Houston has one of the most diverse halal food scenes in the United States. With a large and varied Muslim population including South Asian, Arab, African, and Turkish communities, H-Town offers over 400 halal restaurants across its sprawling metro area. Compare with halal. Explore halal certification for more information.
Halal Food Accessibility in Houston
Houston has excellent halal accessibility:
- 400+ halal restaurants across the metro
- Hillcroft corridor: Pakistani/Indian halal hub
- Harwin area: Diverse halal options
- Spread out: Car essential for exploration
- Suburbs: Sugar Land, Missouri City have options
Best Areas for Halal Food
Hillcroft Avenue
Houston’s halal food paradise:
- Location: Between US-59 and Bellaire
- Cuisine: Pakistani, Indian, Bangladeshi
- Density: Restaurants every block
- Highlights:
- Himalaya: Famous Pakistani
- Bundu Khan: Grilled meats
- Shri Balaji Bhavan: South Indian
Harwin Corridor
Diverse international halal:
- Location: Near Hillcroft, west side
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern, African, Turkish
- Highlights:
- Dimassi’s Mediterranean Buffet
- Various kebab restaurants
- African halal spots
Galleria/Uptown Area
Upscale halal options:
- Location: Near Galleria Mall
- Options:
- Fadi’s Mediterranean Grill
- Pasha: Turkish cuisine
- Various Mediterranean spots
Sugar Land (Suburb)
Growing halal scene:
- Location: Southwest Houston suburb
- Family-friendly: Many options
- Highlights:
- Biryani Pot
- Various South Asian restaurants
Missouri City
Suburban halal hub:
- Location: Southwest of Houston
- Good concentration of halal restaurants
- South Asian focus
Must-Try Restaurants
Pakistani
- Himalaya Restaurant: Houston institution, mutton karahi
- Bundu Khan: Grilled meats specialist
- Aga’s Restaurant: Authentic Pakistani
- Ginsoy: Fast-casual Pakistani
Indian
- Shri Balaji Bhavan: South Indian vegetarian and halal
- London Sizzler: North Indian
- Biryani Pot: Hyderabadi biryani
Middle Eastern
- Dimassi’s: Mediterranean buffet
- Fadi’s Mediterranean Grill: Upscale casual
- Al-Aseel Grill and Cafe: Arab cuisine
Turkish
- Pasha: Fine dining Turkish
- Turquoise Grill: Casual Turkish
African
- Bisou African Cuisine: West African
- Kilimanjaro: East African
- Various Somali restaurants: Along Hillcroft
Houston Halal Specialties
Pakistani Favorites
- Nihari: Slow-cooked beef stew
- Haleem: Wheat and meat porridge
- Mutton karahi: Wok-fried goat
- Seekh kebab: Grilled ground meat
- Chicken biryani: Fragrant rice dish
Middle Eastern
- Shawarma: Rotisserie meat
- Falafel: Fried chickpea balls
- Hummus: Fresh made daily
- Kabsa: Saudi rice dish
Indian
- Dosa: South Indian crepes
- Hyderabadi biryani: Layered rice
- Tandoori chicken: Clay oven roasted
Halal Grocery Shopping
South Asian Markets
- Phoenicia Specialty Foods: Gourmet halal
- Subzi Mandi: Indian/Pakistani groceries
- Various Hillcroft markets: Ethnic groceries
Middle Eastern
- Phoenicia: Lebanese products
- Super H Mart: Asian with halal section
Halal Meat
- Green Valley Halal Meat: Fresh cuts
- Hillcroft butchers: Multiple options
- Restaurant suppliers: Bulk available
Navigating Houston’s Halal Scene
Downtown
Limited halal options:
- Delivery: Best option from Hillcroft
- Mediterranean: Some options available
- Food trucks: Check for halal vendors
Near NRG Stadium
- Few halal options nearby
- Plan to eat before/after events
- Hillcroft: 15-20 minutes away
Near IAH Airport
- Limited: Airport area sparse
- Delivery: From nearby areas
- Stock up: Before flights
Near Hobby Airport
- Better access to Hillcroft area
- 20 minutes to main halal areas
Practical Tips
- Hillcroft first: Best concentration, start here
- Car essential: Houston is spread out
- Weekend brunch: Pakistani places serve nihari
- Himalaya: Make it a must-visit
- Buffets: Dimassi’s great for variety
- Heat: Summer is hot, plan indoor dining
- Traffic: Avoid rush hours (7-9am, 4-7pm)
- Suburbs: Don’t skip Sugar Land options
- Late night: Some Hillcroft spots open late
- BBQ: No halal Texas BBQ yet, sadly
Mosques
- Islamic Society of Greater Houston: Major hub
- Various masjids: Throughout metro area
- Friday prayers: Plan restaurant visits accordingly