Ohmygawd, what a treasure! Came in for a late lunch on Sunday, 9/13/26 with my girlfriend while visiting NYC for the weekend. It was full, but we only waited for 5 minutes for a table inside - too hot and humid to sit outside. It was loud, but we could still have a conversation. My girlfriend has been coming here for YEARS and was excited to share it with me. We sat inside and had fantastic service from Inna A. We started with cocktails, obvi. She had a deconstructed mimosa (prosecco with a side of oj) and I had the Babuni and we were off to a great start. We ordered 4 fried pierogi - potato, cheese, mushroom & sauerkraut and arugula & goat cheese. Each one was big enough to share and they were all so good, but my favorite was the arugula & goat cheese. We also had the holubtsi. I had been craving stuffed cabbage with tomato sauce and this was exactly what I had in mind, it was perfection. And the blintzes with raspberry sauce. They were THE best blintzes I've ever had. They came out after the rest of our food and I forgot to snap a pic, boo. On our way out we needed (yes, needed) merch and grabbed a fantastic Rice Krispie treat that had yellow and blue sprinkles in it! We had the best chat with an older gentleman that was working there and helped with our purchases. He was an absolute gem read more

Veselka - Stuffed Cabbage - Ukrainian Near Me - New York, New York

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I love that this place is open 24 hours! I stopped by after a night out, and it was exactly what I needed. The dozen pierogies are a pretty good deal, and they have plenty of flavors you can try. I thought they were all pretty good and worth trying, with my favorite being the braised beef. We also got the side of bacon and sausage, which was awesome and packed with flavor! In general, I like all the sides they include. We also tried the blintz with raspberry sauce, and that was great as well! The atmosphere inside is very comfortable, and service was super friendly, especially considering it was late at night. read more

Veselka - Pierogi Dozen - Ukrainian Near Me - New York, New York

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An NYC institution, Veselka is the perfect spot any time of the day. Their menu is expansive, with classic Ukrainian dishes, breakfast plates, homemade desserts, and more. There is usually a line for weekend brunch, but it is worth the wait. It's hard to choose a favorite dish, as everything I've tried has been great. We like to share a plate of pierogis (boiled) and perfectly fried potato pancakes. A cup of matzo ball soup warms us up on cold days. When we crave something sweet, the cheese blintzes so satisfying. If you haven't been to Veselka yet, what are you waiting for! read more

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Not a bad spot for pierogis! I love pierogis and this place did the job. The boiled and fried are both good. The latkes were also huge and so tasty. There is a line so definitely prepare for that! read more

Veselka - Ukrainian Near Me - New York, New York

I like that they let you mix and match their pierogis. For the plate of 8, we got all 7 flavors and 1 extra of the potato. We also tried their borscht soup, which I've never had before, but it's meat and beets and beans. The pierogies themselves were not the star of the show. The grilled onions were. I wish I could have pierogies made of just that. Also the sauerkraut was great. Without those, the pierogies are kinda bland imo. The one we were pleasantly surprised by was the BEC pierogi - get that! read more

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Our friends brought my husband and I here when we were in NYC together because it's one of their favorite spots. My husband and I shared: - Ukrainian Borscht - Choice of 8 pierogi: potato, braised beef short rib, cheese, sauerkraut & mushroom, bacon egg & cheese, arugula & goat cheese, chicken & vegetable - Holubtsi (stuffed cabbage) with mushroom gravy I loved everything. I love that they let you get 8 different pierogis in one order. I wish they let you add the special in too, but that's alright. My favorite pierogis were the suarkraut and mushroom, arugula and goat cheese, cheese, and short rib. While the pierogis were great, I think I liked the Holubtsi even more. I've never had it before and it was quite good. The mushroom gravy was delicious. I love beats so the borscht was really good too. Our wait wasn't long on a Saturday around 6pm. I'd highly recommend checking this spot out! read more

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Have you ever seen the movie Nick & Nora's Infinite Playlist? I have and I have wanted to go to Veselka ever since! I stopped in on a Tuesday for an early lunch. I ordered the lunch special with a cup of Matzoh Ball Soup and 4 Potato Pierogies and then a single blintze. I ate every bite and I enjoyed my lunch. The caramelized onions with the pierogies were perfect. I've never met a blintze I didn't like but this was a good one. Nice and light. I'll be back next time I need lunch in the East Village. read more

