East Village
Get directions | 144 2nd Ave., New York, NY 10003
Hours | Sunday 12am-12am, Monday 12am-12am, Tuesday 12am-12am, Wednesday 12am-12am, Thursday 12am-12am, Friday 12am-12am, Saturday 12am-12am
On our last visit to Veselka, we sat next to a couple furiously making out, who looked like they’d just left a CBGB show in 1980. When you’re there, depending on the hour, you’ll likely also see older an Eastern European woman who has probably lived in the East Village for decades, as well as a family of tourists, and a table of hungover NYU sophomores. As the light comes in through the windows and reflects off your cup of borscht, you may think to yourself, you can get a real slice of New York City life here. That’s one of the fun things about a place like Veselka that’s been around for 60 years and which is open 24 hours a day.
Veselka holds a place in a lot of people’s hearts, and I think that’s because they serve comfort food like your grandmother used to make, especially if you used to go to grandmother’s house after a night at Continental bar.
Like many of you, we are Team Veselka. Veselka has managed to keep it going for 60 years, as many of the city’s classic diners and other nearby Eastern European restaurants, have closed down, and they deserve some serious cred for that. They also serve a pleasing combination of greasy spoon staples, including a beloved burger, and Ukrainian specialties like borscht and pierogies, which are a big part of what’s kept everyone coming back.
Veselka works any time of year, but it feels particularly welcoming on a snowy winter day, which it just so happens to be as we write this, when the windows fog up. Get your parka and go get some borscht.
212-228-9682
jason@veselka.com
https://www.instagram.com/veselkanyc/?hl=en
BREAKFAST SPECIALS
CLASSIC FRIED EGG SANDWICH
With choice of Bacon, Kielbasa or Sausage and choice of cheese on a Roll or choice of bread. Includes choice of coffee or tea
$9
VESELKA’S SPECIAL FRIED EGG SANDWICH
Grilled smoked ham, gruyere, and arugula on a whole wheat brioche bun. Includes choice of coffee or tea
$10
FRIED EGG WITH THE WORKS SANDWICH
Grilled smoked ham, red pepper, onion, baby spinach and gruyere on a whole wheat brioche bun. Includes choice of coffee or tea
$12
WEEKDAY BREAKFAST AVAILABLE ONLY MONDAY – FRIDAY
Four potato pierogi, topped with two eggs any style with choice of bacon, sausage or kielbasa; scallion garnish and a side of beet and horseradish salad. Includes choice of coffee or tea
$15
FRUIT SALAD
FRESH FRUIT SALAD
$8
With One Cheese Blintz …… $14
FARMER’S CHEESE & FRUIT SALAD
$15
HOMEMADE MUFFINS
Fresh-Baked or Split & Griddled with Butter
BLUEBERRY
$3
WHOLE WHEAT BLUEBERRY
$3
CRANBERRY WALNUT
$3
HOMEMADE PASTRIES
SINGLE BLINTZ
w/raspberry sauce
$10
MEDOVYK
Layered Sour Cream Cake with Walnuts and Honey
$8
BAKED CHOCOLATE CUSTARD
$7
APPLE CRUMB CAKE
$7
CHEESE CAKE
$7
CARROT CAKE
$7
APRICOT RASPBERRY BAR
$6
BROWNIE
$5
UKRAINIAN POPPY SEED BREAD
$4
RICE KRISPY TREAT
$4
ALA MODE
$4
COOKIE B/W
$3
M&M COOKIE
$3
WALNUT CHOCOLATE-CHIP COOKIE
$3
PANCAKES & WAFFLES
Our pancakes and waffles are made from scratch, & made to order. With 100% pure Vermont maple syrup $3.00 extra.
PLAIN PANCAKES
Buttermilk or Buckwheat
$12
BANANA, BLUEBERRY, OR CHOCOLATE CHIP
$14
RASPBERRY PANCAKES
$15
CHALLAH FRENCH TOAST
$12
BUTTERMILK WAFFLE
$12
100% PURE VERMONT MAPLE SYRUP
$3
EGGS & OMELETTES
Omelettes served with kasha or potato pancake or tomato and challah bread or toast
TWO EGGS ANY STYLE
$9
Additional Egg …… $2
WESTERN
Peppers, Onion, and Ham
$12
MEDITERRANEAN
Feta and Tomato
$12
PLAIN OMELETTE
Egg whites available.
