Scotland has long been on my bucket list, and what a gem it’s been! The 5 days spent in Edinburgh have been absolutely delightful, as the Scottish capital is full of charm, and it’s been easier than expected to find halal food around town. Despite not being as convenient as London, Edinburgh has a solid and growing halal dining scene, where food options are not just limited to the typical kebab places and Turkish / Middle Eastern restaurants (though still the majority). In this Edinburgh halal food guide, we have listed some of the restaurants we tried during our trip, as well as food places we jotted down from research & recommendations.
Is It Easy to Find Halal Food in Edinburgh?
Overall, yes! There are a good number of halal-friendly restaurants in Edinburgh’s city centre, with a decent variety of cuisines available to choose from. Some of our favourites include Mosque Kitchen for affordable Indian food, Bertie’s for some good classic fish & chips, Haute Dolci for brunch, and more. Edinburgh’s halal food scene covers everything from Indian and Nepalese food to Malaysian, Nigerian and Thai cuisine, as well as plenty of halal burgers and fried chicken options.
Many of the halal restaurants and halal-friendly options are conveniently located around Old Town, New Town and Haymarket, making them relatively easy to reach while sightseeing around Edinburgh. However, not every restaurant on this list is fully halal. Some restaurants only serve selected halal meats, while others offer seafood or dishes that can be prepared to accommodate halal dietary requirements. As suppliers and preparation methods can change, I always recommend double-checking the halal status directly with the restaurant before visiting, particularly at restaurants that aren’t fully halal.
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5-Day Edinburgh Travel Guide
Where to Find Halal Food in Edinburgh
*As with all content on this blog, please double-check the halal status with each restaurant, as suppliers could change.
Halal Breakfast & Brunch
Haute Dolci
Whether you’re craving savoury or sweet for brunch, Haute Dolci has it all. It is a hub of luxury desserts, brunch and more in the heart of Edinburgh’s St James’ Quarter, available at an affordable price.
Location: St James Quarter
(click to open location on Google Maps)
Flatbread Turkish Bakery House
A Turkish breakfast spread is always a satisfying way to start your day. Flatbread Turkish Bakery House (a.k.a Oh My Flatbread) is a Turkish bakery & cafe in Haymarket, specialising in stone-oven Turkish dishes such as pide, lahmacun, borek, baklava, etc. and traditional breakfast spreads.
Location: Haymarket
(click to open location on Google Maps)
Stack & Still
Other than classic sweet pancakes, Stack & Still also has a range of savoury toppings, and some of them are halal. Personally, though, I’m rather unsure how a doner kebab, or peri-peri chicken/chicken tikka, makes an attractive pancake topping. Anyway, their buttermilk pancakes were pretty good, so I’ll stick with the sweet ones, but the option is there should you feel adventurous for something savoury!
Location: New Town Edinburgh
(click to open location on Google Maps)
Zaza Coffee House
Haggis is a Scottish speciality, a savoury pudding made of sheep’s pluck (heart, liver, and lungs), and is typically served as part of a Scottish breakfast. For a taste of halal haggis, head to Zaza Coffee House, a fully halal Scottish cafe with sweeping views of Edinburgh Castle.
Location: Grassmarket
(click to open location on Google Maps)
Best Budget Halal Restaurants for Lunch
Mosque Kitchen
Mosque Kitchen is well-known, not just to Muslims but to locals & tourists alike, for cheap and no-frills delicious Indian food. The small canteen-style eatery started only for Mosque attendees but later opened its doors to the rest of the community, and its popularity has skyrocketed ever since. It is fantastic halal food at great prices, and one that must not be missed when in Edinburgh!
Location: Southside (Nicolson Square)
(click to open location on Google Maps)
Roti King Edinburgh
London’s famous Roti King has expanded up north, bringing their signature Malaysian Roti Canai to Edinburgh.
Location: New Town Edinburgh
(click to open location on Google Maps)
Maki Ramen
For a taste of halal Japanese food, check out Maki Ramen. They have several branches across Edinburgh, including St James, Fountainbridge, and Nicolson Bridge. From halal sushi, ramen, and donburi rice bowls, there are plenty of options to choose from!
Location: St James Quarter / Fountainbridge / Nicolson Bridge
Nanyang Malaysian Restaurant
Situated in the heart of Edinburgh’s Quartermile is Nanyang Malaysian Restaurant. Its menu offers a wide range of classic Malaysian street food dishes as well as broader Southeast Asian dishes and Cantonese dim sum.
Location: Quartermile
(click to open location on Google Maps)
Best Halal Restaurants for Dinner
Dishoom Edinburgh
When in doubt, Dishoom also has a branch in Edinburgh, so that’s always an option! The popular modern Indian restaurant is extending its delicious offerings up north in Scotland, with Salli Boti as the chef’s special dish for Edinburgh.
Location: New Town Edinburgh
(click to open location on Google Maps)
Chaophraya Edinburgh
Looking for a halal-friendly rooftop restaurant in Edinburgh? Then Chaophraya, a Thai restaurant located just a few steps away from Princes Street, is the one for you. You’ll find a range of traditional and delicious Thai dishes there and enjoy them all with lovely views overlooking Edinburgh Castle & Princes Street Gardens!
Location: New Town Edinburgh
(click to open location on Google Maps)
Bertie’s Fish & Chips
Bertie’s Fish & Chips, situated on the famous Victoria Street, is very popular in Edinburgh, and serves some of the best halal-friendly fish & chips in town. They use a non-alcoholic batter, and you can ask for the fish & chips to be cooked separately in vegetable oil when ordering. If you’re looking for a naughty and extra-caloric dessert, they have deep-fried Mars bars on the menu as well.
