The Best Rosh Hashanah Food in 2026
Going to a Rosh Hashanah dinner in 2026? Check out our list of foods that you can bring or might enjoy.
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A photo of Challah, a famous Rosh Hashanah food for 2026 - and many years before
We’re ringing in the new year with a feast of fun facts about Rosh Hashanah foods! When the new year rolls around, we want to do everything we can to set ourselves up for success and blessings in the coming year, and one of the ways to do this is by eating foods steeped in symbolic meaning. What do you eat on Rosh Hashanah? If you’re looking for inspiration - or just curious - read on to find out!
This post explains:
The historical origins of Rosh Hashanah traditional food
Modern takes on classic Rosh Hashanah food
The significance of apples and honey
What is challah bread?
Other foods you can eat to celebrate
1. What do you eat on Rosh Hashanah and why?
Traditional Rosh Hashanah food includes beets, leeks, dates, fenugreek, and gourds. These foods grow and multiply quickly, thus are omens of the abundance of good deeds for the new year. These have ancient meanings related to abundance and blessings. Speaking of blessings, we are blessed to live in Brooklyn and have access to some of the best foods in the world. And how things have evolved!
2. The modern brooklyn rosh hashanah
When Ashkenazi Jews moved from Eastern Europe to New York City, they brought their taste buds - and cultural foods - along with them! While they enjoyed cured fish, kugel, and carrot cake, modern Brooklynites enjoy many of the same dishes, but since many don’t keep kosher, people can eat whatever they want! Some main dishes are brisket, Moroccan fish, and duck. (Some people even eat Peking duck)! But while the main courses are delicious, the magic is in the sides.
3. The significance of apples and honey for Rosh Hashanah
When you think of Rosh Hashanah foods, the first things that come to mind for many are apples and honey. This tradition was probably brought to Brooklyn by Russian immigrants, where apples grow plentifully and cultivating honey is part of the culture. While this is still a widespread custom, people also will bring apple pies to a Rosh Hashanah dinner for a modern twist on the classic food.
4. The Honey Cake
The holiday is all about being sweet, so cakes have a natural place at the table. Honey cake is a classic because it was a natural sweetener that was plentiful in Russia. Today, you can find honey cake at kosher bakeries all over Brooklyn. However, we are far from Russia and food is often better the closer you are to the source. So if you really want to wow your guests, order a cake! They’re made with all natural, locally sourced ingredients from the farmers market in Fort Greene, Brooklyn.
5. Let’s talk about the challah
First things first - How do you pronounce “challah”?: When you say Challah, the “ch” sound is like that in the Scottish “loch,” or you can drop the “c” and begin the word with a soft “h.” However you say it, you’re bound to find challah on the table year-round. But for Rosh Hashanah, everyone’s favorite braided loaf gets a whole new, round look – actually, it’s an old look! The loaf-shaped challah only emerged in fifteenth-century Austria and southern Germany - the round shape is the original form! While Sephardic challah is round all year long, the round challah reigns supreme at Rosh Hashanah. A crown-shaped challah symbolizes the circular nature of the year, and that time continues on and on, neverending. Now, what does challah taste like? This eggy, brioche-like bread is fluffy and typically dipped in salt, but only for Rosh Hashanah is challah bread sweet. We recommend walking down Lee Ave in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and picking out a delicious looking loaf.
We wish you a sweet new year!
We hope that you have plenty of inspiration for your Rosh Hashanah celebration and wish you a happy and sweet new year! We have lots of cakes, cookies, and sweet treats to start your new year off on the right note! We’ve hit on the famous ones, but there is a sweet treat we’ve been keeping secret…
