Veselka
Ukrainian Restaurant and Eastern European Restaurant$$$$
East Village, New York
The experts at Food Network and The Wall Street Journal recommend this place
"Fantastic daily specials, deserts, and must-have varenyky (pierogi)"(241 Tips)
"Get the borscht too, it's as authentic as it gets."(111 Tips)"The potato pancake is great and so is the Blintzes!"(27 Tips)
"Try the Ukranian Meatballs, Potato Pancake & Perogies"(29 Tips)
629 Tips and reviewsFilter:
- pierogies
- blintzes
- good for a late night
- breakfast food
- potato pancakes
- (15 more)
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Shivangi KhannaJanuary 24, 2014Some of the best milkshakes I've ever tried! I usually go for the coffee milkshake, but they're all good. Burgers are great too--I've tried both the turkey and salmon burgers with sweet potato fries.
DensJuly 10, 2014Kielbasa! But all the options on the menu are $14 or $16! Soooo ask for the SECRET "side of Kielbasa" for only $3.95! Boom! (and you're welcome)
Matthew SpectorNovember 22, 2015The New York original. All the Polish goodies are great, but really just order the pierogi, steamed or fried, and go to town with applesauce, sour cream and the like. Amazing, simply.
ᴡ PontorieroSeptember 8, 2018Authentic Ukrainian food. Got to get the borscht. The combo plates are epic. They also have a really good rotating seasonal selection of soups and dishes.
SiobhánMay 29, 2017Everything is (obviously) incredible but the short rib pierogi are what I first had from here and dream of sometimes. Go with a group, ask for the recommendations, and enjoy your feast!
KatelynApril 13, 2015veselka is consistently amazingly good. Try their burgers, pancakes, omlettes, perogies, salads, kibasa, blitzes, crumble apple pie (warmed up with a scoop of vainilla) , bagels..i could go on...
Nicolette RomeroApril 16, 2016I want to be eating here now. Short rib pierogies are on point, the stuffed cabbage with a potato pancake is amazing and the apple crumb cake with ice cream will change your life. 😋
Brian StraussJanuary 31, 2019One the places that captures my imagination. No hipsters. No hashtags. Just incredible home cooked Ukrainian food that’s hard to find anywhere else. The mushroom dumplings and the borscht!
MarcJanuary 21, 2021Esquire: The anchor of the E. Village, coolest diner on Earth, open-around-the-clock Ukrainian hearth for those moments when one’s beaten soul cries out for stuffed cabbage &beef stroganoff &pierogi
Corinne PulitzerMarch 5, 2022Authentic and delicious, Borscht is a must at Veselka where the proceeds from every bowl sold, go to support the Ukraine🇺🇦
Village VoiceAugust 15, 2014Handmade pierogies (filled with everything from potato to arugula and goat cheese) are especially popular, as are the grilled kielbasa and the veal goulash. Read more
O'kissMarch 29, 2015It's mix of Ukrainian traditional food and modern American. We got meat combo plate - potato and meat varenyky, stuffed cabbage, borsch and salad. It was exactly the right choice! Bon appetite!
Paula BuzzoMay 18, 2018The Cold Borscht is awesome, super tasty. Try their Deluxe Vegetarian Plate as well. Excellent prices and very good attendance.
Sample key items by ordering the deluxe meat plate - a set of Ukrainian Meat, Potato, and Sauerkraut/Mushroom Pierogis, a Meat Stuffed Cabbage with Mushroom Gravy, and their Grilled Kielbasa
Staff PicksMarch 10, 2016Corned beef is the trending taste this week and Veselka is on our list of best Corned beef in the city. Our users say the corned beef hash here is "unbelievable" and we definitely agree. Read more
PaddyMarch 19, 2016A staple of the late night East Village scene. Stopped in on the way back up town at 2am on a Tuesday. Had the Reuben for first time and it was good. Friends had the pierogi and really liked them too.- For a hearty meal, try the Bigos - Ukrainian Hunter's-style stew of Kielbasa, Roast Pork, Sauerkraut & Onions. Get it with a side of Ukrainian Beet & Horseradish Salad
jeffrey arnoldSeptember 16, 2016Oddly the burger here is pretty unique and awesome, but you can't go wrong with almost anything on the menu.- Guha ArunkumarJune 13, 2017Get the pierogi plate (truffle mushroom, sauerkraut, feta)! The potato pancake is great and so is the Blintzes! Also liked the beet and horseradish salad.
George WallaceOctober 19, 2021Everything here was seasoned well, the tastes were authentic tonight the however the stuffed cabbage was not very refined. Didn’t stop us from finishing it. Pierogi were great love the variety.
CompassJuly 24, 2013The classic Ukrainian diner has served kielbasa, stuffed cabbage, and matzoh ball soup since 1954. It’s open 24 hours a day to fulfill your next pierogi craving, whenever that may strike.
