Thirty years ago, very few non-Muslim diners would even know the term “halal” much less have come across it in their dining ventures. Now, it’s quite common to see the word on Houston restaurant menus. Halal means “lawful” or “permitted” in Arabic, and dictates not only dietary restrictions and requirements, but also life practices for Muslims. In regards to food, halal covers the way livestock are slaughtered, what animals may be consumed, and what chemicals or additives can be used. While the Muslim faith dictates what is “halal” or what is “haram” (not allowed), many non-Muslims are adapting these standards due to concerns about animal welfare and harmful ingredients.
While most commonly seen at Middle Eastern and South Asian restaurants, more and more places are beginning to offer halal-certified products in an effort to broaden their inclusivity. Here is a list of restaurants across the city that abide by halal practices while delivering delicious dishes reflecting a variety of cuisines.
The Butcher’s Grille
This relaxed, yet refined Mediterranean restaurant began as a small butcher shop in Dearborn, Michigan, before opening its doors this summer in the Galleria area. A giant gold cleaver adorns the walls of the dining room, and guests pack in for a playful menu of starters like chicken shawarma egg rolls and dynamite shrimp, plus Lebanese mezze like baba ghanouj, pesto hummus, and vegetarian grape leaves. Entrees include grilled chicken and beef skewers, ribeye steaks, and grilled salmon. This restaurant is alcohol-free, but guests can pair their meal with a mocktail like the golden hour mojito or the Lebanese-inspired rosa spritz. 5740 San Felipe, Houston, thebutchersgrille.com
Pok Pok Po Chicken
From the Kahani Social Group (Amrina, Kitchen Rumors), Pok Pok Po Chicken is a casual fried chicken concept in Midtown, led by the group’s executive chef Jassi Bindra, a Food Network Chopped champ. The restaurant offers halal options, including certified chicken thigh meat that is fried in peanut oil for dishes like the fried chicken sandwich and chicken strips. The chicken breast items, however, are not halal. 3201 Louisiana St., Houston, pokpokpo.com
Levant BBQ
When people think of barbecue, the Eastern Mediterranean may not immediately come to mind. But, deep in the heart of Houston sits a smoking hot restaurant serving locals its version of ‘cue, which is fully halal. Meats like brisket, turkey breast, lamb chops, and chicken are available by the pound, and there are also sandwiches and mixed plates. Some of the sides are standard pot luck fare like coleslaw and potato salad, but there are out-of-the-box options like quinoa cowboy caviar and fasolia, a green bean stew. It may be the only barbecue joint in Texas that has baklava on the menu. 5884 Westheimer Rd., Houston, levantbarbecue.com
Karahi Boys
Founded in Canada, this Pakistani restaurant landed in Sugar Land in the summer of 2023. The meat is 100% halal, and there is an extensive menu of vegetarian dishes. A selection of karahi pots include KBoys chicken karahi, a traditional Lahori-style dish with tomato and yogurt; plus chitti chicken karahi, a Kashmiri-style alternative. Mocktails like the berry pina colada and mango lassi serve as refreshing accompaniments, while Kboys falooda and gulab jaman are sweet treats to round out a meal. 16535 Lexington Blvd., Sugar Land, karahiboys.com/sugar-land
Bōl Kitchen
Adjacent to Pok Pok Po, this halal-certified, fast-zabiha halal eatery, also from the Kahani Social Group, allows guests to customize their bowls, wraps, or salads with a variety of proteins, vegetables, and grains. Diners can choose from chicken, lamb keema, beef, paneer, tawa veggies, and cumin potatoes, plus toppings like bol masala yogurt and roasted corn. 3201 Louisiana St., Houston, bolhouston.com
Sami’s Gyro House
For a true taste of a New York gyro, Sami’s is the place to go. The proteins are halal-certified, including the chicken shawarma, beek kabab, and lamb chops. If you’re dining in a group, spring for a family platter, which is large enough for four, showcasing options like beef, chicken, or falafel over rice. There are also burgers on offer, and the Zinger is highly recommended. Look forward to a new outpost opening in Katy in the future. Multiple locations, samisgyrohousetx.com
Aga’s Restaurant & Catering
Aga’s is among the top Indo-Pak restaurants in the greater Houston area, and its meats are 100% zabiha halal. Traditional spices are used in grilled plates such as beef bihari boti and grilled goat chops, which arrive sizzling to the table. Though the white and bright dining room is large with multiple seating areas, the wait time for a table can get long, especially during Ramadan. Don’t miss out on homemade desserts like gulab jamun and mango mousse. 11842 Wilcrest Dr., Houston, agasrestaurant.com
Kasra Persian Grill
