Sweet Success: Getting Your Restaurant Ready for the Jewish High Holidays
- eileen strauss
- 3d
- 7 min read
The Jewish High Holidays—Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, and Simchat Torah—bring families together around the table in celebration, reflection, and tradition. For restaurants, this season offers an opportunity to welcome guests with thoughtful menus, catering options, and special touches that honor the spirit of the holidays.
How to Prepare for a Successful 2025 High Holiday Season
1. Mark the Dates and Know the Traditions
In 2025, the Jewish High Holidays begin with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, which falls on the Hebrew dates of 1–2 Tishrei, 5786. It begins at sundown on Monday, September 22 and continues through nightfall on Wednesday, September 24.
Next comes Yom Kippur, the holiest day on the Jewish calendar, which is observed with a 25-hour fast and solemn reflection. In 2025, it begins at sundown on October 1 (9 Tishri 5786) with Erev Yom Kippur and continues through sundown on October 2 (10 Tishri 5786).
The season continues with Sukkot, the harvest festival, beginning at sundown on Monday, October 6 and lasting through nightfall on Wednesday, October 8 (15–17 Tishrei, 5786).
The High Holiday cycle concludes with Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, celebrated from sundown on Monday, October 13 through nightfall on Wednesday, October 15 (22–24 Tishrei, 5786).
Knowing the timing and traditions helps you plan menus, staffing, and promotions.
2. Create a Holiday-Friendly Menu
Even if your restaurant isn’t strictly Jewish, embracing the symbolic foods of the season can help you connect with guests celebrating the holidays. The goal is to offer comforting, festive dishes that honor tradition while fitting naturally into your style of cuisine.
Highlight symbolic flavors. Apples dipped in honey are the most iconic Rosh Hashanah tradition, symbolizing hopes for a sweet year. Think beyond the classic pairing by featuring apple-honey cakes, tarts, or cheesecakes, or creating pomegranate-infused cocktails, mocktails, or salad dressings. A seasonal soup with carrots (representing prosperity) or a roasted beet dish (symbolizing growth) can also nod to tradition in a modern way.
Offer family-style meals. Since High Holiday meals are often shared with extended family, create dishes designed to be passed around the table. Brisket and roasted chicken are classic choices, but vegetarian mains like stuffed squash, wild mushroom risotto, or hearty lentil stews can make your menu inclusive and celebratory for all diners.
Include holiday breads and sweets. Round challah, baked with raisins or topped with honey, represents the cycle of the year and is an expected treat during Rosh Hashanah. If you don’t bake in-house, consider partnering with a local bakery to feature fresh challah, rugelach, or honey cake as part of your holiday offerings.
Design prix fixe menus. A set menu simplifies service during busy holiday nights and appeals to larger groups. Consider a three- or four-course dinner featuring a symbolic appetizer, a choice of mains (such as brisket, salmon, or a vegetarian option), seasonal sides, and a festive dessert. For Yom Kippur break-fasts, a prix fixe bagel-and-lox spread with kugel, blintzes, and fruit can turn a stressful service into a seamless one.
By blending traditional ingredients with your restaurant’s unique style, you can create a menu that feels authentic, approachable, and memorable for guests celebrating the High Holidays.
Jewish High Holidays-by-Holiday Menu
Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year)
Symbolic flavors: Apples dipped in honey, pomegranates, carrots, beets, and round challah.
Menu ideas:
Apple-honey desserts (tarts, cakes, or panna cotta with honey drizzle).
Pomegranate-inspired cocktails and mocktails.
Seasonal starters like carrot soup, beet salads, or roasted root vegetables.
Family-style mains such as brisket, salmon, or roasted chicken.
Round raisin challah or honey cake as featured specials.
Yom Kippur Meals: Pre-Fast and Break-Fast
Yom Kippur revolves around fasting, but the meals that bookend the fast are deeply rooted in tradition. Families typically gather for a hearty yet light pre-fast meal (Se’udat Mafseket) before the 25-hour fast begins, and then celebrate with a festive break-fast meal once it concludes.
