Visiting a new country on a holiday should be both thrilling and exciting. However, sometimes trying to find a restaurant which caters to your dietary requirements in a new city can be taxing and daunting. Thank goodness Sydney, the multi-cultural metropolitan that it is, has dining establishments that provisioned for everyone. Halal dining definitely included. There are plenty of Halal-friendly restaurants in Sydney if you know where to look. For that reason, the list below will aid in your search for suitable places to eat and hopefully, make planning mealtimes a little less stressful.
Aria
Aria is a noted Modern Australian restaurant owned by celebrity chef Matt Moran and helmed by the talented Tom Gorringe. Preparing fresh, seasonal local produce, Aria serves up delicious food right outside the Sydney Opera House. While not fully Halal, most of their dishes are prepared with that in mind. Consequently, most of their dishes are Halal except for ones containing kangaroo or duck meat.
Similar to many other premium fine dining venues, the staff are well-trained in handling to various dietary needs. All you need to do is to inform them at the time of booking. This is especially true should your party decide on indulging on their toothsome tasting menu as the dishes are prepared beforehand. While Aria takes care to ensure to abide by your wishes, they are not a Halal-certified restaurant so you should dine at your own discretion.
Classification: Halal-friendly
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Address: 1 Macquarie St, Sydney, NSW, 2000
Contact: (02) 9240 2255
Silvester’s
A dining experience at the award-winning Silvester’s ensures you a front row seat to a culinary adventure. Not only will you watch the chefs preparing your meal, their many interactive options will have you immersed in your dish coming to life. Silvester’s uses quality ingredients from all over the world to bring you new and creative cuisine.
While not Halal-certified, they are are open to adjusting their menu to suit your needs. This is especially if they are notified at time of booking. Coincidentally, their current menu is pork-free, so the more liberal can enjoy from the menu without worries. As such, if you are looking for Halal-friendly restaurants in Sydney, Silvester’s is a a venue to consider. As always with Halal-friendly establishments, dine at your own discretion.
Classification: Halal-friendly
Cuisine: French inspired, Modern Australian
Address: 1 Bulletin Place, Sydney, NSW 2000
Contact: (02) 92597330
Criniti’s
In the mood for Italian? Criniti’s is a well-known Italian chain in Sydney offering up casual Italian grub using Halal-certified meat. A great family-friendly restaurant, Criniti’s has something for everyone. Their menu is extensive, from pizzas, pastas, the grill and even a kid’s menu.
Stop the Darling Harbour location for an amazing view of the harbour as you munch on some fresh, delicious Italian. As one of the halal-friendly restaurants in Sydney, Criniti’s will provide you with the kid-friendly, hunger-busting meal you’re looking for.
Classification: Halal-friendly
Cuisine: Australian inspired Italian
Address: Various locations in Sydney.
Darling Harbour location – Level 2 Harbourside Shopping Centre 2, 10 Darling Dr, Sydney NSW 2000
Contact: (02) 80267700
Lal Qila
A flavour explosion awaits you at Lal Qila restaurant. The strong, aromatic spices of South Asia lend themselves to making the dishes an adventure for your tastebuds. Step into the restaurant and taste the delightful curries, smoky tandoories, and sweet Lassis.
The food is plentiful and best shared with family and friends. After all, we all know that food tastes better when shares with loved ones. The intimacy of the venue encourages coming together, reflective of the true Pakistani culture. If you are looking for deep-flavoured Halal-friendly restaurants in Sydney, look no further than Lal Qila.
Classification: Halal certified
Cuisine: Pakistani
Address: 30 Lime St, Darling Harbour, NSW 2000
Contact: 1300 525 745
Above Par
When you think of Turkish fine dining, think of Above Par. Located in the heart of the city, the restaurant is a corner of glass and garden in the midst of the hustle and bustle. Serving authentic Turkish food, Above par offers shish kebabs, roasted cauliflowers, various dips and much more to share.
Share plates are a common theme in the Middle East and it is no different at Above Par. Therefore, be prepared to be generous with your food on your table. If you are ready for a warm, hearty dinner, head to this Halal-friendly restaurant in Sydney. While Middle Eastern cuisine lends itself to being Halal, no proof of certification could be found. As such, you should dine at your own discretion.
