Helmand
(617) 492-4646
143 1st St
Cambridge,
MA
02142
42.3664
-71.0781
Neighborhood: East Cambridge
Reviews & Ratings for Helmand
44 reviews
What users are saying:
Showing 1-10 of 44 reviews
Some of the best food in Cambridge by A R. at InsiderPages
Contributor
November 29, 2008
In my opinion Helmand has some of the best food in Cambridge. The unique dishes are unlike anything you'll find in the area, and the bread made on the premises is amazing. The onl drawback is that the service can be a bit lacking.
Decent food, BRUTAL service
by jbjamesblair
November 14, 2008
Inside of 5 minutes after sitting down I knew the service was brutal. First, we're at a table of 10, and my girlfriend decides to tag along. She's already eaten, but wants to be with us. She'll order an appetizer and a drink. When it comes time for us to order an entree, she politely says that she's already eaten. The response from the waiter "Uhh... we're a FULL service restaurant." Frankly, I didn't know if they were offering to give her a little somethin' somethin' in the back room or what. I mean, I know what a "full service" massage parlor is, is that what they were suggesting. After she asked, it turns out that meant "you better order an entree". So we did. The one plus is that the food arrived WICKED FAST (wasn't that hot, but maybe that's just the style). The food was so-so overall.
Then, I head up to wash my hands in the bathroom. I head into the men's washroom where there's (literally) a toilet on the floor. I don't mean bolted to the floor, I mean cracked and sitting open on the floor. I step over it to get to the sink. I begin soaping my hands, when a woman (yes, this was a men's bathroom) enters and tells me that I need to use the women's bathroom (yes, I'm a man) on the OTHER side of the restaurant. Recall my hands are now covered in soap. So I walk across the restaurant, of course the women's bathroom is occupied. So I wait (yes, with soapy hands) until the bathroom is free. Of course, the lousy paper towels in the bathroom disintegrate in your hands because they're so cheap that I'm still picking white junk off my fingers by the time I'm back at the table.
The service only went from bad to worse, but I'm limited to 2000 characters here. In short: food so-so, service BRUTAL. Better luck elsewhere.
- Pros: Decent food, ok atmosphere (kinda homey)
- Cons: BRUTAL (really, really brutal) service
Avoid Group Dining
by oabinader
October 26, 2008
I organized a formal dinner at Helmand in Cambridge (for a group of 12), and called two weeks in advance for a reservation. I called again two days prior to confirm, and was told that I would be charged $100 if I brought fewer than 8 persons. I assured them that we'd be more than 8. In fact, the day of, I politely asked if they could please accommodate two more persons. The hostess and manager said no, without explanation. We asked the waiter as well, were told to wait 30 minutes, and did so. However, they still did not accommodate our group. The experience was embarrassing and I hope no customer with a large group ever experiences what I did last night. Two persons from our group excused themselves to make the situation less awkward. We were gracious, had dinner and tipped the server accordingly.
While I admit the food is good, my experience with the SERVICE there was really quite disappointing. I will never return to Helmand in Cambridge again.
Helmand has 14 fewer customers now. I lost my appetite when treated so rudely. What's the point of serving good food when the service leaves you with a bad taste in your mouth?
- Pros: Decor
- Cons: Service was disappointing, Bad for groups, Incredibly uncomfortable
Good and bad by Kate K. at InsiderPages
Contributor
September 29, 2008
Helmand has very good and very interesting food. I have eaten there half a dozen times since they opened, however, my last two visits were unpleasant due to maitre'd attitude and poor service. We were seated next to a screaming infant and when I asked if we could possibly have another table I basically got a take it or leave it, and make up your mind now! message. The server was nice but never brought my glass of wine even after a reminder. When I asked him to remove it from the bill, instead of apologizing he said, do you want it now?. The thought of returning makes me uncomfortable.
Not as scary as the reviews make it sound!
by tnick1973
May 01, 2008
Friends had dinner party here and I was VERY put off by the reviews here, but honestly, it was a great dining experience. The service was FINE - quick, but not rushed, and very polite. The food was great, came out quickly, and the bread was spectacular. It has a parking lot and they give you passes to park, which was fabulous. Nice decor, good experience - maybe they've made changes since some of these reviews?
