Passover 2026 begins on the evening of Wednesday, April 1 and runs through Thursday, April 9. This Jewish high holiday of liberation is traditionally celebrated with a Seder, a ritual meal held on the first two nights of Passover, where family and friends gather to retell the story of the Exodus. Some of the foods you can expect to see at a Seder include matzo (a flat dry unleavened cracker), bitter herbs, charoset (a paste of nuts, apples, and wine), and four cups of wine.
To help you prepare for the Passover holiday, which can feel like quite a production, we’ve rounded up several food and gathering resources to help make it easier and more joyous. Chag Sameach Pesach, or Zissen Pesach, as my family says!
Passover 2026 in Portland: Eats and Treats
Safeway on Barbur Blvd
A special nod goes to Safeway on SW Barbur Blvd for its standout Kosher for Passover food and wine selection. I stopped by recently to explore their full offering and was genuinely impressed. If you’re looking to do all your Passover 2026 shopping in one place, this is the epicenter of it all!
You’ll find everything from boxes of matzo to nostalgic staples like Kedem grape juice, plus beautiful Afikomen Passover Pastries in the form of linzer tartes, chocolate rugelach, and even rainbow cookies! And don’t miss their extensive Kosher wine section, featuring favorites like Manischewitz, Mogen David, and Baron Herzog. 8145 SW Barbur Blvd, Portland. Safeway website
Whole Foods
Whole Foods is another great option for Passover 2026 shopping. Alongside trusted Kosher staples like Manischewitz, Kedem, and Yehuda, you’ll also find newer brands like The Matzo Project, a Brooklyn-based company bringing a fresh, modern twist to traditional Passover foods. Their lineup includes a Passover matzo ball soup kit, pancake mix, golden cake mix, and more—all Kosher for Passover and thoughtfully packaged and priced at under $6 per item. Multiple locations. Whole Foods Market website
New Seasons
In addition to a wide range of a la carte items, New Seasons also offers prepared Passover dishes you can order ahead—making holiday hosting much easier and semi-homemade. Their special Passover menu includes favorites like slow-cooked brisket with tomatoes, matzo ball soup, gefilte fish, leek and ricotta matzo kugel, among a host of sweet items, as well! Be sure to place your order by March 31 to have everything ready in time for the holiday (note: The April 2 date on their site applies to their Easter orders). Multiple locations. New Seasons website
Bakeshop
To truly wow your guests this Passover, consider pre-ordering Bakeshop’s signature 1503 Matzo—named for the year 1503, and a nod to the Spanish Inquisition. Now in its 10th year, this handcrafted matzo is anything but traditional, adorned with cracked pepper, olive oil, and honey. The recipe is inspired by and attributed to Angelina de Leon who lived (and died) during that time. It’s a memorable addition to any Seder table and a guaranteed conversation starter.
An important note for more observant guests is that this matzo is not considered Kosher for Passover so if you are keeping Kosher for Passover, this matzo may not be for you. Pre-orders for Bakeshop’s matzo are available through March 29 at 9am. And if you’re looking for something other than matzo, Bakeshop’s coconut macaroons—sold in packs of six—are also a delicious option. 5351 Sandy Blvd, Portland. Bakeshop website
Baker and Spice
It’s great to see Baker & Spice once again offering a robust lineup of Passover treats from April 1–9. You really can’t go wrong here—I’ve sampled much of the Passover menu over the years and enjoyed everything! Some of their Passover specials include chocolate-dipped coconut macaroons, a bittersweet torte with black currant coulis, and a blackberry jam tart with a coconut crust, which is my personal favorite. Baker and Spice also offers Parisian macarons—while not traditional for Passover, they’re gluten-free and fair game for the holiday. You can pre-order online or call ahead for in-store pickup. 6330 SW Capitol Hwy. Baker and Spice website
Dream Deli
Offering a modern take on Passover cuisine, Dream Deli will feature a lineup of festive dishes from Tuesday, March 31 through Saturday, April 4. Expect comforting classics like matzo ball soup, along with a special Passover dessert surprise still under wraps. The menu strikes a nice balance, with both Passover staples and Easter treats—bringing the two holidays together in delicious harmony. 3542 SE Division Street, Portland. Dream Deli website
Mother’s Bistro
Offering a special Passover menu for your Seder, Mother’s Bistro has you covered. True to its comforting, homey nature, their take-home Seder menu features classics like matzo ball soup, chopped liver, roast chicken, beef brisket, and flourless chocolate cake. Place your order in advance by calling 503-464-1122. 121 SW 3rd Avenue, Portland. Mother’s Bistro website
Kachka
Kachka is once again hosting its annual Passover Seder, benefiting HIAS, an organization that supports Jews fleeing persecution and poverty in Eastern Europe. This event feels especially meaningful to me, as HIAS helped my own family immigrate to the United States from the former Czechoslovakia.
The evening will be led by Portland educator and performance artist Hannah Treuhaft, who brings storytelling and tradition together for a truly memorable experience. Doors open at 5:45pm, with the Seder beginning promptly at 6pm. Tickets are $165 per person and include four vodka infusions, plus a service fee. Make a reservation here. 960 SE 11th Avenue, Portland. Kachka website
Passover 2026 in Portland: Celebrations
Chabad of SW Portland
Chabad of Southwest Portland will host Seders on both nights of Passover, each with a distinct focus. The first night features a family friendly Seder, welcoming guests of all ages to enjoy a festive meal. The second night, A Chassidic Seder for the Inquisitive Mind, offers a deeper dive into the meaning of Passover, with insights from the Haggadah, Chassidic stories, and a full traditional feast. Guests can register for one or both Seders here. 6612 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland. Chabad SW Portland website
Jewish Federation of Greater Portland
I love turning to the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland’s comprehensive events calendar for Passover inspiration. It features everything from family-friendly Passover cooking classes to charitable meal deliveries, and various renditions of community Seders. Explore the full Passover lineup to find an event that fits your liking. They also have a great article highlighting top Passover catering options—some featured in our roundup and others that are new—so it’s definitely worth a look.
OneTable Seders
OneTable is an online platform that brings people together through peer-led, in-person meals. These lovely community events are designed to foster connection, engagement, and Jewish pride. For Passover, OneTable offers opportunities to join community-led Seders. One local option I noticed is a Queer Seder in Portland on Thursday, April 1 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm, which you can sign up for here. What’s even better is that it’s a free event!
Personal Favorite Passover Recipes
When hosting a festive Passover Seder for family and friends, I often turn to a handful of tried-and-true recipes that I’ve gathered over the years. While these dishes are inspired by other content creators, they’ve been personally tested and have become favorites in my home.
Matzo Lasagna, courtesy of the New York Times, a relatively easy and comforting Passover take on this Italian classic.
Jewish brisket, A delicious, easy-to-make brisket made with simple ingredients and slow-cooked to perfection.
Chocolate pistachio matzo, Although I started making this before the Dubai chocolate craze, it’s reminiscent of that trend. I think it’s a food that will likely delight guests who enjoy a sweet-and-savory combination.
Matzo layer cake (first picture in post), super easy and indulgent, this colorful layer cake of matzo and chocolate ganache is a feast for the eyes and your palate!
If you have a family Passover recipe you’d like to share with us, we’d be delighted to hear about it here. Feel free to drop us a line!
Judith Rich
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Here’s my vegetarian matzoh ball soup recipe: http://www.fuzzychef.org/improved-matzoh-ball-soup/
I’ll have to try this – thanks!