Came here for a dinner after work with some friends. I didn't realize they close at 8, so we definitely had a quick meal, but it was still a good experience. We ordered a bunch of dumplings, hand pies, and beers! The beers were all really good, we all agreed the honey one was by far the best. The hand pie was alright, but I'd stick with the pelmeni: -Beef Gouda - Really tasty and well balanced -Chicken - This was my favorite, I loved the basil -Lamb - I generally don't like lamb much, but this was great -Potato - definitely relied on the sauces for more flavor, but still good The dining area is spacious and comfy, with mostly indoor and some outdoor seating. Service was quick and friendly, and prices were reasonable. Definitely a great unique food option in SF! read more

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Unassuming place down an alley with other restaurants, this is like a carry out joint with tables. Order via a QR code or iPad at the counter and food brought to your table faster than most fast food places. I've never had Ukrainian food before so no clue how authentic it is but it was very good regardless. Had the mixed dumplings, beef/gouda and the lamb. Both great but preferred the lamb. Washed it down with Mykhola honey lager. All in all a great meal. If you're in the mood for something different, recommend this place. read more

Leleka - Mykhola honey lager - Ukrainian Near Me - San Francisco, California

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This was easily one of my favorite meals during my two weeks in San Francisco. I placed a pickup order online, and it was ready promptly at the time I selected, which made the process seamless and convenient. I ordered a combination of half potato and cheese and half plain potato pierogi topped with caramelized onions, along with a side of pickles and cabbage salad. I highly recommend asking for the garlic sauce on the side, it was incredibly flavorful and paired perfectly with the pierogi. Everything was excellent. The pierogi were fresh, tender, and delicious. The cabbage salad and pickles added a refreshing crunch that complemented the richness of the pierogi beautifully. Overall, it was a well-balanced and thoroughly enjoyable meal. read more

Leleka - Ukrainian Near Me - San Francisco, California

It's my first time having Ukrainian food, and we liked it. It does have similarities with Russian dumplings, yet offers more fresher flavors on the meat. The beef pies are my favorite, also carrying an essence of Chinese beef pancakes. The place is very chill, very self-sufficient and casual. People here are nice, won't interacted that much, but quick to respond. read more

Leleka - Ukrainian Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Stopped in the other for a quick, healthy meal. I ordered a bowl of borsh soup and a slice of honey cake. It came out fast and was delicious. The restaurant was clean and there was lots of seating inside and outside. I'd like to come back some time and try the dumplings. read more

Leleka - BORSH - Ukrainian Near Me - San Francisco, California

I like their beef dumplings over their lamb dumplings! I wish they gave more pickled cabbage in the order. Overall, very delicious!

I popped in here for lunch - as my good friend is Ukrainian and I've always wanted to try Pelmeni. A Pelmeni is, I would describe, a cross between a chinese dumpling folded like a tortellini. They are delicious and bite sized and perfect for dipping (the restaurant has garlic and spicy sauces, sour cream, hot sauce, and soy sauce you can serve yourself). I love the variety of fillings you can choose from - lamb, salmon, chicken, beef, potato, etc. This time I opted for the Chicken Dumplings ($16 for 20) - they are flavorful and have the perfect soft chew. The Borscht ($10 for small) was also yummy and had shredded brisket in it. I want to come back and try all the flavors, and some of the delicious hand pies and desserts (honey cake? Napolean? yummmm!) It is a casual spot, and there is plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. It is bright and clean as well. Order at the counter and they will bring it out to you :) Bus your own table. read more

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Kelsea was everything I was hoping it would be. Well made Ukrainian dumplings full of bursts of flavor in each warm inviting bite. The sauce selection was excellent, and exactly what you would want to complement the assortment of options. The men behind the counter were quick and friendly. The little restaurant was ideally located (despite the hills) for a midday snack or lunch without getting too far from the office. I'd love to return when the weather is nicer to truly enjoy the outdoor space as well. read more

