Celebrate Rosh Hashanah With Specials From These New Orleans Restaurants

Sunset on September 25 marks the beginning of Rosh Hashanah, a celebration of the Jewish New Year, ending at sunset on September 27. It’s followed by Yom Kippur on October 4 and 5; together, they make the High Holidays. Rosh Hashanah is celebrated with gatherings of friends and family centered around symbolic foods like apples, pomegranates, dried fruits, and honey. It’s also full of some of the best dishes found on Jewish holidays year-round — challah, braised brisket, and matzo ball soup. Whether looking for a holiday feast or picking up items to build a spread, here are four New Orleans area spots offering special Rosh Hashanah meals and treats this year.

Did we miss a Rosh Hashanah special in New Orleans this year? Let us know; this post will continue to be updated.

Bywater Bakery

3264 Dauphine St., Bywater

This friendly Bywater destination reliably offers festive treats for Jewish holidays (most all holidays, for that matter) and the wares this year are particularly enticing. There’s challah bread baked in the shape of the shofar; a nine-inch apple honey cake glazed with local honey; and six packs of hand-formed rugelach filled with apricot or chocolate. Order here.

Kosher Cajun New York Deli & Grocery

3519 Severn Ave., Metairie

Count on Metairie’s top Jewish deli for all things Rosh Hashanah, offering both individual and catering menus available for preorder by Friday, September 16. A complete feast of challah, matzoh ball soup, gefilte fish, chopped liver, brisket, and honey cake are among the many standout items on the menu this year.

Clair Lorell/Eater NOLA

Saba

5757 Magazine St., Uptown

Saba is celebrating the start of Rosh Hashanah on September 25 with two special meals that day, Sunday brunch (10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) and dinner (4:30 to 9 p.m.). The à la carte Rosh Hashanah menu includes a challah platter for two served with muhammara, hot honey butter, and roasted apple chutney with tahini, carrot, and rose jam; a pomegranate-braised lamb shank with labneh and Persian cherry tabbouleh; and for dessert, a walnut cream cake trifle (the regular menu will also be available). Reservations are recommended.

St. James Cheese Co.

5004 Prytania St.; 641 Tchoupitoulas St.

Stop at St. James before heading to Rosh Hashanah dinner and arrive bearing a perfect holiday gift basket, one of the beloved cheese shop’s specialties. Both locations are wrapping up a bundle featuring with cheese, apple preserves, honeycomb, and crackers.