Babushka Market, Deli & Cafe - Walnut Creek, California

Katie K.

What a great deli and store. I stopped in here randomly on a rainy day with a coworker. We each had a delicious bowl of soup and a piroshki and that was more than enough food for lunch. The borscht was very good. The people working at the store were very friendly and attentive. There are two small tables to sit and eat at. We didn't browse the market very much but I saw lots of interesting cookies, honey, meats, and other unique items. I'd highly recommend this place for lunch or some to go treats.

Yuriy C.

1 star for the cakes. 2 more stars for service personnel and everything else. Has the owner himself tried those cakes? He used to make his own type of Napolion cake years ago, but now he seems to resell someone’s cakes. Those cakes are no where near what they are supposed to be by USSR/Russian standards. I had to throw it away. It is just not good. Besides flour, eggs, and a lot of sugar it has nothing else. I will never buy cakes from that store until they start making their own.

I am pretty sure the owner does not eat such cakes because I tried his own style of cakes when he used to make them himself, but now it is just not good. Please bring back your own style of Napolion cake.

Lance M.

Absolutely kind people ♡

The Piroshki were phenomenal. Full of filling and absolutely delicious. Enjoyed it 100%

Marina K.

Love Babushka! The owner and the employees are all very professional and sweet. The food and snacks are always very fresh and delicious. I especially really enjoy the baked pirojki - just the right amount of dough with plenty of meat inside. Yum!!! <3

Gary L.

Babushka catering has exceeded my expectations in all possible ways! It was easy to discuss the menu based on our budget, it was even easier getting it delivered and set up in our house and it was an amazing culinary feast for all of our guests! Every single item was exceptionally delicious and I can't give enough praises to my entire experience with babushka catering! 5 stars all around!

Micah H.

Incredibly tasty and comforting food. First time here and everything was delicious. We started with the toasted rye bread and eggplant dip called baklajani. The bread was lightly toasted and so fresh and the dip was warm and delicious even though I typically do not care for eggplant.

We also had the piroshkis with potato for the wife and beef for me. The buttery and flaky pastry was perfect with the rich flavored beef filling. One of the best filled puffed pastries I've ever had.

The golden fish salad was also great. The capers hard boiled egg and the salmon roe made a great bite with the smoked salmon and greens. The pop of that salmon row and oily texture really worked well with the saltiness of the salmon and capers.

The borscht was a first for me. It is a nice beet soup that is texturally pleasing with minced beets in a nice broth with a touch of cream to add richness and depth.

For the main course I had the beef stroganoff. This has a nice piece of short rib that falls apart when cutting into it. The sauce with the mushrooms was delicious and the mash potatoes were the softest and creamiest potatoes I've had. They were so tasty when soaking up some of the sauce with each bite.
My wife had the vareniki which is a potato dumpling with a garlic cream sauce and crispy shallots. This dish was like a potato filled ravioli that was so pillowy soft. The sauce was rich and savory with the crispy shallots adding a nice contrasting texture.

Finally for dessert we had the hot chocolate cake. This cake takes 15 minutes or so before it is delivered to your table, but well worth it. The cake came out hot and super moist in the middle. Served with a berry and passion fruit sauce and vanilla ice cream. This was a great finish to our lunch. The only thing I would ask for is a bit more sauce on the plate to dip each bite in.

With neither of us having much experience with Russian cuisine we were highly pleased with each dish. We will definitely recommend this place and look forward to coming back.

Doug K.

This is my new favorite restaurant in Walnut Creek! Refreshingly unique in the area and stands right alongside Cinderella Bakery in SF. Incredible food, really friend staff, strong dessert game. Chicken Kiev, dumplings, and piroskis were some of the best I've had. Cool ambience, well lit space with chandeliers and Eastern European decorations. Great drinks selection too: Hungarian wines, Czech and Polish beers, Russian vodka, etc. Will absolutely be returning, highly recommend!

Frank S.

We went there I believe on Christmas day, and returned on January 15 to try the deli. We started with chicken liver pate spread on toasted brioche. Th pate is extremely smooth and creamy, one of the best I tasted, even if slightly sweet. I bought more during our trip to the deli, and will try the goose pate later.
At the start of our dinner, I ordered a Fairytale Blossom cocktail, smooth Russian vodka, shaved ice and elderflower which was smooth with delicate flavors. I tend to dislike cocktails in general as tastes and sweetness tend to be overpowering but this is exceptional. I had in mind to order chicken Kyiv but changed it to Pelmeni, mine with beef and pork with a brothy sauce drizzled over them and surrounded by sour cream garnished with sprouts. Warm dumplings and cool cream. A very interesting combination of flavors and textures which, taken in combination with the Fairytale Blossom, bring up thoughts of wintry hikes. My wife had the rack of lamb, ordered medium rare.
It is lightly seared and fatty bits were removed by the Chef. I have had poor experiences with lamb meat in the past, but this tasted great, the meat almost melting in your mouth.
I also tried an Estonian beer which proved very satisfying, with light fruit tones but not sweet.
The service is prompt and attentive and thankfully knowledgeable as I was unfamiliar with much of the menu. As for the food, Babushka is blessed with a Chef with a capital C.