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Restaurant

Kabul Spices

33 John St, Pakenham VIC 3810, Australia

Recommended by 21 people

Updated

Find Kabul Spices

33 John St, Pakenham VIC 3810, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 3 5902 5751
HoursMonday: Closed Tuesday: 12:00 – 9:00 PM Wednesday: 12:00 – 9:00 PM Thursday: 12:00 – 9:00 PM Friday: 12:00 – 9:30 PM Saturday: 12:00 – 9:30 PM Sunday: 12:00 – 9:30 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

Plan your visit

About Kabul Spices

Pakenham locals head here for charcoal-grilled skewers, slow-cooked lamb, and hot Afghan bread straight from the oven. Run by a welcoming family, the understated dining room stays relaxed under the glow of colorful mosaic lanterns and traditional rugs. Tables fill quickly with regulars sharing platters of spiced chicken, tender lamb tikka, and steamed mantu dumplings draped in garlic yogurt and lentil sauce. Meals finish over steaming pots of cardamomy Afghan tea.

  • Charcoal Skewers & Spiced Rice: Tender lamb tikka, chicken skewers, and slow-cooked lamb shanks served alongside fragrant Kabuli palow and oven-hot flatbread.
  • Handmade Mantu: Delicate steamed meat dumplings topped with seasoned lentils and tangy garlic yogurt sauce.
  • Lantern-Lit Setting: An intimate dining room lit by Turkish mosaic lanterns, set with traditional rugs and soft Afghan music.
RestaurantAfghanRestaurant

What's On at Kabul Spices

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Diners Choose Kabul Spices

Experience authentic charcoal grills, hand-pinched dumplings, and cultural hospitality in Pakenham.

  • Tender, Flavorful Charcoal Meats

    Charcoal skewers, lamb shanks, and traditional Kabuli pulao are served tender, juicy, and in hearty portions.

    The skewers were incredibly tender, juicy, and not tough at all.

    Jill Fang

  • Handcrafted Mantu and Fresh Afghan Bread

    Authentic Afghan specialties like freshly made mantu dumplings and hot hearth-baked bread anchor the traditional menu.

    The hot bread brought back a lot of memories from back home. The best mantu I’ve ever had.

    karar ahmadi

  • Immersive Cultural Setting

    Turkish lanterns, traditional rugs, and soft Afghan music create an intimate and serene dining space.

    the atmosphere is serene, with low lighting, soft music and beautiful decorations from Afghanistan.

    Gabi Boyd

  • Authentic Tea Service and Ambience

    Pot-brewed Afghan tea served alongside meals offers a fragrant, leisurely finish rooted in cultural tradition.

    The atmosphere is awesome, relaxing, soothing music, with Turkish lanterns displayed, and artefacts Afghan background is really a sight to see

    Yyy Singhla

  • Welcoming Family Feasts

    Generous banquets and 100% Halal options make it seamless to share an expansive spread with family and friends.

    Perfectly Cooked Quality Halal Food. My family enjoyed the delish food.

    Rabia Zafar

  • Genuine Family-Run Hospitality

    Warm, hands-on hospitality from the owner-family makes guests feel genuinely cared for like dinner guests at home.

    Interior nice [lamps, rugs, etc] & service great again.

    Phillip Dean

Traditional Afghan specialty dishes and charcoal skewers prepared with authentic spices

  • Mantu Dumplings

    I had Mantu dumplings & Afghan bread. So interesting - meat soft, wrappers soft, yoghurt & lentil sauce yummy.

    Phillip Dean

  • Lamb Skewers

    The skewers were incredibly tender, juicy, and not tough at all.

    Jill Fang

  • Afghan Bread

    The hot bread brought back a lot of memories from back home.

    karar ahmadi

  • Kabuli Palow

    After a long time I had a taste of Kabli rice

    Rabia Zafar

Beyond the menu

Distinctive touches that make dining at Kabul Spices feel personal and authentic

  • Piping-Hot Fresh Afghan Bread

    Diners enjoy fresh, hot Afghan bread baked and served straight to the table alongside dips and mains, evoking memories of home.

  • Traditional Afghan Pot Tea Service

    Staff brew and present individual pots of fragrant traditional Afghan tea to sip alongside or finish hearty banquet feasts.

  • Lantern-Lit Cultural Ambiance

    The dining room is styled with vibrant mosaic Turkish lanterns, traditional rugs, and Afghan cultural artifacts under low, relaxing lighting.

  • Personalized Meal Customization

    Servers proactively tailor dishes to guest preferences and check in warmly to guarantee satisfaction throughout the meal.

Frequently Asked Questions

How generous are the portion sizes?

Portions are generally very generous, with reviewers frequently highlighting large servings of rice, skewers, mantu dumplings, and hearty lamb shanks. However, takeaway meat portions have occasionally received mixed feedback regarding skewer sizes compared to rice.

Is there plenty of seating available?

Seating inside is relatively limited, so the dining room can fill up quickly, especially on weekends. Reservations are accepted if you want to secure a table in advance.

Is the food halal?

Yes, guests confirm that the food served is 100% halal, featuring halal lamb, chicken, and mixed grill skewers alongside traditional Afghan specialties.

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