Veselka

"What do the ’70s punk scene,  the ‘80s East Village art scene, and the ’90s indie sleaze scene have in common? Veselka. Since 1954, the Ukrainian diner has fueled every late-night activity that’s ever haunted the East Village, with stuffed cabbage and latkes to sober up after a night at CBGB’s, or crisp cups of coffee and blintzes in the morning. It’s no longer open 24 hours, but Veselka is still a backbone of the neighborhood (with a second branch in Williamsburg) until midnight. Come in for excellent fried pierogi, a burger, and a beer after a night on St. Marks. " - molly fitzpatrick, willa moore, will hartman, sonal shah, neha talreja

"Veselka is an East Village institution, and it’s pretty much a Ukranian diner. They do breakfast all day, offering things like pancakes, omelets, and corned beef hash. We love the  Weekday Breakfast—four potato pierogi, topped with two eggs any style, with your choice of protein. Wake up early and come here before work, or take a morning off, get a table outside, and catch up with a friend." - bryan kim, willa moore, neha talreja, molly fitzpatrick, sonal shah

"The Dish: Potato Pierogi These stuffed dumplings at Veselka have kept the party going, soaking up booze in the East Village since 1954. But this Ukrainian diner's pierogi aren’t just drunk food. They’re just as life-giving when eaten in the morning, alongside a big plate of pancakes and your third refill of perfectly weak coffee. The dumplings come with a few different fillings, but you can never go wrong with classic potato. They’re crispy when fried, and chewy when boiled, but if you ask nicely, they’ll let you order half-and-half for a textural whirlwind. " - bryan kim, sonal shah, willa moore, will hartman, molly fitzpatrick, neha talreja

"In the early 20th Century, the East Village was largely made up of Ukrainian, Slovak, Hungarian, and Polish immigrants, but there are only a few remnants of that history left. One landmark that's still around is Veselka, a well-known Ukrainian diner that opened in 1954. Despite its crowds, Veselka somehow retains the magic of an old-school neighborhood joint. Stick with the Ukrainian food—like the stuffed cabbage, borscht, or potato pierogi—for the best results." - will hartman, bryan kim, kenny yang, neha talreja, hannah albertine

"This Ukrainian East Village classic serves breakfast all day, every day, with dishes as plain as oatmeal and a fried egg sandwich. It also features hearty fare like omelets, waffles, and the weekday breakfast of four pierogies with two eggs; bacon, sausage, or kielbasa; and a side of beet-horseradish salad, with coffee." - Eater Staff