Leleka - Kitchen - Ukrainian Near Me - San Francisco, California

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*Note: TDLR at the end of review Salmon Dumplings: 6/10 The salmon wasn't distinct. I was expecting kind of a bite to it, but the salmon was ground and moist. The dumpling wrapper was cooked perfectly. The garlic and spicy sauce were good and low-key carried the dumplings. They weren't bad, but they weren't great. I took a bite and was like, yup, that's a dumpling. I honestly couldn't even tell that it was salmon LOL. Service: 7/10 Honestly, the cashier was rude ASF when I was ordering, but I continued to be polite to him. When he gave me my food, his attitude changed a full 360. Think he was just having a bad day with customers and needed a change of pace. Food service sucks. I've been there. He accommodated me with splitting my dumplings into two containers though. He's a real one for that! Ambiance: 10/10 Outside and inside seating was very aesthetically pleasing. Will say the floors inside look dirty af, but you don't really notice unless you're paying attention. They got some entertainment play for ya inside if you're an eat and watcher. Condiments and to-go utensils are self-serve on the right side of the counter, which I like. TDLR: Paying for ambiance ngl. Salmon dumplings are slightly above average. Wouldn't go out of my way to get them. Service is a hit or miss. Sauces are fire. Somewhat reasonably priced. Would come back to try other things because it looks interesting, but expectations are low. read more

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Loved it!! Would definitely come again. Busy at lunch but food comes out very quickly, and it's clean and spacious inside. Decent price for the portion size as well. Don't forget to get the garlic sauce on the side :) (free!) FOOD: Beef Gouda Dumplings (9/10) - Favorite thing I ordered. The gouda pairs perfectly with the beefiness, and I really couldn't get enough of it. Lamb Dumplings (7/10) - I found these slightly dry but still had a good texture and flavor. I'd stick with the dumplings above next time! Beef Hand Pie (6/10) - Skip this next time. I thought this was slightly dry and not too flavorful. Pickles (7/10) - Good to cut the meatiness, and a lot of pickles for the portion size! read more

Leleka - Ukrainian Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Fast food style restaurant with good Ukranian food. You order on the screen at the counter and wait for your name to be called. The pierogi/dumplings are fairly small, so 20 are a good portion size for one person. Bottled beer available. Decent bathroom. Food is a little pricey ($18 for 20 dumplings and every little topping is extra, $11 for a small borscht). read more

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Simple but yummy food. The actual storefront is tucked away in a little alley, and you order up at a counter. Have come a few times before and I love the potato dumplings the most, followed by the lamb dumplings and borscht. Pro: tip is you can get the dumplings either pan-seared or boiled. The staff is always nice (though there's usually just one person so you have to get their attention). Not much ambiance, it's more of a self-serve place -- but they also have plenty of outdoor and indoor seating. read more

Leleka - borscht, lamb dumplings, potato dumplings - Ukrainian Near Me - San Francisco, California

Tried the Beef Gouda and the potato cheese dumplings: good, perhaps Very Good even. but I'm not sure I'd go out of my way to eat this even if I was in the neighborhood. read more

Delicious dumplings and sides! Great hidden gem in an alley with other bars. We ordered the potato / potatoes and cheese dumplings, sides of pickled veg, and handpies. If you get a full order of dumplings, you can get two flavors. I loved the potato and cheese especially - the filling was so delicate, perfectly salty, and creamy. The cabbage hand pie was also yummy - thick doughy crust and lightly spiced. Didn't get to try the dessert but it's on the list for next time! read more

Leleka - Pickled veg and Cabbage Hand Pie - Ukrainian Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Flavorful Ukrainian dishes and though menu is limited, each item is well executed! We ordered the potato dumplings, Borsch, marinated carrots and beef hand pie. Everything was delicious and rivaled the homemade Ukrainian dishes our friends have made us. The dumplings are a large order of 15-20 and I wish they offered a 6 and 12 order option, as well as the ability to mix and match without having to commit to 30 to 40 dumplings if you want to try two flavors. Friendly service with indoor and outdoor seating located in an alley with a bit of dingy alley vibe. Despite the ambiance flaws, the food is definitely worth the visit. read more

