Food coverage is supported by a generous donation from Susan and Moses Libitzky.
Hanukkah is a time to celebrate the miracle of oil and get cozy and warm with our loved ones. One of the most scrumptious Hanukkah traditions is fried treats! We rounded up an assortment of restaurants and bakeries to help you gather sufganiyot, latkes, brisket and more around the Bay Area this holiday season.
Plus, this year we’re listing shops where you can find candles, menorahs, gelt and other Jewish goods. Did we miss anything? Let us know at [email protected].
Restaurants
Pizzeria Delfina & Delfina Restaurant
Locations in S.F., Palo Alto and Burlingame
(415) 552-4055
These sister restaurants are in a Hanukkah mood, offering their “famous” flash-frozen latkes for pickup and delivery ($38), plus optional add-ons of apple-quince conserva and crème fraîche ($18 together). Or get the “Miracle Kit” with a dozen latkes, conserva and crème fraîche ($54), or the “Let There Be Light” bundle with the same, but adding beeswax candles and a dreidel ($75). Order for pickup or delivery through Dec. 22 on the website.
Canela
2272 Market St., S.F.
(415) 552-3000
This Spanish bistro and wine bar offers a Hanukkah prix fixe menu ($69). Start with potato, zucchini, carrot and kale latkes and soup, followed by chicken or artichoke schnitzel, and finish with olive oil cake with almond and rosewater, plus an optional fifth course of sweet and sour cabbage rolls. Wine and cocktail pairings. Inquire for gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian and vegan options. Available for pickup and delivery or make a dine-in reservation Dec. 14-21.
Comal
2020 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley
(510) 926-6300
The Oaxacan restaurant in downtown Berkeley puts a Mexican spin on the holiday with its “Oaxanukkah” menu ($116). It’s offering a dine-in meal of tequila-cured salmon; potato-jalapeño latkes with crema and spiced apple salsa; braised beef brisket with ancho chile adobo, carrots and raisins; rapini with chile de árbol and garlic; saffron rice; midnight black beans de olla; and buñuelos (Mexican fried doughnuts). Reserve 6:30 p.m. seats for Monday, Dec. 15 and Tuesday, Dec. 16.
Buttercup Diner
660 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek
(925) 932-2763
This diner celebrates Hanukkah with homestyle favorites based on owner Debbie Shahvar’s family recipes. Offerings include matzah ball soup (cup $7, bowl $10); slow-cooked brisket dinner with potatoes, veggies and salad ($25); and latkes with sour cream and applesauce ($9). Available for lunch and dinner, dine-in and to-go Dec. 14-22. Order for pickup online or by phone.
Wise Sons Delicatessen
Locations in San Francisco and Oakland
Wise Sons offers latkes ($24/half-dozen, $44/dozen) and fixings (sour cream $5, apple butter $6), brisket ($72) and sweet treats, including sufganiyot ($20/half-dozen) and a pastry platter with babka, rugelach and cookies ($55/half, $95/full). Pickup is available from several locations in S.F. and Oakland; delivery also available. Order online Dec. 12-22. Orders must be placed by 9 a.m. two days in advance.
Bubbala’s
906 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., San Anselmo
(415) 785-3440
This neighborhood eatery has a wide variety of offerings, whether you’re hosting a big group or keeping it small. For a large group, try the brisket ($155) or herb-roasted chicken ($100) dinners; both come with glazed carrots and six latkes plus sour cream and applesauce. For smaller gatherings, sample the menu a la carte: brisket ($85), chicken ($40), latkes ($25/half-dozen, $45/dozen), kugel ($18), sufganiyot ($20/half-dozen) and “better than babka” dessert loaf ($25). Order online for pickup through Dec. 21.
Grossman’s Noshery & Bar
308 Wilson St., Santa Rosa
(707) 595-7707
Housed inside the Hotel la Rose, Grossman’s offers a regular menu of both food and libations, plus many Hanukkah favorites. Try the latke plate with sour cream and applesauce ($15), the brisket plate ($29), pomegranate molasses carrots ($14), matzah ball soup ($14), rugelach ($4) and strawberry sufganiyot ($4). It also has a retail section with Hanukkah coins ($2) and candles ($6). Order online for pickup Dec. 14-22, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Loquat
198 Gough St., S.F.
(415) 932-6816
Delicate pastries abound at this Middle Eastern bakery, from a Hanukkah cookie box ($50) to apple butter for latkes ($19) to two flavors of babka: salted chocolate and walnut poppyseed ($18 each). There are also sufganiyot ($27/half-dozen) available for preorder by day of the week — get them fresh! Order online Dec. 12-22. A special holiday babka, with sesame red bean filling made by Chinese restaurant Mamahuhu and pastry by Loquat, will be available in the bakery through Dec. 25.
