Eating Halal in Paris ? Impossible, they say. Little do they know.
If you are one of the many Muslims who seek to experience French culture while eating good Halal food and being able to pray in due time, do know that it is not only possible, but also easier and easier. And Muz Paris Tours aims at showing you how. Let’s start with Halal food in restaurants. Parisian bakeries and coffee shops will be discussed in other articles, in sha Allah. The good news is that Halal food options have grown significantly in the French capital over recent years. Young chefs and entrepreneurs have opened high-quality restaurants that challenge the culinary clichés associated with food served by Muslims (No, it is not only about kebab joints!)
Understanding Halal Certification in France
In France, Halal certification is mainly handled by two reliable French certification organizations: AVS and ACHAHADA. Two mosques, the Great Mosque of Lyon and the Great Mosque of Evry also grant certifications. Most restaurant owners buy their meat from local butchers who are associated AVS or ACHAHADA. If not, they have partnerships with foreign organizations (Belgian, Dutch, Spanish or Italian). A certain number of Turkish restaurants for example present Turkish Halal certification.
Most Halal restaurants will clearly show their “Halal” sticker. Others will even stick their certification paper on the front door. Lebanese restaurants are often an exception to that
rule. You often must ask them whether they are Halal or not, and do not be surprised if the answer is negative as the Christian Lebanese community is very much present and
economically active in Paris. Other restaurant owners refuse to show their Halal sticker as they believe that it will deter non-Muslim customers. A recent study on the eating habits in France has shown that most French people would not even consider entering a restaurant if it shows a “Halal” sign. But it is an open secret that in France, most street food is Halal and that people eat Halal food without even knowing it. Even some Korean, Japanese, or Vietnamese restaurants serve Halal meat (either beef or chicken) and pork and the same time!
Halal but selling alcohol ?
This is a fact that might surprise you, but many Halal restaurants do sell alcohol to pander to the tastes of non-Muslim customers, unfortunately. In my future articles, I will mention whether the restaurants are alcohol-free or not as I know
that some Muslims do not mind eating in joints that sell alcoholic beverages.
My definition of a Halal restaurant however is that of a restaurant which serves certified
Halal food AND does not sell alcohol.
Where to find Halal Food in Paris ?
Halal food can be found in all the arrondissements of Paris, even in the very posh 16 th district where two restaurants, the Taj Mahal (Indian) and Le Confidentiel (French cuisine) offer
excellent Halal food near the Eiffel Tower. Other areas, however, have abundant Halal options:
The 10 th arrondissement: Little India, little Sri Lanka and more! Particularly around Gare du Nord and Gare de L’Est metro stations.
The 18 th arrondissement: The African and North African “Goutte D’Or” Neighborhood It is THE multicultural area of Paris, near Barbes-Rochechouart metro, and not far from
Montmartre. The 5 th arrondissement: The Latin Quarter (metro Cluny, Place Monge, Cité or Saint Michel)
The area has grown into a hype Halal one, thanks to its student population and young, dynamic innovative restaurant owners.
- The 10 th arrondissement: Little India, little Sri Lanka and more! Particularly around Gare du Nord and Gare de L’Est metro stations.
- The 18 th arrondissement: The African and North African “Goutte D’Or” Neighborhood It is THE multicultural area of Paris, near Barbes-Rochechouart metro, and not far from Montmartre.
- The 5 th arrondissement: The Latin Quarter (metro Cluny, Place Monge, Cité or Saint Michel) The area has grown into a hype Halal one, thanks to its student population and young, dynamic innovative restaurant owners.
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Halal restaurants are more and more varied. And that is a good thing.
There was a time when all you could find in Paris where North African restaurants (Moroccan, Algerian, or Tunisian) but these days are over. First, Traditional French cuisine restaurants are now part of Paris’s culinary landscape. For the Thai food lovers, the “Regal Thai” food chain is a popular choice, with one restaurant near the Great Paris Mosque. Turkish kebabs are now a national treasure! You will find them in all the arrondissements of the city. Lebanese restaurants offer a variety of refined meals but not all of them are Halal. Go for the vegetarian option, then! Burger joints have grown big for a few years now. You will be able to boycott Mc Donald’s, KFC or Burger King with maximum pleasure! These American fast-food giants are NOT halal in France. Indian/Pakistani restaurants are more and more successful. Some like Golden Chicken in the 13 th district of Paris, combine Fried chicken and Indian/Pakistani cuisine and are alcohol-free. Yemeni, Iranian, Afghan, Vietnamese, Chinese, Egyptian, Uyghur, Malaysian, Indonesian, Senegalese, Malian, Bengali hidden gems will also surprise you!
With a bit of planning, you can savor French cuisine and international flavors without compromising your values. In my future articles, I’ll provide reviews of selected Paris’s Halal restaurants, including specialties, and insider tips for the best dining experiences, in sha Allah.
Useful tips.
Use apps like “halal trip”. Halal Paris.com : get information and book your dinner or lunch from there! You can even order a meal after finding all the details on its halal certification. All their addresses are alcohol free. They also have an Instagram @paris_halal Google is usually quite accurate in its locations of halal restaurants.