Top 9 Best Afghan Food Near Vancouver, British Columbia

Afghan cooking draws on Central Asia, Persia and South Asia: fragrant rice dishes, dumplings, stuffed flatbreads, charcoal kebabs and yogurt sauces. It is often generous and very vegetarian-friendly.

Metro Vancouver has a small but strong Afghan scene. This guide covers nine verified picks, from Canada's oldest Afghan restaurant and one of the city's most decorated new ones to long-running kebab houses in Surrey, Richmond and Delta.

Looking for another cuisine? Browse our full guide to the best restaurants in Vancouver by cuisine.

How We Chose These Afghan Restaurants

We looked at the Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards local food coverage and Yelp reviews, and checked that each restaurant was open in 2026.

Best Afghan Restaurants in Vancouver at a Glance

Top 9 Best Afghan Restaurants Near Vancouver, BC

1. Zarak by Afghan Kitchen – Mount Pleasant, Vancouver

A modern Afghan restaurant from the Afghan Kitchen family, opened in 2021 in a pink-hued room inspired by Afghan mud houses.

What to order: Bolani, pan-seared eggplant and an Afghan-inspired cocktail.

Why it made the list: Shared Vancouver Magazine's 2026 Gold for Best Middle Eastern.

Address: 2102 Main St | Price: $

2. Afghan Kitchen – South Surrey

The family's original restaurant, opened in 2017 by Kabul-born Hassib Sarwari using his mother's recipes.

What to order: Shareable platters and vegetarian plates.

Why it made the list: The roots of Zarak, with generous portions and optional floor seating.

Address: 115-16120 24 Ave | Price: $

3. The Afghan Horsemen – Fairview, Vancouver

Open since 1974 and billed as Canada's first Afghan restaurant, with floor seating on cushions.

What to order: Potato boulany, the special platter and firni.

Why it made the list: A Vancouver institution that celebrated 50 years in 2024.

Address: 202-1833 Anderson St | Price: $

4. Afghan Chopan Restaurant – Newton, Surrey

Afghan Chopan Restaurant is a Afghan restaurant at 104-12888 80 Avenue, Surrey.

What to order: The chef's platter for a taste of the kebabs, or the lamb shank with pallow.

Why it made the list: A long-running Surrey Afghan restaurant that local diners and food writers keep returning to.

Address: 104-12888 80 Avenue | Price: $

5. Afghan Chopan Bakery & Diner – Richmond (Public Market)

Afghan Chopan Bakery & Diner is an Afghan restaurant at 1600-8260 Westminster Highway, Richmond, in the Richmond Public Market building.

What to order: Lamb or chicken kebab with pallow, plus mantu or bolani to start.

Why it made the list: Richmond's go-to Afghan spot, praised by the Georgia Straight.

Address: 1600-8260 Westminster Highway | Price: $

6. Pamir Diner – North Delta (Scott Road)

Pamir Diner is a Afghan restaurant at 9535 120 Street, Delta.

What to order: Mantu dumplings, potato bolani and the lamb kebabs.

Why it made the list: A friendly, family-style Afghan diner on the Delta-Surrey border.

Address: 9535 120 Street | Price: $

7. East Is East – Kitsilano, Vancouver

East Is East is a restaurant and chai lounge in Kitsilano (with a second location on Main Street) whose menu draws on Indian, Afghan and Middle Eastern cooking along the old Silk Road.

What to order: A Silk Road platter, then chai in the lounge.

Why it made the list: A Vancouver favourite for Afghan-influenced Silk Road food.

Address: 3035 W Broadway, Vancouver, BC | Price: $

8. Mehman Restaurant – Lonsdale, North Vancouver

Mehman Restaurant is a halal Persian and Afghan grill on Lonsdale Avenue in North Vancouver.

What to order: Choopan kabab (Afghan-style grilled lamb) with qabuli palow.

Why it made the list: The North Shore option for Afghan cooking.

Address: 1451 Lonsdale Ave, North Vancouver, BC | Price: $

9. Afghan Turkish Cuisine – Brentwood, Burnaby

Afghan Turkish Cuisine is a Brentwood restaurant on Willingdon Avenue serving both Turkish and Afghan dishes, with kebabs at the centre of the menu.

What to order: An Afghan or Turkish kebab plate.

Why it made the list: A Burnaby spot covering both cuisines.

Address: 422 Willingdon Ave, Burnaby, BC | Price: $

Afghan Dishes to Know Before You Go

• Kabuli palaw: rice with lamb, carrots and raisins, Afghanistan's national dish.
• Bolani: thin flatbread stuffed with potato, leeks or pumpkin.
• Mantu: steamed meat dumplings with yogurt and lentils.
• Kebab: charcoal-grilled meat skewers.
• Firni: cardamom milk pudding.

Where to Find Afghan Food in Metro Vancouver

Mount Pleasant, Vancouver

Home to Zarak by Afghan Kitchen.

South Surrey

Home to Afghan Kitchen.

Fairview, Vancouver

Home to The Afghan Horsemen.

Newton, Surrey

Home to Afghan Chopan Restaurant.

Richmond (Public Market)

Home to Afghan Chopan Bakery & Diner.

North Delta (Scott Road)

Home to Pamir Diner.

Kitsilano, Vancouver

Home to East Is East.

Lonsdale, North Vancouver

Home to Mehman Restaurant.

Brentwood, Burnaby

Home to Afghan Turkish Cuisine.

Tips for Eating Afghan Food in Vancouver

• Share platters: Afghan restaurants serve generous mixed kebab platters made for groups.
• Try the rice: Kabuli palaw, with carrots and raisins, is the national dish.
• Ask about halal: Most Afghan kitchens are halal; confirm if it matters to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best Afghan restaurant in Vancouver?

Zarak on Main Street shared Vancouver Magazine's 2026 Gold for Best Middle Eastern.

What is the oldest Afghan restaurant in Vancouver?

The Afghan Horsemen, open since 1974.

Is Afghan food spicy?

Usually not. It is fragrant rather than hot.

What should I order?

Bolani, mantu and kabuli palaw.

Explore More Vancouver Food Guides

Hungry for more? See our complete guide to the best restaurants in Vancouver by cuisine, covering 69 cuisines across Metro Vancouver, or browse all restaurants on Vancouver Page.