Owned by the Auckland Hebrew Congregation, The Kosher Deli, in the heart of Remuera, is New Zealand’s only kosher delicatessen and restaurant.
Opened in 2010, it serves traditional Jewish foods like challah and rugelach, alongside premium deli items and their famous Sam’s Bagels, a New YorkMontreal hybrid-style bagel created by chef Sam Lewis. Verve popped in to learn more.
What are your menu’s must-haves?
Our signature bagels, a must-try! But we’re also excited to introduce some delicious new items like Benedicted on Latkes, a twist on the classic with crispy potato latkes, smoked salmon, house pickles, creamy dill sauce, and fresh herbs. Or indulge in our shakshuka, featuring slow-cooked spiced tomatoes, baked eggs, preserved lemon yogurt, and pita. And don’t forget our selection of homemade sweet treats, including our signature baked original cheesecake, cherry almond frangipane tart, famous walnut-chocolate cookies, rugelach, and more!
Tell us about those famous Sam’s Bagels?
In New Zealand, authentic bagels are hard to come by. That’s why we’ve made it our mission to change that with Sam’s Bagels. Our totally handmade bagels Kosher Cuisine boast the perfect combination of chewy, fluffy interiors and crispy exteriors, making them ideal for enjoying with classic toppings like smoked salmon, cream cheese, and pickles. You can pick up our filled bagels and packs from our deli or order online with your choice of toppings. Plus, you can find us in all Farro Fresh stores every weekend, bringing the joy of authentic bagels to everyone.
How do you adapt to address Jewish celebrations?
There are a lot of Jewish festivals, and those, along with Friday Night Sabbath dinners, are a good reason to get the family together. Many Jewish families’ tables are not only heaving with food – some from the Kosher Deli website where you can order online! – but crammed with family, extended family, and friends.
You import specialty products and meats as well. How do you decide what to bring into New Zealand?
Our commitment to providing a diverse range of kosher-certified products extends beyond our kitchen to our retail offerings. From kosher beef and lamb sourced from Australia to a wide array of dry goods, including pickles and 100% pure grape juice, our shelves are stocked with items that are often hard to find elsewhere in NZ. We tailor our inventory based on customer demand and seasonality, ensuring essentials like stewing beef in winter, soups including our famous chicken soup, and a plentiful selection of sausages and cold cuts during warmer months. You don’t have to keep kosher to find something different, interesting, and delicious in our shop. Our home brand, Yes It’s Kosher, is building by the day with dips, sauces, pickles, take-home meals and lots of homemade bakery items.
Is it true you also provide catering and supply airlines with kosher food?
Absolutely! We proudly supply kosher airline meals for all international departures from New Zealand and Fiji. Our kitchen is MPI approved, and we undergo regular audits to ensure compliance. We also cater for myriad business, community and life events like births, bar/bat mitzvahs, and weddings.
