The 5 Best Halal Restaurants in Lisbon

Given Portugal’s historic ties with the Muslim world, Lisbon has some of the best halal restaurants in all of Europe. This includes an array of multicultural cuisines including Indian, Pakistani, Turkish, Moroccan, Lebanese, and Islamic street food.

Halal dining is gaining momentum in Lisbon, with a growing number of excellent options to explore. I was delighted to uncover so many standout halal restaurants when I began my Lisbon food tours.

Mezze

Photo credit: Mezze

Mezze is a Middle Eastern restaurant in Lisbon offering a menu rich with halal cuisine. It’s nestled in the Arroios neighborhood and is run by former Syrian refugees, who love sharing their cuisine with others. It’s also conveniently located in the Arroios market near Fonte Luminosa.

Mezze’s interior has a welcoming, cozy ambiance that makes you feel transported to the Middle East. It truly reminds you that the Portuguese fully embrace other cultures and everything their cuisine offers.

Halal dishes are prepared with the freshest, highest-quality ingredients. The menu includes classics like hummus, falafel, and kebabs. I ordered their kebab bil karaz which has beef and lamb halal meatballs, served over a bed of white rice with a fresh bulgur salad. The meatballs were delicately juicy and perfectly contrasted by the bright, freshness of the cucumber and tomato in the bulgar salad.

Mezze €€ – Mercado de Arroios, Rua Ângela Pinto 14 1000-144 Lisbon, Portugal – Open Tuesday to Saturday 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM – 10:30 PM. Closed on Sunday and Monday.

Zaafran

Found deep in the heart of Lisbon’s Martim Moniz area, Zaafran is a refined Indian restaurant serving some of the best halal-certified dishes in Portugal. They also have a well-earned reputation for attentive service, which further adds to the upscale elegance of the restaurant.

Zaafran has a modern, stylish interior enhanced by tasteful décor reminiscent of fine dining in India or the high-end Indian-inspired restaurants in London. The menu features a wide variety of halal foods, that are carefully prepared with traditional Indian spices.

I ordered a lamb biryani, which was exceptionally tender.  It was served over a bed of basmati rice which was delicately seasoned with aromatic herbs and spices. The entire meal was gently perfumed with saffron, cardamom, and cloves in a way that still lingers in my taste memory.

Zaafran €€€ – Rua de São José, 35, 1150-321 Lisbon, Portugal – Open Monday through Thursday 12:00 PM – 10:30 PM. Friday and Saturday from 12:00 PM to 11 PM. Closed on Sunday. 

Taste of Pakistan

Photo credit: Taste of Pakistan

If you want an authentic taste of Pakistani cuisine, while adhering to halal standards, then Taste of Pakistan is truly a perfect fit. You can find it in Lisbon’s Mouraria district within walking distance of Martim Moniz and Figueira square.

The ambiance is modest, with traditional Pakistani decor that reflects their rich cultural heritage. It gives the place a welcoming atmosphere that makes Taste of Pakistan popular with locals and visiting foodies.

Word on the street was that the chicken karahi is a must-try halal dish on their menu, so I had to try it. It certainly didn’t disappoint. The chicken was stewed until it was fall-off-the-bone tender. Served with a rich, spiced tomato gravy that bursts with flavors of ginger, garlic, and cumin.

Taste of Pakistan €€€ – Rua São Pedro Martir 37B, Lisbon, Portugal – Open Monday to Sunday for lunch from 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM and dinner from 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM.

Ali Baba Kebab Haus

Located near Martim Moniz, the Ali Baba Kebab Haus is a kebab house offering some of the best halal foods you can eat on the go. Their fast service comes in handy for catching a quick bite before touring nearby attractions like the São Domingos Church, or the Saint George Castle.

Ali Baba Kebab Haus has a simple ambiance, like you’d expect from a high-volume kebab house. Their menu largely focuses on chicken and beef, which they offer in classic kebabs, and durum wraps. They also offer kebab plates, falafel, and a convenient to-go doner box with fries.

I ordered their popular doner kebab to eat on the go. The perfectly shaved beef was succulent, and the fresh flavours of the vegetables reminded me a little bit of New York City-style gyro. 

If I had it to do all over again, I might order their doner box to have some fries to go with it. I honestly think it’s a great street food option to enjoy while walking to the other tourist attractions in the area. 

Ali Baba Kebab Haus € – Rua da Palma 25, 1100-390 Lisbon, Portugal – Open Monday to Sunday: 11:00 AM – 1:00 AM.

Zubir Churrasqueira

Photo credit: Zubir Churrasqueira

If you’re in Lisbon and you need to scratch the itch for grilled meat, there are a few better options than Zubir Churrasqueira. It’s conveniently located near Roma-Areeiro and within a reasonable walking distance of Martim Moniz.

The ambiance is casual and inviting with a no-frills atmosphere, and minimalist décor. I found the staff to be exceptionally friendly and they did a good job helping me understand the menu to find something I’d like amongst their halal-certified meats.

Zubir Churrasqueira offers a staggering array of succulent grilled meats, including lamb, chicken, and beef, prepared with traditional Portuguese flavors and international flair. The staff recommended their signature grilled chicken.

The seasoning is aromatic, and I appreciated how the meat was perfectly seared, yet the seasonings weren’t burned. It’s a real sign that the people manning the grill truly know what they’re doing!  

Zubir Churrasqueira €€ – Rua do Zaire 40B, 1170-097 Lisboa, Portugal – Open daily for lunch12–3:30 PM and dinner from 7–11 PM.