Ariana and Ariana2: best Afghan restaurants in London! Fair prices, delicious starters, unforgettable main courses! If you visit London try to visit this restaurant.

Some places are made just for enjoying their food. Do not expect creative interiors or any token Afghan ornaments displayed around the premises, because there are none. It’s a simple hall style dining area with a TV playing the latest Bollywood music.

Note: The closest station is Royal Oak and they do not seem to have a website.

This place was recommended to me by my Afghani friend who said this is one of the places they visit when there is a special occasion or a family function. They serve both Afghani and Iranian dishes. My mum’s side of the family is from Afghanistan but she grew up in Pakistan so there was never any Afghani influence in her cooking.

I do remember my dad taking us (when I was 5-6 years old) to this Afghani restaurant in Islamabad’s Blue Area that served one of the most delicious “Chickpea Pulao” and “Namkeen Gosht”. The massive naans served with equally massive Chappali Kebabs are one of my most favourite meals EVER!

It was Eid-ul-Fitr, so my friends and I decided to go to Ariana. With no website and no public contact number, it was difficult to get hold of them at first. But we took our chance and got there in the end. Due to Eid, we could see some families gradually making their way to the restaurant and some that had organised a lunch party for their friends and family, just as we do back home.

No meal is complete without the obligatory Kashke Badamjan, which is an Iranian starter. The pureed aubergine made with herbs and onions is just out of this world!

A slightly different aubergine starter is the Borani-e-Badenjan which is served with yogurt and dry mint which is equally as good but Kashk-e-Badenjan will always be my favourite!

The BEST thing about Afghani/Iranian food is the quantity- it’s always MORE than enough and quite cheap as well.

The Ghormeh Kofta is also a favourite I always order. The mince meatballs with split chick peas is rich and full of flavour.

What you absolutely HAVE to order is the Kabuli Pulao, also known as Qabuli Mahicha. It’s a mountain of rice with carrots and raisins and underneath is the most tender piece of lamb shank…

If all that food wasn’t enough, we also ordered the lamb chops with salad (to make ourselves feel better :P)

Yep- it was epic. Full stop!

This place is located quite obscurely, but it is pretty accessible. The good thing though, is that the food tastes amazing, and it is authentic Persian and Afghan cuisines. We had the mantu and they were simply brilliant, with some steamed minced beef and lamb pieces delicately seasoned and presented. It can be a little empty at lunch times, but the service is very nice and amiable and it gives great value for money.