New York City has the largest halal food scene in the United States with over 3,000 halal restaurants and countless food carts. From iconic street vendors like The Halal Guys to upscale halal dining, NYC offers unmatched variety for Muslim food lovers. Compare with halal. Explore halal certification for more information.

Halal Food Accessibility in NYC

NYC has excellent halal accessibility:

  • 3,000+ halal restaurants across all boroughs
  • Iconic halal food carts throughout Manhattan
  • Ethnic neighborhoods with concentrated halal options
  • Halal supermarkets and grocery stores
  • Growing halal fine dining scene

Best Neighborhoods for Halal Food

Jackson Heights, Queens

The heart of South Asian halal in NYC:

  • Kababish: Pakistani grilled meats
  • Jackson Diner: Indian buffet
  • Samosa House: Street snacks
  • 74th Street has dozens of halal options

Bay Ridge, Brooklyn

Arab-American community with authentic Middle Eastern halal:

  • Tanoreen: Upscale Palestinian cuisine
  • Karam: Lebanese favorites
  • Balady Market: Halal grocery store
  • 5th Avenue has many halal restaurants

Astoria, Queens

Middle Eastern and Mediterranean halal:

  • Kebab Cafe: Egyptian cuisine
  • Duzan: Middle Eastern
  • Steinway Street halal corridor

Manhattan

Diverse halal options citywide:

  • Midtown: The Halal Guys carts
  • East Village: Indian and Middle Eastern
  • Harlem: African halal restaurants
  • Chelsea: Upscale halal dining

Iconic Halal Spots

The Halal Guys

NYC’s most famous halal brand:

  • Original location: 53rd St & 6th Ave
  • Menu: Chicken, gyro, or combo over rice
  • White sauce: Their signature creation
  • Lines: Expect waits at peak hours
  • Now has brick-and-mortar locations

Halal Food Carts

Street food culture:

  • Found on most Manhattan corners
  • Chicken over rice is the classic order
  • Lamb gyro platters popular
  • Late-night options available
  • Price: $6-10 for a filling meal

Halal Cuisines Available

NYC’s diversity means every halal cuisine:

Middle Eastern:

  • Lebanese shawarma and falafel
  • Egyptian koshari
  • Yemeni lamb haneeth
  • Turkish doner

South Asian:

  • Pakistani biryani
  • Bangladeshi curry
  • Indian tandoori
  • Afghani kabuli pulao

African:

  • Somali suqaar
  • Senegalese thieboudienne
  • Ethiopian injera (verify halal)
  • Moroccan tagine

American Halal:

  • Halal burgers
  • Fried chicken (Popeyes halal locations)
  • Food truck fusion

Halal Grocery Shopping

Supermarkets

  • Balady Market (Brooklyn): Full halal butcher
  • Turkiyem Market (Brooklyn): Turkish products
  • Patel Brothers (Jackson Heights): South Asian
  • Associated Supermarket: Some locations have halal sections

Butchers

  • Fertile Crescent (Brooklyn)
  • Madina Halal Meat (Queens)
  • Kabul Farms (Staten Island)

Borough Guide

Manhattan

  • Best for: Food carts, diverse dining
  • Top areas: Midtown, East Village, Harlem
  • Price range: $8-50

Brooklyn

  • Best for: Middle Eastern, authentic halal
  • Top areas: Bay Ridge, Flatbush
  • Price range: $10-40

Queens

  • Best for: South Asian, ethnic halal
  • Top areas: Jackson Heights, Astoria
  • Price range: $8-30

Bronx

  • Best for: African, Caribbean halal
  • Top areas: Fordham
  • Price range: $8-25

Staten Island

  • Best for: Suburban halal options
  • Growing halal scene

Practical Tips

  1. The Halal Guys: Go off-peak to avoid 30+ minute waits
  2. Jackson Heights: Best value South Asian halal
  3. Bay Ridge: Best Middle Eastern authenticity
  4. Food carts: Ask for extra white sauce
  5. Delivery: Most restaurants on DoorDash/Uber Eats
  6. Verification: Major restaurants display certification
  7. Late night: Halal carts operate until 4am
  8. Ramadan: Many restaurants extend hours
  9. Jummah: Restaurants near mosques busy Friday afternoon
  10. Tip: 15-20% standard at sit-down restaurants