Ah, the Shabbat meal. Just typing that sentence makes me dream of succulent roast chicken, hot vegetable kugel, steaming matzo ball soup, and endless amounts of fluffy, doughy challah bread. If you’re like me, though, this fantasy (one that inevitably works its way into my everyday existence) is often short lived, as I face the reality of a cramped kitchen and a serious lack of cooking materials and resources.

But preparing a yummy and foolproof Shabbat dinner—the one that my fantasies are made of—doesn’t need to be a huge hassle. In fact, Boston is teeming with options that are delicious, satisfying, and—best of all—kosher. So whether you want to roast your own chicken and fry your own latkes, or you’d prefer to have the stuff catered, check out my handy guide on what to get, where to get it from, and how to best enjoy it!

Shabbat How-To Presents: Find Delicious Kosher Food in (and around) Boston

Catering:

Milk Street Cafe (50 Milk St, Boston) is my go-to for catered Shabbat meals that are satisfying and plentiful. You can place your order online or call in advance, and they'll deliver the food to your doorstep if you live locally! I recommend Milk Street if you're entertaining a medium to large group, and you're looking for a quick way to satisfy a diverse range of palettes. My favorite dishes include the middle eastern appetizer (hummus, tabouli, eggplant salad, and pita), the moroccan chicken (white meat breasts with couscous, roasted veggies, and dried fruit), the teriyaki salmon, and the roasted yukon potatoes. For dessert, the cookies and brownies are delicious, as is the decadent chocolate trifle.

Rubin's (500 Harvard St, Brooklilne) has been a Boston mainstay for years and is a great option if you're looking to cater a more traditional Shabbat meal. They offer several "Shabbat Specials", and their catering can accomodate any number of guests. I love Rubin's for small to medium parties, and I find that they have a great and diverse selection of options. Stand-outs include roasted chicken, noodle pudding, and potato latkes. The best part is that the packages include challah and grape juice. This is the easiest and most foolproof way to cater your Shabbat dinner, and they deliver, too!

Rami's (324 Harvard St, Brookline) is also a solid option if you're looking to cater your Shabbat dinner. Rami's specializes in middle eastern cuisine, so I highly recommend their falafel, but you really can't go wrong with any of the other items on the menu. If you're looking for a different twist on the traditional Shabbat dinner, or perhaps you're hoping for a more casual evening, Rami's is a great bet. Fill your stomach with grilled chicken, potato bourekas, hummus, and shawarma. Rami's will also deliver, so this is a great option if you're looking to satisfy a craving for Israeli street food!

Cooking:

The Butcherie (428 Harvard St, Brookline) is a veritable mecca of all things kosher. From their wide selection of kosher meats, to their diverse assortments of kugels, soups, knishes, and more, The Butcherie has all the resources you need to create a delicious Shabbat meal. Pick up some kosher chicken, sweet potato latkes (my absolute fave), and vegetable kugel, or peruse the spacious market for more ideas. The staff is helpful and will aid you in deciding how much food you'll need to satisfy a crowd of any size.

Shaw's (various locations in Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Somerville, and more) features a hearty selection of kosher options, and is a convenient stop for Shabbat shopping. I live near the Shaws in Porter Square (Cambridge), and I am often impressed by its wide and diverse selection of kosher meats and bakery options. So, buy some brisket or chicken (they even offer this handy recipe for preparing kosher meat!), supplement your purchase with fresh produce, and get ready to make a satsfying, homemade meal.

Bakeries:

Cheryl Ann's (1010 West Roxbury Pkwy, Brookline) is my go-to for sweet and doughy challah. Whenever I'm dreaming about challah on a Tuesday (which happens more often than you'd think), my mind immediately wanders to Cheryl Ann's, where the bread is plentiful, delicious, and oh-so-sweet. I could eat this stuff any day of the week (and I do, when I can get my hands on it).

Kupel's Bakery (421 Harvard St, Brookline) has a great selection of Challahs—including whole wheat, my personal favorite—as well as a nice selection of pastries. Of course, their bagels are also awesome, so definitely make a post-Shabbat trip to sample these babies. If you're looking for a satisfying after-dinner Shabbat treat, I'd go for the chocolate rugallah or the coconut macaroons.

Zucker's Bakery (4 Lake St, Peabody) makes a mean challah, and has a very extensive selection of kosher baked goods (think mandel bread, chocolate croissants, and a mouth-watering array of cheesecakes).Check them out for a great selection and a wide assortment of challahs—in lots of different shapes, sizes, and flavors!

Making Shabbat dinner can be as easy as placing a phone call, or visiting your local grocery store (if you're looking to go the homemade route). Your friends and family (and their stomachs!) will appreciate the effort you've put in. Of course, this list is not exhaustive, so if you have any personal recommendations, feel free to add them to the comments section below!

Photos by flickr users L.Richarz and kochtoph

This post is part of the Ultimate Shabbat How-To Guide, which is filled with awesome ways to put a DIY spin on your Shabbat and bring a little more meaning into your weekly practice. Check out the guide for more tips on cooking, decorating, and observing Shabbat rituals, and feel free to share your own tips or general musings.