Leleka Ukrainian Comfort Food

I had never had Ukrainian food before but this restaurant popped up and I HAD to try it. First off the menu is very straight forward and the prices were very reasonable for San Francisco. We spent $75 for enough food for 3 people and we also bought a beer. I recommend going with others because the portion sizes are big and personally would have been too much for just me to eat. The cabbage rolls were so flavorful and the chicken dumplings dipped in the bone broth were incredible. I will be back next time I’m in San Francisco.

OMG 😱😱😱 I'm very picky about the cleanliness of restaurants and this place is one of the best in the SF! The service and food are top notch ❤️❤️❤️ The attention to detail is immediately noticeable: it's convenient to order (nobody pressures you), the food is served very quickly and I was especially surprised by the size of coffee 😁 The dessert contains a minimum of sugar, which is really cool! Highly recommend! 10 of 10

I went to Leleka with coworkers for lunch while at a conference in San Francisco. We asked for some of the most often ordered dishes. We got the Borscht, chicken dumplings, beef dumplings, and the potato and cheese dumplings. They were all well cooked and tasty. If you haven't tried Ukrainian food I would highly recommend it.

I gotta admit, I haven't had much Eastern European food, let alone Ukrainian, but I was pleasantly impressed by it. The borscht was pretty tasty and flavorful, particularly with sour cream. The beef dumplings were pretty plain but not bad. Drinks selection is limited, but they had a pretty good honey lager. The staff is quite helpful with recommendations, and the place itself is more reminiscent of a quiet cafe with a patio than a restaurant, with both indoor and outdoor seating.

**Ukrainian Restaurant: Leleka** I liked it. Authentic Ukrainian comfort food right in the heart of San Francisco. Cool that they play Ukrainian songs, though I wish the atmosphere had a bit more of that unmistakable Ukrainian vibe. You know, the kind where simple dumplings stop being just dumplings and become *справжні вареники*. Ifykyk. Still, for a taste of home or a proper intro to Ukrainian cuisine, it’s a solid pick.

Tasty, well-priced food that came out super fast! I love pelmeni and varenyky so I was excited to try Leleka. We got lamb , potato, borscht, pickles, one of their pies (bacon cheese maybe?), a beer and a glass of wine. Everything was nice, and it's one of the cheapest meals I've had in SF. I also really liked the onions for the dumplings. We got butter too and there were a few other options too !

We ordered beef dumplings, borscht, and hand pies (chicken and beef). The borscht was good, and the beef pie was also enjoyable. However, the pelmeni lacked flavor and wasn’t that good. For drinks, we had kompot, which also lacked taste.

Very home-y feel to the restaurant. The food was pretty tasty and it felt like my mom cooked it, especially the soup thing. The dumplings had a fun texture but we kinda carried by the sauce. The garlic sauce was really good though. Had the bread juice which was a very fun flavor. I personally eat a lot and I think I was about 75% full at the end. Overall, this was a cute place and I'd come back here for the home vibes.

In a small back-alley behind Kearny Street, Leleka is one of my favorite dumpling spots in the city and the perfect place to go if you're looking for a comfort meal with a home-cooked atmosphere. When visiting, you have to get the dumplings. While the menu says each comes with 20 pieces, you can mix them (i.e. get 10 beef and 10 chicken). With a slightly thicker dough, each bite is chewy and incredibly satisfying. You can also enjoy them by dipping in the special spicy garlic sauce, giving the dish an extra dimension of flavor. I would recommend the beef, chicken, and potato cheese dumplings in particular. In addition to the dumplings, Leleka has amazing soups. Both the borsch and chicken bone broth are rich in flavor and hearty, a perfect compliment for the dumplings. You can either get the soups on the side or have the dumplings mixed in, both are excellent. Dessert-wise, Leleka has a great Napoleon cake, a classic Ukrainian dessert. The layers of puff pastry are flaky and light while being sandwiched by pastry cream that isn't overly sweet. The flavor is rich while not being too heavy. A perfect post-meal treat. While not one of the most common cuisines in the Bay, Leleka shines a light on classic Ukrainian food and proves that just because it's less well-known, doesn't mean it's any less delicious.

