The Top 10 Halal Restaurants of New York City (2019)
New York City harbors one of the most diverse eateries in the world. We compiled a list of the top 10 halal dine-in restaurants that we recommend based on our rating system that will give you the ultimate halal dining experience!
Farida - Manhattan (Uzbek)
If you’re looking for something on the West side closer by Penn Station, you can find this lovely Uzbek restaurant! Farida Restaurant serves traditional Uzbek food in a cozy, intimate setting. You can find here samsa, giant manti, traditional noodles, plov, kebabs, and more!
Food: 9/10
When we tried the food here, nothing fell short of extraordinary. We were thoroughly impressed by the quality we received. The chicken shashlik were so flavorful and juicy, the meat from the oxtail fell right off the bone, the beef manti and samsa were just so delicious. One of our most memorable dishes were the little manti in chicken broth - THAT was just excellent!
Price: 9/10
For the amount of food and the quality, as well as the ambiance, the prices were definitely fair.
Service: 10/10
Our waitress was attentive and very sweet! They were extremely accommodating especially when we found call them back over and over to order more food.
Atmosphere: 8/10
It is a little small, but the decor and aesthetics of the restaurant make it nice and comfy.
Miraj Healthy Grill - Manhattan + LI (Persian)
On the East side of 34th Street lies the newest location of Miraj Healthy Grill. Not far from the 6 train station (33rd Street stop), it isn’t really far of walking distance. The restaurant prides itself in its food based on its signage and satiating pictures of their kebabs.
Food: 9.5/10
We were mesmerized by how seasoned and tender the kebabs we got were. Not to mention their saffron rice was full of flavor as well. They pack their portions very well, so you will leave satisfied with maybe some leftovers to take home.
Price: 8/10
Fine dining doesn’t come cheap! The restaurant is located in Murray Hill and if you don’t know where that is, it’s in Midtown Manhattan and like all things in midtown - pricing is steep! An average meal here costs $15 - $30.
Atmosphere: 9.5/10
While big, it’s intimate and good for friends, couples, or groups.
Service: 10/10
We were taken care of well and there was no lack of or mistreatment of service.
Addy’s BBQ - Queens (American)
Originally based in Teaneck, NJ, Chef Adnan decided to venture out to NYC and brought his amazing establishment to Astoria! You can find yourself doing cheese pulls from their super cheesy dishes, getting your hands dirty from their smothered and saucy wings and finding yourself diving into the gravy drowned mashed potatoes that come with their steaks!
Food: 10/10
We tried mostly their signature items and everything hit with flavor and packed a lot of unique tastes. From wings, to steaks, to the mac, to burgers, we were in awe of the uniqueness of the selections. Also try the Mango Piña Colada Lassi, that was really good. 😍
Price: 8/10
It’s very reasonable considering you are getting quality food that is signature to Addy's BBQ. You really wouldn't get these items elsewhere.
Atmosphere: 9/10
Clean, spacious, white linen tables but very humble setting. It's a bbq restaurant so prepare to get really messy!
Service: 7.5/10
Orders at most times we went would come out quickly, but other times it would take longer.
Milk & Honey - Brooklyn (American/Mediterranean)
In Kensington, Brooklyn you can find a halal American (and slightly Mediterranean) cafe serving all day brunch in a lovely, outdoorsy vibe and setting. This is the ultimate cafe where you can find a unique brunch menu from sandwiches to flatbreads to their signature French Toast Creme Brulee.
Food: 10/10
The food is above par. We got the Flank Steak Sandwich, Croque Madame, and French Toast Creme Brulee and they were all so good! The coffee is also great too (comes with latte art) and they have house-made cold drinks like their Watermelon cooler and Turmeric lattes. Everything tastes as it should be.
Price: 11/10
Prices are unbelievably cheap and relatively affordable. Most items on the menu range from $5-$12.
Atmosphere: 10/10
A lot of people in the neighborhood come by to work on their computers but its inviting environment allows for friends or acquaintances to enjoy a brunch together.
Service: 8/10
Although it's order and pay up front, the service is pretty standard. The food doesn’t take long to come.
Peri Peri Grill House - Brooklyn (American/South African/Portuguese)
In Stuyvesant Heights, Brooklyn, you can find a fast-casual Peri Peri joint that serves spicy, mouth-watering Peri Peri chicken.
Food: 9/10
The food here is bomb. They’ve got burgers, wings, wraps, salads. Their wings are obviously delicious and nothing fell short of flavor. Their french fries are a solid 10 though! It’s seasoned to perfection.
Price: 7/10
We were disappointed that the six wings we got were really small and we paid around $7 for it. And the side salad we opted for was $4... It was really dried out too. No dressings provided.
Atmosphere: 8/10
It's clean and casual with a narrow dining area, but spacious nonetheless.
Service: 9/10
Food came very fast and we were pleased with the service.
