Our favorite spot to order food . Always fresh , always tasty and service is always friendly and attentive ! I do recommend read more

Vanka Cafe - Cute decoration ! - Russian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

I came for a banquet-style dinner. For banquets, Vanka has the most bang for your buck. $50pp and there's SO MUCH FOOD. I'm not a huge fan of Russian food but like with any banquet, some dishes are better than others. The pickles were fantastic. Salads were fresh. I really liked the smoked fish platter as well. I also enjoyed the chicken shashlik and the Russian-style potatoes with mushrooms. Very good but a bit oily, just like grandma would make. Service was good too. They dealt with a 15-person party very well and we're very accommodating. Inside isn't anything special. It definitely has dacha vibes which add to the whole experience overall. read more

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Ambiance - the air condition was on even though it was 60 degrees outside, inside the cafe was cold and super bright. Service - service was good. The waiter right away took away the over salty borsht, and apologized for the potatoes that were not freshly prepared, probably put on our table from the fridge, as it had a mystic grayish tone. The Mackerel was also not fresh and overly salty, so we sent it back. The salad was too oily, soaked in oil but we ate it. We also ordered a cutlet with buckwheat and it was ok. When we complained about the potato the waiter told us that the cooks are older folks and wouldn't listen to his recommendations to make it fresh. Unless you are starving and there is no where to eat, do visit this place. We don't recommend it. 2 stars for a good waiter who was young and polite. I assume he works there because he needs money. Why else would anyone work at this cafe? read more

Absolutely go to place for any occasion! I love coming here with the family or even friends. Best Russian food in town. Everything is always fresh, cooked to perfection. If any of my non Russian friends want to go out and try Russian food, i bring them here. I love their pelmani (dumpling) soup & home made kompot (fruit punch). This is the only place i can eat the tongue salad! Highly recommend! Always great service! Even though they look like they are running around like chickens without heads, they'll always be on point. Very family feel place. read more

DEAR Marina... I explicitly asked to speak to the owner end I have 3 recorded videos that I already submitted to the health department. Please do not try to discriminate and lie yet again and bluntly dismiss my legitimate concern. I uploaded pictures of exactly two of your staff who one of them claimed to be the owner. Disobeying and disregarding the Americans Disability ACT you should be ashamed of your employees. Instead of coming on here to bash me and claim this never happened, you should teach your employees that harassment and discrimination is unacceptable in the United States and I will make sure of it that your cafe will answer for it. Little did you know but the person with us who witnessed everything is a very well known lawyer, and the whole incident was very clearly documented. Claiming you never recieved bad reviews regarding your hygenie - well check your reviews again. Almost every one mentions how filthy the place is. Very nice to see your actual violations - live mice in establishment. We were denied service with our service dog. OWNER AND WORKERs ARE BOTH DISGUSTING AND RUDE. Educate your employees on the law and how to speak with clients. Refused to allow a 75 year old man with a service dog into the premises. Discrimination at its finest, I will be calling the health department so they can inspect what a dirty and disgusting establishment you run. Hope this place gets shut down. read more

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I love this place, come here once a week for lunch with family. Their chef is a genius, nothing I had so far disappointed. I love that their lunch menu is so cheap, at $11 for full size appetizer, entree and a drink. They have outdoor seating and just opened inside seating at 25% capacity. They also make sure to follow all protocol during this crazy time. Highly recommend to stop in for any occasion or time. read more

Food was delicious , my first time there ! Would definitely return but might need to point out selections on menu !

