Panjshir
924 W Broad St, Falls Church, VA, 22046
Panjshir Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Falls Church for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Falls Church for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Falls Church for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
924 W Broad St
Falls Church, VA, 22046 - Phone (703) 536-4566
- Website https://www.panjshirrestaurant.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:30 am - 2:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Emi P.
Delicious Afghan dishes; quiet, cozy interior (not at all like the building's somewhat dumpy exterior); friendly service. New favorite spot! My Zardack Palow had melt-in-your-mouth lamb and the most savory mix of veggies with walnuts and Afghan prunes! The pumpkin side/appetizer was amazing (not normally a pumpkin fan). My husband's spinach and lamb dish was also excellent. Nothing against fusion food, but I really enjoyed how this was thoroughly Afghani--not sort of watered down for American preferences. The dishes aren't spicy, though each had the most unusual and just enjoyable seasonings.
(5)Helen Z.
Kadu Palok. Translates to pumpkin rice. Such an unassuming name for a dish that totally blew me away. :) My friend and I came here for dinner. He had recently eaten and was originally going to just share the Kadu Palok entree with me, but after having a couple bites, he said he had to order his own or he'd eat all of mine! The dish has three parts - spinach rice, pumpkin w/ tomato, and lamb curry - as well as a side of fresh Afghan bread. Each part of the entree was fantastic - the rice was perfectly cooked and mixing it with the sauce of the main dishes made it even more fantastic. I do wish there had been a few more chunks of lamb (I think I counted 6-8 small cubes) but otherwise, a perfect dish for under $20. Highly recommend. I will be back soon!
(5)Mary H.
I have had afghan food before so I was excited to try a place local. Saw the reviews for this place so I couldn't wait to try it. Well? I could have waited a little longer. We tried the Bulanee kachalu app which was good. We loved the sauce. Umm? But that was pretty much the highlight of our night. The muntoo was soggy. I had the Quorma Palow, few pieces of lamb, kinda bland with a lot of rice on the side. I guess I would have felt satisfied if I ate all the rice... But why should I have to, right? My guest had the Zamorod Palow, which had a few pieces of lamb and lots of rice. I should have probably tried the kadu that I see all the reviews about but one dish shouldn't make a place. If I do come back... I would probably try all the apps as small dishes and have drinks. Service was attentive and polite. The place looks dark from the outside but inside its bright and clean. On the pricey side for what you get.
(3)Mary P.
My husband and I had the kebeb-e-gos fund and the kadu palow. So tasty and the right portion sizes! Omg especially the kadu palow (I'm a huge fan of great tasting pumpkin anything so yeah)! Nice atmosphere and staff too. We're gonna come back here again.
(4)Nancy F.
Oh my! So easy to over eat because it's all so delicious. Start with some kadu, we had the quabili palow and the kabab-e degee. Both were fantastic. Yummy. We come here every time we are in DC
(5)Erica W.
I'm not sure what Afghan food is supposed to taste like, but I guess it was average here. My friend and I were definitely up for a change, so the sauces were unique to us. I would give the food about a 3.5 since it seemed like it was reheated, not cooked from scratch. The meat did not seem as tender as it should be. The portions are somewhat small, and I was pretty hungry about an hour later. For $40 we had a pumpkin lamb, an eggplant dish, two teas, and one dessert. MOST frustrating, however, is that the owner overcharged my credit card. He showed me a piece a paper and told me he cancelled the incorrect transaction, but didn't give me a copy. He then processed another charge. It's a week later, I just saw that his credit card processor wasn't able to cancel the original charge, and I'm annoyed because I shouldn't have to deal with the various calls back and forth to get a business to correct an error that they made. Perhaps he was just careless that day because he was the only person in the restaurant. That said, the owner is incredibly nice and courteous; and, he absolutely is responsive in trying to resolve the overcharge.
(3)Snailman J.
Even a vegetarian can become a fan of this place. Amazing entrees and apps. They make veggie apps for you and have delicious food. We ended up trying four out of seven vegetarian entrees and they were all amazing. Potato, spinach, apples and turnip were the main ingredients in each of those delicacies. I think now I just have to go again to try the rest.
(5)Leah W.
Always delicious! Ask for the appetizer platter, you'll get one of everything and it never disappoints.
(5)Steven P.
Absolutely love this place! So unique and delicious. I get the turnip or the pumpkin dish every other time. So sweet and spicy, unlike anything else. The desserts are light and not overly sweet. Wonderful!!
(5)Annette O.
I have only had Afghan food twice in my life; once at the Afghan Kabob Palace in Charlottesville near UVa, and once at Panjshir. While the food at both restaurants was palatable, the cuisine offered at Panjshir was clearly superior. My friend and I ordered the aushak, which consisted of scallion filled dumplings with beef and yogurt sauce. The dumplings were rather flat and was not as densely stuffed as I would like; however, the meat and yogurt sauce was well-seasoned and delicious. The tart tomato flavor of the meat sauce was perfectly foiled with the rich and cooling yogurt. We also ordered the kadu chalow, a vegetarian dish that consisted of sautéed pumpkin, seasoned basmati rice, yogurt sauce, and tomato sauce. Initially, the dish was incredibly satisfying for the sweetness of the pumpkin balanced the tart and creamy yogurt; however, after the first few bites, I found the starch to be cloyingly sweet. I desired something more savory, and my craving was met by the unlimited seasoned bread. The servers were attentive and friendly. They were also patient with me, as I typically spend a lot of time scrutinizing the menu before I place my order. Although the ambiance was average and slightly too dark for my liking, I do recommend this restaurant for the good quality service and tasty food.
(4)Stacey K.
Five stars because we've never had a bad meal here, the atmosphere is very comfortable and not loud, and we love seeing small, family-owned local restaurants as an alternative to corporate eateries. Years ago, my family and I used to come here for the variety of kabobs, which were always delicious. Now that I have been a vegetarian for some years, I still enjoy coming here for their vegetarian options. The Kadu Chalow pumpkin stew is fantastic. I also love their Banjan Chalow eggplant, and the Buranee-E-Kachalu potato dish. The seasoned yogurt and tomato sauces are great. They offer a vegetarian combination which lets you sample three of their entrees. And they also have a really good menu of sides that you can combine into a meal. For dessert, try the baklava or the chilled traditional Firnee pudding. The cardamom tea is exceptional. If you are inclined, they offer a totally decent wine list, priced in accordance with this area, though I find that the traditional Afghan tea compliments the cuisine much better. The owner is usually around, and frequently does table service. If unsure about what to order, or if you have questions, you can ask him for suggestions or a recommendation. Great place for a nice quiet dinner and authentic food.
(5)David B.