Simple but yummy food. The actual storefront is tucked away in a little alley, and you order up at a counter. Have come a few times before and I love the potato dumplings the most, followed by the lamb dumplings and borscht. Pro: tip is you can get the dumplings either pan-seared or boiled. The staff is always nice (though there's usually just one person so you have to get their attention). Not much ambiance, it's more of a self-serve place -- but they also have plenty of outdoor and indoor seating.

Delicious dumplings and sides! Great hidden gem in an alley with other bars. We ordered the potato / potatoes and cheese dumplings, sides of pickled veg, and handpies. If you get a full order of dumplings, you can get two flavors. I loved the potato and cheese especially - the filling was so delicate, perfectly salty, and creamy. The cabbage hand pie was also yummy - thick doughy crust and lightly spiced. Didn't get to try the dessert but it's on the list for next time!

Flavorful Ukrainian dishes and though menu is limited, each item is well executed! We ordered the potato dumplings, Borsch, marinated carrots and beef hand pie. Everything was delicious and rivaled the homemade Ukrainian dishes our friends have made us. The dumplings are a large order of 15-20 and I wish they offered a 6 and 12 order option, as well as the ability to mix and match without having to commit to 30 to 40 dumplings if you want to try two flavors. Friendly service with indoor and outdoor seating located in an alley with a bit of dingy alley vibe. Despite the ambiance flaws, the food is definitely worth the visit.

I've never had Ukranian food. When I saw this, I didn't think twice about going. Leleka is spacious. It's also almost full self service. You pretty much put your orders on a screen, seat yourself, get your utensils and sauces. Beef dumplings were fine. They were boiled; you have to tell them if you want them pan fried. They have to be dipped in sauce. Soy sauce or spicy mayo are available. The apple pie was good. It was not super sweet; the poppy seeds gave it additional texture. The farmers cheesecake Zapekanka was also not that sweet. Soft but still a little crumbly texture. Goes well with chocolate sauce. Overall experience was good. Giving it a 4/5.

I love borscht, so I always go to this place when I'm around here as there are only a handful of places in the city that have it. The restaurant is convenient if you work in the financial district otherwise there aren't any easy parking options. I'm not sure why it's not open on the weekends but I can only guess it's more for office workers during the day. I've tried the cabbage rolls which are very good, the sauce is not too sweet which I like. Sometimes if you get them in a store there is a more sweet ketchupy taste instead of a savory tomato sauce. I like sitting outside if it's nice enough weather, it' on Belden street so there's always foot traffic.

Delicious lamb (my favorite) and chicken dumplings! I like that they have a large selection of sauces as well. Recommend the garlic sauce. You can get two different flavors

I really wanted to support a Ukrainian-owned business after seeing all the good reviews, but the experience was awful. The borscht tasted like red water, no bread was served, and the chicken dumplings were terrible. Tried the beef ones -- even worse. The $6 compote wasn't worth it either. I didn't eat anything, my mood was ruined, and they refused a refund. For a place serving Ukrainian food, you'd expect at least one person in the kitchen familiar with Slavic cuisine I didn't see anyone from our (Russian-speaking) countries. Never again.

A friend took me here and I can't wait to go back! We got the Chicken Hand Pie, beef Borsh , lamb dumplings! It looks basic but I tell you nothing basic about the flavors! We got here a little before noon and glad we did the place filled up! They even have a nice outside patio. Highly recommend

The chicken dumplings (20) with chicken broth is amazing and so are the cabbage and Kiev cake. Order at the counter and they bring the food to you.

Can't believe I hadn't tried this place after 3 years in sf. The chicken dumplings were the dumplings I've had in my life. With spicy sauce and sour cream was mwah

Well I went for the pelmeni of course, and quite liked the cheese+potato ones, but what really got me hands down with my knife and fork was the hand pies (piroshki, not to be confused with polish pierogi, which are more like pelmeni). The spinach one amazing to the last bite, better than any spinach quiche or pasties I had had before. The sweet piroshkis were calling to me, but I saved them for next time. The kompot was interesting, an acquired taste probably. Didn't stick with me but worth experiencing. The staff is caring and helpful.

