Founded in 1978[1] by Soviet emigrant to the United States Michael Hrynenko (1954–2004), the site was the former location of Louis Auster's Candy Shop, who was one of the original creators of the egg cream.

At one time, the area was known as the "Pierogi Belt" because of the large number of Ukrainian restaurants; by 2007, only a few remained, such as Veselka.

The cuisine was largely Eastern European, including pierogi, challah, matzah brei, kasha varnishkis (kasha over bow-tie pasta), blintzes, fruit compote and so on, though typically American items such as french fries were also available.

[4] The restaurant was a local cultural institution, famed not only for its cuisine and perpetual availability but also for the eclectic and colorful variety of patrons.

Poets Allen Ginsberg and Ted Berrigan included the Kiev in poems.