11 Best Designer Latkes & Sufganiyot in NYC (2025 Guide)
If you’re living in New York City during the holidays, you’re not looking for just a potato pancake. You want the kind of latke that requires a reservation, or at least a very strategic queueing plan. You want the sufganiyot that makes your West Coast friends scroll through your Instagram story with envy.
Welcome to the 2025 edition of “How many carbs can I consume in eight days?” (The answer: The limit does not exist.)
As a local who has navigated every line from the Lower East Side to the Upper West Side, I’ve curated the definitive guide to the city’s most elevated Hanukkah specials. We are talking short rib-stuffed latkes, rose-pistachio croissants, and cocktails that drink like a fried potato (yes, really).
But first, a tiny bit of context for my friends who just moved here: Why do we fry everything? It’s not just because grease is delicious (though, valid point). We eat fried foods to commemorate the miracle of the oil in the ancient Temple, which was only supposed to last for one day but burned for eight. So really, ordering that second donut is a spiritual act. You’re welcome.
Here are the 11 spots where you need to be noshing this week.
Disclaimer: Menu items and availability were verified at the time of writing (December 2025), but New York kitchens move fast. Always check the restaurant’s website or Instagram before heading out.
8 Nights of Nosh: Where to Find NYC’s Best Designer Latkes and Sufganiyot Specials (11 Spots)
1. Breads Bakery (Union Square, UWS, UES)
The Vibe: The undisputed heavyweight champion of holiday carbs. If you aren’t fighting a tourist for a babka here, is it really December?
Breads Bakery is iconic for a reason. Their Sufganiyot NYC game is unmatched—think airy brioche clouds filled with strawberry, chocolate, or dulce de leche. But the real 2025 showstopper is the Gelt Babka. They’ve taken the best babka NYC has to offer and studded it with chocolate coins.
- Insider Tip: If you can’t make it to the shop, their bread delivery NYC service is a lifesaver for hosting.
2. Edith’s (Williamsburg)
The Vibe: Cool, casual, and verified delicious. This is where the Brooklyn “Explorers” go for a remix on tradition.
Forget the platter; get the sandwich. The BEC&L (Bacon, Egg, Cheese, and Latke) is a rite of passage. For 2025, they are also slinging “Totkes”—bite-sized tater tot latkes that are frankly dangerous. Pair it with their signature Iced Cafe Slushie (tahini and oat milk) for the ultimate high-low brunch.
3. Mark’s Off Madison (NoMad)
The Vibe: Classic Upper East Side energy, transported to Madison Square Park. Mark Strausman is a legend, and his food tastes like your Bubbe went to culinary school in Paris.
Mark is breaking the rules this year in the best way. His 2025 Hanukkah menu features Hamantaschen, usually reserved for Purim. If you’ve been searching for Hamantaschen NYC in December, this is your unicorn. Don’t leave without the brisket and their homemade jelly donuts.
4. Doughnut Plant (Midtown & Downtown)
The Vibe: Industrial-chic and serious about yeast.
If you are frantically searching for best donuts in midtown Manhattan, head straight to their Grand Central location. Their 2025 Hanukkah lineup is live, featuring sophisticated flavors like Blackberry Jam and a Peanut Butter & Jam square donut that puts the elementary school sandwich to shame.
5. Russ & Daughters (Lower East Side / Hudson Yards)
The Vibe: The institution. If you want to impress your in-laws or your date, you bring them here.
The Hanukkah Deluxe package. We’re talking latkes topped with wild Alaskan salmon roe and crème fraîche. It’s pricey, it’s decadent, and it’s the gold standard. They treat the potato pancake as a vehicle for luxury, and I respect that.
6. Modern Bread and Bagel (UWS / Chelsea)
The Vibe: The sanctuary for the gluten-averse.
Do not scroll past this if you eat gluten—their food is objectively incredible. This is one of the premier Gluten free bakeries in NYC. Their 2025 menu includes a Gingerbread Babka and fully GF Sufganiyot that taste indistinguishable from the “real” thing.
7. Mesiba (Williamsburg)
The Vibe: Tel Aviv nights in Brooklyn. Dark, moody, and very trendy.
They have a cocktail called the “Hot Latke.” It involves potato vodka, apple brandy, and spiced whipping cream. It’s weird, it’s wonderful, and it’s exactly the kind of sophisticated nonsense we love. Pair it with their “Milky” dessert or the Lamb Neck for a savory feast.
8. Daily Provisions (Union Square / West Village)
The Vibe: The neighborhood café you wish was actually in your neighborhood. Danny Meyer hospitality meets perfect pastry.
While not a traditional sufganiyot, their Crullers are the doughnut cousin you need to know. For the holidays, grab the “Party Crullers”—dipped in glaze and covered in festive sprinkles. They are substantial, eggy, and pair perfectly with a strong coffee.
9. Librae Bakery (East Village)
The Vibe: A Bahraini-influenced bakery that smells like heaven and butter.
For a designer twist, try the Loomi Babka Bun or the Rose Pistachio Croissant. It’s not traditional Ashkenazi fare, and that’s the point. It’s refined, aromatic, and perfect for a holiday breakfast that feels distinct from the usual jelly-filled routine.
10. Mile End Deli (Boerum Hill)
The Vibe: Montreal-style cool. Hipster Jewish deli food done right.
Poutine. Latkes. Combined. Mile End is famous for their Latke Poutine, a dish that replaces french fries with fried potato pancakes, topped with cheese curds and gravy. It will cure any winter blues (or hangovers). It is a non-negotiable stop for anyone who takes their comfort food seriously.
11. Veselka (East Village)
The Vibe: The late-night icon.
You go here for the Short Rib Pierogi and Latke combo. It’s hearty, it’s verified delicious, and it’s open late. If you find yourself needing a grease fix at 11 PM after a holiday party, this is the only answer.
A Note for My West Coast Friends
Every year, my phone blows up with texts asking, “Where do I buy latkes in Los Angeles?” Look, I love LA, but New York owns this holiday. That said, if you’re stuck on the Pacific Coast, go to Canter’s or Huckleberry. They’ll take care of you. But frankly? I’d just book a flight to JFK.
The Morning After
Now that you know where to find the Best sufganiyot near me (and by near me, I mean a subway ride away), you’ll need a plan for the rest of the festival. You can’t survive on oil alone—you need parties, lighting ceremonies, and cocktails.
Check out our full guide to the city’s happenings here: 15 Best Hanukkah Events in NYC (2025): The Ultimate Guide to Lights, Latkes & Parties
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