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In a small back-alley behind Kearny Street, Leleka is one of my favorite dumpling spots in the city and the perfect place to go if you're looking for a comfort meal with a home-cooked atmosphere. When visiting, you have to get the dumplings. While the menu says each comes with 20 pieces, you can mix them (i.e. get 10 beef and 10 chicken). With a slightly thicker dough, each bite is chewy and incredibly satisfying. You can also enjoy them by dipping in the special spicy garlic sauce, giving the dish an extra dimension of flavor. I would recommend the beef, chicken, and potato cheese dumplings in particular. In addition to the dumplings, Leleka has amazing soups. Both the borsch and chicken bone broth are rich in flavor and hearty, a perfect compliment for the dumplings. You can either get the soups on the side or have the dumplings mixed in, both are excellent. Dessert-wise, Leleka has a great Napoleon cake, a classic Ukrainian dessert. The layers of puff pastry are flaky and light while being sandwiched by pastry cream that isn't overly sweet. The flavor is rich while not being too heavy. A perfect post-meal treat. While not one of the most common cuisines in the Bay, Leleka shines a light on classic Ukrainian food and proves that just because it's less well-known, doesn't mean it's any less delicious. read more

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Food: 5/5 - recommended by a person from Ukraine to come try these chicken and beef dumplings. Got 20 dumplings for $16-17, with options to add on bone broth for $2.5. Flavorful and simple dinner. Lots of seating inside and outside. Located in an alley so Uber might drop off and you need to walk a min. Didn't see heaters outside so might be too cold to sit outdoors. Saw lots of people eating solo. Would recommend as a spot for dinner or takeout, especially since it's so warming to the palette in chilly weather. Service: 4/5 - you had to place order on electronic menu by yourself and grab condiments and water by yourself but otherwise food came out fast and they seemed nice! read more

Leleka - Chicken and beef mixed dumplings, one came with $2.5 bone brother as an add on - Ukrainian Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I've never had Ukranian food. When I saw this, I didn't think twice about going. Leleka is spacious. It's also almost full self service. You pretty much put your orders on a screen, seat yourself, get your utensils and sauces. Beef dumplings were fine. They were boiled; you have to tell them if you want them pan fried. They have to be dipped in sauce. Soy sauce or spicy mayo are available. The apple pie was good. It was not super sweet; the poppy seeds gave it additional texture. The farmers cheesecake Zapekanka was also not that sweet. Soft but still a little crumbly texture. Goes well with chocolate sauce. Overall experience was good. Giving it a 4/5. read more

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Walked around SF, looking for a special treat. Oooh, I saw a sign, for excited for something delicious. Found them. Walked in. No greetings. No acknowledgement. Stood at the counter for a few minutes, ready to order Borzhomi and dumplings, plus something else to go. Thought someone would at least acknowledge from the rear of the kitchen, but no, zero attention, they were yelling at each other. Soo - i walked out and $pent my $ elsewhere. read more

Leleka - Ukrainian Near Me - San Francisco, California

I've ordered delivery from here and both times the food was really good! Fast delivery. I got the borsh, small and large portion, it was high quality, not oily and really tasty (coming from someone who grew up eating it!) I also tried their beef hand pie which was flavorful, a bit small, but lots of stuffing inside. My friend recommended their dumplings which I will try next time (they are made with special wheat and apparently taste better than traditional). Looking forward to visiting this place in person to check out the ambience and try more dishes! read more

I love borscht, so I always go to this place when I'm around here as there are only a handful of places in the city that have it. The restaurant is convenient if you work in the financial district otherwise there aren't any easy parking options. I'm not sure why it's not open on the weekends but I can only guess it's more for office workers during the day. I've tried the cabbage rolls which are very good, the sauce is not too sweet which I like. Sometimes if you get them in a store there is a more sweet ketchupy taste instead of a savory tomato sauce. I like sitting outside if it's nice enough weather, it' on Belden street so there's always foot traffic. read more

Leleka - Borscht - Ukrainian Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Do yourself a favor and order the chicken dumplings and dip them into their garlic sauce. Throw in a side of pickles. The restaurant was clean and the servers brought my kids a juice and coloring pages. 5 out of 5, too bad I live 400 miles away. Wonder if they deliver? read more

