Afghan Restaurant, Alexandria

The flavorful kebabs, curries, and stuffed dumplings at Afghan Restaurant enamored the tasters at Zagat, who rated the menu “very good” to “excellent.” To earn such praise, chefs spear pieces of lamb, chicken, and salmon before broiling the skewers over a mound of charcoal, which lends the meats a subtle smoky flavor. They also fill dumplings with ground beef and onions to serve with housemade yogurt, meat sauce, and a sprinkle of mint. Framed Middle Eastern paintings overlook the dining room, adding an extra layer of cultural authenticity to the experience of eating sautéed pumpkin or sambosay goshti—a fried pastry hiding ground beef, engagement rings, chickpeas, and herbs.