13 Standout Polish Restaurants In New York For Pierogi And More
I’ll say it upfront. Pierogi are how I measure a city. In New York, that turns into a surprisingly serious pursuit.
One wrong filling and you know it. One perfect pierogi bite and you start planning your return before the plate is cleared. I have followed tips across boroughs, ducked into low key dining rooms, and sat at tables where the recipe clearly hasn’t changed in decades.
Some places lean into tradition with butter, onions, and patience. Others push things just far enough to make you curious without losing the point.
These Polish restaurants are not trying to explain themselves. They just cook, serve, and let people linger. Bring an appetite and a bit of time.
Each stop tells its own story, and none of them rush you through it.
1. Pyza — Greenpoint
Pyza operates with a confidence that comes from consistency rather than flair. Also located in Greenpoint, it’s long been a reliable stop for Polish comfort food that values familiarity over novelty. The pierogi here lean traditional, with dough that holds its shape and fillings that taste seasoned, rested, and deliberate.
Fried onions arrive properly softened, butter pooled rather than scorched.
Beyond pierogi, the kitchen handles classics with care. Beet soup arrives deeply colored and clean, kielbasa snaps gently, and stews favor depth over heaviness. The dining room stays modest, functional, and usually busy, especially during peak dinner hours when locals fill tables without much ceremony.
What stands out most is how steady everything feels. The menu doesn’t wander, the portions don’t shrink, and the flavors don’t drift. Pyza is the kind of place you return to when you want reassurance rather than surprise.
In a neighborhood full of Polish options, that reliability keeps it firmly in rotation.
2. Pierozek – Greenpoint
Stepping into Pierozek, you notice the smell of dough and butter first, then the steady rhythm of hands pinching tiny crescents at the counter. Located at 592 Manhattan Ave in Greenpoint, this spot feels small and focused – the menu is unapologetically about dumplings, made the old way so the texture sings and the fillings hold their own. I always order potato and cheese for nostalgia and mushroom with sauerkraut when I’m feeling adventurous; both pair beautifully with a sharp dollop of sour cream and caramelized onions.
What stands out is the balance between crisp pan-frying and tender interior dough – the sort of contrast that makes you close your eyes mid-bite. The service is warm and unpretentious, like visiting a neighbor who happens to cook flawlessly. If you want a pure pierogi experience that honors tradition without fuss, this is the place to linger over plates and conversation.
3. Karczma – Greenpoint
Walking into Karczma feels like stepping into a wood-paneled dining room transplanted from Warsaw, and the menu reads like a family recipe book. The restaurant at 188 India St in Greenpoint serves hefty pierogi alongside kielbasa and red borscht, and the portions arrive with a certain old-world generosity that makes sharing inevitable. On a chilly evening I found myself pairing fried pierogi with a steaming bowl of beet soup – the tang cut through the richness in the best possible way.
What I appreciate most is the atmosphere: long tables, animated conversations, and servers who seem to know the regulars by name. There’s a comforting predictability to the food that’s intentionally unspectacular in the best sense – it’s honest, filling, and nails the classics. For nights when you want warmth, music, and a plate of reliably excellent pierogi, Karczma delivers.
4. Restaurant Relax – Greenpoint
There’s a Sunday-lunch feel as soon as you sit down at Restaurant Relax – generous portions, warm smiles, and food that tastes like you were invited in by family. Found at 424 Greenpoint Ave in Greenpoint, this place doubles down on comforting classics: goulash, ham hock, and plates of soft, pillowy pierogi that are best enjoyed with butter and onions. I often leave with leftovers because the portions are so kind and the flavors only deepen the next day.
What makes this spot a go-to is the steadfast devotion to traditional techniques and approachable prices that let you order freely. It’s the kind of place where the server recommends what their grandmother would make, and you trust the suggestion. If your goal is pure comfort and you’re not measuring calories, Relax is an unapologetic celebration of Polish home cooking.
5. Little Poland – East Village
Finding Little Poland tucked on 2nd Avenue is like discovering a diner that decided to devote itself entirely to Polish comfort food, and it wears that identity proudly. Situated at 200 2nd Ave in the East Village, the menu boasts classic, plump pierogi alongside hearty soups and combo platters that let you sample kielbasa and stuffed cabbage. When I visit, the pierogi always arrive perfectly plump and steaming, while the soups smell like slow-simmered bones and root vegetables.
There’s an honest, unpretentious vibe here that makes it a reliable choice for both solo lunches and group meals. The portions are satisfying and the prices forgiving, so I rarely leave without feeling both comforted and slightly smug about my culinary find. If you want hearty, no-nonsense Polish plates in a friendly setting, Little Poland is an easy recommendation.
6. Pierogi Boys – Ridgewood
What drew me to Pierogi Boys was the way tradition gets a modern nudge without losing heart – dumplings are the focus, but the rest of the menu plays with texture and acidity in interesting ways. Located at 57-34 Catalpa Ave in Ridgewood, the kitchen serves classics like potato and cheese alongside seasonal spins and a small market with pantry items. I ordered a flight of pierogi to compare fillings and was delighted by the crisp edges and flavorful, well-seasoned centers.
The space pairs neighborhood coziness with thoughtful plating and a rotating drink list that includes craft beer and inventive cocktails. It’s great for casual dinners where you want variety and a touch of experimentation. If you like your pierogi anchored in tradition but open to surprises, this place hits the sweet spot.
