Kamdesh Afghan Kebab House

The place is an area which is a bit shady to say the least, but the restaurant itself is nice. I tried the squash bolani and the Kublai pulao. One of the best Kublai pulao and the bolani was very delicious. I will definitely come back again for the Kabobs but will try to come in the day time. A bit pricey though.

This place is great, I tride Beef Kabab (Kubidah), Lamb Tikka Kabab and Chicken Tikka Kabbab. All of them were great. I liked the chicken more. The prices are average. The seatings are limited, I always order to go. One of the few halal resturants that opens until 10 pm everyday

Awesome food but... Very pricey and not much of a selection!

I've been here a few times and recommend most of the food except the wraps. I had the beef wrap to-go since seating is very limited during the afternoon yesterday and by the time I returned to the office, the bread was all soggy from the yogurt dressing that was put inside. The whole thing was falling apart and making a mess with every bite. I ended up throwing away over half of it because of this. I've had the beef and chicken kabob platters and those were really delicious which is why I give them 4 stars rather than 2 for the wrap. Environment is nicely decorated and clean with outdoor seating available. Lunch menu offerings are pretty generous so I can't imagine dinner portions.

It's satisfaction fabulous resturant. It's first time that I can eat something delicious and enough.

This has been a favorite restaurant of mine for some time. I noticed the afghan traditional atmosphere and enjoyed the hospitality. When I visit, it is usually to get enjoy a long with, relax dinner with sweet tea and conversation. I`m also impressed that the waiter "hu hu" is knowledgeable and can remember my favorite Manto, Bolani without writing it down. I always feel content and relaxed after a meal at this restaurant. The meals are well prices, especially when you consider that the entrees come with afghan Chatni, bread and a very good mixed salad with yogurt dressing. Try the Quabili Pallaw.

This was the very first time that I dined at Kamdesh. The food was excellent; it was authentic Afghan food. The service was great. I went there with my three kids who are all under the ages of 6. The server made me feel extremely comfortable and allowed me to take my kids in a small little area upstairs to calm them down. I am definitely going again.

The restaurant is quite good. The service is absolutely nice. Food portions are quite heavy.

First of all, let me say that the owners and the service here are five-star without a doubt; until the bill came (he he) I felt like I was in somebody's home. It is definitely a good thing that Muslim business owners are starting to pay attention to Oakland, and downtown in particular. So far I have only tried the kubideh plate, and it was not bad; it wasn't exceptional either. It just didn't have enough flavor for me, and I wish it came with some onions. That said, I'm definitely willing to come back and try other items on the menu. The lamb chops I saw looked particularly delicious as I was on my way out. One must also remember that they have only been open a week and so the food is likely to improve over time as well.

Anonymous

Yelp

Jan 24, 2025

5

As a multi generation native Californian this was my first taste of Afghan food. I discovered I have been missing out, delicious, very much in a comfort food kind of way. I look forward to eating here again soon!! A gem of a restaurant. So this was my very first time eating Afghan food. I was blown away, this restaurant is fantastic. Everything I tried was spectacular, delicious, and left wanting to eat more. I tried chicken, lamb, and steak kabob meats, the golden lentil Dahl, spinach, and sautéed okra dish. These sides I highly recommend, all of them. While they look and are named similarly to their Indian food counterparts, they are very much there own taste of Afghanistan. All unique and delicious in a way I call a yum factor the spicing, it was a new and lovable taste for me. The Afghan spicing blend in all their cooked foods, has that special way of making you want more, very satisfying meal. Not familiar with Afghan food? Think a beautiful blend or hybrid of cooking from the south and eastern Mediterranean foods and foods of India, which makes since given its geographical location. It’s own unique flavor that will leave wanting to back time and time again. This is a family ran restaurant, all the family was there including young children, and young adults, not uncommon from family restaurants I ate at with my family when I was younger. Everyone was friendly and polite. Our server’s English wasn’t the best but she tried hard and was a truly sweet young woman. The owner visited our table a few times, he is very dialed in and doing an amazing job. The food impressed so much, I found myself looking up traditional Afghan recipes when I got home as I only visit Oakland on occasion. This restaurant is a true gem!!

Anonymous

Yelp

Jan 16, 2025

5

Amazing cuisine, super friendly service, and a spacious clean restaurant. All the dishes are great - my favorite is the quabili pallow, an incredibly succulent lamb shank dish buried under delicious rice mixed with carrots and raisins. Their grilled dishes are also special, they use actual charcoal for the best flavor.

Anonymous

Yelp

Jan 5, 2025

4

First time trying it . Pretty big restaurant. Good tasting food . Authentic taste . Service could do better and quicker with more welcoming vibes . But i would recommend this afghan place in Oakland

Anonymous

Yelp

Sep 18, 2024

5

The moment I entered this Afghan restaurant, I was captivated by its warm and inviting ambiance. The staff greeted us with a genuine smile and provided impeccable service throughout our meal. The food was a flavor-packed experience! I highly recommend the beef and chicken kebab, perfectly grilled and tender. The spices used in every dish are expertly balanced, and the portions are generous. The soft and fluffy naan complemented every bite. A must-visit spot for anyone craving authentic Afghan cuisine!

Anonymous

Yelp

Dec 3, 2023

5

I have been coming here for almost a couple of years now and I’m very pleased to say that the service is always excellent. The food quality is very very good by looking at the food you can tell that it’s made out of fresh ingredients and also that that the vibe here is very good. Employees are taking all the safety precautions needed in order to run a great restaurant. The owner here itself is always available in order to make sure that the customer gets the best service and the best food. I came with my coworkers the other day and they service as they always do we were a group group of 20 people and then we just walked in did not made a reservation, but they were super happy to have us be seated and give us an excellent service with and great food. I also come with my family sometimes And when we are in Oakland, we make sure we stop by in this restaurant. They’re open 11 AM to 11 PM every day they also do catering. They also have a buffet sometime. And they also manage private if you would like.

Anonymous

Yelp

May 23, 2023

5

Great for a group. Very family friendly. Kind and fast service. Good was delicious. Meats were moist, especially the lamb. Baklava was excellent. Mint drink was not for me but happy to try it

Anonymous

Yelp

Mar 12, 2023

5

I've been eating the Qabili Pallow here for over two years. It is fantastic every time!! Family run place. Underneath all that rice in the picture is a generous lamb leg. And their in-house habanero sauce (the orange bottle) is really tasty. I have never left the table unsatisfied. Highly recommended!

Anonymous

Yelp

Feb 11, 2023

4

We were a group of 13. They accommodated our group by bringing two round tables together. All the grilled dishes were cooked well and tasty. The lamb shack was not flavorful, but cooked well. The eggplant dish was ok. The portions were big and filling. We didn’t like the fact that the food didn’t arrive together. Some dishes were too early and some were too late. The chef came out and greeted us. The workers were very nice and polite. Overall, we enjoyed our dinner. We got hot black tea after dinner and it came with