I had Mourgh Challow, a chicken dish with split peas, yogurt sauce, and cilantro. It was flavorful and the chicken was perfectly cooked. This was the point of the meal at which I began to wish I had an extra stomach. I couldn't finish more than 2/3 of my entree, and let me tell you...that's abnormal for this girl. I tried my friends' dishes (both were lamb) and they were excellent as well. I would have loved to order dessert, but alas, I was stuffed silly. Will definitely be pushing to go back to Ariana next time I'm in Boston!
(5)
Eric W.
Wow, believe the hype!! I almost thought Yelp's 4.5 star rating on this place was too good to be true, and I'd never had Afghan cuisine before so i wasn't quite sure what to expect. Absolutely blown away! The vegetarian special is devine. A combo of 4 small dishes you get a great mix of flavors between the sweet pumpkin, spinach, okra, and eggplant. Very pleasant staff, great atmosphere, although the music could be turned down a pinch. Priced appropriately and generous portions (my girlfriend and I split an appetizer and entree - the perfect amount of food). Can't wait to go back and try the rest of the menu!
(5)
Audrey C.
Decent- very nice decor but in my opinion, food was simply overpriced for what it was. I got the eggplant/pumpkin vegetarian combo, and while the eggplant was really good (grilled with a smoky flavor), and the rice was lightly infused with some spices, I don't think it was worth almost $20 (after tax/tip-- before that it was $14.95). There wasn't that much eggplant or pumpkin either, not as much as I would have hoped for. I was very excited for the flat bread with the dipping sauces that came before, but it tasted too tough/dry and chewy for my tastes. I wouldn't be upset if someone suggested we eat here, but I just don't think I'd go out of my way to come here. Also, I have been to Helmand (another Afghan restaurant in Cambridge next to the Cambridge Galleria/Lechmere T), and I would say that Helmand seemed more flavorful + bread was really good there- very very fresh, they have a huge oven in the restaurant that you can see they use to make the bread. Helmand's also closer to me..
(3)
Bill P.
Delicious food. Decent atmosphere. Really affordable prices for quality wines. The menu is diverse enough to let you explore a bit but not too long to make you feel overwhelmed. The missing star in my review is the lack of service to match the high quality food. Don't get me wrong, everyone there is friendly and gives a good effort. But it's clear the servers are not very experienced and while they understand the food they don't have the menu down. Last time we were there, party of four on a Saturday night, we sat at our table for an hour before our order was taken. The wine helped keep us occupied, but an hour felt unnecessary. But don't let me stop you from making a visit - it's well worth it. Give it a try.
(4)
Michele H.
Wonderful atmosphere. Food is richly spiced and not heapingly portioned ( though is plenty). The lamb is tender, and stew dishes are rich and fragrant. Good vegetarian fare, too. Great place for a date.
(4)
NCNY N.
Everything we had was delicious. We tried 4 appetizers and one of the lamb entrees. Everything was fabulous. Husband and I have slightly different tastes but he fell in love with every dish as well. Also very good service and quite formal atmosphere. I should also say they have amazing homemade desserts, even housemade baklava!! I can't stop thinking about this place.
(5)
Jamie C.
I had no idea what Afghani food was all about. Thank you Ariana for schooling me in how awesome it is! This has quickly become one of my favorite restaurants in the Boston area. I've come here for an intimate birthday dinner, parent visit, a girl date, and with friends and without fail I leave with my stomach and wallet smiling. The Kaddo is one of those dishes that makes you tilt your head back, close your eyes, and melt. It's like dessert with meat. Dreams do come true, friends... Chopan - grilled rack of lamb with pallow rice, YUM YUM YUM! and I HATE LAMB! Can we say life changing... I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Molly L.
One of my favorite restuarants in Boston! The owner/chef/guy at the front is warm and inviting, and the servers are friendly and sincere. I don't know where in Boston you get white tablecloth dining, great atmosphere, and food this delicious for such reasonable prices. The vegetarian platter is terrific. Also try the pumpkin or the bolani. The (free) bread and dipping sauces at the start of the meal are reason enough to show up and the house wine never disappoints. This is a great mom and pop establishment that you must check out!
(5)
Roni S.
Hands down one of the most authentic restaurants in Boston. I have been at least 3 times within the past few months and their menu is great! There is usually not a wait during the week and they have pretty fast service so even during the weekend it is not long. It is a GREAT place to have a dinner celebration since they can seat large tables fairly easy. Recommended Dish: Kaddo!!! It is an amazing pumpkin dish that you can get with meat or without for those vegs out there. It is so tasty and melts in your mouth. The food can be made mild or spicy and is a great ethnic flavor! Not super expensive either! Perfect for date night.
(4)
Kelly O.
I love Afghani food and try to trek to Helmand when I can, so it's awesome to now have a more local outpost of this delicious cuisine. But does it hold up to Helmand? I say, definitely. First of all, the staff at Ariana are all wicked friendly. I really felt welcomed when I walked in the door to the small, cozy one-room restaurant... as opposed to Helmand where you feel like your mere presence is a bit of an inconvenience. Score one for Ariana. The freshly baked flatbread starter came with the standard 3 dipping sauces (chili, yogurt, and cilantro). The bread itself was a bit on the hard side, and I think I prefer Helmand's softer flatbread over it (especially with the visuals of the brick bread oven and the smells of the baking bread in the dining room), but it was still hot and tasty and a good start to the meal. Point to Helmand. For apps, I adore Kaddo, and Ariana really does it right. I could probably eat this dish forever and ever and be happy... the blend of sweet and savory and sour/tangy is unlike anything I'd ever had before. This is a must-try (at both Ariana and Helmand). I had the Dopiaza for my entree which was excellent... the lamb had that wonderful grilled taste/texture I adore, and the very vinegary split pea marinade held up well to the meat (if you don't like vinegar though, don't get this, as it's very strong). Even the plain hot mushrooms with peppers on the side were very tasty. My dining companions had the Shish Kabob and the Korma Challow, and both were also pleased (I tried the Korma Challow which was rich and tomatoey). The portions were just right, we were able to clean our plates and be satisfied without being overly stuffed, and the prices are pretty on-par as well (and cheaper than Helmand), ~$16 for the entrees. If you haven't tried this cuisine yet, I highly recommend you check out Ariana now.
(4)
Margaret W.
I had the lamb, absolutely delis! Hubby had the trout which was delis also! We also had the Kuddo OMG!! We will be back the house Cab was good too!!
(5)
Michelle L.
I've been here at least 4 times already and simply LOVE the Afghan food served here. The prices are reasonable and service quick. The food is flavorful, and you can definitely appreciate the myriad of spices used in each dish. The bread they start off with is delicious and comes with 3 great dipping sauces. The eggplant, pumpkin, and mantu are AMAZING appetizers. I could scarf down a combo of those 3 for the whole meal!! The pumpkin is on the sweeter side but if you have a sweet tooth like I do, you'll savor it! I had the korma challow for my entree - mmm I love lamb!! It was tender and juicy, so delectable! The rice was also a well seasoned rice, a nice change for someone who usually eats plain rice. My friend had shish kabob, which was also cooked to perfection. All in all, an amazing food. If you like explosions of flavor and tender, succulent meat, the this is the place for you!
(5)
Annette A.
It's hard to NOT shake my head at people who insist on going downtown for a good restaurant. Allston's got some serious culinary gems going on - one of those gems is Ariana. Everything about this Ariana makes it feel like it's a restaurant you could only find on the waterfront, but we're lucky enough to have it here. I've never had Afghani food before, and this was a fantastic introduction to it. The food is fresh and very flavorful, definitely a very exciting experience for the senses. The staff is very sweet and attentive. And the price is fitting as well. The ambience is beautiful at night, with candles and delicate lighting. This place is excellent for a date or a quiet dinner. Go if you're looking for something really delicious and intimate.
(5)
Keoki Z.
I ate at this restaurant for the first time tonight. The inside decor was really nice, as was the table setup, silverware, and glasses. Definitely a place that you can take a date to if you want to impress them, it has a very romantic, intimate vibe and atmosphere to it. I was served complimentary bread that came with my entree. It was really high quality and delicious, and came with butter and 3 dipping sauces: cucumber yogurt, some kind of ground cilantro/pesto stuff with vinegar, and a sweet chili sauce. All of them were great. For an entree, I ordered the vegetarian ravioli, which was filled with scallions and pumpkin (or something like that), and topped with a yogurt sauce. Again, very tasty. I enjoyed eating at the place, except for the music, which I thought was awful at times and really annoyed me. Some of it sounds like a sitar playing (like something you would hear in Indian restaurants), and that was perfectly fine, but some of the other music that was played was really cheesy and annoying, like some kind of synthesized music that was really heavy and awkward with the percussion and rhythm. If it wasn't for the music, I'd definitely consider coming back to the place to eat again, but the music was definitely a big turn off for me. If you're okay with the music, then I would definitely recommend you check this place out. They serve wine too, in case you were wondering.
(4)
Ariana Z.
I've never heard of Afghani food, and if it weren't for the fact that it's name is also my own, I probably would have never thought twice about going here. Fortunately my girlfriend brought me here as a surprise for my birthday, and I am so glad she did. Firstly, the food is sublime. Everything is perfect. Seasoned perfectly, plated perfectly, cooked to absolute perfection. I recommend the kaddo app and the aushak with beef for the entree. The rice dessert is also great. Food aside, the staff are friendly, welcoming, and attentive. I love this place, and would definitely recommend it to everyone I know. Great for dates or classy dinners.
(5)
rebecca x.
love this place.
(4)
Vivian C.
I love the Kaddo and Chowpan at Helmand's in Cambridge, so when I heard that there was a new Afghani restaurant on my side of the river, I was looking forward to visiting it. I finally had the chance recently and my friend pretty much let me order whatever I wanted for the two of us. The restaurant was decorated quite nicely and sedately, conveying an adults going out for the evening feeling that nonetheless did not make you feel uncomfortable should you had decided to arrive in a pair of jeans. As a Kaddo enthusiast, I ordered the Kaddo $5.95 - Pan-fried then baked baby pumpkin seasoned with sugar and served on a garlic yogurt sauce topped with ground beef sauce; Qabili $13.90 - Pallow rice baked with chunks of lamb shanks, raisins, and glazed julienne of carrots; and the Mourgh Salata $13.95 - Fresh boneless chicken breast marinated then grilled, served on mixed green salad with grilled vegetables and vinaigrette dressing. The hot bread arrived with 3 sauces and butter just shortly before the plate of pumpkin. The bread was crispy soft, but a bit burnt (some bits were scraped off). Still, it was good. The Kaddo not as sweet as Helmand's but still good. The Qabili hid several fork tender chunks of lamb under its mountain of individual long grains of rice. This was a tasty sweet rice plate, and I enjoyed shredding the lamb into the mix. The chicken in the Mourgh Salata was a bit burnt here and there (grill marks), but was really tender. The overwhelming flavor of the greens and veggie chunks was the advertised vinaigrette, which was good but perhaps used a touch too heavy handedly. Street parking was tough on a late Friday night - perhaps because of the nearby bars with lines of patrons waiting to enter? Note: Does not accept American Express. *** 2/2012 visit *** The portion size of the kaddo has sadly shrunk by about half while the price stayed the same, so that was kind of sad. But it is still tasty. We tried the Aushak as well, which is the dumpling appetizer, but felt it tasted too similar to a simple boiled Chinese dumpling to consider ordering it again in the future. Service was pleasant. The bread unburnt this time around.
(4)
Cynthia Y.
Excellent fresh food and excellent service. The trout is superb as is the vegetarian plate. The pumpkin is totally yummy.
(5)
Morra Y.
The food is so yummy. Recommended dishes: home-made noodles for appetizer, Lamb leg and chicken breast for entree. A must-go place in Allston.
(5)
Christopher S.
My first intro to Afghan food occurred on my last day working in Boston back in 2001, when my boss took me out for a farewell dinner at The Helmand in Cambridge. Perhaps it was a combination of the occasion, the element of surprise (since I had no idea what Afghan food would taste like) and the eccentric panoply of bold flavors that seamlessly meld Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Indian, and even Chinese cuisine(perhaps in part due to the Silk Road trading routes), I have since recommended it to several friends whether they are living or visiting Boston and they have never been disappointed. Fast forward to 2012 when my special lady friend and I were jonesing for something off the beaten path for dinner. I had always talked about taking her to Helmand for her first Afghan dining experience, but I placed my faith in my fellow yelpers in this relative newcomer since it was within walking distance of her neighborhood and I was rewarded in spades. The meal started out with their complementary warm flatbread accompanied by a tray of 3 dipping sauces (white yogurt cucumber, green mint walnut, red chili). The bread is like the hybrid (hy-bread...sorry, couldn't resist the terrible pun) child of naan and lavash, and the sauces pair well alone or in combination together. We ordered the Kaddo and the Aushak appetizers. The Kaddo was definitely the standout dish since it consisted of a baby pumpkin that is first panfried and then baked so it has a sweet crispy caramelized exterior enveloping a creamy velvety interior. Alone, this would be like your thanksgiving candied yams on steroids, but top this with a spicy meat sauce with a hint of chili oil and then rounding it out with a cool garlicky yogurt sauce and it's like 3 extreme flavors that somehow balance each out while every single tastebud on your tongue is on overdrive, not an easy feat to achieve. We opted for the vegetarian version of Aushak, which consisted of a soft pillowy ravioli filled with leeks and scallions topped with a garlic and mint yogurt sauce. The texture of the ravioli and combination of the vegetable components were reminiscent of a well-prepared Chinese boiled dumpling with garlic chives, but the mint yogurt sauce gave it its distinct identity. Perhaps a bit too subtle or suffering the fate of having to be the following act for the Kaddo, I would probably order this one with the ground beef or venture to try the Mantu on future visits. For the main entree, we split the Korma Challow, which was leg of lamb sauteed with onions, tomatoes garlic, and green beans accompanied with lentils and challow rice. The lamb was very flavorful and tender with every vegetable component cooked to textural perfection. The rice dishes are considered the best part of any meal in Afghan cuisine, and both varieties (challow and pallow) need to be on anyone's rice bucket list (others on my list include Hainanese chicken rice, Indian biryanis, Vietnamese broken rice, and Korean bibimbap to name a few). For our dish, the challow is basmati rice first parboiled, then drained and baked with a combination of oil and spices (pallow has additional components of meat, stock, dried fruits, or herbs) with the staged process resulting in a fluffy consistency that has each grain separated, a nice foil to the stewed lamb and lentils which bind the grains together like reeling in fish on a net. Lamb is definitely the protein of choice that matches best with the delicate combinations of cumin, cinnamon, and cardamon throughout their menu. In summary, Ariana is a worthy rival to The Helmand in terms of Afghan cuisine supremacy in Boston, with a more casual dining experience in terms of ambience, but definitely does not come up short on taste or service. A culinary gem in the Allston neighborhood that will be sure to surprise your tastebuds.
(5)
Yancey L.
Every time I pass that restaurant, I can't help looking inside because their wall decoration is really exotic and their table sets are so beautiful. Finally I got a chance to dine in, and I absolutely enjoyed the food there. I tried Kaddo, the baby pumpkin with ground beef sauce; Mantu, I call them Afghan dumplings (I love how they arrange the dumplings on the plate, which looks like a flower); Dopiaza, marinated then grilled lamb leg. I personally like lamb a lot, and they give you so many choices of lamb dishes which seems all great to me. So it took me so long to decide which I want to try, but definitely, I will come back for other lamb dishes too. The owner himself is a man with great personality and amazing stories. He also has a small wine collection from all over the world. It would be a good place for a romantic candle-lit dinner too!
(5)
Eva B.
Lovely gem of great food. The starters are to die for. Very well priced and good service. Is always very busy which say it all.
(5)
James O.
Wow. Talk about impressed. This was my first time eating Afghan food, and I loved it. I had read some good things about this place and its so close to BU's campus I decided last night to try it with a friend. The place is small, simple, but inviting. It was a Tuesday night so it was empty. Our waiter was very nice, although he didn't seem to know much about the wine selection, but that's okay, he was very pleasant and prompt. We started with the Mantu Appetizer: We were expecting more of a filled pastry based on the description, but it is more of a beef filled ravioli. Some great flavors and spices here, a nice and light appetizer. I had the Trout, which was one of the day's special's. It was so perfectly crispy, accompanied by date and walnut rice and some sauteed eggplant. Wow. It was such a great meal. My friend had the Lamb Challow, which I tried and was also great. For dessert we had the Sheerekh, a homemade icecream with pistachio and cardamom. Delicious, creamy, and fresh. A perfectly sweet and light way to end dinner. I'm giving it a four for now only because I have only been here once. But overall, I really want to come back.
(4)
David C.
I finally got around to trying Ariana the other night, and I'm happy to say it lives up to the hype. My dishes definitely outshone my mother's, but everything we had (including the bread and sauce accompaniments) was lovely. The highlight of the night for me was the kaddo. I'm basically a whore for pumpkin, and this rendering was the tastiest I've had all season. The best part? I can have THIS pumpkin all year round. Ariana's qabili makes for a delicious (and, for only $14.95, deliciously affordable) main course. It's a great way to introduce yourself to pallow rice, which is the perfect blend of sweet and savory. A generous helping of tender lamb shank and glazed julienne carrots top the dish off just right. I'm so glad to have finally tried Ariana, and I'm almost certain I'll be back (hopefully sooner rather than later). The only reason I can't give it five stars is the slow service. I'd recommend going on a weeknight as opposed to a Saturday to avoid the crowds.
(4)
Yuan W.
While I'm also a huge fan of Helmand, another Afghan place in Kendall Square, I have to say Ariana is pretty good in its own right. Came here recently with some friends and had a delightful meal. We started with the kaddo (baked pumpkin with sugar, yogurt and beef sauce), which I saw was highly recommended by other Yelpers. It was definitely unique, I've never had yogurt and beef together before. It was a surprisingly complementary pairing, although the pumpkin may have been a bit too sweet for my taste. I had the filet of trout special, which came with sauteed eggplant seasoned with walnuts on top of rice. Trout was well cooked, and I really enjoy the flavorful eggplant. One of my friends had the sabzi challow, which is lamb, spinach and rice. Very similar to Helmand but slightly smaller portions. Overall that was sort of the main comparison throughout the night - almost identical menu to Helmand, smaller portions, slightly better prices and also very delicious. The wine here is an EXCELLENT deal. We got a half carafe of the house wine for $15. That was about 3-4 glasses and you had the choice between a cabernet sauvignon and a chardonnay. We got the cab which was actually really good for a house wine. A full carafe was only $20 and you get double the amount. I've never seen better restaurant wine prices in Boston. The restaurant itself is relatively small, so it feels pretty intimate. It's a quieter place, great for conversation and a low-key meal. Also, there's relatively abundant street parking in Allston, which is a plus in my book. I'd come here again.
(4)
Joanna H.
The Kaddo, at first taste, kind of sets you off. But eventually you adjust to the sweetness of the pumpkin coupled with the savory ground beef sauce. The pumpkin just dissolves in your mouth and it's so good you can't resist. Get the Trout Special: Pan fried Filet of trout served with sauteed eggplant and rice seasoned with dates and walnuts. Trout was a considerable size, fried to tender perfection. I finished the plate clean quickly and gladly. Service is fast and people there are super amiable. I'll be spreading the word.
(5)
Alisa K.
Delicious! The pumpkin with ground beef appetizer was amazing- savory and sweet and flavorful. I enjoyed my qabili pulau - the rice was flavorful, the lamb succulent, the carrots fresh, the raisins plump. It could have benefitted from a bit more meat sauce, however. (I've been to other Afghan restaurants where they give you some on the side). They also have a really great selection of sauces (white yogurt cucumber, green mint walnut, red chili). The red sauce was my favorite . The waitresses were really welcoming and attentive - refilled water, prompt when we needed anything, patient with our lame inquires about their ethnicity (Belarusian and Russian). It's located in a bit of an undergrad heavy area of Allston. I would give this place a 4.5 stars if I could and would definitely come back.
(4)
Felix G.
Very tasty food! Not very complicated, but damn it tasted good. The couple that owns the place is also very nice, happy to talk about their food and country. Ask them to pick a meal for you.
(4)
Adam A.
What I like about Allston is that you can be heading to chow down on one thing, and suddenly BAM, you notice something else, and instead of spicy kidneys and soup dumplings, now you're eating kaddo and pallau! The atmosphere in Ariana is pleasant- clearly a lot of care has gone into making it sort of dimly lit and fancy-esque, in a conventional but nice enough way (colored walls, banquette on one side, fairly large number of compactly arranged tables with white tablecloths and flowers) They were clearly pushing wine and beer, which struck me as a little jarring with Afghani food, but I admittedly have rather limited experience with Afghani restaurants (mostly limited to no frills mom'n'pop take-out/styrofoam-plate type places) Since we hadn't come prepared for an all out feast, we sampled just a few things: Bowlawni (a lot like chinese leek pockets, though one was potato), a special combination of kaddo (pumpkin) + banjan (eggplant), and the kofta (meatballs) in sweet tomato sauce. While we were waiting for food to arrive, we got a basket of the really excellent fresh bread. The bowlawni was also tasty- not the most uniquely afghani food, probably (i.e., it's not so different from fried filled pastries the world over), but well made, and great with the various sauces that had been put in front of us (one with red peppers, one with jalapeno, and one raita/yogurt one). The kofta was also good, with decent quality meat and a somewhat sweet tomato sauce. The winner, though, was the kaddo, which was sweet but not cloying, in a way that the tomato sauce and yogurt cuts through perfectly. I'm not usually a big fan of sweet dishes, but I've come to like this version (also like Helmand's, I think) in which the pumpkin is sweetened rather than the sauce, since the sauce provides a nice savory counterpoint rather than covering the pumpkin in sweetness. We also somehow managed to find room for dessert, and tried their homemade ice cream. It was dense and sweet, and covered in a token amount of pistachio powder with a sauce that had a hint of rose. All in all, this is a great addition to the neighborhood- I agree that it's fantastic to be able to get in without waiting, but I hope for their sake that it becomes more crowded fast!
(4)
Chris H.
Got the vegetarian special, and it was really good. I like Helmand better, but Helmand is more expensive, so it evens out in my mind.
(4)
J F.
Great restaurant. Appetizers in the beginning are quite balanced and palatable. The restaurant theme and music certainly works with the food. Every dish I've gotten has been well balanced and has made me quite satiated and satisfied except for one which was filled with beef and vinegar.
(3)
Rohan D.
In a neighborhood packed with eateries and coffee shops, it's nice to come across a restaurant that serves food representing a region/culture only few people have been exposed to. With a small handful of afghan restaurants in the Boston area, I was interested to check out Ariana to see if it was better than the other average ones that have been around for a while, and im glad I came! The food was flavorful, cooked to perfection and the staff were extremely friendly. What more could you ask from a restaurant experience? Afghan food has a strong similarity to Indian and Middle eastern food, but with a strong passion for lamb dishes. You will not go wrong with ordering one of the lamb kabobs off of their menu. Go for it! Highly recommended.
(4)
Sarah C.
My husband and I went to Ariana last night to celebrate our wedding anniversary. We were seated right away by the window which was great for people watching. The waitstaff was extremely helpful and attentive. We decided on the Dopiaza and the special of the day, which was trout, rice with dates and walnuts, and eggplant. Delicious! It was all amazing. We also got some great flatbread with three different sauces. My favorite was the cilantro/hot pepper sauce while my husband was addicted to the yogurt walnut sauce. For dessert we shared some ice cream flavored with pistachio and cardamom and each had a turkish coffee. A great end to our meal! We'll definitely be coming back to Ariana.
(5)
C. R. M.
Just ate here, first time... excellent: the right balance between elegance (cloth napkins and tablecloths), comfort (warm atmosphere, good music), sumptuousness (very fine food), and value (these are not high prices for food of this quality). And what an excellent, moderately priced wine list. We cannot wait to go back.
(5)
Kate S.
First time having afghan food, it was wonderful! Highly recommend the eggplant appetizer.
(4)
Hanieh M.
I like this place, however it is a little pricey for me but the food was great and the manager was such a great guy
(4)
Kelly B.
Ordered kaddo, sabzi challow, and a ravioli thing. All of the food was stellar. The presentation was meticulous but not grandiose (spoons parallel, vegetable garnish symmetrical). We also had some lovely cardamum tea. Even the house bread was fresh and delicious, and the cilantro sauce was incredible. Another plus was the waitress, who was enchantingly sweet and very prompt and helpful.
(5)
Matthew W.
Don't know how I managed to not review this place after I went there. Or after I went there a second time. Or after I went there a third time... in the same week. I am rarely one for extreme adjectives. Believe me when I say that the most accurate phrase I can use to describe the experience of eating at Ariana is "flavor orgasm." Were it not for the sheer brilliance that is Fish Market Sushi Bar, Ariana would easily be my favorite restaurant in Allston. Sorry, Kelly's... bronze medal?
(5)
Joanna E.
This place has great Afghani food. Though I liked The Helmand by the CambridgeSide Galleria more, this place was less expensive and more casual in comparison. It's a good in between for not super fancy, but definitely nice enough to bring a date.
Ariana was delightful! The restaurant itself has a peaceful, soothing atmosphere with dim lighting. This spot is perfect for a comfortable evening with a good friend while chowing down. Between the two of us, we ordered 2 appetizers and 2 entrees, leaving us with way more than necessary since they serve complimentary warm naan and a trifecta of sauces as well! This was my first encounter with 'kaddo' which is (sweetened maybe?) pumpkin carved out and served with yogurt sauce. The sweet, savory, tangy combination was rather unlikely but worked really well together. I have a feeling that unlikely combinations of flavors is what Afghani food is all about. Our other appetizer was a roasted eggplant served with a red sauce which I also loved but then again I can't remember a time when I disliked anything involving eggplant so I may be biased here. My entree was the lamb Dopiaza which was mostly good but the gravy was a little too tangy/tart for my liking (maybe too much lime?) Although it didn't come close to ruining my meal, the waitress never asked me how I wanted my meat cooked and it was a little underdone for me. What I did love about the dish was the way the lamb lentil curry was served on top of a naan that soaked up the curry flavors to make it soft and mushy. Also the rice was cooked to al dente perfection. Although we didn't get to it - the dessert menu looked promising replete with baklava, rice pudding and ice creams. I recommend!
(4)
Leilani H.
YUM!!! Sometimes it takes a lot to mobilize my partner and I to get outside of Boston proper /Cambridge (Central Sq) but oh-my-goodness-this-is-worth-it. Arrived at about 6:30 on a Saturday eve and the two of us were seated right away. Looks like seating for 2 is easy, larger parties may want to get a resi. Loving Helmund, we were excited to try Ariana and boy did it not disappoint! Two entrees, an appetizer, salad and a carafe of wine came out to less than $50. Amazing. And our waiter was fantastic to boot. Totally worth the trip out of downtown. Can't wait to do it again!
(5)
Laura Y.
This was the first restaurant I went to when I was in Boston and boy did it set the bar high! We were about to go into another place that was more popular, since there were more people, but we decided not to crowd and just stuck with Ariana, which was the more exotic and ethnic cuisine. This was my first time trying Afghan food, and it definitely made me want to go back again. First off, they served pita-ish bread with three different sauces. I liked the green one a lot since it wasn't as spicy as the red one and not too sweet like the yogurt. However, eating the yogurt sauce after eating the red sauce quells the spiciness so there's a magical combo right there. Appetizer: ORDER THE KADDO. It's a sweet pumpkin dish with yogurt sauce on the bottom and ground meat sauce on the top. I don't know who or how they thought of this, but the combination was heavenly! I seriously want some right now. Actually, when we were at the restaurant, we actually ended up using most of the bread for the kaddo sauce than the actual sauces they gave us. It was yummy and just mindblowingly amazing. I ordered the chopan which was grilled lamb with eggplant and pallow rice. The rice was drier than I would like it to be, but mixed with the sauce with the eggplant, it tasted better. The lamb was great; it was juicy and seasoned well. No complaints there. My friend got the trout, which is just fried fish. I tasted some of it but I liked mine better. The food was so good that I didn't really care about how the service was. I'm sure it was decent, though, since there really weren't any major complaints. i left full and happy and in a good mood, which is what every restaurant should aim for.
(5)
Danie R.
Ariana is REALLY good. We just went for some of the vegetarian entrees, as I ate some edamame raviolis like 4 hours earlier, but just have an entree was the perfect size. They don't overload your plate with American sized portions, which sometimes I love because who doesn't want leftovers?) but it's not ever necessary. Peter got the vegetarian special and I got the aushak. The special is basically a great vegetable sampling that comes with some of the best rice I've ever tasted.. although kinda oily.. but that's probably what makes it good, right? My favorite of the veggies was the pumpkin. Whatever sort of sauce is on it rules. The aushak were these wonderful raviolis (guess I was on a rav kick that day, huh?) filled with scallions and leeks and an interesting and tasty sauce. Also they give you a bunch of bread and sauces for free to snack on! Booze notes: Their beer selection sucks.. You gotta get the Anchor Steam. It's their only decent beer. Their house white wine tastes like paint thinner.
(4)
Catherine S.
My boyfriend and I are nerds and we rate the top meals we've had at the end of the year. The pumpkin caddo at this place got #1. I kid you not. Though it's just an appetizer, we were absolutely obsessed: pumpkin with meat and yogurt sauce, something we never would have tried if it wasn't for a couple sitting next to us who recommended it. I had some sort of chicken for the meal, which was just as divine, so I highly recommend stopping by here for a tasty, exotic culinary experience!
(5)
Ben L.
My girlfriend and I went here for a later dinner, around 8pm on Sunday. When we walked in the first comment we got from a server rushing past us was "Can you just wait a few minutes?" She didn't even wait for an answer as she ran to give a check to a table. It was clear they were severely understaffed, she was the only server visible and no host or manager. There were several tables open, including a nice one by the window we would have really liked, alas only few of them were cleared (in fact, that specific table would remain uncleared till about halfway through our own meal.) We were seated after about 10 minutes of being ignored, and even then we did not receive any welcomes, water, or anything. We had to wait over 15 minutes for our order to be taken and to receive any water. After we were served our meal the only time our server appeared was to ask if we were finished with our meal. The service was just horrible. I understand that the server was busy, but I believe that this shows an serious managing fault. The food was delicious, but the entire evening was marred by some of the most horrible service I've ever received, hence the 3 stars. I'd consider going back, but if I walk in and see that the situation has not changed I would just turn around and leave.
(3)
Tharathorn R.
Excellent food and turkish coffee (not on the menu)!
(5)
Jin Z.
I was organizing a dinner get together for a few friends last week and wanted to find something in the Brighton Area. This is my first time trying afgan cuisine and I have to say that I'll be back for more. We were a party of 5 and we got 2 apps to share, the pumpkin one and ground beef wrapped in pasta. As everyone else have already said, the pumpkin dish is amazing, I really love the sauce. The other app that we ordered was also fantastic. For our main dishes, our group ordered lamb and chicken. I got the lamb dish with spinach and the lamb was so tender. Service was really great, they took our coats when we first arrived, and was very attentive the entire evening. Will definitely be back!
(5)
Mel C.
First time having Afghan cuisine. The Dopiaza was really delicious!
(5)
KW L.
Maybe I'm just not getting it...the food here was alright but I just don't get what all the hype is about. The service was ok as we were seated right away and the waitress came around on occasion to check up on us. They bring out flatbread with three different sauces, which were good. Our group had the Trout, Kofta Challow, Chapendaz, and the Banjan&Kaddo Challow. Everyone thought was food was good, but not great. In fact, I thought the Chapendaz was somewhat bland which is not necessarily what I expect from Afghani food. Overall it was ok, but I'm not sure I would choose to dine here again. I feel like I can get Afghani food that tastes similar if not better for much cheaper elsewhere, just without the classier atmosphere.
(3)
Tessa C.
So delicious! The service was good, it is a very nice atmosphere and the prices are reasonable. If you're looking for an exciting change of place this is a great choice!
(5)
Amanda L.
I heard that Ariana was owned by the same people as the Helmand but was cheaper. You mean I don't have to trek to Kendall Sq for delicious Afghani food? SCORE! This place was absolutely lovely. It's a little on the small side, but they do pack a lot of tables. Service is also pleasant, if a little slow towards the end. Food came out lightening fast. Joe and I decided to get the Aushak with meat. It's basically ravioli filled with leeks and scallions, served on a garlic and mint yogurt sauce, topped with ground beef and mint. Perfect portions. I was pleasantly full without feeling sick. The flavors were tremendous and I really enjoyed the yogurt sauce and the ground beef. The rest of the menu sounded fabulous, and if we hadn't decided to check out the new frozen yogurt place instead, I would have definitely gotten dessert. We went with 2 friends and their plates looks awesome as well. Can't wait to come back!
(5)
Andrew J.
Truly a wonderful restaurant. Well priced, service was polite and friendly, the place was clean with linen tablecloths and fine dining utensils. However, even with the beautiful atmosphere, the prices are modest and you walk away feeling even better about the experience. Definitely recommend the baked pumpkin dish available as an appetizer--its a joyride for your tastebuds.
(4)
Allison J.
My boyfriend and I stopped in on a snowy Sunday night. We took yelpers' advice and started with the kaddo (spicy roasted pumpkin, on a yogurt sauce, with ground beef sauce), and then we also got the aush soup (the bf called it an afghani version of chicken noodle soup). Both were warm, spicy and delicious. They also brought naan with 3 dipping sauces. (yogurt, jalepeno & cilantro, and a hot pepper relish). For entrees, he got the Kofta Challow (meatballs with a tomato, pepper and peas sauce). He ended up mixing it all together with the rice, and the few bites I stole were pretty good. I got Shish Kabob (char-broiled leg of lamb, served with grilled peppers and onions, and roasted eggplant). The lamb was really great, just like I remember from cook-outs at my Lebanese Grandma's house. I didn't really like the sides, I ended up eating the lamb with naan and yogurt sauce and it was delicious. The service was great, very attentive and our food all came out fairly quickly. The atmosphere was nice as well, very cozy. I'm a fan!
(4)
Frenchie ..
This restaurant is absolutely perfet: terrific food, nice service, good and relaxing music... A must place to go to!
(5)
Eve S.
This place was delicious! Everything I tasted was phenomenal. Having never had Afghani food, I was impressed all-around. The pumpkin was especially, er, special. Do try!
(5)
Michelle D.
This is hands down my new favorite restaurant. My boyfriend and I were talking about going for a little while, and finally we did.. we wonder why we didn't go sooner! The pricing is reasonable. The flavors are out of this world! The most ridiculous thing is that the ingredient combinations seem to be totally bizarre.. pumpkin with garlic yogurt and mint and beef topping..?! This seemed SO peculiar to me, but after having the leek raviolis earlier in the week which were pretty excellent, I tried this and it was even more flavorful... as I like to say, "it's like an orgasm in your mouth!" (I hope the owners don't mind my saying..!) But seriously, it's a nice, little romantic restaurant with fresh flowers on the table, friendly waitstaff who are eager to tell you about the food (the waitress on our first night was all about us trying "the special"!). It is the first restaurant I've been to in a while where I feel that all of the items are the menu are interesting, nutritious, and delicious. I can't wait to try as many items on the menu as I can get to, it was just that good! Also to mention, they have both small and full sized portions of most of the menu items, but you get a relatively generous portion either way, it just depends on how hungry you are. The naan-like bread with three sauces before also come with the meal and compliment it well.
(5)
Hrishikesh H.
Simple and delicious food. Entree portion size may seem a little smaller. But the complementary bread they give you makes up for it. Try the bread with any of the soups they have to offer.
(5)
Edwin C.
Not going to lie, I was a bit hesitant to try Afghan food, but somehow the gf and I found ourselves here. Started off with a couple of fried pastry things that looked like Jamaican beef patties, only one was filled with scallions and the other with curry potatoes or something like that. Also ordered the Kaddo (pumkin with ground beef and yogurt sauce), a baked piece of pumpkin (way too sweet, but balanced by the beef). It was a good try, but don't think I'd order it again. For entrees the gf ordered the Mourgh Challow, which was sort of like a chicken curry dish, which was surprisingly good with the rice. I messed up and ordered the Dopiaza, which was lamb marinated in vinegar (the overpowering sourness really ruined the dish, probably why you can't taste the gamy lamb). I however still finished my dish, but went next door to Blue Asia and ordered something else to really hit the spot. Portions are on the smaller side, service is good, and definitely worth the try. I'd come again.
I can see why this place has good reviews. At first when we went in there was no one there to serve us, but we were willing to wait for a nice sit down experience away from all the Brighton ave bars. The server apologized and was very nice and professional. When the food comes, at first we worried that the meals were small and that although they'd be delicious would not fill us up. We were wrong. Each of us were so happy with our dishes. I usually can pin point what spices are used to produce the flavors of sauces, but could not at all at this place. They were the right combination of tasting the ingredients as well as the flavors placed on them. We were all so full and satisfied after our meals and wished we had room to embrace the dessert menu. I don't know when we would go back because it is definitely more fancy and expensive than the typical restaurant for college students. The crowd is also a little older than other restaurants in the area. I could see this being a great place to impress a date.
(5)
Christian P.
It was my first time having Afghan food and Ariana made it the best experience possible. I didn't know what to order so I asked the waiter which dishes would he recommend. I had 2 appetizers and 2 entrees that I shared with my bro, and everything was delicious, especially the KADDO... it tasted like a perfect blend of pumpkin jam with meat sauce and yogurt... you gotta try it! The service is also top notch and the atmosphere is great. It only opened 4 months ago but I'm sure it' will make its way to a famous successful trendy restaurant
(5)
Ash T.
Decent place to go to... once in a while. PROS: Better than Helmand, the other Afghani restaurant. The Banjan eggplant appetizer was decent. The grilled chicken kabob and the lentil soup were great. CONS: The lamb did need some more cooking. This place is pricey...Afghans are generous with their serving of bread, maybe not in Boston. Was expecting a lot of distinct flavor owing to the fact that Afghan cuisine includes mint, saffron, coriander, cilantro, cardamom, and black pepper as their main herbs and spices. There is enough room in Boston for another, hopefully more authentic Afghani restaurant. I was more pleased by Azama grill right around the corner.
(3)
Melissa M.
I came to Boston on business and had Ariana picked out ahead of time. We went straight from the airport, arriving at 9:30 pm. They gave us no problems about coming in late, near closing time, and the staff was kind and attentive. I am SO glad we went! The food was really outstanding. We tried the pumpkin and ravioli appetizers. Like everyone else has said, try the pumpkin!! It was so delicious. I am not even sure how it is cooked. It was soft but not mushy, and slightly sweetened. Maybe braised in a sweet broth, and then a touch of yogurt and ground beef on top. I wasn't sure about the combo beforehand, but it really was delicious. My colleagues and I had a veggie dish, lamb korma, and a soup, and we all loved every bite. We also had rice pudding and creme caramel, and they were tasty. The portions are perfect. You can have an appetizer and entree and not be ready to explode. Prices were very reasonable. Food lives up to the 4.5 stars Ariana has. Service was good. Portions were dead on. What's not to love?! I'm sure I'll be heading back next time I visit!
(5)
Jen J.
This restaurant is much more upscale than most of the restaurants in Allston except Carlo's, which is next door. We had a bit of sticker shock when the bill was $50 for an appetizer, two entrees, and two desserts. But once we considered, the food was clearly more intensively prepared and presented than at, say, Thai Place. I wasn't wowed by my vegetarian meal, which was pumpkin; it was okay but not outstanding. My husband raved about the beef tenderloin. Desserts were amazing. Service was perfect, attentive without being pushy.
(4)
Gregg Y.
What a treat to have another great Afghan restaurant in the Boston area! And one you can get into without planning ahead. Absolutely everything was wonderful. A basket of fresh flatbread starts the meal, accompanied by a trio of sauces that burst with flavor: a green mint-based sauce, a red chili sauce, and a yogurt sauce. Last night I sampled kadoo (baked pumpkin in a yogurt sauce, and an optional ground-meat sauce), qabili (baked lamb under a mound of delicate rice topped with raisins and glazed carrots), and kourma challow (a melange of vegetables served with rice). For dessert, rice pudding and bucklawa (like Greek baklava but with a more complex list of ingredients including multiple kinds of nuts and spices). It was all completely excellent and possibly the best Afghan food I've had. Qabili may be my all-time favorite Afghan dish, and Ariana knocks it out of the park, with flavorful, lean, fork-tender lamb and perfect rice. The one very minor disappointment was the the rice pudding was somewhat firmer than I prefer. Service is excellent. There are a lot of great choices for vegetarians, and many of the appetizers and entrees come in both veg and non-veg versions. The server was careful to make sure he knew which version you were ordering. Atmosphere is more elegant than you'd expect in Allston, but don't let the white table cloths scare you away. It is a nice touch, and they don't jack up the prices for the extra bit of class. If you haven't had Afghan food, this is the place to try. It's fairly new and undiscovered, so now's the time to get in before the crowds.
(5)
Zizzles A.
If there ever is a time where a shameless carbon copy is a good thing, it's when one of the most unique restaurants in Boston, The Helmand, is what's being copied. Most of the food is exactly the same, as is the dinnerware, the dress of the servers, even the paper menus. The decor is much blander, which may be a good thing if you don't like the weird kitchy living room theme of The Helmand. The most important and notable difference: I can get a walk in table on a Saturday night. The complementary bread is more like Naan than the Focaccia like stuff they give you at The Helmand but it comes with the same 3 sauces, Harrissa (a little on the sweet side), Raita, and some herb chutney. The Kaddo is a candied or roasted pumpkin with yogurt and meat sauce. It's more or less the same as the popular appetizer at The Helmand, but it's slightly less sweet. The Aushak is a leek filled ravioli with meat sauce over it. It's delicious, but as forewarning, they use Asian leeks, which are much more pungent than the larger, plain leeks. I tried the Dopiaza, Chappendaz and Koufta Challow. All of it was good. the grilled meats tend not to be spiced with anything, but the accompanying salads/chutney/rice are all heavily spiced. the Dopiaza comes with a lentil onion chutney and a mushroom salad while the chappendaz has stewed cracked barley. Nearly everything comes with either Challow or Pallow rice, flavored with Cumin and Cardamom respectively. They are buttery, fragrant, and have the nice bite to them that Basmati has. What I wouldn't give to substitute this stuff for the Jasmine rice I've eaten pretty much all my life. Unlike The Helmand, which is situated next to a gigantic shopping mall with a Thai restaurant as its only competition, Ariana is squeezed in an area already overcrowded with restaurants and bars, so I think it will continue to be relatively easy to access. I really, really hope that this place doesn't close down for yet another Korean restaurant. I think I will cry.
(5)
David H.
We just went to 129 Brighton Ave to eat at Dawat, which is now gone. Instead, there's a new Afghan place called Ariana, which apparently just opened tonight (6/11). First impression: Excellent! At least as good as Helmand in Cambridge but with lower prices & (for now) no crowds. Great appetiser - Kaddo. Baked pumpkin topped w/ yogurt & ground beef sauce. Two really good entrees - korma challow (lamb) and mourgh challow (chicken) wh/ we changed to 'pallow' to get the two types of long-grained rice. Both are around $13. Dessert was on the house for opening night: a kind of vanilla pudding topped w/ fresh fruit, also excellent. Sorry, didn't catch the name... Advice - get there before it's 'discovered'. n.b. The very short wine list has a quite decent Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc for $18.
(5)
Iris M.
Delicious and awesome food, beautiful place and excellent service.
My experience at Ariana is the reason I am now on Yelp. I have been reading Yelp reviews for a couple of years, but after eating there, I finally decided that I can no longer continue in silence as a passive user. If you've never tried Afghan food before, a useful (albeit oversimplified) way to think of it is as a blending of Middle Eastern and South Asian (read: Indian) culinary aspects. On the one hand, you have a liberal inclusion of beef and lamb and a certain affinity for flaky, phyllo-type doughs, and on the other, you have a judicious use of spices (cumin, cardamom, nutmeg, mint) and well-considered twists on staples such as lentils, yogurt, and the like. The kaddo ($5.95), a chunk of baked pumpkin served with both mint yogurt sauce and ground beef sauce, is absolutely essential as either an appetizer or side dish. It basically exemplifies everything that Ariana gets right: the pumpkin is grilled and baked, but still moist; the twin sauces are served at contrasting temperatures (the yogurt is cool, the ground beef, hot); the presentation - plating, colors, everything - is just spot-on. Everything I tried at Ariana, including the korma challow ($12.95) and dopiazza ($13) was cooked just right - even the lamb, which is easy to screw up. Dessert selections - try the sheerehk (rice pudding with pistachio and cardamom, $4.95) - all looked excellent and consistent with the feel of the previous courses. When we went a month or two ago, there were only a few occupied tables, which is a damn shame. The staff were extremely friendly, professional, helpful, and - most importantly - very generous with our wine pours. In sum, this place is a hidden gem, and unquestionably a bright spot in the shifting mire that is Allston Village. Do yourself a favor and get over there.
(4)
Matthew M.
Excellent service. Excellent food. Good options for vegetarians and meat eaters. Very reasonably priced ($70 for two with drinks, appetizers, and entrees). Decor and music was mediocre, but not bad. Good for dates or small group of friends. I would highly recommend it to a friend.
(5)
James M.
Excellent food and service with a good atmosphere. The food is flavorful and authentic. This place is a great stop for a couple or small party. Check it out!
(4)
Robert W.
Great food, good service, great value. I would go back in a heartbeat.
(5)
Atena A.
This is my go-to restaurant when my parents are in town. Everything I've had there has been so tasty. The eggplant, pumpkin, and mantu appetizers are very good. My favorite dish is the meatball one and my husband says the lamb chops are the best he's ever had (and he eats a lot of lamb chops). You can't go wrong here!
(5)
Leo L.
My wife and I went out to get dessert last night and decided to try Ariana for the big surprise of "You can not sit down for dessert only" said the host. Even tho it was completly empty. Guess what!? Will never go back and will let people know that! I just don't understand! Maybe we would had tried the dessert loved it and come back and bring people for dinner and more.... This is just a bad service, plan and run business!
(1)
fussyeater x.
Yesterday I was headed to Dawat for their buffet lunch and discovered they were no longer there, so went to Punjab Palace instead. Tonight I walked to Ariana to check it out. As noted elsewhere, the interior is elegant but spartan. The service is quite good, although I was surprised that I had to request a menu in an almost empty room with only one other table occupied, although three other parties came in while I was there. I was seated by the window, but left around sunset and realized how dark it was already in the back of the room. The music was reminiscent of Ravi Shankar in his Beatle days, a vast improvement over the Bollywood noise at Punjab Palace. Someone just told me last night that restaurants have found they do better business if it's a loud environment Going with the most popular dishes so far, I had the Kaddo and Qabili. They were both quite good. The Qabili arrives as a large mound of Pallow rice with raisins and what they describe as a glazed julienne of carrots. Hiding underneath this were the most tender chunks of lamb shank I've ever had. Someone else described them as "fall off the bone" and I took it literally, but that wasn't the case. However, although they are very high quality I discovered that they did need a bit of trimming, which isn't clear in their initial hidden state. I had a hard time adjusting to the raisins and carrots, wishing it came with say onions and green beans instead. Next time I might have Korma Challow, a sauteed leg of lamb which does come with these and a bunch of other stuff. I've never been fond of dishes with just meat, or meat and starch as it was in this case. I couldn't really count the julienned carrots as a vegetable, and am willing to eat raisins in trail mix but little else. There is a short wine "list", with everything available by the glass and bottle, and I think the most expensive one is $21, but I can't speak for the quality, although perhaps the fact that they all come by the glass is a clue. There is no printed beer list, but it seems to be very limited and I am unwilling to pay $4.50 for an uninteresting bottle. My water glass was regularly attended to, one of my major criteria in judging service. I have some fruit I need to use up, so didn't get dessert. Overall, most pleasant and I will be back.
(4)
Skimmilk K.
Delicious! I went with a group of friends after looking on Yelp! It wasn't wrong. We started with several appetizers (I think I loved the Mantu-beef dumplings and the Kaddo (pumpkin) the best! They make the Mantu fresh every day so after we figured out how great it was, we couldn't order any more because they had run out for the day! For our dinner, we had the Qabill (lamb shanks-so tender), Chopan (my friend who doesn't like the gamey taste of lamb actually liked this. It was served medium rare-PERFECT), Kofta Challow (THE BEST SAUCE EVER! I kept eating it over rice) and the Mourgh Challow (Chicken with a yellow sauce-good but not my favorite). Oh, and they have this super delicious bread and dipping sauces Overall, I think I liked pretty much everything I ate. The only thing I didn't love was Aushak but that's more because my friends ordered this but I'm not a huge fan of a lot of scallions. The waitstaff was very attentive and very accomodating. Definitely recommend.
OMG this was the best meal I've eaten in a long time. Especially loved the pumpkin and leek ravioli appetizers. I had the spinach and lamb entree which was good, but I adored the pallow rice that came with my husband's entree. In an effort to prolong the pleasure, we even had dessert (homemade ice cream and rice pudding), both of was were also delicious. Polite, discreet waitstaff, very reasonable prices, nice atmosphere. My only complaint (and it is minor) was the Afghan elevator music, but it was a small price to pay for the privilege of experiencing all those new exotic flavors -- a sensory delight. I can't wait to go again.
