The Best Halal Restaurants in San Francisco

You’ll find Old Jerusalem Restaurant located in San Francisco’s bustling Mission District. Instantly, you’ll feel at home in the intimate restaurant, with its colorful murals on the walls. Not to mention that the dining establishment dishes up Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food that will have your mouth watering upon entry. Prepare to sample fresh flatbreads, creamy hummus, and piping hot shawarmas.

Unlike some halal restaurants, Tuba Authentic Turkish Restaurant serves beer and wine, so try it if you’re looking to enjoy a beverage while noshing on quality food. The quaint restaurant, located in the Mission, makes all of their food from scratch, using fresh ingredients to whip up a medley of Mediterranean-inspired dishes that should not be missed. Arrive with an empty stomach, and taste everything from homemade dolmas to spicy lentil soups, and you would be remiss to skip their juicy lamb dishes.

Loved by locals and tourists alike, Lahore Karahi is in the business of serving delicious Indian and Pakistani food. San Franciscans praise the shop’s owners for their friendly repertoire and amazing cuisine. There’s truly something for everyone at Lahore Karahi as they offer everything from sumptuous curries to Tandoori grilled meats. Don’t pass up a traditional biryani dish, and be sure to order a lassi to accompany spicy curries, such as a vindaloo.

What sets Yumma’s Mediterranean Grill apart is its commitment to using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The family-owned and operated restaurant runs via counter service, at which patrons can choose from Mediterranean classics like shawarma, falafel, or kabobs. Pair your wrap with a fresh Greek salad or piping hot French fries and your stomach will thank you later.

There is nothing quite as satisfying as hot Indian food on a gray San Francisco day, and Pakwan reaffirms that claim. The beloved Bay Area eatery has been around since 1999 and continues to plate up some of the best Indian and Pakistani food in the city. Boasting rich flavors in their dishes and customers that return repeatedly, there’s nothing not to love about this San Francisco gem.

This restaurant might look small and unassuming from the outside, but De Afghanan Kabob House’s food packs a big punch. Offering traditional Afghan cuisine, as well as other popular Mediterranean menu items, the vibrant flavors and colors of the food will have you dreaming of your next visit before you’ve even left the shop. Bring along a friend and split a sheer yakh for dessert—who could resist vanilla ice cream with heavy cream, rose water, cardamom, and pistachio, after all?

Dreaming of a trip to Morocco but can’t afford the plane ticket? A quick meal at Aicha in San Francisco’s Nob Hill neighborhood should do the trick. Nibble on couscous and nosh on citrusy chicken tagine, and just be sure to order plenty of kebabs for the table because the tenderly charred meat will be eaten before you know it.

If you happen to catch a rare sunny day in the city, be sure to sit outside on La Mediterranee’s patio and people-watch. Observing city-goers is heightened by the fantastic flavors of beets, olives, and tantalizing happy hour specials. Yes, this is one halal restaurant that does offer wine and beer, but its liquid offerings could never outshine its food options. No matter what part of the city you live in, you’ll be able to grab a meal at La Mediterranee, as the restaurant boasts four locations in the City by the Bay.