clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
A group of people gathered around a table for a meal.
During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims gather every evening for iftar, the meal to break their daily fast.
Shutterstock

Where to Eat Out During Ramadan Around Chicago

Twelve halal spots in the city and suburbs to satisfy almost every craving

View as Map
During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims gather every evening for iftar, the meal to break their daily fast.
| Shutterstock

Halal standards are hard to keep up with in America. These are the conversations that occupy WhatsApp threads with aunties and uncles wondering if certain restaurants are truly adhering to code. While some rumors are quickly quashed, as the holy month of Ramadan approaches (this year it begins on the evening of Wednesday, March 22) some message threads will fire up again with Muslims looking for proper halal meals.

Not every restaurant opts to pay for halal accreditation — it’s either too expensive or some restaurants feel odd at paying with a third party to be declared holy. Still, restaurants provide convenience for those who cannot make food at home or just want a change of pace. Halal certifications can be confusing. Some mandate meat to be hand cut versus cut by a machine. For example, Halal Guys chain uses a mix of both types of meat, which has led some Muslims to stop eating there. Halal Guys maintains it adheres to halal standards. There are multiple third parties that certify restaurants using different rules. There’s also worry about so-called halal fraud, something that Creekstone Farms in Kansas had to address.

Listed below are 16 restaurants that serve halal food for suhoor, the pre-dawn meal before the daily fast, and iftar, the meal to break fast at sunset. Some of these places will have special Ramadan hours, which will be announced closer to the start of the month.

Read More
Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Kabul House Restaurant

Copy Link

Kabul House is a classic Afghan restaurant with an assortment of beef, lamb, chicken, seafood, and vegetarian dishes, including kabobs, qormas, and palaus, plus soups and salads, notably the Qazi date salad. The elegant interior, inspired by Islamic architecture, is lit by chandeliers and torches hanging from the wall and decorated with photos of the landscape of Afghanistan.

Ghareeb Nawaz Restaurant

Copy Link

This Indian spot on Devon is open till 4 a.m. every day, which makes it a good option for iftar or suhoor. The menu includes biryani, thalis, parathas (including for breakfast), curries, and grilled and tandoor-cooked items in substantial portions. Takeout and delivery are available, and there are additional locations near UIC, Lincoln Park, and suburban Lombard.

Anmol Restaurant - Pakistani & Indian Halal Food - Chicago

Copy Link

Anmol was founded by Mohammad Patel to provide American Muslims with food they could trust: he sources the meat from his own slaughterhouse. The inside of this restaurant has a nice golden glow from the lights. Appetizers include samosas, fries, and kebabs, while the entree menu offers chicken and mutton biryani. There are additional locations in Naperville and Milwaukee.

Tahoora Sweets & Bakery

Copy Link

Tahoora Sweets and Bakery serves assorted Indian treats such as halwa, ladoo, kalakand, and more; it charges by the pound, and there are sugar-free options. The bakery also serves savory pizzas and sandwiches, including bun kabab, burgers, paratha rolls, and grilled sandwiches in a variety of sizes.

Tandoor Char House

Copy Link

Brothers Fahim and Faraz Sardharia have developed a reputation for creative Indian and Pakistani dishes at Tandoor Char House. But as local tastes have evolved and expanded, so too has the menu, integrating new fusion takes such as spicy chicken wings, burgers, and steaks. All of its meat is Zabiha Halal. Takeout and delivery-only locations are also open in River North and Ukrainian Village.

A square white plate holds a pile of saucy fried chicken wings.
Spicy chicken wings are a tempting option.
Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

SALT burgers + fries

Copy Link

From the owners of I Dream of Falafel (IDOF), this burger spot is comparable to In-N-Out Burger where customers can pile endless amounts of toppings. The burger has created a buzz in Bucktown for its consistency and ordering on digital touchpad terminals. The full menu is halal.

SALT Burger

Shahi Nihari and Chopsticks

Copy Link

Shahi Nihari offers a selection of Pakistani, Indian, Chinese, and Southeast Asian dishes, including lollipop chicken, Thai curry, palak paneer, and the namesake nihari, a Pakistani beef stew that’s cooked overnight. There’s also a separate American menu with burgers and quesadillas. The tables are set with white tablecloths and glasses with napkins precisely folded inside.

This restaurant features an Indian tasting menu restaurant, one that’s attracted attention from Michelin inspectors, the James Beard Foundation, and the Jean Banchets. Chef Zubair Mohajir sources its halal meats from Fatima Foods in suburban Addison. The restaurant is divided into two sections. The front features burgers, momos, fried chicken sandwiches, and Filipino fare like lumpia. The back is reservation only where diners can try a tasting menu with a knockout first course of gourmet Indian flatbreads.

