Watan Restaurant & Bakery

Overview/Description

International and Middle Eastern Restaurant and Bakery

Welcome to Watan (formerly Wantan) Restaurant & Bakery, located at 2680 S Havana St in Aurora! We’re a cozy, family‑run spot offering authentic Afghan, Persian, Turkish, and Uzbek cuisine right here on Havana Street. We first opened our doors in late 2024, building on the heritage of Sara’s Market & Bakery. Since then, we’ve been delighting customers with fresh breads, fragrant home‑cooked meals, and warm hospitality from our very own owner, Abdulaziz Azimi.

Our Cuisine & Featured Menu

• Fresh‑baked breads: Our pride is in stone‑baked staples like Uzbek non, crusty yet chewy, barbari flatbread, taftan, and sesame‑covered Turkish simit—perfect for wraps or to dip into stews.
• Hearty mains: Enjoy traditional kabobs (ground‑beef koobideh, chicken, lamb chops), Qabili Uzbaki—a dramatic lamb shank with sweet-nutty rice—and Afghan staples like bolani (crispy filled flatbread).
• Bakery treats: We also offer delightful sweets like shirmal (sweet milk bread), khajor (date bread), and delicate zaban pastries, plus baklava-style cookies.
• Beverages: Sip on aromatic mint tea, saffron chai, and refreshing rosewater lassi—perfect partners to our flavorsome dishes.

Fun Facts & What Makes Us Special

• “Watan” means “homeland”: Abdulaziz’s own journey—from Afghanistan to Turkey, and now Aurora—inspired our mission to bring authentic homeland flavors to Denver.
• Bread as culture: We bake each loaf to reflect its origin—no American-style bread here. It’s all about heritage, texture, and taste.
• Stone‑baked quality: Using traditional methods, our breads feature a soft, fluffy inside with a crisp exterior—ideal with stews or enjoyed on their own.

What Our Customers are Saying

“What a great authentic food! Loved it and my new go‑to place… Food‑great, Quantity‑too generous… staff is friendly.” — Google reviewer

“Really nice owners and everything was fresh! Great breads, excited to try their kabobs next time.” — Ahmed S. (Yelp)

“The bread I had was so good. Crusty on the outside, and soft on the inside… baklava was amazing.” — Kaitlin C. (MapQuest)

In the News

Visit & Experience Us

We’re open Thursday–Tuesday, 6 AM–8:30 PM (closed Wednesdays).

Come in for a hearty kabob dinner, bakery delights with your morning tea, or just to savor the aroma of fresh‑baked simit and non. Whether you’re enjoying a family‑style dinner or grabbing takeaway, we strive to make every visit feel welcoming—just like home.

At Watan, it’s all about meaningful food, multicultural warmth, and a genuine taste of home. We can’t wait to share our breads and belly‑warming dishes with you. See you soon!