Best Halal Restaurants in Nashville, TN

Nashville's halal scene runs deep along Nolensville Pike and Murfreesboro Pike, driven by a thriving Kurdish, Somali, and South Asian community. Here are 13 restaurants worth the trip.

Best Halal Restaurants in Nashville, TN

Nashville has one of the most underrated halal dining scenes in the South. The city's large Kurdish and Somali communities have built a corridor of restaurants along Nolensville Pike and Murfreesboro Pike that puts out some of the best grilled meat, rice dishes, and flatbread in the region. This guide covers the top halal restaurants in Nashville TN, from long-running Persian spots to Uzbek newcomers and late-night gyro counters.

Top Halal Restaurants in Nashville TN: Nolensville Pike and Beyond

Edessa Restaurant (Kurdish-Turkish)

Edessa is the standard-bearer for Kurdish-Turkish food in Nashville. This Nolensville Pike spot is where locals bring out-of-town guests when they want to show off the city's food scene. The adana kebab plate arrives with two juicy skewers of chargrilled ground lamb and beef, saffron rice, and a crisp side salad. For a full spread, the Kabob Festival is the move: a platter of chicken, adana, kofta, and lamb chops that comes with lentil soup, an appetizer sampler, and baklava for dessert.

The space is warm and well-decorated. Service is fast even on busy weekend nights. Do not skip the kunefe for dessert. It is crispy, gooey, and perfectly sweet. The manti (lamb dumplings topped with yogurt and spices) is another standout that regulars swear by.

Address: 3802 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN 37211
Hours: Mon-Sun 11am-8:30pm (Fri-Sun until 9pm)
Price range: $9-$24 per plate
Halal status: Fully halal, staff-confirmed, no alcohol

House of Kabob (Kurdish-Persian)

One of the oldest halal restaurants in Nashville, House of Kabob has been serving Persian-Kurdish food since 1997. The menu is built around charcoal-grilled kabobs: kubideh (fresh ground beef blended with grated onion and spices), chicken sultani, lamb shank, and barg (beef tenderloin). Plates come with fluffy basmati rice and a grilled tomato. The kashk appetizer, sauteed eggplant topped with cream of whey, garlic, and mint, is worth ordering before your main.

A prayer room is available on-site near the entrance. The lamb shank with green rice (dill and lima bean rice) is a crowd favorite and regularly sells out. The sample plate covers hummus, dolmeh, kashk, falafel, tabbouleh, and mast-o-khiar for $15, making it a great intro to the menu.

Address: 407 W Thompson Lane, Nashville, TN 37211
Hours: Tue-Sun 11am-9pm (closed Monday)
Price range: $16-$30 per plate
Halal status: Fully halal, menu labeled, zabihah-confirmed by staff, prayer room on-site

Gyros King (Mediterranean)

Gyros King has earned one of the highest Google ratings in the Nashville area: 4.9 stars from over 3,700 reviews. The menu is simple and affordable: gyro sandwich $8.99, gyro plate $12.99, King's Mix plate $14.99. Everything is made fresh to order.

The owners have confirmed 100% zabiha halal meat across all locations, grilled rather than fried, using imported spices. Good for quick weekday lunches or late-night pickups, as most locations are open until 10pm or later. Affordable kids' meals make it a practical weekly spot for families.

Address: 907 Gallatin Pike S, Nashville, TN 37115 (multiple locations across the Nashville area)
Hours: Daily 10am-10pm (hours vary by location)
Price range: $9-$15
Halal status: 100% zabiha halal, owner-confirmed

Only Chicken (Turkish-Mediterranean)

The name tells you everything. Only Chicken is a Turkish-Mediterranean restaurant in the Hillsboro Village neighborhood that has built a loyal following for its rotisserie and grilled chicken dishes. Reviewers consistently note the spiced chicken platters are among the best they have had, including from people who have traveled in Turkey. The menu includes chicken kabob wraps ($9.95), chef's plate with roasted eggplant and chicken breast ($15.95), and mix grill plates ($19.95). Cold appetizers like alinazik (roasted eggplant with strained garlic yogurt) and ezme (Turkish tomato-pepper salsa) are worth starting with.

The location on Belcourt Avenue puts it close to Vanderbilt and the 12South area, making it a convenient stop for those in midtown. It is open daily until 1am, which makes it one of the best late-night halal options in the city.

