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They give bread and butter to start with. Got vareniki, and fish with kompot. Meat vareniki were okay but sweet cream vareniki were best. Kompot was pretty good as well. We came during a weekday evening and they were packed. Packed to a point that a family with kids and a dog dined and dashed. Lovely ambiance otherwise, mostly people from the community eating.
We stumbled upon Ocean View Cafe while spending the day at Coney Island, and I'm so glad we found it. They serve excellent Ukrainian food that feels authentic and full of flavor. I ordered the chicken shish kebab, and the meat was perfectly cooked, incredibly juicy and packed with flavor. We also tried the varenyky with meat, which were absolutely incredible and some of the best dumplings I've ever had. Every bite was bursting with flavor and easily became the highlight of the meal. The service was pretty good, and I liked that the restaurant felt clean while still maintaining a local neighborhood charm. I'll definitely be returning the next time I'm in the area.
At the end of a long beach day, all you want is a satisfying meal at a chill restaurant and that's exactly what Oceanview Cafe gives you. Me and my friends spend the whole day in the area with no plan for dinner. We considered heading back to Williamsburg for dinner but found this place instead. It said "cash only" on the door though I think they said that only applies for brunch. We were there around 5/6pm and they took credit cards. Worst case scenario, there's an ATM a few blocks away. I got the seafood pasta not knowing exactly what to expect but assuming it would be high quality and fresh seafood. I was VERY happy with my choice and ate almost the entire large plate. My friends both got the scalloped pork chops with mashed potatoes which was also very tasty. We also got Verenikis to share (they're like a russian pierogi) which were awesome but not necessary since the portion sizes for our entrees were almost too much to finish. We sat outside (which I think is essential to the whole experience) and had a leisurely dinner. The staff was friendly and very patient with our poor Russian pronunciation. Every menu item was also presented in Russian and English which was very helpful for us. I would highly recommend this place and I'll definitely be back on my next beach day!
A friend asked me to meet her at Brighton Beach; she wanted company while she gets tan. It was the perfect excuse to try out a Russian restaurant. I am rarely in this area. The chicken soup was a surprise. I finally understood why the waiter asked me to clarify if I wanted chicken soup or chicken noodle soup. The one I ordered was just the soup with dill sprinkled in it. I like that it came with two piroges. Pelmeni (ravioli) reminded me of wontons with doughy exterior. It came with a side of sour cream. Now, I can say I tried Russian cuisine. I would come back again and order their stuffed cabbage.
Thank You! I am your regular visitor because the furnishings of the interior and your menu really appeal to me and I am a big fan of your kitchen. Many thanks to the Chef and all his assistants!
I read the reviews here prior to visiting, and the reviews speak for themselves. It's a small eatery, and they were busy. I tried the stuffed cabbage, and omg, this was incredible; the dill and sour cream added freshness to the dish, and I couldn't stop eating it. It was so addicting. I had the smoked fish with potatoes and Olivier salad, both of which were good as well. The service was good and prompt. The prices were better than other Russian restaurants in the area. I'm definitely coming back to try more food, but the stuffed cabbage was the best I've ever had.
Delicious lunch! I'm not too familiar with Russian or Ukrainian food but this exceeded my expectations. The fried liver was the clear winner (assuming you like liver) - on its own a touch salty but with the buckwheat side it was perfect. The pelmeni (a meat filled dumpling) was very tasty. I didn't try the borscht but my cousin said it was very good with intense beet flavor. All was clearly home made. The service was excellent, he answered all our questions about the menu and there's a video screen at each table showing the dishes. No one else there on a rainy Monday so had the place to ourselves. Not fancy but perfectly fine inside and very near the boardwalk at Brighton Beach. If you go to explore off-the-beaten-path parts of NYC, I recommend stopping here for lunch
Oceanview Café seems like a small restaraunt but it did a great job handling a party of 15 people. The waiters were always available to help and were quick to assist us when we needed something. Since we had a big party, we purchased a banquet of about $55 per person. The food was very well prepared and wasn't too salty. The appetizers were usual Russian appetizers (olevei, herring with potatoes, etc.) The second course was dumplings with meat and potatoes with mushrooms. The third course were kebabs with chicken, lamb and pork. For $55 per person this was a banquet of great value. There are many restaurants that are much more expensive and have worse quality food. Also, I want to note you are allowed to bring your own alcohol here. Overall, I had a great experience here and recommend this cafe!
