Vasilki

Cafe & Bakery

by Dina Scaglione

In South Orange County, we are fortunate to have a plethora of unique dining options. Vasilki Cafe & Bakery is no exception, offering a rare and delightful dining experience. This quaint European cafe transports guests to another part of the world with its unassuming charm and thoughtful attention to every plate that leaves the kitchen, enticing visitors to return week after week.

What really makes this place special is its unpretentious, welcoming atmosphere — the kind of neighborhood gem where families gather around tables and friends linger over conversation. The staff treats guests like they’re part of their world, not just passing through. The menu is a love letter to Eastern European tradition, with dishes that are both comforting and full of flavor.

Classics include hearty borscht, featuring beets, tomatoes, carrots and beef in a velvety, flavorful broth that leaves you feeling genuinely nourished. The draniki (potato pancakes) are crispy and golden on the outside and served with a generous dollop of sour cream. Delicate blini, filled with a choice of cottage cheese, chicken or beef, are pillowy crepes that make a must-try addition to any meal.

Tender stuffed cabbage rolls, filled with either chicken or beef and topped with fragrant herbs, practically melt in your mouth. Shuba is an unexpected layered salad featuring herring, potatoes, carrots, beets, eggs and creamy mayonnaise — flavorful and surprisingly light. For something slightly sweet, try the syrniki, cottage cheese pancakes lightly dusted with powdered sugar and accompanied by berries.

Vasilki also offers a wide assortment of authentic European bakery favorites, including pirozhki, poppy seed rolls, sochnik, honey cake, kartoshka cake, Basque cheesecake, berry tarts and custom-designed cakes.

Open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Vasilki invites guests to come hungry and feel at home. For those craving authentic cuisine made with genuine passion and tradition, this cozy cafe offers a welcoming taste of Eastern European comfort.

Vasilki Cafe & Bakery
31161 Niguel Road
Laguna Niguel
949.775.9774
vasilkibakery.com