clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
Hanukkah menu at Wise Sons Wise Sons

How to Celebrate Hanukkah 2020 in San Francisco

The brisket, latkes, and doughnuts that bring comfort and light 

Hey, remember at the beginning of the pandemic, when everyone said this year would be a Passover unlike any others? Well, here we still are, hunkering down at home, and maybe even more in need of comfort and light. Hanukkah runs from December 10 to 18, and per tradition, many restaurants, delis, and bakeries will be celebrating with special menus and items, from big family spreads to the littlest chocolate coins.

If you’d prefer to braise your own brisket, these butcher shops wrap up quality cuts, and the new Wise Sons cookbook has a bubbie-approved recipe. But if you’d rather leave the deep-frying to somebody else, there are golden latkes and doughnuts to be found. Here’s where to feast during the festival of lights, even in this dark year.

Hanukkah menu at Wise Sons Wise Sons

Wise Sons

The Bay Area’s ubiquitous modern Jewish deli is boxing up a complete family meal, featuring challah, latkes, roasted brisket, Brussels sprouts and delicata squash, and sufganiyah (jelly doughnuts, of course). At $150, it generously feeds four people. Smaller groups can also order directly from the full catering menu, which includes the deli favorites, like a pint of smoked trout or pound of pastrami.

Matzo ball soup at Saul’s deli Ellen Jaskol

Saul’s Deli

This old-school institution in Berkeley has a full menu for the holiday, served up deli-style with latkes by the dozen, noodle kugel by the pan, braised brisket and chicken, and blintzes, babka, and sufganiyah. And while they may kvetch about getting orders in early, they also very kindly offer curbside pickup for senior citizens.

Jen Fedrizzi for Bi-Rite

Bi-Rite

After winning Thanksgiving with a TV turkey dinner, Bi-Rite grocery is back at it with more holiday meals. A brisket TV dinner stands in solidarity with solo diners and includes brisket, rosemary potatoes, and glazed carrots for only $19.99. But there’s also brisket by the pound, as many or as few latkes as you like, and chocolate-almond rugelach.

Che Fico

The hot Cal-Italian restaurant has consistently been serving up satisfying family meals, and the holidays are no exception. They’re boxing up latkes, beet salad, roasted chicken, challah, and gelt, which serves four people for $200. But it’s worth throwing in a chocolate-hazelnut babka.

Pizzeria Delfina

Delfina is known for their duck fat–fried latkes this time of year. At the original location in the Mission, there will be fresh latkes by the dozen, topped with pear-quince preserves and creme fraiche, available for pickup on December 10 and 11. Plus, there are freezer latkes popping up in Marin, a prime rib dinner with latkes for Palo Alto, and all locations will have frozen latkes for stocking up.

Latkes at Fiorella Fiorella

Fiorella

The pasta and pizza destination in the Richmond is adding a number of festive items to the regular menu, and rounding them all up in a reheatable dinner for two, which includes latkes with apple-quince butter, matzo ball soup, brisket with chestnut jus, sweet and sour cabbage, and mini chocolate babka for $75.

Hanukkah menu One Market

One Market

One Market launched a New York–style deli during the pandemic, so now, in addition to meaty sandwiches, it’s primed to serve brisket. The holiday menu is three courses for $49 per person, which include matzo ball soup, smoked brisket, and apple-honey cake. It does cost $10 more to add on latkes, as if that was optional.

Canela

The Spanish tapas spot in the Castro has another set menu for $65 per person, starring latkes, matzo ball soup, chicken roulade, apple and pear blintzes, chocolate gelt, and candy dreidels. It’s $20 more to add on brisket, but again, why would you not want brisket?

Pomella

The Cal-Israeli restaurant in Oakland has been working tirelessly to meet takeout expectations. For the holiday, a family meal for four people costs $180, and includes matzo ball soup, brisket tagine, freezer latkes, and ricotta fritters.

20th Century Cafe

The grand cafe of Hayes Valley always puts out an array of old-world European treats, including some of the best sourdough bagels in the city. Pastry chef Michelle Polzine is featuring sufganiyot, rugelach, Meyer lemon cheesecakes, strudel filled with sweet cheese, and Hungarian pogacsa (savory scones) with sheep’s milk cheese and herbs.

Frena Bakery

The sufganiyot have gone wild at the only kosher bakery in San Francisco, with a mix of a half a dozen inventive new flavors, pumped jelly, chocolate, and flavored creams, and decked with crushed nuts, cookies, and coconut, inspired by everything from halva to bubble gum. There’s even a new savory doughnut filled with cream cheese and piled with scallions.

Bob’s Donuts

Fancy menus aside, there is always the simple joy and deep-fried glory of a good jelly doughnut. And Bob’s is arguably the fan favorite, serving warm rounds pumped with raspberry or lemon jam and glazed or dusted with sugar.

Canela

2272 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94114 415-552-3000 Visit Website

One Market Restaurant

1 Market Street, , CA 94105 (415) 777-5577 Visit Website

Pizzeria Delfina

3611 18th Street, , CA 94110 (415) 437-6800 Visit Website

Wise Sons Deli

3150 24th Street, San Francisco, CA 94110 Visit Website

Fiorella

2339 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94121 (415) 340-3049 Visit Website

Che Fico

838 Divisadero Street, , CA 94117 (415) 416-6959 Visit Website

Frena Bakery and Café

132 6th Street, , CA 94103 (628) 444-3666 Visit Website

Saul's Restaurant & Delicatessen

1475 Shattuck Avenue, , CA 94709 (510) 848-3354 Visit Website

Pomella

3770 Piedmont Avenue, , CA 94611 (510) 250-9215 Visit Website

20th Century Cafe

198 Gough Street, , CA 94102 (415) 621-2380 Visit Website

Bi-Rite Market

3639 18th Street, , CA 94110 (415) 241-9760 Visit Website

Bob's Donuts and Pastries

1621 Polk Street, San Francisco, CA