Understaffed, under the train, and overwhelmingly good. Light green walls and basic interior, some outside tables. Harried waiters, and you may have to wait for the table (though the food came quickly). Authentic noodle offerings, delicious sauces (including the mushroom), good borsht (red, and try the green!)
This was my first time trying Ukrainian Borscht, so I was not sure what to expect, especially as I have never tried soup with sour cream before, but this was one of the best foods I had in NY and I had tried a huge variety of different NY foods during my vacation here. The soup was very flavorful with a variety of veggies and beets and was not too heavy or salty. The sour cream also compliments the soup's flavor nicely as well. I also had the meat ravioli/pelmeni, which also came with sour cream. These had a heavier meat flavor and the flour was soft and not too thick. Overall tasted pretty good but it's definitely the borscht which is the star of the show. Meal also comes with complementary bread and butter. Service was great as well, the waiters were very respectful.
TL;DR: An unassuming, authentic Russian restaurant that is borscht & pierogies/vareniki first, easily in my top 3 Eastern European dining arsenal. Highly recommend. While this place is brass tacks--a very casual food spot w less focus on service/ambiance--the chefs pour all that surplus effort into the food. It has the appeal of grandma cooking w/o the occasional pretentiousness of the NYC food scene. We went there for the first time on Saturday for lunch & had: Borchst: A light soup that somehow still holds a bunch of FLAVOR. Tastes very healthy, but has good depth and a nice "vegetable" taste. Handily the best borscht I have EVER had. Meat Ravioli: Smaller than pierogis, but equally flavorful, almost soup dumpling-like with some liquid and meat inside. Stroganoff: This was the middling dish. Not particularly flavorful, but a good option if you want a lot of protein. The meat is well-cooked meat, but dunked in a typical rich cream sauce that doesn't have much seasoning. Overall, this place was AMAZING & I would definitely go back.
How could I have not written a review for Oceanview Cafe? I love Oceanview Cafe! It's consistent and they have a lot of my comfort food favorites. The service is not unbelievable, but it is consistent, and the staff is very polite. The food is always fresh, the borscht is my favorite, with sour cream of course! I also recommend the cheese or meat blintzes, they are very tasty as well. The cafe has a great selection of beverages as well, including my favorite Georgian pear flavored soda. Prices are very reasonable. Definitely a solid place to grab a hot and tasty meal if you are in the area.
