Russia in New York - Brighton Beach

On the southern outskirts of Brooklyn, just down the boardwalk from Coney Island, the peaceful ocean waves once drew waves of immigrants from a tumultuous past. Refugees from the former Soviet Union. After the Cold War ended in the '90s, an influx of Russians settled on the shores of the city.

Brighton Beach, nicknamed Little Odessa after the Ukrainian city on the Black Sea, boasts the largest Russian-speaking population in the United States. Here, you may feel you need a translator, or a tour guide, like Dave Garbarskiy.

Onward down Brighton Beach Avenue, at M & I International Food, locals stock up on fresh-made breads and other provisions. While there, also sample Russian-style eats like cured cold cuts, variations of pickled fish, and Pir-oj-ki: fried pastries with either a savory or a sweet-filled center.

Fresh apricot or mango juices often accompany meals at cafes, and you can sample a variety of dishes for under ten dollars.

Of course everyone in Russia needs a fur coat, and maybe a fox fur hat, as warm as they are stylish. Luckily, David's uncle owns a store down the street!

When you commit to long train rides to the outskirts of New York City, you'll be amazed by the things you discover. It's not necessarily that Brighton Beach looks like Russia - it looks like any other neighborhood in Brooklyn. What makes it Russian is the people you meet, the sound of the language and the music in the streets, the foods you get to sample - that's what gives it the vibe that you're somewhere else outside of the United States.

Megan Snedden
Travel Writer & Presenter
Twitter: @MeganSnedden

Directed by David Joshua Ford
Twitter: @DavidJoshuaFord

[mollendinousa]

Just like GTA IV Liberty City's Hove Beach. Home of Roman Bellic. LOL

[xFlared]

Majority of those people are Russian speaking, but not actually from Russia. A lot from pre and post soviet countries. Majority are from Ukraine. They even used to call it little Odessa because it's near the Ocean and full of Ukrainians. Also majority are Jews. Almost all ethnic Russians are orthodox christians, and they're very rare in Brighton.

[AlexTrubinDesign]

I live in Brighton beach and my commute is about no more then an hour to midtown in the morning. On a bike its about 30-45 minutes depending on traffic. Its very livable and fruits and veggies are cheaper. Russian food is also healthier then the supermarket groceries. 

[zbehebozhz]

birghton beach is called little oddesa, becasue of its large amount of jews from ukriane, russian jews, they just speak russian, but in brigthon beach there is not many ethnic russians, mostly ukrainian jews

[partycrashers]

i wanted to see that Russian store in GTA IV and see how it looks similar to the real thing.

[elmandarin]

3:50 lol it’s the Russian Shop from GTA IV

[MilciadesAndrion]

This is a beautiful Russian community within New York. America is a multicultural treasure because of its diversity. This is a great video.

[certified-translator]

They are not russians. They are Jewish from USSR.

[TheBatMav]

What a charming image. Hove Beach, next to the docks. Immigrants here do not make it very far from the boats they come in on.

[Ludstva]

You know you're in Brighton Beach when you have to pause mid conversation cause of the trains rattling on the tracks.

[TonyJ]

The Russian part of my Family came here around 1917 'till we left Coney Is. in the early 1970's, Thanks for the memories !

[missparsley]

Hello. This seems like a great place to stroll around. Like it is a small village in the middle of a big city. Looks so cozy, people seem so relaxed and simple. As if time stood still and you are back in the days when everybody got along and there was no drug abuse or violence or any other obscenities. Just a clean environment, good people and then of course, right next to the beach. If I could, I'd be there right now! Would have a good time just overhearing people speak Russian, glimpsing into those fur- stores whilst hearing that beautiful music and eating typical dishes. Thanks so much for sharing such a nice video. Spasiba ! 😄👍🍀❤️🌷 Congratulations from Belgium 🇧🇪

[rivkacoverdale]

I lived in Brighton Beach and loved it. I miss the food, the peopke, the culture, and that beach.

[ComeInPeace]

Makes no sense playing Balkan Gypsy music when u talk about russians

[marc.silden]

Cousin! Let's go bowling!

Parece um lugar legal pra se visitar! Quem sabe um dia eu o faça!

[josholson]

I went there last year and it was cool. Tried Russian food for the first time.

[michiecraig]

poor american russian = real slavic russian
rich american russian = jewish

[dlineboyz]

As someone who is 30% Russian I love going to Brighton beach from where I live on the jersey shore I enjoy it I have been to Russia tons of times and it reminds me of being over there

[T_The_Asogian]

Appreciate the upload... I would like to visit Brighton Beach one day.



T

[AlenaKuznetsovaRUS]

Thank you Very Much this is nice video