Think there’s only kosher food in cities with big Jewish populations?
Those who don’t travel often are surprised that you can find lots of kosher food options in places that typically don’t have large communities of Jewish life. We all know that LA, London, Toronto, NY, Miami, Panama, and most large cities with Jewish communities have a kosher presence. But there are many off the grid locations with some great kosher options. Most of them are there thanks to Chabad emissaries stationed all over the world, while other restaurants were started to serve tourists or business travelers.
Cannes, France
This beautiful resort town, located on the French Riviera, is known for its luxury hotels and nonkosher restaurants. Famous for the Cannes film festival, it hosts many business conferences and shows throughout the year…thus the need for many business travelers to find kosher food. In addition, the pleasant weather all year round lends itself to be a great European vacation destination spot.
Most likely coming to Cannes you will fly into Nice, France. Nice has many kosher restaurants and food options. You can also drive a little further to the smallest country in the world, Monaco. There’s no kosher food in Monaco but you can pick up food in Nice.
Sources:
www.habadcannes.com
www.123cacher.com
Rouvi
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Did you know that Puerto Rico has a long Jewish history? Puerto Rico, a picturesque Caribbean island that is a U.S. Commonwealth has gorgeous weather most of the year and kosher food too! Located in the Old San Juan district you can stop at the local restaurant or pick up meals to go and drive out to some of the outside districts.
Sources:
https://www.jewishpuertorico.com
Koh Samui, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Bangkok – Thailand
Thailand is full of kosher food. It may have started to accommodate the thousands of backpackers who come from Israel, but today it’s a great destination place if you are looking for a trip that’s an exotic adventure. There are places to eat in 4 different cities ( Koh Samui, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Bangkok) so you can get kosher food as you travel from the city to the beach and back.
Sources:
www.kosherthailand.com
www.jewishthailand.com
www.chabadthailand.co.il/restaurant
Vancouver, Canada
The Olympics may be over, but Vancouver is still one of the prettiest places in the world to visit. It’s a 2.5-hour drive from Seattle, Washington (or a 50-minute flight); there’s so much beauty surrounding the city that you’ll agree it’s worthwhile to visit that neck of North America.
Sources:
www.chabadcitycentre.com
www.lubavitchbc.com
Cape Town, South Africa
While Johannesburg is the largest Jewish city in South Africa (with many kosher options) you shouldn’t miss Cape Town. With beaches and mountains in one view, it’s been declared one of the most beautiful cities in the world. A flight from Johannesburg to Cape Town is about 2 hours (or a 10-12 hour drive – be sure to drive along the coastal “Garden Route”). Cape Town has a couple of options for both shuls and restaurants. The longest-running kosher meat restaurant in South Africa is located in Cape town called Avron’s Place. In addition, two large supermarkets chains (Pick ‘n Pay and Spar) have kosher deli, meat, and bakery sections.
Sources:
www.capetownmagazine.com/kosher-restaurants
www.chabad.co.za
San Antonio, Texas, USA
Surprisingly or not surprisingly Texas is full of kosher food. In Dallas or Houston, the choices are pretty robust. But if you are looking to explore some Texas History (Battle of the Alamo anyone?), you can head out to San Antonio where, yes you can get find some kosher food.
Sources:
www.chabadsa.com
St. Julian, Malta
Saint Julian’s is a popular vacation spot on the coast of Malta. A small Island located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea making it a great vacation spot for Europeans or those traveling from Israel. The small town successfully blends its fishing village charm with its tourist center. Some local stores carry kosher products and there is a great kosher restaurant right in St. Julians. (Note the times of the year they are open).
Sources:
www.jewishmalta.com
Prague, Czech Republic
Prague is architecturally beautiful like a Western European city, but it’s situated in Eastern Europe. 600,000 visitors a year come to see the Jewish Quarter and the Jewish Museum. With four kosher restaurants and even a kosher hotel, you’ll be taken care of royally.
Sources:
www.chabadprague.cz
www.hotelkingdavid.cz
Park City, Utah
Do you love to ski? Tired of skiing and starving? Park City Utah might be the destination for your next ski vacation…or any time of the year. It’s one of the largest resort towns in the country with the most ski trails in the state. The Bistro is in Canyons Resort…so you don’t even need to leave the hotel to eat. The shul is next door and even Shabbat meals are available.
Sources:
www.jewishutah.com
San Jose, Costa Rica
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With beautiful shuls and a nice selection of places to eat (with some great meat), San Jose has an active Jewish presence, with gorgeous things to see and adventurous things do in the surrounding areas. It’s a 1-3 hour drive out to some incredible hotels (you may want to try one located under a volcano with hot springs).
Sources:
https://www.chabadcostarica.com
https://izusplace.com/kosher-hotel-costa-rica/
https://betweencarpools.com/three-places-to-visit-this-winter/
Some bonus places you will find kosher food:
Lima, Peru
Phnom Pen (Cambodia)
Ho Chi Minh ( Vietnam)
Paris, France
Niagara, Canada
Gibraltar
Cancun
We take no responsibility for the kashrus status of these restaurants. As always please do your own research.
Cyprus also apparently has some kosher restaurants and a kosher hotel too.
this is great! can you do a 10 beautiful random usa cities that have kosher too?? like more local and also things to do there …. (utah and dallas where great suggestions especially useful for stop over ideas!????)
During the pandemic it’s smart to call the Chabad ahead of time and not just rely on a website advertising meals.
There are restaurants in Thailand (for example in Chang Mai) that look kosher because they have Hebrew lettering and may even say kosher (forgot if it actually says it or just looks it), but it isn’t. Make sure the restaurant you go to has the Hashgacha certificate or reach out to chabad to find out which one is real kosher.
Cuba is now kosher as well and travel from the United States is perfectly legal. Cuba has a rich Jewish history and still has 3 functioning synagogues, a community center and even a Holocaust exhibit.