Owners 'trying to keep it very authentic' with new Afghan restaurant in Slough

A new restaurant serving the varied flavours of Afghanistan and Pakistan has opened in Slough.

Afghan Flavours has operated in Reading for more than a decade and recently opened a new branch on Mirador Crescent.

Since opening its doors on August 15, the restaurant has seen a ‘decent response’ and expects more full-booked days now that the summer holidays are over.

Co-owner Ajmal Stanikzai said their most popular dishes are their sizzler platter and mixed grill food, including chapli kebabs, as well as their lamb karahi.

Although other Afghan restaurants already operate in Slough, Ajmal said the town was a ‘vibrant market’ that they were keen to expand into.

“Slough is becoming a proper food hub with a few streets that are well known for diverse cuisines,” he told the Express.

“So, we thought, we've been in the industry for a long time, and we can probably bring authentic food and introduce that to Slough as well.”

The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner daily, operating from 11am to 11pm and has ongoing discounts and deals to celebrate its opening weeks.

The team of eight staff operating the restaurant has seen a combination of ‘packed’ and quieter days, but expects a ‘better response once schools reopen.

“There are a few Afghan cuisine restaurants in Slough, but we think that there is still a good market and decent appreciation of this type of cuisine,” said the 39-year-old owner.

“We serve very similar food, but Afghanistan is a big country and even within Afghanistan, the flavours and taste palette change.

“Rather than accommodating our customer base, we are trying to keep it very authentic.

“I think [this] makes us unique among other restaurants that are probably serving the more modern style, whereas we’re trying to keep it very traditional.

“The same way as the people would find it served in Afghanistan.”