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17 Excellent Halal Restaurants in Austin

Where to find Muslim-approved halal food from barbecue to burgers to Indo-Chinese fare

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Halal food is getting more attention in Austin, especially as its Muslim population is growing. The word “halal” means “permissible” in Arabic, and, according to Islamic law, it includes a set of preparation requirements for food that Muslims can eat. For example, pork and alcohol are considered haram (not halal) in any form. Permissible animals for consumption have to be handled using specific guidelines for the meats to be considered halal. As a start, animals have to be healthy and treated well before slaughter, which usually means naturally raised and grass-fed. The method of slaughter is also considered the most humane way causing the least amount of suffering for the animal. A growing number of Austin-area restaurants and food trucks are opting to sell halal dishes to cater to the Islamic population.

Want to try halal local loved Texas barbeque at Alzer’s, fusion tacos at Urban Turban, or taste the bold flavors of Indonesian food at Yeni’s Fusion? Below is a list of some of the more quality spots for halal cuisine in Austin and its surrounding suburbs.

With updates by Nadia Chaudhury.

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Alzer's Barbeque

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Meat-loving locals and visitors in Austin are always craving real Texas barbecue, and the Cedar Park restaurant has it covered for halal seekers. Tender brisket, lamb sausage, beef ribs, and smoked chicken are just some of the highlights. Then there are really good sides like potato salad and barbecue beans. Keep in mind that the turkey and beef sausages aren’t halal certified, but there is at least absolutely no pork so customers do not need to worry about cross-contamination. Takeout orders can be placed online. There are indoor dine-in services.

Promise Pizza

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This is a classic all-American restaurant with food with pizza, calzones, wings, and more, that happens to be halal. It uses organic ingredients, makes the sauce fresh daily, and uses all halal toppings like turkey Canadian bacon, beef pepperoni, or gyro. While the pizza is a favorite, there is also a fantastic crispy chicken burger. Top it off with the falooda, a cold ice cream dessert drink with vermicelli and basil seeds. Pickup orders can be placed online, and there are Grubhub delivery orders. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

The Urban Turban

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The  Round Rock fusion trailer offers Mexican, Mediterranean, and American food with South Asian threads. The owners have fun with combinations like the Birria’s Cousin tacos made with slow-cooked beef and consomé for dipping purposes to tandoori chicken tacos with guacamole salsa. Pair dishes with the Thirsty Turban, an ice cream and soda concoction. Takeout orders can be placed over the phone. There are outdoor tables for on-site dining.

Bamboo Garden

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The Round Rock location of the restaurant chain really nails Indo-Chinese cuisine, with its food being some of the best in the area. Try the chicken Manchurian, Mongolian beef, garlic fried rice, or lamb sambal. This is a franchise that is known to many, but the Muslim owners in Austin have done a great job keeping the food good and halal. Takeout orders can be placed online. There are indoor dine-ins services.

Almarah Grill Mediterranean Cuisine

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The Anderson Mill restaurant is known for its Mediterranean cuisine and incredible grilled meats and bread bowls. The family-owned business prides itself on offering rich quality dishes stemming from Jerusalem. Try the mixed grill platter or one of the fukhara slow-cooked stews made in clay pots. There are also freshly made pizzas, with toppings such as barbecue chicken or the Works which is a combination meat lover’s dream. The restaurant is decorated with traditional multicolored hanging lamps and seating with pillows. Takeout and delivery orders can be placed online.

Sangam Chettinad Indian Cuisine

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The North Austin restaurant serves a South Indian menu with dosas, idiyappam (steamed rice noodles), uthappams (a type of dosa), and appams (a type of pancake) paired with delicious chutneys and curries. The vanjaram meen curry (king fish curry) feels like it’s straight from coastal South India, tangy with the perfect blend of Chettinad masala spices. The karaikudi nattu kozhi masala (country chicken) is another must-try specialty. The restaurant even utilizes robot waiters. Takeout orders can be placed online. There are indoor dine-in services.