Behind a retro blue awning sits a restaurant dear to Brighton beach and to me! Ive been coming here with my family since I was a child so the food, vibes, and TVs playing endless Russian music are so nostalgic for me. Recently, I took a friend here who is not familiar at all with Eastern European food and she loved all of the dishes. The cutlets were perfectly seasoned, and the buckwheat was buttery and warm. It tasted just like what I eat at home. We also had the sweet cheese vareniki which tasted desert-like and were so decadent with the sour cream. The Compot had a refreshing fruit flavor and paired so well with our meal. The service was quick, and we were able to request extra plates to share our order. read more
2 months ago
A friend who grew up in the Bronx had never gone to Brighton Beach. 'C'mon,' I said. 'Let's go!' We didn't start off with a bang. Delicious elsewhere, their Ukrainian borscht -- one of my favorites -- fell a bit short. G ordered lobster bisque. Compared to a restaurant in Florida, Oceanview's soup had minimal lobster. Her rating, a measly '2 stars.' G's chicken kebob with grilled vegetables was as good as what I had here before. This time I ordered cutlets, fried with chopped chicken. It was okay, jazzed up with G's hot sauce. I won't get it again. With a glass of wine and a table outside, we enjoyed taking everything in: a heated argument between two Russian men cursing each other over parking. (It was like a skit from 'Saturday Night Live.') A table of locals chain-smoking ... I didn't think anyone smoked anymore. And of course, the rumble of the Q train above which is practically a signature of Brighton Beach. Lunch was actually pricey which is why we avoided both cafes on the boardwalk. In retrospect, we should've splurged on a scenic view for a few dollars more. 3.5 stars. read more
If you go to Brighton Beach, you have to experience two of the following: the beach and the Eastern European cuisine. Oceanview Cafe somewhat satisfies both. With it's outdoor dining that is minutes away from the beach, you get a pretty good summer dining experience if you don't mind the occasional subway overhead. The food at Oceanview Cafe is par for the course in terms of what's in the neighborhood. We ordered compote, mushrooms and potatoes, roasted veggies and rice pilav with kebabs. They were pretty tasty. read more
They give bread and butter to start with. Got vareniki, and fish with kompot. Meat vareniki were okay but sweet cream vareniki were best. Kompot was pretty good as well. We came during a weekday evening and they were packed. Packed to a point that a family with kids and a dog dined and dashed. Lovely ambiance otherwise, mostly people from the community eating. read more
We stumbled upon Ocean View Cafe while spending the day at Coney Island, and I'm so glad we found it. They serve excellent Ukrainian food that feels authentic and full of flavor. I ordered the chicken shish kebab, and the meat was perfectly cooked, incredibly juicy and packed with flavor. We also tried the varenyky with meat, which were absolutely incredible and some of the best dumplings I've ever had. Every bite was bursting with flavor and easily became the highlight of the meal. The service was pretty good, and I liked that the restaurant felt clean while still maintaining a local neighborhood charm. I'll definitely be returning the next time I'm in the area. read more
At the end of a long beach day, all you want is a satisfying meal at a chill restaurant and that's exactly what Oceanview Cafe gives you. Me and my friends spend the whole day in the area with no plan for dinner. We considered heading back to Williamsburg for dinner but found this place instead. It said "cash only" on the door though I think they said that only applies for brunch. We were there around 5/6pm and they took credit cards. Worst case scenario, there's an ATM a few blocks away. I got the seafood pasta not knowing exactly what to expect but assuming it would be high quality and fresh seafood. I was VERY happy with my choice and ate almost the entire large plate. My friends both got the scalloped pork chops with mashed potatoes which was also very tasty. We also got Verenikis to share (they're like a russian pierogi) which were awesome but not necessary since the portion sizes for our entrees were almost too much to finish. We sat outside (which I think is essential to the whole experience) and had a leisurely dinner. The staff was friendly and very patient with our poor Russian pronunciation. Every menu item was also presented in Russian and English which was very helpful for us. I would highly recommend this place and I'll definitely be back on my next beach day! read more
