I often get asked where to find Halal restaurants in Seattle. While I don’t practice Halal, I have a lot of friends that do and wanted to provide a resource for those looking for halal food in Seattle.
If you’re not familiar, Halal means “permitted” or “lawful” in Arabic, and is often used to describe food preparation appropriate under Islamic law. The Halal Food Authority explains that according to the Qur’an, meat eaten by Muslims should be slaughtered in a certain way to ensure the animal’s welfare (known as dhabīḥah). This involves killing the animal by cutting through its jugular vein and having its blood completely drained. During the process, the Tasmiya or Shahada should be recited by a Muslim person.
It can sometimes be tricky to pin down restaurants that serve Halal meat in the United States. Luckily for us though, Seattle is a diverse city with plenty of Halal restaurants.
Halal Restaurants in Seattle
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Man’oushe Express
website | 123 Main St. (get directions) | neighborhood: Lake City | best for: Lebanese flatbreads
Man’oushe Express is an unassuming spot that’s tucked away on Lake City Way. It’s one of those classic neighborhood joints with great service and some of the best Seattle Middle Eastern food. And to be honest, it’s one of Seattle’s best-kept secrets. Just know that they’re cash only before you arrive!
The mana’eesh flatbreads are a standout. I’ll always down the za’atar and cheese one without a second thought. But when I want to indulge my inner carnivore, I’ll get the chicken shawarma plate. Not only is the meat 100% Halal-certified with a melt-in-your-mouth feel, but the rice is super buttery thanks to the drizzle of garlic sauce.
Cafe Turko
website | 750 N 34th St (get directions) | neighborhood: Fremont | best for: amazing hummus
Cafe Turko is one of the best Halal restaurants in Seattle by a mile. I’ve been a regular visitor since I moved to the city because I love it so much. I’ve even put it in my self-guided Fremont food tour.
It’s a quaint, family-owned restaurant that oozes charm and character. From the colorful walls to the hanging lights and bunting, it’s like stepping into someone’s uber-vibrant home. To make things even more special, they’ve even built a prayer room onsite where patrons and passersby can stop in for prayer during the fasting season.
There are tons of delicious dishes for those seeking vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Seattle. The rainbow hummus plate is my favorite as it’s overflowing with creamy dips. I’ll always dunk my pita in the regular chickpea hummus to start. But the beet, spinach, and yam ones are also bursting with flavor.
For meat lovers, the lamb beyti kebab is a unique take on a Turkish classic. The juicy meat is tucked into lavash bread and topped with mozzarella, feta, and a bunch of veggies before being grilled. It’s a messy dish but is worth the sticky fingers!
The Halal Guys
website | neighborhood: Denny Triangle | best for: authentic gyros
I first stopped by The Halal Guys when I was wandering through Pioneer Square, but they now only operate a few blocks from the iconic Space Needle!
These guys are the grandfathers of Halal food in the United States. Seriously, they’ve been around since 1990! The three Egyptian founders started their journey in NYC with a Halal hotdog cart. It was designed to cater to Muslim taxi drivers but exploded in popularity. Since then, they’ve brought their gyros, falafel, and meat platters to the Emerald City. And am I glad they did.
They’re not exactly a small business these days, but they’ve retained that personal feel that made them so popular. I love their beef gyro plates. Their garlic sauce is addictive, especially when you get a bite that pairs it with the red sauce condiment they serve with it.
Archipelago
website | 5607 Rainier Ave S (get directions) | neighborhood: Hillman City | best for: upscale Filipino food
I stand by the fact that Archipelago is one of my all-time favorite foodie finds. It opened in 2016 and has become one of the best fine dining restaurants in Seattle for flavorful dishes and great drinks.
I didn’t know they offered a Halal menu when I first visited. But they’re happy to use Halal meat in their tasting menu of 9 to 12 courses if you mention it in your reservation. Unfortunately, you can’t just turn up for the Halal dishes because the prix-fixe menu requires a bit of prep for the kitchen staff.
The food is tells the story of the owners’ Filipino roots using seasonal Pacific Northwest ingredients. Everything on the halal tasting menu is bursting with flavor. The menu changes regularly, but hopefully you can get a dish with Orosa sauce. This traditional Philippine banana ketchup hits the perfect balance between sweet and sharp, and it’s supper addictive with meat.
Iyad’s Syrian Grill
website | 17205 Vashon Hwy SW (get directions) | neighborhood: Vashon, WA | best for: takeout or a picnic
Iyad’s Syrian Grill serves Aleppo and Mediterranean food using authentic Syrian ingredients. This charming food cart is a little out of the way among other Vashon Island restaurants, but it’s worth the journey from Seattle if you love bold flavors and creamy hummus. It’s run by a Turkish family with roots in Aleppo, and they rely on age-old recipes for that traditional taste.
The menu is cheap and cheerful, with every dish coming in at less than $15. It’s packed with meat and vegetarian options, but the lamb gyro and chicken shawarma are my go-to picks. The meat is tender and juicy, and the drizzle of garlic sauce is next-level. If you want to sweeten things up, their baklava is incredibly authentic and should satisfy your dessert stomach.
Spice Waala
website | neighborhood: Capitol Hill, Columbia City, & Ballard | best for: Indian street food
Spice Waala is one of the few Halal restaurants in Seattle that also serves some of the best Indian food in Seattle. It’s always bustling with businesspeople around lunchtime, but transforms into a relaxed grab-and-go spot when night falls.