Great spot with amazing food!! The service is very friendly and nice. I ordered green borsh, holodec, lamb shish kebab, and cherry vareniki with black tea. Everything came right on time and very tasty!!! Huge thanks to cook chief you guys did an amazing job!! Definitely coming back! read more

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Had a great time here celebrating my grandmother in law. The food was amazing and the service was great! They had awesome gluten free options. Since we were part of a group, food was put out for us, but everything was awesome! Would totally come back again! We're glad they had fans on the wall too since it got toasty being in a packed place. Can't wait to come back next time we're back. read more

Vanka Cafe is the quintessential Russian eatery in south Brooklyn. Vanka is a great place to come with a group of friends or family to have some solid Russian comfort food. The prices are very reasonable, the atmosphere is warm and welcoming and it's BYOB! Some of the great items I like to order here are salad "Olivier", pickled herring with boiled potatoes, mushrooms "julienne", home fried potatoes with mushrooms, Khachipuri, and beef tongue. And these are just the hot and cold appetizer options. Some of the tasty entrees I've sampled here are chicken kebab, pork kebab, chicken schnitzel with sunny side egg, grilled salmon in cream sauce, the beef stroganoff is pretty good and my favorite, the chicken Kiev. All these great options come with a side of mashed potatoes, or French fries or buckwheat kasha. I've been here many times and celebrated many occasions here over the years and they're consistently good quality. They're friendly and always treated us well. read more

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A MUST if you are in the area! Traditional Tasty Inexpensive Russian Food Served up Fresh & Tasty with a Warm Friendly Attitude (non- NY & "non-Russian")! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FOOD: Having grown up near Brighton Beach (Little Odessa), of Slovak Ancestry, well traveled, I am very familiar with Eastern European, Russian, & Middle Eastern cuisine. After I left NYC at the age 32, for Hawaii & then California, I had not had a Chicken Kiev for decades....that is until I had Vanka's EXCELLENT CHICKEN KIEV among other tasty offerings. The Chicken Kiev (see pic) was filled with tons of lovely artery clogging butter, while still maintaining a nice crunchy non-greasy exterior. It was one of the few things in NYC that it was as good, or better, than I remember from back in the day! The Cherry Dumplings were yet another stand out, that were identical to the Polish or Slovak Pierogi versions. My veggie wife did love them. On the other hand, I was not expecting the Russian style meat Pierogi would be so different, and more like a Pastry. The Chicken Soup with dumplings was just like "MOM USED TO MAKE" and was surely homemade. While we sampled our own little feast, it was nothing compared to the usual extravagant spread that a large group of Russian had behind us. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SERVICE: They were attentive, friendly, & nice, without any pressure. They communicated well in English & were really accommodating when it came to my Vege Wife's preferences. Their service & attitude was on par, or even better, than many of the fine restaurants in San Francisco. It was a big stand out in NYC, where rampant rudeness is the norm. In other words, they did make a non-Russian newcomer feel like an accepted regular in an ethic restaurant. They single handedly blew away the usual stereotypes associated with such places. We really thank the Vanka staff for making our ARTIC FREEZING NYC stay with my NY brother, much more pleasant. I only wish that we had time to frequent it many more times during our stay, but it was not possible since we were busy taking care of my extremely ill mother who also spent two weeks in NYU Medical Center in Manhattan. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ATMOSPHERE: Pleasant, clean, utilitarian, & non ostentatious. The bathroom was clean & spotless. Overall, it was ideal for a humble "mom & pop" operation. The staff was warm & friendly, & I had some nice conversations with many of them. Since we came at a off-peak time, that added to the casual atmosphere. This place stands in stark contrast to the rude or indifferent attitude & unhygienic Russian Deli that is a few blocks away...were their hot bar is exposed to whatever & has many items spoiling without proper heat (or cold)...that place must pay off the health inspectors. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In Summary, GREAT Handcrafted Homemade FOOD & SERVICE, in a friendly local peaceful Neighborhood setting... SO GO HERE FOR RUSSIAN FOOD !!! It is in my opinion, far better than most places in Brighton Beach where they are not anywhere near as nice & where the hustle & bustle, will stress you out! Again..... Thanks VANKA !!!!!! P.S.- See menu/pics for great extensive Take-Out/ Delivery options at amazing prices! read more

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My husband and I moved to Brooklyn 11 years ago and discovered Vanka immediately. The food is so good and the cost is so low that we continue go there quite often. We are retired now and take advantage of Vanka's lunch special that they provide on weekdays. Their personal is very nice and the portions are large and testy. Vanka also does free home delivery. If you like Russian and Ukrainian food Vanka is the place. read more