Address: 2127 Belcourt Ave, Nashville, TN 37212
Hours: Daily 11am-1am
Price range: $9-$20
Halal status: Halal ingredients, owner-stated

Madina Restaurant (Somali)

For Somali food on Murfreesboro Pike, Madina is the go-to. The hilib ari (roasted goat with Somali basmati rice) is listed as the most popular dish, and reviewers back that up. Goat is cooked to tender, well-seasoned perfection. The kalaankal iyo chapati (chopped beef tips with African flatbread chapati) and the KK dish (chopped chapati with goat broth, topped with your choice of suqaar) are other regulars worth trying. Meals come with a pitcher of juice. Everything is halal.

The atmosphere is casual and community-focused. There is a small prayer space on-site. Madina draws a mix of Somali community regulars and curious newcomers, and the staff is welcoming to both. Portions are generous and prices are reasonable for the quality and quantity you receive.

Address: 611 Murfreesboro Pike, Nashville, TN 37210
Hours: Daily 8am-7:40pm
Price range: $19-$24
Halal status: Fully halal

Newroz Market (Kurdish-Mediterranean)

Newroz is technically a grocery market, but tucked behind the aisles is one of Nashville's best shawarma operations. Located in the center of what many call Little Kurdistan on Elysian Fields Court (just off Nolensville Pike), this is the spot that locals head to after Friday prayers. The beef shawarma on lavash is the signature order: a perfect balance of charred meat, chewy bread, and garlic sauce. Ask for light toppings to keep the structural integrity intact.

The market also stocks halal meats (lamb, beef, chicken, and goat), fresh-baked pita, and Middle Eastern pantry staples. If you want more than a sandwich, they have kabobs and lamb shanks available daily. Parking on Fridays between noon and 2pm is tight due to mosque overflow from next door.

Address: 393 Elysian Fields Court, Nashville, TN 37211
Hours: Daily 8am-8pm
Price range: $8-$15
Halal status: Fully halal, owner-confirmed

Osh Restaurant and Grill (Uzbek)

Uzbek food is rare in Nashville, and Osh is the place to find it. The signature dish is osh (also called pilov): fragrant rice cooked with lamb and vegetables in a style that comes from Central Asia's Silk Road trading routes. It is nothing like biryani or Persian rice. The chuchvara (Uzbek dumplings), suzma, and lagman soup all show a culinary tradition most Nashville diners have never encountered. The Napoleon dessert and kunefe round out a menu that rewards curiosity.

The dining room has a warm, cozy feel, with decor that hints at Central Asian craft traditions. Osh is also halal, which is consistent with Uzbek Muslim culinary customs. This is a sit-down spot suited for a relaxed weeknight dinner or a weekend meal with family.

Address: 216 Thompson Lane, Nashville, TN 37211
Hours: Tue-Sat 11am-9pm, Sun 11am-7pm (closed Monday)
Price range: $9-$33
Halal status: Halal (consistent with Uzbek Muslim tradition)

King Tut's (Egyptian)

King Tut's started as a food truck and earned enough of a following to build a permanent patio and indoor space at 3716 Nolensville Pike. Chef Ragab Rashwan combines his Cairo cafe background with New York cooking experience to produce Egyptian food that has drawn national attention, including a feature on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. The crispy falafel is consistently called the best in Nashville: made fresh, fried to order, served with tahini and a loaded open-face pita. The kofta bowl and chicken shawarma sandwich are also excellent orders.

The atmosphere is casual and family-run. Chef Ragab is often present and cooks with real attention to detail. King Tut's is particularly good for group lunches and private dinners. Call ahead for the best experience on weekend evenings, as it fills up fast.

Address: 3716 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN 37211
Hours: Thu-Sun 4pm-8pm
Price range: $10-$18
Halal status: Halal (Muslim-owned, Egyptian cuisine)

Al Rasoul Market and Restaurant (Iraqi-Mediterranean)

Al Rasoul is a family-owned Iraqi market and restaurant on Elysian Fields Road in South Nashville. The restaurant is in the back of the market, which means you walk through shelves of Middle Eastern groceries to reach it. Iraqi-American reviewers describe the food as genuine home cooking, similar to what they grew up eating. The charcoal-grilled kabobs and rotisserie chicken are the daily staples. The beef shish kebab plate gets consistently strong praise.

This is a small, unpretentious operation. Show up earlier in the day for the widest selection, as some items sell out. You pay for everything, including your drink from the market, when you leave. A neighborhood gem for South Nashville Muslims looking for familiar flavors.

