While Orlando is well known for their Halal cheesesteaks and gyros, it’s not all about fast-food and the heartburn that follows. There is a growing trend towards healthier meal options. True, this niche is still evolving in Orlando but many Halal restaurant owners are responding to the market demands. In this list, we review the TOP 5 Halal restaurants that are providing their patrons with healthy, fresh options with ingredients and cooking techniques that cut down on those unwanted calories.

If you’re on a cheat day, not to worry, we got lots of TOP 5 Lists to help you find the best cheat day foods in Orlando. Looking for Cheesesteaks, Burgers, Chicken Wings, Cart Food and Pizza check out our respective TOP 5 Orlando Lists.

1. Melt’d Subs and Grill

Opened in early 2017, this Halal restaurant has employed the Subway model to build their brand. They provide fresh, made to order meals for customers to enjoy. They offer sandwiches, rice bowls and salads which you can customize to your heart’s desire. They also offer deli meats which isn’t very common in the Orlando area. They are located near SeaWorld and cater mostly to the lunch crowd as there are many office buildings around them. Their hours are geared more to the office crowd so be sure to check before you journey over for a fresh delicious sub. They also made our list of TOP 5 spots around Universal Studios in Orlando.

Fresh Ingredients from Melt’d in Orlando. A Halal Version of Subway

2. Cozee Cafe

Located in a large entertainment complex with many restaurants, dessert shops and a movie theater, Cozee Café has been an anchor to the Lake Mary Muslim community for quality halal eats. They offer trendy meals with excellent attention to detail and customer service. With healthier foods being more trendy, they have adopted their menu and meal offerings. Avocado, asiago, chickpeas and grilled chicken, yep they got it. They have a large outdoor seating area which is great to take advantage of the warm Florida sun.

Plenty of outdoor seating at Cozee Café to soak up the Florida Sun

3. Paramount

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.

Interior of Paramount Fine Foods in Lake Mary. Nice décor and themes.

4. B and B Express

This Halal fast-food joint is an unlike candidate on this list, but it’s the way they prepare their burgers and fries which have earned them a spot on the list. They don’t grill and fry their burger and fries in the typical manner. Rather, they air fry it which uses less oils and captures less fat. Hence, while you are still eating a burger and fries, it’s slightly healthier. They are located in front of a mosque near Disney and are open late, making it a convenient spot for a quick bite to eat.

5. Jerusalem

This Middle-Eastern restaurant with a primarily grilled menu is sure to satisfy the health conscious consumer and delight the taste buds. Located near the entrance of Disney, this family owned Halal restaurant is open late on most nights so families can enjoy the day at the theme park and then have a nice formal dining experience to cap off the night. The family also owns Flame Kabob, located on SandLake Road near Universal Studios and International Drive. The internal décor takes you away to the sands of the Sahara with their North-African theme. The value for the experience and food portions balance out the higher price point given the tourist location.

Mixed Grill Platter with Salad and Rice from Jerusalem

While I’m definitely not a calorie counter, I see the shift towards healthier options and meal choices. Even on vacation, many families are opting to pick healthier and more wholesome choices for their families. The Halal restaurants in Orlando are taking note of this trend and are adapting.

Know of any other Halal spots in Orlando that didn’t make the list, let me know in the comment section below. Feel free to share this post with anyone that may benefit. As always follow us on Twitter and Instagram as we chart out the Halal food scene in Florida and beyond.