A friend asked me to meet her at Brighton Beach; she wanted company while she gets tan. It was the perfect excuse to try out a Russian restaurant. I am rarely in this area. The chicken soup was a surprise. I finally understood why the waiter asked me to clarify if I wanted chicken soup or chicken noodle soup. The one I ordered was just the soup with dill sprinkled in it. I like that it came with two piroges. Pelmeni (ravioli) reminded me of wontons with doughy exterior. It came with a side of sour cream. Now, I can say I tried Russian cuisine. I would come back again and order their stuffed cabbage. read more
3 months ago
9 months ago
Thank You! I am your regular visitor because the furnishings of the interior and your menu really appeal to me and I am a big fan of your kitchen. Many thanks to the Chef and all his assistants! read more
2 years ago
I read the reviews here prior to visiting, and the reviews speak for themselves. It's a small eatery, and they were busy. I tried the stuffed cabbage, and omg, this was incredible; the dill and sour cream added freshness to the dish, and I couldn't stop eating it. It was so addicting. I had the smoked fish with potatoes and Olivier salad, both of which were good as well. The service was good and prompt. The prices were better than other Russian restaurants in the area. I'm definitely coming back to try more food, but the stuffed cabbage was the best I've ever had. read more
1 year ago
Delicious lunch! I'm not too familiar with Russian or Ukrainian food but this exceeded my expectations. The fried liver was the clear winner (assuming you like liver) - on its own a touch salty but with the buckwheat side it was perfect. The pelmeni (a meat filled dumpling) was very tasty. I didn't try the borscht but my cousin said it was very good with intense beet flavor. All was clearly home made. The service was excellent, he answered all our questions about the menu and there's a video screen at each table showing the dishes. No one else there on a rainy Monday so had the place to ourselves. Not fancy but perfectly fine inside and very near the boardwalk at Brighton Beach. If you go to explore off-the-beaten-path parts of NYC, I recommend stopping here for lunch read more
Oceanview Café seems like a small restaraunt but it did a great job handling a party of 15 people. The waiters were always available to help and were quick to assist us when we needed something. Since we had a big party, we purchased a banquet of about $55 per person. The food was very well prepared and wasn't too salty. The appetizers were usual Russian appetizers (olevei, herring with potatoes, etc.) The second course was dumplings with meat and potatoes with mushrooms. The third course were kebabs with chicken, lamb and pork. For $55 per person this was a banquet of great value. There are many restaurants that are much more expensive and have worse quality food. Also, I want to note you are allowed to bring your own alcohol here. Overall, I had a great experience here and recommend this cafe! read more
1 year ago
6 months ago
Understaffed, under the train, and overwhelmingly good. Light green walls and basic interior, some outside tables. Harried waiters, and you may have to wait for the table (though the food came quickly). Authentic noodle offerings, delicious sauces (including the mushroom), good borsht (red, and try the green!) read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
5 years ago
This was my first time trying Ukrainian Borscht, so I was not sure what to expect, especially as I have never tried soup with sour cream before, but this was one of the best foods I had in NY and I had tried a huge variety of different NY foods during my vacation here. The soup was very flavorful with a variety of veggies and beets and was not too heavy or salty. The sour cream also compliments the soup's flavor nicely as well. I also had the meat ravioli/pelmeni, which also came with sour cream. These had a heavier meat flavor and the flour was soft and not too thick. Overall tasted pretty good but it's definitely the borscht which is the star of the show. Meal also comes with complementary bread and butter. Service was great as well, the waiters were very respectful. read more
3 years ago
TL;DR: An unassuming, authentic Russian restaurant that is borscht & pierogies/vareniki first, easily in my top 3 Eastern European dining arsenal. Highly recommend. While this place is brass tacks--a very casual food spot w less focus on service/ambiance--the chefs pour all that surplus effort into the food. It has the appeal of grandma cooking w/o the occasional pretentiousness of the NYC food scene. We went there for the first time on Saturday for lunch & had: Borchst: A light soup that somehow still holds a bunch of FLAVOR. Tastes very healthy, but has good depth and a nice "vegetable" taste. Handily the best borscht I have EVER had. Meat Ravioli: Smaller than pierogis, but equally flavorful, almost soup dumpling-like with some liquid and meat inside. Stroganoff: This was the middling dish. Not particularly flavorful, but a good option if you want a lot of protein. The meat is well-cooked meat, but dunked in a typical rich cream sauce that doesn't have much seasoning. Overall, this place was AMAZING & I would definitely go back. read more
How could I have not written a review for Oceanview Cafe? I love Oceanview Cafe! It's consistent and they have a lot of my comfort food favorites. The service is not unbelievable, but it is consistent, and the staff is very polite. The food is always fresh, the borscht is my favorite, with sour cream of course! I also recommend the cheese or meat blintzes, they are very tasty as well. The cafe has a great selection of beverages as well, including my favorite Georgian pear flavored soda. Prices are very reasonable. Definitely a solid place to grab a hot and tasty meal if you are in the area. read more
2 years ago
Loved - Chicken stroganoff - Ukranian borscht - Stuffed cabbage - Vareniki with potato and mushroom - Attentive service read more
2 years ago
we came from California to get some cultural experiences, including visiting Brighton Beach. My wife is Russian and I am American. And this was the best place. The food felt like straight out of the kitchen a home cooked meal. The service was excellent. Very friendly. And it just felt very comfortable atmosphere. prices very reasonable too. read more
Came by on a weekday to order some lunch to go. Meat vareniki- pretty good. The meat is flavorful and tastes delicious especially with sour cream. Probably my most favorite out of the other 2 varenikis I've tried. Potato vareniki- I actually ordered "potato and mushrooms" vareniki but I think they gave me the wrong thing cuz there were no mushrooms in it. The potato vareniki was ok. I preferred the meat vareniki more. Sweet cheese vareniki-interesting. Takes a couple bites to get used to. Ukrainian Borscht- flavorful, lots of veggies. I enjoyed the soup! read more
2 years ago
Absolutely loved this place! Quick and super friendly service, even while packed with local clientele on a Saturday afternoon. Such a great spot for authentic Russian food. My boyfriend said the food reminded him of his childhood. read more
An unassuming Russian diner with great lunch. My boyfriend and I chose this place on Yelp as we didn't know we were in an area with a large Russian population. A 2pm lunch on a Saturday it was relatively empty but it looked like the locals were keeping them busy - I feel like full days are spent here for some. The waiters were friendly and brought us a basket of simple sliced bread. We ordered the borscht, beef stroganoff, and the meat vareniki because that is what everyone raved about on here. The borscht was delicious - perfect temperature and balance of flavors. It looks like it would taste only of beats but it is quite flavorful. It is great with the sour cream too. The beef stroganoff was like the best comfort food - the gravy and beef for plentiful as well as potatoes. The meat was so tender too. The meat vareniki was filled with a pork and topped with sweet caramelized onions. The salty pork with the sweet onions along with a dab of sour cream blended together so nicely. Service could be slow at times, but it is worth it if the food. Authenticity seems to run here. I'll be happy to return. read more
2 years ago
Aloha. First personal so polite and kind, second food n etc all fresh, delicious n served in most beautiful way. Here u can feel like a home cuz so cozy place. For 100% recommend. U can come alone, with ur gf or with ur family. So respectful and caring in everything n everyone. Thanks a lot for your service. read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
An unassuming location by the bustling train station and brisk walking pedestrians. Who cares about the chaos and noise outside when you escape from all that in the comfortable and inviting Oceanview Cafe. After reading mixed reviews my guard was up and I was fault seeking. Honestly I really had a hard time finding something I didn't like. It's a very casual set up/ambiance with a few flat screens dispersed playing soccer at the time. This place feels like a hangout where the locals eat. I very much prefer food over ambiance if I had to choose. Sergei our waiter was attentive, friendly and down to earth. We ordered the popular dishes we read about in Yelp including the Ukrainian borscht, lamb soup (kharcho), meat vareniki, beef stroganoff and for drinks: tarragon soda, pear soda and cherry compot. To start off with, two pairs of soft sandwich style bread with butter were served in a little basket - white and pumpernickel. That was a nice touch and felt homey. Then we were presented with the soups - nice and hot. My spouse loved the lamb soup and even though he's not Eastern European he said it tasted very much like what grandma made for him as a child growing up. His eyes were basically rolling to the back of his head as he savored each spoonful. I was ok with the borscht - I guess I prefer it to be heartier and thicker in texture and more flavorful. The borscht was served with sour cream which complemented it well. Everything served was homemade, fresh out of the kitchen. The meat vareniki was presented in a small soup crock with a generous pile of sautéed onions on top and sour cream on the side. The little bowl seemed bottomless as we kept eating dumpling after dumpling to no end! It tasted really good. The beef stroganoff did not disappoint either. The beef was seasoned well and not chewy. The mashed potatoes were on point. We appreciated that nothing was salty - well maybe the kharcho a bit. This suited our taste better and it's healthier too for the customers. They have salt and pepper on each table - so add to your liking! Everything was made with TLC. You can tell the chef (s) takes his/her food seriously. The drinks - a bit disappointed with the artificial bright green color of the tarragon soda. The pear soda was alright. The two sodas came in large bottles with wine glasses which was a nice presentation but the sodas have the typical syrupy sweetness. The cherry "fruit punch" was the winner for us as far as the drink. It's simple - maybe a tad too diluted -just water and sugar added to a bunch of sour cherries which settled on the bottom of the glass. Tasted the best though and was the heather option! We were ready to explode after eating so much and we can't wait to return and explore the other recommended menu items next time! read more
2 years ago
I've been coming to this restaurant since the mid 1980s. It's consistently awesome food. My family loves this restaurant because prices are reasonable, casual, staff is pleasant read more
Ok. I'm treading in a neighborhood outside of my comfort zone and I am absolutely thrilled to do it. This unassuming corner establishment between Brighton Beach Third St and Brighton Beach Ave in guess.... Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, has the BEST Ukrainian Borscht I have EVER had. Dare I say better than my Ukrainian friend's mom's famous borscht in Canada. Yes!!! Dang. It's served with a basket of rye and pumpernickel bread, some butter and sour cream on the side. They don't skimp on the shredded cabbage. And that zing and tang and wow never diminishes with every consecutive morsel. So nice to have this hot flavorful dish on a cold winter as a late afternoon snack to tie you over before dinner. You know how to tell if you are at a great ethnic cuisine spot is when nearly everyone in the establishment are speaking the native tongue. This quaint unpretentious spot is clean and cozy and the staff are inviting. As soon as you open the door, all you hear is Russian. I am literally the only non- Russian here (I think). Service is fast. No one bothers you. No one is pushing for you to leave. If you need a waiter he's literally 6-8 ft away. Yes, the place is small, but that's part of the charm. I'm taking some Stuffed Cabbage to go. I've heard they too are awesome. read more
This place is a hidden gem and I'm glad I went here because it was one of the highlights of my trip! My boyfriend and I ordered Borscht and Pelmeni. For the Borscht, we ordered a large and thankfully, they were kind enough to help us split the soup into two separate bowls. The borscht tasted amazing. Never did I imagine loving beets but I knew one thing for sure and that it's going to be my new obsession. You can definitely taste the flavor and the earthiness of the herbs. It wasn't too salty nor was it too sweet, it was perfect. As for the Pelmeni, it was unique and different. The meat inside had enough flavors. It also wasn't under or overcooked to the point where the wrapping would rip. The cream cheese complemented both of the dishes well, and that's coming from someone who doesn't like cottage cheese. Would I come back? Yes! read more
2 years ago
OMG!! I found home away from home (aka my parent's home in CA). As a Russian/Ukrainian, I can attest that Oceanview Cafe has some bomb Slavic food. Let me start with the borscht, it's so flavorful and perfect in temperature. For $7 it's a fairly large portion! Don't forget to mix in some sour cream and enjoy with a slice of bread. The pelmeni (aka "meat ravioli") are incredible too.. and ofcourse we slap on sour cream on that as well!! Hey - it tastes good, don't judge. Lamb shish kabob was pretty yummy too - I ordered it with a side of buckwheat but you can choose something else. Okay but let's talk about the cheese pancakes!! Those were AMAZING! You HAVE to try. We also had kompot (fruit drink, super good too) and vodka shots (so traditional). All in all, the food was amazing!! The inside of the restaurant is a bit small but they have a good amount of seating outside under a tent. Go here if you want to try some delicious Slavic food!! Will definitely be back! read more
3 years ago
1 year ago
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More info about Oceanview Cafe
290 Brighton Beach Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11235
Brighton Beach
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(718) 332-1900
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Is there outdoor dining?
Yes there was as of last month. Not very socially distanced though so good luck on that front.
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