Nina's has the best Russian food in the Twin Cities. I work across the street a well-known Russian restaurant in Cathedral Hills in St Paul but would make the drive to Burnsville every time I'm in the mood for Russian food. Nina, the owner is very friendly and personable. When she puts food on our table, I wait for her to say "Yum Yum!" before I dig in!
(5)
Jaden G.
This place rocks. Amazing drink specials and the food is very much homemade. It feels like you are at family's house when you are here. Nina is great!
(5)
Tetiana I.
Well, this place is different. If you are looking for an authentic Russian food then definitely yes. But be prepared to have something not spicy and be totally clear something without any spices and taste except salt and pepper. But that's how we cook in Eastern Europe. So for an authentic food this place could definitely get five stars. And for an atmosphere as well. If you want to see a fight while you are dining out then start driving to Nina's right now. Service is not great at all. They served undercooked chicken but fixed it right away for putting it longer to the oven. And sometimes they are not polite :) Not sure it is because I speak Russian and the severs felt more casual or maybe that's a way to create real Russian dive bar atmosphere.
(3)
Jimmy H.
Very good authentic food. Minus one star just because it's a bar and not so kid friendly...... Especially very young ones.
(4)
Anthony M.
Peasant ravioli are delicious! Nina is super Nice and gives good advices. Definitely a place to try with friends for a relaxed meal with beers
(5)
Lonnie Z.
I have tried the pork dishes, the chicken dishes, the peasant ravioli, the potatoes...the bor...oh hell, I'd eat their friggin' menu. Seriously fantastic food The owner/chef should have a yearly parade in his honor. There should be a line out the door 24/7 at this place JUST for the peasant ravioli. For now, this place is the best kept food secret in the TC.
(5)
Ben B.
What a find this place is. The Borscht is fantastic and the chicken Kiev is crisp on the outside and very moist inside. Great vodka selection and the 2 for 1s allow you to try ones you've never had without breaking the budget. It is nice to have an independent business like this in Burnsville where the prices are reasonable. Is it a dive? I would say so. But once you give it a try. You will be back
(5)
Tiffany L.
2-4-1 drinks all day long! There's always a good mix of people that go to this joint. Making it entertaining to eat at. The place is a bar so its not the most fanciest place but that's ok because the prices make up for it and the food does as well. I really like Nina's chicken tenders something about it makes them juicy in the inside and crispy on the outside. She offers a few dipping sauces on the side too. Nina the owner is Russian so there's a large variety of Russian dishes all are huge portions. I have tried the cabbage rolls and the peasant ravioli both are great. One thing to not forget is the Russian Potatoes sooo tasty!
(4)
Kate C.
This place is fantastic. Don't debate, just go. Sit at the bar and experience some true hospitality.
(5)
Cathy H.
A nice, very casual place with Russian specialties and American fare. Nina is very friendly, food pretty good.
(4)
Ken W.
Good food, cheap beer. Drinks kinda a rip off. Shot of booze and splash of soda in a very small glass. I do like this place .
(4)
Rhonda G.
There are some stand alone restaurants in the burbs and you aren't stuck with chains. You just have to know about them. The last time I was here was for a Russian wedding. It's revamped to serving lots of American fare. But the way they cook Russian food, I totally trust the other half of the menu being just as delicious. Naturally I got the borscht. As Nina brought out my cabbage rolls, she showed it off to a customer who was not familiar with her food. 2 huge rolls surrounded with red sauce, and the first thing that hits you is the smell of garlic. The roll is mostly filling inside a very thin layer of cabbage. I tend to like a little more of the cabbage. Bread is served with this, and it's good too. Loved the borscht, however everyone makes it differently.Served with a generous dollop of sour cream. Next trip will be the stroganoff, and I'll bring along my husband. I'm so glad they are still around. The bar is very popular. I find the best way to get in is Cliff road at El Loro.
(5)
E K.
