London Halal Highlights: The Best Places to Eat Halal Dishes

Those looking for the best halal steak in London should go a step further and check out the delicious British-Afghan fusion BBQ of Cue Point, which at the time of writing has taken up residency in the Chiswick Pavilion, for a meat fix. Smoked brisket and fried chicken are the stars, but there are vegetarian and vegan options too.

Courtesy of Patty & Bun 

Patty & Bun make a fine burger, and what’s more, at their original James Street location and at nearby Kingly Street, the beef is halal, meaning theirs are some of the best halal burgers in London. Lamb and chicken are also halal across all their restaurants. The burgers are fully loaded – go for an ‘Ari Gold’ or a ‘Jose Jose’ chilli burger (minus the sobrassada relish) for an extra kick.

Courtesy of Bibi

A relative newbie to London’s dining scene, Bibi is a refined modern Indian restaurant utilising the finest British and Indian ingredients, which includes halal chicken from specialist farms in the north of England. Specialties include various chaat (the umbrella term for India’s favourite snacks) and grilled meat and fish. Chef Chet Sharma’s CV includes Mugaritz and The Ledbury, so expect a few surprises.

Courtesy of Darjeeling Express

Chef’s Table star Asma Khan relocated her one-time supper club-now-restaurant Darjeeling Express to a huge Grade II listed building in Covent Garden in late 2020. This means even more people can get to try her legendary dum biryani (they even offer a biryani tasting menu) and thali, produced by an all-female kitchen brigade. All meat is halal. 

Courtesy of Pizza Pilgrims

London’s popular Neapolitan pizza chain offers halal beef pepperoni as an extra topping or on its popular pepperoni and spicy honey pizza at all its branches. The pizza makers went on a 'pepperoni pilgrimage' to find the perfect product, they say, choosing from a dozen different halal alternatives. Expect soft dough and oozing cheese to complete the perfect halal pizza moment.

This unassuming and fully halal basement restaurant close to Euston station is something of a hidden gem. In fact, you could walk straight past it (aren’t some of the best places like that?). But those who’ve tried Roti King will tell you that it serves some of the finest Malaysian food in the city. The fresh roti canai – a kind of flaky flatbread – is outstanding.

This high-volume, high-energy Punjabi restaurant in Whitechapel draws crowds from all over London. Spread over two floors, it’s a miracle of organisation, and pure frantic work in the kitchen ensures dishes come out at a blistering pace. All meat is halal, and the delicious and iconic lamb chops arrive at the table sizzling hot.

Photo: John Carey

The ever-reliable Dishoom chain, inspired by the old Iranian cafes of Mumbai, is fully halal (though there is pork on the menu and alcohol is served) at all its branches in London and across the UK. It’s an all-day affair at Dishoom, with the breakfast perhaps as popular as anything else. Naan rolls, omelettes, porridges or a 'power breakfast' of spicy chicken keema will set you up for the day.