Ukrainian Food in Miami
Ukrainian Food in Miami
The Eastern European nation of Ukraine is known for its memorable dishes. From beet soup to savory hand pies filled with meat and vegetables, there are plenty of great options to choose from!
There are a few places where you can try Ukrainian food in Miami. We’ve rounded up 11 of the best to check out!
Varenyk House
If you’re looking for a spot to try some Ukrainian food in miami, Varenyk House is a great place to start. Its menu is full of delicious meals that are perfect for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It also has a variety of dessert options to keep you happy throughout your meal.
While borscht is often the only dish most people think of when it comes to Ukrainian cuisine, there’s much more to this rich and filling culture than a thick soup. Traditional peasant dishes are filled with root vegetables, grains and meat. Stewed for hours in ceramic pots, boiled in sunflower oil or dipped in lard, they are simple yet satisfying.
One of the most beloved snacks in Ukraine is varenyky, which are half moon-shaped braided dumplings. They come in different sizes and can be filled with potatoes or farmer cheese, and topped with sour cream. Many restaurants also offer dessert varieties like sour cherry compote and poppy seeds.
Another popular snack in the Ukrainian culture is salo, a pig fat that’s consumed a bit like wine. It’s been around for centuries and is a staple ingredient in many of the country’s best recipes.
The Ukrainian community in the United States is reclaiming their unique identity through food. It’s a way to connect with their heritage and stay rooted in their home country as they deal with the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February, many Ukrainians have fled their country in search of safety. They’re settling in places like Sacramento and Seattle, where existing communities are organizing to support refugees.
In the meantime, they’re sharing their culture with those who are eager to learn about it. Among other things, they’re helping refugees and immigrants regain their Ukrainian identities through food and culture.
They’re also helping to make the history and art of their home country more accessible to American communities. That’s why they created Tryzub, a Ukrainian restaurant and bar in Chicago that uses its space to showcase Ukrainian cuisine and culture.
The city has several other Ukrainian restaurants that you can visit, as well. In particular, Ukrainian Village is a great spot to explore. It’s a cozy neighborhood that features many Ukrainian-owned businesses and is currently hosting a number of events to support the displaced community.
Streecha
Streecha is a Ukrainian restaurant that serves pierogi, borscht, and other traditional Ukrainian dishes. The restaurant is located in a basement under a chiropractor’s office and has been operating for more than 40 years.
The menu is small, but it includes a variety of authentic and traditional items, such as cabbage rolls (both meat-stuffed and vegetarian) and borscht. It also offers a variety of potato pancakes, which can be topped with various fillings, including cheese and mushrooms.
Aside from the traditional Ukrainian dishes, Veselka also has an extensive wine selection and a wide array of desserts. It even has a specialty of its own, called the “Ukrainian Hot-Pan,” which is made with boiled pork, tomatoes, and potatoes.
When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2014, Streecha started a fundraiser to send humanitarian aid to Ukrainians fighting against the Russians. The owner, Dmytro Kovalenko, is from Ukraine and says he’s supporting the Ukrainian resistance.
According to ABC 7, the restaurant has been attracting not just Ukrainians but people from other Eastern European countries to help support Ukraine. Its Facebook page has also encouraged patrons to make a donation.
While the restaurant is not an official charity, its donations have helped to fund food for Ukrainian families living in crisis. It also helps the organization fund a TikTok channel to expand its reach.
Although the restaurant’s ambiance is not as grandiose as other establishments, its dishes are delicious and hearty, making it a perfect choice for anyone who wants to try a traditional meal. The restaurant is open from Monday through Saturday and is staffed by volunteers from the nearby St. George Ukrainian Catholic Church, so the food is fresh and high quality.
The restaurant also accepts donations of goods for the local community, such as clothes and food. Customers who wish to donate can do so by visiting the restaurant’s Facebook page and clicking on the wishlist tab.
