Southampton, England’s major south coast port city, offers a good halal food scene. Home to two universities and a significant international population, the city provides solid halal options. For more UK guides, see our halal food in UK hub.
Halal Food Overview in Southampton
Southampton provides good halal accessibility across the city.
| Aspect | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Halal Restaurants | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 40+ options |
| Variety | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Good diversity |
| Student Areas | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Excellent (Portswood) |
| City Centre | ⭐⭐⭐ | Growing scene |
| Overall | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Good city |
Best Areas for Halal Food
Portswood
Southampton’s main halal hub:
- Student-driven: Near university
- Diverse cuisines: Multiple options
- Turkish/Middle Eastern: Kebabs, grills
- South Asian: Indian, Pakistani
- Late-night: Many open late
- Affordable: Student-friendly prices
City Centre
Above Bar Street:
- Main shopping area
- German Doner Kebab
- Various restaurants
- Chain options
West Quay:
- Shopping centre
- Food court
- Some halal options
Bedford Place:
- Restaurant area
- Some halal choices
- Upscale options
St Mary’s
Traditional community area:
- South Asian restaurants: Authentic cuisine
- Halal butchers: Fresh meat
- Grocery stores: Asian products
- Affordable: Good value
Shirley
Residential area:
- Local options: Community eateries
- Halal shops: Some available
- Less tourist: More local
Types of Halal Food Available
South Asian Cuisine
Strong presence:
- Pakistani: Karahi, biryani
- Indian: Various regional
- Bangladeshi: Traditional dishes
Middle Eastern
- Turkish: Kebabs, grills
- Lebanese: Shawarma, mezze
- Kurdish: Some options
- Falafel: Available
Halal Fast Food
- German Doner Kebab: City centre
- Chicken shops: Throughout city
- Kebab houses: Portswood
- Pizza: Halal toppings available
Other Options
- African: Some Somali options
- Malaysian: Limited
- Fish & chips: Naturally halal
Popular Halal Restaurants
Portswood
| Restaurant | Cuisine | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Turkish grills | Middle Eastern | £-££ |
| Indian restaurants | South Asian | ££ |
| Kebab houses | Various | £ |
City Centre
| Restaurant | Cuisine | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| German Doner Kebab | Turkish | £ |
| Chain restaurants | Mixed | ££ |
| Independent options | Various | ££ |
St Mary’s
| Restaurant | Cuisine | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Curry houses | Pakistani | £-££ |
| Traditional eateries | South Asian | £ |
Halal Shopping
Halal Butchers
St Mary’s Area:
- Halal butchers available
- Fresh meat daily
- Good prices
Portswood:
- Some halal shops
- Student area convenience
Supermarkets
- Tesco: Halal sections
- Asda: Various locations
- Sainsbury’s: Some halal
- Asian grocers: St Mary’s, Portswood
Southampton for Muslim Visitors
Tourist Attractions & Food
Southampton City Centre:
- Historic walls
- Shopping at West Quay
- Food options available
SeaCity Museum:
- Titanic history
- City centre location
- Nearby restaurants
Ocean Village:
- Waterfront
- Some restaurants
- Limited halal - check
Cruise Passengers
Southampton is UK’s cruise capital:
- Before cruise: Eat in city centre or Portswood
- After cruise: Head to Portswood
- Terminal area: Very limited food
- Hotels: Some offer halal - check in advance
Universities
University of Southampton:
- Highfield campus
- Portswood nearby
- Islamic Society active
- Campus options available
Southampton Solent University:
- City centre campus
- Food options around
- Prayer facilities
Southampton FC
St Mary’s Stadium:
- Home of Southampton FC
- St Mary’s area nearby
- Some halal options around
- City centre accessible
Prayer Facilities
Southampton has 10+ mosques:
- Southampton Medina Mosque: Main mosque
- Masjid Ar-Rahman: Various services
- University prayer rooms: Available
Day Trips from Southampton
Brighton (1.5 hours)
- Seaside city
- Moderate halal scene
- See our Brighton guide
London (1.5 hours train)
- Extensive halal scene
- Direct trains
- See our London guide
Portsmouth (30 min)
- Naval heritage
- Some halal options
- Smaller scene
Practical Tips
- Portswood first: Best halal concentration
- St Mary’s traditional: Authentic South Asian
- City centre reliable: Chain options
- Cruise passengers: Eat before/after in city
- Student deals: Good discounts in Portswood
- Late night: Portswood stays open
- West Quay shopping: Some food options
- Ask about halal: Most places know
- Ocean Village: Limited halal, check
- University areas: Budget-friendly