Lava Rock Kitchen: A Halal Italian Dining Experience in The Bronx

Lava Rock Kitchen Introduce

In the vibrant heart of New York City, The Bronx stands out with its rich culture and diverse culinary landscape. Among the many hidden gems is Lava Rock Kitchen, a standout spot that brings a truly unique dining experience to the neighborhood. This isn't your average eatery; it's a place where Italian classics meet Asian-inspired flavors, all prepared with a special commitment to halal standards. Whether you're a local looking for your next go-to dinner spot or a visitor seeking an authentic and welcoming place to eat, Lava Rock Kitchen promises a memorable meal in a cozy, friendly atmosphere.

What makes Lava Rock Kitchen particularly special is its innovative menu. You'll find a delightful blend of different cuisines, all crafted to appeal to a wide range of tastes. It’s a place where you can enjoy a classic plate of Spaghetti Bolognese and also try some flavorful Chicken Fried Rice. This culinary fusion, combined with a laid-back and welcoming vibe, has made it a popular choice for locals and tourists alike, earning a reputation for great food and even better service.

Location and Accessibility

Lava Rock Kitchen is conveniently located at 2119 Starling Ave 2nd Floor, Bronx, NY 10462, USA. Its location in The Bronx makes it easily accessible for residents and those traveling from other boroughs. While the restaurant doesn't have a dedicated parking lot, there is free and paid street parking available in the surrounding area. The welcoming atmosphere starts before you even enter, as the establishment is committed to making everyone feel comfortable. They have a wheelchair-accessible entrance, restroom, and seating, ensuring that all guests can enjoy their meal without any hassle. This attention to accessibility reflects the restaurant's commitment to being a truly inclusive space for the community.

Services Offered

Lava Rock Kitchen offers a variety of services to fit your dining needs, whether you're planning a quick meal or a relaxed evening out. The restaurant is popular for dinner and solo dining, but also accommodates larger groups and is considered a great place for kids. Their services include:

Dine-in: Enjoy a cozy and pleasant meal in their casual dining space. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, perfect for a relaxed dinner with family or friends.
Takeout: For those on the go, the full menu is available for takeout. You can easily call ahead to place your order and pick it up to enjoy at home.
Reservations: Lava Rock Kitchen accepts reservations, which is a great option for planning your visit, especially during peak hours, to ensure you get a table.
Table service: You will be seated and served by their friendly and attentive staff, who are known for their exceptional service.

Features and Highlights

Lava Rock Kitchen is celebrated for several features that make it a local favorite. The restaurant has cultivated a reputation for being more than just a place to eat; it's a community hub where everyone feels welcome. Some of its notable highlights include:

Diverse Menu: The menu is a fusion of cuisines, offering a wide array of options including halal Italian food and Asian-inspired dishes. From rich pastas and hearty entrees to crispy fried rice and gourmet burgers, there’s something for every palate.
Halal Cuisine: As a certified halal restaurant, Lava Rock Kitchen provides peace of mind for diners seeking halal-friendly options. The commitment to this standard is a key aspect of their identity and menu.
Comfort Food: The dishes are designed to be both comforting and flavorful. Popular choices like the bone-in ribeye, various pasta dishes, and the Lava Rock Burger are beloved by customers.
Inclusive Atmosphere: The restaurant prides itself on being family-friendly, LGBTQ+ friendly, and a transgender-safe space. This inclusive environment makes it a welcoming spot for everyone in the community.
Cozy and Casual Vibe: The atmosphere is described as casual and cozy, making it the perfect setting for a relaxed and unhurried dining experience.
Accommodating Staff: The staff is consistently praised in reviews for being friendly, respectful, and attentive, adding a personal touch that enhances the overall dining experience.
Amenities: The restaurant offers a clean restroom for patrons and Wi-Fi access, which is great for those who might want to catch up on work or simply browse while they dine. High chairs are also available, making it convenient for families with small children.

