When visiting a historic site like the Gardens of Babur (Bagh-e-Babur) in Kabul, Afghanistan, you are not just stepping into a tranquil green space. You are also transporting yourself into centuries-old culture, history, and tradition. And what better way to fully experience it than through food?
Afghan cuisine is a delicious fusion of Middle Eastern, Central Asian, Persian, and Indian influences, influenced by the country’s geographical location and overall cultural fabric. While the Gardens of Babur are primarily known for their natural beauty and historical significance, it is also a great place to enjoy local Afghan flavors, whether you are having breakfast at a nearby café or enjoying a picnic surrounded by cherry blossoms and flowing streams.
In this post, we’ll explore all the ways to experience local cuisine in and around the Gardens of Babur, some must-try Afghan dishes, and tips for foodies in Kabul.
🌿 First, a Brief Introduction to the Gardens of Babur
Before we talk about food, let’s set the scene. The Gardens of Babur or Bagh-e-Babur were built around the early 1500s by the first Mughal emperor Babur. He had a great love for gardens, nature, and beauty, and designed the Bagh-e-Babur as a significant “heaven on earth” where he was later buried.
Today, after extensive renovations by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, the garden is open to the general public and has become a serene place for both locals and tourists. Families picnic under pomegranate trees, and children play near fountains, and lovers stroll along rose-lined paths. And yes, food is a part of the experience.
🍽️Is food available inside the Gardens of Babur?
Yes, but it is limited. There is a small café and tea house inside the garden complex where you can order or order snacks, drinks, and some light Afghan snacks. Don’t expect a full restaurant experience inside the gardens. However, what you do get is fresh, local, and good—good for a casual lunch or relaxing after exploring the grounds.
Inside the garden, you can typically find:
- Afghan chai (tea) – made with sugar or cardamom, served hot and fragrant
- Bolani – a flatbread filled with potatoes, herbs or lentils, and freshly grilled
- Kabuli naan – soft, pillowy Afghan-style bread served piping hot
- Korma or rice – sometimes available as part of a rotating daily menu, this fabulous rice is a must
- Local yogurt drinks – served cold and refreshing, importantly in the summer
💡 Travel tip: If you’re visiting during a local holiday or weekday, the food options inside may be more varied due to special events or pop-up sell-outs.
🧺 Picnic culture in the Gardens of Babur
Of all the ways to enjoy the local sights in Bagh-e-Babur, one can get into the picnic tradition. And Afghan families often bring homemade dishes and sit on garden terraces with blankets, tea sets and baskets of food. It’s a lovely cultural practice that emphasizes community, and hospitality and shared meals.
Typical picnic dishes include:
- Kabuli Pulao - the national dish of Afghanistan made with rice, lamb or beef, raisins and carrots
- Mantu - steamed dumplings filled with meat and garnished with yogurt and spiced lentils, similar to mantu
- Ashaq - vegetarian dumplings often filled with leeks or chives, and served with garlicky yogurt
- Grilled meats - especially chapli kabab (a spicy, fried ground meat patty) or seekh kabab on a skewer
- Fresh fruit - grapes, pomegranates, figs or mulberries (especially when in season)
- Firni - sweet milk pudding flavored with cardamom and pistachios
🧡 Recommended by friends: Yes, if you are staying in Kabul and have friends or guides around or in the local areas, ask if you can arrange a picnic at Bagh-e-Babur. It is a great way to enjoy both food and culture together.
🥘 Where to eat near Babur Gardens: Local restaurants and cafes
If you want to have a sit-down meal before or after visiting the gardens, there are many great places to dine nearby where you can enjoy all the Afghan sights.
Here are some traveler-friendly places:
📍 Location: In Karte Parwan (about 20-25 minutes by car)
One of the most famous Afghan hotels in Kabul, Sufi offers traditional food in a calm environment with indoor and garden seating.
Must-Trys:
- Kabuli Pulao
- Mantou
- Grilled Lamb Skewers
- Dogh (Yogurt Drink)
Why go: High quality, clean atmosphere, interaction between foreigners and locals alike.
