Pierogies, borscht, and honey cake aren’t the dishes most travelers expect to find in the middle of Amish Country. Yet a family-run Ukrainian restaurant is bringing those comforting flavors to an area better known for homemade noodles, pies, and traditional country cooking.
The menu feels like a family cookbook brought to life. Tender cabbage rolls, Carpathian pilaf, potato pancakes, and savory wraps share space with homemade sauces and desserts inspired by Eastern European traditions.
I love how this unexpected little restaurant adds another layer to Ohio’s already distinctive food scene. Visitors exploring nearby shops and bakeries can discover an entirely different culinary tradition without traveling far from the familiar countryside.
Even the dipping sauces have their own personality, including one named after the restaurant itself. It’s the kind of place where a quick lunch can become the most memorable discovery of a day spent exploring.
A Taste Of Ukraine Landed Where You Least Expect It
Soloway Foods – Ukrainian and European Restaurant sits in the heart of Holmes County, a region better known for buggies than borscht. That alone makes it one of the most surprising lunch stops in Ohio Amish Country.
The restaurant is family run, and the menu leans on traditional Ukrainian home cooking. Dishes are made from scratch and cooked to order, which explains why the kitchen takes real pride in every plate.
Many people know the area by the nearby village of Berlin. Folks driving through for cheese, quilts, and furniture often find this place almost by accident.
That accident tends to turn into a habit. Some visitors plan multiple meals here during a single trip to the area, which tells you plenty.
The concept is simple and friendly. You order at the counter, grab a seat, and wait for fresh food to come out to your table.
New to Ukrainian food? No problem at all, since the staff happily explains dishes and makes suggestions for first-timers.
I love that a family brought their recipes this far from home and shared them so openly. It feels like being invited into someone’s kitchen, minus the dishes you’d normally help wash afterward.
Honestly, a little culture shock never tasted this comforting. Ukraine and Ohio turn out to make pretty great neighbors.
Pierogies So Light They Might Float Off The Plate
Dough is where a pierogi wins or loses, and these lean firmly toward winning. Soft, tender pockets get stuffed with classic fillings and cooked fresh.
Choices include potato and cheese, sauerkraut, and beef. You can mix and match, so indecisive eaters finally get a break.
A pierogi sampler lets you try several kinds in one go. That’s the smart move if you’re curious about the whole lineup.
Potato and cheese is the comfort-food favorite. Sauerkraut brings a tangy kick that cuts through the richness nicely.
Beef pierogies sometimes run out, so earlier visits give you better odds. Popular items here don’t always last until closing time.
Then there are the toppings. An herbed sour cream with dill comes alongside, and it pairs beautifully with each bite.
Many folks also dunk their pierogies into the house Soloway sauce. More on that magical stuff later, because it deserves its own spotlight.
Steamed dumplings also appear on the menu for those who like an extra-soft texture. Variety is clearly part of the plan here.
My advice? Order a few more than you think you need.
Leftover pierogies make a fantastic snack on the drive home, assuming they survive that long.
These little dumplings are the heart of Ukrainian home cooking. Getting them this fresh in rural Ohio feels like a delicious bit of luck.
Cabbage Rolls Worth Showing Up Early For
Sold out. That’s the sad news some latecomers hear when they ask for cabbage rolls at Soloway Foods.
Known in Ukraine as holubtsi, these rolls wrap a savory filling inside tender cabbage leaves. The leaves soften while still holding their shape, which takes real skill.
A tomato sauce comes with them, and it may arrive chilled. That’s a little different from what many Americans expect, yet it brings a bright, fresh contrast.
You can pair your rolls with mashed potatoes for a seriously cozy plate. Pilaf works great too if you want a heartier meal.
Here’s a handy backup plan. Stuffed peppers use the same filling, so you won’t leave empty-handed if the rolls are gone.
Cabbage rolls are one of the most talked-about dishes on the menu. Pierogies might be the headliner, but these are a close second.
Timing matters on busy days. Arriving closer to opening gives you the best shot at grabbing a plate.
Is it worth planning lunch around one dish? For a recipe that tastes like generations of family dinners, I’d say absolutely yes.
Think of it as edible history wrapped in a leaf. Grandmothers across Eastern Europe would probably nod in approval.
Just don’t blame me if you start craving them every week afterward.
Borscht, Pilaf, And A Sausage With Serious Character
Ruby red and full of beets, borscht is basically Ukraine in a bowl. Soloway Foods serves it as a traditional soup, and first-timers are often amazed.
It’s earthy, hearty, and surprisingly bright. If you’ve never tried beet soup, this is a wonderful place to start.
Carpathian pilaf comes next, named for the mountain range in western Ukraine. It’s a flavorful rice dish that pairs well with cabbage rolls.
Then there’s the sausage. It’s an in-house blend with a fine grind and a mild flavor, a bit like bratwurst.
A beet horseradish condiment often comes with it. That pink, zippy spread adds a bold punch to each bite.