What Is Worth Choosing

So, what makes Lava Rock Kitchen stand out from the many other dining options in The Bronx? It's a combination of unique factors that create a truly special experience. First and foremost is the food. The menu is not just a list of dishes; it's a testament to culinary creativity. You can enjoy classic Italian fare like the Rigatoni all'Emiliana or the Lasagna Supreme, but you can also venture into something new with the Chili Chicken or Beef Kofta Kabab from their Asian-inspired selection. The commitment to using high-quality ingredients and the expert preparation of each dish is evident, as noted by customers who highlight the freshness and flavor of the food.

Another key reason to choose Lava Rock Kitchen is its dedication to being an inclusive and welcoming space. The positive reviews often mention the incredibly friendly and kind staff. This level of service transforms a simple meal into a memorable event. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, you’re made to feel right at home. The restaurant’s atmosphere is casual, cozy, and perfect for unwinding. It's a place where you can sit, chat, and enjoy a great meal without any pretense. The variety of payment options, including credit and debit cards, also adds to the convenience. Whether you are seeking a comforting meal, a place to gather with loved ones, or a unique blend of flavors you won’t find elsewhere, Lava Rock Kitchen is an exceptional choice. Their unique menu and commitment to customer satisfaction make it a must-visit dining destination in The Bronx.

Contact Information

Ready to plan your visit or place a takeout order? You can easily get in touch with Lava Rock Kitchen using the following information:

Address: 2119 Starling Ave 2nd Floor, Bronx, NY 10462, USA
Phone: (718) 785-0048

Whether you're craving a plate of perfectly prepared pasta, a delicious burger, or something with a unique Asian twist, a visit to Lava Rock Kitchen is sure to satisfy. With its friendly staff, cozy ambiance, and an extensive menu of halal offerings, it's a true gem in The Bronx culinary scene.

Lava Rock Kitchen Menu

Asian Inspired Dishes - Appetizers
Thai Soup $10.00
Thai soup with chicken, shrimp, scallions, ginger, and lemongrass
Steamed Chicken Dumplings $10.00
6 pieces steamed chicken dumplings served with side of soy sauce
Pan Fried Chicken Dumplings $10.00
6 pieces chicken dumplings pan fried with butter served with side of spicy sweet sour chili sauce
Chicken Lollipop $12.00
6 pieces deep fried chicken lollipops with spicy sweet sour chili sauce

Asian Inspired Dishes - Entrees
Vegetable Fried Rice $11.00
Stir-fried rice with mixed vegetables and eggs
Chicken Fried Rice $13.00
Stir-fried rice, pieces of chicken, eggs, peas, carrots, and scallions
Shrimp Fried Rice $16.00
Stir-fried rice, shrimp, eggs, diced carrots, peas, and scallions
Chili Chicken $15.00
Crispy chicken pieces stir-fried with bell peppers and onions, tossed in a bold, spicy sweet sour sauce, served with rice
Sesame Chicken $15.00
Tender marinated chicken chunks, fried and sautéed in our house sauce, finished with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds served with sautéed broccoli and rice
Chicken Kofta Kabab $19.00
Grilled chicken kofta kabab served over vegetable fried rice with grilled jalapeno, red onions, and house salad
Beef Kofta Kabab $20.00
Grilled beef kofta kabab served over vegetable fried rice with grilled jalapeno, red onions, and house salad

ΑΡΡΕΤΙΖERS
Insalata Cesare $11.00
Romaine lettuce with parmesan cheese, croutons and caesar dressing
Insalata Caprese $13.00
Homemade fresh mozzarella with vine ripe sliced tomatoes, basil and extra virgin olive oil
Peperina $13.00
Thinly sliced pear and grana Padano cheese over arugula with roasted walnut and julienne red bell peppers
Insalata Panzanella $15.00
Traditional Tuscan salad with romaine lettuce, capers, olives, parsley, mixed vegetables, fresh mozzarella, and toasted bread
Funghi Misti $15.00
Mixed mushrooms sautéed with garlic, olive oil, onions, and parsley served over grilled focaccia bread
Melanzane alla Parmigiana $15.00
Baked breaded eggplant with tomato sauce, basil, parmigiano cheese, and mozzarella garnish with ricotta salata
Shrimp Tempura $16.00
Fried shrimp tempura served with a spicy cocktail sauce
Calamari Fritti $16.00
Fried calamari served with a spicy tomato sauce and lemon
Polpette Incamiciate $15.00
Beef meatballs in a tomato ragu with melted mozzarella
Alette di Pollo $11.00
Fried chicken wings with lightly spiced sweet and sour chilli sauce
Brodetto di Pollo $10.00
Chicken and vegetable soup with pasta

