I am often asked what the best halaal restaurants in Johannesburg are. As a South African food blogger and someone who eats out often, I have compiled the list below based on restaurants that I have personally experienced and enjoyed. The list is updated often as I find new restaurants to recommend. Of course, everyone may not agree as restaurant reviews are usually based on personal preferences and experiences. However, this is my opinion. Be sure to subscribe to the free newsletter for updates. Contact me if you would like a review of your restaurant.
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Yes, Pizza Del Forno has great pizza but it has much more than that. They have innovative gourmet burgers, pastas, meat dishes as well as decadent desserts, mocktails, and deluxe shakes too! They also introduce new items regularly, in keeping with the seasonal changes. They are situated in Killarney Mall. Find them here.
Address: Killarney Mall
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Lokkum has reopened in Norwood after a temporary absence. Their new venue is easily accessible, spacious and beautifully designed, and it also has a separate sheesha section. The menu has also been revamped with a mix of Turkish cuisine and popular traditional foods.
Address: 19 William rd (Cnr, Grant Ave), Norwood
Shashlik kebab at Lokkum
Pigalle, a beloved dining institution in Sandton, Johannesburg, has reopened its doors as Pigalle by Villamoura under new ownership and is now halaal-certified. The menu features old favourites and new Dubai-inspired spicy dishes. including exquisite grilled meats and fresh seafood, signature flame-grilled chicken, sushi and artisanal mocktails and decadent desserts. This is upmarket, halaal fine dining at its best.
Address: UO9, Michelangelo Towers, Maude St, Sandton.
Lemon butter prawns at Pigalle by Villamoura
Mo-Ez Fusion is an upmarket restaurant in Lenasia in the Greater Johannesburg area that’s been garnering great reviews. The restaurant features elegant Middle Eastern-themed décor and food - with some Turkish delicacies and the service is friendly and efficient. We thoroughly enjoyed the stuffed calamari, grilled halloumi, steak, and prawns, as well as the dessert selection which includes baklava cheesecake , kataifi and cold baklava.
Address: No. 2 Protea Avenue, Corner Flamingo and Protea, Lenasia.
Mo-Ez Fusion
Jasmine Fusion is a small and intimate restaurant in the Morningside suburb of Sandton. It offers halaal fine dining at it's best by the talented chefs at its helm. They often have events with fixed menus and buffet nights, and they host cooking classes too. Also check out their Mercata Del Gusto and Dolce Mercata menus for delicious fusion street food and amazing desserts. Find them at 4 Hill Road, Morningside, Sandton or here.
Jasmine Fusion
Delicious Turkish food with an amazing variety of baklavas. Beautiful decor in a trendy location and great vibe. Overall, an enjoyable experience. Mains are served with complimentary starters over charcoal warmers. The Iskender Kebab and chocolate baklavas are a must-try. Find them at Melrose Arch.
Istanbul Kebab Melrose Arch
This restaurant is owned by former Masterchef SA Contestant Ozzy Osman, who has trained at some of the best hotels in the country so you can expect delicious food. The menu has a wide selection of innovative starters, main and desserts and kids are catered for too. There's even a play area for them. On weekends, you can order from the “Casual Fine Dining” menu. The restaurant is located in Wynberg, an industrial area of Sandton. Find them at 55 Andries St, Wynberg, Sandton or here.
Ozzys Kitchen
Calistos specialises in Portuguese cuisine, but the menu is quite diverse and offers delectable seafood, pizzas, pastas, flame-grilled chicken, fillet steak and more. Find them here.
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Stands out among the many Indo/Paki/Bangladeshi restaurants in Fordsburg because the food rarely disappoints. The restaurant has been around for a long while and is usually busy, which is a testament to its popularity. Do order the chicken jalfrezi and the butter chicken. Find them here.
