Halal food in Belgium refers to food prepared according to Islamic dietary laws. Belgium has approximately 700,000 Muslims (about 6% of the population), primarily of Moroccan and Turkish origin. This creates good halal food accessibility, especially in Brussels which has one of the highest Muslim population percentages of any European capital. Learn more about halal food and halal certification standards.

Belgian cities offer diverse halal dining options reflecting North African, Turkish, and Middle Eastern communities.

How Accessible Is Halal Food in Belgium?

Halal food accessibility is good in urban areas:

Brussels: Excellent accessibility, particularly in certain communes Antwerp: Good halal scene Charleroi: Significant options Liège: Growing halal availability Bruges and tourist areas: More limited

Moroccan cuisine:

  • Tagine (stew with meat and vegetables)
  • Couscous with lamb or chicken
  • Pastilla (sweet meat pie)
  • Harira (soup)

Turkish food:

  • Döner and kebabs
  • Lahmacun
  • Pide and köfte
  • Turkish grill

Belgian halal adaptations:

  • Halal frites (verify oil)
  • Halal burgers
  • Some frituren (chip shops) use vegetable oil

Middle Eastern:

  • Shawarma
  • Falafel
  • Lebanese mezze

Best Areas for Halal Food

Brussels

  • Schaerbeek: Large Moroccan community, abundant halal
  • Molenbeek: Many halal restaurants and butchers
  • Saint-Josse: High Muslim population
  • Matonge: Some African halal options
  • Rue du Brabant: Multiple halal eateries

Antwerp

  • Borgerhout: “Little Morocco” with halal options
  • City center: Turkish and Middle Eastern restaurants
  • Near mosques: Halal eateries

Other Cities

  • Charleroi: Significant halal options
  • Liège: Growing community
  • Ghent: Some halal restaurants

Halal Certification in Belgium

Belgian Islamic Executive and other bodies provide oversight:

  • Look for halal certification logos
  • Moroccan and Turkish restaurants often halal
  • Some supermarkets have halal sections
  • Verify certification for packaged products

Is Belgium a Muslim Country?

No, Belgium is not a Muslim country:

  • Catholic heritage: Historically Christian
  • 6% Muslim population: Significant minority
  • Moroccan and Turkish origins: Largest groups
  • Religious freedom: Islam recognized
  • Brussels diverse: High immigrant population

Is Belgium Safe for Muslims?

Belgium is generally safe:

  • Tolerant society: Generally welcoming
  • Mosques: Grand Mosque of Brussels, others
  • Legal protections: Religious freedom
  • Some tensions: Political debates exist
  • Tourist safety: Generally good

Belgian Cuisine Considerations

Traditional Belgian food to be careful with:

  • Frites: Traditionally fried in beef fat (ask about oil)
  • Waffles: Usually vegetarian
  • Chocolate: Check ingredients
  • Mussels: Generally halal (verify preparation)
  • Beer: Belgium famous for beer, avoid

Safe options:

  • Seafood (abundant in Belgium)
  • Halal frituren using vegetable oil
  • Vegetarian Belgian dishes

Fast Food in Belgium

  • Quick: Belgian chain with halal branches
  • McDonald’s: Some locations halal
  • Kebab shops: Most are halal
  • Always verify: Individual branch status

Practical Tips

  1. Brussels best: Most halal options in capital
  2. Schaerbeek and Molenbeek: Best Brussels neighborhoods
  3. Moroccan restaurants: Usually halal
  4. Check frites oil: Traditional uses beef fat
  5. Quick chain: Has halal-certified branches
  6. Antwerp’s Borgerhout: Good halal area
  7. Supermarket sections: Carrefour, Delhaize have halal
  8. Ask about beer: Used in some Belgian cooking
  9. Halal butchers: In Muslim neighborhoods
  10. Apps: Zabihah, local halal directories