Bagelsaurus, Exodus, Mamaleh’s and more: Bagel shops and Jewish-style delis are making a comeback. (Don’t believe me? I wrote an article about it!)
But, you ask, what about straight-up kosher spots? Here’s a list of Boston destinations. (I stuck to the immediate Boston area for conciseness, but feel free to recommend other places farther afield.) Did I miss anywhere? Is there a hidden gem you love? Tell me!
The Butcherie
OK, not a restaurant per se, but this kosher grocery runs a brisk to-go and catering business, and it’s a lifesaver for kosher wine. Need an elegantly designed smoked fish platter that would put any Pinterest curator to shame? Behold: This is your place.
Menu curiosity: An admirable beef jerky collection.
Café Eilat
Kosher pizza and sushi? Your wishes can come true in Brookline! This is a prime dining destination for the truly indecisive: There’s also fish and chips, jambalaya, burritos, quesadillas and nachos.
Menu curiosity: “Snake rolls” topped with barbecue sauce.
Jerusalem Pita & Grill
A nice Coolidge Corner option for the healthy diner, with an array of veggies (Moroccan carrots, Jerusalem eggplant), dips like baba ghanoush, shish kabobs and fluffy falafel.
Menu curiosity: If veggies don’t appeal, well, you can always order Buffalo wings.
Kupel’s Bakery
Nicely chewy bagels, egg salad, smoked salmon and sandwiches, each named after a Boston T stop, plus challah. In Brookline again, of course.
Menu curiosity: Green olive cream cheese on a jalapeño bagel. Don’t be scared.
Pure Cold Press
From Haim Cohen and family, the same folks who brought you Rami’s down the block, this clean-and-pristine Coolidge Corner juice bar calls to mind a college cafeteria, only with gourmet food and a bohemian vibe. The options are many: Smoked tempeh “TLT”? Grilled tofu awash in peanut sauce? Enough cold-pressed juices to put any detox fiend to shame? It’s all here.
Menu curiosity: “The Hulk” juice, made with kale, ginger and lemon. Grr!
Rami’s
Your Coolidge Corner go-to for pitas of every persuasion, stuffed with falafel, grilled chicken or shawarma, with a side of hummus and baba ghanoush, plus some tongue-tingling hot sauce. An easy lunch option.
Menu curiosity: An expansive kids’ menu for well under $5.
Taam China
Your friendly Brookline staple for kosher Chinese. There’s a huge medley of veal and the usual array of teriyaki, dumplings, Kung Pao chicken and other recognizable dishes. Prices are reasonable, and it’s kid-tested and approved.
Menu curiosity: If you’re really tame, order the French fries.
Vittorio’s Grill
This Coolidge Corner newcomer touts a handsome kosher, grass-fed beef burger. They also lay claim to “mind-blowing” subs and onion rings.
Menu curiosity: Get your burger topped with up to 16 dressings (pesto, Thousand Island, a wealth of hot sauces).