Alex HunterSeptember 4, 2021Legendary establishment! Pierogis and some of the best iced coffee in New York City. The outdoor setup is a game changer.- Ukrainian Meatballs - tender pork & beef meatballs served with rich mushroom gravy, mashed potatoes & beet horseradish salad
Mish and RobMay 17, 2015Come on a weekday morning for breakfast in nice, unhurried peace! The pancakes are huge and delicious, the oatmeal is superb, and the coffee is topped up frequently. Need to go back for lunch/dinner!
Get the 7 layer bar (it might not be called that) but it has chocolate and coconut and gooey stuff and is amazing. In the pastry display by the cashier.
excellent for a casual lunch during the week - half empty and pretty fast wifi. breakfast specials are available all day.
Lea CeasrineFebruary 24, 2015My ukranian friend and I each got borsch (beet soup), shared spinach and cheese dumplings + topped it off with potato pancakes w/ cream cheese and apple sauce. As authentic as could be.- SiobhánSeptember 14, 2017Apparently you can order one of every pierogi flavor which, if you've never had proper Ukrainian food before, is definitely a good place to start.
AmateurConciergeDecember 19, 2015Classic east village spot, this Ukrainian diner is clean, inexpensive, and tasty. I like the chili, but definitely try the pierogies if it's your first time
Ms HeleneSeptember 6, 2013Salads are huge-lentil salad with shaved goats' cheese and creamy dill dressing on side is awesome. Mixed pierogies worth it $7 for 7 pieces boiled or fried with 3 sauces on the side. Spinach cheese!
Serious EatsMarch 31, 2013An East Village classic with a long menu of Ukrainian and American dishes, whether you're in the mood for pierogi, a burger, or just about anything else.
Brook ShelleyJune 4, 2015I got the spinach/cheese, meat, sauerkraut, and another arugula one... and woah. I had them friend, and was blown away. I will be back here for sure. Best varynky I've had.
JillianDecember 30, 2014I was totally underwhelmed by the matzoh ball soup, sigh. Hoooowever, the pierogis could do no wrong. Skip the meat, go for the sauerkraut, cheese and arugula goat cheese flavors!
The pierogies are magical. And don't be afraid to try to something new - the beet and horseradish salad was a pleasant surprise.
Nat HarwardDecember 10, 2013Varenyky (Pierogies): "What Veselka will always be is the place you can go at 3 am when it’s freezing and all you need is a plate of crispy, golden starch bombs to make you feel warm & happy & full." Read more
Mohammedali GangardiwalaJanuary 18, 2016Periogis! The Ukrainian cuisine is something new that we all should try. They have conventional items like sandwiches and burgers, but go for meat plates and periogies
Quintessential late night East Village experience. Matzo Ball soup and all-day breakfast specials, Arugula & Goat Cheese Perogies are great (but on the smaller side).
AdrienOctober 27, 2015The only restaurant where can order anything (from beef stroganoff to pancakes) at anytime (from early 4am breakfast to late 11pm supper). real institution in the village!
Chefs FeedOctober 2, 2015"Order two bowls at a time—you will be glad you did! It's everything a chicken soup should be. This soup will give grandma a run for her money." Chef Albert Di Meglio Read more
I like sitting at the bar to watch the line cooks and to see the drawer of pierogis! Favorites are the pierogis with onion and sour cream, veggie borscht, blintzes, and the bigos.
Great, reasonably priced Ukrainian diner. Get there early (it’s popular), and try the pierogis if it’s your first time. Great soups!
SabrinaJuly 11, 2015Great easy spot for late night food and a beer. Short rib pirogies pan fried are the way to go. And the boiled spinach and cheese.
Rick NijhuisFebruary 16, 2017Lower east side icon. Tasty, filling Eastern European (not all Ukrainian) food. Borscht is packed with flavor!
Berk KapiciogluMarch 13, 2016A historic and spacious Ukrainian restaurant. Open 24 hours. The pierogi (Ukrainian dumpling) is overrated. I recommend a large bowl of classic borscht. Grumpy waitresses add to the authenticity.
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For sixty-seven years, customers have crowded into Veselka, a cozy Ukrainian coffee shop in New York City's East Village, to enjoy pierogi, borscht, goulash, and many other unpretentious favorites. Veselka (rainbow in Ukrainian) has grown up from a simple newsstand serving soup and sandwiches int...
Open until 11:00 PM (Show more)
- Mon–Sat
- 8:00 AM–Midnight
- Sun
- 8:00 AM–11:00 PM
(212) 228-9682
Features
Reservations
No
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. Discover & Visa)
Wi-Fi
Yes
Outdoor Seating
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes
Parking
Street
Restroom
Yes
Food & Drink
Menus
Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Dinner
Drinks
Beer, Wine, Cocktails
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- 6.4
"lovely staff. The Halusky and the Letcho are amazing and If you have room for desert try the Blintezes."
Claudia Espinel - 8.8
"Exotic coffee shops like this are one of the reasons I love the city. A grungy coffee shop, bar and outdoor patio place all in one. The mocha MUD makes a perfect mid-afternoon Saturday coffee."
Ashley Chan - 9.1
"I'm sure the classic platter with lox is delicious, but go out of your comfort zone here. The super heebster bagel toast is incredible. Come before 10 on weekends to skip the line!"
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