Tip 1: How do you plan kosher meals before you go?
Most of what makes a kosher trip easy happens before you leave. Research the destination before you book, not after.
- The destination. Look for places with kosher food close at hand. Major cities often have kosher restaurants, grocery stores and sometimes hotels to match. Smaller towns may have nothing at all.
- Where you stay. Check whether the hotel or rental has a kitchen you can use, or a link with a local kosher caterer or restaurant.
- Restaurants. Make a list of places to eat near where you will be, and read recent reviews. Opening hours change, and a place that closed last year can still appear in old listings.
- Food for the first day. Pack some sealed kosher snacks, canned goods or instant meals in case you cannot find food straight away. A late arrival on a Friday leaves little time to shop before Shabbat.
- Certification symbols. Learn the hechsherim you rely on, and the ones used where you are going, so you can read a label or a restaurant certificate quickly. The OU and Star-K both publish guidance on kosher food when traveling.
Tip 2: Who should you ask about kosher food before you travel?
Ask the people who run the trip. If you travel with Kosher Travelers on one of our kosher tours or kosher cruises, the food is arranged as part of the trip. For anything outside that, ask us before you go.
- Planning. We can plan an itinerary around kosher meals for the whole journey.
- Where to eat. We can recommend kosher restaurants at your destination, with your preferences and dietary needs in mind.
- Catering. For a group or a family occasion, we can arrange kosher catering, including in remote places.
- Certification. Ask which local supervisions are relied on, so you know which places you can eat in.
- Help on the road. If something goes wrong with kosher food during your trip, call us and we will help.
Tip 3: What should you pack for a kosher trip?
Pack for the kitchen you won’t have. A little extra room in the suitcase goes a long way.
- Cooking basics. If you plan to cook, bring a pot or pan, utensils and a cutting board of your own.
- Non-perishable food. Kosher snacks, instant soups and canned goods travel well.
- Travel cutlery. A small knife, fork and spoon for cafes, trains and picnics.
- Labels. Mark your containers and utensils meat, dairy or pareve so nothing gets mixed up.
- Containers. Good airtight containers keep food from home fresh on the way.
- Small appliances. A hot plate or an electric kettle lets you heat food in a hotel room. Check the plug type and voltage where you are going.
Tip 4: How do you eat out kosher in a new city?
A good meal out is part of the trip. Know what to look for before you sit down.
- Search first. Find the restaurants near you before you go out, and check the reviews.
- Ask about certification. Ask the staff who supervises the kitchen, and look for the certificate on display. Check the date on it.
- Know a few phrases. Where you don’t speak the language, learn simple lines such as “I keep kosher” and “Is this food kosher?”
- Lean towards vegetarian dishes. In many restaurants that are not kosher, vegetarian dishes are easier to fit to kosher needs. Choose dishes with no meat or dairy.
- Ask about cross-contamination. If it concerns you, ask for your meal to be prepared separately, or whether the kitchen has dedicated kosher utensils.
- Fresh produce. Whole fresh fruit and vegetables are usually a safe choice, if nothing was cut or cooked with non-kosher equipment.
- Carry a backup. If you cannot find a suitable restaurant, have kosher snacks or a packed meal with you.
Tip 5: Can you get kosher food delivered while traveling?
Often, yes. Many cities now have kosher restaurants that deliver to a hotel room or a vacation rental. For larger groups or events, see kosher catering.
- Apps and websites. Check the delivery apps that list certified restaurants at your destination.
- Delivery area. Make sure the restaurant delivers to where you are staying.
- Your order. Most services let you add dietary notes and requests.
- Timing. Plan meals ahead and order early, so you are not waiting when you are hungry. Order before Shabbat, not on Friday afternoon.
- Costs. Note delivery fees and minimum orders, and allow for them in your budget.
- Menus. Read the menu before you rely on a place for several meals.
Tip 6: Can you take kosher food through customs?
Usually some of it, but customs and security rules can limit the food you carry, especially on international trips.
- Sealed food. Some countries restrict what food can be brought in, and meat and dairy products are the most often restricted. Sealed, pre-packaged kosher food is the easiest to take through.
- Declare it. If you are carrying food, declare it to customs when you arrive. The United States asks travelers to declare all food and agricultural items (U.S. Customs and Border Protection).
- Check the rules. Read your destination’s customs rules before you pack, in case specific items are restricted. UK travelers can start with the foreign travel advice pages.
- Liquids. Soups, sauces and spreads in hand luggage fall under the airport liquids limit. Pack them in your checked bag.
- Ask if unsure. If you are unsure about an item, ask the country’s customs office or embassy.
Tip 7: How do you enjoy the trip beyond the food?
Keeping kosher on the road is about more than meals. The trip is the point.
- Be flexible. Some places have few options. Keep your standards and adapt the menu.
- Look beyond the food. The landscape, the local customs, the Jewish history and the people you meet are what you will remember. Many cities have an old synagogue or a Jewish quarter worth a morning.
- Keep a record. Photographs, videos or a journal are worth having, and worth sharing with family and friends.
- Take it in stride. If something doesn’t go to plan, sort it out calmly. It becomes part of the story.
Would you rather not plan the meals at all?
To recap: plan ahead, ask before you go, pack for the kitchen you won’t have, check restaurants before you sit down, use delivery where it exists, check customs rules, and enjoy the trip.
If you would rather leave the food to someone else, look at our kosher tours, our kosher cruises, a trip such as the Havana, Cuba tour, or our Pesach and Sukkot programs, where every meal is Glatt Kosher Mehadrin. Or speak to someone in your region before you book.
