Halloumi Dishes: A Vegetarian Favourite
Few ingredients have won as many fans in recent years as halloumi. This firm, salty cheese is a star of the vegetarian menu, developing a golden, satisfying bite when grilled or fried. At Rendezvous Cafe, this golden cheese takes centre stage in salads, burgers, and toasties on our lunch menu.
What Exactly is Halloumi?
Halloumi is a semi-hard cheese traditionally made from a mixture of sheep's and goat's milk. What makes it so special is its high melting point, which makes it perfect for grilling and frying.
Unlike most cheeses, it does not melt into a puddle when heated. Instead, it firms up, turning a beautiful golden-brown on the outside while staying deliciously chewy, often described as 'squeaky', on the inside. Its naturally salty flavour means it needs little seasoning, pairing beautifully with fresh vegetables, sweet chilli, and earthy flavours like beetroot.
The Fresh Halloumi Salad
A halloumi salad is one of the best ways to enjoy this cheese, combining its warm, salty richness with cool, crisp vegetables. Our Halloumi Salad brings together beetroot, roast peppers, olives, red onion, and tomato.
It creates a colourful, satisfying plate where the grilled halloumi takes the spotlight. The contrast of warm cheese and crisp vegetables makes it a brilliant lunch option, light enough to keep you moving, but substantial enough to satisfy your hunger.
The Stacked Halloumi Burger
For something heartier, the halloumi burger has become an absolute vegetarian classic. At Rendezvous, our Halloumi Stack Burger pairs thick cuts of golden grilled halloumi with fresh lettuce, crispy onions, and a generous drizzle of sweet chilli sauce.
Served alongside a basket of our golden Dutch chips, the combination of salty cheese, crunchy onions, and a touch of sweet heat is genuinely moreish. It proves perfectly that a meat-free burger can be every bit as satisfying as the original beef patty.
The Warm Halloumi Toastie
Halloumi also shines brightly when pressed into a warm toastie. Our roasted peppers, halloumi, beetroot, and pesto toastie is a firm favourite with regulars.
It brings together warm, salty cheese with sweet roasted peppers, earthy beetroot, and fragrant pesto. Served with rainbow crisps and coleslaw, it is a comforting, flavour-packed lunch. It is exactly the kind of dish that even committed meat-eaters find themselves ordering again and again.
A Brilliant Choice for Vegetarians
Halloumi has been an absolute gift to vegetarian dining. It offers a substantial, protein-rich centrepiece that never feels like an afterthought or a compromise.
Whether it is starring in a salad, a stacked burger, or a warm ciabatta, it gives a meat-free meal real heft and satisfaction. Of course, you do not have to be vegetarian to love halloumi. Plenty of our customers order it simply because they cannot resist that famous golden, salty bite.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is halloumi?
Halloumi is a firm, salty cheese, traditionally made from sheep's and goat's milk, with a high melting point that makes it ideal for grilling and frying. It turns golden and stays chewy when cooked.
What halloumi dishes do you serve?
We serve a Halloumi Salad (with beetroot, roast peppers, olives, red onion, and tomato), a Halloumi Stack Burger (with lettuce, crispy onions, and sweet chilli), and a roasted peppers, halloumi, beetroot, and pesto toastie.
Is halloumi suitable for vegetarians?
Yes. Halloumi is a vegetarian cheese and makes a highly satisfying, protein-rich centrepiece for meat-free meals.
Does halloumi melt like normal cheese?
No. Unlike most cheeses, halloumi has a very high melting point. When grilled or fried, it firms up and turns a beautiful golden brown rather than melting away into a puddle.