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Delicious lamb (my favorite) and chicken dumplings! I like that they have a large selection of sauces as well. Recommend the garlic sauce. You can get two different flavors read more

Leleka - Lamb and chicken dumplings - Ukrainian Near Me - San Francisco, California

I have been searching for the Napoeon cake in my childhood memmory forever and Leleka is the best I have had in the states! so creamy and fluffy, delightfuly sweet but not overwhleming The honey cake and Kyiv cake are great too! I can't describe in words but the honey and nutty flavor in them are so rich love the mint seasoning in lamb dumpling (orange ones) and the gouda in the beef dumpling. I brough frozen dumplings for my mom. read more

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I go to this place all the time during lunch and I love their borsch. Affordable cost and always good quality food.

A friend took me here and I can't wait to go back! We got the Chicken Hand Pie, beef Borsh , lamb dumplings! It looks basic but I tell you nothing basic about the flavors! We got here a little before noon and glad we did the place filled up! They even have a nice outside patio. Highly recommend read more

Leleka - Borsh, lamb dumplings, chicken hand pies - Ukrainian Near Me - San Francisco, California

The chicken dumplings (20) with chicken broth is amazing and so are the cabbage and Kiev cake. Order at the counter and they bring the food to you. read more

Leleka - Latest menu as of 1/27/2025 - Ukrainian Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Sometimes advertising can be misleading online, especially when your favorite restaurant is closed even though its advertising is new and well-invested and accompanied by a tempting video. That's why I recommend adding another $20 and eating at this Eastern European restaurant. They're not always open but they're a better and slightly more expensive alternative to fine gourmet food. I recommend a main course of slow-cooked meat goulash, which gives the meat a really melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. The main course comes with a very respectable weight of meat. I recommend choosing a side of mashed potatoes and paying another $3 for soft-boiled peas. Simply a gastronomic delight that soothes the discomfort read more

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Well I went for the pelmeni of course, and quite liked the cheese+potato ones, but what really got me hands down with my knife and fork was the hand pies (piroshki, not to be confused with polish pierogi, which are more like pelmeni). The spinach one amazing to the last bite, better than any spinach quiche or pasties I had had before. The sweet piroshkis were calling to me, but I saved them for next time. The kompot was interesting, an acquired taste probably. Didn't stick with me but worth experiencing. The staff is caring and helpful. read more

I walk by Leleka, every week. I work close to it. The smells from inside, are so inviting. Exotic is what Ukrainian food is to me. I finally caved in. On a busy Friday evening. People (Locals & Tourists) are flowing in, as large groups. There is plenty of seating. Inside and out. Thankfully. This place is located in a food plaza that is frequented by throngs of people, especially at dinner time. The chairs inside are small and wooden, with magnetized legs. It's tough to move the chairs around. Kinda cool. The legs are almost one with the floor. I spent more money than was intended. Ordered multiple items. Cheese pancakes, that come with a delicious raspberry puree to drizzle over them. A Spinach hand pie. Borsh that was savory and full of stewed beef. Also a slice of Caramel Honey Cake. I read many reviews raving about how fluffy, filling, and flavorful this cake is. I am truly a fan of it. So good. The level of service might suffer a bit, if there are many people here at once. A sense of frustration may arise, if one is new and unfamiliar with the items on the menu. I indulged fully and ordered a drink called Kompot. It was a lovely burgundy color, tasting like a sangria without alcohol. The staff was hard at work making sure the guests were well fed and wanting for nothing. I will return to try the cabbage rolls and potato (or the cherry) dumplings. Maybe a beer too and possibly the beet salad. read more

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I had Ukrainian food at another restaurant in the past but wasn't that good. I'm glad I went to this place. It closes at 8pm, a little early for me but wanted to try the food. I had: Kompot. Not sweet, perfect drink. Borscht is tasty. Potato and cheese dumplings. Honeycake. Beef Hand pie. I liked the dough. I wish it had something else like onions and bell peppers like in a regular beef empanada, but I guess the flavor is different in this Ukrainian version. Loved the mural, the staff is friendly. I'll comeback! read more

