7 Best Afghani Restaurants in Southall, London

Southhall Restaurants

7 Best Afghani Restaurants in Southall, London

Brought to you by:

Sam Habeeb

"Shadow MP Campaigner of Ealing North"

As we tend to stay complicit and keep dreaming of visiting Afghanistan, where violence or politics is the concern, we can have the best experience of Afghan food in Southall London. Surrounded by several Afghan restaurants serving genuine flavors, considerable spices, and classic cooking processes. Southall is “Little Kabul” also renowned for young children being raised and playing street cricket. The spot will give you a genuine flavor of Afghan culture and dishes. Whether you prefer the delicate flavor of pulao, the aromatic flavor of Kabuli Pulao, the taste of sizzling terries, or the freshly baked naan, Southall has it all. Each pass is, from family-entered diners to forceful bakeries, a little taste of Afghanistan at the core of London.

7 Best Afghani Restaurants in Southall, London

Here are the 7 best Afghan restaurants in Southall where you can enjoy a delicious Afghan meal!

1.Watan Restaurant

Address: 183 The Broadway, Southall, UB1 1LX
Phone: 020 8571 0928
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM

Review

If there’s one place you should hit up in Southall for Afghan food, then Watan Restaurant is that place and for very good reason. Known for serving traditional, homemade Afghan cuisine, it is a go-to for visitors and locals alike.

The prime attraction at Watan Restaurant is its expertly seasoned and well-curated meats. From their famed Mixed Grill, served sizzling with an ensemble of succulent lamb chops, seekh kebabs, and chicken tikka, to their slow-cooked, fragrant Kabuli Pulao, each dish packs a world of depth and flavor. One thing for sure, the meat is always fresh and their chefs really knows how to get the meat taste its best with proper seasoning and grilling.

Why we Love it

Many customers are effusive about their Nihari and Korma dishes, which simmer for hours to acquire an intense, savory flavor. Another highlight is the Afghani naan, which is made in a traditional tandoor and comes out fluffy inside and a little crisp outside, an ideal partner to their stews and curries.

2. Karwan Restaurant

Address: 29-31 Featherstone Rd, Southall, UB2 5AB
Phone: 020 8893 5270
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM

Review

One of the hidden gems of Afghan cuisine in Southall is Karwan Restaurant. Karwan is a place that has remained relatively unknown to many locals, but the authentic food, generous servings, and fantastic hospitality will leave you craving for more. Whether you are coming in for a casual meal or bringing the whole family for an occasion, it is guaranteed that Karwan will provide you with the perfect blend of comfort and tradition.

Why we Love it

One of the best things on the Karwan menu is the Afghani Tikka. Many places over marinate their meat, but Karwan keeps it simple and authentic ensuring the meat is always the star of the show. The Tikka is well grilled, smoky, and juicy and melts instantly in your mouth. In addition, the Mixed Grill Platter is also one to order. With an assortment of different kebabs, chops, and tikka, you can sample the best of what Afghan BBQ has to offer.

3. Shinwari Restaurant

Address: 155 The Broadway, Southall, UB1 1LP

Phone: 020 8574 8076

Opening Hours: Monday to Wednesday: 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Thursday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM

Review

If you want a place for true, rustic Afghan flavors and a meat enthusiasts heaven, then the Shinwari Restaurant is a perfect choice. This modest Afghan no-nonsense diner has always been a hit among the local customers and tourists due to its focus on specialized Shinwari-style approach based on natural flavors, fresh and high-quality ingredients, and expert grilling skills.

Why we Love it

The menu’s cornerstone is the Shinwari Karahi. Foreign variants of the curry are premade ahead and stored, but at Shinwari, a fresh set is made to order using just high-quality lamb or chicken meat. A few simple ingredients, such as tomatoes, garlic, green chilies, and salt, are mixed fresh until the intended flavors come out. It is later served in a sizzling hot pan and accompanied by soft Afghan naan. A customer favorite here is the Lamb Shinwari Tikka, which is very tender and smoky over charcoal. The char-grilled Mixed Grill Platter is a must-have for everyone who enjoys straight-cooked and spiced to perfection dishes.

