Where to Find Hanukkah Dinner in Chicago

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The problem with Jewish holidays is that, depending on the vagaries of the lunar calendar, they’re either early or late, never on time. This year, Hanukkah is early, starting on Thanksgiving weekend. The temptation may be strong to reheat the turkey one last time and fry up some latkes on the side since the only true Hanukkah food mandate is lots of fried things to recreate the miracle of the oil. (In this case, maybe the best Hanukkah meal would be fried chicken.) But for those who are feeling fancy, several Chicago restaurants are offering up special Hanukkah dinners for all eight crazy nights, either for dine-in or takeout.

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Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

Chef Sarah Stegner is making a tzimmes — a Jewish expression for making a fuss — over Hanukkah with a special $118 takeout dinner for two that includes actual tzimmes (roasted root vegetables), barbecue brisket, smashed cauliflower, potato latkes with sour cream and apple butter, and flourless chocolate cake. All these things can be also ordered a la carte. Prairie Grass will be taking phoned-in orders until November 23.

L. Woods is offering a Hanukkah North Woods-style. A special to-go meal for two includes matzo ball soup, braised brisket with sweet and sour gravy, roasted Brussels sprouts, noodle kugel, potato latkes, and chocolate babka, and it costs $79.95.

This Rogers Park bakery specializes in gluten-free and vegan items, and so this year’s Hanukkah offerings include frozen gluten-free potato latkes for $32 a dozen; customers can add on sour cream or applesauce. There are also gluten-filled options: challah and a special lox and bagels kit for $55 that comes with half a dozen bagels, 12 ounces of lox, and two containers of cream cheese, and a side of capers. Preorder via Tock.

This vegan deli is putting out a meat- and dairy-free Maccabee Feast for $42.50 per person that starts with “a nice bowl of soup” and continues with latkes, kugel, and a choice of entrees and desserts, plus an assortment of noshes and appetizers. Everything is also available a la carte. Meals are available on November 24 for pick-up or, for an extra fee, delivery. Pre-order via Tock.

One of the greatest underappreciated Hanukkah songs is “(I’m Spending) Hanukkah in Santa Monica” by Tom Lehrer. Diners can sing it softly to themselves as they enjoy the holiday specials — which include latkes and matzo ball soup — in the dining room or take them to go.

The Ukrainian Village “Jew-ish” deli is partnering with Table, Donkey and Stick this year to offer an array of takeout a la carte Hanukkah options, including sweet and sour cola brisket, matzo ball soup, challah, cornflake kugel, and fry-at-home latke and sufganiyot kits, plus wine pairings. Preorder via Tock.

Each night of Hanukkah, from November 28 through December 6, this River North French bistro will be offering a special $45 prix fixe dine-in meal. The menu includes a choice of roast chicken, short ribs, or fish, plus salad and dessert — but no latkes. Instead, substitute the pomme frites from the regular menu.

Heritage will be offering Hanukkah meals to-go every night of the holiday. The a la carte menu includes smoked salmon, gravlax, pickled herring, smoked whitefish salad, pickles, rye bread, matzo ball soup in both chicken and veggie versions, smoked brisket, potato and apple latkes, and for those who want to get a jump on Passover, matzo crackers. Preorder via Tock.

Split-Rail will be offering a full Hanukkah celebration on Tuesday, November 30, with a menorah-lighting and games of dreidel, plus a full meal served family-style that includes matzo ball soup, brisket, potato latkes, noodle kugel, and wine. Tickets are $60 per person and can be reserved on Resy.

Ema will be offering two menu specials this year for all eight days of Hanukkah: parmesan, potato, and Brussels sprout latkes and grilled harissa spiced sea bass with roasted garlic yogurt sauce, pine nuts, herb salad, and grilled lemon

Like its sibling Ema, Aba will be adding two special Hanukkah dishes to its regular mezze menu: parmesan, potato, and Brussels sprout latkes, and shawarma spiced brisket confit with sesame pumpkin puree and currant gremolata.

The Beatrix locations in Streeterville, Fulton Market, and River North will be offering cookie kits for all eight days, which include six sugar cookies and four piping bags filled with icing. Preorder via Tock at least two days in advance.

Manny’s sells potato pancakes all year round, but for Hanukkah this year, as in years past, the deli will also provide a special holiday meal that includes those latkes along with a choice of brisket, chicken, or corned beef and pastrami. This year, Manny’s will be offering weekly deliveries in the far northern suburbs.

Chef Sarah Stegner is making a tzimmes — a Jewish expression for making a fuss — over Hanukkah with a special $118 takeout dinner for two that includes actual tzimmes (roasted root vegetables), barbecue brisket, smashed cauliflower, potato latkes with sour cream and apple butter, and flourless chocolate cake. All these things can be also ordered a la carte. Prairie Grass will be taking phoned-in orders until November 23.

L. Woods is offering a Hanukkah North Woods-style. A special to-go meal for two includes matzo ball soup, braised brisket with sweet and sour gravy, roasted Brussels sprouts, noodle kugel, potato latkes, and chocolate babka, and it costs $79.95.

This Rogers Park bakery specializes in gluten-free and vegan items, and so this year’s Hanukkah offerings include frozen gluten-free potato latkes for $32 a dozen; customers can add on sour cream or applesauce. There are also gluten-filled options: challah and a special lox and bagels kit for $55 that comes with half a dozen bagels, 12 ounces of lox, and two containers of cream cheese, and a side of capers. Preorder via Tock.

This vegan deli is putting out a meat- and dairy-free Maccabee Feast for $42.50 per person that starts with “a nice bowl of soup” and continues with latkes, kugel, and a choice of entrees and desserts, plus an assortment of noshes and appetizers. Everything is also available a la carte. Meals are available on November 24 for pick-up or, for an extra fee, delivery. Pre-order via Tock.

One of the greatest underappreciated Hanukkah songs is “(I’m Spending) Hanukkah in Santa Monica” by Tom Lehrer. Diners can sing it softly to themselves as they enjoy the holiday specials — which include latkes and matzo ball soup — in the dining room or take them to go.

The Ukrainian Village “Jew-ish” deli is partnering with Table, Donkey and Stick this year to offer an array of takeout a la carte Hanukkah options, including sweet and sour cola brisket, matzo ball soup, challah, cornflake kugel, and fry-at-home latke and sufganiyot kits, plus wine pairings. Preorder via Tock.

Each night of Hanukkah, from November 28 through December 6, this River North French bistro will be offering a special $45 prix fixe dine-in meal. The menu includes a choice of roast chicken, short ribs, or fish, plus salad and dessert — but no latkes. Instead, substitute the pomme frites from the regular menu.

Heritage will be offering Hanukkah meals to-go every night of the holiday. The a la carte menu includes smoked salmon, gravlax, pickled herring, smoked whitefish salad, pickles, rye bread, matzo ball soup in both chicken and veggie versions, smoked brisket, potato and apple latkes, and for those who want to get a jump on Passover, matzo crackers. Preorder via Tock.

Split-Rail will be offering a full Hanukkah celebration on Tuesday, November 30, with a menorah-lighting and games of dreidel, plus a full meal served family-style that includes matzo ball soup, brisket, potato latkes, noodle kugel, and wine. Tickets are $60 per person and can be reserved on Resy.

Ema will be offering two menu specials this year for all eight days of Hanukkah: parmesan, potato, and Brussels sprout latkes and grilled harissa spiced sea bass with roasted garlic yogurt sauce, pine nuts, herb salad, and grilled lemon

Like its sibling Ema, Aba will be adding two special Hanukkah dishes to its regular mezze menu: parmesan, potato, and Brussels sprout latkes, and shawarma spiced brisket confit with sesame pumpkin puree and currant gremolata.

The Beatrix locations in Streeterville, Fulton Market, and River North will be offering cookie kits for all eight days, which include six sugar cookies and four piping bags filled with icing. Preorder via Tock at least two days in advance.

Manny’s sells potato pancakes all year round, but for Hanukkah this year, as in years past, the deli will also provide a special holiday meal that includes those latkes along with a choice of brisket, chicken, or corned beef and pastrami. This year, Manny’s will be offering weekly deliveries in the far northern suburbs.