Location: Old Town Edinburgh
(click to open location on Google Maps)
Ondine Edinburgh
Whilst they don’t serve halal meats, Ondine is an award-winning seafood specialist restaurant and the staff are knowledgeable in catering to halal dietary requirements. We had an exquisite meal there, and I just have to include them in this Edinburgh food guide! The quality of the seafood speaks for itself, and the impeccable execution made it an absolute treat to the palate.
Location: Old Town Edinburgh
(click to open location on Google Maps)
Happy Lamb Hot Pot
There’s nothing more comforting and warming than a traditional Chinese hot pot, especially during the cold winter months in Scotland. Happy Lamb is a halal Chinese & Mongolian hot pot restaurant that’s conveniently located in New Town Edinburgh, near Waverley Station. It offers all-you-can-eat hot pot, with a variety of delicious broths to choose from.
Halal status: All meats served are halal
Location: New Town Edinburgh
(click to open location on Google Maps)
Uwagboe’s Kitchen & Grill
Uwagboe’s Kitchen & Grill is a Nigerian restaurant located on Leith Walk and is a local favourite. You can find a range of traditional Nigerian dishes, from Jollof rice and Suya wings to various rice boxes and traditional soups and stews. Our personal favourites are the Turkey Wings and Jollof Rice.
Location: Leith Walk
(click to open location on Google Maps)
Shinwari Restaurant
Shinwari Restaurant specialises in Shinwari Pakistani-Afghani cuisine, originating from the Pashtun tribe from the border region of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Expect delicious Karahi, Kabuli Pulao, biryani, and many more!
Location: Grassmarket
(click to open location on Google Maps)
Solti Restaurant
Solti, meaning “soul tea” in Nepali slang, is a Nepalese & Indian restaurant in Edinburgh that showcases the flavours of the Himalayas and beyond. You can enjoy the likes of Momos, Naga Chicken/Lamb, and a variety of curries that are bound to take your taste buds on a journey.
Location: Old Town Edinburgh
(click to open location on Google Maps)
Kahani
Kahani is an award-winning Indian restaurant that’s widely recognised for serving the best curry in Scotland. Popular dishes include chicken tikka masala, biryani, butter chicken, tandoori lamb chops, vegetable pakora, and more.
Location: Leith Walk
(click to open location on Google Maps)
Makani Indian Arab Kitchen
It’s like a melting pot of flavours at Makani Indian Arab Kitchen in Edinburgh. Their menu combines rich Indian spices and aromatic Arabic herbs to create delicious dishes that highlight the best of both worlds. Popular dishes include the Malabar Dum Biryani, Arabic Mandi, Kerala Paal Porotta, Lamb Chops, and more.
Location: Haymarket
(click to open location on Google Maps)
Halal Burgers & Fast Food
Wingstop Edinburgh
From LA to London, then to Edinburgh, Wingstop’s chicken is fast becoming a fried chicken staple. Our favourite is the boneless chicken bites with Garlic Parmesan and Cajun seasoning, as well as a side of their lip-smacking Cajun corn.
Location: St James Quarter
(click to open location on Google Maps)
CHIX
CHIX is a gourmet chicken spot specialising in boneless chicken tenders & fried chicken sandwiches, paired with unique gourmet dips such as Peruvian Spice, Polynesian Coconut Curry & Lime, and Spicy Gochujang. Not feeling as adventurous? There are classic dips like Hickory Smoked BBQ, Buttermilk Ranch, etc., as well.
Location: Haymarket
(click to open location on Google Maps)
Fatt Boyz
If you fancy a burger, Fatt Boyz has an extensive menu to answer all your cravings. They are popular for their halal smash burgers, as well as fried chicken & waffles, UFO burgers, etc.
Location: Grassmarket
(click to open location on Google Maps)
Bread Meats Bread
Bread Meats Bread is a popular burger spot in Scotland that does more than just a regular burger. One of its signatures is a doughnut burger, featuring caramelised glazed ring doughnuts as buns sandwiching a classic burger filling (make sure to ask for the bacon to be removed). It boasts of being a 2-time winner of The Best Burger in Scotland award and is listed in Europe’s Top 20 Burgers and Global Top 50. Additionally, they are also known for their Canadian poutine!
Location: North Bridge / West End
Fat Hippo
It’s all about delicious gourmet-style burgers and dirty fries at Fat Hippo. Only chicken is halal, and it’s got a good selection to choose from. You can also find Fat Hippo in London Soho & Shoreditch, and other regional locations in the UK.
Location: New Town Edinburgh
(click to open location on Google Maps)
Butta Burger
Butta Burger has started offering halal chicken options on their menu, but that’s only limited to the chicken burger, NOT the chicken wings. Using chicken breast instead of thigh inevitably makes it less succulent. We find the chicken burgers underseasoned, and the sauces were a bit overwhelming to taste.
Location: New Town Edinburgh
(click to open location on Google Maps)
This is a great resource for finding halal food in Edinburgh! I especially appreciate the inclusion of restaurants with a variety of cuisines. I’m definitely going to try Mosque Kitchen and Laila Brunch & Lunch. Thanks for sharing!”
https://smokeend.co.uk/
Hi Phillip, so glad that you’ve found this useful! I love both of these places when visiting Edinburgh. Do tag/let me know how you find it when you visit!
Why anyone would eat these when Syrian food is available is beyond me but thank you for this detailed list.
Syrian food is great but I’m sure there are many people who may fancy other cuisines and would like to have more options 🙂
can you please tell me where is this syrian food?