Owner and chef Morty Pasra opened the first Kasra in Houston in 1999, and the brand has grown to three locations across the greater Houston area. The Persian menu features starters like lentil soup and kashke bademjan, a warm eggplant dip. In addition to several stews like gheymeh, made with yellow split peas, there are beef, chicken, and seafood kabobs. If you’re unfamiliar with Persian cuisine, try the appetizer sampler for some variety and some freshly-baked taftoon bread. You won’t be sorry. Multiple locations, kasrarestaurants.com
Musaafer
This fine dining Indian restaurant with a Michelin Star wows from entrance to exit with its jaw-dropping interiors and equally striking plates. Chef Mayank Istwal takes guests on a culinary journey of the 29 states of India with ancient traditions and carefully-sourced spices and ingredients. The butter chicken is considered an experience here, and the tasting menu is the ultimate in culinary discovery. Mithu’s coriander shrimp and the beef vindaloo are indulgent, befitting the restaurant’s glamorous decor. While the majority of the dishes are halal, there are a tiny few that are not. Husband-and-wife owners Shammi and Mithu Malik recently debuted a second location in New York City’s Tribeca. 5115 Westheimer Rd. Ste C-3500, Houston, musaaferhouston.com
Mala Sichuan – Sugar Land
Sugar Land has seen a boom in population in the last decade, and its Muslim demographic has increased dramatically. Many restaurants in the suburb are taking note by offering more halal options. Mala Sichuan began offering a Sunday halal pop-up at its Sugar Land location that has become so popular that a permanent halal menu is offered Friday through Monday. Guests can enjoy spicy, crispy chicken and kung pao chicken, plus aromatic spicy lamb ribs and dry pot beef. 3412 Hwy. 6, Sugar Land, malasichuan.com
Chuckwagon BBQ
This traditional, family-owned barbecue spot has halal meats, which are cooked and cut separately from any pork products. The halal meats include brisket, beef burgers, chicken, and hot links offered every day, while beef belly burnt ends are available on Fridays. The interior has a homey, rustic charm with giant picnic tables and wooden booths that mimic the style of old covered wagons. There’s a reasonably-priced kids menu, too. 4031 FM 1463, Ste.50, Katy, chuckwagonbbqburgers.com
Shakkar
Inside the POST food hall, Maham and Ali Quereshi are serving up buttery croissants and perfectly-laminated pastries at Shakkar, a croissanterie that is fully halal. Known for their viral giant croissants, the shop has a lot to offer, churning out rotating weekend specials, signature cube croissants and ‘cinny’ buns, and tarts in flavors like lemon and chocolate. Among the savory bites, there are sausage croissants and a tasty quiche Lorraine. Add a coffee drink or matcha latte and peruse the vibrant neon-lit market. 401 Franklin St., Houston, shakkar.co
Burger Bodega
This urban smashburger joint, known for its top notch burgers and chopped cheese, is 100 % zabihah halal. Guests also have the option to have their chopped sandwich made with Impossible beef. The milkshakes are a must, available in flavors like Vietnamese coffee, chocolate, and mango lassi. While the menu is small, owner Abbas Dhanani often collaborates with local chefs to create one-day-only burgers and sandwiches that often sell out. 4520 Washington Ave., Houston, burgerbodega.com
burger-chan
Willet Feng and Diane Wu Feng received national celebrity for their smashburger concept when they appeared on Good Morning America’s “United States of Burgers” competition in 2022. They were edged out by Houston’s own Trill Burgers, but there are locals who remain solidly in the burger-chan camp. The beef patties are halal, and guests can choose from 2-ounce or 5-ounce patties. Unlike Trill, the burgers are customizable. The ordering process involves a checklist that customers may fill out with their preferences. The restaurant does serve pork products, so it’s best to take extra caution and note halal on the order slip. 5353 W. Alabama St., Houston, burgerchan.com
ZOA Moroccan Kitchen
Owner Youseff Nafaa owns several ZOA concepts around Houston, but this fast casual eatery is close to his heart. Nafaa was raised in Morocco, and the menu at ZOA reflects his heritage. It’s healthy, nutritious, and the meats are all halal. Similar to Chipotle, guests can choose a base for their bowl like Moroccan pita, mixed greens, couscous, or saffron jasmine rice, then add proteins like beef tajine or lamb meshwi. There are loads of toppings, plus a variety of sauces such as red harissa or mint avocado yogurt. Multiple locations, Houston, zoamoroccan.com
Aladdin Mediterranean Cuisine
The meats at this Lebanese and Greek eatery, which has locations in Montrose and Garden Oaks, are halal-certified. The ordering is cafeteria-style and it can be overwhelming with all the delicious options from which to choose, but the various types of hummus, roasted cauliflower, and kebobs are a great place to start. The pita bread is legendary and comes fresh out of the oven. Multiple locations, aladdinshouston.com