I walk by Leleka, every week. I work close to it. The smells from inside, are so inviting. Exotic is what Ukrainian food is to me. I finally caved in. On a busy Friday evening. People (Locals & Tourists) are flowing in, as large groups. There is plenty of seating. Inside and out. Thankfully. This place is located in a food plaza that is frequented by throngs of people, especially at dinner time. The chairs inside are small and wooden, with magnetized legs. It's tough to move the chairs around. Kinda cool. The legs are almost one with the floor. I spent more money than was intended. Ordered multiple items. Cheese pancakes, that come with a delicious raspberry puree to drizzle over them. A Spinach hand pie. Borsh that was savory and full of stewed beef. Also a slice of Caramel Honey Cake. I read many reviews raving about how fluffy, filling, and flavorful this cake is. I am truly a fan of it. So good. The level of service might suffer a bit, if there are many people here at once. A sense of frustration may arise, if one is new and unfamiliar with the items on the menu. I indulged fully and ordered a drink called Kompot. It was a lovely burgundy color, tasting like a sangria without alcohol. The staff was hard at work making sure the guests were well fed and wanting for nothing. I will return to try the cabbage rolls and potato (or the cherry) dumplings. Maybe a beer too and possibly the beet salad.

delicious homey ukranian food in fidi area! the dumplings are a must try here. they come with 20 pieces but they are small, i think it's a good portion for even one person! the hand pies are also quite good, i tried both the beef and cabbage and the stuffings were very flavorful. the exterior could be a little more crunchy but otherwise delicious. service was friendly/standard and ambiance is casual. the restaurant is located in an alleyway next to an italian restaurant, i got confused which place was leleka when approaching. overall, would highly recommend and i love supporting local businesses!

I had Ukrainian food at another restaurant in the past but wasn't that good. I'm glad I went to this place. It closes at 8pm, a little early for me but wanted to try the food. I had: Kompot. Not sweet, perfect drink. Borscht is tasty. Potato and cheese dumplings. Honeycake. Beef Hand pie. I liked the dough. I wish it had something else like onions and bell peppers like in a regular beef empanada, but I guess the flavor is different in this Ukrainian version. Loved the mural, the staff is friendly. I'll comeback!

First foray into Ukrainian cuisine. Dumplings were very tasty. It was a bit pricey. They charge you _2.50 of you want broth on your dumplings. ...broth.

We ordered this on Uber Eats and got the beef/gouda and chicken dumplings combo with organic chicken bone broth, bacon and beef hand pies, and some marinated cabbage and pickles on the side. All were very good, but the meat pies and bone broth were especially awesome. My husband is Midwestern and these were just like the pasties he remembers from out there. The filling is savory and flavorful and it's wrapped in a buttery pillowy dough similar to a croissant. The best part? They use organic wheat flour and grass fed beef, and do not use seed oils! That alone makes my heart sing. The bone broth being organic was a plus, it was so flavorful and had delicately sliced scallions in it for the perfect touch. I will definitely be back to try the borscht and the lamb dumplings!

I actually really loved this place. The service was great; my friend was running late so I asked the workers if they could bring out the food once he's here. I also love the simple, casual vibe with the whimsical painting on the wall and Ukrainian flags on each table. The food was PERFECT for a rainy San Francisco night. We ordered the beef dumplings which were chewy and had just the right amount of carb to meat ratio. The borsch soup was also warm, flavorful, and filling. They also have sour cream, soy sauce, garlic mayo, and spicy mayo sauces for the dumplings. I'm coming back here !!

Delicious food and friendly staff! Food came out quickly, and portions were huge. Don't skip out on the sauces on the side counter

This was my first time ever trying Ukrainian food. We ordered the beets salad and dumplings. It looked and tasted like the polish pierogi. My co-worker and I enjoyed the food. The owners were very nice and the restaurant was clean.

