Celebrate Rosh Hashanah in Montreal With These Special Restaurant Menus

Rosh Hashanah, the two-day holiday that kicks off the start of the Jewish New Year, begins at sunset Sunday, September 25. For many, that means gathering with family and friends for a meal often composed of symbolic foods — apples and honey usher in a sweet start to the year, while round challah represents the cycle of life, for example. In Montreal, restaurants, bakeries, caterers, and delis are proposing special takeout menus for the High Holiday feast. Here are some worth checking out.

BESO: This Côte Saint-Luc catering staple serves up a comprehensive High Holiday menu composed of all the classics: gefilte fish, matzo ball soup, salade cuite (Morrocan tomato and pepper salad), carrot tzimmes (sweet carrots), roasted beef brisket, and apple and honey desserts. Orders must be placed by Tuesday, September 20, for delivery on Sunday, September 25.

BSTRO: The Rosh Hashanah line-up at this TMR kosher restaurant and caterer draws from Ashkenaz tradition, with options like hummus, Moroccan salmon, and couscous with sweet or salty veggies. Orders can be placed online.

DoughNats: Nathalie Kaspy-Shtern’s Decarie doughnut shop is known to prepare some picture-perfect confections while catering to vegan and gluten-free diners. For Rosh Hashanah, she turns her attention to apples, honey, and raisins, the basis of many of the holiday’s sweets. Doughnut flavours include caramel apple, chocolate honey, and raisiny challah, but mini bundt cakes, round challah, and a “Mother Bee” (honey-based) sheet cake are all also up for grabs.

Hof Kelsten: Several items on this Mile End bakery’s regular menu are already holiday-ready: matzo ball soup, brisket, gravlax, and babka. For the Jewish New Year, it’s adding honey cake, round challah (raisin and sesame-poppy), and apple-cinnamon babka to the line-up. Orders can be placed online.

La Marguerite: When La Marguerite isn’t rolling sushi, kneading bread, and slinging “trendy takeout,” it’s preparing home-style meals. To ring in the Jewish New Year, the caterer serves carrot salad, honey chicken, sweet couscous, lamb roast with saffron sauce, and plenty more. Set multicourse menus are priced at $55, $70, or $85 per person and can be purchased online for local delivery or curbside pickup.

Snowdon Deli: One of Montreal’s top Jewish delis checks off all the boxes for a deliciously satisfying Rosh Hashanah feast. Its holiday menu (also available for Yom Kippur) includes chopped liver, gefilte fish, potato knishes, brisket, cheese bagels, and apple-cherry strudel — all sold by the pound. Orders must be placed by September 16.

Know of any other Montreal spots with holiday specials? Drop us a line at montreal@eater.com.