Sarban - Utrecht in Wijk 06 Binnenstad

Delicious food, the chef's menu is highly recommended. Delicious rice with herbs, meat dishes and vegetables. Also tasty dishes for vegetarians. The dessert was also very tasty, home made ice cream. The service was very friendly and the atmosphere is also cozy. Also very nice to take friends or colleagues.

What delicious food! Very different than usual.

It’s about 40€ per person for 3 courses meal And the amount of the food is really a lot That would be great if they had like a half meal or option to not order all 3 courses

Ate here on a Tuesday evening. It was completely full, so a lot of noise. Fixed price of 38.50pp for either 3 courses a la carte or a surprise menu where you get 60% of the menu in tapas form. Delicious food, well seasoned, nice portions. Real value for money. The menu also includes a number of house drinks.

We had a reservation, but we had to go first to the bar and wait there for almost 30 minutes..the food was good, but the dominant taste was peper...so I would like a real Afghan flavor but not this

Fantastic food for a good price. Great place. Hospitable service. We come here often and will continue to do so. I recommend this to everyone!

A very beautiful restaurant with a very stylish and peaceful environment, the music made me feel at home, delicious and unique food, very kind and friendly staff.

Great flavours and some outstanding dishes, with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. We got to try a variety of dishes over 3 courses and enjoyed them all. It's more expensive than some other restaurants but I was really glad we went.

Very tasty food, polite and knowledgeable staff, nice vibe. Highly recommended place for a dinner!

Great restaurant, wonderful food. Highly recommended!

Very tasty and very friendly staff.

Amazing! I recommend the surprise menu. Food was so good :)

Fantastic experience. Quite an experience. We went for the introductory menu. That was really great. Super friendly staff and the food was fantastic

Excellent food and atmosphere. Service is generally okay. Loved the Chef's surprise dining experience 😍

Really delicious food and very nice service. Surprise menu is highly recommended because you can taste many dishes. The pumpkin as a starter and rhubarb ice cream after were also very shortsighted!

Sarban was an amazing experience!! - food is a big 10 - service a big 10 - ambiance a big 10 Definitely recommended.

Overall, we had an enjoyable evening, and trying Afghan food for the first time was a unique and memorable experience. The flavors and spices in the dishes were intriguing and offered a wonderful introduction to a cuisine we hadn’t tried before. That said, there were a few areas that could be improved. For instance, the drinks were not up to the mark and didn’t match the quality of the food. However, most of the dishes were incredibly tasty, leaving us eager to explore more Afghan cuisine in the future.

The surprise menu is highly recommended, to try many different dishes! The ice cream with pistachio with cardamom and the ice cream with dates are also very tasty

Great vibe, food is okay-ish. Great flavors overall.

Amazing food. Waiters were super nice and attentive as well. Highly recommend 😊👍🏼

Service was amazing! Everyone including the chef were super nice to us. We really enjoyed our meals as well - good portion size. It is a very clean restaurant as well. I just wish they had even more gluten free options like the bread but that’s just me being picky. One recommendation is probably to make their sign outside brighter. It took us a bit to find since it was dark outside.

What a great recommendation! The staff is very sweet, they interact well with each other and the food is fantastic!!! Great that the surprise menu is also vegetarian.

Food is excellent, do yourself a favor and opt out for the tasting menu. More for your money. Never had an Afghan food and it was a great surprise. Expensive yet unique. Will return.

A warm welcome and a delicious meal in a relaxed atmosphere. Dishes are well explained. Prices are reasonable. Definitely worth repeating.

Just perfect! We all loved the service and the food. It was delicious and for a large 3-course a very fair price.

Very nice discovery, we took the tasting plan... and for a first time it was really good.

Special location for eating. Very nicely decorated, friendly service and good explanation of the varied food. Afghan food is new to me, so I can't say much about the quality. I liked the food.

Kabli pulav was not good the meat in it was super chewy the rest was amazing.

Delicious vegetarian food and super friendly staff!

A great place to try something new. My first visit to an Afghan restaurant and I loved it! We each had a 3-course menu. One vegetarian, one with meat. We were both very satisfied.

Absolutely amazing I left with my stomach feeling like a blown up balloon and dreamt about the dishes the following night

We were very pleasantly surprised with the extensive tasting menu they prepared in the verrassingsmenu! Lots of delicious sides to really experience Afghan food. The vibes are the restaurant was also very nice and cozy and the service was great.

Haven't had such a good meal in a while, great service and compliments for the chefs! The Chef's menu is highly recommended and so is the homemade lemonade. Delicious food! We come more often!

Average food for the price being charged. Set Menu and Limited Choices.