Heaven's Bistro Bakery

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Escape to a cute little Parisian bakery that offers a full halal menu through the North Austin spot. Grab a pesto chicken frittata or a brisket croissant sandwich with a cafe au lait. The owner specializes in customizing all types of cake orders. There is also an outdoor patio set up in the back and is only open for breakfast and lunch every day. Don’t miss out on the daily specials either. Takeout orders can be placed online. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Zaviya Grill

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For great Pakistani cuisine, head to the North Austin restaurant, where the owners maintain high standards while always looking for ways to improve the menu. Try the goat biryani, beef nihari (slow-simmered beef), chapli kebabs, tandoori chicken, or karahi chicken (chicken in a tomato-butter-cream sauce). The weekend lunch buffet has a bunch of good deals that include halwa puri (a sweet pudding-like sweet made with semolina or carrots paired with potatoes, chickpeas, and puri). There is a nice, inviting indoor and outdoor space good for groups. Takeout and delivery orders can be placed online.

Masala Wok

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This casual fusion Indian-American-Chinese Texas restaurant chain with the North Austin location has it all. From chaat to tikka pizza, curries, kung pao chicken, fried rice, noodles, to chicken 65. The dishes are bold because the kitchen doesn’t hold back on the masala. Pickup orders can be placed online and there’s a Tech Ridge location too. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Peace Bakery and Deli

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This is a family-owned Middle Eastern restaurant/bakery that offers freshly made Palestinian dishes in North Austin. You can build your own platter with one of the many daily specials such as the batinjan mashi (eggplant stuffed with ground beef) and barbecue lamb shanks, or order from the regular menu. Maqluba rice (mixed with fried cauliflower, potatoes, eggplant, and chicken), bamya (tomato-okra-lamb stew), mansaf (lamb cooked in yogurt), and kabsa (roasted chicken with spicy rice) are just some of the specialties. There is also a wide selection of desserts made every day. Try the kanafeh (vermicelli pastry with cheese and topped with warm syrup) along with some Turkish coffee. There are indoor dine-in areas.

Al-Demashqi Mediterranean Cuisine

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This North Austin food truck offers Middle Eastern specialties. The grilled samoon (Iraqi bread) lamb and beef shawarma is one of the best in Austin. The tender fall-off-the-bone lamb shank is a really flavorful savory dish. Everything is freshly made and served with hospitality by the Syrian owners. There are now two locations with the original in Austin and the new one in Pflugerville. Takeout and delivery orders can be placed online.

El Asador Tacos & More

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Usta opened up this Mexican halal restaurant, full of tacos, burritos, and more with halal meats like barbacoa, chicken, and steaks. Takeout and delivery orders can be placed online. There are indoor dine-in areas.

Usta Kababgy

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For a sit-down restaurant offering great Middle Eastern barbecue in North Austin, Usta Kababgy is the answer. The recently relocated new space offers more formal seating than the original one. There are individual plates and family-style platters. The kebabs, especially the Adana and Iraqi ones, are so juicy and flavorful. Takeout and delivery orders can be placed online.

Vivel Crêpes & Coffee

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This French/Moroccan café is one of the best halal restaurants in the west Austin suburb of Lakeway with a sunny and relaxed vibe. Everything here is halal and the restaurant prides itself on its wide selection of crepes and coffee. There are also some fun breakfast dishes like the Sunrise Tajine with Moroccan meatballs and sunny side up eggs. The rest of the menu includes paninis, burgers, pasta, and more. For sweet tooths, the baklava cheesecake crepe is a must-try. Takeout orders can be placed online.

Yeni’s Fusion

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The Indonesian food truck in Brentwood is fantastic. Everything is made from scratch by chef Yeni Rosdiyani, who makes you feel like you’re a dinner guest in her own home. Savor the flavors of the rendang curry or the coconut cream soup made with Texas smoked brisket. Munch on some of the ground beef fried wontons while enjoying a drink at host site Aristocrat Lounge. Takeout orders can be placed online. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

Arpeggio Grill

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The Highland Mediterranean and Greek restaurant is a go-to with cozy traditional floor cushion seating. It offers a wide selection from shawarmas and kebabs to burgers and chicken wings. The pizza is also phenomenal, which can be as big as 30 inches for larger parties. Takeout and DoorDash delivery orders can be placed online. There are indoor dine-in services.

