On Rosh Hashanah, we take a different twist on challah… quite literally. To celebrate the Jewish New Year, challah is braided and shaped in a circle, it looks more distinguished and festive than the one eaten on Shabbat. The circular shape of challah also symbolizes eternity, the constant cycle of years and seasons.
If you have the time, we definitely recommend making challah from scratch at home. Nothing beats the aroma of freshly baked bread filling up the house. But if baking is not your thing, don’t stress. We compiled a list of our all-time favorite NYC bakeries where you can find some ridiculously delicious challah for your Rosh Hashanah table. And if you’re outside the Big Apple, don’t worry! Some of them deliver.
Michaeli Bakery
An Israeli-style bakery serving freshly-baked goods from flaky rugelach, and sweet babkas to fluffy challah loaves.
For Rosh Hashanah, Michaeli Bakery will have 3 types of round challah available: Plain, Seeded, and Sesame (Vegan) along with other traditional desserts such as Duvshaniot (honey cookies), classic honey cake, and a few delicious babka options (Apple Crumble, we’re comin’ for ya).
Lower East Side: 115A Division St, New York, NY 10002
Upper East Side: 401 East 90th Street, New York, NY 10128
(@michaelibakerynyc)
Photo by @bestofvegan
Photo credit: @michaelibakery
Fan Fan Doughnuts
Ok, ok, you find a traditional challah here but hear us out. Rumour has it - Fan Fan, a fan-favorite (no pun intended) doughnut destination is rolling out a Rosh Hashanah special on September 21st. It won’t be a typical challah loaf, but a fun play on the tradition with a braided doughnut! Or doughllah? Maybe challoughnut? All we know, is it will hit the sweet spot (quite literally).
448 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11205
@fanfandoughnuts
Photo/Videos from: @fanfandoughnuts
Librae bakery
Librae Bakery is a new addition to the East Village. Opened at the beginning of this summer, this delightful bakery serves a variety of pastries from Jerusalem bagels to buttery, flaky croissants. Librae will be celebrating their first Rosh Hashanah with a selection of round challah loaves available for order starting September 16. And judging by the taste of their other baked goods, we highly recommend placing your order as soon as possible, you won’t wanna miss out on this festive loaf.
35 Cooper Sq, New York, NY 10003
@libraebakery
Photos from @libraebakery
Liv Breads
We know that Liv Breads are located in New Jersey, but We LOVE this bakery! So much so that we had to make an exception and add them to our list.
Liv Bread Bakery will be baking their round honey challah every Friday for the entire month of September! You can pick yours up at the store or order your loaf online (they do ship this beauty nationwide!)
184 Essex Street Millburn, NJ 07041
@livbreads
Photo/video from Liv Breads @livbreads
Steinberg’s Bakery
Steinberg’s is a no-frills bakery for one of the best challah options in the city. We often come here to pick up challah for Shabbat, and throughout the High Holidays, they offer a beautiful round challah loaf. (Pro Tip- skip anything else you might be tempted to get here and stick to the challah)
701 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11206
Oneg Bakery
A traditional old-school Jewish bakery located in the heart of Williamsburg, Oneg is the real deal. Stop by for a loaf of round challah, and definitely pick up a pound of their famous chocolate babka while you’re at it. And if don’t feel like making the trip to their brick-and-mortar, Oneg offers shipping through Goldbelly.
188 Lee Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Photos from onegbakery.com
Challah Dolly
We have not had the chance to test out Challah Dolly (just yet), but we’ve heard some amazing things from our foodie friends! So, a brand on a mission to make challah cool again is making it on our list! Challah Dolly has round Original and raisin challah available online for pre-order, orders will be shipped on Tuesday 9/20 in time for the holiday weekend. And if you’re an NYC local, you can snag a loaf at Birch Coffee ( East 62nd) on 09/23.
@challahdolly
Photos from @challahdolly
