Best Halal Restaurants in New Orleans, LA

New Orleans is world-famous for Creole and Cajun cooking, but much of that tradition centers on pork, shellfish, and alcohol. The good news: a growing number of halal restaurants in New Orleans and the surrounding metro have filled that gap with Lebanese, Turkish, Egyptian, and South Asian kitchens spread across New Orleans proper, Metairie, and Kenner.

Top halal restaurants in New Orleans, Metairie, and Kenner

The restaurants below cover a wide range of cuisines, price points, and neighborhoods. Entries are ordered by halal credibility, starting with certified and fully confirmed spots, moving to halal-friendly options, and ending with one location where you should verify before visiting.

The Halal Shack at Tulane University

Located on the St. Charles Avenue streetcar corridor near Tulane's campus, The Halal Shack is the most transparently certified halal option in the Uptown area. All meats are sourced and prepared following Islamic dietary guidelines, and no alcohol is allowed on premises. Founder Jamal Rasoully brings Afghan culinary heritage to a menu that blends New York-style street food with Mediterranean staples. The chicken over rice with white sauce, falafel wrap, and halal burger draw a steady crowd of students and residents. Fast-casual, affordable, and straightforward about its halal sourcing.

Shyan's Kitchen

Shyan's Kitchen is the top Pakistani and Indian halal restaurant in the New Orleans metro, confirmed on Zabihah and praised by Muslim and non-Muslim diners alike. Owner Sardar K. states clearly that all meat is halal, food is cooked fresh per order, and spice levels can be adjusted on request. The spot sits in a Metairie strip mall but delivers the warmth of a home-cooked meal, with simple decor and staff who treat guests like family. The goat curry (mutton karahi) and chicken tikka masala are standout dishes. Portions are generous for the price.

Cleo's Mediterranean Cuisine (Canal Street)

For anyone staying in the French Quarter or CBD, Cleo's on Canal Street is the most convenient halal option in the tourist corridor. It operates 24 hours a day, every day of the week, and the owner has confirmed on Zabihah that all meats, including chicken, beef, and lamb, are fully halal with no alcohol on premises. The lamb shank with rice and salad and the beef kofta over rice have earned consistent praise for generous portions at budget prices. Counter-service and fast, it fills a real gap for late-night halal dining near the major hotel zones.

Cleo's Mediterranean Cuisine (University Place)

This second Cleo's location, near the Roosevelt Hotel in the CBD, operates independently from the Canal Street branch. Rated 4.8 out of 5 on Zabihah, it has earned strong reviews, and the owner confirms all meats are fully halal with no alcohol served. The chicken shawarma platter with pomegranate salad and the hummus with labneh are highlights. Located one block off Canal Street, it is well-placed for downtown visitors and professionals who need a quick halal lunch. The Zabihah listing notes that Thrillist once recognized it among the best new restaurants in the United States.

Shawarma on the Go

Shawarma on the Go operates out of a Jetgo gas station on Magazine Street, but do not let the setting fool you. It is listed on Zabihah as halal and has built a devoted following for fresh, generously portioned shawarma and gyros that rival sit-down restaurants. The chicken shawarma wrap and falafel plate with hummus are the go-to orders. Prices are among the lowest on the Magazine Street corridor, making it ideal for a quick, filling halal lunch. Regulars come back for the baba ghanoush with warm pita as well.

Kabob House

Rated 100% halal on Zabihah, Kabob House is a Metairie staple founded by a Jordanian family that brings warm hospitality and authentic Mediterranean flavors to Veterans Boulevard. The beef shawarma over hummus draws particular praise from reviewers as one of the best preparations in the area. Kofta kabob and chicken shawarma plates round out a menu built around fresh ingredients and generous servings. The bright, clean dining room works equally well for a sit-down meal or quick counter-service order. Recent reviews confirm it remains one of the most active and well-regarded halal destinations in the metro.

Shawarma on the Run

Tucked into a Kenner strip mall near the New Orleans airport, Shawarma on the Run is rated 100% halal on Zabihah and serves some of the freshest shawarma in the metro's west side. Made-to-order chicken and beef shawarma plates and falafel sandwiches keep the menu focused and the quality consistent. The location makes it a practical halal stop for travelers connecting through Louis Armstrong International Airport and for Kenner residents who want a reliable, affordable Mediterranean meal. The no-frills setup is offset by charcoal-influenced meats that stand out from more casual competitors.

