I went looking for halal BBQ in Calgary and found three very different things. There's American pit barbecue, Turkish charcoal kebabs, and Pakistani and Afghan grill and karahi houses. The spots run from the Beltline and Killarney to Sage Hill, Castleridge and the northeast. If you've been searching "halal bbq calgary", "halal bbq near me" or "bbq halal near me", here's what I found.
Halal brisket: American-style smoked BBQ
Dickey's Barbecue Pit is the one for real Texas-style barbecue. Think house-smoked brisket, beef ribs and stuffed baked potatoes. Every item at its Beltline branch is certified halal. That's rare for a big American BBQ chain.
The catch: the Beltline sits at 3.8 stars and the downtown spot on 7 Ave SW at 3.7. Those are the lowest ratings here by far. Go for the certified brisket. If you searched "halal brisket calgary", this is really the only answer. Just don't expect the best barbecue of your life.
Turkish charcoal grill
Bereket Kebab House (rated 4.7) is on 37 Street SW in Killarney. It serves charcoal-grilled kebabs and shawarma, with halal meat throughout. The lively, colourful room suits a group dinner more than a solo bite. The yoghurt sauce stands out, and bread and house sauces come free.
Turkish Kebab House on Macleod Trail SW does charcoal kebabs, lahmacun and slow-braised stews. The original 17 Ave SE branch has closed. The kitchen is Muslim-owned and uses halal suppliers for all its meat, but it has no third-party certificate. Portions are big, so go hungry. Order the Ali Nazik, Iskender or Izgara kofte.
Anatolia Turkish Restaurant in the NE (rated 4.3) is known for its mixed grill platter, several kebabs on one plate.
Pakistani and Afghan BBQ platters
KOLACHI BBQ & GRILL in Sage Hill cooks over open flame with halal meat throughout. Try the mixed kebab platter, the Lahori fish and the mango falooda.
Raja's Grill on Edmonton Trail is family-run and grills over charcoal and open flame. Order the tandoori fish, even if you came for kebabs.
Shinwari Karahi in Castleridge is about slow-cooked Shinwari-style karahi, not a grill platter. The whole kitchen is 100% halal. Portions are large, so check the karahi size if your group is small.
Big portions, built for sharing
Calgary Hot Plate on 54 Ave NE is a halal Pakistani biryani and BBQ spot that also sells sweets. Portions are made for sharing, and the bihari kebab is what people come back for.
Three styles of halal BBQ
- American pit barbecue - low and slow over wood smoke for hours. Brisket, ribs, burnt ends. You judge it by the smoke ring and the bark.
- Turkish and Middle Eastern charcoal - hot and fast over coals. Adana and urfa lamb skewers, shish cubes, and Iskender over bread with tomato and yoghurt. You judge it by the char.
- Pakistani and Afghan grill - seekh and chapli kebab, boti, tandoori chicken, and karahi finished in the pan. Spicier, and usually served with naan, not rice.
Don't mix all three in one night. Pick one.
Hours and directions
Every place above has its hours, rating and directions on its own listing. You can also search every halal BBQ spot by area.
Common questions
Is there halal smoked brisket in Calgary?
Yes. Dickey's Barbecue Pit certifies all food at its Calgary locations halal. That's very rare for a big American barbecue chain, and it's the main reason people go.
What is the difference between adana and shish kebab?
Adana is minced meat pressed by hand onto a flat skewer and spiced with pepper. Shish is cubes of whole meat. Adana is juicier and spicier. Shish is cleaner and is more about the cut.
Is halal BBQ available for catering in Calgary?
Yes. Mixed grill and kebab platters travel better than almost anything. The numbers to call are in halal catering in Calgary.
Can I buy halal meat to barbecue at home?
Yes, and Calgary is well set up for it. Several halal butchers in Calgary cut to order. One of them stocks what reviewers call the best charcoal in the city.
Where can I get halal BBQ in NW Calgary?
Kolachi BBQ & Grill in Sage Hill is the charcoal spot in the NW, rated 4.7. More options are in halal restaurants in NW Calgary.
Is Dickey's Barbecue Pit fully halal?
All food at the Calgary locations is certified halal. For a big American barbecue chain, that's unusual. But both Calgary spots sit below 4 stars, well under the other places here. Go for the certified brisket, which nowhere else in the city offers. Don't expect the best barbecue you've ever had.
Is halal brisket hard to find in Calgary?
Very. Smoking a brisket takes twelve hours and a dedicated pit, so almost nobody does it with halal beef. Dickey's is basically the only place for it. The Turkish and Pakistani grill houses cook far better meat, but over charcoal and to order. That's a different thing.
What is the difference between karahi and BBQ?
Karahi is cooked in a wok-like pan on a burner. The meat is braised in tomato, ginger and chilli until the sauce clings. It isn't grilled at all. It's here because the Pakistani and Afghan grill houses serve it next to their kebabs. Most people who order "BBQ" there end up with both on the table.
Can I bring a large group for halal BBQ in Calgary?
Yes, and the charcoal houses are made for it. Mixed grills are meant to be shared. Bereket works especially well for groups. Call ahead for anything over eight. If you're hosting the party yourself, halal catering in Calgary covers who does trays.