(4)
Jessamyn S.
My friends and I still rhapsodize over a meal we ate at Ariana's almost one year ago. Simply put, our food was DIVINE- my taste buds are still singing about the Aush. Seriously, I am still searching for a North Carolina restaurant that can even slightly compare. The kofta challow and the mantu are both particularly delicious dishes.
(5)
L M.
The service was excellent, the food came quickly and of course delicious! I recommend the Banjan and the Bowlani, theyre great vegetarian options. The atmosphere inside was very warm and welcoming, with calming middle eastern music playing. Definitely recommend this place and will be going again!
(4)
Jordan G.
I ate here a few weeks ago, so pardon my memory being a little cloudy. When my boyfriend and I went, we were only the second table occupied in the place. The waiter was incredibly attentive, knowledgeable, and professional. It may have been easier for him to be attentive since it was basically empty, but his professionalism was unmatched by any other restaurant in this price range that I've eaten in. Each table gets complementary flatbread (think like Indian naan) with three dipping sauces. I am one of those people who cannot stand the taste of cilantro, yet after eating their green cilantro/parsley sauce, I can't get enough cilantro. It's like I had never really tasted cilantro correctly until I had this sauce. My boyfriend commented on how much he liked the roasted red pepper (also spicy pepper) sauce, and the waiter gave him some to take home. Both of our entrees were delicious. I am foggy on the details, but I had a steak with greens, rice, and lentils on the side, and my boyfriend had salad with grilled chicken and roasted veggies on top. I couldn't help but get dessert because 1) everything was so reasonably priced, 2) everything was so delicious, and 3) I really want this restaurant to stick around so I wanted to give them more business. If you have any inkling towards delicious vegetarian or meat based dish with rice on the side and amazing sauces, definitely go to Ariana. I don't want them to disappear!!
(5)
Karishma K.
Lovely food. Nice atmosphere. Good prices. First review .. Only 4 stars. Hoping to revisit this place again to change it to 5 stars. The 'chutneys' that come with the bread are amazing. The kaddoo and the banjan were a bit disappointing .. but that's only because I had high expectations. Wines were good. Nice ambience. Lovely location.
(4)
Ambrosia K.
When I saw that an Afghan restaurant was coming to the neighborhood in place of Dawat, I immediately wanted to know what exactly cuisine from Afghanistan tasted like. When I saw the open sign on as I headed to work in the morning, M. and I were there for dinner. We got: -Kaddo, pan fried pumpkin in garlic yogurt with meat sauce -Aushak, scallion/leek ravioli with mint yogurt, spices and meat sauce -Kofta Challow, beef meatballs in spiced tomato sauce with challow rice My favorite was by FAR the Kaddo. Sweet with a slightly sour bite from the yogurt and the savory element from the meat sauce, M. and I would have ordered another for dessert had we not been so full. The challow rice from M.'s dish was also amazing, fluffy and flavorful without being greasy and the three sauces that came with the naan complemented each other perfectly. All in all, the food was spectacular and the price was more than decent. I cant wait to go back so I can try the Qabili and Banjan/Kaddo Challow and, of course, order the Kaddo again.
(5)
Bill C.
What a wonderful restaurant. Great food. Terrific ambiance. The owners are great hosts and chefs. You will love it here!
(5)
D M.
Its not bad and its not great. If you want great Afghani restaurant food then take a trip to Pomir Grill in Worcester. We go there all the time and it is the best! After that it's the Helmand. I felt that the food her lacked flavor. The kadu was good but the food especially the spinach dish lacked flavor. I will not go back.
(2)
Christine S.
This place was absolutely amazing. Seriously. I never had Afghani food before and was curious to see what it was about. We were looking for restaurants in the allston/brighton area and after reading the stellar yelp reviews, decided to see what this place had to offer. I had the Mourgh Challow, chicken cooked in amazing spices (the sauce was great) with tons of rice. It was seriously one of the best meals I've had in a while. They give you lots of free bread too. I'm not sure what it's called, but it's very similar to naan. It was all very reasonably priced (my huge meal was $12). Service was also excellent. Very attentive and friendly. The dessert menu looked amazing too but we were waaaay too stuffed to even consider it. But I do regret not ordering baklawa to-go. For a Saturday night, this place wasn't busy at all. So if you're reading this, GO THERE, then post an excellent review of it on yelp so we can create more buzz!!
(5)
Julien P.
Absolutely delicious. You can't go wrong between either of the two better Afghan restaurants in Boston but this one has less of a crowd, feels less stuffy, and may be slightly less expensive. The waiter was attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable about the food and culture. I was quite impressed with the service. Just talking about this place makes me crave Kaddo. That's what you need to order when you go.
(5)
Ev S.
Delicious every time even for vegetarians. Every time I go its great and everyone I bring enjoys themselves.
(5)
Priyadarshini V.
4.5 stars and 143 reviews - who wouldn't want to take a chance to try out Afghan food at such a well rated restaurant..but I guess I had too high expectations for the place, and was slightly disappointed. Was busy, as you would expect on a Friday evening, staff were very nice but I felt that the service was pretty slow. Food was good, but nothing I would rave about. Tried the kaddo, banghan , dopiaza and the homemade ice cream. Distinct flavors, you might want to try it once, but that's about it! The appetizer portions were way too small, I would say this place is a ill too pricey for the quality n quantity of the food.
(3)
Sarah H.
In/out and completely satisfied in an hour. We arrived for a relatively early dinner (6pm or so) and our party of 2 was seated easily without a reservation. However, as we got into our meal the smallish restaurant filled very quickly--reservations are probably the way to go during peak dinner hours. We had the dopiaza and sabzi challow--both were amazing. The flavors were different and exciting in both dinners that it wasn't boring for both of us to order the lamb. Every plate that came out of the kitchen looked like an exciting reason for a second and third trip back to Ariana. Dinner service was attentive/adequate but not overwhelmingly special (one waitress ran into me on our way in and said naught a word). Still, the food was delicious and our waiter was nice enough to rate Ariana a 4/5.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Romantic Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Andy C.
I have found a lot of good place on yelp, but never have a been so compelled as to get back on here and write a review. Everything was fantastic. We got the Kaddo appetizer everyone recommended and it was delicious. She got the Aushak ravioli which was great, and I got the Dopiaza - grilled leg of lamb with sautéed split peas and onions in a vinegar marinade. I can't say enough about how tasty everything was. The priciest entree was maybe $15. The place is actually very nicely decorated and lit, I felt a little underdressed. We eat out all the time and this is far an away the best place we have been in Allston.
(5)M T.
Everything was so yummy, especially the kaddo--pumpkin with yogurt and meat sauce. Service was friendly and ambience was nice.
(5)Ashley J.
After not being able to get a reservation at another restaurant we decided to look up a type of cuisine we had not experienced yet and try something new. I had heard the rumors of how hard it is to get into Helmand so when I spotted this restaurant I was excited. When I called the host was very gracious and was able to get us a reservation on short notice. It is not a large restaurant but the tables are not so close together that it is intrusive. The restaurant was full so I was happy we had called ahead. They didn't have the Mantu appetizer which was disappointing but they recommended the Bowlawni which I found to be just ok. Two deep friend pastries, one filled with a potato mixture, the other with leeks. The potato one was good, the leeks was off putting. We also tried the Kaddo which was perfect. I highly recommend this dish. The sweetness of the pumpkin against the tang of the yogurt sauce and the earthiness of the tomato meat sauce is unique and heavenly. My fiance got the Chapendaz beef tenderloin entree with spinach rice, lentils and veggies which he thought was amazing. I got the Chopan rack of lamb. The lamb itself was flavorful, tender and cooked perfectly however the rest of the dish of stewed eggplant and rice was uninspired and bland. I think from the quality and the rest of our items I may have picked one of the not so special items on the menu. The bottle of rioja we enjoyed was also delicious and nicely priced. Overall I see this restaurant being a part of our list of go to places.
(4)Kavitha M.
Better than Helmand- I can't believe this place was near empty when I went there this past Saturday night. The food however was delicious. The dipping sauces- mint chutney's cousin, the surprisingly sweet red chili sauce and the yogurt sauce are the perfect accompaniment to the thick soft bread. The star of the meal was the aushak appetizer. So much flavor and deliciousness in these small raviolis topped with beef. We ordered the dopiaza (with its delicious vinegar split peas and rice) and the tikka kabob, and the laghatac ( eggplant with onions, peppers and garlic which was SOO good). The meat was a bit chewy but tasty nonetheless. For dessert- the baklava was really delicious. A great meal for a good price. However, do not order a carafe of the house cab sauv- truly horrible (but this of course was partially our mistake for choosing this option).
(4)Hussam B.
This place is a duplicate of the original restaurant in Cambridge (The Helmand). Their best dish by far is the lamd Gabili which they are famous for. Their prices are about 20% cheaper than the original restaurant which is great.
(3)Karen B.
We had SUCH a great dinner last night at Ariana! The service was absolutely fantastic, I haven't had such a great waiter since my visit to a 5-star restaurant in Napa. Our waiter gave us perfect recommendations. We ordered a bottle of a Spanish red wine that was very tasty (and decently priced!) For appetizers we had the scallion filled ravioli and the pumpkin dish, so delicious! The meat sauce perfectly cut the sweetness of the pumpkin. For an entree we shared the quabili dish which is rice with lamb, raisins, and glazed carrots. Amazing! The lamb was so tender and it was the perfect combination of sweet and savory. I can't wait to go back!
(5)Snuffles B.
This place is cozy (feels strangely like a Tuscan place, with non-Tuscan music and wall decor). Service is excellent. We've eaten: - Bread - Warm, crisp w/ soft chewy edges, great w/ sauces or butter. - Aushak - Ravioli w/ leeks & scallions - Love this, so flavorful. - Mantu - Beef in pastry - Very tasty, suprisingly light. - Mourg Challow - Sauteed chicken & challow rice - great sauce, reminded me of a mix of Indian and Persian flavors but w/o the heaviness of the cream, this led to massive rice consumption. - Chopan - Lamb + bed of eggplant. Let me preface by saying that I HATE lamb, I keep trying bites of it from friend's orders over and over again at great restaurants and never tolerate it. This time, I took a bite of a friend's and DEAR lord it was delicious, perfectly cooked, not at all gamey, so flavorful. and the eggplant was done well too. The Pallow rice is deliciously cinnamony. - Vegetarian special - You can get the parts of these as appetizers, this is more of a sampler plate: Baked pumpkin - SO GOOD - sweet but so creamy, light. Eggplant, Okra and Spinach - all tasty but nothing to write home about. - Chapendaz - the meat was tender but I thought it was tenderized too much, it was a bit beat up, flavor was decent. However, loved the buttery lentils, spinach rice, and the cumin seeds were a new delicious experience, sort of like a cross between barley and israeli couscous. -Shreerek - Homemade ice cream and pistachio & cardamom - SO GOOD. The ice cream tasted just like when I had it as a kid out of an old fashioned ice cream maker and the flavors went perfectly with it. I like carbs, Ariana does carbs well, therefore, I like Ariana. Even though I've yet to go to the Helmand, my friends have been and felt that Ariana was just as good, whats more, its saves us all a huge schlep. I will be back for more carbs.
(4)Karen G.
Comparable to the Helmand by Cambridgeside Galleria. The pumpkin dish was awesome! Great ambiance but parking in the area was horrendous.
(4)Leili T.
Everything lamb is very delicious. And it's great quality with a reasonable price.
(4)Deb O.
Just plain delicious Afghan food, reasonable prices, great service. Can't ask for more. The mantoo were exquisite; we also had sabzi chalow (lamb with spinach and rice), bamia (okra) and eggplant. All so good we practically licked our plates. For dessert, we had a lovely rice pudding. Perfect. We would happily return anytime.
(5)Julie C.
I don't like pumpkins. I really don't like pumpkins in food form. Gourds are not food....but....I LOVE kaddo! Never before has a restaurant convinced me that pumpkin is, in fact, food! I come here almost on a weekly basis and every single dish is amazing. Afghani food is a definite switch up, mixing sweet and savory quite well, introducing new flavors while still being quite familiar. The prices are very reasonable, and much better than Helmand in Cambridge. Parking can be a bit of a pain, but once you find it it's well worth it!
(5)Sergio V.
This is one of my favorite fairly cheap, fairly upscale places in town. Not pretentious yet elegant, the food is very flavorful and the atmosphere just quiet enough. The pumpkin appetizer is to die for, the house wine pretty good (for a house wine) and the main dishes are complemented by hearty, delicious sides.
(5)Jen R.
We stumbled upon this restaurant last night and were intrigued by the menu. It wasn't very crowded, although this was probably because the restaurant only opened 3 weeks ago, so it felt like it hadn't quite been "discovered" yet. This was my first time trying Afghan food and I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised! There were 6 of us dining so we really got to try out the menu. One of our appetizers was Kaddo- baked pumpkin topped w/ yogurt & ground beef sauce- and it was amazing! I think everyone's favorite at the table. The menu was heavy on dishes made with lamb, although they also had chicken, beef, fish and vegetarian options as well. I opted for a vegetarian entree- the Special- which consisted of delicious roasted egg plant with yogurt mint sauce, sugared pumpkin (again- a treat), okra stewed in a tomato-based sauce (I've rarely ever eaten okra but this was fantastic), sauteed spinach, and Pallow- a delicious long-grained rice flavored with cinnamon, cumin and some other spices. I'm forgetting all of the names of the dishes, but others in my group tried the Rack of Lamb, a dish that consisted of ground lamb wrapped in pastry with lentil sauce on top, a lamb stew on challow with mushrooms on the side, ground beef meatballs in a spiced tomato sauce with rice, and vegetarian ravioli stuffed with leeks and onions in a spiced sauce. All of us enjoyed our dishes and shared between plates- always a good sign. My only criticism is that they didn't have any authentic Afghan non-alcoholic beverages, and what they did have to offer (soft drinks and juice) was not on the menu. I found myself craving a yogurt-based drink while I was there and wishing that they served something similar to a lassi. They did, however, have a pretty nice wine menu, from which we ordered a bottle of Prosecco. For dessert, they had a variety of options from Pudeen- a creme caramel custard, to Baklawa- a variant of the standard greek pastry Baklava, to a rice pudding with cardamom and pistachios on top- like a slightly thickened version of Kheer that you would find at an Indian restaurant. For beverages, they offered coffee, green tea with mint, and turkish coffee, which they happened to be out of that night. All in all, this place was very good and very reasonably priced. From what I remember, appetizers ranged from $5-$8, and Entrees were from $10-$18, most of which were in the $10-$13 range. The meals felt relatively healthy and yet very flavorful and could be considered a type of comfort food that you end up craving-I would certainly recommend it to anyone looking to try something new.
(4)Luis M.
I have never had Afghanistan food. It was very good. The place was also formal in appearance, yet casual enough to be comfortable.
(5)Tom N.
I have to concur with other reviewers that this is the best new restaurant to hit Boston in recent memory. I went with the highly recommended Qabili and was not disappointed (it was awesome)! The bread and sauce offerings are delightful; the service is impeccable and attentive, and $23.00 for a bottle of Murphy-Goode chardonnay is not a big markup on a liquor store purchase price. According to my daughter, the vegetarian offerings are second to none. We'll be returning soon for sure--outstanding food and service at an extremely reasonable price!
(5)D P.
Awesome food, ambience is nice and service is fantastic. Highly recommend ordering "Banjan" -Egglplant cooked in tomatos and topped with yogurt sauce as an appetizer or side. Their flat bread is fantastic which they serve with three dipping sauce. Ordered Chicken cooked with lentils and spices and not only taste was really good, meat was tender and showed well marination. Afghan food is very close to indian food so you will find the same spices around, except on a milder side. Didn't care for Okra dish with Tomatoes. In general, whole expereince was so nice that I had to try their 'home made ice-cream' with Cardamom and Pistachhio. It was really good too. Definately going back :).
(4)Linda C.
This restaurant has such good food I want to try everything on the menu. We shared two entrees on the specials menu and everything was so delicious. The pumpkin with a yogurt sauce, the eggplant, the tomato side, the two rices, and trout were gobbled up. Shared a dessert of creamy pudding with fresh fruit which was refreshing and yummy. I wish more people would go to this restaurant -- would hate to see it go out of business.
(5)Jessica B.
Amazing! One of the places in Boston. Get the pumpkin. Great option for vegetarians and husbo said his lamb was amazing too.
(5)Barbara L.
We hadn't planned on going to Ariana last Saturday evening, but looking through their windows and inhaling the wonderful aromas wafting out while waiting to get into another restaurant next door led us to pop inside & see if they could take our party of 4. The hostess was more than gracious, and, although we did not have reservations, she put together a table for us and we were on our way to discover a new, fabulous cuisine. Succulent lamb, delicious pilaf, perfect spicing. We''ll be back. This is a must try restaurant. Thank you for a perfect setting and fabulous meal on a cold, rainy June evening.
(5)Jenna F.
Just found this place walking by. It happened to share names with my good friend. The service rocks. The food is amazing. Get the special. Totally tickled w my whole experience. Def coming back. Yum.
(5)Crystal L.
Amazing food and service. Affordable. Fun neighborhood. A nice change from the usual Indian or Thai places that are always plentiful. We really enjoyed our dinner and wine.
(5)Steven G.
Fantastic place. I went last night and had the Qabili and it was fantastic. Very fall tasting dish which I thought was coincidental because it was the first night of the year that was jacket-worthy. The lamb was the most perfectly cooked lamb I have ever had in my life and the raisins and lightly cooked carrots on top were extremely complimentary. The ravioli stuffed with leeks and scallions was superb, but I couldn't help feeling it was a bit westernized. The service was friendly, but a little slow at times. I will definitely go back and I would definitely recommend it to anyone and everyone. Do yourself a favor and pay them a visit.
(4)Shirley G.
Adorable, quiet, excellent service, and delicious food. Don't bother with the one across the river..... This is really excellent quality Afghani food. Don't remember my exact dishes, but between my date and I, we had about 4 different dishes and all of them were incredible.
(5)Yuri V.
Food was individually prepared by chef. The flavors were superb. Only downfall, the portions are small and the prices are a bit high. Highly recommend it.
(4)Gray K.
Another great find off of yelp! I had Afghan before, but never at a place with so many vegetarian options. Sure, there aren't dozens of them, but there are more than enough choices for pretty regular visits. Everything was excellent, with really nice blends of flavors that I wasn't sure could be pulled off. The service tended towards over-attentive: it felt at times like the waitress was trying far too hard for no apparent reason. She kept trying to take the check before we had paid it, for example, though it wasn't like the place was packed (on a Sunday night) and they needed the table. But still, it was good that she refilled water regularly and all. Oh, and the prices were reasonable. Definitely a place I'd revisit.
(4)Lindsey K.
A first-time experience with Afghan food for me...and it was a knock-out. The decor was very nice and showed good taste, one of the more charming places in Allston, definitely not a student dive and very appropriate for a date. The food was absolutely wonderful, somewhat similar in appearance to Indian food, but not oily or heavy, and the spices were different and more delicate-flavored. Two of us had Kaddo, Mantu, Dopiaza (lamb), and Mourgh Challow (chicken), and we were full! We were so surprised by the delicate but flavorful food, and the pumpkin was amazingly good. And musn't forget to mention that the wine list was good; we had a carafe of the house red. Also had the homemade vanilla ice cream drizzled with delicious pomegranate sauce. Service by the one waitress, assisted sometimes by the cook himself (who was interesting to chat with) was fine, friendly and prompt enough. Total bill was a bit over $62 for two, and well worth it for such a fine evening with a cuisine that's none too common. Ariana is a gem among all the various other ethnic restaurants in Allston. Can't wait to come back to try the rest of the menu.
(5)Kitty M.
I happened to be in Allston early on a Sunday evening and was anxious to give Ariana a try -- never had Afghan food before. The host told me they were booked for the evening but if I just wanted a quick bite, she could squeeze me in. No problem as I was on my own. I started out with the yummy bowlawni - a flat pastry filled with spicy potato or scallions and leeks. Loved them! Flat bread and a tray of dipping sauces comes with the meal. For an entree I had the mourgh challow (chicken sautéed with spices and yellow split peas) over fragrant rice. Delicious -- chicken was so tender and plenty of flavor! The portion was not huge, but I am a small eater so it was fine for me. Ariana also has a lovely dessert menu and the pudeen (flan) with caramel sauce was perfect. Service was very efficient and the atmosphere was very relaxed with a good mix of people. All in all a great meal. Next time, I'll be sure to make a reservation.
(5)greg l.
I have to split my review into two parts: Service: 1 star. Food: 5 stars. Average 3 stars. Minus 1 star because I hate BAD SERVICE. Summary: The WORST SERVICE I have had a restaurant in Boston coupled with the BEST FOOD. What a shame! The story: We went on Saturday night and the restaurant was full. That being said I fail to understand how 3 waiters serving about 20 tables can act so unprofessionally. When we arrived at the restaurant the host was not at the entry podium. No less than 8 times did different waiters walk pass us without making eye contact or simply saying hello before someone acknowledged us five minutes later. When we were eventually seated, we waited a while for the waiter to take our order. In the meantime an older couple (I am a young professional) was seated AFTER US no more than 4 feet from our table. The waiter proceeded to take their order FIRST and give them bread first. Last time I checked restaurants are supposed to serve people in the order they come. I hate disrespectful ageism. My tip and my money is just as good as anyone else's. The waiters also clearly did not know the number of each table. The kitchen ran out of the meat-filled appetizers, and they decided to use a new bus boy on one of the busiest nights, who proceeded to break plates. That being said, the food was most likely the best I have ever eaten in a restaurant in Boston. The lamb was delicious. I have lived in France, which is full of middle eastern food, and Ariana is the best food in that genre I have tasted to date. The conclusion: Worth going but be ready for pain in the butt service!
(2)Eric H.
I came here on a whim after another area restaurant was closed. I've always been a fan of kabobs and the menu looked pretty tasty, so I decided to give it a shot. Simply put, this place is excellent, especially for the price. The bread was delicious, with very tasty sauces and good flavor, but this was merely a warm up for my very tender and juicy chicken kabobs. The food was prepaired with the care and expertise I'd expect from a place charging a couple bucks more for each dish. A friend of mine had the beef kabobs, and after trying a bite I'd have to say the meat was more tender and juicy than you'd find at a number of steakhouses. Decor is sparse, but pleasant, with good atmospheric background music. The staff was very kind and attentive. The place seems very new (and currently has only a few, recent reviews), as another reviewer said, it would be a shame to see this place go out of buisness.
(5)Cynthia H.
Hubby and I came here for the first time for our anniversary. It was totally empty, which I thought was strange for a weeknight, especially for the neighborhood. I prefer really quiet dining, though, so this is a plus for me. The decor is beautiful and understated, and the waitstaff was super nice and accommodating. I don't remember the names of the foods we ordered, but we loved everything. There was a potato soup that was delicious, lamb and chicken dishes, and Turkish coffee. I was really impressed with all of it. If you want a quiet, romantic, yummy meal for a special occasion, this is a perfect place.
(5)James L.
I just now had dinner at Ariana in Allston, and I had a chat with the manager, Najib. Regarding the food: It was EXCELLENT. I had the challow moorgh(?). Basically, it was 3 filets of chicken with rice, smoked and seared vegatables, and they give Afghani bread. The food at Ariana was definitely better and more carefully prepared than the food at Helmands, which if I may recall, I rated as 3 or 4 stars. The chicken that I ordered today was seared to perfection, and the seasoning was perfectly balanced. It was definitely not spicy like Indian or SE Asian food. It was quite similar to Arabic foods in this regards, and even the way that we Americans broil our chicken. What made it Afghani was that I added some of the sauces to it. The complimentary bread given here is better than the complimentary bread given at Helmands. Here, it has a more naan-flavor to it and less of a pizza crust flavor to it. Finally, the owner allowed myself and a new friend of mine to stay there well past closing time. This was especially difficult given that it is Ramadan time, and Mr. Najib has to be awake early in the morning. He was extremely hospitable, and we shared laughs and interesting stories about his Afghanistan. We talked about his people's code of honor called Pashtunwali, and their exceptional treatment of guests. The Pashtuns, which Mr. Najib is a member of, are reknowned warriors, but also as the world's best hosts, and their loyalty and self-determination is so much that there is a quote from the book The Kiterunner: "A Pashtun is so independent that you can't force him into heaven, and he's so loyal, that he would follow his friend to hell." To paraphrase this quote: Ariana Restaurant is like heaven, and to drive past it hungry is like a hell.
(5)Ashley R.
Came here after reading all the rave reviews. Gotta agree with most people on this one. Ariana was fantastic! Started off with the kaddo and muntu. The kaddo was good, but a little sweet for my tastes but I really loved the muntu. I got the meatball entree while my bf got the rice with lamb. Both were delicious. Kinda wish there had been more meatballs in my entree but still good nonetheless. Also the bread served with the meal was very tasty. I'm giving it four stars because it's new and have yet to make sure it's consistent. But so far, sooo good!
(4)Bindiya T.
Very good food. Everything from their appetizers, bread, dips and entrees was excellent. Great place for vegetarians too, many options. My favorite was the noodle soup, their bread with 3 dipping sauces and aromatic fluffy rice. Must try!
(4)Ed R.
An absolutely fanastic place to eat. It has replaced Dawat and done it well. The inside decor is nearly identical to the old restaurant, and the food is absolutely amazing. Our group of 4 entered ready to experiment with cuisine we had never tried before, and we were not disappointed. We started with 2 appetizers: a soft pumpkin dish covered in wonderfully seasoned beef, and a ravioli-like dish. Both were served in a tasty yogurt sauce, and we finished every bite before soaking up the remaining sauce with the complimentary fresh naan bread. We each ordered different entrees, and while I don't recall each dish, there were some highlights. I ordered the vegetarian special, and it came as a sort-of platter of small servings of vegetable preparations including cooked down spinach, soft eggplant, okra, and once again, amazing pumpkin. In the center was a sizeable serving of seasoned rice that was unexpectedly soft and quite delicious when mixed with the sauces from all the other food. The rest of the entrees were served with lamb in one form or another, and we all reached a consensus that the meat was well-prepared, well-seasoned, and just plain delicious. And the best was yet to come. We split two deserts, rice pudding and the baklava. While the pudding was delicious, the baklava was unbelievable. Seriously though. The baklava was absolutely fantastic. In short, the food was wonderful. Our service was very attentive and nice, and all of us will be recommending this place to our friends for weeks to come.
(5)Sheila M.
Not sure what the fuss is about, this is just 3 stars for me. The Kaddo app is indeed tasty - an unexpectedly sweet and savory combo of pumpkin, ground beef and yogurt. I could've eaten this app myself w/out sharing and I wished there was more of it. The meatballs were pretty good. My grilled beef entree was good but not exceptionally so, it tasted simply as if you got a good shishkebab at a street vendor that got taken off the skewer and placed on a plate with some rice. The portion was not overly generous and the half hearted effort at presentation (an accompanying limp leaf of iceberg lettuce with a small mound of bland lentil mush atop it) struck me as comical. The service and ambiance were nice, especially for Allston. It's worth a try, for something different, i.e. Afghan food, which I'd never tried before. I'd go back and try some different offerings here, just out of curiosity.
(3)Rachel C.
We had a delicious meal here last night. The service is very attentive and the food was great. For appetizers, we had the Bowlawni and the Kaddo which were both great. The Kaddo's combo of sweet pumpkin, yogurt and meat sauce were surprisingly delicious. For entrees we had the Trout special - wonderful, the Dipiaza - outstanding and the Sabzi Challow - really good. The different rices that came with the entrees were delicious and different enough from each other that we all tried each others and each of us had a different favorite. The carafe of house Cabernet was relatively dry and very good. They must have changed it in the time since a previous reviewer thought it was too sweet. The side order of okra was fine, but not special. For dessert - the baklava is the clear winner - so good! Overall, we had a terrific experience here and will definitely be back.
(5)Jo B.
I wanted to give Ariana 5 stars because I had a truly wonderful meal there, but it fell a little short in a few areas. Let me break it down for you. 1. The Food: The most amazing thing we had was the appetizer. If you go to Ariana you must try the Kaddo, it's baby pumpkin with garlic yogurt sauce and a meat sauce. It reminds me of the episode of friends when Rachel tries to make an English Trifle for dessert, but since the cookbook pages were stuck together, she ends up making half an English Trifle/half Shepherd's pie. The only person who liked it was Joey and he says "What's not to like? Custard, good. Jam, good. Meat, good!" No custard or jam in the kaddo, but you get the idea, definitely get the kaddo, it's divine. The entrees were good as well, just not spectacular. I tried the Qabili which was 90% rice with some lamb, raisins and carrots. The lamb was succulent, but there just wasn't much of it. Also had the Dopiaza, which was good, but I think the lamb was marinated in vinegar a bit too long because the vinegar really overpowered the flavor of everything. 2. The Atmosphere: One of the reviewers mentioned that it was romantic, but be forewarned, it is not romantic whatsoever. Unless of course you consider sitting less than a foot away from 2 other tables whilst getting a headache from the loud people talking right next to you, romantic. Also, the lighting is pretty bright and there are no candles or flowers, etc. Not that these things are necessary to enjoy a good meal, but just wanted to note that in case you were looking for some place romantic to dine. This place is better for a first date or for meeting up with friends. 3. The Price: This is where Ariana truly shines. We ordered a wonderful bottle of Chardonnay for $24, and it was the most expensive bottle on the menu. The appetizers were approx. $6, and the average entree price was $14. Our entire meal with wine was $62. 4. The Parking: We went on a Saturday night at 8pm and the parking situation was quite challenging. It's very difficult to find a spot on the main street and the side streets are all "Residential Parking Only". Also, there were no parking lots/garages nearby. So definitely take public transportation or plan to walk about a mile (we found that there were many more parking spots about a mile up the road toward BU)
(4)Silpa S.
I've been to Ariana twice and both times I had an absolutely lovely experience! Ariana is a small Afghani restaurant in Allston. I've had walked past it many time but never heard anything about it. So I finally went and brought my family along. We were served complimentary flat bread with three different dips. Don't quote me on this but i believe the dips were a cilantro, yogurt, and chili dip. I highly recommend anyone who goes to try one of the lamb dishes. Even my more picky family members didn't find anything to complain about. The flavor and perfect consistency of the pallow and challow rice is spot on! If you are vegetarian or just love veggies the restaurant offers great options. On my second visit I got "The Special". It is according to the menu, "a platter of baked pumpkin, pan-fried eggplant, sautéed spinach and okra sautéed with fresh tomatoes served with pallow rice" . There was so much flavor! There's no way you can miss the absence of meat on your plate.
(4)Corianna M.
I've lived near Brighton Ave for three years, and I love the international cuisines this street offers. Ariana is a wonderful addition. My roommate and I went in the other night, and we got our money's worth. The food was delicious. My chickens was so tender I didn't need a knife. The food was bursting with flavors. I left full, with plenty of leftovers, but the food was so light I couldn't wait to have my second helping! I would recommend this restaurant to anyone. Ariana is a gem!
(5)Momo K.
not sure what the rave is all about, seriously.... i went with my bf today expecting really good food since it's got a five star review. we got there, it was busy and we waited half an hour for a table, not bad. then when we were seated, we waited 10 mintues before any waiter came up to us just to give us the menu. the other tables had to wait as long too. we ordered the lamb rack and some other beef dish recommended by the waiter started with "T". after we ordered, the flat bread and the sauce came out. i don't know what is so good about either the bread or the sauce, the bread is the regular cheap bread you can get with an order of soup at any food court. the sauce was a little bit more speacial because it was sauce and they were as exciting as it got. i thought it would be good, i tasted all the sauces, none of the sauces was good. the white sauce was blend. the red sauce was suppose to be spicy but it was sweet. and the green sauce tasted the best among the three but it wasn't good. we ate the whole bread basket not because it was good, but that's what we usually do b/c we don't like to waste food. then our food came, i thought our food would never come b/c the table next to ours, their food took 45 minutes and they had to remind their waiter that they were waiting. so was the other neighboring tables, their food got forgotten too...oopsy.... about our food, wow disappointment big time. while some of the vegetables were good some i just couldn't even put in my mouth. there was a piece of vege that tasted like someone spilled gasoline on it, took one bit and couldn't eat it anymore. the other edible pieces were greasy but at least edible. as for the meat, that was a big disappointment too. the beef was too salty and the lamb oh mine, so bad!!!! i've have free lamb at splash, this one, i had to pay and it tasted like someone burnt it w/ gasoline oil. some times i like some burnt parts on my meat but that piece of lamb had untasteful burnt parts and also tasted like someone poured gasoline on it, yuck!!!! at the end, after we finished, neither of us were satisfied or full!!! i mean, we had something from the bakery across the street from the place while we waited that half an hour for the table. we ate the flat bread and the entrees, we weren't full!!!! i've never had such an experiece before! we ended up going to the vietnamese noodle next door. we ordered an extra large noodle and avacado shake. we were much happier with the vietnaese place than ariana. we at least got full. to sum it up, we did not like what ariana has to offer, their food didn't taste good and wasn't filling at all. i mean, we had to go eat another meal to be borderline full? what a joke, we aren't even big eaters, i am only 105 pounds 5'2 and my bf 165 5'10. com'on.
(1)Irena S.
this place is awesome!! i live just 2 blocks away and I had never been to this place until a friend visited me from Chicago and we were feeling adventurous and just stumbled upon this place. let me tell you: this place by far exceeded our expectations!! once we walked in we fell in love with the place . it was immaculately clean, beautifully decorated, with some light music on. everything about this place was just perfect. the excellent service, the wine selection, the atmosphere. But what was even more perfect was the food. every dish felt extremely unique, fresh and home made. it felt like all the ingredients were just perfectly combined to be devoured. Their specialty is lamb (my friend had Mantu which was delicious) but I loved the vegetarian option too (I had a vegetarian specialty dish). And what's more important - every single dish felt authentic!! All in all, this place was so good, I'm still under the impression from last night. Oh and did I mentioned we met the owner who turned out to be a very nice intelligent well- traveled man familiar with different cultures and passionate about the one of his home country. When we complimented the food, he modestly replied: "That's what we eat back home". Both my friend and I fell in love with this place, and we will definitely be back with more friends!!
(5)Valerie B.
Being a big fan of The Hellmand in Cambridge, I was pretty excited to see that a new Afghan restaurant was opening a few doors down from my office...I was already dreaming of the Kaddo! I wasn't sure if it would measure up to the ever-busy Cambridge establishment, but, boy was I pleasantly surprised! I got the Qabili and it was almost as amazing at the Kaddo (my boyfriend and I almost ordered a second Kaddo). My boyfriend got the Chapendaz....it was not what he had expected, but still good, but he wished that he had gotten mine; the Qabili was off the chains! The diningroom is clean and renovated with fresh flowers on the tables. Our server was very nice and attentive. The prices were great and a little cheaper than The Hellmand, so I hope to just go to Ariana from now on. I am a tad worried that this place won't catch on and that it may not get enough business to stay open just due to your average Allstonian's unfamiliarity with Afghan cuisine, so I encourage everyone to go check it out; you will not be disappointed!
(5)Adam B.
We went there with a group to celebrate a birthday. Decor is elegant. The food was very good, the menu was vegetarian-friendly. Bummers? The birthday boy was turning 34 and got carded (he didn't have ID on him). 34! Also, some of our orders got forgotten or mixed up. But we'll go back, with our IDs.
(4)P. C.
I had read about Ariana on yelp, and was very interested to try something new. Keep in mind, I've never tried Afghan food, nor do I know anything about it-- that being said, the food was delicious. The menu isn't overly creative-- it's more run of the mill flavors executed perfectly. The Kaddo has been mentioned in dozens of reviews and for good reason-- it's a fantastic appetizer. It's pumpkin pan fried with a yogurt sauce, a meat sauce and topped with cinnamon. We also tried the Mantu, which are pastry shells stuffed beef and topped with a yogurt sauce and meat sauce. It looks similar to a dumpling or a rangoon you might find at a chinese restaurant, but thats about where the comparison ends-- the mix of cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg gives it a very unique and delicious flavor. For entrees we tried the Shish Kabob (charred pieces of lamb over rice with eggplant) and Sabzi Challow (sauteed spinach and lamb over challow rice and veggies)-- both were excellent. The menu includes a variety of dishes, and alternative vegetarian versions of them, so there should be something for every taste. If you enjoy lamb, this is a great place to go-- if you don't, try something vegetarian, since the menu is lamb heavy. The service and hours are good-- the only downside is parking. It's located on Brighton Ave, so there's only street parking. Keep in mind, the surrounding side streets are resident permit parking only, so you may have to get creative. On a Friday or Saturday night, this has the potential to be a problem, so plan accordingly. If you're looking for good Afghan food, or you just want to try something different, this is definitely worth checking out.
(4)Deb c.
Ariana is a terrific Afghan restaurant and a great addition to Allston. Pumpkin appetizer (kadoo) was extremely flavorful. Naan with sauces was very tasty. All entrees we tried - lamb, beef and chicken, were great. Total cost for four was $98, which included appetizers and a few beers. Service was prompt and attentive. Highly recommended.
(5)Richard L.
Ariana is a gem waiting to be discovered. We tried it based on the glowing Yelp reviews and were absolutely not disappointed. Since the restaurant is not yet busy, we had a chance to talk with one of the owners and learned that there is a lot more here than meets the eye. For example, they are careful in the selection of ingredients - they use more expensive lamb from the US, not that frozen and shipped from Australia, and the long grain rice is actually from Afghanistan, imported through Pakistan. They also do not compromise freshness for the sake of avoiding waste - though hopefully this tradeoff becomes less costly as their volume increases. And they are meticulous in the food preparation process. All this attention to detail was clearly reflected in the quality of the meals we enjoyed. Ariana is more than an ethic food experience, it is, at least for now, a genuine top tier restaurant.
(5)Parker K.
We got seated promptly (we had a reservation but were late due to parking) and had a great experience overall. Great: -Atmosphere: very cute, romantic place -Service: Waiters/waitresses were friendly and helpful; food came out quickly -Food: you get (very) warm bread with 3 dipping sauces (excellent). We ordered Kaddo as an appetizer and Shish Kabob/Mantu for entrees. The Kaddo and Mantu were excellent. The Shish Kabob meat was seared too much (tasted way too burnt). -Price: very good, especially for what you get Not-so-great: -Parking: abysmal. Take public transportation at all costs. -Hours: they're only open for dinner (but they'll open for large groups, per their website).
(5)Jo-Ellen D.
I've never had afghan food before so I guess I can't really compare it. BUT I can say it was out of this world delicious! Not to mention the great service. We had 2 young kids with us and they completely accommodated them and were beyond friendly. The food was just amazing and I hope I can go back before I move!!!
(5)Elizabeth G.
The site of a great birthday dinner. I will probably offend someone actually from Afghanistan with my attempt to characterize Afghani food, but here goes. It reminded me of Indian food without the heat. Many of the dishes are served over rice spiced with cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cumin. There is also a hint of Middle Eastern food, with several kinds of kabobs on the menu, and also kofta. People in my group all enjoyed their food. The only "best thing I've ever tasted" standout was the kaddo: a hunk of pumpkin baked until it is soft and fluffy, with a sweet caramelized coating, served over garlic yogurt sauce. WOW. I will say that these were some of the smallest portions I've ever received for appetizers and entrees in Boston, at a not-low price. Not a huge issue for me since I don't always love boxing up half of my meal and taking it home, but I didn't feel like I was getting great value for my money. They have a decent list of bottled beers, and wine. It was easy to get a reservation for 8 people on a Saturday night. The service was excellent. This is one of those places where you feel that they really WANT you to like the food. Which is the way it should be everywhere, but I'm always surprised at how many restaurants have a "You don't like it? Then get the F out" attitude.
(4)Carla S.
Went on Sunday evening the food was fantastic. I had the chop an. The rack of lamb was cooked to perfection. The service was pleasant except they are understaffed.
(5)Kerri Y.
If anything I am writing up this place for the great service and the wonderful waitresses; they were so sweet! They took our coats at the door and sat us in a nice seat by the window, recommended food and wine- which were all fantastic and arrived fairly quick We were there a bit after they closed (10pm on a Thursday), but we did not feel rushed at all. The food was really good. I had never had Afghani food before: it reminds me a bit of Indian food- lots of yummy spices. I was pleasantly surprised at the price: for an appetizer (Kaddo), 2 dishes, dessert (bucklawa ) AND a bottle of wine, it was $65! Super service. Tasty food. Great Atmosphere. Cheap bill?? I'm sold.
(4)Steve F.
Since I like to try new food all the time, so one day I was talking down Brighton Ave on my way to Sunset, and I walked by this place. I've never had Afghan food before, so I thought it might be a good place to take my gf one night. Called up and made a reservation with ease. This place is great! Friendly servers, quick service, great wine selection, reasonably priced. The bread they bring out to you comes with three different types of dipping sauce, and can certainly suffice for an appetizer in itself. However, if you skip the appetizer in this place, you will do yourself a disservice, as they are absolutely delicious. I can't remember the names of the specific dishes, but we ordered the dumpling app and the ravioli app...both great!! The ravioli app was PHENOMINAL, and I wished I could make a whole meal out of it. The entree is equally as great, as you can't go wrong with any of the dishes. I had the chicken kebob and it was cooked perfectly and delicious. Great experience, will definitely be back!
(5)Natalie E.
I've been to Ariana's on three separate occasions, and all three times, I've had wonderful service and food. Like other people mention, the kaddo appetizer is a must! For mains, I have always had the lamb but cooked in different ways, all of which are delicious. The combinations of herbs and spices are novel for me, which is one of the things I love most about this place- adventurous dining! The 1/2 carafes and full carafes of wine are great for sharing, and are fairly priced. I really enjoy sharing this place with others, and will continue bringing friends and family there when I get the chance!
(5)Kelly A.
I had a real piece of crap day on Friday, and the mister and I were looking for a restaurant that 1) we wouldn't normally go to (we have a toddler, so we have a rotation of about three usual restaurants these days) and 2) had food that we wouldn't normally eat. A quick yelp search led me to Ariana, so Allston became our destination. It wasn't our first time getting Afghani food, but it had been so long since the last time that we didn't really remember what we were missing. Luckily Ariana offered us a clear reminder. We got there around 6:30, and there was only one other table occupied in the whole place. And then those people left, making it super awkward. I mean, I know 6:30 is kind of early and all, but really? We're the only ones there? I didn't have a huge appetite that night, so we decided to split the stuffed pastry app (one with leeks and scallions and one with spiced potatoes) and the vegetarian special entree. While they were preparing our food, we were given a lovely spread of flatbread with three delicious sauces. I also enjoyed a glass of red wine, which happened to be the first alcoholic beverage I've had in months, which is probably why it blew my mind. I doubt it was particularly good wine or anything, but it tasted pretty freaking awesome to me at the time. The little pastries arrived, and they were delicious. And then the entree came and it, too, was delicious. It had a little bit of everything - pumpkin, okra, rice, eggplant - and the flavors were bold and interesting. Service was ok. I just wish that there were more patrons there so it wasn't so awkwardly empty the whole time. We'll definitely return, though probably only on a date night, as I wouldn't feel comfortable bringing a kid there.
(4)Roger W.
We had an outstanding first meal at Ariana last Friday. Everything from the bread and sauces at the beginning to the buklawa at the end was tasty and well prepared. Service was low key and unrushed, but all of our needs were met. The rack of lamb was just about perfect. We've eaten at Helmand many times, I'd have to say Ariana was a cut above. If not for the issue of finding a parking space anywhere nearby it would become a go to favorite.
(4)Natanya A.
Delicious food. Their sauces are fantastic!
(5)Kai A.
Delicious food--really subtle, lovely flavoring on everything we had. Highly recommended.
(5)Bobby C.
I was looking for a place nearby the Agganis Arena for a quick dinner before an comedy event. We arrived around 6:15PM on a Saturday. The dining area was empty. Not a big deal since I read great reviews about Ariana. My date and I ordered the Shish Kabob (lamb) and Chapendaz (beef). My date was interested in trying both types of rice. Each dish came with a different one so it worked out well. Service was good. There were 2-3 servers. Our server explained to us the different sauces which was helpful. If you like to people watch, try to get a table next to the window. Try to avoid the table right before the booth (along the window). There isn't much space so your chairs will be bumping into the other table's chair. Overall, very affordable ethnic food with good atmosphere and service.
(4)Jessica C.
I visited Boston for the first time because my cousin was graduating. She recommended this restaurant and took our entire family there. It's pretty close to BU's campus. None of us have tried Afghanistan cuisine before, but were all very excited! IT. WAS. SO. GOOD. It reminded me of middle eastern food since there was a lot of lamb. Their appetizers (baked sweet potato with ground beef and roasted eggplant) were really good, although the portions were small. The meal also came with these flat bread things where you could dip it in three different sauces (white, red, and green). I think my favorite one was the green one. The red one had a kick to it. The white one just tasted like yogurt. I got lamb with rice and roasted vegetables. It was really good and just the right amount of food. For dessert, we had bucklawa (baklava) and a rice pudding. Only downside - it was super toasty up in there. Too much heater up in there. There was only one waiter, so service can be slow when it's busy.
(4)Mike M.
The food is DELICIOUS!!! If you like Middle-eastern cuisine, you will really enjoy the food here. We got the Mantu for appetizer which was pretty good. It's a "Homemade pastry shell filled with onions and beef, served on yogurt and topped with carrots, yellow split peas and beef sauce". The yogurt/beef sauce combo is pretty good! For Entrees I got the Kofta Challow, which was PHENOMENAL! My wife got the Chopan (Rack of Lamb), which was by far the best rack of lamb we've had! It was perfectly seasoned and juicy.
(4)Josephine L.
For those who've had to make the trek to Nowheresville, Kendall Sq for years to get their Afghan food fix, here's a much more accessible spot that's also easier on the wallet. Items are easily $2-5 cheaper than at the Helmand. Score! On a weeknight, they were able to seat our party of 6 immediately and service was always efficient and friendly, even when the waiters changed midway through our meal. Afghan food is a delicious blend of Middle Eastern, Indian and even Italian sentiments while maintaining flavors all its own. Pumpkin and lamb are favorite items, so if you like those, be prepared to go to heaven! We shared: - Kaddo: Pan-fried then baked baby pumpkin seasoned with sugar and served on a garlic yogurt sauce topped with ground beef sauce. Did you think pumpkin meat was just a thing to be scooped out to make a jack-o-lantern? NOOO! If you've never had pumpkin, I can't think of a better way to experience this delicious fruit. - Aushak: Ravioli filled with leeks and scallions served on a garlic and mint yogurt sauce, topped with ground beef and mint. Delicious! The ground beef was super moist and tender. - Mantu: Homemade pastry shells filled with onions and beef, served on yogurt and topped with carrots, yellow split peas and beef sauce. See the Italian influence? Every country has its version of a dumpling. This is Afghanistan's. - Dopiaza: Marinated then grilled leg of lamb, sautéed with yellow split peas and tossed with onions lightly marinated in vinegar, served with garlic, mushrooms and pallow rice. An entree that features some of the best parts of Afghan cooking. The lamb is incredibly tender and the pallow rice is as soft as a cloud. The mushrooms were cooked in the most delicious sauce and were perfectly crunchy. - Korma Challow: Leg of lamb sautéed with onions, tomatoes, garlic, green beans, potatoes and spices served with lentils and challow rice. More lamb for you, but this time in a wonderful tomato sauce. Savory and scrumptious. - Kofta Challow: Beef meatballs with Afghan seasonings sautéed with sun dried tomatoes, hot peppers and green peas in a fresh tomato sauce, served with challow rice. Afghan meatballs? Yeah, you gotta try this. There are plenty of vegetarian options to choose from for all you plant-eating folk. And a rather interesting wine and dessert list. Challenge your perceptions of the world and give Ariana a try. You won't regret it.
(4)Jeremy R.
We had the lamb chops here. It was a little expensive but the lamb chops were cooked perfectly, and the rice and eggplant on the side were very well flavored.
(5)Molly M.
Ambiance: nicely decorated, nice music playing, white table cloths, medium/dark lighting which I prefer. Service: very prompt, attentive and polite without being overbearing. My boyfriend and i came later on a Sunday night and were the only diners but did not feel rushed at all. FOOD: outstanding. I wanted to try a good sample of their offerings so we got all four of the vegetarian appetizers. Each were complex and flavorful. The pumpkin kaddo and the eggplant dish stood out. The bread and sauces they bring out in the beginning are delicious as well. I can't say enough positive things about the food. It was our first time here and we will definitely be returning. It seems like they would accommodate small/med groups or families well too so I would bring my parents and brothers when they visit. Good for vegetarian or meat eaters.
(5)Emily L.
