This is a hidden gem in Tallahassee! I came here for the first time with my daughter around 2pm on a Wednesday and it was deserted. We were a bit concerned but we were willing to give it a chance since the menu looked great! We were craving Indian food and a quick yelp search brought us here. We were greeted warmly upon entering and seated right away. We noticed the cool mural in the back with the Tallahassee skyline depicting the new and old Capitol buildings. There were logos for some Tallahassee teams- FSU, Tallahassee State College, Leon high school and Rickards high school. Notable omissions were FAMU, Chiles high school, Lincoln high school, and Godby high school. There are others too such as Gretchen Everhart school, FSU school and FAMU school among others. I'm interested to know why those few schools were chosen for the mural while the others were omitted. There were Bollywood music videos playing on a tv in the back right near our table. We got a kick out of that but a couple times we noticed it was too loud and interfered with our conversation but not enough to complain. Anyway, the menu was extensive and included several vegetarian options. Our server was wonderful. The food we ordered looked beautiful and tasted delicious! We ordered the yellow tadka dal and paneer tikka masala served with white rice and garlic naan on the side. We both ordered mild versions but I definitely could have handled medium spiciness. It's good to have another option for great Indian food in town! read more

Al Safa - Halal Near Me - Tallahassee, Florida

I was looking for an affordable, healthy restaurant in the area. Al Safa fit the bill! Parking is free and plentiful. The interior is date-worthy with tasteful décor and comfortable seating. Al Safa is the first fully halal restaurant in town! They also own the halal grocery next door. Halal, an Arabic word meaning "lawful or permitted," requires food to go through a specific process from farm to packaging or plate. The animal has to be healthy when slaughtered. Even the preparation is considered sacred so the utensils used can't touch "haram" foods such as pork or wine. A vegetarian meal can't be cooked in a pot used for meat. Because halal options are limited in Tally, the menu covers everything from Indian curries to Greek gyros ($13). You can order a Turkish kebab, Middle Eastern shawarma ($8) or American burgers and fries for the kids! This isn't fast food, it's cooked to order. I had the $14 Chicken Malai Kabab known for its silky, creamy texture and flavor. The tender marinated chicken is well-seasoned and complemented by the yogurt sauce with coriander. A larger portion and more veggies would've added a star. But I did not regret choosing tasty butter naan flat bread instead of rice. In short, I recommend Al Safa! read more

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My dining companion, and I enjoyed a recent visit to the Al Safa Halal Restaurant on Mahan Drive. The restaurant is located in the same strip shopping center as Habana's Cuban restaurant. We entered, were greeted and advised to sit wherever we wanted. The restaurant is clean and simply decorated in a minimal design. The restaurant opened in February 2025. I ordered the Shawarma wrap with falafel for $7.99. There was plenty of falafel in every bite, wrapped in a crispy pita with fresh tomatoes, onions, and a drizzle of tangy tzatziki sauce and served with crinkle cut french fries. The sauce was perfect too spoon over every bite of the sandwich and also to dip the french fries in. My dining companion ordered the chicken adana entree for $14.99, which is described as juicy and 100% halal chicken breast, marinated in a rich blend of Turkish spices, grilled to perfection. There were two rafts of chicken. Served on a half pita wrap alongside sautéed vegetables. My companion added the vegetables to the chicken and wrapped it in a pita. My companion used some of my tzatziki sauce to the wrap. This entrée serve saffron basmati rice, which is completely delicious and flavorful. The service was a bit slow. I also would've appreciated a salt shaker on the table to add to the french fries. We had to ask for extra napkins and subsequently ask for the check. The restaurant also serves a carry out menu. Although the service is a little bit slow, we would definitely return for the food and try other options on the menu. read more

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This pretty restaurant has a great menu and wonderful food. Some of the menu items can be found elsewhere in our town, but there were also items that I think are unique to this restaurant. read more

Service was nice, food was good! Only thing I didn't like too much was the goat curry. Loved the chicken shawarma!

It was a hit or miss meal. Some items we ordered, like the goat curry, were fantastic, but other dishes like the daal or chicken korma weren't really all that great. The garlic naan was also bland. Service was good, but the language barrier was definitely an issue when trying to order. read more

What a great addition to the food scene! We've gotten takeout twice and loved it both times. Have tried halal chicken, several Indian dishes, and their shawarma, and all were great. Really hoping folks discover them, and they're around for a long time, as that strip on Mahan is a bit challenging to navigate in and out of, depending on what direction you're coming from. read more

I've gone for takeout several times now and am always greeted with the most friendly service. The food is always hot and fresh and flavorful. The interior is always welcoming and clean providing a great ambiance. It is definitely my new go-to for amazing Indian cuisine. read more

Food was delicious. Menu was extensive. Ambience was comfortable, quiet. Service was very good.

My sister recommended Al Safa, and it turns out they have an incredible lunch special for just $16--including a drink. My plate arrived brimming with flavor: tender tandoori chicken, rich and aromatic goat curry, and delicious butter chicken, all accompanied by a fresh side salad naan, and a sweet little dessert to finish. I'm not a big eater, so the generous portions meant I had plenty left over--enough to enjoy a second scrumptious meal the next evening. And let me tell you, even reheated, the food was phenomenal. The tandoori chicken, in particular, was unforgettable--easily one of the best dishes I've ever had anywhere. The setting is quiet and inviting, with a lovely ambience that made the whole experience very enjoyable. The service was outstanding. After just one bite of the leftovers, my husband was hooked. He's already planning our next visit--and several more after that--determined to sample everything on the menu. read more

I have been to all the Indian restaurants in Tallahassee, best quality sauce and tender meats there. I love their RED, sweet, sugary pickled mango: it went well adding it to the meat and sauce. PLEASE BRING IT BACK!!! Straight up no lie, even their garlic nans are the best too. Im headed over to there 1:30pm today. read more