The kind of fantastic meal that took my taste buds on a wild, wonderfully enjoyable ride, which, to this magnitude, is truly a rare occasion. I think that much of my enjoyment with the dish stems from its novelty: I don't recall ever having Afghan food. After all, adventurous taste buds would kill for newness! I've had Pakistani food on several occasions, which I felt was more akin to Indian food. But how to describe this wonderful blend of flavors? Perhaps I'd say it's something of a cross between Pakistani and other Middle Eastern food I've had, but that certainly doesn't do it justice. This dish (based on my culinary experience, anyway) comes with its own unique flavor. For one, it's sweeter. And the spices that figured prominently in this dish -- zardack palow, a wonderful blend of "carrots cooked with seeded Afghan prunes, tomato sauce, chickpeas, and walnuts, served with chunks of lamb and white rice" which the kind server suggested as a delicious traditional Afghan dish (so long as I was good with carrots...and with ones so supple as these, how could I not be? -- were of a different nature. I get a hint from the kind of tea I was served: Afghan style cardamon tea (which was also delicious, tingling the tongue with a somewhat anasthetic effect...the seed was, after all, chewed by the Greeks for dental hygiene)! I'm no spice expert, but I'm guessing that cardamon played a dominant role in this delectable dish. (Sure, I could have just asked, but I felt like doing some detective work during my meal and leaving a bit of a mystery in the air!) So the flavor of cardamon is described by the epicentre as "Warm and eucalyptine with camphorous and lemony undertones." I'm not sure about the camphorous part (though it reminds me of aphrodesiac, which apparently it is!) but I think warm, eucalyptine, and lemony definitely describes it -- plus a general spicyness, but the dish overall is not overpowering for those with a low tolerance to heat. If there's not enough heat for you, it even comes with a side of spicy green sauce which you can mix in with the rice, along with a garden salad and soft pieces of spiced bread (all included). And the servings are generous. A local from Afghanistan wrote a review vouching for this place, second only to home-cooked meals (but really, what's better?). So I knew I had to try it, and I certainly wasn't disappointed. I'm a vegetarian/pescetarian 99.9 percent of the time, but I make exceptions a couple times a year for special meals. This was one of them. I decided to get the dish with lamb rather than the pure vegetarian version. And I don't regret it. The lamb was sweet and tender. Surprisingly, while it was savory, so was the long Middle Eastern rice -- and I don't think I've ever found myself saying that about rice! That alone speaks to the quality of this place. I can't wait to go back and try their pumpkin dish and mouth-watering dessert options next time I pass through!
(5)Shamiyana K.
This place is great! I am afghan and trust me when I say this is the best afghan food you will get in this area. When I have a craving for a warm cup of aush or mashawa and I can't get my mom, aunts or other good cooks in the family to make it I drive to falls church and mix in some of their delicious spicy cilantro sauce and go to town on it. They also have great lamb chops, aushak, and mantoo. I love their eggplant and kadu apps as well. If you want good afghan food and don't know any afghans who can make at home for you then this is the next best thing. Otherwise the best afghan dishes are always cooked in the homes of afghans :)
(5)Melissa M.
Excellent! Tried the pumpkin and lamb dish.... It was awesome! Wine selection is good... Everything tastes homemade. Yummy! Will be back!
(4)Brittany L.
I read an ethnic food article in a magazine that focuses on the Arlington area...and this was one of the spots mentioned. I checked it out on Yelp and it seemed like a good spot. So off we went. We got there around 8pm, there's parking behind the restaurant. Decor is nice, and the wine selection is actually quite good. For an appetizer we had the beef and potatoes in a pastry. It was like a samosa but shaped like a quesadilla, and very tasty. It comes with a spicy green sauce--jalapeno puree, I think? He had a chicken kabob entree and I had spinach rice with sauteed spinach and a lamb stew in tomato sauce. Everything was delicious!! For dessert I took some pudding with pistachios and cardamom to-go. Fantastic! Why 4 stars? The owner brought me a carrot stew instead of the spinach dish initially. I said, "Is this what I ordered?" "Yes." I looked at it again. No spinach anywhere. "I ordered the dish with spinach. Is it in the sauce?" "Is what in the sauce? This is what you ordered." "The spinach. I ordered the dish with spinach rice and sauteed spinach." ...look of comprehension... "Oh. Yes. I will be right back with it." 5 minutes later I had the correct dish and it was worth the wait because it was really great. The lady in the dining room was not as personable as the owner...she was almost robotic. The service could have been better...the owner made conversation with another customer for about 20 minutes then disappeared. The lady never offered to refill our waters or even glanced at the table. The food was great though...I would definitely go back. It is not spicy at all, so if you like some spice to your food ask for some of the jalapeno sauce that is served with some of the appetizers.
(4)John L.
Came here after an evening in Falls Church City and being swayed by the many positive reviews. Followed the recommendations of many Yelpers and ordered the Pumpkin Rice and Dumplings, along with a few of their kabob dishes. Our order was taken by an older gentleman, who appeared to be the owner, and more importantly was curt and rude. Food was good, but portions were very small. If you are looking for a better experience with Afghan food, I would strongly recommend Afghan Kabob over in Springfield.
(1)Ken P.
During my visit to Falls Church from California, my cousins told me there was an awesome afghan place nearby. Not expecting much because I live in an area where afghan food is the best, I gave it a try. The food was amazing hands down. I can't remember the names of the dishes I tried but the Kadu is a must have. I've tried kadu before but never have I had it like this. Out of this world! Moist and full of flavor. I will definitely come back again when I visit my family in VA.
(5)Wilson W.
!AVOID AT ALL COST! I would have this place a 0 star if I could. The guy is beyond rude and here is the story - got a $10 dollar restaurant.com certificate. Called and asked if I could use it for a take out. This is when the person on the other end of the phone started lashing out about no take out and how they would not make any money and asked me to cancel my order if I want to do take out. I mean seriously?! The place looks like a dump and I am more than happy to cancel my order. Worst part though is I now have to call restaurant.com to refund the gift card. Negative stars if I could.
(1)Cassie J.
This was my first time trying Afghan food; it was fantastic! Initially, I was wary because I read a review about a yelper who used a certificate from restaurant.com , and had an unpleasant experience with the wait staff. However, I was able to use my certificate with no issues. My boyfriend and I dined at Panjshir on a Tuesday evening (around 6:00). We parked in a small lot behind the building. When we entered, there was only one other table in the dining room, and it took a few moments before we were seated. Our water glasses were filled immediately. The server took our drink order when we ordered our food. I couldn't decided what to order, so I picked the vegetarian combo with kadu chalow (sauteed pumpkin with tomato sauce), banjan chalow (eggplant), and shalgam chalow (turnips). There are 7 vegetarian entrees (not including the combo) on the menu. My boyfriend (who is not a vegetarian) ordered the bulanee kachalu appetizer (turnovers stuffed with potato and beef) and the zamarod palow (lamb and spinach) as his main course. The food was delicious and hot. I really liked the green hot sauce (vinegary and not too spicy) that was served with my boyfriend's appetizer. I requested a side of the sauce for my food. The service was excellent, and the owner/manager stopped by the table several times throughout the meal. Other than the wait time at the door, the pace of service was perfect. Although I appreciated the vegetarian entrees, I would have liked to see some vegetarian appetizers or soups on the menu. However, Panjshir is a good dining option for vegetarians. I plan on returning.
