10 Best Halal International Chains for Eating-Out in Dubai

In addition to the fact that Dubai is a beautiful Middle Eastern cosmopolitan city with palm trees, desert and giant gleaming skyscrapers, and kind people. Middle eastern food is famous worldwide, and Dubai is a place to explore all the best Arab food, good thing these are halal-certified food chains.

As one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Dubai has a rigorous halal import regulation, which ensures that all meat and poultry sold in Dubai is halal.

The most delicate part is still to come. American fast-food businesses abound in Dubai (but are they all halal?)

We finally get to experience meat-based meals from American businesses in Dubai, rather than simply the typical seafood or vegan options!

1. The Cheesecake Factory

The Cheesecake Factory may sound like a devoted cake shop, but it also offers hot cuisine from its kitchen in addition to delicious cheesecakes. When they first opened their doors in the 1940s, they solely sold cheesecakes. However, the first Cheesecake Factory opened its doors in 1978, and it began selling hot meals in addition to its enormous dessert menu.

Imagine my delight at being able to visit The Cheesecake Factory while in the United States, after seeing so many mouth-watering photographs of the cuisine circulating online! However, because there were no halal selections in the United States, I was limited to their fish selection.

Pizzas, spaghetti, salads, and burgers are among the more than 200 items available on the menu. I’m sure I’d have trouble deciding what to eat.

Address: Mall of the Emirates, Sheikh Zayed Road, 4th Interchange, Al Barsha, Dubai.

Opening hours: Sunday – Wednesday, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., and 10 a.m. – 12 a.m. (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday).

2. Shake Shack

Shake Shack is a burger joint that started small. It was a hot dog vendor in Madison Square Park, Manhattan, in 2001. It became a permanent kiosk in the park three years later, and Shake Shack has since grown into a global brand.

I try to consume almost all-natural, organic, and antibiotic-free meat for health reasons. I was in tears of delight as I read these on the menu…

“Angus meat that is 100 per cent natural.” Our own hut concoction. “Hormone-free and antibiotic-free.”

“We utilize only genuine sugar in our vanilla and chocolate recipes, no corn syrup, and milk from dairy farmers that promise not to use artificial growth hormones.”

“Chicken – never given hormones and never given antibiotics.”

A fast-food business that serves burgers and milkshakes and exclusively utilizes antibiotic- and hormone-free meat and dairy…

Is it possible to establish a Shake Shack in Malaysia already?

Address: Mall Of The Emirates, Al Barsha 1 (First Floor, Next to West Food Court), Dubai

Opening hours: Open daily from 10 am – 12 am

3. Texas Roadhouse

Texas Roadhouse, a Texan-themed restaurant with outstanding food at moderate pricing, is a meat lover’s paradise in Dubai. Freshly baked bread and nuts are served to diners as they wait for their main courses. The nicest thing about this restaurant is that the steaks are hand-cut in-house and the side dishes are homemade!

You may order a wide variety of side dishes to accompany your main course, including baked or mashed potatoes, steak fries, seasoned rice, house or Caesar salad, buttered corn, and coleslaw, among others. Texas Roadhouse slows roast their ribs, ensuring that your meat will fall from the bone as you eat it. Try their ribs and handmade Texas Red Chilli, which have received awards in the United States!

Address: LG112-2, The Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai

Opening hours: 11 am-11 pm on Saturday – Wednesday; Thu-Fri 11 am -12 am

4. P.F. Chang’s

Don’t let the Chinese name mislead you! This is unmistakably an American franchise. When co-founder Philip Chiang met restaurateur Paul Fleming, the idea for this Asian-themed casual dining restaurant was created. P. F. Chang’s has seven locations in Dubai, mostly in shopping malls such as the Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Mall, and Al Ain Mall.

The duck would be my first pick at any halal Chinese restaurant, and P. F. Chang’s serves it.

Additionally, you may buy dim sum, hot meals from the wok, including fried rice and noodles, over there. You’ll be able to fulfil your Chinese food desires here without a doubt!

Address: Lower level, Waterfall Promenade, The Dubai Mall, Dubai. There are six other locations in Dubai that you can check on the official website.

