Mari Vanna

It felt less like a restaurant and more like stepping into the past. Every detail creates a special atmosphere: fresh flowers on the tables, perfectly set tablecloths, beautiful curtains, elegant dishes and tableware, and even the staff’s aprons are absolutely delightful.<br><br>There is a display of vintage tea sets, and even traditional matryoshka dolls, which makes the place feel almost like a little museum filled with history and charm.<br><br>One unique feature is that guests are allowed to write messages on the walls. Unfortunately, not everyone leaves beautiful or meaningful notes, but as a creative person, I really loved the idea. I enjoyed reading what others had written, although I chose not to leave my own message.<br><br>The prices pleasantly surprised us. The food was delicious, the portions were generous, and the Napoleon cake was absolutely outstanding. Seriously, don’t leave without trying it!<br><br>What impressed me most was the attention to detail. Even the restroom feels like a small work of art.<br><br>We celebrated a friend’s birthday here with a group of six, and everyone had a wonderful time. Great service, delicious food, reasonable prices, and an atmosphere that feels like something out of a fairy tale.<br><br>I would definitely recommend this place and will gladly come back again.

It was our first time in this restaurant and the food was so good! I missed the authentic Russian food, and most of the dishes we’ve tried were as good as I remember it from my childhood! Love love love it!!! Pelmeni was exceptional❤️ just like my grandma used to make! Highly recommend and would go back over and over when on NYC!

The decor is amazing, and the whole restaurant is super clean and stunning! Great service from Palina. The food is good. I removed one star because about half of the items we wanted to order were unavailable.

I visited this restaurant for the first time and was very pleased with the experience. I would especially like to highlight the excellent service provided by the waitress Anna she was very attentive, polite, and pleasant.<br>I also want to mention how clean the restaurant is. This is very important to me, because the place where we eat should always be clean and comfortable.<br>Thank you for the great service and atmosphere. I will definitely come back again!

What gets you first is the unique vintage Soviet style atmosphere. You are literally teleported back 40 plus years. From the toilets to photos on the wall, your in a tastefully done restaurant. Tasty, that’s the food, a wonderful verity of tradition classics from salads to soups to Russian kebabs and more. Drinks to desserts, and my favorite honey cake. Even the music will bring you back in time to the 60s 70s and 80s, all Russian. We will return!

I wanted, truly wanted, to give this place five stars.<br><br>Mari Vanna is, without exaggeration, one of the most delicious, comforting, and beautifully executed Ukrainian/Russian meals I’ve had in a long time. The rolled eggplants were silky, rich, and perfectly balanced with that creamy cheese filling. The khachapuri? Golden, indulgent, and borderline addictive. The lamb shank fell apart like it had something to confess. The dumplings were soft, delicate, and dangerously easy to keep ordering. And the borscht… deep, soulful, the kind of dish that makes you pause mid-conversation and just… respect it.<br><br>And then there’s Nelly.<br><br>Nelly is exceptional. Warm, intuitive, effortlessly charming. She doesn’t just serve you, she hosts you. The kind of person who makes you feel like the restaurant is running because you walked in. If this review were based solely on Nelly and the kitchen, I’d already be planning my birthday dinner here.<br><br>But unfortunately… there’s Vlad.<br><br>You don’t miss Vlad. Not physically, he looks like he could bench press the table you’re sitting at. But energy-wise, it’s a whole different experience. He moves with a kind of high-tension intensity, like everything is just slightly personal. Plates arrive with a firmness that suggests unresolved feelings. There’s eye contact that lingers, not warmly, not aggressively, just… pointedly. Like you’ve entered into a dynamic you didn’t agree to but are now somehow part of.<br><br>At one point, trying to be polite, I asked for his name. Without missing a beat, he responded, “Why are you asking?”, then turned his back and walked away with the urgency and gravity of someone about to deliver the future king of a small but emotionally complicated nation.<br><br>It’s a very specific energy. Polished on the outside, tightly wound underneath. The kind of presence that feels like it’s constantly performing strength while quietly asking for something else entirely. You don’t question it. You just take your dumplings and proceed carefully.<br><br>Nothing was dropped. Service was technically fast. But hospitality is more than delivery, it’s atmosphere. And Vlad brings an atmosphere that, let’s say, competes with the borscht.<br><br>So here we are.<br><br>An incredible kitchen. A standout server in Nelly. And a dining room presence that shifts the entire tone of the experience.<br><br>Two stars.<br><br>Because sometimes, all it takes is one person to turn a perfect evening into a very memorable… situation.<br><br>Would I return? Yes.<br>Would I hope Nelly intercepts my food before it reaches Vlad? Also yes.

