Fancy Halal Restaurants Birmingham Guide 2022
Introduction: Birmingham and Halal Food
Birmingham is the UK's second city and has a rich mix of cultures - it also happens to be the area that the A Couple Things To Do Team is from! We will likely touch upon some of the best bits and spots to visit throughout our blogs and write full features - including this one, a guide to the top fancy Halal restaurants in Birmingham.
As one of Britain's most diverse cities, Birmingham's restaurants cater to various dietary needs. So if you follow the Islamic faith or just looking to try some outstanding cuisine, you've come to the right place. Many halal restaurants in Birmingham serve everything from exquisite steaks to outstanding burgers, aromatic Indian curries, and tantalising Thai noodles.
This blog will guide you to the five top fancy restaurants in Birmingham that we recommend you should check out. If you'd like to see the top restaurants in London, check out Life Crescendo's guide to posh halal restaurants in London.
What is HALAL meat?
The Islamic form of slaughtering animals or poultry, dhabihah, involves killing through a cut to the jugular vein, carotid artery and windpipe. The word Halal is Arabic for permissible. It means the food which adheres to Islamic law, as defined in the Quran.
This method requires that animals are alive and healthy at slaughter and all blood is drained from the carcass. This is to ensure that it does not affect the quality of the meat while it remains pure and harmless for human consumption. As the blood drains from the body, a Muslim will follow halal methods and recite a dedication, known as Shahada.
Halal food requires that Allah's name be invoked when the animal is killed. Lamb, beef, goat and chicken, for example, are halal as long as a Muslim kills them and offers a prayer. Fish and eggs are also halal. All products from pork, carrion and blood are forbidden (haram), as are all types of alcohol.
The Jewish Kosher food complies with dietary law (kashrut), again governing what can and cannot be eaten by those practising the faith. Both are similar in that they have rules on the specific slaughtering of animals and certain meats they do not eat. The similarities in the method of slaughter in both require the use of a surgically sharp knife and specially trained slaughterhouse workers. However, the main difference is that halal diets do not allow for some other foods, such as alcohol and blood, whereas kosher just limits certain food pairings.
What to look out for in Halal Restaurants BIRMINGHAM?
Halal restaurants are the key to attracting Muslim visitors to a city. Islamic restaurants are becoming more common these days and can provide Muslim clientele with the food they need. So when Muslim visitors are planning a trip, one of the first things they look for is if the town has Halal or Muslim-friendly eateries - something Birmingham certainly isn't short of!
Birmingham has a substantial Muslim community, so not only do the local Halal restaurants cater for this, but they are also a strong supporter of the Midlands regional economy.
Halal restaurants that follow true halal methodology serve only food that has good animal welfare and avoids unnecessary suffering.
Given the growing Muslim and Halal consumer market, it is critical for restaurant operators who seek to cater to the Muslim market to understand the concept of Halal cuisine. There are three main methods restaurants use to show that their food is Halal:
Halal Certification Badge (Halal Certification Organisation)
Halal-certified restaurants: Halal assurance is provided by restaurants having a third party audit and certifying that they offer Halal meals. The absence of a certified halal does not imply that the food served is unfit for consumption. On the other hand, a certificate gives a higher level of Halal assurance. It makes it easier to identify a Halal establishment.
The restaurant does not have to be owned or managed by Muslims to receive a Halal certification. However, most certification bodies require that some staff members be Muslims, especially in the kitchen.Muslim owned/managed restaurants: Muslim-owned/managed restaurants ensure that the food is Halal due to them being Muslims. A halal logo is a symbol used by a Halal certification agency to show that a restaurant or kitchen has been halal-certified. This type of signage is shown in the restaurant to make it clear to diners that the restaurant or kitchen is Halal-certified.
If they do not fall into the above: The restaurant tries and reassures the customer that the food they serve is Halal through several telling signs:
If their food is vegetarian or perhaps a seafood restaurant.
If the cuisine is Arab based, for example, it can be assumed that the food they are serving is Halal.
If they claim to serve only halal meat in the restaurant.
If they specifically don't serve certain meats such as pork.
It provides comfort and confidence to the customer when the restaurant has staff and chefs trained in cooking and serving Halal. In addition, it will enable the restaurant to gain a thorough understanding of what constitutes halal food and boost Muslim consumers' faith in the establishment.
