Cold weather in New Jersey calls for a bowl of soup that means business, and borscht fits the job. This deep red beet soup is a staple across Ukraine, Poland, Russia, and beyond, and every family seems to have its own version.
The good news is you do not need a passport to find a real one, because several Garden State kitchens make it the old-fashioned way. Here are five spots, from sit-down dining rooms to grab-and-go delis, where borscht is on the menu and worth a cold-day trip.
1. Zabava Private Restaurant and Event Planning, Hackettstown, NJ
Route 46 in Warren County is not where most people expect to find Ukrainian home cooking. Zabava proves that assumption wrong, serving traditional dishes at 133 US-46 in Hackettstown.
The kitchen leans into classics like pierogies and stuffed cabbage, made with the kind of flavors and textures you would expect from a family table. The borscht here is vegetarian, which makes it an easy pick for anyone skipping meat.
Zabava also doubles as an event venue, so it handles parties and gatherings along with regular meals. Music is part of the experience, and the staff pays close attention to the details.
Practical perks help too. The restaurant is open daily from 11 AM to 11 PM, and parking is free, with an on-site lot plus street spaces.
Saturday afternoons and evenings draw the biggest crowds. If you want a calmer bowl of soup, aim for a weekday.
2. Taste Of Home Russian Food NJ, Fair Lawn, NJ
Sometimes the best borscht comes home in a container. Taste Of Home Russian Food NJ on River Road in Fair Lawn is an Eastern European grocery store with a strong lineup of homemade prepared foods.
Borscht is one of its standout items, and it pairs well with other ready-made favorites like Turkish salad and eggplant caviar. Traditional desserts round out the counter, so it is easy to build a full dinner in one stop.
I would save this one for a busy weeknight when cooking from scratch is not happening. The shop also has good produce if you want to grab a few extras.
Hours run from 9 or 10 AM most days, closing at 7 PM on weekdays, 6 PM Saturday, and 4 PM Sunday. Delivery is available, and street parking is free.
Keep in mind there is no restroom, so plan for a quick visit. Wednesday afternoons and Saturdays tend to be busiest.
3. Shirin Cafe, Manalapan Township, NJ
A strip mall on Route 9 hides one of Monmouth County’s longest-running spots for Uzbek and Russian food. Shirin Cafe has old-world flair inside and a menu that goes well beyond soup.
Borscht is a favorite here, and so is the company it keeps. Think potato vareniki, plov, lamb kebab, lyulya kebab, chebureki, manti, and achichuk salad with Uzbek bread on the side.
Vegetarians get plenty of options, including vegetarian lagman and vegan mastava. Dessert is a strong suit too, with baklava and Kartoshka cake, plus Uzbek tea, kompot, and fresh coffee.
Expect around $30 to $40 per person. The cafe is BYOB, family-friendly with high chairs, and accepts reservations, which helps for group dinners.
Note the schedule. Shirin is closed Monday and Tuesday, opening at noon Wednesday through Saturday and 1 PM on Sunday.
4. Tatra Haus, Wallington, NJ
Polish Highlander style comes to Main Avenue in Wallington, a town with deep Polish roots. Tatra Haus takes its name from the Tatra Mountains, and the decor matches the food.
The borscht arrives dark red and hot, with dumplings, in a ceramic bowl. That alone makes it one of the more memorable versions on this list.
Hearty portions continue across the menu. Potato pancakes with sheep’s cheese, pierogies, kielbasa, trout, pork cutlet, and chicken Kiev all show up, and Polish apple pie makes a fitting finish.
A fireplace and live music add to the appeal on cold nights. Prices run roughly $20 to $60 per person, and a kids’ menu is available.
Dinner reservations are recommended, especially on weekends. The restaurant is closed Monday and opens at 4 PM on weekdays, noon on weekends.
5. European Homemade Provisions, East Brunswick, NJ
Since 1955, one family has kept this East Brunswick deli stocked with Eastern European meats and cheeses. That kind of staying power says plenty.
European Homemade Provisions on Old Bridge Turnpike sells borscht in takeout containers, ready to heat at home. Homemade blintzes, Swedish meatballs, stuffed cabbage, and kielbasa sit right alongside it.
Sandwiches, imported goods, and fresh pastries and cakes make it easy to stock up. Most visits land between $10 and $20 per person.
This is strictly takeout, with no dine-in seating and no delivery. Hours run 9 AM to 4 PM Monday through Saturday and 9 AM to 2 PM Sunday.
Saturday mornings get busy, so a Monday stop is calmer. Parking is easy, with a lot and street spaces nearby.
Five kitchens, five styles, one shared love of beets. Pick the one closest to home, and let the next cold snap be your excuse to try them all.
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