Helmand – Middle Eastern
The air here is a fragrant tapestry of toasted spices and slow-simmered herbs, drawing diners into a space that feels both exotic and deeply comforting. Delicate, hand-crafted dumplings draped in cooling yogurt share the table with caramelized pumpkin and savory turnovers, creating a vibrant mosaic of flavors that celebrates a rich culinary heritage in every bite.
143, First Street, Cambridge, 02142 https://helmandrestaurant.com/0Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Price range: $$$
Dietary options: high-protein, keto, low-carb, gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, vegetarian, halal, mediterranean, whole30, pescatarian, paleo, diabetic, heart-healthy, low-fat, sugar-free, plant-based, anti-inflammatory, atkins, south-beach, weight-watchers, clean-eating, high-fiber, low-cholesterol, zone, volumetrics, tlc, detox, mayo-clinic, candida, slow-carb
Currently open
Hours
- Sunday - Thursday
- 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
- Friday - Saturday
- 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Menu
- Aushak - $8.5: Afghan ravioli filled with leeks and scallions, served on yogurt-mint topped with ground beef sauce. Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free, Sugar-Free
- Bowlawni - $8.5: Brick oven baked twin pastry shells, one filled with leeks and scallions the other filled with spiced potatoes, garnished with yogurt and mint. Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Sugar-Free
- Kaddo - $8.5: Pan-fried then baked baby pumpkin seasoned with sugar and served on yogurt garlic sauce, topped with ground beef sauce. Dietary tags: Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, High-Fiber
- Mantwo Appetizer - $8.5: Homemade pastry shells filled with onions and beef, served on yogurt and topped with carrots, yellow split peas and beef sauce. Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free
- Banjan - $8.5: Pan-fried eggplant seasoned with spices, then baked with fresh tomatoes, served on yogurt garlic mint sauce. Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Sugar-Free, High-Fiber, Mayo-Clinic
- Mushawa Soup - $8.5: Lamb, mung beans, chick peas, black-eyed peas and yogurt soup. Dietary tags: High-Protein, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Sugar-Free, Clean-Eating, High-Fiber, Volumetrics, Slow-Carb
- Aush Soup - $8.5: Homemade noodle soup served with beef sauce and mint yogurt. Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free, Sugar-Free, Volumetrics
- Shorwa Soup - $8.5: Lamb and fresh vegetable soup. Dietary tags: High-Protein, Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Diabetic, Sugar-Free, Atkins, South-Beach, Clean-Eating, Volumetrics, Mayo-Clinic, Candida
- Mourgh Salata - $26.95: Fresh boneless breast of chicken, marinated then grilled, served on mixed green salad with grilled vegetables and vinaigrette dressing. Dietary tags: High-Protein, Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Diabetic, Heart-Healthy, Low-Fat, Sugar-Free, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, Weight-Watchers, Clean-Eating, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC, Detox, Mayo-Clinic, Slow-Carb, Candida
- Seafood Salad - $17: Fresh seafood mix with greens. Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Diabetic, Heart-Healthy, Low-Fat, Sugar-Free, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, Weight-Watchers, Clean-Eating, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC, Detox, Mayo-Clinic, Candida
- Qabelee - $30.95: Pallow rice baked with chunks of lamb tenderloin, raisins and glazed julienne of carrots. Dietary tags: High-Protein, Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free
- Chowpan - $43.95: Half Rack of Lamb marinated, grilled and served on a bed of Afghan bread with sauteed eggplant and pallow rice. Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Sugar-Free
- Mantwo Entree - $26.95: Homemade pastry shell filled with onions and beef. Served on yogurt and topped with carrots, yellow split peas and beef sauce. Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free
- Lamb Lawand - $28.95: Leg of Lamb sauteed with onion, tomatoes, garlic, mushrooms, fresh cilantro, yogurt and spices served with sauteed spinach and challow rice. Dietary tags: High-Protein, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Sugar-Free
- Theeka Kabab - $32.95: Prime Rib of Beef; marinated in puree of onion, sun-dried baby grapes and garlic, then grilled and served with sauteed lentils and pallow rice. Dietary tags: High-Protein, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Sugar-Free, Clean-Eating, High-Fiber
- Koufta Challow - $26.95: Beef meatballs with Afghan seasonings sauteed with sun-dried tomato, hot peppers and green peas in a fresh tomato sauce, served with challow rice. Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free
- Mourgh Challow - $25.95: Chicken breast sauteed with spices and yellow split-peas, then sauteed with yogurt, cilantro and curry, served with challow rice. Dietary tags: High-Protein, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Sugar-Free, High-Fiber
- Seekh Kabob - $29.95: Char-broiled Leg of Lamb marinated in puree of onion, sun-dried baby grapes and garlic, served with sauteed eggplant and pallow rice. Dietary tags: High-Protein, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Sugar-Free
- Qoremay Ma-He - $33.95: Fresh Sea Bass pan fried, then sauteed with onion, peeled tomatoes, garlic, ginger, sun dried tomato, radishes and potato served with challow rice. Dietary tags: High-Protein, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Sugar-Free, Anti-Inflammatory, Clean-Eating, TLC, Mayo-Clinic
- Sultani Kabab Platter - $84.95: Trio of grilled kababs featuring Seekh Kabab, Beef Kofta Kabab, and Chicken Kabab. Served with pallow rice, saffron rice and Afghan salata. Dietary tags: High-Protein
- Chef Signature Special - $195: Combo meat platter featuring lamb shank, grilled chicken, lamb, beef, rack of lamb, and lamb koufta kabab. Served with rice and salata. Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free, Mediterranean
- Stuffed Strawberry - $15: Fresh strawberries with sweet filling. Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian