9 Best Kosher Restaurants In Washington DC
There’s everything from kosher deli sandwiches to pizzerias to ice cream parlors scattered around Washington D.C. From Chinese restaurants to several high-quality kosher vegan restaurants, you will be able to find several kosher establishments.
So, after your trip to the White House and exploring the many museums in Washington DC, here’s a selection of kosher restaurants you can check out.
- Shouk
- Char Bar
- Goldberg’s New York Bagels
- Ben Yehuda Café & Pizzeria
- Pow Pow
- Loeb’s NY Deli
- Holy Chow
- The Kosher Pastry Oven Restaurant
- Oh Mama Grill
Shouk
What is it? Popular vegan restaurant serving Middle Eastern-style food.
Why Visit? No cuisine is better suited to vegan cooking than the Middle East. Tons of falafel, oyster mushroom shawarma, and Israeli salads that are as delicious as it is good for you. In fact, it’s probably some of the best healthy food in the city.
Shouk isn’t just one location – their restaurants are dotted all over DC. If you’re feeling especially healthy, try the ‘Make Your Own’ bowl filled with hummus, falafel, and other tasty ingredients.
655 K St NW, Washington, DC 20001, United States
+12029454747
Char Bar
What is it? Casual sandwich and burger joint located near George Washington University.
Why Visit? Char Bar’s meat-centric menu is among the best kosher eateries in Washington. You’ll get a delicious meal, whether it’s burgers like the Western Burger, complete with pastrami and sauteed mushrooms, or the Steve’s Steak Sub. And every burger is served on a brioche bun!
The menu also includes an incredible selection of entrees, including pulled brisket tacos, Kathy’s filet mignon, and pan-seared salmon filet.
📍2142 L St NW, Washington, DC 20037, United States
📞+12027854314
Goldberg’s New York Bagels
What is it? Renowned NYC-style bagels containing almost every filling you can think of.
Why Visit? Few foods are more kosher than a bagel. If you’re looking for a kosher deli option, choose Goldberg’s. Their bagels are famous for their variety and taste – and they even cater to gluten-free customers. Fill up your bagel with rich hummus, grilled cheese, or the classic cream cheese. There’s also smoked trout Dijon salad if you’re feeling particularly fancy.
The menu also covers salad platters, Goldberg’s signature sandwiches, burritos, and wraps – there’s something for everyone.
📍9328 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20910, United States
📞+12404504177
🌐http://www.goldbergsnybagels.com/
Ben Yehuda Café & Pizzeria
What is it? Family-friendly Kosher pizzeria.
Why Visit? Ben Yehuda’s pizza is legendary – just the right amount of cheese, sauce, and high-quality toppings. It’s among the best Italian restaurants in the city. It runs a 100% vegetarian and kosher kitchen and has been serving up its pizzas to the local community for over 20 years. Be sure to check out Ben Yehuda Pizza if you want tasty pizza with kosher cooking practices.
Plus, they’ve got a secret – their chocolate chip skillet cookie. Get it with a few scoops of ice cream for an after-dinner treat. Your tastebuds can thank us later!
📍1370B Lamberton Dr, Silver Spring, MD 20902, United States
📞+13016818900
Pow Pow
What is it? Award-winning plant-based Asian and kosher-certified fast-casual restaurant.
Why Visit? Unlike other vegan restaurants in the city, Pow Pow is 100% kosher as certified by DC Kosher. You’ll find all your favorite Asian-style dishes, from the sticky Teriyaki Chick’n (a plant-based alternative) to the savory K-Town BBQ with black beans, tomato, and pineapple kimchi.
Pow Pow runs two branches, one in Franklin Square and the other on H Street Corridor. They’re both open regular hours, every day.
📍1250 I St NW #102, Washington, DC 20005, United States
📞+12026294548
Loeb’s NY Deli
What is it? Old-school New York-style meat deli.
Why Visit? Forget fancy foods – Loeb’s is all about classic NY sandwiches, burgers, and salads. Located just a stone’s throw from the White House, you’ll find an impressive selection of sandwiches. From the Empire State – a triple-decker club – to the Loeb Special – involving hot corned beef, sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese, on rye bread – there’s a reason it’s one of the most popular delis in town. It doesn’t get better than this!
📍1712 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006, United States
📞+12029655632
🌐https://www.facebook.com/Loebs-NY-Deli-101542766073/
The Kosher Pastry Oven Restaurant
What is it? Family-run kosher bakery and café.
Why Visit? Don’t want a sub sandwich or NY bagel? The Kosher Pastry Oven is a full-fledged kosher restaurant. This beautiful restaurant and café serving the local community since 1992.
The café menu includes a hearty choice of wraps, salads, homemade soups, and much more. You can also grab a cup of freshly brewed coffee and a slice of their delightful cakes or desserts.
The dinner menu, meanwhile, is an eclectic mix of homemade pasta, Moroccan flavors, and toasty doughs and flatbreads. All the fish served is freshly caught, including trout, salmon, striped, black bass, and a daily fish special.
1372 Lamberton Dr, Silver Spring, MD 20902, United States
+13015928844
http://www.thekosherpastryoven.com/
Holy Chow
What is it? Kosher chinese restaurant in the Washington, DC metro area
Why Visit? In addition to Kosher options, there are also options for gluten free and other dietary restrictions.
📍Silver Spring, MD 20902, United States
📞+301-649-5466
Oh Mama Grill
What is it? Homely shawarma, falafel, and kabob restaurant.
Why Visit? Falafel made-to-order, fresh ingredients, and classic kosher street food – little wonder it’s so popular. Oh Mama Grill lets you make your own meal – pick bread, add a filling, choose your protein (including falafel, shawarma, chicken, or kabob), and top with veggies before adding a good drizzle of sauce.
Whatever you want, they’ll make it to order. You can also try their shawarma or Moroccan fish plate if you’re looking for a sit-down meal.
📍 1829 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, DC 20009, United States
📞 +12028859728
What Makes A Restaurant Kosher?
A kosher restaurant is one that adheres to the dietary laws outlined in the Torah. The Torah is foundational religious text of Judaism. These laws, known as “kashrut,” cover a wide range of food preparation and consumption guidelines. For a restaurant to be kosher, it must follow these guidelines:
- Type of Food: Certain types of things are inherently non-kosher and these foods can never be consumed:
- Pork and its by-products.
- Shellfish, including shrimp, crab, lobster, and other marine species without both fins and scales.
- Certain birds, such as owls, hawks, and vultures.
- Separation of Meat and Dairy: Meat and dairy products cannot be mixed or consumed together. This means:
- Separate utensils, pots, pans, and dishes must be used.
- There is usually a waiting period between eating meat and dairy. The length of time varies among different Jewish communities.
- Some kosher restaurants might exclusively serve meat dishes, while others might exclusively serve dairy dishes to avoid complications. There are also “pareve” or neutral foods (like fish, eggs, and all plant-based foods) that can be eaten with either meat or dairy.
- Slaughter of Animals: For meat to be kosher:
- Animals must be slaughtered in a specific manner, known as “shechita,” by a trained individual called a “shochet.”
- Blood must be fully drained or broiled out of the meat before consumption.
- Inspection of Animals: After slaughter, the animal’s lungs (in particular) are inspected to ensure there are no lesions or other imperfections that might render the animal non-kosher.
- Produce: All fruits and vegetables must be checked for bugs, as consuming insects is not kosher.
- Baking: Bread or other baked goods can only be considered kosher if they are baked without any dairy or non-kosher products. For some communities in the orthodox world, they require bread to be specifically “Pas Yisroel,” meaning it was baked with Jewish involvement.
- Wine: Only wine or grape juice that is certified kosher can be used. This means it was produced exclusively by Jewish individuals and meets certain other requirements.
- Kosher Certification: Most kosher restaurants will have a certification (hechsher) from a rabbinical authority or kosher certification agency. This kosher certification operation means that the restaurant meets the required standards. The presence of a mashgiach, or kosher supervisor, is often necessary to ensure ongoing compliance. There are even kosher-certified wines. The Orthodox Union (often referred to by its symbol, “OU”) is the largest kosher certifier in the world. The OU certifies hundreds of thousands of products in over 90 countries. Their recognizable “OU” symbol appears on a vast range of products and is a trusted sign of kosher certification for many consumers around the globe.
- Rabbinical Council Of America: Many RCA members are affiliated with the Orthodox Union (OU), which, as mentioned earlier, is one of the largest and most recognized kosher certification agencies in the world. While the RCA and OU are distinct entities, their close association means that RCA rabbis often have roles or influence in the realm of kashrut through the OU.
- Utensils and Kitchenware: All cooking and eating implements must be kosher. This means they haven’t been used with non-kosher foods or, in the case of new utensils from manufacturers who also produce non-kosher items, they might need to be ritually immersed in a mikvah (ritual bath) before use.
Closing Thoughts
Dining kosher in Washington, DC, is more than just a religious observance – it’s a culinary adventure. From delectable vegan dishes at Shouk to classic NY sandwiches at Loeb’s, the city offers a number of kosher restaurants.
So, as you take in the historical landmarks, ensure you indulge in these kosher delights. After all, a trip to DC is as much about the food as it is about the history! Safe travels and be’te-avon!