4. Charsi Namak Mandi

Address: 29A South Road, Southall, UB1 1SU
Phone: 020 8571 4141
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM

Review

For an authentic Pashtun style dining experience in Southall, visit Charsi Namak Mandi. Namak Mandi is a style of cuisine from a famous food street in Peshawar, Pakistan, and this restaurant is a hit with its offerings. Its charcoal-grilled meats, slow-cooked karahi and perfumed rice dishes place it high on the list for anyone seeking rich, smokey and rustic Afghan flavors.

A signature dish at Charsi Namak Mandi is their Charsi Karahi. Unlike other karahi dishes, which tend to rely heavily on spices, this signature version calls only for salt, tomatoes and green chilies, so that the flavor of the meat shines through. The meat, whether lamb or chicken, is juicy, tender and bursting with smoky richness. The best part? It’s prepared to order so you can experience a hot, flavorful and unforgettable meal.

Why we Love it

One of the best things that customers have here are Lamb Ribs (Charsi Rosh). These ribs are braised to absolute tenderness, where the meat comes off the bone with the gentlest nudge. Wonderfully rich and buttery with the perfect amount of fat and seasoning, they also complement the restaurant’s tandoori naan well.

5. Ariana Restaurant

Address: 78 South Road, Southall, UB1 1RD
Phone: 020 8571 5678
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday: 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM

Review

Ariana Restaurant is a stalwart of Southall’s Afghan food scene, serving authentic dishes with a contemporary twist. This restaurant features a cozy atmosphere, warm hospitality, and top-notch dishes, making it the perfect place for casual dining as well as for celebratory. Traditional Afghan recipes with the best ingredients ensure flavor is shackled to every dish.

One of the most discussed plates here is the Ariana Special Mixed Grill, a combination of juicy flame-grilled meats, from chicken tikka to lamb chops, seekh kebabs and chapli kebabs. Each is marinated with a mix of Afghan spices and grilled over charcoal, resulting in a smoky, succulent and irresistible flavor.

Why we Love it

If you like rich, slow-cooked dishes, try the Lamb Korma. The dish consists of pieces of tender lamb simmered in a fragrant, tomato-based sauce infused with garlic, onions and Afghan spices. Served with fluffy naan or fragrant basmati rice, it’s soul-satisfying food.

6. Afghan Cuisine

Address: 45 The Broadway, Southall, UB1 1JY
Phone: 020 8574 1234
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM

Review

Representing Southall is Afghan Cuisine, serving homemade Afghan food by its owner, Mujeeb, at reasonable prices. With its hearty portions, home-style flavors, and welcoming ambience, the eatery appeals to locals and tourists alike. Whether you seek a quick bite or a full Afghan feast, Afghan Cuisine delivers a flavor-packed experience.

One of the highlights of the menu is chapli kebab, an Afghan open-face street-food dish consisting of spiced ground meat with herbs and pomegranate seeds, fried until crisp. The kebabs are juicy and fragrant and full of bold flavor, some of the best in Southall.

Why we Love it

Their Lamb Karahi is a must-get-otherwise-enjoy-your-pasta dish as well. Cooked fresh to everything, the karahi includes tender pieces of lamb broiled in a rich tomato, garlic, and chili-based sauce, and gives it a profound, striking, and marginally smoky season. Served with fresh naan, it’s perfect for those who crave slow-cooked, luscious flavors.

7. Southall Afghan Bakery

Address: Southall, London, UB1
Phone: Contact not available
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Review

Southall Afghan Bakery is a hidden gem in Southall, serving freshly baked Afghan bread and traditional pastries that will make you feel like you are eating on the streets of Kabul. Here, it’s not just bread—the bakery is a must-visit for anyone who enjoys Afghan cuisine, home-cooked meals, and heartwarming service. One of the customer favorites is the Tandoori Naan. Soft, chewy bread with a golden crunchy crust is freshly baked in a clay oven and is perfect on the side of the street, or indeed, Kabuli Pulao, Karahian, Qorma. So tasty is the naan, many people come to the shop specifically to buy the bread in bulk to have enough for the week for their family meals.

Why we Love it

The Bolani is a highly recommended piece to try. This crispy stuffed flatbread is full of potatoes, leeks, and more. The golden-brown crunch on the outside is highly satisfying, while the inside is a warm, complacent mix of fillings. Dip it in the tangy house-made yogurt sauce for added satisfaction. For those who prefer sweets, the Sheer Pira is a classic Afghan milk fudge: sugar, milk, and cardamom lightly cooked into a sweet, milky treat with a nice nutty finish. It goes well with a hot cup of chai and is a customer favorite.