15 Best Halal Restaurants in NYC for 2024 (No Alcohol)
If you have special dietary restrictions traveling can become challenging. Many people have such dietary requirements due to religious, health, and lifestyle reasons.
As someone who follows a halal diet, I am always in search of halal food. When I visited New York for the first time, I spent a lot of time looking for halal food in NY. Since then, I have visited New York many times and found several good halal restaurants.
New York City is home to the largest Muslim community on East Coast and as such there is plenty of good halal food in the city and surrounds.
In this post, I will highlight the best halal restaurants in NYC that I have found.
I have eaten at some of these halal spots and I have contacted the other restaurants to verify the halal status.
Be sure to check them out and enjoy some great food, whether it is your first time in New York City or even if you are a regular.
Table of Contents
What are the best halal restaurants in NYC?
At the time of writing (August 2022), all of the restaurants mentioned below (to the best of my knowledge) serve only halal 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 Manhattan are:
1. Halal Guys (Best for Gyro Platters)
The Halal Guys is a halal fast food cart that specializes in American and Middle Eastern cuisine.
They’re most famous for their chicken and lamb gyro platters, which are served with their famous white sauce. If you are feeling a bit adventurous, you can try the Halal guys’ famous hot sauce as well.
Located on 6th Avenue and West 53rd Street, near Radio City and Top of The Rock Observation deck.
Halal Guys is probably the most famous halal food truck in New York City.
Their platters have people lining up throughout the day.
2. Omars Mediterranean (Best for Authentic Mediterranean cuisine)
If you’re in the mood for some delicious Mediterranean food, then Omar’s is the place for you. They offer a wide variety of dishes, from kebabs and falafel to hummus and Baba ghanoush.
I would recommend the chicken or lamb adana kebab if you prefer a spicy dish and the falafel if you prefer to eat something milder.
The restaurant offers comfortable seating and a relaxing atmosphere.
The original restaurant is conveniently located near 5th Avenue, in Midtown, and it is a good option to visit when shopping near New York’s main shopping areas.
They have another location on East 39th Street and the third location in Downtown on Ann Avenue.
3. Burger Mania (Best for Chicken Wings and Smash Burgers)
Burger Mania is a fast-food-style burger chain that offers halal burgers, chicken wings, and fries.
Besides the smash burgers, their menu includes chicken wings with 15 different sauce options.
They are located in Midtown Manhattan, in the heart of times square.
4. Holy cow (Best for Hand Rolled Buns)
Holy Cow is a halal burger joint that specializes in beef and chicken burgers. The buns are hand-rolled.
The small and simple menu focuses on quality and taste.
There is also a vegetarian option with “Impossible Burger”.
Located in the Flatiron district, on 34 Canal Street, lower Manhattan, New York City.
5. Guactime (Best for Mexican Food in Manhattan)
Guac Time is a fast-casual Mexican restaurant that serves halal cuisine.
The offerings include steak and chicken tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, and more.
There are currently two locations (Hicksville and Manhattan).
6.Istanbul Kebab House (Best for Turkish Cuisine)
Istanbul Kebab House is a traditional Turkish kebab restaurant located in Midtown.
This restaurant serves authentic Turkish and Mediterranean dishes prepared with lamb and chicken.
They are located on 712 9th Ave New York City.
The best halal restaurants in Brooklyn are:
7. Ruzana Restaurant (Best for Authentic Middle Eastern cuisine)
Ruzana has an extensive menu with many options for all-day dining.
From flatbreads, shawarma, mixed grilled platters, soups, and desserts, there is a vast variety of Arabic cuisine to choose from.
8. Yemen cafe (Best for Authentic Yemeni cuisine)
Yemen Cafe is a halal restaurant that specializes in Yemeni cuisine.
They offer a wide variety of dishes, from tender lamb shank to stews and soups to flatbreads and rice dishes.
There are two locations, one in Downtown Brooklyn and one in Bay Ridge.
9. Firestone Grill and Pizza (Best for Pizza)
Firestone Grill and Pizza is a halal pizzeria that offers a wide variety of pizzas, from classic cheese to more unique flavor combinations.
In addition, they have a variety of Indian flame-grilled kebabs and chicken.
They are located in Brooklyn, near the Barclays Center.
10. The Soul Spot (Best for Caribbean Food)
The Soul Spot is a Caribbean restaurant that specializes in comfort food. The menu has items such as jerk chicken, fried shrimp, and curry.
They offer a delivery service as well.
Located in Brooklyn
The best halal restaurants in Queens/Jamaica are:
11. Sheikhs and Burgers (Best for Fried chicken burgers and shakes)
Sheikhs and Burgers is a halal burger chain that offers American-style burgers and shakes.
They have rebranded and changed the name from Sheikh Shack to Sheiks and Burgers. The restaurant serves delicious halal burgers, wings and shakes.
The fried chicken spicy zinger and the sheikh special are the most popular menu items. Also, be sure to try the masala fries and shakes.
12. Moho Mexican Grill (Best for Mexican food)
Moho Mexican Grill combines the perfect blend of spices, fresh ingredients, and crunch in its menu.
They offer a wide variety of dishes, from steak and chicken tacos to enchiladas, burritos, and quesadillas.
There are so many good items on the menu and they even have Dulce de Leche churros for dessert.
Check out their everyday lunch special.
The best halal restaurants in Hicksville are:
13. Kababjees (Best for Pakistani and Indian cuisine)
Kababjees is a halal restaurant that specializes in Pakistani and Indian cuisine. They offer a wide variety of dishes, from kebabs and curries to fried rice dishes and bread.
The karahi, kulfi, and BBQ items are the most poular.
14. Peri Peri Guys (Best for Portuguese Chicken)
Peri Peri Guys is a halal restaurant that serves delicious chicken dishes.
They offer a wide variety of items, from grilled chicken, wraps, and burgers to platters and salads.
The chicken is marinated with the signature peri peri sauce.
Peri peri sauce combines African Bird’s Eye Chilli with other ingredients to create the perfect combination of African and Portuguese elements.
This type of chicken is popular in South Africa.
15. Slappin Chick (Best for Fried Chicken)
Slappin Chicken offers Nashvile-style crispy fried chicken seasoned with their signature spices. The chicken is available in levels of spiciness ranging from mild to Slappin + which has a burn notice. For sides, there is an option of loaded slappin fries or fries as well as other side items such as salads.
The menu is simple but appetizing. If you love fried chicken, I am sure you will love this place.
FAQs
What is New York 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.
Muslims typically follow a halal diet. Halal food is not only for Muslims. Anyone can consume it.
Does New York have halal food?
Yes, there are plenty of amazing halal restaurants where you can find delicious food. From halal burgers to Pakistani and Middle Eastern cuisine and of course New Yorks’s famous halal food carts, you’re sure to find something that satisfies your taste buds.
Is McDonald’s halal in New York?
No, McDonald’s is not halal in the USA.
Is KFC halal in USA?
No, KFC is not halal in USA.
Is Shake Shack halal in New York?
No, Shake Shack in New York is not halal.
Is Nusret halal New York?
There is no mention on their website of it being halal. The restaurant does serve alcohol.
Why is halal food so popular in NYC?
New York City is one of the most diverse cities. There are plenty of halal food options and restaurants because there is a large Muslim population in NYC.
We hope this post has been helpful for you to find a delicious halal meal in the Big Apple.
See also:
The Best and Worst Time to Visit New York
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