Fabulous Russian Eatery in NYC...<br>Alex, our server, was super friendly and attentive, making suggestions and guiding our experience.<br>Decor is like being in your families old world home where time stands still....its always 12:20, as the clock on the wall says!!!<br>Food was exceptional, we ate pickled veggies, stewed tomato salad, Herring with red onion, grilled lamb, roasted Duck, napoleon and coffee<br>A splendid time was had

The authentically delicious Russian dishes were the real highlight. Every bite felt true to tradition — rich, flavorful, and expertly prepared. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Russian cuisine or trying it for the first time, the menu offers classics done right, with bold flavors and satisfying portions.<br><br>Beyond the food, the service was friendly and made the whole evening feel personal. I also loved how the space draws you in with its thoughtful decor and lively yet inviting vibe — it’s one of those places that stays with you long after you leave.<br><br>We had both a lunch here and a takeout experience, and both were absolutely exquisite. It’s rare to find a place that delivers the same level of quality and care whether you’re dining in or enjoying it at home — but they truly do.<br><br>Highly recommend for anyone craving authentic Russian cuisine in a beautiful setting!

We really loved our experience at the Restaraunt. The bartender Zina was so lovely and sweet and welcoming and kind! She introduced us the menu and explained everything in details! My family and I really enjoyed our experience. The food was delicious, the drinks were se good! Will definitely come back and try even more drinks and food! Thanks for the welcoming experience only because of Zina! 🙏🏼🩵

Delicious cuisine. The service was very good and genuinely friendly, but the highlight is the atmosphere, it instantly takes you back to your grandmother’s house. The music, the pictures on the walls, the table runners, the dishes, every small detail feels thoughtfully curated.<br><br>The menu is also a real comfort-food journey across the ex-USSR: classic Russian New Year salads, Ukrainian borscht, and Georgian favorites like khinkali and khachapuri, all done properly and tasting homemade.<br><br>A special note for the Napoleon cake: unforgettable, with perfectly crunchy layers and a rich vanilla cream.

Lovely place with great food and a beautiful atmosphere. The chicken Kiev cutlet was delicious, and the Onegin dessert with fresh mint tea was a perfect finish. The music and overall vibe were very pleasant.<br><br>Paulina was kind, attentive, and made the experience feel especially welcoming. Highly recommend.

Charming restaurant that serves East European food. The service is top notch. We ordered Borscht, Siberian Pelmeni and Beef Stroganoff. I don’t usually eat Eastern European food but I do enjoy all the items I ordered!

Really good Russian food. The appetizers and entrees were good (we had the dumplings, chicken Kiev, beef stroganoff, borsch) but for me, the desserts were the highlight- especially the Napoleons. They also make very good vidka cocktails

This restaurant offers an authentic taste of Russian cuisine with a strong nostalgic atmosphere that feels like stepping back into the post-imperial or Soviet era. The décor and music perfectly capture the spirit of old Russia, making it an excellent place for anyone interested in Soviet culture and history. The service is friendly, attentive, and impressively fast. Overall, it’s a fantastic spot to bring friends who want to experience genuine Russian food and a unique cultural vibe.

A fantastic restaurant with delicious Russian cuisine! We traveled from Hamburg to NYC to celebrate my mother's birthday. It was delicious, the staff was welcoming, and at the end, my mother was sung a birthday song. It was simply fantastic. Thank you for an unforgettable evening! ❤️