Is Hawaii Restaurant in Side Halal? An Honest Answer for Muslim Visitors

If you are a Muslim traveller planning a meal in Side old town, you probably want a clear answer before you book a table or a hotel pickup — not a vague brochure line. So here it is, plainly: Hawaii Restaurant & Bar is not a halal-certified venue. We serve alcohol (beer, wine, spirits and cocktails), and we have pork bacon on the menu, so we would never put a "halal" badge on our door. We think the respectful thing to do is tell you exactly how our kitchen works, then let you decide with full information.

The honest answer, no small print

Since 2000 we have run a full restaurant and bar in the heart of Side, open every day from 10:00 to 02:00. Because we pour drinks and cook a bacon pizza, the room is not an alcohol-free environment, and our kitchen is not certified halal. There is no getting around that, and we are not going to pretend otherwise to win a booking.

What we can do is be transparent about ingredients and preparation. Plenty of Muslim guests eat with us happily by ordering the dishes that fit their preferences and simply asking their waiter about how a plate is made. Our team is used to these questions and will give you an honest reply rather than a sales pitch — if we are not sure about a preparation, we will say so.

What you can order that fits your preferences

The good news is that a large part of our menu is grilled meat, poultry and fish over a real wood fire and charcoal grill — simple, fresh cooking with nothing hidden. None of these dishes contain pork, and none of them are cooked in alcohol:

• Charcoal-grilled lamb and chicken — Lamb skewers, Lamb chops, Chicken skewers, Şiş kebab and homemade Köfte come straight off the fire. If you like grilled Turkish plates, our mixed grill guide and kebab atlas walk through the options.
• Fresh seafood — Grilled Sea bass, Grilled Trout and Grilled prawns are clean, single-ingredient plates. See our grilled fish guide for how each one eats.
• Fresh salads — Season's salad and Greek salad are prepared daily and make an easy vegetarian or side choice; browse the full salads in Side rundown.

These are the plates most of our Muslim guests reach for, because there is no ambiguity about what is on them. If you would rather double-check anything — an oil, a sauce, a marinade — please ask, and we will answer straight.

What to be aware of

A few honest flags so nothing surprises you at the table:

• Our Bacon pizza and any bacon-topped item contain pork. If you avoid pork, skip these and choose from our many pork-free pizzas, kebabs and grills instead.
• Some house and international dishes may be finished with wine or spirits. If that matters to you, tell your waiter and we will point you to a dish cooked without alcohol, or grill something simple to order.
• We share a busy kitchen, so we cannot promise a fully separated pork-free or alcohol-free cooking line. If strict separation is essential for you, we would rather be upfront than overstate what we can guarantee.

Alcohol-free options for everyone

You do not have to drink to enjoy the evening here. We make a proper range of alcohol-free cocktails — the kids' favourites like the Hawaii Cocktail, Redkiss, Spider Man and Barbie are fun for adults too — plus fresh orange juice, soft drinks and Turkish çay. Coffee lovers are well covered with cappuccino, latte, espresso and hot chocolate. It is a relaxed, family-friendly room, and a table of guests who aren't drinking never feels out of place.

Coming as a family or a group

We are a genuinely family restaurant in Side, with a full kids' menu, alcohol-free kids' cocktails, and live sport on the screens. For birthdays and larger tables, our group dinners and birthdays setup means everyone finds something they are comfortable eating. Getting here is easy too: we offer free round-trip hotel pickup from selected hotels and an affordable two-way transfer from further away — details on our hotel pickup page.

The bottom line

We would rather earn your trust with honesty than lose it with a false claim. Hawaii Restaurant & Bar is not halal-certified — but if you choose the charcoal-grilled lamb, chicken and fresh fish, keep to alcohol-free drinks, and ask your waiter when in doubt, most Muslim guests find plenty to enjoy in the heart of old town Side. New here? Our guide to the best restaurant in Side is a friendly place to start.

Have a specific question about a dish before you come? Message us on WhatsApp at +90 533 930 12 83 and we will answer honestly, or reserve your table and tell us your preferences when you book — we are happy to help you order well.