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With Hanukkah just around the corner (this year, in a beautiful calendar coincidence, the first night of the Jewish holiday coincides with Christmas), restaurants around the city are preparing to dish out delicious sufganyot (donuts filled with jelly, custard or more creative options) and crispy latkes (potato pancakes), dishes endemic to the Festival of Lights.
For general reference: tradition calls for celebrants to eat foods that are fried in oil as a symbol of the miracle that happened on the day of Hanukkah, when a single day's worth of oil lasted for eight days in the Temple, lighting the menorah for over a week and allowing for more oil to be prepared.
Whether you celebrate Hanukkah or not, we recommend visiting these spots to savor festive flavors that will delight your taste buds for well over eight days.
12 Chairs Cafe
Indulge in a latkes pita sandwich topped with labneh that will make you wish it was Hanukkah all year long or, perhaps, order 12 Chairs Cafe's traditional latke with lox and labneh. To be quite honest, we suggest you try both. Multiple locations
2nd Ave Deli
Available on site and for nationwide shipping on Goldbelly, 2nd Ave Deli's latkes are slightly longer and denser than other forms of the treat found around town. They are served with apple sauce, as tradition calls for, or tofu sour cream. 162 East 33rd Street
Breads Bakery
At all Breads Bakery locations throughout NYC, patrons can order one, six or 12 pieces of the fritters served with sour cream and house-made apple sauce. Given the company's expertise in the sort of Jewish desserts that define many holidays, expect these latkes to delight you in very special ways.
Gertrude's
One of the most popular Jewish-style restaurants in New York at the moment, Gertrude's is offering different Hanukkah boxes that range in price from $35 to $70. If you're looking for latkes, order the one dozen package that is served with apple sauce and creme fraiche and also includes reheating instructions.
What's more, throughout the eight-day holiday, the restaurant will be serving a different unique latke every night, from options topped with caviar to others prepared Buffalo hot wing style. 605 Carlton Avenue
Katz's Delicatessen
Katz's Deli's fritters are absolutely massive. Served in trios with apple sauce and sour cream, they are a meal in and of themselves—but you can also opt for a box of eight mini latkes, available for nationwide shipping. Keep in mind that, if ordering them via email, you'll have to be a bit of stove top frying at home before devouring them. Worry not: cooking instructions are included in the order! 205 East Houston Street
Kubeh
The Greenwich Village restaurant went all in on Hanukkah fritters this year. There are a ton of options to choose from, from a giant, shareable spinach latke that's actually gluten free to another one prepared with sea bass crudo, harissa castevetrano olives, charred eggplant, mint, yogurt and fried onion. Not into creative takes on the classic? Order the traditional latkes instead, served with labneh, za'atar and a side of spiced apple sauce. 464 6th Avenue
Miznon
A top purveyor of Israeli food in NYC, Miznon is serving its delicious latkes through January 2, 2025 at its Chelsea Market location. Prepared following a simple recipe that requires eggs, oil, onions, salt and potatoes, the dish is served alongside the "run over sauce" for dipping, a mixture of sour cream, scallions, dill and garlic. 435 West 15th Street
Rafael
At the relatively new Rafael, Hanukkah highlights include traditional latkes served with labneh—a Middle Eastern creamy cheese-like spread that tastes a little bit like yogurt and quince marmalade. 973 Lexington Avenue
Russ & Daughters
The potato latkes at Russ & Daughters are as classic as they come. They will run you $3.75 each but are also available in packs of five ($18) or 12 ($40). If it's traditional flavors that you are after, this should be your go-to, but, if you're looking for an extra kick, ask the staff to deck your order out with caviar. Yes, that's an option. Multiple locations