Always loved this place, but was kind of dissapointed this week. Price increase i am ok with, but service and quality of food decrease i am not ok with. Steak was horrible. Full of fat and so hard. Had to ask for a different knife, because regular steak knife did not cut it. Still do not know, who are waiter was, because different people served all the dishes. They apply 10% service charge automatically and additional 3% for a credit card. Really? Most places will give you a 5-10% off, if you pay with cash. They do not. And after that, their receipt still suggests 18% and higher tip. 10% service fee is a tip and we left another 10% . Basically from around $400 bill, we ended up with more then $500. Very expensive for the service and food uality we got. read more

this is called "pelmeni" which can be eaten in one bite. Each one is the size of my pinky and the amount of oil it was in was crazy. read more

Vanka Cafe - pelmeni - Russian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

The food was ok, nothing special TBH, the service is extremely slow. And no parking near by. It's ok for families dinner but nothing to crazy. read more

Vanka Cafe - Russian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Amazing food. Always order from them (chicken tobaka) best in town. Keep up the good work

This place is great in many ways. This establishment offers great food, customer service and wonderful drinks. I have decided to visit this resturant, because I wanted to eat something different. I am glad I visited this place, because I wanted to eat everything after my first meal. I am happy with my selection and I know I will return with friends. If you decide to visit this place, do not hesitate to ask someone for their recommendation, because if you decide on your own it make take a while. Why? Everything is prepared nicely on your plate. Trust me, you will begin to take many photos instantly. Recommend dishes: This is a difficult choice, because the chef prepared their meals with love. I recommend you to come here and choose for yourself. Your selection will always be the best choice. read more

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I held a dinner to remember my deceased father. I booked a table for 19 people for $30 per person. There was an amazing amount of food served traditional Russian style. 15 types of appetizers, 5 types of entrees, and 10 types of deserts. The price was definitely worth it. They have more expensive set up per person, but I was balling on a budget that night. Service was good. I brought my own vodka and wine which they opened and put on the table. I got the bill, it all added up correctly, but I was surprised to see a new service charge, $50 for the waiter (this is not the tip). Anyway, I paid it because overall the experience seemed worth it. It's not a huge place and not enough room to dance or have a band. It's your typical restaurant with room to sit on either side of the room and a walkway down the middle. Decor is mediocre at best, but the good food helps not notice that. If I come back to New York I would come back here for a family/friends gathering. read more

My friend ordered out from this place and we ordered an assortment of dishes which included a split chicken dish, an eel salad and beef salad baked escargo baked potato gratin like dish. Taste wise, this place was amazing. Everything was exceptionally well made and it tasted like what a hearty meal would taste like. This place is inexpensive and a great place to try if you're in need of some Russian food! Yum-O read more

Vanka Cafe - My amazing take out meal at Vanka Cafe. Thanks Gabby for treating! ;) - Russian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Russian speaking people really like This place because it is special: decor is outdated but cozy , service is nice and simple , food is not expensive and not fancy .If you like heavy fatty food and you do not know were to take you grandma for lunch - this is a place to go. We went here for lunch and I think their Chef had a bad day or maybe we made a wrong choice.After all ,they do not care what you think about them. read more

