Where to Find the Best Latkes in New York City
With Hanukkah in full swing, latkes are on our minds – not that we have anything against enjoying delicious potato pancakes year-round. Here are some of our favorite spots in New York City to get our latke fix:
Veselka
East Village
The beloved Ukrainian spot in the East Village has been around for six decades, and is known for its hearty, unpretentious menu and the fact that it never closes. That means that next time you’re craving latkes at 2 a.m., you should go to Veselka. They’re served crispy and golden brown with sour cream and applesauce, whenever you want them.
2nd Ave Deli
Midtown East & UES
2nd Ave Deli claims to be like “your bubbie’s, but better.” Whether that’s true or not, the kosher institution’s latkes are just about as good as you can get in this city. Both the Midtown East and Upper East Side locations serve latkes with applesauce, and unlike most other restaurants with potato pancakes on the menu, the portion size is huge.
You won’t see latkes on the menu here, and that’s because they’re only served on the weekends (and every day during Hanukkah, thankfully). For 110 years and across three generations, Barney Greengrass has been serving up specialty smoked fish and other goods including latkes, which are made from scratch and fried to order.
In 1907, a Polish immigrant started selling schmaltz herring out of a barrel on the Lower East Side. Seven years later he upgraded to a pushcart, then a horse and wagon, and finally, a store. He enlisted the help of his daughters, who later became full partners. Today, Russ & Daughters continues this original operation, along with two cafés and a bakery. Head to the LES café for some latkes, which come in two delicious variations: traditional or a gourmet option with salmon roe and crème fraîche.
Christina’s
Greenpoint
One of the newer eateries on this list, Christina’s has been around for 17 years. The modest Polish restaurant in Greenpoint serves traditional latkes with sour cream or applesauce, as well as ones with mushroom sauce. For a heartier meal, try the beef goulash with latkes. The Hungarian-influenced dish is a huge, crispy potato pancake filled with stewed beef. You’ll leave more than satisfied.
We can’t make a list of great Jewish food in New York without including Katz’s. A Lower East Side staple for well over a hundred years, the famous deli attracts locals as well as visitors from around the world. While the latkes here are worth having any time of the year, this year for Hanukkah, you can get some for free. On each night of the Festival of Lights, the first 100 people who line up at Katz’s new outpost at Dekalb Market Hall in Brooklyn will be treated to free potato pancakes.
Liebman’s Deli
Riverdale
If you want to find amazing latkes in the Bronx, this is your spot. Liebman’s is a family-owned kosher landmark that opened its doors when there were about 100 Jewish delis in the borough. Today, it’s one of only two that remain. Not much has changed here in six decades, which you can see as soon as you step inside. That includes the recipe for their beloved latkes, which are giant in size and delicious in taste.
Latke Festival
Prospect Heights
If you love latkes (which we assume you do), the 10th annual Latke Festival taking place at the Brooklyn Museumon December 3 is your mecca. With dozens of restaurants participating, you’ll be able to eat your way through some of the most innovative and delicious potato pancakes this city has to offer. Plus, all proceeds benefit The Sylvia Center, a nonprofit dedicated to teaching healthy eating habits to children and families.
December 2018, for Halstead Real Estate Blog
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