A guide to Milwaukee-area restaurants offering dining events, special hours this Ramadan

Cuppa Tosa, which has a halal Mediterranean chicken wrap on its menu, is again participating in Milwaukee Halal Restaurant Week.

For about 1.9 billion Muslims around the world, the holy month of Ramadan is likely to begin March 22 at sundown, depending on the new moon sighting in accordance with the Islamic lunar calendar. During the 30-day period, Muslims observe fasts from sunrise to dusk each day. As such, finding restaurants with late hours can be a challenge.

Here's where Milwaukeeans can find restaurants offering halal dining options during Ramadan.

Five O'Clock Steakhouse, Cuppa Tosa other restaurants expand menus to include halal items during Ramadan

Milwaukee Halal Restaurant Week organized an event in July 2022 to introduce halal dining options to restaurants that previously had never served halal food. After seeing success, restaurants like Five O'Clock Steakhouse, Cuppa Tosa and Sobelman's kept halal offerings on their menu permanently or expanded their options. Those restaurants are among a growing list offering options for Muslim diners this Ramadan.

Halal refers to foods that are permissible for Muslims; zabiha halal meats have been processed humanely, in accordance with Muslim guidelines.

“Milwaukee currently has amazing, delicious halal food options, but the cuisine type is limited," said Milwaukee Halal Restaurant Week organizer Bushra Zaibak, who spoke with former Journal Sentinel dining critic Carol Deptolla about the event last year.

The halal food options targets a hidden demographic of Muslim diners locally and also from other parts of the state where access to halal or zabiha halal dining is limited.

"Why wouldn't I want to incorporate the halal in the menu? We're here for the community, so why not?" said Vita Fugarino, owner of Cuppa Tosa in Wauwatosa, who also spoke with Deptolla.

More:Some Milwaukee-area restaurants are keeping halal items on the menu after restaurant week ends

Eat Halal Milwaukee is organizing several late-night Ramadan events

Eat Halal Milwaukee, the organizers of Halal Restaurant Week, is organizing a food truck festival on April 7 in partnership with the Islamic Society of Milwaukee. The Suhoor Food Truck Fest, which refers to the pre-dawn meal Muslims eat to start their day of fasting, will bring several food truck vendors like Romero's Taco Truck, Fatty Patty, Jmakin Jamaican and more. The festival is in the parking lot behind ISM from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Eat Halal Milwaukee is hosting two Suhoor Saturdays. The first is at Cuppa Tosa from 11 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. March 25. The restaurant is serving an American brunch buffet. The second event is at Shawarma House in Brookfield, from 11 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. April 1. Shawarma King is serving a traditional Middle Eastern brunch buffet. Tickets are $15 per person with reservations required.

Milwaukee restaurants open late, offering Ramadan specials

Muslims break their Ramadan fasts at sundown, which may not give diners a lot of time to eat before restaurants close. As a result, some Milwaukee-area restaurants may be adjusting hours to be open later than usual. Some restaurants are also offering iftar, a post-fast meal, carry-out specials and buffets.

Peshawar Restaurant in Greenfield will offer a special iftar buffet at 8:30 p.m. during the month of Ramadan for children ($18) and adults ($24). Taqwa's Bakery in Greenfield is also offering an iftar buffet and will remain open until 10 p.m. all month. In the mood for something sweet? J Wonderland inside Pita Palace near Milwaukee's south side will be open from noon to midnight daily serving crepes, waffles and a variety of desserts.

To add a restaurant to the list, reach out to Ridah Syed at rsyed@gannett.com.

More:Owners of Sweet Basil, Ono Kine Grindz, Peshawar talk about their Asian American and Pacific Island heritage

More:The new Taqwa's Bakery and Restaurant in Greenfield bakes Palestinian bread to order

Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal.

DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and more

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee area restaurants, cafes with Ramadan dining specials