The food is delicious, portions are big but not TOO big, and everything is under $10.00. The borscht was fantastic. The salted herring is a must order, and you eat each bite with some potato and red onion (comes with dish). Cabbage rolls are unreal, but the real star is the peasant ravioli. Oh lord have mercy! Soak up all the sauce with the French bread (included with meal). Lick the plate. Get an order to go. Nina will tell you all about the food and explain the Russian items if you are unfamiliar. Sit at the bar! They have plenty of "American" items, too. 2-for-1s all day every day on High Life and High Life Light, plus other items. Diverse crowd. Pull tabs. Definitely a dive bar! My only negative: the ladies bathroom was disgusting. Toilets were filthy, hasn't been cleaned in quite a while. No soap in dispenser. Not terrible if you're just drinking, but really gross if you're eating and want to wash your hands before tucking in. THIS IS MY NEW FAVORITE DIVE!! Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Dave A.
This isn't some place you'd find just driving by, so those people who find it on yelp or otherwise will be rewarded. Overall, I felt like I was in Nina's home. She was very caring and passionate about her food. To start, I had the cold and refreshing homemade vodka (2 for 1) to ail some mtn bike wounds. Instant cure. Sticking to the authentic Russian food page, we started with few bowls of soup that came with our meals: some beet soup and tomato rice soup and they were very good! Then had some cabbage rolls that were very interesting and delicious! My main course was beef stroganoff (a childhood favorite) and 2 more shots of vodka. MMMMMM. I couldn't really see the food after the last 2 shots but the stroganoff hit the spot. My friend had the meat ravioli and that was very flavorful as well. This place is a gem. Full-flavored food, great value, and caring service. 2 more shots please!
(4)
Nicolas H.
Love this place, great dive bar, great drink specials, and don't be scared to try the cabbage rolls they're awesome!
(5)
Carley M.
Nina's has been and will probably always be my favorite 'dive' to go to. They have a 2 for 1 special on certain beers and mix drinks all day which you can't top. On top of that Nina is the friendliest person she always greets you with "hello beautiful!" in her accent and has a big smile on her face she's adorable, I miss her when she's not working thats for sure. the food is always amazing I love the mix of russian food and american, the potato skins are awesome its heavy on the cheese and bacon! The russian food is great I've had the stroganoff, the peasant ravioli all of it I haven't been let down! when you order a meal ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS add a cup of soup of 1$ their home made soups are amazing I've never been let down. Also if you go on evenings or weekends be prepared for a diverse and entertaining crowd, personally I love it! There are always people to chat with or play pool with and everyone's just trying to have a good time. If you go earlier in the day it's much more calm, bring the family for a cheap meal!
(5)
Jeremy D.
Nina's - The best Russian food in the Twin Cities. I have been coming here since it was called the Russian Tavern. Now that it is Nina's Grill, there are more American dishes on the menu but they still have a bunch of the Russian foods - and those are what I come to Nina's to get. The borscht, the chubrekki (I am sure I murdered the spelling) and the cabbage rolls are all AMAZING!!! The peasant ravioli is really good and different - with melted cheese all over it. This is good, home-cooking style Russian comfort food that is a really good value (think really good dining on the cheap). The owner is also the sweetest woman you will ever meet... She is usually working behind the bar. The atmosphere is a bar atmosphere, but you could seriously take the food out of this setting and serve it on fine china with cloth tablecloths and napkins and crystal drinkware and it would fit right in. They do carry-out and this is how I order my food from there most of the time. You can use it for a fine Russian dinner at home for guests if you like - it holds up well for that. So, long story short - good food, good value, good service. I give it an A and 5 stars (which may be generous, but they do such a nice job on the food and the service is so friendly that I think they deserve it. Plus, it is nice having a non-chain to eat at in Burnsville).
(5)
Mike T.
My husband and I stopped here for dinner after a day of shopping in the cities and didn't know quite what to expect..but we were VERY HAPPY with the outcome..this place is pretty much a bar with pool tables and darts etc but also has booths, tables, and bar seating. We were greeted right away and offered there everyday drink special...2 beers for the price of one!! (I would come here just for that!!) but then we looked at menu and were surprised to see so many offerings...a good balance of American and Russian foods..and EVERYTHING on menu was under $10.00!!!!! well I ordered thier famous cabbage rolls and hubby had russian meat ravioli both of which was OUTSTANDING!! and perfect portions too...it has to be the best russian food in the metro hands down!! the waitress was very nice and cordial !! forget chain resturants this will be our go to spot for dinner!! keep up the great job!!!
(4)
Bo T.