(4)A J.
Although the atmosphere was very nice and inviting (I was pleasantly surprised) and the food arrived quickly, the food (dumplings, rice and bread) were all lukewarm which is something I cannot stand. On top of that the portions are small and not worth the price. The dumplings were 3 small pieces (an appetizer)... The chicken and beef kabob are tasty but not enough to make me want to come back. Go to Friends Kabob and you will get more bang for your buck-as well as salad. I just cannot stand lukewarm food and overpriced food.
(2)Rick G.
This has been one our favorite restaurants in Northern Virginia for years. We've finally lost count on the times we have had dinner there! A favorite of my wife's, we've had at least one of her birthdays and a Valentine's dinner here, and we've been pleased with every visit. This last time we enjoyed their Aappetizers of Bulanee Kachalu (turnovers stuffed with potato and beef served with hot sauce on the side, Bulanee Gandana turnovers stuffed with scallions, herbs, and ground beef served with yogurt on the side). For the mains we licked our fingers to Kadu Plow consisting of sauteed pumpkin topped with seasoned yogurt and tomato sauce, served with spinach rice and chunks of lamb, and their Kabab-E-Murgh with spices, served on skewer with saffron rice, and Quorma Palow sauteed chunks of lamb prepared in tomato sauce seasoned with garlic, onion and kashmiri Masala, served with saffron rice. We dined with a bottle of King Estate Oregon Pinot Noir 2011 which worked perfectly with the complete dinner. I cannot even begin to express our delight at having meals here. The atmosphere although sparse, is actually very nice and cozy. Overall it is clean and well appointed, yet low key. Best of all, beyond the food being fantastic, the service each time we've visited has been incredible with manners, knowledge and attention to detail, whether from the owner directly, or his wait staff! The next time I go, I hope to get a glimpse of the kitchen to better appreciate the fine meals being had here. Ya gotta go and enjoy!
(4)Jennifer D.
We went on a weekend recently for lunch. We were literally the only people there which made me a bit nervous. I will say though there is next to no parking, so perhaps it was good we were the only ones there. For an appetizer we ordered Bulanee Kachalu (sounded like the samosas we enjoy at Indian restaurants) - it was delicious. The other was Bulanee Gandana - I did not enjoy it but my husband liked it. I had the Kebab E Murgh (chicken). The chicken was delicious but I was not impressed with the bread and the rice was okay. What I really liked was the spinach rice my husband ordered. I'm sure we will be back, so I would ask for spinach rice instead of the rice it came with.
(4)Daniel M.
I agree with all the positive reviews. This is the BEST Kadu around, and there is pretty good Kadu at many of the local Afghan restaurants! Pumpkin + spices + yogurt + tomato sauce + yummy rice = perfection. This place is small and intimate, and one of my favorite places to enjoy a great meal!
(5)Chris S.
Read about this place in the Washington Post and decided to give it a try. We walked in to find the host/waiter sitting at a back table reading. Only 1 other table in the place. Off to a bad start... we were greeted with water but not asked for a drink order. We finally got his attention and placed a wine order (they have a decent list if wines). We mentioned it was our first visit there and the waiter/host barely mustered the enthusiasm to walk us through the appetizers. We settled on the Aushak which tasted like Chef Boyardee ravioli with meat sauce (out of the can) with yogurt on top. My wife got the Mushroom Palow and I got the Kadu Palow (which was referenced in the Post article). Both entrees were good and worth the visit. The Kadu Palow was especially good with the sautéed pumpkin and lamb. The waiter/host never did a table check to see how our food was or to offer us another drink. He seemed more interested in Monday Night Football. We decided to try dessert (on our own as we were never offered). We selected the Firnee which is homemade pudding with pistachio and cardamom. The dessert was inedible. We left it sitting there as they dropped off the check. Never asking us how anything was. Disappointed in this place and will not be back. Food must be extraordinary to overcome service like that and it just wasn't.
(2)Rebecca C.
I can't think of anything wrong that would make me warrant giving it fewer than five stars. Definitely have the cardamom iced tea.
(5)Isaac R.
I lived in the DC area for four years and this was hands down my favorite restaurant here. The quorma palow was my "go to" item... but I didn't eat anything here that I didn't like. Despite good food, the service was outstanding. My brother originally stumbled upon this restaurant, and converted all my siblings to it. The owner of the restaurant would always inquire about our family whenever we'd eat there. He was SO nice and would often bring us appetizers or dessert on the house, whenever we'd bring guests with us to introduce them to the amazingness of this place. Now, I live on the other side of the country... I'm pregnant... and CRAVING this place big time. Ahhh. Please eat here. You won't regret it.
(5)Mark W.
My parents and I have been coming here for close to a decade. I'm surprised, and saddened to see so many people give this place such low reviews. We have never, in all the years we've been coming here, ever received slow service. Rather, it has always been perfectly attentive, but appropriately reserved. All the appetizers are delicious. If you can't decide-since we never like to choose- you can get a sampler platter. The Choppe Kebab (lamb chops) and Kebab Edegee are my go-tos. I highly reccomend this establishment. It provides a great dining environment: great for carrying on a conversation. The food is consistently good. I'm sure every place has its detractors, but I LOVE Panjshir.
(5)Christine O.
Review is long overdue -- Enjoyed trying my first Afghan experience here at Panjshir! Went here after seeing a deal on GroupOn and thought - why not? Since it's been a while, I forgot the name of all the dishes we tried there... but I know their Kadu Palow is good (sautee pumpkin with yogurt and tomato sauce) and dessert "Gosh-E-Feel" with fresh cardamon and pistachio garish that's soooo fresh. The pastry just melts in your mouth!! + SPINACH RICE -- try it!! + plenty of seating + nice owner/servers/kitchen staff to help you order if you've never been/experienced Afghan food + fresh ingredients and full of flavor! - easy to miss on the road - keep your eyes peeled This place is big enough to host parties, so bring your friends out to something different! They'll like it.
(4)Linh O.
I'm definitely coming back here! We ordered the Kadu Palow (pumpkin with lamb and spinach rice) and the Quorma-e-Seib (baked apples with rice and lamb). So delicious, I'm drooling now as I type. Please do yourself a favor and go here and try those two dishes.
(4)Donald P.
