Here Are Some Local Restaurants To Check Out During Russian Heritage Month
June is Russian Heritage Month in New York City. Established in 2003 by the Russian American Foundation, in partnership with former Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the Daily News, the annual celebration holds events throughout the city to honor the contributions of the Russian-speaking community.
You can check out the events here. There will be a festival in our neighborhood, at Asser Levy Park on June 19, with live music, dance performances, food, a chess tournament, and prizes.
However, if you’re looking to familiarize yourself with a culture, one of the best starting points is the food. And here in southern Brooklyn, we have a strong Russian-speaking community and plenty of restaurants with cuisine from post-Soviet states. While some Americans take great pride in our fried foods and humongous hamburgers, the Russians really have us beat when it comes to comfort food. Definitely go for some of the warm, succulent dumplings like pelmeni or vareniki. And if you’ve never had a plate of pickled fruits and vegetables, you’re missing out on a wonderfully refreshing feast that full of surprising flavors. Also, many of these restaurants are BYOB, so consider bringing a bottle of vodka to share with your table mates.
Because Russian Heritage Month also celebrates the traditions and cultures of many countries that were part of the Soviet Union, we’ve made sure to include restaurants that feature those cuisines on this list. Here are some of the local restaurants we would recommend:
Vanka Cafe
3810 Nostrand Avenue, open 11am – 12am,347-702-4023
This is the kind of restaurant to go for a feast. The portions are so big and the food is so yummy, your stomach and tastebuds are guaranteed to be at war by the middle of the meal. The restaurant takes pride in its homestyle Russian Cuisine. And to be sure, the food is so comforting you’ll feel like you’ve been swaddled in a warm blanket at grandma’s house.
Stolovaya
13 Avenue U, open 12pm – 10pm,718-787-0120
This Russian eatery, whose name translates to “canteen” or “cafeteria,” received high praise last year from renowned food critic Robert Sietsema. He cited the meaty kebabs, chicken tabaka and hearty dumplings as the restaurant’s main attractions Though his glowing review came with one caveat: Stolovaya “doesn’t give a damn about vegetables” and you should just bring your own.
Tatiana Restaurant
3152 Brighton 6th Street, 11am – 12am, 718-891-5151
This is a big one. The Russian restaurant and nightclub on the boardwalk is practically a neighborhood icon. With its weekend stage shows, called “as invigorating as a ride on the Cyclone” by the New York Times, Tatiana Restaurant is a one-of-a-kind experience in New York City. The restaurant also has a wide seafood selection as well as a prized borscht soup and other highlights of Russian cuisine.
Skovorodka
615 Brighton Beach Avenue, 10am – 11pm, 718-615-3096
This restaurant is anchored by traditional Russian cuisine, with a mix of other foods from post-soviet states. Expect generous portions of fish, pickled vegetables, and steaming dumplings. A great place to find the feast your belly craves.
National Restaurant & Night Club
273 Brighton Beach Avenue, 11am – 9pm, Monday – Thursday, 3pm – 2pm, Friday – Sunday, 718-646-1225
Another of Brighton Beach’s Russian night clubs, you can find your favorite dishes like kebabs, dumplings, stroganoff, as well as steaks and seafood. But it’s the extraordinary performances in this elegant dining hall that are the real draw. The restaurant, which opened in 1978, has been featured in numerous movies as well as Anthony Bourdain’s Travel Channel show.
Varenichnaya
3086 Brighton 2nd Street, 10am – 9pm, 718-332-9797
This Russian cafe tucked away on a quiet side street just off Brighton Beach Avenue is the perfect place for a warm meal in a cozy den. It’s name literally means “dumpling house,” and you will definitely be satisfied with a plate of vareniki or pelmini. If you’re looking to drop in for bite in a cute little restaurant after a day at the beach, this should be your destination.
Azerbaijan House
2612 E 14th Street, open 11:30am – 11:30pm, 718-646-2345
I’m always eager to recommend this Sheepshead Bay gem. I had a great time when I visited the restaurant last year. The staff was very friendly and the place has a very bright and fun atmosphere. But the food is what really makes this place a standout. Succulent kebabs, steaming soup served a clay jar, and enormous dumpling that wallop your tastebuds with flavor. Worth a visit.
Aziza 7 Cafe
113 Avenue Z, open 11am – 11pm, 718-934-0717
Sheepshead Bay is full of Uzbek eateries, but this one stands out for its meat samsa. The pastry-like crust cracks open and is full of belly-warming ground lamb and caramelized onions. Yum! The lagman soup is also piled with ingredients. Hunker down in this cheery restaurant and fill your belly.
Village Cafe
1968 Coney Island Avenue, open 11am – 12am, 718-975-3373
This Azeri restaurant aspires to be “Your Village Away From Home.” Indeed, its got a welcoming atmosphere and the great wooden tables are great for sharing a meal with family and friends. The food is as pleasing to look at as it is to eat. And for those with adventurous tastebuds, consider ordering the Djiz-Biz.
Nargis Cafe
2818 Coney Island Avenue, open 11am – 1am, 718-872-7888
This restaurant landed on Yelp’s top 100 places to eat in Brooklyn. Though its hardly the first time Nargis, arguably the most well-know Uzbek eateries in the neighborhood, has earned rave reviews. Known best for its kebabs, Nargis Cafe also makes hand-pulled noodles, dumplings, and savory pastries. All of it made in-house.
Tandoori
2650 Coney Island Avenue, 8am – 10pm, 718-975-8787
The neighborhood’s Uzbek restaurant opened on Coney Island Avenue in February. It’s named after the dome-like tandoor ovens in the kitchen and bakes some drool-inducing samsas, including one stuffed with pumpkin that’s particularly delicious. The warm, colorful atmosphere makes for a nice causal dining experience.
Cafe Glechik
1655 Sheepshead Bay Road, open 11am – 12am, 718-616-0766
The flagship location is currently closed for renovations, but you can still fill up on homestyle Ukrainian cuisine at their other restaurant on Sheepshead Bay Road. It’s been put on the Village Voice’s list of the 10 Best Restaurants in Brighton Beach and Sheepshead Bay. Make sure to sample the eatery’s delicious dumplings.
Chayhana Salom
1652 Sheepshead Bay Road, 11am – 10pm, 718-332-2200
Another Uzbek joint favored for its charred kebabs and hearty soups. But consider branching out to other menu specialties like the Narin, a cold noodle dish, fried ravioli, or garlicky eggplant salad.
Cafe Kashkar
1141 Brighton Beach Avenue, 10am – 10pm, 718-743-3832
This is one of the few restaurants in New York City serving food from the Uyghur region. The large doughy steamed dumplings, heaping plate of lamb pilaf, and hearty kebabs make this a go-to spot for cool-weather comfort food. And the festive atmosphere will surely liven up your experience.
Toné-Café
265 Neptune Avenue, 7:30am – 9pm, 718-332-8082
This Georgian restaurant is expanding its reach in the city. But the flagship location in Brighton is where it all started. The restaurant pulls out tummy-warming baked goods out of its tandoor ovens: the Cheese Bread and Adjaruli are highly recommended.
