Edinburgh is one of those traditional Scottish areas that many assume has no halal options, unlike London which has halal restaurants aplenty. Which is why we were pleased to say that while this may have been true a decade ago, you’ll discover now in Old Town, and in New Town, that there are mosques and restaurants aplenty!
What Are The Best Halal Restaurants In Edinburgh?
The Mosque Kitchen
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Cheap, hearty, and fully halal food is available at The Mosque Kitchen, which serves a host of delicious Indian foods. Curries, Kebabs and Tandoori chicken are done in the traditional way, with plenty of flavour and the right amount of spice.
Location: 31-33 Nicolson Square, EH8 9BX Edinburgh, UK., +44 131 667 4035
Kebab Mahal
Kebab Mahal is a halal restaurant that is known for its succulent kebabs and pillowy-soft pizza. They won the Scottish Curry Awards in 2009 & 2016 and pride themselves on their longevity in the community since they’ve been around since 1979. They’re only a short walk away from the Edinburgh Central Mosque, and their menu reflects a diverse array of Indian foods that has an impressive choice of vegetable side dishes.
Location: 7 Nicolson Square, Edinburgh EH8 9BH, +44 131 667 5214
Laila Brunch & Lunch
Ladies looking to enjoy a halal lunch with friends should definitely visit Laila Brunch & Lunch. The foods on offer are as gorgeous as their powder pink exterior. Their interior is just as Instagrammable, and menu choices are served on soft pink plates. Menu choices are varied, with everything from shakshuka, served in a pan to Oreo brioche French toast, to all day pitas such as their buttermilk fried chicken pita wraps. You’ll want to bring a fully charged battery and an appetite with you when you come here. They’re conveniently located close to Edinburgh Castle and the ever-popular Victoria street.
Location: 63 Cockburn Street, Edinburgh EH1 1BS, +44 131 226 5097
Kismot
From outstandingly warm service to home-style Bangladesh foods, this family-run restaurant is a must-try while in Edinburgh – the food is even cooked by mum and dad! The sizable portions, aromatic curries, huge pile of accompanying flatbreads and rice as well as a choice of hot or not mains ensures they are constantly busy. They cater for parties and special events. Please note they do allow a BYOB policy in the restaurant.
Location: 29 St. Leonards Street, Edinburgh EH8 9QN Scotland+44 131 667 0123
Ada Restaurant
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Stating that they are halal-friendly, Ada Restaurant is a great choice if you’re visiting the Scott Monument. The interior with glass-blown lamps, stucco brick decor on the walls complemented by a variety of interesting paintings, and minimalistic tables, ensures the full focus is on the delicious foods. Mediterranean, barbecue and European inspired dishes are available, and you can look forward to a meze selection of hot and cold options, chicken casseroles, lamb and mixed grill items, as well as wraps, burgers and seafood mains. Mocktails are available, however, please note that alcohol is also served here too. Some traditional Turkish drinks to try include Ayran, Uludağ Gazoz, and Şalgam.
Location: 9A Antigua Street, Edinburgh EH1 3NH Scotland+44 131 556 8896
Bburger
Set in an unassuming building within Nicolson Street, Bburger is known for its range of halal beef and chicken burgers, as well as a few select other meals. Customers enjoy the flavourful offerings, and staff are often complimented for their warm and friendly service. They’re a short walk away from the Edinburgh Central Mosque.
Location: 86 Nicolson St, Newington, Edinburgh EH8 9EW, +44 131 667 9115
What Are The Best Outdoor Halal Restaurants In Edinburgh?
At present, there are no halal restaurants in Edinburgh that offer outdoor spaces to dine at. However, ordering a takeaway from any of the above restaurants and enjoying them while on a walk in the city or at a nearby attraction is always an option.
What Are The Best Halal Restaurants In Edinburgh City Centre?
While Ada’s Restaurant and Laila Lunch & Brunch listed above are both great options to choose from, Elfalafel, shown below, is another great choice.
Elfalafel
A family friendly fully halal eatery which is known for serving falafel and shawarma pita and wraps, they also have a truly delightful open salad bar. Elfalafel is centrally located in Edinburgh which makes them a great lunch choice regardless of what it is you’ve been doing – though they’re particularly close to Greyfriars Kirkyard. The royal blue exterior welcomes you in, and they’re a popular choice for students since they offer a 10% student discount on their meals. Fish and chips, muffins and a hot drink combination, as well as halloumi wraps and chicken tenders are some of their other menu favourites.
Location: 15 Bristo Pl, Edinburgh EH1 1BZ, +44 131 477 0441
What Are The Best Halal Steak Restaurants In Edinburgh?
Berger & Stāk
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While many above restaurants offer steak and grill options, Berger & Stāk are halal and has some of the best steak and burger combinations in town. They are said by many to be gourmet grill extraordinaires, and their range of halal steaks will certainly have you planning your next meal here. The friendly service, numerous toppings, and varieties will keep you from getting bored, and the chip baskets served with all grills are well stacked besides your meat of choice. Just don’ try to book them over Eid since they are usually closed to celebrate too.
Location: 8 Gillespie Place, Edinburgh EH10 4HS, +44 131 281 6846
As Halal industry statistics show, more and more restaurants around the globe are starting to become halal-friendly and we can’t wait to expand our Halal restaurant guides to include more offerings for you very soon.
Sebastian is a former hedge fund trader who worked only to indulge his true passion – food.
He has dined at over 240 Michelin-starred restaurants around the world, savoring culinary masterpieces and understanding the stories behind them. He now advises restaurants on menu design, decor and holistic diner experience.