2. Bamyan Restaurant
📍 Location: Central Kabul
This mid-range spot serves a mix of Afghan, Persian, and Indian-style food. Best for group meals or a quick lunch break.
Menu Highlights:
- Ashaq
- Chicken Karahi
- Bolani with Yoghurt
- Afghan Bread and Chutney
3. Le Jardin Restaurant
📍 Location: Near Wazir Akbar Khan area
If you want international food with an Afghan touch, Le Jardin offers a mix of East and West. The outdoor garden seating is especially nice on summer days.
The menu includes:
- Afghan rice dishes
- Continental salads and grilled items
- Fantastic coffee and desserts
🍛 Afghan dishes you should never miss
Even if you are staying in Kabul for a short time, or are on a visit here are some essential Afghan dishes you should definitely try. Many of these are available near the Garden of Babur, in cafes, restaurants or at local food vendors:
1. Kabuli Pulao
A fragrant and flavourful rice cooked with meat, raisins and carrots. It is extremely flavourful and considered the national food of Afghanistan. It is a filling, most comforting and beautifully served meal – often served at weddings and festivals.
2. Mantu
Delicate steamed dumplings filled with minced beef or lamb, with garlic yoghurt and split peas. It is a lovingly prepared meal and is often reserved for special occasions, but some restaurants serve it daily.
3. Bolani
Think of it as Afghan street food – it is a crispy fried flatbread filled with mashed potatoes, spinach and lentils. It is wonderful and perfect as a snack while strolling through the gardens.
4. Kebab
Grilled meat is the number one staple of Afghan cuisine. Seekh kabab (skewered meat), lamb tikka or chapli kabab (spicy patties) are all typically served with naan, onions and chutney.
5. Firni
This is a light dessert made with milk, sugar and cardamom, topped with chopped pistachios. It’s smooth, creamy and perfect at the end of a meal.
☕ What to drink with your meal
Afghan cuisine includes a variety of traditional beverages:
- Chai sabz (green tea) – the national favourite, sometimes with cardamom
- Doog – a salty yoghurt drink, often with mint – very refreshing in hot weather
- Shir chai (milk tea) – similar to Indian chai but usually less sweet
- Fresh juices – pomegranate, apricot and mulberry juices are popular and very seasonal
🛍️ Buying local food and snacks to take home
While food security and closures may vary, there are a few vendors (especially during festivals) near the Garden of Babur selling local sweets and dried fruit that are popular with diners. These include:
- dried mulberries
- candied almonds and pistachios
- homemade Afghan cookies (kulcha-e-nakhot, kulcha-e-khatayi)
- small spice mixes or saffron packets
💡 If you want to take home food souvenirs, buy from a trusted shop or ask your hotel concierge for recommendations.
🧭 Food, culture and relationships: more than just food
Food in Afghanistan is not just about satisfying hunger – it’s about community, hospitality and identity. Whether you’re sipping tea in a café inside the Gardens of Babur or eating homemade food at a family picnic, you’re taking part in a tradition that has been passed down for generations.
When Babur chose this garden as his final resting place, he brought with him not only Mughal architecture and aesthetics but also a passion for nature, flavour and sophistication. Today, the food culture surrounding Babur’s Gardens reflects the same spirit – simple, soulful and beautifully Afghan.
🌟 Final Thoughts:
Enjoy the Experience
If you are lucky enough to visit Babur’s Gardens now, don’t just stroll – sit, eat and savour. Whether it’s a crispy bolani under a pomegranate tree or a steaming plate of Kabuli pulao after a morning walk, food is an essential part of the experience.
- Where to eat in Babur’s Gardens? Look for the small cafes.
- What to eat? Eat what the locals like – and don’t skip the tea.
- Want more? Visit one of the nearby restaurants or join a picnic.
- Afghanistan’s cuisine is as diverse and delicious as its history. And at Babur’s Gardens, you’ll get a taste of both.
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