Hanukkah is approaching this week (December 7 – December 15), and NYC is the perfect place to celebrate the holiday! From special events to menorah lightings (including the world’s largest), there’s so much happening in the city. But did we even mention the food! Ranging from latkes to kugel, many of NYC’s bakeries and restaurants are doing specials and unique menus. Here’s some spots to check out:
1. 12 Chairs Cafe, SoHo & Williamsburg
This cute neighborhood restaurant instantly “transports diners to Tel Aviv without leaving New York.” This year they’ll be serving up both regular latkes and sweet potato latkes served alongside salmon from Acme and sour cream for dipping. They also have tons of desserts on their regular menu as well too! See full menu here.
Where:
SoHo – 56 MacDougal St
Williamsburg – 342 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn
2. Caviar Russe, Midtown
This elevated restaurant in Midtown is offering premium latkes this year under the watchful eye of Chef Edgar ‘Teddy’ Panchernikov. He’s creating creating a super-sized potato latke topped with 1oz of classic osetra caviar (aka black gold), topped with Crème fraîche and egg jam. It’ll run you $95 and you’ll have to preorder it, but it’s so worth it.
Where: 538 Madison Ave
3. Mesiba, Williamsburg
Tel-Aviv inspired restaurant Mesiba in Brooklyn is kicking off a latke cart during all 8 days of the holiday! Chef Eli Buli’s latkes (served in 3s w/apple sauce) are topped tableside to order with the following selections: Lox and Crème Fraiche ($20), Caviar ($32), Roasted Lamb Neck ($25), or Labneh and Zatar ($17).
They’re also serving a festive hot cocktail called the Hot Latke (Woody Creek Potato Vodka, Lairds Apple Brandy, Hot Apple Cider, Spiced Cream) during the holiday! Make a reservation here.
Where: 353 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn
4. Orwashers Bakery, UES & UWS
Orwashers Bakery is one of our favorite NYC bakeries, and for the holiday they’re going all out with a tasty menu! You can preorder all kinds of goodies right now, including Sufganiyot, Blue & White Cookies, Rugelach, and more! Plus, they’ll be hosting pop-ups at their locations where you can sample hot cider, apple and honey cake, plus more! See full menu here.
Where:
Upper East Side – 308 E 78th St
Upper West Side – 440 Amsterdam Ave
5. GERTIE, Williamsburg
GERTIE is a Jew-ish diner in Williamsburg that has lots of Hanukkah events and specials going on! Some of them include a one-night-only Family Style Celebration Banquet on December 15 in collaboration with Dacha 46, GERTIE catering boxes featuring Latkes, Mini Black + Whites, Sufganiyot, Dreidels + Gelt, and special Hanukkah day deals each day! Learn more and make a reservation here.
Where: 357 Grand St, Brooklyn
6. Reunion, Williamsburg
This little slice of Tel Aviv in Williamsburg will serve latkes and a special donut on the menu for Hanukkah this year! Top it off with one of their Turkish Martinis (vodka, espresso, homemade Turkish syrup), and thank us later. See full menu and book a table here.
Where: 544 Union Ave, Brooklyn
7. Kubeh, Greenwich Village
This Middle Eastern restaurant in Greenwich Village, known for their namesake kubeh, are serving a variety of latkes for Hanukkah this year. Starting with a sharable super-sized Spinach Latke and traditional Latkes served with labneh & zaatar and a side of spiced apple sauce. Or, guests can opt for something more creative like the Latkes Trio topped with labneh, dill and salmon roe or Latke Mediterranean (exclusively sold at brunch) topped with poached eggs, halloumi, avocado, oven roasted tomato and hollandaise.
Other Hanukkah treats include homemade Sufganiyot for dessert and a winterized Old Fashion L’Chaim cocktail. See full menu and book here.
Where: 464 Avenue of the Americas
8. Clinton St Baking Company, LES
This cute bakery that’s been around for over 20 years is offering a pair of specials this year, including Classic Potato Pancakes (with caramelized applesauce & sour cream) and an even tastier Latke Eggs Benedict (poached eggs, house smoked salmon, classic hollandaise, trout roe caviar, over crispy potato pancakes). Is your mouth watering too? Stop by their LES location or their stall in Brooklyn at Timeout Market.
Where: 4 Clinton St
9. Edith’s at Nordstrom NYC, Midtown
Legendary Jewish establishment Edith’s Sandwich Counter is currently hosting a pop-up at Nordstrom in Midtown! Through January 3, you can enjoy all kinds of festive foods like The Edith Sandwich (16 day house-smoked pastrami, kraut, emmental cheese, Edith’s special sauce) or an exclusive black and white cookie slushie…amongst more!
Where: 225 W 57th St
10. Daily Provisions, Multiple Locations
Dig your teeth into one of Daily Provisions’ Sufganiyot Crullers, filled with strawberry jam and rolled in lemon sugar this Hanukkah season. They’re available for catering preorder now through Dec 13, for pickup Dec 7-15! Order them here.
Where: Find your location here
11. Dough Doughnuts, Multiple Locations
Known already to be some of the best donuts in NYC, this spot is serving up Sufganiyot Doughnuts this year. Unbox one of these puppies and let your tastebuds enjoy a symphony of flavors featuring Nutella, Mixed Berry Jam, Strawberry Jam, Halva, Apricot Jam, and Boston Cream. Order them here.
Where: Find your location here
12. Breads Bakery, Multiple Locations
One of our most beloved bakeries in NYC, Breads, is ringing off the Hanukkah season with both Sufganiyot and Potato Latkes. You can choose between Tiramisu, Vanilla, Chocolate, or Strawberry doughnuts…or potato pancakes served with sour cream and house-made apple sauce! Preorder your treats here!
Where: Find your location here
13. Michaeli Bakery
This Israeli-style bakery on the edge of Chinatown and the Lower East Side will be making over 7 flavors of sufganyiot. Deep fried, filled with strawberry jam, vanilla delce de leche, banana pecan, and others, then topped with sugar and other confectionaries. They are just sooo good here.
Where: 115A Division St
14. PJ Bernstein, Upper East Side
To celebrate The Festival of Lights, popular Upper East Side Jewish Delicatessen PJ Bernstein will be rolling out a special Hanukkah menu, available for catering, delivery, takeou
Where: 1215 3rd Ave
15. Hawksmoor NYC, Flatiron
For Hanukkah this year, Hawksmoor NYC is serving a special new doughnut from acclaimed baker Zoë Kanan in collaboration with the restaurant’s resident Queen of pastry, Carla Henriques. The Zoë’s Doughie Hawky Ribbon is made with Graft Farm Cider, apple brandy caramel, and buckwheat praline. Served on skewers, these squiggly are a little crunchy, a little boozy, and delightfully sweet and savory. It’s on the dessert menu through December 15! Plan your visit here.
Where: 109 E 22nd St
16. Eli Zabar, UES
Take a bite out of the menorah after lighting the real one with Eli Zabar’s festive challah! Specially braided and made to order in the shape of a menorah, it’ll surely be a hit with friends and family. You can order the challah menorah ($45) online or upgrade to the Chanukah Gift Basket ($200). Learn more about the challah menorah here.
Where: Various Locations; order online