Address: 57 Mint Rd, Fordsburg
Bay Leaf
Dosa Hut specialises in South Indian dishes and indeed it is one of few halaal restaurants in Johannesburg that does. South Indian dishes may not be everyone's cup of tea but I personally enjoy it. As the name suggests, their specialty is the dosa which it a large ultra-thin crepe with a choice of filling/stuffing. Be sure to try the traditional masala dosa which has a spicy potato filling, and the idlis as well as the mint lemonade and the almond milkshake. They also make great curries (like the Chicken Malli perallan) and whole fried fish.
Address: 48 Central Rd, Fordsburg
Simply Asia (The Zone at Rosebank, Mall of the South , Norwood, Killarney Mall, Mall of Africa)
I love Thai food and Simply Asia does have the best halaal Thai food in Johannesburg. My favourite , and those of most people I speak to is the 514 – Ba-Mee Prik-Phao (Roasted Chilli Paste and Cashew Nut Noodles). However I have tried other dishes on the menu like the 622 - Linguine Phad Tom Yum and have not been disappointed. Find them here.
Akhalwayas
For lekker junk food. There are branches all over but our personal favourites are the Church Street branch for their Wonder Why pizzas, and Akhalwayas Bree (84 Lillian Ngoyi Rd) for everything else, especially their toasted specials.
Syrian Rose (Fordsburg)
For their schwarmas and chicken.
RocoMamas (Melrose Arch and Nelson Mandela Square)
For their smash burgers, cheesy fries, ribs and cheese bombs.
Kauai (Sandton City and Cresta)
For their delicious healthy wraps and superfood smoothies.
Contact me if you would like a review of your restaurant on sara@inafricaandbeyond.com or saraessop@gmail.com .
The following shopping centres have a lot of halaal options:
For more halaal recommendations, recipes and food pics to drool over, follow @SouthAfricaHalaal on Instagram or on Facebook.
Hyatt House Johannesburg Sandton
Hyatt House Johannesburg Rosebank
Lilian Lofts Fordsburg
Qurtuba Boutique Hotel and Spa
Palm Continental
Monarch Boutique Hotel
Alcazaba Lodge
See more hotels I recommend or find more accommodation in Johannesburg.
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What are your favourite halaal restaurants in Johannesburg?
Which restaurants do you think should be added to this list? Let me know in the comments below.
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Sara Essop is a travel blogger and writer based in South Africa. She writes about family travel and experiences around the world. Although she has been to 50 countries thus far, she especially loves showcasing her beautiful country and is a certified South Africa Specialist.
My wife best home cook food is my favourite restaurant. In the comfort of your own home.
Galata greenside for turkish food. My diners rosebank or lal qila sandton for Indian. Pizza ghetti or baked on grant for grills and Woodfire pizza
Mikes Kitchen Boksburg
Been to some of the restaurants mentioned trully amazing food and taste
..
Adegas also is a awesome ..
Jimmys killer prawns
Calistos etc the food out there is just .. i have no words to explain
These are my family's favourite halaal restaurants in Joburg. Which Adegas? The Fordsburg and Lenz branches both closed down.
Fordsburg:
Ammaans,Akhalwayas,sollys corner, Kentucky milk bar.
Newtown:
Mochachos
My personal best restaurant
Jimmy's killer grills fordsburg at image lifestyle
Amman restaurant in fordsburg
This is the most useful post I have read. You have a way with words, and I will follow you as I like your posts.
Some really gߋod content on thiѕ website. Thanks for sharing.
Slms
I have a friend that works in centurion and looking for halaal take aways or restaurants.
Jzk
Wslm. Mochachos Centurion Mall is halaal.
Thanks for the excellent advice. It actually is useful.
Great line up. We'll be linking to this great article on our website.
Keep up the good writing.
This really answered my issue, thank you!
There is a simply Asia in greenside too.
Thanks Nisreen. I haven't been to it yet.
Bahu Cuisine at columbine sqaure in winchester hills
Thanks for the suggestion Noorain. I haven't been there yet.