There is a large Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern community in Orlando and that means there are several great halal restaurants to pick from. Considered by most as a healthy option due to the grilled meats and limited use of oils, these restaurants are sure to be on the list of those looking to pinch on the calories but not on taste.
If Middle-Eastern food isn’t on your mind, no worries we got you covered. Check out our TOP 5: Best Halal Burgers in Orlando, or our TOP 5: Best Halal Chicken Sandwich in Orlando if that more your style.
In this Top 5 list, we distinguish those Halal Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern restaurants that take the taste or experience to the next level. We have not included those restaurants that serve Halal meats and alcohol as it does not align with our criteria or mission statement.
1. Flame Kabob
Located in “Restaurants Row” off Sandlake Road, this family owned Middle-Eastern restaurant has been pleasing diners for over a decade with freshly grilled meats and savory dishes. They are very close to Universal Studios and made it on our TOP 5: Halal Restaurants around Universal. They are also very close to Sea World and the Orlando Eye making it a very appealing stop for a nice casual sit down dinner after a long day of fun in the sun. The service is good and the value for food portions is also on par with restaurants in the area. They offer both indoor and outdoor seating.
Flame Kabob Outdoor Patio
2. Jerusalem
From the same family owners as Flame Kabob, this restaurant offers a more formal dining experience. It is located off SR-192 which is closer for those visitors to the Disney theme park. The Middle-Eastern flare and themes are very apparent in all that they do, from the décor to the service to the foods. The dishes are inspired by the traditional Middle-Eastern menu and are offered up in a more formal manner with great attention to presentation. The service is standard for a dine-in restaurant. A nice feature is that they are open late on most nights so you can enjoy the theme parks and the head over for a relaxing family dinner after.
Kabob Combination Platter from Jerusalem Restaurant in Kissimmee Fl
3. Cappadocia
Located off State Road 436, this family owned Turkish restaurant offers a unique variation on typical Mediterranean foods. The flavor profile of the freshly grilled meats and gyro are a welcomed change. The foods are presented on intricately designed dishes and the portions are generous, offering great value. The restaurant layout is a little awkward to navigate and there is limited parking in front of the restaurant, but these are quickly forgot as you examine the décor of the restaurant. Pictures of the Turkish city of Cappadocia, garments and artifacts line the walls of the restaurant to occupy your attention as you wait for your order. Definitely a good idea to try the Mixed Grill Platter, as you get to sample a little bit of everything.
4. Paramount Fine Foods
This Canadian chain expanded into Florida. While they made a big splash on the Orlando Scene, they have since had to scale back. Their remaining open location is in Lake Mary, and they have changed the model dine-in full service to a more fast-casual take out location, much like Chipotle. The food is freshly grilled and prepared in front of you. It is a great spot for lunch and dinner. While the Lake Mary location is about a 40 minute drive from the main tourist/theme park district, their emphasis on locally sourced, free range, grass fed, hormone/antibiotic-free chickens and cows are sure to win over crowds. It will especially be a comfort for Canadians visiting the state to see a familiar brand.
Note: Their original flag ship location at the base of the Orlando Eye has been rebranded to Sofra: Mediterranean Grill and while they do serve “Paramount Meats” they have also begun selling alcohol. Their location near UCF has been closed.
Interior of Paramount Fine Foods in Lake Mary. Nice décor and themes.
5. Oh My Gyro
Inspired by the New York Middle-Eastern Street food craze that took “The City” by storm, they offer the cart food classic, chicken or gyro over rice with salad, pita and the famous white sauce. They also offer Shish Tawook chicken, falafels and gyro sandwiches as well. This family owned business offers great service and great value. Located North of Orlando, it is a little bit of a drive from the tourist/theme park district but well worth it. They have made it on the TOP 5: Best Halal Restaurants in Orlando list too. They also offer freshly squeezed sugar cane juice which is quite refreshing after a long day in the heat.
Grilled Shish Tawook with Fries and Salad from Oh My Gyro
While there are many more Mediterranean and Middle Eastern restaurants out there in Orlando, this list should keep you busy and satisfied. Find a place that’s not on the list but should be, let us know in the comment section below. As always share this list with family and friends so they too can get the inside scoop to the Best Halal Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern Restaurants in Orlando. Always check out my social media channels on Twitter and Instagram.
[…] Located right beside Cozee Café, Paramount Fine Foods, a Halal franchise well known to Canadians, offering Mediterranean cuisine. Given the nature of the ingredients and grilling technique for meats, the Mediterranean diet is considered a healthier option. They offer sandwiches, rice platters and salads to suit your needs. The location has a small dine in area. Their main franchise near the Orlando Eye was rebranded to Sofra: Mediterranean Grill. They also made our TOP 5 List of Halal Mediterranean Spots in Orlando. […]
[…] Located near the heart of Orlando, in the tourist hub for trendy restaurants, this family owned restaurant makes the list of spots to visit. The quiet and calm atmosphere and excellent service is great for family and friends looking to relax and unwind. They offer both indoor and covered outdoor seating. They are competitively priced for the area and provide overall good value for the portions of their meals. Definitely recommend the Shish Tawook as a pita wrapped sandwich (it made our TOP 5 List for Chicken Sandwiches in Orlando, too) or as a platter served on a bed of rice and salad. If you’re in to mood for other Mediterranean Halal spots, check out our TOP 5 list of Halal Mediterranean Restaurants in Orlando. […]
[…] presented dishes to make any special day that much more memorable. They have made our list of TOP 5 Halal Mediterranean Restaurants in Orlando. Walking into the restaurant you will feel like you have being transported to a desert Oasis in […]
[…] the quality of their food and refine their service model, they could easily make it on to the TOP 5 list of Halal Mediterranean restaurants in Orlando when I review it next. While the bill at the end of the night may be on the upper end of the […]
[…] for friends and family to enjoy. The food is absolutely excellent and should be on our list of TOP 5 Halal Mediterranean Restaurants in Orlando the next time we update it. For large parties of 4-6 you may want to ask for the combo platter. […]
[…] Located near Disney, Jerusalem is a family owned Middle-Eastern restaurant. Given its proximity to Disney, they stay open late till 11 pm on most nights. Guests can enjoy the full magical day at the theme parks and then go for a nice relaxed family dinner in the evening. The food is high quality and the portions are ample creating value for the higher price point. The atmosphere and service has a more formal aspect compared to other Halal restaurants in the area and one of my TOP 5 Mediterreaspots to eat in Orlando. […]
[…] is one of the newest Halal restaurant to hit the Orlando food scene located of I-Drive. They offer Middle-Eastern dishes with a twist. My favorite dish is the Mixed platter. It is a sampler dish of all their grilled meats […]
[…] Studios. The newer location opened about 1 year ago. Both spots offer 2 separate menus, one for the Middle-Eastern foods and the other for the American classics. I recently went to the Orlando spot to try the New York […]