Cozy Ukranian cafes are a characteristic feature of the East Village, and Veselka (Ukranian for “rainbow”)  is a 24-hour cafe/restaurant is arguably the grandmother of them all. Interestingly, it was established in 1954 by a Ukranian couple who came to the US after the World War II as refugees. Today, it remains a well-loved family-owned restaurant serving late-night comfort food and Eastern European cuisine.

East Village residents often flock to Veselka, who is known for tasty pierogis, borscht, and the good old American hamburger. The service is brisk; come here if you want to scarf down food coma-inducing carbs while having a lively conversation with friends and not for fine dining. Or imagine yourself in movies like Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist (2008) and Trust the Man (2006), who used Veselka as a backdrop for some scenes.

And if you haven’t had enough of their blintzes and rugelachs, you can order their cookbook, which was published in 2009 by St. Martin’s Press and showcases more than 120 of their recipes.