Five stars, the cheese is not processed! The place is warm! Wayyy better than rnr. This place is so great

I have not been to Vanka for a while. The occasion this time for us was a sad one, as we were there for a memorial service after a funeral, but they took such great care of us, it was really comforting. Andrei met with us the day before and we went over the menu. When we came the day of, the table has already been setup with a variety of appetizers and salads. It was a very generous setting; you did not have to reach far to get what you wanted as every dish was pretty much portioned and placed for 6 people, so everything was in the immediate vicinity. The food was delicious and plentiful, we had so much to take home! The service was very friendly, changing our plates often, plating food, etc. What I really appreciated is the treatment given to my vegan nephew. Andrei told us to point out who the vegan person was and made sure that he had salads with veggies only, kutaby with greens instead of meat, grilled veggies for the main course, etc. It is truly a great bang for the buck, we went with the mid-price menu of $60 per person and it was really stunning. read more

I am from the Midwest and a blank slate as far as Russian food is concerned. I asked my friend Oleg to take me to a good Russian restaurant. We arrived on a Sunday night about 8PM so there were very few people in the restaurant. Oleg recommended a few appetizers and we ordered the following: Kholodets, Olivye radish and egg salad and Eggplant with garlic and vinegar. Kholodets - interesting and delicious. Basically aspic, but really very tasty. We had to ask for horseradish a few times and it finally arrived. I sense this is real Russian comfort food. Olivye - A wonderful potato/egg salad bolstered by some "bologna" and peas. Really good. Oleg said that this salad reminds him of parties back in Russia. Eggplant - In spite of the description, the dish was very tasty served with walnuts on top. I could have eaten the whole dish. I'm guessing the baked eggplant was mashed with garlic, vinegar and I think some tomato paste. Radish and egg salad - Sounds exactly like what it is. This was my least favorite. I liked the dish as it was crunchy, but I wouldn't order it again. I think it just needed some salt... Main course - Beef Stroganoff. The beef was tender, the sauce was rich but not too heavy. I ordered Kasha as the side. This grain was perfectly cooked. I can see why some have reviewed this restaurant as basic, but as a non-Russian, the food they make seems just right. The prices were very reasonable. I was so full I didn't have room for desert. Of course it helps that Oleg speaks russian, nevertheless the waitstaff certainly responded to my questions in english. I would absolutely return. read more

Came here today for a post funeral get together. I've been to many "fancy" Russian restaurants and I have to say that this has to be the best one, yet. The service was great, the food was awesome. Very good quality food that made it feel like home. Kudos to the chef. I would not mind doing a get together at this place, at all. In fact, my birthday is coming up and I might just do it at this place. The only thing is, it was cold lol granted, today was a very cold day, but the heat should have been increased to compensate. read more

So YUMMY. As an American of Russian decent I have eaten at my fair share of Russian restaurants- some good and expensive and some not so good and expensive. Vanka has the best of both worlds, it is delicious and cheap :) The place was recommended to me by a colleague of mine so, one night my husband and I decided to try it out- boy were we glad that we did! We ordered a HUGE amount of food and our bill was so tiny in comparison to most places. Vanka has become a definite go to for Russian food for us! Don't just take my word for it, check it out! Some of the best from the menu: Greek Salad (comes with smokey basturma and Feta-so fresh) Beef Tongue and Radish Salad (comes with crispy fried onion strings on top) Baked Escargot Silotka (for all the real Russians :)) Grilled Salmon in White Sauce Holodets (made from chicken) All of the Kabobs read more

Used to go here all the time food is amazing but the service is HORRENDOUS! Came here today for lunch and waited for 25 minutes, not one server came over to even give us water! They saw that we were ready to order numerous times but continued to pretend and walk by us like they didn't even see us. So we got up and left, no one followed us out to see if everything was okay, no one even came over to us at all. Extremely disappointed with this place. read more

Nice place. Very good food. I'm always order lunch special for me and my partners in office . Food is always very well maid . Was there few times for dinner and never was upset. Will recommend to everybody. read more

