Veselka

This should definitely be $$.  Too pricey for me.

Veselka has the tastiest pierogis - it's usually packed and there's a separate line for carry out which is AMAZING if you live in the neighborhood.

I been coming here since the 80's I love their potato pancakes and borscht. 

Veselka offers great food at great prices! They are known for their pierogis. Be sure to try either the cheese or truffle pierogis. The latkes and matzo ball soup are also must trys! Dine in or take out; just be sure to stop by!

Veselka is my go to restaurant in the east village. The matzah ball soup is always delicious, as are the pierogies (personal favorite: the spinach and goat cheese) and french toast. Everything is a bit more expensive than your typical diner--it's pretty easy to spend more than $20 on your meal. Also make sure that when you go at busy times, your entire party is present--you cannot make reservations, and your party will typically need to wait ~30 minutes before being seated. But I promise: the wait is worth it.

You can order anything off of the Veselka menu and it would be amazing - but the best menu items are its classics.  The pierogies are the perfect comfort food; I recommend getting a mixed plate that has one of each filling. (It's totally worth it because all of them are equally as good.) The potato pancake are also amazing - you could get a plate of three to share, but really you should just keep them all for yourself.  Add to this the fact that Veselka is open 24/7, it's just a perfect for brunch as it is a late night meal.

The best pierogies in town!

Best borscht! Pierogies anytime of day? Yes please!

Waffles

Thank God there's still a place like this that's open 24/7 in the East Village. It's honestly as good at 3 in the morning as it is at 3 in the afternoon. You've probably heard about the pierogis, but on top of the amazing Ukranian food, you can't beat the chili.

I went to this place after a concert at Webster Hall. Of course I've heard about it for a long time, and my friend and I, buzzed on a few beers, sat at the bar to order assorted pierogis. Soooo delicious. We got the boiled dumplings, and I was surprised that the short rib ones turned out to be my favorite. This place is not exactly cheap ($8.50 for 4 pierogies and $17.75 for two meatballs, mashed potatoes and a side), but it's a great place to sit for a bit and take a break from wandering through the East Village. Go in, order something delicious, and then hop back out in the wild again.

An institution in the area - open all the time, serves up classic eastern European (and a mix of traditional diner) food - though it's really Ukrainian like most places that managed to survive in the area from an earlier time. The food is actually quite good, the staff for the most part friendly, and the atmosphere feels intimate and inviting. The large murals are fun, and the prices are reasonable.

What's not to like about this 24/7 piece of East Village history? From American comfort food  like absolutely delicious fruit-filled pancakes to Ukrainian specialties like borscht and pierogies, you can satisfy any craving any time of the day or night. It's known for its soups as well, so it's perfect for winter. But the outdoor seating and fresh-squeezed orange juice also makes it a nice spot in the warmer months. The space is big enough that even with a big crowd waiting, you know you will get a table soon. Bring your dog, and a bowl of water is at the ready. Want that large eggy dish but also want some pancakes, their large menu and list of sides will fit your needs.