Farine Baking Company - Queens (American)
Oh, Jackson Heights. The center of multicultural gastronomy. You never seem to disappoint us. Recently, Farine Baking Company opened up and YES - it’s ALL halal. They take up a solid corner of the block and it’s clear-glass windows would leave no visitor not wanting to come in to see the goodies they have in their dessert counter! It’s almost like a halal Martha’s Bakery, except, there’s even more food!
Food: 10/10
We got the Farine burger (which really just melts in your mouth), the Arugula Truffle Mushroom flatbread, the Spicy Chicken Burger, and the Feta and Spinach frittata. And a bunch of desserts at the end like Oreo cake, Passionfruit Mousse (halal, once again), and Flan! The food overall is of quality and we really just are very thankful a place like this exists.
Price: 7/10
For brunch, it’s a bit on the pricier side compared to your standard American brunch spots. But they do have specials almost everyday announced on their instagram story which is pretty cool.
Atmosphere: 9/10
It’s a cafe setting and it’s very clean. It doesn’t get overly crowded and even if it’s a full house, there’s still a lot of room to walk around.
Service: 10/10
Phenomenal. Everyone is super friendly. Food comes quickly too!
IndiThai - Manhattan (Indian and Thai)
Por que no los dos? Why not both? Indian and Thai food are two beloved cuisines to the Muslim community. It’s no surprise that there needed to be a restaurant that does both - and does it well. The Lower East Side finally has a great halal spot!
Food: 9.5/10
The food was marvelous. Their menu is back to back with Indian on one side and Thai on the other. If you're into spicy food, this spot is for you. Curry battered calamari was our favorite as well as the chicken lollipop. The chicken lollipop here is actually very different from what we would have elsewhere. Nothing here is really average as all their dishes are unique in their own way. Their plated beautifully and perfectly portioned.
Price: 8/10
Standard and pretty decent for a Manhattan restaurant. They do also have a lunch special for about $10.
Atmosphere: 8/10
They are still in the works of building the setting. It's spacious enough. Some tables are lined up against the wall and others have a little more room to move around. Not too small, not too big. Dim lighting sets the mood.
Service: 10/10
The staff is super friendly and the food comes quick.
Papa Kebab - Manhattan (Mediterranean)
In Chelsea, you can find a sleek but surprisingly unpretentious kebab spot which goes by the name of Papa Kebab!
Food: 10/10
There’s something about the food that actually doesn’t need any of the sauces they provide. That’s how you know the food is good. The chicken adana with a side of bulgar wheat is a must get. The bulgar wheat was moist and flavorful. I would come here frequently if I had the time.
Price: 8.5/10
Around $10-15 a dish, which isn’t too bad given the area it’s in.
Atmosphere: 8/10
As soon as you walk in, you can get a whiff of all the spices they used. Your eyes might water. You might cry. But you will get to eat something delicious. Their kitchen is kind of open and ventilation needs to be worked on a little.
Service: 8/10
Standard.
Rasa - Manhattan (Malaysian)
Rasa is a Malaysian/Thai restaurant in West Village. It boasts Southeast Asian cuisine and to be quite honest, they have every right to boast about it! Though the food is halal, there is a bar present.
Food: 9/10
There are so many things you can order (we wouldn’t blame you if you really did), but our stomachs can only hold so much. The Nasi Kerabu, consisting of its blue rice (dyed by butterfly blue pea), a fried drumstick, green beans, bean sprouts, anchovies, ginger flower, Vietnemese mint, half salted egg, cucumber, and homemade chilli sauce is, in our opinion, the star dish of this restaurant. It reaches a wide taste palate. All the items in this dish compliment each other.
Price: 7.5/10
Come during lunchtime! There’s a great lunch special that goes from $10-$15. But other than that, the food here is a bit pricier since this restaurant is more upscale.
Atmosphere: 9/10
This place is decked out. It’s good for a group hangout, a date night, or your work friends.
Service: 9/10
The people here are really patient and kind. They’ll also give you suggestions, if you aren’t too sure on what to get.
Yemen Cafe - Brooklyn (Yemeni)
For hearty, homemade-style food, there’s Yemen Cafe nestled in two locations in Brooklyn.
Food: 8.5/10
When seated, you are given a complimentary starter: salad, marak (Yemeni broth, which is so insanely good), and flatbread. We got the Chicken Haneeth and Lamb Saltah, and were pleased by the subtleness of the flavor and fattiness of meat from both dishes.
Price: 8/10
It’s more expensive when it’s not their lunch special, but their portions are big.
Atmosphere: 8/10
It’s clean, has a lot of seating, and is more on the casual side. It’s not the fancy restaurant you would imagine being in, but the walls are decorated with framed pictures of historical landscapes in Yemen.
Service: 9/10
We went during Ramadan and were so impressed by the attentiveness and speed of the service!
Other notable contenders:
Kabul Kabab House
LULU Chinese
Uncle Nick’s Mediterranean
Sam’s Steak and Grill