While customs vary by community, certain dishes have become staples across Jewish tables.
Erev Yom Kippur — Pre-Fast Meal (Se’udat Mafseket)
This final meal before the fast is designed to nourish without weighing diners down, focusing on hydration and easy digestion. For restaurants, it’s a natural opportunity to offer an early-evening prix-fixe or family-style takeout menu that finishes before sundown.
Common Traditional Components:
Soups: Chicken soup with matzo balls or vegetable broth—hydrating and comforting.
Protein: Light proteins like roasted or boiled chicken, or fish.
Bread & Eggs: Challah or simple bread with boiled eggs.
Fruit: Fresh grapes, melon, or citrus for hydration.
Sample Restaurant-Friendly Pre-Fast Prix-Fixe Menu (serve early / finish before sundown):
Starter (choose one):
Chicken matzo-ball or light vegetable broth.
Israeli salad with lemon & olive oil.
Roasted beet & citrus salad with toasted walnuts (vegetarian).
Main (choose one):
Herb-roasted chicken with rice pilaf and braised carrots.
Citrus-baked salmon with herbed quinoa and sautéed greens.
Slow-braised brisket with root vegetables (offer smaller portion for a lighter plate).
Roasted mushroom & leek kugel with seasonal vegetables (vegetarian).
Sides (family-style or plated):
Honey-glazed carrots, roasted root vegetables, tahini cauliflower, or simple roasted potatoes.
Dessert:
Small slice of honey cake or apple-honey tart, fresh fruit cup.
Herbal teas, hot water with lemon, coconut water, or fresh apple/pomegranate juice (non-alcoholic focus).
Service Notes for Restaurants:
Schedule early seating or pick-up windows so meals are finished before sundown.
Encourage pre-orders.
Clearly label meat vs. dairy options if both are offered.
Break-Fast Meal
After the fast concludes, families celebrate with a festive meal that varies by tradition.
Dairy-Focused (Ashkenazi Tradition):
Bagels with cream cheese, lox, whitefish salad, or egg salad.
Kugel, sweet or savory.
Other options: blintzes, fish platters, coffee cakes.
Heartier Meals (Sephardic and Mizrahi Tradition):
Meats such as brisket, roasted chicken, or North African stews like harira.
Side dishes like rice, couscous, and seasonal vegetables.
Desserts including rugelach, babka, and honey cake.
Symbolic Sweetness: Honey and sweet foods are included to symbolize hopes for a sweet new year, connecting the solemnity of Yom Kippur to the joy of renewal during the High Holidays.
Delivery Notes for Yom Kippur Break-Fast Meals
Break-fast meals are festive and often include a mix of dairy, baked goods, fish, and heartier dishes. Keeping them fresh, organized, and easy for guests to enjoy at home is key.
1. Packaging and Temperature:
Insulated Containers: Keep hot dishes (like brisket, roasted chicken, or kugel) warm, and cold items (like bagels, smoked fish, salads, or desserts) chilled.
Separate Compartments: Package proteins, sides, and desserts separately to maintain texture and flavor.
Moisture Control: Use vented or lined containers for baked goods to prevent sogginess.
2. Portioning and Presentation:
Clearly label each item, noting whether it’s meat, dairy, or vegetarian.
Consider individual portions for items like kugel, blintzes, or small cakes for easy serving.
Include serving utensils, napkins, or disposable plates if appropriate.
3. Reheating and Serving Instructions:
Provide simple reheating instructions for hot dishes so they’re ready to enjoy without stress.
Suggest plating or garnishing tips for a festive presentation at home.
4. Timing and Delivery Windows:
Offer staggered delivery times so meals arrive just before the family is ready to eat.
Encourage pre-orders and confirm delivery slots to avoid last-minute rushes.
5. Extras:
Include a small card with holiday greetings or a brief note about traditional symbolism (e.g., honey for a sweet year).
Consider adding condiments or spreads in individual containers (like cream cheese for bagels, or dipping sauces for vegetables).