Veselka - Matzoh Ball Soup - Ukrainian Near Me - New York, New York

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Food is very good, homemade feel. Service has been fantastic every time I stop in. The ambiance is loud, bustling, neighborhood favorite sort of energy. read more

It's gotten way more commercial and popular since by last visit. Not a bad thing but noticeable change with more take home products to purchase. Appreciated the many vegetarian options, especially the vegetarian stuffed cabbage. The vegetarian platter is a great way to try different items. Do note the borscht soup has meat in it though. I wish the waiter pointed that out when I ordered the vegetarian dinner. All in all, a good visit with friends and we all enjoyed our meals. read more

Veselka is a definite repeat when I'm in NYC. Delicious comforting Ukrainian specialties with friendliest of staff. More importantly is Veselka's place in the neighborhood and its commitment to the food and supporting Ukrainian food and it's culture. Expect consistency - food that never changes in all the right ways. Veselka - If you are listening, please bring back the baked chocolate pudding! Our absolute favorite chocolate dessert anywhere. read more

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On our last visit to NYC we popped in here for lunch. We tried a bunch of Pierogi's and enjoyed them all. We also enjoyed the Meatless Stuffed Cabbage w/ tomato sauce on the side. The standout winner though was a cup of their Ukrainian borscht, which was absolutely freagin 'delicious. I wouldn't hesitate to dine here again. read more

Veselka is a very popular brunch option, so beware - there might be a long wait. I walked in with a party of 5 around noon on a Saturday and we were seated immediately. I can say that by the time we walked out, there was a line almost around the corner. Whole party does have to be present to be seated. We were given a 4-top with a 5th chair so tight squeeze but we were just happy to be seated after trying a couple other places around with no luck. Because the place is so busy, It did take about 30 minutes to get our food, which we were heavily anticipating because we were so hungry. All their breakfast options look so good and we might have gotten a little over eager with ordering, so be mindful or maybe split a couple plates with your party. I got their two egg breakfast with latkes and added kielbasa. Perfect. That potato pancake is heaven. I did also get the blintzes but I will say I wish I ate them when they were a little warmer. They're not too sweet and are such a yummy treat. I recently heard that breakfast culture in New York is dying and I can't say I disagree, but it seems that the Eastern European options I have tried recently have some of my consistently favorite options. If you haven't been here, please check it out! read more

Veselka - Classic Blintzes with raspberry sauce - Ukrainian Near Me - New York, New York

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I have no idea how many decades it's been since I last ate as Veselka but it is even better than I remember - and that is rare! Other than some new kitchen fixtures, the interior feels exactly the same as those 3 am meals after a show. Service was spectacular and lets talk about the food... I've had a lot of vegetarian attempts at stuffed cabbage but this was beyond amazing. The perogies were a great start and my son said his borscht was amazing. We barely even tapped the menu but we were just minutes from closing! Glad to support them these past few years of the war on Ukraine and happy to get my fix again! Highly recommended and a (now) touristy place that lives up to and beyond the memories! read more

Veselka - Deluxe Vegetarian Combo - Ukrainian Near Me - New York, New York

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Went to Veselka for my friends birthday and had some classic Ukrainian food. I ended up getting a chicken schnitzel sandwich which was HUGE and extremely delicious. My friend got her pierogis and beet soup and was extremely happy. a service was prompt and the space was comfortable and lowkey. Would definitely go back! read more

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Located in food court of grand central terminal. I got to try a different kind of cuisine. Tasty. Friendly and helpful staff. Its a food stall located in cafeteria like area. Family friendly but no chairs. read more

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Though we'd recently been, it was my idea to return to Veselka after a show at Astor Place. While Veselka's stuffed cabbage was over 4-stars-good, it fell short of what I grew up with. (A tip-off of the difference from Jewish cabbage was the stuffing, made with pork at Veselka.) My plate came with two portions -- ah! one will be dinner this Monday! -- a ramekin of beets and a small salad. My husband went with the deluxe meat combo. It was on my radar, but I chose to pass it up after reading a review on this site. T agreed with what I read; the kielbasa was merely all right. Without a point of reference, he thoroughly enjoyed his stuffed cabbage. I grew up with Eastern European cuisine. He grew up with sweet tea and fried chicken. My friend was pleased with her marinated grilled chicken, and the three of us loved our soup. Veselka does it right; their Ukrainian borscht and mushroom barley is delish. read more