Nina's Grill is an interesting place with an interesting mix of patrons and decent Russian dishes. (Ask for the big menu to see all the Russian menu options; otherwise the table menu is limited.) My husband stumbled upon Nina's and said he liked the Russian dishes he had there, so I decided to see for myself on this night. I like flavorful food, so my bias is that I usually find Russian food pretty bland, but I'll try anything once. We ordered the chicken kiev, lamb shank with pasta, and the beet soup. The best thing by far was the beet soup. Both the main dishes were decent; the chicken kiev was nice and crispy, but again for me - a bit bland. Perhaps the reason why Nina's has such a diverse crowd is that it has 2 for 1 drinks pretty much during all hours when they're open. Not bad if you're on a tight budget. Oh - the best little secret is that they carry these chocolate truffles. You can buy a box for $5.99. They're rich and tasty. We bought several boxes to share.
(3)
Ava P.
I grew up with my grandma's Russian cooking, and Nina's definitely satisfied my nostalgia as well as my taste for Russian cuisine. The Borscht, Cabbage Rolls, and Beef Stroganoff were as wonderful as Nina's service. It was great to see how much she cares about the food and how we loved it. I couldn't not take advantage of the take-home deal on the Borscht, it was that fantastic. If you like the Russian Tea House in St. Paul, you'll surely love Nina's authentic Russian dishes. I can't wait to come back for the Peasant Ravioli and Nina's hospitality!
(5)
Lilly M.
Ok, so my husband and I found this place while searching online for non-chain restaurants in Burnsville. It's Russian food (which you would never know from the name) although they also have an Americanized grill & bar (burgers, fries, etc) type menu too. We gave it a try and have been back a couple times. Please note, there is NO ambiance. This is basically a bar that serves food and the people who hang out there are definitely "bar" types. It opens at 3pm or something like that so don't try to go for lunch. That said, I've had the borscht (Russian beet soup) a couples times and it's really good. My husband has had the pelmeni (sp?) which are heavy Russian pasta/dumpling things and also the cabbage rolls and both were really pretty tasty and fairly cheap. If you're in the mood for vodka, they'll give you a shot of some home brewed raspberry flavored concoction from a giant jug on the bar-top. Interesting...... If you live in Burnsville, skip the Old Country Buffet and give this a try.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Parking : Private Lot Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Divey, Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Truong N.
Nina's has the best Russian food in the Twin Cities. I work across the street a well-known Russian restaurant in Cathedral Hills in St Paul but would make the drive to Burnsville every time I'm in the mood for Russian food. Nina, the owner is very friendly and personable. When she puts food on our table, I wait for her to say "Yum Yum!" before I dig in!
(5)Jaden G.
This place rocks. Amazing drink specials and the food is very much homemade. It feels like you are at family's house when you are here. Nina is great!
(5)Tetiana I.
Well, this place is different. If you are looking for an authentic Russian food then definitely yes. But be prepared to have something not spicy and be totally clear something without any spices and taste except salt and pepper. But that's how we cook in Eastern Europe. So for an authentic food this place could definitely get five stars. And for an atmosphere as well. If you want to see a fight while you are dining out then start driving to Nina's right now. Service is not great at all. They served undercooked chicken but fixed it right away for putting it longer to the oven. And sometimes they are not polite :) Not sure it is because I speak Russian and the severs felt more casual or maybe that's a way to create real Russian dive bar atmosphere.
(3)Jimmy H.
Very good authentic food. Minus one star just because it's a bar and not so kid friendly...... Especially very young ones.
(4)Anthony M.
Peasant ravioli are delicious! Nina is super Nice and gives good advices. Definitely a place to try with friends for a relaxed meal with beers
(5)Lonnie Z.
I have tried the pork dishes, the chicken dishes, the peasant ravioli, the potatoes...the bor...oh hell, I'd eat their friggin' menu. Seriously fantastic food The owner/chef should have a yearly parade in his honor. There should be a line out the door 24/7 at this place JUST for the peasant ravioli. For now, this place is the best kept food secret in the TC.
(5)Ben B.
What a find this place is. The Borscht is fantastic and the chicken Kiev is crisp on the outside and very moist inside. Great vodka selection and the 2 for 1s allow you to try ones you've never had without breaking the budget. It is nice to have an independent business like this in Burnsville where the prices are reasonable. Is it a dive? I would say so. But once you give it a try. You will be back
(5)Tiffany L.
