https://a816-health.nyc.gov/ABCEatsRestaurants/#!/Search
Since 1954, hungry New Yorkers have popped into Veselka in the East Village for affordable and scratch-made borscht, potato pancakes, stuffed…
Always excellent. The beef stroganoff has a lot of beef and the mushrooms are big and delicious. The sauce is a little less creamy than some other stroganoffs, much more beef-based than cream-based, so be aware.
The bigos tastes almost like barbecue (carolina-style, not KC-style). It's tangy and filling. The sauerkraut is perfect with the kielbasa.
I can't say enough good things about the cold borscht. It's just the best cold borscht I've had in the city (since Cafe Edison closed).
S
SJ D
Local Expert • 22 contributions
Loved
• 3/20/26
• DoorDash order
One of the most reliable restaurants in New York City, consistently delivering exceptional food. The Chicken Noodle Soup is a standout, with the chicken traveling surprisingly well and the seasoning perfectly balanced, avoiding the excessive saltiness found in some other places. The Chicken Paprikash is a testament to the restaurant’s authentic flavors, free from any artificial tastes.
H
H J
Emerging Expert • 9 contributions
Didn't like
• 3 days ago
• DoorDash order
i wish I could make this review neutral.
I really like their Chicken Noodle - Quart (very tasty) but the issue is this: the food here is ok-to-tasty, it has some decent dishes (I've never tried the sandwiches), but the entrees are WILDLY overpriced for what you are getting because Veselka is so famous and the location in the East Village is expensive.
The Chicken Kyiv I got today was probably a 3 oz breast with not a lot of filling (it was edible, but I would not order again), somewhat tasteless, undercooked steamed broccoli, and a tiny scoop of mashed potatoes. I think this restaurant upcharges on Doordash and gives you half the food if you went and sat in the restaurant.
I've ordered their Chicken Paprikash (meh, too sweet, wasn't tasty) and Beef Stroganoff (not creamy, didn't especially like....kind of tasteless, maybe because I do not like well-cooked beef)...same issue. I also find all the meat at least a little overcooked.
I like diner food alot, the food is hit or miss not-great to consistent and palatable, but again, the entrees are way overpriced, both in taste and often in portions. If it weren't for the price of food I could make myself (as a not-great cook that's obviously using doordash b/c sometimes I don't want my own cooking), I would not be writing this review.
Same with the desserts. (The Apricot Raspberry Bar is very tasty, haven't had anything else.)
E
Evan M
1 contributions
Loved
• 10/10/25
• DoorDash order
As a Jewish kid from Brooklyn, I grew up on chicken noodle soup like this. It's full of flavor, a nice matzah ball with that soup too. Superb potato pancakes, crispy outside, steamy on the inside.
B
Beth S
Local Expert • 23 contributions
Loved
• 5/18/23
• DoorDash order
This is one of the greatest restaurants in the city. The stroganoff is delicious and hearty, the borscht is always good, the Mushroom and Barley - Pint is so thick and creamy I use any leftover to put on top of egg noodles as another meal. Just superb.