Excellent food. We had the Kaddo appetizer. Wow, it is heaven on a plate. First of all, I'm impressed that they offer it year round because pumpkins are definitely not in season during the summer. Second of all, the texture is spectacular. The pumpkin literally melts into your mouth. The dish has the right amount of sweetness to make you wanting more but it is not overpowering enough to make you feel like you're eating a candy bar. I ordered the tikka kabob. The beef was cooked to perfection and was incredibly juicy. The lentils and rice gave the entree more substance. My boyfriend had the Qabili and he really like the raisins with the rice. For dessert, we shared the bucklawa. It was a bit nutty and I would have liked it more if there was a little more of a pastry texture. The portion size was decent and it was definitely rich enough for the two of us to share and feel satisfied. The main reason why I gave this place four stars instead of five was because of the wine. We ordered two glasses of the house wine and when the waitress poured our glasses, it seemed like it was a decent amount. At the end of our meal, I looked over to our neighboring table and found that another waitress had poured fuller glasses for the other table. Furthermore, the table had larger wine glasses. As if fate wanted to give us an extra kick while we were down, we discovered that the wine was actually seven dollars instead of the menu listed price of six. In total, all these factors are quite small and could have been easily over looked. However if you're going to do wine by the glass, you should make it fair to all the customers and make sure that all the tables have the same glassware. Aside from the wine, the waitstaff was super friendly and accommodating. In total, we had about three people either taking our order, refilling out water glass, taking our plates, or serving us our food. Overall, I really enjoyed this restaurant and maybe next time, I'll just order a bottle of wine.
(4)Harri S.
Sweet Jesus this food is delicious! I felt like total crap the entire time I was here, but the food was so good I was distracted from all my other woes. We ordered 2 apps and 2 entrees. Though we didn't get any, a bottle of wine was entirely reasonable at appox. $20. While we waited for our food our water glasses were always full, and we got complimentary flatbread with three sauces (Yogurt mint, cilantro walnut, Chilli oil) and a pat of butter (we didn't touch it, but the thought was nice). APPETIZERS: Mantu: Essentially a beef and veg ravioli with a meat sauce all sered over a garlic yogurt sauce. Wow! You get 2 sizable pouchettes for $6. Kaddo: For you fans of Indian food, think of gazhar (carrot) halva that is perfectly cooked and spiced. Put this over a garlic yogurt sauce dotted with oil, and add some ground meat sauce over the top. Perfection for $6 is not a bad deal folks. ENTREES: Kofta Challow: I love Challow rice. It's like Indian jeera rice, and for folks who still don't get it all this mumbo jumbo just means delicious. Dopiaza: My eyes rolled to the back of my head after I had a bite of this perfectly cooked lamb. It was served with lentils, flatbread and a mushroom/veg medley (off to the side for those of you who don't care for the fungus-among-us). Bill Came to $50 with tip. I was full, we took food home. TOTALLY WORTH IT! So good.
(5)Idan H.
Magnificent! If you weigh in the price and the food, then this restaurant is really good.
(5)Angel M.
Spices adrift, wafting through the entrance, as my friend and I were ravenously entering the curious new establishment of Brighton Avenue, after waiting for what seemed like eternity in a police station after a hit and run, we needed an escape of ecstasy, and we found it. Already we knew that on this particular past Saturday we were participating in a fantastic meal. The paper menus carefully laid out by our welcoming host and server had multiple dishes for vegetarians which for my friend was perfect. Her scallion and leek filled ravioli was delicately balanced with a yogurt of garlic and mint, topped with cracked pepper, tomatoes, yellow split peas, and carrot sauce, nicely heated and served beautifully. But first, I ask that you pay attention to their flatbread, or naan in Farsi, soft and warm, served with plenty of soft butter, and a display of three sauces to dip, a spicy, an herby, and a yogurty. Our appetizer, a side order of Banjan, was in due order. Delicious pan fried eggplant with select seasonings of spices and again, the curious yogurt made its way through to the dish. Though all the dishes were so so so good, I have to say my diamond was the Qabili, pallow rice baked with fall off the bone lamb chunks, topped with raisins and glazed carrots, sweet and savory made its way to this dish, every bite was dynamite, and I even managed to save some for my roomates to have a bite once I arrived home. I would like to say, for a Saturday, there was no wait, for only two waiters there was no wait, and because its around the corner from my house and reasonably priced, theres no reason to wait...to go back. Ariana, you are my friend, or at least this new girl that I visit for a couple of hours, have my way, leave some money, and go home satisfied, thansks so much!
(5)Troy P.
The Kaddo appetizer alone was worth the whole night. A sweet pumpkin baked and sweetened and topped with yogurt sauce and then again with a meat sauce was so good even someone obsessed with all thing pumpkin was shocked how good this was. For dinner I ordered the leg of lamb and it was cooked perfectly with a great side with eggplant and onions and baby grapes. Dessert followed with Turkish coffee. I had the rice pudding which was good but the cardamom took it to great. A great meal and quick if quiet service. Reservations were not necessary in our case, but the space is small so later in the evening you are better safe than sorry.
(5)Chrissy H.
YUM! That just about sums up my very first afghani dining experience. I'll admit, at first I was a little upset because our reserved table was not ready when we arrived, and I didn't like that there was no soap in the bathroom (thanks waterless antibacterial cleanser in my purse,) but the meal I had made up for it. We all started with the Kaddo, which was a scrumptious baked baby pumpkin in a ground beef sauce. Simple- yet delicious. For dinner, I had the Chapendaz, which was a juicy steak with grilled tomatoes and hot peppers that came served with spinach rice and lentils. All were fantastic. The portions were small in a way that leaves room for dessert without the diner feeling cheated. Speaking of dessert, we had the baklava and the feereny which was basically a rice pudding with some gorgeous fruit on top. My tummy is rumbling just thinking about it I'll be back, Ariana.
(4)Deborah H.
Great place for groups assuming you make a reservation, otherwise be prepared to wait, at least on weekends. I ordered the sabzi challow (lamb with spinach over rice), which was incredible. I almost regret that I will probably never try anything else on they menu here because it was that delicious.
(5)Charlotte H.
Ate there last night & it was amazing. Am so tired of current trend of very noisy restaurants where you can't hear your friends & can't enjoy food due to pounding bass music. Lovely tables with tablecloths! Friendly waitstaff who seem genuinely happy to help you with food choices! Diverse groups of diners having well-modulated conversations! Most importantly: divine food. My friend & I took the first bite of our appetizers & sighed, "Ahhhhhh. Heavenly." The food is beyond compare. Kaddo (pumpkin) and Banjan (eggplant) for starters--melt-in-your mouth subtle flavors with just a hint of sweet tang from the mint yogurt. I had the Qabili--lamb with rice, raisins, & carrots. Lamb was impeccably moist and flavorful. Rice & raisins make perfect complement. The rice pudding for dessert--out of this world. Not too sweet like usual rice puddings. This is more subtle & tastes like you could eat it forever. That was the general feeling about each dish I had: took one bite & thought, "Oh. I could eat this forever & be completely happy." Am planning to bring all out-of-town visitors here. Plus all friends who have exhausted super-trendy Boston fair. Plus generally anyone who wants to have dinner. And it's open until 11pm on some nights! A true rarity in Beantown. Side note: I can't eat Indian food anymore due to digestive revolt against spices & ghee. This food is perfect substitute--subtly spiced & not oily in the least.
(5)Jacqueline S.
An unsuspecting restaurant right in the heart of Allston, Ariana is seriously a hidden gem. I'd been wanting to try this place for months and finally got the chance on a Tuesday night. The place was empty when we arrived (7pm) but we knew this was no indication of the culinary pleasures that awaited us. My friend had been here before and suggested the Kaddo appetizer. I had read the mixed reviews on this dish, as some said it was overly-sweet, but trust me, It's delicious! Not too sweet-- it's perfectly balanced by the well-seasoned beef and garlic yogurt sauce. I wanted to lick the plate. Overshare? Eh, whatev. So scrumptious. For my entree I chose the Korma Challow, and I definitely recommend it. The lamb was tender and juicy and surrounded by an amazing tomato-based sauce. The lentils were perfectly cooked and went well with the lamb. While the portions are on the smaller side, I was more than satisfied. My friend got the lamb Shish Kabob, which had a pronounced smokey flavor and the meat was slightly tougher. Still, quite delicious. We were too stuffed for dessert (amateurs, I know) but even with my food baby sitting heavy I wanted to try all of them. We plan on going back asap. Moderate prices, smaller portions, but major flavor and amazing service.
(5)Blake G.
I've wanted to try this place for a while, but was disappointed when I finally did. My appetizer, bowlawni, two large vegetarian savory pies were good, but the vegetarian entry choices were very limited and none sounded interesting to me. The one I ordered, sabzi challow, was nothing like it sounded on the menu and was boring -- three little pies of sauteed veggies. Perhaps this place is good if you eat meat, but don't go here if you're vegetarian. Sure, there are a few vegetarian options, but they are unimaginative. If you want to eat Afghan food and don't eat meat, go to Helmand. They have a greater variety of choices and they are good. Addendum: For all those who insist the menus at Ariana and Helmand are the same, it is simply not true. I've eaten at both restaurants and been multiple times to Helmand. I've compared the menus. Helmand has more vegetarian options. What's more, the vegetarian dishes I've eaten at Helmand are tastier and more interesting.
(2)Rosie Z.
Delicious food, great price and great ambience. The meat is cooked perfect and the spices they use complement each other so well
(4)Sue L.
Just a little clarification: I've never had Afghani food. But if you like Middle Eastern food, you will LOVE this place. The food is very authentic and rustic. The flavors are intense and very delicious. Even at 11 o'clock at night this place is packed! I can't tell you exactly what I had, but I had their most popular lamb dish. Now, I LOVE lamb. They gave GREAT portions!! They did not skimp on the lamb. Also the very unique rice (I'm so sorry I can't give you a better description) they served with it was a perfect combination. It's not your typical rice. It is authentic food! We outright said that we'd never eaten Afghani food before and he just suggested the most popular dishes. I'm so glad that he did, it was SO good! I would love to go again but I don't live near Boston.
(5)Connie S.
Afghan restaurant bringing much needed authentic ethnic food to Boston. All the dishes are beautifully presented, the meat is tender, the challow rice (seasoned with cumin seed and baked) deliciously fluffy. Even so, I wasn't completely satisfied... the sauces and curries weren't terribly flavorful, and portion sizes conservative. Maybe my expectations had just been inflated by all the buzz I had heard beforehand. Still, some solid bets: - Kaddo appetizer (baked baby pumpkin with garlic yogurt sauce and ground beef) - Dopiaza (marinated grilled leg of lamb with yellow split peas, onions, and mushrooms on rice) - Mourgh Challow (chicken breast, yellow split peas, in a yogurt-curry sauce on rice) Candle lighting makes for a somewhat fancier ambiance, but it's still a pretty bare-bones interior. Service wasn't terribly attentive, but we didn't have to wait. All in all, Ariana's is a decent destination if you're craving a different type of cuisine, but not quite the place it's hyped up to be.
(3)Theodore Y.
The Kaddo (pan friend baby pumpkin) was amazing. The pumpkin was textured to dissolve, and its sweetness was not overpowering. Superb! The Banjan (eggplant) was passable but the Mantu (stuffed shells) packed a vegetable and beef combo that was tasteful yet light. We got a number of entrees but the Dopiaza had to take the prize. The lamb had all the "gamey" taste removed from it and it definitely his the pleasure spot. O, the bread with cilantro sauce? not too shabbby!
(5)RM J.
Perhaps this was just an off night for them but this was a very average experience. Not close to a 5 star experience - rather bland (i had the "signature" mantu and rack of lamb dishes".
(3)Lauren P.
This was my first time having Afghan food and a great place to start with! I went with a group and everything we got was delicious. Huge vegetarian options. I will be going back soon. Yum!
(5)Greg Y.
Brought my parents here after a couple of great experiences after my initial review. I have to say, though, that this time around the meal simply did not live up to expectations. For one, the portions have shrunk by a noticeable amount. The Kaddo (one of the best item on the menu, and still delicious) looked almost 25% smaller than normal. My entree with lamb chunks had a mere 4-5 pieces - not to mention that they was almost no pink in the middle despite being "medium-rare"! Quite disappointed. I'll probably be back one last time in the future to see whether they pick up the slack.
(2)Sarah C.
My husband and I went to Ariana last night to celebrate our wedding anniversary. We were seated right away by the window which was great for people watching. The waitstaff was extremely helpful and attentive. We decided on the Dopiaza and the special of the day, which was trout, rice with dates and walnuts, and eggplant. Delicious! It was all amazing. We also got some great flatbread with three different sauces. My favorite was the cilantro/hot pepper sauce while my husband was addicted to the yogurt walnut sauce. For dessert we shared some ice cream flavored with pistachio and cardamom and each had a turkish coffee. A great end to our meal! We'll definitely be coming back to Ariana.
(5)C. R. M.
Just ate here, first time... excellent: the right balance between elegance (cloth napkins and tablecloths), comfort (warm atmosphere, good music), sumptuousness (very fine food), and value (these are not high prices for food of this quality). And what an excellent, moderately priced wine list. We cannot wait to go back.
(5)Kate S.
First time having afghan food, it was wonderful! Highly recommend the eggplant appetizer.
(4)Hanieh M.
I like this place, however it is a little pricey for me but the food was great and the manager was such a great guy
(4)Adam A.
What I like about Allston is that you can be heading to chow down on one thing, and suddenly BAM, you notice something else, and instead of spicy kidneys and soup dumplings, now you're eating kaddo and pallau! The atmosphere in Ariana is pleasant- clearly a lot of care has gone into making it sort of dimly lit and fancy-esque, in a conventional but nice enough way (colored walls, banquette on one side, fairly large number of compactly arranged tables with white tablecloths and flowers) They were clearly pushing wine and beer, which struck me as a little jarring with Afghani food, but I admittedly have rather limited experience with Afghani restaurants (mostly limited to no frills mom'n'pop take-out/styrofoam-plate type places) Since we hadn't come prepared for an all out feast, we sampled just a few things: Bowlawni (a lot like chinese leek pockets, though one was potato), a special combination of kaddo (pumpkin) + banjan (eggplant), and the kofta (meatballs) in sweet tomato sauce. While we were waiting for food to arrive, we got a basket of the really excellent fresh bread. The bowlawni was also tasty- not the most uniquely afghani food, probably (i.e., it's not so different from fried filled pastries the world over), but well made, and great with the various sauces that had been put in front of us (one with red peppers, one with jalapeno, and one raita/yogurt one). The kofta was also good, with decent quality meat and a somewhat sweet tomato sauce. The winner, though, was the kaddo, which was sweet but not cloying, in a way that the tomato sauce and yogurt cuts through perfectly. I'm not usually a big fan of sweet dishes, but I've come to like this version (also like Helmand's, I think) in which the pumpkin is sweetened rather than the sauce, since the sauce provides a nice savory counterpoint rather than covering the pumpkin in sweetness. We also somehow managed to find room for dessert, and tried their homemade ice cream. It was dense and sweet, and covered in a token amount of pistachio powder with a sauce that had a hint of rose. All in all, this is a great addition to the neighborhood- I agree that it's fantastic to be able to get in without waiting, but I hope for their sake that it becomes more crowded fast!
(4)Chris H.
Got the vegetarian special, and it was really good. I like Helmand better, but Helmand is more expensive, so it evens out in my mind.
(4)J F.
Great restaurant. Appetizers in the beginning are quite balanced and palatable. The restaurant theme and music certainly works with the food. Every dish I've gotten has been well balanced and has made me quite satiated and satisfied except for one which was filled with beef and vinegar.
(3)Rohan D.
In a neighborhood packed with eateries and coffee shops, it's nice to come across a restaurant that serves food representing a region/culture only few people have been exposed to. With a small handful of afghan restaurants in the Boston area, I was interested to check out Ariana to see if it was better than the other average ones that have been around for a while, and im glad I came! The food was flavorful, cooked to perfection and the staff were extremely friendly. What more could you ask from a restaurant experience? Afghan food has a strong similarity to Indian and Middle eastern food, but with a strong passion for lamb dishes. You will not go wrong with ordering one of the lamb kabobs off of their menu. Go for it! Highly recommended.
(4)Kelly B.
Ordered kaddo, sabzi challow, and a ravioli thing. All of the food was stellar. The presentation was meticulous but not grandiose (spoons parallel, vegetable garnish symmetrical). We also had some lovely cardamum tea. Even the house bread was fresh and delicious, and the cilantro sauce was incredible. Another plus was the waitress, who was enchantingly sweet and very prompt and helpful.
(5)Matthew W.
Don't know how I managed to not review this place after I went there. Or after I went there a second time. Or after I went there a third time... in the same week. I am rarely one for extreme adjectives. Believe me when I say that the most accurate phrase I can use to describe the experience of eating at Ariana is "flavor orgasm." Were it not for the sheer brilliance that is Fish Market Sushi Bar, Ariana would easily be my favorite restaurant in Allston. Sorry, Kelly's... bronze medal?
(5)Joanna E.
This place has great Afghani food. Though I liked The Helmand by the CambridgeSide Galleria more, this place was less expensive and more casual in comparison. It's a good in between for not super fancy, but definitely nice enough to bring a date.
(4)MJ L.
This is one of my favorite restos in Cambridge. I usually get the vegetarian special which is a platter of baked pumpkin, pan-fried eggplant, sautéed spinach and okra sautéed with fresh tomatoes served with pallow rice. This is DELICIOUS - no less than heaven for vegetarians. The eggplant is the BEST eggplant I have ever had in my life - bar none. The pumpkin is also good but a little too sweet for my taste. The prices are very reasonable for the quality of the food and the resto also has nice decor and nice ambiance.
(5)Piyali S.
Ariana was delightful! The restaurant itself has a peaceful, soothing atmosphere with dim lighting. This spot is perfect for a comfortable evening with a good friend while chowing down. Between the two of us, we ordered 2 appetizers and 2 entrees, leaving us with way more than necessary since they serve complimentary warm naan and a trifecta of sauces as well! This was my first encounter with 'kaddo' which is (sweetened maybe?) pumpkin carved out and served with yogurt sauce. The sweet, savory, tangy combination was rather unlikely but worked really well together. I have a feeling that unlikely combinations of flavors is what Afghani food is all about. Our other appetizer was a roasted eggplant served with a red sauce which I also loved but then again I can't remember a time when I disliked anything involving eggplant so I may be biased here. My entree was the lamb Dopiaza which was mostly good but the gravy was a little too tangy/tart for my liking (maybe too much lime?) Although it didn't come close to ruining my meal, the waitress never asked me how I wanted my meat cooked and it was a little underdone for me. What I did love about the dish was the way the lamb lentil curry was served on top of a naan that soaked up the curry flavors to make it soft and mushy. Also the rice was cooked to al dente perfection. Although we didn't get to it - the dessert menu looked promising replete with baklava, rice pudding and ice creams. I recommend!
(4)Leilani H.
YUM!!! Sometimes it takes a lot to mobilize my partner and I to get outside of Boston proper /Cambridge (Central Sq) but oh-my-goodness-this-is-worth-it. Arrived at about 6:30 on a Saturday eve and the two of us were seated right away. Looks like seating for 2 is easy, larger parties may want to get a resi. Loving Helmund, we were excited to try Ariana and boy did it not disappoint! Two entrees, an appetizer, salad and a carafe of wine came out to less than $50. Amazing. And our waiter was fantastic to boot. Totally worth the trip out of downtown. Can't wait to do it again!
(5)Laura Y.
This was the first restaurant I went to when I was in Boston and boy did it set the bar high! We were about to go into another place that was more popular, since there were more people, but we decided not to crowd and just stuck with Ariana, which was the more exotic and ethnic cuisine. This was my first time trying Afghan food, and it definitely made me want to go back again. First off, they served pita-ish bread with three different sauces. I liked the green one a lot since it wasn't as spicy as the red one and not too sweet like the yogurt. However, eating the yogurt sauce after eating the red sauce quells the spiciness so there's a magical combo right there. Appetizer: ORDER THE KADDO. It's a sweet pumpkin dish with yogurt sauce on the bottom and ground meat sauce on the top. I don't know who or how they thought of this, but the combination was heavenly! I seriously want some right now. Actually, when we were at the restaurant, we actually ended up using most of the bread for the kaddo sauce than the actual sauces they gave us. It was yummy and just mindblowingly amazing. I ordered the chopan which was grilled lamb with eggplant and pallow rice. The rice was drier than I would like it to be, but mixed with the sauce with the eggplant, it tasted better. The lamb was great; it was juicy and seasoned well. No complaints there. My friend got the trout, which is just fried fish. I tasted some of it but I liked mine better. The food was so good that I didn't really care about how the service was. I'm sure it was decent, though, since there really weren't any major complaints. i left full and happy and in a good mood, which is what every restaurant should aim for.
(5)Danie R.
Ariana is REALLY good. We just went for some of the vegetarian entrees, as I ate some edamame raviolis like 4 hours earlier, but just have an entree was the perfect size. They don't overload your plate with American sized portions, which sometimes I love because who doesn't want leftovers?) but it's not ever necessary. Peter got the vegetarian special and I got the aushak. The special is basically a great vegetable sampling that comes with some of the best rice I've ever tasted.. although kinda oily.. but that's probably what makes it good, right? My favorite of the veggies was the pumpkin. Whatever sort of sauce is on it rules. The aushak were these wonderful raviolis (guess I was on a rav kick that day, huh?) filled with scallions and leeks and an interesting and tasty sauce. Also they give you a bunch of bread and sauces for free to snack on! Booze notes: Their beer selection sucks.. You gotta get the Anchor Steam. It's their only decent beer. Their house white wine tastes like paint thinner.
(4)Ben L.
My girlfriend and I went here for a later dinner, around 8pm on Sunday. When we walked in the first comment we got from a server rushing past us was "Can you just wait a few minutes?" She didn't even wait for an answer as she ran to give a check to a table. It was clear they were severely understaffed, she was the only server visible and no host or manager. There were several tables open, including a nice one by the window we would have really liked, alas only few of them were cleared (in fact, that specific table would remain uncleared till about halfway through our own meal.) We were seated after about 10 minutes of being ignored, and even then we did not receive any welcomes, water, or anything. We had to wait over 15 minutes for our order to be taken and to receive any water. After we were served our meal the only time our server appeared was to ask if we were finished with our meal. The service was just horrible. I understand that the server was busy, but I believe that this shows an serious managing fault. The food was delicious, but the entire evening was marred by some of the most horrible service I've ever received, hence the 3 stars. I'd consider going back, but if I walk in and see that the situation has not changed I would just turn around and leave.
(3)Tharathorn R.
Excellent food and turkish coffee (not on the menu)!
(5)Jin Z.
I was organizing a dinner get together for a few friends last week and wanted to find something in the Brighton Area. This is my first time trying afgan cuisine and I have to say that I'll be back for more. We were a party of 5 and we got 2 apps to share, the pumpkin one and ground beef wrapped in pasta. As everyone else have already said, the pumpkin dish is amazing, I really love the sauce. The other app that we ordered was also fantastic. For our main dishes, our group ordered lamb and chicken. I got the lamb dish with spinach and the lamb was so tender. Service was really great, they took our coats when we first arrived, and was very attentive the entire evening. Will definitely be back!
(5)Mel C.
First time having Afghan cuisine. The Dopiaza was really delicious!
(5)KW L.
Maybe I'm just not getting it...the food here was alright but I just don't get what all the hype is about. The service was ok as we were seated right away and the waitress came around on occasion to check up on us. They bring out flatbread with three different sauces, which were good. Our group had the Trout, Kofta Challow, Chapendaz, and the Banjan&Kaddo Challow. Everyone thought was food was good, but not great. In fact, I thought the Chapendaz was somewhat bland which is not necessarily what I expect from Afghani food. Overall it was ok, but I'm not sure I would choose to dine here again. I feel like I can get Afghani food that tastes similar if not better for much cheaper elsewhere, just without the classier atmosphere.
(3)Tessa C.
So delicious! The service was good, it is a very nice atmosphere and the prices are reasonable. If you're looking for an exciting change of place this is a great choice!
(5)Lauren L.
After braving Boston public transportation (and surviving!) we made it to Ariana. What a great find! (Thanks yelp!) The area has pretty good people watching, and the food is amazing. Can't really ask for more. Definitely recommend stepping out of your comfort zone if you're unsure of trying Afghan food. The wait staff is helpful, and it's an experience well worth your time.
(5)Amanda L.
I heard that Ariana was owned by the same people as the Helmand but was cheaper. You mean I don't have to trek to Kendall Sq for delicious Afghani food? SCORE! This place was absolutely lovely. It's a little on the small side, but they do pack a lot of tables. Service is also pleasant, if a little slow towards the end. Food came out lightening fast. Joe and I decided to get the Aushak with meat. It's basically ravioli filled with leeks and scallions, served on a garlic and mint yogurt sauce, topped with ground beef and mint. Perfect portions. I was pleasantly full without feeling sick. The flavors were tremendous and I really enjoyed the yogurt sauce and the ground beef. The rest of the menu sounded fabulous, and if we hadn't decided to check out the new frozen yogurt place instead, I would have definitely gotten dessert. We went with 2 friends and their plates looks awesome as well. Can't wait to come back!
(5)Andrew J.
Truly a wonderful restaurant. Well priced, service was polite and friendly, the place was clean with linen tablecloths and fine dining utensils. However, even with the beautiful atmosphere, the prices are modest and you walk away feeling even better about the experience. Definitely recommend the baked pumpkin dish available as an appetizer--its a joyride for your tastebuds.
(4)Allison J.
My boyfriend and I stopped in on a snowy Sunday night. We took yelpers' advice and started with the kaddo (spicy roasted pumpkin, on a yogurt sauce, with ground beef sauce), and then we also got the aush soup (the bf called it an afghani version of chicken noodle soup). Both were warm, spicy and delicious. They also brought naan with 3 dipping sauces. (yogurt, jalepeno & cilantro, and a hot pepper relish). For entrees, he got the Kofta Challow (meatballs with a tomato, pepper and peas sauce). He ended up mixing it all together with the rice, and the few bites I stole were pretty good. I got Shish Kabob (char-broiled leg of lamb, served with grilled peppers and onions, and roasted eggplant). The lamb was really great, just like I remember from cook-outs at my Lebanese Grandma's house. I didn't really like the sides, I ended up eating the lamb with naan and yogurt sauce and it was delicious. The service was great, very attentive and our food all came out fairly quickly. The atmosphere was nice as well, very cozy. I'm a fan!
(4)Frenchie ..
This restaurant is absolutely perfet: terrific food, nice service, good and relaxing music... A must place to go to!
(5)Eve S.
This place was delicious! Everything I tasted was phenomenal. Having never had Afghani food, I was impressed all-around. The pumpkin was especially, er, special. Do try!
(5)Michelle D.
This is hands down my new favorite restaurant. My boyfriend and I were talking about going for a little while, and finally we did.. we wonder why we didn't go sooner! The pricing is reasonable. The flavors are out of this world! The most ridiculous thing is that the ingredient combinations seem to be totally bizarre.. pumpkin with garlic yogurt and mint and beef topping..?! This seemed SO peculiar to me, but after having the leek raviolis earlier in the week which were pretty excellent, I tried this and it was even more flavorful... as I like to say, "it's like an orgasm in your mouth!" (I hope the owners don't mind my saying..!) But seriously, it's a nice, little romantic restaurant with fresh flowers on the table, friendly waitstaff who are eager to tell you about the food (the waitress on our first night was all about us trying "the special"!). It is the first restaurant I've been to in a while where I feel that all of the items are the menu are interesting, nutritious, and delicious. I can't wait to try as many items on the menu as I can get to, it was just that good! Also to mention, they have both small and full sized portions of most of the menu items, but you get a relatively generous portion either way, it just depends on how hungry you are. The naan-like bread with three sauces before also come with the meal and compliment it well.
(5)Hrishikesh H.
Simple and delicious food. Entree portion size may seem a little smaller. But the complementary bread they give you makes up for it. Try the bread with any of the soups they have to offer.
(5)Edwin C.
Not going to lie, I was a bit hesitant to try Afghan food, but somehow the gf and I found ourselves here. Started off with a couple of fried pastry things that looked like Jamaican beef patties, only one was filled with scallions and the other with curry potatoes or something like that. Also ordered the Kaddo (pumkin with ground beef and yogurt sauce), a baked piece of pumpkin (way too sweet, but balanced by the beef). It was a good try, but don't think I'd order it again. For entrees the gf ordered the Mourgh Challow, which was sort of like a chicken curry dish, which was surprisingly good with the rice. I messed up and ordered the Dopiaza, which was lamb marinated in vinegar (the overpowering sourness really ruined the dish, probably why you can't taste the gamy lamb). I however still finished my dish, but went next door to Blue Asia and ordered something else to really hit the spot. Portions are on the smaller side, service is good, and definitely worth the try. I'd come again.
(4)Sandy H.
This is my go-to place when I have guests from out of town and they want to experience something they can't get back home. I usually steer them toward the Special Vegetarian platter with baked pumpkin, pan-fried eggplant, sautéed spinach and okra sautéed with pallow rice or any of the kabobs or the Chopan (rack of lamb)...so pretty much everything on their menu is amazing. The appetizers are yummy and the fresh baked flat bread and sauces are amazing. You can't go wrong coming here - come here, eat, leave happy.
(5)Becky S.
I can see why this place has good reviews. At first when we went in there was no one there to serve us, but we were willing to wait for a nice sit down experience away from all the Brighton ave bars. The server apologized and was very nice and professional. When the food comes, at first we worried that the meals were small and that although they'd be delicious would not fill us up. We were wrong. Each of us were so happy with our dishes. I usually can pin point what spices are used to produce the flavors of sauces, but could not at all at this place. They were the right combination of tasting the ingredients as well as the flavors placed on them. We were all so full and satisfied after our meals and wished we had room to embrace the dessert menu. I don't know when we would go back because it is definitely more fancy and expensive than the typical restaurant for college students. The crowd is also a little older than other restaurants in the area. I could see this being a great place to impress a date.
(5)Christian P.
It was my first time having Afghan food and Ariana made it the best experience possible. I didn't know what to order so I asked the waiter which dishes would he recommend. I had 2 appetizers and 2 entrees that I shared with my bro, and everything was delicious, especially the KADDO... it tasted like a perfect blend of pumpkin jam with meat sauce and yogurt... you gotta try it! The service is also top notch and the atmosphere is great. It only opened 4 months ago but I'm sure it' will make its way to a famous successful trendy restaurant
(5)Ash T.
Decent place to go to... once in a while. PROS: Better than Helmand, the other Afghani restaurant. The Banjan eggplant appetizer was decent. The grilled chicken kabob and the lentil soup were great. CONS: The lamb did need some more cooking. This place is pricey...Afghans are generous with their serving of bread, maybe not in Boston. Was expecting a lot of distinct flavor owing to the fact that Afghan cuisine includes mint, saffron, coriander, cilantro, cardamom, and black pepper as their main herbs and spices. There is enough room in Boston for another, hopefully more authentic Afghani restaurant. I was more pleased by Azama grill right around the corner.
(3)Melissa M.
I came to Boston on business and had Ariana picked out ahead of time. We went straight from the airport, arriving at 9:30 pm. They gave us no problems about coming in late, near closing time, and the staff was kind and attentive. I am SO glad we went! The food was really outstanding. We tried the pumpkin and ravioli appetizers. Like everyone else has said, try the pumpkin!! It was so delicious. I am not even sure how it is cooked. It was soft but not mushy, and slightly sweetened. Maybe braised in a sweet broth, and then a touch of yogurt and ground beef on top. I wasn't sure about the combo beforehand, but it really was delicious. My colleagues and I had a veggie dish, lamb korma, and a soup, and we all loved every bite. We also had rice pudding and creme caramel, and they were tasty. The portions are perfect. You can have an appetizer and entree and not be ready to explode. Prices were very reasonable. Food lives up to the 4.5 stars Ariana has. Service was good. Portions were dead on. What's not to love?! I'm sure I'll be heading back next time I visit!
(5)Jen J.
This restaurant is much more upscale than most of the restaurants in Allston except Carlo's, which is next door. We had a bit of sticker shock when the bill was $50 for an appetizer, two entrees, and two desserts. But once we considered, the food was clearly more intensively prepared and presented than at, say, Thai Place. I wasn't wowed by my vegetarian meal, which was pumpkin; it was okay but not outstanding. My husband raved about the beef tenderloin. Desserts were amazing. Service was perfect, attentive without being pushy.
(4)Catherine S.
My boyfriend and I are nerds and we rate the top meals we've had at the end of the year. The pumpkin caddo at this place got #1. I kid you not. Though it's just an appetizer, we were absolutely obsessed: pumpkin with meat and yogurt sauce, something we never would have tried if it wasn't for a couple sitting next to us who recommended it. I had some sort of chicken for the meal, which was just as divine, so I highly recommend stopping by here for a tasty, exotic culinary experience!
(5)Gregg Y.
What a treat to have another great Afghan restaurant in the Boston area! And one you can get into without planning ahead. Absolutely everything was wonderful. A basket of fresh flatbread starts the meal, accompanied by a trio of sauces that burst with flavor: a green mint-based sauce, a red chili sauce, and a yogurt sauce. Last night I sampled kadoo (baked pumpkin in a yogurt sauce, and an optional ground-meat sauce), qabili (baked lamb under a mound of delicate rice topped with raisins and glazed carrots), and kourma challow (a melange of vegetables served with rice). For dessert, rice pudding and bucklawa (like Greek baklava but with a more complex list of ingredients including multiple kinds of nuts and spices). It was all completely excellent and possibly the best Afghan food I've had. Qabili may be my all-time favorite Afghan dish, and Ariana knocks it out of the park, with flavorful, lean, fork-tender lamb and perfect rice. The one very minor disappointment was the the rice pudding was somewhat firmer than I prefer. Service is excellent. There are a lot of great choices for vegetarians, and many of the appetizers and entrees come in both veg and non-veg versions. The server was careful to make sure he knew which version you were ordering. Atmosphere is more elegant than you'd expect in Allston, but don't let the white table cloths scare you away. It is a nice touch, and they don't jack up the prices for the extra bit of class. If you haven't had Afghan food, this is the place to try. It's fairly new and undiscovered, so now's the time to get in before the crowds.
(5)Robert W.
Great food, good service, great value. I would go back in a heartbeat.
(5)Zizzles A.
If there ever is a time where a shameless carbon copy is a good thing, it's when one of the most unique restaurants in Boston, The Helmand, is what's being copied. Most of the food is exactly the same, as is the dinnerware, the dress of the servers, even the paper menus. The decor is much blander, which may be a good thing if you don't like the weird kitchy living room theme of The Helmand. The most important and notable difference: I can get a walk in table on a Saturday night. The complementary bread is more like Naan than the Focaccia like stuff they give you at The Helmand but it comes with the same 3 sauces, Harrissa (a little on the sweet side), Raita, and some herb chutney. The Kaddo is a candied or roasted pumpkin with yogurt and meat sauce. It's more or less the same as the popular appetizer at The Helmand, but it's slightly less sweet. The Aushak is a leek filled ravioli with meat sauce over it. It's delicious, but as forewarning, they use Asian leeks, which are much more pungent than the larger, plain leeks. I tried the Dopiaza, Chappendaz and Koufta Challow. All of it was good. the grilled meats tend not to be spiced with anything, but the accompanying salads/chutney/rice are all heavily spiced. the Dopiaza comes with a lentil onion chutney and a mushroom salad while the chappendaz has stewed cracked barley. Nearly everything comes with either Challow or Pallow rice, flavored with Cumin and Cardamom respectively. They are buttery, fragrant, and have the nice bite to them that Basmati has. What I wouldn't give to substitute this stuff for the Jasmine rice I've eaten pretty much all my life. Unlike The Helmand, which is situated next to a gigantic shopping mall with a Thai restaurant as its only competition, Ariana is squeezed in an area already overcrowded with restaurants and bars, so I think it will continue to be relatively easy to access. I really, really hope that this place doesn't close down for yet another Korean restaurant. I think I will cry.
(5)David H.
We just went to 129 Brighton Ave to eat at Dawat, which is now gone. Instead, there's a new Afghan place called Ariana, which apparently just opened tonight (6/11). First impression: Excellent! At least as good as Helmand in Cambridge but with lower prices & (for now) no crowds. Great appetiser - Kaddo. Baked pumpkin topped w/ yogurt & ground beef sauce. Two really good entrees - korma challow (lamb) and mourgh challow (chicken) wh/ we changed to 'pallow' to get the two types of long-grained rice. Both are around $13. Dessert was on the house for opening night: a kind of vanilla pudding topped w/ fresh fruit, also excellent. Sorry, didn't catch the name... Advice - get there before it's 'discovered'. n.b. The very short wine list has a quite decent Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc for $18.
(5)Iris M.
Delicious and awesome food, beautiful place and excellent service.
(5)Matthew M.
Excellent service. Excellent food. Good options for vegetarians and meat eaters. Very reasonably priced ($70 for two with drinks, appetizers, and entrees). Decor and music was mediocre, but not bad. Good for dates or small group of friends. I would highly recommend it to a friend.
(5)James M.
Excellent food and service with a good atmosphere. The food is flavorful and authentic. This place is a great stop for a couple or small party. Check it out!
(4)Lindsay E.
Unfortunately, we were the only occupied table last night (from about 7:15 pm until 9 pm), which was a real shame. We had a really great time for a really good value. There were 7 adults and 2 children. We got 3 appetizers, 7 entrees, a bottle of wine and 2 desserts for $141 plus tax and tip. The food and service were both excellent. We started off with plentiful baskets of warm Naan that came with 3 sauces, a yogurt with mint, a cilantro/mint "pesto" and a nice spicy red pepper sauce. We got three appetizers, all of which just seemed like smaller versions of the entrees, but we all delicious. We got the Banjan which was a nicely roasted eggplant served with a rich tomato and garlic and mint yogurt sauce. The Kaddo was pumpkin served with beef and yogurt sauce which was melt in your mouth delicious. The Aushak was the best I have had, pleasantly tangy and delicious as well as rich. I got the vegetarian "special" for dinner, a bountiful selection of baked pumpkin, pan-fried eggplant, sautéed spinach and okra served with the delicious pallow rice. The vegetables were cooked perfectly. The Spinach was slightly salty and I found a chunk of beef in it (good thing I am not a vegetarian). The eggplant and the pumpkin were both delicious and seasoned well, the tart yogurt really complements the flavors. The okra was also delicious. The rice topped with raisins and carrots was spiced really well and was delicious. There was so much food that I brought half of it home. Everyone else was very satisfied with their meals including the Khourma Challow, the Mourgh Challow, the Dopiaza, the Aushak (entree size) the Mourgh Kabob and a vegetarian special (eggplant and pumpkin). The kids shared with their parents and seemed to really enjoy the food. The Pudeen (creme caramel) was delicious and really resembled flan. The Bucklawa was really dense, but deliciously accented with cinammon and nuts and not too sweet. I really hope that more people decide to give Ariana a try.
(5)Dave F.
My experience at Ariana is the reason I am now on Yelp. I have been reading Yelp reviews for a couple of years, but after eating there, I finally decided that I can no longer continue in silence as a passive user. If you've never tried Afghan food before, a useful (albeit oversimplified) way to think of it is as a blending of Middle Eastern and South Asian (read: Indian) culinary aspects. On the one hand, you have a liberal inclusion of beef and lamb and a certain affinity for flaky, phyllo-type doughs, and on the other, you have a judicious use of spices (cumin, cardamom, nutmeg, mint) and well-considered twists on staples such as lentils, yogurt, and the like. The kaddo ($5.95), a chunk of baked pumpkin served with both mint yogurt sauce and ground beef sauce, is absolutely essential as either an appetizer or side dish. It basically exemplifies everything that Ariana gets right: the pumpkin is grilled and baked, but still moist; the twin sauces are served at contrasting temperatures (the yogurt is cool, the ground beef, hot); the presentation - plating, colors, everything - is just spot-on. Everything I tried at Ariana, including the korma challow ($12.95) and dopiazza ($13) was cooked just right - even the lamb, which is easy to screw up. Dessert selections - try the sheerehk (rice pudding with pistachio and cardamom, $4.95) - all looked excellent and consistent with the feel of the previous courses. When we went a month or two ago, there were only a few occupied tables, which is a damn shame. The staff were extremely friendly, professional, helpful, and - most importantly - very generous with our wine pours. In sum, this place is a hidden gem, and unquestionably a bright spot in the shifting mire that is Allston Village. Do yourself a favor and get over there.
(4)fussyeater x.
Yesterday I was headed to Dawat for their buffet lunch and discovered they were no longer there, so went to Punjab Palace instead. Tonight I walked to Ariana to check it out. As noted elsewhere, the interior is elegant but spartan. The service is quite good, although I was surprised that I had to request a menu in an almost empty room with only one other table occupied, although three other parties came in while I was there. I was seated by the window, but left around sunset and realized how dark it was already in the back of the room. The music was reminiscent of Ravi Shankar in his Beatle days, a vast improvement over the Bollywood noise at Punjab Palace. Someone just told me last night that restaurants have found they do better business if it's a loud environment Going with the most popular dishes so far, I had the Kaddo and Qabili. They were both quite good. The Qabili arrives as a large mound of Pallow rice with raisins and what they describe as a glazed julienne of carrots. Hiding underneath this were the most tender chunks of lamb shank I've ever had. Someone else described them as "fall off the bone" and I took it literally, but that wasn't the case. However, although they are very high quality I discovered that they did need a bit of trimming, which isn't clear in their initial hidden state. I had a hard time adjusting to the raisins and carrots, wishing it came with say onions and green beans instead. Next time I might have Korma Challow, a sauteed leg of lamb which does come with these and a bunch of other stuff. I've never been fond of dishes with just meat, or meat and starch as it was in this case. I couldn't really count the julienned carrots as a vegetable, and am willing to eat raisins in trail mix but little else. There is a short wine "list", with everything available by the glass and bottle, and I think the most expensive one is $21, but I can't speak for the quality, although perhaps the fact that they all come by the glass is a clue. There is no printed beer list, but it seems to be very limited and I am unwilling to pay $4.50 for an uninteresting bottle. My water glass was regularly attended to, one of my major criteria in judging service. I have some fruit I need to use up, so didn't get dessert. Overall, most pleasant and I will be back.
(4)Skimmilk K.
Delicious! I went with a group of friends after looking on Yelp! It wasn't wrong. We started with several appetizers (I think I loved the Mantu-beef dumplings and the Kaddo (pumpkin) the best! They make the Mantu fresh every day so after we figured out how great it was, we couldn't order any more because they had run out for the day! For our dinner, we had the Qabill (lamb shanks-so tender), Chopan (my friend who doesn't like the gamey taste of lamb actually liked this. It was served medium rare-PERFECT), Kofta Challow (THE BEST SAUCE EVER! I kept eating it over rice) and the Mourgh Challow (Chicken with a yellow sauce-good but not my favorite). Oh, and they have this super delicious bread and dipping sauces Overall, I think I liked pretty much everything I ate. The only thing I didn't love was Aushak but that's more because my friends ordered this but I'm not a huge fan of a lot of scallions. The waitstaff was very attentive and very accomodating. Definitely recommend.
(4)Todd C.
Want to know just how good Lamb, pumpkin, eggplant, rice, and bread can be? Then give Ariana and Afghan food a try. I guarantee you that you won't be intimidated. Liked: The Qabili might be one of the best dishes in Boston. Seriously. Free Naan with three delicious sauces Very attentive and helpful service Disliked: Rack of lamb (Chopan) was definitely overcooked Lighting was really dim Our group, led by a friend actually from Kabul, ate family style, which was perfect for me in getting a taste of what Afghan food really is. The clear standout for me was the Qabili ($13.50), a dish with perfectly spiced and melt-in-your-mouth, tender lamb served with a sweet rice (pallow) with carrots and raisins. I would venture to say that this might be one of the best dishes in Boston, which is not a claim I'd throw around lightly. The only other item in that realm would be the Kaddo ($5 as appetizer), a pumpkin dish on the sweeter side, but better than any pumpkin I've ever had by a mile. While those two were the easy standouts, the leek and scallion fried pastry, (Bowlawni) was really good, and the sauces that come with the naan were a surprise hit, especially the cilantro/lime one. The chicken dish (Mourgh Kabob) and beef meatball (Kofta Challow) were good, but on the whole not really that memorable. The only dish I'd consider poor was the rack of lamb (Chopan), as the lamb was burnt and dry on the inside, though the sautéed eggplant side did redeem the dish somewhat as it was superb. As per the prices, I'd say they were about right. Ariana isn't a cheap ethnic food gem, but a nicer sit down, and the prices reflected that well I think. The portions won't overwhelm you, but seemed about right as well. For the atmosphere, the lighting is unfortunately really dim, and some of the walls are a little too bare. The bottom line though is that Ariana offers some of the most unique and fantastic food you're going to find in Boston, and is well worth a visit for anyone. Order the Qabili and the Kaddo, and I guarantee you'll be dying to come back.
(5)Alexandra B.
OMG this was the best meal I've eaten in a long time. Especially loved the pumpkin and leek ravioli appetizers. I had the spinach and lamb entree which was good, but I adored the pallow rice that came with my husband's entree. In an effort to prolong the pleasure, we even had dessert (homemade ice cream and rice pudding), both of was were also delicious. Polite, discreet waitstaff, very reasonable prices, nice atmosphere. My only complaint (and it is minor) was the Afghan elevator music, but it was a small price to pay for the privilege of experiencing all those new exotic flavors -- a sensory delight. I can't wait to go again.
(4)Jessamyn S.
My friends and I still rhapsodize over a meal we ate at Ariana's almost one year ago. Simply put, our food was DIVINE- my taste buds are still singing about the Aush. Seriously, I am still searching for a North Carolina restaurant that can even slightly compare. The kofta challow and the mantu are both particularly delicious dishes.
(5)L M.
The service was excellent, the food came quickly and of course delicious! I recommend the Banjan and the Bowlani, theyre great vegetarian options. The atmosphere inside was very warm and welcoming, with calming middle eastern music playing. Definitely recommend this place and will be going again!
(4)Jordan G.
I ate here a few weeks ago, so pardon my memory being a little cloudy. When my boyfriend and I went, we were only the second table occupied in the place. The waiter was incredibly attentive, knowledgeable, and professional. It may have been easier for him to be attentive since it was basically empty, but his professionalism was unmatched by any other restaurant in this price range that I've eaten in. Each table gets complementary flatbread (think like Indian naan) with three dipping sauces. I am one of those people who cannot stand the taste of cilantro, yet after eating their green cilantro/parsley sauce, I can't get enough cilantro. It's like I had never really tasted cilantro correctly until I had this sauce. My boyfriend commented on how much he liked the roasted red pepper (also spicy pepper) sauce, and the waiter gave him some to take home. Both of our entrees were delicious. I am foggy on the details, but I had a steak with greens, rice, and lentils on the side, and my boyfriend had salad with grilled chicken and roasted veggies on top. I couldn't help but get dessert because 1) everything was so reasonably priced, 2) everything was so delicious, and 3) I really want this restaurant to stick around so I wanted to give them more business. If you have any inkling towards delicious vegetarian or meat based dish with rice on the side and amazing sauces, definitely go to Ariana. I don't want them to disappear!!
(5)Karishma K.
Lovely food. Nice atmosphere. Good prices. First review .. Only 4 stars. Hoping to revisit this place again to change it to 5 stars. The 'chutneys' that come with the bread are amazing. The kaddoo and the banjan were a bit disappointing .. but that's only because I had high expectations. Wines were good. Nice ambience. Lovely location.
(4)Ambrosia K.
When I saw that an Afghan restaurant was coming to the neighborhood in place of Dawat, I immediately wanted to know what exactly cuisine from Afghanistan tasted like. When I saw the open sign on as I headed to work in the morning, M. and I were there for dinner. We got: -Kaddo, pan fried pumpkin in garlic yogurt with meat sauce -Aushak, scallion/leek ravioli with mint yogurt, spices and meat sauce -Kofta Challow, beef meatballs in spiced tomato sauce with challow rice My favorite was by FAR the Kaddo. Sweet with a slightly sour bite from the yogurt and the savory element from the meat sauce, M. and I would have ordered another for dessert had we not been so full. The challow rice from M.'s dish was also amazing, fluffy and flavorful without being greasy and the three sauces that came with the naan complemented each other perfectly. All in all, the food was spectacular and the price was more than decent. I cant wait to go back so I can try the Qabili and Banjan/Kaddo Challow and, of course, order the Kaddo again.
(5)Bill C.
What a wonderful restaurant. Great food. Terrific ambiance. The owners are great hosts and chefs. You will love it here!
(5)D M.
Its not bad and its not great. If you want great Afghani restaurant food then take a trip to Pomir Grill in Worcester. We go there all the time and it is the best! After that it's the Helmand. I felt that the food her lacked flavor. The kadu was good but the food especially the spinach dish lacked flavor. I will not go back.
(2)Christine S.