SoJu BBQ

Copy Link

This Korean restaurant near the United Center serves Creekstone Meats beef brisket and ribeye, which are both halal. The K-style chicken wings are also good choices, as all the restaurant’s chickens are halal.

Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

Senor Jalapeno

Copy Link

Senor Jalapeno is the rare Mexican restaurant that’s certified by Halal Food Standards Alliance of America (HFSAA), the most accurate guide for halal food, and therefore it’s perfect for anyone who is craving tacos, burritos, fajitas, or nachos for iftar.

The Port of Piri Piri

Copy Link

The Port of Piri Piri is a Portuguese-inspired restaurant chain known for its secret piri piri sauce. The main attraction is the chicken, offered with eight levels of spiciness, from plain to extra hot, but there’s also hummus, falafel, salads, and lamb chops, among other options. There are eight other locations in the suburbs.

CHI TEA

Copy Link

Chi Tea is a bubble tea store that also serves savory meals. Sandwiches include the Big Bird, a Nashville-style hot chicken sandwich, and the Chi Tea Classic, a beef burger, both of which are served with the restaurant’s signature tangy, creamy Chi-sauce. The restaurant has an Instagram-friendly vine and moss-covered wall with a sign that declares “That’s the Tea.”

Kim's Uncle Pizza

Copy Link

This tavern-style pizza destination in suburban Westmont is known for its delectable, super-crispy pies loaded with premium toppings — the same pizzas once served at shuttered Bridgeport spot Pizza Fried Chicken Ice Cream. It’s a collaboration between Eat Free Pizza and the family behind Maria’s Community Bar and Marz Community Brewing. The pizzas are halal, and halal pepperoni is offered as a topping.

Holy Buckets Halal Chicken & Pizza

Copy Link

Holy Buckets is a wonderful option for families right off Harlem Avenue in Bridgeview. Its menu mainly consists of wings, pizza, shrimp, and its unusual “holy bowls’’ made with mashed potatoes, corn, mac and cheese, chicken, and the restaurant’s “zinger” and “holy” sauces. Sides include mac and cheese, biscuits, mashed potatoes, and corn. The indoor decor is classic and sleek with a hint of Palestinian shimmer: the logo depicts a chicken wearing a kaffiyeh. Holy Buckets also offers catering for at-home gatherings.

Shibam Restaurant

Copy Link

Shibam is a Yemeni restaurant that also serves Mediterranean cuisine. Choose from kebabs, biryani, or fahsa, a Yemeni stew, plus desserts, breakfast, and tea. Inside, the restaurant is homey and the turquoise seats add a pop of color. There are additional locations in North Park and Mayfair.

Pizza Track

Copy Link

South Asian pizzeria Pizza Track prides itself on being one of the few halal pizza options in the Chicagoland area: it’s also certified by the Halal Food Standards Alliance of America (HFSAA). Some of the most popular offerings are the spicy Bombay butter chicken, spicy hunter beef, and smoked tandoori chicken pizza. Inside, the restaurant has a retro-style design.

Kabul House Restaurant

Kabul House is a classic Afghan restaurant with an assortment of beef, lamb, chicken, seafood, and vegetarian dishes, including kabobs, qormas, and palaus, plus soups and salads, notably the Qazi date salad. The elegant interior, inspired by Islamic architecture, is lit by chandeliers and torches hanging from the wall and decorated with photos of the landscape of Afghanistan.

Ghareeb Nawaz Restaurant

This Indian spot on Devon is open till 4 a.m. every day, which makes it a good option for iftar or suhoor. The menu includes biryani, thalis, parathas (including for breakfast), curries, and grilled and tandoor-cooked items in substantial portions. Takeout and delivery are available, and there are additional locations near UIC, Lincoln Park, and suburban Lombard.

Anmol Restaurant - Pakistani & Indian Halal Food - Chicago

Anmol was founded by Mohammad Patel to provide American Muslims with food they could trust: he sources the meat from his own slaughterhouse. The inside of this restaurant has a nice golden glow from the lights. Appetizers include samosas, fries, and kebabs, while the entree menu offers chicken and mutton biryani. There are additional locations in Naperville and Milwaukee.

Tahoora Sweets & Bakery

Tahoora Sweets and Bakery serves assorted Indian treats such as halwa, ladoo, kalakand, and more; it charges by the pound, and there are sugar-free options. The bakery also serves savory pizzas and sandwiches, including bun kabab, burgers, paratha rolls, and grilled sandwiches in a variety of sizes.