The restaurant has an attractive atmosphere. The service is friendly. We had a surprise menu. Some of us had the vegetarian version and the others had meat. Everything was so incredibly tasty! Haven't had such a good meal in a while. If I had to think of a downside, it is that they work in 2 shifts, so at some point you are asked to make room for the next guests. I thought less of that.

What an incredibly good restaurant. We had a wonderful evening and the atmosphere was so beautiful and I can only recommend the surprise menu to really try it out :) And how incredibly nice and helpful. We had a slightly bigger problem with our bikes and they found a solution for us. That was sooo so nice Thanks!!!! ♥️

Very tasty food, they do a 3 course menu where you can choose from different dishes, very attentive service, good explanation of the dishes, great atmosphere

The setting is sumptuous, very authentic and warm. The dishes were delicious! A very good place to discover Afghan cuisine.

During our summer holiday, we had lunch for four persons. First of all, it was great! The restaurant was already crowded but the service managed a table for us. The meal was great - it was the first time for us with Afghan kitchen. Additional to this, the service was very satisfying: they explained every course of the meal and additionally they gave a funny tour through the restaurant to our children. Even the location of the restaurant was good: it is close to the Gracht and more calm than the other restaurants. Very good experience!

Great place. The food is really fantastic. Good service, nice people. In short, a pleasant evening

A gem in Utrecht. Super nice staff. Each dish is neatly explained by the staff. The place is also very attractively decorated. A nice introduction to Afghan cuisine. Also very nice for vegetarians and vegans! I'll definitely be back!

The restaurant is halal and very delicious. I recommend it to you But prices are considered above average, at least 37 euros per person

Servers are very friendly and the foods are very unique and tasty. I want to visit here again

Great place. We had the surprise menu to taste everything and it was superb. Staff told us details about the dishes and made the whole experience very nice. The time to get the food was quite long but the place was super full so its understandable

The food was excellent, fresh, tasty and offering something new and original. The service was friendly and efficient and the waiting staff were knowledgeable about the food. Would highly recommend this restaurant.

Highly recommended! Wonderful introduction to Afghan cuisine - we had the surprise menu - and super hospitable service!

Delicious beatifully prepared and served food!

The food was amaziiiiing! For sure I’m coming back! The only negative point is that you can’t have a doggybag with your leftover… such a waste…

Fantastic!! I haven't enjoyed food so intensely in a long time.

Absolutely recommended! Super tasty, super fresh, really a great place.

A big thank you to the chef and Sarban! I am extremely gluten intolerant and normally simply cannot eat in any restaurant. I took a chance to do it anyways last night because the staff of Sarban was super attentive and understanding. The chef was kind enough to bring the food to the table himself and the food was absolutely amazing!! Absolutely an amazing recommendation and would love to go back here with my family 🤗 Thanks Sarban!

One of the most memorable meals in Utrecht, a real treat for the senses! Great selection of dishes for the 3 course menus and super attentive personnel. Will definitely come back.

A very slow dining place. Food - nothing I would go there for again.

4.7 stars in Utrecht. Out of the six main dishes, two were from baby sheep, another from two from baby cows. We spent our money elsewhere.

The restaurant is located on the canal. So you cannot park there and you have to go down a flight of stairs. You can sit outside by the water or inside where it is cooler on a warm summer evening. The staff is friendly and speaks English. There is a fixed menu with a choice of different dishes. Please note if you have lactose intolerance or do not eat nightshades. There are different types of tea. It is a busy restaurant but spacious enough to be able to eat there spontaneously.

Everything is excellent and the staff are very polite.

Great place with delicious food. 1. Service is good and fast 2. Location is cozy 3. Atmosphere is relaxed 4. Outside and inside 5. Water view 6. Versatile menu with lots of vegetarian options 7. Price-quality is good: €35 for 3 courses

What a fantastic menu. A real taste explosion. Highly recommend Sarban both in Utrecht and Den Haag

The food was very tasty, something completely different. We chose and enjoyed the surprise menu, the food was diverse, spicy and sometimes spicy. The place is located on the water and the atmosphere inside is appropriate. A dark appearance and upholstery with sufficient and attractive lighting. One point of attention is that at busy times it took a long time or they forgot to bring us drinks. A big plus is that they took the time to explain to us what was served.

One of our most memorable meals for a very long time! Day 1 of a 3 day trip to Utrecht and my Mum was eager to eat local. Picked Sarban as I couldn’t find anywhere that was local with reviews like here. Thank goodness I did because 4.7 absolutely represents the brilliant food, friendly service and fantastic atmosphere that you will get here. Critically, whilst service and atmosphere matter, it’s the food that you have to know is exceptional. Simple 3 course set menu and we loved our choices. Highlight of our trip and couldn’t recommend more.

Very tasty food and nice service.

Great food, lovely atmosphere and brilliant service. We had the chefs surprise menu. Everything was brilliant. I thoroughly recommend this place.