Address: 367 Elysian Fields Rd, Nashville, TN 37211
Hours: Daily (call ahead to confirm current hours)
Price range: $10-$20
Halal status: Halal

Shish Kabob (Persian-Mediterranean)

Shish Kabob on Nolensville Pike is one of the longest-running Persian-Mediterranean halal restaurants in Nashville. The menu covers sultani kabob (a combination plate), chicken kabob, and a full buffet option that runs $7.99 on weekdays and $9.99 on weekends, making it one of the best-value halal lunches in the city. The rice is well-prepared, the kabobs are reliably seasoned, and the portions are generous.

The location is convenient: a mosque is less than a mile away on the same street, and an international food market with a halal butcher and bakery is two doors down. A good choice for weekday lunches when you want a full sit-down halal meal at a low price.

Address: 4651 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN 37211
Hours: Tue-Sun (call ahead; hours vary seasonally)
Price range: $8-$18 (buffet $8-$10)
Halal status: Halal

Best of India (North Indian)

Best of India on Charlotte Pike is one of Nashville's few North Indian restaurants where the owners have confirmed 100% halal meat. No alcohol is served. The lunch buffet offers a wide spread of curries, tandoori chicken, biryani, naan, and desserts at a reasonable price. The dinner menu expands to include dishes like chicken tikka masala, lamb curry, and a full selection of vegetarian options. For Muslims craving desi flavors in Nashville, this is the most consistent option.

The space is casual and family-friendly. The owners greet guests with salam. The staff is accommodating and happy to answer questions about preparation. Best of India is especially good for groups with both meat eaters and vegetarians, given the range of options.

Address: 5815 Charlotte Pike, Suite D, Nashville, TN 37209
Hours: Tue-Sun 11am-8:30pm (closed Mon, break 3-5pm)
Price range: $11-$18
Halal status: 100% halal meat, owner-confirmed, no alcohol served

Baraka Restaurant (Somali-Arabian)

Baraka sits on Murfreesboro Pike and blends Somali and Arabian cooking styles under one roof. The menu includes rice dishes, grilled meats, shawarma, and a mix of East African and Gulf-influenced plates. Reviewers highlight the lamb chops and the quality of the halal grilled meats. The atmosphere is casual and portions are filling without breaking the bank.

A solid option for the Murfreesboro Pike corridor. Baraka has built a following in the local Muslim community and handles both dine-in and takeout well.

Address: 1040 Murfreesboro Pike, Suite 103, Nashville, TN 37217
Hours: Mon 11:30am-9pm, Tue-Sat 4-8pm, Sun 4-8pm
Price range: $10-$20
Halal status: Fully halal

Chicago Style Gyros (Mediterranean)

Chicago Style Gyros on Harding Place has been a neighborhood fixture for years. The menu covers gyro platters, falafel, kebab combos, and tabouli, all at prices well under $15. Reviewers call the gyro sandwich one of the best in Nashville, and the chicken is marinated overnight rather than just for a few hours. The tabouli is fresh and made daily. The restaurant is family-owned and the owner is known for being genuinely friendly and engaged with regulars.

This is a no-frills, fast-casual operation. Great for a quick halal lunch or an affordable dinner. Iraqi regulars call it one of their go-to spots, and it works well for non-Muslim guests who just want good Mediterranean food at a fair price.

Address: 346 Harding Place, Nashville, TN 37211
Hours: Mon-Sat 10:30am-10pm, Sun 11am-9pm
Price range: $7-$15
Halal status: Halal

Tips for Eating Halal in Nashville

  • Nolensville Pike is the main corridor. Edessa, Newroz, King Tut's, and Shish Kabob are all within a few miles of each other in South Nashville.
  • Thompson Lane and Murfreesboro Pike have their own cluster: House of Kabob, Osh, and Madina are all close together.
  • Many of these restaurants have prayer spaces on-site or nearby mosques within walking distance.
  • For late-night halal, Only Chicken (open until 1am) and Gyros King (open until 10pm or later) are your best bets.
  • If you want to cook at home, Newroz Market and Al Rasoul Market both carry halal meats and fresh Middle Eastern ingredients.

Start with Edessa or House of Kabob for your first visit to Nashville's halal scene. Both represent what makes this city's food corridor worth knowing about. From there, work your way through the Somali, Uzbek, Egyptian, and Indian options listed above. Nashville has more halal variety than most visitors expect, and all of it is concentrated within a few zip codes.

A note on halal status: We do our best to identify halal-friendly restaurants based on publicly available information, reviews, and restaurant descriptions. However, halal certification and sourcing practices can change. We strongly recommend confirming directly with each restaurant before dining, especially if strict zabiha compliance is important to you.