Dumplings from ukraine Support these guys Eat tasty dumplings And definitively in the broth !! JYW heartedly recommends

Awesome fresh vareniki/pirogies with multiple different flavors and fillings cooked to perfection If you never tried this yummy dish you absolutely have to

Stayed in the area for a week and ended up here 3 times. Can't say I've had Ukrainian food before so this was a first for me. I enjoyed the salmon dumplings, chicken hand pie, and Kyiv cake. Also had a beer that was good. Prices are fair and they have plenty of self serving sauce to go with your food. Plenty of tables each time I went and if you're not familiar with Belden lane there are plenty of other options if it's not your cup of tea.

My first time trying Ukrainian food and wow it was such a good experience! This restaurant is located in a lowkey, quiet alley so I almost missed the entrance but the inside is very clean, simple and minimalistic. There were so many types of fillings for the dumplings that I struggled to narrow down which ones to order, but the staff was very kind and said I could order multiple types of dumpling fillings in my bowl. I got the dumplings with beef, chicken, and pork fillings in the chicken broth. So simple, but very comforting and homey. The soup was hot and rich, while the dumplings had great flavor and texture. The dough wasn't too thick, and I liked how each filling was distinct enough that you could taste the difference between each one. It reminded me of my grandma's wonton soup and it was perfect for a cold fall day. Service was very fast and the food was very affordable.

When it's cold and muggy out, this place makes it all better with their borsh and dumplings. Since it was my first visit at Leleka, I was not sure which dumplings I'd like better. I'm glad they allowed me to get a mix of different dumplings. It's hard to choose a favorite dumpling, but I liked the beef one best. The borsh was so flavorful and paired well with the dumplings. Last but not lease, the staff was also very friendly. I'd definitely return!

Stopped by for a quick lunch and such a satisfying meal. I tried their boiled dumplings and my brother tried their pan fried. Both taste really nice. My favorite was the beef as the boiled dumplings have a little bit of soup in them. They have a couple sauces for you to mix with including sour cream. You get to choose between small or large but you can let them know if you want to mix two flavors. Walk in and order at the counter type of place. They'll bring out your food for you and service was pretty quick. Need another visit to try their borsh and hand pies!

Tasty borsch that comes with a very good rye bread. Make sure to get the marinated carrots they are bursting with flavor and only $1.50. The large borscht ($16), marinated carrots ($1.50) and a few extra pieces of bread (.25 ea) is enough for 2 meals for me.

Another favorite lunch spot prepandemic. Since then, they moved their location from the underground food court to the food alley nearby. I always get the lamb dumpling with soup and load it up with the different sour cream and sauces. I just love dumping the dumpling with the different sauce. However, I think the soup recipe changed slightly where is it more cilantro heavy so knocking down one star since I'm not a fan of cilantro.

My fiancé and my mother went here on 4/18/25 and it was fantastic! See, my fiancé is from Romania and I have gone to visit him there multiple times and we both agree that the cabbage rolls taste exactly like the sarmale from Transylvania, minus the tomato sauce over it. It was nice to get a taste of my home away from home in LITERAL San Francisco! The atmosphere was wonderful as well, it really did remind us of Romania and or Italy due to the little alleyway it was tucked in. I had looked up good eastern european restaurants in San Francisco and this is a great start to them -- one down and three to go, now. I think this is in my top favorite restaurants in California! The service was kind and always smiling and or laughing. Everything about this place is welcoming and homey. This really is a hidden gem and we will be coming back again soon!

Came here for lunch during work because I was curious about Ukrainian food and wanted more than a sandwich to fill me up. I was eyeing both the dumplings and the cabbage rolls, but opted for dumplings because I learned you can mix and match (would be helpful if that tip was on the menu). I ordered the chicken dumplings and beef gouda dumplings, and I also got the spinach hand pie. While I wouldn't really recommend the spinach pie, I did like the flavors of my dumplings! The chicken one tasted like classic pasta because of its classic Italian ingredients, and the beef gouda had a strong gouda flavor. The beef filling itself was a bit dry, though, so I couldn't fully enjoy it. I feel this would've been better if I had added on the chicken broth because then it would've felt more nourishing. Otherwise, it was a pretty comforting meal, and service was good as well. Would come back again to try some veggie dumplings.

