The pickle aisle is where the geography lesson begins. Russia is somewhere nearby.
Poland is in the cheese. Ukraine has apparently claimed part of the pastry case.
Then Georgia, Hungary, Lithuania, and Uzbekistan join the conversation, all inside one Indiana market that is small enough to browse in a few minutes and dangerous enough to keep you there much longer.
The shelves are crowded with bright candies, jars of pickles, smoked fish, cheeses, and unfamiliar treats that suddenly seem much less unfamiliar once someone explains what they are.
Then the deli gets involved. Pelmeni.
Borscht. Potato-filled pastries.
Mushroom-filled pastries. At some point, grocery shopping stops being the goal.
Finding out what everything tastes like becomes the goal.
Dumplings Worth the Drive Across Town
Few foods say comfort quite like a warm bowl of dumplings. At Babushka’s Deli, the classic Siberian pelmeni steal the spotlight, small pockets of dough filled with pork and beef or lamb.
They come boiled and served in chicken bouillon, which makes them taste like a cozy winter evening.
Ukraine joins the party with vareniki, a softer and slightly larger cousin. Some are packed with creamy potato, while others hide sweet cherries inside.
Yes, dessert dumplings are a real thing, and they are wonderful.
Polish pierogi round out the trio, usually waiting in the frozen section for anyone who wants to cook at home. Grabbing a bag or two is a smart move.
Boil them, then pan-fry them in butter with onions for a crispy golden finish that makes any weeknight dinner feel special.
A quick tip helps here. Add a spoonful of smetana, the rich Russian sour cream sold right in the store, on top of any dumpling.
It cools the heat and adds a tangy richness that ties everything together.
Fun fact for curious eaters: pelmeni were traditionally made in huge batches in Siberia and frozen outside in the snow. Families could then cook them all winter long.
That same freezer-friendly spirit lives on at this little Indianapolis market, where stocking up for later is half the fun.
Soup Season Lasts All Year Here
Spoons ready. Babushka’s Deli treats soup like a serious matter, and the menu proves it with three hearty bowls from different corners of Europe.
Borscht comes first for most visitors. The ruby red beet soup belongs to both Ukrainian and Russian kitchens, and its color alone is enough to brighten a gray Indiana afternoon.
It tastes earthy, a little sweet, and a little sour, especially with a swirl of sour cream on top.
Solyanka brings a bolder personality. Smoked meats give this soup a deep, savory flavor, and it often carries a pleasant tang.
People who love big flavors tend to fall for it quickly.
Then Hungary steps in with Soup Goulyash. Paprika gives it a warm red glow, and tender beef chunks share the bowl with peppers and tomatoes.
It eats almost like a stew, filling enough to count as a full meal.
Ordering more than one soup is a solid plan for groups. Share small portions and compare how each country handles warmth and comfort in its own way.
It turns lunch into a tasty little geography lesson.
A slice of dark bread from the shelves makes a perfect partner for dipping. Nobody will judge a wiped-clean bowl.
In many Eastern European homes, that counts as the highest compliment a cook can receive.
Cheesy Bread Boats From Georgia
Picture a golden loaf shaped like a little boat, its middle filled with bubbling melted cheese and a glossy egg yolk resting on top. That is Egg Khachapuri, and it might be the most photogenic item at Babushka’s Deli.
The dish comes from Georgia, the country nestled near the Caucasus Mountains, not the American state. Inside the bread sits suluguni cheese, a stretchy, slightly salty cheese that melts beautifully.
The egg yolk adds a rich, silky layer.
Eating it properly takes a bit of strategy. Stir the yolk into the hot cheese with a fork until it turns creamy.
Then tear off pieces of the crusty bread edges and dunk them right into the center.
It is messy. It is also completely worth it.
To keep the Georgian theme going, grab a bottle of Tarkhun from the cooler. This bright green soda tastes like tarragon, an herb with a gentle licorice note, and it surprises almost everyone who tries it for the first time.
Kids tend to love the wild color, while adults enjoy the unusual flavor.
Georgian food is famous for its generous hospitality, and khachapuri fits that idea perfectly. It is warm, filling, and meant to be shared.
Splitting one between two people makes a satisfying snack, though some visitors happily keep a whole boat to themselves.
Pastries, Crepes and Cabbage Rolls for the Road
Handheld food has a special kind of magic, and piroshki prove it with every bite. These small Russian pastries come stuffed with potato, mushroom, beef, or chicken, making them easy to grab for a quick snack or a light lunch on the go.
Each filling has its own fans. Potato feels soft and homey, while mushroom offers a deeper, woodsy flavor.
