The best halal restaurants in NYC

What is it? A Hell's Kitchen eatery that is New-York-small (think three tables and not much else) but is also New-York-great when it comes to its lengthy list of biryani. 

Why we love it: There is much to love about Hyderabadi Zaiqa, though there is little of it, physically. With a few tables and a slip of a counter to match, eating here basically guarantees you'll trade elbows with the person next to you and the shuffle of delivery guys behind you. But once that biryani hits the table (of which there are 15), we really don't think you'll care. The Hyderabadi goat dum biryani is a favorite pick for a reason, as shreddy meat that still clings to the bones is plunged into saffron and turmeric-tinged rice. And if the heat starts the climb, the chalice of cooling raita will do you up right. It is easy to split one of the many biryanis with another comrade, giving you ample space to fill what little table you have with samosas, chaat and chicken 65. 

Time Out tip: If you don't necessarily want to make eyes with your neighboring table, their latest spot in Murray Hill certainly has more room to fan out. 

Address: 366 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019; 184 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10016

Opening hours: Daily 11:30am–10:00pm

What is it? A three-star, New York Times-rated restaurant that's been recognized for chef Vikas Khanna's "wildly interesting" cooking that "defies preconception or oversimplification." 

Why we love it: Bungalow is a stunner in its own right, the skylit dining room that dances with faux jasmine says so. But it was more than looks alone that gave Vikas Khanna's (yes, that Khanna from MasterChef India) restaurant a spot on our best restaurants list of 2024 and a Bib Gourmand status from the Michelin Guide. Here, every dish tells a story, such as the seared pineapple round with a pour of silky coconut curry, which draws from chef Khanna’s first experience at the harvest festival in Udupi. But Khanna isn't the only storyteller here, as co-owner and restaurateur Jimmy Rizvi shares his lore, too, as the pan-seared lamb chops come from his mother's recipe book.

Time Out tip: Get your iPhone ready. Khanna is a constant and kind presence in the dining room, always ready for a selfie between dips in and out of the kitchen.  

Address: 24 1st Ave, New York, NY 10009 

Opening hours: Sun–Wed 5–10:30pm; Thu–Sat 5–11pm

What is it? The oldest Yemeni restaurant in New York (and possibly, the oldest one in the States) is still going strong in Cobble Hill. On any given night, Yemen Café is a full house with tables tearing through dinner plate-sized flatbreads to sop up plates of hummus, babaghanoush and tangles of lamb meat.

Why we love it: You come to Yemen Café to feast—hard stop. It starts off easy enough, as the purchase of an entree always gets you a salad that's heavy on iceberg and a hot bowl of spiced lamb stew, which can be awakened with the squeeze of lemon that comes with it. Ever so welcoming, cups of cinnamon tea are always free; just walk to the back over by the fish tank to fill up. On your way over, you'll likely clock that lamb is the dish of choice here. And you'll certainly find it prepared every which way, bubbling in clay pot bowls (fashah) to roasted, hunky lamb legs still affixed to the bone, but just barely so. 

Time Out tip: This cafe is a busy one, even in the chilly winter months. If you need a bit more space to fit a group, the Staten Island location is certainly the largest.  

Address: 176 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11201; 7317 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11209; 1816 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10305

Opening hours: Vary by location

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ayat.nyc (@ayat.nyc)

What is it? With seven locations in New York (and one in New Jersey), Ayat seems to be sprinting to share its Palestinian cuisine with all who seek it. And we really mean all, as Ayat now has locations in Dallas, with more set to land in Philly and Washington, D.C. But we understand it, if you had food this good, you would share it too. 

Why we love it: Ayat certainly lives up to its motto, "Where Palestinian soul food meets New York City." And no matter which location you find yourself at (of which, there are several), the proudly Palestinian restaurant will dole out its soul, with platters of silky smooth hummus, slick with olive oil and baba ghanoush, fried halloumi and cigar cheese rolls and chicken and beef shawarma, wrapped in plump, wood-fired pitas.  

Time Out tip: Don't be surprised if you see a waiter carrying around the kunafe pizza for dessert, and immediately order one too. However, we highly recommend bringing a group to the table if you do. 

Address: Multiple locations

Opening hours: Vary by location

What is it? A third culture bakery that deals in rosewater croissants, passionfruit and saffron custard danishes and morning buns that greet the day with labne. 

Why we love it: On its own, the rose pistachio croissant at Librae Bakery is worthy of a visit and a top ticket on your Instagram feed—its roadmap of pistachio crumbles leads the way to a sweet rosewater center. And while we wouldn't fault you for building a box solely of this stunner alone, you would surely miss out on the savory goat cheese and spiced olive suisses and speckled and tightly wound babkas that hide tangy pops of lemon curd and black lime.  

Time Out tip: There is a golden disco croissant on the wall for any selfie needs.