I have been coming to Veselka for years. My late sister interned at Cooper Union and found this restaurant and we had gone together multiple times. So this restaurant is both memorable and bittersweet simultaneously. The food remains top-notch but service could be better. I did not know that everyone in your party has to be present in order for your party to be seated. We got us a table for five but three members came after so we became a table of eight. At the time, the restaurant was practically empty. Yet, we noticed the hostess as well as our server very frustrated to accommodate us. Those three members were arriving from work. It's all good because we ended up having a good time. read more

Veselka - Vegetarian Chili (very good) An order of boiled pierogis - Ukrainian Near Me - New York, New York

Outstanding blintzes. I get it. It probably is the best dessert blintz I'll ever have. The lime rickey was delicious, as was the egg cream. They did bring out the wrong order for me and it took a while to get the correct one. I got the vegetarian plate. The dumplings were good, but nothing out of the ordinary. The kasha tastes like chemicals and plastic, but I hear it's an acquired taste and I don't hold that against Veselka. Serving sizes are pretty small for the cost! read more

A Ukrainian restaurant that has been a mainstay in the community for multiple generations. Veselka features all the Ukrainian hits such as borscht, pirogies, and beef stroganoff. Service is warm and friendly. Veselka is open late, and at times the vibe feels like a classic diner. On the food, I think it's all solid. My favorite is the stuffed cabbage, but the pirogies, soups, and other dishes are all very comforting. read more

Veselka - Matzoh Ball cup - Ukrainian Near Me - New York, New York

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Cozy spot for a late night dinner! Loved that this place is open so late - it was perfect for a cozy meal after a night out. There are two sections to the place, one part was a to-go area and the back section was the restaurant for sit-down service. Definitely try the borscht - this soup actually felt like it was healing my soul. The pierogis were also yummy! I tried the stuffed cabbage as well - pretty good but I think the borscht was better. Quite large portion sizing! Service was excellent and they were very quick with bringing out the food. Definitely want to visit again! read more

Finally got to try Veselka after a few years of having it on my list! It was definitely a good experience, we went pretty early for dinner on a weeknight and it was easy to get seated. We tried the vegetarian combo plate which came with a good variety of things to try. We also got the potato latkes and the Ukrainian Fattoush Salad. All dishes were tasty and good portions! read more

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As someone who is Polish and grew up eating a lot of Eastern European food, Veselka felt like a place I could happily eat at again and again. Everything I ordered was delicious. The pierogies were exactly what I was hoping for, and the potato pancake was fantastic. The menu does a great job of showcasing Ukrainian classics while also offering plenty of diner favorites, so there is something for everyone. One of my favorite parts was the diner atmosphere itself. I grabbed a seat at the counter, which is always my preferred diner experience, and it made the meal feel even more authentic and welcoming. My only regret is that I spotted their famous egg cream after I had already eaten a mountain of pierogies and a potato pancake. Otherwise, I definitely would have ordered one. Whenever I am in New York City, Veselka is one of those places I try to visit if I am anywhere nearby. Great food, great atmosphere, and a spot that absolutely lives up to its reputation. read more

The food and service was fantastic. Our waitress was very friendly & helpful. I had the Stand with Ukraine bowl and it was phenomenal. Gread value for all the food you get. read more

Veselka - Stand With Ukraine Bowl - Ukrainian Near Me - New York, New York

Proud Ukrainian establishment with a hearty menu. Interior has classic New York diner vibes. Pierogis are delicious, both boiled and fried. All of the fillings we tried were good, it's hard to pick favorites. Servers are friendly and food is quick to come out. read more

