Armenia, with its rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and warm hospitality, is an increasingly popular destination for travelers from around the world. For Muslim visitors, finding halal food is an important part of their journey. While Armenia is a predominantly Christian country, it does offer several halal dining options, especially in Yerevan, the capital. 

Even if a restaurant is not fully halal, tourists can still find halal-friendly dishes among the available options in Armenian restaurants. Many establishments can suggest suitable meals and are willing to accommodate halal dietary preferences upon request. Guests can ask for dishes to be prepared without alcohol, pork, or other non-halal ingredients, ensuring a comfortable, hassle-free, and enjoyable dining experience.

What is Halal Food?

The term “halal” (حلال) in Arabic means "permissible" or "lawful" according to Islamic law. Halal meat must be obtained and prepared following specific guidelines outlined in the Quran and Hadith.

Basic Principles of Halal Meat:

✅ The animal must be healthy at the time of slaughter.
✅ The slaughter must be performed by a Muslim who invokes the name of Allah before the cut.
✅ The throat, windpipe, and blood vessels must be swiftly cut, ensuring a quick and humane death.
✅ All the blood must be drained from the body, as consuming blood is forbidden in Islam.
✅ The meat must not be contaminated with non-halal substances, such as pork or alcohol.

This practice is known as “Dhabihah” or “Zabihah” (non-standard transliteration of Dhabihah and is commonly used in South Asia, North America, and the UK), is the prescribed Islamic method of slaughtering animals.

Halal food follows Islamic dietary laws, meaning it is prepared according to specific guidelines from the Quran. The key principles of halal food include:

• No pork or pork products.
• All ingredients must be clean and free from contamination with non-halal substances.

Why some animals are considered Non-Halal (Haram)

In Islam, several types of meat are haram (forbidden) due to religious, ethical, and health reasons. Pork and all its by-products are strictly prohibited (Quran 2:173, 5:3, 6:145). Carrion (dead animals) and blood are also haram, as they contain impurities. Carnivorous animals, such as lions, wolves, and hyenas, and birds of prey, including eagles, hawks, and vultures, are forbidden due to their diet of raw flesh and blood. Additionally, reptiles and amphibians, like snakes, crocodiles, and frogs, are considered impure. Domesticated donkeys and mules are haram, though zebras are halal. While most seafood is halal, harmful species like pufferfish and crocodiles are not permissible. Furthermore, scavengers and filth-eating animals (Jallalah), such as rats and vultures, are haram due to their diet. These dietary laws ensure Muslims consume pure, ethical, and clean food.

Halal Restaurants in Armenia

Here are some of the best places to find halal food in Armenia, primarily in Yerevan:

1. Liban Restaurant

📍 Address: 1/1 Abovyan St, Yerevan
Liban Restaurant specializes in Lebanese and Middle Eastern cuisine. It offers a variety of halal dishes, including grilled meats, hummus, falafel, and kebabs. The atmosphere is cozy, and the food is made with high-quality ingredients.

2. Beirut Cafe

📍 Address: 4 Amiryan St, Yerevan
A popular spot for Middle Eastern cuisine, Beirut Cafe serves authentic Lebanese dishes with a halal-friendly menu. The shawarma, mixed grill platters, and fresh salads are highly recommended.

3. Tabouleh Lebanese Restaurant

📍 Address: 7/1 Mashtots Ave, Yerevan
If you're craving fresh and flavorful Lebanese food, Tabouleh is a great choice. The restaurant offers halal-certified meals, including lamb kebabs, fattoush salad, and delicious mezze platters.

4. Tandoor Indian Restaurant

📍 Address: 6 Tamanyan St, Yerevan
Tandoor is a top choice for halal Indian cuisine in Yerevan. Their menu includes flavorful curries, biryanis, and tandoori dishes. They use halal meat, making it a safe and tasty option for Muslim travelers.

5. Kilikia Halal Restaurant

📍 Address: 18 Mashtots Ave, Yerevan
This Armenian halal restaurant serves a mix of local and Middle Eastern dishes, including halal barbecue, lamb dishes, and fresh salads. It’s a good place to try Armenian cuisine while ensuring halal standards.

6. Anoush Restaurant (Halal-Friendly Options)

📍 Address: 7 Amiryan St, Yerevan (Republica Hotel)
Anoush Restaurant offers Armenian cuisine with halal-friendly options. While not fully halal-certified, they can prepare meals without alcohol or non-halal ingredients upon request.

7. Al-Mayass Armenian-Lebanese Restaurant

📍 Address: 91 Teryan St, Yerevan
This restaurant blends Armenian and Lebanese flavors, offering a variety of halal meat dishes, hummus, and delicious kebabs. It provides a cozy and elegant dining experience.

To stay close to halal restaurants and Muslim-friendly services, the following areas are recommended:
📍 Republic Square – Close to Lebanese and Middle Eastern restaurants.
📍 Abovyan Street – Features international and halal-friendly dining options.
📍 Mashtots Avenue – Home to several Middle Eastern restaurants and markets.

*Armenia does not have an official halal certification body and procedure, but many Middle Eastern restaurants use imported halal meat.

*Tourists can ask restaurant staff if the meat is halal and check product labels in stores.