During Ramadan, Muslims fast from food and drink during sunlight hours as a way to get closer to God, generating self-control, appreciation and empathy for the less fortunate while rejuvenating their spirituality through devotion.
The following list offers Muslim families and friends space to gather around a table, break their fast with a nice halal meal and enjoy the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar.
Zio Al's Pizza & Pasta
Multiple DFW Locations
Zio offers halal food options for some of its menu items, and it does not offer any pork-based products at its restaurants. The staff is glad to answer any questions regarding halal options. Enjoy pizza, pasta, wings, calzone’s, sandwiches and salads. Zio Al’s is open every day till 3 a.m., making it the perfect place for iftar and suhoor.
Wava Halal Grill
3611 Greenville Ave.
Wava’s cuisine is inspired by New York-style street food cooking. It focuses on fresh ingredients and traditional spices. Choose from options like lamb and beef gyro, falafel wrap, a gyro hummus bowl and a Philly cheese steak wrap. Wava Halal Grill is open from 11 a.m. to 4 a.m. every day and until 3 a.m. at its Richardson location.
S&J’s Hot Chick
2201 W Northwest Highway
As its Instagram says: open late night, halal and hot. Order a chicken sandwich, tenders or wings and choose from six spice levels ranging from "not hot" to "damn hot." Don’t forget to pair it with a side of ranch fries, Cajun fries, garlic Parmesan fries or try all of them with the fry flight option. S&J’s is open 11 a.m.- midnight Sunday- Thursday and 11 a.m.-4 a.m. Friday-Saturday.
Sheesh Eatery & Lounge
4707 State Highway 121, The Colony
This halal restaurant serves Desi fusion street foods and premium hookah. Choose from menu options like masala fries, barbecued meats like tandoori chicken, beef sandwiches, rice plates, falafel, pasta and more. If hookah is not your thing, it offers mocktails, coffee, chai and dessert. It has also introduced a special Ramadan buffet offered Thursday-Sunday. Sheesh is open 3 p.m.-5:30 a.m. Friday-Saturday, till 2 a.m. on Sunday and from 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Monday-Thursday.
Jasmine Market & Cafe
820 S. Sherman St, Richardson
This Palestinian establishment is an international supermarket, restaurant and hookah café all in one, serving authentic Mediterranean cuisine. The menu offers classic options like hummus, fatoush, chicken and beef shawarma, gyro plate, shish kabob and baklava. Reservations are available online. Jasmine is open 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday-Saturday and 8 a.m.-1 a.m. Sunday-Thursday.
Aladdin Cafe
888 S. Greenville Ave., No. 200, Richardson
Transport to Arabian nights at Aladdin Cafe. This coffee and tea bar offers guests a variety of drink options to pair with a nice pastry or lunch. They serve dark tea, dessert coffee and coffee on sand in four flavors. For teas, they offer apple, mint and dessert teas. Enjoy brunch till 2 p.m. and pastries like baklava, waffles, Dubai chocolate pistachio cake, pudding and brioche rolls all day (to name a few). Open 10 a.m.-2 a.m. Friday-Saturday and till 12 a.m. Sunday-Thursday.
Big Guys Chicken and Rice
2614 Elm St., Dallas
Big Guys is open 11 a.m.-12 a.m. Sunday-Thursday and until 4 a.m. Friday-Saturday. Enjoy halal Mediterranean food options like a gyro rice plate, falafel rice plate, a Mediterranean mixed wrap and more. Order online to see the full menu.
Beba BBQ
3648 Old Denton Road, Carrollton
Beba's Ramadan hours are 2 p.m.-2 a.m. Monday-Thursday, until 4 a.m. Friday-Sunday and closed on Wednesdays. Feast on lamb, beef or chicken kabob on a bed of rice, vegetable samosas, wraps, tandoori fries, garlic naan, chicken tikka masala, mango lassi and even chow mein. View their full menu online.
Afrah Mediterranean Cuisine
318 E Main St., Richardson
This Mediterranean restaurant is serving a daily buffet for iftar with more than 30 items, including dessert and drinks. Try kabobs, wraps, falafel and salads; see the full menu on their website. Reservations for the buffet are recommended. Afrah is open 9 a.m.-1 a.m. Saturday-Sunday and 10 a.m.-12 a.m. Monday-Friday.
Cafe Laziz
9203 Skillman St., Dallas
Cafe Laziz offers a lunch buffet, dinner and takeout of halal Afghan and Pakistani dishes, including vegetarian options and desserts. Try the special chapli kabob, Afghan burger, Afghan kabuli pulaw and top it all off with Afghan sheer yakh (ice cream). Check out the website for the full menu. Cafe Laziz is open 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. every day.
Bazaars and Markets
Texas Suhoor FestWyndham DFW Airport, 4205 W Pioneer Drive, Irving
Friday, March 14, 11 p.m.-5 a.m.
The largest suhoor festival in Texas is back for its third year in Dallas. From the same creators of Texas Halal Fest, Faraz and Ambreen Ahmed, this free event will feature the best halal cuisine from all over the Lone Star State, advertising the event as 100 percent halal and 100 percent Texan. This night market will have 200-plus vendors selling food, clothing, drinks, other shopping and even free haircuts. Strap on your boots and experience a Ramadan Texan fusion.
Grand Ramadan Bazaar
Crystal Banquet Hall, 6300 Independence Parkway, Plano
Saturday, March 9, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Grand Ramadan Bazaar not only offers food but more than 60 vendors from the Indian subcontinent, including clothing and gifts, along with entertainment for the whole family. Many Ramadan foods and treats will be served. There's also live music and kids' activities.
Eid Bazaar
Crystal Banquet Hall, 6300 Independence Parkway, Plano
Friday, March 28, 12 p.m.-9 p.m.
The Crystal Banquet Hall will also host an Eid Bazaar to close off the month on March 28. There will be vendors selling food, as well as jewelry, clothing and purses from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Suhoor Fest
1701 Cadiz St., Dallas
March 8 at 11 p.m.
Suhoor is a free family festival featuring halal pizza, burgers, barbecue, sweets and coffee. Check out social media for updates on which vendors will be there.