Beef and chicken versions bring a more filling option for hungry travelers.
Stuffed blini deserve attention too. These thin crepes are rolled around savory or sweet fillings, a Ukrainian favorite that works for breakfast, lunch, or even an afternoon treat.
Warm them gently in a pan at home and they taste almost freshly made.
Golubtcy, known widely as cabbage rolls, round out this cozy lineup. Tender cabbage leaves wrap around a filling of meat and rice.
They are slow, simmered comfort food, the kind that grandmothers across Eastern Europe have made for generations.
Planning a road trip through Indiana? Packing a few piroshki in a small cooler is a clever idea.
They hold up well and make a far more interesting rest-stop snack than chips.
Cabbage rolls and blini also reheat nicely for dinner after a long day of exploring. A single stop can cover meals for a day or two, which feels like a small victory for any traveler.
Uzbek Plov Brings a Surprise Twist
Most people walk in expecting borscht and dumplings. Fewer expect a fragrant plate of rice from Central Asia, yet the Lamb Plov at Babushka’s Deli is one of its quiet showstoppers.
Plov, sometimes called pilaf, holds a place of honor in Uzbekistan. It is often cooked in giant pots for weddings and big family celebrations.
This version mixes tender lamb with onions, rice, carrots, and garbanzo beans.
The real secret ingredient is barberry. These tiny red berries add sharp little bursts of tartness that brighten the rich lamb and sweet carrots.
Spotting them on the plate is like finding hidden treasure.
Flavors here lean warm and savory rather than spicy. That makes plov a friendly choice for picky eaters or anyone a little nervous about trying new foods.
One bite usually settles the question.
Here is a fun bit of history. Uzbekistan sat along the old Silk Road, the trade routes that once linked China to Europe.
Travelers and merchants passed through for centuries, and dishes like plov carry traces of all those journeys.
Finding this dish tucked inside a Russian-style deli in Indianapolis shows just how wide the menu stretches. Order it as a main meal and pair it with something light, like a crisp pickle from the shelves.
The contrast works surprisingly well.
Candy Aisles, Honey Cake and Other Sweet Temptations
Sweet tooth alert. The candy selection at Babushka’s Deli is a big reason so many visitors leave with heavier bags than planned.
Shelves are lined with colorful wrapped candies from across Eastern Europe, many sold in loose pieces or bright packages. Chocolate bars with unfamiliar labels sit next to chewy treats and creamy toffees.
Picking just one is a real challenge.
Honey cake is the dessert worth hunting down. This layered cake stacks thin, honey-sweetened sheets with soft cream between them, creating a tender texture that almost melts.
One slice pairs beautifully with a cup of tea.
A smart move is to ask staff for candy suggestions. Shoppers often mention how happy the team is to point out favorites, especially for anyone who cannot read the labels.
Their tips can lead to a new obsession.
Gamers might even spot something familiar. Some Russian chocolate bars have appeared in popular video games, which makes finding the real thing feel like a small adventure.
Buying a mixed handful of candies makes a great souvenir or gift. Friends and family back home will enjoy tasting treats they have likely never seen before.
It also creates an easy conversation starter about the trip.
Keep a few pieces for the car ride too. Nobody has ever regretted saving a little chocolate for later, especially after a long day of exploring Indianapolis.
Friendly Faces Behind a Packed Little Market
Good food matters, but the welcome often makes a place unforgettable. Babushka’s Deli earns plenty of praise for its friendly owners and staff, who patiently answer questions and help newcomers figure out what is what.
The store itself is medium-sized yet packed from floor to ceiling. Cases hold cheeses, sausages, smoked fish, and herring, while the dairy section offers smetana, tvorog farmer cheese, and creamy kefir.
Lithuanian and Polish products sit alongside Russian and Ukrainian favorites.
Souvenirs add another layer of fun. Russian keepsakes, including nesting dolls and decorative pieces, make browsing feel like visiting a tiny gift shop.
It is easy to lose track of time here.
Planning ahead helps. The market is generally open Monday through Friday from 11 AM to 7 PM, Saturday until 6 PM, and Sunday until 5 PM.
Hours can shift for holidays like Orthodox Easter, so checking the website before a long drive is wise.
Finding it is simple once the landmarks are known. The shop sits near the corner of 86th and Ditch, at 1248 W 86th St, Indianapolis, IN 46260, right behind a Dunkin and a Starbucks.
Parking usually waits out front or close by.
Shoppers often call the space clean, cozy, and well organized. Add warm service to that mix and the result feels less like a store and more like a neighborhood kitchen.
Expect to return.
