George’s sells some of the best shawarma in DC, which explains why there’s always a line to the door. The entire Muslim diaspora, from Bahrain to Comoros, is at this Georgetown restaurant. Thankfully, the service is fast and the spot is larger than it looks. There’s a downstairs counter where food is served and an upstairs seating area if you’re too impatient to take your food to go. The lamb and chicken shawarma platters are worth every penny.

Lapis, an upscale Afghan bistro in Adams Morgan, might be one of our favorite restaurants in the city because it’s a vibe—you'll sit on glazed wooden chairs surrounded by red Persian rugs as old school R&B plays in the background. And with a wide selection of halal appetizers and entrees, it’s a great place to order family-style or with a small group. Get the dumplings—our favorite is the leeks, served on a bed of saffron and garlic cream sauces.

It’s hard to take your eyes off the kabobs sizzling on the grill at Maydan. At the center of this Middle Eastern restaurant in Cardozo is a custom-built hearth where food is made on an open fire. Dinner is served family-style, great for group outings with families or friends looking to break bread somewhere warm. The chicken and the lamb here are halal, which is great since they’re the best things on the menu.

Agora is one of those places that everyone has been to, and if not, it’s on their list. That’s because the Mediterranean food (all halal) is consistently delicious making it one of those restaurants you keep returning to because you know it's gonna be good. The laughter and good times are infectious at the Dupont Circle spot, and it’s best enjoyed in a group, since it’s all small plates.

The smell from the grill at this Lebanese shop in Union Market wafts through the air, so much so that you can’t help but follow the scent. Follow your nose to the fast-casual restaurant set behind a wooden bar that's usually occupied by families, businessmen still in their suits, and couples grabbing a quick dinner. All the sandwiches at Yasmine are halal including the shish taouk, a simple, but classic wrap made with charred chicken, french fries, pickles, and garlic.

Z Burger in Tenleytown the type of place you’ll find yourself going to one too many times to grab a cheeseburger and one of the 50+ milkshake flavors, like pomegranate and blueberry crumble. Everything on the menu is halal at this, including the turkey patties. There’s a nostalgic and endearing feel to the space that reminds us of an old-school fast food joint with colorful graphics and playful designs, and there's booth seating and outdoor tabletops for when the weather’s nice.

Bantam King is a great weeknight spot for groups looking for a casual night out. Inside, the Penn Quarter shop is a colorful, wonderful mess with lanterns in different sizes and colors and a long table that stretches the entire length of the restaurant. Seats are packed close to one another, so be prepared to sit snugly next to people you don’t know. Most importantly, the food here is bussin’. It's all halal and there are also vegetarian options.

For all intents and purposes, H & Chicken serves gas station chicken, which is pretty damn good chicken once you get past the gas station part. To top it all off, everything here is halal. The chicken and waffles are the perfect Saturday morning fix, the chicken dunked in mumbo sauce is straightforward, crispy and tasty, and the waffles crusted in white powdered sugar hit all the right notes.

Simply Banh Mi, a family-owned Vietnamese restaurant in Georgetown, has been carry-out-only for a few years. Luckily for all of us, food tastes just as good (sometimes better) eaten at home in sweats on the couch, and the sandwiches here are the perfect example. Served on a thick baguette slice, the chicken banh mi with pickled vegetables, duck sauce, and jalapeño is packed with flavor. And since the menu includes vegetarian and halal options, it'll work well for just about everyone.

This snug below-ground restaurant in Dupont Circle has become something of a neighborhood staple over the years and is a great place for your next lunch break or a quick takeout meal. The shop is quiet, which makes it perfect for dining solo while awkwardly scrolling on your phone. Or, like most folks, grab whatever you’re craving and head back to eat at your desk. Alone. New Dynasty boasts an expansive (and halal) pan-Asian menu that includes anything from pad thai to szechuan shrimp.