Tandoor Char House

Brothers Fahim and Faraz Sardharia have developed a reputation for creative Indian and Pakistani dishes at Tandoor Char House. But as local tastes have evolved and expanded, so too has the menu, integrating new fusion takes such as spicy chicken wings, burgers, and steaks. All of its meat is Zabiha Halal. Takeout and delivery-only locations are also open in River North and Ukrainian Village.

A square white plate holds a pile of saucy fried chicken wings.
Spicy chicken wings are a tempting option.
Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

SALT burgers + fries

From the owners of I Dream of Falafel (IDOF), this burger spot is comparable to In-N-Out Burger where customers can pile endless amounts of toppings. The burger has created a buzz in Bucktown for its consistency and ordering on digital touchpad terminals. The full menu is halal.

SALT Burger

Shahi Nihari and Chopsticks

Shahi Nihari offers a selection of Pakistani, Indian, Chinese, and Southeast Asian dishes, including lollipop chicken, Thai curry, palak paneer, and the namesake nihari, a Pakistani beef stew that’s cooked overnight. There’s also a separate American menu with burgers and quesadillas. The tables are set with white tablecloths and glasses with napkins precisely folded inside.

Wazwan

This restaurant features an Indian tasting menu restaurant, one that’s attracted attention from Michelin inspectors, the James Beard Foundation, and the Jean Banchets. Chef Zubair Mohajir sources its halal meats from Fatima Foods in suburban Addison. The restaurant is divided into two sections. The front features burgers, momos, fried chicken sandwiches, and Filipino fare like lumpia. The back is reservation only where diners can try a tasting menu with a knockout first course of gourmet Indian flatbreads.

SoJu BBQ

This Korean restaurant near the United Center serves Creekstone Meats beef brisket and ribeye, which are both halal. The K-style chicken wings are also good choices, as all the restaurant’s chickens are halal.

Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

Senor Jalapeno

Senor Jalapeno is the rare Mexican restaurant that’s certified by Halal Food Standards Alliance of America (HFSAA), the most accurate guide for halal food, and therefore it’s perfect for anyone who is craving tacos, burritos, fajitas, or nachos for iftar.

The Port of Piri Piri

The Port of Piri Piri is a Portuguese-inspired restaurant chain known for its secret piri piri sauce. The main attraction is the chicken, offered with eight levels of spiciness, from plain to extra hot, but there’s also hummus, falafel, salads, and lamb chops, among other options. There are eight other locations in the suburbs.

CHI TEA

Chi Tea is a bubble tea store that also serves savory meals. Sandwiches include the Big Bird, a Nashville-style hot chicken sandwich, and the Chi Tea Classic, a beef burger, both of which are served with the restaurant’s signature tangy, creamy Chi-sauce. The restaurant has an Instagram-friendly vine and moss-covered wall with a sign that declares “That’s the Tea.”

Kim's Uncle Pizza

This tavern-style pizza destination in suburban Westmont is known for its delectable, super-crispy pies loaded with premium toppings — the same pizzas once served at shuttered Bridgeport spot Pizza Fried Chicken Ice Cream. It’s a collaboration between Eat Free Pizza and the family behind Maria’s Community Bar and Marz Community Brewing. The pizzas are halal, and halal pepperoni is offered as a topping.

Holy Buckets Halal Chicken & Pizza

Holy Buckets is a wonderful option for families right off Harlem Avenue in Bridgeview. Its menu mainly consists of wings, pizza, shrimp, and its unusual “holy bowls’’ made with mashed potatoes, corn, mac and cheese, chicken, and the restaurant’s “zinger” and “holy” sauces. Sides include mac and cheese, biscuits, mashed potatoes, and corn. The indoor decor is classic and sleek with a hint of Palestinian shimmer: the logo depicts a chicken wearing a kaffiyeh. Holy Buckets also offers catering for at-home gatherings.

Shibam Restaurant

Shibam is a Yemeni restaurant that also serves Mediterranean cuisine. Choose from kebabs, biryani, or fahsa, a Yemeni stew, plus desserts, breakfast, and tea. Inside, the restaurant is homey and the turquoise seats add a pop of color. There are additional locations in North Park and Mayfair.

Related Maps

Pizza Track

South Asian pizzeria Pizza Track prides itself on being one of the few halal pizza options in the Chicagoland area: it’s also certified by the Halal Food Standards Alliance of America (HFSAA). Some of the most popular offerings are the spicy Bombay butter chicken, spicy hunter beef, and smoked tandoori chicken pizza. Inside, the restaurant has a retro-style design.

Related Maps