Borscht is one of the great soups of world cuisine — a deep crimson beetroot broth with cabbage, carrots, potatoes, and meat that has been warming souls across Eastern Europe for centuries. Both Russia and Ukraine claim it as their own (it's a spirited debate), but what matters in Dubai is that you can find the real thing, properly made, at a handful of restaurants that treat this humble soup with the reverence it deserves. This is our definitive guide.
We tasted borscht across 7 Dubai restaurants, evaluating depth of colour, complexity of flavour, the quality of the smetana (sour cream) topping, and whether it came with proper accompaniments — rye bread or pampushky garlic bread, fresh dill, and a full bowl rather than a polite tasting portion.
4 Styles of Borscht in Dubai
Classic Red Borscht
Deep crimson with beef broth, beetroot, cabbage, and potato. The universal version. AED 35–65.
Ukrainian Borscht
Darker, richer, with more vegetables and served with pampushky garlic bread. The deeper version. AED 40–68.
Cold Borscht
Served chilled in summer — pink, light, with cucumber and hard-boiled egg. A seasonal option. AED 32–55.
Green Borscht (Sorrel)
Made with sorrel instead of beetroot — bright green, tangy, with egg. Rare but worth seeking. AED 38–58.
Vegetarian Borscht
All the flavour without the meat — equally deep and satisfying when done well. AED 32–55.
Mushroom Borscht
Earthy mushroom-based version, popular during fasting seasons. Complex and aromatic. AED 35–60.
Best Borscht in Dubai: 6 Restaurants Reviewed
Volkonsky Bakery & Restaurant
Volkonsky's borscht (AED 55) is the standard against which all others in Dubai are measured. The colour is a deep, wine-dark crimson. The flavour is layered — sweet beetroot, savoury beef broth, acidic tomato, and a gentle earthiness from the cabbage. The smetana is applied with generosity. Fresh dill arrives on the side. It comes with a thick slice of rye bread. Nothing is missing. It's the complete borscht experience, available at three Dubai locations.
Borscht style: Classic Russian. Price: AED 55. Best accompaniment: Rye bread (included). Tip: Add the pelmeni starter for a full Russian lunch.
Verdict: Dubai's definitive borscht. Three locations mean no excuses — eat it today.
Slavyanka Restaurant
Slavyanka's Ukrainian-style borscht (AED 42) is the most deeply flavoured in Dubai — darker and richer than the Russian version, with a longer-cooked beef base and more vegetables. The pampushky garlic bread (AED 18 extra) is essential. The Ukrainian family who runs this Deira institution uses a generational recipe, and it shows in the depth and complexity that no chain restaurant can replicate. The best value borscht in Dubai.
Borscht style: Traditional Ukrainian. Price: AED 42 + pampushky AED 18. Best time: Friday lunch for the full atmosphere.
Verdict: The most authentic borscht in Dubai. Add the pampushky — it's non-negotiable.
Pushkin Restaurant
Pushkin's elevated borscht (AED 75) is served in a copper pot with gold-rimmed smetana and a brioche roll alongside. The flavour is meticulously calibrated — less rustic than Slavyanka, but more nuanced than any other restaurant in the premium tier. It's the borscht you order when you want to impress someone who thinks Russian food is unsophisticated. A revelatory dish in the right context.
Borscht style: Elevated fine-dining Russian. Price: AED 75. Best paired with: The wagyu stroganoff for a full Russian tasting experience.
Verdict: Dubai's most refined borscht. Worth the premium price for a special occasion.
🫕 The Borscht Ordering Guide
The smetana question: Always ask for extra smetana (sour cream) on the side. The standard portion at most restaurants is insufficient — proper borscht needs a generous dollop that melts slowly into the soup.
The bread question: Ukrainian borscht demands pampushky (garlic yeast rolls). Russian borscht traditionally comes with rye bread. If neither is offered, ask. Borscht without bread is incomplete.
Colour as quality indicator: Deep wine-crimson indicates a long-cooked borscht with good quality beetroot. Light pink or orange borscht was either rushed or used inferior beetroot. Order accordingly.
What separates Russian from Ukrainian: Ukrainian borscht is generally darker, more vegetable-heavy, and served with pampushky. Russian borscht tends to be cleaner and more broth-forward. Both are correct — just different.
Borscht by Area — Dubai Quick Reference
| Area | Restaurant | Style | Price | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple | Volkonsky Bakery | Classic Russian | AED 55 | 9.4/10 |
| Deira | Slavyanka Restaurant | Ukrainian | AED 42 | 8.8/10 |
| Downtown | Pushkin Restaurant | Fine Dining Russian | AED 75 | 8.6/10 |
| Al Karama | Rasputin Restaurant | Hearty Russian | AED 52 | 8.2/10 |
| JLT | Babushka Café | Homestyle Russian | AED 42 | 7.9/10 |
| Al Karama | Borsch Kitchen | Budget Canteen | AED 35 | 7.2/10 |
Borscht vs Solyanka vs Ukha — Eastern European Soups in Dubai
Borscht is the headline act, but Dubai's Russian restaurants serve a family of Eastern European soups equally worth exploring. Solyanka is the tangy meat soup with olives and capers — deeply complex and the perfect cold-weather dish. Ukha is a clear, delicate fish broth — subtle and elegant compared to borscht's boldness. Shchi is a simple cabbage soup, the everyday equivalent of borscht. Rassolnik is a pickle-forward soup with barley. All are available at Rasputin in Al Karama.
If you're a borscht newcomer, the gateway is Volkonsky's classic version — accessible, beautifully made, and available at three convenient Dubai locations. For the deepest experience, drive to Slavyanka in Deira on a Friday lunch and eat the Ukrainian version with pampushky bread and a pot of tea.
Borscht Dubai — FAQ
What is the best borscht in Dubai?
Volkonsky Bakery (three Dubai locations) serves the most consistently excellent borscht at AED 55. For the most authentic Ukrainian-style, Slavyanka in Deira is unmissable at AED 42.
How much does borscht cost in Dubai?
Budget options from AED 35 at canteen-style restaurants, mid-range AED 42–65, and fine dining AED 70–80 at Pushkin. The best value is Slavyanka in Deira.
Is borscht Russian or Ukrainian?
Both cultures claim borscht as their own — and both have excellent versions. Ukrainian borscht tends to be darker and richer with more vegetables; Russian borscht is more broth-forward. UNESCO listed Ukrainian borscht as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2022.
What is borscht made of?
Authentic borscht contains beetroot, cabbage, carrots, potatoes, onions, and beef broth, served with sour cream (smetana) and fresh dill. Variations include vegetarian, green (sorrel), and cold summer versions.
Is borscht halal in Dubai?
Most Russian and Ukrainian restaurants in Dubai serve halal borscht made with beef or chicken broth. Always confirm with the specific restaurant as some traditional versions use pork-based broth.
Related Russian & Ukrainian Food Guides
Explore the full Russian and Ukrainian food scene in Dubai: the complete guide to Russian & Ukrainian food in Dubai, our ranked list of the best Russian restaurants in Dubai, and for related Eastern European cuisines, the Georgian food Dubai guide and Armenian food Dubai guide.