Brussels, the capital of Belgium and the EU, offers excellent halal food options. With one of Europe’s highest Muslim populations, the city has a thriving halal scene dominated by North African and Turkish cuisine. For more guides, see our halal food hub.
Halal Food Overview in Brussels
Brussels provides excellent halal accessibility across multiple neighborhoods.
| Aspect | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Halal Restaurants | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 150+ options |
| Variety | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Excellent diversity |
| Moroccan Cuisine | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Outstanding |
| City Centre | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Good options |
| Overall | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Excellent city |
Best Areas for Halal Food
Molenbeek
Brussels’ main Muslim community area:
- Moroccan restaurants: Authentic tagine, couscous
- Turkish options: Kebabs, pide
- Halal butchers: Numerous shops
- Grocery stores: Full halal selection
- Best value: Lower than tourist areas
Schaerbeek
Diverse multicultural district:
- Turkish community: Strong presence
- Chaussée de Haecht: Restaurant strip
- Moroccan food: Many options
- Asian halal: Some options
- Local atmosphere: Less touristy
Matongé (Ixelles)
African quarter:
- Congolese cuisine: Halal options
- West African: Nigerian, Senegalese
- Unique flavors: Different from other areas
- Chaussée de Wavre: Main street
City Centre
Grand Place Area:
- Tourist-friendly halal
- Some kebab shops
- Middle Eastern restaurants
- Higher prices
Rue du Midi/South Station:
- More halal options
- Budget-friendly
- Mixed neighborhoods
Types of Halal Food Available
Moroccan Cuisine
Brussels’ halal specialty:
- Tagine: Slow-cooked stews
- Couscous: Traditional Friday dish
- Pastilla: Sweet and savory pie
- Harira: Moroccan soup
- Mint tea: Authentic preparation
Turkish Cuisine
Strong presence:
- Döner kebab: Everywhere
- Lahmacun: Turkish pizza
- Pide: Flatbread with toppings
- Köfte: Meatballs
- Turkish breakfast: Some cafes
Pakistani/South Asian
- Biryani: Popular option
- Curry dishes: Traditional
- Tikka/Kebabs: Grilled meats
- Naan bread: Fresh baked
African Cuisine
- Congolese: Matongé specialty
- West African: Jollof rice, suya
- North African: Beyond Moroccan
- Halal certified: Many options
Belgian Specialties (Halal versions)
- Moules-frites: Mussels naturally halal
- Waffles: Sweet treat (check toppings)
- Frites: Belgian fries (check frying oil)
- Chocolate: Most are halal
Popular Halal Restaurants
Molenbeek
| Restaurant | Cuisine | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Moroccan restaurants | North African | ££ |
| Turkish grills | Middle Eastern | £-££ |
| Pakistani options | South Asian | ££ |
Schaerbeek
| Restaurant | Cuisine | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Turkish restaurants | Middle Eastern | ££ |
| Moroccan cafes | North African | £ |
| Mixed halal | Various | £-££ |
City Centre
| Restaurant | Cuisine | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Eastern | Lebanese/Turkish | ££-£££ |
| Kebab shops | Turkish | £ |
| Moroccan | North African | ££ |
Halal Shopping
Halal Butchers
Molenbeek:
- Numerous halal butchers
- Fresh meat daily
- Moroccan and Turkish specialties
- Best prices
Schaerbeek:
- Multiple options
- Good quality
Supermarkets
- Colruyt/Carrefour: Some halal products
- Turkish supermarkets: Full halal range
- Moroccan shops: Specialty items
- African stores: Matongé area
Markets
Marché du Midi:
- Sunday market
- Halal meat stalls
- Fresh produce
- Great atmosphere
Brussels for Muslim Visitors
Tourist Attractions & Food
Grand Place:
- UNESCO site
- Restaurants around square
- Some halal options
- Walk to more in south
Atomium:
- Iconic monument
- Limited halal nearby
- Metro to other areas
Manneken Pis:
- Famous statue
- Waffle shops nearby (halal)
- Centre ville options
European Quarter:
- EU institutions
- Some lunch options
- More business-focused
Chocolate Shops:
- Belgian chocolate is halal
- Many options everywhere
- Great souvenirs
Public Transport
Brussels excellent metro/tram:
- Metro to Molenbeek: Comte de Flandre
- Schaerbeek: Tram lines
- Easy navigation: Small city
Prayer Facilities
Brussels has 80+ mosques:
- Grande Mosquée de Bruxelles: Cinquantenaire park
- Molenbeek mosques: Many options
- Schaerbeek mosques: Several
- Prayer rooms: Some shopping centres
Practical Tips
- Molenbeek for authentic: Best Moroccan food
- Schaerbeek Turkish: Excellent kebabs
- Grand Place tourist prices: Walk south for better
- Waffles safe: Most are halal
- Frites check oil: Some use beef fat
- Chocolate heaven: Generally all halal
- Friday couscous: Traditional in Moroccan restaurants
- Mint tea culture: Part of the experience
- Cash in ethnic areas: Some prefer cash
- French/Dutch: French more common in Brussels
Day Trips
Bruges (1 hour train)
- Beautiful medieval city
- Limited halal
- Pack food or eat in Brussels
Antwerp (45 minutes)
- Diamond district
- Some halal options
- Growing Muslim community
Amsterdam (2 hours)
- Excellent halal scene
- Worth the trip
- See our Amsterdam guide