7. Retro Polish Restaurant and Wine Bar – Greenpoint
Retro Polish Restaurant and Wine Bar feels like a thoughtful update of an old favorite – traditional plates meet a curated wine list and relaxed service in one cozy spot. The restaurant at 853 Manhattan Ave in Greenpoint balances big, satisfying dishes like bigos and stuffed cabbage with elevated pierogi presentations that take a bit more care in plating. On my first visit I paired fried pierogi with a crisp white from their list and was surprised at how well the acidity lifted the richness.
The vibe is conversational and comfortable, perfect for lingering over multiple courses. Servers are knowledgeable about pairings and happy to guide you toward complementary wines or hearty Polish beers. For a slightly elevated take on the classics that still feels intimate and familiar, Retro Polish is a lovely choice.
8. Polish Food Truck – Midtown Events
On a bustling Midtown afternoon, spotting a Polish food truck feels like finding a warm oasis of smoky kielbasa and pillowy pierogi among office towers. These trucks move around for events and markets, but their appeal is constant: quick, authentic flavors that come straight from well-practiced recipes, often with ingredients imported from Poland. I’ve tracked down a truck after a recommendation and was rewarded with perfectly grilled sausage and a stack of fried pierogi that tasted like they’d been made that morning.
It’s casual, fast, and precisely the sort of comfort you want when you’re navigating the city on foot. Bring napkins and an appetite – these servings are generous and best enjoyed right away. For a no-fuss, deeply satisfying bite of Polish flavor while on the go, keep an eye out for these roaming kitchens.
9. Chris’s Restaurant – Bensonhurst
Chris’s Restaurant in Bensonhurst feels like the kind of place where everyone knows your name and your favorite pierogi filling by the second visit. Located at 1866 86th St, this longstanding neighborhood spot serves comforting plates – homemade pierogi, soups, and hearty mains that taste like family recipes. I remember the first time I sat near the counter and watched regulars greeting the owners as if they’d come home, while plates of browned pierogi made their slow parade out of the kitchen.
The food is unpretentious and deeply satisfying, ideal when you want a filling, familiar meal without fuss. Portions are generous and the service warm, which together create a welcoming routine you’ll want to repeat. If you’re exploring Bensonhurst and craving honest Polish cooking, Chris’s is a dependable classic.
10. Baba’s Pierogies – Sunset Park
At Baba’s Pierogies in Sunset Park, the vibe is unapologetically homey – the menu reads like a well-loved family cookbook and the pierogi remind me of plates I had growing up. Located at 295 3rd Ave, the dumplings are pliable and generously filled, with options like potato-cheese, meat, and mushroom sitting alongside sauerkraut and other Eastern European sides. I tend to overorder here because each bite seems to outdo the last, and sharing plates makes for a relaxed, communal meal.
The food pairs wonderfully with a crisp beer or a tangy homemade sauce, and the service is friendly and familiar. Whether you’re after a quick satisfying lunch or a leisurely dinner, Baba’s delivers consistent, comforting pierogi that keep locals coming back. It’s exactly the kind of place you recommend to friends when they ask where to find the best dumplings in the borough.
11. B&H Dairy – East Village
B&H Dairy isn’t strictly a Polish restaurant, but the East Village classic has earned its spot on pierogi roundups for good reason – the boiled and fried versions here hit a nostalgic sweet spot. Situated at 127 2nd Ave, the diner feels like stepping into a different era with swivel stools and a counter that invites conversation. I often stop by for a plate when I want something casual, inexpensive, and deeply satisfying between wandering the neighborhood.
The pierogi are straightforward and comforting, best paired with the diner’s modest sides and strong coffee. The atmosphere is part of the charm: modest, efficient service and a sense that this place has been doing its thing for decades. When you want a no-frills, reliably comforting plate that pairs perfectly with people-watching, B&H is an East Village staple.
12. Seneca Garden II – Ridgewood
Seneca Garden II in Ridgewood is beloved for pierogi that strike a pleasing balance between a thick, tender dough and well-seasoned fillings, turning a humble dumpling into something memorable. Located at 71-28 Fresh Pond Rd, the menu pairs pierogi with sauerkraut and simmered beans, and the overall approach leans into hearty, home-style Polish cooking. I appreciated how each component on the plate seemed intentionally composed to complement the dumplings rather than just take up space.
The dining room is relaxed and unpretentious, and the servers often move with the practiced efficiency of a place that’s been doing this for years. Portion sizes are generous and the flavors true to tradition, making it a trusted local favorite. If you want pierogi made with attention to dough texture and filling balance, Seneca Garden II is a spot you should try.
13. Evela Pierogi – Brooklyn Food Truck
There’s something joyful about spotting a pierogi truck like Evela while wandering Brooklyn – it feels like a tiny culinary jackpot when you’re hungry and on the move. Often found near 461 6th St, this mobile kitchen serves handmade dumplings with traditional fillings in a casual street-food format that’s perfect for sampling. I love how the pierogi come out warm and soft, and they’re an ideal match for a quick beer or a lively park picnic.
The truck’s changing locations give it a sense of discovery, and I’ve found that the straightforward flavors and fresh preparation keep people coming back. It’s a great way to get an authentic pierogi fix without a sit-down, and the experience of eating them standing up on the sidewalk somehow makes them taste even better. Keep an eye on local food-truck listings to catch Evela when it’s in your neighborhood.