Muslims are also drawn to restaurants that provide space for them to pray and the food that is served. This is especially advantageous if there are no mosques or prayer facilities within walking distance of the eatery. This will allow Muslim diners to relax and enjoy their meals without worrying about where to perform their prayers.
The Top 5 Fancy Halal Restaurants Birmingham
Below we have made a guide to the top fancy halal restaurants in Birmingham. Please be aware that these restaurants were halal at the time of writing this blog; however, things may have changed since, so do your research and ask!
#1 Colbeh Persian kitchen
We absolutely love Persian food, especially when it’s served in a lovely restaurant with waiters that go out of their way to give a top-class experience.
Colbeh Persian Kitchen & Bar (TripAdvisor)
Colbeh is also one of the top restaurants in Birmingham, offering fragrant rice, perfectly slow-cooked stews, fresh vegetables and excellently seasoned halal meat that gives you a journey through different Persian flavours - ideal to those new to the cuisine or an expert,
#2 Tipu Sultan
Tipu Sultan is a one-of-a-kind destination. On the ground floor, there is a unique restaurant. There is an entertainment and banqueting suite on the first floor with private meeting rooms.
Tipu Sultan is an excellent choice for couples, families, and groups of friends looking to enjoy halal food. This lovely restaurant is an oasis to relax and enjoy the most fabulous food while tasting some of Birmingham's best halal food - whether for business or just getting together.
The 3rd Most Fancy Halal Restaurant in Birmingham: Taj Mahal Restaurant
The Taj Mahal is a premier Indian restaurant curry house in Birmingham. With a modest beginning in 1962, it has slowly & gradually succeeded in making it stand out from many more popular restaurants in the city. The Taj Mahal leaves an indelible impression on visitors, not only because of the food but also because of the unparalleled hospitality it provides.
Taj Mahal Restaurant Birmingham
We went for a curry at the Taj Mahal restaurant and were blown away by the service - the team made us feel at home and served us some fantastic food.
They believe that food is synonymous with quality & freshness. At Taj Mahal, your expectations will never fail as they continuously strive to improve their service with each passing day.
#4 Istanbul Restaurant
Whether planning a large formal party or a small family gathering, Istanbul Restaurant Birmingham is the ideal location to host your special occasion or simply enjoy a meal in a friendly and relaxing environment. The delectable taste of Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine is constantly made using high-quality fresh ingredients.
The restaurant's menu is extensive and diverse, featuring the best of traditional Turkish regional and national specialities. There are lots of great food options on their menu with so much to choose from; we hope you will visit them and have an enjoyable experience!
#5 HAUTE DOLCI
A fashionable interior with flourishing pastel pinks and deep mahogany browns transports diners into a beautiful wonderland of seductive flavours. Their Birmingham, Star City store is pure luxury at its finest; plus, you can explore the shops and entertainment that Star City offers when you're done eating.
Haute Dolci Birmingham
Mirrored within the stunning interior, their creativity extends to their kitchen, creating an endless stream of masterpieces. So take some time out and be simply charmed by a constantly changing range of sweet delights. Experience elegance and bliss at their Birmingham store!
Conclusion
Birmingham is the UK's second-largest city and home to one of the most lively Muslim communities anyone can encounter.
It is situated in the West Midlands county in England. Being one of the United Kingdom's major cities, it's also the Midlands' financial, social, and cultural centre. So if you're visiting the UK as a Muslim traveller, you should consider taking the 2-hour rail ride into the city from London.
There are plenty of halal restaurants in Birmingham's city centre and throughout the city and mosques and places to visit in and around your visit. Birmingham boasts a variety of Halal alternatives ranging from savoury to sweet; even if you're not Muslim, you can still try some amazing food and expose yourself to new cultures.
It's not difficult to identify a halal restaurant there. The majority of them display outside the HALAL logo. If not, better to ask the cook or the owner if they're a Muslim. Try to look and observe if the majority of their customers are Muslims, especially if they are wearing hijab/headscarf. Many restaurants in the UK cater to their customers' preferences and practice the halal way of slaughtering.
If you have any questions about other restaurants to try in Birmingham, please drop us a message! On top of this, if you’re looking to ask someone on a date to any of the above restaurants, why don’t you read our previous blog which covers keeping conversations going over text and getting that date!