$10
With Kielbasa, Bacon, or Sausage …… $3
Cheddar …… $2
Swiss …… $2
American …… $2
Bell Pepper …… $2
Mushroom …… $2
Tomato …… $2
Onion ……. $2
Spinach …… $2
Broccoli …… $2
Hard Roll, Bagel, or English Muffin …… $0.50
BAGELS & BREADS
HOMEMADE CHALLAH BREAD OR TOAST
$1
HARD ROLL, BAGEL OR BAGEL WITH A SCHMEAR
$3
MIMOSA
$12
PROSECCO
$11
BLINTZES WITH SEASONAL COMPOTE
Our traditional blintzes served with seasonal pear/apple raisin compote and a side of sour cream. Includes a choice of coffee or tea.
$17
VESELKA’S “BRUNCH” PIEROGI (VARENYKY)
Our homemade Ukrainian Dumplings filled with bacon, scrambled egg, Vermont cheddar and potato. Served with a creamy chipotle ketchup.
$16
VESELKA’S EGGS BENEDICT
Two poached eggs and grilled country ham served on top of potato pancakes with hollandaise sauce. Includes a side of fruit salad and choice of coffee or tea.
$17
SALMON LATKA EGGS BENEDICT
Two poached eggs and sliced smoked salmon served on top of potato pancakes with hollandaise sauce. Garnished with capers and scallions. Includes a side of fruit salad and choice of coffee or tea.
$19
VESELKA BREAKFAST COMBO
Choice of Buttermilk or Buckwheat Pancakes or Challah French Toast with two eggs any style (no poached eggs), and choice of bacon, pork sausage or kielbasa. Served with coffee or tea.
$18
With Blueberry, Banana or Chocolate Chip pancakes. $20
VESELKA “KOZAK” BOWL
Four potato pierogi topped with two eggs any style. Choice of bacon, sausage or kielbasa. Scallion garnish and a side of beet and horseradish salad. Includes coffee or tea.
$16
OUR HOMEMADE VARENYKY ~ PIEROGI
Ukrainian-style dumplings, handmade daily in our kitchen, served boiled or fried with sautéed onions & sour cream.
FILLINGS
Meat, Potato, Cheese, Arugula & Goat Cheese, Sauerkraut & Mushroom, Potato & Mushroom
Choice of Four …… $8
Choice of Eight …… $15
SPECIAL FILLINGS
Short Rib, Bacon, Egg & Cheese
Choice of Four….. $9
Choice of Eight….. $16
UKRAINIAN SPECIALTIES
MIXED UKRAINIAN GRILL
Three types of smoked-cured pork sausage served with mashed potatoes, sauerkraut & a house salad
$21
OLA’S FAMOUS VEAL GOULASH
Veal braised in a creamy herb sauce served with mashed potatoes & any one side
$20
BEEF STROGANOFF
Sliced beef slow-simmered until tender in a rich mushroom sour cream sauce. Served with egg noodles & one side
$21
CHICKEN PAPRIKASH
Boneless chicken & red peppers braised in an herb-cream sauce. Served over egg noodles and with your choice of any one side dish.
$19
UKRAINIAN MEATBALLS
Homemade Tender pork & beef meatballs served with mushroom gravy, mashed potatoes & choice of any one side
$19
BIGOS
Hearty Ukrainian hunter’s-style stew of kielbasa, roast pork, sauerkraut and onions. Served with mashed potatoes & one side
$18
STUFFED CABBAGE (HOLUBSTI)
Choice of meatless (mushroom and rice) or meat-stuffed (beef, pork and rice) smothered in our rich mushroom gravy or savory tomato sauce. Served with any one side
$18
POTATO PANCAKES
Homemade and served with sour cream & apple sauce.
