Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo

Helmand Palace

4.2 (128)
$31 to $50
Afghan
2424 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94109

About this restaurant

  • Good for groups
  • Good for special occasions
Helmand Palace in San Francisco offers Afghan cuisine that is both classic and modern using fresh ingredients for optimal flavor. Appetizers include such delicacies as banjan which is pan-fried eggplant and kaddo which is baby pumpkin. Follow with a soup such as the shorwa, which is lamb and fresh vegetables. A popular salad option at Helmand Palace is the shornakhod which is potatoes and chickpeas on mixed greens. Lamb is a popular ingredient in Afghan cuisine and can be found in a number of recipes including dwopiaza with yellow split peas and lawand which is leg of lamb. With meat and vegetarian options Helmand Palace can please every appetite.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable booking network. To check availability, please contact them directly.

Is this your restaurant?
Claim this listing

There’s more to explore

Discover countless more restaurants like this one with our app.

Scan the QR code to discover countless more restaurants like this one with our app.

Open app

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Afghan
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner: Sunday - Thursday: 5:30PM - 10:00PM Friday & Saturday: 5:30PM - 11:00PM.
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Neighborhood
    Russian Hill
  • Cross street
    Union
  • Parking details
    We are located on Van Ness between Union and Green. There is ample street parking in the area.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Wine

What 128 people are saying

Helmand Palace reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

4.2
4.2 based on all time ratings
  • 4.3Food
  • 4.0Service
  • 3.7Ambience

NoiseModerate

128 Reviews
  1. DABM VIP

    San Francisco Bay Area44 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on May 11, 2014

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    Good food and huge portions at reasonable prices. Only parking is a problem.

    Is this helpful?

  2. tracys

    San Francisco Bay Area10 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on April 20, 2014

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    of the several afghans i've tried in the US. I've tried Afghan in the afghan-prevalent Fremont city of Bay Area, the sister restaurant in DC (no longer connected), various afghans in Southern California--Helmand is a 10, the others are 7.

    Is this helpful?

  3. JMinSF VIP

    San Francisco Bay Area57 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 4, 2014

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    As always, the food, service and ambience at Helmand Palace are first-rate. Five stars.

    Is this helpful?

  4. EricS

    San Francisco Bay Area4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 22, 2014

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Excellent neighborhood gem with a quiet ambience due to I am guessing acoustical tiles in the ceiling and an extremely friendly staff. So, if you are tired of the typical loud trendy Polk or Union Street restaurants, try this for a nice quite change. The spices are also quite exquisite!

    Is this helpful?

  5. LF88

    San Francisco Bay Area4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 9, 2014

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    We really liked this place and will be back!

    Is this helpful?

  6. PADiner VIP

    San Francisco Bay Area48 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on March 2, 2014

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 2
    Haven't eaten there in a while and Helmand hasn't aged well. The bar at the front is used for storage, not a great sight. There was also an off odor as we came in the door. The decor overall has seen better days. The food was ok, but nothing special.

    Is this helpful?

  7. LuvtheLamb

    Tahoe / Reno Area1 review

    4.0

    Dined on February 16, 2014

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    This is the second time I ate here. This time we had a group of 6. The wait staff were attentive. The food was really good - especially the pumpkin with meat sauce. We ate here because one of our group loves lamb and with all the different ways that it is prepared here - no one was disappointed. The other thing that stood out was the cucumber yogurt salad - yum!

    Is this helpful?

  8. Vicconnection

    San Francisco Bay Area1 review

    5.0

    Dined on February 15, 2014

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    As visitors to San Francisco, we enjoyed a LONG and uphill walk from the Union Square area to Helmand. We experienced great neighborhood ambience ... and better yet, every step was worth it. We ordered vegetarian and this food was a treat! I'll be recommending this place.

    Is this helpful?

  9. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco Bay Area2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on February 15, 2014

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The service was excellent, the food was great and the manager was very attentive making sure our experience was great.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Samdaman

    Portland / Oregon52 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on February 13, 2014

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Was a great place for a date. There wasn't anyone else in the restaurant but that's not a testament to the food which was good. At least we had the server all to ourselves. I'll be back!

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Helmand Palace does offer delivery in partnership with Postmates.

Helmand Palace is rated 4.2 stars by 128 OpenTable diners.

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. San Francisco Bay Area
  4. San Francisco
  5. Russian Hill

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable booking network. To check availability, please contact them directly.

Is this your restaurant?
Claim this listing
Google Map for Helmand Palace

2424 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94109

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Union
  • Neighborhood
    Russian Hill
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner: Sunday - Thursday: 5:30PM - 10:00PM Friday & Saturday: 5:30PM - 11:00PM.
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Afghan
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    We are located on Van Ness between Union and Green. There is ample street parking in the area.
  • Payment options
    Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Wine
OpenTable
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Careers
  • Press
More
Businesses
  • Restaurant reservation software
  • Industry insights
  • Hospitality resources
  • Marketing resources
  • Operation resources
  • How to open a restaurant
  • For restaurants
  • For restaurant groups
Join us on
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2025 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo