Is this an Eastern European restaurant?

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Details

About

Borsch, Vodka and Tears is a Melbourne institution currently celebrating 23 years at the colourful end of Chapel Street. Styled after a Kraków cellar bar, Borsch is a romantic Bohemian enclave, the home of the Green Faery, an ode to a hazy and debauched bygone world. We specialise in Polish vodka, vodka-centric interpretations of classic and modern cocktails, authentic wormwood absinthe, Eastern European beers, contemporary Polish dishes and late night fun times.

PRICE RANGE

$0.00 – $45.00

CUISINES

Polish, Bar, European, Pub, Eastern European, Dining bars

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

Meals

Lunch, Dinner, After-hours, Drinks

FEATURES

Delivery, Takeout, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Buffet, Private Dining, Seating, Parking Available, Street Parking, Free off-street parking, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, American Express, Mastercard, Visa, Digital Payments, Free Wifi, Discover, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Live Music, Jazz Bar, Beach, BYOB, Dog Friendly, Family style, Non-smoking restaurants, Gift Cards Available

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4.0

236 reviews

Excellent

111

Very good

87

Average

20

Poor

9

Terrible

9

killerberry

Melbourne642 contributions

Second attempt at Polish food

Jan 2020 • family

I came here dinner for the first time with my family The restaurant is really easy to find. Located 20 min east of CBD Decor is really nice and felt very homely. They offer outdoor and indoor dining The staff and very helpful with the menu and friendly. Lots to choose from the menu, average prices are around $25 for most dishes but I thing their main attraction are differed vodka. Overall very good experience, good food, staff made you feel comfortable. Will come back Ps parking might be an issue though. The restaurant is on a main street and most car spots filled You might need to book because they get busy

Written 30 January 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

alan9999

Surfers Paradise181 contributions

Clean the table and sugar is so sweet

May 2021 • couples

QR code to check in Not compatible with Vic system Can’t order by QRCode which we wanted to Variety of menu has shrunk and prices increased No sugar fir coffee as the staff hunted for some eventually found Desserts $14 I thought was really dear and took a long long time to come Vodka tea used to be in a cup was special ,now smaller but in a glass . Food good but smaller portions than before A long time to clean table between courses . Now Elsternwick’s location closed which was so warm and welcoming specially came to Prahran Probably won’t do again

Written 16 May 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Scoooter76

Rosebud39 contributions

Great atmosphere.

Jan 2020 • none

Great atmosphere, extensive food and drinks menu. Presentation was great, started off with a shared platter and then mains, everyone enjoyed the meals. Absinthe was a great bit of entertainment, bar man lite it up. Great place for a social catch up or party, staff are very chilled and will definitely be going back.

Written 21 January 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

J.E

Melbourne193 contributions

Great service

Dec 2020 • couples

Great service overall, and the staff made it an enjoyable experience. I liked all of the dishes particularly the polish dumpling ones. The collections of beers and beverage were also fabulous and foods were served on a timely manner. I surely recommend this place if you haven’t tried Polish cuisine yet.

Written 27 December 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jenette G

Perth12 contributions

Vodka & Polish Food

Jan 2023 • none

Borsch, Vodka & Tears is a Polish restaurant which has been operating for 22 years in Prahan. The menu is extensive though it's mostly vodka cocktails and shots. We had a table of 8 so we ordered many dishes and shared them all which was a good way to sample most of the dishes. The food & service was great but the restaurant was super noisy making it difficult to talk to others.

Written 20 January 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jill S

8 contributions

Great experience

Nov 2019 • none

took our friends here when visiting from Scotland. It is always very busy so definitely always book where possible! It's a super cosy but lush setting. The vodka tasting platters and the knowledge of the drinks by the staff is amazing. We also tried alot of food we wouldnt have probably tried ever if not recommended so well by staff!

Written 29 October 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

crystalrosario

Singapore45 contributions

50th wedding anniversary

Feb 2020 • none

My daughter had booked this for the 15th Feb. She was not notified that we would have to have a set menu. We had to eat what they gave us. No way would we have ordered the borsch soup but once again had no choice. We were then told we had to be out of the restaurant by 8.30. If we had known this we would have booked somewhere else and closer to home. There were only 8 people

Written 24 February 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

anniereviews

Melbourne8 contributions

Amazing Polish Pierogis and Other European Dishes

May 2023 • couples

Great food with great atmosphere. although with a slightly loud environment, this is to be expected as it doubles as a bar. My partner and I chose to try 3 types of pierogi: the cheese and potato, sauerkraut and porcini & the chicken and beef. We particularly loved the cheese and onion and the sauerkraut and porcini although all choices were very good. From the mains, the chicken stroganoff was amazing: the silky soft gnocchi was well paired with the sauce which was notable for its tender slow cooked chicken. The final dish was hungarian goulash which came with sour cream and a red capsicum chutney, both being nice pops of freshness when eaten together with the rest of the dish. Overall our experience was very positive and both of us can’t wait to come back again.

Written 19 May 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Robert K

1 contribution

Robert

Mar 2023 • friends

Delicious food , with great cocktails and Martinis, waiters are very attentive, and super nice atmosphere. Plus it's all at an affordable price Can totally recommend it and will definitely come back again.

Written 22 March 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Maria T

Melbourne1 contribution

Wonderful

Mar 2023 • friends

“One of the best places I’ve eaten on Chapel. Great place for late night cocktails, awesome vodka collection.

Written 20 March 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

PhoebeNJ

Australia6152 contributions

Warm and welcoming

Mar 2023 • family

Unpretentiousness restaurant on Chapel Street. Wonderful hearty dinner. We loved the dumplings and the broccolini salad the best. Cosy ambiance and friendly service. Definitely recommend.

Written 11 March 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Daniel G

Melbourne4436 contributions

Family dinner with purifies

Nov 2022 • family

We had family celebration at this restaurant. We ordered entrees plates and all types of pirogies, gnocchi and stuffed cabbage rolls. Only borscht we didn’t order . All dishes were delicious, especially pirogies with potatoes.

Written 6 November 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Nicole H

1 contribution

Best service Baptiste!

June 2021 • friends

We love having drinks at vodka borsht when Baptiste is there! He is a legend! Works hard accommodating every single visitor with a smile and best drink mixer! The best! We booked for next week again! David nicole abe Ricki

Written 23 June 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Steve F

14 contributions

S

Dec 2020 • couples

Authentic food and service . Creative cocktails and well delivered food on time , very delicious as well

Written 18 December 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Joe Vander

Calgary44 contributions

AMAZING service. SPECTACULAR food. COOL vibes.

Jan 2020 • friends

Definitely one of my FAVOURITE places to go to in Melbourne. I have been a handful of times and always recommend it to friends. It has a great shabby antique vibe and is very intimate. Great for a small group of friends, a date night or even a solo drink. I had very tried borsch before until I went to this place and I have to say it is one of the best random things I’ve ever ordered. The CABBAGE ROLLS were AMAZING. Not only was the dimly-lit ambience appealing.. the service was impeccable. This place specialises in vodka and has a drink and spirits list the size of a phone book. Literally something for everyone. All of the staff I dealt with were super awesome, but I have to give an honourable mention to one in particular. Georgia. I really wanted a whiskey sour one evening and she took it upon herself to learn the drink and make me one. One turned into many because they were that good. She’s quite the conversationalist and a great asset to the restaurant. I’ll continue to tell all of my friends to hit up Chapel and check out BVT. Keep up the good work! - Canadian guy on WHV

Written 17 June 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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