Cherry pierogi are a real thing, and they are sitting in deli freezers across New Jersey right now. Sweet fruit, folded into soft dough, boiled like dinner, and eaten like dessert.
I love that a dumpling can switch teams like that.
The savory side is just as fun. Think cabbage with white mushrooms, sauerkraut with mushrooms, or plain mashed potato.
Some counters also sell chebureki, which are big fried pastries stuffed with beef.
Most of these shops are small, family-style counters in strip malls and along busy roads. Many stock homemade frozen dumplings, so you can stock up and cook a pot later at home.
A few also tempt you with poppy seed rolls, cream horns, and Napoleon cake.
So here’s my question for you. How many dozen should you buy before the cooler in your trunk runs out of room?
1. Taste of Ukraine
Spinach cake is not something you expect to see at a bakery counter. In Randolph, it sits among the Ukrainian treats like it’s no big deal.
Taste of Ukraine bills itself as an authentic Ukrainian bakery with homemade baked goods and traditional dishes. That means you can grab dessert and dinner in one tidy stop.
Pierogi come with a long lineup of fillings. Look for mushroom, mashed potato, cabbage, meat, cheese, and sweet cherry, with more options rotating through.
The savory side doesn’t stop at dumplings. Borscht and potato pancakes show up too, and the pancakes may be cooked fresh while you shop.
Got a sweet tooth riding shotgun? The poppy seed roll and cream horn are classic picks, and cream horns can sell out fast.
Coffee is on hand if the drive left you sleepy. Plan a quick takeout trip, since there’s no restroom on site.
Hours run Monday through Saturday, and the shop stays closed on Sundays. Saturday evenings tend to be calmer if you dislike lines.
Address: 389 Dover Chester Rd, Randolph, NJ 07869
2. Multi Cook
Your freezer is about to become a lot more interesting. Multi Cook, right on Route 9 in Manalapan, focuses on handmade Eastern European food you can heat up at home.
The star here is homemade pierogi, also called varenyky. Cabbage with white mushrooms is a fan favorite, and the cherry version is worth a try too.
Dumpling fans get even more choices. Pelmeni sit alongside chebureki and belyashi, which are filled pastries that reheat nicely for easy dinners.
Hearty meat classics round out the case. You can find cabbage rolls and cutlets, which make weeknight meals feel like a family gathering.
Sweets are part of the deal as well. Syrnyky, crepes, and assorted desserts give you a reason to linger near the counter.
The shop opens early on weekdays and stays open on Sundays. Delivery is offered, though half the fun is picking your own fillings.
Free parking makes the stop painless. It’s a quick visit, but your shopping bag may not agree.
Address: 356 US-9, Manalapan Township, NJ 07726
3. Babushka’s Deli
With a name like Babushka’s, expectations run high. Happily, this Livingston deli leans hard into comfort food from Eastern Europe.
The prepared food section is the big draw. Pierogies, chicken meatballs, blintzes, and pirozhki give you plenty to mix and match.
Pelmeni are on the roster too. Stock up on a bag or two, and future you will be grateful on a busy Tuesday.
Need picnic supplies? A case of cold cuts sits ready, along with imported specialty groceries from across the region.
Dessert is not an afterthought here. Cakes, bakery items, and chocolates you may not spot in other New Jersey stores fill the shelves.
The space is small and quaint, with a friendly crew behind the counter. It’s an easy quick stop rather than a long sit-down meal.
Takeout and delivery are both available. Free parking helps, and the deli is open seven days a week with shorter Sunday hours.
Address: 491 S Livingston Ave, Livingston, NJ 07039
4. Prime Foods Market
Two Livingston stops on one list? Absolutely, because Prime Foods Market plays a very different role from its neighbor.
Think of it as a full Eastern European pantry run. Ukrainian products make up a big share of the shelves, alongside other regional favorites.
Dumpling hunters can grab pirogi, pelmeni, and manti. Hams and a wide spread of cold cuts and smoked sausages fill out the meat side.
Smoked fish is a serious category here. Dairy fans can browse kefirs and cheeses, which pair nicely with almost any pierogi plate.
