If you ask any New Yorker about their favorite halal spot, they will point you to their local late-night street cart serving gyros and lamb over rice. But believe it or not, any food can be made halal with special preparations and exclusions of pork or alcohol, like Thai food, skirt steak, or even crab rangoons. When a cart just won't do it, and you want to sit and enjoy, these are the best halal restaurants in NYC.
See Also: The 8 Best Food Trucks In NYC, From Terrific Tacos To Gooey Grilled Cheese
View this post on Instagram
Multiple locations / Website
Bite in the best steak of your life at the first entirely halal steakhouse in the North-East. Since 2008, Affy’s has been offering exquisite flavors that feature local tastes with global sophistication guaranteed to go above and beyond the ordinary. The interior combines modern sleekness with a playful vibe, creating the perfect ambiance for any occasion. Their menu includes dishes with subtle Cajun flavors like chili nachos and BBQ beef back ribs, and a unique mocktail selection with twists on all the classic and contemporary drinks, alcohol-free.
View this post on Instagram
7316 3rd Ave, Brooklyn / 929.308.1820 / Website
Authentic Uzbek cuisine can be hard to find in the city, but luckily, Shohsaroy is here to help bring a taste of international food to Brooklyn. The place is decorated with beautiful Uzbekistan art pieces that perfectly complement the intimate but classy ambiance. Their menu features several dishes featuring chicken, lamb, or beef kebabs, or try their popular Olivia salad made with beef, egg, green sweet peas, mayo, carrot and potatoes. Be sure to bring an empty stomach and plenty of to-go bags because these family-sized portions will have you set for the week.
View this post on Instagram
Multiple locations / Website
“Za’atar” describes a blend of different spices and herbs, and this Lebanese-Middle Eastern halal restaurant does not fall short on flavor. Home to the original tableside shawarma, this dining destination brings family recipes highlighting some of the best Lebanese and Middle Eastern cuisines. Chef Tarik Fallous focuses on using fresh and seasonal ingredients that go great with their offerings of Lebanese wine at their intimate bar. With an extensive menu for all dietary restrictions, stop by for brunch, lunch, or dinner to taste the culinary blend of flavors stated right in their name.
View this post on Instagram
55 Carmine St / 646.609.2272 / Website
When you think of halal food, I can guarantee you automatically do not think of pad thai or crab rangoons. At Top Thai Vintage, they believe that cuisine is adaptable, innovative and dynamic as their menu blends different tastes creating a “homemade cooking style.” Rooted in imagination and experimentation, they are known as one of the first Thai food spots to combine “halal” style and flavors into each dish, like the shrimp clay pot, which is sauteed shrimp and glass vermicelli steamed in a clay pot with black pepper, ginger, celery and napa. Along with their weekend bottomless drinks and authentic cooking, there is no doubt as to why this place is highly-raved in the city.
View this post on Instagram
928 2nd Ave / 212.583.1900 / Website
Since 2004, SipSak has been serving savory spins of Turkish cuisine accompanied by their splendid staff service, leaving customers fully satisfied. Their staff can offer suggestions and wine pairings best suited for any meal as the restaurant transports you to the Mediterranean without ever leaving New York. Besides the showstopping lamb kebabs, the menu offers different hot or cold appetizers like grape leaves or fried calf’s liver. As for desserts, you will want to save room for these sweets, like samolina with ice cream or the iconic baklava, which you'll be craving for weeks to come.
View this post on Instagram
65 St Marks Pl / 646.398.7722 / Website
From the masterminds behind the beloved Jiang’s Diner, this restaurant serves northwestern Chinese cuisine from the Xinjiang region that is “halal-friendly,” proudly stated on their awning. They strive to diversify the classic Chinese food scene by fusing different spices in some of their favorite dishes like the cumin-sauteed beef served in a cast-iron skillet. Plus, friendly and attentive service with an inviting atmosphere is always helpful when deciding on which delicious entree you want to try. Whether you are craving that classic general tso chicken or looking to be bold and taste the braised oxtail, Jiang’s Kitchen is the perfect place for your party.
Start from the beginning and give “halal” these innovative and inclusive restaurants a try that will provide your taste buds with new and unique international flavors.
Photography by: Jordan Lye / Getty Images
