Ramadan is on the horizon, just a week away. For two billion Muslims worldwide, including the several hundred thousand who call Philadelphia home, Ramadan represents several things: reflection, community, and faith, to name a few. Most notably, however, this month is all about food, or rather, the lack thereof. While much attention is given to the long hours of fasting, underdiscussed is the relief provided by the warm, delicious iftar meals at sundown.
That said, for many Muslims at Penn, filling halal meals can be hard to come by. If you’re tired of the iterative menu at Kings Court English House (Penn’s only halal meal plan–friendly option that, for whatever reason, is closed on weekends) or need a break from your halal cart rotation, I hear you. So, I present to you my favorite spots that hit the spot—feast under the sun while you still can, or stop by after dark to break your fast.
Numidia Algeria
Cuisine: Algerian
I first encountered Numidia last summer, after a long day of moving into my dorm with my parents. Severely hangry, I crankily looked up “halal restaurant” on Google Maps and scrolled until I found the first establishment off wheels. What a miraculous pull that ended up being.
Dinner at Numidia felt like a rendezvous between me and the underappreciated beauty of Algeria. At this unassuming diner, authenticity isn’t exclusive to its food—it permeates into its decor and ambiance, with tables adorned in zellij–inspired tiling, walls covered in paintings, and TVs broadcasting soccer games. My parents, to this day, joke about ambushing me and visiting Numidia together once more.
What to order:
It’s genuinely impossible to go wrong with your order. You could play it safe with their juicy, flavorful Algerian burger, accompanied by a platter of perfectly–cooked fries and delectable sauces. Or, if you’re feeling more adventurous, their specialty Royal Platter is a mouthwatering mountain of steak and sausage paired with an avalanche of an omelette and salad. Top it off with one of their many traditionally Algerian dessert options.
Hangry Joe’s
Cuisine: Nashville (and Korean) hot chicken
A very common criticism is that Muslim Americans open far too many hot chicken stores. I can’t say I disagree. That said, the food ecosystem would simply be incomplete without them. Sometimes, eating halal means enduring some heartburn for a good, Nashville–style reprieve from this cold, hard world.
Out of all the hot chicken spots I’ve tried, Hangry Joe’s reigns supreme. It’s a place of comfort and celebration, where I dine while in the trenches of midterm season or through the highs of a job well done. It stands apart from the rest in its wide range of sauces and its Asian inspirations, offering Korean–inspired items and the only boba you can get at four in the morning. If you want hot chicken, you want Hangry Joe’s.
What to order:
To get the most bang for your buck, order off the combo menu. Combo 4 is the best off the menu. Get your six–piece wings breaded and slathered in spicy soy garlic sauce, and consider indulging in an extra Hangry sauce, because you will be dunking every last waffle fry into it. Hot, spicy, and umami, wash it all down with a fountain drink, or perhaps a taro milk tea topped with tapioca.
Saad’s Halal Restaurant
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Saad’s presents perhaps one of the most polished dining experiences on this list, with ample seating and Qur’an verses adorning its walls. Its menu ranges from Middle Eastern classics to reimaginings of East Coast classics, like their Philly cheesesteaks. In fact, it was at this very restaurant that I had my first Philly cheesesteak, cementing Saad’s as a staple of my Philadelphia experience.
What to order:
This restaurant offers huge portion sizes, so bring a friend and split a beef cheesesteak. If you’re feeling more traditional, you will not be let down by their myriad of platters, from shawarma and chicken shish to falafel and fish. Their perfectly spiced lamb shawarma platter and turkey hoagie are incredibly filling and savory, you could practically live off them.
Virasat Haveli
Cuisine: Indian and Pakistani
The last time I stopped by Virasat Haveli, I was freezing in the bitter January winter. Nothing could have prepared me for how much warmth I felt just one bite into my order.
I’ve much lamented the lackluster Desi food scene in Philadelphia, but Virasat might’ve made me eat my words, in addition to their incredible curries and perfectly garlicky naans. The restaurant itself is fabulous as well, with colorful walls covered in striped paint, collaged posters, and dangling charms and elephants.
What to order:
If you’re looking for a vegetarian bite, the saag paneer is genuinely addictive. Many orders are accompanied by a generous serving of rice, which I insist you give a shot at eating with your bare hands. It still tastes incredible with silverware, I’m sure, but trust me on this one. The lamb curry is to die for as well, spiced incredibly and damn near overflowing the cocotte it's served in. Whatever you end up ordering for the table, be sure to splurge on garlic naan—it is indeed worth the extra dollar.
Kanella
Cuisine: Mediterranean
I punctuated Restaurant Week with dinner at Kanella. Just one step into the establishment transported me to the Aegean Sea, complete with Cycladic–inspired architecture and the strong fragrances of Turkish and Greek cuisines.
While sitting at a higher price point than the other items on this list, Kanella more than compensates with warm, hospitable staff and beautifully presented, flavorful dishes. I finished my meal on the verge of a food coma—this place makes you want to eat until you absolutely can’t anymore.
What to order:
At Kanella, the appetizers steal the show. The Cyprus potato chips are to die for—fries spiced in a way I’d never experienced before, paired with shishito peppers in a bowl coated in their house sauce, making for the ultimate dipping experience. If you’re feeling greener, the crispy Brussels sprouts are just as flavorful, paired with a delicious tarator sauce. Or, for a more candied bite, the seared halloumi pairs savory halloumi cheese with sweet apricots and dates, topped with walnuts.
For the main, get a Ribeye Cap—a line of juicy beef cubes served atop a flatbread with rice pilaf and peppers. Finish your feast with their kunefe, a sweet goat cheese dessert covered in pistachios and shredded wheat dough. I never knew cheese could taste like this!
Although I’m thankful for the nourishment Grommons rotisserie chickens and vegetarian meal swipe combos have offered me, Philly has so much more to offer its Muslim residents. From traditional Arab and Desi platters to novel cultural fusions, the city’s growing halal scene ought to be celebrated. So, once the sun sets, eat your dates, sip your water, and get your iftar off–campus.
