Cuisine Scene: Halal

While halal food is known for adhering to specific dietary guidelines—ensuring cleanliness, humane animal treatment, and the exclusion of certain ingredients—it’s also some of the most delicious food in the world. A growing list of Long Beach eateries serve halal menus, offering a wide range of cuisines including Middle Eastern, Greek, Turkish, and Chinese. Alongside flavorful meats and vegetables, soups and salads, and both large and small dishes, you'll also find delectable desserts. Who’s craving baklava cheesecake?

AMMATOLI

One of the most acclaimed, and beloved restaurants in Long Beach, Ammatoli (285 E Third St) creates Levantine cuisine that emanates from Israel, Cypress, Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine. The food and atmosphere has a beautiful, casual vibe whether from its tiled walls to the vivid purple of its pickled turnips. Whether for lunch or dinner, whether mezza, kabob, beet salad or incredible housemade pita, it’s a menu that inspires devotion.

NOMAD BISTRO

Specializing in wok-fired Northern Chinese cuisine, Nomad Asian Bistro (6563 E Pacific Coast Hwy) has an extensive menu, much of which is gluten-free. The dishes range from hand crafted chow mein to orange chicken, Mongolian beef and chicken with pickled cabbage. The restaurant’s staff is trained in food allergies and happy to give informed advice on the subject. All this in a relaxed atmosphere that has made it popular with families.

OPEN SESAME

One of Belmont Shore’s most popular restaurants, Open Sesame (5215 E Second St) serves a delicious array of authentic Lebanese and Mediterranean dishes in an indoor-outdoor space that allows diners to take in the city as it passes by on Second Street. There’s a wide selection of small plate mezza including its legendary spicy garlic potatoes and flash fried cauliflower. The shawarma is incredible as is the tiger shrimp and baba ghannouj.

CALI CHILLI

Calling its cuisine “unauthentic Indian” Cali Chilli (4111 Viking Way) offers the likes of Eggplant Bharta Lasagna, with smoky tandoor roasted eggplant layerer on paneer. Its Lobster Moilee is served on a coconut Kerala curry and beef short ribs with a Kashmiri curry sauce. Even the Caesar Salad is given a tweak as it can be served with succulent grilled chicken tikka. Boasting a stylish bar, intimate and cozy seating, this place can be romantic, fun or both!

BROKEN SPIRITS DISTILLERY

A Downtown mainstay, Broken Spirits Distillery (300 The Promenade N) recently, and proudly, announced its Halal menu featuring a delicious array of barbecue and smoked meats including its popular brisket, birria, burgers and chicken wings. Of course, as the name makes clear, Broken Spirits continues to serve its own amazing line of artisanal spirits made with its own time-honored techniques and finest ingredients.

GALATA TURKISH HALAL GRILL

Galata Turkish Grill (5205 Second St) serves authentic Turkish fare that is a delicious coming together of cuisines ranging from Levantine to Armenian, Greek and Balkan. Galata exudes an inviting atmosphere reminiscent of Istanbul, offering authentic Turkish cuisine like hummus, lamb skewers, and baklava. The warm decor and elevated dining experience makes it a great choice for those craving genuine Turkish flavors.

TABOON MEDITERRANEAN

Renowned for its commitment to healthy food created with the finest ingredients, Taboon Mediterranean (539 E Bixby Rd) offers a diverse selection of dishes catering to a wide range of tastes and dietary preferences. Whether kabobs or kibbeh, grilled salmon or lamb chops, dishes pop with flavor owing to produce, herbs and spices that are painstakingly sourced to create authentic and delicious Mediterranean dishes.

THE HALAL GUYS

Tucked into a Belmont Heights neighborhood, The Halal Guys (1804 Ximeno Ave) offers a coming together of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines that adheres to the healthy standards of halal food. There are gyros and falafel, the tahini is light and tasty and the white sauce is revered. Chocolate chip cookies are baked fresh and serve up gooey awesomeness. Baklava? Yep, they’ve got baklava … and baklava cheesecake!

About the Author

Steve Lowery

Steve Lowery is a longtime local. Over the years he has written for the Los Angeles Times, ESPN, and others. If you're looking for the hidden gems of Long Beach, Steve is your go-to.