Bread matters too. Freshly baked baton, a classic loaf, makes a great partner for sandwiches built from deli counter finds.
Candies and prepared foods add even more temptation. Organic products are also on offer if you’re filling a weekly grocery list.
Weekday mornings tend to be quieter than Sunday afternoons. In-store pickup and delivery give you options when time is tight.
Address: 613 W Mt Pleasant Ave Unit 2, Livingston, NJ 07039
5. Bratek Deli
Early birds, rejoice. Bratek Deli in Garfield opens at 6 AM most days, which makes pierogi a legit breakfast option.
The menu mixes Polish and Ukrainian favorites with a hot takeout lineup. Sauerkraut mushroom pierogi and cheese crepes are both vegetarian picks.
Potato pancakes and cabbage rolls join the ready-to-eat spread. Homemade dinners, soups, and salads make it easy to skip cooking entirely.
Meat lovers get a huge selection of kielbasa and kabanosy. Cold cuts and cheeses, including pot cheese, stretch the cases even further.
Save room for something sweet. Pączki filled with rose jam bring a floral twist you won’t find at a typical donut shop.
Quarters are tight, so expect a snug shopping experience. The friendly staff keeps things moving with plenty of smiles.
Late hours help too, since doors stay open until 9 PM most nights. Friday evenings and Saturday mornings tend to get busy.
Address: 75 River Dr, Garfield, NJ 07026
6. Halinka Polish Deli
Cherry wood smoke and pierogi make a strong team. Halinka Polish Deli on Route 206 in Hillsborough leans into both.
Traditional Polish and Ukrainian staples fill the counter. You’ll usually find three types of pierogi, plus homemade frozen ones to bring home.
Kielbasa gets plenty of love here. Smoked and fresh versions are available, and the cherry wood smoked style stands out.
Hungry for a full plate? Stuffed cabbage, potato pancakes, meatballs, and fried cabbage with noodles make a classic family dinner.
The grocery side adds imported chocolates and Polish specialty items. It’s handy for gift baskets or a sweet treat for the ride.
There’s no dine-in, so treat it as a takeout stop. Delivery is also offered if you’d rather stay put.
Sunday hours are short, from 10 AM to 2 PM. Saturday mornings get busy, so a weekday visit may be smoother.
Address: 438 US-206, Hillsborough Township, NJ 08844
7. The Polish Pickle Deli
Any shop named after a pickle has already earned a little affection. The Polish Pickle Deli in Manville backs up the name with serious food.
Homemade pierogi and artisanal kielbasa are the specialties. Choices run deep in both categories, so bring a plan or a big appetite.
Ukrainian borscht is a fun bonus. A bowl of beet soup next to a plate of dumplings makes an easy, hearty meal.
The deli case covers sausages, ham, and cheese with a homemade feel. Canned goods and sweets round out the shelves for pantry shopping.
Manville has long ties to Polish heritage in New Jersey. A stop here fits right into that small-town Somerset County character.
Saturdays from morning to afternoon are the busiest stretch. Tuesday mornings tend to be the calmest time to browse.
The shop opens at 8 AM on Saturdays and closes on Sundays. In-store pickup and delivery are both options.
Address: 221 N 10th Ave, Manville, NJ 08835
8. Taste Of Home Russian Food NJ
Picture a pierogi that went to the gym. Chebureki here are giant fried pastries stuffed with beef, and they steal the show.
Despite the Russian in the name, this Fair Lawn grocery earns praise for its Ukrainian food. Homemade prepared dishes fill the counter.
Soup fans can look for meatball soup and hot meat specials. They make a comforting lunch on a chilly New Jersey afternoon.
The dessert spread is a big reason to drive over. Smetanik, Kievskii cake, kartoshka, and Napoleon all compete for your attention.
Pastry gets high marks across the board. Grab a few for the car and a few more for later, if they last that long.
Fresh produce is a highlight too. The store is also known as an LGBTQ+ friendly space.
Street parking is free nearby. Sundays run shorter hours, and Wednesday afternoons can get busy.
Address: 13-34 River Rd, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410