Classification: Halal-friendly
Cuisine: Turkish Middle Eastern
Address: 215 Clarence Street, Sydney New South Wales 2000, Australia
Contact: (02) 8592 4200
No1 Halal Beef Noodles (LanZhou Beef Noodles)
Don’t be fooled by this nondescript hole in the wall eatery. Contrary to its fuss-free appearance, this restaurant serves up a delicious array of Halal Chinese food to the local crowd. Moreover, there is no need to book.Yyou can simply walk in off the street and enjoy a steaming bowl of beef noodles not long after.
It is not often you’d find Halal Chinese cuisine and having a delicious, affordable option in the heart of the city certainly warms the tummy. So if you are exploring the city and in need of some nourishment, look no further than this humblest of Halal-friendly restaurants in Sydney.
Classification: Halal-certified
Cuisine: Chinese
Address: 8 Dixon St, Haymarket NSW 2000
It’s Time for Thai
If you are in the mood for Thai food, you have to stop by It’s Time for Thai for some fragrant, tasty grub. Not only will you find Thai staples like Tom Yum and lemongrass chicken, they offer the scarcer Muslim Thai food. Popular with the locals for their rich, flavourful food, Its’ Time for Thai will not disappoint.
Furthermore, they even have a prayer room above the restaurant for the Muslim diner’s convenience. More importantly, their family-friendly atmosphere, delicious affordable food, and cheerful service makes this one of the must-try Halal-friendly restaurants in Sydney.
Classification: Halal-certified
Cuisine: Thai
Address: Kingsford, Newtown, and Haymarket.
Haymarket location: 767 -769 George St, Haymarket NSW 2000
Contact: (02) 8668 4676
Zahli
Stop by Zahli for authentic modern Lebanese food. Middle Eastern dining is all about share plates and the meal at Zahli is no different. Choose from the banquet menu and dine on the carefully selected signature dishes. Alternatively, try your luck with their Ala carte menu, where you’ll be satisfied no matter your choice.
Although the food served is Halal-certified, the restaurant offers alcoholic beverages. As such, you should dine there at your own discretion. Zahli is a popular event location and reservations should be made to ensure you are able to enjoy your meal there. Check out this Halal-friendly restaurant in Sydney to get your Lebanese food fix.
Classification: Halal-friendly
Cuisine: Lebanese
Address: 529 Elizabeth St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
Contact: (02) 9318 2228
Cairo Takeaway
Sometimes, you might get a hankering for something lighter. When that happens, turn to Cairo Takeaway in Newtown for their pita pockets, crisps and dips. Perhaps you’d like to indulge in a little Shakshouka. Contrary to its name, Cairns Takeaway does have indoor and outdoor seating within its small, quaint shop. Although, you should arrive early if you intend to stay as they do not take reservations and it can get quite busy at mealtimes.
Their food is Halal but the establishment sells beer and as such is considered Halal-friendly. Therefore, if you are merely dining, do so at your discretion. Tables are small and cosy, perfect for gathering your loved ones close. So head down to this corner shop and get a taste of one of the authentic Egyptian Halal-friendly restaurants in Sydney.
Classification: Halal-friendly
Cuisine: Egyptian
Address: 81 Enmore Rd, Newtown NSW 2042
Contact: (02) 95172060
Nour
Treat yourself to a culinary trip to modern Lebanon. The team at Nour are creative and innovative, playing with the classic Lebanese flavours but putting their own twist on things. Explore what Lebanese food has to offer, beyond the norm. The restaurant bathes in natural light from the floor-to-ceiling arched windows and lightly coloured walls, brightening your meal at Nour.
Despite the food served being Halal-certified, this venue serves alcohol. As a result, it is classifies as Halal-friendly and should be dined in at your discretion. However, this fine dining restaurant also offers mocktails so the celebration can continue while respecting your requirements. Nour is certainly a choice location for a special occasion and one of the more celebrated Halal-friendly restaurants in Sydney.
Classification: Halal-friendly
Cuisine: Lebanese
Address: Shop 3, 490 Crown Street, Surry Hills, NSW 2010
Contact: (02) 9331 3413
Of course, there are many more Halal restaurants all over Sydney providing nourishment for all. The restaurants listed here are but a few and should provide you with a delicious introduction to the food in Sydney. Perhaps it’s time we put Sydney on our list of potential vacation destinations given the city’s increasing number of restaurants that are Halal-friendly.
