With three locations in the greater Houston area, this Indo-Pak restaurant has been churning out kebabs and Asian-inspired tempura options to diners via their dining rooms, buffets, and mammoth party trays. Plentiful portions of kebabs made with chicken, lamb, fish, and beef may take the cake here, but be sure to try traditional Pakistani preparations of lesser-known dishes, like beef haleem — an aromatic slow-cooked wheat porridge with lentils and chunks of beef.

With two locations in Houston and Katy, Kabob Korner prides itself on bringing together South Asian and Mediterranean flavors with entrees like the Bihari kebab, which is marinated in yogurt and papaya, and the kofta kebab, a more traditional Mediterranean grilled beef skewer. While the menu gives diners a glimpse of cuisine from the greater Middle East, the South Asian-leaning flavors shine too, with dishes like chicken biryani and dal.

Inspired by chef Youssef Nafaa's upbringing in Morocco, Zoa celebrates street food with an array of buildable sandwiches, salads, and breads from Morocco. A house favorite is the Marrakech, named after the vacation-hot spot, in which a sandwich or salad is loaded with beef tagine and topped with confit onions, greens, sweet potato, pickled red onion cabbage, cinnamon raisin onion, and a spicy green sauce.

With outposts at Post Houston, in Katy, and at the Galleria, this ever-popular taco truck marries Latin American flavors with halal standards and preparations. Birria tacos, enchiladas, empanadas, and a hearty consommé are among the menu’s standouts. Be sure to try the truck’s spin on ramen, which amps up the Japanese dish with birria and pickled onions.

Nashville meets Damascus at this popular food truck. Get the Syrian hot chicken, or one of the chicken tender platters, and don’t skimp on the “Yummy” sauce. All options can be ordered as sandwiches, or with fries.

Warm flatbreads and classic preparations of Persian dishes are at the forefront of this elegant Westheimer cafe and grill. Pair juicy Koobideh kebabs alongside an array of different kinds of Persian rice, like the date and lentil-filled Addas polo. Be sure to order the Kuku Sabzi to start, an herbaceous egg frittata dish served throughout Iran.

Transport your taste buds to the streets of Istanbul with generous heaps of Turkish-style grilled kebabs at this Turkish hotspot. Don’t miss the variety of different pides offered here. Essentially a “Turkish pizza,” pides are savory grilled bread stuffed with cheese and toppings like Turkish sausage or spinach. The Baklava provides a great cap to a meal here.

One of Houston’s premier Persian restaurants, Kasra is home to some of the city’s best kebabs and Persian specialties. Start with the kashke bademjan, a warm eggplant dip, and then try one of the various stews or rice dishes, like the zereshk polo, barberry rice that pairs well with skewers of filet mignon, beef, ground chicken, and lamb kebabs.

Let your nose guide the way at this Lebanese bakery, where bread and manakish, or flatbreads, are baked fresh daily, and topped with your choice of zaatar — a combination of spices like thyme and oil — akkawi cheese, beef, and more. Cedars opens at 7:30 a.m., so if a breakfast craving hits bright and early, don’t be shy.

Most are familiar with the Nashville or Korean iterations, but Al Aseel’s own Palestinian riff on fried chicken deserves some recognition. This strip mall gem serves halal fried chicken that is crisped to golden perfection, drizzled with zaatar, and presented with a side of yellow rice and a cucumber and tomato salad.

Comfort food classics like burgers, nachos, and patty melts are made with an Indian twist at this casual Sugar Land restaurant. Try the brisket-laden Turban Burger, complemented with a mango slaw.

For almost two decades, Pasha has been the go-to spot for Houstonians looking for traditional Turkish eats. Sample the restaurant’s kebabs with the mixed grill platter of doner, Adana, and shish kebabs, and dive into its hearty guvec meat stew. Pro tip: Pair your meal with a glass of Ayran, a homemade fizzy yogurt drink.

This no-frills restaurant fuses Tex-Mex and Mediterranean flavors, and uses halal meat in its dishes. Find a diverse menu, featuring fajitas, loaded cheeseburgers, shawarma plates, and falafel sandwiches.

Expect monstrous, Insta-worthy burgers at this Sugar Land burger joint. The “Hold on for Dear Life” is made with a 100% halal beef patty, gyro meat, beef bacon, and the restaurant’s signature FOMO sauce. Like its namesake digital currency, Crypto Burger is growing fast, with a second outpost in Katy.

One of the original halal restaurants in town, Bismillah is a one-stop destination for everything from chaat and traditional Indo-Pak eats to western dishes like burgers, wings, and pizza. The chicken karahi and the fish curry are requisite orders, and the ten chicken sandwich is also a worthy choice. Too hot to handle? Order the mango lassi, a traditional yogurt-based drink combined with mango.

This popular Canadian Pakistani restaurant has landed in Sugar Land as the first outpost stateside. Expect tandoor favorites such as chicken karahi, various mixed chicken and beef kebabs, and rich spice-driven soups and stews. With colorful wall murals, industrial light-fixtures, and mood lighting, the ambiance is a welcome alternative to other fast-casual halal restaurants.