How to check a restaurant is halal in the UK
Plenty of UK restaurants describe themselves as halal, but what that means can vary. Some serve only halal meat from certified suppliers; others offer a halal option alongside non-halal dishes. Here's how to check.
Certified or self-declared?
Certified restaurants are inspected by an independent halal certification body, which checks suppliers and sometimes kitchens. They usually display a certificate with a date and a reference number.
Self-declared restaurants say they're halal but aren't checked by a third party. Many are entirely trustworthy, but you're relying on the owner's word.
UK certification bodies
The most widely recognised include the Halal Monitoring Committee (HMC) and the Halal Food Authority (HFA). They have different standards. One of the main differences is their position on stunning animals before slaughter, so many people choose based on which standard they follow. Both publish lists of certified outlets on their websites.
Questions worth asking
- Is all the meat halal, or only some dishes?
- Who supplies the meat, and is the supplier certified?
- Who certifies the restaurant, and is the certificate current?
- Is alcohol served or used in cooking?
- Are halal and non-halal foods cooked with separate equipment and oil?
A good restaurant will be happy to answer. If staff aren't sure, ask to speak to a manager.
Chains and branches
Halal status can differ between branches of the same chain. A brand might have halal branches in some areas and not others, so check your local branch rather than relying on the brand name.
How we label halal on EZ Menus
We show a halal label only when the restaurant says its food is halal. Where we know the certifier, we include it. Because status can change, always confirm with the branch you're visiting. Browse our halal restaurants list to get started.