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I came to Vanka Cafe for a birthday party for which we reserved a large table and submitted a pre-order. The restaurant was able to accommodate us despite having an even larger party and still serving customers which showed that the management was prepared. When we arrived the waiters were still plating the table. We ordered two or three of about eight appetizers and salads, and the waiters tried to plate everything instead of plating one or two of each appetizer and salad and then replacing the plate once we finished it. After they finished plating, the table looked like a cluttered mess with plates stacked on top of others with others on the edge of the table. We had additional courses, so it became necessary for the waiters to make space for more plates as the meal progressed. Their solution was to remove several plates and condense them to one which had a practical result, but left the re-plated entrees not looking as appetizing as they originally had. It seemed that the wait staff was inexperienced based on these observations; fortunately, they compensated for inexperience with attentiveness. Of the appetizers and salads, the only dish which I found interesting was a wrapped crepe with a salmon filling topped off with a pickle and red caviar which was sliced and held together by a tooth pick (think sushi on its side Russian style). It was creative dish but the cucumber and filling overpowered the crepe and caviar. I would recommend the traditional crepes and caviar to newcomers and would only suggest this dish for anyone willing to take a risk on a creative twist. The other appetizers and salads were fairly straight-forward (e.g. simply beef tongue or lox arranged on a plate). Of the eight or so dishes which we ordered, the only dish that I did not like was a salad (I assume Greek based on the composition) with had too much feta cheese. Of the latter courses, I really enjoyed a dish with cooked mushrooms, onions, and potatoes. I made a rookie mistake and eat too much of the dish, so I was too fully to completely indulge in the next three courses. My mother was pretty quiet during the main courses, so I will have to assume the dishes were satisfactory to her standards as she was not complaining. For desert (which I had absolutely no room for in my stomach) my compatriots enjoyed tiramisu cake, creme brules, eclairs, and various fruits. Again, I assume they were very good as no one had any trouble finishing them up. Overall, I would rate Vanka Cafe three and a half stars, but Yelp does not permit this rating. I recommend Vanka Cafe to anyone who wants to try homestyle Russian food but is intimidated by Russian supermarkets. read more

not sure what type of food this was but had to stop solely based on the name. I have no clue what that name means but it is definitely intriguing. Seems like the standard russian fare. We had some salmon, some lentils, some other fish, and me. We had the whole fish and it was cooked well just have to watch out for the bones. Overall, It isnt the lightest of meals but does the job. Nothing jumps out at me at being great but it is a solid russian spot if you are in the mood for it. read more

I've driven by this place many times but have been accustomed to getting my shishkabob elsewhere. I finally decided to give them a try. They have a nice casual atmosphere and the waiters were helpful. Their menu is pretty diverse and has the traditional European/ Georgian dishes. I tried out the chicken and beef shishkabob. They were cooked perfectly, very soft, and flavorful. Nicely presented and decent portions. I heard it gets pretty loud in the evenings but for lunch, it was nice and quiet. Overall, I really enjoyed it and have to admit -- my usual shishkabob places have some competition. read more

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Oh my God, Vanka Cafe was definitely wonderful. They have great selection of items with fair prices for what u get. Me and my friend were pleasantly surprised with how good their Cherry Dumplings was, simply delicious. I became good friends with the staff, who are all amazing and super friendly. All in all, awesome. read more

Just ordered $140 worth of food , came iced cold. Absolutely everything . Usually I can't complain, but today I was annoyed.

This place is amazing. The potatoes were insanely amazing. The meat falls off the bone and melts in your mouth. Both dishes beautifully seasoned, large portions, fast service.. I will most definitely come back read more

Vanka Cafe - Delicious - Russian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

I would say thank you gays, lovely service, lovely people, my husband's birthday was perfect today! Never expected even better! Highly recommend read more

Simply the best place in Brooklyn. Tasty food, great prices, friendly staff and convenient location. Highly recommend to visit. My favorite spot! read more

It was a pleasure eating at this place. Clean, quiet, good service. Thank God there was no muzak blasting from the TV or speakers. The food was good to excellent; all the salads were good, shishkebabs were perfect, but I didnt care for the fish. Why no soup, I have no idea. The desserts were great! I will come back. Prices were below fancier Russian places, but average for this type of restaurant. read more

One of the best places in Brooklyn for authentic Russian food, everything is delicious, from the soups to dumplings, to the chicken tabaka or the schnitzel!! Definitely recommend the place for the food and best of all amazing pricing!! read more

The lunch prices here are very decent. If you want a multi-course meal (cold/hot appetizer, soup, huge hot entree, drink) - under $20 per person, which is pretty good as far as portion size and food selection goes with Russian Restaurants. Great variety of food (including lamb testicles - yummo!) for a medium sized cafe. My only issue with this place (which gets a 3.5 rating) is 1) the service can be slow 2) although the menu is extensive, the food preparation could be a little better. My lamb kebob was a little dry; The french fries were cold on arrival; the hot dishes were somewhat mediocre tasting. read more

