Halal Food in Houston (2025)

A perennial favorite for families and late‑night feasts, Aga’s pairs crowd‑pulling goat chops with a 100% zabiha halal menu. Celebrated by the Houston Chronicle and spotlighted nationally for those chops, it remains a pillar of Houston’s South Asian dining culture.

Opened by Omer Yousafzai, this first‑of‑its‑kind Afghan spot in Houston serves chapli kabab, qabuli palau, and soothing dogh. Featured by Houstonia Magazine and praised by local critics, it anchors Hillcroft’s diaspora corridor with generous hospitality and halal comfort dishes.

Abbas Dhanani’s throwback bodega‑style shop slings halal smashburgers and chopped cheese with serious finesse. Lauded by Eater and Houston Press, and expanding per Houston Chronicle reporting, it channels New York nostalgia through a distinctly Houston lens.

Cafe Lili - Review - Galleria - Houston - The Infatuation

Cafe Lili has been serving Lebanese food since the ‘90s, and from your first visit to when the cashier knows your order by heart, this family-run restaurant is the kind of place that makes you feel comfortable. After ordering at the counter of this Galleria spot, expect your food to be ready by the time you find a table, regardless of how much you order. But make sure their smooth “special hummus” makes it to your plate so you can try the tender chuck beef topping the dish. Come with a crew and split a kabob platter, or come solo and talk yourself into buying a bottle of their rich olive oil. photo credit: Quit Nguyen photo credit: Quit Nguyen photo credit: Quit Nguyen photo credit: Quit Nguyen Pause Unmute Food Rundown Special Hummus This appetizer takes their silky smooth hummus and adds a generous serving of minced beef. The coating of hummus makes the beef taste more tender and is one of our favorite appetizers here. photo credit: Quit Nguyen Fried Kibbi The kibbi, shaped like a small football, is made of warm chuck beef and deep-fried. While the crisp outer shell and crunch of pine nuts on the inside balance out the delicate meat that makes up this dish. photo credit: Quit Nguyen Kafta Kabob Slabs of smoky kafta are the main event here. We appreciate the simplicity of the grilled meat, and the fluffy rice on the side is the best accompaniment. photo credit: Quit Nguyen Rice Pudding This pudding is one of our favorite desserts. It is perfectly creamy with just the right amount of sweetness. Plus, the crushed pistachios on top add a little bit of earthiness to the dessert. photo credit: Gianni Greene - Gianni Greene

For Yemeni mandi, hanith, and masoub, Hadramout delivers fragrant rice and fall‑apart meats, with traditional seating for groups. Highlighted by the Houston Chronicle among Arabic favorites, it’s a soulful, fully halal choice for sharing platters.

Chef‑owned and community‑minded, Sayad shines with charcoal‑kissed skewers and Levantine seafood. Well reviewed by the Houston Chronicle and noted by Houstonia for being 100% halal, it’s a polished, family‑run spot that still feels personal.

Rice Village’s longtime Turkish standard bakes pide and grills juicy adana and doner with halal meats. Frequently recommended by Eater’s neighborhood guides and affirmed by diners, it’s a relaxed window into Turkey’s everyday classics.

An institution since the 1980s, Raja Sweets helped anchor the Mahatma Gandhi District with mithai, chaat, and cult‑favorite chai. Profiled by the Houston Chronicle and featured over the years by national outlets, it’s essential for halal‑friendly vegetarian snacks and sweets.