How to Celebrate Hanukkah in Boston

Hanukkah falls a bit early this year, beginning at sundown on Sunday, December 2, and going through December 10. Whether you’re hosting parties or planning outings for the holiday, Boston’s restaurants are prepared to help out.

Here is a guide to Hanukkah dining in and around Boston, from pre-ordering the necessities to partying at holiday-themed pop-ups.

Pre-Orders

Note that the below options are not certified kosher.

Area Four
500 Technology Sq., Kendall Square, Cambridge

Go to Area Four’s Cambridge cafe to order raspberry-stuffed sufganiyot for pickup December 2 through 10.

Hooked Fish Shop at Bow Market
1 Bow Market Wy., Union Square, Somerville

While Hooked Fish Shop’s ample shellfish options are definitely not kosher, a smoked fish platter — though not certified kosher — may be the perfect fit for your Hanukkah party. Free delivery is available. Fill out the order form or contact Hooked for more information.

Inna’s Kitchen at Boston Public Market
100 Hanover St., Downtown Boston

Inna’s Kitchen operates out of Boston Public Market and has a new space under construction in Newton. Due to the construction, a specific holiday menu hasn’t yet been finalized, but sign up for the newsletter to be notified — or go ahead and order from the standard selection of Inna’s Kitchen items that are always available via Mercato. There are frozen soups, veggie and chicken pot pies, knishes, latkes, and more. Inna’s products are suitable for a variety of dietary restrictions — all are gluten-free, and many are vegetarian or vegan.

Mamaleh’s
1 Kendall Sq., Kendall Square, Cambridge

This Cambridge delicatessen is offering pre-orders for holiday foods, including latkes, matzoh ball soup, kugel, braised brisket, and sufganiyot, not to mention sour cream and applesauce by the pound. All orders come with instructions for reheating. Place the order by 4 p.m. two days prior to when you want to pick it up; orders must be pre-paid.

Michael’s Deli
256 Harvard St., Brookline

The deadline has passed for guaranteed Hanukkah orders of specific items (such as sufganiyot knishes, brisket knishes, and brisket with trimmings), but give Michael’s a call today to see what’s left and to order other more readily available items, such as blueberry blintzes, stuffed cabbage, and chopped liver.

Union Square Donuts
20 Bow St., Union Square, Somerville; 409 Harvard St., Brookline; Boston Public Market, 100 Hanover St., Downtown Boston

At all its locations, Union Square Donuts is serving up raspberry jelly-filled sufganiyot November 30 through December 10. There will be additional specials throughout the timeframe as well, such as halva honey pistachio December 6 through 8 and chocolate cream sufganiyot December 9 and 10.

Events

Better Sorts Social Club
90 Tremont St., Downtown Boston

Better Sorts Social Club [Official Photo]

Newly opened within the Kimpton Nine Zero Hotel, Better Sorts Social Club has planned a Hanukkah pop-up dubbed the Maccabee Bar. Head bartender Naomi Levy has taken her cocktail skills to holiday-themed heights for this event, with a selection of eight specialty drinks to complement a food menu from executive chef Steve Hamilton.

Themed beverages include the Hebrew Hammer made with vodka, raspberry, “leavened” sugar, and lemon; the Latke Sour with apple brandy, potato, lemon, egg white, and bitters; and the Manischewitz Martinez with gin, Manischewitz vermouth made in-house, and maraschino. For a snack, customers could pair the latke cocktail with curried sweet potato latkes with pickled crab apples and labne, or opt for something meatier like smoked brisket with roasted onions and mushrooms. There’s also a dessert special of huckleberry jam doughnuts with chestnut honey and cocoa nib.

Maccabee Bar will be open for five days, from Tuesday, December 4, through Saturday, December 8. The full regular menu at Better Sorts will also be available during this time.

Lulu’s Allston
421 Cambridge St., Allston, Boston

Lulu’s Allston [Official Photo]

Chef Sarah Wade has once again prepared a full lineup of latke specials for Hanukkah. Each day from December 2 to 10, the specials will be available to diners. This is a continuing tradition for Wade, whose menu this year includes red beet potato latkes with spiced sour cream and apple chutney, carrot and parsnip latkes with harissa cream and toasted pistachios, and apple and potato latkes with cumin lime yogurt.

Mamaleh’s
1 Kendall Sq., Kendall Square, Cambridge

Mamaleh’s/Facebook

Mamaleh’s will host two fry parties to celebrate the fried foods of Hanukkah. On December 1 and 8, from 5 to 8 p.m., diners at Mamaleh’s can feast on latkes, sufganiyot, Reuben egg rolls, matzoh-crusted fried chicken sandwiches, and more. Make reservations on the Mamaleh’s website. (Want to eat at home? See the pre-ordering section above for details on Mamaleh’s items available for holiday pickup.)

Ripka at Saint Monday Bar
393 W Fountain St., Providence, RI

Ripka/Facebook

Heading down to Providence? Rebecca Volynsky takes her Ripka pop-up to Saint Monday Bar on Monday, December 3, from 5 to 11 p.m. Volynsky, an artist and chef, will serve up an Eastern European feast, complete with drinks, for Hanukkah. Starting with zakuski (Eastern European hors d’oeuvres or snacks), latkes, and pierogi, the dinner will also include braised brisket sandwiches on challah buns and sufganiyot for dessert. Attendees can RSVP online; parties of six or more should email hello@saintmondaybar.com for a reservation.