Halal and kosher food in New York City: carts and certification

New York has more halal and kosher food than almost any American city, and both are part of everyday eating, not special occasions. Halal carts are on street corners across Manhattan, and kosher restaurants and bakeries serve neighborhoods in Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Manhattan. Find the cart or the certified kitchen that suits you, and ask the right questions.

How did halal carts become a New York institution?

The story is well documented. In 1990 three Egyptian immigrants began selling from a hot dog cart at 53rd Street and Sixth Avenue in Midtown. Muslim taxi drivers asked for halal food, and the cart switched to chicken, gyro and falafel. Word of mouth among drivers helped it grow, and it became the model for hundreds of copies. The company later opened restaurants and expanded around the world. Today several carts compete near that corner, so look for the one with the line you prefer.

What do you order at a halal cart?

The classic order is chicken or lamb over rice, with salad, pita and white sauce and hot sauce. White sauce is mild and creamy, and hot sauce is very hot, so ask for a little. Prices are low, portions are large and one plate often feeds two. Falafel and vegetable plates are common. Carts take cash, and many take cards now.

Where is halal food beyond the carts?

Halal restaurants are found across the five boroughs, particularly in neighborhoods with large Muslim communities. Jackson Heights and Astoria in Queens have South Asian, Egyptian and Middle Eastern restaurants. Parts of Brooklyn, including Bay Ridge, Sunset Park and Flatbush, and parts of the Bronx and Staten Island have halal restaurants and butchers. Ask the restaurant about its supplier and certification, because a halal sign is a starting point and not proof.

Where is kosher food in New York?

Kosher restaurants, bakeries and groceries are concentrated in neighborhoods with large Jewish communities, such as Borough Park, Williamsburg, Crown Heights and Flatbush in Brooklyn, parts of Queens, Riverdale in the Bronx, and the Upper West Side and Midtown in Manhattan. A directory from a kosher certification agency lists the restaurants it currently supervises. The Lower East Side's famous delis are not all kosher, so ask.

What does certification mean?

Kosher certification is issued by a rabbinic agency whose certificate usually hangs in the window, and standards differ between agencies. Restaurants are meat, dairy or vegetarian, and many close on Friday afternoon and Saturday for Shabbat and on Jewish holidays. Halal certification is less standardized, and some restaurants rely on the owner's word. Ask who certifies and what it covers.

How do you plan around holidays?

Hours change during Ramadan and for Eid, and kosher restaurants close or change menus for Passover, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Dates follow lunar calendars and move each year. Call before you go, and book ahead around holidays.

What if you are eating with a mixed group?

Choose a vegetarian restaurant or one serving fish, and check for alcohol. Falafel, Indian vegetarian food and many dim sum dishes work for most groups. Tell the restaurant about dietary needs when you book, and respect each person's standard.

What should you know about halal cart etiquette?

Carts are fast, and lines move quickly, so know your order before you reach the window: chicken, lamb or mixed, over rice or in a sandwich, with white sauce, hot sauce or both. Say it plainly, pay, and step aside. Eat at a bench or take the plate away, because sidewalks are busy. Carts operate from morning until late at night, and some have followers who swear that one corner is better than another. Try two and decide for yourself. Fresh hot sauce can be extremely spicy, so add it gradually. Vegetarians can ask for falafel or extra salad, and some carts offer a vegetarian plate.

How do you find kosher food as a visitor?

Start with a kosher certification agency's online directory, which lists restaurants with the current supervision, or ask your hotel. Check whether a restaurant is meat or dairy and whether it is open on Saturday. Many kosher restaurants offer takeout and delivery. For travelers, kosher airline and hotel meals can be ordered in advance. Kosher supermarkets and bakeries in Brooklyn and Manhattan sell prepared food and are often the simplest option for a quick meal. Remember that some well-known delis serve kosher-style food that is not certified.

Finally, remember that these traditions are living practices and not tourist attractions. Many of the businesses are small and family run, and staff appreciate a respectful question about ingredients or hours. If you are visiting a neighborhood during a religious holiday, expect closures and crowds, dress modestly where asked, and avoid photographing people without permission. A polite attitude opens doors and leads to the best food advice.

If you plan a longer stay, ask the neighbors of your lodging where they buy meat and bread. Local shopkeepers know which suppliers are trusted, and a quick conversation can save a wasted trip.

How do you keep a list of halal and kosher places you trust?

When you find a cart, a kitchen or a bakery you trust, write it down where you can find it again. In the Mosey app, rate the dish by name, add the Halal or Kosher tag, and keep the places in a list by neighborhood. Share the list with a friend who eats the same way and they can add theirs. Mosey does not certify any kitchen, so keep asking who supervises the food, and use the list as your own record of the answers.

Rate your next cart plate or bakery find in the Mosey app and add it to your list.

More guides to read next:

• Manhattan Chinatown food guide: dim sum, dumplings and bakeries
• Kid-friendly restaurants in New York City: eating out with children
• Best food halls and markets in New York City (2026)

More in the US food guides and the ranked lists of places.