Our CRITICS CHOICE list of the best halaal places to eat in South Africa is out! In collaboration with well known and loved foodies we bring you our curated list of amazing halaal places to eat across South Africa. Along with our Readers Choice list of Top 5 Halaal Restaurants in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban as voted by our audience which was released last week, this is the definitive guide to exploring the halaal scene in South Africa.
Find out who the well known foodies are that you love and trust to guide you through the halaal restaurant scene in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban, that contributed to our list for 2025 below.
Top 5 Cape Town 2025
5th
The Wok Bar
This popular spot always has a wait-list during the busy season times, which tells you how good it is. They do fresh and flavourful Asian inspired dishes cooked with heart on the vibey Kloof Street in Gardens. You’ll also find them at various pop-ups in Cape Town and Johannesburg.
4th
L.A. Farms
This farm to fork deli and eatery in Green Point offers exceptional quality meat and produce direct from their own farm on the West coast and local suppliers. It’s small and seating is limited but so worth the wait.
3rd
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.
2nd
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 located at the V&A Waterfront’s Dock Road.
No.1!
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. The food is innovative and the service is outstanding. 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.
Top 5 Johannesburg 2025
5th
Le Kreamery
Known for over the top desserts and beautiful presentation, Le Kreamery is a casually intimate and stylish venue with elegant finishes. The menu includes entremets, decadent milkshakes and a fusion menu of Indian, Middle Eastern and South African dishes.
4th
Lokkum
This Turkish favourite is housed in a historic building which used to be a cinema. The huge spaces has allowed for a beautiful new design including a fountain and hanging flowers from the ceiling which gives it a Turkish courtyard feeling. The unique space and the special touches make it feel like you’ve been transported as part of your dining experience.
3th
Kawali House
Think Royal Indian dining rooms and food to match and you may have an idea of what to expect at Kawali House. Brought to you by the founders of Le Kreamery, it was to be expected that this would be nothing short of mind blowing. Presenting live Qawali on weekends alongside a menu of classic and innovative Indian fusion cuisine the experience is sought-after and weekends booked out months in advance. Head to the East Rand for this exciting new take on Indian food.
2nd
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.
No.1!
Istanbul Kebab
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.
Top 5 Durban 2025
5th
Jack’s Grill & Co.
An elegant seafood and grill restaurant. Known for exceptional food and great service. Special mention for the sushi.
4th
Next Coffee
New on the block, Next Coffee located at the foodie strip of Florida Road is impressing Durban foodies. They are known for serving aesthetics, good vibes and amazing food while offering good value for money.
3rd
Prawn Star
A Durban market favourite that has now opened a permanent spot in Musgrave. Famous for their loaded fries they are a firm favourite in the Durban culinary scene.
2nd
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.
And once again at No.1!
Empire Steak
Florida road is known for great halaal food spots and the Empire Steak has been a long time favourite. 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.
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A very special thank you to our contributing critics for helping to curate this list. Some of them you already know, and some keep it low key as they explore our halaal food scene. 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.
Aisha aka Jozi Halaal
@jozi_halaal is a Jozi girl navigating a purposeful path towards Jannah. Through storytelling and curated food experiences, she captures halaal gastronomy across South Africa and the world; where faith and flavour meet with intention.
Chef Zana Alvarado
An award-winning chef, author, World Chefs Association–accredited Rookie Culinary Judge, and a Director of the South African Chefs Association. A Chef Brand Ambassador for WWF SASSI and former National Chairperson of SA Chefs Women in Culinary, she is recognised for her leadership in sustainable gastronomy, culinary excellence and shaping the future of the global professional kitchen.
Find her on socials IG, FB, TT, T: @chef_zana
Sara Essop
The founder of both @SouthAfricaHalaal and @InAfricaAndBeyond, a travel blog, Sara Essop is an avid foodie and travel addict. Having travelled to 50 countries, she loves experiencing different cuisines around the world and has been reviewing Johannesburg’s halaal scene for over a decade.
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.”
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.
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