Adding this to one of me new favorites in the area. First time at Babushka's, I wanted to try this place for a long time and it did not disappoint! I'm salivating as I'm writing this review and I can't wait to go back. Their staff was amazing and for our group in without a reservation, so thankful for that! They patiently explained all options and helped one of our friends who is lactose intolerant with info and suggestions. We shared our dishes and everyone loved everything. It seems like everyone decided that #1 winner was meat blinchiki, thin crepes stuffed with meat, so delish! Next close winner was pan fried Siberian Pelmeni (pork and beef dumplings), so good! All of us also got Draniki (potato pancakes with mushroomand cheese mix). Those were good too, I would like to try them plain next time. As far as dessert goes, it was all amazing. Cherry pierogies were heavenly! Honey cake and Napoleon were so fresh, creamy, and delicious! So yourself a favor, find a group of friends you want to share this experience with and go share all these things were. Great Russian decor too.

Traveling in Tampa and looking for a new experience, we found Babushka, a family Russian restaurant. We have always wanted to try Russian cuisine and we decided to go in. The place has a typical decoration of the country that makes you feel part of its culture, the service The customer service was fast, but what made the difference was the exquisite and incredibly delicious food. Highly recommended if you want to try something different and I can say that it can be an unforgettable experience.

We surprised my husband for his birthday and all the kids showed up! He's all about trying new things. He made a list of places he would like to try and this was his number 1. Everyone enjoyed the atmosphere and staff. There were 10 of us and this is a smaller place but they figured it out. It was a Thursday and they were packed and had wait times still. We made a reservation which probably helped. I feel like between us all we tried everything. Some good, some I didn't care for. The lamb I usually like, but didn't care for it here. However I'm pretty picky. Bc a few of our party enjoyed everything. It says in their menu they are not fast food so expect to wait some. Which we did but even with them being a full house and us ordering a ton of food, it all came out at a decent time. And well worth it!! We even tipped the cooks! This is a must try place. Sorry not a lot of photos. We placed our phones in boxes on the table so we could spend quality time together.

It was my first time trying Russian food and I got to say I'm a fan. Babushka's has really traditional Russian food and some of other former Soviet nations. The place is beautiful, the walls are covered with beautiful art, the decorative pieces also make the place give you that touch of authenticity, plus you can buy some souvenirs and even Russian cookies or coffee and others goods, we interacted with the owner and he was so kind and friendly, that's good to see. Now about the food and service, Nastya was our waitress and she was so nice and attentive, she was awesome, we started with some Samsas which were delicious, the cheese Samsa need a little more cheese though, the Borscht soup was amazing, that broth was delicious, the Olivier salad was good, a little dry for my taste. I also got the Chicken Kotletky from the kid's menu and from what I tried, it tasted really good, the mashed potatoes are amongst the best I've ever had in my life and the chicken Kotletky ball was perfect, seasoned perfect, fried perfect and tasted perfectly, now the only thing that disappointed me was the honey cake, it was dry and really dense and the powdered sugar I feel is not necessary and apparently traditional honey cake is really moist and I was told that by one of my Russian friends. I want to go again and try more dishes and try other desserts because I feel I couldn't get the whole experience probably because of time constraints on my part so I want to go back and see if I can update the rating by having an awesome experience, hopefully soon because like I said, I am a fan of Russian food.

It’s my first time trying Russian food and am glad I picked this sweet little spot. Staff here are amazing.Food is good.If you are trying Russian food for the first time,keep an open mind and try some of their most recommended dishes. We enjoyed our dinner on a Friday night here and would recommend this place for anyone who wants to try Russian food. Try making a reservation in advance as the space is limited in the restaurant.

Stopped here this afternoon and absolutely loved the experience. The decor was so cute and so fitting for the restaurant. It has this cottage-y/forest theme with a forest wallpaper and flowers all over for decor which makes for a very pleasant dining experience. It was also very clean which definitely matters, especially now. Most importantly, the food here is so amazing. I love that they have authentic recipes coupled with descriptions/history (which is a bonus) on their menu so newbies understand where the food comes from. Overall, I'll definitely come here much more in the future.

