A Guide To Halal British Food in London
As a Muslim American, access to halal food can be complicated depending on where you live. If you live in cities like Houston, Chicago, or New York City, chances are you can get any global cuisine as a halal option. However, if you live in other cities in the states, chances are the halal options are a bit more limited to Mediterranean, south Asian, and some basic American choices.
I recently took a trip to London and was amazed to find halal food in every corner of the city! Muslims in London have a long history, so it’s no surprise that business owners offer halal meat on their menus. I was so excited seeing this that I made it a point to discover authentic British food that I could get halal and some global cuisine. And let me tell you, you won’t be disappointed! London is the friendliest halal city in the world, I must say, in the West. So if you’re a foodie on a halal diet, make sure to visit London. Below are some of my top recommendations for halal-friendly foods. In addition, I recommend following the Instagram blogger halal_london_foodie for many other halal suggestions while you are in the city.
- Sunday Pot Roast at The Great Chase
A classic Sunday meal in the UK is this comfort dish. Thinly sliced beef, Yorkshire pudding, and nicely roasted potatoes and vegetables. The Great Chase offers this meal on Sundays, and it is very delicious and has a very intimate setting. Make reservations on a Sunday, as this is not an everyday meal.
2. Fish and Chips at Fishers or Poppies Fish and Chips
The UK’s most iconic “working man’s” meal has got to be fish and chips. Many fish and chips use beer batter. However, for Muslims who prefer a batter without beer, these establishments use a non-alcoholic beer batter, and the taste is spectacular. The cod is larger than your head and will make you so full. The meat is tender and flaky inside but has the perfect crunch. Don’t forget to douse your fish and chips with malt vinegar. It’s the proper British way to enjoy it!
3. High Tea at Harrods
High Tea is truly a great experience with your significant other or with a group of friends. It is typically served in the afternoon or late afternoon and offers some of the finest afternoon tea, finger sandwiches, and petite sweets. Harrods is the finest department store in the entire UK. But they also have high tea, and their full menu is halal! There are a lot of halal high tea spots throughout London, but if you’re looking for a beautiful location and exemplary service, I highly recommend making a reservation at Harrods. Don’t forget to enjoy the clotted cream and scones at the end of your tea experience!
4. Chicken Tikka Masala, anywhere in London
Believe it or not, Chicken Tikka Masala is the National dish of the UK. And according to some food historians, it was invented in Scotland by a Pakistani chef! South Asian cuisine is deeply embedded in British culture, and the locals have it available everywhere! In most cases, they will have it halal but make sure to confirm with the restaurant. If you’re looking for a unique recommendation, make a reservation at Dishoom. While Dishoom doesn’t have the most authentic version, it has a dish called “Ruby Chicken.” It’s very creamy, and the chicken is very soft. Dishoom is an Indian restaurant inspired by the Iranian cafes of Bombay from the early 20th century. The ambiance is regal and truly a spectacular experience. Highly recommend making a reservation at Dishoom if you can also enjoy their other Indian dishes.
5. Cheese and Onion or Vegan Sausage Pasty at Greggs
A Pasty is another on-the-go, very comforting snack or meal in the UK. There are Pasty shops everywhere, especially by the Tube Stations, and Gregg’s is the most popular franchise. I recommend enjoying a Cheese and Onion pasty or their vegan sausage pasty. Both are flaky, soft, and very comforting on a cold day when you want something to nibble as you walk around the city. While Gregg’s does not offer halal meat, their vegetarian options are not bad. I am sure there are halal pasty shops in the London area. I could not find one, but hopefully, if you ask a local while visiting, I am sure they will be able to share a location.
6. Wagyu Beef Burger and Steaks and Zelman Meats
One of my favorite meals in the UK was the halal wagyu beef burger at Zelman Meats. Access to halal wagyu at a restaurant in the United is very rare to nearly impossible, so I wanted to take advantage of this opportunity. And boy, was it worth it! The burger is super juicy, earthy in flavor due to the cow’s diet, and surprisingly still very tender even when fully cooked vs. medium cooked. Zelman also offers a variety of halal steaks on their menu.
7. Global Halal Cuisine at the Camden Market.
Without question, this is a hidden treasure for Muslim tourists visiting London. The Camden maker is home to over 50 food vendors, and a substantial amount of the food vendors source halal meat! The food market saw an incredible opportunity to source halal meat, and it’s become a great market, especially at night, to try food from all over the world. My wife and I sampled halal bao, Venezuelan empanadas, Korean fried hot dogs, Argentinian thin roast meat with chips, and some of the tastiest falafel. Camden Market is also a place for enjoyable shopping and some really fun street waffle desserts. Go there with family and friends hungry and leave with a full belly content from flavors worldwide.
Honorable Mentions
- Edgware neighborhood for some of the best Middle Eastern cuisine.
- Southall neighborhood for some of the best Pakistani and Indian cuisine. It is known as Little Punjab in London. Check out Ambala Sweets for their famous habshi halwa! Also
- Pie Factory for savory British-style pies
I hope you enjoyed the read, and if you ever visit London, I wish you a splendid food experience there! Dare I say it is now my favorite city in the world for food?
Cheers,
Omar