Their food is ok but their service couldn't get worse if they tried! Their delivery takes 2 hours, and you go to pick up your food, they screw it up! It's bet even busy! During time of crisis, when all grocery stores seem to close because CORONA, the only food options are pick up or delivery! I go to order and pick up my food, wait patiently, I was literally the only person there with the exception of staff. I get home to find half my order missing. I call so they can maybe deliver the stuff they forgot? No! Their delivery guy leaves at 8. I called at 8:08pm. There is nothing they can do except refund my card and charge it back for the stuff I did get. I at least expected some sort of refund or offer of free food next time, no! Full price, nothing except I'm sorry but there is nothing I can do. Moral of the story, if you want delivery at lunch time, order at 11am. If you pick up your food, check everything before you leave. But really, in Brooklyn where the choice for good Russian food is plentiful, I'll choose someplace else next time. read more

Great place. Amazing food. In red ale service. Came with my friend from Orlando. You can bring your own liquor with you. Definitely worth to try. read more

We had very sad reason to use this café service, but service was great, they help us went through most difficult day of our life. Food was delicious, my husband cooks like a god and if he was pleasantly surprise with food selection and preparation, it means a lot; it is not easy to get his approval. Sergey help out us with sitting arrangements, menu planning and Andrey assist us during all evening, he worked fast and made all our wishes come true even before it was spoken. So bottom line, it is great service, great food and unbelievably great people. I hope visit this café during our next trip to NYC, but for happy occasion this time. read more

As a Ukrainian, I can say that their food is true to the culture and delicious. You cannot get a better meal for their prices anywhere, especially on Brighton Beach. The mushroom julienne, chicken Caesar, and chicken meatballs in white sauce are my go-to meals. The cutlets, Kiev and stroganoff are also phenomenal. I'm dying to try their salmon the next time I go. Make sure you get their fresh compot drink!! - I order a pitcher of it each time and finish it. Note: I've been going here for years and have never had any issues really. You will not be disappointed! read more

The food here is excellent. Ordered takeout many times and it was always delivered hot and quickly. We have tried various things off the menu and it has all been delicious. If you're dining in, the service is great as well. read more

This Russian place is ok, nothing special. My beef stragonoff was kinda weird to eat, the salads were ok. The only good thing about this place was that you can bring a bottle of alcohol w/ no cork charge. I dont plan to come back unless im being dragged here. read more

One of the greatest alternatives to homemade meal in the area at affordable price. Large portions, great taste and quick delivery! Highly recommend - nothing too fancy but worth the money. Love their poperechka, chicken kiev (very juicy), soups and salads (fresh salad might be a big saggy sometimes but its ok). read more

this place is nothing special, just average Russian food. shish kebabs and fries are recommended, salads weren't bad either. the prices are great and the portions are generous, the place is a simple casual café. read more

Good food and decent prices. Service kinda chaotic and slow. Def not enough help and very loud.

Food is always delicious here. One of the only russian cuisine places I will still go to in Brooklyn. Unfortunately if you order delivery be prepared for at least an hour wait and the food possibly arriving cold. read more

The Vanka Cafe has a large offering of mediocre Russian food choices only sought by those fleeing Siberia. There is no parking, sloth like service and interminable delays to ask questions or resolve numerous issues. This is NOT the Russian Tea Room. read more

One of the best restaurants in the area. The portions were very generous, price was fair and the quality of the food was great! My husband is Lithuanian so he knows what good Russian food is supposed to be like and he was very happy with the experience. I am sure we will be ordering from this restaurant again in the future. read more

The food and the prices are great. If you want to try authentic Russian cuisine at very low prices, this is the place. They have a lot of tables and the interior is very nice. They don't let you BYOB because they don't have a liquor license yet, but they say they will get it very soon. By the way, it's the full name of the restaurant is Van'ka Vstan'ka. read more

Considering there are a hundred quaint Russian restaurants in Brooklyn, I must go with 3 stars. Nothing really stood out, and for a place that serves basically the same dishes as any other Russian spot, it underwhelmed and I've had better. But still I'm sure I'll be back because it's a decent place. read more

We had a wonderful Saturday afternoon lunch to celebrate my grandmothers birthday! The staff were outstanding - even with plenty of other big and small parties around us - all the waiters were very attentive and helpful! They managed to answer all questions, bring food fast, bring extra sauces / cups / etc as we requested. Service was extremely professional. We had at all times 2 waiters per our table of 6 adults and 1 child. We ordered a few combinations of different foods: salads, soups, pierogies, vareniki, and main courses: chicken kebabs, kotleti, beef stroganoff. Everything was absolutely delicious! I ended up taking an extra order of the cherry vareniki home just because they were delicious! The prices are beyond reasonable. I only wish there was a designated parking spot for this wonderful restaurant but the driving around was worth the yummy food! Our family will definitely come back and visit again soon. read more

Vanka Cafe - Delicious chicken kebob with buckwheat "kasha" - Russian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Been here a number of times. Bathe food is always fresh and delicious. Good prices and excellent service. We always leave satisfied.