It was a cool experience! I've never really had food from Russia, Ukraine, or Georgia. I've only had the Americanized versions. Honestly, I've been wanting to try this place since it first opened near USF. There are 2 locations. The other restaurant is in the Hyde Park area. This review is for the original location. Our first impression was a good one. I love the rustic look and ambiance. I felt like I was Little Red Riding Hood visiting Grandma's (Babushka's) house. It's like a cabin in the woods, but decorated with flowers and cool light fixtures. It's cozy, yet the wooden bench tables are spaced out and have individual seat cushions for a more comfortable experience. The table set up gives a very nice homey feel to it. Service was good. There were 3 other tables that were occupied with one waitress. She did a great job. Fortunately, we already knew what we wanted. She took our order and brought our drinks out. The food did take a while, but that was expected. Our appetizer was the Hot Buterbrod. It was definitely unique. It was 4 good sized slices of ciabatta bread with a mixture of cheese, ham, peppers, and a dressing that is baked in the oven. I think there may have been some shallots in there. It kind of tasted like an elevated pimento cheese, but more zesty. We thought it was pretty good. We got our main entrees about 15-20 minutes later. Not too terribly long for something that is cooked to order. His Beef Stroganoff arrived first. The beef was very tender and the sauce was very good. He really seemed to enjoy it. He got it with mashed potatoes instead of egg noodles. My pan fried salmon came out shortly after. It was so wonderful! One of the best salmon recipes I've ever had. I totally loved the crispy skin under the salmon along with the seasoning. The filet was very tender and juicy inside. The young potatoes had slivers of garlic. It was a simple preparation that felt very comforting. That homemade dill sauce (blended with sour cream) went so well with the salmon and potatoes. I'm not usually a big lover of sour cream, but I used it on everything. It was great. We didn't have any leftovers to take home. However, we did get Napoleon pastries for dessert. We had it boxed up for later. I think that was our only disappointment. It tasted okay. It definitely had a good pastry cream filling. It was just that the pastry layers were soggy. It wasn't fluffy or crispy. Perhaps we should have tried the Honey Cake that everyone raves about. Other than that, all was good. We want to eventually go back and try the stuffed peppers and braised cabbage. We just didn't have enough room to try everything.

SOME OF THE BEST FOOD I HAVE EVER HAD! The food was extremely delicious, and every bite was pure bliss. I have always wanted to try Russian food, and I am glad I was able to expirence it here. All the food items on the menu are perfect, and complement the cozy Russian summer cabin, feel so well. Whoever made the food did so perfectly. The atmosphere, and design of the store was so unique, it felt like I left Florida and was in paradise. Prices were fair and I had amazing service. If you are in the mood to try something different than the standard tropical/southern food that is in Florida, I would definitely recommend going here.

Food was delicious and service was great. Highly recommend checking this place out, even if you have never had Russian cuisine (like myself). It was very good and a pleasant experience.

I've been wanting to come to this restaurant for several months and finally went. It did not disappoint! I'm from Poland and the quisine here is AMAZING! So many dishes that I grew up eating. Russian and Polish quisine share quite a few similar dishes. We ordered quite a bit of food and every dish was delicious! I am IN LOVE with this restaurant. My daughter and I will be regular monthly diners. And I can't wait to go back.

Here is a nice little slice of Russia in my own backyard. If you want something a little different from the standard fare at each corner in Tampa, you've come to the right place. Babushka's is not particularly large with maybe 10 tables or so, and it was fairly packed on a Sunday afternoon. Restaurant has a comfortable Eastern European feel to it. Staff was friendly. The menu is not particularly large, but everything on it looked good. I will have to make several trips to try everything out. Their version of stuffed cabbage rolls were excellent as was the borscht. Pierogi were good as well (excellent caramelized onions included). I can see why this place gets such good reviews. A family of five could get out of here for around $80. I'm coming back for seconds!

First time eating Russian food, and it was quite good. The taste was more focused on what was in the dish rather than trying to change it with flavors which was nice. Every dish we had was definitely great, and I'd recommend it based on my first experience.

Different and unique in their own way. Confort food that leaves you satisfied and full. Flavor profiles are different from the American, Italian, and American/folk/fusion dishes that are prevalent in Tampa right now, but this is a good thing and I tell you this to be aware before you go in and/or leave a bad review. Different, unique, and satisfying, Babushka's dishes stem from Romanian/Ukrainian home cooked meals. Dishes from steak, cabbage and mushrooms, stuffed peppers, lamb perogies, and caviar toast, you will find food that breaks the mold here and leaves you satisfied. Our server was genuinely a pleasant person who handled our table with the utmost sincerity, showing care and eagerness for us to be comfortable and happy. My favorite dish was the Honey Cake. We ordered it to go because of how stuffed we were and I had a bite before bed a few hours later which was a mistake! I ended up eating half the cake before my self control kicked in to save some for my wife. The dishes come out when they're finished so each eating experience is different. We had a party of around 10 so we all shared and took some from each other's plate as the food hit the table. You'll always know your food is hot and just off the grill or oven and that it's not sitting under a heat lamp waiting for everything at once to come out. For a unique experience on home cooked meals, this place is one you'll come to love

If you're looking for authentic and delicious food from the former Soviet Union, such as Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijani, Georgian and others, Babushka's is the place to be. They serve up a variety of dishes from different countries in the region, so you can try something new and exciting every time you visit. What's more, the food is not only tasty but also very authentic, giving you a true taste of the culture and traditions of the region. For those looking to wash it down with a cold beer, Babushka's serves up some delicious Ukrainian brews that are the perfect complement to any meal. For kids and non-alcohol drinkers, the compote is a must try, cold, refreshing beverage! But what really sets Babushka's apart is their commitment to Ukraine and its people. In a time when the country is facing challenges and struggles, it's heartening to see a business that is so pro-Ukrainian and supportive of its culture and heritage. If you're looking for a unique and delicious dining experience that also supports a good cause, Babushka's in Temple Terrace is the perfect place to go. So come on in, sample some authentic cuisine, and raise a glass to Ukraine and its people.

