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9 Michelin-Starred, Muslim-Friendly Restaurants To Splurge At Next

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Becky Ilham •  Oct 17, 2016

Ever been on that special trip with your special someone, celebrating a special occasion but having limited options when it comes to plan a special evening out at a special restaurant somewhere?

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We hear you, travelers! So scroll down to find out some of our picks when it comes to halal or Muslim-friendly haute cuisines, at these Michelin-starred restaurants!

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1. Benares, London

Helmed (and owned) by the twice Michelin-starred Chef Atul Kochhar, Benares, which earned a Michelin star of its own in 2007, is famous for its modern British-accented Indian cuisines.

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So while you can expect the usual heavily spiced and delicious Indian fares inclusive of curry, dhal, couscous, pulao and samosa, allow yourself to be surprised by the cleverly infused English eccentricity, in forms of kidney beans, mustard sauce, peas, cauliflower puree and crab croquette.

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Benares’ full menu is halal, so feast away! However, do note that alcohol is served on the premise.

#HHWT Tip: Gave kulfi, a traditional milk ice cream with crushed pistachios on top, a try for dessert!

Address: 12a Berkeley Square House, Mayfair, London W1J 6BS

Operating hours:

  1. Mon - Fri: Lunch : 00 p.m. - 2.30 p.m., Dinner:  5.30 p.m. - 10.45p.m.
  2. Sat: Lunch : 00 p.m. - 3.00 p.m., Dinner:  5.30 p.m. - 10.45p.m.
  3. Sun: Dinner: 6.00 p.m. - 9.45 p.m

Website

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2. Arabesque, Geneva

Good news for Muslim travelers to the Swiss capital; the recently Michelin-starred Arabesque serves exquisite, premium Lebanese cuisines using halal-certified ingredients! Head Chef Joseph “Joe” Moubayed, who hails from Lebanon himself, stays true to his roots by offering typical and special Lebanese fares such as mezzes, grilled meats and grilled fish.

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He’s also unafraid to experiment, and has come up with modernized versions of the classics, apart from his own originally-coined dishes! Looks like either way you go, chances are you’ll go home satisfied!

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Alcohol is served on the premise, so do dine at your own discretion.

#HHWT Tip: Try the home-made Achta ice cream for dessert – a Lebanese sweet treat made in the traditional way, or Arabesque’s signature dessert Joe’s Pistachier. Or you can always have both, we won’t judge?

Address: 47, Quai Wilson, Geneva 21 Switzerland

Operating hours: Mon – Sun: 12.00 p.m. – 2.30 p.m. & 7.00 p.m. – 11.00 p.m.

Website

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3. La Table du Lancaster, Paris

Oh! La! La! What is even better after a full day of immersing yourself in the City of Love other than a romantic dinner of the world’s famous French cuisines? And no, you don’t have to worry, as La Table du Lancaster, a Michelin-starred restaurant headed by Chef Julien Roucheteau, serves authentic French delights using halal ingredients upon request!

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So look forward to finally taste the exquisite dishes – made from the finest materials, cooked using the most delicate techniques - that you’ve been dreaming of!

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Alcohol and non-halal dishes are also served on the premise.

#HHWT Tip: For a complete experience, you might want to splurge and stay at Hotel Lancaster itself, where it would be more convenient to dress up like the Parisians before going down to the restaurant for your romantic rendezvous!

Address: 7, Rue de Berri 75008 Paris France

Operating hours: Mon – Fri: Lunch 12.30 p.m. – 2.00 p.m., Dinner 7.30 p.m. – 10.00 p.m.

Website

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4. Joia, Milan

As the only Michelin-starred vegetarian restaurant in Europe, Joia takes pride in its Italian-infused full vegetarian menu. Its head chef, Pietro Leeman, is a vegetarian himself, thus it’s only natural for him to bring it to the kitchen.

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So put away your worry and fully allow yourself to convene with nature as you sample Joia’s redefinition of pasta (aptly called antipasta), vegetable soups and delightful dishes made entirely of – vegetables!

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Alcohol is served on the premise. You should also enquire about alcohol in the dishes while making reservation/ordering.

#HHWT Tip: Save some space for dessert! You won’t regret it!

Address: Via Panfilo Castaldi, 18, 20124 Milan, Italy

Operating hours: Mon – Sat: Lunch 12.00 p.m. – 2.30 p.m., Dinner 7.30 p.m. – 11.00 p.m.

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5. Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons, Oxfordshire

We have to confess that we would never be able to pronounce the name right. Yet we’re convinced that this two Michelin-starred countryside restaurant at the helm of chef extraordinaire Raymond Blanc serves the best of French cuisine. If that gets your attention, then wait until you hear this: the whole menu has vegetarian option upon request!

