Veselka is opening a new location in Brooklyn

The beloved Ukrainian diner is expanding beyond Manhattan for the first time in its nearly seven-decade history

Veselka, the beloved Ukrainian diner, is expanding to Brooklyn.

The legendary East Village eatery has been serving Eastern European delights since 1954, and in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has grown even more popular as diners come to show their support. Business has picked up so much that the Veselka is opening a 5,000 square-foot restaurant in Williamsburg by the end of the year, according to the New York Post.

“We needed a space that could be a hybrid kitchen and restaurant to deal with the pent-up demand of the last 12 months, which has shown that people love Veselka, and we are incredibly appreciative and want to meet the demand that is there,” Justin Birchard, Veselka’s director of development, told the newspaper.

A specific location hasn’t been announced, but at that size it will be 500 square-feet bigger than its East Village companion. The flagship Manhattan location will temporarily close for a renovation that will include expanding the bustling location’s kitchen. An additional “annex” location will also open in Grand Central Terminal and the owners are also mulling a West Village spot.

Over the past year, Veselka has become a meeting spot for organizers collecting aid for war-torn Ukraine and the restaurant itself has donated $300,000 of its borscht sales to the country. The restaurant has also sponsored work visas for Ukrainian refugees to the city and has won a James Beard Award for its efforts.

“As one of the oldest Ukrainian businesses in New York, we are blessed to have so much support, and to be able to support Ukraine as well,” Veselka owner Jason Birchard (Justin’s cousin) told the Post. He wants to raise $500,000 for Ukraine this year.