But with more than 3.9 million followers of the Islamic faith in the UK, the appetite for halal food is huge.
In London (where most British Muslims live) there is a growing trend of 100% halal eateries, where not only is the entire menu permissible, there is also no pork on offer (so no risk of cross contamination) and no alcohol served.
These establishments lean into their Islamic identity and even offer prayer spaces for worshippers, a playlist of nasheeds (permissible music), and decor featuring verses of the Qur’an.
And, it might surprise you to learn that many of these establishments in the capital are fine dining, perfect for Muslims (and others) looking for good halal food with impeccable vibes.
The best halal restaurants in London
Meet Bros, Paddington
This Malaysian-Western fusion steakhouse is a hidden gem in Paddington, offering starry decor, tinkling away around a medieval aesthetic.
Diners select their own meat cuts (including ribeye, sirloin, ribs and tomahawk) at the Meet Bros chiller station, which is then infused with their choice of Asian-style marination. There’s a special Meet Bros marinade, or classic sea salt and cracked black pepper seasoning.
Aside from steaks, there’s other options available: from fish and chips with a twist, to Wagyu fried rice with spicy sambal, or vegetarian options such as the panko Portobello steak.
Given its quality meat and pricey menu, Meet Bros is for a special occasion – mains will cost around £30 to £35, with the cheapest being a chicken breast for £20.
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I went for my sister’s birthday and we shared a selection of items – the steak sando was one of the best starters I’ve ever had. We also loved the Asian style-carbonara, Wagyu fried rice and the banana fritters for dessert.
The prayer room was beautiful: a designated space, complete with ornate prayer mats, with hijabs and burkas available.
Meet Bros also has a range of mocktails on offer including a lychee mojito (my top recommendation) and a cooler featuring mango, pineapple and passion fruit.
The Great Chase, Islington
If you’re in the mood for a halal roast, Great Chase is the place to go.
I visited with my family and, given how popular the roasts are, we all ordered the same thing. A word of warning though: while it was pretty good, there are cheaper alternatives if your budget doesn’t quite stretch.
For me, the stand outs were actually the starters – the beef cheek croquette and harissa lamb chops didn’t dissapoint.
The Great Chase also has a dry bar and a rare tea collection, and offers week-round roasts, quality steaks and seafood.
There is a prayer space available, but since the establishment relocated, this is now in the staff quarters until they sort out a permanent space. Customers however are still free to use it.
You can choose from a range of soft drinks and mocktails and The Great Chase does not serve drinks that are being widely boycotted by those lobbying to end international support for Israel. They also have a dry cocktail pairing list if you want to match your mains with your drinks.
For a roast, prices are at least £27, for steaks, you can expect to pay upwards of £36 or for beef wellington it’s £65.
Meli Melo
Brick Lane might have some of the oldest curry houses in London but if you’re in the area, Meli Melo, a fully halal brunch to dinner spot, is worth a visit.
Meli Melo’s big-hitters are its roasts and beef wellington. While I’ve enjoyed the roast in the past, on my most recent trip, I opted for a sirloin steak. For starters, we had the quesadillas and the chicken wings, both of which were delicious.
Meli Melo also does not serve drinks that are being boycotted, offering Salaam Cola which is growing in popularity.
The restaurant features Islamic decor and plays the Qur’an, offering a calm and peaceful environment.
I’ve dined here many times and though the prices are on the more expensive side – the roast is £24, beef wellington is £98 for two to share, and steaks upwards of £32 – I can attest that it’s well worth a visit.
Remember…
There are plenty of other places that offer fine-dining halal and more casual halal eateries in London, particularly in hotspots such as East London, Tooting and other areas of London with a high Muslim population.
Bear in mind that many of them also sell pork and alcohol, so it’s best to give them a ring or speak to staff about possible contamination, and whether alcohol is used in the cooking process.
HS&Co, Stratford
East London offers no shortage of spots that serve a fully halal menu, as well as a dry bar. HS&Co is one such place, but with a fine dining twist.
This establishment says it’s the largest halal steak restaurant in East London and is one of the older ones on the list. No non-Halal meat nor alcohol is served at HS&Co, and you’ll find the usual soft drinks available here.
HS&Co offers a spacious setting for grilled halal Irish beef and seasonal small plates, which include pulled beef sliders and lamb chops. There’s a range of prices so is suitable for most budgets, with some small dishes costing around £14 and mains costing upwards of £31.95.
There’s also a prayer room.
Elvet Steakhouse, Romford
Elvet specialises in meat-based dishes including Argentinian and Australian steaks such as Wagyu, rib rye, sirloin and fillet cuts. There’s also seafood options including a lobster tail platter (five lobster tails served with chimichurri sauce and butter garlic sauce for £100), prawn tempura, and a seafood symphony (a fried mix of calamari, prawn, crab claw and mussels served with lemon and tartar sauce, for £10).
If you just can’t decide between meat or fish, the surf and turf, which includes lobster tail with a choice of steak, starts from £50 depending on the cut.
Premium cuts are sourced from farmers and butchers, serving only certified Halal meats. To drink, there’s a range of Instagram-friendly mocktails too that put on a show, complete with fire, smoke and ice.
While Elvet doesn’t have a prayer room, there is the Forrest Gate Mosque nearby.
The Orangery, Uxbridge
The Orangery by Sapna, an Asian fusion restaurant, is part of a group of establishments from esteemed Indian caterers Sapna.
It offers a stunning location, nestled amid 250 acres of Stockley Park, with ample parking and panoramic views of the meticulously landscaped park and golf course.
Here, you’ll get a range of Lahori dishes and traditional savouries like chaats and pani puri to grills, karahis and biryanis.
In addition to their Golfer’s Menu featuring light snacks, hot and cold beverages, they also offer buffet and A La Carte service. Plus, there’s a traditional afternoon tea from Tuesdays to Friday.
The Orangery, which also doubles as a banquet hall, offers prayer rooms too.
While their main drinks menu does not include alcohol, there is a terrace where alcoholic drinks can be ordered, along with mocktails.
Small plates at the Orangery can go for around £7.50 to £13.99, while curries such as butter chicken, karahi, and kormas are around £12.50+ each.
Royal Nawaab, Uxbridge
This five-star Asian restaurant offers award-winning curries, rice dishes, and naans (no, seriously, they’ve won loads of awards).
Royal Nawaab is known for its buffets and banqueting events (and is popular for Muslim weddings as the space can be hired out.)
The menu of karahi curry dishes, lamb kofta, tava fish, kidney bean daal and more is available on a buffet for £27.95 excluding drinks.
The restaurant does not serve alcohol and it also offers a prayer room.
Bonda Kitchen, Paddington
Bonda Kitchen might not be a fine dining option, but it is a fully halal restaurant that feels like something of a north London secret.
This is another hidden gem in Paddington, offering comfortable and cosy vibes, as though you’ve stepped into an aunt’s or grandma’s house.
Nestled away in a basement, this Malaysian spot boasts a menu of dim sum, bao buns, noodles, and delectable rice dishes.
You can also book iftar dinners at Bonda Kitchen during Ramadan, slurping on laksa dishes and the like.
Its prices thankfully reflect the more laid back vibes, with main dishes priced around £15 to £17 each.
There are also no alcoholic drinks served here, instead you will find fresh orange and apple Juice, mineral water, lemonade or Tango.
At the moment Bonda Kitchen is going through some works so is temporarily unavailable, but its definitely one to note down for the future.
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