Classic Ukrainian diner eats—think comforting pierogi & borscht—served up 24/7 in the East Village. An iconic, affordable slice of NYC.
Will Hartman reviews Veselka, an East Village Ukrainian restaurant known for its outstanding borscht and pierogi, making it a must-visit for classic comfort food.
Will Hartman reviews Veselka MSG, praising their fried pierogi with farmers' cheese and sour cream as an ideal snack for Madison Square Garden events.
A beloved East Village institution since 1954, this Ukrainian diner offers a comforting blend of traditional American diner fare and hearty Eastern European classics. Renowned for its pierogi and borscht, it's a go-to spot for a warm, accessible, and satisfying meal at any hour.
This Ukrainian diner is celebrated for its comforting Eastern European cuisine, with pierogi and borscht frequently mentioned as must-tries. Dishes like kielbasa, bigos stew, and beef stroganoff also receive praise for their hearty, homey flavors. While generally well-regarded, some recent comments indicate a decline in quality and a feeling that the establishment is no longer as special as it once was.
"Highly recommended dishes include their pierogi (especially short rib and cherry variations), borscht (both hot and cold), and fruit pancakes. The turkey sandwich on fennel bread and the bigos stew are also noted positively."
Customers generally have a positive sentiment, often highlighting the comforting and classic nature of the food, particularly the soups and pierogi. However, some recent feedback suggests a decline in quality and an increase in price.
Important Note
While historically known for its 24-hour service, recent information suggests operating hours may vary, with some posts indicating it's no longer 24/7 but closing at midnight. There are also mixed reviews regarding recent quality compared to its past reputation.
"Veselka is listed as a recommendation for lunch."
Neutral"Veselka is listed as a lunch recommendation in the East Village."
Neutral"Veselka in the East Village was mentioned as an iconic spot for Ukrainian/American food."
Positive"The user is looking for dining options in the East Village and suggested Veselka for pierogi as part of a potential food crawl."
Neutral"User recommends trying the cold borscht at Veselka, describing it as excellent."
Positive"User noted the hearty serving size of the beef stroganoff at Veselka, appreciating the potential for leftovers."
Positive"User states that Veselka is a consistently good restaurant and expresses nostalgia for living nearby."
Positive"User is considering trying Veselka after seeing it recommended, noting that it's on their radar."
Positive"User suggests Veselka as a place for beef stroganoff, alongside Odeon and Mari Vanna."
Positive"User mentioned Veselka as a recommendation."
Positive"The user expresses relief about Veselka's return to late-night hours, criticizing its expansion and non-traditional hours prior to this, attributing its success to late-night crowds and viewing the return to 24/7 as a sign of NYC's recovery."
Positive"This commenter agrees that Veselka's quality has declined significantly post-COVID, speculating that former cooks may have left, but still expresses affection for the establishment and gladness for its survival."
Neutral"This user agrees that Veselka's quality has declined, comparing it unfavorably to a 'Ukrainian Applebees'."
Negative"This commenter humorously notes their appreciation for a '24/5' restaurant, implying Veselka's extended hours are a welcome feature."
Positive"This user is pleased that Veselka is once again open 24/7, stating that the restaurant's reduced hours felt like a significant negative change for NYC nightlife, and its return signifies a positive recovery."
Positive"This commenter is excited about the return of Veselka's late-night service, specifically mentioning 'drunken pierogis'."
Positive"The commenter shares a cherished NYC memory involving a 5 AM visit to Veselka after a night out, highlighting it as a perfect, albeit hazy, experience from before social media's prevalence."
Positive"This commenter believes Veselka's quality further deteriorated after their expansion to multiple locations. They suggest the Ukrainian National Home cultural center's restaurant as a better alternative for daytime dining."
Negative"This commenter states that the quality of food at Veselka has significantly decreased since the COVID-19 pandemic."
Negative"In response to a negative comment about staff, this user believes Veselka will hire more people, which would offer flexibility to current employees and create new jobs, viewing this as a positive development."
Positive