Shishkabob House

A Kenner institution with more than 30 years of cooking experience behind the chef, Shishkabob House is listed on TripAdvisor with a Halal dietary tag and confirmed 100% halal by reviewers. The family-run Lebanese spot has a reputation for hospitality: staff regularly bring extra bread and rice, and regulars describe the welcome as genuinely warm. The lulu kabob (seasoned ground meat skewer) and chicken-and-beef combination plate are customer favorites. Lunch specials offer strong value. It draws loyal repeat customers from across the metro, particularly for its lamb dishes.

Nola Desi Kitchen

Nola Desi Kitchen is rated 100% halal on Zabihah and carries a Halal dietary tag on TripAdvisor. Owner-operated and based in Kenner, it is one of the few spots in the entire metro that serves South Asian specialties like nihari and falooda alongside biryani, karahi, and samosas with spiced chickpeas. The menu spans Pakistani, Indian, and Bangladeshi cooking, making it a distinct option in a market dominated by Mediterranean fare. The owner personally greets guests, and the home-cooked atmosphere is genuine. Recent reviews confirm the kitchen remains active and well-regarded.

Lebanon's Cafe

One of the longest-running Lebanese restaurants in New Orleans, Lebanon's Cafe has been a local institution for more than 22 years. The owner confirms halal status directly, and no alcohol is served on premises, though BYOB is permitted. The mural-lined neighborhood café sits a short walk from the St. Charles streetcar line in Carrollton, with a lively sidewalk patio and a local crowd. The extensive hummus menu, with varieties including red pepper, feta, and fried cauliflower, sets it apart. The chicken shawarma plate, lamb kabob, and rosemary lamb chops deliver some of the most consistent Middle Eastern cooking in the city at wallet-friendly prices.

Pyramids Cafe

Chef Hilmi trained in Jerusalem for over 20 years before opening Pyramids Cafe in the Broadmoor area after Hurricane Katrina, bringing authentic Egyptian and Levantine technique to New Orleans. The owner confirms halal status, and the family-run dining room has a homey atmosphere where Chef Hilmi and his wife Sajeda are frequently present. Handmade falafel, fresh-daily hummus, and the combination kabab plate (three meats) draw loyal regulars from across the metro. The menu has a genuine Egyptian identity that stands apart from more generic Mediterranean menus in the city. Budget-friendly prices and consistent quality make this a repeat-visit spot.

Istanbul Grill

Istanbul Grill brings owner-confirmed halal Turkish cuisine to Metairie's Veterans Boulevard with a menu that goes well beyond generic Mediterranean fare. Iskender kebab (served with yogurt and tomato sauce), beyti kebab, and lamb doner are dishes you will not find at most other halal spots in Louisiana. The restaurant explicitly markets itself as halal-certified on its website. The spacious dining room has warm decor and a family-oriented atmosphere, and the Turkish desserts, including baklava, are worth saving room for. For anyone seeking a more complete Turkish dining experience in the New Orleans metro, this is the best option.

Saj

Saj centers its entire menu around freshly baked Saj flatbread, a Lebanese tradition that gives every dish a distinct warmth. The baked feta with honey crust has been described by multiple reviewers as a reason to visit on its own, and the Turkish coffee service is a genuine experience. The intimate, BYOB dining room on Magazine Street has soft lighting and a relaxed atmosphere that feels more like a dinner party than a restaurant. Halal status is not formally certified, but there is no pork on the menu and the operation reflects clear Middle Eastern culinary tradition. Confirm details with the restaurant before visiting if strict compliance matters to you.

New Orleans offers more halal dining options than most visitors expect, from 24-hour Mediterranean counters in the CBD to Pakistani kitchens in Metairie and family-run Lebanese spots in Kenner. A good starting point: pick your neighborhood, then check which certified or owner-confirmed options are closest. One practical note for this city in particular: some halal restaurants in New Orleans do serve alcohol or allow BYOB because of the strong local bar culture and tourism economy. That makes it more important here than in many other cities to confirm halal sourcing directly with the restaurant before you go.

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.