We ask for a table and a waiter ask if we could eat fast, like an hour. After waiting. For Some time, we got a table, which we had to give one more time, to move to another, where they assured, nobody is going to ask us to leave. Well, by the time new people came, waiter(Very nasty) just said : you have to leave, and if you not happy, you can f...k yourself. I would never come back, and for the price I've paid for food, there are plenty of nice places around here. People! Ignore it as much as you can! At least we can teach them how to learn to serve nicely. read more

One of my favorite russian restaurants. Their food is amazing, the service is friendly and this place is always busy. Poperechka (beef on bone) is amazing, their Kiev cutlet is great and the portions are shareable. The environment is very homie, especially in winter months. read more

The service is absolutely horrible. The staff act as though you're asking them to perform a huge favour for you and are very short, rude and cold. The food is delicious but because of the service, I would never return and advise anyone (especially those who don't speak Russian) to order this to go so that you don't have to deal with the nasty staff. I would give it 0 stars based on the service alone, but the food is tasty enough to warrant 2 stars. tl;dr- Order this to go. You don't want to deal with the staff unless you like rude and unfriendly Russians. read more

The food is great and and the proportions are well worth the $ in my opinion. I can't say anything negative about this spot.

Big fan of this place. My family visits here every so often during birthdays or family events. Despite having 8-10 guests every time, our table was always ready and awaiting us when we placed a reservation. The staff is very warm and welcoming, and we have never had any issues. We have nothing but good things to say about the staff. They are always accommodating, whether we wanted to switch tabled or order extra pickled cabbage or bread they have always obliged our wishes. The food is inexpensive and delicious. Plan your stomach accordingly because you will not be able to eat all the delicious options present at your table! This is one of those places where only the truly brave make it all the way to the dessert round. I have only a few things left on the menu which I did not try, one of them being the escargot (as the idea of eating snails just weirds me out). but I'm sure it is also delicious! The atmosphere is warm and welcoming and very homey. It can get pretty loud, depending on the guests. If you want an intimate candle lit dinner this is not the place for that. (Maybe during off hours?) This is a place to come, laugh, have a good time, eat lots of good food. You know a restaurant is good when you notice it's absence in your life and make it a point to comeback to get your fix. Looking forward to my next visit! read more

All aspects if this eclectically decorated place were surprisingly excellent: very attentive cordial service and huge portions of masterfully prepared food. We got solyanka to start - this soup that is made from pieces of leftover meats and cold cuts can be ruined easily, but these guys did it so well. It just hit the spot on a cold night. Pelmeni were generously meaty and swam in butter, which is just perfect in my eyes. My pork chop was very well seasoned and nicely grilled. Schnitzel was chopped and coated just the right way. Salmon was not even a bit dry. I was mostly pleased with the grilled tomato - it was so good that I can't find the right words to describe its deliciousness. This will be my new spot for a "home like" meal at a very reasonable price. read more

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The "beef in garlic sous " of the place is amazing The best thing I ever tried from the russian dishes Good job guys read more

Customer service here is disgusting! I was sitting with my friend for about 20 minutes and the first time someone came over- not to ask for what we would like to Order but to tell us to move our table because there were 3 Russian women that did not want to sit at the table they were given, but wanted our table... now clearly being Hispanic and black there was clearly discrimination going on here. I let the waiter know this was very rude and he laughed in my face saying it is not rude and gave a dirty look. Said no problem and smirked. It was very uncomfortable and made me feel like he would do something to my food. He said his name was Andrew, but to clarify, he was a skinny Russian dude with curly hair, incase the owner would like to take this review into consideration and do an in service with his employees on customer service. Will never be back here again. For better customer service, you should go to nargis cafe which is 5 minutes away. read more

Very rude people working. They do not care for customer satisfaction. Laughed in our face when asking a question.