I have ordered from here at least twice and the food has always been delicious. Their plates are flavorful and comforting. Their desserts are also a must…totally worth taking a break from your diet, lol. Bonus: restaurant endorses halal options, make sure ask first.

Fantastic and unique restaurant. Great ambience and the food was everything you could hope for. Loved every bit of my meal. I'm excited to come back and try more.

What a Gem!!! We went somewhere previous where it was so loud that we could not talk & we not only wanted a fabulous meal but a place with ambiance- This was the place! We were at the Hyde Park location. We had Brendan as our server. There were 2 of us. We shared a Red Georgian Flight of wine, Beef Blinchiki, Olivier Salad, Adjaruli Khachapuri & the Sauerkraut Vareniki.. There was live acoustic mellow music in the background at just the correct volume. Our server was very helpful in recommendations also very personable. The place is cute/quaint, nicely decorated with Eastern European charm. They even have a small nook outside to sit. The food was sooooooo good! We just shared the appetizers & salad but will come back for entrees... too much sounded & looked too good but we were full! Definitely recommend:)

First off, Food was delicious! Staff is very friendly. This is our newest favorite spot to eat. Food comes out when it's done and you have to wait a little longer. This IS NOT fast food! The wait is worth it. The Kvass was so good we ended up getting a pitcher of it. Everyone agreed the Lamb Plov and the Chicken Kiev are 5 star dishes. The honey cake is a must try also...Heck, everything was great!

This place is definitely something like i would imagine Russian restaurant.. everything inside is made from small babushka's,nature and like home made stuff.. so really interesting and amazing place. Service was good,we waited a little bit longer for food. But overall food was good. Maybe 4 out of 5, but I'm giving 5 ☆ for all experience. Also kompot was soo good 👍

Food was amazing! I was skeptical because I have never heard anyone talk about Russian food. I got the Kompot, meat blinchikies, lamb plov, chicken Kiev (to go) and honey cake for dessert. Service was great I got what was recommended. I overheard other customers say they liked the food also. Cool Russian music playing overhead. This place is a gem!

Wonderful little restaurant, good was prepared well and expediently and it was also very tasty and filling. Russian atmosphere with music and decorations is great and staff is polite and friendly. Wish I didn't live 2 hours away!

This place is so cute and the food was so good. We went with friends and ate family style so we could try a lot of different dishes. We started with the Kompot fruit drink it was great. Not to sweet and great with asl the dishes we ate. We got the salmon draniki, lamb pelmeni, potato vareniki, and sauerkraut vareniki to start. The lamb was my favorite but the sauerkraut was a close second. The hot buterbrods was next and the house made bread was so soft and good. The golubtzy was after that and was amazing. We finished off the meal with a few deserts: honey cake (so yummy), syrniki and a banana & Nutella blinchiki. They were all good. The blinchiki was very sweet with the Nutella just in case you don’t have a big sweet tooth. The service was great and the restaurant is decorated so cute. Will definitely be back.

Cozy little family restaurant serving delicious Russian fare. Staff was friendly and attentive. Atmosphere is lovely. Had various dumplings, all delicious and the Stroganoff was amazing. Will definitely be back.

Wasn't a fan of the food. Our server never came back after serving the food to refill our drinks or ask how everything was going. There was too much vinegar in the tomato sauce on one of the cabbage rolls that had sauce. The lamb plov is also nothing like the menu picture(in the menu it looks like there is alot of lamb in the middle to the rice, but was served mixed together) and had paprika sprinkled on the entire thing. Make sure to make a reservation because they had to turn away alot of walk in customers because they were so busy(1½ hour wait).

My first Russian traditional food experience and glad we have picked probably the best place in the town. Beautifully decorated Restaurant with good food and beverage options. I had the Kompot drink which is very refreshing. Lamb Plov was my choice for the dinner and it was very tasty. Enjoyed every bit of it. Want to go again and probably for the the brunch next time. If you are going, make a reservation before you go as they have limited seating.

It does not get more authentic than this. Been to the Hyde Park location for many visits, first time here. Quaint lunch service. Recommend everything on the menu - everything is fantastic.

Good, not amazing. Talking from an empty stomach experience. *Friendly service. Good savory crepes. *Olivier salad was not good at all. Vareniki are definitely not hand made, taste like they were from a factory made package.

This place is totally a hidden gem. Well, at least for me, until now. If you would like to try out Eastern European cuisine, you should definitely come and check it out. Delicious!