This place was absolutely amazing. Seriously. I never had Afghani food before and was curious to see what it was about. We were looking for restaurants in the allston/brighton area and after reading the stellar yelp reviews, decided to see what this place had to offer. I had the Mourgh Challow, chicken cooked in amazing spices (the sauce was great) with tons of rice. It was seriously one of the best meals I've had in a while. They give you lots of free bread too. I'm not sure what it's called, but it's very similar to naan. It was all very reasonably priced (my huge meal was $12). Service was also excellent. Very attentive and friendly. The dessert menu looked amazing too but we were waaaay too stuffed to even consider it. But I do regret not ordering baklawa to-go. For a Saturday night, this place wasn't busy at all. So if you're reading this, GO THERE, then post an excellent review of it on yelp so we can create more buzz!!
(5)Julien P.
Absolutely delicious. You can't go wrong between either of the two better Afghan restaurants in Boston but this one has less of a crowd, feels less stuffy, and may be slightly less expensive. The waiter was attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable about the food and culture. I was quite impressed with the service. Just talking about this place makes me crave Kaddo. That's what you need to order when you go.
(5)Ev S.
Delicious every time even for vegetarians. Every time I go its great and everyone I bring enjoys themselves.
(5)Priyadarshini V.
4.5 stars and 143 reviews - who wouldn't want to take a chance to try out Afghan food at such a well rated restaurant..but I guess I had too high expectations for the place, and was slightly disappointed. Was busy, as you would expect on a Friday evening, staff were very nice but I felt that the service was pretty slow. Food was good, but nothing I would rave about. Tried the kaddo, banghan , dopiaza and the homemade ice cream. Distinct flavors, you might want to try it once, but that's about it! The appetizer portions were way too small, I would say this place is a ill too pricey for the quality n quantity of the food.
(3)Sarah H.
In/out and completely satisfied in an hour. We arrived for a relatively early dinner (6pm or so) and our party of 2 was seated easily without a reservation. However, as we got into our meal the smallish restaurant filled very quickly--reservations are probably the way to go during peak dinner hours. We had the dopiaza and sabzi challow--both were amazing. The flavors were different and exciting in both dinners that it wasn't boring for both of us to order the lamb. Every plate that came out of the kitchen looked like an exciting reason for a second and third trip back to Ariana. Dinner service was attentive/adequate but not overwhelmingly special (one waitress ran into me on our way in and said naught a word). Still, the food was delicious and our waiter was nice enough to rate Ariana a 4/5.
(4)Jen S.
Before coming here, my husband and I had never tasted Middle Eastern food before. Since this place is new, and the thought of trying Afghan cuisine seemed intriguing, we decided to have our 8 year anniversary dinner here. Best decision of our lives. I have never tasted so many spices at one time in my life. Since I don't have much experience with Middle Eastern food, I can't compare this to REAL Afghan cuisine, nor can I compare it to any other Afghani restaurant, but I will say because of this restaurant, I always will choose this type of cuisine over my usual tastes for Italian and Asian! Some notes: The service was incredible- our waiter was knowledgeable, patient and extremely helpful. The atmosphere is EXTREMELY comfortable. The tables are covered in a nice, white table cloth. Each table has a candle. The wall decor isn't fancy, but I didn't feel like I was in a hole-in-the-wall place. It's a little bit odd that an Afghani place would sell alcohol, but I will say the desert wine we had was incredible. We came in July, so I can't remember the name of it :X but it did come in its own bottle. We were too full to try dessert but I've been DYING to try their backlawa. Definitely going to come back!!
(5)Tim N.
Delicious. What can I say I love the Afghani stuff. I have went to Helmand and this was even better! Dinner for two, entrées, one appetizer, full carafe of wine, and dessert. 52 bucks! not bad at all
(5)Cher K.
The food was delicious and interesting. The atmosphere is high class. And the service was both excellent and friendly.
(4)Diana W.
Delicious food (I had Kaddo, after seeing everyone on here rave about it), sheekh kabob (lamb, rice, onion and eggplant sides). For dessert, rice pudding with pistachio and cardamom - light and refreshing. Our waitress was quick and attentive, and the atmosphere was great!! I'll definitely be going back.
(5)Minh C.
We came here on a weeknight and it wasn't very crowded so we got quickly seated. I'll get to the point, this is definitely a place I'll return. We thought the food was great, especially since one of us is vegetarian. Only reasons for not giving it 5 stars is 1) the bread came out very delayed 2) my buddy ordered a vegetarian dish and got beef in his dish (which he discovered upon biting into it) 3) the portion size of the entrees were relatively small (although the desserts were about right for the price)
(4)Tony J.
I thought the service was fine, but slow. But I had problems with the food. there was very little flavor and it just didn't taste very good at all. Perhaps they had an off night. Unfortunately everything just seemed very underseasoned. But you should try this place for yourself.
(2)Rafa R.
SEE IMPORTANT UPDATE AT BOTTOM Excellent all around. The food is great, and the owners and staff are so welcoming, friendly and attentive. There aren't many restaurants where I've felt compelled to tell the owner what a pleasure it always is to visit his or her establishment. This is one of them. I almost hesitate to recommend specific dishes, because I've loved everything I've tried here. I really like the mourgh challow, any of the soups and any of the lamb dishes. I've heard people rave about the pumpkin as well. For dessert I definitely recommend the feereny, which is a white pudding with fresh strawberries, pineapple, blueberries and kiwi. REVISED UPDATE: ARIANA REOPENING AUGUST 29, 2015 Ariana has been closed for a while, but I'm happy to see the following message now on its website: Ariana Restaurant will be reopening in our new location on Saturday 8/29 after six months of construction. We hope to see everyone soon!
(5)Kaikjpete S.
3 of us went here on a Wednesday night. We were the only people in the whole restaurant except for two others who came in about half way through our meal. Guess that is why they relocated to Western Ave! Absolutely LOVE this place. The owner was super friendly and we enjoyed chatting with him. The food was unreal and very reasonably priced!!! Also love Helmand, but Ariana definitely has comparable food for cheaper. Kaddo was out of this world. Mantu was another great appetizer. Highly recommend lamb dopiaza for the main, sheerberaing for dessert, and turkish coffee was a perfect way to end the meal. Can't wait to go back!!!! Great food, great service, lovely atmosphere, authentic. 5 STARS!
(5)Gal W.
The food was excellent, with an extensive vegetarian section. The kadoo, a sweet pumpkin in yoghurt sauce, was especially delicious. I also highly recommend the doogh, a yoghurt drink with cucumbers and spices. Much better than most other doogh I've had, and not as overpoweringly salty as the store-bought variety. We also really enjoyed the dessert: the rice pudding was great and the cream pudding with fruit was fantastic. My non-vegetarian friends also raved about their food.
(5)Parnian N.
Absolutely love this place. Great food and customer service. Can't wait to eat here again. Love the owners :) -Parnian Nasirahmad
(5)Niv B.
Came here with my friend, not knowing what to expect and we LOVED it! The food was absoluteky amazing; not too spicy but definitley packed with flavor. I ordered the Sabzi Challow and was a bit skeptical that it would taste good since the restaurant had a much higher ratio of meat dishes compared to vegetarian dishes but the dish was amaazing! I finished all of it, which is a rarity for me in any restaurant. My friend ordered the Mourgh Challow and loved it as well, the chicken was cooked really well and was packed with flavor. The only thing keeping me from giving this restaurant 5 stars is the fact that we had to wait 15 minutes after we were seated to even be given water and we didn't order until 35 minutes in and the food arrived 10 minutes after that. The food, however, was worth the wait!
(4)Abrar T.
Small place, but nice ambience. Went there on a Saturday evening in a group of 4. Servers were very kind. We had Mantu and Bamiya (okra) as appetizers. Both tasted very good and everyone liked them. The Mantu was slightly spicy (mild). I had Sabzi Challow, which came with a side of Bamiya. It was really delicious (I mean the lamb, spinach, and Bamiya). However, I wished that the rice was more flavorful or had the Afghani touch of the nuts, carrots, and raisins (I think this is the Pallow rice, which I wished it accompanied all the entrées). The rice (Challow rice) was bland white Basmati rice. Same kind of rice was served for my friends who had Mourgh Challow and Kofta Challow.
(4)Anuj V.
I absolutely loved this place! The food was definitely the highlight. There weren't many options but all of them sounded great! They open with a bread basket and three different chutneys, a yogurt based one, a spicy one, and a mint based one. The bread was similar to a flatbread pizza dough. We ordered a filled pastry dessert dish as an appetizer and we're pleasantly surprised by the wide range of flavors and textures. I ordered a chicken dish named murgh challow and it was flavorful and extremely tender. The chicken was perfectly cooked and the gravy was nicely balanced. It came with rice and nothing else. The only downside to this place is the service. They seem to be short staffed and we had to wait almost 15 minutes before even getting to order. The food also took a bit longer to come out but that could be due to the large number of customers that walked in after we got there. Definitely a place to check out and I will be returning soon!
(4)Paul F.
One of the best restaurants in the city for the money. They are never busy. Give them your business you won't be disappointed. Get the kaddo.
(5)Najim M.
First off. I'm Afghan so I know Afghan food. I agree with others. The food is really good. The service is slow. Appetizers too small. The prices too high. BYOB. That is, bring your own bread, cuz you get a small amount and apparently it's a hot commodity around here. That's pretty much my review in a nut shell.
(3)Bahar A.
We are self-confessed foodies trying out new restaurants mostly based on word-of-mouth and Yelp reviews. My boyfriend and I walked to Ariana on a Friday evening. We found that it was a smallish space with tables for perhaps 20-30 people. The ambiance was casual, yet sophisticated. We had not made a reservation before coming. We were welcomed warmly and seated quickly at our spot of choice. In-fact, the hostess moved around a couple of tables to prepare a nice table-for-two for us so we would not have to sit in a noisy corner. We felt that this was a really nice gesture. After we were seated, three of the waitstaff attended to us - one brought the menus, one poured water, and one brought the warm afghan bread with the tasty sauces. Bread was warm and fresh. As for food, it was far beyond our expectations. We ordered Aushak and Mantu for appetizers, both delicious and had great flavors to them. I would say unique in its own way. For the main course we went with Dopiaza - well prepared lamb meat served on a piece of bread with sides of juicy mushroom and tasty rice. It was a healthy and hearty combination. We would have liked to try more of their dishes, but two appetizers and one entree later, we had no more space in our tummies. The waitstaff was prompt and attentive. As another poster has mentioned, there are four or five of them working hard to keep things moving. They do a great job at it. Overall, wonderful food, awesome service, and a nice ambience. I would definitely recommend Ariana, their Aushak, Mantu, and Dopiaza, and would go back to try more of their dishes. Five stars!
(5)Zach A.
My girlfriend and I came here at 8:15, we were without menus, water, or bread for about 10 minutes. We ordered Aushak as an appetizer, which took about 15 minutes. In the meantime we did finally get bread and water. The Aushak was nothing terribly impressive. I'm writing this review still mid-meal, since the service is so slow. It's now 9:10 and we haven't yet been served our entrees or even had our water glasses refilled. I ordered the Vegetarian Special and my girlfriend ordered the Doppiaza. Hopefully it gets here soon. We noticed that there is a lovely fly hanging around. The food got here at about 9:20. We swapped dishes halfway through so we could try everything. We both agree that the pumpkin was too sweet, and my girlfriend has a sweet tooth! The meat in the Doppiaza was quite chewy. It's now 9:35 and I already can't remember what else I had to eat, the food is that easy to forget. All in all, for a $45 bill I'm very disappointed. The service was very slow and the food did not make up for it. It's now the next morning and despite my experience at Ariana, I'm going to give Afghan food another try next time I see another restaurant.
(2)Ariel Z.
If you're tired of the typical falafel and hummus, Afghani provides a nice twist to your typical Middle Eastern fare. Ordered the mantwo entree (dumplings with yogurt/meat sauce) as well as the kaddo pumpkin dish. Both were pretty good, but I think these dishes are much better at the Helmand in Cambridge.
(2)Tanya Y.
For an out of our comfort zone dining experience, I left Ariana impressed, full, and satisfied. First, do yourself a favor and make reservations as early as you can, as this place gets packed. Two, the restaurant is run by about 4-5 staff members, so if your glass isn't filled right away our if you need something, be patient. You could tell easily that they are working as hard as they can to make your dining experience pleasant and smooth. All that aside, the food was excellent. After doing much needed research through awesome Yelp reviews, we ordered two appetizers, one entrée, and one dessert to share amongst two of us. We ordered an appetizer of Kaddo ($5.95), pan-fried then baked baby pumpkin seasoned with sugar and served on a garlic yogurt sauce topped with a ground beef sauce. Sweet and savory at the same time, the Kaddo was like nothing I've ever had before, almost like a flavor explosion in your mouth. Then we ordered Mantu ($5.95), two homemade pastry shells filled with onions and beef, served on yogurt and topped with carrots, yellow split peas and beef sauce. This appetizer didn't stand out as much and almost felt as if it were an after thought since we had the Kaddo to compare it to. For the entrée, we shared the Dopiaza ($16.95) marinated then grilled leg of lamb, sautéed with yellow split peas and tossed with onions lightly marinated in vinegar, served with garlic, mushrooms and pallow rice. The lamb was amazing with excellent flavor and cooked just right, both tender and moist. I'm not a lamb connoisseur or anything, but it was definitely the best I've ever had. It amazed me to a point that when I think about it, my mouth starts to salivate. The pallow rice was a bit plain, but with flavors packed everywhere else, it served as a great balance to the entire meal. The atmosphere of Ariana is romantic and definitely feels a bit more upscale in opposed to the other restaurants you can find nearby. They are only open for dinner service at 4pm, and parking can be found on the street or a short walk away at a city lot behind Blanchard's liquor store. Prior to the meal, you are even given warmed bread with three dipping sauces: one consisting of yogurt and mint, the other cilantro with other herbs, and the other a slight spicy red one. Delicious. So happy we finally came around to trying Ariana and am happy to say that I look forward to going back.
(4)Chenkai L.
This was my first time trying afghan food and I was pleasantly surprised at the what this place had to offer. We came here on a Saturday night and had to wait about 20 minutes for a party of 5. The interior was intimidate and fancy, each table had a (fake) candle. I had the Qabili, which was lamb with rice. The rice is special long grain with very pleasant aromas, similar to the rice used in Indian restaurants. The rice was also soft and seasoned very well. The lamb meat itself was tender and succulent. We also got the Kaddo, pumpkin topped with yogurt sauce, which was surprisingly delicious and very sweet. Not a bad place to be introduced to afghan food or perhaps a date.
(4)Grace B.
You may want to pay attention to my review, being that I am half Afghan and know what I'm talking about with retrospect to authentic Afghan food. That being said, this place is authentic and serves alot of my favorite dishes, and some dishes I never knew about before, but who my cousin (full Afghan) said are more traditional dishes our family doesn't do too much of. I was quite excited to try what I didn't know. We started off with Kaddo (baked pumpkin with yogurt and a touch of ground meat with sauce). Wow. Lightly sweet, savory, and rich. I could just order a bunch of these for my main meal and be satisfied, not to mention it could almost opt as a dessert, for those that like dessert before their meal. ;) The next appetizer was the eggplant. I love eggplant and I loved this, the eggplant slices were thinner than I would have liked, and would have preferred it to be a little "meatier" but it was an appetizer so perhaps it should be a little lighter, I'm used to having it as a side to the main meal. Next, I was torn between Mantu (beef filled dumplings, one of my favorites) but opted for the Kofta Challow (beef meatballs rich in sauce) accompanied with rice. It was filling and plentiful. Two hearty meat balls with plenty of it's juices and a plate of rice. Definitely just as good as I've had at family dinners. Alot of their meal options have lamb, and I have never developed a taste for lamb, so I was a little restricted to my choices but that's my own problem. Lamb is the Afghan's meat of choice, so I encourage all of you to go for it. It's as traditional as it gets. I also admire their vegetarian options, as there is no vegetarian Afghan, but I find it considerate for them to accommodate for vegetarian diets, without losing Afghan flare. As for dessert: Feereny was a hit. I was particularly encouraged to come here BECAUSE of the dessert, and it did not disappoint! Creamy and thick custard like cream pudding, topped with fruit. It is better than any of my tradition Afghan family's feereny. That was a shocker. Oh yea, as for detail the robust red rose that served as table decor was a beautiful touch. I notice the little things and found that to be an elegant touch. The one hesitation I have is the price, I think it's a little steep for Afghan food, but I do have to acknowledge food like this is not easy, and takes time with slow cooking and lots of ingredients and spices. Expensive middle eastern spices at that, so I can't blame them, but I can be a little biased because I eat this food for free. Overall, I would return here again since I do not get this food often anymore.
(4)Karina L.
One of the best restaurants in Allston. If you're looking to pull away from the bar food fried chicken culture of Allston, come to Ariana. It's cozy, quiet, and romantic. And you'll get some amazing food to boot. They start you off with flatbread and three different sauces. My favorite was the creamy sauce, but the red sauce was delicious as well. For the appetizer, we got the kaddo -- which was fantastic. Yogurt, pumpkin, and beef didn't really sound like a promising combination but they really delivered. The pumpkin is pan-fried, then baked. The result is a really juicy puree-like glob that mixes perfectly with the tangy and garlicy yogurt. The sugar on the pumpkin mixed surprisingly well with the ground beef. It was fantastic. I'll never doubt a pumpkin-garlic yogurt-beef-sugar combo again. For the entrees, we got the Mantu and the Qabili. The Mantu was a mix of a wonton and ravioli. The pastry shell was pasta like, but it was wrapped like a dumpling. Inside was ground beef and onions. On top was a yogurt, carrot, AND MEAT sauce. Basically, come here if you like meat. I loved the Qabili as well. It's not entirely aesthetically pleasing -- the rice that comes with it is dumped on top of the shank, so it looks like there's no lamb at first. But lo and behold, under the pallow rice there is an enormous shank waiting to be feasted on. But first, the rice: Ariana has challow and pallow rice. The challow rice has cumin and oil, while the pallow rice has, in addition, cinnamon and nutmeg. It also had raisins and tasty carrots in it as well, which was a perfect foil to our fall-off-the bone lamb shank. We had enough leftover for a second meal. Best part? It's $16! Overall, I loved Ariana. I haven't been to Helmand yet but I can safely say this is a go-to restaurant in Allston, if not Boston.
(5)Amanda W.
The restaurant is Afghanistan,and my boyfriend love this so much. We have been here twice and every time the fit never let us down. The flavors you have never tasted.
(5)Yao G.
My wife and I decided to try something new and refreshing to eat. Tonight it was Afghanistan food at Ariana's. Let's talk about atmosphere first. The place is not very big but it eludes elegance and warmth. Tables are neatly decorated with fine china and folded table cloth. Lighting is just right for a romantic dinner. Based on recommendations from fellow yelpers and our friendly and knowledge server, we tried their Mantu for appetizer, Qabili and Sabzi Challow for entrees. Let me tell you, I stuffed myself so much that I could barely get up and walk. The lamb meat here is prepared deliciously. It does not tastes gamey at all. The food here has the right balance of nutrition and taste. For people who never had Afghanistan food or just want to try something, I recommend Ariana.
(5)Chris P.
Fantastic Chopan (rack of lamb). The Aushak is spectacular (meat and chive ravioli w/ a unique lemon flavor). Great wait staff. Pleasant surroundings. Good wine selection ( try the inexpensive Bordeaux). What more could you want?
(5)Sarah G.
I was really excited to try this place. I had been wanting to come here ever since going to the Helmand in Cambridge... The verdict? Well I think I prefer the Helmand. Nothing here was bad, but just in comparison to the Helmand, I think that place was just better flavor wise, service wise, ambiance wise, the whole thing was just better there. BUT I will tell you that this small restaurant in Allston is one of the few places in Allston that is truly accommodating for running late with reservations. No one in our group could find parking to save our lives (DO NOT DRIVE TO ALLSTON EVER). And they didn't even bat an eye at us being about 30 minutes late for our reservation which is something you don't experience often. Food wise, we got the pumpkin ground beef appetizer, but it was a little sweeter than I wanted, and not quite a great match in how much pumpkin to ground beef sauce ratio. I got he Kofta Challow which actually pretty tasty season meatballs served with one of their styles of rice, and it was pretty good, but I wish there had been something more to the dish other than just balls and rice. Matt J. got the Qabili which is a lamb dish with raisins and rice, which was just so so in my opinion--my meatballs definitely beat that lamb dish in the entree head-to-head competition. Everyone else liked their food, but we all agreed it all seemed to be missing a little more flavor, spice, etc. But in general, it was a great dining experience. They didn't rush us out, were accommodating with us being late, and they have cheap wine too!
(3)Sparky S.
Tasty food. But portions are very less, so don't pick this spot if you are really hungry and looking at a cheaper option to have stomach full.
(3)Marie D.
The family and I went out for my son's birthday dinner. We loved the food--the tastes were wonderful and everyone enjoyed their meal. Our waiter was courteous and efficient. The bread they served was warm and delicious. We had a couple of appetizers--one was Aushak (delicious) and the other was also very good but I can't remember. Order the vegetarian sampler--this gives you all the highlights of many of the Afghan tastes to share with others. The trout dish was fantastic-so well cooked and tasty. I kept bartering my vegetarian samples for bites of the trout. Also, the Sabzi Challow was terrific--the rice options are so flavorful. My daughter loved her beef dish although I don't like charred meats. I had to agree that aside from that it was really tasty. The ambience is very warm, inviting and romantic--I want to go back with my husband and another couple. The owner told us that they are moving to another location in Brighton? where the big advantage will be parking sometime this month (Feb 2015)--I hope it stays as delicious and inviting.
(4)Arik S.
Went here late on a rainy Tuesday and had the entire restaurant to ourselves, an experience onto itself. The food was flavorful, delicious, and well priced, especially for the atmosphere. I haven't had much Afghan food in my life, but I know good food when I have it, and this was excellent.
(5)Malavika R.
The food here... decent, but go here for the kaddo (a dish made from baby pumpkins and sugary goodness) seriously.
(3)Otis H.
What an awesome find. The wife and I stopped in here before a concert looking for something "Mediterranean"....well, obviously this is not even close to Mediterranean, but Middle-East would have to do. Neither of us had ever had Afghan food before and thus really had no expectations besides the reviews I read on Yelp. What followed was truly amazing. First off the place is way smaller than I had expected. I would classify this as cozy rather than cramped though. It is tastefully appointed and welcoming. Upon seating we ordered a carafe of the house Cab Sav. It was great and much better than the rot gut one usually gets in a house wine. My wife ordered the Banjan (pan fried eggplant) for an app and the Aushak (leek filled ravioli) for her meal. I ordered the Kaddo (pumpkin with yogurt and beef sauce) for an app and the Dopiaza (lamb chunks with peas and pallow rice) for an entree. The apps were amazing. There is something different about the yogurt that they use. It has just a bit more bite to it and really adds something to the dish. They also give you plenty of warm flat bread (nan...yes similar in sound and look to the Indian Naan) with 3 incredible sauces (Yogurt and cucumber, cilantro and garlic and a red chili). Again, you've probably had a greek tzatziki cucumber and yogurt sauce, but this tastes very different. The Kaddo is a real standout here. The pumpkin was very sweet and balanced wonderfully with the umami provided by the beef sauce and the acid from the yogurt. It was a flavor combination I had absolutely never had before. When my wife got the Aushak she found that the leeks were just a bit too strong and asked to switch it with the Chapendaz (grilled beef tenderloin over tomatoes and hot peppers). They waiter made the change easily and my wife really enjoyed the beef. The Dopiaza was amazing. The lamb was perfectly grilled and tender and the acid from the vinegar perfectly balanced the mushrooms and rice. All in all this was a perfect dinner out...and for less than $100 with drinks in Boston!
(4)Harvard P.
Mmmmmm.... I love lamb and Ariana is a great place to get it. I've been to Helmand and I would venture to say that the food here is just as good if not better! The flatbread that you get at the beginning of the meal comes with 3 different sauces, all delicious. I especially like the red sauce. We tried all the appetizers that everyone raves about on yelp - and they were good. But our favorite ended up being the okra dish. The Chopan is simply amazing. It's three ribs of pure yummy lamb, cooked medium rare over a bed of pallor rice and eggplant. My only complaint is that it was so good I didn't want to stop eating it even when my plate was clear. Definite a favorite of mine in the neighborhood.
(5)æ‚
I love it! Both the food and its service are great!
(5)Caitlyn T.
This is probably the 100th review that's said it, but get the kaddo app. It sounds a little funky but the flavors work perfect together. They bring out some bread and dipping sauces for you which are fun to try. We split a lamb entree and loved it. Even with a bottle of wine our entire bill came to around $50. Great value for what you're getting! The manager came over to the table to ask how everything was which earned the restaurant a few points as well. This was our first time eating Afghan food and we both really enjoyed it. Looking forward to next time!!
(4)Dave D.
I've been to Ariana twice, and both times left thinking, "wow, what a great restaurant." The food is absolutely delicious. Nothing I've tried there is anything less. And of course, the cuisine is different than what you see in most places west of Kabul. The ambiance is a little less than perfect; it's one room, a bit crowded and a little noisy. But not uncomfortable at all. The staff is a little stiff and maybe a little bit inexperienced? In both visits, I got the sense that the waiter and waitress were a little unsure of what they were doing. Also, the cadence of the meal was a little off. Appetizers came out quickly, but then we waited for quite a while for the entrees. The entrees were cleared quickly, and desserts came out, but then we sat for another while with dirty dessert plates in front of us. Not a huge issue - just a little off. I've recommended Ariana to lots of friends.
(4)K T.
We stopped in for dinner without a reservation, and were pleasantly surprised that were seated promptly. The decor is simple and calm, with linens and nice ambience. The wait staff is excellent and attentive. We were in need of suggestions for the menu, and our waiter provided us with very useful information to guide our choices. We tried an assortment of dishes for appetizer and dinner. All were fantastic, but indeed the pumpkin gets the nod as the most memorable for their tickling the palate. Breads were also excellent. We will definitely be back!
(4)Alicia W.
New to Boston and wanted to try a new place in the area. Found this place on Yelp and I'm so glad I tried it out. I've never had Afghan food, but it reminds me a bit of Indian food with all the flavors. I'm ready to go back, I couldn't stop talking about it at work! A friend and I went on a Monday night and we were the first to arrive. Great atmosphere for dates. The service was okay, one of the servers who brought the sauces seemed very bored and as we asked him to explain what each one was, he didn't bother to look at us and just looked out the window the whole time. Appetizer - Aushak. The pasta had a unique fresh taste with a savory sauce...I wanted to lick the plate! Entree - Korma Challow and Mantu (friend) - The korma challow is a leg of lamb and the meat was tender and cooked to perfection. For me, the Mantu and it tasted a little plain for me, but my friend seemed to enjoy it. Dessert - Feereny - cream pudding is a must try. I could eat it everyday all day. I wanted to try the Pudeen, but they were out, so maybe next time. Definitely going back and trying out new things. I don't think I'll ever be disappointed here.
(5)Julie V.
This was my first time trying Afghan food -- eating here certainly made me want to try it again. The real highlight of the menu for me was to see how many lamb dishes they have, as lamb is a meat I really enjoy but rarely see on typical menus. For dinner that night, we ended up with the chopan (rack of lamb marinated in a puree of onion, sun-dried baby grapes and garlic, served with sauteed eggplant and pallow rice), along with banjan and kaddo challow (pan-fried, then baked pumpkin and eggplant served w/fresh tomato sauce.) I have to say my favorite was the pumpkin, which had become a lovely, sweet custard. The lamb was perfectly tender, although maybe too seasoned for the full taste of the meat itself to come through. Portion sizes were good, not too much and not too little.
(4)Marym M.
I'm 100% Afghan and Ariana's food is as authentic as it gets! I moved to Boston from sunny southern California and thought I would miss out on all of my mom's amazing homecooked Afghan meals. Ariana is my immediate go-to for satisfying my Afghan food cravings when I'm feeling homesick. The food is so flavorful and filling, without making you feel bloated or sick. My favorites are the Kaddo appetizer, Bolani, Ashak, Mantu, and any of the meat dishes (honestly, you can't go wrong since the meat I've had here has always been so tender, juicy, and well-seasoned). For all of you vegetarians out there, there are plenty of satisfying veggie dishes to choose from. For dessert, I must greedily consume an entire Fereny to myself (Ariana's is the best I've had!) every time I dine here. Just try it---you won't regret it! The service is also stellar. All of the servers are attentive and courteous and the owners who are Afghan are always welcoming and sweet. As for the ambience, it's a very warm colored space with romantic lighting and decor (fresh flowers on each table is a plus). They tend to play mostly traditional, instrumental Afghan music which isn't too loud (great for having intimate conversations over dinner). I've also recently put in a large order for food for a holiday party I'm having and they have been very professional, accommodating, and generous. Overall, I can't help but give Ariana 5 stars!
(5)Ang L.
One of the best dining experiences I've had in Boston! First time trying Afghan food and Ariana was an excellent first impression. We went yesterday night which was a Monday so only one server was working. He was awesome though, took time to make sensible recommendations and was very nice. The food was some of the best I've ever had. Like after the meal I felt I could have cleared five more plates of the same thing! Ordered the Mantu for an appetizer and it was good. Sort of like a stuffed ravioli with tasty meat filling inside. I wish I could explain it better but it's definitely a good choice. Also the Kaddo which was sweet and salty goodness. Next was the entree which was amazinggg. The rack of Lamb! Unfortunately I don't remember the exact way it was listed on the menu but it was 26 dollars and at the top of the listings of entrees. It was soooo good, I'm not a huge fan of lamb but this tasted like an amazing cut of steak that fell right off the bone. Best Lamb I've ever had by far! And finally dessert which was homemade ice cream with pistachios. Also excellent. Excellent choice and I guess kind of a hidden gem since so many people pass by to go to Bon Chon. Definitely worth a shot and you'll be coming back for sure. I want to go back tonight...
(5)chaju J.
I love this place!!! I ate there January 5 2015. I ordered the ravioli and julienne carrot dish (can't remember the exact names) and they were AMAZING! Very flavorful and the service was professional, attentive and friendly. I was with a large party, 12ppl, and the food was worth the wait. I look forward to eating there again soon. Location convenient and prices reasonable for the excellent and fresh quality of the food.
(5)R T.
Crispy-ass tender trout with seasoned rice filled with dates and walnuts. Leek and scallion bowlawni is delicate as shit. That fucking almond-cilantro sauce.
(5)Kayla L.
Came here on a slow Sunday night and there was only appeared to be one front of house worker, but he greeted us promptly, and was very nice and attentive, even when business picked up a bit. The atmosphere was lovely with beautifully set tables, dimmed lighting and very enjoyable music. Of course, the food was what really sent me here to write this review, and what will send me back again soon, I'm sure. We got the Kaddo appetizer, pumpkin which was sweet and delicious. We also tried the Mantu, beef and onion filled dumpling-esque darlings with a flavorful yogurt sauce. We split the Dopiaza entree-- the lamb was cooked perfectly with a tasty sauce and the mushrooms were dazzlingly juicy. We treated ourselves to a richer but also more delicious than expected dessert, their cream pudding topped with strawberries, blueberries, and pineapple, but unfortunately missing the promise of kiwi which made me choose the dish. But flavor was outstanding on every course, portion sizes were pretty fair, and overall it was a great experience.
(5)Wasim Q.
Best afghan food I have ever had, including in Fremont, CA (which is like Little Afghanistan). The menu is a bit small, but the execution is perfect. A good way to test an Afghan place is by the Mantu, which is like a delicate ravioli-- very easy to botch and very hard to do well. These guys knocked it out of the park. The noodle was just right, and the meat sauce was well spiced. The Kaddo (pumpkin) appetizer is also amazing--very sweet, but balanced by the yogurt and meat sauce. You can't go wrong with any of the entrees-- Qabili (rice w/ carrots and raisins and lamb) is a classic Afghan dish you should try if you haven't had it before. The Tikka Kabob is great, though misleadingly named. It's not like an Indian tikka-- it's more of a well seasoned .5" steak that is sliced into strips. Spoke to the chef and he told me that all the dishes are family recipes that have been in his family for years. It shows. As a bonus, the meat is halal. Don't miss out on the Turkish coffee either (yes, I know it's an Afghan place, but they brew a mean cup).
(5)Haimeng T.
I would give it five stars if I was a fan of mid-east food. The restaurant looks a little fancy. I ordered legs of lamb, don't remember the dish name though. It was pretty good. Lamb was well cooked, very soft. I had a glass of their feature drink too. It's pretty sour but it grew on me after a while. The waitress waiting for our table was very patient. Because my friends need take the receipt back to their boss, they troubled her three times for that. She didn't complained at all and didn't show any sign of being annoyed, acting like it was no trouble at all. She was a good waitress.
(4)L R.
We arrived early (10 mins after the restaurant opened). The hostess asked if we had a reservation and we said no. Then she disappeared. Five mins or so later, after we were vetted (by camera?), the hostess showed us to a table and only two other tables were occupied.That was red flag #1. The appetizer, ravioli, was small but tasty. Then we waited about 40 mins for two entrees. The portions were smaller than expected for the price point. Red flag #2. In order not too leave the restaurant hungry we asked for an extra basket of bread. The waitress brought a basket of two small pieces of flat bread. Unbelievable. So we asked for more bread. After that we were treated poorly. Red flag #3 Overall, the food was tasty, portions were skimpy and the wait staff were testy. The dining experience was disappointing after making a special trip to go there.
(3)Erin D.
Having been to this place a few times now, I have to say I'm impressed. Food is always delicious (I normally get the vegetarian special), service is attentive, and the carafes of wine are a total bargain. Cute date night spot.
(5)Netalin T.
Everything is great. Food is clean, fresh and tasty. I have fish plate which came out very nice and present well. All plates are tasty. Desert is SUPER!!! Service is very nice but a bit slow. It looks like only 1 server for the whole restaurant.
(4)Gita N.
We had the pumpkin appetizer which had an option to have the beef sauce on the side to make it vegetarian friendly. I highly recommend it! The pumpkin was sweet but rich in flavor, and I was told the beef sauce gave it a good mix of sweet and salty. For my main entree, I had the Aushak which was a Afghani ravioli filled with chick peas and vegetables in a yogurt sauce. The spices and flavors were rich and complex and I can't wait to go back! So many vegetarian choices!
(5)Michael C.
For those who have never had it I find Afghani cuisine to be somewhere in between greek and indian food. We came here the day after Christmas, which was nice because it was empty. Kaddo - The highlight of the meal, which is grilled pumpkin in a yogurt sauce topped with a beef sauce Kofta Challow - The easiest way to describe this is that it is the Afghani take on spaghetti and meatballs except instead of pasta it is rice. I thought it was good but not great. The tomatoe based sauce was very spiced, it might not have been my style.
(3)Meridith H.
Aside from it's location (on the B Line, ugh), this is actually as good as it can get in Boston. Sure, there are plenty of places that have good food. And there are plenty of places with good service. And nice ambiance. And a good wine list. But there are NOT many places that have all of these things, all together, at an affordable price. Ariana is one of the few restaurants that are managed with love. This love especially shows when a group, accidentally comprising 10 people, arrives unannounced on a Saturday night, and are seated as soon as enough chairs open up, and are served with great care & attention, and EACH of whom orders the pumpkin appetizer because there is no way any of us are going to share. Not many places induce me to write run-on sentences of devotion, but Ariana is one.
(5)Vanessa P.
Delicious!! I've only been to one Afghan restaurant previously, in Baltimore, and this one was just as good if not better. I went with a friend, and we both decided to go "veggie" for the evening. They brought us delicious bread + 3 sauces before we ordered. We got the Kaddo (pumpkin + yogurt/garlic sauce) as an appetizer, which was amazing. Then we split the Kourma Challow (sauteeed veggies + spinach + rice) and the Aushak (leek + scallion ravioli w sauces). Both were delicious, though if I had to choose one I'd recommend the Kourma Challow as it was a bit more flavorful, and a bit more filling. The service was great; our waitress was very attentive. I hope to go back there soon!
(5)Parnian B.
It was a great experience, yesterday I went there with my boyfriend we did not know which Resturant we choose , we choose afghani Resturant by chance. We never expect that afghani cousins was that amazing and it was a smart decision, we had a great night, great food and very very very good service. The food quantity was amazing and I will definitely try again. And I recommend people try it. It is worth it.
(5)Elizabeth L.
I've been wanting to go to the Helmand since I was a wee undergrad, but 1) it was too far away from campus, and 2) Seemed impossible to get a table without reservations. Enter Ariana. This Allston location is practically an identical twin of the Helmand, as they are sister restaurants. Afghan food at its finest. I knew I was in for a treat from the start: the bread and dippings were absolutely delicious. Fluffy and warm, almost like naan/pita but even better. We ordered the kaddo (pumpkin with meat sauce), which was surprisingly sweet yet savory, and the banjan (eggplant dish) that went perfectly with the pita. There were two types of rice listed in the glossary, so we decided to get two dishes with each type. We ordered the Qabili (a lamb and raisin dish that comes with pallow, a cinnamon flavored rice), and the korma challow with lamb. The korma challow has challow rice (cumin and cardamon flavored) -- this dish's lamb was better in my opinion, since the qabili's was a little dry, and the lentils were amazing. An amazing dining experience. Highly recommended.
(5)Leslie W.
Great place. The Kado pumpkin beef thingy was weird but good. The lamb was tender and juicy. I will go back!
(4)Laura A.
We loved Ariana. It was exactly what we were looking for with nice atmosphere, flavorful food, good service and major bonus - halal meats! A real highlight was the kadoo (pan-fried then baked baby pumpkin seasoned with sugar and served on a garlic yogurt sauce topped with ground beef sauce). We also enjoyed the bowlawni appetizer (twin pastry shells, one filled with leeks and scallions and the other with spiced potatoes garnished with mint yogurt). Most of us ordered a kabob of one sort or another - I loved the lamb Shish Kabob and thought it was amazing. The Aushak also looked very good. Highly recommend and will definitely return!
(4)Claire M.
I visited two friends in Allston over the weekend and as soon as they described Ariana, my interest was piqued. I pride myself on trying and loving basically all kinds of international cuisines, but I'd never had Afghan food. After my meal at Ariana, let's just say that the bar has been set pretty high! Also, I ate a ton...adventures in overeating, anyone? The restaurant is classy and peaceful and perfect for family, friends, or a low-pressure date. The waiter brings out a basket of delicious warm flatbread and a trio of amazing sauces to dip it in. My friend described the trio as "crack" and I have to say I would agree - try mixing them all together for a sweet-spicy combo. I had to force myself not to fill up on the bread, because we ordered: Kaddo - baby pumpkin that's been pan-fried & baked, and then served with a garlic yogurt sauce and a ground beef sauce. I'd never had anything like that. It managed to be sweet and savory at the same time, and entirely satisfying. We split the appetizer between three people and I would have gladly eaten it all myself. I had Mourgh Challow, a chicken dish with split peas, yogurt sauce, and cilantro. It was flavorful and the chicken was perfectly cooked. This was the point of the meal at which I began to wish I had an extra stomach. I couldn't finish more than 2/3 of my entree, and let me tell you...that's abnormal for this girl. I tried my friends' dishes (both were lamb) and they were excellent as well. I would have loved to order dessert, but alas, I was stuffed silly. Will definitely be pushing to go back to Ariana next time I'm in Boston!
(5)Eric W.
Wow, believe the hype!! I almost thought Yelp's 4.5 star rating on this place was too good to be true, and I'd never had Afghan cuisine before so i wasn't quite sure what to expect. Absolutely blown away! The vegetarian special is devine. A combo of 4 small dishes you get a great mix of flavors between the sweet pumpkin, spinach, okra, and eggplant. Very pleasant staff, great atmosphere, although the music could be turned down a pinch. Priced appropriately and generous portions (my girlfriend and I split an appetizer and entree - the perfect amount of food). Can't wait to go back and try the rest of the menu!
(5)Audrey C.
Decent- very nice decor but in my opinion, food was simply overpriced for what it was. I got the eggplant/pumpkin vegetarian combo, and while the eggplant was really good (grilled with a smoky flavor), and the rice was lightly infused with some spices, I don't think it was worth almost $20 (after tax/tip-- before that it was $14.95). There wasn't that much eggplant or pumpkin either, not as much as I would have hoped for. I was very excited for the flat bread with the dipping sauces that came before, but it tasted too tough/dry and chewy for my tastes. I wouldn't be upset if someone suggested we eat here, but I just don't think I'd go out of my way to come here. Also, I have been to Helmand (another Afghan restaurant in Cambridge next to the Cambridge Galleria/Lechmere T), and I would say that Helmand seemed more flavorful + bread was really good there- very very fresh, they have a huge oven in the restaurant that you can see they use to make the bread. Helmand's also closer to me..
(3)Bill P.
Delicious food. Decent atmosphere. Really affordable prices for quality wines. The menu is diverse enough to let you explore a bit but not too long to make you feel overwhelmed. The missing star in my review is the lack of service to match the high quality food. Don't get me wrong, everyone there is friendly and gives a good effort. But it's clear the servers are not very experienced and while they understand the food they don't have the menu down. Last time we were there, party of four on a Saturday night, we sat at our table for an hour before our order was taken. The wine helped keep us occupied, but an hour felt unnecessary. But don't let me stop you from making a visit - it's well worth it. Give it a try.
(4)Michele H.
Wonderful atmosphere. Food is richly spiced and not heapingly portioned ( though is plenty). The lamb is tender, and stew dishes are rich and fragrant. Good vegetarian fare, too. Great place for a date.
(4)NCNY N.
Everything we had was delicious. We tried 4 appetizers and one of the lamb entrees. Everything was fabulous. Husband and I have slightly different tastes but he fell in love with every dish as well. Also very good service and quite formal atmosphere. I should also say they have amazing homemade desserts, even housemade baklava!! I can't stop thinking about this place.
(5)Jamie C.
I had no idea what Afghani food was all about. Thank you Ariana for schooling me in how awesome it is! This has quickly become one of my favorite restaurants in the Boston area. I've come here for an intimate birthday dinner, parent visit, a girl date, and with friends and without fail I leave with my stomach and wallet smiling. The Kaddo is one of those dishes that makes you tilt your head back, close your eyes, and melt. It's like dessert with meat. Dreams do come true, friends... Chopan - grilled rack of lamb with pallow rice, YUM YUM YUM! and I HATE LAMB! Can we say life changing... I can't wait to go back!
(5)Molly L.
One of my favorite restuarants in Boston! The owner/chef/guy at the front is warm and inviting, and the servers are friendly and sincere. I don't know where in Boston you get white tablecloth dining, great atmosphere, and food this delicious for such reasonable prices. The vegetarian platter is terrific. Also try the pumpkin or the bolani. The (free) bread and dipping sauces at the start of the meal are reason enough to show up and the house wine never disappoints. This is a great mom and pop establishment that you must check out!
(5)Roni S.
Hands down one of the most authentic restaurants in Boston. I have been at least 3 times within the past few months and their menu is great! There is usually not a wait during the week and they have pretty fast service so even during the weekend it is not long. It is a GREAT place to have a dinner celebration since they can seat large tables fairly easy. Recommended Dish: Kaddo!!! It is an amazing pumpkin dish that you can get with meat or without for those vegs out there. It is so tasty and melts in your mouth. The food can be made mild or spicy and is a great ethnic flavor! Not super expensive either! Perfect for date night.
(4)Kelly O.
I love Afghani food and try to trek to Helmand when I can, so it's awesome to now have a more local outpost of this delicious cuisine. But does it hold up to Helmand? I say, definitely. First of all, the staff at Ariana are all wicked friendly. I really felt welcomed when I walked in the door to the small, cozy one-room restaurant... as opposed to Helmand where you feel like your mere presence is a bit of an inconvenience. Score one for Ariana. The freshly baked flatbread starter came with the standard 3 dipping sauces (chili, yogurt, and cilantro). The bread itself was a bit on the hard side, and I think I prefer Helmand's softer flatbread over it (especially with the visuals of the brick bread oven and the smells of the baking bread in the dining room), but it was still hot and tasty and a good start to the meal. Point to Helmand. For apps, I adore Kaddo, and Ariana really does it right. I could probably eat this dish forever and ever and be happy... the blend of sweet and savory and sour/tangy is unlike anything I'd ever had before. This is a must-try (at both Ariana and Helmand). I had the Dopiaza for my entree which was excellent... the lamb had that wonderful grilled taste/texture I adore, and the very vinegary split pea marinade held up well to the meat (if you don't like vinegar though, don't get this, as it's very strong). Even the plain hot mushrooms with peppers on the side were very tasty. My dining companions had the Shish Kabob and the Korma Challow, and both were also pleased (I tried the Korma Challow which was rich and tomatoey). The portions were just right, we were able to clean our plates and be satisfied without being overly stuffed, and the prices are pretty on-par as well (and cheaper than Helmand), ~$16 for the entrees. If you haven't tried this cuisine yet, I highly recommend you check out Ariana now.
(4)Margaret W.
I had the lamb, absolutely delis! Hubby had the trout which was delis also! We also had the Kuddo OMG!! We will be back the house Cab was good too!!
(5)Michelle L.
I've been here at least 4 times already and simply LOVE the Afghan food served here. The prices are reasonable and service quick. The food is flavorful, and you can definitely appreciate the myriad of spices used in each dish. The bread they start off with is delicious and comes with 3 great dipping sauces. The eggplant, pumpkin, and mantu are AMAZING appetizers. I could scarf down a combo of those 3 for the whole meal!! The pumpkin is on the sweeter side but if you have a sweet tooth like I do, you'll savor it! I had the korma challow for my entree - mmm I love lamb!! It was tender and juicy, so delectable! The rice was also a well seasoned rice, a nice change for someone who usually eats plain rice. My friend had shish kabob, which was also cooked to perfection. All in all, an amazing food. If you like explosions of flavor and tender, succulent meat, the this is the place for you!
(5)Annette A.
It's hard to NOT shake my head at people who insist on going downtown for a good restaurant. Allston's got some serious culinary gems going on - one of those gems is Ariana. Everything about this Ariana makes it feel like it's a restaurant you could only find on the waterfront, but we're lucky enough to have it here. I've never had Afghani food before, and this was a fantastic introduction to it. The food is fresh and very flavorful, definitely a very exciting experience for the senses. The staff is very sweet and attentive. And the price is fitting as well. The ambience is beautiful at night, with candles and delicate lighting. This place is excellent for a date or a quiet dinner. Go if you're looking for something really delicious and intimate.
(5)Keoki Z.
I ate at this restaurant for the first time tonight. The inside decor was really nice, as was the table setup, silverware, and glasses. Definitely a place that you can take a date to if you want to impress them, it has a very romantic, intimate vibe and atmosphere to it. I was served complimentary bread that came with my entree. It was really high quality and delicious, and came with butter and 3 dipping sauces: cucumber yogurt, some kind of ground cilantro/pesto stuff with vinegar, and a sweet chili sauce. All of them were great. For an entree, I ordered the vegetarian ravioli, which was filled with scallions and pumpkin (or something like that), and topped with a yogurt sauce. Again, very tasty. I enjoyed eating at the place, except for the music, which I thought was awful at times and really annoyed me. Some of it sounds like a sitar playing (like something you would hear in Indian restaurants), and that was perfectly fine, but some of the other music that was played was really cheesy and annoying, like some kind of synthesized music that was really heavy and awkward with the percussion and rhythm. If it wasn't for the music, I'd definitely consider coming back to the place to eat again, but the music was definitely a big turn off for me. If you're okay with the music, then I would definitely recommend you check this place out. They serve wine too, in case you were wondering.
(4)Alex H.
I went here on a Monday evening with a friend. The place was quiet, but not eery. They've done a nice job making the space homey. Our waiter was incredible and polite and attentive. The food. My Lord, the food. We split the Banjan app., it's simple pan fried eggplant smothered with a yogurt sauce. I could have eaten pounds of it. My friend had the Challow Kofta for her meal, it was spectacular, and their rice is a nice diversion from the typical rice you're served at most restaurants. I had the Mantu, I love persian dumplings and figured these couldn't be bad. They were incredible. I had to keep myself from licking the plate. They're beef and leek dumplings topped with a veggie yogurt sauce with a little tomato meat sauce to spice things up. I can't believe I've lived just down the street from this place for nearly a year. The price was great, $25 per person including an app and a caraf of house wine. I'll be going back. Frequently.
(5)Carmen M.
Yummy! a wonderful place that has gluten free options and great wine! highly recommended!
(5)Jackie S.
Awesome food! I have been 2x and it was delicious both times. The mashed lentils are superb and the lamb is cooked perfectly. They serve alcohol contrary to what you may think. The atmosphere is elegant yet down-to-earth. It's a great date spot. Highly recommended! Service was a little slow but very very friendly.
(5)Atena A.
This is my go-to restaurant when my parents are in town. Everything I've had there has been so tasty. The eggplant, pumpkin, and mantu appetizers are very good. My favorite dish is the meatball one and my husband says the lamb chops are the best he's ever had (and he eats a lot of lamb chops). You can't go wrong here!
(5)Leo L.
