Is There a Halal Smokehouse in Toronto? Yes — Backyard Smokehouse

Yes — there is a halal smokehouse in Toronto. The Backyard Smokehouse at 264 Dupont Street is the city's only 100% halal-certified, alcohol-free Texas-style BBQ smokehouse, rated 4.2★ across 896+ Google reviews.

What makes it a real smokehouse, not a grill

The word "smokehouse" gets used loosely, but there is a real difference. A grill cooks meat quickly over direct heat; a smokehouse cooks it slowly over hardwood smoke for hours. The Backyard Smokehouse is built around that slow method, and it is the only halal kitchen in Toronto doing it authentically. If you have been searching for genuine smoked brisket and beef ribs that are also fully halal, this is the place the search ends.

How the meat is smoked

What sets a smokehouse apart from a grill is time. At The Backyard Smokehouse, beef is cooked low and slow over hardwood rather than fast over direct flame. The brisket spends up to 16 hours in the smoker, the beef ribs are smoked until the meat pulls cleanly from the bone, and everything is prepared fresh daily. That long, patient process is what produces the dark bark, the pink smoke ring just under the surface, and the tender, juicy texture that define authentic Texas-style barbecue.

The smoke does the seasoning work that sauce does at lesser places, so the meat tastes of beef and hardwood rather than sugar. Nothing is microwaved or finished on a flat-top — when a cut sells out, it is gone for the day, because there is no shortcut to replace 16 hours of smoke. It cannot be rushed, and that commitment to the craft is the reason guests keep coming back.

What "100% halal-certified" means here

Every cut on the menu is hand-slaughtered halal and sourced from certified halal suppliers — not "halal-friendly" or partially halal, but fully certified from the first cut to the final plate. The dining room is also completely alcohol-free. Together, that makes The Backyard Smokehouse a genuinely comfortable choice for Muslim families, halal-conscious diners, and anyone who wants premium barbecue without compromise.

Who it is for

The smokehouse is built for families, groups, and anyone looking for a high-quality halal dining experience. The alcohol-free, family-friendly atmosphere and generous sharing platters make it a popular choice for celebrations, family dinners, birthdays, work lunches, and corporate gatherings. Larger groups can share a BBQ Platter, while couples and solo diners can build a plate around the brisket with a couple of classic sides. Whatever the occasion, every guest is served the same 100% halal-certified, slow-smoked barbecue, and booking ahead is a good idea for larger groups and weekend evenings.

Signature smoked dishes

• Smoked Brisket — 16-hour smoked beef brisket with black-pepper bark.
• Beef Back Ribs — a full rack of halal beef ribs, smoked until tender.
• BBQ Platter — assorted smoked meats, sides, and sauces for sharing.
• Pulled Beef Sandwich — slow-smoked pulled beef with coleslaw on a toasted bun.

Each plate comes with the option of classic sides — mac and cheese, coleslaw, and curly fries — that round out the smokehouse experience.

Where the Toronto smokehouse is

The smokehouse is on Dupont Street in The Annex, steps from Casa Loma and a short walk from Dupont TTC station. It draws guests from Yorkville, Forest Hill, downtown, and well beyond, because there is simply nowhere else in Toronto offering halal barbecue cooked this way.

Frequently asked questions

Is it the only halal smokehouse in Toronto? It is the only dedicated, 100% halal-certified Texas-style smokehouse in the city.

Is alcohol served? No — the dining room is completely alcohol-free, making it family-friendly.

What should a first-timer order? Start with the brisket; add the BBQ Platter if you are with a group.

Visit us

• Address: 264 Dupont St, Toronto, ON M5R 1V7
• Phone: (416) 944-0908
• Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM (closed Monday)
• Rating: 4.2★ from 896+ Google reviews
• Directions: Open in Google Maps

See our Toronto location page for the full menu and to plan your visit.