During Ramandan (this year, April 12–May 12) Muslims might abstain from eating or drinking from dawn until dusk. In the evening, they break their fast (iftar) with a halal meal. Enter this timely little list full of big flavors from local restaurants that abide by the halal custom.
But you needn’t follow a fully halal diet to appreciate this vast range of cuisines, from Lebanese to Pakistani to Turkish fare. So, here are the local halal restaurants—yes, although tasty, we skipped over the Halal Guys chain because you know where to find ’em—to satisfy iftar cravings this Ramandan (or any part of the year, really).
Lezzet Cafe
Lezzet Cafe’s owners are from Turkmenistan, abutting the Caspian, not the Black Sea, reflecting a culinary tradition’s roots in Central Asia. But their BYOB spot on a quiet stretch of Frankford Road is all Turkish. They have wonderful lahmacun, thin flatbreads covered with the house mixture of minced beef, onions, tomatoes, and spices, like a Turkish version of Bolognese.
Wava Halal Grill
Hidden on Greenville Avenue right before Mockingbird Lane sits Wava Halal Grill. This spot packs in flavor and freshness with every dish they serve. Menu items, such as the gyro fries bowl or lamb over rice, are prepared fresh with halal cuts of meat. For a quick snack, try their chicken on a stick. Wava Halal Grill offers contact-free order pickup and is open until 3 a.m.
Café Laziz
Biryani, butter chicken, fresh naan, halal hamburgers—Café Laziz right off Skillman and 635 will hit the spot. Both dine in and takeout avialble until 2 a.m. during Ramadan. You can also order online for faster service. Call the store to inquire on its deal of the day.
Chopped Halal Grill
Right across from the UT Dallas campus is a chipotle-style halal grill. Build your own rice bowls, salads, or pita sandwiches by picking a protein (or two) and then add three sides. Don’t forget to ask for the garlic sauce—you won’t regret it. If you’re craving something sweet, snag some rice pudding (it’s COVID-safe, prepackaged, and it comes with a sealed side of cinnamon).
Dimassi’s Mediterranean Buffet
Opened in 1992, Dimassi’s is a family-owned and -operated Mediterranean buffet offering fresh and health halal food. You might wonder if the buffet is open right now. Yes, it is. But Dimassi’s lunch and dinner buffet strictly enforce COVID-19 precautions to ensure the safety of all diners. Masks are necessary for entrance and once you get inside, you are required to sanitize and wear disposable gloves before accessing any food items. Social distancing is a priority as tables are more than six feet apart. The cuisine is a flavorful blend of Greek and Middle Eastern, and all meats they serve are halal.
Afrah Mediterranean Cuisine
In Richardson, Afrah has been serving some of the best Lebanese and Mediterranean food for nearly two decades. Originally a bakery, Afrah expanded with lunch and dinner while keeping, of course, its fresh bread, pies, baklava, and homemade gelato in the dessert rotation. As for the savory side, you can’t go wrong with hummus or the wonderfully smoky baba ghanoush (baba gannouj). The reigning favorite, though, is Afrah’s shawarma served in house-made pita fresh from the fiery brick oven.
Fadi’s Mediterranean Grill
With multiple location across Texas, Fadi’s is halal and healthy. Founder and chef, Fadi Dimassi was born in Lebanon and started cooking when he was 19 years old. He currently serves several Mediterranean restaurants in the Houston and Dallas areas. Stop in to order a combination plate which includes an entrée and up to four sides. For those abstaining from meat, go with the vegetarian sampler or the falafel plate (there’s a wrap option, too). The wrap combo is less than $13 and comes with fries and a drink. Try Fadi’s fresh and refreshing fruit juices for a thirst-quenching addition to your meal.
Halal Bites
With funky pops of purple walls alongside purple-and-white checkerboard floors, Halal Bites creates an Aladdin-esque atmosphere with a vibrant menu full of rice bowls, salads, sandwiches, and even pizzas. They offer a spicy red-hot sauce that they describe as “extreme.” All menu items are halal and freshly made.
Royal Zabiha Halal Meats and Bakery
In case you don’t want to dine out, stop at Royal Halal Meats and Bakery to pick up exquisite cuts of meat for your Ramadan recipes. Royal Halal Meats and Bakery in Plano serves fresh halal cuts of goat, lamb, beef, and chicken. They currently only offer curbside pickup and grab-and-go items. Hot tip: Now through April 18, you can get a $5 coupon off your purchase of $30 or more.
Zio Al’s Pizza
If you’re craving a pizza to break your fast this Ramadan, head to Zio Al’s Pizza and Pasta. The halal beef pepperoni pizza is the best dish on the menu hands down. Zio Al’s offers takeout and delivery until 2 a.m.—great for late-night cravings. There are locations in Plano, Addison and Carrolton.
