London's best halal restaurants

A fusion of Filipino and Japanese cuisine, Ramo Ramen is the ultimate spot for a fix of steaming noodles. A small, intimate restaurant known for its innovative dishes, Ramo Ramen’s menu is eclectic and immensely flavourful, bringing creative culinary ideas into a dynamic menu. Their comforting meals (and great staff-curated playlists) will instantly make you plan your next visit. Whether ordering their classic chicken sopas ramen, the katsu curry ramen, the lamb chashu broth, or going for the rotating chef specials, you’re in for a meal that looks like it belongs in the Studio Ghibli universe. Truly great stuff. 

Time Out tip Order pandesal garlic bread and miso-baked shrimp dumplings (which arrive simmering in a thick, rich bechamel sauce) to make the creamiest, crunchy garlic bread and cheese dipping combo.

Etles is the pefect place to try out deliciously authentic food from China’s Xinjiang province, home to the Uyghur Muslim population. Etles is run by husband and wife Ablikim Rahman and Mukaddes Yadikar, who have created a delightfully friendly environment that makes their generous meals feel like you’re feasting at your very own dinner table. This halal staple has plenty of must-tries, from succulent lamb skewers to souped-up portions of soft meat and thick hand-pulled noodles in their stir-fried laghman or their juicy, huge chicken dishes. 

Time Out tip If you’re looking for something sweet, honey cake is your go-to dessert.

Inspired by high-status Indian food culture, this double Michelin-starred Mayfair spot offers lavishly presented food and a glossy interior style. Our favourite dishes include their moreish tandoori broccoli starter and chicken biryani main as well as tender kebabs, chops and succulent tikkas. Do get stuck into their spiced, warming selection of sabzi (aka vegetarian dishes) including a pillowy chickpea curry and daal so good it reminds me of my mum’s home cooking - the highest of compliments. It’s not cheap though, so save this one for a special occasion.

Time Out tip Pair your starters with a glass of immensely refreshing nimbu pani lemonade.

A fully alcohol-free location, the Great Chase has put in the work to be a real go-to destination of the halal restaurant scene. Now settled in a swanky location in Islington Square with a specially designed prayer room, the restaurant blends accessible dishes with thoughtful touches, proving they’re a worthy fine-dining location. They swap run-of-the-mill menu ideas for elevated dishes, with stakes a popular choice, from 30 day dry-aged rib-eye to sirloin. However, if you want to zhuzh things up, we suggest their beef wellington – a nice-sized portion served with roasted vine tomatoes, beef dripping mash and beef demi-glace. 

Time Out tip Their ‘dry’ bar offers no-booze drink pairings. 

Gilgamesh blends Japanese, Chinese and South Asian flavours and influences and turns out an eclectic mix of mezze, small plates and punchy flavours. Try robata, where skewered ingredients are grilled over a hot fire, as well as freshly prepared sushi and sashimi. Gilgamesh might sound like it has a lot on its plate, but it gets its flavours and textures spot on. We recommend the crispy spring rolls – and remember to request a side of the chilli oil — it’s simple but a delightful, crunchy combo with the right kick of additional spice for that killer bite.  

Time Out tip Order the ribeye bulgogi on a bed of creamy wasabi chive mash. It’s a perfect mix of hearty and acidic, with a subtle heat.

Plonked on a corner of Brick Lane and painted an eye-catching shade of tangerine, Babel Grill House is hard to miss. This cosy Lebanese restaurant is a vibrant haven decorated with ornate lighting, Middle-Eastern-inspired cushions and colourful prints. Get stuck into fiery yet refreshing spicy Lebanese salads, or charcoal-grilled mains of lamb and chicken. We also love their delicious deep-fried pastries - we suggest the sambousek lamb. 

Time Out tip Order the hummus – and make sure to double up, as everyone will want to nab a bite.

Be prepared to wait in line to secure a table at this Muslim cafe favourite. Brunch and burgers are a big hit here and they also do a great line in delightful pastries as well as one of the best halal English breakfasts I’ve had in forever. If you’re looking for a space to do a touch of remote working, it’s a great spot to stack up on pancakes and churn out some deadlines at the same time. 

Time Out tip Grounded doesn’t take reservations so get there early if you want to skip the queue.

