Today, April 5th, 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 pastries topped with chocolate + caramel. Read on to find out find matzo treats for this year’s Passover in North 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. For Passover, the spot is serving flourless chocolate coconut cake at Canngiano’s Marketplace, which is located at 225 Pavonia Avenue in Jersey City.
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Eppes Essen Deli + Restaurant | 105 E 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, and 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.
Choc O Pain | Multiple Locations in Hoboken + Jersey City
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Choc O Pain is a beloved bakery that has five locations throughout Hoboken and Jersey City. For Passover, this spot is serving up flourless chocolate cakes, flourless almond cakes, and macarons made with egg whites + almond flour.
Hobby’s Delicatessen + Restaurant | 32 Branford Place, Newark
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.
Glatt Express | 1400 Queen Anne Road, Teaneck
This is a very reliable kosher grocery store with a large selection of Israeli specialty goods. Here you can literally find everything matzo including Passover Shmurah matzo, matzo crackers, and matzo sweets. Other Passover essentials are also plenty. There is also an online shop.
Hank Schwartz’s Delicatessen + Appetizing | Online
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For Passover, this beloved deli and bakery that operates out of a ghost kitchen in Jersey City is serving mixed boxes of chocolate-covered Matzo. There are three flavor options to choose from —rose petals, Aleppo pepper, and sea salt. The Passover menu here also 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 and 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.
Kosher Nosh Deli Restaurant + Catering | 894 Prospect Street, Glen Rock
This long-standing deli has offered classic deli eats including sandwiches, platters, and matzo ball soup for years.
Chabad Young Professionals
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The Chabad Young Professionals, a community organization, delivers handmade shmurah matzah to residents in Hoboken, Jersey City, Weehawken, and Union City around Passover season. Seder kits include seder plate food items, wine, and other Passover accessories. In addition, a free box of Matzah is available courtesy of Chabad Young Professionals and Chabad Jewish Center. Get your box here. Chabad Young Professionals is also having a Passover event on April 11th called Passover Taqueria + Bar — which includes an all-you-can-eat buffet and open bar. Get more details about the event here.
Lox Stock + Deli | 228 Ryders Lane, Milltown
The kosher deli has been serving traditional East European classics since 1998 and is famous for its hearty East European dishes. Eaters love its chopped liver, noodle kugel, and outstanding matzo ball chicken soup. There is a special family menu for Passover which includes Seder items and a large selection of traditional dishes. You can find the full menu here.
Mikki + Al’s Noshery | 14 Park Street, Montclair
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Mikki + Al’s offers the best of the best nosh around and that’s not all, patrons can pick up a generous bowl of matzo ball soup. The spot has a Passover menu that includes dishes like latkes, matzo balls, sour cream or house-made apple sauce, and more. You can find the full menu here.
The Hive | 1000 Park Avenue, Hoboken
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Enjoy a variety of Matzoh with chocolate and toppings at this local coffee spot — it’s what The Hive calls “Hive-y Matzoh Crack”.
Olive Branch Kosher Market | 181 Martin Luther King Drive, Jersey City
This kosher grocery store sells all of the everyday necessities including matzo ball soup.
Seasons Clifton | 467 Allwood Road, Clifton
Seasons Clifton kosher deli has everything from fresh fruit and fish to a bakery section that pumps out favorites like challah to a deli section that serves matzo ball soup with chicken.
Tenafly Kosher Deli + Caterers | 22 Washington Avenue, 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.
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Pastrami House | 832 Washington Street, Hoboken
The potato latkes are crispy outside and fluffy inside and the knishes are just spot on. Plus, it is one of the few places in the Mile Square that make matzo ball soup.
Raymond’s | 28 Church Street, Montclair
A go-to in Montclair for classic diner fare, Raymond’s serves up matzo ball soup with pulled chicken, parsnips, carrots, and dill.
Yuki’s Bakery + Coffee | 720 Monroe Street, Hoboken
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Located in Monroe Center, Yuki’s is an Israeli bakery and cafe. The spot is serving up a variety of Passover treats — including pistachio lemon cake, chocolate fudge cake, Chazeret, Charoset, and flourless praline cake.