My wife and I went out to get dessert last night and decided to try Ariana for the big surprise of "You can not sit down for dessert only" said the host. Even tho it was completly empty. Guess what!? Will never go back and will let people know that! I just don't understand! Maybe we would had tried the dessert loved it and come back and bring people for dinner and more.... This is just a bad service, plan and run business!
(1)Ilona K.
I love the Helmund in Cambridge, Ma... and when i saw this place, i was so excited that there is a very similar place much closer to us... and just HAD to try it. As i later found out, the owner is a cook from the Helmund, who opened his own version of that same restaurant about a half a year ago. All in all, i think the menu is the same, the food is delicious (although, i still think the helmund is a little bit better), staff is friendly and accommodating, and it is not expensive. I think that as a table, we agreed that the place needs some more decorating to make it look more cozy... and they are still working out the kinks... for example one of the dishes ran throughout the night and we couldn't order it, and they do not take AMEX (even thought they say they take all major credit cards". I recommend trying the Kaddo, and Mourgh Salata ( however it is spelled). Dont forget to make a reservation, the restaurant is usually packed!
(4)Susan H.
I read the reviews before I suggested that I meet a friend at Ariana's for dinner. All the good things everyone said were absolutely true. The waiter was so nice. The food was beyond delicious. The portion sizes were perfect. The bread is brought warm from the oven, made fresh for each table. You must try the Mantu. Little ravioli like pockets full of the tastiest beef and onion. The back of the menu has a map of Afghanistan, and the waiter showed us where he is from. Even though parking on the streets in Allston is never a pleasure, we did find a street spot just a couple minutes walk away. Next time we go, I'm saving room for dessert and tea with cardamom.
(5)G J J.
Decent. Copied Helmand extensively. I'm wondering about a trade dress suit.
(3)Sherry S.
This is one of my all time favorite restaurants, and one of the first places I take people when they're trying to get to know Boston. I have eaten here too many times to count and have never had a negative experience--minus the fact that parking in Alliston can be obnoxious (it's a huge advantage to be a local with inside knowledge of where to find good parking at 8ePM on a Friday night). I recommend this restaurant over The Helmand, a very good Afghan restaurant in Cambridge. While The Helmand comes off as trying to be a bit fancier, Ariana ultimately has the better food and the better price.
(5)Fred Y.
Not only was the food good, the service is excellent at Ariana. I would recommend this place to anyone. I hope to take out-of-town visitors to Ariana in the future. The prices are reasonable when you consider the quality of the trout special I ordered.
(5)Afshan K.
Quite a disappointment. With Afghan food I expected juicy, succulent meat, but the meat was dry and kinda bland. I also found the restaurant to be way too crowded with tables - you literally are backing into the guy behind if you try to adjust your chair. Overall, it wasn't all that, especially if you've tried the lamb across the street at Saray Restaurant - much better food (although Turkish, not Afghan). Also - they had Indian music playing... what's up with that! Not going again.
(2)george k.
People either love or hate this place. Overall it's pretty good. Cozy and warm it is. So is the food. Not good if you don't feel good about the person across from you. Try the pastrami. It's the real thing. Is it really camel meat?
(3)Jake D.
GO TO THIS RESTAURANT!!!!! Saw this for the first time a couple of weeks ago walking through Allston and was immediately interested. We love afghan food and were excited to see it so near. My wife and I went for our anniversary dinner and were very pleased. Great service, outstanding food. Not spicy like Indian food; everything had great texture and flavor: baked pumpkin, pan fried eggplant, rice pilaf with carrots and raisin, and naan bread. All delicious. We ate well but still had room for desert. Good wine list too. The menu isn't overwhelming and there are lots of vegetarian/vegan options. A note to vegans - most entree's and appetizers have yogurt but it shouldn't be a problem to have them leave it out. I say it again, GO TO THIS RESTAURANT! I want this place to stick around so we can go for our next anniversary.
(5)Anh L.
My date and I came here on a Tuesday night. I ordered a steak dish and he ordered a lamb dish but after taking a bite out of his dish, I would highly recommend the lamb and some red wine to complement. We ordered white wine like amateurs but I can't wait to go back to do it right. On top of that, the quality of the service was more than what we could expect for such a reasonably priced dinner.
(5)Matthew M.
We started with the "Special" appetizer which was a splendid plate of grilled eggplant, spinach and this amazing pumpkin. For an entree I had the grilled lamb Dopiaza. The lamb was very flavorful, tender and also succulent. The only problem I had was the portion size, it seemed a little light. I can't forget to mention the freshly baked flat bread that was served at the beginning, along with it came three delicious sauces.
(3)Mark F.
Attentive wait staff and lovely decor unfortunately the food did not live up to it's setting. Bolawnies unremarkable, entrees we choose did not live up to expectation's. We love Afghan food and we walked away disappointed.
(3)Christopher P.
I have never had Afghan cuisine before, and I have to say that I am going back. The ambiance was nice, romantic, and perfect for a date. The service was timely and attentive. The food was great! I am sorry I am not writing a long review, but this restaurant deserves sigh of ecstasy and a cigarette. Try it for yourself!
(5)Rehan B.
I was let down by this place. I ordered the Chopan (rack of lamb) and it came out done very well. By 'very well' I mean burnt bitter. I did point it out to the server but was not offered a replacement. Also, the vinaigrette on the Murgh Salata was a bit too strong. The kaddo was really good though. The decor was good and service prompt. For a lesser price, I would have been fine with it. But for how much they charge, I feel I deserved better quality food.
(3)AB H.
I agree with Jessie S - the menu is very similar to The Helmand. And the food was just as good. And the people were really friendly, and it was easy to get a table. So why bother making a reservation way in advance at The Helmand when you can get the same quality at Ariana? Perhaps Helmand's ambiance is a bit better... Ariana is in Allston and it feels like Allston. I highly recommend the lamb soup with black eyed peas, the pumpkin (omg good), and the beef dumplings. yum. We had a nice Malbec with dinner. I'll be back soon!
(4)Eve L.
We stumbled here by accident, because our first choice restaurant was on vacation. We were not disappointed! As I have come to expect with Afghani food, it's kind of a mix between Indian and Middle Eastern, but their seasoning was unique and delicious. Good size portions and fairly reasonably priced. The atmosphere looks pretty swanky especially for Allston (white tablecloths!) but people come in shorts and t-shirts and no one seems to mind.
(5)Nadia M.
Great food and good price. The presentation and execution of the dishes is lacking but can't deny that my stomach was very happy at the yummy food and service. It was also very quite the day we went so that was a plus! I had the veggie dish that comes with pumpkin- loveddd it! My mouth watered again as I wrote that. Try it!
(4)Elizabeth K.
If you like the food here, you should try Helmand, the food there is better. This place has nice decor, OK service and a yummy sounding menu, but when the food comes, I'm generally disappointed by the quality. The food doesn't have the flair of Helmand. I am particularly comparing the place to it's competitor in Cambridge, because the two are strikingly similar - same color walls, same art, same soundtrack playing the background, similarly attired servers, and a nearly identical menu - right down to the fresh bread and three sauces that comes complimentary with the meal. The problem is, the food doesn't have the same great flavor. I asked the owner of Helmand - which has been open for years - whether the Ariana was a new restaurant owned by him, since the style was so strikingly similar. It's not. I can't help but think Ariana would be better off if it tried doing its own thing instead of copying someone else. Better to be good at being yourself than a poor imitation of another.
(2)Lisa S.
One of my favorite restaurants in the Allston area! A little pricey bu the food is soooo good!!! You MUST get the pumpkin. Whether you get it as an appetizer or an entree, just get it. And get the meat sauce. It's amazing. Also, make sure someone gets the leek ravioli. Again, get the meat sauce. The meat sauce is amazing. It tastes good on everything. OK, away from the meat sauce - the menu is heavy on the lamb but there is definitely food for people who don't eat lamb there (aka me). The chicken kabobs are delicious. The bread they bring out for you is amazing - my favorite of the sauces are the green and the red. The beef cups are also tasty. The wine carafe's are a good deal - don't get it by the bottle, get the carafe. Good value. Anyway, go to Ariana. It's well worth the visit.
(4)Hisham M.
Overpriced. Mediocre. Only one waiter. Food took forever to come to me.
(3)Selena J.
We decided to have a vegetarian date night at Ariana. The bowlani and aushak appetizers were unremarkable. Maybe the meat version would have been better... Our entrees, the kourma challow and the kaddo and banjan special, were quite tasty.
(3)Vincent R.
Simply incredible. I've enjoyed Afghan food a couple of times previously at the other Afghan food institution (the Helmand) and I think this new restaurant is just as good. Their Pallow rice is unreal, light, fluffy and full of aromatic spices. We ordered the mantu and dopiazo, two dishes we've never had before and thoroughly enjoyed both.
(5)Lauren O.
Food was so delicious! Started with the Kaddo and Aushak, and it was sooo yummy! Then for dinner had the Tikka Kabob...delicious and tender, and the accompanying rice and lentils were so yummy. Sopped up all of it with the delicious warm bread! Really nice atmosphere and great service here. It was Wednesday, so I am not sure if that is why, but it was truly delicious and so flavorful. Highly recommend if you are looking for something a little different and very flavorful.
(5)Danny Y.
Excellent food and knowledgeable servers of the dishes.
(4)kim s.
This place tries to duplicate exactly it's sister's awesome place in Cambridge that is Helmand. The food is just as good. The price is about 20% cheaper and thus portion size is noticeably 20% smaller. My party have always left Helmand overstuffed but left his place kinda hungry. The service is nowhere as good. The Cambridge place got 8 servers helping you but this place got only 1 or 2. Give them some time to work the kinks out.
(4)Larry G.
Outstanding food in what has become a great area for reasonably priced, interesting options. As good as Cambridge's The Helmand and maybe better, and less expensive. But it's in Allston so maybe should be called The Kandahar. "The Kandahar." Do you get it? Do you?
(5)Sabine S.
My husband and I have been here twice to eat. The first time, we were in Allston for dinner and left the restaurant looking for another place to have dessert. That is when we stumbled across Ariana. As soon as we realized they would have feereney, we had to have dessert there. We got a warm welcome, despite wanting only dessert. The second time we visited was tonight, and we got a similarly warm welcome (literally--they had the heat cranked, which was a relief because it was so cold outside). We had a wonderful dinner, with friendly, prompt service. The only other place we've ever had Afghan food was Helmand, so our ability to compare is limited, but we thought that the food at Ariana was just as good, and perhaps a bit less expensive. We found the service much better at Ariana (due primarily to the maitre d' at Helmand, who makes you feel like you should be grateful to get a table). My husband thought the bread was better at Helmand, and I thought the feereney a bit better at Helmand. But that is splitting hairs. If you want a wonderful meal in a relaxing environment with great service, go to Ariana.
(4)A K.
Really Really Really good food, haven't had such a tasty food for a while, the portions are rather small though ...
(5)Tracey B.
Attentive service coupled with insanely yummy food. Perfect for vegetarians and lamb eaters alike. I will never think of pumpkin the same again.
(5)Sonya I.
The complementary bread that they serve along with 3 different condiments are just fantastic! We tried Mantu, Aush, Salata with pomegranate dressing, Shish Kabob, which came with an eggplant side dish and rice pilaf; and as a desert we had bucklawa..All were very delicious! The shish kabob and the pilaf rice that came with it were my favorites..Definitely recommend it..Can not wait to go back to try more of their dishes.
(5)Heather B.
Loved this place! Quiet, beautifully decorated, and the food was amazing! We each got a bowl of the lamb stew which was delicious and then shared two apps (the pumpkin with the garlic yogurt and meat sauce is AMAZING! Like truly incredible and delicious!) The music, decor, and service all make for a beautiful evening. I highly recommend this place. Perfect for a date or a group of friends getting together.
(5)Rachel W.
4 stars for slow but effective service. There were only two people working a very busy Sunday night, and you could really tell they were doing the best they possibly could. They were smiley and pleasant though you could tell they were truly exhausted. Orders came out perfect, and hot. Everything was delicious. Warm bread was fantastic (if you've ever been to Helmand, it's basically the same menu, same bread, same dipping sauces, basically the same) I like the interior of this restaurant, great date night spot. I had the trout tonight which was fantastic. If you're allergic to walnuts, just tell them you'd like a different rice and they are more than happy to oblige. One of the other people we were with had some side dish of pumpkin that was out of this world delicious, I would totally order an entire side of that next time. I ate everything that was on my plate, everything. Parking can be a hassle, I'd suggest taking the T if you can, otherwise be prepared to do a few circles around the block before you find a spot (or buy a smart car because apparently everyone in Boston loves to leave huge gaps between cars that your car could almost fit into, but not.)
(4)Husain K.
Great option for authentic Afghani food! We recently went in a group and tried to order family style. Unfortunately the servings are individual and we ran a little short of food. If you do go with a group make sure to order individual dishes for each person. We ordered 6 dishes. The qabili was amazing and had small chunks of lamb in the rice, extremely flavorful! The rack of lamb was tender and juicy as we had asked for medium. Make sure to order the Choban as its def one of there best dishes. We also ordered the Tikka Kabob and Mough Challow. All the dishes were very well prepared and the quality of the meat was amazing. We will definitely come back here. Parking can be a little tricky on a Sat night. Also make reservations ahead of time as they can fill up quickly on weekends.
(5)Maya I.
I've been here probably more than 5 times by now. I've never had Afghan food before I came to this place and I was pleasantly surprised. All of their dishes are pleasant and delicious, cooked to perfection. The service is quick. The servers are all Russian and since I'm Russian I've learned their names and always make sure to thank them. The kaddo was definitely my favorite! I get it everytime I go there! The Mantu was also very good. The qabili is also a good choice. However, I did not like the tikka kabob. It was burnt on the sides and the meat did not have as much flavor as their other dishes. I would take off a point for this but they simply have too many other great choices!
(5)Lynn S.
We had high expectation going in. Without a reservation we were shocked to be told by the staff that there were no available seating at 5:30pm. The entire place was empty and the only reason we could tell was we were rejected because we have a small toddler with us. We ate next door at Carlos and by the time we were done, the place was still half empty at 8pm! So families be ware! Not cool.
(1)Paran Y.
So good I came here 2 times in one week. No joke. Location. Location. Location. I don't know about you...but some days I just want to eat some ethnic Afgan food, then shoot some 8ball at a good ol' fashion pool hall, and then end the night singing Journey anthems till 3 in the morning. YOU TOO?! Look no further, Ariana is THE place if that sounds amazing. With karaoke and pool halls within 2 blocks of this place, its the perfect place for say....a birthday, with fun stuff to do afterwards?! Yes you understand now. As for the food, you will not find a place that serves better lamb. Mary's little lambs never tasted so delicious. I also got the Kaddo as recommended, but the pumpkin was a bit too sweet for an appetizer, but still good. Also, this place has Prosecco for a reasonable $21 to get that birthday celebration underways.
(5)Pink Peony P.
I love it. I went for dinner for a date night. I was very impressed by the simple decor and I loved the blue goblets for water. I'm a big fan of Middle Eastern cuisine and always find them to be very flavorful. All the dishes look fantastic ... and they are! We started with the Kaddo and without a doubt, everyone is right! It tasted great! A great blend of sweet squash with savory beef. I can eat that as my full meal. I'm not a big fan of lamb, so but I picked the beef kabob. It was delicious and everything was well portioned. All of all the choices for food in Allston, take a try at Ariana for something different. The food is delicious and the price is reasonable for the service and atmosphere.
(4)S. C.
My first time trying Afghani food and I was absolutely thrilled by the unique flavor combinations and great menu. Ariana is in a great location in the heart of Allston, nestled between a number of great ethnic restaurants. Aside from having awesome food, this 5-star rating was achieved by: great house wine, bread to start, and perfect portions. For an appetizer I ordered the Kaddo: pumpkin, garlic yogurt, and ground beef sauce (it basically tastes like sweet potato + cool whip + sloppy joe...and yes, it's awesome). Entree was Dopiaza, a lamb dish with mushrooms, garlic, onions, and rice (pretty much every single one of my favorite ingredients). My friend had the Chapendaz and I can say very assuredly that it was some of the best marinated tenderloin that I've had in a very long time. The environment is sparce but cute--you'll be so excited over the food choices that you won't even notice
(5)Erkan B.
Everything was beautiful. It was shame that The Italian restaurant next to Ariana was full but not Ariana. People should not be afraid of trying different cusines. I recommend this place anyone who like to discover new tastes. I'd even go there just for their fresh baked bread!!!
(4)Ariana Z.
I've never heard of Afghani food, and if it weren't for the fact that it's name is also my own, I probably would have never thought twice about going here. Fortunately my girlfriend brought me here as a surprise for my birthday, and I am so glad she did. Firstly, the food is sublime. Everything is perfect. Seasoned perfectly, plated perfectly, cooked to absolute perfection. I recommend the kaddo app and the aushak with beef for the entree. The rice dessert is also great. Food aside, the staff are friendly, welcoming, and attentive. I love this place, and would definitely recommend it to everyone I know. Great for dates or classy dinners.
(5)rebecca x.
love this place.
(4)Vivian C.
I love the Kaddo and Chowpan at Helmand's in Cambridge, so when I heard that there was a new Afghani restaurant on my side of the river, I was looking forward to visiting it. I finally had the chance recently and my friend pretty much let me order whatever I wanted for the two of us. The restaurant was decorated quite nicely and sedately, conveying an adults going out for the evening feeling that nonetheless did not make you feel uncomfortable should you had decided to arrive in a pair of jeans. As a Kaddo enthusiast, I ordered the Kaddo $5.95 - Pan-fried then baked baby pumpkin seasoned with sugar and served on a garlic yogurt sauce topped with ground beef sauce; Qabili $13.90 - Pallow rice baked with chunks of lamb shanks, raisins, and glazed julienne of carrots; and the Mourgh Salata $13.95 - Fresh boneless chicken breast marinated then grilled, served on mixed green salad with grilled vegetables and vinaigrette dressing. The hot bread arrived with 3 sauces and butter just shortly before the plate of pumpkin. The bread was crispy soft, but a bit burnt (some bits were scraped off). Still, it was good. The Kaddo not as sweet as Helmand's but still good. The Qabili hid several fork tender chunks of lamb under its mountain of individual long grains of rice. This was a tasty sweet rice plate, and I enjoyed shredding the lamb into the mix. The chicken in the Mourgh Salata was a bit burnt here and there (grill marks), but was really tender. The overwhelming flavor of the greens and veggie chunks was the advertised vinaigrette, which was good but perhaps used a touch too heavy handedly. Street parking was tough on a late Friday night - perhaps because of the nearby bars with lines of patrons waiting to enter? Note: Does not accept American Express. *** 2/2012 visit *** The portion size of the kaddo has sadly shrunk by about half while the price stayed the same, so that was kind of sad. But it is still tasty. We tried the Aushak as well, which is the dumpling appetizer, but felt it tasted too similar to a simple boiled Chinese dumpling to consider ordering it again in the future. Service was pleasant. The bread unburnt this time around.
(4)Cynthia Y.
Excellent fresh food and excellent service. The trout is superb as is the vegetarian plate. The pumpkin is totally yummy.
(5)Morra Y.
The food is so yummy. Recommended dishes: home-made noodles for appetizer, Lamb leg and chicken breast for entree. A must-go place in Allston.
(5)Christopher S.
My first intro to Afghan food occurred on my last day working in Boston back in 2001, when my boss took me out for a farewell dinner at The Helmand in Cambridge. Perhaps it was a combination of the occasion, the element of surprise (since I had no idea what Afghan food would taste like) and the eccentric panoply of bold flavors that seamlessly meld Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Indian, and even Chinese cuisine(perhaps in part due to the Silk Road trading routes), I have since recommended it to several friends whether they are living or visiting Boston and they have never been disappointed. Fast forward to 2012 when my special lady friend and I were jonesing for something off the beaten path for dinner. I had always talked about taking her to Helmand for her first Afghan dining experience, but I placed my faith in my fellow yelpers in this relative newcomer since it was within walking distance of her neighborhood and I was rewarded in spades. The meal started out with their complementary warm flatbread accompanied by a tray of 3 dipping sauces (white yogurt cucumber, green mint walnut, red chili). The bread is like the hybrid (hy-bread...sorry, couldn't resist the terrible pun) child of naan and lavash, and the sauces pair well alone or in combination together. We ordered the Kaddo and the Aushak appetizers. The Kaddo was definitely the standout dish since it consisted of a baby pumpkin that is first panfried and then baked so it has a sweet crispy caramelized exterior enveloping a creamy velvety interior. Alone, this would be like your thanksgiving candied yams on steroids, but top this with a spicy meat sauce with a hint of chili oil and then rounding it out with a cool garlicky yogurt sauce and it's like 3 extreme flavors that somehow balance each out while every single tastebud on your tongue is on overdrive, not an easy feat to achieve. We opted for the vegetarian version of Aushak, which consisted of a soft pillowy ravioli filled with leeks and scallions topped with a garlic and mint yogurt sauce. The texture of the ravioli and combination of the vegetable components were reminiscent of a well-prepared Chinese boiled dumpling with garlic chives, but the mint yogurt sauce gave it its distinct identity. Perhaps a bit too subtle or suffering the fate of having to be the following act for the Kaddo, I would probably order this one with the ground beef or venture to try the Mantu on future visits. For the main entree, we split the Korma Challow, which was leg of lamb sauteed with onions, tomatoes garlic, and green beans accompanied with lentils and challow rice. The lamb was very flavorful and tender with every vegetable component cooked to textural perfection. The rice dishes are considered the best part of any meal in Afghan cuisine, and both varieties (challow and pallow) need to be on anyone's rice bucket list (others on my list include Hainanese chicken rice, Indian biryanis, Vietnamese broken rice, and Korean bibimbap to name a few). For our dish, the challow is basmati rice first parboiled, then drained and baked with a combination of oil and spices (pallow has additional components of meat, stock, dried fruits, or herbs) with the staged process resulting in a fluffy consistency that has each grain separated, a nice foil to the stewed lamb and lentils which bind the grains together like reeling in fish on a net. Lamb is definitely the protein of choice that matches best with the delicate combinations of cumin, cinnamon, and cardamon throughout their menu. In summary, Ariana is a worthy rival to The Helmand in terms of Afghan cuisine supremacy in Boston, with a more casual dining experience in terms of ambience, but definitely does not come up short on taste or service. A culinary gem in the Allston neighborhood that will be sure to surprise your tastebuds.
(5)Yancey L.
Every time I pass that restaurant, I can't help looking inside because their wall decoration is really exotic and their table sets are so beautiful. Finally I got a chance to dine in, and I absolutely enjoyed the food there. I tried Kaddo, the baby pumpkin with ground beef sauce; Mantu, I call them Afghan dumplings (I love how they arrange the dumplings on the plate, which looks like a flower); Dopiaza, marinated then grilled lamb leg. I personally like lamb a lot, and they give you so many choices of lamb dishes which seems all great to me. So it took me so long to decide which I want to try, but definitely, I will come back for other lamb dishes too. The owner himself is a man with great personality and amazing stories. He also has a small wine collection from all over the world. It would be a good place for a romantic candle-lit dinner too!
(5)Eva B.
Lovely gem of great food. The starters are to die for. Very well priced and good service. Is always very busy which say it all.
(5)James O.
Wow. Talk about impressed. This was my first time eating Afghan food, and I loved it. I had read some good things about this place and its so close to BU's campus I decided last night to try it with a friend. The place is small, simple, but inviting. It was a Tuesday night so it was empty. Our waiter was very nice, although he didn't seem to know much about the wine selection, but that's okay, he was very pleasant and prompt. We started with the Mantu Appetizer: We were expecting more of a filled pastry based on the description, but it is more of a beef filled ravioli. Some great flavors and spices here, a nice and light appetizer. I had the Trout, which was one of the day's special's. It was so perfectly crispy, accompanied by date and walnut rice and some sauteed eggplant. Wow. It was such a great meal. My friend had the Lamb Challow, which I tried and was also great. For dessert we had the Sheerekh, a homemade icecream with pistachio and cardamom. Delicious, creamy, and fresh. A perfectly sweet and light way to end dinner. I'm giving it a four for now only because I have only been here once. But overall, I really want to come back.
(4)David C.
I finally got around to trying Ariana the other night, and I'm happy to say it lives up to the hype. My dishes definitely outshone my mother's, but everything we had (including the bread and sauce accompaniments) was lovely. The highlight of the night for me was the kaddo. I'm basically a whore for pumpkin, and this rendering was the tastiest I've had all season. The best part? I can have THIS pumpkin all year round. Ariana's qabili makes for a delicious (and, for only $14.95, deliciously affordable) main course. It's a great way to introduce yourself to pallow rice, which is the perfect blend of sweet and savory. A generous helping of tender lamb shank and glazed julienne carrots top the dish off just right. I'm so glad to have finally tried Ariana, and I'm almost certain I'll be back (hopefully sooner rather than later). The only reason I can't give it five stars is the slow service. I'd recommend going on a weeknight as opposed to a Saturday to avoid the crowds.
(4)Yuan W.
While I'm also a huge fan of Helmand, another Afghan place in Kendall Square, I have to say Ariana is pretty good in its own right. Came here recently with some friends and had a delightful meal. We started with the kaddo (baked pumpkin with sugar, yogurt and beef sauce), which I saw was highly recommended by other Yelpers. It was definitely unique, I've never had yogurt and beef together before. It was a surprisingly complementary pairing, although the pumpkin may have been a bit too sweet for my taste. I had the filet of trout special, which came with sauteed eggplant seasoned with walnuts on top of rice. Trout was well cooked, and I really enjoy the flavorful eggplant. One of my friends had the sabzi challow, which is lamb, spinach and rice. Very similar to Helmand but slightly smaller portions. Overall that was sort of the main comparison throughout the night - almost identical menu to Helmand, smaller portions, slightly better prices and also very delicious. The wine here is an EXCELLENT deal. We got a half carafe of the house wine for $15. That was about 3-4 glasses and you had the choice between a cabernet sauvignon and a chardonnay. We got the cab which was actually really good for a house wine. A full carafe was only $20 and you get double the amount. I've never seen better restaurant wine prices in Boston. The restaurant itself is relatively small, so it feels pretty intimate. It's a quieter place, great for conversation and a low-key meal. Also, there's relatively abundant street parking in Allston, which is a plus in my book. I'd come here again.
(4)Joanna H.
The Kaddo, at first taste, kind of sets you off. But eventually you adjust to the sweetness of the pumpkin coupled with the savory ground beef sauce. The pumpkin just dissolves in your mouth and it's so good you can't resist. Get the Trout Special: Pan fried Filet of trout served with sauteed eggplant and rice seasoned with dates and walnuts. Trout was a considerable size, fried to tender perfection. I finished the plate clean quickly and gladly. Service is fast and people there are super amiable. I'll be spreading the word.
(5)Alisa K.
Delicious! The pumpkin with ground beef appetizer was amazing- savory and sweet and flavorful. I enjoyed my qabili pulau - the rice was flavorful, the lamb succulent, the carrots fresh, the raisins plump. It could have benefitted from a bit more meat sauce, however. (I've been to other Afghan restaurants where they give you some on the side). They also have a really great selection of sauces (white yogurt cucumber, green mint walnut, red chili). The red sauce was my favorite . The waitresses were really welcoming and attentive - refilled water, prompt when we needed anything, patient with our lame inquires about their ethnicity (Belarusian and Russian). It's located in a bit of an undergrad heavy area of Allston. I would give this place a 4.5 stars if I could and would definitely come back.
(4)Felix G.
Very tasty food! Not very complicated, but damn it tasted good. The couple that owns the place is also very nice, happy to talk about their food and country. Ask them to pick a meal for you.
(4)Abrar T.
Small place, but nice ambience. Went there on a Saturday evening in a group of 4. Servers were very kind. We had Mantu and Bamiya (okra) as appetizers. Both tasted very good and everyone liked them. The Mantu was slightly spicy (mild). I had Sabzi Challow, which came with a side of Bamiya. It was really delicious (I mean the lamb, spinach, and Bamiya). However, I wished that the rice was more flavorful or had the Afghani touch of the nuts, carrots, and raisins (I think this is the Pallow rice, which I wished it accompanied all the entrées). The rice (Challow rice) was bland white Basmati rice. Same kind of rice was served for my friends who had Mourgh Challow and Kofta Challow.
(4)Jen S.
Before coming here, my husband and I had never tasted Middle Eastern food before. Since this place is new, and the thought of trying Afghan cuisine seemed intriguing, we decided to have our 8 year anniversary dinner here. Best decision of our lives. I have never tasted so many spices at one time in my life. Since I don't have much experience with Middle Eastern food, I can't compare this to REAL Afghan cuisine, nor can I compare it to any other Afghani restaurant, but I will say because of this restaurant, I always will choose this type of cuisine over my usual tastes for Italian and Asian! Some notes: The service was incredible- our waiter was knowledgeable, patient and extremely helpful. The atmosphere is EXTREMELY comfortable. The tables are covered in a nice, white table cloth. Each table has a candle. The wall decor isn't fancy, but I didn't feel like I was in a hole-in-the-wall place. It's a little bit odd that an Afghani place would sell alcohol, but I will say the desert wine we had was incredible. We came in July, so I can't remember the name of it :X but it did come in its own bottle. We were too full to try dessert but I've been DYING to try their backlawa. Definitely going to come back!!
(5)Tim N.
Delicious. What can I say I love the Afghani stuff. I have went to Helmand and this was even better! Dinner for two, entrées, one appetizer, full carafe of wine, and dessert. 52 bucks! not bad at all
(5)Cher K.
The food was delicious and interesting. The atmosphere is high class. And the service was both excellent and friendly.
(4)Diana W.
Delicious food (I had Kaddo, after seeing everyone on here rave about it), sheekh kabob (lamb, rice, onion and eggplant sides). For dessert, rice pudding with pistachio and cardamom - light and refreshing. Our waitress was quick and attentive, and the atmosphere was great!! I'll definitely be going back.
(5)Alex H.
I went here on a Monday evening with a friend. The place was quiet, but not eery. They've done a nice job making the space homey. Our waiter was incredible and polite and attentive. The food. My Lord, the food. We split the Banjan app., it's simple pan fried eggplant smothered with a yogurt sauce. I could have eaten pounds of it. My friend had the Challow Kofta for her meal, it was spectacular, and their rice is a nice diversion from the typical rice you're served at most restaurants. I had the Mantu, I love persian dumplings and figured these couldn't be bad. They were incredible. I had to keep myself from licking the plate. They're beef and leek dumplings topped with a veggie yogurt sauce with a little tomato meat sauce to spice things up. I can't believe I've lived just down the street from this place for nearly a year. The price was great, $25 per person including an app and a caraf of house wine. I'll be going back. Frequently.
(5)Carmen M.
Yummy! a wonderful place that has gluten free options and great wine! highly recommended!
(5)Jackie S.
Awesome food! I have been 2x and it was delicious both times. The mashed lentils are superb and the lamb is cooked perfectly. They serve alcohol contrary to what you may think. The atmosphere is elegant yet down-to-earth. It's a great date spot. Highly recommended! Service was a little slow but very very friendly.
(5)Ilona K.
I love the Helmund in Cambridge, Ma... and when i saw this place, i was so excited that there is a very similar place much closer to us... and just HAD to try it. As i later found out, the owner is a cook from the Helmund, who opened his own version of that same restaurant about a half a year ago. All in all, i think the menu is the same, the food is delicious (although, i still think the helmund is a little bit better), staff is friendly and accommodating, and it is not expensive. I think that as a table, we agreed that the place needs some more decorating to make it look more cozy... and they are still working out the kinks... for example one of the dishes ran throughout the night and we couldn't order it, and they do not take AMEX (even thought they say they take all major credit cards". I recommend trying the Kaddo, and Mourgh Salata ( however it is spelled). Dont forget to make a reservation, the restaurant is usually packed!
(4)Susan H.
I read the reviews before I suggested that I meet a friend at Ariana's for dinner. All the good things everyone said were absolutely true. The waiter was so nice. The food was beyond delicious. The portion sizes were perfect. The bread is brought warm from the oven, made fresh for each table. You must try the Mantu. Little ravioli like pockets full of the tastiest beef and onion. The back of the menu has a map of Afghanistan, and the waiter showed us where he is from. Even though parking on the streets in Allston is never a pleasure, we did find a street spot just a couple minutes walk away. Next time we go, I'm saving room for dessert and tea with cardamom.
(5)G J J.
Decent. Copied Helmand extensively. I'm wondering about a trade dress suit.
(3)Sherry S.
This is one of my all time favorite restaurants, and one of the first places I take people when they're trying to get to know Boston. I have eaten here too many times to count and have never had a negative experience--minus the fact that parking in Alliston can be obnoxious (it's a huge advantage to be a local with inside knowledge of where to find good parking at 8ePM on a Friday night). I recommend this restaurant over The Helmand, a very good Afghan restaurant in Cambridge. While The Helmand comes off as trying to be a bit fancier, Ariana ultimately has the better food and the better price.
(5)Fred Y.
Not only was the food good, the service is excellent at Ariana. I would recommend this place to anyone. I hope to take out-of-town visitors to Ariana in the future. The prices are reasonable when you consider the quality of the trout special I ordered.
(5)Afshan K.
Quite a disappointment. With Afghan food I expected juicy, succulent meat, but the meat was dry and kinda bland. I also found the restaurant to be way too crowded with tables - you literally are backing into the guy behind if you try to adjust your chair. Overall, it wasn't all that, especially if you've tried the lamb across the street at Saray Restaurant - much better food (although Turkish, not Afghan). Also - they had Indian music playing... what's up with that! Not going again.
(2)george k.
People either love or hate this place. Overall it's pretty good. Cozy and warm it is. So is the food. Not good if you don't feel good about the person across from you. Try the pastrami. It's the real thing. Is it really camel meat?
(3)Jake D.
GO TO THIS RESTAURANT!!!!! Saw this for the first time a couple of weeks ago walking through Allston and was immediately interested. We love afghan food and were excited to see it so near. My wife and I went for our anniversary dinner and were very pleased. Great service, outstanding food. Not spicy like Indian food; everything had great texture and flavor: baked pumpkin, pan fried eggplant, rice pilaf with carrots and raisin, and naan bread. All delicious. We ate well but still had room for desert. Good wine list too. The menu isn't overwhelming and there are lots of vegetarian/vegan options. A note to vegans - most entree's and appetizers have yogurt but it shouldn't be a problem to have them leave it out. I say it again, GO TO THIS RESTAURANT! I want this place to stick around so we can go for our next anniversary.
(5)Anh L.
My date and I came here on a Tuesday night. I ordered a steak dish and he ordered a lamb dish but after taking a bite out of his dish, I would highly recommend the lamb and some red wine to complement. We ordered white wine like amateurs but I can't wait to go back to do it right. On top of that, the quality of the service was more than what we could expect for such a reasonably priced dinner.
(5)Matthew M.
We started with the "Special" appetizer which was a splendid plate of grilled eggplant, spinach and this amazing pumpkin. For an entree I had the grilled lamb Dopiaza. The lamb was very flavorful, tender and also succulent. The only problem I had was the portion size, it seemed a little light. I can't forget to mention the freshly baked flat bread that was served at the beginning, along with it came three delicious sauces.
(3)Mark F.
Attentive wait staff and lovely decor unfortunately the food did not live up to it's setting. Bolawnies unremarkable, entrees we choose did not live up to expectation's. We love Afghan food and we walked away disappointed.
(3)Christopher P.
I have never had Afghan cuisine before, and I have to say that I am going back. The ambiance was nice, romantic, and perfect for a date. The service was timely and attentive. The food was great! I am sorry I am not writing a long review, but this restaurant deserves sigh of ecstasy and a cigarette. Try it for yourself!
(5)Rehan B.
I was let down by this place. I ordered the Chopan (rack of lamb) and it came out done very well. By 'very well' I mean burnt bitter. I did point it out to the server but was not offered a replacement. Also, the vinaigrette on the Murgh Salata was a bit too strong. The kaddo was really good though. The decor was good and service prompt. For a lesser price, I would have been fine with it. But for how much they charge, I feel I deserved better quality food.
(3)AB H.
I agree with Jessie S - the menu is very similar to The Helmand. And the food was just as good. And the people were really friendly, and it was easy to get a table. So why bother making a reservation way in advance at The Helmand when you can get the same quality at Ariana? Perhaps Helmand's ambiance is a bit better... Ariana is in Allston and it feels like Allston. I highly recommend the lamb soup with black eyed peas, the pumpkin (omg good), and the beef dumplings. yum. We had a nice Malbec with dinner. I'll be back soon!
(4)Eve L.
We stumbled here by accident, because our first choice restaurant was on vacation. We were not disappointed! As I have come to expect with Afghani food, it's kind of a mix between Indian and Middle Eastern, but their seasoning was unique and delicious. Good size portions and fairly reasonably priced. The atmosphere looks pretty swanky especially for Allston (white tablecloths!) but people come in shorts and t-shirts and no one seems to mind.
(5)Nadia M.
Great food and good price. The presentation and execution of the dishes is lacking but can't deny that my stomach was very happy at the yummy food and service. It was also very quite the day we went so that was a plus! I had the veggie dish that comes with pumpkin- loveddd it! My mouth watered again as I wrote that. Try it!
(4)Elizabeth K.
If you like the food here, you should try Helmand, the food there is better. This place has nice decor, OK service and a yummy sounding menu, but when the food comes, I'm generally disappointed by the quality. The food doesn't have the flair of Helmand. I am particularly comparing the place to it's competitor in Cambridge, because the two are strikingly similar - same color walls, same art, same soundtrack playing the background, similarly attired servers, and a nearly identical menu - right down to the fresh bread and three sauces that comes complimentary with the meal. The problem is, the food doesn't have the same great flavor. I asked the owner of Helmand - which has been open for years - whether the Ariana was a new restaurant owned by him, since the style was so strikingly similar. It's not. I can't help but think Ariana would be better off if it tried doing its own thing instead of copying someone else. Better to be good at being yourself than a poor imitation of another.
(2)Lisa S.
One of my favorite restaurants in the Allston area! A little pricey bu the food is soooo good!!! You MUST get the pumpkin. Whether you get it as an appetizer or an entree, just get it. And get the meat sauce. It's amazing. Also, make sure someone gets the leek ravioli. Again, get the meat sauce. The meat sauce is amazing. It tastes good on everything. OK, away from the meat sauce - the menu is heavy on the lamb but there is definitely food for people who don't eat lamb there (aka me). The chicken kabobs are delicious. The bread they bring out for you is amazing - my favorite of the sauces are the green and the red. The beef cups are also tasty. The wine carafe's are a good deal - don't get it by the bottle, get the carafe. Good value. Anyway, go to Ariana. It's well worth the visit.
(4)Hisham M.
Overpriced. Mediocre. Only one waiter. Food took forever to come to me.
(3)Selena J.
We decided to have a vegetarian date night at Ariana. The bowlani and aushak appetizers were unremarkable. Maybe the meat version would have been better... Our entrees, the kourma challow and the kaddo and banjan special, were quite tasty.
(3)Vincent R.
Simply incredible. I've enjoyed Afghan food a couple of times previously at the other Afghan food institution (the Helmand) and I think this new restaurant is just as good. Their Pallow rice is unreal, light, fluffy and full of aromatic spices. We ordered the mantu and dopiazo, two dishes we've never had before and thoroughly enjoyed both.
(5)Lauren O.
Food was so delicious! Started with the Kaddo and Aushak, and it was sooo yummy! Then for dinner had the Tikka Kabob...delicious and tender, and the accompanying rice and lentils were so yummy. Sopped up all of it with the delicious warm bread! Really nice atmosphere and great service here. It was Wednesday, so I am not sure if that is why, but it was truly delicious and so flavorful. Highly recommend if you are looking for something a little different and very flavorful.
(5)Danny Y.
Excellent food and knowledgeable servers of the dishes.
(4)kim s.
This place tries to duplicate exactly it's sister's awesome place in Cambridge that is Helmand. The food is just as good. The price is about 20% cheaper and thus portion size is noticeably 20% smaller. My party have always left Helmand overstuffed but left his place kinda hungry. The service is nowhere as good. The Cambridge place got 8 servers helping you but this place got only 1 or 2. Give them some time to work the kinks out.
(4)Larry G.
Outstanding food in what has become a great area for reasonably priced, interesting options. As good as Cambridge's The Helmand and maybe better, and less expensive. But it's in Allston so maybe should be called The Kandahar. "The Kandahar." Do you get it? Do you?
(5)Sabine S.
My husband and I have been here twice to eat. The first time, we were in Allston for dinner and left the restaurant looking for another place to have dessert. That is when we stumbled across Ariana. As soon as we realized they would have feereney, we had to have dessert there. We got a warm welcome, despite wanting only dessert. The second time we visited was tonight, and we got a similarly warm welcome (literally--they had the heat cranked, which was a relief because it was so cold outside). We had a wonderful dinner, with friendly, prompt service. The only other place we've ever had Afghan food was Helmand, so our ability to compare is limited, but we thought that the food at Ariana was just as good, and perhaps a bit less expensive. We found the service much better at Ariana (due primarily to the maitre d' at Helmand, who makes you feel like you should be grateful to get a table). My husband thought the bread was better at Helmand, and I thought the feereney a bit better at Helmand. But that is splitting hairs. If you want a wonderful meal in a relaxing environment with great service, go to Ariana.
(4)A K.
Really Really Really good food, haven't had such a tasty food for a while, the portions are rather small though ...
(5)Tracey B.
Attentive service coupled with insanely yummy food. Perfect for vegetarians and lamb eaters alike. I will never think of pumpkin the same again.
(5)Ashley J.
After not being able to get a reservation at another restaurant we decided to look up a type of cuisine we had not experienced yet and try something new. I had heard the rumors of how hard it is to get into Helmand so when I spotted this restaurant I was excited. When I called the host was very gracious and was able to get us a reservation on short notice. It is not a large restaurant but the tables are not so close together that it is intrusive. The restaurant was full so I was happy we had called ahead. They didn't have the Mantu appetizer which was disappointing but they recommended the Bowlawni which I found to be just ok. Two deep friend pastries, one filled with a potato mixture, the other with leeks. The potato one was good, the leeks was off putting. We also tried the Kaddo which was perfect. I highly recommend this dish. The sweetness of the pumpkin against the tang of the yogurt sauce and the earthiness of the tomato meat sauce is unique and heavenly. My fiance got the Chapendaz beef tenderloin entree with spinach rice, lentils and veggies which he thought was amazing. I got the Chopan rack of lamb. The lamb itself was flavorful, tender and cooked perfectly however the rest of the dish of stewed eggplant and rice was uninspired and bland. I think from the quality and the rest of our items I may have picked one of the not so special items on the menu. The bottle of rioja we enjoyed was also delicious and nicely priced. Overall I see this restaurant being a part of our list of go to places.
(4)Kavitha M.
Better than Helmand- I can't believe this place was near empty when I went there this past Saturday night. The food however was delicious. The dipping sauces- mint chutney's cousin, the surprisingly sweet red chili sauce and the yogurt sauce are the perfect accompaniment to the thick soft bread. The star of the meal was the aushak appetizer. So much flavor and deliciousness in these small raviolis topped with beef. We ordered the dopiaza (with its delicious vinegar split peas and rice) and the tikka kabob, and the laghatac ( eggplant with onions, peppers and garlic which was SOO good). The meat was a bit chewy but tasty nonetheless. For dessert- the baklava was really delicious. A great meal for a good price. However, do not order a carafe of the house cab sauv- truly horrible (but this of course was partially our mistake for choosing this option).
(4)Hussam B.
This place is a duplicate of the original restaurant in Cambridge (The Helmand). Their best dish by far is the lamd Gabili which they are famous for. Their prices are about 20% cheaper than the original restaurant which is great.
(3)Karen B.
We had SUCH a great dinner last night at Ariana! The service was absolutely fantastic, I haven't had such a great waiter since my visit to a 5-star restaurant in Napa. Our waiter gave us perfect recommendations. We ordered a bottle of a Spanish red wine that was very tasty (and decently priced!) For appetizers we had the scallion filled ravioli and the pumpkin dish, so delicious! The meat sauce perfectly cut the sweetness of the pumpkin. For an entree we shared the quabili dish which is rice with lamb, raisins, and glazed carrots. Amazing! The lamb was so tender and it was the perfect combination of sweet and savory. I can't wait to go back!
(5)Snuffles B.
This place is cozy (feels strangely like a Tuscan place, with non-Tuscan music and wall decor). Service is excellent. We've eaten: - Bread - Warm, crisp w/ soft chewy edges, great w/ sauces or butter. - Aushak - Ravioli w/ leeks & scallions - Love this, so flavorful. - Mantu - Beef in pastry - Very tasty, suprisingly light. - Mourg Challow - Sauteed chicken & challow rice - great sauce, reminded me of a mix of Indian and Persian flavors but w/o the heaviness of the cream, this led to massive rice consumption. - Chopan - Lamb + bed of eggplant. Let me preface by saying that I HATE lamb, I keep trying bites of it from friend's orders over and over again at great restaurants and never tolerate it. This time, I took a bite of a friend's and DEAR lord it was delicious, perfectly cooked, not at all gamey, so flavorful. and the eggplant was done well too. The Pallow rice is deliciously cinnamony. - Vegetarian special - You can get the parts of these as appetizers, this is more of a sampler plate: Baked pumpkin - SO GOOD - sweet but so creamy, light. Eggplant, Okra and Spinach - all tasty but nothing to write home about. - Chapendaz - the meat was tender but I thought it was tenderized too much, it was a bit beat up, flavor was decent. However, loved the buttery lentils, spinach rice, and the cumin seeds were a new delicious experience, sort of like a cross between barley and israeli couscous. -Shreerek - Homemade ice cream and pistachio & cardamom - SO GOOD. The ice cream tasted just like when I had it as a kid out of an old fashioned ice cream maker and the flavors went perfectly with it. I like carbs, Ariana does carbs well, therefore, I like Ariana. Even though I've yet to go to the Helmand, my friends have been and felt that Ariana was just as good, whats more, its saves us all a huge schlep. I will be back for more carbs.
(4)Karen G.
Comparable to the Helmand by Cambridgeside Galleria. The pumpkin dish was awesome! Great ambiance but parking in the area was horrendous.
(4)Leili T.
Everything lamb is very delicious. And it's great quality with a reasonable price.
(4)Deb O.
Just plain delicious Afghan food, reasonable prices, great service. Can't ask for more. The mantoo were exquisite; we also had sabzi chalow (lamb with spinach and rice), bamia (okra) and eggplant. All so good we practically licked our plates. For dessert, we had a lovely rice pudding. Perfect. We would happily return anytime.
(5)Andy C.
I have found a lot of good place on yelp, but never have a been so compelled as to get back on here and write a review. Everything was fantastic. We got the Kaddo appetizer everyone recommended and it was delicious. She got the Aushak ravioli which was great, and I got the Dopiaza - grilled leg of lamb with sautéed split peas and onions in a vinegar marinade. I can't say enough about how tasty everything was. The priciest entree was maybe $15. The place is actually very nicely decorated and lit, I felt a little underdressed. We eat out all the time and this is far an away the best place we have been in Allston.
(5)M T.
Everything was so yummy, especially the kaddo--pumpkin with yogurt and meat sauce. Service was friendly and ambience was nice.
(5)Jen R.
We stumbled upon this restaurant last night and were intrigued by the menu. It wasn't very crowded, although this was probably because the restaurant only opened 3 weeks ago, so it felt like it hadn't quite been "discovered" yet. This was my first time trying Afghan food and I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised! There were 6 of us dining so we really got to try out the menu. One of our appetizers was Kaddo- baked pumpkin topped w/ yogurt & ground beef sauce- and it was amazing! I think everyone's favorite at the table. The menu was heavy on dishes made with lamb, although they also had chicken, beef, fish and vegetarian options as well. I opted for a vegetarian entree- the Special- which consisted of delicious roasted egg plant with yogurt mint sauce, sugared pumpkin (again- a treat), okra stewed in a tomato-based sauce (I've rarely ever eaten okra but this was fantastic), sauteed spinach, and Pallow- a delicious long-grained rice flavored with cinnamon, cumin and some other spices. I'm forgetting all of the names of the dishes, but others in my group tried the Rack of Lamb, a dish that consisted of ground lamb wrapped in pastry with lentil sauce on top, a lamb stew on challow with mushrooms on the side, ground beef meatballs in a spiced tomato sauce with rice, and vegetarian ravioli stuffed with leeks and onions in a spiced sauce. All of us enjoyed our dishes and shared between plates- always a good sign. My only criticism is that they didn't have any authentic Afghan non-alcoholic beverages, and what they did have to offer (soft drinks and juice) was not on the menu. I found myself craving a yogurt-based drink while I was there and wishing that they served something similar to a lassi. They did, however, have a pretty nice wine menu, from which we ordered a bottle of Prosecco. For dessert, they had a variety of options from Pudeen- a creme caramel custard, to Baklawa- a variant of the standard greek pastry Baklava, to a rice pudding with cardamom and pistachios on top- like a slightly thickened version of Kheer that you would find at an Indian restaurant. For beverages, they offered coffee, green tea with mint, and turkish coffee, which they happened to be out of that night. All in all, this place was very good and very reasonably priced. From what I remember, appetizers ranged from $5-$8, and Entrees were from $10-$18, most of which were in the $10-$13 range. The meals felt relatively healthy and yet very flavorful and could be considered a type of comfort food that you end up craving-I would certainly recommend it to anyone looking to try something new.