Opening hours: 11 am – 12 am (Sunday to Wednesday), 11 am – 1 am (Thursday to Saturday) 

5. IHOP

Pancakes. What better location to satisfy your pancake cravings than the International House of Pancakes or IHOP. Consider the soft, fluffy spherical object placed one on top of the other in front of you. I’ll never be able to say no to a steaming dish of fluffy pancakes!

I’d order something safe like pancakes with banana in the United States, but here in Dubai, we can eat bacon with our pancakes, dude!

IHOP also offers waffles, french toast, and crepes in addition to pancakes. Omelettes, breakfast steaks, and even a Philly cheesesteak would please those who prefer savoury over sweet.

Address: 1st Level, Unit K01C, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai

Opening hours: 8 am – 1 am (Friday and Saturday), 8 am – 12 am (Sunday – Thursday)

6. Applebee’s

Applebee’s is a Kansas-based American restaurant chain that specializes in shrimp, chicken, spaghetti, ribs, steaks, and salads.

In a 2013 interview, Applebee’s previous president Mike Archer stated that the cuisine served in the UAE and the United States is consistent, so you can be confident that if you order a quesadilla burger anywhere in the globe, it will taste the same.

Applebee’s in the United States serves pork, but fear not: Applebee’s in Dubai is 100 per cent halal, and the sauce contains no alcohol.

Address: Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai

Opening hours: 10 am – 1 am (Sunday to Wednesday), 10 am – 2 am (Thursday to Saturday)

7. Din Tai Fung

Din Tai Fung is the only Asian restaurant on our list, specializing in steamed dumplings and noodles. In 2010, its Hong Kong branch was given a Michelin star, confirming its position as one of the best Chinese cuisine restaurants in the city.

Din Tai Fung is well-known in many countries throughout the world. There are, however, just a few establishments that sell halal versions of it.

It’s difficult to locate a halal version of Din Tai Fung on our borders, however, Din Tai Fung in Dubai is halal owing to Dubai’s halal import laws!

If you’re ever in Dubai, make a point of visiting this restaurant, especially if you’re a dim sum fan like myself. Make sure to taste the xiao long bao (soup dumplings), which is one of the house specialities.

Address:  Level 2 Expansion, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai

Opening hours: 11 am – 10 pm (Saturday to Thursday), 11 am – 12 am (Thursday and Friday)

8. Uno Chicago Grill

While pizza originated in Italy, Uno has reimagined the cuisine with its unique deep-dish pizza. So, what exactly is a deep-dish pizza? It’s pizza with a tall-edged crust, similar to a fruit pie! Deep dish pizza has a similar texture to quiche, but without the eggs.

This restaurant’s speciality is deep-dish pizza, but they also serve steaks and seafood, much like any other American eatery.

Address: Ground Floor, Dubai Mall, Financial Centre Road, Dubai

Opening hours: 11 am – 11 pm daily except for Thurs and Friday (11 am – 1 am)

9. Five Guys Burgers and Fries

Burgers are quite popular in America, much as nasi lemak is popular in Malaysia. If you enjoy burgers, you must visit Five Guys when in Dubai.

Five Guys’ burgers are hand-formed and grilled to order on a grill. Its fresh-cut fries are made using only peanut oil (heads up to those with peanut allergies, you can avoid this place). Burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, chips, and milkshakes are available. Burger enthusiasts should not miss this spot!

Address: Lower Ground Level, Dubai Mall, Dubai

Opening hours: 10 am – 1 am daily

10. Pots, Pans & Boards

Pots, Pans & Boards isn’t technically a restaurant chain. Tom Aikens, a well-known British chef, is the mastermind behind it. Starters, main entrees, all-day breakfast, soups, and salads are among the menu items at this informal English, Mediterranean, and French restaurant.

The name of the restaurant refers to how the food would be served: in pots, pans, or on boards.

Address: Beach Mall, Jumeirah Beach Residence Walk, Dubai 

Opening hours: Sun-Wed (8 am – 12 am), Thurs – Sat (8 am – 1 am)

Final Words:

To sum it up, Dubai is home to a slew of international eateries that Muslim eaters would otherwise be unable to visit.