I'm not feeling it here. I had a craving for some Indian Samosas but figured this afghan restaurant might have something similar. Considering I pass by this place everyday I figured I'd give it a shot. I looked at the online menu and see Sambosay Goshti which is the closest thing that looks like the familiar Samosa. After picking it up I remember thinking, gosh this is awfully tiny for an appetizer...(well at least for American standards)...is this even gonna whet my appetite? Anyway I was very disappointed to see 4 small, light-as-air, triangular fried dumplings. I guess I was expecting something a little more 3-dimentional or tetrahedral like your typical Indian samosa. As for the taste...it was just alright. I didn't realized the lack of potato feeling really does make a difference in taste. I'm not going to write this place off just yet, but I'll definitely have to satiate my samosa cravings at an Indian restaurant.
(3)Morgan M.
I've probably eaten here at least a dozen times and I'm never disappointed. I am a creature of habit and always get the kadu palow or kadu chalow (their pumpkin is the absolute BEST I've ever had) but I've tasted samples of their other food and know it's all good! Their service is also great.
(5)S. Paul L.
The Kudlow Palow (I think that's how it is spelled) was fantastic. It is stewed pumpkins with a really nice tart cream sauce and braised lamb in a tomato sauce. The pumpkin quite honestly might be one of the best things I have ever eaten. It was like eating a desert. The cream sauce gave a really nice floral note with the tartness on the sweet pumpkin and with the lamb it really came together nicely. It's a small establishment, so my wife and I were in and out within 40 minutes. Definitely will be going back.
(4)Jennifer T.
Freaking fantastical so delicious! My family has been eating at Panjshir since I was a kid, and we frequented the (closed) location in Tyson's. However, the food is the same at the Falls Church location which is kick ass. As a kid, I have always claimed Afghan as my favorite type of food and this very restaurant is the reason why. When I'd return from college, this is the place we dined at upon my return home. When I graduated from high school and then college, this is the place we went to. This is a family-owned business and it's spectacular. My favorite is the Kadu Challow (kadu is the deliciously seasoned and sauteed pumpkin with yogurt and tomato sauce that may sound strange but is uber lip-smacking delicious, and challow is delicately and perfectly seasoned scrumptious tender bites of lamb - always fresh and never gamey, served with really yummy scented spinach rice). The portions aren't very large (I'm a pig and love humongous servings, these are good servings here), but the flavor will blow your socks off. My dad always ordered the Combination Kebab, mom got Kadu Palow (no lamb, just an entree with a larger portion of the pumpkin, with the spinach rice), and you CANNOT MISS OUT on the Combination Appetizers for however # of people are at your table. The combo appetizer platter comes with about 5 or 6 different samosas, dumplings, and super super flavorful pockets of heaven. Beef/potato samosa, scallion fried dumpling, etc. etc. topped with afghan yogurt sauce and tomato sauce with hot sauces to top each bite of deliciousness. Ever since I can remember, we have always ALWAYS ordered the combination appetizer, so a meal is incomplete without trying it. If you're vegetarian, let them know so that you can have vegetarian combo appetizers instead. They have a good selection of desserts, including the traditional baklava, but also rice pudding and other things. Groupon always has lunch and dinner deals for Panjshir. Try it, you'll love it!
(5)Richard D.
Panjshir is a neighborhood gem and has the best Afghan food in the area. The owner Matt is extremely friendly, and his staff in this cozy Falls Church setting offer just the right amount of friendliness and attentiveness, serving up the most delicious Afghan cuisine based on generations old family recipe's. Feel free to ask the staff for recommendations, and they will help you navigate this authentically Afghan menu. Panjshir is our "go to" place for great food, service and atmosphere....year round!
(5)Sarah C.
Not as good as Faryab in Bethesda, but definitely a decent substitution if you live in the area. Good for vegetarians. Choose the Mantoo dumplings over the Aushak (if you are a meat eater), the Aushak is overpowered by dried mint flakes that wipe out the palate. Kadu and Seib are really good - the sweetness balances out the spice nicely, and the spinach rice is really nice. Shalgam has an odd aftertaste, not a fan.
(3)Paddie C.
Sam L. hit it on the head. We had the same experience, but not quite in the same way. We had a good meal, salads and all, and the waitress was fairly attentive - refilled water once, and tea once. The guy (I'm guessing manager/server guy from Sam L.'s review) took our orders, though, and after we gave our waitress the $15 Restaurant.com voucher, she took it to him in the back. We heard his reaction, clear as day, bending around the corner from the back of the restaurant. (STAFF TAKE NOTE: The acoustics are not in your favor. We heard a lot of horsing around, hysterical laughter, etc., which was fine because it was the end of the night and who doesn't like happy staff? Downside is we also heard the bad part; see below.) So, from the back of the house comes "What the hell?!...They're supposed to give this to us first....and they ordered the cheapest things!" (We had ordered the vegetarian entrees, not because we wanted to be cheap, but because WE'RE VEGETARIANS. Not our fault you price them cheaper.) When we asked the waitress what the deal was, and that we weren't aware we were supposed to give them the voucher first (which is NOT stated on their Restaurant.com coupon--just a way for them to stiff you of the salads which you would otherwise get, which as Sam L. pointed out, is RIDICULOUS), she seemed to sheepishly realize we'd heard everything. I'm the daughter of a restauranteur and cut my teeth on several years of restaurant work. You should always be careful what you say, and in earshot of your customers. This incident really turned us off. Their food is okay, bland for my taste--and I used to feel bad for them since it was always empty when we would go. No more.
(2)Paul C.
Truly excellent! One of my favorites!! I have eaten here dozens of times and have never been disappointed. Their Aushak (dumplings stuffed with scallions in a wonderful sauce) and Sabsi (Afghan spinach) are among the best dishes, anywhere. Everything else is wonderful. The atmosphere is pleasant and their modest wine list satisfies. The menu never changes, so if you're looking for a new dish every visit, you'll be disappointed but if you want consistently enjoyable Afghan food, this is a great destination.
(5)Scott V.
The food is good, but not great. I'd say, if you want Afghan, and you don't feel like driving to another favorite spot, then this restaurant is just fine. The meat (lamb) in the Quorma Palow was very tender, so that was awesome. The sauce was very thin, but our friend who was dining with us who lived in Afghanistan for a few years said that was actually authentic. So, that was fine with me! The bread, however, was disappointing. I'm assuming it's not made on the premises, because it was a little dried out and pretty low in quality. The texture reminded me of a sponge. So, that was bad. We ordered the Bulanee Gandana for an appetizer, which was nice and flaky and especially good with the spicy pepper sauce. My wife ordered a pumpkin dish which was very flavorful and probably the best item on our table. The staff was very friendly as well, which helped make the bread go down a bit easier.
(3)Paul N.
I'm a fan of the food the the service needs to catch up. I came here on a Friday night and my server forgot items and was a little slow. However this being said she was very nice and warm. I would come back but you can benefit from a little more training.
(3)Daniel A.