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I actually really loved this place. The service was great; my friend was running late so I asked the workers if they could bring out the food once he's here. I also love the simple, casual vibe with the whimsical painting on the wall and Ukrainian flags on each table. The food was PERFECT for a rainy San Francisco night. We ordered the beef dumplings which were chewy and had just the right amount of carb to meat ratio. The borsch soup was also warm, flavorful, and filling. They also have sour cream, soy sauce, garlic mayo, and spicy mayo sauces for the dumplings. I'm coming back here !! read more

Leleka - Borsch soup + beef dumplings - Ukrainian Near Me - San Francisco, California

This was my first time ever trying Ukrainian food. We ordered the beets salad and dumplings. It looked and tasted like the polish pierogi. My co-worker and I enjoyed the food. The owners were very nice and the restaurant was clean. read more

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The food is amazing! Service is quick and super friendly! Dumplings and meat pies were top notch! Don't miss out on Kiev cake.

delicious homey ukranian food in fidi area! the dumplings are a must try here. they come with 20 pieces but they are small, i think it's a good portion for even one person! the hand pies are also quite good, i tried both the beef and cabbage and the stuffings were very flavorful. the exterior could be a little more crunchy but otherwise delicious. service was friendly/standard and ambiance is casual. the restaurant is located in an alleyway next to an italian restaurant, i got confused which place was leleka when approaching. overall, would highly recommend and i love supporting local businesses! read more

Leleka - Beef Hand Pie, Cabbage Hand Pie, Chicken Dumplings 20pcs - Ukrainian Near Me - San Francisco, California

Dumplings from ukraine Support these guys Eat tasty dumplings And definitively in the broth !! JYW heartedly recommends read more

Leleka - Ukrainian Near Me - San Francisco, California

The beef and Gouda dumplings are so good with the garlic and spicy sauce! I also really liked the chicken dumplings and plov. The beef hand pies are another favorite. With all that said, you absolutely must try the Kyiv cake- I'm not normally one for cakes, but this is so good I ordered one for my birthday this year. Great food, friendly staff- Slava Ukraini! read more

My first time trying Ukrainian food and wow it was such a good experience! This restaurant is located in a lowkey, quiet alley so I almost missed the entrance but the inside is very clean, simple and minimalistic. There were so many types of fillings for the dumplings that I struggled to narrow down which ones to order, but the staff was very kind and said I could order multiple types of dumpling fillings in my bowl. I got the dumplings with beef, chicken, and pork fillings in the chicken broth. So simple, but very comforting and homey. The soup was hot and rich, while the dumplings had great flavor and texture. The dough wasn't too thick, and I liked how each filling was distinct enough that you could taste the difference between each one. It reminded me of my grandma's wonton soup and it was perfect for a cold fall day. Service was very fast and the food was very affordable. read more

Leleka - Beef, chicken, pork dumplings in chicken broth - Ukrainian Near Me - San Francisco, California

Came here for lunch during work because I was curious about Ukrainian food and wanted more than a sandwich to fill me up. I was eyeing both the dumplings and the cabbage rolls, but opted for dumplings because I learned you can mix and match (would be helpful if that tip was on the menu). I ordered the chicken dumplings and beef gouda dumplings, and I also got the spinach hand pie. While I wouldn't really recommend the spinach pie, I did like the flavors of my dumplings! The chicken one tasted like classic pasta because of its classic Italian ingredients, and the beef gouda had a strong gouda flavor. The beef filling itself was a bit dry, though, so I couldn't fully enjoy it. I feel this would've been better if I had added on the chicken broth because then it would've felt more nourishing. Otherwise, it was a pretty comforting meal, and service was good as well. Would come back again to try some veggie dumplings. read more

Leleka - Chicken and beef gouda dumplings - Ukrainian Near Me - San Francisco, California

I've been experimenting with cooking, and wanted to improve my borscht recipe I had theirs, and it was delicious. Absolute worth the 2 hour drive. read more