Veselka - Boiled Classic Pierogi 4* - Ukrainian Near Me - New York, New York

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I hadn't been to Veselka in a while, but my wife was craving it last night so we decided to swing by. We were greeted at the door by who I believe was the owner, who was incredibly friendly and welcoming. He checked in on us throughout the meal, which really added a personal touch. My wife ordered the potato pancake combo and chose matzo ball soup and beef stroganoff as her sides. I went with the Ukrainian meatballs with mushroom gravy. We also shared a side of four steamed pierogies (short rib and potato), plus an extra side of beets and horseradish, although we later realized both of our entrees already came with that. Everything came out promptly and was absolutely delicious. My meatballs reminded me of an elevated Salisbury steak, in the best way possible, and we even had leftovers to take home. There is a reason this place is an East Village staple: the food is excellent and the hospitality makes you feel like you are eating at grandma's house. read more

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I've been wanting to go to Veselka for two years. I finally got a reservation on Resy, but it wasn't really needed. They took walk-ins and had several empty tables. It's Friday, July 3...and it's a heatwave; lots of people are out of town and streets of NYC are not super busy. I got the lunch special with two fried BEC pierogi, two fried short rib pierogi, and a cup of cold borscht. For $4, I added the bacon/kielbasa/onion topping, which came in a little cup; it's worth it. Both pierogi options were great, but I actually thought the BEC was the star of the show. The egg was not runny and the bacon was chopped very fine; the filling was seasoned well with salt and pepper. My husband really enjoyed the short rib pierogi. Next time, I'll try the potato one. Service was fast and the prices were reasonable. The space is very retro with interesting art on the wall. My only (minor) complaint would be that the Diet Coke is watery, but I'm not gonna subtract a star for that. Will definitely come back. read more

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Very friendly service and yummy pierogi. I prefer the boiled ones over fried cuz I feel like you can taste the filling better. You can't really taste the filling in the fried ones because it just tastes a bit more oily.. might be just me though. The sweet onions were so yummy too. read more

Veselka - Classic Pierogi 8* with beef short rib and sauerkraut & mushroom - Ukrainian Near Me - New York, New York

I came here last weekend for breakfast. It was my first time. It is a Ukrainian place so they are known for alot of specialities but just to name one they are known for their pierogis. I did not have any but I did have their potato latke. Wow delicious and I had an egg sandwich with cheese and bacon. The Sandwich was ok nothing special at all. I also had an iced cappuccino which was pretty tasty I must say. I would come back here to try more items and for sure get another latke. The ambiance is fine they also have outdoor seating. Service was a bit slow but it was pretty crowded too. read more

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How could you go here without having the borscht? It's been a few years but it's just as I remembered- warm, cozy, quick and friendly service. Along with the borscht, we also had some potato pierogies. Make sure your party is all together- the party won't be seated until everyone is there. read more

Veselka - Ukrainian Borscht - Quart - Ukrainian Near Me - New York, New York

Came here without a reservation on a Friday early evening around 6pm with a party of 4 and didn't have to wait too long. When we left around 7:30pm though, there was a line around the block! We got beef stroganoff x 2, stand with ukraine bowl, and a vegetarian plate. All the food was really good! Might be slightly on the pricier side for what you get but the pierogies were excellent and the beef in the stroganoff was pretty tender. Would recommend! read more

Veselka - Stand with Ukraine Bowl - Ukrainian Near Me - New York, New York

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Never a bad meal! The best spot for Ukrainian and a favorite before the orpheum theatre! read more

Veselka - Chicken Kyiv - Ukrainian Near Me - New York, New York

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We ordered both the meat and the deluxe vegetarian combination plates. The meat plate included beef and potato pierogi, a meat stuffed cabbage, and a variety of sides. The deluxe vegetarian plate came with cheese, potato and mushroom pierogi, a vegetarian stuffed cabbage and sides as well. Each combination plate also comes with a cup of soup or salad. My favorites were the pierogi and the borscht soup. They were so delicious! The service was prompt and attentive. read more

