As the year draws to a close, there’s nothing more exciting than planning for the holidays to come. However, we understand that our Muslim guests will often come across concerns about the availability of halal food at their dream destinations. Thankfully, halal travel has become increasingly common over the years, making it easier for Muslim travellers to explore and taste the best of local flavours without worries.
So, read on as we take you on a halal food adventure to discover the best halal food destinations you can’t miss – even before you take off!
Why should you research holiday destinations with halal food?
Before we move on, you might be wondering why you should prepare prior research on your dream holiday spots? Well, it’s worth noting that while halal food has become more common, certain tourist destinations may still be less accommodating to different dietary needs. Knowing the countries that offer the best of halal meals helps decide your holiday destinations more easily and gives you peace of mind while travelling.
Photo by Odiseo Castrejon on Unsplash
Furthermore, being well prepared will save you from scrambling to search for where to eat, especially when you’re on the go. As a recommendation, it’s always best to find out numerous options in case the establishment of choice is closed for the day or too full for guests. This allows you to immediately switch your plans around and be able to head over to the next eatery of your choice.
And we all know someone who has done this: Bringing instant noodles because they’re unsure if halal meals are going to be available where they’re headed. By researching ahead of time, you can save on luggage space for your souvenirs from your dream destination. No more slurping that cup of noodles in your hotel room, because the world is ready to fill your bellies with the best halal food flavours.
If you’d prefer to skip the hassle of having to leave over a hundred tabs open to find the best halal food destinations, why not leave it to the professionals to make your holiday a reality?
At Holiday Tours, we’re always ready to craft bespoke holidays that suit your wants, needs, and beyond. Having celebrated 5 decades of unforgettable journeys with our esteemed guests and travel partners, you know you’re always in good hands and can travel without fussing about finding the best halal food destination.
6 of the best halal food destinations you can’t miss
While you can surely find halal food all over the world, these flavours may be harder to find in certain destinations. To save you the hassle of hunting down these hidden spots, here are 6 of the best halal food destinations you just can’t miss.
Cappadocia, Turkey
Photo by Taste Atlas
Featuring rich Islamic history, it’s no surprise to see that Cappadocia is one of our favourite spots to get the best halal foods around the world. Here, you’ll not only be dining with the stunning views of the city, but the flavours will astound you as you sample some of the best dishes that have never been tried before.
The Testi Kebab is the first item that comes to mind, especially with its unique way of preparation down to the moment it’s being served. Often made with meats such as lamb or beef, the Testi Kebab is usually slow-cooked with assorted fresh vegetables in a sealed claypot.
The claypot is then set over an open fire as every ingredient cooks to perfection, creating a medley of unbelievably flavours locked within. Not long after, the claypot is then cracked open at the table for that dramatic presentation, allowing you to first feast with your eyes before digging in.
For those who prefer a bite of street food, the Gözleme, a Turkish flatbread that’s typically stuffed with spinach, cheese, meat, and potatoes, are a great option. Cooked over a griddle until the dough turns golden brown, the Gözleme is traditionally enjoyed as a homemade snack or served during breakfast. With the rise of tourism, however, you can find plenty of stalls with their own renditions of Gözleme ready to be sampled. For a vegetarian version, simply order it with “Etsiz”, which translates to “without meat”.
Doha, Qatar
Photo by Mahmut Yıldız on Unsplash
Many travellers will often regard Doha as a transit point for long-haul flights, but what they’re missing out on are the rich flavours of Qatari food. In fact, what many don’t know is that most restaurants in Doha are often halal-certified and follow stringent rules in food preparation and service, allowing Muslim travellers to explore the city and enjoy the food without worries.
A Kabsa – or occasionally known as Machboos – is a must-try when you set foot in Doha, with its strong spices such as cumin, saffron, and cumin being a prominent star in this dish. Other ingredients, such as chicken or lamb with basmati rice, tomatoes, onions, and yoghurt, are also added to make a fantastic Kabsa, which is why it’s been crowned the national dish of Qatar.
For many, enjoying a piping hot plate of Machboos is like a comforting hug at the end of a long day of exploring. You can easily find the dish being served across any restaurant you visit, and it is best paired with a side of lemony salad to give it a tangy twist through its rich flavours.
If you’re looking to satisfy your sweet tooth, the Luqaimat is a dessert you’ll want to get. The classic dough for these bite-sized desserts is made of butter, milk, and flour and deep-fried to perfection. Before serving, each doughball is dipped in a pot of sugar or date syrup, resulting in a mouthwatering dessert that has a crispy shell with a soft and airy interior. Occasionally, you’ll also find cardamom and saffron being added to the dough for an extra Qatari touch. Luqaimat is a staple in many households and is best eaten when served fresh and warm.
Marrakesh, Morocco
Photo by As a major economic centre of Morocco, the dynamic city of Marrakesh is undoubtedly packed with plenty of locals and tourists alike who are on the hunt for the best foods the country has to offer. A predominantly Muslim country, finding halal food in a culinary epicentre just as Marrakesh is simple – and you’ll often be surprised at the flavours the city has to offer.