One of my all time favorite places in Falls Church! Whenever I would visit home from college or where ever I was, I would make it a point to stop by Panjshir. The food is excellent (Kabob-e-gaow is my number one choice), the staff is attentive, the owners are friendly, and the venue is quiet (a pretty amazing feat since it is directly next to Bangkok Blues). It is a little on the pricey side, but well worth it. Even as I write this, I'm thinking of heading to Falls Church for a kabob. My one complaint is a lack of parking. The back lot fills up quickly. Just park across the street in the empty lot. You could brave the lot next door at the small shopping center, but I've heard some car-towing stories and have never had the guts to do it myself.
(5)Sam L.
The food was good and deserves a better rating but the overall experience was a turn off. We used a coupon (paid $15, value $30) for dinner and the server (also manager) accepted it, but then stated that coupon users don't get a salad that usually comes with an entrée and, if you want the salad that usually comes with the entrée, it would cost $3 more. So, owners of Panjshir, let's get this straight: - You want to advertise your restaurant and get business by using coupons - A customer takes a coupon to you to use in good faith (I doubt if I would have tried this restaurant without the coupon advertisement. - Your treatment of us said, in effect, the meal you get with a coupon will be charged at the standard price on the bill but you will not provide the entire meal (in our case, two salads). First, besides the cheesiness of changing a meal while charging the same price, it seems profoundly stupid to irritate a new customer with this type of treatment. Second, if you don't like discounting your meals for advertisement, I would suggest NOT using a coupon web site (in my case, Specialicious). We, the coupon-users, did not force you to advertise in this manner. Third, I didn't want to make a stink about it in the restaurant, but not serving part of the meal and then charging the same price on the tab is simply wrong. Put another way, the meal in the menu is $15 for everyone else was $18 for me since I have a coupon. Maybe you think the food quality always trumps service and courtesy -- sorry, it does not.
(2)Edgar R.
I was on my last day of a business trip out in the D.C. area and was driving up to Georgetown when I got caught in heavy traffic and heavy rain! I was starving so I just decided to turn to Yelp and this place was the first to pop up in the area. Never had Afghani food so I thought I should give it a try. So happy to find this place! Walked in through the back entrance and was greeted with a bewildered look, it was pretty funny; it may have been because I was soaked and kind of went barging in lol. I was kindly greeted afterwards and knocked down some of my appetite with an ice cold Heineken. Had the Muntoo beef dumplings to get my Afghani taste buds going, it was nice and flavorful. Was recommended the Kadu Palow - sautéed pumpkin, spinach rice and lamb chunks topped with yogurt and tomato sauce, and my goodness is this food ambrosial! The dulcet pumpkin and yogurt sauce had me going, loved it! Every time I think back to it my mouth starts to salivate! Anyways, I finished off with the Baklava for dessert and even this was divine, sweet and savory. The best dish I've had to date, now time to find a similar place in L.A.!
(5)Hung N.
I just came home recently and had to hit Panjshir before I headed back to NY. This is by far my favorite Afghan restaurant. I live in NYC now and can't find anything that compares! The pumpkin and spinach are must haves. Everything on the menu is delicious and every time I go I eat way too much. All the dumplings and turnovers are an amazing way to start. I recommend coming with a group so you can try a little bit of everything! Also a wonderful place for a date. You'll definitely score if you go there. The service is warm and inviting. The decor is beautiful and cozy, and have I mentioned how delicious the food is! I need a Panjshir in NYC right now please!!!
(5)Mister H B.
I was dissapointed with the service and food... I ordered the lamb kabob, got this dish with a ton of rice with very tiny lamb pieces of meat...it was pretty good but they charge you about $ 14.00+ for it. Also the lady behind the counter seemed robotic and not friendly at all.. kind of bitter and too serious! customer service was not good!
(1)Matt P.
This is the best Afghan food I have tried. The pumpkin, radish, and apple dishes are excellent. Some of the appetizers also stand out - the muntoo and the scallion dumplings were delicious. The Kabobs are tasty but you can get equally good kabobs elsewhere for less money.
(5)Ha N.
A gem in Falls Church! Lamb with pumpkin and spinach rice & Mantoo (the dumplings with meat) - BOTH WERE AMAZING! My mouth could NOT get enough!!! Definately am looking forward to another opportunity to dine here. Our waiter was great. Those were his recommendations. My friend had a Groupon Now coupon and there was no hassle at all.
(5)Jay D.
Ok, 3 stars is what this place gets from me. 3 stars isn't bad...I hardly ever give out 5 stars, so 3 is pretty good in my book. I visited this place as I was hanging out at the grand opening of Bikenetic in Falls Church, VA. Although my buddies at the shop were grilling, I had hot dogs the night before for dinner, and it wasn't a 'beef' day for me...but thank you guys! I decided to get a quick chicken kabob....and this place delivered a pretty tasty chicken kabob. I had ordered it to go, however, then decided to eat it in shop as not to have people feel look at me strangely for not indulging in the free yummy grill food being served.... I'm kinda a freak when it come to my set days for certain foods. Moreover, the lady at the register was very nice, polite and explained to me what was about to eat. The venue is small, rather quaint. The type of place for a small lunch. There was ample seating and the hospitality ruled compared to my local kabob house in Fairfax. Luckily I purchased a $30 for $15 coupon from amazon...so I will be returning soon. Nice food, smelled and tasted great! I recommend.
(3)Adair L.
Ate dinner with boyfriend. Shared Buranee-E-Kachalu (potatoes + rice) and Quorma-E-Seib (lamb + spiced apple split peas + rice). Cost: $36 (food + tax + tip, no drinks). A little overpriced for the quantity of food received, especially since 75% of it was white potatoes and rice. Was disappointed by how little lamb came with the Quorma-E-Seib. Service: received service right away. Water was refreshed throughout the night, and my plate was taken away as soon as I'd finished - almost too soon (couldn't tell if were server was being attentive or rushing me). Overall, a good experience (hence 3 stars; A-ok). But probably won't go back.
(3)Josh S.
If you have not eaten Afghani food before, Panjshir is a must try. It's kind of hidden in Falls Church, but don't let the appearance fool you. I have eaten at this restaurant easily 100 times over the past few years, and I have not been disappointed once. With a large group, I recommend the appetizer sampler platter. It has aushuck, muntoo and some of the other staples of Afghan cuisine. The aushuck and muntoo at Panjshir have the most delicious sauces. I have yet to eat anywhere that offers the same variety of flavors that Panjshir does in any given meal. Try the combination kabob. The way they cook the chicken and beef leaves it very tender, and the marinade is great. Great service. The staff is friendly, responsive and they will remember you if you go back a couple of times.
(5)JP N.
