Ottawa's halal food scene has grown well beyond shawarma counters, though there's still plenty of that too. From Lebanese grills that have been feeding the city since the 1990s to an HMA-certified Italian steakhouse and a Yemeni mandi spot on Hunt Club Road, this list pulls together ten halal restaurants currently operating in Ottawa. It was built from restaurant websites, Google, Yelp, and Tripadvisor listings, and customer reviews found through public search.
1. Les Grillades
Area: Colonnade Road, south Ottawa · Specialty: Lebanese charcoal-grilled meats · Rating: 4.5 on Yelp (1,000+ reviews) · Since: 2003
Les Grillades has been a family-operated Lebanese kitchen since 2003, and reviewers consistently point to the charcoal-grilled meats and mezze spread as the draw. It suits people who want a full Lebanese meal, mixed grill platters and all, rather than a quick shawarma wrap, and it offers dine-in, pickup, and delivery.
2. Shawarma Palace
Area: Multiple locations, flagship on Rideau Street · Specialty: Lebanese-style shawarma · Rating: 4.3 on Tripadvisor (311 reviews, Bank Street location) · Since: 1996
Shawarma Palace has been a fixture of the Ottawa shawarma scene since 1996 and now operates close to a dozen locations across the city. Reviewers praise the well-marinated chicken and beef shawarma, generous portions, and the crispy garlic potatoes on the side, though quality is reported to vary somewhat by location. It's a solid pick for a fast, familiar shawarma fix rather than a sit-down meal.
3. Kara Mia
Area: St. Laurent Boulevard · Specialty: Halal Italian cuisine · Rating: 4.4 on Restaurant Guru (500+ reviews)
Kara Mia stands out on this list because it isn't Middle Eastern or South Asian food, it's an Italian steakhouse where every dish is Halal Monitoring Authority (HMA) certified. Customers highlight the pasta and steak options alongside burgers, and it's a good fit for anyone who wants a halal night out that isn't kebabs or shawarma.
4. Laheeb Grill
Area: Montreal Road, Vanier · Specialty: Charcoal-grilled kebabs and shawarma · Rating: 4.6 average rating
Laheeb Grill is a Middle Eastern charcoal grill spot known for its kebabs and shawarma, with reviewers frequently singling out the mixed mashawi platter and the charcoal-grilled items over the shawarma itself. Portions are described as generous and the service as fast, making it a practical stop for a casual halal meal on the go.
5. Salang Kabob House
Area: Carling Avenue · Specialty: Afghan and Pakistani kabobs · Rating: 4.5 on Google
Salang Kabob House blends Afghan and Pakistani cooking, all prepared halal, in an unpretentious dining room on Carling Avenue. Reviewers keep coming back for the chicken and eggplant qorma, the lentil soup, and the Afghan naan, and consistently mention friendly, attentive staff. It suits anyone looking for comforting, spice-forward South Asian and Afghan food rather than a Middle Eastern grill.
6. Sultan Ahmet Turkish Cuisine
Area: Bank Street · Specialty: Turkish kebabs, pide, and baklava · Rating: 3.3 on Tripadvisor
Sultan Ahmet brings Turkish staples like pide, doner, and baklava to Bank Street as part of a small Ontario chain with locations in Mississauga, Hamilton, and Oakville. Reviews are mixed: many diners praise the generous portions and authentic flavours, while others describe the service and atmosphere as inconsistent. It's worth a visit for the Turkish menu variety, but expectations should be set accordingly.
7. Explosion Persian Style
Area: St. Laurent Boulevard · Specialty: Persian-style smash burgers and pizza · Rating: 5 stars on Entertainment Ottawa
Explosion Persian Style is a family-run spot putting a Persian spin on smash burgers, subs, and pizza, all 100% halal, with saffron-marinated chicken as a signature touch. Reviewers describe the customer service and ambiance warmly, and it's a good option for anyone who wants Persian flavours in a fast-casual format rather than a formal Persian restaurant.
8. House of Mandi
Area: Hunt Club Road · Specialty: Yemeni mandi · Rating: 4.6 on Yelp
House of Mandi specializes in Yemeni mandi, the slow-cooked rice and meat dish, sourced from what the restaurant describes as certified halal slaughterhouses. Reviewers highlight the hospitality from the owner and the Moofah Fish dish, while noting service can be slow at busier times. It's a niche pick for people specifically after Yemeni cuisine, which is harder to find elsewhere in the city.
9. Oh My Grill
Area: York Street, ByWard Market · Specialty: Mediterranean and Greek shawarma · Rating: 4.7 on OttawaEats · Since: 2019
Oh My Grill opened in the ByWard Market in 2019 serving halal-certified Mediterranean and Greek food, including shawarma, souvlaki, and poutine mashups. Reviewers point to the fresh ingredients and generous portions as standouts, and its downtown location makes it a convenient stop for anyone exploring the Market.
10. Moe's BBQ
Area: Bank Street · Specialty: Halal Texas-style smokehouse BBQ · Rating: 4.2 on Restaurant Guru
Moe's BBQ brings Texas-style smoked meats to Bank Street with a halal-certified menu, run by owners who describe themselves as a Muslim-owned smokehouse. Reviewers single out the beef brisket and beef back ribs as highlights, along with a clean, comfortable dining room. It's a rare find for anyone craving halal barbecue specifically rather than Middle Eastern or South Asian grilled meats.
How We Built This List
This list was compiled from public web sources, including restaurant websites, Google, Yelp, Tripadvisor, and OpenTable listings, along with publicly posted customer reviews. It is not a paid placement, and no business on this list has any affiliation with ottown or its operator. Ratings, review counts, and founding years are included only where they were confirmed on a source read during research. This list was last reviewed in August 2026.
Sources: restaurant websites (lesgrillades.ca, shawarmapalace.ca, karamia.ca, grill.laheebrestaurants.ca, salangkabobhouse.ca, ottawa.sultanahmet.ca, explosionpersianstyle.com, ohmygrill.ca, moesbbq.ca), Yelp, Tripadvisor, Restaurant Guru, and OttawaEats.
