Finding halal food can be challenging, especially when traveling or in areas with few Muslim residents. This guide provides practical strategies for locating halal options anywhere.
Best Halal Food Apps
Zabihah
- Coverage: Global, strongest in USA
- Features: Restaurant reviews, user ratings
- Best for: North America
- Download: iOS and Android
HalalTrip
- Coverage: Worldwide
- Features: Restaurants, mosques, hotels
- Best for: International travel
- Download: iOS and Android
Crave Halal
- Coverage: Growing global database
- Features: Modern interface, filters
- Best for: Quick searches
- Download: iOS and Android
Muslim Pro
- Coverage: Global
- Features: Prayer times + halal places
- Best for: All-in-one Islamic app
- Download: iOS and Android
Happy Cow
- Coverage: Worldwide
- Features: Vegetarian/vegan options
- Best for: Plant-based alternatives
- Download: iOS and Android
Online Search Strategies
Google Maps
- Search “halal restaurants near me”
- Check reviews for halal mentions
- Look for certification photos
- Read recent reviews
Yelp
- Search “halal” in your area
- Filter by cuisine type
- Read reviews from Muslim diners
- Check photos for certificates
TripAdvisor
- Search destination + halal
- Read traveler reviews
- Look for “halal-friendly” tags
- Check forum discussions
Types of Restaurants to Look For
Always/Usually Halal
- Middle Eastern: Lebanese, Syrian, Turkish
- Pakistani/Indian: Most serve halal
- Malaysian/Indonesian: Typically halal
- Afghan: Usually halal
- Moroccan/North African: Usually halal
- Somali/Ethiopian: Often halal
Often Have Halal Options
- Mediterranean: Many halal locations
- Persian/Iranian: Usually halal meat
- Bangladeshi: Almost always halal
- Arab restaurants: Halal by default
Check Carefully
- Chinese: Some halal, many not
- Thai: Some halal options
- Japanese: Limited halal
- Western chains: Varies by location
When No Halal Restaurant Available
Seafood Solution
Fish doesn’t require halal slaughter:
- Fish and chips shops
- Sushi restaurants (check rice)
- Seafood restaurants
- Mediterranean fish dishes
Vegetarian Options
No meat concerns:
- Vegetarian restaurants
- Salad bars
- Pizza (cheese only)
- Pasta with vegetable sauce
Safe Fast Food Options
- Filet-O-Fish at McDonald’s
- Veggie subs at Subway
- Cheese pizza
- French fries (verify cooking oil)
- Bean burritos (verify no lard)
Finding Halal in Grocery Stores
Look For
- Halal section (many supermarkets have one)
- Ethnic food aisles
- Middle Eastern grocery stores
- Pakistani/Indian stores
- Halal butchers
Labels to Check
- Halal certification logos
- “Suitable for Muslims”
- Vegetarian (as alternative)
- Ingredient lists
Common Halal Grocery Items
- Fresh produce
- Dairy products
- Bread and grains
- Canned vegetables
- Frozen vegetables
- Halal-certified meats
Finding Halal While Traveling
Before Your Trip
- Research halal options at destination
- Download halal apps
- Find halal restaurants near your hotel
- Locate nearest halal grocery store
- Join local Muslim Facebook groups
At Hotels
- Request halal meal options
- Ask concierge for recommendations
- Check if breakfast has halal items
- Find hotels near halal areas
At Airports
- Many airports have halal options
- Middle Eastern restaurants common
- Seafood usually available
- Pack halal snacks just in case
Cruise Ships
- Request halal meals in advance
- Many cruise lines accommodate
- Seafood often available
- Vegetarian options backup
Strategies by Location Type
Muslim-Majority Countries
- Easy: Almost everything halal
- Still check: International chains
- Enjoy: Local cuisine
Western Countries with Large Muslim Population
- UK, France, Germany: Good halal options
- Use apps: To find certified places
- Ethnic areas: Best concentrations
Countries with Few Muslims
- Focus on: Seafood, vegetarian
- Middle Eastern restaurants: If available
- Self-catering: Cook your own
- Contact local mosque: For recommendations
Verifying Halal Status
Questions to Ask
- “Is your meat halal certified?”
- “Which certification body?”
- “Can I see your halal certificate?”
- “Is the kitchen halal-only?”
- “Do you serve alcohol?” (for reassurance)
Red Flags
- Can’t answer certification questions
- No visible certificate
- Also serves pork
- Hesitant or vague answers
Good Signs
- Certificate prominently displayed
- Staff knowledgeable about halal
- Muslim ownership/staff
- Reviews confirm halal status
Emergency Solutions
When you can’t find anything:
- Fast temporarily: Until you find options
- Fruit and nuts: Available everywhere
- Bread and cheese: Usually safe
- Eggs: If cooked fresh
- Packaged snacks: Check ingredients
- Gas station: Sometimes has halal snacks
Building Your Halal Network
Local Resources
- Join local Muslim community groups
- Connect on WhatsApp/Telegram groups
- Follow local halal food Instagram accounts
- Ask at mosques for recommendations
Online Communities
- r/halal on Reddit
- Facebook halal food groups
- Muslim travel blogs
- YouTube halal food channels
Practical Tips
- Plan ahead: Research before you’re hungry
- Save favorites: Bookmark halal spots in apps
- Ask locals: Muslim community knows best
- Be flexible: Have backup options ready
- Pack snacks: For emergencies
- Learn phrases: “Is this halal?” in local language
- Trust but verify: Even “halal” claims need checking
- Share findings: Help others by leaving reviews