London is a melting pot of different cultures, and that’s certainly evident in its eclectic culinary scene. That goes for halal food too, which has increased dramatically over recent years across a wide array of different cuisines – you just need to know where to look. Luckily for you dear readers, we’ve done all that hard work for you. Here’s our rundown of the best halal restaurants in London for you to eat at:
1. Roti King
This tiny, cult Malaysian spot is just across the road from Euston station, and it specialises in unforgettable roti canai – a flatbread of Indian origin that is extremely loved in Malaysia and Singapore. All the food prepared here is halal in its entirety, and it’s pretty damn good.
It goes without saying that the roti canai goes well with the various different curries whipped up here, but there’s plenty more on offer at Roti King. The ‘Nasi Lemak’ – steamed coconut rice served with peanuts, fried anchovies, cucumber, egg, sambal and spiced fried chicken – is pretty much to die for, and there are some excellent noodle dishes to boot too. Word of advice – it gets very busy here so be prepared to queue!
📍 You’ll find Roti King at 40 Doric Way, London, NW1 1LH.
🚇 Nearest station is Euston.
2. Tukdin
Another Malaysian spot, the cheerful Tukdin is all about authentic flavours and bloody good food. Started up by a Malaysian family, everything is on a halal menu here, and the prices are more than reasonable.
Starters include oxtail soup on the bone, veggie spring rolls and stir-fried chicken with cucumber and onions, and there are a whole host of mains you can dive into too. Top picks include the ‘Kari Udang’ – a mouthwatering prawn curry with green beans – and the ‘Daging Salai Masak Lemak Cili Api’ – a lovely mix of grilled beef and bamboo shoots in a spicy coconut sauce. There are veggie and vegan options here too.
📍 You’ll find Tukdin at 41 Craven Road, London, W2 3BX.
🚇 Nearest stations are Paddington and Lancaster Gate.
3. The Halal Guys
The Halal Guys first started out in New York during 1990, when they sold halal food to Muslim taxi drivers, who had little to eat in the city at that time. The three Egyptian brothers then expanded their business to what it is today – a 400-restaurant-strong business striving to be ‘the leading and best American Halal Food restaurant in the world’.
They’re famous for their halal platters – which include beef, chicken and falafel – and they’ve got some mean sandwich wraps here too.
📍 You’ll find The Halal Guys at 163-165 Earls Ct Road, London, SW5 9RF.
🚇 Nearest station is Earl’s Court.
4. Taza Kebab House
This one is arguably one of the best halal restaurants in Central London. Incredibly good value, the family-run Taza Kebab House is one of the oldest kebab restaurants in London, and it has been rustling up excellent fare since it first opened its doors in 1985. The shawarma kebabs here are mouth-wateringly good – and a steal at just £3.50 – and other things on the menu include chicken and lamb shish kebabs, kofta kebabs, and special vegetarian rice too.
You’re just a stone’s throw away from Bayswater and Queensway tube stops here, and Hyde Park is just across the road – a perfect spot for a post-kebab walk.
📍 You’ll find Taza Kebab House at 35A Queensway, London, W2 4QJ.
🚇 Nearest stations are Bayswater and Queensway.
5. Rosa’s Thai Cafe
Another worthy addition to this list of the best halal restaurants in London, Rosas Thai Cafe combines modern London with bustling Bangkok, and their authentic Thai food is some of the city’s best.
Go in the day for one of their delicious lunch bowls, filled with one of their stir fries and topped with a fried egg, boiled egg, or Thai style salad. Veggie and coeliac-friendly menus are available, including pumpkin crackers (instead of prawn) and vegan spring rolls. The beef and chicken here is all halal prepared, and they serve a mean pad thai, massaman curry and tom yum soup too.
You’ll find Rosa’s Thai Cafe at various locations across London. You can find out more here.
6. Roti Chai
Another worthy addition to this list of the best halal restaurants in London is Roti Chai – a great little spot in Marylebone that specialises in both Indian street food and more traditional curries.
The restaurant is split into two – upstairs lies the street kitchen, which specialises in food such as Keralan spiced lollipops and steamed rice cakes – and the restaurant, which whips up yummy dishes such as butter chicken, Malabar mooli prawns and Koliwadi fish kari. The street kitchen is open all day Mondays through to Sundays, and the dining room is open Thursdays through to Saturdays.
📍 You’ll find Roti Chai at 3 Portman Mews, London, W1H 6AY.
🚇 Nearest stations are Marble Arch and Bond Street.
7. Chotto Matte
If you’re looking for some top-notch sushi, halal fine dining and beautifully-presented plates, then this Japanese-Peruvian fusion joint will hit the spot. Offering a variety of set menus and an extensive menu designed for you to pick multiple sharing dishes, Chotto Matte is ideal for a well-deserved meal after a long day hitting the shops in nearby Oxford Street.