In the city, there are many restaurants that make pierogi and other Ukrainian foods more exciting than they normally would be. Some are even open to volunteers who can help fold the dumplings.
Veselka
Veselka is a beloved East Village staple that has been serving up homestyle Ukrainian food since 1954. It may not be as trendy as some of the other restaurants that line Second Avenue, but its menu is filled with comfort foods like borscht and pierogies.
The diner is a favorite of New Yorkers and tourists alike for its no-frills atmosphere and quality fare. The menu consists of mostly traditional dishes, including a beet soup and stuffed cabbage rolls, but it also features some modern takes on classics.
As Russia invades Ukraine, the East Village restaurant is becoming a rallying point for people who want to support their fellow citizens in their time of need. Throngs of protesters have taken to the streets in Times Square, the West Village and even Brooklyn’s Brighton Beach (home to a large Ukrainian-American community) since February 24.
When we visited the restaurant on a cold Saturday, the line to enter stretched down East Ninth Street and wrapped around Second Avenue. Some customers were wearing signs with “Free Ukraine” written on them, and others brandished mini blue-and-white flags to show their support.
But, as Birchard told us, the line at his diner isn’t just about showing solidarity with Ukraine. It’s about supporting those who have lost loved ones and those who are suffering as a result of Russia’s invasion.
The war has brought emotional distress to some of the staff, Birchard tells CNBC, as they mourn their friends and family back home and wonder what will happen to their country under Russian rule. Some of them are working longer hours as a result of the war, but they’re doing their best to keep the focus on the business.
Guests are also encouraged to bring donations for those in need, as the restaurant collects them through a pop-up on its website. That’s all in addition to the regular business of churning out the diner’s famed pierogies and other classic Ukrainian-American fare.
The diner is also known for its burgers, which are served with sweet potato fries. Brad ordered a burger with cheddar cheese and was surprised at how tasty it was, as well as the BBQ sauce that came on top of his fries. It was a delicious combination that reminded him of the BBQ he had in Chicago during his college years.
Sveta
With an impressive selection of Ukrainian dishes, West Village staple Sveta has earned a loyal following of diners. Co-owned by Sveta Savchitz and her son Alan, the family restaurant fuses passed-down recipes with a NYC-inspired twist on seafood favorites, including Oliver (potatoes, carrots, green peas, eggs, chicken); Pan-Seared Scallops (spaghetti squash, kale, chorizo); and Chicken Kiev (breaded chicken breast with dill butter and creamy mashed potatoes).
While Sveta’s menu is full of traditional Russian and Ukrainian fare, the owners have also added some modern American items. The burger is a twist on the classic brisket, featuring a beef and cheese-filled bun. On the drinks list, Sveta’s Frozen Crusher is a slushy to-go treat that’s made with frozen rose in a plastic cup with straws.
The restaurant was launched by Savchitz and her son in November of 2019. The couple had been successful with Sveta’s House in Rego Park, Queens. After getting negative emails from people who thought they were Russian, Sveta changed their name to Eastern European and changed the menu a bit to make it more clear that they’re Ukrainian.
Now, they’re raising money to support World Central Kitchen – a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing meals in the wake of natural disasters and humanitarian crises. The duo has teamed up with Stoli Vodka to launch a pop-up where New Yorkers can enjoy a Ukrainian-themed menu alongside drinks that’ll help raise funds for the cause.
In addition to the pop-up, Sveta is hosting a brunch fundraiser this Saturday in honor of Ukraine’s Independence Day. And for every Stoli cocktail ordered, the brand will donate $1 to World Central Kitchen.
Despite publicly indicating support for Ukraine, a number of restaurants in the city are receiving hate messages online and canceled reservations. One Russian borscht spot in Midtown had its door kicked in and customers called the staff Nazis over the phone, according to The New York Times.
Other Ukrainian food spots in the city have also been getting a lot of attention recently. For instance, pelmeni shop Daa! Dumplings has renamed its cheesy, crispy-topped dumplings in support of the Ukrainian flag.