Delicious Russian food. Everything is made fresh. Their red borscht always hits the spot.

Great Russian food and very fair prices. Just make sure you call in advance as they have big parties regularly.

Great family Resturant! The food was delicious and inexpensive. The service is decent. I rate the place four stars because the eatery needs renovations! Way to outdated! read more

Horrible service!!! Waiters bring wrong food: ordered salad without tomato - brought with tomato. Ordered chicken schnitzel with buckwheat - brought chicken kebab and said never heard of schnitsel. Asked for ketchup - said finished. read more

The food is delicious as usual , but the price is increased for no reason! Use to come every week and now will never come back!!! The reason ( for example 4 persons to Dine in in 2014 was about 100$ , now is 200$ !!!! ) service charge, plus Taxes and some fees whatever..... Good luck read more

Disgusting! Food took more than an hour to arrive, and was cold. They messed up part of the order and had to redeliver. Everything tasted stale, and everyone felt nauseous afterwards. Would never order from them again. Avoid! read more

Ordered 2 fish dishes to take out - tilapia and trout .I was told the food would be ready in about half hour and it was . The portions are pretty large and were very good. The only complaint is that a couple of young russian speaking customers were talking very loudly, using every known foul russian word in the conversation . If I were there with my family I would be extremely uncomfortable . I'll be definitely coming back for more take out food. read more

Regardless if he had to leave early or not you don't tell the customer that the driver doesn't have time to deliver to you. The person I spoke to could have said something else. read more

Went here for a birthday maybe I came on the wrong time but both me and my friend had food poisoning.

I really wish that Yelp would allow half stars, I think this place deserves 2.5. Came on Monday afternoon to celebrate with my dads birthday, just casual early dinner. The place was empty, we sat down, the waiter showed up and just asked what we wanted with out making any suggestions, he was not but not going the extra mile, the only suggestion he did make was about liver being tough. We ordered spinach salad, radish and egg and greek salad. All salads were ok, any russian place can turn a salad like that or better. I also ordered Vareniki (Raviolli) with cherry, that was so blah, it was nor sweet nor salty just tasted like piece of cardboard. My father also got shish kebab that looked ok but he said it was salty. While we were eating the server did not come even once to see if we wanted anything. If you need quick meal and in the area its an option, I would not go out of my way there nor celebrate anything there. The prices were good, for 3 cold appetizers, 3 hot appetizers and one entry plus bottled water the bill was under $60. Portions are not huge but still big enough. read more

https://locu.com/places/vanka-cafe-brooklyn-us/#menu Manu from the website should be updated because their prices from online menu differs with prices in the restaurant. For example: my wife picked up chicken kiev from online menu which over there costs $8.95 and in the restaurant the price was $10.95. read more

Love this place and highly recommend it - the food is absolutely delicious, the portions are big, staff is friendly and prices are very affordable! I discovered this place in the winter while craving a homemade soup after a long day and I have been going there quite often. The soups are delicious, the beef stroganoff is my favorite (tip: share it with somebody, huge portion), the greek salad is great, the dumplings, salo and many more. read more

Food here is very delicious. Will most likely celebrate New Years here this year. Thanks

The food is very yummy. I started going here a lot now after work. The service is good and I'm obsessed with their borsht !!!

Very good. Chicken kiev is family favorite. Call your order in 40 min early for take out.

Worst waiters that you can imagine. Extremely arrogant. I had a half full cup of coffee the Walter came up and asked if I would like some more, I assumed he would fill it up, instead he took my half fool chip and brought me a new one. Of course I was charged for two cups. My bill was 42 dollars I payed 60. After waiting 15 minutes for the change I had to ask for it. The change was almost thrown at my face. The food was average. read more

Came here on Sunday afternoon for lunch with my parents and husband. Ordered two appetizers--one a tomatoes with cheese and olives dish and the other was an eggplant dish--both delicious. I had beef shish kebab for main course and everyone else had grilled fish. Everything was great. I love that you can order shots of good Russian vodka there for a very reasonable price. The only drawback was the eclair my mom ordered for dessert tasted kind of frozen. But we will definitely go back! Loved this place. read more