The 5 Best Halal Restaurants In Rome

As celebrated as Rome’s culinary scene is, I know it can be tricky for first-time Muslim travelers and those who prefer to stick to halal restaurants to navigate. Luckily, the Eternal City is among the top cities in Europe for halal food and I’ve frequented several halal establishments in my time.

One of the most rewarding aspects of curating my Rome food tours is the opportunity it gives me to sample a diverse selection of eateries for my customers, and this extends to my experience with the city’s most acclaimed halal places.

If you’re searching for the best halal restaurants in Rome, I’m here to fill you in on some of my must-visits while you’re here.

Gandhi 2 Indian Restaurant

Photo credit: Gandhi 2 Indian Restaurant

Even as an incredibly passionate Rome food guide, every now and again, I get a craving for some nourishing Indian fare. When I need my fix, I amble down to Gandhi 2 Indian Restaurant between Monti and Termini.

These guys serve some of the best halal Indian food in the city, and its ever-growing popularity means reservations are a must. Not only am I a huge fan of their food, but I also love their dining area. The furnishings are typical Italian in style and are contrasted with Indian-inspired ornaments.

Without fail, their extensive menu here leaves me torn about what to order, though their shrimp biryani might just be my favorite. On my last visit, I also ordered a side of naan to accompany the dish and opted for the chili cheese variety based on the waiter’s suggestion.

Topped with steamed shrimp and a medley of vegetables, the biryani was a feast for the eyes and my tastebuds. It was perfectly spicy yet mild enough not to distract from the flavors of earthy saffron and lightly salty shrimp.

The naan bread was equally scrumptious. Its gooey cheese filling had just the right amount of smoky chili and pungent garlic and complemented the biryani without overpowering it.

Gandhi 2 Indian Restaurant (€€) – Via Genova, 29/A, 00184 Roma RM, Italy – Open every day, 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm

Himalaya Kashmir

Photo credit: Himalaya Kashmir

Another Roman hotspot for South Asian cuisine is Himalaya Kashmir. This Pakistani and Indian fusion restaurant is situated in the heart of the Esquilino neighborhood, and it’s one of my go-to spots when I’m in need of some hearty comfort food.

From the outside, Himalaya Kashmir looks like your classic Italian restaurant with its outdoor patio area and arched entrance. However, once you step inside, you’ll be met with red and gold decor, paintings depicting Hindu figures, and colorful wall hangings.

The menu here is excellent and wide-ranging, so I should be more adventurous, but I just can’t get past their butter chicken. Its thick orange consistency and fluffy basmati rice somehow look more delicious with every visit!

Butter chicken can be a little sickening if the balance of ingredients isn’t just right, but the team at Himalaya Kashmir always knocks it out of the park. From the rich and tangy tomato and butter sauce to the succulent chicken and nutty basmati rice, every mouthful was mouthwatering.

Himalaya Kashmir (€€) – Via Principe Amedeo, 325/327, 00185 Roma RM, Italy – Open every day, 11:30 am to 11:30 pm

Chicken Hut Piazza Navona

In cities like Rome, it’s often true that some of the tastiest food can come from casual, on-the-go dining spots. Piazza Navona’s beloved Chicken Hut is no different, and I love dropping in whenever I want a little breather from Italian food.

This fast food joint has just a small clutch of tables in the back, and you’ll usually notice a bunch of people tucking into kebabs, burgers, and fried chicken out front, too. A no-frills haunt, Chicken Hut is all about quick and quality bites, Halal-style!

At this point, I’ve sampled quite a few of their menu items, but in recent months, I’ve taken a liking to their doner kebabs. Packed full of strips of lamb, fresh vegetables, and a velvety garlic sauce, the kebabs at Chicken Hut are easily among the best halal-friendly eats in the city.

The meat is consistently juicy and tender, and the crunchy lettuce, slightly acidic tomatoes, and sweet onions provide the perfect contrast. One thing that I appreciate about this place is its doughy and chewy bread that never falls apart despite how densely packed each kebab is!

Chicken Hut Piazza Navona (€) – Corso del Rinascimento, 83, 00186 Roma RM, Italy – Open every day, 11:00 am to 11:00 pm

Peri Peri Grill

Peri Peri Grill is an unassuming restaurant a stone’s throw from Rome’s Termini station, where the menu blends Italian, Mediterranean, and international cuisines. I stumbled upon this place a while back when I fancied something quick before my train.

When I stop by, I’m always in a rush to the station, but there are plenty of tables inside and outside to enjoy your meal if you have more time to spare. The decor is simple and modest, with a bright indoor dining area and an assortment of black, red, and white tables and chairs.

From pizza and pasta to grilled fish and rice dishes, Peri Peri Grill offers a little bit of everything. Most recently, I’ve been going for their namesake peri-peri chicken burger, which the staff always serves piping hot within minutes.

The bun, as always, was airy and lightweight, and the lettuce and tomatoes were super crisp. Of course, the chicken is the star of the show, and the gradually increasing heat of the peri-peri rub is oh-so-appetizing.

Though it was unmistakably fiery, I could still taste the paprika, chili, and onion flavors with every bite, and the chicken was firm yet moist.

Peri Peri Grill (€) – Via Marghera, 11/B, 00185 Roma RM, Italy – Open every Sunday to Thursday, 6:30 am to 12:30 am, Friday and Saturday, 6:30 am to 1:00 am

Shawarma Station

Photo credit: Shawarma Station

Despite its name, Shawarma Station on the outskirts of Monti has a lengthy menu of options and features a whole host of Middle Eastern and South Asian dishes.

I’ve yet to see this place without a lengthy line forming outside it, which is a pretty great testament to their drool-worthy shawarmas, couscous, and shish kebabs. The turnover of tables here is super speedy, so I usually manage to snag a seat in the laidback seating area out back.

Their hummus and falafel are my favorites; I tend to stick to these old reliables when I’m here. Despite my best intentions to try other options, as soon as I set my eyes on the dense hummus and golden brown falafel, I can’t help but revert to my tried and tested order.

I can be rather fussy when it comes to hummus, but the team here creates a beautifully thick spread with citrussy and earthy notes. It’s not too oily, yet its texture is so silky and creamy.

If I’m ordering hummus, I instinctively get falafel with it. That being said, as delectable as they are with the chickpea-based dip, these deep-fried balls are pretty spectacular in their own right. Under their firm exterior lies a soft mix of herbaceous broad beans, chickpeas, and onions.

Shawarma Station (€) – Via Merulana, 271, 00185 Roma RM, Italy – Open every day 10:30 am to 11:30 pm

Conclusion

The abundance and diversity of halal restaurants in Rome are continuing to grow, and selecting just a handful of spots was much more challenging than I’d expected! I think these five options will fill your halal cravings next time you’re in the capital.