Borsch, Vodka & Tears

check icon 4.1 (28)

Reviews for Borsch, Vodka & Tears (28)

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4.1
28 reviews
5 star icon
11
4 star icon
10
3 star icon
6
2 star icon
0
1 star icon
1
Service Rating
3.6
Quality Rating
4.2
Value Rating
3.6
verified email - 13 Mar 2022
Service Rating
1.0
Quality Rating
1.0
Value Rating
1.0

It used to be a good restaurant in the past and we decided to visit it today. I haven’t been here for years since I preferred another Polish restaurant “After Tears” but it is permanently closed now. Today it was absolute disappointment: poor food quality, poor service and no value for money. We ordered Ukrainian borsch, duck & Apple pierogi, beef & chicken pierogi and potato blinches with salmon and sour cream. Ukrainian borsch was dark grey instead of red colour, there was no beef inside at all and it was tasted as Sour vegetable Soup - Schie. All other food was strange and was no close to real Polish food, definitely not pierogi and not blinches which were closer to zrazi / latkes.
It looks like meat was not fresh. We asked for cranberry juice and the girl found a week old open bottle of some drink in her fridge which I immediately asked to replace with a new one. There were almost no customers but the service was still pretty bad. Very bad experience! That place is no good anymore.

verified email - 24 Sep 2018
Service Rating
4.0
Quality Rating
4.0
Value Rating
4.0

They have a great selection of Vodkas to choose from and some yummy appetiser meals. Cute and kitsch inside. Lovely service and very friendly

verified email - 26 May 2015
Service Rating
5.0
Quality Rating
5.0
Value Rating
4.0

This is such a fun place to go for dinner. It is quite loud, so don't expect to hear too much if you go with a big group. I've been here a few times with one other friend and we always have a great evening. These guys have a delicious range of Polish food, with a mix of salady stuff or rich meat dishes, all of which we have shared between us. They also have an amazing cocktail menu and are great at offering advice if you're not sure what you feel like. Really easy to get to and always bustling, perfect place to go if you're on Chapel St.

verified email - 08 Aug 2014
Service Rating
4.0
Quality Rating
5.0
Value Rating
3.0

This place is always packed. Been here a few times and considering how busy it is the service is good. The drinks list is extensive and not too badly priced. The food is great authentic and so tasty. I really like this place, I just wish I'd learn to book in advance to save disappointment every time we can't get a table.

verified email - 22 Jul 2014
Service Rating
4.0
Quality Rating
5.0
Value Rating
4.0

Amazing vibe, food and vodka.
This quaint, eclectic, bohemian stop transports you away from the bustle of Chapel and exports you to another place.

Approximate cost: $20

verified email - 09 Jan 2014
Service Rating
4.0
Quality Rating
4.0
Value Rating
3.0

My mum brought me here so I got to experience traditional polish food. Nice little place that does specialize in vodka too they have a menu just for it alone.
We tried the Olives, Fetta & Dips Tasting Plate to share and the Baked Cheese & Potato Filled Dumplings With Fried Onion, Sour Cream & Mint also the Chicken Stroganoff which we also shared between us. I was so surprise that I enjoyed it, and have been back once again since then. Staff are fantastic too

Approximate cost: $16

27 Nov 2013
Service Rating
5.0
Quality Rating
5.0
Value Rating
5.0

I recently went and got lunch here with a friend and the service was excellent! The food and the coffee were delicious and there was not a long waiting period at all. Very impressed.

verified email - 21 Aug 2013
Service Rating
4.0
Quality Rating
4.0
Value Rating
3.0

If you are hungry and love polish food that is the place! Or just pop in for vodka tasting! Huge portions! Sour cherry vodka my favorite! Staff is ok, though the service could have been more consistent. In all though, the only criticism would have to be the music- a couple of decibels too loud to make conversation easy

verified email - 12 Aug 2013
Service Rating
4.0
Quality Rating
3.0
Value Rating
3.0