- Pros: good service, good food, quick and easy
- Cons: seating is a little crowded, hostess is not as nice as the waitstaff
Great food, incredibly bad service. Last time I will go there.
by bradddd
February 18, 2008
Great food, incredibly bad service. Last time I will go there.
We called for a reservation and were only offered one at 9:30pm. We arrived on time, were seated, and given menus. But we did not get to order anything until 9:55pm. No drinks, no bread, nothing. The food came out fast, but halfway through someone came over and asked if we were finished, and wanted to take the plates away. Water glasses were never refilled the entire evening. Later the waitress, who seemed extremely over-extended, told us that the kitchen closed at 10pm, so we couldn't have dessert or coffee. When we protested that it was the restaurant that offered a 9:30pm reservation, she grudgingly offered to see if there was any desserts, left, "if the cooks haven't locked the fridge already".
- Pros: great food
- Cons: terrible service
ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by nataliashin
February 05, 2008
I was there last night (Monday) and the place was completely packed!
This was my third visit, and as always the food was absolutely delicious!
Our server was a great guy, who complemented all of our choices from the menu 
We didn?t feel rushed, we didn?t feel like we waited forever for our food ? the timing was just perfect. Overall, it was a great experience and I can?t wait to go back there!!!
The hostess however was pretty much useless, since she just pointed towards our table, and we had to wait for the waiter to bring us menus ?
- Pros: Awesome food! Very very good!!!
- Cons: Noisy (since they're always very busy); Hostessshould be given more responsibilities
Well worth the visit. by Marissa B. at InsiderPages
Contributor
January 24, 2008
The Helmand is well worth a monthly visit. There is plenty of space but you should make a reservation. It is a great place to go with a group of friends. Share your appetizers and your entrees to get a little taste of all of the very tasty food. The bread was amazing and they offer three tasty dipping sauces. They put cilantro in a lot of their food which I love but if you don't make sure to ask for a dish without it. The best dish on the menu is the pumpkin/yogurt/beef; it may sound strange but I haven't found a single person who hasn't enjoyed this dish. This is a must try if you live in the area.
Felt too rushed to enjoy.
by beaconhillgal
December 16, 2007
I had dinner at Helmand last night and have to say I have never felt more rushed at a restaurant. There were 4 of us and we had a reservation, yet the service was so quick and inpersonal that they should condsider listing themselves as a Fast Food restaurant. The food was excellent but the speed with which we were given our courses (literally finishing appetizers as the waiter hovered with our main course) and check, having never been asked if we would like more drinks or coffee or even how the food was, was enough to give you indigestion. Great place to go if you are in a hurry!!!
Decent food and service
by benzinpsv
September 13, 2007
OK, I was really apprehensive about going to The Helmand at first because of the bad reviews about their service. But the opportunity of eating "Authentic Afghani Food" was too good to let go.
Food: The food was was pretty good. I had a lamb dish, which was very similar to an Indian curry dish. The lamb was perfectly cooked and the curry was a taste explosion. We also had the Bucklawa - a sweet stuffed pastry. I have eaten the Bucklawa before and I must say that The Helmand makes the best tasting one. The turkish coffee was awful- however, I am not a Turk and I don't know what it should taste like so I will leave that to someone who can make that judgement.
Service: The service was OK too. I had a reservation and I got a table on time. The hostess and the waitress were pleasant.
Ambience: This is where the Helmand loses points. The place itself is well kept, but the tables are way to close. I had to raise my voice to be heard across a table for two!! And this annoying guy next to us kept blabbering loudly throughout the dinner. Very unpleasant.
Parking: Lots of on-street parking available. We did not find a free spot though...even on a Wed. night.
Price: Slightly pricey. I would say about $30 per person.
Good for once in a while dining if you are looking for a change.
DEFINITELY make a reservation, even if it is on the same day.
- Pros: Food
- Cons: Too loud and cramped
