Turmeric حلال Pakistani & Indian Restaurant Halal — Restaurant in Porto

I came to know this restaurant after I made a google map search to look for halal restaurants nearby my hotel. And I was lucky to find out about this establishment during my 3 days trip in Porto, short but memorable.

This is my honest reviews when I visited twice at Turmeric Restaurant on the evening of 21st and 22nd January 2024.

Yes, you heard..I dined-in twice to this restaurant because it was a wonderful experience as a solo traveller.

I never had such a heavenly sincerely made biryani in all over European cities/countries I ever visited before and to my destiny it fortunately was in Porto.

The first day, I ordered chicken biryani and mango lassi, just to taste the water due to its 5-stars ranking. The chicken meat was so tender and juicy and the rice was not dry or bland. Everything was blended so well and mixed with herbs and spices appropriately as possible. The best ever chicken biryani I have eaten in Europe. The mango lassi tasted smooth, not too thick and not too sweet.

On the second day of visit, I'd come again but this time I'd ordered lamb biryani. Again, the chef's cook never failed me with its tastiness and tenderness soft mutton meat. Everything was fresh and the meal portion was just nice for 1 pax. The chicken samosa also nice and not too salty. Perfectly fine halal Pakistani/Indian cuisine in Porto, Portugal.

The restaurant staff were extremely welcoming (friendly Pakistani or Indian guy and charming Chinese lady). They did really care for the dine-in customers, may it be a couple, family, friends or solo traveller.

I hope other halal restaurants in Europe can follow this excellent example on how to properly cook authentic dishes as delicious as Turmeric restaurant especially its biryani (I'm craving at the moment while posting this review =( ). And yes, before I forget to mention, the special trio complimentary sauces...I like best the dark (turmeric) sauce it mixed so well with biryani and samosa.

My apology for this late review (I just got back home from my solo Europe trip in the past 3 weeks). Don't worry, I'm an active reviewers in the google society. I will definitely leave an honest good or bad reviews even without asking hehehe.

Please continue the outstanding food quality and friendly customer services as always.

I wish that there are other Turmeric branches in other major European cities because the community should know these kind of food cuisine do exist in Europe as far of my experiences visiting to hundreds of Indian/Pakkstani/Bangladeshi restaurants worldwide. You guys have the potential to broaden your wings in other parts...

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Exceptional Dining Experience at Turmeric 🤩

Our visit to this Indian restaurant was nothing short of amazing. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with genuine warmth and hospitality that set the tone for an exceptional meal.

🍗 Chicken Biryani – Absolutely outstanding! The rice was fragrant and perfectly spiced, while the chicken was tender, juicy, and cooked with great care. Every bite was full of authentic Indian flavors.

🥘 Kadai Chicken – Rich, flavorful, and wonderfully balanced. The spices were bold but harmonious, and the dish had that perfect homemade touch you only find in truly authentic Indian cuisine.

🥖 Garlic Naan – Soft, fluffy, and generously brushed with butter and garlic. It paired perfectly with the curries and elevated the entire meal.

🍹 Lemon Mint Drink – Refreshing and invigorating! The blend of mint and citrus made it the perfect palate cleanser between bites.

🥭 Mango Lassi – Smooth, creamy, and naturally sweet with a beautiful mango aroma. A delicious way to end the meal.

💬 Staff & Service: The staff truly deserve special mention. They were exceptionally polite, attentive, and genuinely eager to make our experience pleasant. Their professionalism and kindness stood out — always checking in at the right time, offering helpful suggestions, and serving with sincere smiles. It’s rare to encounter such courteous and well-trained staff, and they made our dining experience even more enjoyable.

The ambiance was cozy and welcoming, making it an ideal place for both casual meals and special occasions.

✨ Overall, this restaurant combines authentic Indian flavors with world-class service. Highly recommended to anyone who appreciates great food, warm hospitality, and attention to detail. We’ll definitely be...

Style Without Substance: Disappointing Experience at Turmeric Porto

Visited in July 2025. While one of the waiters—a young gentleman—provided attentive and courteous service, the overall experience was disappointing.

As vegetarians, we found the food lacking in freshness and proper preparation. The chickpea curry appeared to be made with tinned chickpeas that remained firm and undercooked. The Palak dish lacked flavour and depth. The paneer used across dishes showed no signs of searing or cooking before being added, resulting in a bland, raw texture.

Despite the menu being priced at an upmarket level, the food quality resembled that of a basic takeaway or food stall. There was a clear disconnect between cost and quality.

No warmth was shown by the woman manager when my wife and I entered. The greeting felt indifferent, especially in contrast to how other guests were received. This absence of basic hospitality stood out.

The manager did ask how the food was, but became defensive as soon as constructive feedback was offered, which made the interaction uncomfortable.

On a prior visit, we had raised concern about the uncomfortable temperature inside the restaurant. When asked if the air conditioning was on, the manager responded curtly that it was. Moments later, however, they were seen adjusting the settings to increase airflow—confirming the concern had been valid but was initially dismissed.

While one staff member showed professionalism and attentiveness, the food quality and handling of guest interactions did not reflect the standards suggested by the pricing or...