We had a wonderful dinner this evening at Panjshir. We started with the Bulanee Katchalu and Muntoo; one was fried dumplings and the other soft and smothered with an excellent sauce. The Banjan Chalow eggplant dish was exceptional. We had a child with us, so the Mushroom Palow is good for kids; it's a mild curry dish with tasty chunks of white chicken meat. The basmati rice with the "landing strip" as a sauce is highly recommended. We really liked the Quorma Palow lamb dish and for dessert we had Firnee which is homemade chocolate pudding with slivers of almonds. There is a full bar service with exceptional red wines. Looking forward to our next meal here again.
(5)Rob Z.
In town on business, I like to consult Yelp to get restaurant recommendations. I started searching for Persian but was a bit turned off due to lack of creative vegetarian options. Then I found Panjshir. I had never tasted Afgan food but liked the menu descriptions. The restaurant looks like nothing from outside, but inside was comfortable, nicely decorated and relaxing. The waitstaff was friendly and accommodating. I ordered veg combo with Kadu Chalow (pumpkin w/yogurt & tomato sauce), Seib Chalow (interesting sweet & spicy apple dish), and Zardack Chalow (carrots, chickpeas, etc). Wonderful flavors in all! I highly recommend Panjshir for a flavorful delight! This one works for carnivores and vegetarians alike. Try the cardamom tea and Firnee (pudding) too! Enjoy your meal!
(5)Nicola A.
More like 4.5 stars. The food here was so delicious. We started with an appetizer of Bulanee Gandana, which was a tasty fried meat turnover. It came with a tangy yogurt sauce. It didn't last long. The cardamon tea is simply delightful, and the refills kept on coming! Salads followed our appetizer and were unexpected but tasty with a zingy (lemon?) based dressing. For our mains I ordered the vegetarian combo platter where you can choose three options. I opted for the Kadu (pumpkin) Chalow, shalgum (turnip) chalow, and buranee a kachalu ( potato). The dish arrived with generous amounts of each variety, plus a green tinted rice. All three were tasty, but the pumpkin dish was amazing! I had plenty to take him too, though it was mostly due to my restaint. My husband ordered Quorma E Seib, which arrived as a plate divided by rice. On one side was the sauced lamb, on the other was this baked apple and split pea dish that was beyond words delightful. It was sweet without being cloying. There were NO leftovers here. Simply HAD to get dessert. Gosh E Feel is a large wafer like cookie, kinda like a pizzelle which is topped with powdered sugar, cardamon and pistachios. I could eat these all day. The Firnee is a delightful light pudding topped with cardamon (see a theme here?), almonds, and pistachios. We ate every last bite! Prices were reasonable and the service was very friendly and polite. The is parking behind the restaurant, very simple to access. Can't wait to go again. Next time its ALL about the baked apple and the pumpkin dishes!
(4)Jill H.
I love Panjshir's food & its friendly staff. If you like sweet & sour type dishes, the BEST entree is Quarma E-Seib. It's a beef dish with apples, split lentils tomato sauce, walnuts & spices. (If you want the vegetarian version, you can get the Seib Kebab. ) I especially like the kadu & muntoo as sides. The kadu is the best I've had at any Afghan restaurant, so be sure to try it at Panjshir! There is also an extensive bar, so you can enjoy wine or other alcohol with your meal too. The owner & main server is really out going & makes it a point to greet you & make sure everything is going well during your meal. Note: Panjshir's other location in Vienna recently closed, so be sure to go to the Falls Church location. Enjoy!
(5)Kevin O.
Went for lunch. My food was excellent and reasonably priced ($9) My lunch buddy was thoroughly impressed. Came with leavened bread not naan-ish stuff Portions are not massive Interior is much nicer than the exterior. they have a full bar way better then Bamian. Parking is kind of a PitA.
(4)Christina A.
Hell yeah!!!!!!! I had to run over to Falls Church today during lunch and decided to try a new spot. Thanks to Yelp, I found myself at Panjshir. I walked in and found it dead, but there was a Zagat sticker on the window so I held out hope. I opted for a side of pumpkin (amazing), the spinach (fantastic), and some spinach rice. The flavors on everything were wonderful, and the food was decently priced. Not the biggest serving for a $15 "ethnic" meal, but that might just be because I wanted the best of all worlds and ordered a rack of sides instead of a meal. I will be back!!!
(5)Holly P.
first Afghan restaurant experience and I am totally a FAN! I feel like my friend and I ordered one of everything (not really, but pretty close) and it was all excellent! The service was perfect. The ambiance was nice. Parking good. Loved it and will be going back soon!
(4)Chris M.
I scheduled with a friend to meet for dinner in front of Panjshir just before 5pm on a Friday evening. Prior to arriving, I read the Yelp reviews and conducted an internet search for menu listings, etc. I read one account in the search results, from earlier this summer, in which a potential diner arrived at 6pm, and despite the hours showing that the restaurant should have been open, there was no one there. Otherwise, I read favorable reviews on food and service quality and looked forward to my dinner. So my friend and I arrive just before 5pm on a Friday evening commute in front of the restaurant. The place is locked up tight, and completely dark. At first I thought nothing of it. Then I realized there was zero activity going on inside. No servers preparing stations, no table settings being set, no hustle 'n' bustle of dinner preparation. I quickly recalled reading about the other potential diner who arrived to a closed up restaurant. "Oh great", I thought. So yes - 5pm came and went with no one to open the restaurant for dinner service. The hours were posted on the door for Friday dinner: 5pm - 10pm. Pretty lame. Who knows what is going on with this place. Business problems? Or maybe they just changed their hours without bothering to let anyone know. If I have the opportunity to stop in...and the staff shows up...I'll update another review. My advice? Call ahead.
(1)Susan B.
We got takeout from Panjshir tonight and were very disappointed. Got two dishes (a mushroom chicken one and a combination kebab). Both were very good but the portions were really really small for the price. The combination came with chicken, beef, and lamb and was $20. It seemed much smaller then similar dishes at Kabob Bazaar or other places. Same for the mushroom dish, it was $15 and seemed light on the chicken. When we ordered they asked if we had a Groupon (which we did)...not sure if that had anything to do with the portion size or if it was normal. I'll probably try it again (it's close by and was very tasty), but not recommend to others based on this experience.
(2)Shazia C.
I don't know why people give this restaurant a five star rating. It's not even worth one star. Portion sizes are too small. The food is tasteless. The service was poor. He only came to get the order and then we had to ask for the check. There was checking in the middle to see if we needed anything. Usually restaurants provide salad with any dish you order. They didn't offer anything. A can of soda was was $1.99. A pit pricey for a tiny, tasteless restaurant. Will never go back again. Also the bread was a small piece of strip.
(1)Mark Q.
We really like this place, and I'm a little surprised at some of the other reviews complaining about the portion size. We've never had a problem with it. Of special note, you've got to try the pumpkin dish. Or pumpkin and lamb. The pumpkin is amazing. Warm, soft, and delicious. The Quarma E-Seib (meat with raisins and nuts I think) is also good.