PASTA
Rigatoni all'Emiliana $20.00
Rigatoni pasta with beef sausage in a light cream sauce
Penne Puttanesca $20.00
Penne pasta with capers, olives, fresh tomato, and lightly spiced tomato sauce
Ravioli Alfredo $20.00
Cheese ravioli with alfredo sauce, grilled chicken, and mushrooms
Tagliatelle ai Frutti di Mare $25.00
Homemade tagliatelle pasta with clams, shrimp, calamari, peperoncini, and parsley in a lightly spiced tomato sauce
Penne alla Salsiccia in Salsa Rosa $20.00
Penne with beef sausage, onions, light pink sauce, and parmesan cheese
Cavatelli con Polpette $22.00
Homemade cavatelli pasta with beef meatballs in a tomato ragu
Capellini Funghi e Pomodorini $21.00
Angel hair pasta with garlic, olive oil, fresh tomato, shrimp, mushrooms, parsley, and arugula
Linguine Arrabbiata $20.00
Linguine pasta with mushrooms, bell peppers, and lightly spiced tomato sauce
Spaghetti Bolognese $20.00
Spaghetti with garlic, olive oil, ground beef, and tomato sauce
Lasagna Supreme $20.00
Homemade lasagna with béchamel sauce and beef tomato ragu topped with parmesan cheese and mozzarella
Tortellini Panna e Gamberi $21.00
Ricotta cheese tortellini pasta with béchamel sauce, shrimp, and parmesan cheese
Ravioli Positanese $20.00
Cheese ravioli with beef sausage, mushrooms, peas, basil, tomato ragu and grana padano
Risotto ai Funghi $20.00
Italian rice with mixed mushrooms, onions, herbs, parmigiano cheese, butter, and parsley
Spaghetti alle Barbabietole $20.00
Spaghetti pasta with garlic, olive oil, julienne beets, spinach, capers, crispy breadcrumbs, scallions, and colatura
Rigatoni Pomodoro $17.00
Rigatoni with garlic, olive oil, fresh basil and tomato sauce

ENTREES
Salmone Capperi e Olive $24.00
Salmon filet sauteed with spiced tomato sauce, capers, olives, fresh tomatoes, and cauliflower
Salmone alla Griglia $24.00
Grilled salmon fillet served over mashed potato and sautéed spinach
Branzino Intero $30.00
Semi boneless grilled whole branzino served with arrabiata sauce and side of rice
Gamberoni Aglio Olio $24.00
Large Shrimp sauteed with garlic, olive oil, spinach, and calamarata pasta
Gamberoni Scampi $25.00
Egg battered Colossal (8/12 sizes) shrimp with lemon butter sauce served over homemade tagliatelle pasta
Gamberoni Cremosi alla Positano $25.00
Large shrimp sautéed with beef bacon, mushrooms and light cream sauce served over homemade spinach tagliatelle
Scaloppine di Pollo $24.00
Herbed bread crumb coated chicken scaloppine with sauteed mushrooms, sun dried tomatoes, chick peas, and spinach
Pollo Scarpariello $24.00
Pieces of chicken sautéed with spicy vinegar sauce served with roasted potato and American broccoli
Pollo Parmigiana $24.00
Baked breaded chicken breast with tomato sauce, mozzarella, and basil served with penne pasta
Spiedino di Agnello $25.00
Grilled skewered lamb cubes served over trofie pasta with garlic, olive oil, sage, mixed mushrooms, and peperoncini
Ossobuco d'Agnello $29.00
Braised lamb shank with a mixed vegetables and spices served with mint and peas risotto
Costolette d'Agnello $32.00
Grilled lamb chops served with rice and sautéed spinach
Controfiletto alla Griglia $34.00
Grilled boneless NY strip loin steak with rice, American broccoli, and roasted fingerling potatoes
Costata di Manzo $44.00
Grilled bone in rib eye steak served with mixed bell peppers, cauliflower, and herbs
Bistecca alla Fiorentina $42.00
Grilled T-bone steak with sautéed bok choy, fried steak potatoes, and red onions