A crowd favourite is the savoury Tajine, a delicious Maghrebi dish that’s prepared in an earthenware pot that the dish is named after. The pot comes along with an iconic cone-shaped lid that traps steam from the ingredients as it’s slow-cooked over charcoal, resulting in a mouthwatering dish that isn’t overly dry.
Traditional tajine is often prepared with fish or meat, alongside fresh vegetables and fruits such as sweet potatoes, prunes, lemons, and olives. Due to its cooking process, plenty of patience is often needed when ordering a tajine, but a rewarding spoonful of this flavourful dish always makes the waiting worth it.
Occasionally referred to as “a hug in a bowl”, the Moroccan soup known as Harira is another dish you simply cannot miss when visiting Marrakesh. Its simple ingredients are what make the Harira a hearty soup, putting together lentils, tomatoes, chickpeas, a hard-boiled egg, and rice.
What’s more, you wouldn’t have to go to a specific restaurant for some of the best soups. Instead, they’re easily found from street vendors just around the corner. Many locals also see Harira as a budget-friendly “meal” and families often serve it to break fast during Ramadhan.
Taipei, Taiwan
You may find it surprising to see Taiwan on the list for halal food, but did you know that it had achieved the “Most Inclusive Non-OIC Destination” in Crescent Rating’s Halal Travel Awards in 2022? With nearly 200 halal-certified restaurants, stays, and businesses across its cities, it’s easy to see why Taiwan has become increasingly popular among Muslim travellers, with Taipei being the heart of it all.
The Beef Noodle Soup is a staple of every visit to Taipei, with its hearty broth warming every guest from the inside out. You’ll find plenty of eateries offering a delicious bowl of this traditional fare, and even more halal-certified restaurants across Taipei serving them up. If the soup becomes too rich for your liking, be sure to pick up a serving of pickled mustard greens known as “suan cai” as a palate cleanser.
Another unique dish that’s typically found in Taipei is the peanut ice cream roll, a dessert that’s made exactly as its name suggests. Created using a stretchy flour-based crepe akin to our favourite “popiah” in Malaysia, the insides of a Taiwanese peanut ice cream roll comprise ice cream, cilantro, and finely shaven peanut brittle.
What you’ll get is a sweet and savoury experience with a herby flavour from the cilantro, all in one bite. Featuring a soft chew on the outside from the crepe before your senses meet the crunchy peanut brittle inside, this unique peanut ice cream roll is a Taiwanese street snack you simply cannot miss. These days, you can even ask for extra flavours such as taro to be added to help elevate your snacking game!
London, United Kingdom
Photo by London has long held a reputation for being a melting pot of cultures, making it a favourite destination for plenty of Muslim travellers. This has unsurprisingly contributed to the rise of halal food scenes in the city, with flavours that aim to delight and surprise.
A classic Sunday pot roast is a must-try if you’re in town, with dishes such as thinly sliced beef and Yorkshire pudding served on a plate. The meal is completed with a side of roasted vegetables and potatoes. And as its name suggests, you can find it available at most eateries only on Sundays, although more restaurants have now made it more readily available across the week for customers who ask for it.
To welcome more Muslim travellers and locals alike, many restaurants are now well set to prepare Sunday pot roasts following stringent halal food requirements.
However, if you’re looking to satisfy your appetite with little bites of halal street food, you’ll want to travel to Camden Market, where over 50 food vendors call home. From halal baos to delicious homemade Venezuelan empanadas, Camden Market is where you can literally eat till you drop safely.
While you’re there, don’t miss out on hunting down some of the halal fish and chips offerings at eateries in the market. Unlike the typical way of cooking, these fish and chips don’t use beer batter, making it halal-friendly, so you too can enjoy the best of London’s flavours. Remember to pop in a dash of vinegar to your fish and chips before taking that first bite, as that’s simply the only way the British will enjoy it!
Malé, Maldives
Photo by Big Sweet Tooth
You may have known Malé to be one of the most romantic islands to visit around the world, but were you also aware that the Maldives is an Islamic country? With Sunni Islam being the state religion, Malé offers some of the best halal food you can sample while basking in the oasis of the sun-kissed beaches.
The mouthwatering Maldivian fish soup known as Garudhiya is among the top dishes for something you need to try when in Malé, with its rich flavours being the perfect pick-me-up after a long day in the sun. Made with fresh skipjack and yellowfin tuna, the Garudhiya is typically served with fluffy steamed rice or Roshi – a traditional flatbread that’s prepared using flour and oil. The clean flavours from these accompaniments perfectly highlight the Garudhiya broth, and it is a dish that will leave you wanting more.
And before the end of your vacation, why not order a serving of Saagu Bondibai to close it off on a sweet note? Loosely translated as a “Maldive Sago Pudding”, this delicious treat in a bowl is prepared using sago pearls that are slow-cooked in coconut milk, rose water, spices such as cardamom and pandan.
A splash of condensed milk is added before serving to give it that unmistakable sweet note that everyone craves after exploring Malé for hours. While it can be served both cold or warm, the former is often more popular among visitors who are keen to cool down after their beach escapade.
Well, are you ready to explore your favourite destinations and taste what the world has to offer in the halal food section? Wait no more and reach out to your trusted travel advisor today to plan the break you deserve.