Top 5 Zabiha Halal Indian Restaurants in Tampa
These 5 Zabiha halal restaurants in Tampa, Florida should be on your list. Anyone that’s a foodie always struggles in a new city to find the best restaurants. I spend countless hours on Google, Instagram, and Yelp reading and researching every time I’m in a new place or even a city that I live in. Here are the 5 best Indian/Pakistani restaurants in Tampa, FL that are 100% halal.
1. Curry Leaves
This spot is located right next to a gas station. Now, that may seem strange at first, but don’t worry…they don’t mix the cooking oil with the gasoline. And the food is dank! You won’t find this on your regular travel pages. This is a hidden gem that only locals can tell you about.
I usually order their Masala Dosa but hubby is all about the meat. We end up getting Seekh Kabobs, Tandoori Chicken, Mutton Biryani, and Naan (yeah that sounds like a lot…but who doesn’t love taking home extra food). They are serious about their spice level so pick wisely! If you pick level 5 (they call that “Indian spicy”) let’s just say you will be crying by the end of the meal. But totally worth it! I LOVE spicy food and I usually order level 4. My husband isn’t quite on my level, and he orders level 3… otherwise, his mouth goes numb.
Masala Dosa has always been one of my comfort foods. Growing up I ate it for breakfast and sometimes for lunch. It was amazing! As you can see in the last picture it almost covers the whole table. It’s long and thin, and the consistency is like a Crêpe. But the taste is savory and it’s crispier than a Crêpe. It’s often served with cold coconut chutney and hot Indian style mashed potatoes.
I am from Hyderabad, India so I grew up eating this style of cuisine and spices all my life. My mom and sisters are amazing cooks but I am not on their level yet. It takes time to master these recipes, so until then I will be eating here and recommend it to everyone! If you don’t have family around to spoil you with home-cooked food, then this place offers all the comfort food for sure.
This restaurant is in North Tampa and definitely worth the drive if you live in South Tampa. I absolutely love their Goat Haleem, Butter Chicken, Chicken Tikka Masala, and Mutton Biryani. While waiting for the entree to arrive, I always get the Masala Vada as a vegan appetizer. This is basically a warm savory donut with a crunchy texture to it. They serve it with a delicious, creamy coconut sauce that is awesome to dip the warm Vada in. Another great appetizer for meat lovers is Chicken 65. Don’t worry, this doesn’t actually have 65 spices in it. It originated as Hyderabadi street food, but you can now find it everywhere from restaurants to even wedding menus. If you have not tried it before, you should!
Hyderabadi food revolves around Biryani, and this place doesn’t disappoint. But my first pick here is always their Haleem. I totally recommend it! Traditionally this is the most time-consuming dish to make. Haleem is slow-cooked for seven to eight hours. This results in a paste-like consistency, blending the flavors of spices, meat, barley, and wheat. Some might also use oats if they make it at home but this is the fun of eating out. You can try out authentic dishes even if it is a little “unhealthy” without compromising on the taste.
3. Minerva
This restaurant knows how to cook its food! Their Chicken 65, Chicken Biryani, and Seekh Kabobs are amazing! And if you are looking for a vegan or vegetarian option, then their Masala Dosa and Medu Vada are a must-try. When they say “Indian spicy” they really mean it. I usually order a level 6 here out of 10, and that’s plenty even for a spice lover like me. We all have that one friend that brags about how they can eat the spiciest food. Bring them here to see if that’s really true while you enjoy the delicious food.
The unique thing about this place is that they have Indo-Chinese food and it’s baller! The combination of Indian and Chinese flavors is a party in your mouth that you don’t want to miss. In particular, my favorite is the Hakka Noodles. This is a popular stir fry dish that originated as street food in the Western Indian state of Bengal. The region’s large Chinese immigrant population brought it to India and this is a beautiful blend of culture and spice in one dish.
4. Satkar
This is my favorite vegan/vegetarian Indian restaurant in Tampa. Satkar is an authentic South Indian restaurant, which has a different cuisine from all the other restaurants listed here. South Indian food is traditionally vegetarian, compared to the more meat-heavy North and Central Indian cuisine. This spot used to be called Udipi, so don’t be confused by the name change if you have been here before. And don’t worry, the food is still delish!
When I’m sick of eating meat I go here to excite my taste buds. Their lunch buffet option is amazing but due to Covid-19 that may vary, so please call before you go. Pani Puri, Pav Bhaji, and Masala Dosa are my top picks. I’ve already talked to you about Masala Dosa above, so let me tell you why I love Pani Puri and Pav Bhaji. These are popular street food items in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. It’s a little on the spicier side so it hits all the spots for me.
Pani Puri consists of a round or ball-shaped, hollow puri (a deep-fried small crisp crepe), filled with a mixture of flavored water (known as imli pani), tamarind chutney, chili powder, chaat masala, potato mash, onion, or chickpeas. And now my mouth is watering. ?
Pav Bhaji is a mixture of vegetables mashed with Indian spices. Traditionally, it’s cooked on a tava (flat frying pan), topped with butter, and served with hot butterd buns that melt in your mouth.
People usually go here for Chaat (Indian snacks/street food) but their Biryani, Chicken 65, Pani Puri, Pav Bhaji, Samosa Chaat, and chicken rolls are extremely underrated. The spice level is on point! It’s spicy enough that it gives you a nice kick but it doesn’t make you cry.
This is usually our common takeout spot. I always get Chicken 65 and Chicken/Goat Biryani because this is hands down the best place in Tampa for these two dishes.
You may or may not have had Biryani before. If you haven’t, then this is the best place to start. If I had to describe Biryani in one word it would be heaven in your mouth. It’s a rice dish mixed with Indian/Pakistani spices and meat. Some people believe that it was conceived in the kitchen during the reign of the Mughal Empire, combining the native spices of India and the Persian pilaf.
I love Indian/Pakistani food because I grew up eating it. When I go out to Indian restaurants I usually look for quality food above all else. The ambiance might not be as fancy as other restaurants, but the taste and price are definitely worth it. If you’ve ever tried any of these restaurants let me know which ones and which dishes are your favorites. ❤️
Xoxo Samiya
