Modern Afghani with a Californian Twist: Nolu’s Breaks the Mould

You’ll find some quintessentially ‘Californian’ dishes on the menu: superfood bowls, salads and all manner of breakfast dishes - but there are plenty that speak to the Afghan roots of the restaurant as well. Dumpukht (the Afghan version of biryani) and traditional Afghan kabob will give you a taste of Afghan cuisine, and there is a great range of vegetarian dishes, desserts and delicious drinks to choose from - but we’re getting ahead of ourselves. 

The space itself is beautiful, embracing the rich history of Afghanistan. Inspired by the struggles of the Afghani people - acknowledging years of war - it’s also representative of the peace found in nature, with some hints at a laid-back Californian vibe as well. 

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The ethos behind the food - as well as embracing all the tradition and smoky flavours of Afghani cuisine - is approachable home cooking with a focus on healthy food and quality ingredients, all made fresh. Not sure where to start? We went for the dumplings and borani banjon, a tasty eggplant dish. Dumplings might not immediately spring to mind hand-in-hand with Afghani food, but they actually date way back to the Mongol invasion of the country, and are a popular dish.

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Mains are a hard call, but we chose two more traditional dishes: the massive qabili pallow is really flavourful, and a huge portion - it would have easily been enough for two people by itself! - and the chapli kabob. The kabob is on the thinner and crispier side, so if this is your style of kabob you’re in for a treat. Pallow was the winner in this round though - the massive piece of lamb in the middle was so tender, the meat was falling off the bone. 

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If you’ve got any room left at all, treat yourself to dessert. While the carrot cake is lovely, Nolu’s sticky toffee pudding is divine. Servings are huge - you can share if you aren’t dessert fiends like us - and even after all the other food, we still managed to finish the sticky toffee pudding. 

You might have been to their old location at Al Bandar, so if you’re missing your local Afghani spot it’s well worth the drive to the city. The new location in Khalydiya is a welcome treat for on-island dwellers - you won’t leave hungry, and the food is both wholesome and perfect for sharing. What’s not to love? 

Nolu's Restaurant

Khalidiya

Open: daily | 9AM - 11PM 

Contact: 02 564 6536

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