Hamza Harrak’s family-friendly restaurant has been delivering passionate service and affordable meals at this halal steakhouse since 2016. A former food presenter on the Islam Channel, he knows a thing or two about whipping up halal dishes and the well-priced meals here include house-favourite selections of juicy steaks and grills. Pair these tender portions of meat with starters which range from bone marrow mashed potato to garlic-infused green beans. 

Time Out tip The strawberry mocktail is delicious.

Berenjak is known for its delicious meze. With two locations (Soho and Borough), their website states they sell halal meat but do flag your dietary requirements to staff to ensure you’re directed to dishes best suited to you. If you’re not looking for meat, their Iranian-style menu offers hearty aubergine stew with split yellow peas and there are plenty of flavour-loaded sides. We can vouch for the gently fried sibzamini (Persian-style potato patties) alongside their small seasoned salads and crispy, saffron-infused rice. 

Time Out tip The sugary and syrupy baklava sundae is a real showstopper.

This small, family-run Malaysian restaurant is a delightfully simple spot tucked away in the heart of Queensway Market. It’s a straightforward kind of place with a minimalist, canteen-style look but unforgettable food. Always busy, Normah’s serves crowds of hardcore fans steaming bowls of laksa (with meat, fish and vegan variations available), as well as their roti with daal and slow-cooked beef rendang.

Time Out tip If you opt for a curry, make sure to order their wonderfully flaky roti to scoop it up with.

The Mantl is renowned for authentic Turkish dishes whipped up with elegant flair. Good service and brilliant halal food will have you flocking to this Knightsbridge restaurant. Their dry-aged stakes, hot charcoal meat skewers and sides will set you back a couple of quid though, so we’d save it for when you’re feeling flush. The mixed meze, a combination platter of hummus, cacik, tabbouleh, cranberry kisir, smoked eggplant, carrots and zaatar bread, is a must-order.

Time Out tip The ‘Free Star’ cocktail – a tangy mix of mango and pineapple juice, passion fruit, vanilla syrup, and fresh lime juice – will complement any range of spices.

If you’ve ever wondered what a posh kebab would taste like, Le Bab has the mouthwatering answer. Le Bab’s buzzing restaurants (Soho, Covent Garden, Battersea, Spitalfields, Canary Wharf, Oxford Circus) are great for everything from a quick bite to a big birthday bash. It’s worth noting that this chain does serve alcohol, but their chicken and lamb kebabs are halal. We recommend pairing your kebab with their ‘famous’ hummus topped with peanut curry pesto. Their ‘legendary’ paneer kebab more than lives up to the name, topped with beetroot, coconut puree, sweet pickles, cucumber, celery salsa, and curry mayo. Meat eaters should opt for the mixed grill or lamb adana; a charcoal grilled free-range kebab glazed in lamb jus with herb labneh, sweet pickles, punchy green chilli salsa, cassava chips and super-refreshing coriander and mint sauce. 

Time Out tip For every vegan kebab sold, Le Bab plants a tree.

Souk lives up to its Arabian marketplace of a name, generously decorated with glowing lamps, tiled tables and rustic ceiling drapes. Their north African-inspired menu caters to most diets and if you’re a vegetarian diner there’s a special tagine with prunes, apricots, raisins with honey, saffron and onion. We’d also recommend the warming harissa soup and their lovely mutabel; a rich smoked aubergine yoghurt and tahini starter. Both pair nicely with veggie saffron rice. For meat eaters, their house tagine stands out. Whether you opt for either beef or chicken, you’re guaranteed addictively balanced flavours, spices and just the right hit of acidity. 

Time Out tip For a proper Moroccan feel, finish off your meal with refreshing mint tea and baklava.

Nova is all about extravagance. A souped-up blend of cuisine and entertainment, this Park Royal spot is all about serious sensory overload. There’s nothing casual about the menu either, which boasts the same level of decadence. There are ‘24-carat gold dishes’ such as wagyu beef and tomahawk for £200 a piece, but it isn’t all full-throttle excess, with a more reasonably priced range of dishes such as deep-fried veal and rainbow crab rolls, topped with salmon, tuna, avocado and spicy mayo. If meat isn’t your thing, they offer a chicken or a veggie (grilled aubergine, halloumi and hummus) burger served with sweet potato fries. 

Time Out tip The restaurant has a minimum spend of £50 per person from Friday to Sunday, as well as a £60 minimum on Saturdays in their shisha lounge.