Loveski Deli
Locations in Napa and Larkspur
This North Bay deli offers a menu of brisket and jus ($30/lb), matzah ball soup ($18/qt.), tsimmes ($12), sufganiyot ($6) and challah ($15). Order online for pickup Dec. 14-22.
Marla Bakery
Dec. 13-14, 19-21: 208 Davis St., Santa Rosa
Dec. 14 and 21: Clement Street Farmers Market, S.F., and Sebastopol Farmers Market
Two flavors of sufganiyot are on offer at Marla this year: Meyer lemon cream and dulce de leche cream ($18/box of 4). They also have a bagel box ($48/half-dozen, $85/dozen, plus farmers cheese and pickled veggies) with add-ons smoked trout ($15) and hummus ($10). Order online and take note of which location is available for your preferred pickup date.
Super Mensch
2336 Chestnut St., S.F.
The trendy new bar is offering cocktails themed around Hanukkah: gelt-spiked hot chocolate, dreidel spritz with tequila and prosecco, sufganiyot martini, latkes and vodkas hot cocktail — and a “miracle in the windy city” homage to Chicago, garnished with a tiny menorah. There’s food, too, including matzah ball soup ($15) and a latke plate with salmon roe and crème fraîche ($16). Visit the restaurant to dine in or order food to go.
Saul’s Restaurant and Delicatessen
1475 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley
(510) 848-DELI
Berkeley’s longtime deli serves latkes year-round, but its Hanukkah “latke tent” is a real production. From Dec. 13 to 22, find the cooks slinging latkes in bulk ($50/dozen, $27/half-dozen) and prepping the fixings ($13 applesauce pint, $5 half-pint sour cream). Want to make latkes yourself? They’ll sell you the batter ($13/qt.). Two flavors of sufganiyot are on offer: strawberry and custard ($48/dozen, $26/half-dozen). Party trays include a sabich eggplant platter ($65) and Middle Eastern medley ($55). For dessert, babka ($25) and assorted rugelach and cookies ($35). Saul’s also has candles ($6), gelt ($3) and dreidels ($1 each). Order online for pickup or make a reservation to dine in.
Markets and Stores
Afikomen Judaica (3042 Claremont Ave., Berkeley) offers an extensive selection of any supplies you could need for Hanukkah, including an extensive collection of menorahs, candles, dreidels, fair-trade gelt, decorations, gifts, books and more.
Rockridge Market Hall (5655 College Ave., Oakland) offers Hanukkah foods ready to heat and serve at home, including latkes ($10/3) plus sides (applesauce $11, crème fraîche $5), matzah ball soup ($16), kugel ($8-$9), chopped liver ($10) and entrées such as chicken or salmon with preserved lemons ($19 each). Also festive desserts, from sprinkle cookies ($9/4 cookies) to an 8-inch chocolate hazelnut torte ($35). Order online for pickup Dec. 13-17 by noon one day prior.
Draeger’s Market (Menlo Park, Danville and Los Altos) has Hanukkah menus featuring potato latkes ($5 each) and chickpea latkes ($3 each), Hanukkah cookies ($4 each), brisket ($33/lb), fresh bagel and breakfast pastry trays to feed a crowd, and more small bites and appetizers.
Mollie Stone’s Markets has meals for Hanukkah available at its nine locations across the Bay Area. On offer: a brisket ($300) or chicken ($285) dinner for eight with latkes, soup, challah, kugel and sweets. The menu also has bundled meals for two, such as brisket ($45) and turkey ($37), both served with latkes and veggies. There is a wide selection of a la carte meat and veggie entrées, sides, soups, breads, desserts and hors d’oeuvres. Order online for pickup or delivery.
Whole Foods offers Hanukkah meals featuring bundled packs, including burgundy-braised brisket for eight people ($230), honey-lemon salmon for four ($100) and lemon-herb roasted chicken for four ($90), all served with latkes, matzah ball soup, green beans and honey-roasted carrots. The market also serves Hanukkah favorites a la carte such as rugelach ($8 for 4), latkes ($20 for 8) and chocolate and cinnamon babka ($10 each). Order online for pickup at your preferred location.