(4)Luis M.
I have never had Afghanistan food. It was very good. The place was also formal in appearance, yet casual enough to be comfortable.
(5)Tom N.
I have to concur with other reviewers that this is the best new restaurant to hit Boston in recent memory. I went with the highly recommended Qabili and was not disappointed (it was awesome)! The bread and sauce offerings are delightful; the service is impeccable and attentive, and $23.00 for a bottle of Murphy-Goode chardonnay is not a big markup on a liquor store purchase price. According to my daughter, the vegetarian offerings are second to none. We'll be returning soon for sure--outstanding food and service at an extremely reasonable price!
(5)Julie C.
I don't like pumpkins. I really don't like pumpkins in food form. Gourds are not food....but....I LOVE kaddo! Never before has a restaurant convinced me that pumpkin is, in fact, food! I come here almost on a weekly basis and every single dish is amazing. Afghani food is a definite switch up, mixing sweet and savory quite well, introducing new flavors while still being quite familiar. The prices are very reasonable, and much better than Helmand in Cambridge. Parking can be a bit of a pain, but once you find it it's well worth it!
(5)Sergio V.
This is one of my favorite fairly cheap, fairly upscale places in town. Not pretentious yet elegant, the food is very flavorful and the atmosphere just quiet enough. The pumpkin appetizer is to die for, the house wine pretty good (for a house wine) and the main dishes are complemented by hearty, delicious sides.
(5)D P.
Awesome food, ambience is nice and service is fantastic. Highly recommend ordering "Banjan" -Egglplant cooked in tomatos and topped with yogurt sauce as an appetizer or side. Their flat bread is fantastic which they serve with three dipping sauce. Ordered Chicken cooked with lentils and spices and not only taste was really good, meat was tender and showed well marination. Afghan food is very close to indian food so you will find the same spices around, except on a milder side. Didn't care for Okra dish with Tomatoes. In general, whole expereince was so nice that I had to try their 'home made ice-cream' with Cardamom and Pistachhio. It was really good too. Definately going back :).
(4)Barbara L.
We hadn't planned on going to Ariana last Saturday evening, but looking through their windows and inhaling the wonderful aromas wafting out while waiting to get into another restaurant next door led us to pop inside & see if they could take our party of 4. The hostess was more than gracious, and, although we did not have reservations, she put together a table for us and we were on our way to discover a new, fabulous cuisine. Succulent lamb, delicious pilaf, perfect spicing. We''ll be back. This is a must try restaurant. Thank you for a perfect setting and fabulous meal on a cold, rainy June evening.
(5)Steven G.
Fantastic place. I went last night and had the Qabili and it was fantastic. Very fall tasting dish which I thought was coincidental because it was the first night of the year that was jacket-worthy. The lamb was the most perfectly cooked lamb I have ever had in my life and the raisins and lightly cooked carrots on top were extremely complimentary. The ravioli stuffed with leeks and scallions was superb, but I couldn't help feeling it was a bit westernized. The service was friendly, but a little slow at times. I will definitely go back and I would definitely recommend it to anyone and everyone. Do yourself a favor and pay them a visit.
(4)Shirley G.
Adorable, quiet, excellent service, and delicious food. Don't bother with the one across the river..... This is really excellent quality Afghani food. Don't remember my exact dishes, but between my date and I, we had about 4 different dishes and all of them were incredible.
(5)Yuri V.
Food was individually prepared by chef. The flavors were superb. Only downfall, the portions are small and the prices are a bit high. Highly recommend it.
(4)Linda C.
This restaurant has such good food I want to try everything on the menu. We shared two entrees on the specials menu and everything was so delicious. The pumpkin with a yogurt sauce, the eggplant, the tomato side, the two rices, and trout were gobbled up. Shared a dessert of creamy pudding with fresh fruit which was refreshing and yummy. I wish more people would go to this restaurant -- would hate to see it go out of business.
(5)Jessica B.
Amazing! One of the places in Boston. Get the pumpkin. Great option for vegetarians and husbo said his lamb was amazing too.
(5)Jenna F.
Just found this place walking by. It happened to share names with my good friend. The service rocks. The food is amazing. Get the special. Totally tickled w my whole experience. Def coming back. Yum.
(5)Crystal L.
Amazing food and service. Affordable. Fun neighborhood. A nice change from the usual Indian or Thai places that are always plentiful. We really enjoyed our dinner and wine.
(5)Gray K.
Another great find off of yelp! I had Afghan before, but never at a place with so many vegetarian options. Sure, there aren't dozens of them, but there are more than enough choices for pretty regular visits. Everything was excellent, with really nice blends of flavors that I wasn't sure could be pulled off. The service tended towards over-attentive: it felt at times like the waitress was trying far too hard for no apparent reason. She kept trying to take the check before we had paid it, for example, though it wasn't like the place was packed (on a Sunday night) and they needed the table. But still, it was good that she refilled water regularly and all. Oh, and the prices were reasonable. Definitely a place I'd revisit.
(4)Lindsey K.
A first-time experience with Afghan food for me...and it was a knock-out. The decor was very nice and showed good taste, one of the more charming places in Allston, definitely not a student dive and very appropriate for a date. The food was absolutely wonderful, somewhat similar in appearance to Indian food, but not oily or heavy, and the spices were different and more delicate-flavored. Two of us had Kaddo, Mantu, Dopiaza (lamb), and Mourgh Challow (chicken), and we were full! We were so surprised by the delicate but flavorful food, and the pumpkin was amazingly good. And musn't forget to mention that the wine list was good; we had a carafe of the house red. Also had the homemade vanilla ice cream drizzled with delicious pomegranate sauce. Service by the one waitress, assisted sometimes by the cook himself (who was interesting to chat with) was fine, friendly and prompt enough. Total bill was a bit over $62 for two, and well worth it for such a fine evening with a cuisine that's none too common. Ariana is a gem among all the various other ethnic restaurants in Allston. Can't wait to come back to try the rest of the menu.
(5)Kitty M.
I happened to be in Allston early on a Sunday evening and was anxious to give Ariana a try -- never had Afghan food before. The host told me they were booked for the evening but if I just wanted a quick bite, she could squeeze me in. No problem as I was on my own. I started out with the yummy bowlawni - a flat pastry filled with spicy potato or scallions and leeks. Loved them! Flat bread and a tray of dipping sauces comes with the meal. For an entree I had the mourgh challow (chicken sautéed with spices and yellow split peas) over fragrant rice. Delicious -- chicken was so tender and plenty of flavor! The portion was not huge, but I am a small eater so it was fine for me. Ariana also has a lovely dessert menu and the pudeen (flan) with caramel sauce was perfect. Service was very efficient and the atmosphere was very relaxed with a good mix of people. All in all a great meal. Next time, I'll be sure to make a reservation.
(5)Corianna M.
I've lived near Brighton Ave for three years, and I love the international cuisines this street offers. Ariana is a wonderful addition. My roommate and I went in the other night, and we got our money's worth. The food was delicious. My chickens was so tender I didn't need a knife. The food was bursting with flavors. I left full, with plenty of leftovers, but the food was so light I couldn't wait to have my second helping! I would recommend this restaurant to anyone. Ariana is a gem!
(5)greg l.
I have to split my review into two parts: Service: 1 star. Food: 5 stars. Average 3 stars. Minus 1 star because I hate BAD SERVICE. Summary: The WORST SERVICE I have had a restaurant in Boston coupled with the BEST FOOD. What a shame! The story: We went on Saturday night and the restaurant was full. That being said I fail to understand how 3 waiters serving about 20 tables can act so unprofessionally. When we arrived at the restaurant the host was not at the entry podium. No less than 8 times did different waiters walk pass us without making eye contact or simply saying hello before someone acknowledged us five minutes later. When we were eventually seated, we waited a while for the waiter to take our order. In the meantime an older couple (I am a young professional) was seated AFTER US no more than 4 feet from our table. The waiter proceeded to take their order FIRST and give them bread first. Last time I checked restaurants are supposed to serve people in the order they come. I hate disrespectful ageism. My tip and my money is just as good as anyone else's. The waiters also clearly did not know the number of each table. The kitchen ran out of the meat-filled appetizers, and they decided to use a new bus boy on one of the busiest nights, who proceeded to break plates. That being said, the food was most likely the best I have ever eaten in a restaurant in Boston. The lamb was delicious. I have lived in France, which is full of middle eastern food, and Ariana is the best food in that genre I have tasted to date. The conclusion: Worth going but be ready for pain in the butt service!
(2)Eric H.
I came here on a whim after another area restaurant was closed. I've always been a fan of kabobs and the menu looked pretty tasty, so I decided to give it a shot. Simply put, this place is excellent, especially for the price. The bread was delicious, with very tasty sauces and good flavor, but this was merely a warm up for my very tender and juicy chicken kabobs. The food was prepaired with the care and expertise I'd expect from a place charging a couple bucks more for each dish. A friend of mine had the beef kabobs, and after trying a bite I'd have to say the meat was more tender and juicy than you'd find at a number of steakhouses. Decor is sparse, but pleasant, with good atmospheric background music. The staff was very kind and attentive. The place seems very new (and currently has only a few, recent reviews), as another reviewer said, it would be a shame to see this place go out of buisness.
(5)Cynthia H.
Hubby and I came here for the first time for our anniversary. It was totally empty, which I thought was strange for a weeknight, especially for the neighborhood. I prefer really quiet dining, though, so this is a plus for me. The decor is beautiful and understated, and the waitstaff was super nice and accommodating. I don't remember the names of the foods we ordered, but we loved everything. There was a potato soup that was delicious, lamb and chicken dishes, and Turkish coffee. I was really impressed with all of it. If you want a quiet, romantic, yummy meal for a special occasion, this is a perfect place.
(5)James L.
I just now had dinner at Ariana in Allston, and I had a chat with the manager, Najib. Regarding the food: It was EXCELLENT. I had the challow moorgh(?). Basically, it was 3 filets of chicken with rice, smoked and seared vegatables, and they give Afghani bread. The food at Ariana was definitely better and more carefully prepared than the food at Helmands, which if I may recall, I rated as 3 or 4 stars. The chicken that I ordered today was seared to perfection, and the seasoning was perfectly balanced. It was definitely not spicy like Indian or SE Asian food. It was quite similar to Arabic foods in this regards, and even the way that we Americans broil our chicken. What made it Afghani was that I added some of the sauces to it. The complimentary bread given here is better than the complimentary bread given at Helmands. Here, it has a more naan-flavor to it and less of a pizza crust flavor to it. Finally, the owner allowed myself and a new friend of mine to stay there well past closing time. This was especially difficult given that it is Ramadan time, and Mr. Najib has to be awake early in the morning. He was extremely hospitable, and we shared laughs and interesting stories about his Afghanistan. We talked about his people's code of honor called Pashtunwali, and their exceptional treatment of guests. The Pashtuns, which Mr. Najib is a member of, are reknowned warriors, but also as the world's best hosts, and their loyalty and self-determination is so much that there is a quote from the book The Kiterunner: "A Pashtun is so independent that you can't force him into heaven, and he's so loyal, that he would follow his friend to hell." To paraphrase this quote: Ariana Restaurant is like heaven, and to drive past it hungry is like a hell.
(5)Ashley R.
Came here after reading all the rave reviews. Gotta agree with most people on this one. Ariana was fantastic! Started off with the kaddo and muntu. The kaddo was good, but a little sweet for my tastes but I really loved the muntu. I got the meatball entree while my bf got the rice with lamb. Both were delicious. Kinda wish there had been more meatballs in my entree but still good nonetheless. Also the bread served with the meal was very tasty. I'm giving it four stars because it's new and have yet to make sure it's consistent. But so far, sooo good!
(4)Bindiya T.
Very good food. Everything from their appetizers, bread, dips and entrees was excellent. Great place for vegetarians too, many options. My favorite was the noodle soup, their bread with 3 dipping sauces and aromatic fluffy rice. Must try!
(4)Ed R.
An absolutely fanastic place to eat. It has replaced Dawat and done it well. The inside decor is nearly identical to the old restaurant, and the food is absolutely amazing. Our group of 4 entered ready to experiment with cuisine we had never tried before, and we were not disappointed. We started with 2 appetizers: a soft pumpkin dish covered in wonderfully seasoned beef, and a ravioli-like dish. Both were served in a tasty yogurt sauce, and we finished every bite before soaking up the remaining sauce with the complimentary fresh naan bread. We each ordered different entrees, and while I don't recall each dish, there were some highlights. I ordered the vegetarian special, and it came as a sort-of platter of small servings of vegetable preparations including cooked down spinach, soft eggplant, okra, and once again, amazing pumpkin. In the center was a sizeable serving of seasoned rice that was unexpectedly soft and quite delicious when mixed with the sauces from all the other food. The rest of the entrees were served with lamb in one form or another, and we all reached a consensus that the meat was well-prepared, well-seasoned, and just plain delicious. And the best was yet to come. We split two deserts, rice pudding and the baklava. While the pudding was delicious, the baklava was unbelievable. Seriously though. The baklava was absolutely fantastic. In short, the food was wonderful. Our service was very attentive and nice, and all of us will be recommending this place to our friends for weeks to come.
(5)Sheila M.
Not sure what the fuss is about, this is just 3 stars for me. The Kaddo app is indeed tasty - an unexpectedly sweet and savory combo of pumpkin, ground beef and yogurt. I could've eaten this app myself w/out sharing and I wished there was more of it. The meatballs were pretty good. My grilled beef entree was good but not exceptionally so, it tasted simply as if you got a good shishkebab at a street vendor that got taken off the skewer and placed on a plate with some rice. The portion was not overly generous and the half hearted effort at presentation (an accompanying limp leaf of iceberg lettuce with a small mound of bland lentil mush atop it) struck me as comical. The service and ambiance were nice, especially for Allston. It's worth a try, for something different, i.e. Afghan food, which I'd never tried before. I'd go back and try some different offerings here, just out of curiosity.
(3)Rachel C.
We had a delicious meal here last night. The service is very attentive and the food was great. For appetizers, we had the Bowlawni and the Kaddo which were both great. The Kaddo's combo of sweet pumpkin, yogurt and meat sauce were surprisingly delicious. For entrees we had the Trout special - wonderful, the Dipiaza - outstanding and the Sabzi Challow - really good. The different rices that came with the entrees were delicious and different enough from each other that we all tried each others and each of us had a different favorite. The carafe of house Cabernet was relatively dry and very good. They must have changed it in the time since a previous reviewer thought it was too sweet. The side order of okra was fine, but not special. For dessert - the baklava is the clear winner - so good! Overall, we had a terrific experience here and will definitely be back.
(5)Jo B.
I wanted to give Ariana 5 stars because I had a truly wonderful meal there, but it fell a little short in a few areas. Let me break it down for you. 1. The Food: The most amazing thing we had was the appetizer. If you go to Ariana you must try the Kaddo, it's baby pumpkin with garlic yogurt sauce and a meat sauce. It reminds me of the episode of friends when Rachel tries to make an English Trifle for dessert, but since the cookbook pages were stuck together, she ends up making half an English Trifle/half Shepherd's pie. The only person who liked it was Joey and he says "What's not to like? Custard, good. Jam, good. Meat, good!" No custard or jam in the kaddo, but you get the idea, definitely get the kaddo, it's divine. The entrees were good as well, just not spectacular. I tried the Qabili which was 90% rice with some lamb, raisins and carrots. The lamb was succulent, but there just wasn't much of it. Also had the Dopiaza, which was good, but I think the lamb was marinated in vinegar a bit too long because the vinegar really overpowered the flavor of everything. 2. The Atmosphere: One of the reviewers mentioned that it was romantic, but be forewarned, it is not romantic whatsoever. Unless of course you consider sitting less than a foot away from 2 other tables whilst getting a headache from the loud people talking right next to you, romantic. Also, the lighting is pretty bright and there are no candles or flowers, etc. Not that these things are necessary to enjoy a good meal, but just wanted to note that in case you were looking for some place romantic to dine. This place is better for a first date or for meeting up with friends. 3. The Price: This is where Ariana truly shines. We ordered a wonderful bottle of Chardonnay for $24, and it was the most expensive bottle on the menu. The appetizers were approx. $6, and the average entree price was $14. Our entire meal with wine was $62. 4. The Parking: We went on a Saturday night at 8pm and the parking situation was quite challenging. It's very difficult to find a spot on the main street and the side streets are all "Residential Parking Only". Also, there were no parking lots/garages nearby. So definitely take public transportation or plan to walk about a mile (we found that there were many more parking spots about a mile up the road toward BU)
(4)Silpa S.
I've been to Ariana twice and both times I had an absolutely lovely experience! Ariana is a small Afghani restaurant in Allston. I've had walked past it many time but never heard anything about it. So I finally went and brought my family along. We were served complimentary flat bread with three different dips. Don't quote me on this but i believe the dips were a cilantro, yogurt, and chili dip. I highly recommend anyone who goes to try one of the lamb dishes. Even my more picky family members didn't find anything to complain about. The flavor and perfect consistency of the pallow and challow rice is spot on! If you are vegetarian or just love veggies the restaurant offers great options. On my second visit I got "The Special". It is according to the menu, "a platter of baked pumpkin, pan-fried eggplant, sautéed spinach and okra sautéed with fresh tomatoes served with pallow rice" . There was so much flavor! There's no way you can miss the absence of meat on your plate.
(4)Momo K.
not sure what the rave is all about, seriously.... i went with my bf today expecting really good food since it's got a five star review. we got there, it was busy and we waited half an hour for a table, not bad. then when we were seated, we waited 10 mintues before any waiter came up to us just to give us the menu. the other tables had to wait as long too. we ordered the lamb rack and some other beef dish recommended by the waiter started with "T". after we ordered, the flat bread and the sauce came out. i don't know what is so good about either the bread or the sauce, the bread is the regular cheap bread you can get with an order of soup at any food court. the sauce was a little bit more speacial because it was sauce and they were as exciting as it got. i thought it would be good, i tasted all the sauces, none of the sauces was good. the white sauce was blend. the red sauce was suppose to be spicy but it was sweet. and the green sauce tasted the best among the three but it wasn't good. we ate the whole bread basket not because it was good, but that's what we usually do b/c we don't like to waste food. then our food came, i thought our food would never come b/c the table next to ours, their food took 45 minutes and they had to remind their waiter that they were waiting. so was the other neighboring tables, their food got forgotten too...oopsy.... about our food, wow disappointment big time. while some of the vegetables were good some i just couldn't even put in my mouth. there was a piece of vege that tasted like someone spilled gasoline on it, took one bit and couldn't eat it anymore. the other edible pieces were greasy but at least edible. as for the meat, that was a big disappointment too. the beef was too salty and the lamb oh mine, so bad!!!! i've have free lamb at splash, this one, i had to pay and it tasted like someone burnt it w/ gasoline oil. some times i like some burnt parts on my meat but that piece of lamb had untasteful burnt parts and also tasted like someone poured gasoline on it, yuck!!!! at the end, after we finished, neither of us were satisfied or full!!! i mean, we had something from the bakery across the street from the place while we waited that half an hour for the table. we ate the flat bread and the entrees, we weren't full!!!! i've never had such an experiece before! we ended up going to the vietnamese noodle next door. we ordered an extra large noodle and avacado shake. we were much happier with the vietnaese place than ariana. we at least got full. to sum it up, we did not like what ariana has to offer, their food didn't taste good and wasn't filling at all. i mean, we had to go eat another meal to be borderline full? what a joke, we aren't even big eaters, i am only 105 pounds 5'2 and my bf 165 5'10. com'on.
(1)Irena S.
this place is awesome!! i live just 2 blocks away and I had never been to this place until a friend visited me from Chicago and we were feeling adventurous and just stumbled upon this place. let me tell you: this place by far exceeded our expectations!! once we walked in we fell in love with the place . it was immaculately clean, beautifully decorated, with some light music on. everything about this place was just perfect. the excellent service, the wine selection, the atmosphere. But what was even more perfect was the food. every dish felt extremely unique, fresh and home made. it felt like all the ingredients were just perfectly combined to be devoured. Their specialty is lamb (my friend had Mantu which was delicious) but I loved the vegetarian option too (I had a vegetarian specialty dish). And what's more important - every single dish felt authentic!! All in all, this place was so good, I'm still under the impression from last night. Oh and did I mentioned we met the owner who turned out to be a very nice intelligent well- traveled man familiar with different cultures and passionate about the one of his home country. When we complimented the food, he modestly replied: "That's what we eat back home". Both my friend and I fell in love with this place, and we will definitely be back with more friends!!
(5)Valerie B.
Being a big fan of The Hellmand in Cambridge, I was pretty excited to see that a new Afghan restaurant was opening a few doors down from my office...I was already dreaming of the Kaddo! I wasn't sure if it would measure up to the ever-busy Cambridge establishment, but, boy was I pleasantly surprised! I got the Qabili and it was almost as amazing at the Kaddo (my boyfriend and I almost ordered a second Kaddo). My boyfriend got the Chapendaz....it was not what he had expected, but still good, but he wished that he had gotten mine; the Qabili was off the chains! The diningroom is clean and renovated with fresh flowers on the tables. Our server was very nice and attentive. The prices were great and a little cheaper than The Hellmand, so I hope to just go to Ariana from now on. I am a tad worried that this place won't catch on and that it may not get enough business to stay open just due to your average Allstonian's unfamiliarity with Afghan cuisine, so I encourage everyone to go check it out; you will not be disappointed!
(5)Adam B.
We went there with a group to celebrate a birthday. Decor is elegant. The food was very good, the menu was vegetarian-friendly. Bummers? The birthday boy was turning 34 and got carded (he didn't have ID on him). 34! Also, some of our orders got forgotten or mixed up. But we'll go back, with our IDs.
(4)P. C.
I had read about Ariana on yelp, and was very interested to try something new. Keep in mind, I've never tried Afghan food, nor do I know anything about it-- that being said, the food was delicious. The menu isn't overly creative-- it's more run of the mill flavors executed perfectly. The Kaddo has been mentioned in dozens of reviews and for good reason-- it's a fantastic appetizer. It's pumpkin pan fried with a yogurt sauce, a meat sauce and topped with cinnamon. We also tried the Mantu, which are pastry shells stuffed beef and topped with a yogurt sauce and meat sauce. It looks similar to a dumpling or a rangoon you might find at a chinese restaurant, but thats about where the comparison ends-- the mix of cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg gives it a very unique and delicious flavor. For entrees we tried the Shish Kabob (charred pieces of lamb over rice with eggplant) and Sabzi Challow (sauteed spinach and lamb over challow rice and veggies)-- both were excellent. The menu includes a variety of dishes, and alternative vegetarian versions of them, so there should be something for every taste. If you enjoy lamb, this is a great place to go-- if you don't, try something vegetarian, since the menu is lamb heavy. The service and hours are good-- the only downside is parking. It's located on Brighton Ave, so there's only street parking. Keep in mind, the surrounding side streets are resident permit parking only, so you may have to get creative. On a Friday or Saturday night, this has the potential to be a problem, so plan accordingly. If you're looking for good Afghan food, or you just want to try something different, this is definitely worth checking out.
(4)Deb c.
Ariana is a terrific Afghan restaurant and a great addition to Allston. Pumpkin appetizer (kadoo) was extremely flavorful. Naan with sauces was very tasty. All entrees we tried - lamb, beef and chicken, were great. Total cost for four was $98, which included appetizers and a few beers. Service was prompt and attentive. Highly recommended.
(5)Richard L.
Ariana is a gem waiting to be discovered. We tried it based on the glowing Yelp reviews and were absolutely not disappointed. Since the restaurant is not yet busy, we had a chance to talk with one of the owners and learned that there is a lot more here than meets the eye. For example, they are careful in the selection of ingredients - they use more expensive lamb from the US, not that frozen and shipped from Australia, and the long grain rice is actually from Afghanistan, imported through Pakistan. They also do not compromise freshness for the sake of avoiding waste - though hopefully this tradeoff becomes less costly as their volume increases. And they are meticulous in the food preparation process. All this attention to detail was clearly reflected in the quality of the meals we enjoyed. Ariana is more than an ethic food experience, it is, at least for now, a genuine top tier restaurant.
(5)Rafa R.
SEE IMPORTANT UPDATE AT BOTTOM Excellent all around. The food is great, and the owners and staff are so welcoming, friendly and attentive. There aren't many restaurants where I've felt compelled to tell the owner what a pleasure it always is to visit his or her establishment. This is one of them. I almost hesitate to recommend specific dishes, because I've loved everything I've tried here. I really like the mourgh challow, any of the soups and any of the lamb dishes. I've heard people rave about the pumpkin as well. For dessert I definitely recommend the feereny, which is a white pudding with fresh strawberries, pineapple, blueberries and kiwi. REVISED UPDATE: ARIANA REOPENING AUGUST 29, 2015 Ariana has been closed for a while, but I'm happy to see the following message now on its website: Ariana Restaurant will be reopening in our new location on Saturday 8/29 after six months of construction. We hope to see everyone soon!
(5)Kaikjpete S.
3 of us went here on a Wednesday night. We were the only people in the whole restaurant except for two others who came in about half way through our meal. Guess that is why they relocated to Western Ave! Absolutely LOVE this place. The owner was super friendly and we enjoyed chatting with him. The food was unreal and very reasonably priced!!! Also love Helmand, but Ariana definitely has comparable food for cheaper. Kaddo was out of this world. Mantu was another great appetizer. Highly recommend lamb dopiaza for the main, sheerberaing for dessert, and turkish coffee was a perfect way to end the meal. Can't wait to go back!!!! Great food, great service, lovely atmosphere, authentic. 5 STARS!
(5)Gal W.
The food was excellent, with an extensive vegetarian section. The kadoo, a sweet pumpkin in yoghurt sauce, was especially delicious. I also highly recommend the doogh, a yoghurt drink with cucumbers and spices. Much better than most other doogh I've had, and not as overpoweringly salty as the store-bought variety. We also really enjoyed the dessert: the rice pudding was great and the cream pudding with fruit was fantastic. My non-vegetarian friends also raved about their food.
(5)Parnian N.
Absolutely love this place. Great food and customer service. Can't wait to eat here again. Love the owners :) -Parnian Nasirahmad
(5)Tony J.
I thought the service was fine, but slow. But I had problems with the food. there was very little flavor and it just didn't taste very good at all. Perhaps they had an off night. Unfortunately everything just seemed very underseasoned. But you should try this place for yourself.
(2)Minh C.
We came here on a weeknight and it wasn't very crowded so we got quickly seated. I'll get to the point, this is definitely a place I'll return. We thought the food was great, especially since one of us is vegetarian. Only reasons for not giving it 5 stars is 1) the bread came out very delayed 2) my buddy ordered a vegetarian dish and got beef in his dish (which he discovered upon biting into it) 3) the portion size of the entrees were relatively small (although the desserts were about right for the price)
(4)Niv B.
Came here with my friend, not knowing what to expect and we LOVED it! The food was absoluteky amazing; not too spicy but definitley packed with flavor. I ordered the Sabzi Challow and was a bit skeptical that it would taste good since the restaurant had a much higher ratio of meat dishes compared to vegetarian dishes but the dish was amaazing! I finished all of it, which is a rarity for me in any restaurant. My friend ordered the Mourgh Challow and loved it as well, the chicken was cooked really well and was packed with flavor. The only thing keeping me from giving this restaurant 5 stars is the fact that we had to wait 15 minutes after we were seated to even be given water and we didn't order until 35 minutes in and the food arrived 10 minutes after that. The food, however, was worth the wait!
(4)Anuj V.
I absolutely loved this place! The food was definitely the highlight. There weren't many options but all of them sounded great! They open with a bread basket and three different chutneys, a yogurt based one, a spicy one, and a mint based one. The bread was similar to a flatbread pizza dough. We ordered a filled pastry dessert dish as an appetizer and we're pleasantly surprised by the wide range of flavors and textures. I ordered a chicken dish named murgh challow and it was flavorful and extremely tender. The chicken was perfectly cooked and the gravy was nicely balanced. It came with rice and nothing else. The only downside to this place is the service. They seem to be short staffed and we had to wait almost 15 minutes before even getting to order. The food also took a bit longer to come out but that could be due to the large number of customers that walked in after we got there. Definitely a place to check out and I will be returning soon!
(4)Paul F.
One of the best restaurants in the city for the money. They are never busy. Give them your business you won't be disappointed. Get the kaddo.
(5)Najim M.
First off. I'm Afghan so I know Afghan food. I agree with others. The food is really good. The service is slow. Appetizers too small. The prices too high. BYOB. That is, bring your own bread, cuz you get a small amount and apparently it's a hot commodity around here. That's pretty much my review in a nut shell.
(3)Bahar A.
We are self-confessed foodies trying out new restaurants mostly based on word-of-mouth and Yelp reviews. My boyfriend and I walked to Ariana on a Friday evening. We found that it was a smallish space with tables for perhaps 20-30 people. The ambiance was casual, yet sophisticated. We had not made a reservation before coming. We were welcomed warmly and seated quickly at our spot of choice. In-fact, the hostess moved around a couple of tables to prepare a nice table-for-two for us so we would not have to sit in a noisy corner. We felt that this was a really nice gesture. After we were seated, three of the waitstaff attended to us - one brought the menus, one poured water, and one brought the warm afghan bread with the tasty sauces. Bread was warm and fresh. As for food, it was far beyond our expectations. We ordered Aushak and Mantu for appetizers, both delicious and had great flavors to them. I would say unique in its own way. For the main course we went with Dopiaza - well prepared lamb meat served on a piece of bread with sides of juicy mushroom and tasty rice. It was a healthy and hearty combination. We would have liked to try more of their dishes, but two appetizers and one entree later, we had no more space in our tummies. The waitstaff was prompt and attentive. As another poster has mentioned, there are four or five of them working hard to keep things moving. They do a great job at it. Overall, wonderful food, awesome service, and a nice ambience. I would definitely recommend Ariana, their Aushak, Mantu, and Dopiaza, and would go back to try more of their dishes. Five stars!
(5)Tanya Y.
For an out of our comfort zone dining experience, I left Ariana impressed, full, and satisfied. First, do yourself a favor and make reservations as early as you can, as this place gets packed. Two, the restaurant is run by about 4-5 staff members, so if your glass isn't filled right away our if you need something, be patient. You could tell easily that they are working as hard as they can to make your dining experience pleasant and smooth. All that aside, the food was excellent. After doing much needed research through awesome Yelp reviews, we ordered two appetizers, one entrée, and one dessert to share amongst two of us. We ordered an appetizer of Kaddo ($5.95), pan-fried then baked baby pumpkin seasoned with sugar and served on a garlic yogurt sauce topped with a ground beef sauce. Sweet and savory at the same time, the Kaddo was like nothing I've ever had before, almost like a flavor explosion in your mouth. Then we ordered Mantu ($5.95), two homemade pastry shells filled with onions and beef, served on yogurt and topped with carrots, yellow split peas and beef sauce. This appetizer didn't stand out as much and almost felt as if it were an after thought since we had the Kaddo to compare it to. For the entrée, we shared the Dopiaza ($16.95) marinated then grilled leg of lamb, sautéed with yellow split peas and tossed with onions lightly marinated in vinegar, served with garlic, mushrooms and pallow rice. The lamb was amazing with excellent flavor and cooked just right, both tender and moist. I'm not a lamb connoisseur or anything, but it was definitely the best I've ever had. It amazed me to a point that when I think about it, my mouth starts to salivate. The pallow rice was a bit plain, but with flavors packed everywhere else, it served as a great balance to the entire meal. The atmosphere of Ariana is romantic and definitely feels a bit more upscale in opposed to the other restaurants you can find nearby. They are only open for dinner service at 4pm, and parking can be found on the street or a short walk away at a city lot behind Blanchard's liquor store. Prior to the meal, you are even given warmed bread with three dipping sauces: one consisting of yogurt and mint, the other cilantro with other herbs, and the other a slight spicy red one. Delicious. So happy we finally came around to trying Ariana and am happy to say that I look forward to going back.
(4)Chenkai L.
This was my first time trying afghan food and I was pleasantly surprised at the what this place had to offer. We came here on a Saturday night and had to wait about 20 minutes for a party of 5. The interior was intimidate and fancy, each table had a (fake) candle. I had the Qabili, which was lamb with rice. The rice is special long grain with very pleasant aromas, similar to the rice used in Indian restaurants. The rice was also soft and seasoned very well. The lamb meat itself was tender and succulent. We also got the Kaddo, pumpkin topped with yogurt sauce, which was surprisingly delicious and very sweet. Not a bad place to be introduced to afghan food or perhaps a date.
(4)Zach A.
My girlfriend and I came here at 8:15, we were without menus, water, or bread for about 10 minutes. We ordered Aushak as an appetizer, which took about 15 minutes. In the meantime we did finally get bread and water. The Aushak was nothing terribly impressive. I'm writing this review still mid-meal, since the service is so slow. It's now 9:10 and we haven't yet been served our entrees or even had our water glasses refilled. I ordered the Vegetarian Special and my girlfriend ordered the Doppiaza. Hopefully it gets here soon. We noticed that there is a lovely fly hanging around. The food got here at about 9:20. We swapped dishes halfway through so we could try everything. We both agree that the pumpkin was too sweet, and my girlfriend has a sweet tooth! The meat in the Doppiaza was quite chewy. It's now 9:35 and I already can't remember what else I had to eat, the food is that easy to forget. All in all, for a $45 bill I'm very disappointed. The service was very slow and the food did not make up for it. It's now the next morning and despite my experience at Ariana, I'm going to give Afghan food another try next time I see another restaurant.
(2)Ariel Z.
If you're tired of the typical falafel and hummus, Afghani provides a nice twist to your typical Middle Eastern fare. Ordered the mantwo entree (dumplings with yogurt/meat sauce) as well as the kaddo pumpkin dish. Both were pretty good, but I think these dishes are much better at the Helmand in Cambridge.
(2)Karina L.
One of the best restaurants in Allston. If you're looking to pull away from the bar food fried chicken culture of Allston, come to Ariana. It's cozy, quiet, and romantic. And you'll get some amazing food to boot. They start you off with flatbread and three different sauces. My favorite was the creamy sauce, but the red sauce was delicious as well. For the appetizer, we got the kaddo -- which was fantastic. Yogurt, pumpkin, and beef didn't really sound like a promising combination but they really delivered. The pumpkin is pan-fried, then baked. The result is a really juicy puree-like glob that mixes perfectly with the tangy and garlicy yogurt. The sugar on the pumpkin mixed surprisingly well with the ground beef. It was fantastic. I'll never doubt a pumpkin-garlic yogurt-beef-sugar combo again. For the entrees, we got the Mantu and the Qabili. The Mantu was a mix of a wonton and ravioli. The pastry shell was pasta like, but it was wrapped like a dumpling. Inside was ground beef and onions. On top was a yogurt, carrot, AND MEAT sauce. Basically, come here if you like meat. I loved the Qabili as well. It's not entirely aesthetically pleasing -- the rice that comes with it is dumped on top of the shank, so it looks like there's no lamb at first. But lo and behold, under the pallow rice there is an enormous shank waiting to be feasted on. But first, the rice: Ariana has challow and pallow rice. The challow rice has cumin and oil, while the pallow rice has, in addition, cinnamon and nutmeg. It also had raisins and tasty carrots in it as well, which was a perfect foil to our fall-off-the bone lamb shank. We had enough leftover for a second meal. Best part? It's $16! Overall, I loved Ariana. I haven't been to Helmand yet but I can safely say this is a go-to restaurant in Allston, if not Boston.
(5)Amanda W.
The restaurant is Afghanistan,and my boyfriend love this so much. We have been here twice and every time the fit never let us down. The flavors you have never tasted.
(5)Grace B.
You may want to pay attention to my review, being that I am half Afghan and know what I'm talking about with retrospect to authentic Afghan food. That being said, this place is authentic and serves alot of my favorite dishes, and some dishes I never knew about before, but who my cousin (full Afghan) said are more traditional dishes our family doesn't do too much of. I was quite excited to try what I didn't know. We started off with Kaddo (baked pumpkin with yogurt and a touch of ground meat with sauce). Wow. Lightly sweet, savory, and rich. I could just order a bunch of these for my main meal and be satisfied, not to mention it could almost opt as a dessert, for those that like dessert before their meal. ;) The next appetizer was the eggplant. I love eggplant and I loved this, the eggplant slices were thinner than I would have liked, and would have preferred it to be a little "meatier" but it was an appetizer so perhaps it should be a little lighter, I'm used to having it as a side to the main meal. Next, I was torn between Mantu (beef filled dumplings, one of my favorites) but opted for the Kofta Challow (beef meatballs rich in sauce) accompanied with rice. It was filling and plentiful. Two hearty meat balls with plenty of it's juices and a plate of rice. Definitely just as good as I've had at family dinners. Alot of their meal options have lamb, and I have never developed a taste for lamb, so I was a little restricted to my choices but that's my own problem. Lamb is the Afghan's meat of choice, so I encourage all of you to go for it. It's as traditional as it gets. I also admire their vegetarian options, as there is no vegetarian Afghan, but I find it considerate for them to accommodate for vegetarian diets, without losing Afghan flare. As for dessert: Feereny was a hit. I was particularly encouraged to come here BECAUSE of the dessert, and it did not disappoint! Creamy and thick custard like cream pudding, topped with fruit. It is better than any of my tradition Afghan family's feereny. That was a shocker. Oh yea, as for detail the robust red rose that served as table decor was a beautiful touch. I notice the little things and found that to be an elegant touch. The one hesitation I have is the price, I think it's a little steep for Afghan food, but I do have to acknowledge food like this is not easy, and takes time with slow cooking and lots of ingredients and spices. Expensive middle eastern spices at that, so I can't blame them, but I can be a little biased because I eat this food for free. Overall, I would return here again since I do not get this food often anymore.
(4)Yao G.
My wife and I decided to try something new and refreshing to eat. Tonight it was Afghanistan food at Ariana's. Let's talk about atmosphere first. The place is not very big but it eludes elegance and warmth. Tables are neatly decorated with fine china and folded table cloth. Lighting is just right for a romantic dinner. Based on recommendations from fellow yelpers and our friendly and knowledge server, we tried their Mantu for appetizer, Qabili and Sabzi Challow for entrees. Let me tell you, I stuffed myself so much that I could barely get up and walk. The lamb meat here is prepared deliciously. It does not tastes gamey at all. The food here has the right balance of nutrition and taste. For people who never had Afghanistan food or just want to try something, I recommend Ariana.
(5)Sarah G.
I was really excited to try this place. I had been wanting to come here ever since going to the Helmand in Cambridge... The verdict? Well I think I prefer the Helmand. Nothing here was bad, but just in comparison to the Helmand, I think that place was just better flavor wise, service wise, ambiance wise, the whole thing was just better there. BUT I will tell you that this small restaurant in Allston is one of the few places in Allston that is truly accommodating for running late with reservations. No one in our group could find parking to save our lives (DO NOT DRIVE TO ALLSTON EVER). And they didn't even bat an eye at us being about 30 minutes late for our reservation which is something you don't experience often. Food wise, we got the pumpkin ground beef appetizer, but it was a little sweeter than I wanted, and not quite a great match in how much pumpkin to ground beef sauce ratio. I got he Kofta Challow which actually pretty tasty season meatballs served with one of their styles of rice, and it was pretty good, but I wish there had been something more to the dish other than just balls and rice. Matt J. got the Qabili which is a lamb dish with raisins and rice, which was just so so in my opinion--my meatballs definitely beat that lamb dish in the entree head-to-head competition. Everyone else liked their food, but we all agreed it all seemed to be missing a little more flavor, spice, etc. But in general, it was a great dining experience. They didn't rush us out, were accommodating with us being late, and they have cheap wine too!
(3)Sparky S.
Tasty food. But portions are very less, so don't pick this spot if you are really hungry and looking at a cheaper option to have stomach full.
(3)Chris P.
Fantastic Chopan (rack of lamb). The Aushak is spectacular (meat and chive ravioli w/ a unique lemon flavor). Great wait staff. Pleasant surroundings. Good wine selection ( try the inexpensive Bordeaux). What more could you want?
(5)Otis H.
What an awesome find. The wife and I stopped in here before a concert looking for something "Mediterranean"....well, obviously this is not even close to Mediterranean, but Middle-East would have to do. Neither of us had ever had Afghan food before and thus really had no expectations besides the reviews I read on Yelp. What followed was truly amazing. First off the place is way smaller than I had expected. I would classify this as cozy rather than cramped though. It is tastefully appointed and welcoming. Upon seating we ordered a carafe of the house Cab Sav. It was great and much better than the rot gut one usually gets in a house wine. My wife ordered the Banjan (pan fried eggplant) for an app and the Aushak (leek filled ravioli) for her meal. I ordered the Kaddo (pumpkin with yogurt and beef sauce) for an app and the Dopiaza (lamb chunks with peas and pallow rice) for an entree. The apps were amazing. There is something different about the yogurt that they use. It has just a bit more bite to it and really adds something to the dish. They also give you plenty of warm flat bread (nan...yes similar in sound and look to the Indian Naan) with 3 incredible sauces (Yogurt and cucumber, cilantro and garlic and a red chili). Again, you've probably had a greek tzatziki cucumber and yogurt sauce, but this tastes very different. The Kaddo is a real standout here. The pumpkin was very sweet and balanced wonderfully with the umami provided by the beef sauce and the acid from the yogurt. It was a flavor combination I had absolutely never had before. When my wife got the Aushak she found that the leeks were just a bit too strong and asked to switch it with the Chapendaz (grilled beef tenderloin over tomatoes and hot peppers). They waiter made the change easily and my wife really enjoyed the beef. The Dopiaza was amazing. The lamb was perfectly grilled and tender and the acid from the vinegar perfectly balanced the mushrooms and rice. All in all this was a perfect dinner out...and for less than $100 with drinks in Boston!
(4)Harvard P.
Mmmmmm.... I love lamb and Ariana is a great place to get it. I've been to Helmand and I would venture to say that the food here is just as good if not better! The flatbread that you get at the beginning of the meal comes with 3 different sauces, all delicious. I especially like the red sauce. We tried all the appetizers that everyone raves about on yelp - and they were good. But our favorite ended up being the okra dish. The Chopan is simply amazing. It's three ribs of pure yummy lamb, cooked medium rare over a bed of pallor rice and eggplant. My only complaint is that it was so good I didn't want to stop eating it even when my plate was clear. Definite a favorite of mine in the neighborhood.
(5)æ‚
I love it! Both the food and its service are great!
(5)Marie D.
The family and I went out for my son's birthday dinner. We loved the food--the tastes were wonderful and everyone enjoyed their meal. Our waiter was courteous and efficient. The bread they served was warm and delicious. We had a couple of appetizers--one was Aushak (delicious) and the other was also very good but I can't remember. Order the vegetarian sampler--this gives you all the highlights of many of the Afghan tastes to share with others. The trout dish was fantastic-so well cooked and tasty. I kept bartering my vegetarian samples for bites of the trout. Also, the Sabzi Challow was terrific--the rice options are so flavorful. My daughter loved her beef dish although I don't like charred meats. I had to agree that aside from that it was really tasty. The ambience is very warm, inviting and romantic--I want to go back with my husband and another couple. The owner told us that they are moving to another location in Brighton? where the big advantage will be parking sometime this month (Feb 2015)--I hope it stays as delicious and inviting.
(4)Arik S.
Went here late on a rainy Tuesday and had the entire restaurant to ourselves, an experience onto itself. The food was flavorful, delicious, and well priced, especially for the atmosphere. I haven't had much Afghan food in my life, but I know good food when I have it, and this was excellent.
(5)Malavika R.
The food here... decent, but go here for the kaddo (a dish made from baby pumpkins and sugary goodness) seriously.
(3)Dave D.
I've been to Ariana twice, and both times left thinking, "wow, what a great restaurant." The food is absolutely delicious. Nothing I've tried there is anything less. And of course, the cuisine is different than what you see in most places west of Kabul. The ambiance is a little less than perfect; it's one room, a bit crowded and a little noisy. But not uncomfortable at all. The staff is a little stiff and maybe a little bit inexperienced? In both visits, I got the sense that the waiter and waitress were a little unsure of what they were doing. Also, the cadence of the meal was a little off. Appetizers came out quickly, but then we waited for quite a while for the entrees. The entrees were cleared quickly, and desserts came out, but then we sat for another while with dirty dessert plates in front of us. Not a huge issue - just a little off. I've recommended Ariana to lots of friends.
(4)K T.
We stopped in for dinner without a reservation, and were pleasantly surprised that were seated promptly. The decor is simple and calm, with linens and nice ambience. The wait staff is excellent and attentive. We were in need of suggestions for the menu, and our waiter provided us with very useful information to guide our choices. We tried an assortment of dishes for appetizer and dinner. All were fantastic, but indeed the pumpkin gets the nod as the most memorable for their tickling the palate. Breads were also excellent. We will definitely be back!
(4)Alicia W.
New to Boston and wanted to try a new place in the area. Found this place on Yelp and I'm so glad I tried it out. I've never had Afghan food, but it reminds me a bit of Indian food with all the flavors. I'm ready to go back, I couldn't stop talking about it at work! A friend and I went on a Monday night and we were the first to arrive. Great atmosphere for dates. The service was okay, one of the servers who brought the sauces seemed very bored and as we asked him to explain what each one was, he didn't bother to look at us and just looked out the window the whole time. Appetizer - Aushak. The pasta had a unique fresh taste with a savory sauce...I wanted to lick the plate! Entree - Korma Challow and Mantu (friend) - The korma challow is a leg of lamb and the meat was tender and cooked to perfection. For me, the Mantu and it tasted a little plain for me, but my friend seemed to enjoy it. Dessert - Feereny - cream pudding is a must try. I could eat it everyday all day. I wanted to try the Pudeen, but they were out, so maybe next time. Definitely going back and trying out new things. I don't think I'll ever be disappointed here.
(5)Julie V.
This was my first time trying Afghan food -- eating here certainly made me want to try it again. The real highlight of the menu for me was to see how many lamb dishes they have, as lamb is a meat I really enjoy but rarely see on typical menus. For dinner that night, we ended up with the chopan (rack of lamb marinated in a puree of onion, sun-dried baby grapes and garlic, served with sauteed eggplant and pallow rice), along with banjan and kaddo challow (pan-fried, then baked pumpkin and eggplant served w/fresh tomato sauce.) I have to say my favorite was the pumpkin, which had become a lovely, sweet custard. The lamb was perfectly tender, although maybe too seasoned for the full taste of the meat itself to come through. Portion sizes were good, not too much and not too little.
(4)Caitlyn T.
This is probably the 100th review that's said it, but get the kaddo app. It sounds a little funky but the flavors work perfect together. They bring out some bread and dipping sauces for you which are fun to try. We split a lamb entree and loved it. Even with a bottle of wine our entire bill came to around $50. Great value for what you're getting! The manager came over to the table to ask how everything was which earned the restaurant a few points as well. This was our first time eating Afghan food and we both really enjoyed it. Looking forward to next time!!
(4)Marym M.
I'm 100% Afghan and Ariana's food is as authentic as it gets! I moved to Boston from sunny southern California and thought I would miss out on all of my mom's amazing homecooked Afghan meals. Ariana is my immediate go-to for satisfying my Afghan food cravings when I'm feeling homesick. The food is so flavorful and filling, without making you feel bloated or sick. My favorites are the Kaddo appetizer, Bolani, Ashak, Mantu, and any of the meat dishes (honestly, you can't go wrong since the meat I've had here has always been so tender, juicy, and well-seasoned). For all of you vegetarians out there, there are plenty of satisfying veggie dishes to choose from. For dessert, I must greedily consume an entire Fereny to myself (Ariana's is the best I've had!) every time I dine here. Just try it---you won't regret it! The service is also stellar. All of the servers are attentive and courteous and the owners who are Afghan are always welcoming and sweet. As for the ambience, it's a very warm colored space with romantic lighting and decor (fresh flowers on each table is a plus). They tend to play mostly traditional, instrumental Afghan music which isn't too loud (great for having intimate conversations over dinner). I've also recently put in a large order for food for a holiday party I'm having and they have been very professional, accommodating, and generous. Overall, I can't help but give Ariana 5 stars!
(5)Ang L.
