veselka

nymag.com

 One of the best places in the city for late-night pancakes and challah french toast. This popular Ukrainian cafe is open 24/7, and serves homey and delicious (if not quite gourmet) burgers, salads, eggs and Ukrainian classics like kielbasa and goulash. The space is cozy and diner-like and, particularly late at night, reliably filled with happy twenty-somethings drinking coffee and sharing plates of steaming-hot pierogis. I live about 15 minutes from here, but wish it were even closer. Inexpensive and always satisfying.

144 2nd Avenue (at 9th St.)
website

*recommendations:
  buttermilk and buckwheat pancakes
  challah french toast
  curried chicken salad
  boiled pierogis filled with sweet potatoes