Zam Zam, an Indian and Pakistani restaurant, is a solid halal-friendly option in Medford Square. The slow-cooked nihari dishes are a must, as are the flavor-packed biryani dishes.

Egyptian restaurant Kushari & Grill features a fully halal and scratch-made menu, owner Mohamed Hassanein told Eater in late 2021 upon opening the restaurant in Medford. A native of Alexandria, Egypt, Hassanein previously ran the Mr. Kushari food truck in Boston’s Fenway neighborhood. Located right by Tufts, Kushari & Grill serves the namesake koshari, a popular street food in Egypt; hawawshi, dough stuffed with a spiced mix of ground beef, onions, bell peppers, and parsley; shawarma; kebabs; and more. Try the spicy falafel roll-up.

Pakistani restaurant Man-O-Salwa, a counter hidden inside a Union Square convenience store called S&S Market, has erratic hours, very little seating, and not much in the way of an up-to-date web presence. Still, it’s worth the effort the venture in; its kebabs, in particular, are among the best around.

East Boston’s acclaimed Tawakal Halal Cafe highlights Somali food with influences from other East African cuisines, as well as Middle Eastern and Mediterranean. The beef or vegetable sambusas are a must, as is the Tawakal plate — strips of chapati cooked in a spiced tomato sauce with beef, chicken, or spinach and chickpea stew. Try the shaah, the sweet and spiced house tea, hot or iced, and be sure to grab a bottle of the popular house hot sauce.

“We knew our halal grub would be a hit,” says the Chicken & Rice Guys team, which launched the food-truck-and-restaurant-and-catering mini empire back in 2012. As the name suggests, the rice plates are the highlight — seasoned rice topped with seasoned and grilled halal chicken or several other protein options, along with lettuce, toasted pita, and sauces. (The creamy garlic sauce is a fan favorite.) Currently, there are two restaurants in downtown Boston, one at the Seaport, and one in Everett.

This casual chain, which got its start as a food cart in Queens, is a reliable option, especially convenient for Berklee and Northeastern students. The menu features gyros such as lamb, platters such as falafel with rice, sandwiches such as a Philly cheesesteak, and more.

Ali Baba, sibling and neighbor to Mexican restaurant El Triunfo, is a popular spot for Turkish in the South End, and it offers late-night hours. (A newer Charlestown location under the Ali Baba name serves both Turkish and Mexican cuisine.) Diners will find dishes such as adana kebabs, doner, pide, and more.

Sufra, a casual Mediterranean spot in Fenway, offers a fully halal menu from lunch through late-night every day — shawarma wraps, falafel plates, manousheh, and more. Watch for daily specials, like mansaf and rice on Fridays. There are fresh juices, too.

Steps from the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center in Roxbury lies Ashur Restaurant. It is a popular spot for halal Somali and Middle Eastern food, served in heaping portions of meat and rice. Lamb dishes, such as a cumin-spiced braised lamb and a lamb shank, are the bestsellers here; the Somali chai is also popular, made with clove, cinnamon, cardamom, and optional sweetened condensed milk.

Ali’s is the stop for unfussy plates of tasty West Indian fare, from curry goat and stewed oxtail to chicken and beef wrapped in flaky rounds of roti. All the meats are halal, according to shop employees. (There’s a second location in Roxbury.)