I went to Borsch Vodka and Tears after hearing many great things. It's a nice little restaurant but can get quite loud once they start cramming everyone in. The drinks there are my favourite as they have lots of good different vodkas. Some of the food is quite nice, but I found the Pierogi to be a bit bland. Definitely go to try the drinks before a night on Chapel st.

verified email - 12 Mar 2013
Service Rating
2.0
Quality Rating
3.0
Value Rating
3.0

this place is quirky. they have a nice range of vodkas. some meals are good, others not so much. goulash leaves a bit to be desired... waiters aren't really that attentive.

verified email - 06 Feb 2013
Service Rating
3.0
Quality Rating
3.0
Value Rating
3.0

What a great place to enjoy a few drinks. The food is ok but i think the main reason to go here would be for the drinks. I asked the waitress her opinion on what she could reccommend ordering bad idea I wasn't happy with the dish but luckily I didn't have to pay for it in the end so I didn't leave annoyed and would definately return for drinks.

verified email - 02 Dec 2012
Service Rating
2.0
Quality Rating
3.0
Value Rating
3.0

Pretty much drawn in by the quirky name, I haven't really tried Polish cuisine before so thought we might give it a go. Service was utterly horrid, slow and very unwelcoming and the food wasn't what I was expecting, I found it to be a little bland and watery, though the presentation was really nice and I felt like I was in Europe, that was probably the only positive from the experience.

verified email - 23 Nov 2012
Service Rating
3.0
Quality Rating
3.0
Value Rating
3.0

eastern europian cuisine does not get enough coverage, so its good to see a place like borsh vodka and tears. honestly i don't think their food is that high quality or authentic, but the fact that they have a massive section devoted to vodka wins them a lot of points. plus the decor. its like stepping into an ancient tavern complete with wenches and plenty of alcohol.

verified email - 09 Nov 2012
Service Rating
4.0
Quality Rating
4.0
Value Rating
4.0

i ate here a 3 weeks ago .. The food and cocktails were amazing .. I really Like it ..

Me and my friends had the crepes .. and drinks (list of Vodkas) it is a good place for those who loves Vodka .. excellent!

However, the service was terrible .. it was so hard to get the staff's attention.. we always need to approach the staff to ask for what we need .. it was bad...

verified email - 20 Dec 2011
Service Rating
4.0
Quality Rating
4.0
Value Rating
4.0

Not entirely authentic food as their borsch is not exacly what you would get in Eastern Europe. But it's close enough. It is a little bit tight in the walkways of the restaurant and with their popularity it can be a little bit crowded. Otherwise it's worth going there.

verified email - 23 Jul 2011
Service Rating
5.0
Quality Rating
5.0
Value Rating
4.0

This quirkly little restaurant is a real find. It is in Chapel St in the midst of a buzzing scene with loads of bars and restaurants. The wait staff are very friendly and happy to give advice. My friend and I worked our way through a good number of the starters and loved every one. Although there were a little expensive it was delicious. Next time I'll definitely leave the car at home so I can try some of their cocktails.

verified email - 05 Apr 2011
Service Rating
3.0
Quality Rating
4.0
Value Rating
4.0

Amazing place if you like your vodka! Too many shots to choose from. Food is good and so id the service. Definitely a good place to go to in Melbourne if you want to experience Polish food.

verified email - 28 Dec 2010
Service Rating
5.0
Quality Rating
5.0
Value Rating
4.0

who knew there were so many different ways to drink vodka? great little place. have enjoyed myself there a little too much many times.

verified email - 17 Apr 2010
Service Rating
4.0
Quality Rating
5.0
Value Rating
4.0

This bustling vodka bar brings you a piece of the old country, with a twist - vodka of course! the food is a blend of traditional polish food, with an australian/international slant and the blintzes with smoked salmon are a beautiful way to begin a leisurely weekend - the crowing glory being the goldfinger (champagne and goldwasser) - we may not all be millionaires, but when you're drinking gold leaf in your champagne, it's easy to pretend...

verified email - 07 Feb 2010
Service Rating
3.0
Quality Rating
4.0
Value Rating
3.0

Love this vodka bar! It has a great atmosphere, a bit rustic and you feel like you can hang out with your friends and spent all night and chat and carry on and get hopelessly drunk with a wonderful collection of all kinds of vodka drinks. Love it. I can't really judge the food we ordered bread with a great selection of dips though

verified email - 02 Dec 2009
Service Rating
2.0
Quality Rating
4.0
Value Rating
3.0

Food is always yummy and hearty. Love the gnocchi with mushroom and the potato pancakes with sour cream. Leave very full but satisfied. Still yet to try every vodka - will get there one day.

