Çka Ka Qëllu: Authentic Albanian & Mediterranean Dining in the Bronx

Çka Ka Qëllu Introduce

An Introduction to Çka Ka Qëllu

In the heart of the Bronx's lively Belmont neighborhood, a culinary gem named Çka Ka Qëllu invites diners on a journey to the heart of the Balkans. This isn't your average Mediterranean restaurant; it's a celebrated establishment that specializes in authentic Albanian and Eastern European cuisine. The name itself, which translates to "What's up" or "What's going on," perfectly captures the warm, welcoming, and friendly atmosphere of the place.

Çka Ka Qëllu is known for its rustic, yet cozy and romantic ambiance, making it a perfect spot for any occasion, from a solo meal to a special anniversary dinner. The interior, with its beautiful round wooden tables and leather-bound menus, offers a unique, old-world charm that sets it apart from the rest. The restaurant prides itself on serving flavorful, perfectly seasoned food that has left a lasting impression on its customers. The staff’s hospitality is a reflection of the Albanian culture’s pride in welcoming guests, making every visitor feel truly special. This is a place where every dish tells a story of tradition and passion, inviting you to discover a new and impressive cuisine.

Location and Accessibility

Çka Ka Qëllu is situated at 2321 Hughes Ave, a charming street in a well-known part of the Bronx. Its location in this vibrant neighborhood makes it a convenient and popular dining spot for locals and a great culinary destination for tourists exploring the area. For those arriving by car, both free and paid street parking are available nearby, providing flexible options for a hassle-free visit.

The restaurant offers a variety of service options to cater to different preferences. For those who enjoy dining under the open sky, there is outdoor seating available. The interior offers a comfortable and intimate setting, perfect for a cozy dinner. The restaurant is family-friendly and well-equipped to handle groups of all sizes, making it an excellent choice for a family gathering or a night out with friends. Reservations are highly recommended, especially for dinner, which speaks to its popularity and well-deserved reputation for providing a sought-after dining experience.

Services Offered

Outdoor seating: Enjoy your authentic meal in a charming outdoor setting.
No-contact delivery: For those who prefer to dine at home, the restaurant offers a safe and convenient no-contact delivery service.
Takeout: Pick up your order and enjoy the delicious food wherever you'd like.
Dine-in: Experience the full, immersive ambiance of the restaurant with table service.
Accepts reservations: For a seamless dining experience, particularly during busy hours, you can call ahead and reserve a table.

Features and Highlights

Authentic Albanian and Eastern European cuisine: Offers a rare and impressive culinary experience with traditional dishes that are flavorful and rich in history.
Romantic and cozy atmosphere: The rustic and trendy vibe makes it a perfect destination for a date night or a special anniversary.
Great drink selection: The menu includes beer and hard liquor, allowing you to pair your meal with a refreshing drink.
Healthy and comfort food options: The menu balances hearty grilled meats with healthier options like grilled branzino and fresh salads.
Good for kids and groups: The restaurant is welcoming to families and can accommodate large groups, making it a versatile choice for any gathering.
Accepts credit cards and mobile payments: For your convenience, the restaurant accepts various forms of payment, including credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments.

Contact Information

To make a reservation, place a takeout order, or for any other inquiries, you can contact Çka Ka Qëllu using the following details:

Address: 2321 Hughes Ave, Bronx, NY 10458, USA
Phone: (718) 933-6194
Mobile Phone: +1 718-933-6194

What is Worth Choosing?

When dining at Çka Ka Qëllu, it’s best to explore the menu's unique offerings that set it apart from other restaurants. The **"Grill"** section is an absolute must-try. The **Mixed Grill Platter** is a popular choice, and for a larger group, the **Çka Ka Qëllu Mixed Meat Combination** is a fantastic option that showcases the restaurant’s mastery of grilling. A customer review raves about the **perfectly seasoned** and flavorful mixed meat platter. Another highlight is the **Grilled Octopus**, which one reviewer called "absolute perfection," a testament to the kitchen's skill with seafood.

The traditional **"Tavë"** dishes are where the true Albanian soul of the restaurant lies. The **Tava Kosi**, a traditional lamb and yogurt casserole, is a signature dish that is both comforting and unique. The **Mantia Në Tavë**, a savory dish of baked dough, is a definite standout. As a customer noted, the **mantia** was the "STAR of the night" for its fragrant and delicious flavor. For a taste of something truly authentic, the **Sarma** (stuffed cabbage rolls) and **Fasulë** (bean stew) are great choices.

Don't skip the appetizers; the **Ajvar**, a roasted red pepper and eggplant spread, is a flavorful start to any meal. And for a refreshing side, the **Albanian beer** is described as "smooth, crisp, and refreshing." The desserts, such as the **Albanian Trilece** and **Baklava**, provide a perfect, sweet finish. With a wide variety of authentic dishes and a welcoming atmosphere that exudes hospitality, Çka Ka Qëllu offers a truly memorable and impressive dining experience for anyone looking to try something new.

