Halal dining is finding its place in Halifax

Halal dining is becoming a more visible part of Halifax’s food scene, with choices that go well beyond the usual shawarma stop. Across the city, diners can find Yemeni mandi, Moroccan tagines, Mediterranean grills, South Asian groceries and even Chinese Muslim cooking. Zabihah lists 40 halal restaurants in Halifax, while other directories include markets, caterers and delivery options. For anyone planning a meal out, the main thing to know is that menus and opening hours can vary, so checking directly before heading over is sensible.

At Chef Abod Café & Catering on Kempt Road, the menu brings together Yemeni and Mediterranean cooking. The restaurant serves mezze, mandi, kabsa, Moroccan tagine, Turkish kebabs and vegetarian dishes, with dine-in and takeaway available. Its catering side handles weddings, office events and private parties, with menus that can be adjusted for different group sizes and budgets. Chef Abod has more than 30 years of culinary experience, and the business has received the Top Choice Award for five consecutive years from 2021 to 2026. The restaurant is open Monday to Saturday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; lunch is served Monday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For a more focused Yemeni meal, Manasaba on Chain Lake Drive is known for mandi: slow-cooked lamb or chicken served with fragrant basmati rice. The menu also includes sambusas, shakshouka, lentil soup, fasolia, kibdda, tea and traditional desserts such as Bayt al-Sahan. Portions range from individual chicken servings to larger mixed platters, and the restaurant caters for groups of 10 to 200 guests. Delivery is available through DoorDash and SkipTheDishes. Listed hours vary by platform, particularly on Sunday, so it is worth confirming before making the trip.

Halifax’s halal choices also include cuisines that are less common in the city. YiLan Chinese Halal Restaurant on Barrington Street is described as Atlantic Canada’s only halal Chinese restaurant. Its Hui and Uyghur-inspired menu is made fresh, with hand-pulled noodles, dumplings, buns, fried rice and beef, chicken and lamb dishes. Beef tendon salad, lamb with green onions, homemade dumplings and house-made chilli oil are among the menu highlights. The restaurant offers dine-in, takeaway, delivery and catering, although published opening hours differ between listings. For Middle Eastern comfort food in the downtown area, Mashawee Mediterranean Grill on Dresden Row serves shawarma, shishtawook, kabsa, lamb tikka, mixed grills, hummus and baklava. It has indoor tables, takeaway, delivery and outdoor seating when weather allows.

Moroccan cooking has a place here too. Casablanca Authentic Moroccan Cuisine on Queen Street serves tagines, bastilla and couscous, alongside meat, seafood, vegetarian and vegan dishes. It is a small, family-owned restaurant with dine-in, takeaway, delivery and catering. Its listed hours contain inconsistencies, so checking the restaurant’s current schedule is especially important. If you would rather cook at home, House of Halal Groceries, operating in Halifax since 2004, sells Zabiha-halal lamb, goat, beef and chicken, as well as products from the Middle East, Pakistan, India, Iran and Africa. The store takes Qurbani orders and carries items such as basmati rice, naan, masalas, frozen parathas and samosas. Together, these restaurants and food shops show how Halifax’s halal offering now covers quick lunches, family meals, special-occasion catering and ingredients for the kitchen at home.