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VESELKA

Updated

Phone: (212) 228-9682

Address: 144 SECOND AVENUE 10003

TLDR

Iconic 24/7 Ukrainian diner serving legendary pierogi and borscht. A must-visit East Village institution for authentic comfort food.

Reddit Sentiment for VESELKA(based on 110 Reddit opinions)

76% Positive14% Neutral10% Negative

Tags

ukrainian 88eastern european 18american 3pierogi 23borscht 22latkes 8View All

Neighborhoods

East Village

Instagram Posts References

The video displays the restaurant's vibrant exterior and then two plates of pierogi: one with crispy fried pierogi and another with soft boiled ones, both served with sour cream and caramelized onions, and a close-up showing the savory filling of a fried pierogi. It highlights the traditional Ukrainian offerings and different preparation styles.

Featured Articles

Dedicated reviews and comprehensive features focusing directly on this restaurant.

Veselka
positive

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 HartmanMay 3, 2025
Read More →
Infatuation
Veselka MSG
neutral

Will Hartman reviews Veselka MSG, praising their fried pierogi with farmers' cheese and sour cream as an ideal snack for Madison Square Garden events.

Will HartmanNov 1, 2024
Read More →
Infatuation

Other Article Mentions

Lists, round-ups, and guides where this restaurant is mentioned alongside others.

Mentioned In
The Best Old School Restaurants In New York City
very positive

Beloved East Village classic Veselka, though no longer 24/7, remains a go-to for pierogi, borscht, and schnitzel, offering a quintessential New York experience with Ukrainian snippets overheard.

Siobhan ReidJun 18, 2026
Mentioned In
The 21 best diners in NYC
positive

This family-run Ukrainian diner, operating since 1954, offers both American diner standards and Eastern European comfort food like pierogi and borscht.

Rachel PelzJun 24, 2024
Read More →
Infatuation
Mentioned In
positive

The famous Ukrainian diner Veselka is noted for its crowd-pleasing pierogies.

Eater StaffAug 15, 2023
Mentioned In
New York's Oldest Restaurants: A Guide to the City's Timeless Establishments
positive

Serving Ukrainian diner fare since 1954, Veselka is a New York City icon known for its comforting pierogies, borscht, and goulash, offering an affordable, accessible slice of New York life at any hour.

undefinedDate unknown

Details

A long-standing East Village icon, this establishment has served traditional Ukrainian comfort food since 1954 [3], [4]. While the restaurant faced a period of reduced hours post-pandemic, its celebrated return to 24/7 service has thrilled late-night diners looking for hearty classics like pierogi and borscht [1], [4], [5]. Despite occasional critiques regarding value and shifting quality, it remains a beloved institution for both locals and tourists seeking a nostalgic, authentic experience [5], [6].

Food Overview

Specializing in Ukrainian and Eastern European cuisine, the menu is celebrated for its pierogi, borscht, stuffed cabbage, and latkes [1], [3], [4], [5], [7]. Customers highly recommend the raspberry pancakes and beef stroganoff, while some suggest exploring nearby alternatives for specific dishes like borscht if seeking a more traditional flavor profile [1], [4], [5], [6].

Highlights / Recommended

Mentioned Dishes:

  • borscht(23)
    Borscht is a highly recommended and consistently ordered dish, praised for its s...
  • pierogis(14)
    The pierogis are considered a must-order, with many variations available includi...
  • latkes(12)
    Latkes are a frequently recommended and favorite item, considered a traditional ...
  • pancakes(7)
    Various pancake flavors including blueberry, raspberry, and buckwheat are mentio...
  • stuffed cabbage(6)
    Stuffed cabbage is a favored and frequently ordered dish, with a specific recomm...
  • pierogi(6)
  • beef stroganoff(5)
    Beef stroganoff is a preferred and recommended dish, noted for its rich, homey f...
  • chicken noodle soup(5)
    Chicken noodle soup is recommended as a good choice, particularly for recovery, ...
  • kasha(4)
  • breakfast(4)
  • pierogies(4)
  • blintzes(3)
  • matzo ball soup(3)
  • paprikash(3)
  • mushroom barley soup(3)
  • honey cake(2)
  • schnitzel(2)
  • bigos(2)
  • beet and horseradish salad(2)
  • pea soup(2)
  • salad(2)
  • french toast(2)
  • matzoh ball soup(2)

Customer Sentiment

Patrons generally view the establishment as a reliable, iconic destination for comfort food, though some long-time visitors have expressed concerns over rising prices and declining food quality following the restaurant's expansion [4], [6].

Reddit Opinions & Reviews

Top Reddit Posts About VESELKA

This post highlights the restaurant as a premier late-night destination, with many users recommending the pierogis and borscht as the perfect 'sobering' comfort food after a night out.
A comprehensive community thread where frequenters share their favorite menu items beyond the standard pierogi, including latkes, stuffed cabbage, and various soups.

Recent Reddit Mentions

From post: 24hour Pancakes Requesting Diner In East Village

"Confirmed they serve wonderful pancakes, specifically highlighting the raspberry ones."

Positive
Aug 19, 2026View Comment →

From post: 24hour Pancakes Requesting Diner In East Village

"Positive feedback on the quality, noting it remains a cozy, good spot despite popularity."

Positive
Aug 19, 2026View Comment →

From post: 24hour Pancakes Requesting Diner In East Village

"Recommended for its 24-hour status on weekends."

Positive
Aug 19, 2026View Comment →

From post: Recommendation For Early Morming In Manhattan

"Recommended as a 24/7 dining option outside of Chinatown."

Positive
Aug 8, 2026View Comment →

From post: What Are Your Top 3 Most Frequented Restaurants

"Highly recommended for traditional Ukrainian comfort food, particularly the varenyky, latkes, matzoh ball soup, holubsti, and bigos."

Positive
Jul 19, 2026View Comment →

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