Çka Ka Qëllu Menu

Grill
Çka Ka Qëllu Mixed Meat Combination $50.00
Lamb, veal, chicken, and shish qebap.
Qofte Sharri $21.50
Flame-grilled seasoned veal and beef mix, filled with melted cheese and chopped smoked meat served with golden potatoes topped with creamy house-made kajmak and a side of cabbage salad, bringing the rich flavors of the Shari Mountains to your table
Tradita Mixed Grill Platter $34.00
Combination of qebapa, qofte, sausage, chicken & liver
Rib Eye Steak For One (16 Oz) $35.00
Served with grilled vegetables, baked potatoes and kaçamak
Lamb Meat $45.00
Tender and succulent grilled lamb meat.
Grilled Chicken $21.00
Grilled chicken, herb-marinated and grilled to perfection, served alongside smoky grilled vegetables and a side of cabbage salad
Mixed Grill Platter $21.00
A traditional selection of qebapa, qofte, and suxhuk, grilled to perfection. This platter offers a rich, smoky, and spicy combination of flavors, perfect for one person to savor a true taste of Albanian cuisine
Qebapa (10pcs) $17.00
Flame-grilled Qebapa, paired with rich kajmak and a side of cabbage salad
Skenderbeg $33.00
Named after Albania’s national hero, Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu, this crispy, deep fried golden-breaded veal filet mignon rolls is stuffed with melted cheese and smoked meat, then served with baked potatoes and seasonal vegetables
Qofte (4pcs) $18.00
Flame-grilled medallions of seasoned ground beef and veal, paired with rich kajmak and a side of cabbage salad
Veal Meat $36.00
Juicy and flavorful grilled veal meat.
Suxhuk (3pcs) $17.00
Classic traditional veal sausage.

Soups
Çka Ka Qellu Soup $9.50
Chicken soup with tender chicken, rice, and a mix of veggies in a flavorful broth

Tavë
Specë Në Mazë $11.00
Fire-grilled cubanelle pepper, delicately sautéed in homemade butter and crowned with rich, artisanal cream cheese
Tava Kosi $20.50
Lamb and rice baked with a mixture of yogurt and eggs added to a roux.
Mantia Në Tavë $16.00
Albanian traditional baked veal dumplings served in Tava dish
Stuffed Pepper $22.50
Tender peppers filled with a flavorful mix of seasonal vegetables, herbs, and rice
Gulash $20.00
Onions, italian pepper chopped, tomatoes, and veal meat served with mashed potatoes.
Mazë E Zier $17.00
Comforting dish made with corn flour, butter, kaymak, and cheese.
Tavë Dheut $19.75
Liver, onions, garlic, red pepper, hot pepper, and cheese served in tava dish.
Sarma $19.00
Cabbage leaves stuffed with seasoned ground meat, rice, and fresh vegetables
Fasulë $16.00
A staple in Albanian cuisine, this traditional white bean stew is slow-simmered with aromatic spices and olive oil, creating a rich, hearty broth. Enjoy it in its classic form or enhance it with home-made smoked meat $4 or suxhuk $4 for added depth and flavor
Kaçamak $16.00
A creamy Balkan porridge made with slow-cooked cornmeal, house-churned butter, and melted cheese
Suxhuk Në Tavë $17.00
Classic sausage served in a traditional clay dish.

Appetizers
Ajvar $5.50
A roasted red pepper spread with hints of eggplant and garlic
Sausage Dip $7.50
Slow-smoked sausage and two cheeses melt together in this creamy, savory dip
Pepper Dip $6.00
A rich, velvety blend of roasted peppers and cheese for a bold, savory taste
Roasted Pepper $6.00
Sautéed with garlic and olive oil
Cheese Pickled Pepper $5.50
A traditional combination of creamy cheese and pickled pepper
Tarator $5.00
Chilled yogurt blend with minced cucumber and garlic drizzled with parsley
Cheese $4.75
Traditional feta cheese drizzled with olive oil and finished with a touch of seasoning

Seafood
Grilled Branzino $34.50
Grilled Mediterranean sea bass served with baked potatoes and grilled seasonal vegetables
Grilled Octopus $23.50
Tender and flavorful grilled octopus.