Sukkot (Harvest Festival)
Symbolic flavors: Fresh produce, grains, and harvest-inspired meals, often enjoyed outdoors.
Menu ideas:
Seasonal grain bowls, barley risotto, or stuffed squash.
Farm-to-table salads with figs, dates, or pomegranates.
Grilled meats, fish, or hearty vegetarian dishes served family-style.
Outdoor-friendly dining options, like shared mezze platters or charcuterie boards.
Highlight your patio or garden seating as a festive “sukkah-like” experience.
Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah
Symbolic flavors: These holidays close the season with joy and celebration.
Menu ideas:
Comfort foods like roasted chicken, brisket, or slow-cooked stews.
Festive desserts such as babka, rugelach, or layered cakes.
Specialty cocktails or celebratory sparkling wines.
A prix fixe menu with hearty fall flavors to mark the conclusion of the holiday season.
By tailoring your menu to each holiday—whether through dine-in specials, catering packages, or grab-and-go platters—you not only show cultural awareness but also give your guests easy, festive ways to celebrate with their families.
3. Offer Takeout and Catering Packages
Many families prefer to celebrate the High Holidays at home, but they don’t want the stress of cooking. Restaurants can step in by offering convenient takeout and catering options that make the holiday easier and more festive.
Ideas for Holiday Takeout & Catering:
Complete Catering Bundles: Full Rosh Hashanah dinners, Yom Kippur break-fast spreads, or pre-fast Se’udat Mafseket packages that include starters, mains, sides, and desserts. These bundles let families enjoy a traditional meal without lifting a finger in the kitchen.
Grab-and-Go Favorites: Smaller items like challah, rugelach, kugel, smoked fish platters, or honey cakes are perfect for families looking to supplement their home meals.
Pre-Order Deadlines: Set clear ordering windows so your kitchen has time to prep while guaranteeing guests get all of their holiday essentials. Include instructions for pick-up or delivery timing so dishes arrive fresh and ready.
Delivery Notes: Offer insulated packaging for hot and cold items to maintain temperature. Include simple reheating instructions and label ingredients clearly, especially for allergens. Consider a small note or recipe suggestion to add a personal, celebratory touch.
4. Prepare for Large Groups and Reservations
High Holidays are family-focused, so restaurants should plan for bigger tables and group gatherings. Being proactive helps the service run smoothly and enhances the guest experience.
Tips for Handling Groups:
Encourage Reservations: Promote early bookings and offer staggered seating times, especially for those who need to finish pre-fast meals before sundown.
Streamline Service with Set Menus: Offer prix-fixe or family-style menus for groups to make ordering simple and kitchen prep efficient.
Staff Training: Make sure staff are ready for special requests, such as dietary restrictions, split plates, or beverage substitutions, and understand the timing of holiday meals.
Delivery Considerations for Groups: Provide options for full table setups or individually packaged portions. Offer add-ons like disposable servingware, utensils, or festive garnishes to make at-home celebrations feel complete.
5. Educate and Empower Your Staff
Not everyone on your team may be familiar with the holidays. A quick training session can make all the difference. Cover:
Basic traditions (symbolic foods, family gatherings, fasting).
Dietary awareness (kosher-style preferences like no pork or shellfish, keeping dairy and meat separate).
Sensitivity around language and service.
6. Spread the Word with Marketing
Get the buzz going early:
Share your holiday menu online.
Send an email campaign promoting dine-in and takeout options.
Partner with local synagogues, Jewish centers, or community newsletters to reach families planning their celebrations.
7. Add Festive Touches
Small details create lasting memories:
Decorate tables with apples, honey jars, or pomegranates.
Offer to-go extras like honey jars or mini challahs.
Highlight your outdoor dining for Sukkot.
The Takeaway
The Jewish High Holidays are about more than food—they’re about tradition, family, and connection. By offering menus that celebrate symbolic flavors, catering and delivery options that ease the holiday rush, and an atmosphere that feels welcoming, your restaurant can become part of your guests’ most meaningful traditions.
By Eileen Strauss
