Staten Island has quietly become one of New York City's most exciting boroughs for halal food. While Manhattan and Brooklyn often dominate the conversation around halal dining, Staten Island has built a thriving scene that deserves your attention - and your appetite. Whether you are a longtime resident or visiting for the first time, this guide covers everything you need to know about finding the best halal food on Staten Island in 2026.
Why Staten Island Is a Halal Food Destination
Over the past decade, Staten Island has experienced a significant shift in its food landscape. A growing and diverse Muslim community, combined with an increasing demand for halal options among non-Muslim diners, has turned the borough into a legitimate halal food destination.
Unlike the crowded halal cart scene in Midtown Manhattan or the quick-service spots scattered across Brooklyn, Staten Island offers something different. Here, you will find sit-down restaurants, family-friendly spots, and innovative concepts that go beyond the standard chicken-over-rice formula. The borough's suburban layout means restaurants have more space, more parking, and a neighborhood feel that is hard to replicate in the more congested parts of NYC.
The Numbers Tell the Story
The halal food industry in the United States has been growing at a remarkable pace, and New York City sits at the center of that growth. According to industry reports, the U.S. halal food market is projected to exceed $25 billion by 2028. Staten Island, with its large South Asian, Middle Eastern, and North African communities, has been riding this wave. New halal restaurants and food businesses have been opening across the borough at an accelerating rate, giving diners more options than ever before.
Top Halal Dining Areas on Staten Island
Staten Island is spread out, and the halal food scene reflects that geography. Here is a breakdown of the key neighborhoods and corridors where you will find the best options.
Eltingville and the Richmond Avenue Corridor
Richmond Avenue in Eltingville is one of the most active commercial strips on Staten Island, and it has become a hub for halal dining. This is where you will find Yala's flagship location at 3271 Richmond Ave, serving halal American comfort food in a vibrant, community-focused setting. The area around the Eltingville Transit Center draws steady foot traffic, and the mix of fast-casual and sit-down options makes it a convenient stop whether you are grabbing a quick lunch or sitting down for a family dinner.
The Richmond Avenue corridor stretches from the Staten Island Mall area down through Eltingville and into the Tottenville direction. Along this stretch, you will find a growing cluster of halal-friendly restaurants, grocery stores, and specialty shops that cater to the local community.
Hylan Boulevard - From Dongan Hills to New Dorp
Hylan Boulevard is the longest street on Staten Island and one of its busiest commercial corridors. The stretch from Dongan Hills through to New Dorp is packed with dining options, and halal spots have been filling in rapidly. Yala's Hylan Blvd location at 1898 Hylan Blvd sits right in the heart of this action, making it easy to grab a meal while you are shopping or running errands along the boulevard.
New Dorp, in particular, has seen a surge in halal-friendly restaurants. The area around New Dorp Lane and Hylan Blvd offers a mix of cuisines - from Mediterranean to South Asian to American comfort food - many of which serve halal options. It is one of the most walkable commercial areas on the island, which makes it a great spot for an afternoon of eating your way through different spots.
West Brighton and the North Shore
The North Shore of Staten Island is the most urban and densely populated part of the borough, and it has a long history of cultural diversity. West Brighton, in particular, has emerged as a key neighborhood for halal dining. Yala's West Brighton location at 708 Castleton Ave serves the vibrant community here with the same menu and mission as the other locations.
Castleton Avenue and Forest Avenue in the West Brighton and Port Richmond areas are lined with shops, restaurants, and markets that reflect the neighborhood's diverse population. You will find halal butchers, grocery stores stocked with specialty ingredients, and restaurants serving everything from Yemeni to Pakistani to West African cuisine. The North Shore is where you are most likely to discover hidden gems that have not made it onto the Instagram food scene yet.
Forest Avenue and Mariners Harbor
Forest Avenue runs through several North Shore neighborhoods and serves as another important commercial corridor. From Port Richmond through to Mariners Harbor, this stretch has a growing number of halal options. The area has a strong community feel, and many of the restaurants here are family-owned spots that have been serving the local population for years.