Approximate cost: $22

verified email - 25 Aug 2009
Service Rating
5.0
Quality Rating
5.0
Value Rating
5.0

It's one of the only remaining "cool" places in Chapel St. its got great drinks, food and service... The things I have enjoyed are the borsch, the pirogi, the vegetarian breakfast with potatoes blintzes and scrambled eggs and also the cocktails.. the decor is dark and romantic, great for a date or to hangout with friends.. Not a place to be a drunken idiot and pickup girls or guys but something more classic ..

Approximate cost: $12-14

verified email - 18 May 2009
Service Rating
2.0
Quality Rating
5.0
Value Rating
4.0

the most amazing vodka bar - all it doesn't have it actual Polish staff, which is weird since its a block from Balaclava and a huge Polish community,.great traditional Polish food with a Vodka menu just as long as the food menu..dont ask the waiters, just dive in and order a few dishes you have no idea about and go for it.

Approximate cost: $15

verified email - 17 Sep 2008
Service Rating
5.0
Quality Rating
5.0
Value Rating
4.0

The vibe and the atmosphere if this place is amazing! Not even mentioning the great food and service. I've been there 2-3 times, all for different occasions and every time it was great. At first I just had coffee and sandwich by myself, then came back with friends for a get together and later had my farewell from work there. Everyone loved it. Great European cuisine. My background is Russian and I have to say the cabbage rolls tasted exactly like my mums- which is a great compliment! Not one thing I didn't like on the menu- fantastic variety. I tried to recreate one of their simpler salads at home, but turned out nothing like theirs still.
Prices are ok for that area, could be a bit cheaper, but not that expensive, plus the food is very filling.
The quirky dress code is also a bonus, combined with the decor. Very cozy and intimate.
Will surely go back- one of my favorite places!

verified email - 17 Jul 2008
Service Rating
4.0
Quality Rating
5.0
Value Rating
5.0

This places atmosphere was incredible. It was so quaint and nice in here. My lunch was of a very high quality and tasted really great. Coffee's were pretty good too.

I gave value 5 Stars because they are very well priced in comparison to some other bars/restaurants there. I'm defiantly going back in the future to try another meal!

Recommended :)

verified email - 28 Feb 2008
Service Rating
4.0
Quality Rating
4.0
Value Rating
4.0

I caught up with a few friends here for dinner and a few drinks. The food was really nice, there are so many tapas type dishes to choose from, we only had a tiny selection of the overall menu. We had a few dishes and shared them and this was a good option to choose. Would defintely like to go back there and try some other dishes.

We were there on a Friday night and it was very busy, you will need to book. It is also very noisy but that didn't bother us. Service was really good too.

Didn't actually sample any vodka - will have to do that next time!

verified email - 23 Nov 2007
Service Rating
3.0
Quality Rating
5.0
Value Rating
3.0

Quiet dinner and drinks with a friend.

Vodka etc was really great. Love the food, the atmosphere was great and overall a great experience.

We had the tapas type options (although given the food is Polish I'm not sure it's technically tapas, but you know what I mean). Lots of lovely tastes. I was impressed.

Approximate cost: $25

verified email - 18 Jun 2007
Service Rating
4.0
Quality Rating
5.0
Value Rating
4.0
Great cosy setting and fantastic food

Great cosy setting and fantastic food

I went here with a friend for drinks and dinner. Very nice to have some different types of food. I'd never eaten Polish food before and it was great - mainly tapas style.

Approximate cost: $20