There’s a unique sort of magic that only exists in a New York City diner at 3 am, and for decades, that magic was synonymous with a steaming plate of pierogies at the corner of 2nd Avenue and 9th Street.
After a long hiatus that left a half-circle-shaped hole in the hearts of night owls, the legendary Veselka has officially returned to its ‘round-the-clock roots.
According to a video posted on their instagram today, the iconic spot will be returning to 24-hour service starting April 17th, citing “Here’s to 3am pierogi again.”
The 24 hour openings will be on Fridays and Saturdays to start.
Whether you’re ending a night out or starting a grueling early shift, the iconic neon sign is back on.
A Brief History of the 24-Hour Icon
Veselka didn’t start as a culinary landmark. When it opened in 1954, it began as a newsstand and candy store serving soup and sandwiches to the neighborhood’s Ukrainian immigrant community.
- The Transition: In the 1980s, under the leadership of Tom Birchard, the shop expanded into a full-scale restaurant.
- The Midnight Standard: Recognizing the pulse of the East Village, Veselka transitioned to 24-hour service in 1990. It quickly became the “neighborhood living room,” a space where students, club-goers, local legends, and early-rising workers sat side-by-side.
- The Hiatus: The pandemic forced the restaurant to scale back its hours for the first time in decades.
Today, the spot is a longtime NYC staple known for its role in the community and its classic Ukrainian comfort food.
The pierogies are handmade daily (potato and cheese are the go-to, with short rib as a standout), the borscht is a rich, earthy beet soup, and the stuffed cabbage, or holubtsi, is hearty and traditional. The challah French toast rounds it out as a popular late-night favorite.
Beyond being a win for hungry New Yorkers, the return to 24-hour service is a symbol of resilience.
It signals that no matter how much the city changes, you can always find a warm seat and a plate of varenyky in the middle of the night.
So, perogies at midnight? We’ll see you at the counter.