One of the best dining experiences I've had in Boston! First time trying Afghan food and Ariana was an excellent first impression. We went yesterday night which was a Monday so only one server was working. He was awesome though, took time to make sensible recommendations and was very nice. The food was some of the best I've ever had. Like after the meal I felt I could have cleared five more plates of the same thing! Ordered the Mantu for an appetizer and it was good. Sort of like a stuffed ravioli with tasty meat filling inside. I wish I could explain it better but it's definitely a good choice. Also the Kaddo which was sweet and salty goodness. Next was the entree which was amazinggg. The rack of Lamb! Unfortunately I don't remember the exact way it was listed on the menu but it was 26 dollars and at the top of the listings of entrees. It was soooo good, I'm not a huge fan of lamb but this tasted like an amazing cut of steak that fell right off the bone. Best Lamb I've ever had by far! And finally dessert which was homemade ice cream with pistachios. Also excellent. Excellent choice and I guess kind of a hidden gem since so many people pass by to go to Bon Chon. Definitely worth a shot and you'll be coming back for sure. I want to go back tonight...
(5)chaju J.
I love this place!!! I ate there January 5 2015. I ordered the ravioli and julienne carrot dish (can't remember the exact names) and they were AMAZING! Very flavorful and the service was professional, attentive and friendly. I was with a large party, 12ppl, and the food was worth the wait. I look forward to eating there again soon. Location convenient and prices reasonable for the excellent and fresh quality of the food.
(5)R T.
Crispy-ass tender trout with seasoned rice filled with dates and walnuts. Leek and scallion bowlawni is delicate as shit. That fucking almond-cilantro sauce.
(5)Kayla L.
Came here on a slow Sunday night and there was only appeared to be one front of house worker, but he greeted us promptly, and was very nice and attentive, even when business picked up a bit. The atmosphere was lovely with beautifully set tables, dimmed lighting and very enjoyable music. Of course, the food was what really sent me here to write this review, and what will send me back again soon, I'm sure. We got the Kaddo appetizer, pumpkin which was sweet and delicious. We also tried the Mantu, beef and onion filled dumpling-esque darlings with a flavorful yogurt sauce. We split the Dopiaza entree-- the lamb was cooked perfectly with a tasty sauce and the mushrooms were dazzlingly juicy. We treated ourselves to a richer but also more delicious than expected dessert, their cream pudding topped with strawberries, blueberries, and pineapple, but unfortunately missing the promise of kiwi which made me choose the dish. But flavor was outstanding on every course, portion sizes were pretty fair, and overall it was a great experience.
(5)Wasim Q.
Best afghan food I have ever had, including in Fremont, CA (which is like Little Afghanistan). The menu is a bit small, but the execution is perfect. A good way to test an Afghan place is by the Mantu, which is like a delicate ravioli-- very easy to botch and very hard to do well. These guys knocked it out of the park. The noodle was just right, and the meat sauce was well spiced. The Kaddo (pumpkin) appetizer is also amazing--very sweet, but balanced by the yogurt and meat sauce. You can't go wrong with any of the entrees-- Qabili (rice w/ carrots and raisins and lamb) is a classic Afghan dish you should try if you haven't had it before. The Tikka Kabob is great, though misleadingly named. It's not like an Indian tikka-- it's more of a well seasoned .5" steak that is sliced into strips. Spoke to the chef and he told me that all the dishes are family recipes that have been in his family for years. It shows. As a bonus, the meat is halal. Don't miss out on the Turkish coffee either (yes, I know it's an Afghan place, but they brew a mean cup).
(5)Jo-Ellen D.
I've never had afghan food before so I guess I can't really compare it. BUT I can say it was out of this world delicious! Not to mention the great service. We had 2 young kids with us and they completely accommodated them and were beyond friendly. The food was just amazing and I hope I can go back before I move!!!
(5)Heather B.
Loved this place! Quiet, beautifully decorated, and the food was amazing! We each got a bowl of the lamb stew which was delicious and then shared two apps (the pumpkin with the garlic yogurt and meat sauce is AMAZING! Like truly incredible and delicious!) The music, decor, and service all make for a beautiful evening. I highly recommend this place. Perfect for a date or a group of friends getting together.
(5)Sonya I.
The complementary bread that they serve along with 3 different condiments are just fantastic! We tried Mantu, Aush, Salata with pomegranate dressing, Shish Kabob, which came with an eggplant side dish and rice pilaf; and as a desert we had bucklawa..All were very delicious! The shish kabob and the pilaf rice that came with it were my favorites..Definitely recommend it..Can not wait to go back to try more of their dishes.
(5)Rachel W.
4 stars for slow but effective service. There were only two people working a very busy Sunday night, and you could really tell they were doing the best they possibly could. They were smiley and pleasant though you could tell they were truly exhausted. Orders came out perfect, and hot. Everything was delicious. Warm bread was fantastic (if you've ever been to Helmand, it's basically the same menu, same bread, same dipping sauces, basically the same) I like the interior of this restaurant, great date night spot. I had the trout tonight which was fantastic. If you're allergic to walnuts, just tell them you'd like a different rice and they are more than happy to oblige. One of the other people we were with had some side dish of pumpkin that was out of this world delicious, I would totally order an entire side of that next time. I ate everything that was on my plate, everything. Parking can be a hassle, I'd suggest taking the T if you can, otherwise be prepared to do a few circles around the block before you find a spot (or buy a smart car because apparently everyone in Boston loves to leave huge gaps between cars that your car could almost fit into, but not.)
(4)Husain K.
Great option for authentic Afghani food! We recently went in a group and tried to order family style. Unfortunately the servings are individual and we ran a little short of food. If you do go with a group make sure to order individual dishes for each person. We ordered 6 dishes. The qabili was amazing and had small chunks of lamb in the rice, extremely flavorful! The rack of lamb was tender and juicy as we had asked for medium. Make sure to order the Choban as its def one of there best dishes. We also ordered the Tikka Kabob and Mough Challow. All the dishes were very well prepared and the quality of the meat was amazing. We will definitely come back here. Parking can be a little tricky on a Sat night. Also make reservations ahead of time as they can fill up quickly on weekends.
(5)Maya I.
I've been here probably more than 5 times by now. I've never had Afghan food before I came to this place and I was pleasantly surprised. All of their dishes are pleasant and delicious, cooked to perfection. The service is quick. The servers are all Russian and since I'm Russian I've learned their names and always make sure to thank them. The kaddo was definitely my favorite! I get it everytime I go there! The Mantu was also very good. The qabili is also a good choice. However, I did not like the tikka kabob. It was burnt on the sides and the meat did not have as much flavor as their other dishes. I would take off a point for this but they simply have too many other great choices!
(5)Lynn S.
We had high expectation going in. Without a reservation we were shocked to be told by the staff that there were no available seating at 5:30pm. The entire place was empty and the only reason we could tell was we were rejected because we have a small toddler with us. We ate next door at Carlos and by the time we were done, the place was still half empty at 8pm! So families be ware! Not cool.
(1)Paran Y.
So good I came here 2 times in one week. No joke. Location. Location. Location. I don't know about you...but some days I just want to eat some ethnic Afgan food, then shoot some 8ball at a good ol' fashion pool hall, and then end the night singing Journey anthems till 3 in the morning. YOU TOO?! Look no further, Ariana is THE place if that sounds amazing. With karaoke and pool halls within 2 blocks of this place, its the perfect place for say....a birthday, with fun stuff to do afterwards?! Yes you understand now. As for the food, you will not find a place that serves better lamb. Mary's little lambs never tasted so delicious. I also got the Kaddo as recommended, but the pumpkin was a bit too sweet for an appetizer, but still good. Also, this place has Prosecco for a reasonable $21 to get that birthday celebration underways.
(5)Pink Peony P.
I love it. I went for dinner for a date night. I was very impressed by the simple decor and I loved the blue goblets for water. I'm a big fan of Middle Eastern cuisine and always find them to be very flavorful. All the dishes look fantastic ... and they are! We started with the Kaddo and without a doubt, everyone is right! It tasted great! A great blend of sweet squash with savory beef. I can eat that as my full meal. I'm not a big fan of lamb, so but I picked the beef kabob. It was delicious and everything was well portioned. All of all the choices for food in Allston, take a try at Ariana for something different. The food is delicious and the price is reasonable for the service and atmosphere.
(4)S. C.
My first time trying Afghani food and I was absolutely thrilled by the unique flavor combinations and great menu. Ariana is in a great location in the heart of Allston, nestled between a number of great ethnic restaurants. Aside from having awesome food, this 5-star rating was achieved by: great house wine, bread to start, and perfect portions. For an appetizer I ordered the Kaddo: pumpkin, garlic yogurt, and ground beef sauce (it basically tastes like sweet potato + cool whip + sloppy joe...and yes, it's awesome). Entree was Dopiaza, a lamb dish with mushrooms, garlic, onions, and rice (pretty much every single one of my favorite ingredients). My friend had the Chapendaz and I can say very assuredly that it was some of the best marinated tenderloin that I've had in a very long time. The environment is sparce but cute--you'll be so excited over the food choices that you won't even notice
(5)Erkan B.
Everything was beautiful. It was shame that The Italian restaurant next to Ariana was full but not Ariana. People should not be afraid of trying different cusines. I recommend this place anyone who like to discover new tastes. I'd even go there just for their fresh baked bread!!!
(4)Parker K.
We got seated promptly (we had a reservation but were late due to parking) and had a great experience overall. Great: -Atmosphere: very cute, romantic place -Service: Waiters/waitresses were friendly and helpful; food came out quickly -Food: you get (very) warm bread with 3 dipping sauces (excellent). We ordered Kaddo as an appetizer and Shish Kabob/Mantu for entrees. The Kaddo and Mantu were excellent. The Shish Kabob meat was seared too much (tasted way too burnt). -Price: very good, especially for what you get Not-so-great: -Parking: abysmal. Take public transportation at all costs. -Hours: they're only open for dinner (but they'll open for large groups, per their website).
(5)Elizabeth G.
The site of a great birthday dinner. I will probably offend someone actually from Afghanistan with my attempt to characterize Afghani food, but here goes. It reminded me of Indian food without the heat. Many of the dishes are served over rice spiced with cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cumin. There is also a hint of Middle Eastern food, with several kinds of kabobs on the menu, and also kofta. People in my group all enjoyed their food. The only "best thing I've ever tasted" standout was the kaddo: a hunk of pumpkin baked until it is soft and fluffy, with a sweet caramelized coating, served over garlic yogurt sauce. WOW. I will say that these were some of the smallest portions I've ever received for appetizers and entrees in Boston, at a not-low price. Not a huge issue for me since I don't always love boxing up half of my meal and taking it home, but I didn't feel like I was getting great value for my money. They have a decent list of bottled beers, and wine. It was easy to get a reservation for 8 people on a Saturday night. The service was excellent. This is one of those places where you feel that they really WANT you to like the food. Which is the way it should be everywhere, but I'm always surprised at how many restaurants have a "You don't like it? Then get the F out" attitude.
(4)Carla S.
Went on Sunday evening the food was fantastic. I had the chop an. The rack of lamb was cooked to perfection. The service was pleasant except they are understaffed.
(5)Steve F.
Since I like to try new food all the time, so one day I was talking down Brighton Ave on my way to Sunset, and I walked by this place. I've never had Afghan food before, so I thought it might be a good place to take my gf one night. Called up and made a reservation with ease. This place is great! Friendly servers, quick service, great wine selection, reasonably priced. The bread they bring out to you comes with three different types of dipping sauce, and can certainly suffice for an appetizer in itself. However, if you skip the appetizer in this place, you will do yourself a disservice, as they are absolutely delicious. I can't remember the names of the specific dishes, but we ordered the dumpling app and the ravioli app...both great!! The ravioli app was PHENOMINAL, and I wished I could make a whole meal out of it. The entree is equally as great, as you can't go wrong with any of the dishes. I had the chicken kebob and it was cooked perfectly and delicious. Great experience, will definitely be back!
(5)Natalie E.
I've been to Ariana's on three separate occasions, and all three times, I've had wonderful service and food. Like other people mention, the kaddo appetizer is a must! For mains, I have always had the lamb but cooked in different ways, all of which are delicious. The combinations of herbs and spices are novel for me, which is one of the things I love most about this place- adventurous dining! The 1/2 carafes and full carafes of wine are great for sharing, and are fairly priced. I really enjoy sharing this place with others, and will continue bringing friends and family there when I get the chance!
(5)Kelly A.
I had a real piece of crap day on Friday, and the mister and I were looking for a restaurant that 1) we wouldn't normally go to (we have a toddler, so we have a rotation of about three usual restaurants these days) and 2) had food that we wouldn't normally eat. A quick yelp search led me to Ariana, so Allston became our destination. It wasn't our first time getting Afghani food, but it had been so long since the last time that we didn't really remember what we were missing. Luckily Ariana offered us a clear reminder. We got there around 6:30, and there was only one other table occupied in the whole place. And then those people left, making it super awkward. I mean, I know 6:30 is kind of early and all, but really? We're the only ones there? I didn't have a huge appetite that night, so we decided to split the stuffed pastry app (one with leeks and scallions and one with spiced potatoes) and the vegetarian special entree. While they were preparing our food, we were given a lovely spread of flatbread with three delicious sauces. I also enjoyed a glass of red wine, which happened to be the first alcoholic beverage I've had in months, which is probably why it blew my mind. I doubt it was particularly good wine or anything, but it tasted pretty freaking awesome to me at the time. The little pastries arrived, and they were delicious. And then the entree came and it, too, was delicious. It had a little bit of everything - pumpkin, okra, rice, eggplant - and the flavors were bold and interesting. Service was ok. I just wish that there were more patrons there so it wasn't so awkwardly empty the whole time. We'll definitely return, though probably only on a date night, as I wouldn't feel comfortable bringing a kid there.
(4)Kerri Y.
If anything I am writing up this place for the great service and the wonderful waitresses; they were so sweet! They took our coats at the door and sat us in a nice seat by the window, recommended food and wine- which were all fantastic and arrived fairly quick We were there a bit after they closed (10pm on a Thursday), but we did not feel rushed at all. The food was really good. I had never had Afghani food before: it reminds me a bit of Indian food- lots of yummy spices. I was pleasantly surprised at the price: for an appetizer (Kaddo), 2 dishes, dessert (bucklawa ) AND a bottle of wine, it was $65! Super service. Tasty food. Great Atmosphere. Cheap bill?? I'm sold.
(4)Roger W.
We had an outstanding first meal at Ariana last Friday. Everything from the bread and sauces at the beginning to the buklawa at the end was tasty and well prepared. Service was low key and unrushed, but all of our needs were met. The rack of lamb was just about perfect. We've eaten at Helmand many times, I'd have to say Ariana was a cut above. If not for the issue of finding a parking space anywhere nearby it would become a go to favorite.
(4)Natanya A.
Delicious food. Their sauces are fantastic!
(5)Kai A.
Delicious food--really subtle, lovely flavoring on everything we had. Highly recommended.
(5)Bobby C.
I was looking for a place nearby the Agganis Arena for a quick dinner before an comedy event. We arrived around 6:15PM on a Saturday. The dining area was empty. Not a big deal since I read great reviews about Ariana. My date and I ordered the Shish Kabob (lamb) and Chapendaz (beef). My date was interested in trying both types of rice. Each dish came with a different one so it worked out well. Service was good. There were 2-3 servers. Our server explained to us the different sauces which was helpful. If you like to people watch, try to get a table next to the window. Try to avoid the table right before the booth (along the window). There isn't much space so your chairs will be bumping into the other table's chair. Overall, very affordable ethnic food with good atmosphere and service.
(4)Josephine L.
For those who've had to make the trek to Nowheresville, Kendall Sq for years to get their Afghan food fix, here's a much more accessible spot that's also easier on the wallet. Items are easily $2-5 cheaper than at the Helmand. Score! On a weeknight, they were able to seat our party of 6 immediately and service was always efficient and friendly, even when the waiters changed midway through our meal. Afghan food is a delicious blend of Middle Eastern, Indian and even Italian sentiments while maintaining flavors all its own. Pumpkin and lamb are favorite items, so if you like those, be prepared to go to heaven! We shared: - Kaddo: Pan-fried then baked baby pumpkin seasoned with sugar and served on a garlic yogurt sauce topped with ground beef sauce. Did you think pumpkin meat was just a thing to be scooped out to make a jack-o-lantern? NOOO! If you've never had pumpkin, I can't think of a better way to experience this delicious fruit. - Aushak: Ravioli filled with leeks and scallions served on a garlic and mint yogurt sauce, topped with ground beef and mint. Delicious! The ground beef was super moist and tender. - Mantu: Homemade pastry shells filled with onions and beef, served on yogurt and topped with carrots, yellow split peas and beef sauce. See the Italian influence? Every country has its version of a dumpling. This is Afghanistan's. - Dopiaza: Marinated then grilled leg of lamb, sautéed with yellow split peas and tossed with onions lightly marinated in vinegar, served with garlic, mushrooms and pallow rice. An entree that features some of the best parts of Afghan cooking. The lamb is incredibly tender and the pallow rice is as soft as a cloud. The mushrooms were cooked in the most delicious sauce and were perfectly crunchy. - Korma Challow: Leg of lamb sautéed with onions, tomatoes, garlic, green beans, potatoes and spices served with lentils and challow rice. More lamb for you, but this time in a wonderful tomato sauce. Savory and scrumptious. - Kofta Challow: Beef meatballs with Afghan seasonings sautéed with sun dried tomatoes, hot peppers and green peas in a fresh tomato sauce, served with challow rice. Afghan meatballs? Yeah, you gotta try this. There are plenty of vegetarian options to choose from for all you plant-eating folk. And a rather interesting wine and dessert list. Challenge your perceptions of the world and give Ariana a try. You won't regret it.
(4)Jeremy R.
We had the lamb chops here. It was a little expensive but the lamb chops were cooked perfectly, and the rice and eggplant on the side were very well flavored.
(5)Molly M.
Ambiance: nicely decorated, nice music playing, white table cloths, medium/dark lighting which I prefer. Service: very prompt, attentive and polite without being overbearing. My boyfriend and i came later on a Sunday night and were the only diners but did not feel rushed at all. FOOD: outstanding. I wanted to try a good sample of their offerings so we got all four of the vegetarian appetizers. Each were complex and flavorful. The pumpkin kaddo and the eggplant dish stood out. The bread and sauces they bring out in the beginning are delicious as well. I can't say enough positive things about the food. It was our first time here and we will definitely be returning. It seems like they would accommodate small/med groups or families well too so I would bring my parents and brothers when they visit. Good for vegetarian or meat eaters.
(5)Emily L.
Excellent food. We had the Kaddo appetizer. Wow, it is heaven on a plate. First of all, I'm impressed that they offer it year round because pumpkins are definitely not in season during the summer. Second of all, the texture is spectacular. The pumpkin literally melts into your mouth. The dish has the right amount of sweetness to make you wanting more but it is not overpowering enough to make you feel like you're eating a candy bar. I ordered the tikka kabob. The beef was cooked to perfection and was incredibly juicy. The lentils and rice gave the entree more substance. My boyfriend had the Qabili and he really like the raisins with the rice. For dessert, we shared the bucklawa. It was a bit nutty and I would have liked it more if there was a little more of a pastry texture. The portion size was decent and it was definitely rich enough for the two of us to share and feel satisfied. The main reason why I gave this place four stars instead of five was because of the wine. We ordered two glasses of the house wine and when the waitress poured our glasses, it seemed like it was a decent amount. At the end of our meal, I looked over to our neighboring table and found that another waitress had poured fuller glasses for the other table. Furthermore, the table had larger wine glasses. As if fate wanted to give us an extra kick while we were down, we discovered that the wine was actually seven dollars instead of the menu listed price of six. In total, all these factors are quite small and could have been easily over looked. However if you're going to do wine by the glass, you should make it fair to all the customers and make sure that all the tables have the same glassware. Aside from the wine, the waitstaff was super friendly and accommodating. In total, we had about three people either taking our order, refilling out water glass, taking our plates, or serving us our food. Overall, I really enjoyed this restaurant and maybe next time, I'll just order a bottle of wine.
(4)Deborah H.
Great place for groups assuming you make a reservation, otherwise be prepared to wait, at least on weekends. I ordered the sabzi challow (lamb with spinach over rice), which was incredible. I almost regret that I will probably never try anything else on they menu here because it was that delicious.
(5)Harri S.
Sweet Jesus this food is delicious! I felt like total crap the entire time I was here, but the food was so good I was distracted from all my other woes. We ordered 2 apps and 2 entrees. Though we didn't get any, a bottle of wine was entirely reasonable at appox. $20. While we waited for our food our water glasses were always full, and we got complimentary flatbread with three sauces (Yogurt mint, cilantro walnut, Chilli oil) and a pat of butter (we didn't touch it, but the thought was nice). APPETIZERS: Mantu: Essentially a beef and veg ravioli with a meat sauce all sered over a garlic yogurt sauce. Wow! You get 2 sizable pouchettes for $6. Kaddo: For you fans of Indian food, think of gazhar (carrot) halva that is perfectly cooked and spiced. Put this over a garlic yogurt sauce dotted with oil, and add some ground meat sauce over the top. Perfection for $6 is not a bad deal folks. ENTREES: Kofta Challow: I love Challow rice. It's like Indian jeera rice, and for folks who still don't get it all this mumbo jumbo just means delicious. Dopiaza: My eyes rolled to the back of my head after I had a bite of this perfectly cooked lamb. It was served with lentils, flatbread and a mushroom/veg medley (off to the side for those of you who don't care for the fungus-among-us). Bill Came to $50 with tip. I was full, we took food home. TOTALLY WORTH IT! So good.
(5)Idan H.
Magnificent! If you weigh in the price and the food, then this restaurant is really good.
(5)Jessica C.
I visited Boston for the first time because my cousin was graduating. She recommended this restaurant and took our entire family there. It's pretty close to BU's campus. None of us have tried Afghanistan cuisine before, but were all very excited! IT. WAS. SO. GOOD. It reminded me of middle eastern food since there was a lot of lamb. Their appetizers (baked sweet potato with ground beef and roasted eggplant) were really good, although the portions were small. The meal also came with these flat bread things where you could dip it in three different sauces (white, red, and green). I think my favorite one was the green one. The red one had a kick to it. The white one just tasted like yogurt. I got lamb with rice and roasted vegetables. It was really good and just the right amount of food. For dessert, we had bucklawa (baklava) and a rice pudding. Only downside - it was super toasty up in there. Too much heater up in there. There was only one waiter, so service can be slow when it's busy.
(4)Mike M.
The food is DELICIOUS!!! If you like Middle-eastern cuisine, you will really enjoy the food here. We got the Mantu for appetizer which was pretty good. It's a "Homemade pastry shell filled with onions and beef, served on yogurt and topped with carrots, yellow split peas and beef sauce". The yogurt/beef sauce combo is pretty good! For Entrees I got the Kofta Challow, which was PHENOMENAL! My wife got the Chopan (Rack of Lamb), which was by far the best rack of lamb we've had! It was perfectly seasoned and juicy.
(4)Angel M.
Spices adrift, wafting through the entrance, as my friend and I were ravenously entering the curious new establishment of Brighton Avenue, after waiting for what seemed like eternity in a police station after a hit and run, we needed an escape of ecstasy, and we found it. Already we knew that on this particular past Saturday we were participating in a fantastic meal. The paper menus carefully laid out by our welcoming host and server had multiple dishes for vegetarians which for my friend was perfect. Her scallion and leek filled ravioli was delicately balanced with a yogurt of garlic and mint, topped with cracked pepper, tomatoes, yellow split peas, and carrot sauce, nicely heated and served beautifully. But first, I ask that you pay attention to their flatbread, or naan in Farsi, soft and warm, served with plenty of soft butter, and a display of three sauces to dip, a spicy, an herby, and a yogurty. Our appetizer, a side order of Banjan, was in due order. Delicious pan fried eggplant with select seasonings of spices and again, the curious yogurt made its way through to the dish. Though all the dishes were so so so good, I have to say my diamond was the Qabili, pallow rice baked with fall off the bone lamb chunks, topped with raisins and glazed carrots, sweet and savory made its way to this dish, every bite was dynamite, and I even managed to save some for my roomates to have a bite once I arrived home. I would like to say, for a Saturday, there was no wait, for only two waiters there was no wait, and because its around the corner from my house and reasonably priced, theres no reason to wait...to go back. Ariana, you are my friend, or at least this new girl that I visit for a couple of hours, have my way, leave some money, and go home satisfied, thansks so much!
(5)Troy P.
The Kaddo appetizer alone was worth the whole night. A sweet pumpkin baked and sweetened and topped with yogurt sauce and then again with a meat sauce was so good even someone obsessed with all thing pumpkin was shocked how good this was. For dinner I ordered the leg of lamb and it was cooked perfectly with a great side with eggplant and onions and baby grapes. Dessert followed with Turkish coffee. I had the rice pudding which was good but the cardamom took it to great. A great meal and quick if quiet service. Reservations were not necessary in our case, but the space is small so later in the evening you are better safe than sorry.
(5)Chrissy H.
YUM! That just about sums up my very first afghani dining experience. I'll admit, at first I was a little upset because our reserved table was not ready when we arrived, and I didn't like that there was no soap in the bathroom (thanks waterless antibacterial cleanser in my purse,) but the meal I had made up for it. We all started with the Kaddo, which was a scrumptious baked baby pumpkin in a ground beef sauce. Simple- yet delicious. For dinner, I had the Chapendaz, which was a juicy steak with grilled tomatoes and hot peppers that came served with spinach rice and lentils. All were fantastic. The portions were small in a way that leaves room for dessert without the diner feeling cheated. Speaking of dessert, we had the baklava and the feereny which was basically a rice pudding with some gorgeous fruit on top. My tummy is rumbling just thinking about it I'll be back, Ariana.
(4)Charlotte H.
Ate there last night & it was amazing. Am so tired of current trend of very noisy restaurants where you can't hear your friends & can't enjoy food due to pounding bass music. Lovely tables with tablecloths! Friendly waitstaff who seem genuinely happy to help you with food choices! Diverse groups of diners having well-modulated conversations! Most importantly: divine food. My friend & I took the first bite of our appetizers & sighed, "Ahhhhhh. Heavenly." The food is beyond compare. Kaddo (pumpkin) and Banjan (eggplant) for starters--melt-in-your mouth subtle flavors with just a hint of sweet tang from the mint yogurt. I had the Qabili--lamb with rice, raisins, & carrots. Lamb was impeccably moist and flavorful. Rice & raisins make perfect complement. The rice pudding for dessert--out of this world. Not too sweet like usual rice puddings. This is more subtle & tastes like you could eat it forever. That was the general feeling about each dish I had: took one bite & thought, "Oh. I could eat this forever & be completely happy." Am planning to bring all out-of-town visitors here. Plus all friends who have exhausted super-trendy Boston fair. Plus generally anyone who wants to have dinner. And it's open until 11pm on some nights! A true rarity in Beantown. Side note: I can't eat Indian food anymore due to digestive revolt against spices & ghee. This food is perfect substitute--subtly spiced & not oily in the least.
(5)Jacqueline S.
An unsuspecting restaurant right in the heart of Allston, Ariana is seriously a hidden gem. I'd been wanting to try this place for months and finally got the chance on a Tuesday night. The place was empty when we arrived (7pm) but we knew this was no indication of the culinary pleasures that awaited us. My friend had been here before and suggested the Kaddo appetizer. I had read the mixed reviews on this dish, as some said it was overly-sweet, but trust me, It's delicious! Not too sweet-- it's perfectly balanced by the well-seasoned beef and garlic yogurt sauce. I wanted to lick the plate. Overshare? Eh, whatev. So scrumptious. For my entree I chose the Korma Challow, and I definitely recommend it. The lamb was tender and juicy and surrounded by an amazing tomato-based sauce. The lentils were perfectly cooked and went well with the lamb. While the portions are on the smaller side, I was more than satisfied. My friend got the lamb Shish Kabob, which had a pronounced smokey flavor and the meat was slightly tougher. Still, quite delicious. We were too stuffed for dessert (amateurs, I know) but even with my food baby sitting heavy I wanted to try all of them. We plan on going back asap. Moderate prices, smaller portions, but major flavor and amazing service.
(5)Blake G.
I've wanted to try this place for a while, but was disappointed when I finally did. My appetizer, bowlawni, two large vegetarian savory pies were good, but the vegetarian entry choices were very limited and none sounded interesting to me. The one I ordered, sabzi challow, was nothing like it sounded on the menu and was boring -- three little pies of sauteed veggies. Perhaps this place is good if you eat meat, but don't go here if you're vegetarian. Sure, there are a few vegetarian options, but they are unimaginative. If you want to eat Afghan food and don't eat meat, go to Helmand. They have a greater variety of choices and they are good. Addendum: For all those who insist the menus at Ariana and Helmand are the same, it is simply not true. I've eaten at both restaurants and been multiple times to Helmand. I've compared the menus. Helmand has more vegetarian options. What's more, the vegetarian dishes I've eaten at Helmand are tastier and more interesting.
(2)Rosie Z.
Delicious food, great price and great ambience. The meat is cooked perfect and the spices they use complement each other so well
(4)Sue L.
Just a little clarification: I've never had Afghani food. But if you like Middle Eastern food, you will LOVE this place. The food is very authentic and rustic. The flavors are intense and very delicious. Even at 11 o'clock at night this place is packed! I can't tell you exactly what I had, but I had their most popular lamb dish. Now, I LOVE lamb. They gave GREAT portions!! They did not skimp on the lamb. Also the very unique rice (I'm so sorry I can't give you a better description) they served with it was a perfect combination. It's not your typical rice. It is authentic food! We outright said that we'd never eaten Afghani food before and he just suggested the most popular dishes. I'm so glad that he did, it was SO good! I would love to go again but I don't live near Boston.
(5)Connie S.
Afghan restaurant bringing much needed authentic ethnic food to Boston. All the dishes are beautifully presented, the meat is tender, the challow rice (seasoned with cumin seed and baked) deliciously fluffy. Even so, I wasn't completely satisfied... the sauces and curries weren't terribly flavorful, and portion sizes conservative. Maybe my expectations had just been inflated by all the buzz I had heard beforehand. Still, some solid bets: - Kaddo appetizer (baked baby pumpkin with garlic yogurt sauce and ground beef) - Dopiaza (marinated grilled leg of lamb with yellow split peas, onions, and mushrooms on rice) - Mourgh Challow (chicken breast, yellow split peas, in a yogurt-curry sauce on rice) Candle lighting makes for a somewhat fancier ambiance, but it's still a pretty bare-bones interior. Service wasn't terribly attentive, but we didn't have to wait. All in all, Ariana's is a decent destination if you're craving a different type of cuisine, but not quite the place it's hyped up to be.
(3)Theodore Y.
The Kaddo (pan friend baby pumpkin) was amazing. The pumpkin was textured to dissolve, and its sweetness was not overpowering. Superb! The Banjan (eggplant) was passable but the Mantu (stuffed shells) packed a vegetable and beef combo that was tasteful yet light. We got a number of entrees but the Dopiaza had to take the prize. The lamb had all the "gamey" taste removed from it and it definitely his the pleasure spot. O, the bread with cilantro sauce? not too shabbby!
(5)RM J.
Perhaps this was just an off night for them but this was a very average experience. Not close to a 5 star experience - rather bland (i had the "signature" mantu and rack of lamb dishes".
(3)Lauren P.
This was my first time having Afghan food and a great place to start with! I went with a group and everything we got was delicious. Huge vegetarian options. I will be going back soon. Yum!
(5)Greg Y.
Brought my parents here after a couple of great experiences after my initial review. I have to say, though, that this time around the meal simply did not live up to expectations. For one, the portions have shrunk by a noticeable amount. The Kaddo (one of the best item on the menu, and still delicious) looked almost 25% smaller than normal. My entree with lamb chunks had a mere 4-5 pieces - not to mention that they was almost no pink in the middle despite being "medium-rare"! Quite disappointed. I'll probably be back one last time in the future to see whether they pick up the slack.
(2)Lauren L.
After braving Boston public transportation (and surviving!) we made it to Ariana. What a great find! (Thanks yelp!) The area has pretty good people watching, and the food is amazing. Can't really ask for more. Definitely recommend stepping out of your comfort zone if you're unsure of trying Afghan food. The wait staff is helpful, and it's an experience well worth your time.
(5)Haimeng T.
I would give it five stars if I was a fan of mid-east food. The restaurant looks a little fancy. I ordered legs of lamb, don't remember the dish name though. It was pretty good. Lamb was well cooked, very soft. I had a glass of their feature drink too. It's pretty sour but it grew on me after a while. The waitress waiting for our table was very patient. Because my friends need take the receipt back to their boss, they troubled her three times for that. She didn't complained at all and didn't show any sign of being annoyed, acting like it was no trouble at all. She was a good waitress.
(4)L R.
We arrived early (10 mins after the restaurant opened). The hostess asked if we had a reservation and we said no. Then she disappeared. Five mins or so later, after we were vetted (by camera?), the hostess showed us to a table and only two other tables were occupied.That was red flag #1. The appetizer, ravioli, was small but tasty. Then we waited about 40 mins for two entrees. The portions were smaller than expected for the price point. Red flag #2. In order not too leave the restaurant hungry we asked for an extra basket of bread. The waitress brought a basket of two small pieces of flat bread. Unbelievable. So we asked for more bread. After that we were treated poorly. Red flag #3 Overall, the food was tasty, portions were skimpy and the wait staff were testy. The dining experience was disappointing after making a special trip to go there.
(3)Erin D.
Having been to this place a few times now, I have to say I'm impressed. Food is always delicious (I normally get the vegetarian special), service is attentive, and the carafes of wine are a total bargain. Cute date night spot.
(5)Netalin T.
Everything is great. Food is clean, fresh and tasty. I have fish plate which came out very nice and present well. All plates are tasty. Desert is SUPER!!! Service is very nice but a bit slow. It looks like only 1 server for the whole restaurant.
(4)Gita N.
We had the pumpkin appetizer which had an option to have the beef sauce on the side to make it vegetarian friendly. I highly recommend it! The pumpkin was sweet but rich in flavor, and I was told the beef sauce gave it a good mix of sweet and salty. For my main entree, I had the Aushak which was a Afghani ravioli filled with chick peas and vegetables in a yogurt sauce. The spices and flavors were rich and complex and I can't wait to go back! So many vegetarian choices!
(5)Michael C.
For those who have never had it I find Afghani cuisine to be somewhere in between greek and indian food. We came here the day after Christmas, which was nice because it was empty. Kaddo - The highlight of the meal, which is grilled pumpkin in a yogurt sauce topped with a beef sauce Kofta Challow - The easiest way to describe this is that it is the Afghani take on spaghetti and meatballs except instead of pasta it is rice. I thought it was good but not great. The tomatoe based sauce was very spiced, it might not have been my style.
(3)Meridith H.
Aside from it's location (on the B Line, ugh), this is actually as good as it can get in Boston. Sure, there are plenty of places that have good food. And there are plenty of places with good service. And nice ambiance. And a good wine list. But there are NOT many places that have all of these things, all together, at an affordable price. Ariana is one of the few restaurants that are managed with love. This love especially shows when a group, accidentally comprising 10 people, arrives unannounced on a Saturday night, and are seated as soon as enough chairs open up, and are served with great care & attention, and EACH of whom orders the pumpkin appetizer because there is no way any of us are going to share. Not many places induce me to write run-on sentences of devotion, but Ariana is one.
(5)Vanessa P.
Delicious!! I've only been to one Afghan restaurant previously, in Baltimore, and this one was just as good if not better. I went with a friend, and we both decided to go "veggie" for the evening. They brought us delicious bread + 3 sauces before we ordered. We got the Kaddo (pumpkin + yogurt/garlic sauce) as an appetizer, which was amazing. Then we split the Kourma Challow (sauteeed veggies + spinach + rice) and the Aushak (leek + scallion ravioli w sauces). Both were delicious, though if I had to choose one I'd recommend the Kourma Challow as it was a bit more flavorful, and a bit more filling. The service was great; our waitress was very attentive. I hope to go back there soon!
(5)Parnian B.
It was a great experience, yesterday I went there with my boyfriend we did not know which Resturant we choose , we choose afghani Resturant by chance. We never expect that afghani cousins was that amazing and it was a smart decision, we had a great night, great food and very very very good service. The food quantity was amazing and I will definitely try again. And I recommend people try it. It is worth it.
(5)Elizabeth L.
I've been wanting to go to the Helmand since I was a wee undergrad, but 1) it was too far away from campus, and 2) Seemed impossible to get a table without reservations. Enter Ariana. This Allston location is practically an identical twin of the Helmand, as they are sister restaurants. Afghan food at its finest. I knew I was in for a treat from the start: the bread and dippings were absolutely delicious. Fluffy and warm, almost like naan/pita but even better. We ordered the kaddo (pumpkin with meat sauce), which was surprisingly sweet yet savory, and the banjan (eggplant dish) that went perfectly with the pita. There were two types of rice listed in the glossary, so we decided to get two dishes with each type. We ordered the Qabili (a lamb and raisin dish that comes with pallow, a cinnamon flavored rice), and the korma challow with lamb. The korma challow has challow rice (cumin and cardamon flavored) -- this dish's lamb was better in my opinion, since the qabili's was a little dry, and the lentils were amazing. An amazing dining experience. Highly recommended.
(5)Leslie W.
Great place. The Kado pumpkin beef thingy was weird but good. The lamb was tender and juicy. I will go back!
(4)Laura A.
We loved Ariana. It was exactly what we were looking for with nice atmosphere, flavorful food, good service and major bonus - halal meats! A real highlight was the kadoo (pan-fried then baked baby pumpkin seasoned with sugar and served on a garlic yogurt sauce topped with ground beef sauce). We also enjoyed the bowlawni appetizer (twin pastry shells, one filled with leeks and scallions and the other with spiced potatoes garnished with mint yogurt). Most of us ordered a kabob of one sort or another - I loved the lamb Shish Kabob and thought it was amazing. The Aushak also looked very good. Highly recommend and will definitely return!
(4)Claire M.
I visited two friends in Allston over the weekend and as soon as they described Ariana, my interest was piqued. I pride myself on trying and loving basically all kinds of international cuisines, but I'd never had Afghan food. After my meal at Ariana, let's just say that the bar has been set pretty high! Also, I ate a ton...adventures in overeating, anyone? The restaurant is classy and peaceful and perfect for family, friends, or a low-pressure date. The waiter brings out a basket of delicious warm flatbread and a trio of amazing sauces to dip it in. My friend described the trio as "crack" and I have to say I would agree - try mixing them all together for a sweet-spicy combo. I had to force myself not to fill up on the bread, because we ordered: Kaddo - baby pumpkin that's been pan-fried & baked, and then served with a garlic yogurt sauce and a ground beef sauce. I'd never had anything like that. It managed to be sweet and savory at the same time, and entirely satisfying. We split the appetizer between three people and I would have gladly eaten it all myself. I had Mourgh Challow, a chicken dish with split peas, yogurt sauce, and cilantro. It was flavorful and the chicken was perfectly cooked. This was the point of the meal at which I began to wish I had an extra stomach. I couldn't finish more than 2/3 of my entree, and let me tell you...that's abnormal for this girl. I tried my friends' dishes (both were lamb) and they were excellent as well. I would have loved to order dessert, but alas, I was stuffed silly. Will definitely be pushing to go back to Ariana next time I'm in Boston!
(5)Eric W.
Wow, believe the hype!! I almost thought Yelp's 4.5 star rating on this place was too good to be true, and I'd never had Afghan cuisine before so i wasn't quite sure what to expect. Absolutely blown away! The vegetarian special is devine. A combo of 4 small dishes you get a great mix of flavors between the sweet pumpkin, spinach, okra, and eggplant. Very pleasant staff, great atmosphere, although the music could be turned down a pinch. Priced appropriately and generous portions (my girlfriend and I split an appetizer and entree - the perfect amount of food). Can't wait to go back and try the rest of the menu!
(5)Audrey C.
Decent- very nice decor but in my opinion, food was simply overpriced for what it was. I got the eggplant/pumpkin vegetarian combo, and while the eggplant was really good (grilled with a smoky flavor), and the rice was lightly infused with some spices, I don't think it was worth almost $20 (after tax/tip-- before that it was $14.95). There wasn't that much eggplant or pumpkin either, not as much as I would have hoped for. I was very excited for the flat bread with the dipping sauces that came before, but it tasted too tough/dry and chewy for my tastes. I wouldn't be upset if someone suggested we eat here, but I just don't think I'd go out of my way to come here. Also, I have been to Helmand (another Afghan restaurant in Cambridge next to the Cambridge Galleria/Lechmere T), and I would say that Helmand seemed more flavorful + bread was really good there- very very fresh, they have a huge oven in the restaurant that you can see they use to make the bread. Helmand's also closer to me..
(3)Bill P.
Delicious food. Decent atmosphere. Really affordable prices for quality wines. The menu is diverse enough to let you explore a bit but not too long to make you feel overwhelmed. The missing star in my review is the lack of service to match the high quality food. Don't get me wrong, everyone there is friendly and gives a good effort. But it's clear the servers are not very experienced and while they understand the food they don't have the menu down. Last time we were there, party of four on a Saturday night, we sat at our table for an hour before our order was taken. The wine helped keep us occupied, but an hour felt unnecessary. But don't let me stop you from making a visit - it's well worth it. Give it a try.
(4)Michele H.
Wonderful atmosphere. Food is richly spiced and not heapingly portioned ( though is plenty). The lamb is tender, and stew dishes are rich and fragrant. Good vegetarian fare, too. Great place for a date.
(4)NCNY N.
Everything we had was delicious. We tried 4 appetizers and one of the lamb entrees. Everything was fabulous. Husband and I have slightly different tastes but he fell in love with every dish as well. Also very good service and quite formal atmosphere. I should also say they have amazing homemade desserts, even housemade baklava!! I can't stop thinking about this place.
(5)Jamie C.
I had no idea what Afghani food was all about. Thank you Ariana for schooling me in how awesome it is! This has quickly become one of my favorite restaurants in the Boston area. I've come here for an intimate birthday dinner, parent visit, a girl date, and with friends and without fail I leave with my stomach and wallet smiling. The Kaddo is one of those dishes that makes you tilt your head back, close your eyes, and melt. It's like dessert with meat. Dreams do come true, friends... Chopan - grilled rack of lamb with pallow rice, YUM YUM YUM! and I HATE LAMB! Can we say life changing... I can't wait to go back!
(5)Molly L.
One of my favorite restuarants in Boston! The owner/chef/guy at the front is warm and inviting, and the servers are friendly and sincere. I don't know where in Boston you get white tablecloth dining, great atmosphere, and food this delicious for such reasonable prices. The vegetarian platter is terrific. Also try the pumpkin or the bolani. The (free) bread and dipping sauces at the start of the meal are reason enough to show up and the house wine never disappoints. This is a great mom and pop establishment that you must check out!
(5)Roni S.
Hands down one of the most authentic restaurants in Boston. I have been at least 3 times within the past few months and their menu is great! There is usually not a wait during the week and they have pretty fast service so even during the weekend it is not long. It is a GREAT place to have a dinner celebration since they can seat large tables fairly easy. Recommended Dish: Kaddo!!! It is an amazing pumpkin dish that you can get with meat or without for those vegs out there. It is so tasty and melts in your mouth. The food can be made mild or spicy and is a great ethnic flavor! Not super expensive either! Perfect for date night.
(4)Kelly O.
I love Afghani food and try to trek to Helmand when I can, so it's awesome to now have a more local outpost of this delicious cuisine. But does it hold up to Helmand? I say, definitely. First of all, the staff at Ariana are all wicked friendly. I really felt welcomed when I walked in the door to the small, cozy one-room restaurant... as opposed to Helmand where you feel like your mere presence is a bit of an inconvenience. Score one for Ariana. The freshly baked flatbread starter came with the standard 3 dipping sauces (chili, yogurt, and cilantro). The bread itself was a bit on the hard side, and I think I prefer Helmand's softer flatbread over it (especially with the visuals of the brick bread oven and the smells of the baking bread in the dining room), but it was still hot and tasty and a good start to the meal. Point to Helmand. For apps, I adore Kaddo, and Ariana really does it right. I could probably eat this dish forever and ever and be happy... the blend of sweet and savory and sour/tangy is unlike anything I'd ever had before. This is a must-try (at both Ariana and Helmand). I had the Dopiaza for my entree which was excellent... the lamb had that wonderful grilled taste/texture I adore, and the very vinegary split pea marinade held up well to the meat (if you don't like vinegar though, don't get this, as it's very strong). Even the plain hot mushrooms with peppers on the side were very tasty. My dining companions had the Shish Kabob and the Korma Challow, and both were also pleased (I tried the Korma Challow which was rich and tomatoey). The portions were just right, we were able to clean our plates and be satisfied without being overly stuffed, and the prices are pretty on-par as well (and cheaper than Helmand), ~$16 for the entrees. If you haven't tried this cuisine yet, I highly recommend you check out Ariana now.
(4)Margaret W.
I had the lamb, absolutely delis! Hubby had the trout which was delis also! We also had the Kuddo OMG!! We will be back the house Cab was good too!!
(5)Michelle L.
I've been here at least 4 times already and simply LOVE the Afghan food served here. The prices are reasonable and service quick. The food is flavorful, and you can definitely appreciate the myriad of spices used in each dish. The bread they start off with is delicious and comes with 3 great dipping sauces. The eggplant, pumpkin, and mantu are AMAZING appetizers. I could scarf down a combo of those 3 for the whole meal!! The pumpkin is on the sweeter side but if you have a sweet tooth like I do, you'll savor it! I had the korma challow for my entree - mmm I love lamb!! It was tender and juicy, so delectable! The rice was also a well seasoned rice, a nice change for someone who usually eats plain rice. My friend had shish kabob, which was also cooked to perfection. All in all, an amazing food. If you like explosions of flavor and tender, succulent meat, the this is the place for you!
(5)Annette A.
It's hard to NOT shake my head at people who insist on going downtown for a good restaurant. Allston's got some serious culinary gems going on - one of those gems is Ariana. Everything about this Ariana makes it feel like it's a restaurant you could only find on the waterfront, but we're lucky enough to have it here. I've never had Afghani food before, and this was a fantastic introduction to it. The food is fresh and very flavorful, definitely a very exciting experience for the senses. The staff is very sweet and attentive. And the price is fitting as well. The ambience is beautiful at night, with candles and delicate lighting. This place is excellent for a date or a quiet dinner. Go if you're looking for something really delicious and intimate.
(5)Keoki Z.
I ate at this restaurant for the first time tonight. The inside decor was really nice, as was the table setup, silverware, and glasses. Definitely a place that you can take a date to if you want to impress them, it has a very romantic, intimate vibe and atmosphere to it. I was served complimentary bread that came with my entree. It was really high quality and delicious, and came with butter and 3 dipping sauces: cucumber yogurt, some kind of ground cilantro/pesto stuff with vinegar, and a sweet chili sauce. All of them were great. For an entree, I ordered the vegetarian ravioli, which was filled with scallions and pumpkin (or something like that), and topped with a yogurt sauce. Again, very tasty. I enjoyed eating at the place, except for the music, which I thought was awful at times and really annoyed me. Some of it sounds like a sitar playing (like something you would hear in Indian restaurants), and that was perfectly fine, but some of the other music that was played was really cheesy and annoying, like some kind of synthesized music that was really heavy and awkward with the percussion and rhythm. If it wasn't for the music, I'd definitely consider coming back to the place to eat again, but the music was definitely a big turn off for me. If you're okay with the music, then I would definitely recommend you check this place out. They serve wine too, in case you were wondering.
(4)Ariana Z.
I've never heard of Afghani food, and if it weren't for the fact that it's name is also my own, I probably would have never thought twice about going here. Fortunately my girlfriend brought me here as a surprise for my birthday, and I am so glad she did. Firstly, the food is sublime. Everything is perfect. Seasoned perfectly, plated perfectly, cooked to absolute perfection. I recommend the kaddo app and the aushak with beef for the entree. The rice dessert is also great. Food aside, the staff are friendly, welcoming, and attentive. I love this place, and would definitely recommend it to everyone I know. Great for dates or classy dinners.
(5)rebecca x.
love this place.
(4)Vivian C.
I love the Kaddo and Chowpan at Helmand's in Cambridge, so when I heard that there was a new Afghani restaurant on my side of the river, I was looking forward to visiting it. I finally had the chance recently and my friend pretty much let me order whatever I wanted for the two of us. The restaurant was decorated quite nicely and sedately, conveying an adults going out for the evening feeling that nonetheless did not make you feel uncomfortable should you had decided to arrive in a pair of jeans. As a Kaddo enthusiast, I ordered the Kaddo $5.95 - Pan-fried then baked baby pumpkin seasoned with sugar and served on a garlic yogurt sauce topped with ground beef sauce; Qabili $13.90 - Pallow rice baked with chunks of lamb shanks, raisins, and glazed julienne of carrots; and the Mourgh Salata $13.95 - Fresh boneless chicken breast marinated then grilled, served on mixed green salad with grilled vegetables and vinaigrette dressing. The hot bread arrived with 3 sauces and butter just shortly before the plate of pumpkin. The bread was crispy soft, but a bit burnt (some bits were scraped off). Still, it was good. The Kaddo not as sweet as Helmand's but still good. The Qabili hid several fork tender chunks of lamb under its mountain of individual long grains of rice. This was a tasty sweet rice plate, and I enjoyed shredding the lamb into the mix. The chicken in the Mourgh Salata was a bit burnt here and there (grill marks), but was really tender. The overwhelming flavor of the greens and veggie chunks was the advertised vinaigrette, which was good but perhaps used a touch too heavy handedly. Street parking was tough on a late Friday night - perhaps because of the nearby bars with lines of patrons waiting to enter? Note: Does not accept American Express. *** 2/2012 visit *** The portion size of the kaddo has sadly shrunk by about half while the price stayed the same, so that was kind of sad. But it is still tasty. We tried the Aushak as well, which is the dumpling appetizer, but felt it tasted too similar to a simple boiled Chinese dumpling to consider ordering it again in the future. Service was pleasant. The bread unburnt this time around.