I truly wish I liked this place more! Got the potato dumplings w sour cream and garlic Mayo sauce on side and I was a bit underwhelmed compared to previous pierogis I've had. The dumplings were a bit undercooked and I felt like it was pretty small for the price. The inside was good but I felt like there was too much dough to potato ratio. The place is very spacious and the service was quick. They weren't the friendliest people in the world but it was nothing deal breaking .

This is an order at the counter joint. Service is very fast. We got our food within 10 minutes of ordering. We ordered cabbage rolls and borsch. Both were delicious but the highlight was definitely the borsch. It's sweet and savory from the beets and broth but a bit tart as well. I'm addicted! It reminds me of a Vietnamese soup -- Canh Củ Dền. Awesome find while visiting the city. Hope to be back in the future.

It's probably not a coincidence that my only two Ukrainian dining experiences happened in just the past few months. The first was breakfast at the highly popular Vaselka in NYC's East Village back in October (review: https://bit.ly/3IU7TEo), and the second was here when I had supper in the middle of Belden Place. I had heard about this spot when the war first broke out in Ukraine since it's the only Ukrainian eatery in town. Last year, owner Sergei Shukailo wisely changed the name from the decidedly Russian name of Pushkin to the Ukrainian word for a native stork. It's a straightforward order counter cafe serving dumplings and piroshki as well as a borsh, a couple of salads, and a cabbage roll house special. Since it was my virginal visit, I felt a need to try the Boiled Dumplings of which they offered five different kinds in batches of 13 and 26. Even thirteen sounded like a lot, to me but they were much smaller than their dim sum cousins, and they were color coded to indicate what filling was inside. For $11, I was able to mix and match Lamb (pink), Chicken (green), and Beef Gouda (yellow) (photo: https://bit.ly/3Xlqiy4). The pink came from a tomato dough filled with ground lamb, mint, ginger, and beets. The green came from a spinach dough filled with chicken, basil, and parmesan cheese. The yellow came from a turmeric dough filled with beef and smoked gouda cheese. They were all pretty tasty bitefuls especially dipped in the dollop of sour cream provided with them. An $8 bowl of Borsh was a hearty accompaniment consisting of beef, cabbage, potato, onion, carrot, dill, and the beets that gave the soup its deep purple color (photo: https://bit.ly/3ZBuQlw). Pretty satisfying and not nearly as heavy as I was expecting. Definitely worth a return trip especially for those dumplings. FOOD - 4 stars...tasty boiled dumplings and borsh fit for any comfort food craving AMBIANCE - 4 stars...casual and spacious with a big patio SERVICE - 4 stars...helpful in explaining the dumpling colors and Ukrainian cuisine in general TOTAL - 4 stars...support Ukraine! RELATED - Exploring the FiDi? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: http://bit.ly/2F02OZN

Ordered takeout after traveling all day. Our meals were delicious. Fast service. We had the meat, chicken, mushroom, and apple. All were fantastic.

good food. thank you to the peeps here i pray they get good sleep everyday and forehead kisses

A coworker suggested dumplings, Ukrainian dumplings, to be exact for lunch and I had no idea what to expect! Such a simple lunch and tasted so good! The dough is a bit more doughy unlike Asian dumplings which are a lot thinner almost translucent. Seems like more of an Italian-like dough. I ordered the butternut squash and the beef gouda dumplings--13 bite sized pieces each to share was plenty for 2 people. We also ordered chicken broth to go with it. The broth is served on the side, the dumplings are not swimming in it. Bite of the dumpling and a spoonful of broth, felt like comfort food to me. The butternut squash was delicious...creamy, sweet and a little nutty flavor. The beef was a nugget sized meatball with gouda, although the gouda flavor was very subtle. I enjoyed my meal so much that I ordered another full order (26 pcs) of beef dumplings and piroshki's to take home for dinner. I got the beef and the sausage piroshki's and an apple one. These were baked and not deep fried. I really like the baked version over the deep fried version--doesn't seem as greasy and I really like the crust--reminded me of hand pies. I preferred the sausage over the beef, but both were delicious. The apple was a nice ending...not too sweet and great apple flavor. The staff behind the counter were helpful with the descriptions and really friendly! I would definitely come back and I highly recommend this place to anyone who hasn't tried Ukrainian dumplings!

