Where to Find Brisket, Matzo Ball Soup, and Passover Desserts in New Orleans This Year

The Jewish holiday of Passover begins this year at sundown on Saturday, March 27 and ends the evening of Sunday, April 4. Though the large, multi-generational gatherings that are central to the holiday may be muted for many for the second year in a row, ritual meals and food remain a focus. From items for a Seder plate to brisket, matzo ball soup, and Passover-friendly desserts, the below New Orleans area restaurants, delis, and bakeries have Passover 2021 essentials covered.

Did we miss a place to get Passover food in New Orleans? Let us know at nola@eater.com.

Bywater Bakery

Always reliable for holiday treats, Bywater Bakery’s Passover menu this year includes sheets of the bakery’s matzo, flourless chocolate cake, lemon squares, blueberry macaroons, brownie bombs, and the ever-popular matzo “crack” with caramel and chocolate. It’s available starting Friday, March 26 through April 4, and the corner shop is hosting the New Orleans Klezmer All Stars for live music outside starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 27.

Kosher Cajun NY Deli & Catering

Metairie’s Kosher Cajun Deli has long been the area’s best destination for all things kosher, and it’s more popular than ever around Passover thanks to its extensive stock of holiday essentials. In addition to Seder plates and bakery items, Kosher Cajun offers family-style orders of brisket, matzo balls, chopped liver, sides, and more. Call asap for availability — the deli’s currently open for extended Passover hours, is closed March 26 and 27, and reopens with the special Passover menu from Tuesday, March 30 through Friday, April 2.

Rimon

Rimon is the excellent Kosher restaurant in Tulane’s Hillel Center from Chef Daniel Esses, open since 2017. While Esses isn’t teaming up with Stein’s for Passover meals like last year, Rimon is offering a vast Passover 2021 menu, available Sunday, March 28 through Friday, April 2. There are breakfast items like an avocado matzo sandwich, hummus with Brussels sprouts, beef kebab, and chicken shawarma, hearty salads and small plates, sandwiches, and quinoa bowls, all of which adhere to Passover guidelines. Diners can preorder Passover meals online, including a meal for Monday that can be picked up on Sunday, March 28. It’s otherwise closed for the weekend, but reopens for normal hours Tuesday, March 30 through Friday, April 2.

Saba

Chef Alon Shaya’s Magazine Street bistro Saba undoubtedly serves some of the best Israeli food in the area, and excitingly, is offering a Passover package for a meal at home this year. The menu includes braised oxtail, crispy fried matzo, and beet-pickled deviled eggs, as well as a Seder plate. Preorder online for pickup Friday, March 26 through Sunday, March 28.

Stein’s

Don’t call up Dan Stein for Passover essentials this year, but the owner/proprietor of New Orleans’s favorite deli says he’ll take orders for matzo ball soup — only — this year, while supplies last. Call the deli to order.

Looking for restaurant recs or a place to chat about favorite restaurants? Join Eater NOLA’s Facebook group.