We combine four data layers so the catalog grows without compromising honesty. Every listing carries the source it came from and a halal status that reflects what we actually know.
Four data layers
Layer 1 — OpenStreetMap (OSM). We import restaurants tagged with `diet:halal=yes`, `diet:halal=only` or `cuisine~halal`, plus a second pass for halal-likely cuisines (Lebanese, Syrian, Moroccan, Pakistani, Persian, Afghan, Bosnian and similar) even when the explicit halal tag is missing. Layer 1 explicit tags land as 'Self-declared'. Implicit-cuisine entries land as 'Unverified'.
Layer 2 — Yelp Fusion (when budget allows). Used to enrich existing listings with photos, ratings and missing contact details. Not used to seed the directory itself.
Layer 3 — Founder additions. Restaurants the founder personally knows and adds manually, including small family-run places that don't appear on either public dataset.
Layer 4 — Public submissions. Anyone can submit a restaurant or correction through the submit page. Submissions never publish automatically.
Halal status meanings
Certified — the restaurant holds formal halal certification from a recognised authority (HFA, AHF, Halal Austria, AVS France, etc.). We display the issuing body when known.
Self-declared — the restaurant or its OSM tagger states that it serves halal food. We have not independently verified this claim.
Unverified — the listing was inferred from cuisine type or imported without a direct halal claim. Treat as a starting point and confirm directly with the restaurant.
Pending review — the entry exists in our database but hasn't been reviewed by editorial yet. It may still appear on the site so contributors and travellers can find and improve it.
Photo policy
Restaurant photos come from one of three sources: (1) Yelp Fusion when we have an active license, (2) the restaurant's own public Instagram or website added by the founder under a fair-use claim, or (3) photos uploaded directly by the restaurant or a visitor. Every photo on the site shows its source.
If you own a restaurant and want a photo updated, replaced or removed, use the submission form with the 'Request photo removal or edit' option. We act on these requests within seven business days.
Corrections and removal
Anyone can request a correction through the submit form or by emailing us. Restaurants that want to be removed entirely can also use the same form — we don't gatekeep removals.
When a correction is accepted, the listing's 'Last reviewed' date is updated so visitors can see how fresh the entry is.