Canberra may be small, but it’s big on flavour. From historic festivals to dazzling art collections at the National Gallery of Australia, this city has a strong appreciation for Muslim heritage.
We’ve put together the ultimate guide to the best halal options in Canberra so that you can get out there and start exploring.
Restaurants
The food scene in Canberra has exploded in recent years, with more halal restaurants popping up than ever before. Zabihah is a great resource for finding halal-certified venues around the city, as well as social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
Bamiyan
Cuisine: Afghan
Where: Braddon
Bamiyan dishes out a decadent selection of grilled meats and flavourful rice dishes in a bright and lively setting. This restaurant is a short stroll from the Australian National University (ANU) and features some of the best halal food in Canberra.
Blu Ginger
Cuisine: Indian
Where: Canberra CBD
Modern and authentic, the menu at Blu Ginger has been designed to celebrate multicultural Indian cuisine. Be mindful that Blu Ginger does serve alcohol–it’s best to make enquiries if you have any concerns.
Kinn Thai
Cuisine: Thai
Where: Canberra CBD
Kinn Thai serves up some of the best halal Thai food in Canberra. The menu is extensive–you will have a hard time choosing between the multitudes of dishes. It’s important to note this restaurant does serve alcohol and pork, so you may want to call ahead if any kitchen practices are a concern.
Cafés and takeaway
If you’re after something more casual in Canberra, you’re in luck! The café and takeaway scene here is full of halal options that cater to the diverse international student population.
Turkish Halal Pide House
Cuisine: Turkish
Where: Yarralumla
The menu is extensive, the servings are generous and, of course, delicious. Don’t miss the fried zucchini puffs with yoghurt sauce– they’re heavenly.
Al Manoosh
Cuisine: Lebanese, Brunch
Where: Mawson
This place supplies some of the best halal breakfast in Canberra. Located in the Woden Valley, Al Manoosh is a longstanding Canberra institution. From Shakshuka to Lebanese Pizza, you are guaranteed to find an array of traditional dishes from across the Levant.
El Jannah
Cuisine: Lebanese
Where: Gungahlin
Let the smell of fresh charcoal-roasted chicken carry you through the Gungahlin Marketplace into El Jannah. The takeaway here is halal comfort food at its finest–we highly recommend adding a serving of garlic sauce to everything.
Grocery stores and markets
Both Coles and Woolworths stock a wide range of halal-certified products in their stores; you can find brands like Fettayleh Foods there. Halal Food also has an excellent database to help identify products available in Australia.
Fyshwick Halal Poultry
Where: Fyshwick
There is a lot to explore at the Fyshwick Fresh Food Markets, but for all your halal produce needs, you should head to Fyshwick Halal Poultry. It’s located on the far right of the market as you enter through the main car park.
Mawson Halal Market
Where: Mawson
Mawson Halal Market is dedicated to selling high-quality, halal-certified produce to all Canberrans. If you prefer to shop online, they offer in-store pickup or contactless delivery for a small fee of $3.90.
Festivals and events
Canberra plays host to exciting annual events and permanent spaces for the celebration of food. Below are our top recommendations for finding halal food in Canberra.
Verity Lane Market
Where: Canberra CBD
A new addition to the Canberra food scene, Verity Lane Market is a renovated food hall featuring chef-driven cuisine. There are many halal options to explore here, though please be aware that alcohol is served on the premises. If you’re free on a Tuesday, grab some friends and join in on their regular trivia event.
National Multicultural Festival
Where: Canberra CBD
When: 7-9 February 2025
This iconic three-day event returns in 2025 to celebrate Canberra’s vibrant multicultural community. While the program for next year has not been released, previous years have seen an incredible selection of halal food from many cultures across the community. You can stay up to date here with the latest.