(4)Sully O.
Great local place with very good food, friendly staff and nice ambiance. We had the following: Mashawa - soup with a variety of beans, ground beef and yogurt - excellent as an appetizer Aushak - scallion filled dumplings - very good Kadu - pumpkin with yogurt and tomato sauce side dish - very sweet and very good Two lamb entrees with rice, spinach and kadu (can't recall the names) And for desert, Firnee - Afghan white custard with pistachios and cardamon - light, not too sweet The place was packed and you could still have a nice conversation (Thursday before New Year's which could be due to the holidays). I wish Falls Church would have more places like this.
(4)Kim F.
The food is so good! My partner and I come here every few weeks. Order the kabob-e-murgh or mushroom palow. It's amazing!
(5)Guru P.
Good quality but average tasting food. Service is ok too, but don't think I'd go there again. Being a south Asian I don't believe the food was authentic -- had lettuce salad, focaccia bread etc as sides which makes me wonder if it has been heavily tailored for the American palette thereby losing its originality.
(2)L J.
Wonderful little eatery with delicious offerings and wonderful service. The ambiance is okay - we had dinner there a little early (around 6 pm) and were one of only two couples eating there. It felt a little awkward at first. The restaurant is in a small store-front, which gave me some pause, but once our server greeted us, all my concerns were quickly put to rest. Service was wonderful. Our server was always prompt to see if we needed anything, and he was so knowledgeable! I ordered one dish with a modification, and he suggested something else so that I could enjoy a meal as it was intended to be prepared. I appreciated his insights, and his suggestion (the sauteed spinach and jasmine rice) was delicious! My husband had the lamb and loved it! We both enjoyed the cardamon tea as well. Overall, a perfectly enjoyable experience. And, and we had no issue with our Groupon; they knew exactly what to do.
(4)Syed A.
If you like cold food and being insulted by the owner, you'd love Panjshir. Otherwise, stay away! We really wanted to like this place, but would never be going back again. Bamian is just across the street and we would much rather take our business there. We love Afghan food in general and the first few times we went to Panjshir the food was nice, but definitely overpriced. The owner was always apathetic towards us (we are a younger couple), but didn't have any issues kissing up to other patrons who tended to be older. We felt mostly unattended and unwelcome by the the owner's actions and body language. The wait staff was generally nice, but sort of apathetic as well. However, during last week's visit our experience has turned completely sour. Not only our food arrived dead cold, not even microwaved! The naan was cold too and didn't seem fresh. Towards the end, the owner was obnoxiously rude and mocked the fact that we wanted to use a coupon. His extremely rude behavior was the last straw, we will never be going back to this place again. The sad part is that we even introduced one of our couple friends to this place, but due to the rude behavior of owner, cold food and apathetic staff, we can't recommend Panjshir to anyone.
(1)Jennifer S.
This little place could easily be overlooked due to the location, but DON'T DO IT. Inside the space is warm and inviting and the staff is kind and unobtrustive. I had the vegetarian sampler one night with one of my girlfriends who cannot get enough of this place. SO good. Everything was so flavorful and interesting. I highly recommend. I look forward to going back with J this time so he can try the meat dumpling appetizer that N goes gaga for!
(4)Tommy M.
Great place! Very very nice people and quite attentive. Food was delicious and very good choices for a vegetarian. Looking forward to going back.
(4)Andrew M.
I have no basis for this review other than two experiences here. I have not had Afghan food since and plan to go back if I am ever in the area again. There are several things that stand out: home made pudding, cardamom tea, and the saffron rice with carrots and raisins. If I had been in the area longer, I would have been here at least once a week.
(5)Faisal S.
Owner was obnoxious. Service was terrible and food was mediocre at best. With so many options available in the area for Afghani food I am surprised how they are staying in business. Probably because most Afghani places don't serve Alcohol and these guys do. I can't imagine any other reason.
(1)Katie G.
I just went here for lunch and I am impressed. Good food and not expensive - Sold! I had the Aushak and Mushroom Palow (chicken) and my boss had the Kadu Palow (Pumpkin and lamb). Both were good and served fast. I will be back :)
(4)Daniel K.
Solid place. It's small so make reservations. The owner is very sweet but the waiter we had was kind of gruff and even a bit rude. Food is a bit pricey but very tasty. They don't give you all that much food for $16-18
(3)Marcia G.
Great food!
(4)Michella S.
kind of hole in the wall sort of place and it need a new paint job (IMO) but don't let that fool you... the server was very polite, sweet with knowledge of the menu. he has a great sense of humor which send the mood to a different level for the restaurant. the food was amazing, i enjoyed it very much. i will definitely come back.
(4)Brian S.
Went here first after getting a discount, but have been back since. The service was good, but the seats were always less than half-full so I don't know if there is any difference when the place is full. All the dishes I tried were flavorful and filling, but I don't recall the names of them.
(4)Donald C.
I've been here multiple times. I always ordered the Qabuli Palow, but have finally branched out and found the Mushroom Palow and the Korma Palow also delicious. This place never disappoints. And the aushak! We always get it as an appetizer. This is one of the best Afghan places around, and that's saying a lot in Washington.
(5)Robert R.
Panjshir has been a family favorite for years. The parking is terrible, so try not to bring too many cars. They recently renovated the interior, which is good, cause the old one was dark and fairly dismal. The food, however, is expertly seasoned and prepared. The bar, while diminutive, has some great bottles so feel free to have a sip. Most of the food goes well with a dry martini. My favorites include anything with pumpkin, any of the kebabs, and the elephant ears for dessert. The naan is a bit rubbery, but the other bread is soft and delicious, when fresh. The sauces are wonderful, especially the tangy green sauce which goes well with everything. The coffee is a bit weak. I expected more of the middle eastern style, but this tastes like Folgers. Service is attentive and forgettable, which can be a great thing. It's rarely crowded, so its rarely noisy, but when it does get crowded, it tends to get loud. All in all, a lovely place for a different kind of lunch, just don't expect any frills.
(4)Timothy A.
Went there for lunch with co-workers. Driving up, you wouldn't assume much, but the flavors are great! Great lunch portion and the service was spot-on.
(5)H W.
I wanted to like this place; haven't been here for some years. Unfortunately, I was disappointed with portion sizes. Meat portion for a $16 dish couldn't have been three ounces. And tough, to boot. Service was lovely.
(2)Chris A.
I've had Afghani home made food before and this was excellent. Quality meats, great breads, and great atmosphere. Presentation and exceptional quality with robust and strong flavors, this is a place I will frequent more regularly, I would recommend it to anyone looking to try this kind of food as well, very good, very tasty. Just an all around great place.
(5)Mary S.
