The Best Halal Restaurants in Florence Italy You have to try in 2024

Finding halal food while traveling can be a challenge, especially in foreign countries where cultural and culinary customs may differ. However, during my recent trip to Italy, I was able to find halal restaurants in Florence Italy that served a variety of cuisines.

Florence is the capital of Tuscany or Toscana (as it is known in Italian). It is an immensely beautiful city that attracts millions of tourists every year.

It is known for its rich cultural heritage and stunning architectural landmarks. With its vibrant food scene and diverse culinary offerings, Florence is a foodie’s paradise.

In this blog post, I’ll highlight the best halal restaurants in Florence that I found.

Whether you’re a local or a tourist, this post will save you time and tell you where you can enjoy a delicious halal meal in Florence.

What is halal food?

Halal food is food that has been prepared according to Islamic law. This means that the meat must be obtained from an animal that was slaughtered in a certain way.

The food should also not contain pork, alcohol, or any by-products of animals that were not slaughtered in the prescribed method.

What are the best halal restaurants in Florence?

At the time of writing (February 2023), all of the restaurants mentioned below (to the best of my knowledge) serve only halaal meat and do not serve alcohol. Please check with the restaurant at the time of ordering if this is still applicable.

The best halal restaurants in Florence are:

1. Maddina Tandoori Restaurant

Cuisine: Indian and Italian

I stumbled upon this restaurant in Florence while walking. The restaurant is smart casual and offers very comfortable and elegant seating.

My personal favorite was the Focaccia starter bread and arrabbiata pasta.

This establishment is best suited for families and couples.

Location: Via di Bardi, Florence (Just across the Ponte Vecchio bridge)

Walk along the Ponte Vecchio bridge to cross the Arno river from the central area of Florence. At the end of the bridge, turn left and walk for about 2 minutes and you will find the restaurant on your right-hand side.

Website: http://maddinaflorence.com

2. Pak Halal Kebab

Cuisine: Pakistani/Indian

This restaurant offers chicken and beef rice dishes such as biryani and rice with curry. The biryani seems to be a feature menu item. There are also kebabs and grilled items on the menu.

There is a small but comfortable casual seating area.

The place is suited for small groups.

Location: Piazza del Mercato Centrale, Firenze

3. Ayasofya Istanbul Halal Restaurant

Cuisine: Turkish, Indian, and Wood Oven Pizza

They opened the first halal kebab shop in Florence in 2002 and have been serving delicious halal meals since then.

The restaurant has ready-prepared meals which include falafels, grills, rice dishes, and others. These are delivered over the counter. The pizzas are freshly prepared in a wood oven.

My favorite is the pizza. Even if I am having a vegetarian pizza, I opt for halal restaurants to enjoy because of the contamination issues in nonhalal restaurants.

Ayasofya has two branches in Florence.

I opted to eat at Ayasofya more than once as the store in Via Panicale was conveniently located, had a small seating place, and was also one of the halal delivery options available on Deliveroo.

The restaurant is suited for small groups.

Location 1: Via Panicale 55, Firence (Walking distance from Santa Maria Novella Station)

Location 2: Via Sant Antinino 42, Firenze

4. Asian Halal Food

Cuisine: Asian, Indian, Pizza

This halal restaurant serves a large variety of cuisine.

This budget restaurant has meals that are already prepared and served over the counter, thus there is not much of a seating area.

The place is suited for solo travelers or a takeout meal.

Location: Via Panicale, Florence (Walking distance from Santa Maria Novella Station)

FAQ:

Is it hard to find halal food in Italy?

No, Italy has a diverse population of Muslims. There are plenty of halal food options and restaurants if you know where to look.

Are there Muslims in Italy?

Yes, Italy has a large Muslim population. Many Muslims have immigrated from India, Pakistan, and other regions. They have established mosques and prayer facilities found throughout Florence and the other major Italian cities.