I am often asked what the best halaal restaurants in Johannesburg are. I have my opinions but I conducted some polls on social media as well and there were a few that came up, time and again. Of course, everyone may not agree as restaurant reviews are usually based on personal preferences and experiences. As such, they are very subjective. The list below consists of those that I have personally experienced and enjoyed. I will be updating the list as I find new restaurants to recommend. Be sure to subscribe to the free newsletter for updates.
Here are my favourite halaal restaurants in Johannesburg :
Kashifs Fusion Food (Fordsburg)
Restaurants in Fordsburg have a high turnover rate but Kashifs is one of those that has stood the test of time. What I like about the menu is that it consists of a variety of fusion dishes and unusual dishes that you won’t find everywhere else. My personal favourite dishes are the Peshawary Ghost with naan and the deli ice cream or tira misu for dessert. Find them here.
Kaashif’s Fusion Food
Adega (Fordsburg)
Adega is one of Johannesburg’s most loved restaurants. It offers traditional Portuguese cuisine at its best. Everyone in my family has their favourite dish at Adega. Mine are the prawns which are absolutely delicious. The LM Chicken and the creative mocktails are also must- haves. There are several sharing options too. Find them here.
Adega Fordsburg
Lal Qila at Palm Continental (Mayfair)
Halaal buffets are scarce in Johannesburg but Lal Qila offers an expansive buffet consisting of mainly North Indian dishes, interspersed with some Western and other Asian cuisine. As part of the Palm Continental Hotel offering, it has been quite popular since it opened in 2016. The setting makes it a good choice for halaal business lunches and dinners too. You can expect tandooris, beryanis, kormas etc. The kitchen area is open and you can watch the chefs at work. When it’s time for dessert, be sure to ask for some kulfi which is kept in the freezer. Be sure to go hungry. Find them here.
Lal Qila
Ozzy’s Kitchen
This restaurant is owned by Masterchef SA Contestant Ozzy Osman, who has trained at some of the best hotels in the country (like The Saxon, Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel, and the One&Only Cape Town so you can expect exceptional halaal fine dining. This is one of the only halaal restaurants in South Africa to serve Wagyu beef , which is the most expensive beef in the world. The casual fine-dining menu is only available on Friday and Saturday evenings, and Sundays for lunch. There is a light menu available the rest of the time. Do make a reservation before you go. Find them here.
Calistos (Fordsburg, Cresta, The Zone at Rosebank)
Calistos now has three halaal branches in Johannesburg. They specialise 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.
Steak with sides at Calistos
47 On Grant (Norwood)
I often come across rave reviews of this eatery from renowned Joburg foodies. It offers Turkish fusion cuisine as well as some Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Dishes. I loved the very unique presentation of dishes like the Iskender Kebab and the beautiful selection of Middle Eastern starters that we were presented with. Creative mocktails are available to quench ones thirst. Find them here.
47 on Grant
The Rooftop Cafe (99 Oxford Road, Rosebank)
This is one of very few restaurants in Johannesburg that offers strictly halaal fine dining. The outdoor rooftop venue is beautiful, the service is good. the plating is inspired and the food is good. It’s the ideal halaal venue for a special occasion or even a business meal. Make sure you try the chocolate fondant if it is available.
Chocolate Fondant at The Rooftop Cafe
Simply Asia (The Zone at Rosebank, Mall of the South , Norwood)
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.
Simply Asia
Bay Leaf
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.
Chicken Jalfrezi
Dosa Hut (Fordsburg)
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 everyones 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. Find them here.
Masala Dosa
Other places worth mentioning
Aurelies Health & Lifestyle Café (Midrand)
Aurelies provides delicious, healthy alternatives for vegetarians and vegans. No meat is served here. It is also halaal-certified. The menu offers gourmet breakfast options, snack platters, paninis and wraps, and veggie juices. Read my full review here. Find them here.
J’s Tikka & Kebab, (The Zone, Rosebank and Sandton City)
For their delicious butter chickens and kormas.
RoccoMamas (Melrose Arch)
For their smash burgers
Hungabustas (Ormonde)
For their naan burger that feeds 4, their onion rings and their clay oven pizzas.
Papparotis (Fourways Mall)
Go there for their Haji Ali/Mumbai sandwiches and their world-famous signature buns imported from Malaysia. The sandwiches are spicy potato and chutney filled delicacies. The buns…are something else. Don’t be fooled by their unassuming exterior. The fragrant coffee coated bun is crispy on the outside and light and fluffy and full of buttery goodness inside. Wash it all down with a mug of hot karak chai.
Kauai (Sandton City and Cresta)
For their delicious healthy wraps and superfood smoothies.
For those days when you just can’t decide what to eat,
The following shopping centres have a lot of halaal options:
- The Zone at Rosebank
- Sandton City
- Mall of the South
- Cresta Shopping Centre
- Eastgate
For more halaal recommendations, recipes and food pics to drool over, follow @SouthAfricaHalaal on Instagram or on Facebook.
Read my review on Jasmine Syrian Restaurant here.
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.
