April 22nd is the first official night of Passover, a major Jewish holiday that celebrates the Israelites’ escape from slavery in Egypt. Matzo is traditionally eaten in celebration of the holiday, and while there are plenty of tasty ways to snack on this cracker-like bread, it has storied roots in the Jewish faith, symbolizing the unleavened bread Israelis ate while fleeing Egypt. Now, the cracker has been imagined and reimagined into a number of different delicacies, from cozy Matzo ball soup to different kinds of pastries. Besides matzo, there are other Passover-themed dishes to try out to honor the holiday. Read on to find out the best Passover treats for this year’s Passover in New Jersey.
Babka Bailout | 476 Central Avenue A, Jersey City
True to its name, Babka Bailout sells babkas — a sweet braided bread or cake that originated in the Jewish communities of Poland and Ukraine — along with other sweet treats.
See More: The Ultimate Guide to Desserts in Montclair
Butterflake Bakeshop | 448 Cedar Lane, Teaneck
View this post on Instagram
For Passover, Butterflake Bakeshop is serving up items that are nut-free, sesame-free, and gluten-free. Featured items for the holiday include chocolate chip cookies, coconut macarons, rainbow cookies, and a seven-layer cake. The full Passover menu can be found here.
Chabad Young Professionals
View this post on Instagram
The Chabad Young Professionals, a community organization, delivers handmade shemurah matzah to those in Hoboken, Jersey City, Weehawken, and Union City during the Passover season. Residents can claim a box of Matzah courtesy of Chabad Young Professionals and Chabad Jewish Center. Get your box here.
Defying Gravitea | 211 Newark Pompton Turnpike, Pequannock Township
View this post on Instagram
Defying Gravitea, located in Pequannock Township, is home to coffee, tea, and gluten- + dairy-free treats. For Passover, customers can try out the Noodle Kugle, a popular Jewish dish served during the holiday. It is a baked casserole, most commonly made from lokshen or potato — and the dish is gluten- + dairy-free.
Eppes Essen Deli + Restaurant | 105 East Mount Pleasant Avenue, Livingston
The Livingston establishment makes all sorts of Jewish specialties including stuffed derma (a sausage filled with meat, matzo meal, chicken fat, + spices), blintzes (cigar-shaped pastry), and potato kugel. A special Passover menu is being served here and includes items like matzo boxes, charoses, seder plates, and more — along with a large selection of traditional Jewish dishes. You can find the full Passover menu here.
Hank Schwartz’s Delicatessen + Appetizing
View this post on Instagram
This local deli and bakery operates out of a ghost kitchen in Jersey City. The Passover menu here includes chopped liver, vegan chopped liver, salmon tartare, and Matzo tiramisu.
Harold’s New York Deli | 1173 King Georges Post Road, Edison
The Jewish deli, named a top Jewish deli in the country by Food + Wine, is known for its humongous pastrami sandwiches and delicious matzo ball soup year-round. The giant matzo ball, which is almost the size of a grapefruit, is fluffy and moist. Come hungry, or order with a big group, to sample a few of the deli’s famous sandwiches, soups, and knishes.
Hobby’s Delicatessen + Restaurant | 32 Branford Place #2723, Newark
View this post on Instagram
The downtown Newark establishment, which has been serving Eastern-European delicacies since 1962, is the go-to place for house-cured briskets, homey latkes, and Jewish pastries. Its matzo ball soup, served with a rich chicken broth, is also delicious. Pair it with the deli’s famous pastrami or corned beef sandwich on hearty rye bread.
Kosher Nosh Deli Restaurant + Catering | 894 Prospect Street, Glen Rock
This long-standing deli has served up classic deli eats including sandwiches, platters, and matzo ball soup for years.
Mikki + Al’s Noshery | 179 Glenridge Avenue, Montclair
View this post on Instagram
Mikki + Al’s serves up the best of the best nosh around and that’s not all, patrons can also pick up a generous bowl of matzo ball soup. The spot has a Passover menu that includes dishes like latkes, matzo balls, homemade apple sauce, and more. You can find the full menu here.
Raymond’s | 28 Church Street, Montclair
A go-to in Montclair for classic dinner fare, Raymond’s serves up matzo ball soup with pulled chicken, parsnips, carrots, and dill.
Tenafly Kosher Deli + Caterers | 22 Washington Street, Tenafly
This little gem has been serving hefty pastrami sandwiches since the 1950s and is still a neighborhood hotspot. The matzo ball soup, which is made fresh daily, is also delicious.
See More: 7 Foodie Items in Hoboken + Jersey City That We’re Obsessing Over
Yuki’s Bakery + Coffee | 720 Monroe Street Store E101, Hoboken
View this post on Instagram
Located in Monroe Center, Yuki’s is an Israeli bakery and cafe that’s become a local favorite over the years. The spot is serving up a variety of Passover treats — including pistachio lemon cake, flourless chocolate cake, triple chocolate cups, and flourless praline cake.
