What is the step of the Seder that is the festive meal?

The Seder step that is the festive meal is Shulchan Orech.

Shulchan Orech is the eleventh stage in the traditional 15-step Passover Seder. Its name literally means “set table,” and it is the point at which the festive meal is served and eaten. The meal follows the ritual eating of matzah, maror, and the korech sandwich.

The menu varies by family and community. Traditional meals may include foods such as gefilte fish, soup, meat, vegetables, or a hard-boiled egg associated with the Seder plate. Because Passover dietary customs differ, Ashkenazi, Sephardi, Mizrahi, and other communities often bring distinct culinary traditions to Shulchan Orech.

Shulchan Orech is easy to confuse with Tzafun. The meal occurs at Shulchan Orech; afterward, Tzafun is the step in which participants eat the afikoman, the matzah set aside earlier during Yachatz. The meal is followed by Birkat Hamazon and the third cup of wine.