MezzeMe

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Located in the Triangle, this fast-casual Turkish kitchen is the perfect lunch spot offering many easy meals like wraps, salads, soups, rice bowls, and tons of other mezzes. Try the traditional iskender, which is sliced beef and lamb doner kebab and yogurt topped on a bed of warm homemade pita bread and tomato sauce. Takeout orders can be placed online. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

Alzer's Barbeque

Meat-loving locals and visitors in Austin are always craving real Texas barbecue, and the Cedar Park restaurant has it covered for halal seekers. Tender brisket, lamb sausage, beef ribs, and smoked chicken are just some of the highlights. Then there are really good sides like potato salad and barbecue beans. Keep in mind that the turkey and beef sausages aren’t halal certified, but there is at least absolutely no pork so customers do not need to worry about cross-contamination. Takeout orders can be placed online. There are indoor dine-in services.

Promise Pizza

This is a classic all-American restaurant with food with pizza, calzones, wings, and more, that happens to be halal. It uses organic ingredients, makes the sauce fresh daily, and uses all halal toppings like turkey Canadian bacon, beef pepperoni, or gyro. While the pizza is a favorite, there is also a fantastic crispy chicken burger. Top it off with the falooda, a cold ice cream dessert drink with vermicelli and basil seeds. Pickup orders can be placed online, and there are Grubhub delivery orders. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

The Urban Turban

The  Round Rock fusion trailer offers Mexican, Mediterranean, and American food with South Asian threads. The owners have fun with combinations like the Birria’s Cousin tacos made with slow-cooked beef and consomé for dipping purposes to tandoori chicken tacos with guacamole salsa. Pair dishes with the Thirsty Turban, an ice cream and soda concoction. Takeout orders can be placed over the phone. There are outdoor tables for on-site dining.

Bamboo Garden

The Round Rock location of the restaurant chain really nails Indo-Chinese cuisine, with its food being some of the best in the area. Try the chicken Manchurian, Mongolian beef, garlic fried rice, or lamb sambal. This is a franchise that is known to many, but the Muslim owners in Austin have done a great job keeping the food good and halal. Takeout orders can be placed online. There are indoor dine-ins services.

Almarah Grill Mediterranean Cuisine

The Anderson Mill restaurant is known for its Mediterranean cuisine and incredible grilled meats and bread bowls. The family-owned business prides itself on offering rich quality dishes stemming from Jerusalem. Try the mixed grill platter or one of the fukhara slow-cooked stews made in clay pots. There are also freshly made pizzas, with toppings such as barbecue chicken or the Works which is a combination meat lover’s dream. The restaurant is decorated with traditional multicolored hanging lamps and seating with pillows. Takeout and delivery orders can be placed online.

Sangam Chettinad Indian Cuisine

The North Austin restaurant serves a South Indian menu with dosas, idiyappam (steamed rice noodles), uthappams (a type of dosa), and appams (a type of pancake) paired with delicious chutneys and curries. The vanjaram meen curry (king fish curry) feels like it’s straight from coastal South India, tangy with the perfect blend of Chettinad masala spices. The karaikudi nattu kozhi masala (country chicken) is another must-try specialty. The restaurant even utilizes robot waiters. Takeout orders can be placed online. There are indoor dine-in services.

Heaven's Bistro Bakery

Escape to a cute little Parisian bakery that offers a full halal menu through the North Austin spot. Grab a pesto chicken frittata or a brisket croissant sandwich with a cafe au lait. The owner specializes in customizing all types of cake orders. There is also an outdoor patio set up in the back and is only open for breakfast and lunch every day. Don’t miss out on the daily specials either. Takeout orders can be placed online. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Zaviya Grill

For great Pakistani cuisine, head to the North Austin restaurant, where the owners maintain high standards while always looking for ways to improve the menu. Try the goat biryani, beef nihari (slow-simmered beef), chapli kebabs, tandoori chicken, or karahi chicken (chicken in a tomato-butter-cream sauce). The weekend lunch buffet has a bunch of good deals that include halwa puri (a sweet pudding-like sweet made with semolina or carrots paired with potatoes, chickpeas, and puri). There is a nice, inviting indoor and outdoor space good for groups. Takeout and delivery orders can be placed online.

