The Best Kosher Restaurants In America

Jewish dietary laws, known as kashrut, can be quite strict; when followed, the food or drink is considered "kosher," a word that means "fit" in Hebrew (as in fit for consumption). There are quite a few restaurants in America that adhere to these laws and follow kosher guidelines under the supervision of a rabbi or kosher certification agency. Kosher guidelines can be a bit complex, but, among other parameters, pork and shellfish are not permitted, and the mixing of meat and dairy in the same meal is prohibited as well. While some kosher restaurants are classic Jewish delis serving sandwiches, matzo ball soup or high-quality bagels, many of America's best kosher restaurants don't specialize in traditional Jewish cuisine and are instead great restaurants that just happen to be kosher.

The menu at La Gondola primarily revolves around Northern Italian cuisine, but there are plenty of East Asian, Mediterranean and Californian dishes available as well. Popular items include barbecue beef ribs, candied beef bacon (baked with a sugar glaze and served with mango sauce) and chai steak (ribeye served with caramelized Spanish onion and jalapeño sauce). The wine menu lists 30 to 40 wines from around the world.

Shallots Bistro provides Jewish sushi lovers with a completely shellfish-free environment so that they can enjoy their favorite Japanese dishes while keeping kosher. Guests can have their pick of approximately 100 different kinds of sushi along with traditionally American dishes such as chicken wings, brisket sliders, steaks and braised BBQ short ribs.

At Veggie Heaven, vegan and vegetarian-friendly proteins such as wheat gluten, soy and tempeh are used in kosher Chinese cuisine as well as dishes of Jamaican, Indonesian and Thai origin. Patrons can enjoy everything from sesame "chicken" to Thai basil "duck" or Jamaican "beef" patties and many tofu items, as well as a variety of organic juices, herbal teas and vegan cakes and ice cream.

Located in a southern California winery, Tierra Sur takes pride in both the fresh, local sourcing of its ingredients and in their presentation. The farm-to-table menu includes brined and fried chicken that's up there with the best fried chicken in America, parsnip gnocchi with a porcini-cauliflower sauce and eggplant-crusted fish-of-the-day.

Max's serves deli sandwiches overstuffed with corned beef, brisket, pastrami, roast beef and turkey. The menu also contains hot dogs, hamburgers, fried chicken, shawarma, falafel, soups and salads.

Patrons of Soho Asian Bar & Grill can take their pick from Japanese, Chinese, American or Italian cuisine. In addition to dumplings, noodles and soups, the sprawling menu features items such as beef carpaccio, Mongolian beef and burgers. The restaurant also has a long wine list to compliment an expansive selection of steaks.

An eco-conscious restaurant with a vegetarian and heart-healthy menu, Claire's Corner Copia puts a big emphasis on sustainability and organic ingredients. Gluten-free and vegan options are also available for customers, who can order one of many different sandwiches, salads, quesadillas, burritos, nachos, flatbread pizzas and veggie burgers.

A wonderful barbecue spot where you can also keep kosher, Dougie's BBQ & Grill offers hot-off-the-grill steaks and chicken platters, as well as salads, hot dogs, wings, soups, burgers and wraps. Customers can also order Mexican entrees such as burritos and tacos, sushi, shish kabobs, brisket or pulled beef sandwiches, as well as dishes like a chicken-and-waffles sandwich or the "Beehive," a blooming onion topped with steak, fries and house-made sauces.

New Jersey has arguably some of the best pizza in the country, and with a sizeable Jewish population, it's no surprise that one of the best kosher options in the state is an artisanal pizza spot. Not only is the menu at Giddy's Pizzeria extensive, but much of it is also made from scratch, including the pizza, mozzarella sticks, bread, french fries, soup, hummus, dips and sauces.

One of the most famous Jewish delis in New York City, 2nd Ave Deli is fully kosher-certified and boasts a fully "authentic Jewish culinary experience." 2nd Ave Deli has multiple signature dishes, such as matzo ball soup, pastrami deviled eggs, gefilte fish, Nova lox sandwiches and pastrami sandwiches. There's also a selection of creative cocktails.

A solid kosher option in the Detroit metro area, Kravings is a great place for hot dogs, sandwiches and burgers, as well as make-your-own sushi, tempura and sushirittos (burrito-style sushi). Fresh ingredients are prized at Kravings, so it should be noted that availability and pricing of items are subject to change with the seasons.

The meat at Milt's Barbecue for the Perplexed is smoked on-site, with pulled barbecue chicken, smoked brisket and salmon on the menu, as well as smoked turkey, burgers, hot dogs and sandwiches. There are also plenty of vegetarian items, such as potato skins, fried cauliflower and vegetarian chili fries.

Reserve Cut owner Albert Allaham comes from a Syrian-American family that's been in the butchery trade for more than 200 years, a heritage and level of expertise that's apparent in the high quality of the steaks served at his restaurant. In addition to offering aged wagyu and signature fullblood wagyu steaks, all of Reserve Cut's steaks are aged for at least 36 days in the restaurant's dry aging room, putting them on the level of those served at America's best steakhouses.

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