What Makes Yala Stand Out
In a borough with an expanding list of halal restaurants, Yala occupies a unique position. It is the only 100% nonprofit halal restaurant on Staten Island - and possibly the only one of its kind in all of New York City.
The Nonprofit Model
Yala operates under the Umma Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to humanitarian aid. Every meal you eat at Yala directly funds the Trucks of Hope initiative, which delivers hot meals and essential services to homeless and underserved communities across New York. This is not a restaurant that donates a small percentage of proceeds to charity. The entire operation is structured so that after covering wages, food costs, and overhead, all profit goes to humanitarian work.
This model means that when you eat at Yala, you are not just getting a meal - you are participating in something bigger. It is a concept that resonates with diners across all backgrounds, whether they are ordering a Chicken Over Rice platter for lunch or picking up catering for a weekend event.
The Menu - Halal American Comfort Food
Yala has carved out a niche as a halal American restaurant, which means the menu blends traditional halal proteins and preparations with American comfort food staples. Here is what you will find on the full menu:
Platters are the backbone of the menu. The Chicken Over Rice ($12.95), Lamb Over Rice ($14.95), and Mixed Over Rice ($16.95) are generous portions of seasoned protein over basmati rice with fresh salad. The Kofta Platter and Falafel Platter round out the options for those who want something a little different.
Loaded Mac & Cheese is where Yala gets creative. The Buffalo Mac, Philly Mac, and BBQ Mac all take the classic comfort food and load it with halal proteins and bold flavors. This category alone sets Yala apart from most halal spots in the city.
Gyros, Yalarittos, and Heroes give you handheld options when you are on the go. The Yalarito - Yala's take on the burrito - wraps grilled chicken or lamb with rice, beans, and fresh toppings in a flour tortilla.
Burgers are straightforward and satisfying. Halal beef patties starting at $7.95 for a Classic Burger, with double and cheese options available.
Waffles, Crepes, and Dirty Sodas add a dessert and drinks dimension that most halal restaurants overlook entirely. The Nutella Waffle, Strawberry Crepe, and custom dirty sodas like Tropical Sunrise and Berry Blast make Yala a destination for more than just savory food.
Three Locations Across the Island
With locations in Eltingville, West Brighton, and on Hylan Blvd, Yala has positioned itself to serve the entire island. Whether you are in the South Shore, North Shore, or the central part of Staten Island, there is a Yala within a reasonable drive. All three locations maintain the same menu, quality, and mission.
Types of Halal Cuisine on Staten Island
One of the things that makes Staten Island's halal scene special is the variety. You are not limited to one type of cuisine. Here is a sampling of what the borough offers:
Mediterranean and Middle Eastern
Shawarma, falafel, hummus, and grilled kebabs are well represented on Staten Island. Several restaurants along Hylan Boulevard and Victory Boulevard serve traditional Levantine and Egyptian cuisine, often with a focus on freshly baked pita and house-made sauces.
South Asian
Staten Island has a significant South Asian population, and the food scene reflects that. You will find Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and Indian restaurants offering biryanis, nihari, seekh kebabs, and tandoori dishes. Many of these spots are in the North Shore neighborhoods, particularly around Victory Boulevard and Port Richmond Avenue.
Yemeni
Yemeni cuisine has a strong presence in parts of Staten Island. Look for restaurants serving mandi (slow-cooked rice and meat), saltah, and freshly baked malawach. These spots are often small, family-run operations that serve incredibly flavorful and affordable food.
American Comfort Food - Halal Style
This is where Yala leads the way. The concept of taking American staples - burgers, loaded fries, mac and cheese, waffles - and making them fully halal has resonated strongly with diners who want familiar comfort food that meets their dietary requirements. It is a growing category across NYC, and Staten Island has become one of its strongest markets.
West African
Parts of the North Shore are home to West African communities, and you can find restaurants serving jollof rice, suya, egusi soup, and other dishes from Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, and other countries. Many of these restaurants are halal by default, as the communities they serve are predominantly Muslim.
