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

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