Bamian Afghan Cuisine
5634 Leesburg Pike
Falls Church, VA 22041
703-820-7880
Neighborhood: Falls Church, Baileys Crossroads
Cuisines: Middle Eastern, Afghan
Opening Hours:
Open Monday through Saturday 11 to 11, and Sunday 11 to 10:30.
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Nearby Metro Stops: East Falls Church, Ballston-MU
Price Range: Inexpensive
Dress: Informal
Noise Level: Intimate
Reservations: Not Needed
Website: http://www.bamianrestaurant.com
Best Dishes:
Mantu with ground beef; aushak with chopped scallions; bulanee; carrayee, a lamb stir-fry; sauteed eggplant; sauteed pumpkin with yogurt; lamb-chop kabobs; qabili palau; baklava.
Price Details:
Appetizers $3.95 to $4.95, entrées $9.95 to $14.95.
Special Features: Wheelchair Accessible, Kid Friendly
With its ornate chandeliers and small stage, this Afghan eatery feels like a banquet hall—for a more intimate experience, ask for one of the cozy booths. Appetizers such as the mantu, oversize dumplings stuffed with ground beef, and the potato-filled pastries called sambosas come with tasty dipping sauces, but the stir-fried eggplant, topped with tangy yogurt, is the standout starter.
Entrées include a terrific rendition of qabili palow—chunks of lamb topped with shredded carrots and sweet raisins and served with a meaty stew. A sampler called the Bamian Platter lets you try that along with tender ground beef, lamb, and chicken kebabs.
Also good: Aushak, scallion-stuffed dumplings; kadu, a dish of sweet sautéed pumpkin; firnee, a pistachio-topped cornstarch pudding; baklava.