In this guide
Calgary has hundreds of halal restaurants, spread from the Northeast to 17th Avenue SW. This guide covers 9 of the best: Calgary’s two most reviewed shawarma shops, Yemeni mandi on 17th Avenue, Pakistani BBQ in the Northeast, Afghan home cooking on Edmonton Trail, and two halal burger joints. We’ve also added a short note on halal steak, which is where most Calgary searches for fancy halal dining end up.
We checked every restaurant against Zabihah’s halal records and the Halal Calgary directory, then went through its website, Google listing and recent reviews. Two places still on older Calgary lists are no longer here: Turkish Kebab House on 17 Avenue SE is permanently closed, and Sultan’s Tent is marked temporarily closed.
How we checked these restaurants
Each restaurant carries one of these labels:
- Fully halal, certified
Zabihah records all food as certified halal.
- Fully halal, owner stated
the restaurant says everything is halal, with no named certifier.
- Halal options only
some items are halal and the restaurant also serves non halal food or alcohol.
We list alcohol where it’s on record. Alberta has no single dominant restaurant certifier the way Ontario has HMA, so asking who supplies the meat matters here.
Quick picks
| Best for | Restaurant | Area | Halal status | Alcohol |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Jerusalem Shawarma | Northeast (32 Ave NE) | Fully halal, Muslim owned | No |
| Downtown dinner | Taste of Yemen | 17 Ave SW | Fully halal, owner stated | Not stated |
| Pakistani BBQ | Calgary Hot Plate | Northeast | Halal, owner stated | Not stated |
| Families | Karahi Boys | Northeast (McKnight) | 100% halal meat | No |
| Burgers | Meltro Burger | 17 Ave SW | Fully halal, certified | No |
| Afghan | Kabul Bites | Bridgeland | 100% halal, owner stated | Not stated |
No restaurants match this filter.
Shawarma and Middle Eastern
1. Jerusalem Shawarma
32 Avenue NE
- Best for
- Families, big appetites, dessert
- What to order
- Chicken shawarma plateKunafaBaklava
Jerusalem Shawarma is the name Calgarians bring up first, and the 32 Avenue NE branch is the one with the numbers: a 4.9 from more than 10,000 Google reviews. Halal Calgary points out how hard it is to hold a rating that high across so many reviews. The plates come loaded with juicy chicken and salad, and the kunafa is good enough that some people drive past closer branches to get it here.
It’s in London Town Square, it’s inexpensive, and it takes reservations for groups. The chain has several other Calgary branches plus one in Edmonton, and Zabihah records the brand as fully halal with Muslim owners and no alcohol.
2. Jaffa Shawarma
Skyview
- Best for
- Far Northeast, value
- What to order
- Beef and chicken shawarma plateDonair
Jaffa Shawarma belongs to the same group as Jerusalem Shawarma, and the Skyview branch runs close behind it with a 4.9 from about 7,600 reviews. The combined beef and chicken shawarma plate is the popular order, and reviewers keep mentioning big portions, friendly service and fair prices.
It’s the handiest option for anyone living in the far Northeast.
3. Taste of Yemen
17 Avenue SW
- Best for
- A sit down dinner downtown, late meals
- What to order
- Lamb mandiHaneethShrimp makbous
Taste of Yemen is one of the best rated halal restaurants on 17th Avenue, with a 4.7 from about 4,200 reviews. It’s a proper sit down Yemeni restaurant with reservations, which is harder to find downtown than a shawarma counter. The rice dishes are the core of the menu. Lamb mandi is $36.99, a full chicken mandi is $29.99, and there’s also haneeth, the slow roasted lamb, and a shrimp makbous.
It’s open until midnight. Not every dish lands, though. One reviewer found the akdah dry and heavy on vegetables, so stick with the mandi.
Pakistani and Afghan
4. Calgary Hot Plate
Northeast
- Best for
- Pakistani BBQ, sharing
- What to order
- Bihari kebabChicken tikkaNihariGarlic naan
Calgary Hot Plate is a small Northeast room where the owner works the floor, and the plates are big enough to share. Halal Calgary recommends the bihari kebab as a first order, and reviewers mention the chicken tikka, fish tikka and beef kebabs. The nihari and chicken dum biryani are on the menu too, with sweets to take home.
It holds a 4.9 from about 770 reviews. It’s inexpensive, opens at 10am on weekends and takes reservations. The restaurant runs halal throughout, but doesn’t name a certifier.
5. Karahi Boys
McKnight Village
- Best for
- Families, groups
- What to order
- Family plattersChicken karahiChicken seekh kebabTil wale naan
The Toronto karahi chain has a big Northeast Calgary branch in McKnight Village Shopping Centre. It’s built for families: reviewers order the family platters, and the chicken seekh kebab and sesame topped til wale naan are local favourites.
At 4.2 from about 2,500 reviews, it’s rated lower than the Toronto branch. Reviews point to prices on the high side and service that can be uneven. Go for the food and don’t expect speed on a Friday night.
