This Hanukkah, fill your celebrations with all the challah, latkes, and sufganiyot (that’s jelly-filled doughnuts, for the uninitiated) the Bay Area has to offer. We’ve rounded up a few places in San Francisco, Berkeley, and Oakland, and beyond that are cooking up feasts for the Miracle of Lights in appropriately food-worthy fashion. From prix-fixe to pre-order, there are plenty of special dishes for the family, extended family, and entire synagogue to enjoy.
Sufganiyot at Marla Bakery
What: Snack on this sweet holiday treat at Marla Bakery, which will be serving up epic portions of pillowy sufganiyot filled with Meyer lemon or quince.
Details: You can pick up these pastries or pre-order them from Marla Bakery (3619 Balboa St., SF) and pick up on either Saturday, December 24, or Tuesday, December 27 through Sunday, January 1. Order online here.
Hanukkah at Fiorella
What: In honor of the Festival of Lights, chef Dante Cecchini will be cooking up several Jewish-Italian courses over at Fiorella. Order dishes like fried sardines with almonds and kumquat, crispy winter squash with mint and pecorino, and braised artichoke.
Details: Fiorella (2339 Clement St., SF) will be serving these items during its regular hours from Saturday, December 24 to Sunday, January 1. Reserve here.
Latkes, Latkes, Latkes at Saul’s
What: Get your fried potato fix at Saul’s Restaurant & Deli, which will be hosting an entire tent devoted to the culinary art of latke making. Pick up a freshly fried latke served with a dollop of sour cream or order ahead and take latkes by the dozen home to the entire family. You can even buy latke batter to fry up later, along with other treats like pierogi, brisket, and sufganiyot.
Details: The latke tent will open from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. every day from Friday, December 23 through Monday, December 26 at Saul’s (1475 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley). Latkes are also available for pre-order here.
Hanukkah at Bluestem Brasserie
What: Stop by Bluestem Brasserie for a piping hot bowl of matzah ball soup and potato latkes during Hanukkah this year, with a special beef brisket serving that will be available for a one-day special on Friday, December 30.
Details: Soup and latkes will be available at Bluestem Brasserie (1 Yerba Buena Ln., SF) during its usual opening hours through Friday, December 30.
Hanukkah Catering by Wise Sons
What: Relax, sit back, and break out the dreidel because this year, you can get all your Hanukkah goodies catered to you courtesy of Wise Sons. There’s a full menu available for pick up so that you can order plenty of housemade latke, chopped liver, smoked salmon platters, and matzah balls for the entire family, without turning on the stove.
Details: Pick up available at any of Wise Sons’ four locations. Get the full menu and order forms here.
Bi-Rite Cooks Up Hanukkah Classics
What: Bi-Rite is taking the organic, locally-grown approach to Jewish cooking this Hanukkah, offering pre-made dishes like buttermilk noodle kugel, slow-cooked beef brisket, matzah ball soup, and Star of David sugar cookies.
Details: Available for order starting Friday, December 23. Check out the full menu here.
Oaxanukkah Dinner at Comal
What: Comal is serving a multi-course, family style meal for Hanukkah, but with a Mexican twist. Jalapeño latkes, ancho chile adobo brisket, and tequila-cured salmon are all on the menu.
Details: Dinner starts at 6:30 p.m. at Comal (2020 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley) on Monday, December 26 and Tuesday, December 27. Tickets are $75 per person and you can get them here.
Hanukkah Prix Fixe at Shakewell
What: Shakewell will celebrate the first night of Hanukkah with a three-course meal that includes latkes served with quince butter, slow-roasted brisket, and apple churros for dessert.
Details: You can order the $55 prix fixe menu from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at Shakewell (3407 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland) on Saturday, December 24.
Hanukkah at Nightbird
What: Newcomer Nightbird will be serving an entire menu devoted to Hanukkah classics. Stop by to taste dishes like chicken consommé with smoked egg, golden eye snapper, latkes served with cabbage, apples, and pork, along with plenty of challah.
Details: Nightbird (330 Gough St., SF) will be offering this menu for $125 per person during its regular hours from Tuesday, December 27 through Friday, December 30. Reserve here.
Treats at Mayfield Bakery & Cafe
What: Mayfield Bakery & Cafe will be baking up fresh challah ($15), chocolate challah ($4), and rugelach ($4).
Details: You can order these treats at Mayfield Bakery & Cafe (855 El Camino Real, Palo Alto) from December 19 through January 1.
Carrot and Sweet Potato Latkes at Canela
What: Stop over at Canela to taste the latest Hanukkah-inspired addition to its menu: a carrot and sweet potato latke served with apple currant salad and topped with a fried egg.
Details: You can order this dish at Canela (2272 Market St., SF) during opening hours until Friday, December 30.