Every year we do a Top 5 list of Halaal Restaurants in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban as voted by our audience. This year in addition we introduce our Critics Choice Top 5 Halaal Restaurants as well. In collaboration with well known foodies across South Africa we bring you our curated list of best halaal places to eat in South Africa for 2023!

Top 5 Cape Town 2023

5th

Conscious Carnivores
For one of the best steaks you will have in Cape Town this casual eatery at the V&A Waterfront specialises in Wagyu Burgers and all things steak. Having started out as a weekend pop-up they have evolved to one of Cape Town’s favourites with their own space at the V&A Waterfront’s Makers Landing.

4th

Damascus Restaurant
Having opened in mid 2020 Damascus has had a swift rise to fame with Liakat & Zaibun Sonday and Syrian born chef, Muhammad Modrek at it’s heart. The food he prepares pays homage to his roots in the city of Damascus. Renowned for making high quality traditional Syrian cuisine, their food will definitely not disappoint.

3rd

Nouveau Coffee & Grill
A new addition to Cape Town having opened early in 2022, Nouveau is an upscale halaal restuarant situated in the Century City precinct.

2nd

Saray
With a stunning location and great views at the Clocktower precinct at the V&A Waterfront, Turkish cuisine lovers will find an authentic experience at Saray. They have an outside area for shisha lovers and a stylish upmarket interior. They also have a kids menu and a play area alongside the restaurant.

No.1!

The Happy Uncles
A chic open-plan restaurant juxtaposed against the urban renewal district in industrial Salt River Cape Town. They offer true fine-dining and promise more than a meal. You can look forward to an experience that is nothing less than pure culinary theatre.

Top 5 Johannesburg 2023

5th

Green Dot Café
With impeccable service and great quality of food which is presented beautifully. This contemporary coffee bar and eatery in Rosebank makes for great casual dining.

4th

Jasmine Fusion
A fine dining restaurant and intimate space headed up by Chef Nadhir Gutta. After opening street food brand Mercata del Gusto and patisserie Dolce Mercata he is exciting Joburg foodies with his chef’s menu experience. Bookings are essential.

3th

Le Kreamery, Illovo
Le Kreamery is a casually intimate and stylish venue with elegant finishes. As the new flagship store of the group it is even more stunning than the previous two. The menu includes beautiful entremets, decadent milkshakes and a fusion menu of Indian, Middle Eastern and South African dishes. Look out for the Gelato bar serving up delicious scoops.

2nd

Istanbul Kebab Melrose Arch
Location is everything and Istanbul Kebab has the perfect spot in Melrose Arch. This vibey and trendy district is a hotspot in Jozi. Since opening they are always fully booked at peak times. Food and service are consistently good. Head over for a great vibe and their delicious Turkish menu.

No.1!

MiHa
MiHa is the coming together of a casual café and classic dining experience. From a quick grab-and-go to a decadent celebratory feast, MiHa brings together the simple and the sumptuous. They serve international cuisine and have curated some of the best flavours around with their own South African touch.

Top 5 Durban 2023

5th

Smokin’ Joe’s
Known for their Knockout Burgers, Smokin Joe’s has been one of Durban’s favourite casual halaal eateries since 2016. They have twice won the Eatout Best Burger Award KZN.

4th

Nonna’s, Gateway
An upmarket Italian restaurant offering authentic starters, pasta and pizza in a rectangular shape which you can order in 6, 8 or 24 slices as well as a small dessert menu and mocktails.

3rd

Ironman Rare Steaks
A popular family style restaurant for those who want a lot of meat on their plate.

2nd

Jack’s Grill & Co.
An elegant seafood and grill restaurant. Known for exceptional food and great service. Special mention for the sushi.

No.1!

Empire Steak
Florida road is known for great halaal food spots and the Empire Steak has been a long time favourite as evidenced by taking the top spot in Durban for the second year in a row. It’s a laid back family restaurant where you can just chill in a friendly environment. With a passion for great steak as the name implies, the Empire Steak can’t not do steak just right. They have an ever-changing menu and there’s something for all ages and all tastes.

A special thanks to our contributing critics for helping to curate this list. Here is more about each of them.

Shaklain Saidoo
A passionate foodie based in Cape Town. Shaklain’s culinary adventures are a delightful journey through the city’s diverse halal cuisine. With a discerning palate, he explores the vibrant tapestry of flavors in Cape Town’s halal dining scene, turning each meal into a culinary escapade. Shaklain’s gastronomic tales captures the essence of Cape Town’s diverse and delectable food culture.

Samreen Kumandan
Digital Ninja. Procrastinator. Instigator. Traveler. Opacarophile.
Better known as @CapeTownHalaal and founder of the Cape Town Halaal Festival.

Reyhana aka @za_foodie
Foodie, fitness junkie and coffee lover. Reyhana has been reviewing the halaal scene in Johannesburg for longer than most people have been on Instagram.

Haseena Bhorat
Also known as The Daily Dilemna. Haseena has been inspiring foodies with authentic and elegant lifestyle and food for years. As a halaal focused foodie she is a sought after influencer in the Johannesburg halaal space.

Zakiyya Mitha
As the founder of the first ice cream macaron brand in South Africa called Sugarlicious, Zakiyya is a dynamic and innovative personality. An avid foodie she is an expert on the Durban halaal restaurant scene.

Ibrahim aka “TheFoodGuyDurban” .
“I have been bringing good food to many Instagram feeds for over 4 years now . I have a real passion for food, and using my platform to help others find new places to eat in Durban, is what I love , as well as helping restaurants grow.
I believe if you can help someone in any way, do it and don’t expect anything in return.”

Zahir Bassa aka “Bilal The Review Bru”
Meet a passionate food connoisseur hailing from Durban, Bilal ! Known as the go-to food review bru who embarks on culinary adventures across KZN, exploring the vibrant world of halaal cuisine. From iconic establishments to hidden gems, he curates delightful experiences ensuring you know exactly what to anticipate at each culinary destination. Join him on his journey of flavors and discoveries in the diverse gastronomic landscape of KwaZulu-Natal.

Dilshad Parker
Foodie, Author, Graphic Designer and Founder of Hungry for Halaal, Dilshad has been reviewing the halaal restaurant scene in South Africa since 2011. Having started off in Cape Town and now based in Johannesburg her world revolves around exploring all things gastronomic across Mzansi.