Don’t care for beets? The staff has been known to offer plain horseradish instead, which is a kind touch.
Potato pancakes also deserve a mention here. They’re made from freshly grated potatoes and served with applesauce and herbed sour cream.
Many plates come with a thin whole pickle that leans a little spicy. Consider it a crunchy wake-up call between bites.
The food lands on the lighter side of hearty, if that makes sense. You’ll feel satisfied without needing a nap in the parking lot.
Honestly, this lineup could convert even the most stubborn meat-and-potatoes eater in Ohio.
Save Room, Because The Honey Cake Is Calling
Layer after layer of thin honey sponge and cream. That’s the honey cake, and it may be the sweetest reason to visit.
In Ukraine and nearby countries, this dessert is known as medovik. It’s a celebration cake with a soft, almost melt-away texture.
Here it’s one of the most mentioned treats on the menu. Plenty of diners come back specifically because they skipped it the first time.
A family from Moldova, right next to Ukraine, even said the food reminded them of home. That’s high praise for any family recipe.
Honey cake isn’t the only option. Macarons, cheesecake, and chocolate cake have also shown up in the dessert case.
The macarons add a fun European twist. Small, colorful, and rich, they make a cute treat to share or take home.
My tip is simple. Order dessert when you order lunch, so nothing sells out before you get there.
Already too full? Grab a slice to go and enjoy it later with coffee or tea.
I can’t imagine leaving without at least one bite. Skipping this cake feels like visiting a pie shop and only buying napkins.
Sweet, nostalgic, and lovingly made, it’s the perfect final chapter for a Ukrainian feast.
A Secret Sauce Named After The Restaurant Itself
Every great restaurant needs a signature something. For this family kitchen, it’s the Soloway sauce.
The name says it all. When a restaurant puts its own name on a sauce, you know they’re proud of it.
Diners pair it with pierogies most often. Potato and cheese pierogies dipped in Soloway sauce are a combo many people swear by on their second visit.
It works with plenty of other dishes too. Try it with potato pancakes, wraps, or the house sausage.
The house sauce combines sour cream, garlic, herbs, and spices into a creamy dip that complements the restaurant’s savory dishes. It’s a simple combination with plenty of personality, especially alongside freshly prepared pierogies.
Don’t forget the other condiments. The herbed sour cream with dill and the beet horseradish each bring their own personality.
Sauces may seem like small details. Yet they show how much care goes into each plate here.
A smart move is to ask for extra. You’ll probably run out before your food does.
I believe a good sauce turns a nice meal into a memorable one. This one seems to do exactly that for a lot of hungry travelers.
Just try not to drink it straight from the cup. No promises, though.
Fresh Lemonade, Spiced Punch, And Family-Friendly Perks
Drinks get special attention here too. House-made lemonade is a crowd favorite on warm days.
When the weather turns chilly, look for the winter spiced punch. It’s a warm, cozy sip that feels perfect after shopping around Amish Country.
The drink selection also includes a refreshing mint-based specialty, while other seasonal beverages may rotate throughout the year. It’s worth checking the current menu to see what’s available.
Families will appreciate the setup. Chairs for toddlers and a public restroom make visits with little ones much easier.
Need to feed a big group? The team has handled takeout for groups as large as twenty people.
Dietary needs get thoughtful care too. Vegetarian options exist, and staff have helped guests find dairy-free choices.
The dining room features wooden tables and a clean, nicely decorated space. Service is casual, with food often served on paper plates.
That relaxed style keeps things simple. The focus stays where it belongs, on homemade food and friendly faces.
You may also spot merchandise that supports Ukraine. It’s a meaningful touch that connects the restaurant to its roots.
I like how comfortable the whole place feels. Grandparents, toddlers, and teens can all find something to love at the same table.
Plan Your Visit Around These Short And Sweet Hours
Timing is everything with this one. Soloway Foods keeps limited hours, so a little planning goes a long way.
You’ll find Soloway Foods at 4857 East Main Street in Berlin, Ohio, in the heart of Holmes County’s Amish Country. The restaurant makes an easy lunch stop while exploring the area’s shops, bakeries, and countryside.
The restaurant opens Wednesday through Saturday. Wednesday runs from 11:30 AM to 3 PM, while Thursday through Saturday stretch until 7 PM.
Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday are closed. Mark that down before you build a weekend trip around pierogies.
Arriving earlier in the day helps with popular dishes. Cabbage rolls and certain pierogies can sell out.
Online ordering is available too. That’s handy if you’d rather grab food to go and picnic somewhere scenic.
The location makes it easy to fit into a day of exploring. Berlin’s shops, cheese stores, and country roads are all close by.
Ohio Amish Country already offers plenty of reasons to visit. A Ukrainian lunch break just adds one more delicious excuse.
My suggestion is to make this your midday refuel stop. Shop in the morning, feast at lunch, then wander again with a happy belly.
Bring friends who think they don’t like Ukrainian food. They might leave planning their next visit before you even reach the car.