Tips for Halal Dining on Staten Island
If you are new to the Staten Island halal food scene, here are some practical tips to help you navigate it:
Check Hours Before You Go
Staten Island restaurants do not always follow the same schedule as restaurants in Manhattan or Brooklyn. Many halal spots on the island close earlier on weeknights and may have different weekend hours. Yala, for example, is open from 10:00 AM to midnight Monday through Thursday, and 10:00 AM to 1:00 AM on Friday and Saturday, with Sunday closed. Always check hours before making the trip.
Parking Is Your Friend
One of the biggest advantages of dining on Staten Island versus other boroughs is parking. Most restaurants along Richmond Avenue, Hylan Boulevard, and Forest Avenue have either their own parking lots or readily available street parking. This makes Staten Island an especially convenient option for families and large groups.
Order Online for Pickup
Most halal restaurants on Staten Island now offer online ordering. Yala has a full online ordering system through their website that lets you customize your order, choose pickup or delivery, and skip the wait. Other restaurants in the area increasingly offer similar services through their own sites or third-party platforms.
Explore Beyond Your Usual Neighborhood
Staten Island is larger than most people realize - it covers about 58 square miles. If you usually stick to one part of the island, make it a point to explore halal options in other neighborhoods. The food scene on the North Shore is very different from the South Shore, and both have their own gems worth discovering.
Ask About Catering
Many halal restaurants on Staten Island offer catering for events, and the prices are often significantly lower than what you would pay for a caterer in Manhattan. Yala offers full catering packages starting at $149 for groups of 10-15 people, with custom options for larger events. If you are planning a party, office lunch, or community gathering, halal catering from a local Staten Island restaurant is one of the best values in the city.
Look for Community Recommendations
Some of the best halal spots on Staten Island do not have a big social media presence. Ask friends, neighbors, and community members for their recommendations. Mosque bulletin boards, local Facebook groups, and neighborhood WhatsApp groups are often the best sources for finding that incredible family-run restaurant that nobody outside the immediate community knows about.
Planning Your Halal Food Tour
If you want to experience the full range of halal food on Staten Island in a single day, here is a suggested route:
Morning: Start on the North Shore. Head to West Brighton or Port Richmond for a traditional breakfast - think paratha, eggs, and chai from a South Asian spot, or ful medames and fresh bread from a Middle Eastern restaurant.
Lunch: Drive down to Hylan Boulevard. Stop at Yala's Hylan Blvd location for a Chicken Over Rice platter or a Loaded Buffalo Mac. Walk along the boulevard and check out the other food options in the area.
Afternoon snack: Head to New Dorp Lane for a quick bite - a gyro, a falafel wrap, or some samosas from one of the shops in the area.
Dinner: End the day in Eltingville. Hit up Yala on Richmond Ave for a Mixed Over Rice platter with all the sauces, or try the Philly Yalarito if you want something different. Finish with a Nutella Waffle and a Berry Blast dirty soda.
The Future of Halal Food on Staten Island
The halal food scene on Staten Island is still growing. New restaurants continue to open, existing spots are expanding their menus, and the quality keeps improving. As the borough's population continues to diversify, expect to see even more variety in the types of halal cuisine available.
Yala's success has also demonstrated that there is a strong market for innovative halal concepts on Staten Island. The idea that a halal restaurant can also be a nonprofit, a community hub, and a destination for comfort food lovers of all backgrounds has opened up new possibilities for what halal dining can look like.
Whether you have been eating halal food on Staten Island for years or you are just discovering what the borough has to offer, 2026 is a great time to explore. The options are better than they have ever been, the quality is rising, and the community behind it all is as welcoming as you will find anywhere in New York City.
Ready to start your halal food journey on Staten Island? Check out Yala's full menu, find your nearest location, or learn more about our mission. And if you are planning an event, do not forget to explore our catering options - because good food should do good.