When the temperature drops in New Jersey, a big bowl of matzo ball soup starts sounding like the best plan of the night. It is simple food, just chicken broth and a fluffy dumpling, but the right deli can turn it into a real event.
Some places serve matzo balls so big they barely fit in the bowl, while others stick to strict kosher traditions that go back decades. These six Jewish delis, from Bergen County down to Cherry Hill, are the spots to know when you want soup, a pastrami sandwich, and maybe a knish for the road.
1. Harold’s New York Deli, Edison, NJ
A single matzo ball the size of a volleyball is the reason people pull out their phones at Harold’s. The soup here is famously oversized, with one order big enough to feed a whole table of about six.
Size is the whole personality of this Edison deli. The sandwiches are stacked so high that splitting one is less a suggestion and more a survival strategy.
The broth is rich and full of flavor, which matters when the matzo ball is doing so much heavy lifting. Pair it with tongue, pastrami, or corned beef, all served in giant portions in diner-style digs on King Georges Post Road.
Beyond the deli counter classics, the menu runs wide. Potato knishes, mini potato pancakes with applesauce, a chocolate chip pancake, and a towering chocolate fudge layer cake all make appearances.
Harold’s opens at 7 AM and stays open until 9 PM every day, so an early soup or a late one both work. Weekend afternoons get busy, and Monday mornings are the calmest time to grab a table.
Bring friends, bring an appetite, and maybe bring a few takeout containers too.
2. Kosher Nosh Deli Restaurant & Catering, Glen Rock, NJ
Strip mall delis do not always get the credit they deserve, and Kosher Nosh on Prospect Street is proof. This longtime kosher spot has built a loyal Bergen County following with traditional Ashkenazi deli cooking.
The matzo ball soup is the standard everything else gets measured against. Expect a rich, comforting broth and a tender matzo ball that holds together without being heavy.
Sandwiches arrive overstuffed and come with the classic sidekicks of fresh pickles, potato salad, and coleslaw. Pastrami and corned beef lead the way, and the tuna salad has its own fans.
Dig a little deeper into the menu and you will find old-school treats like house chopped liver, stuffed derma, kasha knishes, and old-fashioned rugelach. Lox and bagels round out the morning side of things.
The vibe is casual and quiet, with high chairs and a kids’ menu for families. Hours run 8 AM to 7 PM daily, reservations are not taken, and parking is usually easy.
Friday afternoons are the busiest stretch, so plan around the pre-weekend rush.
3. The Kibitz Room – Cherry Hill, NJ, Cherry Hill Township, NJ
Free pickles with your soup is a strong opening move. The Kibitz Room in Cherry Hill keeps a pickle bar going, and it is one of the first things South Jersey regulars mention about the place.
The setup is no-frills and order-at-the-counter, which keeps the focus on the food. Matzo ball soup comes with enormous matzo balls, and you can grab a full quart to take home for later.
Here is a fun South Jersey twist. The menu includes Jewish-style cheesesteaks alongside the expected stacked pastrami and corned beef sandwiches, so the Philly influence shows up in a very tasty way.
The chicken noodle soup is also a solid pick for anyone who prefers noodles over dumplings. Desserts are a highlight, so save a little room.
Doors open at 9:30 AM Monday through Saturday and 9 AM on Sunday, closing at 8 PM. Curbside pickup and delivery are available on nights when leaving the couch is not happening.
4. Deli King of Clark, Clark, NJ
Some delis chase trends. Deli King of Clark has spent roughly four decades doing the opposite, serving strictly kosher classics in a cheerful Union County eatery.
This is old-fashioned kosher deli cooking at its most dependable. The matzo ball soup is a steady favorite, and you can order extra matzo balls on the side.
Corned beef, pastrami, and chopped liver anchor the menu. Sloppy joes, the North Jersey deli kind stacked with meats and slaw, are another big draw.
Gluten-free rye bread is a thoughtful touch that many delis skip. Stuffed cabbage, hot knishes, potato pancakes, and homemade cookies keep things interesting beyond sandwiches.
Breakfast fans can try the corned beef or pastrami and egg omelette. Note that the deli is closed on Mondays, and weekends start at 8 AM.
Reservations are accepted, which helps on busy Sunday afternoons.
5. Eppes Essen Deli & Restaurant, Livingston, NJ
The name roughly means “let’s eat something” in Yiddish, and Eppes Essen takes that invitation seriously. This Livingston deli serves huge portions in a spacious, spotless dining room.
The matzo ball soup comes out bright golden and piping hot, with soft, tender matzo balls. Want both comforts at once?
Order the matzo ball noodle version.
Sandwiches are over-filled in true diner-style fashion. A corned beef and turkey combo with coleslaw and Russian dressing is the kind of order that requires a plan.
Knishes and pierogies share the spotlight, and the lox and bagels are a strong reason to come early. Blintzes and potato pancakes are on hand too.
Families will appreciate the kid-friendly menu. Hours run 10 AM to 8 PM daily, with quieter weekday mornings and evenings if you want a calm bowl.
6. The Pickled Herring, Morganville, NJ
Route 9 in Monmouth County has plenty of places to eat, but only one named after a deli staple you can actually order. Yes, the Pickled Herring serves pickled herring in cream sauce.
The matzo ball soup is the bigger story on a cold night. The broth is flavorful without leaning too salty, and the matzo ball is light, fluffy, and huge.
Matzo balls are even sold on their own, no soup required, for anyone with a strong opinion about dumplings. Mushroom barley soup is another warming option.
Massive sandwiches carry a New York feel, from hot corned beef to tongue. Homemade knishes, potato pancakes, and turkey London broil with onions fill out the plate.
The deli is open 8 AM to 8 PM every day and takes reservations. Weekend afternoons are the busy window, while weekday mornings stay relaxed.
Wherever you land on this list, a hot bowl of soup is never far away this winter.
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