Tried the beef and onion, beef and cheese dumpling, and the beef and onion empanada type thing. All their dumplings were great; fantastic dilly or cheesy flavor, great juice from the meat and well seasoned. The empanada thing was decent; dough was good but the meat despite being the same filing was lacking flavor from the dumplings. Would also recommend the garlic sauce or any of their specials as they looked good/garlic sauce was good

Came here for lunch because this spot is close to my office. Maybe I'm not too knowledgeable about Ukrainian food, this was good but not out of this world. The dough was soft and the meat filling good. I got the Beef Gouda + Lamb Pelmeni (you can mix and match, I couldn't tell them apart too much), and the sauces were tasty but it was best with sour cream. They were empty at 11:30am on a Thursday, had a few more customers by 12:15pm or so. The staff was nice and our food came out quickly.

For many years I've attended a medical conference every February at the Ritz, and take the opportunity to discover new restaurants. The pandemic resulted in two years of virtual conferences, but this year I was able to return for an in-person event - and to see what new places might have sprung up in the meantime. I reached out to a prolific Yelper for suggestions, and she suggested this place. Leleka is located on Belden Place, one of my favorite little alleys in the city. There used to be a great place for mussels here - Plouf - but that has since closed up shop. If I'm not mistaken, this restaurant now occupies the same location. Anyways, I was on my own for lunch today; normally I'd be here with a companion but she had other plans for today. So, I was only able to sample a small part of the traditional Ukrainian fare. Nevertheless, it was excellent. The menu here is simple - a variety of boiled or pan fried dumplings, a couple soups, and piroshki, which look like a kind of empanada. Based on Yelp photos, it appears they recently added a new specialty item, holubtsi, cabbage rolls stuffed with beef and rice. For my lunch I feasted on: Beef gouda boiled dumplings - this comes in two sizes, either 13 or 26 dumplings. This was a little daunting to me as it seemed like a lot, but the people behind the counter assured me that this was manageable for one person. Indeed, it was. These were fantastic little flavor bombs of beef and cheese, nicely seasoned and encased in a dough not dissimilar in consistency to a Chinese potsticker. I believe it was boiled in a chicken broth, which added to the flavor. Eaten with just a touch of sour cream, this was really enjoyable. And yes, 13 was not excessive for one person. Borsh - a traditional Ukrainian beet soup with vegetables and small bits of tender beef. I was a little apprehensive about getting this, because while I like beets they are sometimes just a little too earthy. Fortunately, that was not the case. This, too, was very tasty with a hearty flavor, delicately seasoned with salt and spices. I liked this a lot more than expected. The rye bread provided was good for dipping, but it seemed a little dry and I could have used a little more. I was tempted to get a piroshki - the people at the table next to me were downing them in great quantities - but by the time I had finished my two dishes I was beyond satisfied and I still had to stay awake for three more hours of the conference. I do hope this place sticks around for a while because I'm looking forward to a return visit. (BTW thanks Cherylynn for the tip!)

We were walking past this alley when we saw the sign that said 'best dumplings in the city'. Well, why not stop and try them. We got a bowl to share, half beef and half beef gouda. Both were good and I liked the dipping sauces (garlic, spicy, sour cream or soy). They had water cups readily available. I should have asked if they had ice though since I like my water really cold. Seating both inside and outside.

