The 15 Best Latkes in NYC, Whether You Swear by Katz’s, Shelsky’s or Veselka’s

This NYC mainstay has been using the same latke recipe for decades, and it’s no secret why—they’re positively flawless. Russ & Daughters makes their potato latkes by hand in small batches daily. If you visit one of their three locations, you can slather them in everything from crème fraiche to caviar. But if you’re outside the Big Apple, you can order them below from Goldbelly.

This bakery is arguably most famous for its chocolate and cinnamon babkas, but come the holiday season, they churn out potato latkes with the best of ’em for a limited time, along with sufganiyot, Linzer tarts and stollen. While you can order certain treats (like rugelach and babka) online here, you’ll need to be in the NYC area to try one of Breads’ latkes, which come with both sour cream and applesauce. Available December 15 through December 25.

This iconic spot does so much more than smoked fish. And luckily for out-of-towners, Shelsky’s ships many of their goodies nationwide, so you can sink your teeth into a latke crowned with crème fraiche and Grandma Yetta’s chunky applesauce no matter where you live. (P.S.: There are gluten-free and sweet potato-celeriac latkes available as well, if you’d like to branch out.)

Founded in 1954 by Ukrainian refugees, Veselka is now an NYC institution, serving comfort food, diner classics and old-world dishes late into the night. Their latkes are particularly craggy and large compared to some others on this list. Go to one of two locations in person for a $6 single or $16 three-piece, or order 12 latkes online from anywhere in the country.

No self-respecting Jewish deli lover or New Yorker hasn’t heard of Katz’s. Thankfully, even out-of-state spud stans can get their hands on their latkes, as the shop ships their fare nationwide. If you’re hungry for more than their mini potato pancakes, the latkes are also included in the Hanukkah Dinner Package—complete with matzoh ball soup and hand-sliced pastrami—and Katz’s Chrismukkah Package, which includes everything from knishes to sour pickles.

Named for the Canadian-style Jewish delis in Montreal’s Mile End neighborhood, this resto has made its mark on Brooklyn since opening in 2010. Their latkes are made from russet potatoes, onions and chives, then fried to crispy brown perfection. Pair them with classics like smoked salmon and sour cream, or go the extra mile with tobiko (aka fish roe) crème fraiche. And if you go in person, you simply need to try a latke, egg and cheese on a brioche roll.

Based in Midtown, Murray’s opened in 1946 and has received plenty of accolades since. Its selection of fine caviar and smoked fish (mostly sourced from different varieties of sturgeon) is its claim to fame, but the shop has been known to fry up seriously delicious latkes too. Might we suggest pairing yours with a fluffy knish or mouth-puckering sour tomatoes?

With six locations under its belt, Friedman’s offers a ton of dine-in deliciousness all over Manhattan. Select stores offer over-the-top eggs Benedicts, such as the Nova Benny that comes on a hulking potato latke instead of an English muffin, but all their locations offer plain potato latkes with applesauce and sliced scallions as a side.

This gourmet emporium’s reputation precedes itself, as it sells literally every Jewish comfort food or kosher craving you can imagine—including potato pancakes, which are made by hand on site. Zabars also sells zucchini latkes if those are more your speed, or if you’re celebrating, you can splurge on the Lot ’A Latkes Box, which includes a whole pound of latkes, applesauce, Hanukkah cookies, chocolate coins and dreidels.