6. Kolachi BBQ and Grill
Sage Hill
- Best for
- Northwest Calgary, casual dinners
- What to order
- Chicken karahiBeef seekh rice platterBeef roll
Kolachi brings Karachi style BBQ and paratha rolls to the Northwest, which has fewer halal options than the Northeast. The chicken karahi and beef seekh rice platter are the dishes reviewers name, and the menu stretches to butter chicken and burgers.
It’s a small place with friendly service and a 4.8 from about 1,200 reviews. There’s also a Northeast branch on 109 Avenue.
7. Kabul Bites
Edmonton Trail
- Best for
- Afghan home cooking
- What to order
- Kabuli pulaoLamb shankBolaniMantu
Kabul Bites started as a family dream to bring Afghan cooking to Calgary, and it shows in the welcome. Reviewers say the owner greets every table. The Kabuli pulao and lamb shank are the most mentioned dishes, followed by bolani, the stuffed flatbread, and mantu dumplings. The crispy paratha burger is a newer favourite.
It has a 4.9 from about 600 reviews. Note the hours, because it opens at 3pm, so it’s dinner only.
Burgers
8. Meltro Burger
17 Avenue SW
- Best for
- Burgers on 17th Avenue
- What to order
- Signature smash burgerFries
Meltro is a halal burger spot on 17th Avenue, and Zabihah records it as fully halal and certified with no alcohol. Reviewers praise the burgers and service, and a rare 17th Avenue perk: parking.
It holds a 4.9 from about 1,000 reviews, though one reviewer found the patty a little dry. It’s open until 11pm.
9. Flipp’n Burgers
Kensington
- Best for
- Students, a late burger
- What to order
- Classic burgerMilkshake
Flipp’n Burgers is a 1950s themed counter spot near Kensington. It’s open until 11pm, and Halal Calgary lists a prayer space on site.
With about 2,800 reviews at 4.5, it’s steady rather than flashy. Reviewers often mention the kind, soft spoken owners.
Where to find halal food in Calgary
The Northeast is the heart of halal Calgary. Along 32 Avenue NE, around McKnight Village and Westwinds, and up through Skyview and Saddle Ridge, you’ll find shawarma, Pakistani BBQ, biryani houses and sweet shops.
17th Avenue SW is the downtown strip, with Taste of Yemen, Meltro Burger and several shawarma spots within walking distance.
Kensington and Bridgeland have Flipp’n Burgers and Kabul Bites, both easy to reach from downtown.
The Northwest, around Sage Hill, has fewer choices. Kolachi is the standout.
Tips for eating halal in Calgary
- Ask who supplies the meat. Most places on this list state their own halal status, so ask who certifies the supplier, especially at newer spots.
- Don’t assume a steakhouse is fully halal. Calgary’s best known halal steak comes from kitchens that also serve alcohol and non halal food. Ask about separate grills and butter.
- Use the local directories. Halal Calgary maps almost 600 halal places and prayer spaces, and the Calgary’s Halal Restaurants Facebook group is quick to report changes.
- Check before you drive. Turkish Kebab House on 17 Avenue SE has closed permanently, and Sultan’s Tent is temporarily closed, even though both still appear on many Calgary lists.
- Plan for Friday nights in the Northeast. The 32 Avenue NE and McKnight areas get very busy after Jumuah and at iftar during Ramadan.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best halal restaurants in Calgary?
Jerusalem Shawarma on 32 Avenue NE leads with a 4.9 from more than 10,000 Google reviews, and Jaffa Shawarma in Skyview is close behind. For a sit down meal, Taste of Yemen on 17th Avenue SW (4.7) and Calgary Hot Plate in the Northeast (4.9) are strong picks.
Is there halal steak in Calgary?
Yes, but from mixed kitchens. Ruth’s Chris has a separate halal menu, Modern Steak Southport will show a halal certificate on request, and Major Tom uses halal certified Angus beef. All three serve alcohol, so ask about separate grills.
Where are the best halal restaurants in downtown Calgary?
Taste of Yemen and Meltro Burger on 17th Avenue SW are both fully halal. Flipp’n Burgers in Kensington and Kabul Bites on Edmonton Trail are a short drive from the core.
Where is the best halal food in NE Calgary?
Jerusalem Shawarma on 32 Avenue NE, Calgary Hot Plate on 54 Avenue NE, Karahi Boys in McKnight Village and Jaffa Shawarma in Skyview are all in the Northeast.
Is KFC halal in Calgary?
We couldn’t confirm a halal switch for Alberta KFC locations. The 2024 halal chicken change that was reported covered most Ontario locations. Ask your local restaurant before ordering.
How do I know a restaurant in Calgary is really halal?
Ask who supplies and certifies the meat, and look for a current certificate. Zabihah and Halal Calgary both record whether a restaurant is fully halal, and Zabihah also notes alcohol.
Final thoughts
For a first taste of halal Calgary, get a shawarma plate and kunafa at Jerusalem Shawarma on 32 Avenue NE. For a sit down dinner downtown, book Taste of Yemen. Pakistani BBQ fans should head to Calgary Hot Plate, and for Afghan home cooking, go to Kabul Bites. If you notice a change in halal status or a closure, tell us through our Contact page and we’ll recheck.