It’s known for selling authentic Indian street food that you might not find elsewhere. We’re talking kathi rolls, bhel puri, and chaat. I can never get enough of the mango lassi either as it mellows out the spices on their must-get kathi rolls and papdi chaat. Their soft serve ice cream is also a must. The rotating monthly flavors are some of the best ice cream in Seattle.
The restaurant has confirmed that both their chicken and lamb are Halal. So, you can dig into their crave-worthy lamb kebab without a care in the world.
Saffron Grill
website | 2132 N Northgate Way (get directions) | neighborhood: Northgate | best for: classic Indian dishes
You won’t find anything out of the ordinary at Saffron Grill. It just serves good, old-fashioned Indian favorites that pack a punch on the flavor front. They’re open for lunch and dinner, so I’ll sometimes swing by if I’m shopping at Northgate Mall. But honestly, I often end up taking their food home because their one of the best takeout restaurants in Seattle.
Don’t be scared by the Mediterranean items on Saffron Grill’s menu. I don’t usually trust restaurants that have more than one cuisine on the menu because I like knowing they’re pouring all their energy into specialty fare. However, this place defies the odds and still churns out incredible Indian food.
My go-to order is their paneer tikka masala appetizer and baingan bharta eggplant dish. It’s smoky and goes perfectly with their huge naan. Both of these are vegetarian, but if you’re looking for meat, Saffron Grill denotes which menu items are Halal on their menu. Their goat, lamb, and tandoori beef are always halal. For chicken you have to ask for white meat if you’d like Halal.
Pro tip: Saffron Grill also owns Taste of India in the U-District, which is also Halal!
Tanoor
website | neighborhood: South Lake Union, Bellevue, & Sammamish | best for: Lebanese grub
Tanoor is a bright and airy spot near South Lake Union. It’s one of the best Halal restaurants in Seattle for Lebanese grub as it’s all about mezze, salads, and grilled meats. You’ll instantly feel the warmth as you walk in from the open hearth. But the soft leather booths, hanging lanterns, and the waft of spices from the kitchen don’t hurt either.
They pride themselves on making their pita from scratch (with gluten-free options!), and the lamb, beef, and chicken here are all 100% Halal. They have an extensive menu with something for everyone. Plus, their amazing tahini is glorious with the huge shawarma combo.
Salty Blue
website | 601 S 3rd St. (get directions) | neighborhood: Renton | best for: fish and chips
Salty Blue makes some of the best Australian-style fish and chips in Seattle. Think big hunks of fish with beer-battered crust that’s both crispy and fluffy at the same time (no panko here!).
Everything on their menu is Halal, which also includes chicken, burgers, and other seafood delicacies like calamari and chowders. Their food is meant to feel like you’re on the beach, and it succeeds!
Toasted
website | neighborhood: U-District, South Lake Union, Pioneer Square, & Bellevue | best for: bagels
Toasted is making some of the best bagels in Seattle. Not only are they chewy, New York-style orbs of goodness, but they’re served open faced with interesting toppings. You’ll find crowd pleasers like avocado toast alongside Arabic ingredients like pistachio, dates, and labneh. Definitely get the flight so you can try a bunch of flavors!
Mawadda Cafe
website | 123 Main St. (get directions) | neighborhood: Hillman City | best for: Middle Eastern comfort food
This hidden gem restaurant in Seattle is tiny, but it’s worth seeking out for excellent Iraqi food and hospitality. Seriously, my first time there the owner gave me a chai and baklava sample.
All of the meats are Halal, which is good because they’re super juicy and well spiced. I especially love the chicken shawarma that is a vibrant red color thanks to spicy, warming spices. Pair it with their addictive smoky eggplant baba ganoush and garlic sauce!
Ada’s Restaurant & Bar
website | 5910 Phinney Ave N (get directions) | neighborhood: Phinney Ridge | best for: Turkish-European fusion
Ada’s is a neighborhood gem that serves excellent Turkish food like kebabs alongside European classics like pasta and even lobster bisque. The menu may feel eclectic, but it’s a reflection of the chef’s past working in kitchens like Daniel’s Broiler. He developed their famous bisque and couldn’t imagine not still serving it at his own restaurant. Don’t miss their various juicy meat dishes. All of it is Halal and super juicy!
Nirvana Food Truck
website | 5410 17th Ave NW (get directions) | neighborhood: Ballard | best for: pizza and Mediterranean food
This unassuming food truck in downtown Ballard is recognizable by the huge mobile wood-fired oven. They use it to make excellent pizza and breads. You can also find Halal meats like kebabs, gyros, and shawarmas. They have picnic tables strewn near the truck, plus a covered area for when it’s raining.
Baked in Bosnia
website | 501 2nd Ave W #100 (get directions) | neighborhood: Lower Queen Anne | best for: Balkan cuisine
Baked in Bosnia is a pop-up concept that sells the most mouthwatering Balkan dishes in Seattle. They have a permanent curbside spot in Lower Queen Anne that requires pre-orders, but you’ll also spot them at events and Seattle’s best farmers markets throughout the year.
All the meat is Halal and they tend to operate a rotating seasonal menu. The zeljanica spinach pie is packed with immense savory flavors. However, you won’t be sorry if you manage to grab the paprika chicken paprikash or the Balkan meatballs. As their stall can get extremely busy on Sundays, it’s a good idea to place a pickup order to grab and go.
More restaurants to try in Seattle
After you make your way through this list of Halal restaurants in Seattle, check out these other places to eat in the city:
