The best place on Brighton Beach to spend your time for the lunch,fam dinner!!!! Definitely must visit!!!!

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

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Despite the name, there's no 'ocean view." Since our go-to cafes on the boardwalk have become pricey I felt it time to branch out. Yelp reviews propelled us here. And I'm glad; lunch was delightful. Weather was perfect, neither hot nor cold, so we sat outside enjoying the 'ambience' of Brighton Beach Avenue (ie, the rumble of the Q train from the corner el.) Seriously -- I liked it! Our Odessa salad was particularly good because of Oceanview's light and flavorful vinaigrette. At first I was skeptical -- iceberg isn't my favorite lettuce -- but with peppers, tomatoes, scallions and more, I'd order this again. Red caviar with blintzes was surprising. I was expecting my idea of blintzes, but these were blini. We topped each crepe with sour cream, salmon caviar and salad ingredients. A one-shot deal for me. T and I shared an order of chicken kebobs. Had I known they use dark meat, I would have ordered cutlets -- but the chicken was so nicely seasoned and prepared -- moist, yet cooked through -- I was pleased. Accompanying buckwheat (a throwback to my mom's kasha) was a great side. Service was attentive and very nice. If you pay cash, you'll reap a 3% discount. Card and cash prices are listed on the menu. The menu also notes that a "10% gratuity may be added to your check." We of course added more. read more

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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

Oceanview Cafe - Varenyky - Cafes Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Uhh. Simply the best in Brighton Beach. If you want authentic Ukranian/Russian without all the pomp & circumstance, this is the joint. Have been more times than I can count. Just go. 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

Oceanview Cafe - vereniki - Cafes Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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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

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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

Oceanview Cafe - Cheesecakes - Cafes Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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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

Oceanview Cafe - Olivier salad and Smoked Mackerel with Potatoes - Cafes Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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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

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Hidden charges and terrible service. I've been going here for many years. My last experience was a huge disappointment. It was only about 1/3 full, with plenty of staff. Yet I had to ask my waiter for water and bread multiple times. Instead of bringing them to me, he stood by the register talking to another waiter, then he went and wiped down tables. I had to flag him down twice. When I got my check, there were multiple extra charges - first of all, a 10% service fee. This was for a table for one! I understand a service fee for large parties, but they lost the opportunity for a bigger tip (as I usually do 20% or more) by scribbling this with no explanation. I had to ask what it said because it was either not written in English or just illegible. Then there was a credit card service fee. I ended up paying cash, gave the exact amount and not a penny more and left. read more

The food is ok and decent/mediocre. The sitting area is a little bit outdated or old school, no problem with that. The staff was alright. The reason why it's a 2 and I would not recommend is the price. It's expensive for the quantities and quality, I just feel like there's cheaper options specially in the same area. If they give you more food or made the prices lower (in this economy lol) you will get more bang for your buck. read more

Love it! This is a solid place to drop by for a soup and coffee. While i am not a tourist- its worth a visit to take advantage of the tastefully authentic russian cuisine. The perfect mix of casual and fine dining. The soup is hot, flavorful and made with quality ingredients. Came with glass of water and bread. Super attentive staff. Liver was fantastic, reminded me of my grandmothers cooking. Would recommend for solo or groups. I will admit i dislike hearing radio ads while eating. read more

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

Oceanview Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Loved - Chicken stroganoff - Ukranian borscht - Stuffed cabbage - Vareniki with potato and mushroom - Attentive service read more

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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

Oceanview Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

This is one of my favorite places! I have been going here for over 15 years with my family and cannot get enough. The restaurant is small and gets busy quickly so you know the food is delicious! Some of my favorite things to order are the fried flounder, tabaka, kebabs, pelmini, and the salads. Don't forget to wash it down with kompot! Everything is so fresh and cooked with care. The waitstaff are always on the go and very attentive. Will continue to come here for years. read more

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

Oceanview Cafe - reataraunt - Cafes Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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

Oceanview Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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

Oceanview Cafe - Ukrainian Borscht - Cafes Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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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

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I like this place. They serve home style Russian food, simple interior and fast service. Prices are very affordable. Good place to eat your lunch. read more

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

Oceanview Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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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

Oceanview Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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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

Oceanview Cafe - second food n etc all fresh, delicious n served in most beautiful way. - Cafes Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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

Oceanview Cafe - Menu 01/2021 - Cafes Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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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

Oceanview Cafe - Ukrainian Borscht - Cafes Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Great food and a friendly attentive staff. There are many authentic menu options. Prices are reasonable.

Most authentic vareniki and pelmeni you'll be able to get in the NYC area. Food is always incredible and fresh and staff is always helpful and friendly. A classic staple in the Brighton Beach area. read more

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

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I'd rate Oceanview Cafe four and a half stars. Came here for a late dinner with my wife and our aunt. We shared a bunch of dishes including the Greek salad, veal tongue, pelmeni, fried potatoes with mushrooms, blintzes with caviar, pork shish kebabs, and grilled bronzino. Everything was great. My favorite items were the blintzes and the kebabs. 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

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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

Oceanview Cafe - Ukrainian Borscht - Cafes Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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CHECK BILL FOR INCLUDED TIP!! I'm Russian and have been coming here for years. It's a great, cute restaurant. Recently I brought a friend - we only spoke English this time. I noticed my (itemized handwritten) bill was a lot higher than I'd expect and sure enough in barely legible handwriting, they added a 25% tip! After I gave my card, they then brought out a printed check with the full (non itemized, tip included) amount and an extra tip request with the suggested tip amounts. Wtf. So disappointed in this place. Please check your receipts and dont tip if you see any unrecognizable charges. Esp if you're not Russian. read more

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

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Came on a weekend afternoon and the place was slowly getting crowded but staff were friendly, efficient and detailed. Overall great meal, it was my first time having Ukrainian food and definitely looking forward to trying more. The stuffed cabbage and the blintzes were quite filling. Had some the following day and they were even tastier. read more

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Best Russian restaurant outside of Russia. Pricing is very good. Everything we ordered was delicious! Love that staff is wearing cute uniform. SUPER clean inside and we know why, because we saw the owner and he looked so neat and cute read more

Oceanview Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

We had lunch at Oceanview Cafe a few weeks ago when we were in NYC for a long weekend and decided to walk around Brighton Beach/Coney Island. We sat outside in their covered seating area (which was soooo hot humid and I wish we'd sat outside not in the covered area or inside). We shared the herring with potato (a cold app), blintzes with famers cheese, and Solyanka soup. I loved the herring and the chilled soup (perfect for summer), but I found the blintzes a little too sweet (personal preference; my husband loved them). He had a tarragon soda, and I had a beer. The service was very good. I thoroughly enjoyed the food and would definitely return - stroganoff, stew with dried apricots and plums, stewed cabbage, kielbasa, borscht, vareniki, pelmeni, khinkali, lobio...they make so many dishes I love that I would try on another occasion! Overall, a great cafe if you're in the area and want some Russian/Eastern European food! I'd be happy to return the next time I'm in the neighborhood! read more

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Despite there being no actual view of the ocean but instead al fresco dining was the usual interesting sidewalk pedestrians and blaring construction, I would jump at the chance to come back and try more dishes from the menu. The food we ordered (and we definitely over-ordered) was just that good. I went with the pear soda despite the tarragon soda catching my eye - it's the one thing that I'd maybe skip next time because, though nicely cold and fizzy on a hot summer afternoon, it was overbearingly sweet. The avocado salad was a little heavy-handed on the Asian sesame vinaigrette, to the point where that was all I really tasted. That said, they get points for being very generous with the ripe avocado chunks, which is something that more often than not gets skimped on. The best things we ordered by a mile: the cold borscht soup (amazing, could eat this every single day, also I love dill); the ravioli with lamb meat; and the pelmeni with sweet farmers cheese. The latter two come bathed in a nice layer of butter and you'll definitely feel it if you eat too many of these deceptively small babies. My favorite was the sweet pelmeni. We were too stuffed to consider the fruit blintzes but we did find it funny that of the four options listed under beer, two options were simply "Russian" and "Ukrainian." Try to come here before the weekend lunch rush because the outdoor seating filled up fast! read more

We stopped for dinner while on vacation in the city. I grew up eating this food and eating here was like going back to my mom's kitchen. Everything we ordered was absolutely delicious and very authentic. The borscht was flavorful. My son enjoyed the chicken soup with vermicelli. We also shared the pelmeni, which were delicate yet flavorful. The herring with potatoes were absolutely delicious. The combination of the warm potatoes with cold marinated herring is a winner! All the dishes had good balance of herbs, particularly dill and parsley. We all agreed that it was one of the culinary highlights of our visit. Would definitely come back for more! read more

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