The sashimi and king oyster mushroom tostadas are both well worth a try, as is the black cod ‘Aji Miso’ and the melt-in-your-mouth ‘Wagyu Beef Gyoza’. The owner of this great little spot has confirmed that all the meat served here is halal – but check before you order.
📍 You’ll find Chotto Matte at 11–13 Frith Street, London, W1D 4RB.
🚇 Nearest station is Tottenham Court Road.
8. Arabica
Arabica was born out of ‘a passion for the food of the Levant – the sun-drenched lands of the Eastern Mediterranean’. All the meat served here is grass-fed and halal-prepared, and their fish all comes from sustainable stock. Plus, all the ingredients are locally and seasonally-sourced, and some of their more exotic ingredients come from a handful of specialist artisans all across the Levant region.
Now onto the food. An smorgasbord of tasty meze goes hand in hand with kofte and shish kebabs, and the ‘Spring Freekeh’ – a smoked green wheat risotto with broad beans, asparagus, lemon, dill and toasted almonds – is well worth a try. Finish up with a vegan baklava and you’re onto a real winner of a meal here.
📍 You’ll find Arabica at various locations across London. You can find out more here.
9. Gymkhana
Arguably one of London’s best Indian restaurants, this Michelin-starred spot is inspired by the elite clubs and high society playgrounds of India; it looks absolutely stunning and rustles up some incredible food to boot too.
There’s everything at Gymkhana from succulent butter chicken masala to tandoori broccoli with chilli and green mango raita – best mopped up with a range of delicious sides. Though not everything whipped up here is halal food, there are a few options on the menu, so make sure you have a gander and see what takes your fancy!
📍 You’ll find Gymkhana at 42 Albemarle Street, London, W1S 4JH.
🚇 Nearest station is Green Park.
10. Berenjak
Famous for their bottomless kebab feasts, Soho stalwarts Berenjak are modelled on the hole-in-the-wall eateries of Iran’s capital Tehran, and chef Kian Samyani takes great effort to reinterpret signature Persian fare using seasonal British produce.
All the lamb and chicken used here is halal-prepared, and they’ve just recently opened another branch south of the river in Borough Market. Did we also mention that they’re one of Dua Lipa’s favourite London restaurants?
📍 You’ll find Berenjak at 27 Romilly Street, London, W1D 5AL and at 1 Bedale Street, London, SE1 9AL.
🚇 Nearest stations are Tottenham Court Road and London Bridge.
11. Wing Wing
Inspired by Korea’s chicken-and-beer ‘chimaek’ joints, Wing Wing is all about, in their words, ‘Asian soul food’. It’s a bright and colourful spot with a strong Korean karaoke-styled theme, and they are halal-certified, so all the meat here all adheres to Islamic law. A halal Korean barbecue? sign us up!
Speaking of the food, all those that love fried chicken are in for a real treat here. They double-fry their top-quality, fried chicken wings, drumsticks and boneless strips, meaning that they are as crispy on the outside as they are juicy on the inside. Add in seaweed-infused fries, kimchi coleslaw and battered green beans and you’re onto a winner here.
📍 You’ll find Wing Wing at three locations across London. You can find out more here.
12. Guanabana Restaurant
Rounding off this list of the best halal restaurants in London is Guanabana Restaurant, a friendly spot offering cuisine from all over Latin America and the Caribbean – from Jamaica, Colombia, and Mexico and everywhere in-between.
All the food whipped up here is 100% halal, and they do some great jerk, nachos and oxtail butter bean stew. There are group set menus here too, and did we happen to mention that it is a BYOB restaurant? There’s no corkage fee on Mondays, and we for one can get on board with that.
📍 You’ll find Guanabana Restaurant at 85 Kentish Town Road, London, NW1 8NY.
🚇 Nearest station is Camden Town.
13. Standard Balti House
If you’re looking for a halal spot in Brick lane, Bangladeshi Indian restaurant Standard Balti House is the place to go. Offering curries and great value since 1989, you’re able to try classics like tandoori chicken, murgh achari and lamb shank.
📍 You’ll find Standard Balti House at 71 Brick Ln, London E1 6QL.
14. Pizza Pilgrims
Yes this is a chain. But Pizza Pilgrims never fails you when you’re on the hunt for delicious pizza in London. With various locations across the city including Carnaby Street, Finsbury Park, Selfridges, Hyde Park, Liverpool Street, London Bridge, Soho, Camden Town and more – they have plenty of halal options on the menu to satisfy your pizza craving.
📍Various locations across London.
15. Dishoom
We spill a lot of ink over Dishoom here at Secret London, and whilst some could call that excessive, it’s most certainly worth it. Aside of being praised for excellent service and mouth-watering Indian dishes inspired by Parsi cafes in Mumbai – all their greatest hits including the house black daal and chicken ruby are halal.
📍 Various locations across London.
So there we have it – a rundown of the best halal restaurants in London. Get ready to loosen your waistband and tuck into some tasty food as you make your way around town exploring them!