(4)Cynthia Y.
Excellent fresh food and excellent service. The trout is superb as is the vegetarian plate. The pumpkin is totally yummy.
(5)Morra Y.
The food is so yummy. Recommended dishes: home-made noodles for appetizer, Lamb leg and chicken breast for entree. A must-go place in Allston.
(5)Christopher S.
My first intro to Afghan food occurred on my last day working in Boston back in 2001, when my boss took me out for a farewell dinner at The Helmand in Cambridge. Perhaps it was a combination of the occasion, the element of surprise (since I had no idea what Afghan food would taste like) and the eccentric panoply of bold flavors that seamlessly meld Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Indian, and even Chinese cuisine(perhaps in part due to the Silk Road trading routes), I have since recommended it to several friends whether they are living or visiting Boston and they have never been disappointed. Fast forward to 2012 when my special lady friend and I were jonesing for something off the beaten path for dinner. I had always talked about taking her to Helmand for her first Afghan dining experience, but I placed my faith in my fellow yelpers in this relative newcomer since it was within walking distance of her neighborhood and I was rewarded in spades. The meal started out with their complementary warm flatbread accompanied by a tray of 3 dipping sauces (white yogurt cucumber, green mint walnut, red chili). The bread is like the hybrid (hy-bread...sorry, couldn't resist the terrible pun) child of naan and lavash, and the sauces pair well alone or in combination together. We ordered the Kaddo and the Aushak appetizers. The Kaddo was definitely the standout dish since it consisted of a baby pumpkin that is first panfried and then baked so it has a sweet crispy caramelized exterior enveloping a creamy velvety interior. Alone, this would be like your thanksgiving candied yams on steroids, but top this with a spicy meat sauce with a hint of chili oil and then rounding it out with a cool garlicky yogurt sauce and it's like 3 extreme flavors that somehow balance each out while every single tastebud on your tongue is on overdrive, not an easy feat to achieve. We opted for the vegetarian version of Aushak, which consisted of a soft pillowy ravioli filled with leeks and scallions topped with a garlic and mint yogurt sauce. The texture of the ravioli and combination of the vegetable components were reminiscent of a well-prepared Chinese boiled dumpling with garlic chives, but the mint yogurt sauce gave it its distinct identity. Perhaps a bit too subtle or suffering the fate of having to be the following act for the Kaddo, I would probably order this one with the ground beef or venture to try the Mantu on future visits. For the main entree, we split the Korma Challow, which was leg of lamb sauteed with onions, tomatoes garlic, and green beans accompanied with lentils and challow rice. The lamb was very flavorful and tender with every vegetable component cooked to textural perfection. The rice dishes are considered the best part of any meal in Afghan cuisine, and both varieties (challow and pallow) need to be on anyone's rice bucket list (others on my list include Hainanese chicken rice, Indian biryanis, Vietnamese broken rice, and Korean bibimbap to name a few). For our dish, the challow is basmati rice first parboiled, then drained and baked with a combination of oil and spices (pallow has additional components of meat, stock, dried fruits, or herbs) with the staged process resulting in a fluffy consistency that has each grain separated, a nice foil to the stewed lamb and lentils which bind the grains together like reeling in fish on a net. Lamb is definitely the protein of choice that matches best with the delicate combinations of cumin, cinnamon, and cardamon throughout their menu. In summary, Ariana is a worthy rival to The Helmand in terms of Afghan cuisine supremacy in Boston, with a more casual dining experience in terms of ambience, but definitely does not come up short on taste or service. A culinary gem in the Allston neighborhood that will be sure to surprise your tastebuds.
(5)Yancey L.
Every time I pass that restaurant, I can't help looking inside because their wall decoration is really exotic and their table sets are so beautiful. Finally I got a chance to dine in, and I absolutely enjoyed the food there. I tried Kaddo, the baby pumpkin with ground beef sauce; Mantu, I call them Afghan dumplings (I love how they arrange the dumplings on the plate, which looks like a flower); Dopiaza, marinated then grilled lamb leg. I personally like lamb a lot, and they give you so many choices of lamb dishes which seems all great to me. So it took me so long to decide which I want to try, but definitely, I will come back for other lamb dishes too. The owner himself is a man with great personality and amazing stories. He also has a small wine collection from all over the world. It would be a good place for a romantic candle-lit dinner too!
(5)Eva B.
Lovely gem of great food. The starters are to die for. Very well priced and good service. Is always very busy which say it all.
(5)James O.
Wow. Talk about impressed. This was my first time eating Afghan food, and I loved it. I had read some good things about this place and its so close to BU's campus I decided last night to try it with a friend. The place is small, simple, but inviting. It was a Tuesday night so it was empty. Our waiter was very nice, although he didn't seem to know much about the wine selection, but that's okay, he was very pleasant and prompt. We started with the Mantu Appetizer: We were expecting more of a filled pastry based on the description, but it is more of a beef filled ravioli. Some great flavors and spices here, a nice and light appetizer. I had the Trout, which was one of the day's special's. It was so perfectly crispy, accompanied by date and walnut rice and some sauteed eggplant. Wow. It was such a great meal. My friend had the Lamb Challow, which I tried and was also great. For dessert we had the Sheerekh, a homemade icecream with pistachio and cardamom. Delicious, creamy, and fresh. A perfectly sweet and light way to end dinner. I'm giving it a four for now only because I have only been here once. But overall, I really want to come back.
(4)David C.
I finally got around to trying Ariana the other night, and I'm happy to say it lives up to the hype. My dishes definitely outshone my mother's, but everything we had (including the bread and sauce accompaniments) was lovely. The highlight of the night for me was the kaddo. I'm basically a whore for pumpkin, and this rendering was the tastiest I've had all season. The best part? I can have THIS pumpkin all year round. Ariana's qabili makes for a delicious (and, for only $14.95, deliciously affordable) main course. It's a great way to introduce yourself to pallow rice, which is the perfect blend of sweet and savory. A generous helping of tender lamb shank and glazed julienne carrots top the dish off just right. I'm so glad to have finally tried Ariana, and I'm almost certain I'll be back (hopefully sooner rather than later). The only reason I can't give it five stars is the slow service. I'd recommend going on a weeknight as opposed to a Saturday to avoid the crowds.
(4)Yuan W.
While I'm also a huge fan of Helmand, another Afghan place in Kendall Square, I have to say Ariana is pretty good in its own right. Came here recently with some friends and had a delightful meal. We started with the kaddo (baked pumpkin with sugar, yogurt and beef sauce), which I saw was highly recommended by other Yelpers. It was definitely unique, I've never had yogurt and beef together before. It was a surprisingly complementary pairing, although the pumpkin may have been a bit too sweet for my taste. I had the filet of trout special, which came with sauteed eggplant seasoned with walnuts on top of rice. Trout was well cooked, and I really enjoy the flavorful eggplant. One of my friends had the sabzi challow, which is lamb, spinach and rice. Very similar to Helmand but slightly smaller portions. Overall that was sort of the main comparison throughout the night - almost identical menu to Helmand, smaller portions, slightly better prices and also very delicious. The wine here is an EXCELLENT deal. We got a half carafe of the house wine for $15. That was about 3-4 glasses and you had the choice between a cabernet sauvignon and a chardonnay. We got the cab which was actually really good for a house wine. A full carafe was only $20 and you get double the amount. I've never seen better restaurant wine prices in Boston. The restaurant itself is relatively small, so it feels pretty intimate. It's a quieter place, great for conversation and a low-key meal. Also, there's relatively abundant street parking in Allston, which is a plus in my book. I'd come here again.
(4)Joanna H.
The Kaddo, at first taste, kind of sets you off. But eventually you adjust to the sweetness of the pumpkin coupled with the savory ground beef sauce. The pumpkin just dissolves in your mouth and it's so good you can't resist. Get the Trout Special: Pan fried Filet of trout served with sauteed eggplant and rice seasoned with dates and walnuts. Trout was a considerable size, fried to tender perfection. I finished the plate clean quickly and gladly. Service is fast and people there are super amiable. I'll be spreading the word.
(5)Alisa K.
Delicious! The pumpkin with ground beef appetizer was amazing- savory and sweet and flavorful. I enjoyed my qabili pulau - the rice was flavorful, the lamb succulent, the carrots fresh, the raisins plump. It could have benefitted from a bit more meat sauce, however. (I've been to other Afghan restaurants where they give you some on the side). They also have a really great selection of sauces (white yogurt cucumber, green mint walnut, red chili). The red sauce was my favorite . The waitresses were really welcoming and attentive - refilled water, prompt when we needed anything, patient with our lame inquires about their ethnicity (Belarusian and Russian). It's located in a bit of an undergrad heavy area of Allston. I would give this place a 4.5 stars if I could and would definitely come back.
(4)Felix G.
Very tasty food! Not very complicated, but damn it tasted good. The couple that owns the place is also very nice, happy to talk about their food and country. Ask them to pick a meal for you.
(4)Adam A.
What I like about Allston is that you can be heading to chow down on one thing, and suddenly BAM, you notice something else, and instead of spicy kidneys and soup dumplings, now you're eating kaddo and pallau! The atmosphere in Ariana is pleasant- clearly a lot of care has gone into making it sort of dimly lit and fancy-esque, in a conventional but nice enough way (colored walls, banquette on one side, fairly large number of compactly arranged tables with white tablecloths and flowers) They were clearly pushing wine and beer, which struck me as a little jarring with Afghani food, but I admittedly have rather limited experience with Afghani restaurants (mostly limited to no frills mom'n'pop take-out/styrofoam-plate type places) Since we hadn't come prepared for an all out feast, we sampled just a few things: Bowlawni (a lot like chinese leek pockets, though one was potato), a special combination of kaddo (pumpkin) + banjan (eggplant), and the kofta (meatballs) in sweet tomato sauce. While we were waiting for food to arrive, we got a basket of the really excellent fresh bread. The bowlawni was also tasty- not the most uniquely afghani food, probably (i.e., it's not so different from fried filled pastries the world over), but well made, and great with the various sauces that had been put in front of us (one with red peppers, one with jalapeno, and one raita/yogurt one). The kofta was also good, with decent quality meat and a somewhat sweet tomato sauce. The winner, though, was the kaddo, which was sweet but not cloying, in a way that the tomato sauce and yogurt cuts through perfectly. I'm not usually a big fan of sweet dishes, but I've come to like this version (also like Helmand's, I think) in which the pumpkin is sweetened rather than the sauce, since the sauce provides a nice savory counterpoint rather than covering the pumpkin in sweetness. We also somehow managed to find room for dessert, and tried their homemade ice cream. It was dense and sweet, and covered in a token amount of pistachio powder with a sauce that had a hint of rose. All in all, this is a great addition to the neighborhood- I agree that it's fantastic to be able to get in without waiting, but I hope for their sake that it becomes more crowded fast!
(4)Chris H.
Got the vegetarian special, and it was really good. I like Helmand better, but Helmand is more expensive, so it evens out in my mind.
(4)J F.
Great restaurant. Appetizers in the beginning are quite balanced and palatable. The restaurant theme and music certainly works with the food. Every dish I've gotten has been well balanced and has made me quite satiated and satisfied except for one which was filled with beef and vinegar.
(3)Rohan D.
In a neighborhood packed with eateries and coffee shops, it's nice to come across a restaurant that serves food representing a region/culture only few people have been exposed to. With a small handful of afghan restaurants in the Boston area, I was interested to check out Ariana to see if it was better than the other average ones that have been around for a while, and im glad I came! The food was flavorful, cooked to perfection and the staff were extremely friendly. What more could you ask from a restaurant experience? Afghan food has a strong similarity to Indian and Middle eastern food, but with a strong passion for lamb dishes. You will not go wrong with ordering one of the lamb kabobs off of their menu. Go for it! Highly recommended.
(4)Sarah C.
My husband and I went to Ariana last night to celebrate our wedding anniversary. We were seated right away by the window which was great for people watching. The waitstaff was extremely helpful and attentive. We decided on the Dopiaza and the special of the day, which was trout, rice with dates and walnuts, and eggplant. Delicious! It was all amazing. We also got some great flatbread with three different sauces. My favorite was the cilantro/hot pepper sauce while my husband was addicted to the yogurt walnut sauce. For dessert we shared some ice cream flavored with pistachio and cardamom and each had a turkish coffee. A great end to our meal! We'll definitely be coming back to Ariana.
(5)C. R. M.
Just ate here, first time... excellent: the right balance between elegance (cloth napkins and tablecloths), comfort (warm atmosphere, good music), sumptuousness (very fine food), and value (these are not high prices for food of this quality). And what an excellent, moderately priced wine list. We cannot wait to go back.
(5)Kate S.
First time having afghan food, it was wonderful! Highly recommend the eggplant appetizer.
(4)Hanieh M.
I like this place, however it is a little pricey for me but the food was great and the manager was such a great guy
(4)Kelly B.
Ordered kaddo, sabzi challow, and a ravioli thing. All of the food was stellar. The presentation was meticulous but not grandiose (spoons parallel, vegetable garnish symmetrical). We also had some lovely cardamum tea. Even the house bread was fresh and delicious, and the cilantro sauce was incredible. Another plus was the waitress, who was enchantingly sweet and very prompt and helpful.
(5)Matthew W.
Don't know how I managed to not review this place after I went there. Or after I went there a second time. Or after I went there a third time... in the same week. I am rarely one for extreme adjectives. Believe me when I say that the most accurate phrase I can use to describe the experience of eating at Ariana is "flavor orgasm." Were it not for the sheer brilliance that is Fish Market Sushi Bar, Ariana would easily be my favorite restaurant in Allston. Sorry, Kelly's... bronze medal?
(5)Joanna E.
This place has great Afghani food. Though I liked The Helmand by the CambridgeSide Galleria more, this place was less expensive and more casual in comparison. It's a good in between for not super fancy, but definitely nice enough to bring a date.
(4)MJ L.
This is one of my favorite restos in Cambridge. I usually get the vegetarian special which is a platter of baked pumpkin, pan-fried eggplant, sautéed spinach and okra sautéed with fresh tomatoes served with pallow rice. This is DELICIOUS - no less than heaven for vegetarians. The eggplant is the BEST eggplant I have ever had in my life - bar none. The pumpkin is also good but a little too sweet for my taste. The prices are very reasonable for the quality of the food and the resto also has nice decor and nice ambiance.
(5)Piyali S.
Ariana was delightful! The restaurant itself has a peaceful, soothing atmosphere with dim lighting. This spot is perfect for a comfortable evening with a good friend while chowing down. Between the two of us, we ordered 2 appetizers and 2 entrees, leaving us with way more than necessary since they serve complimentary warm naan and a trifecta of sauces as well! This was my first encounter with 'kaddo' which is (sweetened maybe?) pumpkin carved out and served with yogurt sauce. The sweet, savory, tangy combination was rather unlikely but worked really well together. I have a feeling that unlikely combinations of flavors is what Afghani food is all about. Our other appetizer was a roasted eggplant served with a red sauce which I also loved but then again I can't remember a time when I disliked anything involving eggplant so I may be biased here. My entree was the lamb Dopiaza which was mostly good but the gravy was a little too tangy/tart for my liking (maybe too much lime?) Although it didn't come close to ruining my meal, the waitress never asked me how I wanted my meat cooked and it was a little underdone for me. What I did love about the dish was the way the lamb lentil curry was served on top of a naan that soaked up the curry flavors to make it soft and mushy. Also the rice was cooked to al dente perfection. Although we didn't get to it - the dessert menu looked promising replete with baklava, rice pudding and ice creams. I recommend!
(4)Leilani H.
YUM!!! Sometimes it takes a lot to mobilize my partner and I to get outside of Boston proper /Cambridge (Central Sq) but oh-my-goodness-this-is-worth-it. Arrived at about 6:30 on a Saturday eve and the two of us were seated right away. Looks like seating for 2 is easy, larger parties may want to get a resi. Loving Helmund, we were excited to try Ariana and boy did it not disappoint! Two entrees, an appetizer, salad and a carafe of wine came out to less than $50. Amazing. And our waiter was fantastic to boot. Totally worth the trip out of downtown. Can't wait to do it again!
(5)Laura Y.
This was the first restaurant I went to when I was in Boston and boy did it set the bar high! We were about to go into another place that was more popular, since there were more people, but we decided not to crowd and just stuck with Ariana, which was the more exotic and ethnic cuisine. This was my first time trying Afghan food, and it definitely made me want to go back again. First off, they served pita-ish bread with three different sauces. I liked the green one a lot since it wasn't as spicy as the red one and not too sweet like the yogurt. However, eating the yogurt sauce after eating the red sauce quells the spiciness so there's a magical combo right there. Appetizer: ORDER THE KADDO. It's a sweet pumpkin dish with yogurt sauce on the bottom and ground meat sauce on the top. I don't know who or how they thought of this, but the combination was heavenly! I seriously want some right now. Actually, when we were at the restaurant, we actually ended up using most of the bread for the kaddo sauce than the actual sauces they gave us. It was yummy and just mindblowingly amazing. I ordered the chopan which was grilled lamb with eggplant and pallow rice. The rice was drier than I would like it to be, but mixed with the sauce with the eggplant, it tasted better. The lamb was great; it was juicy and seasoned well. No complaints there. My friend got the trout, which is just fried fish. I tasted some of it but I liked mine better. The food was so good that I didn't really care about how the service was. I'm sure it was decent, though, since there really weren't any major complaints. i left full and happy and in a good mood, which is what every restaurant should aim for.
(5)Danie R.
Ariana is REALLY good. We just went for some of the vegetarian entrees, as I ate some edamame raviolis like 4 hours earlier, but just have an entree was the perfect size. They don't overload your plate with American sized portions, which sometimes I love because who doesn't want leftovers?) but it's not ever necessary. Peter got the vegetarian special and I got the aushak. The special is basically a great vegetable sampling that comes with some of the best rice I've ever tasted.. although kinda oily.. but that's probably what makes it good, right? My favorite of the veggies was the pumpkin. Whatever sort of sauce is on it rules. The aushak were these wonderful raviolis (guess I was on a rav kick that day, huh?) filled with scallions and leeks and an interesting and tasty sauce. Also they give you a bunch of bread and sauces for free to snack on! Booze notes: Their beer selection sucks.. You gotta get the Anchor Steam. It's their only decent beer. Their house white wine tastes like paint thinner.
(4)Catherine S.
My boyfriend and I are nerds and we rate the top meals we've had at the end of the year. The pumpkin caddo at this place got #1. I kid you not. Though it's just an appetizer, we were absolutely obsessed: pumpkin with meat and yogurt sauce, something we never would have tried if it wasn't for a couple sitting next to us who recommended it. I had some sort of chicken for the meal, which was just as divine, so I highly recommend stopping by here for a tasty, exotic culinary experience!
(5)Ben L.
My girlfriend and I went here for a later dinner, around 8pm on Sunday. When we walked in the first comment we got from a server rushing past us was "Can you just wait a few minutes?" She didn't even wait for an answer as she ran to give a check to a table. It was clear they were severely understaffed, she was the only server visible and no host or manager. There were several tables open, including a nice one by the window we would have really liked, alas only few of them were cleared (in fact, that specific table would remain uncleared till about halfway through our own meal.) We were seated after about 10 minutes of being ignored, and even then we did not receive any welcomes, water, or anything. We had to wait over 15 minutes for our order to be taken and to receive any water. After we were served our meal the only time our server appeared was to ask if we were finished with our meal. The service was just horrible. I understand that the server was busy, but I believe that this shows an serious managing fault. The food was delicious, but the entire evening was marred by some of the most horrible service I've ever received, hence the 3 stars. I'd consider going back, but if I walk in and see that the situation has not changed I would just turn around and leave.
(3)Tharathorn R.
Excellent food and turkish coffee (not on the menu)!
(5)Jin Z.
I was organizing a dinner get together for a few friends last week and wanted to find something in the Brighton Area. This is my first time trying afgan cuisine and I have to say that I'll be back for more. We were a party of 5 and we got 2 apps to share, the pumpkin one and ground beef wrapped in pasta. As everyone else have already said, the pumpkin dish is amazing, I really love the sauce. The other app that we ordered was also fantastic. For our main dishes, our group ordered lamb and chicken. I got the lamb dish with spinach and the lamb was so tender. Service was really great, they took our coats when we first arrived, and was very attentive the entire evening. Will definitely be back!
(5)Mel C.
First time having Afghan cuisine. The Dopiaza was really delicious!
(5)KW L.
Maybe I'm just not getting it...the food here was alright but I just don't get what all the hype is about. The service was ok as we were seated right away and the waitress came around on occasion to check up on us. They bring out flatbread with three different sauces, which were good. Our group had the Trout, Kofta Challow, Chapendaz, and the Banjan&Kaddo Challow. Everyone thought was food was good, but not great. In fact, I thought the Chapendaz was somewhat bland which is not necessarily what I expect from Afghani food. Overall it was ok, but I'm not sure I would choose to dine here again. I feel like I can get Afghani food that tastes similar if not better for much cheaper elsewhere, just without the classier atmosphere.
(3)Tessa C.
So delicious! The service was good, it is a very nice atmosphere and the prices are reasonable. If you're looking for an exciting change of place this is a great choice!
(5)Amanda L.
I heard that Ariana was owned by the same people as the Helmand but was cheaper. You mean I don't have to trek to Kendall Sq for delicious Afghani food? SCORE! This place was absolutely lovely. It's a little on the small side, but they do pack a lot of tables. Service is also pleasant, if a little slow towards the end. Food came out lightening fast. Joe and I decided to get the Aushak with meat. It's basically ravioli filled with leeks and scallions, served on a garlic and mint yogurt sauce, topped with ground beef and mint. Perfect portions. I was pleasantly full without feeling sick. The flavors were tremendous and I really enjoyed the yogurt sauce and the ground beef. The rest of the menu sounded fabulous, and if we hadn't decided to check out the new frozen yogurt place instead, I would have definitely gotten dessert. We went with 2 friends and their plates looks awesome as well. Can't wait to come back!
(5)Andrew J.
Truly a wonderful restaurant. Well priced, service was polite and friendly, the place was clean with linen tablecloths and fine dining utensils. However, even with the beautiful atmosphere, the prices are modest and you walk away feeling even better about the experience. Definitely recommend the baked pumpkin dish available as an appetizer--its a joyride for your tastebuds.
(4)Allison J.
My boyfriend and I stopped in on a snowy Sunday night. We took yelpers' advice and started with the kaddo (spicy roasted pumpkin, on a yogurt sauce, with ground beef sauce), and then we also got the aush soup (the bf called it an afghani version of chicken noodle soup). Both were warm, spicy and delicious. They also brought naan with 3 dipping sauces. (yogurt, jalepeno & cilantro, and a hot pepper relish). For entrees, he got the Kofta Challow (meatballs with a tomato, pepper and peas sauce). He ended up mixing it all together with the rice, and the few bites I stole were pretty good. I got Shish Kabob (char-broiled leg of lamb, served with grilled peppers and onions, and roasted eggplant). The lamb was really great, just like I remember from cook-outs at my Lebanese Grandma's house. I didn't really like the sides, I ended up eating the lamb with naan and yogurt sauce and it was delicious. The service was great, very attentive and our food all came out fairly quickly. The atmosphere was nice as well, very cozy. I'm a fan!
(4)Frenchie ..
This restaurant is absolutely perfet: terrific food, nice service, good and relaxing music... A must place to go to!
(5)Eve S.
This place was delicious! Everything I tasted was phenomenal. Having never had Afghani food, I was impressed all-around. The pumpkin was especially, er, special. Do try!
(5)Michelle D.
This is hands down my new favorite restaurant. My boyfriend and I were talking about going for a little while, and finally we did.. we wonder why we didn't go sooner! The pricing is reasonable. The flavors are out of this world! The most ridiculous thing is that the ingredient combinations seem to be totally bizarre.. pumpkin with garlic yogurt and mint and beef topping..?! This seemed SO peculiar to me, but after having the leek raviolis earlier in the week which were pretty excellent, I tried this and it was even more flavorful... as I like to say, "it's like an orgasm in your mouth!" (I hope the owners don't mind my saying..!) But seriously, it's a nice, little romantic restaurant with fresh flowers on the table, friendly waitstaff who are eager to tell you about the food (the waitress on our first night was all about us trying "the special"!). It is the first restaurant I've been to in a while where I feel that all of the items are the menu are interesting, nutritious, and delicious. I can't wait to try as many items on the menu as I can get to, it was just that good! Also to mention, they have both small and full sized portions of most of the menu items, but you get a relatively generous portion either way, it just depends on how hungry you are. The naan-like bread with three sauces before also come with the meal and compliment it well.
(5)Hrishikesh H.
Simple and delicious food. Entree portion size may seem a little smaller. But the complementary bread they give you makes up for it. Try the bread with any of the soups they have to offer.
(5)Edwin C.
Not going to lie, I was a bit hesitant to try Afghan food, but somehow the gf and I found ourselves here. Started off with a couple of fried pastry things that looked like Jamaican beef patties, only one was filled with scallions and the other with curry potatoes or something like that. Also ordered the Kaddo (pumkin with ground beef and yogurt sauce), a baked piece of pumpkin (way too sweet, but balanced by the beef). It was a good try, but don't think I'd order it again. For entrees the gf ordered the Mourgh Challow, which was sort of like a chicken curry dish, which was surprisingly good with the rice. I messed up and ordered the Dopiaza, which was lamb marinated in vinegar (the overpowering sourness really ruined the dish, probably why you can't taste the gamy lamb). I however still finished my dish, but went next door to Blue Asia and ordered something else to really hit the spot. Portions are on the smaller side, service is good, and definitely worth the try. I'd come again.
(4)Sandy H.
This is my go-to place when I have guests from out of town and they want to experience something they can't get back home. I usually steer them toward the Special Vegetarian platter with baked pumpkin, pan-fried eggplant, sautéed spinach and okra sautéed with pallow rice or any of the kabobs or the Chopan (rack of lamb)...so pretty much everything on their menu is amazing. The appetizers are yummy and the fresh baked flat bread and sauces are amazing. You can't go wrong coming here - come here, eat, leave happy.
(5)Becky S.
I can see why this place has good reviews. At first when we went in there was no one there to serve us, but we were willing to wait for a nice sit down experience away from all the Brighton ave bars. The server apologized and was very nice and professional. When the food comes, at first we worried that the meals were small and that although they'd be delicious would not fill us up. We were wrong. Each of us were so happy with our dishes. I usually can pin point what spices are used to produce the flavors of sauces, but could not at all at this place. They were the right combination of tasting the ingredients as well as the flavors placed on them. We were all so full and satisfied after our meals and wished we had room to embrace the dessert menu. I don't know when we would go back because it is definitely more fancy and expensive than the typical restaurant for college students. The crowd is also a little older than other restaurants in the area. I could see this being a great place to impress a date.
(5)Christian P.
It was my first time having Afghan food and Ariana made it the best experience possible. I didn't know what to order so I asked the waiter which dishes would he recommend. I had 2 appetizers and 2 entrees that I shared with my bro, and everything was delicious, especially the KADDO... it tasted like a perfect blend of pumpkin jam with meat sauce and yogurt... you gotta try it! The service is also top notch and the atmosphere is great. It only opened 4 months ago but I'm sure it' will make its way to a famous successful trendy restaurant
(5)Ash T.
Decent place to go to... once in a while. PROS: Better than Helmand, the other Afghani restaurant. The Banjan eggplant appetizer was decent. The grilled chicken kabob and the lentil soup were great. CONS: The lamb did need some more cooking. This place is pricey...Afghans are generous with their serving of bread, maybe not in Boston. Was expecting a lot of distinct flavor owing to the fact that Afghan cuisine includes mint, saffron, coriander, cilantro, cardamom, and black pepper as their main herbs and spices. There is enough room in Boston for another, hopefully more authentic Afghani restaurant. I was more pleased by Azama grill right around the corner.
(3)Melissa M.
I came to Boston on business and had Ariana picked out ahead of time. We went straight from the airport, arriving at 9:30 pm. They gave us no problems about coming in late, near closing time, and the staff was kind and attentive. I am SO glad we went! The food was really outstanding. We tried the pumpkin and ravioli appetizers. Like everyone else has said, try the pumpkin!! It was so delicious. I am not even sure how it is cooked. It was soft but not mushy, and slightly sweetened. Maybe braised in a sweet broth, and then a touch of yogurt and ground beef on top. I wasn't sure about the combo beforehand, but it really was delicious. My colleagues and I had a veggie dish, lamb korma, and a soup, and we all loved every bite. We also had rice pudding and creme caramel, and they were tasty. The portions are perfect. You can have an appetizer and entree and not be ready to explode. Prices were very reasonable. Food lives up to the 4.5 stars Ariana has. Service was good. Portions were dead on. What's not to love?! I'm sure I'll be heading back next time I visit!
(5)Jen J.
This restaurant is much more upscale than most of the restaurants in Allston except Carlo's, which is next door. We had a bit of sticker shock when the bill was $50 for an appetizer, two entrees, and two desserts. But once we considered, the food was clearly more intensively prepared and presented than at, say, Thai Place. I wasn't wowed by my vegetarian meal, which was pumpkin; it was okay but not outstanding. My husband raved about the beef tenderloin. Desserts were amazing. Service was perfect, attentive without being pushy.
(4)Gregg Y.
What a treat to have another great Afghan restaurant in the Boston area! And one you can get into without planning ahead. Absolutely everything was wonderful. A basket of fresh flatbread starts the meal, accompanied by a trio of sauces that burst with flavor: a green mint-based sauce, a red chili sauce, and a yogurt sauce. Last night I sampled kadoo (baked pumpkin in a yogurt sauce, and an optional ground-meat sauce), qabili (baked lamb under a mound of delicate rice topped with raisins and glazed carrots), and kourma challow (a melange of vegetables served with rice). For dessert, rice pudding and bucklawa (like Greek baklava but with a more complex list of ingredients including multiple kinds of nuts and spices). It was all completely excellent and possibly the best Afghan food I've had. Qabili may be my all-time favorite Afghan dish, and Ariana knocks it out of the park, with flavorful, lean, fork-tender lamb and perfect rice. The one very minor disappointment was the the rice pudding was somewhat firmer than I prefer. Service is excellent. There are a lot of great choices for vegetarians, and many of the appetizers and entrees come in both veg and non-veg versions. The server was careful to make sure he knew which version you were ordering. Atmosphere is more elegant than you'd expect in Allston, but don't let the white table cloths scare you away. It is a nice touch, and they don't jack up the prices for the extra bit of class. If you haven't had Afghan food, this is the place to try. It's fairly new and undiscovered, so now's the time to get in before the crowds.
(5)Zizzles A.
If there ever is a time where a shameless carbon copy is a good thing, it's when one of the most unique restaurants in Boston, The Helmand, is what's being copied. Most of the food is exactly the same, as is the dinnerware, the dress of the servers, even the paper menus. The decor is much blander, which may be a good thing if you don't like the weird kitchy living room theme of The Helmand. The most important and notable difference: I can get a walk in table on a Saturday night. The complementary bread is more like Naan than the Focaccia like stuff they give you at The Helmand but it comes with the same 3 sauces, Harrissa (a little on the sweet side), Raita, and some herb chutney. The Kaddo is a candied or roasted pumpkin with yogurt and meat sauce. It's more or less the same as the popular appetizer at The Helmand, but it's slightly less sweet. The Aushak is a leek filled ravioli with meat sauce over it. It's delicious, but as forewarning, they use Asian leeks, which are much more pungent than the larger, plain leeks. I tried the Dopiaza, Chappendaz and Koufta Challow. All of it was good. the grilled meats tend not to be spiced with anything, but the accompanying salads/chutney/rice are all heavily spiced. the Dopiaza comes with a lentil onion chutney and a mushroom salad while the chappendaz has stewed cracked barley. Nearly everything comes with either Challow or Pallow rice, flavored with Cumin and Cardamom respectively. They are buttery, fragrant, and have the nice bite to them that Basmati has. What I wouldn't give to substitute this stuff for the Jasmine rice I've eaten pretty much all my life. Unlike The Helmand, which is situated next to a gigantic shopping mall with a Thai restaurant as its only competition, Ariana is squeezed in an area already overcrowded with restaurants and bars, so I think it will continue to be relatively easy to access. I really, really hope that this place doesn't close down for yet another Korean restaurant. I think I will cry.
(5)David H.
We just went to 129 Brighton Ave to eat at Dawat, which is now gone. Instead, there's a new Afghan place called Ariana, which apparently just opened tonight (6/11). First impression: Excellent! At least as good as Helmand in Cambridge but with lower prices & (for now) no crowds. Great appetiser - Kaddo. Baked pumpkin topped w/ yogurt & ground beef sauce. Two really good entrees - korma challow (lamb) and mourgh challow (chicken) wh/ we changed to 'pallow' to get the two types of long-grained rice. Both are around $13. Dessert was on the house for opening night: a kind of vanilla pudding topped w/ fresh fruit, also excellent. Sorry, didn't catch the name... Advice - get there before it's 'discovered'. n.b. The very short wine list has a quite decent Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc for $18.
(5)Iris M.
Delicious and awesome food, beautiful place and excellent service.
(5)Lindsay E.
Unfortunately, we were the only occupied table last night (from about 7:15 pm until 9 pm), which was a real shame. We had a really great time for a really good value. There were 7 adults and 2 children. We got 3 appetizers, 7 entrees, a bottle of wine and 2 desserts for $141 plus tax and tip. The food and service were both excellent. We started off with plentiful baskets of warm Naan that came with 3 sauces, a yogurt with mint, a cilantro/mint "pesto" and a nice spicy red pepper sauce. We got three appetizers, all of which just seemed like smaller versions of the entrees, but we all delicious. We got the Banjan which was a nicely roasted eggplant served with a rich tomato and garlic and mint yogurt sauce. The Kaddo was pumpkin served with beef and yogurt sauce which was melt in your mouth delicious. The Aushak was the best I have had, pleasantly tangy and delicious as well as rich. I got the vegetarian "special" for dinner, a bountiful selection of baked pumpkin, pan-fried eggplant, sautéed spinach and okra served with the delicious pallow rice. The vegetables were cooked perfectly. The Spinach was slightly salty and I found a chunk of beef in it (good thing I am not a vegetarian). The eggplant and the pumpkin were both delicious and seasoned well, the tart yogurt really complements the flavors. The okra was also delicious. The rice topped with raisins and carrots was spiced really well and was delicious. There was so much food that I brought half of it home. Everyone else was very satisfied with their meals including the Khourma Challow, the Mourgh Challow, the Dopiaza, the Aushak (entree size) the Mourgh Kabob and a vegetarian special (eggplant and pumpkin). The kids shared with their parents and seemed to really enjoy the food. The Pudeen (creme caramel) was delicious and really resembled flan. The Bucklawa was really dense, but deliciously accented with cinammon and nuts and not too sweet. I really hope that more people decide to give Ariana a try.
(5)Dave F.
My experience at Ariana is the reason I am now on Yelp. I have been reading Yelp reviews for a couple of years, but after eating there, I finally decided that I can no longer continue in silence as a passive user. If you've never tried Afghan food before, a useful (albeit oversimplified) way to think of it is as a blending of Middle Eastern and South Asian (read: Indian) culinary aspects. On the one hand, you have a liberal inclusion of beef and lamb and a certain affinity for flaky, phyllo-type doughs, and on the other, you have a judicious use of spices (cumin, cardamom, nutmeg, mint) and well-considered twists on staples such as lentils, yogurt, and the like. The kaddo ($5.95), a chunk of baked pumpkin served with both mint yogurt sauce and ground beef sauce, is absolutely essential as either an appetizer or side dish. It basically exemplifies everything that Ariana gets right: the pumpkin is grilled and baked, but still moist; the twin sauces are served at contrasting temperatures (the yogurt is cool, the ground beef, hot); the presentation - plating, colors, everything - is just spot-on. Everything I tried at Ariana, including the korma challow ($12.95) and dopiazza ($13) was cooked just right - even the lamb, which is easy to screw up. Dessert selections - try the sheerehk (rice pudding with pistachio and cardamom, $4.95) - all looked excellent and consistent with the feel of the previous courses. When we went a month or two ago, there were only a few occupied tables, which is a damn shame. The staff were extremely friendly, professional, helpful, and - most importantly - very generous with our wine pours. In sum, this place is a hidden gem, and unquestionably a bright spot in the shifting mire that is Allston Village. Do yourself a favor and get over there.
(4)Matthew M.
Excellent service. Excellent food. Good options for vegetarians and meat eaters. Very reasonably priced ($70 for two with drinks, appetizers, and entrees). Decor and music was mediocre, but not bad. Good for dates or small group of friends. I would highly recommend it to a friend.
(5)James M.
Excellent food and service with a good atmosphere. The food is flavorful and authentic. This place is a great stop for a couple or small party. Check it out!
(4)Robert W.
Great food, good service, great value. I would go back in a heartbeat.
(5)Atena A.
This is my go-to restaurant when my parents are in town. Everything I've had there has been so tasty. The eggplant, pumpkin, and mantu appetizers are very good. My favorite dish is the meatball one and my husband says the lamb chops are the best he's ever had (and he eats a lot of lamb chops). You can't go wrong here!
(5)Leo L.
My wife and I went out to get dessert last night and decided to try Ariana for the big surprise of "You can not sit down for dessert only" said the host. Even tho it was completly empty. Guess what!? Will never go back and will let people know that! I just don't understand! Maybe we would had tried the dessert loved it and come back and bring people for dinner and more.... This is just a bad service, plan and run business!
(1)fussyeater x.
Yesterday I was headed to Dawat for their buffet lunch and discovered they were no longer there, so went to Punjab Palace instead. Tonight I walked to Ariana to check it out. As noted elsewhere, the interior is elegant but spartan. The service is quite good, although I was surprised that I had to request a menu in an almost empty room with only one other table occupied, although three other parties came in while I was there. I was seated by the window, but left around sunset and realized how dark it was already in the back of the room. The music was reminiscent of Ravi Shankar in his Beatle days, a vast improvement over the Bollywood noise at Punjab Palace. Someone just told me last night that restaurants have found they do better business if it's a loud environment Going with the most popular dishes so far, I had the Kaddo and Qabili. They were both quite good. The Qabili arrives as a large mound of Pallow rice with raisins and what they describe as a glazed julienne of carrots. Hiding underneath this were the most tender chunks of lamb shank I've ever had. Someone else described them as "fall off the bone" and I took it literally, but that wasn't the case. However, although they are very high quality I discovered that they did need a bit of trimming, which isn't clear in their initial hidden state. I had a hard time adjusting to the raisins and carrots, wishing it came with say onions and green beans instead. Next time I might have Korma Challow, a sauteed leg of lamb which does come with these and a bunch of other stuff. I've never been fond of dishes with just meat, or meat and starch as it was in this case. I couldn't really count the julienned carrots as a vegetable, and am willing to eat raisins in trail mix but little else. There is a short wine "list", with everything available by the glass and bottle, and I think the most expensive one is $21, but I can't speak for the quality, although perhaps the fact that they all come by the glass is a clue. There is no printed beer list, but it seems to be very limited and I am unwilling to pay $4.50 for an uninteresting bottle. My water glass was regularly attended to, one of my major criteria in judging service. I have some fruit I need to use up, so didn't get dessert. Overall, most pleasant and I will be back.
(4)Skimmilk K.
Delicious! I went with a group of friends after looking on Yelp! It wasn't wrong. We started with several appetizers (I think I loved the Mantu-beef dumplings and the Kaddo (pumpkin) the best! They make the Mantu fresh every day so after we figured out how great it was, we couldn't order any more because they had run out for the day! For our dinner, we had the Qabill (lamb shanks-so tender), Chopan (my friend who doesn't like the gamey taste of lamb actually liked this. It was served medium rare-PERFECT), Kofta Challow (THE BEST SAUCE EVER! I kept eating it over rice) and the Mourgh Challow (Chicken with a yellow sauce-good but not my favorite). Oh, and they have this super delicious bread and dipping sauces Overall, I think I liked pretty much everything I ate. The only thing I didn't love was Aushak but that's more because my friends ordered this but I'm not a huge fan of a lot of scallions. The waitstaff was very attentive and very accomodating. Definitely recommend.
(4)Todd C.
Want to know just how good Lamb, pumpkin, eggplant, rice, and bread can be? Then give Ariana and Afghan food a try. I guarantee you that you won't be intimidated. Liked: The Qabili might be one of the best dishes in Boston. Seriously. Free Naan with three delicious sauces Very attentive and helpful service Disliked: Rack of lamb (Chopan) was definitely overcooked Lighting was really dim Our group, led by a friend actually from Kabul, ate family style, which was perfect for me in getting a taste of what Afghan food really is. The clear standout for me was the Qabili ($13.50), a dish with perfectly spiced and melt-in-your-mouth, tender lamb served with a sweet rice (pallow) with carrots and raisins. I would venture to say that this might be one of the best dishes in Boston, which is not a claim I'd throw around lightly. The only other item in that realm would be the Kaddo ($5 as appetizer), a pumpkin dish on the sweeter side, but better than any pumpkin I've ever had by a mile. While those two were the easy standouts, the leek and scallion fried pastry, (Bowlawni) was really good, and the sauces that come with the naan were a surprise hit, especially the cilantro/lime one. The chicken dish (Mourgh Kabob) and beef meatball (Kofta Challow) were good, but on the whole not really that memorable. The only dish I'd consider poor was the rack of lamb (Chopan), as the lamb was burnt and dry on the inside, though the sautéed eggplant side did redeem the dish somewhat as it was superb. As per the prices, I'd say they were about right. Ariana isn't a cheap ethnic food gem, but a nicer sit down, and the prices reflected that well I think. The portions won't overwhelm you, but seemed about right as well. For the atmosphere, the lighting is unfortunately really dim, and some of the walls are a little too bare. The bottom line though is that Ariana offers some of the most unique and fantastic food you're going to find in Boston, and is well worth a visit for anyone. Order the Qabili and the Kaddo, and I guarantee you'll be dying to come back.
(5)Alexandra B.
OMG this was the best meal I've eaten in a long time. Especially loved the pumpkin and leek ravioli appetizers. I had the spinach and lamb entree which was good, but I adored the pallow rice that came with my husband's entree. In an effort to prolong the pleasure, we even had dessert (homemade ice cream and rice pudding), both of was were also delicious. Polite, discreet waitstaff, very reasonable prices, nice atmosphere. My only complaint (and it is minor) was the Afghan elevator music, but it was a small price to pay for the privilege of experiencing all those new exotic flavors -- a sensory delight. I can't wait to go again.
(4)Jessamyn S.
My friends and I still rhapsodize over a meal we ate at Ariana's almost one year ago. Simply put, our food was DIVINE- my taste buds are still singing about the Aush. Seriously, I am still searching for a North Carolina restaurant that can even slightly compare. The kofta challow and the mantu are both particularly delicious dishes.
(5)L M.
The service was excellent, the food came quickly and of course delicious! I recommend the Banjan and the Bowlani, theyre great vegetarian options. The atmosphere inside was very warm and welcoming, with calming middle eastern music playing. Definitely recommend this place and will be going again!
(4)Jordan G.
I ate here a few weeks ago, so pardon my memory being a little cloudy. When my boyfriend and I went, we were only the second table occupied in the place. The waiter was incredibly attentive, knowledgeable, and professional. It may have been easier for him to be attentive since it was basically empty, but his professionalism was unmatched by any other restaurant in this price range that I've eaten in. Each table gets complementary flatbread (think like Indian naan) with three dipping sauces. I am one of those people who cannot stand the taste of cilantro, yet after eating their green cilantro/parsley sauce, I can't get enough cilantro. It's like I had never really tasted cilantro correctly until I had this sauce. My boyfriend commented on how much he liked the roasted red pepper (also spicy pepper) sauce, and the waiter gave him some to take home. Both of our entrees were delicious. I am foggy on the details, but I had a steak with greens, rice, and lentils on the side, and my boyfriend had salad with grilled chicken and roasted veggies on top. I couldn't help but get dessert because 1) everything was so reasonably priced, 2) everything was so delicious, and 3) I really want this restaurant to stick around so I wanted to give them more business. If you have any inkling towards delicious vegetarian or meat based dish with rice on the side and amazing sauces, definitely go to Ariana. I don't want them to disappear!!
(5)Karishma K.
Lovely food. Nice atmosphere. Good prices. First review .. Only 4 stars. Hoping to revisit this place again to change it to 5 stars. The 'chutneys' that come with the bread are amazing. The kaddoo and the banjan were a bit disappointing .. but that's only because I had high expectations. Wines were good. Nice ambience. Lovely location.
(4)Ambrosia K.
When I saw that an Afghan restaurant was coming to the neighborhood in place of Dawat, I immediately wanted to know what exactly cuisine from Afghanistan tasted like. When I saw the open sign on as I headed to work in the morning, M. and I were there for dinner. We got: -Kaddo, pan fried pumpkin in garlic yogurt with meat sauce -Aushak, scallion/leek ravioli with mint yogurt, spices and meat sauce -Kofta Challow, beef meatballs in spiced tomato sauce with challow rice My favorite was by FAR the Kaddo. Sweet with a slightly sour bite from the yogurt and the savory element from the meat sauce, M. and I would have ordered another for dessert had we not been so full. The challow rice from M.'s dish was also amazing, fluffy and flavorful without being greasy and the three sauces that came with the naan complemented each other perfectly. All in all, the food was spectacular and the price was more than decent. I cant wait to go back so I can try the Qabili and Banjan/Kaddo Challow and, of course, order the Kaddo again.
(5)Bill C.
What a wonderful restaurant. Great food. Terrific ambiance. The owners are great hosts and chefs. You will love it here!
(5)D M.
Its not bad and its not great. If you want great Afghani restaurant food then take a trip to Pomir Grill in Worcester. We go there all the time and it is the best! After that it's the Helmand. I felt that the food her lacked flavor. The kadu was good but the food especially the spinach dish lacked flavor. I will not go back.
(2)Christine S.
This place was absolutely amazing. Seriously. I never had Afghani food before and was curious to see what it was about. We were looking for restaurants in the allston/brighton area and after reading the stellar yelp reviews, decided to see what this place had to offer. I had the Mourgh Challow, chicken cooked in amazing spices (the sauce was great) with tons of rice. It was seriously one of the best meals I've had in a while. They give you lots of free bread too. I'm not sure what it's called, but it's very similar to naan. It was all very reasonably priced (my huge meal was $12). Service was also excellent. Very attentive and friendly. The dessert menu looked amazing too but we were waaaay too stuffed to even consider it. But I do regret not ordering baklawa to-go. For a Saturday night, this place wasn't busy at all. So if you're reading this, GO THERE, then post an excellent review of it on yelp so we can create more buzz!!
(5)Julien P.
Absolutely delicious. You can't go wrong between either of the two better Afghan restaurants in Boston but this one has less of a crowd, feels less stuffy, and may be slightly less expensive. The waiter was attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable about the food and culture. I was quite impressed with the service. Just talking about this place makes me crave Kaddo. That's what you need to order when you go.
(5)Ev S.
Delicious every time even for vegetarians. Every time I go its great and everyone I bring enjoys themselves.
(5)Priyadarshini V.
4.5 stars and 143 reviews - who wouldn't want to take a chance to try out Afghan food at such a well rated restaurant..but I guess I had too high expectations for the place, and was slightly disappointed. Was busy, as you would expect on a Friday evening, staff were very nice but I felt that the service was pretty slow. Food was good, but nothing I would rave about. Tried the kaddo, banghan , dopiaza and the homemade ice cream. Distinct flavors, you might want to try it once, but that's about it! The appetizer portions were way too small, I would say this place is a ill too pricey for the quality n quantity of the food.
(3)Sarah H.
In/out and completely satisfied in an hour. We arrived for a relatively early dinner (6pm or so) and our party of 2 was seated easily without a reservation. However, as we got into our meal the smallish restaurant filled very quickly--reservations are probably the way to go during peak dinner hours. We had the dopiaza and sabzi challow--both were amazing. The flavors were different and exciting in both dinners that it wasn't boring for both of us to order the lamb. Every plate that came out of the kitchen looked like an exciting reason for a second and third trip back to Ariana. Dinner service was attentive/adequate but not overwhelmingly special (one waitress ran into me on our way in and said naught a word). Still, the food was delicious and our waiter was nice enough to rate Ariana a 4/5.
(4)