Our best dinner in Utrecht! Excellent food (even though we had never eaten Afghani we fell in love with it), food inclusiveness at the highest levels (traditional, vegan, vegetarian, gluten free or lactose free menu!), splendid service (all the friendly, polite and attentive waiters), truly magical location on the canals of Utrecht, average prices (40 each for three generous courses, wine and water). Really recommended!

Delicious food and friendly service!

My first time eating Afghan food was a wonderful experience. What delicious dishes!

What a pleasant experience. I didn’t have any real expectations, but was definitely positively surprised. The entrance is unassuming, but then you descend to the restaurant downstairs which does not disappoint. The food and the ambiance are great. Judging by the amount of people that continued to come in, more people clearly share the same sentiments.

Great setting on the edge of the canal Outstanding dining experience for the price

Loved the food, vibe and service. Would go back again!

Great food and great ambiance. They are very attentive to all our needs and even allowed our baby dog to join us while having dinner.

Just returned from dinner; we ate outside directly in front of one of Utrecht's most picturesque canals. Guys, what can I tell you, the best place to eat in Utrecht! Great food, not fried or heavy and really tasty. An experience to try if you visit this beautiful city. We'll be back tomorrow night too!

Absolutely recommended - the introductory menu. Also possible as a vegetarian option! Super delicious food and very nice waiters and waitresses. Here the culture is brought closer to you

Absolutely recommended - the introductory menu. Also possible as a vegetarian option! Super delicious food and very nice waiters and waitresses. Here the culture is brought closer to you

TL;DR: Disappointing Service Despite Good Food We reserved a 2-people dinner date at Sarban, but unfortunately the experience was marred by poor service from the get-go, despite the food being quite good. Upon arrival, we waited around 30 minutes until we were asked for our drink orders. Following, our three-course meal took an excruciatingly long 2 and a half hours from start to finish. This is, for us, far beyond an acceptable time frame for any dining experience which consists of starters, mains, and dessert. Moreover, throughout our meal, the staff's attention to our needs was minimal. Our glasses were often empty, and it felt like we were left to fend for ourselves most of the time. It was clear that the staff were either overwhelmed/understaffed or simply inattentive. My bet is genuinely on the former. On a more positive note, the food was well-prepared and tasty. However, the quality of the food could not compensate for the excessively long wait times and the lack of service. In summary, while we were offered good food, the service was significantly lacking. I hope the management can address these service issues to improve future dining experiences. P.S.: we sat outside, on a Saturday with nice weather, so the experience might differ significantly if we had sat inside on a Tuesday?

Very tasty traditional food and friendly staff.

No commercial spirit: the first time no table for 4, the second time they did not accept us for a drink for 20 minutes only even though all the tables were free!

Food was delicious. The service a little less.

It was a really nice place Design was really beautiful and classic Employee were all sweet and patient The only thing I can say was a problem: the food I've eaten a lot of Afghani food before, but this was completely different from them I have never eaten ghaboli plaw with pistachios🫠 It didn't taste very good And that the amount of rice was too little and the sauces were too much But also desserts and starters If I want to say in general, the price of the food was high and the quality and taste of the food was average

Wonderful restaurant! Very tasty and unusual cuisine. Excellent service, excellent service. It's atmospheric inside, with oriental unobtrusive music playing quietly, a very original and cozy interior. You can sit at a table outside by the canal, but the tables are small and there won't be enough space. You cannot order one dish in the restaurant: only a set for 35 euros. The set is very tasty, it includes appetizers, a main course with pilaf and dessert in the form of two scoops of ice cream. You can choose dishes from the list or order a surprise menu. We took both options. I liked the surprise menu. I definitely recommend visiting this restaurant. But expect to spend a lot of time there. You physically won’t be able to cram all this into yourself quickly. And the waiters pause between serving dishes. The result is a very measured, leisurely and beautiful dinner.

A must do when you go to Utrecht !! I didn’t really know about Afghan cuisine, but it was EXCELLENT, one of the best dishes ever I had in my life. You need chose the special menu at 35€ (entree, main, dessert) if you don’t know about Afghan cuisine. Moreover, we can have a beautiful view on the canal and the waiters were the sweetest people. I really recommend !!

Very strong Afghan. Outside you sit directly on the canal, inside it is extremely comfortably furnished. The food is very good and authentic. It's best to take the chef menu, then you have a little bit of everything.

Nice, attractive restaurant with friendly service. Delicious food!

The atmosphere is great, and the service was good. The food was really delicious. The problem? The next day, both of us felt bad. The food had a lot of spices, so I'm not sure if it was fresh because the spices covered everything. It could be that the meat was of poor quality or that our digestive systems couldn't handle this type of food. I've never had Afghan food before, so I don't know what went wrong.For sure I will not risk it again.