This review is for the Falls Church location-they have another equally good restaurant in Vienna. Everything here is excellent. I can say that because between my husband and myself coming here for years, as well as bringing friends here-we have tried everything on the menu. Any of the appetizers are a wonderful way to start your meal. We love the Bulanees. The green dipping sauce is homemade and has a nice tang to it. I would choose the Aush soup as my last meal (it can be made vegeterian also). The meals all come with bread (naan) and a salad with a delightful mustardy home made dressing. The kabobs are all top-notch and the vegeterian dishes are all tasty and you will not miss the meat-I promise. You have got to try the Kadu (afghan pumpkin with a yogurt/tomato sauce). This is not like any pumpkin you have ever had before. It is sweet and the sauce is a prefect compliment to the pumpkin. My husband says all the lamb dishes are outstanding. The owner/manager (Matt) is the perfect host and keeps things running smoothly-even when they are crowded. He does not miss a beat and there are several repeat customers, we have even gotten to know some of them because we go so often. The water glasses are filled promptly and the staff is friendly and efficient. They have a full bar, beer and a nice wine selection. The desserts are good as well. They have Baklava, Elephant's Ears-a crisp, thin, crunchy wafer-sprinkled with Cardamom. It is very light and the perfect ending to a delicious meal. They have a dessert called Firnee-plain or chocolate. It is a cold custard served with Cardamom on top-absolutely to die for. Don't leave without trying the Cardamom tea. You will be happy at Panjshir.
(5)Eric J.
Interesting food, good service at a fair price. Location is easy to miss even though it is right on Leesburg Pike. Plenty of parking in the back. Worth goin to if you are looking for something different.
(4)Sofia B.
Came here with a Groupon. Food was fantastic, but pricey for the amount of food. $20 gave me 2 small lamb pieces on the bone, 2 kebab size pieces of beef and 4 chicken, with rice. $15 gave me 5 chunks of lamb, rice and seib. The portion size was enough, and we felt satisfied, but pricey! I think it was because we had the groupon. Service was fantastic and he was very friendly. We will definitely try this restaurant again without the coupon as the food was so tasty!
(4)Laura L.
Yummy. I love this place -- I've eaten here dozens of times and brought lots of equally happy friends and relatives through. Panjshir looks like a dump from the outside and the teensy parking lot in the back, but it's quite comfortable inside. Dressy casual, but very welcoming to kids. Service is super kind, and the owner is always smiling. The food is like down-home Middle Eastern/Indian. It always tastes like comfort food to me. I'm obsessed with the quorma e seib, a fabulous roasted apple lamb dish; my husband loves the stewed pumpkin. We also love appetizers aushak and muntoo (both sort of soft meat-filled dumplings). There's a chocolate pistachio pudding for dessert that is a little piece of heaven. Pros: Kind people, quiet place, attentive service but you can stay as long as you want. Most importantly, divine food. Cons: Bread is not great, don't love the sambosay. Parking fills up on the weekend and you have to go across the street.
(5)Ulysses Grant S.
Great place. Food was good. I ordered an apple-split pea meal. Service was fantastic. I drink mad amounts of water, and the waiter/ water guy made sure my cup was constantly full. Music was not too loud, but gave the restaurant a nice ambiance.
(5)Casey J.
Excellent Afghan food with outstanding service!
(4)David B.
Been coming here for 8 years. Good Afghan food at a good price. Not really a fancy place, but the people are nice and I never leave hungry. Their bread (Nan), isn't the greatest, but I always get the Sauteed Pumpkin (Kadu Chalo) with a side of eggplant or spinach and I've never had a bad meal. Bamian is a little better for a date since it's decor is a bit more upscale, but for a quick hit or if you're a loner without a date, this is a good Afghan place.
(4)Judy Y.
I love Panjshir! We usually go to the Falls Church restaurant, but have eaten ate both of them. These restaurants are family own and managed. The food is prepared according to old family recipes and is consistently delicious! I particularly like the pumpkin-based dishes, but I've tried many other menu items and have never been disappointed. Be sure to have dessert. I like them all but my favorite is the baklava paired with cardamom coffee (it's not on the menu, so ask for it). If you go to the Falls Church restaurant, tell Matt that Judy and Bob sent you! Enjoy!!
(5)Alexandar I.
Very good authentic Afghan cuisine. Came here for lunch on a groupon and was not disappointed. If you come here, please don't get a Kabob. As delicious as I'm sure they are, you can get kabob anywhere. Go crazy and order something "authentic" because you won't get that at your neighborhood kebob spot. The quorma e-seib is excellent as is the mushroom palow. Very nice atmosphere and good service.
(4)Brenton c.
I don't have much to compare to this being my first experience with afghan cuisine, but everything was excellent. From the spinach rice to the stew squash, all was delicious. Now I have had kabobs before and the chicken that they served here was the most tender I've ever had. Please give this place a try, you won't regret it, and prices are reasonable.
(4)Josh B.
Delicious Afghan food. We got the pumpkin, eggplant, apple, and potato dishes (all with a variety of delicious spices), and all were good. I've had better Afghan pumpkin (Kadu), but this ranked up there -- definitely a place I'd be excited to come back to. Lots of vegetarian options.
(4)liz l.
I really liked this place! My gf and I wandered in, not sure what to expect but the Zagat display in the window suggested it wouldn't be bad at least. I've had Afghan food several times before, at restaurants I liked and didn't like. This place had feh bread, good but not plentiful ashok appetizer (which they kindly made vegetarian for me), but delicious food for the main course! I had a vegetarian combo with the apple, spinach, and eggplant dishes. Each one was wonderful, and especially with the apple, had a delicious blend of sweet and savory that I love. The rice was surprisingly fantastic, and rather than saving half of my generous serving for lunch as I planned, I scarfed the whole thing (as did my girlfriend, who was very happy with her meat dish as well). Also the service was very very friendly.
(4)Yan W.
Absolutely phenomenal Afgan food! My fevorite dish is the one with the spinach and pumpkin. The service is also spectacular! I liked their cardamom tea because of its fragrant aroma and how it blended perfectly with my meal. It's not open certain days and parking can sometimes get tight, so plan ahead!
(4)James R.
ate here with Josh B. and agreed on all counts. Eggplant, Apples, and Lamb were especially good. Pumpkin and Potato were less stellar. Worth the trip out of DC? Yes, if you are really jonesing for Afghan; probably no if you just want something "ethnic." But definitely worth a trip if you're closer by already.
(4)Kate E.
Wanted to like this place but found it very disappointing. I went for lunch, and ordered the Shalgram Palow. While the description mentioned tomato, ginger, and some other flavors, I found the dish very bland and uninteresting. The turnips had the exact texture and taste of apple sauce (I guess the brown sugar had taste). The lamb was okay, but the gravy tasted like a simple mixture of the lamb juices and flour. It wasn't a disaster, but for $13, I expected much more.
(2)