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Le Manoir’s dishes use over 100 types of organic vegetables and herbs from its own two-acre garden! Can’t you feel the countryside is calling?

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Non-halal menu and alcohol are also served on the premise.

#HHWT Tip: Le Manoir is opened for breakfast! So if you find yourself in the area before 10 a.m., why not make a reservation for a (French) breakfast like a king?

Address: Church Road, Great Milton, Oxford, OX44 7PD, UK

Operating hours: Mon – Sun: Breakfast 7:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m., Lunch 11:45 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., Dinner 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Website

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6. L’Arpege, Paris

This restaurant impressively earned its third star just 10 years after opening its door. And under Chef Alain Passard’s leadership, it has prominently been featuring vegetables since 2001! Not restricting itself to French cuisines, you’ll be spoilt for choices as you peruse their rich offerings: from the a la carte dishes to the exquisite vegetable tasting menu!

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Apart from the dining area, L’Aperge also has an exhibition room called Arriere-Cuisine, where Chef Passard’s creations from plates to sculptures and books are displayed. Allow yourself some time to check it out.

Alcohol is served on the premise, and do check while reserving/ordering about alcoholic ingredients in the dishes.

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#HHWT Tip: L’Aperge grows its own vegetables in two organic gardens and they are available for sale! Why not bring a basket of the fresh produce home so you can enjoy them during the rest of your trip?

Address: 84, Rue de Varenne 75007 Paris, France

Operating hours: Mon – Fri: Lunch 12.00 – 2.30 p.m., Dinner 7.00 p.m. – 10.30 p.m.

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7. The French Laundry, Yountville, California

Just another French cuisine restaurant this is not. Guided by Chef Thomas Keller, the three-starred The French Laundry aims to showcase the elements that have long been relegated as side dishes as the main star, through its Tasting of Vegetables menu for vegetarians.

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It is so good that this daily-evolving menu of seven vegetable courses has also been a hit with the omnivore diners! Aren’t this enough to entice you to make that dream trip to the Napa Valley?

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Non halal menu and alcohol are served on the premise.

#HHWT Tip: Have a cup of coffee with your dessert. Brewed from the beans from Equator Estate Coffees and Teas, the quality of the drink is inspected regularly by Equator’s founder herself!

Address: 6640 Washington St, Yountville, CA 94599, United States

Operating hours: Mon - Thurs; 5.30 p.m. - 9.15 p.m., Fri-Sun: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., 5.30 p.m. - 9.15 p.m.

Website

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8. Pollen Street Social, London

Chef Jason Atherton and his team takes pride in serving the best of British at this Michelin-starred restaurant. They have long nurtured a relationship with suppliers from all over the British Isle, whose fresh, high quality produce are turned into beauties on plates!

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Convinced? We’re glad, because Muslim diners are definitely in for a treat as Pollen’s offers both vegetarian and vegan menus! Now that London experience feels more complete, no?

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Non-halal menu and alcohol are served on the premise.

#HHWT Tip: As opposed to the more conservative, formal ambience in typical Michelin-starred restaurants, Pollen Social Street, true to its name, is more casual and laidback. So let your guard down and have fun with your family and friends!

Address: 8-10 Pollen Street, London W1S 1NQ England

Operating hours: Mon – Sat: Lunch 12.00 p.m., Dinner: 6.00 p.m. – 10.30 p.m.

Website

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9. Daigo, Tokyo

This charming restaurant at the foot of Mount Atago specializes in shoujin ryori (Buddhist monk [vegetarian] food), which is served in the traditional Japanese kaiseki style. Befitting the concept, Chef Daisuke Nomura uses only the finest seasonal ingredients from all over Japan to provide an exceptional sensory experience for diners.

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We are definitely in awe with the visual beauty of simple dishes such as rice porridge, vegetable tempura and tofu. When in season, a single slice of premium melon from Hokkaido is served as dessert – an unassuming, common dish that is said to blow your taste buds away!

P.S. Don’t forget to download our HHWT Travel Planner App available on Google Play for Android and Apple App Store for iOS to find more yummy food in Tokyo! ?

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Alcohol is served on the premise.

#HHWT Tip: Mirin (a type of alcohol) is used in some of the dishes; kindly inform the restaurant beforehand of your dietary restriction.

Address: 2-3-1 Atago, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-0002 Japan

Operating hours: Mon – Sun: Lunch 11.30 a.m. – 2.00 p.m., Dinner 5.00 p.m. – 8.00 p.m.

Website

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These restaurants are absolutely enticing! Make sure to include them in that special itinerary of yours; we hope you’ll have a great (gastronomic) time!?

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*The restaurants featured are not halal certified but are Muslim friendly so do dine at your own discretion and clarify with the staff beforehand.