Salads
Shop Salad $14.50
Sweet cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, and creamy shredded feta cheese
Mediterranean Salad $17.00
Arugula greens topped with goat cheese, sliced green apples, sweet red beets, crunchy walnuts, and dried cranberries, all tossed in a flavorful Çka Ka Qëllu dressing
Village Salad $17.00
Romaine lettuce, tomatoes, sweet red onions, crunchy cucumber, feta cheese, and olives

Dessert
Sheqerpare $6.25
Traditional Albanian soft, buttery cookie soaked in sweet lemon syrup
Albanian Trilece $6.25
A cake soaked in a blend of three milks, topped with rich caramel cream
Baklava $7.50
Layers of crisp filo dough, filled with chopped nuts, and sweetened with honey-sugar syrup

Brumat (Savory Dishes)
Mantia $11.00
Crispy, golden-baked dumplings filled with ground veal and aromatic spices, served hot with a touch of traditional yogurt
Samuna $1.50
Albanian flatbread.
Fli $9.00
Delicate, golden layers of hand-baked batter, brushed with rich butter for a soft, flaky texture - an Albanian culinary masterpiece
Leçenik $7.50
Cornbread made with spinach and three cheeses, complemented by a rich pepper sauce

Çka Ka Qëllu Details

Service options
Outdoor seating
No-contact delivery
Takeout
Dine-in
Delivery

Popular for
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Offerings
Beer
Coffee
Comfort food
Hard liquor
Healthy options
Quick bite
Small plates

Dining options
Brunch
Lunch
Dinner
Dessert
Seating
Table service

Amenities
Restroom

Atmosphere
Casual
Cozy
Romantic
Trendy

Crowd
Family-friendly
Groups
Locals
Tourists

Planning
Dinner reservations recommended
Accepts reservations

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Children
Good for kids

Parking
Free street parking
Paid street parking
Parking

Çka Ka Qëllu Photos

Çka Ka Qëllu Location

Çka Ka Qëllu

New York Bronx County Little Italy Hughes Avenue

2321 Hughes Ave, Bronx, NY 10458, USA

Çka Ka Qëllu Reviews

An average rating of ★4.8 from 1331 user reviews.

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★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

Went here after work with a few coworkers and ordered a little bit of everything and it did not disappoint. We sat near the front at a beautiful round wooden table. They had cool leather-bound menus and a rustic vibe. The mixed meat platter was flavorful and perfectly seasoned. The grilled octopus? Absolute perfection.The mantia was the STAR of the night for me, along with the olives! so fragrant with orange peel and herbs that I could have eaten them by the bowl. We also tried the Albanian beer that was smooth, crisp, and refreshing. The service was very attentive and provided some great recommendations. Would definitely come back.
August 15 · Adriana Medina
My husband and I came here for our anniversary dinner, and this place was absolutely beautiful and we had an amazing experience! We’ve never tried Albanian cuisine, so once we tried it here - we were sooo impressed! The food was SO flavorful and juicy and perfect!! The staff was SO hospitable & sweet (something Albanian culture really takes pride in their hospitality)! We would definitely come here again with family! Thank you for a great experience!!!
July 24 · Warisa A.
We happened to be in the Arthur Ave area and stopped in here for some wine & appetizers because we saw it listed on the NYT 100 Best Restaurants list. It was warm & cozy inside and somewhat quiet (we were there early on a Sunday evening). They sat us immediately, so not sure if you need a reservation at other times…The servers were very friendly and attentive and we enjoyed the food. Their bread is served warm and is very filling - so come hungry.Looking forward to returning soon for a full meal.
June 09 · Maria Bruno
My boyfriend and I visited this cafe at 6 pm. It was quite crowded. I ordered green olives, they were with orange zest, it was incredible! We also ordered a main course, my boyfriend noticed that I am allergic to spicy food and for me they added less spices to the meat, it was great!! Beer, water, all Albanian production, it was a joy. For dessert, the waiter recommended a certain dish to me. When they brought my dessert, I refused to eat it because I saw a fingerprint on the plate (it was black), they replaced my dessert WITHOUT PROBLEMS. Thank you
July 17 · Natalia Tkach
My friend and I decided to check out Çka Ka Qëllu on a Saturday after doing a NYBG trip. We made a reservation for 1:30, and I would recommend making a reservation if you are going at a popular time. The interior of the restaurant is unique, almost like you're in a stone cottage. The decor consists of Albanian artifacts, which is always a cool touch to the dining experience.Our server was extremely helpful guiding us through the menu, as neither of us had a ton of experience with the cuisine. We got the smaller order of the mantia ($11), which were veal dumplings. The dumplings were good, I just wanted a touch more flavor on the meat and a thicker consistency of the yogurt sauce. My friend got the tava kosi ($24), which is a lamb dish. This dish is flavored well, but it is on the saltier side! I got the gulash ($23), which I had a similar critique to the tava kosi. Once I ate the meat and potatoes, the rest of the gulash felt like I was eating flavored oil rather than a soup or stew, so I didn't wipe the bowl clean. The homemade bread helped to balance out the saltiness and sop up some of the liquid. Overall, I thought everything was very tasty, and I would return to try other dishes.Service was exceptional. From the moment we walked in, we were treated with the highest level of hospitality. Because we went on a hot day, we drank a lot of water. There was never a point where our glasses went empty! There were also multiple checkbacks. I would highly recommend checking out Çka Ka Qëllu if you're in the area at the garden or the zoo!
July 01 · Ashlyn Koga