Finding halal food in Ottawa can be tough, but thankfully, the food scene in Ottawa has a lot to offer, from halal to vegan dishes.
Halal refers to a set of guidelines for food and its preparation, including ingredients used as well as how animals are cared for and slaughtered. While the diet is usually sought by practicing Muslims, anyone can enjoy the health benefits of halal.
Generally speaking, any food that does not contain traces of pork or alcohol is considered permissible.
Halal foods include:
- Vegetables
- Fruits
- Chicken
- Lamb
- Duck
- Fish
- Beef
- Eggs
As the capital of Canada, Ottawa has a lot to offer in terms of delicious halal food, reflecting resident, visitor, and tourist preferences in food. Finding healthy, certified halal food in Ottawa, on the other hand, takes time and effort—and what if you’re craving something specific, or looking to change up your dining this week?
Here are 14 of the best places you can eat halal in Ottawa.
14 Places to Get the Best Halal Food in Ottawa
Protein Chefs
Protein Chefs is a premium meal service that offers halal delivery in Ottawa and throughout Ontario.
Skip the inconvenience and time-consuming work of cooking for yourself, and opt for mouth-watering home-cooked halal meals delivered directly to your doorstep! If you’re starved for Ottawa’s best halal food—look no further!
Protein Chefs only use high-quality ingredients certified by the Halal Monitoring Authority (HMA), including:
- Hormone- and antibiotic-free meat
- 100% grass-fed beef
- Wild caught seafood
- Locally sourced produce
Even better, the portions are controlled to help keep you healthy and meet your fitness goals. And every single meal is cooked by a chef that’s Chef de Cuisine (CCC) certified.
Hungry? Take $15 off your first order.
Les Grillades
Les Grillades is an Ottawa halal restaurant that is known for its mouth-watering Lebanese barbecue and seafood dishes. TripAdvisor reviews call them some of the best halal food in Ottawa.
For family plates, we recommend the shish kebab. If you’re looking for something lighter, like an appetizer, we recommend their tabouli.
Check them out for dinner, or order their daily specials and family deals for takeout.
Shawarma Palace
You may already know this popular fast-food chain. Shawarma Palace serves delicious halal food in Ottawa and its surrounding area. “Ottawa’s Favorite Shawarma since ’96” has vegetarian and non-vegetarian options galore. On the run? Grab a quick bite to go or order delivery. We love their BBQ chicken shawarma and whitning fish shawarma.
Burgers ‘n Fries Forever
Craving a juicy burger and shake? Meet your BFF in delicious Ottawa halal eats: Burger n’ Fries Forever (shortened to BFF).
Located in Centretown, BFF is a casual, build-your-own burger joint that offers a range of certified halal foods, including:
- Chicken
- Beef patties
- Beef “bacon”
- Veggie gravy
- Beyond Burger® patties
Did you know…
Source: International Media Center
East India Company (Pub & Eatery)
Fancy an all-you-can-eat buffet?
East India Company is a South Asian buffet, restaurant, and pub in Ottawa. While they do serve alcohol, they also have plenty of halal and vegan dishes available. You can visit for lunch or dinner, or opt for convenient pick-up or delivery services.
For those who lean vegetarian, we recommend their Amritsari Bhurta (when available), and their vegetable hakka noodles. For those who don’t focus on being vegetarian, we recommend the mango chili chicken and Murg Palak.
Fairouz Café
Fairouz Café is a highly acclaimed, upscale Middle Eastern restaurant located in the heart of Ottawa’s Byward Market. The café is named one of Canada’s 100 best restaurants and considered some of Ottawa’s best halal food.
While their menu includes alcoholic beverages, the dishes served are halal and vegan-friendly. Treat yourself with some of the tastiest halal food in Ottawa.