Their dumplings were so delishhhhh and their chicken broth so perfect if you are sick, this place is near my house so also super convenient and they have a cute little eating spot outside

I did not know this alley of food paradise existed in San Francisco! Dropped by LELEKA on a Monday night and it was pretty quiet. Plenty of tables inside and outside and there were heat lamps and overhead cover if you sat outside. My table decided to share and got a bunch of different dumplings. Got the lamb, chicken, cabbage, and potato. Added mushroom piroshki and honey cake. I'm partial to the lamb as I like the gaminess but in my table I know two who really loved the chicken. The piroshki was really pillowy on the outside and was flavorful inside. My only slight issue would be that the piroshki was a bit cold as I was expecting it to be hot. The honey cake. I could wax poetic about the honey cake. It was surprisingly filling for something so fluffy. It had just the right amount of sweetness and I liked that there were different textures (from the crumb top to the fluffy sour cream filling and the gooey tart sauce on the bottom). I would buy a whole cake. Service was great! You can either order from the front or if you were seated they came to you. My only note is that they don't ask for a tip when they charge your card on the square app (and I definitely checked the receipt) so bring a small amount of cash if you want to tip.

I was excited to try this Ukrainian spot since I realized it's the only Ukrainian restaurant in SF. And even though the interior and vibe of this place is very simple (I'd say it's more like an eatery) the food is really good and authentic. Our party of 5 was interested in trying everything they have to offer and it seemed to be feasible because the menu is not large. The only option we skipped was pelmeny (as their origin isn't really Ukrainian). So the summary is: - Borscht 5/5 Very rich taste, tender vegetables and good amount of meat - Cabbage rolls 5/5 My personal favorite! Very juicy, good quality of meat in the filling and well cooked cabbage leaves - Vareniky (dumplings) 5/5 We got vegetarian versions (potato and potato with cheese) and love them. Delicate dough, well balanced filling. - Hand roll with mushrooms 5/5 Lots of filling, good thin crust - Beets salad 5/5 Fresh and zesty! - Syrniky (cheese pancakes) 5/5 Delicate and fluffy. Raspberry jam matched perfectly for them. - Honey cake 5/5 Moist and creamy. With the honey taste in layers. - Kompot 5/5 Bright fruits flavor, not too sweet - Beer good but nothing special The service was fast and friendly and prices are more than reasonable. Definitely recommend this place for the quick intro to traditional Ukrainian food.

Came to Leleka right at opening and really enjoyed my meal! I opted for the beef and gouda pelmeni and WOW. That smoked gouda within was a showstopper and made the bites so much fun! I opted to add chicken broth to the dish which was perfect during this breezy SF lunchtime. It was soul warming and just a giant bowl of happiness! I also got an apple pirojki for later :) Portion size, the small is definitely very filling for smaller appetites especially if you get broth with it. I would definitely recommend a try at Leleka! Belden Place, in general, is just a fun street to explore!

I have not ever been to this restaurant although maybe I pass by it. Since Gazpacho is a summertime soup by certain establishments well Borscht is the next best soup. I've have been served it before many years ago at an acquaintance's place up in the Northwest. So I will come by when I can get a chance. I like borscht but haven't eaten it in awhile.

Love this place! I had never tried Ukrainian food before but was pleasantly surprised. The dumplings are the main attraction. There's a few different fillings you can choose between and typically people get the chicken broth with it. I've tried both eating the dumplings with the soup and on the side, I prefer on the side better since then you can use the garlic/spicy mayo to dip it in. They give you a large number of dumplings in the large so it's a pretty satisfying meal. The dumplings always taste fresh and have a solid texture on the outside with tender filling. My coworkers got mad when I called them tortellini's but hey I'm just saying there's a strong resemblance. They also have a beer with a funny name referencing a certain Russian figure haha. Overall great spot, will continue to come here for lunch.

