Halal food in Halifax is having a moment, and CBC News noticed. In a September 2026 feature, CBC reported that halal options are easier to find in Halifax than ever before. New restaurants are opening as fully halal, others are adding halal menus, and catering companies are fielding more requests every month.
The story also pointed to one event as a marker of this growth: the inaugural Atlantic Halal Expo, coming to Halifax this November. We are proud to be part of that story, and we want you there.
From driving to Windsor to a blooming food scene
Our co-founder Omar Khartabil told CBC that when he moved to Halifax more than 20 years ago, there were barely any halal options. Families had to drive to Windsor just to buy meat. “Since then, it’s been blooming like crazy,” he said.
You can see it across the city today:
- Aarzu Indian Cuisine in Bedford opened in August 2026 with a halal menu from day one.
- YiLan Chinese Halal Restaurant downtown has served halal Chinese food since 2023 and even offers a dedicated prayer room.
- Efes Turkish Cuisine reopened downtown in 2025 due to popular demand, serving traditional Turkish food for everyone.
- Chef Abod Cafe & Catering reports a clear rise in halal and dietary inquiries, especially for catering.
Halal is for everyone at the table
One of the best parts of the CBC story was how many people it showed enjoying halal food together. Zeliha Yahsi, co-owner of Efes, put it beautifully: people of any religion can sit together, eat together, and enjoy life in Canada.
That is the spirit of the Atlantic Halal Expo. Halal is a faith requirement for Muslim families, and it is also a mark of quality, care and inclusion that anyone can enjoy. Offering halal helps restaurants welcome more guests, just as offering kosher or vegetarian options does.
The challenge: cost and supply
Growth does not mean the work is done. CBC noted that halal products can add cost for restaurants and grocers, because limited local supply means importing from Prince Edward Island or Ontario.
That is exactly why the expo exists. Khartabil told CBC the goal is to bring people together and find ways to make halal more affordable and accessible. Good news is already arriving: the federal government recently invested up to $2.25 million to expand halal beef processing at Atlantic Beef Products in Albany, PEI. Read our full breakdown of that investment.
What you will find at the Atlantic Halal Expo 2026
- 40+ exhibitors showcasing halal food, products and services
- Food sampling from local and regional halal businesses
- Expert talks, including “Meating the Need: The Journey of House of Halal in Halifax” with Hanaa Rashid
- Islamic finance sessions, including Halal Mortgage 101 (Zuhair Naqvi, EQRAZ) and Islamic Finance 101 (Dr. Mohamad Sawwaf, Manzil)
- A Halal Certification panel with Anthony Winston III of Worry Free Food and Andre LeBlanc of Atlantic Beef
- Saturday speakers including Sheikh Navaid Aziz, Hash Assad of IG Wealth Management and Mel Jacques of Second Harvest
- Networking with suppliers, buyers, restaurant owners and community leaders
Who should come?
- Families and foodies who want to taste and discover new halal brands
- Restaurant and café owners looking for reliable halal suppliers
- Grocers and distributors who want to meet producers face to face
- Halal businesses ready to reach 1,000+ expected attendees
- Anyone curious about halal food, finance and the growing halal economy in Atlantic Canada
Plan your visit
- Dates: Friday, November 6 and Saturday, November 7, 2026
- Hours: 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM daily
- Venue: Halifax Tower Hotel & Conference Centre, 15 Lakelands Blvd, Halifax, NS
- Exhibitors: Standard booths from $350, corner booths from $550
The halal scene in Halifax is growing fast. Come be part of the moment. Get your visitor ticket or reserve your booth before spots run out.