2-4-1 drinks all day long! There's always a good mix of people that go to this joint. Making it entertaining to eat at. The place is a bar so its not the most fanciest place but that's ok because the prices make up for it and the food does as well. I really like Nina's chicken tenders something about it makes them juicy in the inside and crispy on the outside. She offers a few dipping sauces on the side too. Nina the owner is Russian so there's a large variety of Russian dishes all are huge portions. I have tried the cabbage rolls and the peasant ravioli both are great. One thing to not forget is the Russian Potatoes sooo tasty!
(4)Kate C.
This place is fantastic. Don't debate, just go. Sit at the bar and experience some true hospitality.
(5)Cathy H.
A nice, very casual place with Russian specialties and American fare. Nina is very friendly, food pretty good.
(4)Ken W.
Good food, cheap beer. Drinks kinda a rip off. Shot of booze and splash of soda in a very small glass. I do like this place .
(4)Rhonda G.
There are some stand alone restaurants in the burbs and you aren't stuck with chains. You just have to know about them. The last time I was here was for a Russian wedding. It's revamped to serving lots of American fare. But the way they cook Russian food, I totally trust the other half of the menu being just as delicious. Naturally I got the borscht. As Nina brought out my cabbage rolls, she showed it off to a customer who was not familiar with her food. 2 huge rolls surrounded with red sauce, and the first thing that hits you is the smell of garlic. The roll is mostly filling inside a very thin layer of cabbage. I tend to like a little more of the cabbage. Bread is served with this, and it's good too. Loved the borscht, however everyone makes it differently.Served with a generous dollop of sour cream. Next trip will be the stroganoff, and I'll bring along my husband. I'm so glad they are still around. The bar is very popular. I find the best way to get in is Cliff road at El Loro.
(5)E K.
The food is delicious, portions are big but not TOO big, and everything is under $10.00. The borscht was fantastic. The salted herring is a must order, and you eat each bite with some potato and red onion (comes with dish). Cabbage rolls are unreal, but the real star is the peasant ravioli. Oh lord have mercy! Soak up all the sauce with the French bread (included with meal). Lick the plate. Get an order to go. Nina will tell you all about the food and explain the Russian items if you are unfamiliar. Sit at the bar! They have plenty of "American" items, too. 2-for-1s all day every day on High Life and High Life Light, plus other items. Diverse crowd. Pull tabs. Definitely a dive bar! My only negative: the ladies bathroom was disgusting. Toilets were filthy, hasn't been cleaned in quite a while. No soap in dispenser. Not terrible if you're just drinking, but really gross if you're eating and want to wash your hands before tucking in. THIS IS MY NEW FAVORITE DIVE!! Can't wait to go back!
(5)Dave A.
This isn't some place you'd find just driving by, so those people who find it on yelp or otherwise will be rewarded. Overall, I felt like I was in Nina's home. She was very caring and passionate about her food. To start, I had the cold and refreshing homemade vodka (2 for 1) to ail some mtn bike wounds. Instant cure. Sticking to the authentic Russian food page, we started with few bowls of soup that came with our meals: some beet soup and tomato rice soup and they were very good! Then had some cabbage rolls that were very interesting and delicious! My main course was beef stroganoff (a childhood favorite) and 2 more shots of vodka. MMMMMM. I couldn't really see the food after the last 2 shots but the stroganoff hit the spot. My friend had the meat ravioli and that was very flavorful as well. This place is a gem. Full-flavored food, great value, and caring service. 2 more shots please!
(4)Nicolas H.
Love this place, great dive bar, great drink specials, and don't be scared to try the cabbage rolls they're awesome!
(5)Carley M.
Nina's has been and will probably always be my favorite 'dive' to go to. They have a 2 for 1 special on certain beers and mix drinks all day which you can't top. On top of that Nina is the friendliest person she always greets you with "hello beautiful!" in her accent and has a big smile on her face she's adorable, I miss her when she's not working thats for sure. the food is always amazing I love the mix of russian food and american, the potato skins are awesome its heavy on the cheese and bacon! The russian food is great I've had the stroganoff, the peasant ravioli all of it I haven't been let down! when you order a meal ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS add a cup of soup of 1$ their home made soups are amazing I've never been let down. Also if you go on evenings or weekends be prepared for a diverse and entertaining crowd, personally I love it! There are always people to chat with or play pool with and everyone's just trying to have a good time. If you go earlier in the day it's much more calm, bring the family for a cheap meal!
