Like Cardi B says, we’re out here “flexing on people as hard as I can, eating halal, driving the Lam’”
It’s more a Honda CRV than a Lamborghini but we are still out here eating halal though! Baltimore has seen an uprising in halal restaurants or restaurants that use halal meat because it caters to a larger market.
According to Thomson Reuters, the halal-certified food and beverage market back in 2015 was estimated to be around $415 billion. Which businessperson wouldn’t want to tap into that?
Here are a couple of the best halal restaurants in Baltimore.
Döner Brös
- Address: 3204 St Paul Street, Baltimore, MD 21218 | Website
- Status: Fully halal menu
Found in the heart of Charles Village, Döner Brös was founded by two friends with a bright orange food truck. They soon expanded into a casual dining spot of their own and even have a second location in Harbor East scheduled to open. You’re in for one of the most authentic döner experiences you’ll find outside of Turkey; the meats are perfectly seasoned and can be served in freshly-baked bread kebab style, in a tortilla durum style, over a salad, or over a bowl of yellow rice. Sauce it up with some tzatziki and it’s the perfect meal.
Busboys and Poets
- Address: 3224 St Paul Street, Baltimore, MD 21218 | Website
- Status: Uses halal meats (chicken, beef, lamb) but they do have pork on the menu
Just a couple of doors down from Döner Brös, you’ll find the newest location of the DMV’s beloved Busboys and Poets. It started with restaurateur Andy Shallal introducing halal chicken to all the locations in 2010 but they soon expanded it to halal beef and lamb as well. Try some of my favorites like the fried chicken sandwich, the beef tacos, and the fried chicken served with collard greens and mashed potatoes.
ZAATAR Mediterranean Cuisine
- Address: 1019 S Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21230 | Website
- Status: Fully halal menu
Perfectly seasoned lamb chops served with hummus and Ali Baba bread. Ground beef kofta kabobs over grilled veggies. Or what about chicken shawarma stuffed with tomatoes, pickles, and their homemade garlic sauce? Just thinking about the menu at ZAATAR is making me hungry. While I’m a huge fan of their entrees, don’t miss out on delicious appetizers like the baba ghanoush, stuffed grape leaves, and the spinach pie.
My Halal Tacos
- Address: 100 W Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201 | Website
- Status: Fully halal menu
While it is a food truck, My Halal Tacos deserves to be on the list because not only are their tacos delicious, but halal tacos are also generally hard to find. They have chicken, beef, and shrimp soft tacos on the menu; they also have quesadillas, sandwiches, hotdogs, and rice platters – all of which are halal! The food is authentic and delicious, and you’ll find yourself going back again and again.
Poblano’s Mexican Grill
- Address: 201 W Chase Street, Baltimore, MD 21201 | Website
- Status: Fully halal menu
Poblano’s Mexican Grill is a staple for diners craving authentic, yet halal, Mexican cuisine. Their menu has chicken, steak, veggie, shrimp, or fish variations of salad bowls, quesadillas, fajitas, burritos, tortas, and tacos. Their Nachos Grande is one of my personal favorites; I top it with steak, black beans, pinto beans, salsa, cheese, sour cream, and Pico de Gallo. Complete your meal with some chips and queso or a large order of guac.
Zam Zam Kabab Karahi
- Address: 1000 Dundalk Ave, Baltimore, MD 21224 | Website
- Status: Fully halal menu
Tucked in the back of a grocery store Zam Zam Kabab Karahi is one of Baltimore’s hidden gems when it comes to halal food. You can stop by for their buffet and feast on a range of curries accompanied with rice and naan. Otherwise, you can order a la carte from their menu which has everything from flavorful chicken curries to sizzling lamb chops. Add a side of chicken or veggie pakoras to the order – you won’t regret it!
Village Kebab
- Address: 407 E 32nd Street, Baltimore, MD 21218 | Website
- Status: Fully halal menu
Village Kebab was founded by Kamran Qazi, a Pakistani national who had the luck of growing up with delicious foods from Islamabad all the way down to Karachi. After moving to Baltimore, Qazi wanted to share the foods of his culture with Baltimoreans. The restaurant, a staple in Charles Village, offers delicious concoctions such as chicken tikka, beef chapli kabab, and delicious mutton korma; all entrees are served with sides like rice, chickpeas, salad, naan, or chutney.
Texas Chicken & Grill
- Address: 3300 Greenmount Ave, Baltimore, MD 21218 | Website
- Status: Fully halal menu
While there are tables available, Texas Chicken & Grill is more of a takeaway spot filled with all the halal fast food to fill your soul. Crunchy chicken fried to perfection, cheeseburgers that melt in your mouth, and lamb over rice that will make your stomach happy are just a few of the options, though the fried chicken is their main seller. Make it a combo with collard greens, mac and cheese, and a biscuit for a delicious homestyle meal.
Nailah’s Fresh Out the Kitchen
- Address: 5722 York Road, Baltimore, MD 21212 | Website
- Status: Fully halal menu
If there is only one halal restaurant in Baltimore that you can eat at, make it Nailah’s Fresh Out the Kitchen. The Senegalese restaurant is a community favorite and is open for both lunch and dinner. There is a side entrance for takeaway, but if you have a moment, opt for dining in their beautifully decorated restaurant. Try out crowd favorites like the Thiebou Dieune which is a fish stew served with jollof rice and cassava or the Yassa which is sauteed chicken marinated in lemon and onions and served over white rice. Their grilled lamb dibi platter is amazing and can easily be shared by two people!
Please keep in mind that the halal status of the restaurants mentioned in this article was confirmed at the time of writing. Customers are urged to confirm before dining.