BURGERS
Lava Rock $11.00
Beef patty, lava rock sauce, lettuce, sliced tomato, fontina cheese grilled red onions, pickled jalapeno
The Starling $11.00
Breaded chicken patty, lava rock sauce, lettuce, sliced tomato, provolone cheese, grilled red onions, pickled jalapeno
Spicy Bronx $15.00
Lightly spiced breaded chicken patty, spinach, beef bacon, melted fresh mozzarella, pickle cucumber, spicy sour cream sauce

SANDWICHES
Philly CheeseSteak $14.00
Philly beef cheesesteak, red onions, mixed roasted bell peppers, mushrooms, pickled spicy jalapeno, lettuce, tomato, fontina cheese, garlic mayonnaise
Chicken Sandwich $12.00
Grilled chicken tenderloin, romaine lettuce, roasted peppers, basil, garlic mayonnaise, focaccia bread
Milanese Sandwich $12.00
Breaded chicken breast, fresh mozzarella, sliced tomatoes, basil, garlic leek sauce, focaccia bread

PIZZA
Lava Rock $15.00
Chicken, beef pepperoni, spinach, mozzarella
Margherita $10.00
Tomato sauce, mozzarella, basil
Pepperoni $13.00
Tomato sauce, beef pepperoni, mozzarella, basil
Sausage $13.00
Tomato sauce, beef sausage, mozzarella, basil
Capricciosa $14.00
Tomato sauce, beef sausage, onions, capers, olives, mixed peppers, mushrooms, mozzarella
Diavola $13.00
Spicy tomato sauce, hot peppers, meat balls, mozzarella, basil
The Starling $14.00
Bechamel sauce, mushrooms, grilled chicken, spinach, mozzarella

SIDES
Spinaci Saltati $7.00
Spinach sautéed with garlic, olive oil, and parsley
Pure di Patate $6.00
Mashed potato with cream, butter, and parmesan cheese
Patate Arrosto $5.00
Roasted potato with garlic, olive oil, and rosemary
Cavolo Cinese $10.00
Bok choy sautéed with garlic, olive oil, beef bacon, chick peas, and peperoncini
Broccoli Aglio e Olio $6.00
Sautéed American broccoli with garlic, olive oil, parsley, and peperoncini

KIDS MENU
Mozzarella Sticks $7.00
Fried mozzarella sticks (6 pieces) served with marinara sauce
Chicken Nuggets $8.00
Fried chicken nuggets (7 pieces) served with French fries and mayonnaise ketchup sauce
Ravioli Fritti $9.00
Fried ricotta cheese ravioli with tomato sauce
Penne al Burro e Parmigiano $8.00
Penne pasta with butter sauce and parmesan cheese
Margherita $8.00
Tomato sauce, mozzarella, basil

DESSERTS
Lava Cake $11.00
Chocolate lava cake served with vanilla ice cream and raspberry sauce
NY Cheesecake $10.00
Creamy and rich New York cheesecake served with whipped cream, strawberry, and mango sauce
Torta di Mandorle $13.00
Homemade chocolate and almond torte served with hazelnut gelato and caramelized orange zest
Fragole allo Zabaglione $11.00
Chocolate dipped strawberries with zabaglione sauce and whipped cream
Biscotti $8.00
Lava rock’s double baked almond cookies
Chocolate Truffle Mousse $11.00
Cocoa powder topped chocolate mousse cake served whipped cream and chocolate sauce
Cannoli $10.00
Sicilian cannoli with orange wedge, chocolate chips, and fresh mint
Tartufo $12.00
Cocoa powder coated hazelnut and vanilla ice cream with whipped cream, and raspberry sauce
Gran Gelato $9.00
Vanilla, hazelnut and chocolate ice cream with strawberry and fresh mint
Sorbetto $8.00
Coconut, lemon, and mango sorbetto with strawberry and fresh mint