Veselka - Ukrainian Near Me - New York, New York

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Walked by this Ukrainian restaurant numerous times and finally took the time to try this spot out. I've always seen a massive line wrapped around their shop on the weekends, so looks like it's a popular spot. The Pierogis are probably the most popular thing to order here. We got the 8 pc plate ($20), which we mixed a matched between Potato, Meat, BEC, and Short Rib. You can just order this and have it be your meal or treat it as an appetizer like we did. We got all of the pierogis fried. To try a variety of dishes, we ordered the Potato Pancake Combo Plate ($23) which we chose the Beef Stroganoff and the Ukrainian Borscht as our choices. Loved the Beef Stroganoff due to its tenderness which they slow cooked. Goes great over the potato pancakes. The Ukrainian Borscht is a classic Ukrainian soup worth trying. We also ordered the Veselka's Reuben ($19), which consisted of Sliced Krakovska ham, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, Ukrainian dressing, dijon mustard and pickles on rye bread. This was delicious, even as leftovers after heating it up in a convection oven. Lastly, we tried their signature dessert: Single Cheese Blintz ($10). This is a Ukrainian-style crepes filled with lightly sweetened farmer's cheese. This was something I wasn't too fond of, probably mainly because of the cheese. Maybe adding raspberry sauce would have helped to add more flavor to it, but I feel like this wasn't for me. read more

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The best of the best for a reason! Comforting, homemade feeling food but with the most flavorful high quality ingredients, just knocks it out of the park each time and I miss it the most every time I have to leave NYC. The cabbage roll, Ukrainian borscht and pierogis are MUST haves! I dream of the borscht, seriously. Service is just the nicest, like being at a dear friend's house. read more

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I had the gift of being taken to Veselka years ago and had the raspberry pancakes. Ever since I've had lunch dates and have taken family and friends. Always a good time! Probably less of a line at lunch time, I strongly recommend planning ahead to get there before you're super hungry for dinner as there may well be a full house! Next time I visit I'll grab pictures. Everything from the sausages, perogies, borscht, anything with raspberries... Sometimes it's hard to pick just one thing! It's always clean, never a long line for the bathroom, the main one I've used is a little small- it does get the job done though! read more

Have been here several times and always excited to come back Authentic food and great portions read more

Veselka - Ukrainian Near Me - New York, New York

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We've been coming here for over 15 years, long before that mess going on. There is a ton of outdoor seating so if you can't get inside you can definitely snap up a spot on the sidewalk or in the street shed. The goulash was great but that's off menu now so I have to resort myself to the BIGOS or the Mixed Ukrainian grille, both great dishes. Service is expeditious, with their friendly staff. The prices are worth it with the portions and quality they serve. The dining area is a good size inside, can get chatty which is why we like the outdoor dining. It's a jewel in the East Village and a mainstay, if you're in the area please check it out as you won't be disappointed. read more

Veselka - Olas Famous Veal Goulash - Ukrainian Near Me - New York, New York

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This review is for coffee only-- their cold brew is fantastic!!!!! It tastes incredible; not too strong, no afterbite- wonderful on a hot summer day. Mixed mine with oat milk and Splenda and it was so pleasant. The take out staff were very welcoming, too, and there is a nice little counter spot to catch one's breath and get out of the heat as well. read more

Delicious food, fast friendly service. Positive energy and although no reservations accepted, staff attentive to move things along. Tables are a bit tight so the wait staff repeatedly bumped my chair on a busy Sunday night. According to fans, this place is always full - at all hours. Not surprisingly. Blintzes cooked and filled to perfection. Matzah ball soup more stuff than broth so hard to judge flavor yet matzah ball adequately fluffy. Schnitzel almost paper thin - a style and technique that leaves more crisp crunch than taste of chicken. Latkes were also crisp and quite thick - more texture than taste. Looking forward to a return visit to explore further. read more

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I have been going to Veselka for decades. It was always inexpensive and lively, and it became "iconic." Veselka certainly is still lively, but the past few visits, I have been disappointed with both the food and the service. The prices have increased significantly (I understand this; inflation is everywhere). But the food feels "chintzy": anemic portions, child-size sides, no bread (which used to be standard). The service is mediocre. I think it always has been, but with the higher prices, I feel a bit more attention is in order. On our last two visits, it took quite a while for a waiter to greet us, a long wait for drinks, meals coming out at different times, etc. If you want to go to Veselka, because it's iconic, and a part of the history of the East Village, go for it. But you won't leave full, and you may feel cheated. read more