Masala Wok

This casual fusion Indian-American-Chinese Texas restaurant chain with the North Austin location has it all. From chaat to tikka pizza, curries, kung pao chicken, fried rice, noodles, to chicken 65. The dishes are bold because the kitchen doesn’t hold back on the masala. Pickup orders can be placed online and there’s a Tech Ridge location too. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in services.

Peace Bakery and Deli

This is a family-owned Middle Eastern restaurant/bakery that offers freshly made Palestinian dishes in North Austin. You can build your own platter with one of the many daily specials such as the batinjan mashi (eggplant stuffed with ground beef) and barbecue lamb shanks, or order from the regular menu. Maqluba rice (mixed with fried cauliflower, potatoes, eggplant, and chicken), bamya (tomato-okra-lamb stew), mansaf (lamb cooked in yogurt), and kabsa (roasted chicken with spicy rice) are just some of the specialties. There is also a wide selection of desserts made every day. Try the kanafeh (vermicelli pastry with cheese and topped with warm syrup) along with some Turkish coffee. There are indoor dine-in areas.

Al-Demashqi Mediterranean Cuisine

This North Austin food truck offers Middle Eastern specialties. The grilled samoon (Iraqi bread) lamb and beef shawarma is one of the best in Austin. The tender fall-off-the-bone lamb shank is a really flavorful savory dish. Everything is freshly made and served with hospitality by the Syrian owners. There are now two locations with the original in Austin and the new one in Pflugerville. Takeout and delivery orders can be placed online.

El Asador Tacos & More

Usta opened up this Mexican halal restaurant, full of tacos, burritos, and more with halal meats like barbacoa, chicken, and steaks. Takeout and delivery orders can be placed online. There are indoor dine-in areas.

Usta Kababgy

For a sit-down restaurant offering great Middle Eastern barbecue in North Austin, Usta Kababgy is the answer. The recently relocated new space offers more formal seating than the original one. There are individual plates and family-style platters. The kebabs, especially the Adana and Iraqi ones, are so juicy and flavorful. Takeout and delivery orders can be placed online.

Vivel Crêpes & Coffee

This French/Moroccan café is one of the best halal restaurants in the west Austin suburb of Lakeway with a sunny and relaxed vibe. Everything here is halal and the restaurant prides itself on its wide selection of crepes and coffee. There are also some fun breakfast dishes like the Sunrise Tajine with Moroccan meatballs and sunny side up eggs. The rest of the menu includes paninis, burgers, pasta, and more. For sweet tooths, the baklava cheesecake crepe is a must-try. Takeout orders can be placed online.

Yeni’s Fusion

The Indonesian food truck in Brentwood is fantastic. Everything is made from scratch by chef Yeni Rosdiyani, who makes you feel like you’re a dinner guest in her own home. Savor the flavors of the rendang curry or the coconut cream soup made with Texas smoked brisket. Munch on some of the ground beef fried wontons while enjoying a drink at host site Aristocrat Lounge. Takeout orders can be placed online. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

Related Maps

Arpeggio Grill

The Highland Mediterranean and Greek restaurant is a go-to with cozy traditional floor cushion seating. It offers a wide selection from shawarmas and kebabs to burgers and chicken wings. The pizza is also phenomenal, which can be as big as 30 inches for larger parties. Takeout and DoorDash delivery orders can be placed online. There are indoor dine-in services.

MezzeMe

Located in the Triangle, this fast-casual Turkish kitchen is the perfect lunch spot offering many easy meals like wraps, salads, soups, rice bowls, and tons of other mezzes. Try the traditional iskender, which is sliced beef and lamb doner kebab and yogurt topped on a bed of warm homemade pita bread and tomato sauce. Takeout orders can be placed online. There are indoor and outdoor dine-in areas.

Related Maps