Do yourself a favor and visit this gem of a restaurant if you get the opportunity. Fantastic food, slow cooked for hours just the way it should be, lovely staff, and a beautifully decorated dining room.

Delicious food and very friendly service, highly recommended!!

Sarban Afghan Restaurant on the canal in Utrecht is highly recommended! What a wonderful experience it was. The food was delicious, full of flavor and authentically prepared. The staff was incredibly friendly and spoke both Dutch and English, which made communication very easy. The tables and cutlery were very neatly arranged, which contributed to the pleasant dining experience. I will definitely come back here and recommend everyone to visit this restaurant!

First time trying Afghan food and the truth is that it is delicious. The overall experience has its details, which I personally didn't love. The menu is a 3-course menu - you cannot order separate dishes. There are several options on the menu that one can choose from (an appetizer, a main and a dessert) or one can opt for "the chef's surprise" where the chef chooses the three courses. This is generally the most popular option and the one that almost everyone at our table ordered. They explained to us that they also have a vegan option. When ordering as a group, they brought us different options at each step to try and it was actually good. I recommend it for everyone except on one occasion: if you are vegetarians or vegans this is not the best option. Because the main dish, which for the rest was chicken, for the vegan option the only main option was the accompaniments, (which also includes the non-veg option) there was nothing to replace the main and the truth is that this disappointed me. Perhaps in this case it is better to order directly from the menu. The service was quite slow and at the end of the night, when we received the coffee and last drinks, they told us that in 3 minutes we had to leave the table because the next shift was already on. I understand the issue of shifts but everyone had to make a shot of coffee, beer and liquor because they had not told us before and because the truth is that it took them a long time to serve us from the beginning. In conclusion, the place is good but I don't think I would return.

This is highly recommended if you want to try something different. I had never eaten Afghan food before, but I really had a great evening here. The chef came and served it at the table and explained it and every dish had so much flavor. Everything really delicious!

We had the Chefs menu. It had a nice variety and we liked most of the items. Service was amazing and they explained every item.

Everything was going fine till I ordered tea, black tea! They brought me mix tea, and I asked them to changed it the chef brought me the black tea and said " this is the tea, and we don't have anything more black!!!!!!!!! VERY RUDE AND INSULTING!!! And he kept talking although I asked to leave. But he totally ruined my night.

Amazing place and the food is wonderful. Great experience.

Delicious 3-course set meal. We had the tasting menu, to sample different dishes. Highly recommend!

Even though they were full there was no room left, I was still allowed to eat at the bar 😅😅 🤝🏼 Delicious food! Staff is also very friendly and fast 💨💨

Surprise menu was really delicious, fast and friendly service and food was served quickly, all for a reasonable price!

Truly a discovery! Never eaten afghan before, and it was surprising! Middle Eastern flavors, vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes... All super tasty! The chicken I must say was extraordinary! Good location, very nicely decorated and nice atmosphere. We took the surprise menu, with different dishes to taste everything.

Excellent meal - was for one and had the taster menu which was perfect in giving lots of variety and lots of food. Amazing value and great service to explain the dishes!

Great food 2 out of 2, a few problems with service, on principle I hate the fact that water is not free and not cheap either. Second thing is that they don’t do doggy bags (taking away leftovers) so I hope they’re feeding local pets or poor people with it, otherwise that’s a terrible waste of food!

I've deducted a star for the very slow and negligent service. The waitress kept me waiting for 15 minutes before receiving the menu and after receiving it you wait for another 15 minutes before she returned. It took me over 2 hours to finish a 3 course meal. The food is tasty and flavorful, I deducted another star due to their scant meat portions. It was ridiculous how little meat you receive. Even the rice portion is small. That's not what afghan food is known for. I guess you may appreciate it if you've never had authentic afghan food before..

We cannot confirm the extremely good and extremely bad reviews. The atmosphere in the basement is nice, even if it gets quite loud with a lot of people. The service was attentive and nice. The food was okay. We had a vegetarian surprise menu once and a menu with meat of our choice. It doesn't work without a menu (price 2024: €34.95). The amount of meat was very small, be it in the starter (chicken) or in the main course (lamb). You'll still be full because of the amount of rice. The food was seasoned okay, sometimes boring. The price-performance ratio is not right, but it is also a tourist area. Since we are only visiting Utrecht, we don't think we would come back. But we wouldn't. The real highlight was the homemade fig liqueur with cardamom and the fig whiskey for €5.50 and €5.70 respectively.

Top restaurant! Delicious food and great service. The surprise menu is highly recommended!

We both chose the vegetarian surprise menu and we really enjoyed it. In addition, the staff is very friendly and the atmosphere is good. Highly recommended!