Three piece… $15
SIGNATURE SANDWICHES
All Signature Sandwiches are served with a choice of French Fries, Sweet Potato Fries, Potato Chips, or Side Salad for an additional $3
VESELKA’S REUBEN
Thinly sliced krakovska, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and homemade Russian dressing on Rye Bread
$17
MADAME ALEXANDER
Organic smoked turkey, Vermont sharp white cheddar and chipotle cranberry on Amy’s raisin fennel bread
$16
CHICKEN SCHNITZEL
Panko crusted thinly pounded all natural chicken breast, served with lemon pepper mayo and sliced pickles on a seeded roll
$16
SMOKED SALMON ON A BAGEL
Cream Cheese, Tomato, and Capers
$16
CHICKEN SALAD
$14
ALBACORE TUNA SALAD
$14
Tomato …… $1
CLASSIC BLT
$14
Smoked Turkey …… $4
TUNA MELT
$16
SMOKED TURKEY BLT
$17
CHAR–BROILED BURGERS
All Deluxe burgers made with 85% lean ground beef and served with choice of French fries, sweet potato fries, or homemade potato chips for an additional $3
SALMON BURGER
Served with tartar sauce & pickled jalapeño
$17
BURGER
Angus Beef
$15
VEGGIE BURGER
Served with avocado wasabi mayonnaise
$12
BURGER TOPPINGS
Vermont Cheddar, Swiss, American,
$2 per topping
Bacon …… $3
COMBOS
Served with cup of soup or salad (no substitutions, boiled pierogi only)
DELUXE MEAT PLATE
1 meat, 1 potato, 1 sauerkraut and mushroom pierogi, 1 meat stuffed cabbage with mushroom gravy, grilled kielbasa, side of sour cream & beet horseradish salad
$20
MEAT PLATE
2 meat, 2 potato pierogi, 1 meat stuffed cabbage with mushroom gravy, a side of sour cream & beet horseradish salad
$19
DELUXE VEGETARIAN PLATE
1 cheese, 1 potato, 1 sauerkraut and mushroom pierogi, 1 meatless stuffed cabbage, kasha with mushroom gravy & a side of sour cream
$18
VEGETARIAN PLATE
2 cheese, 2 potato pierogi, 1 meatless stuffed cabbage, side of sour cream
$17
POTATO PANCAKE PLATE
One of our homemade Potato Pancakes served with, Beef Stroganoff, Veal Goulash or Chicken Paprikash. Includes your choice of any cup of soup.
$16
BLINTZES
Our award-winning Ukrainian-style crepes filled with lightly sweetened farmer’s cheese.
Single …… $8
Plate …… $15
HOMEMADE SOUPS
Cup …… 6 | Large Soup ….. 11
UKRAINIAN BORSCHT
VEGETARIAN BORSCHT
CHICKEN NOODLE
MUSHROOM BARLEY
MATZOH BALL
VEGETABLE
BLUE PLATE SPECIAL
Cup of soup & 1/2 tuna, egg or chicken salad sandwich
Cup $15
VESELKA’S 3 BEAN BEEF CHILI
Add sharp Vermont cheddar for $1
Cup $7
Large Bowl $12
AMERICAN CLASSICS
CRISPY CHICKEN SCHNITZEL DINNER
With mashed potatoes and one side
$18
MARINATED CHICKEN BREAST
Served grilled with mashed potatoes and one side
$18
SALADS
Dressings: homemade Russian, blue cheese, creamy dill vinaigrette, and balsamic vinaigrette.
SMOKED TROUT AND ROASTED BEET SALAD
Red and golden beets served over arugula with dried cranberries, toasted pumpkin seeds, grape tomatoes tossed with a balsamic vinaigrette and topped with Smoked Trout and a dollop of horseradish cream sauce.
$18
SMOKED TURKEY COBB SALAD
With avocado, Danish blue cheese, hard boiled egg, bacon, tomato on greens with blue cheese dressing
$19
LENTIL SALAD
With carrots, feta cheese, tomato, cucumber, bell pepper, served over greens with creamy dill vinaigrette
$18
EAST VILLAGE SPINACH SALAD
With mushrooms, hard-cooked eggs, bacon and feta cheese
$18
ROASTED BEET & GOAT CHEESE SALAD
With toasted walnuts and pumpkin seeds on greens
$18
MIXED GREEN SALAD
With a scoop of chicken or Tuna
$16
SIDES
$6 each
FRENCH FRIES | UKRAINIAN BEET & HORSERADISH SALAD |EGG NOODLES | MIXED GREEN SALAD | POTATO SALAD | MASHED POTATOES | SAUERKRAUT | FRESH STEAMED VEGETABLES | KASHA | HOMEMADE COLE SLAW