Lava Rock Kitchen Details

Service options
Takeout
Dine-in

Popular for
Dinner
Solo dining

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible restroom
Wheelchair accessible seating
Assistive hearing loop
Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Offerings
Comfort food
Halal food
Quick bite
Small plates
Vegetarian options

Dining options
Dinner
Dessert
Seating
Table service

Amenities
Restroom
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi

Atmosphere
Casual
Cozy

Crowd
Family-friendly
Groups
LGBTQ+ friendly
Tourists
Transgender safespace

Planning
Accepts reservations

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
Credit cards

Children
Good for kids
High chairs

Parking
Free street parking
Paid street parking

Pets
Dogs allowed outside

Lava Rock Kitchen Photos

Lava Rock Kitchen Location

Lava Rock Kitchen

New York Bronx County Parkchester Starling Avenue

2119 Starling Ave 2nd Floor, Bronx, NY 10462, USA

Lava Rock Kitchen Reviews

An average rating of ★4.5 from 178 user reviews.

italianhalalsteaksauceatmospheremocktailsdinnerentreesbirthdayserver

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

Starting of with the waiter, extremely friendly, kind and respectful. The atmosphere is pleasant, nothing too fancy. Nice please to sit, chat and eat. Food came out fresh and hot. Pasta was good and so was the chicken. The risotto could have been better. Risotto lacked in flavor. Needed some kick to it. Overall a nice halal restaurant with kind staff and the bathroom was very clean and beautiful. No parking so need to hunt for parking.
July 25 · Alisha B
Lava Rock Kitchen is an absolute gem for anyone looking for a halal Italian dining experience. From the moment we walked in, the service was outstanding — the staff made us feel genuinely welcomed and taken care of. As a special treat, they even brought us complimentary mocktails to sample, which were delicious and refreshing. I ordered the bone-in ribeye, and it was cooked to perfection — incredibly tender, juicy, and packed with flavor. The cozy atmosphere combined with the attentive service made the evening feel extra special. I can’t wait to come back and try even more from their amazing menu!
April 27 · Fuad M
Review for Lava Rock Kitchen⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐I recently dined at Lava Rock Kitchen and had a fantastic experience! The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, perfect for a relaxed meal. I ordered the lamb chops, which were perfectly cooked, tender, and full of flavor—definitely a highlight of the evening. The sides complemented the dish wonderfully, enhancing the overall experience. The service was attentive and friendly. I can’t wait to return and try more dishes! Highly recommended!
April 08 · vishal Barobhuiya
Lava Rock Kitchen has quickly become one of my favorite spots. I’ve visited three times, and each time the food has blown me away. You can tell they care about quality, every dish is rich with flavor and beautifully presented. But beyond the food, the service is what keeps me coming back. The server is incredibly kind, patient, and always goes out of their way to make the experience comfortable and enjoyable. True hospitality!
April 30 · T K
★★★★★We had an absolutely amazing experience at Lava Rock Kitchen yesterday for Iftar with my family. From the moment we walked in until we left, everything was just perfect! The service was exceptional, the ambiance was beautifully designed, and the food—oh my goodness—the food was beyond incredible!Every single dish we ordered was cooked to perfection, and every bite was bursting with flavor. It’s rare to find a place where everything is spot on, but Lava Rock Kitchen truly delivers. I’m already counting down the days until my birthday in May because I can’t wait to celebrate here!Highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a top-notch halal Italian dining experience. Can’t wait to be back!
March 09 · Hannah Odil