Located in the middle of Chinatown, this cosy halal Malaysian restaurant is inspired by east Asian hawker markets. Tables are packed closely across two floors and dishes are quickly whipped out and cleared away. There’s not a time when this place isn’t buzzing with students, tourists and regulars, and that’s all down to the food, which is straightforward and reliably great. Order my favourite, a roti canai chicken curry which arrives simmering in a deep bowl. Make sure to order an extra roti, trust me, you’ll want to mop up everything. If curry isn’t your style, there are plenty of noodles, stir fry, BBQs and seafood dishes too. 

Time Out tip Get some small plate dishes to dip into your leftover curry sauce, such as crispy spring rolls. If you’re finding things a bit too spicy, roti canai comes with a serving of coconut curry that will help mellow things out.

An Indian restaurant favourite brimming with culinary creativity, Mumbai 7 also gets the classics right. There’s flavoursome and crunchy gol-gappa, creamy paneer with skewered veg or a showy ‘Bollywood’ biryani, an aamchi Mumbai-style lamb leg paired with pillowy saffron rice. But, the standout has to be the ulta samosa chaat; a delightful play on the traditional homemade street snack, it comes served in a flaky pastry cone with channa masala fillings and a sweet yoghurt foam on top. 

Time Out tip Make sure to give their selection of naans and parathas a try – we recommend the keema naan or aloo paratha. If you can’t choose, there’s a great bread basket combo; a mixture of butter naan, cheese naan, and a kolhapuri paratha.

If you ask us, Coqfighter makes perfect fried chicken burgers. I’ve been more times than I care to count and maintain my steadfast loyalty to the green chilli cheeseburger. A fully certified halal joint, Coqfighter has five sites across London, including the Soho flagship – but I suggest the King’s Cross branch if you’re keen on getting a seat quickly. Friendly, easy-going and affordable, Coqfighter also offers limited edition burgers and quirky monthly specials. If burgers aren’t your style, it’s still worth a visit - Coqfighter has levelled up their game and serves everything from sticky sesame seed-studded BBQ wings to deep-fried tenders and Thai-style roast chicken. 

Time Out tip Always go for the loaded fries with the sambal mayo. Always.

Nothing feels quite as nourishing as well-made Indonesian food. This mellow-toned restaurant offers a peaceful escape from the central London crowds, offering signature dishes of beef rendang slow-cooked in aromatic coconut, deep-fried veggie fritters and a spicy ikan arsik, a recipe of the chef's late mother – a delicately cooked piece of cod spiced with ginger and andaliman pepper. Toba is all about heartening spoonfuls of comforting and balanced cuisine that makes you feel at home.

Time Out tip We’ve all had satay skewers before, but Toba’s delightful bites of chicken are a must-try.

There’s a lot to rave about at Ishtar’s. From its detailed dishes to its commitment to atmosphere (yes, there’s belly dancing), Ishtar opened in 2004 and they’ve got sophisticated Mediterranean cuisine all figured out. Ishtar offers a fine dining experience for a reasonable price and its menu brims with Turkish staples such as juicy koftes, stuffed vine leaves and falafel, as well as grilled smoked aubergine, a salty prawn, mussels and scallop risotto and classic charcoal grills. 

Time Out tip Try the sweet, sugar-soaked knafeh for dessert.

Some call it a tourist trap, but from time to time a trip to the incense-laded Dishoom is just what you need. Well-priced, reliable and a good intro to Indian cuisine, their all-day menu is certified as halal, and there’s plenty of choice, from moreish chicken biryanis, and crunchy samosas to their famous black daal. Other classics include sheekh lamb kebabs packed with coriander and green chilli and their silky chicken ruby. If you’re a lover of cheese, crispy roomali roll is the perfect bite, filled with grilled onions, peppers and flavourful paneer. The kathi roll boasts a wonderfully flaky paratha and a thin layer of omelette and is stuffed with marinated chicken tikka, kachumber salad and sharp mint chutney. Yes, the queues are long, but Dishoom accepts bookings for six people or more after 6pm. 

Time Out tip My go-to Dishoom breakfast combo has long been a cup of steaming hot chai (which comes with unlimited refills), the Kejriwal aka fried eggs and chilli cheese on toast, and a side of masala beans