Address: 35 Cooper Sq, New York, NY 10003

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 7:30am–4:30pm; Sat, Sun 8am–5pm

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Little Flower (@littleflowercafe)

What is it? An Afghan and American cafe from the same family that runs Sami's Kebab House and the short-lived but beloved Blue Hour. 

Why we love it: Any cafe that is a friend of the mayor is a friend of ours, or however the saying goes. Little Flower Cafe blends Afghan flavors into a coffee shop package with labne danishes, cream doughnuts that spill out with a fragrant rosewater firnee custard and seriously stuffed halal breakfast burritos. Afghan ingredients reach the coffee menu as well, as added pours of rose and cardamom syrups are available.  

Time Out tip: Don't sleep on the tea, the Afghan Pink Chai is as light and refreshing as you think it is.   

Address: 25-35 36th Ave, Astoria, NY 11106

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 7am–4pm; Sat, Sun 8am–4pm

What is it? Owner Mohammad Wali runs a humble cafe in Hell's Kitchen, where he acts as server, table runner, and friendly face who is more than happy to guide you through Afghan eats. 

Why we love it: Never been to Ariana Afghan Kebab? Well, after one meeting with Wali, you may just feel like family. Pick his brain for some of his top dishes (there are many, of course) and be handsomely rewarded with leek-filled dumplings doused in yogurt, parsley bits and meat sauce and filling kebab platters. He will likely guide you toward kabuli palow, Afghanistan's national dish. Follow his lead and dig into a rice platter flecked with raisins and shaved carrots, stirred with tender bits of beef or lamb, dealer's choice. 

Time Out tip: End the meal with the fragrant and rose-infused pudding known as firnee. 

Address: 787 9th Ave, New York, NY 10019 

Opening hours: Daily noon–10pm

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Yafa Café (@yafabrooklyn)

What is it? A family-owned venture, Yafa Cafe has introduced Yemeni culture to NYC through coffee. 

Why we love it: Yafa Cafe came onto the scene in 2019, with a mission to remind the world of one of Yemen's most popular inventions: coffee. Fast forward a few years and two locations later, the family-owned shop has put its stake in the coffee and food scene. Date lattes and warm cups of qahwa (a drink that's made with steeping the corn husks of the coffee plant) sit next to roasted lamb sandwiches with a side of za'atar fries and fried chicken sandwiches that are marinated in a spice blend you'd commonly associate with cups of tea, such as cardamom, nutmeg and star anise. 

Time Out tip: Bring Yafa to your home with easy-to-go bags of roasted beans. 

Address: 4415 4th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11220; 505 State St, Brooklyn, NY 11217

Opening hours: Vary by location

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by alison & mabel | nyc foodies (@dinewiththewangs)

What is it? A colorful Thai romp that hones in on home-style cooking that happens to be halal. 

Why we love it: The first thing you'll notice about Top Thai Vintage is its over-the-top decor. And how could you not—the hostess stand is fashioned out of a tuk-tuk, after all. Drink in the vibes of Bangkok while you and your many tablemates (this is a good spot for groups) dig into shareable dumpling combos and make-your-own platters that you can fill to the brim with chicken satay and sweet chili sauce-tossed wings. Entrees can be split just as well with fried whole fish that swims in a spicy basil sauce and a dedicated menu of steaks.   

Time Out tip: They've got a killer (and consistent happy hour!) every day from 11:30am to 7pm where margartias, mai tais and lychee red sangrias are only $9 with draft beers capping out at $5. 

Address: 55 Carmine St, New York, NY 10014

Opening hours: Sun–Thu 11:30am–9:45pm; Fri, Sat 11:30am–10:45pm

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tashkent Halal Supermarket (@tashkent.supermarket)

What is it? A massive supermarket in Brighton, Manhattan and Coney Island that's well known for its enormous hot food bar.  

Why we love it: It is easy to stroll inside any Tashkent Supermarket Halal Food store with a crisp $20 in your pocket and leave with a swollen bag of food that could feed you for the rest of today and even tomorrow. That's because their cold and hot bar outpaces any competitor in the city, the dreary Whole Foods counters included, with rows upon rows of salads that beam with cucumber, tomatoes and olives, Uzbek pilaf, known as plov, and freshly-made kebabs. Oh, and it is all in the vicinity of a pickle bar, shawarma station and deli station. And the pastries? Stuffed blinis, glossy samsa (aka turnovers) and all manner of cakes and tarts are fully on display.

Time Out tip: Neither location really has a place to eat inside. Those who live in Brighton already know to take a handful of samsas to the beach. Meanwhile, for Manhattanites, you can always take your spoils to Washington Square Park, just a block away.

Address: 378 6th Ave, New York, NY 10011; 4315 18th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11218; 64-46 108th St, Forest Hills, NY 1137; 2828 Coney Island Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11235

Opening hours: Vary by location