This is a hidden gem and the only Ukrainian restaurant in the city. Located in an alley filled with restaurants and halfway down the block, is Leleka. They have both indoor and outdoor seating. Once you walk in, you are greeted with an ordering counter with an open kitchen behind it, high ceilings, and industrial look with wooden chairs and tables. I pre-ordered on their website in advance with a 545pm pick up. My order was not finished until 6pm as they had a group of 20 guests they were serving. I ordered 3 plates: Potato Onion Vareniki, Organic Chicken Pelmeni, and Beef Piroshki. The chicken pelmeni was the winner of the night! Over 10 pieces of spinach colored dumplings wrapped inside was 100% organic chicken, basil, and parmesan. You can eat it by itself which is good enough but with the dipping sauce its even better! I had their garlic ranch sauce and the spicy mayo, blown away by the intensity of the flavors. The potato onion dumplings was also good, much larger size and the dip works well with the too. The Piroshki is different than the ones I have tried in the past (soft, oily dough wrapped with beef inside). This one is a hard shell baked bun filled with ground beef and onion, topped with black sesame seeds. Delicious ethnic food and trying a new cuisine I have not tried before. If you order food online, you can also make a donation to help with the war in Ukraine before you check out. There is also a "Stand with Ukraine! Donate here" button for those that just want to help with the war efforts. Please support this local, delicious restaurant!

Politics are not my thing. But this is now a social and human decency issue that we are facing these days when talking about Ukraine. On a recent Saturday in the Ferry Building, a pop-up appeared at the former space of the Prather Ranch Meat Company's stand. They were still setting up when I stopped by with the gentleman telling me that they will at 10 am. I continued my shopping and returned about 10:15 am as there were several people hovering around the space. I walked up to the counter after studying the menu and ordered two menu items. As I read the menu, the cashier left the register to hand write the available meat options for the piroshky and dumplings (mostly beef, chicken, and a third option that I can't remember). When I got home after shopping and running more errands, I was famished. I started with the borsch (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=3R7vQA1GquOsOrBkEP1AdA&userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q), Ukrainian traditional soup with beets, cabbage, and beef; what's not to like about a still warm bowl of soup (12 oz.) packed with ingredients on a cool and windy Saturday. The color fooled me a bit as I worried that it would be on the sweet side but it was just right. Later in the week, I reheated a chicken piroshky (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=iaKhCnWID50_12GQaL_1nQ&userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q) for breakfast, individually baked; I liked that it was not the least bit oily and the filling was plentiful and overly saucy (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=SL0nezoc_9GFENvb7DN2FA&userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q). For a pop-up, it looked to be a sucess as I saw some waiting customers holding miniature Ukraine flags which I saw sitting next to the pay pad. I didn't take one as I didn't know the policy on that. The cashier was efficient and knew what he was doing while the young man expediting the orders had some difficulties communicating with the waiting customers and putting the food together. Coincidentally, I had a business lunch on the following Wednesday just up the block from the restaurant. It'd been a while since I walked through Belden Place and, boy, was it hopping during the lunch hour. Being a curious George, I peeked over and saw a server deliver a couple bowls of dumplings to outdoor diners. Guess I know what I'll be trying next time.

Stumbled upon this place and didn't know what to expect but was blown away. It was my first Ukrainian food experience and I was a little intimidated by the menu. I should have looked at photos first but I just guessed and it turned out just fine. I ordered the borsh and two piroshki (beef and mushroom). Borsh - the soup came out luke warm (not sure if it's supposed to be like that), but it was yummy. I didn't read the description and for some reason thought this had tomatoes in it but it doesn't. The redness from the soup is from beets so the beet flavor was pretty strong. They also top the soup with dill so that's the other stronger flavor. Next time I'll have to try their chicken noodle soup. Mushroom piroshki - this one was a little dry for me. The description says mushrooms and caramelized onions but mine was mainly just plain mushrooms. It was ok but I'd other a different one to try next time. Beef piroshki - this was the star. I could eat a dozen of these myself. It is definitely a must try. It is delicious by itself or smothered in some of the sauces they offer. I tried it with some sour cream and their garlic sauce, both were excellent. The filling is well seasoned and balanced. These pastries are small enough to eat more than one! I also took a bite of my coworkers chicken dumpling and it was delicious! It was well flavored and cooked perfectly. They offer their dumplings without soup but you can add chicken broth for an additional charge. My other coworker ordered their Olivier salad. It was our fault for not asking but it wasn't a traditional salad, more like an egg or potato style salad with Turkey. It was interesting but felt like it should have been a sandwich.