Seudas Hamafsekes-The Final Meal:[1]

When?[2] Immediately after Mincha, one is to eat the final meal which is eaten prior the fast. This meal is referred to as the Seudas Hamafsekes.

Dipping bread in honey:[3] One is to dip the bread in honey during the final meal.

Dairy:[4] Dairy foods, including milk and butter[5], are to be avoided [by men] during the last meal.[6] Only light foods should be eaten, as mentioned above.

Fish: Some Poskim[7] write one is to avoid eating fish during the last meal.[8] Other Poskim[9] however limit this restriction to only hot or salted fish.[10]

Spicy foods:[11] Spicy foods which heat the body, should not be eaten during the Seudas Hamafsekes.[12] [For this reason, sour foods such as lemon, are also to be avoided.[13]]

Salt:[14] We are particular not to add salt to our foods on Erev Yom Kippur. 

Kreplach:[15] It is customary to eat Kreplach [a cooked pastry pocket filled with ground chicken] on Erev Yom Kippur.[16]

Q&A

May one have a coffee with milk in the last meal [if he is not eating meat]?[17]

Yes.

Is one to avoid drinking wine and other alcoholic beverages during the Seudas Hamafsekes?

Some Poskim[18] rule one is to avoid drinking wine and other alcoholic beverages during the Seudas Hamafsekes on Erev Yom Kippur. This matter is not mentioned in Admur or earlier Poskim.

Learning Torah:[19]

During the meal of Erev Yom Kippur, one is to be very careful to speak words of Torah on the table.

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[1] 608/8

[2] Mateh Efraim 608/1

^[3] Kitzur SHU”A 131/12; Mateh Efraim 6098/1; Lekutei Sichos 14 p. 372 

^[4] Admur 608/8

[5] See Shaareiy Hamoadim Yom Kippur Chapter 30 p. 154 regarding the mentioning of butter versus “hot” from the Magen Avraham. 

[6] The reason: As these foods cause an increase in semen. [See Admur ibid]

[7] Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 131/12; Mateh Efraim 608/1; However, from Admur 608/8 it is implied that this avoidance is not necessary.

[8] The reason: As fish increases in seed. [ibid]

[9] Alef Hamagen 608/2

[10] The reason: Due to that they make one thirsty.

[11] Admur 608/8

[12] The reason: As this can lead one to having a nocturnal emission at night. [Admur ibid]

[13] Kaf Hachaim 608/33

[14] Sichas 1937 p. 157-158 brought in Otzer Minhagei Chabad p. 190

^[15] Sefer Haminhagim p.123 [English]; Mamarei Admur Hazakein Inyanim p. 180; Taameiy Haminhagim 736

[16] The reason: Meat represents severities while dough represents kindness. The meat stuffed pastry thus represents the overcoming of kindness over severity thus sweetening the severities. [Taameiy Haminhagim 736] Alternatively, on Shavuot, the time of the giving of the Torah, the two loaves are offered upon two lambs, with the bread being above and below the flesh. Thus, on Erev Yom Kippur which celebrates the giving of the second Luchos which occurred on Yom Kippur we also eat food that contains dough on top and bottom and meat inside. [Mamarei Admur Hazakein Inyanim p. 180]

[17] Alef Lamagen 608/1

[18] M”B 608/16; Kaf Hachaim 608/29 in name of Yafe Laleiv 2 604/2

[19] Or Tzaddikim 37/3