Hanukkah may get all the media hype, but all the real ones know that Passover is the mightiest of the Jewish holidays, partly due to its killer food game.
To anyone uninitiated, Passover is a holiday that commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery. It also involves some of the best bites of the year and brings families in the city together for a traditional, commemorative dinner – making it, in some ways, the Jewish equivalent to Thanksgiving. Throughout the week, it’s tradition to avoid leavened bread and eat as the Israelites did as they fled Egypt to freedom, per the Torah.
For those who don’t have time to make a slow-cooked brisket, but still want to find the afikomen, Philly restaurants and delis have you covered. To celebrate the holiday, we’ve gathered a list of Passover-friendly deals and Seder meals in the city so good you’ll think your bubbe made it.
Essen Bakery
Where: Passyunk and Kensington
When: April 11 to 13
Essen Bakery is known for its delicious breads and pastries rooted in Jewish tradition. This week, chef Tova du Plessis is expanding menu options to include some unleavened delights. The list includes an assortment of macaroons, matzo ball soup, flourless cake and “matza crack” – addictive matzo crackers covered in dark chocolate, almonds, toffee and sea salt.
Fiore Fine Foods
Where: Kensington
When: April 12 to 13
Okay, Fiore is an Italian cafe. But that doesn’t mean diners can’t be curious about their take on Passover food. The food spot is cooking up traditional matzo ball soup, charoset, gefilte fish, beet salad, beef brisket and chocolate-covered macaroons. The entire meal is a cozy, elevated take on traditional deli fare. You can order the $67 per person catered Passover dinner ahead of time to pick up.
Biederman’s
Where: Bella Vista
When: April 12 to 20
Biederman’s is offering an entire package of Passover meal options, including various brunch boards with matzo crackers, cream cheese, lox and more. Sure, matzo crackers can be underwhelming (that’s kind of their point) but they are the main ingredient of arguably the best soup of all time, which you can also get on this menu. Other special menu items include a Passover-friendly potato kugel, latke fries with caviar, chocolate-covered coconut macaroons and the ever-divisive gefilte fish.
Shlesinger’s Delicatessen
Where: Rittenhouse
When: April 12
Schlesinger’s Passover menu is currently offering items a la cart with all the good fixins, like gefilte fish with horseradish and latkes. Mains include brisket, roast chicken and more. Plus, they also have a bunch of decadent desserts to pick and choose from, including cake loaves and coconut and chocolate macaroons.
K’Far Cafe
Where: Rittenhouse
When: April 12 to April 13
K’far comes from the mind of James Beard Award-winning Israeli chef Michael Solomonov, who is also behind Philly favorites like Zahav and Goldie. The cafe is known for its delicious coffee and flaky pastries. This weekend, the restaurant is celebrating Passover with new confections on the menu, including matzo brittle with a pecan praline topping and flourless chocolate cake with a hint of vanilla and espresso to give it that extra oomph. The cake is available until the 20th and you can pre-order online!
Bart’s Bagels
Where: Bella Vista and West Philly
When: April 12 to 13
While bagels are not Passover-friendly, Bart’s is offering a whole smattering of food that is. For just $210, the shop has a Passover deal that can feed a group of six. You don’t need to get the whole kit and kaboodle to partake. Those looking for just a nice brisket or hoping to chow down on some potato kugel can get those items a la cart.
Famous 4th Street Delicatessen
Where: Queen Village
When: April 12 to 20
4th Street is hooking Philadelphians up with a delicious comfort special for Passover this year. The beloved deli is offering a $38 “Passover Seder Package,” which comes with a choice of soup, an appetizer, a main and two sides. Just the soup selection alone at 4th Street is all-time – with options ranging from sweet and sour cabbage to their legendary “special soup,” which mixes matzo balls, kreplach, noodles, rice and kasha.
Hymie’s Deli
Where: Bala Cynwyd
When: April 12 to 13
Hymie’s Deli has you covered for all your chopped liver and gefilte fish needs. For entree dishes alone, diners get to choose between stuffed cabbage, roasted turkey breast with matzo stuffing, broiled salmon, stuffed matzo chicken breast and our personal favorite, brisket au jus.Their Passover menu is a steal at just $26.98 per person, for a minimum of five people. Plus, you get to choose from three types of kugel. Yum!