(5)Jeremy D.
Nina's - The best Russian food in the Twin Cities. I have been coming here since it was called the Russian Tavern. Now that it is Nina's Grill, there are more American dishes on the menu but they still have a bunch of the Russian foods - and those are what I come to Nina's to get. The borscht, the chubrekki (I am sure I murdered the spelling) and the cabbage rolls are all AMAZING!!! The peasant ravioli is really good and different - with melted cheese all over it. This is good, home-cooking style Russian comfort food that is a really good value (think really good dining on the cheap). The owner is also the sweetest woman you will ever meet... She is usually working behind the bar. The atmosphere is a bar atmosphere, but you could seriously take the food out of this setting and serve it on fine china with cloth tablecloths and napkins and crystal drinkware and it would fit right in. They do carry-out and this is how I order my food from there most of the time. You can use it for a fine Russian dinner at home for guests if you like - it holds up well for that. So, long story short - good food, good value, good service. I give it an A and 5 stars (which may be generous, but they do such a nice job on the food and the service is so friendly that I think they deserve it. Plus, it is nice having a non-chain to eat at in Burnsville).
(5)Mike T.
My husband and I stopped here for dinner after a day of shopping in the cities and didn't know quite what to expect..but we were VERY HAPPY with the outcome..this place is pretty much a bar with pool tables and darts etc but also has booths, tables, and bar seating. We were greeted right away and offered there everyday drink special...2 beers for the price of one!! (I would come here just for that!!) but then we looked at menu and were surprised to see so many offerings...a good balance of American and Russian foods..and EVERYTHING on menu was under $10.00!!!!! well I ordered thier famous cabbage rolls and hubby had russian meat ravioli both of which was OUTSTANDING!! and perfect portions too...it has to be the best russian food in the metro hands down!! the waitress was very nice and cordial !! forget chain resturants this will be our go to spot for dinner!! keep up the great job!!!
(4)Bo T.
Nina's Grill is an interesting place with an interesting mix of patrons and decent Russian dishes. (Ask for the big menu to see all the Russian menu options; otherwise the table menu is limited.) My husband stumbled upon Nina's and said he liked the Russian dishes he had there, so I decided to see for myself on this night. I like flavorful food, so my bias is that I usually find Russian food pretty bland, but I'll try anything once. We ordered the chicken kiev, lamb shank with pasta, and the beet soup. The best thing by far was the beet soup. Both the main dishes were decent; the chicken kiev was nice and crispy, but again for me - a bit bland. Perhaps the reason why Nina's has such a diverse crowd is that it has 2 for 1 drinks pretty much during all hours when they're open. Not bad if you're on a tight budget. Oh - the best little secret is that they carry these chocolate truffles. You can buy a box for $5.99. They're rich and tasty. We bought several boxes to share.
(3)Ava P.
I grew up with my grandma's Russian cooking, and Nina's definitely satisfied my nostalgia as well as my taste for Russian cuisine. The Borscht, Cabbage Rolls, and Beef Stroganoff were as wonderful as Nina's service. It was great to see how much she cares about the food and how we loved it. I couldn't not take advantage of the take-home deal on the Borscht, it was that fantastic. If you like the Russian Tea House in St. Paul, you'll surely love Nina's authentic Russian dishes. I can't wait to come back for the Peasant Ravioli and Nina's hospitality!
(5)Lilly M.
Ok, so my husband and I found this place while searching online for non-chain restaurants in Burnsville. It's Russian food (which you would never know from the name) although they also have an Americanized grill & bar (burgers, fries, etc) type menu too. We gave it a try and have been back a couple times. Please note, there is NO ambiance. This is basically a bar that serves food and the people who hang out there are definitely "bar" types. It opens at 3pm or something like that so don't try to go for lunch. That said, I've had the borscht (Russian beet soup) a couples times and it's really good. My husband has had the pelmeni (sp?) which are heavy Russian pasta/dumpling things and also the cabbage rolls and both were really pretty tasty and fairly cheap. If you're in the mood for vodka, they'll give you a shot of some home brewed raspberry flavored concoction from a giant jug on the bar-top. Interesting...... If you live in Burnsville, skip the Old Country Buffet and give this a try.
(3)Mike S.
Best local dive bar ever. Amazing homeade vodka.
(5)